Objective To value the clinical application of diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) in cerebral diseases. Methods Six volunteers and 6 patients (including 3 patients with ischemic stroke and 3 patients with glioma) were examined by DTI and T1weighted, T2weighted MR scan. All data were processed with DtiStudio software to show the white matter fiber tracts. The fractional anisotropy (FA) of the diffusion tensor were measured between the affected and the unaffected side. Results The white matter fiber tract could be observed clearly on the FA map. The pyramidal tract with different degree disruption could be showed in 3 patients with ischemic stroke. Compression, displacement, infiltration or destruction of pyramidal tract, corpus callosum or internal capsule and external capsule could be seen in 3 patients with glioma, and FA was significantly reduced on the affected side as compared to the unaffected side. Conclusion Diffusion tensor imaging is useful in observing the damage and displacement of the white matter fiber tracts in vivo, beneficial to the surgical plan for patients and prognosing recovery of function.

Objective To compare the effect of allograft and autograft of bone-patellar tendon- bone (B-PT-B) under arthroscopy in reconstruction of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL).Methods The injured ACL was reconstructed under arthroscopy by using autograft of B-PT-B in 30 cases and al- lograft of B-PT-B in 28 cases from January 2000 to August 2003.After over twelve months follow up,a comparison was done on rehabilitation of quadriceps femoris,knee stability,the Lysholm's score of knee and the enlargement of tunnel in both groups.Results Both groups obtained marked improvement of knee stability and symptoms after operation.But in the early time,the rehabilitation of quadriceps femoris in the ailograft group is faster than that in the autograft group.The rehabilitation of quadriceps femoris, knee stability and the Lysholm's score of knee were similar at 12th month (P＞0.05).There could be seen enlargement of tunnel in both groups,with more in the allograft group (P＞0.05).Conclusion For arthroscopic reconstruction of anterior crucial ligament (ACL),allograft of B-PT-B is good substitute, for it is characterized by effectiveness,convenience and minor side effect.

BACKGROUND: Percutaneous laser disk decompression(PLDD) is a new interventional therapy of lumbar disk herniation recently. Posterior lateral route is often employed. Puncture route was investigated by the application of anatomic methods previously. However, there are relative fewer reports regarding the observation of the route of lumbar nerve root in intervertebral plane and triangle working area from thin section anatomy and CT section anatomy.OBJECTIVE: To clarify the intervertebral route and its adjacent relationship of lumbar nerve root on thin section and CT section to provide a anatomic gist for puncture route in PLDD.DESIGN: An observational study based on corpus and normal individual.SETTING: Department of radiology of a military medical university of Chinese PLA affiliated hospital and the department of anatomy of a military medical university of Chinese PLA.PARTICIPANTS: The collection of the first Chinese visible human was completed in the Department of Anatomy(laboratory of computer medicine) the Faculty of Medicine, Third Military Medical University of Chinese PLA in October 2002. Totally 53 subjects without confirmed vertebral and intervertebral disc diseases and other diseases of the adjacent organs received CT examination and measurement in the Department of Radiology of the Third Military Medical University of Chinese PLA Affiliated Southwest Hospital between january and March 2000.INTERVENTIONS: The intervertebral route of lumbar nerve root in the first Chinese visible human was observed descriptively. The route, morphology, size, adjacent structure, and the distance between puncture line and lumbar nerve in 53 normal individuals were observed and measured by CT.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: To describe the intervertebral route of lumbar nerve root in the first CVH and normal individual, to measure the intervertebral length and width of lumbar nerve, and the distance between puncture line and lumbar nerve.RESULTS: The first Chinese visible human lumbar has 48 layers of intervertebral space with a thickness of each layer of 1.0 mm. The route and adjacent structure of lumbar nerve displayed in each section were clear. CT image clearly showed the intervertebral route, size and adjacent structure of lumbar nerve root.CONCLUSION: The first Chinese visible human lumbar nerve root intervertebral route is a continuous and intact thin section specimen. The intervertebral route and morphology of lumbar root nerve have great alterations. The relationship between puncture route and its adjacent lumbar nerve root, anterior articular process, ilium wing and vessels is very close.

Objective To compare the normal anatomy of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) of fresh frozen cadaveric knee specimen in oblique coronal thin-slice section with oblique coronal magnetic resonance imaging. Methods One fresh cadaveric knee specimen was scanned with MR T1-weighted spinecho sequence.then the specimen was frozen and sliced with a band saw along the oblique coronal plane into 1.0-mm-thick sections that corresponded to the MR images,MR images including oblique coronal T1-weighted and T2-weighted images of 50 normal the knee joints were retrospectively reviewed to observe the MR imaging features of the cruciate ligament. Results Anteromedial and posterolateral bundles of ACL were clearly depicted on both anatomic slices and MR images.The anteromedial bundles originated from the posteromedial aspect of the lateral femoral condyle,coursing through the lateral intercondylar notch in an anterior,inferior,and medial direction,and inserted on the anteromedial aspect of the intercondylar eminence. The posterolateral bundles originated from the anteromedial aspect of the lateral femoral condyle,passing laterally and inferiorly through the lateral intercondylar notch,and inserted on the posterolateral side of the intercondylar eminence.The full length of ACL of all 50 individuals was showed on MR images.MRI clearly differenitated the anteromedial and posterolateral bundles of ACL and depicted the full length of the bundles.similar to the findings on sectional anatomy.Conclusion Oblique coronal MR imaging is the best way to demonstrate ACL and should be used for clinically suspected injury of ACL.

Background and objective Heparanase has been thought to be a good molecular marker of tumor, and the heparanase expression level was correlated closely with tumor metastasis. In this study, we investigate the effects of heparanase on angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis of lung cancer and the relationship between heparanase expression and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), vascular endothelial growth factor-C (VEGF-C).Methods Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expression of heparanase, VEGF, VEGF-C protein and microvascular density (MVD), lymphatic vessel density (LVD) in 115 cases of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and 45 cases of adjacent normal tissue samples.Results Our results showed that heparanase expression was significantly increased in 91 (79.13%) of the 115 cases and correlated with lymph node metastasis (node positive rate 87.0%; node negative rate 36.8%; P=0.003). Heparanase positive expression cases have significantly higher concentration of microvascular density (MVD) and lymphatic vessd density (LVD) as compared with heparanase negative expression cases (P<0.01, P<0.01, respectively), heparanase expression was significantly correlated with VEGF, VEGF-C expression in NSCLC.Conclusion Heparanase overexpression was associated with angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis of lung cancer, targeting ofheparanase may represent a significant therapeutic potential for lung cancer.

OBJECTIVETo explore the effect of matrine on cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression in colon cancer HT-29 cell line at the level of gene and protein.

METHODSLevels of mRNA and protein expression of COX-2, and its synthesized product prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) of colon cancer HT-29 cell line were detected by RT-PCR, Western-blot, ELISA respectively before and after treatment of matrine in different concentrations.

RESULTSMatrine had inhibitory effect on the mRNA and protein expression of COX-2, and synthesis of PGE2 in colon cancer HT-29 cell line, but had no effect on COX-1. When HT-29 cell line was treated with 2.0 mg/ml of matrine, the inhibitory rate on COX-2 mRNA expression were 100% at 6 hrs and 9 hrs after treatment; the inhibitory rate on PGE2 synthesis was 63.8 % at 9 hrs after treatment; and that on COX-2 protein expression was 48% and 100% 12 hrs and 24 hrs after treatment, respectively.

CONCLUSIONMatrine has selective inhibitory effect on gene transcription, protein expression and functional activity of COX-2 in HT-29 cell line, which is time-dependent and concentration-dependent within certain range of concentration and acting time.

Alkaloids ; pharmacology ; Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic ; pharmacology ; Cyclooxygenase 2 ; Dinoprostone ; biosynthesis ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic ; HT29 Cells ; Humans ; Membrane Proteins ; Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Quinolizines ; RNA, Messenger ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Transcription, Genetic

Objective To compare maternal and neonatal outcomes after induction,elective cesarean section and spontaneous onset of labor in uncomplicated term nulliparous women.Methods A total of 3751 uncomplicated term nullipara who delivered in Peking Union Medical College Hospital from Sept 2002 to April 2007 were retrospectively analyzed.They were divided into three groups:the induction group, the elective cesarean section group,and the spontaneous onset of labor group.Their general conditions (such as age,weeks of pregnancy,hospital days and cost),postpartum complications(such as postpartum hemorrhage,puerperal morbidity,urinary retention,blood transfusion,delayed healing,and trauma),and Apgar score were compared by statistic methods.Results(1)Among 3751 women,501(13.3%)of them underwent induction(the induction group),1634(43.6%)delivered by cesarean section(cesarean section group),the other 1616(43.1%)women underwent spontaneous onset of labor(the spontaneous onset of labor group).(2)Results of general conditions:the spontaneous onset of labor group had the shortest hospital days,which was longer in the induction group,and the longest in the selective cesarean section group(P

This study is to investigate the effect of osthol on osteoclasts' activity, bone resorption as well as apoptosis in vitro, and explore the mechanism of osthol in preventing osteoporosis. Osteoclasts were separated from long-limb bones of new born rabbits, cultured in 24-well plate with glass slices and bone slices, and treated by 1 x 10(-5) mol x L(-1) osthol. Osteoclasts were identified by observing live cells with phase contrast microscope, HE staining, TRAP staining and toluidine blue staining of bone resorption pits. The numbers of bone resorption pits were counted as well as the surface area of bone resorption on bone slice. Osteoclasts were stained with acridine orange to detect the cell apoptosis. The ratio of apoptotic osteoclasts was observed under fluorescence microscope. The gene expression of RANKL, OPG, TRAP and p-JNK1/2 protein expression were examined using real time PCR and Western blotting, respectively. Comparing with the control group without osthol, the rates of apoptotic osteoclasts increased obviously and the number and area of bone resorption pits decreased evidently with 1 x 10(-5) mol x L(-1) osthol. There is significant difference between control group and experiment group treated by 1 x 10(-5) mol x L(-1) osthol. Therefore, the osthol through RANK+RANKL/TRAF6/Mkk/JNK signal pathway inhibits the osteoclasts activity, enhances osteoclasts apoptotic and inhibits the bone resorption.
Acid Phosphatase ; metabolism ; Animals ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Bone Resorption ; Cells, Cultured ; Cnidium ; chemistry ; Coumarins ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Gene Expression ; Isoenzymes ; metabolism ; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 8 ; metabolism ; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 9 ; metabolism ; Osteoclasts ; metabolism ; pathology ; Osteoprotegerin ; metabolism ; Phosphorylation ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; RANK Ligand ; metabolism ; Rabbits ; Seeds ; chemistry ; Signal Transduction ; Tartrate-Resistant Acid Phosphatase

The expression of adiponectin mRNA in greater omentum fat tissue was measured in 43 subjects using RT-PCR.The results showed that the expression of adiponectin mRNA in greater omentum fat tissue was significantly lower in obese subjects than that in normal persons,and abdominal obesity,HOMA-IR and tumor necrosis factor-?were the main independent factors influencing the expression of adiponectin mRNA in greater omentum.

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of Huatuo Zaizao extractum (HTZZ) on focal cerebral ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) neurogenesis in rats induced by middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) and its mechanism.

METHODTotally 55 healthy adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into the sham operation group, the MCAO model group and HTZZ high, middle and low dose groups (5, 2.5, 1.25 g x kg(-1)), with 11 rats in each group, and orally administered with drugs. The focal cerebral ischemia model was established by performing a middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO, 90 min) followed by a seven-day reperfusion (once a day). The neurogenesis and expressions of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and cAMP response element binding protein (CREB) were detected by the immunofluorescent staining. The enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was adopted to determine the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF).

RESULTMCAO (90 min) followed by a seven-day reperfusion resulted in the significant increase in the number of penumbra cortex newborn neurons (BrdU(+) -NeuN(+)), which was accompanied by the growth of ERK and CREB phosphorylation and VEGF and BDNF levels. HTZZ could promote the generation of newborn neurons (BrdU(+)-NeuN(+)) and the ERK and CREB phosphorylation and increase VEGF and BDNF levels at the ischemic side.

CONCLUSIONHTZZ could promote the neurogenesis, which may be the interventional targets of effective traditional Chinese medicine Huatuo Zaizao extractum in promoting the self-repair function of the cerebral ischemic areas.

Animals ; Brain Ischemia ; drug therapy ; genetics ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor ; genetics ; metabolism ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; Humans ; Male ; Neurogenesis ; drug effects ; Neurons ; cytology ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Reperfusion ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; genetics ; metabolism