By establishing a series of Dynamic Cervical Implants (DCI) within C5-C6 cervical spinal segments, the biomechanical finite element analysis for DCI with different width and thickness were carried out to investigate the influence of the width and thickness of DCI's curved section on its equivalent stress and range of motion (ROM), so as to provide some theoretical basis for the optimization of DCI's design. The results show that the width of DCI's curved section has more obvious influence on the ROM of lateral bending and torsion, in comparison with the thickness of DCI's curved section. By appropriate reduction in width, the ROMs of lateral bending and torsion increase obviously, i.e. the overall movement function of patients is improved. Furthermore, the increase of equivalent stress could be counteracted by corresponding increase of thickness.
Biomechanical Phenomena ; Cervical Vertebrae ; Finite Element Analysis ; Humans ; Movement ; Neck ; Prostheses and Implants ; Prosthesis Design ; Range of Motion, Articular

Objective: To evaluate the possibility of self-assembly oligopeptide(T2) for dental enamel biomimetics, especially for the prism’s crystal texture since it could prompt calcium phosphate precipitated in gel carrier. Methods:SEM (Scaning electron microscope) and TEM (Transmission electron microscope) were used to observe the morphologic presentation and ED(Electron diffraction) to crystal texture comparing with the human molar enamel powder. Results: (a) Flake-like and needle-like octacalcium phosphate precipitated in the gel carrier with self-assemble oligopeptide(T2). They transformed into rod-like hydroxyapatite crystals gradually in the following 2-4 weeks. (b) The rod-like hydroxyapatite may arrange or grow into bundles which are similar to the human enamel prisms in both appearance and size. (c) The rod-like hydroxyapatite showed polycrystal while the enamel prisms showed monocrystal under examination of ED. Conclusion:The self-assemble oligopeptide(T2) could regulate the speed of nucleation and crystallization of hydroxyapatite in morphology and crystalline size. Thus, the self-assembly oligopeptide and the gel carrier mineralization system could be primarily applied in biomimetic use for the crystallization of hydroxyaptite in dental prism in vitro.

Objective To evaluate the safety of interventional radiotherapy with X-ray angiography. Methods To compare X-ray radiation levels with and without radioprotect with X-ray protective monitor by simulating operators' body's parts. Results The difference is significant. Conclusion Interventional radiotherapy with angiography with effective protect is safe.

OBJECTIVETo observe the change of lipid metabolism and vascular endothelium as well as morphology of heart tissue in rats who were long-time exposed to moxa smoke with different concentrations in order to provide reference for safety assessment of moxa smoke on cardiovascular system.

METHODSOne hundred and sixty-eighty Wistar rats were randomly divided into a control group, a low-concentration group, a median-concentration group and a high-concentration group, 42 rats in each one. The rats were exposed to moxa smoke with concentration of 0%, 10%, 40% and 70%, respectively, for 20 min per day. After continuous intervention for six months, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was applied to measure the level of low density lipoprotein-receptor (LDL-r) and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) in blood serum in each group; the slices of heart tissue were stained with hematoxylin-eosin staining method to observe morphology change of heart tissue.

RESULTS(1) After the intervention of moxa smoke, the levels of LDL-r and ICAM-1 in the low-concentration group were not statistically different from those in the control group (both P > 0.05); the level of LDL-r in the median-concentration group was significantly increased, which was statistically different from that in the control group [(3.87 +/- 0.27) mg/mL vs (2.12 +/- 0.13) mg/mL, P < 0.01], however, the content of ICAM-1 was not obviously changed; although the level of LDL-r in the high-concentration group was presented with an escalating trend, it was not statistically different from that in the control group (P > 0.05) while the level of ICAM-1 was obviously increased (P < 0.01). (2) Under the light microscope, the abnormalities of cardiac muscle fibers and myocardial cell in each group were not been observed.

CONCLUSIONThe long-time intervention of low-concentration moxa smoke has no significant effects on lipid metabolism and vascular endothelium of rats, indicating that clinical application of low-concentration moxa smoke is relatively safe. The long-time intervention of moderate-concentration moxa smoke could significantly increase the clearance rate of cholesterol, implying the beneficial regulation of moxa smoke on lipid metabolism. The high-concentration moxa smoke could induce certain damage to vascular endothelium but its mechanism is in need of further research. The pathologic change of heart tissue could not be induced by moxa smoke with any concentration.

Animals ; Heart ; anatomy & histology ; Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 ; metabolism ; Lipid Metabolism ; Male ; Moxibustion ; adverse effects ; Myocardium ; pathology ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Receptors, LDL ; metabolism ; Smoke ; adverse effects ; analysis

OBJECTIVETo investigate whether inhalable particulate matters can cause the damage of chromosome or mitotic apparatus to produce micronucleus, and to evaluate genetic toxicology of moxa smoke on chromosome.

METHODSBy MTT method, the 24 h half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) of moxa smoke condensation (MSC) on Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells was 0.087 mg/mL. CHO cells, which were cultured in vitro, were divided into a solvent control group, a positive control group (cyclophosphamide as solvent), a low concentration group, a moderate concentration group and a high concentration group. The low concentration group, moderate concentration group and high concentration group were set approximately 1/8, 1/4, 1/2 of IC50, respectively. Whether micronucleus had dose-effect response induced by the damage of chromosome or mitotic apparatus was observed after CHO cells were contaminated by MSC in the low concentration group, moderate concentration group and high concentration group.

RESULTSThe rate of micronucleus induced by MSC in the low concentration group, moderate concentration group and high concentration group was higher than that in the solvent control group (all P < 0.05), which presented dosage-effect response. The experiment was repeated 3 times, indicating it was repeatable with statistical significance.

CONCLUSIONHigh concentration of MSC shows toxicity to induce chromosome damage, which disappears at low concentration. The genetic toxicology is also dependent on concentration, and the concentration of moxa smoke is essential. In clinical treatment, it is noted to control the level of moxa smoke, while the clinical safety standard of moxa smoke concentration is in need of further study.

Air Pollutants ; adverse effects ; Animals ; CHO Cells ; Cell Nucleus ; drug effects ; genetics ; Cricetinae ; Cricetulus ; Inhalation Exposure ; adverse effects ; analysis ; Micronucleus Tests ; Moxibustion ; adverse effects ; Particulate Matter ; adverse effects ; Smoke ; adverse effects ; analysis

Oligopeptide T2, a kind of PA (Peptide Amphiphile) molecule, which could build up nano-fiber by self-assembly was designed and synthesized in this study. And the double-diffusion gel system was applied on this molecule to investigate its biomineralization features in vitro. The results showed that T2 could obviously reduce the hydroxyapatite (HA) formation period. And HA was found to possess the characteristics of non-crystalline by analysis of X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electronic microscopy (SEM). These findings point to the conclusion that the negatively charged zone in T2 might make this molecule have the function of promoting HA biomineralization in vitro. And the mechanism responsible for the procession of HA biomineralization needs further research.
Biocompatible Materials ; chemical synthesis ; chemistry ; Bone Substitutes ; chemistry ; Calcification, Physiologic ; Durapatite ; chemistry ; Oligopeptides ; chemical synthesis ; chemistry

Objective To evaluate the effect of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) on mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathways in lung tissues of rats with acute lung injury (ALI).Methods Healthy pathogen-free adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were selected,and the BMSCs were obtained and cultured in vitro.One hundred and five healthy clean adult male SpragueDawley rats,weighing 170-190 g,were divided into 5 groups (n=21 each) using a random number table:control group (group C),PBS group,group ALI,ALI plus BMSC group (group ALI+BMSCs),and ALI plus phosphate buffer solution (PBS) group (group ALI+PBS).Group C received no treatment.PBS 0.5 ml was injected via the tail vein in group PBS.Lipopolysaccharide (LPS,0.5 ml) 5 mg/kg was intraperitoneally injected to establish the model of ALI in group ALI.BMSCs (0.5 ml) 1×104 cells/ml were injected via the tail vein after intraperitoneal injection of LPS in group ALI+ BMSCs.PBS 0.5 ml was injected via the tail vein after intraperitoneal injection of LPS in group ALI+PBS.Arterial blood samples were collected for blood gas analysis at 6,24 and 48 h after injection of BMSCs.Lungs were then removed for determination of wet/dry weight ratio (W/D ratio) and expression of mTOR,nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-o) in lung tissues (by Western blot) and for examination of the pathologic changes of lungs tissues (using haematoxylin and eosin staining).Results Compared with group C,pH value and PaO2 were significantly decreased,PaCO2 and W/D ratio were increased,and the expression of mTOR,NF-κB and TNF-α was up-regulated at each time point in ALI,ALI+BMSCs and ALI+PBS groups (P＜0.05).Compared with group ALI,pH value and PaO2 were significantly increased,PaCO2 and W/D ratio were decreased,the expression of mTOR,NF-κB and TNF-α was down-regulated at each time point (P＜0.05),and the pathologic changes of lungs tissues were significantly attenuated in group ALI+BMSCs.Conclusion The mechanism by which BMSCs reduce ALI may be associated with inhibiting mTOR signaling pathways in lung tissues of rats.

Animals ; Antibodies, Monoclonal ; immunology ; Atrazine ; analysis ; immunology ; Chromatography, Gas ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Food Contamination ; analysis ; Herbicides ; analysis ; immunology ; Mass Spectrometry

OBJECTIVESTo review the preliminary clinical experience with high-field-strength intraoperative magnetic resonance imaging (iMRI) suite with neuronavigation system in the pituitary adenoma operation with transsphenoidal approach.

METHODSFrom March 2009 to December 2010, 31 patients [range, 29 - 76 years, mean age (47 ± 11) years]of pituitary adenoma were operated with transsphenoidal approach and intraoperatively with a movable 1.5 T high-field-strength iMRI suite in combination with neuronavigation system. Tumor size was 1.8 - 7.3 cm, mean (3.5 ± 1.2) cm. Twenty-five cases were non-functional pituitary adenoma, 4 cases were prolactin-secreting pituitary adenoma, 2 cases were growth hormone-secreting pituitary adenoma. Thirty patients' resection with transnasal transsphenoidal approach were performed, one patient with transoral transsphenoidal approach was performed.

RESULTSIn 12 cases of 30 patients who planed to totally remove tumor, iMRI had revealed residual lesions and resulted in the change of the surgical strategy, 2 invasive cavernous sinus cases no further resection of the tumor because of internal carotid artery encasement, the other 10 cases resected further, eventually. Finally, 8 cases were totally removed. The ratio of total removal tumor was enhanced to 86.7% (26/30) from 60.0% (18/30). There was no perioperative mortality.

CONCLUSIONSHigh-field-strength iMRI suite with neuronavigation system provides valuable information of tumor resection that allows intraoperative modification of the surgical strategy. It could be very helpful to maximize the resection of the pituitary adenoma and minimize the injury to neurological function.

Adenoma ; surgery ; Adult ; Aged ; Cavernous Sinus ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; methods ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Monitoring, Intraoperative ; methods ; Neuronavigation ; methods ; Pituitary Neoplasms ; surgery

OBJECTIVETo compare the differences of epidemiological and clinical characteristics in children with hand-foot-mouth disease (HFMD) caused by Coxsackievirus A16 (CA16) and Enterovirus 71 (EV71).

METHODSThe samples of vesicle fluid and throat swabs of 108 children with HFMD were collected and detected for enterovirus by RT-PCR. The clinical data of children with EV71 and CA16 infection were retrospectively reviewed and compared.

RESULTSThe total positive rate of enterovirus was 97.2% (105/108). Of the 105 cases, 56 cases were positive for EV71 (51.9%), 39 cases were positive for CA16 (36.1%), 2 cases were positive for other enterovirus (1.9%), and 8 cases were co-infected by EV71 and CA16 (7.4%). There were no significant differences in age and sex between EV71 and CV16 infected cases. The univariate analysis showed that the incidences of herpes of mouth, erythra of knees, and nose running in children infected by CA16 were higher than in those infected by EV71. The multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the HFMD children who had erythra of knees had higher probability of CA16 infection.

CONCLUSIONSEV71 should be considered as the pathogen in children with HFMD who have no herpes of mouth, erythra of knees, and nose running.

Child ; Child, Preschool ; Coxsackievirus Infections ; epidemiology ; Enterovirus A, Human ; Female ; Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease ; epidemiology ; Humans ; Infant ; Logistic Models ; Male