Because of spine structure and location importantance, spine artificial surgery is not only high-risk but also require proficiency of doctors. Image navigation system for spinal surgery could reduce risk and postoperative complications, and spinal image segmentation and registration methods are the key steps. This paper summarized spinal image segmentation and registration methods. Based on analysis of existing methods, we pointed out the shortcoming in the field, thus forecasts future development.

Background Studies demonstrated that human amniotic epithelial cells (AECs) have some characteristics of embryonic stem cells and they were used to re-establish the surface of eyes. Human AECs may serve as new seed cells in tissue engineering for corneal epithelium reconstitution in the future. Objective The present study was to investigate the application value of human amniotic epithelium cells transfected by lentiviral vectormediated enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) gene as new seed cell source for engineering the corneal surfacelayer. Methods Lentiviral vector carrying the objective gene EGFP was transfected into human amniotic epithelial cells (pLenti6/V5-DEST),and the transient expression of the transgene in the human amniotic epithelial cells was observed under the fluorescence microscope. Flow cytometry was used to detect the positive expression rates of EGFP in transfected cells. The transfected human amniotic epithelial cells were seeded onto the fresh corneal stromal surface of New Zealand white rabbit and cultured in vitro. The stem cell deficiency ( SCD ) models were established by cutting off the limbus of cornea in 20 eyes of New Zealand white rabbits, and the model rabbits were then divided into 2 groups randomly. The transplanted grafts carrying the pLenti6/V5-DEST-EGFP gene-transferred human amniotic epithelium cells were regarded as the pLenti6/V5-DEST-EGFP group, and the corneal stroma graft without any epithelial cell served as the control group. The opacity of stroma and corneal conjunctivalization and vascularization were observed daily. The rabbits' eyes were extracted one month after operation. The expression of EGFP in the cornea was detected under the fluorescence microscope, and the expression of CK8, CK18 and CK12 in cornea was detected by immunohistochemical staining. Results The shape of the transferred human amniotic epithelial cells resembled normal human amniotic epithelial cells. 48 hours after the transient transfection of EGFP presented with the highest expression level throughout the observation duration, with a positive expression rate of EGFP of 61.5% ,showing significant differences in comparison with that of 12 ( 5.24% ) , 24 ( 38.27% ) or 96 ( 39. 10% ) hours ( P ＜0. 05) post-transfection; but no obvious difference was found in the positive rate of transiently transfected EGFP between 48 hours and 72 hours ( 58.36% ) ( P＞0. 05 ). Six cornea grafts were clear in 1 month and two corneas were rejected during the observation period in the pLenti6/V5-DEST-EGFP group. A few new blood vessels were seen around the graft. Ten corneas of the control group became opaque and cloudy with new blood vessels growth around the grafts. Imunohistochemistry revealed the positive expressions of CK8, CK1 8 and CK12 in the corneal epithelial layer in the pLenti6/V5-DEST-EGFP group. However,the expression of CK12 was absent in the control group. Conclusion Human amniotic epithelium cells transfected with the pLenti6/V5-DEST-EGFP gene is a new and ideal feed cell type to reconstruct the corneal surface layer. Lentivirus is a relatively safe gene transfection vector.

Chronic Disease ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Male ; Prostatitis ; drug therapy ; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic ; Suppositories

OBJECTIVETo explore the diagnostic value of 3D-indirectmagnetic resonance (MR) arthrography in detecting meniscustears of the knees.

METHODSForm January 2013 to January 2014, routine plain MR of the knees followed by the 3D-indirect MR arthrography was performed in 42 patients with suspected meniscal tears clinically. There were 31 males and 11 females, with an average age of 38.4 years old (ranged, 21 to 67 years old). The duration of the course ranged from 2 h to 15 d. The clinical symptom was knee pain. All the patients got subsequently arthroscopic examination or operation. The sensitivity and specificity of routine plain MR and 3D-indirect MR arthrography were compared based on the results of arthroscopic examination or operation.

RESULTSThe signal intensity in the area of meniscal tears on image of 3D-indirect MR arthrography was obviously higher than that of routine plain MR. The sensitivity of 3D-indirect MR arthrography was 85.79% (87/102), while the routine plain MR was 52.94% (54/102), and the specificity improved from 67.78%(61/90) to 86.67%(78/90). The difference was statistically significant (χ2 = 25.90, P < 0.01; χ2 = 9.13, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONIn comparison with the routine plain MR findings, 3D-indirect MR arthrography demonstrates meniscus tears of the knee with the better sensitivity and specificity.

Adult ; Aged ; Arthrography ; methods ; Female ; Humans ; Imaging, Three-Dimensional ; methods ; Knee Injuries ; diagnosis ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; methods ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Tibial Meniscus Injuries

Objective To explore the changes of plasma angiotensinⅡ (AngⅡ) and cardiac function,and the curative effect of children with acute viral myocarditis (VMC) treated with captopril(CAP).Methods Concentrations of plasma AngⅡ were measured with radio-immunity and cardiac function was detected by Doppler echocardiography for the VMC group (n=60) before and after treatment [the CAP group (n=30), the routine group (n=30) and the control group (n=30)].Results 1. The level of plasma AngⅡ significantly increased and the contractive and diastolic function obviously declined in children with acute VMC. There was a significant difference between VMC group and control group, with a significant correlation between the level of AngⅡand the contractive diastolic function.2. Compared with the level before treatment, the level of AngⅡ decreased and the contractive function obviously ameliorated in two groups; the diastolic function obviously ameliorated in the CAP group and did not ameliorate in the routine group after treatment. In CAP group the level of AngⅡ and the cardiac function significantly improved; there were statistical differences between the two groups after treatment.Conclusions 1.The increase of the plasma AngⅡ was an important factor for decrements of the contractive and diastolic function in acute viral myocarditis.2.It could decrease the concentration of plasma AngⅡ and ameliorate cardiac function in children with acute VMC treated with captopril,which was an effective therapy for acute VMC.

Despite a few genes that do not encode ion channels have been identified as implicating some kinds of human idiopathic epilepsies(IE) in recent years, but genetic discoveries have shown the ion channels to play a central role in genetic pathomechanism of IE. The gene mutations of ion channels are a common cause of some rare monogenic IE which could be so-called as channelopathies, and able to be applied to account for the questioned epileptic syndrome to minority of families and sporadic cases. However, more frustrating has been from the genetic research on more common IE with complex inheritance due to the unknown mode of inheritance, the phenotypic heterogeneity and the uncertainty of genetic overlap among syndrome subtypes, which have limited gene mapping. Absence epilepsy is a kind of common IE subtype and shows a complex way to inherit. Evidences from heredity investigation indicate that eleven genes are correlated with absence epilepsy, of which four encode the neuronal calcium channel subunits. Therefore, calcium channel genes may be considered as important candidates for involving in absence epilepsy. To focus the genetics research on calcium channel genes of absence epilepsy may be opening an optimal gate to the pathogenetic study of more common IE with complex inheritance, and benefit to elucidate the molecular mechanisms of absence epilepsy finally, one of the more common IE subtypes with complex inheritance.
Calcium ; metabolism ; Calcium Channels ; genetics ; physiology ; Epilepsy, Absence ; genetics ; physiopathology ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; genetics ; Humans ; Models, Biological

OBJECTIVETo determine the mechanism of pseudo-tears of the lateral meniscus caused by the transverse geniculate ligament (TL) and the miniscofemoral ligament(MFL) and to investigate a method to differentiate pseudo-tears from true tear of the lateral meniscus.

METHODSForm June 2012 to February 2014, MR examinations of 72 knees (44 left knees and 28 right knees) without tear of the lateral meniscus verified by arthroscopy were performed in the sagittal and coronal plane. There were 41 males and 31 females in the group, with an average age of 33.7 years old (ranged from 25 to 61). The MR appearance of the TL and the MFL was carefully observed.

RESULTSThere existed fatty tissue in the gap between the TL and the anterior horn of the lateral meniscus and its central tendinous attachment. On the sagittal images, the fatty tissue formed a linear high-signal cleft between the TL and the anterior horn of the lateral meniscus. This might be mistaken as an oblique tear within the anterior horn of the lateral meniscus. It was called as pseudo-tears of the anterior horn of the lateral meniscus. In sagittal plane, the MFL was identified as a circle-like or short stick-like area of low signal intensity anterior or posterior to the posterior cruciateligament. Nevertheless, a belt-shaped area of low signal intensity from the posterior horn of the lateral meniscus to lateral facet of the medial femoral condyle was identified in the coronal plane. A linear area of high signal intensity between the MFL and the lateral meniscus was found in sagittal plane, which might be mistaken as an oblique tear within the posterior horn of the lateral meniscus. It was called pseudo-tears of the posterior horn of the lateral meniscus. The occurrence rate of the TL was 34.7% (25/72). The prevaleribe of pseudo-tears of the anterior horn of the lateral meniscus was 18 cases. The shape of the anterior horn of the lateral meniscus was regular, and the course of the pseudo-tears cleft was oblique. The occurrence rate of the MFL was 73.6% (53/72), which included the anterior MFL 23.6% (17/72), the posterior MFL 70.8% (51/72) and the two ligaments coexisted 16.7% (12/72). The prevalence of pseudo-tears of the posterior horn of the lateral meniscus was 25 cases. All observed pseudo-tears had either in posteroinferiorly oblique direction (19/25) or in vertical direction (6/25).

CONCLUSIONBased on the location and direction of pseudo-tears and observation in the continuous sagittal plane and the coronal plane, pseudo-tears is easily differentiated from the true tear of the lateral meniscus

Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Knee Injuries ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Knee Joint ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Menisci, Tibial ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Middle Aged ; Radiography ; Tibial Meniscus Injuries

Glomerular hypertrophy is the main pathological characteristic in the early stage of diabetic nephropathy (DN), and its regulatory mechanism is closely related to mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway activity. mTOR includes mTOR complex 1 (mTORC1) and mTOR complex 2(mTORC2), in which, the upstream pathway of mTORC1 is phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K)/serine-threonine kinase(Akt)/adenosine monophosphate activated protein kinase(AMPK), and the representative signaling molecules in the downstream pathway of mTORC1 are 4E-binding proteins(4EBP) and phosphoprotein 70 S6Kinase(p70S6K). Some Chinese herbal extracts could improve cell proliferation via intervening the expressions of the key molecules in the upstream or downstream of PIK/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway in vivo. As for glomerular mesangial cells(MC) and podocyte, mTOR plays an important role in regulating glomerular inherent cells, including adjusting cell cycle, energy metabolism and matrix protein synthesis. Rapamycin, the inhibitor of mTOR, could suppress glomerular inherent cell hypertrophy, cell proliferation, glomerular basement membrane (GBM) thickening and mesangial matrix deposition in model rats with DN. Some Chinese herbal extracts could alleviate glomerular lesions by intervening mTOR signaling pathway activity in renal tissue of DN animal models or in renal inherent cells in vivo and in vitro.
Animals ; Diabetic Nephropathies ; drug therapy ; enzymology ; genetics ; pathology ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; Humans ; Hypertrophy ; drug therapy ; enzymology ; genetics ; pathology ; Kidney Glomerulus ; drug effects ; metabolism ; pathology ; Signal Transduction ; drug effects ; TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases ; genetics ; metabolism

OBJECTTo investigate the therapeutic effect of microencapsulated porcine retinal pigmented epithelial cells (RPE-M) transplantation on rat model of Parkinson's disease (PD).

METHODSPrimary porcine RPE cells were harvested by enzyme digestion and expanded in culture medium. Determine the levels of dopamine (DA) and homovanillic acid (HVA) by high performance liquid chromatography electrochemical (HPLC) assay, and the levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and glial-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) were detected by ELISA. Alginate-polylysine-alginate (APA) microencapsulated cells were produced by using a high voltage electrostatic system. PD rat model was established by unilateral injection of 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) into the medial forebrain bundle (MFB). After that, the RPE-M was transplanted into the corpus striatum of PD rat, and then the rotation test scores were recorded and biochemical changes of the corpus striatum were tested.

RESULTSThe levels of DA, HVA, BDNF and GDNF secreted by RPE were stable in the RPE culture supernatant and were not changed by the microencapsulation. Eighty-three percent rats developed PD by unilateral lesion of 6-OHDA in the MFB. The RPE-M transplantation had therapeutic effect on 33% PD rats.

CONCLUSIONPorcine RPE cells grow actively in vitro and could secrete DA, HVA, BDNF, and GDNF constantly, which does not be affected by the passage culture and the APA miroencapsulation. RPE-M transplantation of may be a curative therapy for PD.

Adrenergic Agents ; toxicity ; Animals ; Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor ; metabolism ; Cell Transplantation ; methods ; Cells, Cultured ; Disease Models, Animal ; Dopamine ; metabolism ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Epithelial Cells ; metabolism ; transplantation ; Glial Cell Line-Derived Neurotrophic Factor ; metabolism ; Male ; Oxidopamine ; toxicity ; Parkinson Disease ; etiology ; surgery ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Retina ; cytology ; Swine ; anatomy & histology ; Time Factors ; Transplantation, Heterologous ; methods ; Tyrosine 3-Monooxygenase ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo construct recombinant lentiviral vectors for gene delivery of the glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF), and evaluate the neuroprotective effect of GDNF on lactacystin-damaged PC12 cells by transfecting it into bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs).

METHODSpLenti6/V5-GDNF plasmid was set up by double restriction enzyme digestion and ligation, and then the plasmid was transformed into Top10 cells. Purified pLenti6/V5-GDNF plasmids from the positive clones and the packaging mixture were cotransfected to the 293FT packaging cell line by Lipofectamine2000 to produce lentivirus, then the concentrated virus was transduced to BMSCs. Overexpression of GDNF in BMSCs was tested by RT-PCR, ELISA and immunocytochemistry, and its neuroprotection for lactacystin-damaged PC12 cells was evaluated by MTT assay.

RESULTSVirus stock of GDNF was harvested with the titer of 5.6 x 100,000 TU/mL. After transduction, GDNF-BMSCs successfully secreted GDNF to supernatant with higher concentration (800 pg/mL) than BMSCs did (less than 100 pg/mL). The supernatant of GDNF-BMSCs could significantly alleviate the damage of PC12 cells induced by lactacystin (10 micromol/L).

CONCLUSIONOverexpression of lentivirus-mediated GDNF in the BMSCs cells can effectively protect PC12 cells from the injury by the proteasome inhibitor.

Acetylcysteine ; analogs & derivatives ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Bone Marrow Cells ; cytology ; metabolism ; Cells, Cultured ; Culture Media, Conditioned ; metabolism ; DNA, Recombinant ; Genetic Therapy ; methods ; Genetic Vectors ; Glial Cell Line-Derived Neurotrophic Factor ; genetics ; metabolism ; Lentivirus ; genetics ; Neurons ; drug effects ; Neuroprotective Agents ; metabolism ; PC12 Cells ; drug effects ; Plasmids ; genetics ; Protease Inhibitors ; pharmacology ; RNA, Messenger ; analysis ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Stromal Cells ; Transduction, Genetic ; methods