Objective To investigate the influential factors for refracture of the adjacent vertebral body following percutaneous vertebroplasty (PVP) treatment of patients with osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures (OVCFs).Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on OVCFs patients undergone mono-segmental PVP from July 2007 to March 2010.Patients' age,gender,bone density,bone cement infusion dosage,bone cement leakage and pre-and post-operative fracture reduction were documented.Kaplan-Meier remaining rate curve was used to predict the trend of time to refracture.The related factors for adjacent vertebral body refracture following PVP were analyzed.Results In all,216 patients (98 males and 118 females; age range of 55-76 years,average 65.4 years) were enrolled in this study.Follow-up lasted for 12-18 months.Ninety-two patients sustained refracture including 68 patients with refracture of the adjacent vertebral body.Refracture of the adjacent vertebral body presented time-concentrated tendency and 66％ (45/68) occurred within 100 days followed by a notably lower incidence.Whereas the time to refracture of the non-adjacent vertebral body was not obviously centralized.Bone cement infusion dosage and vertebral body reset condition were strongly associated with the refracture incidence of the adjacent vertebral body,while opposite results were observed in regard of age,gender,bone density and bone cement leakage (or not).Conclusion PVP predisposes OVCFs patients to refracture of the adjacent vertebral body and its influential factors may be associated with bone cement infusion dosage and vertebral body reduction condition.

AIM: To investigate the protective effect of onychin on the endothelial cells injured by oxidative stress. METHODS: The injured model was established by endothelial cells treated with menadione. The growth inhibitory rate of endothelial cell was determined by MTT assay; NO - 2/NO - 3 concentration in the medium was determined by nitrate reductase assay; eNOS and caveolin-1 protein levels were determined by Western blot. RESULTS: Onychin significantly decreased the growth inhibitory rate of endothelial cells injured by menadione, increased NO - 2/NO - 3 concentration in the medium and eNOS activity and up-regulated caveolin-1 expression. CONCLUSION: Onychin possesses a protective effect against endothelial cell injury induced by menadione via caveolin-1/eNOS pathway.

BACKGROUND:After entering the aging society, improving the balance function to prevent fals and reduce incidence of fractures in the elderly has received widespread attentions in al aspects. OBJECTIVE: To design a training program for the elderly, involving static stretching and strength exercise of lower limb, in order to study the combined effect on the balance function of the elderly. METHODS: Static stretching and strength training of the lower limbs were carried out in 28 elderly persons who met the inclusion criteria for 3 months, three times a week, once for 60 minutes. Before and after exercise training, the static balance ability with foot standing, eyes open and eyes closed was evaluated using the PRO-KIN balance instrument; the dynamic balance ability and lower limb strength were evaluated using treadmil test with eyes closed and chair-stand test. Evaluation results before and after exercise were compared and anayzed. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:In the eyes open state, the average X-axis coordinate and exercise-induced elipse area at the center of pressure were significant different before and after exercise (P < 0.01); the mean velocities at the left and right direction were of significant difference before and after exercise (P < 0.05); the results of treadmil test with eyes closed and chair-stand test also presented very significant differences before and after exercise (P < 0.01). Static stretching combined with lower limb strength exercise can effectively improve the balance function and lower limb strength of the elderly, which can be used as an effective exercise way to prevent the fals in the elderly.

Objective To evaluate the immuno-potentiating effects of CpG-ODN plus alum as a composite adjuvant on influenza split virion vaccine.Methods BALB/c mice were immunized with various amounts of 2009 H1N1 influenza split virion vaccine,alone or in combination with CpG-ODN,alum,or both (composite adjuvant).Antigen-specific humoral immune responses were evaluated by ELISA,hemagglutination inhibiting (HI) assay and neutralizing assay.Antigen-specific cellular immune responses were evaluated by ELISPOT assay,intracellular cytokine staining assay and in vivo CTL assay.Results Compared with the control group immunized with antigen alone,a single use of either adjuvant weakly enhanced the humoral immune responses,as indicated by the increase of antigen-specific IgG titers,HI titers and neutralizing titers by 3-6 folds,2-4 folds and 4-8 folds,respectively,after two immunizations.In contrast,the composite adjuvant induced more potent humoral immune responses; the antigen-specific IgG titers,HI titers and neutralizing titers were increased by 23-57 folds,9-20 folds and 16-64 folds,respectively.Consequently,the composite adjuvant achieved antigen-sparing by at least 16 folds.In addition,the composite adjuvant significantly enhanced the antigen-specific cellular immune responses,as revealed by the increase of IFN-γ-secreting CD4+ T cells and the enhancement of CTL activity in immunized mice.Conclusion CpG-ODN plus alum as a composite adjuvant can enhance the immunogenicity of influenza split virion vaccine and achieve the antigen-sparing effect.

ObjectiveTo investigate the clinical effects of posterior atlantoaxial fusion fixation in treatment of old atlantoaxial injury secondary to atlantoaxial dislocation.MethodsA retrospective analysis was carried out on 16 patients ( 14 males and 2 females) with old atlantoaxial injuries secondary to atlantoaxial dislocations managed with posterior atlantoaxial fusion fixation from March 2008 to March 2012.The time from injury to operation lasted for 3-36 months ( average 10.5 months).Posterior atlantoaxial transpedicular fixation was performed in 13 patients including 10 patients with old odontoid fractures and three with old traumatic transverse ligament disruptions of the atlas combined with atlantoaxial dislocations.Also,posterior atlantal arch transpediclar fixation combined with axial pedicle screw fixation was performed in three patients who had old odontoid fractures combined with atlantoaxial dislocations.All patients had simultaneous autogenous bone grafting between atlas and axis during reduction and fixation.The preoperative and postoperative Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) scores were compared.Follow-up X-ray films and CT was performed to evaluate the atlantoaxial reduction and fusion.ResultsAll the patients were followed up for 9-18 months ( mean 13 months).None of the patients had spinal cord or vertebral artery injuries.Follow-up CT showed that two patients had partial penetration of one side axial pedicle screws into transverse foramen without nerve and blood vessel injuries.Clinical symptoms obtained different degree of improvement.The postoperative JOA scores ranged from 13 to 16 points ( mean 14.8 points) and the improvement rate of JOA was 71％-92％ ( mean 82％ ).The X-ray films and CT showed sound bone fusion,with good location of screws but with no signs of atlantoaxial instability or loss of reduction,or loosening or breakage of the screws.ConclusionPosterior atlantoaxial fusion fixation can effectively reconstruct atlantoaxial stability,improves neurologic function of spinal cord and has reliable curative effects.

Objective To establish a CVS-11 pseudovirus particles ( pp)-based assay for detec-tion of neutralizing antibody against rabies virus. Methods An improved rapid fluorescence focus inhibition test ( RFFIT) for detection of neutralizing antibody against rabies virus ( RVNA) was established based on the CVS-11 pseudovirus expressing a luciferase reporter gene. Forty-six human serum samples were analyzed with the improved RFFIT and the results were compared with those by using standard RFFIT. Moreover, the improved RFFIT was used to detect the titers of RVNA in 91 serum samples collected from pet dogs and pet-breeders in Beijing. Results The coincidence rate of the improved RFFIT and the standard RFFIT was 100% regarding to the analysis of 46 human serum samples and 5 negative reference serum samples. Moreo-ver, the RVNA titers of all serum samples obtained with CVS-11 pseudovirus-based assay showed a signifi-cant high correlation with those obtained with standard RFFIT (n=46, r=0. 94, P<0. 000 1). All of the 91 serum samples collected from pet dogs and pet-breeders in Beijing were positive for RVNA as indicated by the improved RFFIT with a mean titer of 33. 01 IU/ml. Conclusion We established an improved RFFIT based on the CVS-11 pp expressing luciferase reporter gene, which might be used as a reliable alternative RFFIT for measuring RVNA titer. Analysis of the 91 serum samples collected in Beijing with the improved RFFIT showed that all samples were positive for RVNA.

Objective To observe the level of serum hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) in patients with impaired glucose tolerance (IGT). Methods Thirty patients with IGT (IGT group), 30 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitns (T2DM) (T2DM group) and 30 healthy controls (control group) were recruited for this study. Such indexes as HGF, fasting plasma glucose (FBG), postprandial plasma glucose (2hPG), glycosylated hemoglobin A1c( GHbA1c ), fasting insulin(FINS), systolic blood pressure(SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP) were examined and these related factors were analyzed. Results The levels of serum HGF in IGT group and T2DM group were higher than those in control group [(413.22 ± 102.48), (422.76 ± 126.77 ), ( 120.45 ± 25.11 ) ng/L, respectively ] (P < 0.05 ). There was no significant different between IGT group and T2DM group (P> 0.05). There was positive correlation between HGF and FBG (r = 0.326, P< 0.05 ). Multiple regression analysis indicated significant correlation between HGF and DBP (r = 4.730, P< 0.05). Conclusion Higher levels of HGF are found in IGT patients, which indicates that function of vascular endothelium is abnormal in this period.

Adjuvants, Immunologic ; therapeutic use ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Antiviral Agents ; therapeutic use ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Female ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; drug therapy ; Humans ; Lamivudine ; therapeutic use ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Thymosin ; analogs & derivatives ; therapeutic use

DNA methylation is crucial for mammalian development, and DNA methylation is always in the dynamic status during preimplantation mouse embryos development. The effects of 5-AZA-CdR on the development of preimplantation mouse embryos were evaluated. Preimplantation mouse embryos created by in vitro fertilization were cultured continuously in 5-AZA-CdR (0.2, 1.0, or 5.0 μmol/L). Fertilized oocytes exposed to CZB containing 5-AZA-CdR at the pronuclear stage were unable to form morulae (0.2 and 1.0 μmol/L) or 4-cell embryos (5.0 μmol/L), while 2-cell stage embryos exposed to 5-AZA-CdR developed into uncompacted 8-cell (0.2 and 1.0 μmol/L) or 3/4-cell (5.0 μmol/L) stage embryos. The rate of morula formation was significantly lower in 4-cell embryos cultured in 5-AZA-CdR (1.0 or 5.0 μmol/L) than that in control embryos (P < 0.05). These data indicate that 5-AZA-CdR inhibits the development of mouse preimplantation embryos. Apoptosis, DNA methylation, and transcriptional activity were analyzed to determine the reason for these developmental defects. An aunexin V-PI assay revealed that high doses of 5-AZA-CdR led to apoptosis. Compared to the controls, DNA methylation was significantly reduced in uncompacted 8-cell embryos and morulae (p < 0.05) in a dose- dependent manner, whereas no significant change was detected in 2-or 4-cell embryos (P > 0.05). The observed changes in transcriptional activity, determined by measuring the incorporation of BrUTP, were similar to the observed alterations in DNA methylation. Therefore, the developmental defects induced by 5-AZA-CdR appear to bc mediated by alterations in DNA methylation and transcriptional activity in preimplantation mouse embryos.

Epigenetic modifications, including DNA methylation, histone modifications, RNA epigenetics and nucleosome remodeling, are important for gene transcription, but such modifications do not change the coding sequence of the gene. Although these events are heritable, they are potentially reversible, thus opening up opportunities for the therapy of cancer. So epigenetic modifications have been thrusted into the forefront of new drug discoveries. Current knowledge suggests that the agents that intervene epigenetics by "turning back on" silenced genes may represent a significant advancement in treating many forms of cancer. In this review, we summarized the research progress of epigenetic gene regulation and the proteins which could read epigenetic codes. And the relationship between epigenetics and cancer was discussed comprehensively.
DNA Methylation ; Epigenesis, Genetic ; genetics ; Gene Expression Regulation ; genetics ; Histones ; metabolism ; Humans ; Neoplasms ; genetics ; therapy