OBJECTIVETo compare the long-term influence of vertebral fixation through or across the affected vertebra on vertebral morphology.

METHODSClinical data of 48 patients with simple thoracic and lumbar spinal fractures who were admitted between Jan. 2008 and Dec. 2010 were analyzed retrospectively. Among them 36 cases (28 males and 8 females) were fixed through the injured vertebra (group A) and 12 cases (8 males and 4 females) were fixed across the injured vertebra (group B). All patients were followed up for 6-36 months (mean 11.5 months). The vertebral body height, endplate angle and neurofunction were compared between the two groups before surgery, a week after surgery and at the end of the follow-up period.

RESULTSThere was no statistically significant difference in vertebral body height,endplate angle and neurofunction before operation between group A and B (P > 0.05). Vertebral body height and endplate angle improved in both groups a week after operation and at the end of the follow-up period as compared with those before operation (P < 0.05), and the efficacy in group B was significantly better than that in group A (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in neurofunction between the two groups (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe fixation method through the injured vertebra had a better reduction effect, more stable fixation, and a better long-term effect on vertebral morphology than that across the injured vertebra in the treatment of thoracolumbar vertebral fractures.

Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; injuries ; pathology ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Spinal Fractures ; surgery ; Thoracic Vertebrae ; injuries ; pathology ; surgery

BACKGROUNDSurvivin, a member of inhibitor of apoptosis protein (IAP) family, can directly inhibit caspase-3 and caspase-7 activity and plays an important role in oncogenesis. The aim of this study is to investigate the expressions of survivin and caspase-3 in human non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), and to evaluate their relationship with cell apoptosis.

METHODSThe expressions of survivin and caspase-3 in 88 patients with NSCLC were examined by using immunohistochemical SP methods, and TNUEL method was used to detect the cell apoptosis simultaneously.

RESULTSThe positive expression rates of survivin in NSCLC tissues and normal lung tissues were 61.4% (54/88) and 13.8% (4/29) respectively, there was a significant difference between them (P < 0.01). Survivin expression in NSCLC was not related to the histologic type, pathological grade and lymph node metastasis (P > 0.05), but correlated with TNM stage (P < 0.05). The positive expression rate of caspase-3 was 89.7% (26/29) in normal lung tissues, which was higher than that in NSCLC tissues (73.9%, 65/88), but there was no significant difference (P > 0.05). Caspase-3 expression in NSCLC was associated with pathological grade (P < 0.05). The average apoptosis index (AI) of survivin-positive cases was significantly higher than that of surviving-negative ones (1.63±0.58 vs 3.29±0.76)(P < 0.05). The average AI of the caspase-3 positive cases was significantly higher than that of the caspase23 negative cases (2.42±0.59vs1.28±0.65)(P < 0.05). Expression of survivin was negatively correlated with caspase-3 (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSSurvivin may play an important role in the process of carcinogenesis of NSCLC by inhibiting cell apoptosis. Moreover, survivin may prevent cell apoptosis by inhibiting caspase-3 activation.

The present study optimized the extraction of flavonoids from Lonicera rupicola Hook. f. et Thoms(LRH) and explored its pharmacological effects, such as resisting inflammation, relieving pain, enhancing immunity, and inhibiting pyroptosis, aiming to provide data support and scientific basis for the development and utilization of LRH. Response surface methodology(RSM) was applied to optimize the extraction of flavonoids from LRH based on the results of single-factor experiments. Anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects of LRH flavonoids were evaluated via inflammation and pain models in mice, such as xylene-induced ear swelling, carrageenan-induced footpad swelling, writhing caused by acetic acid, and paw licking. The effect of LRH flavonoids on the carbon clearance index of monocytes and serum immunoglobulin A(IgA) and IgM levels was analyzed on the immunosuppression model induced by cyclophosphamide in mice. The anti-oxidative effect in vivo of LRH flavonoids on liver superoxide dismutase(SOD), catalase(CAT), and malondialdehyde(MDA) levels was determined based on the chronic/subacute aging model in mice induced by D-galactose. The levels of cysteinyl aspartate specific proteinase-1(caspase-1), interleukin-1β(IL-1β), and IL-18 in the supernatant of J774 A.1 mononuclear phagocytes were detected to evaluate the effect of LRH flavonoids on the pyroptosis of mononuclear phagocytes in mice induced by the combination of lipopolysaccharide(LPS) and adenosine triphosphate(ATP). Meanwhile, the effect of LRH flavonoids on the cAMP-PKA signaling pathway was also explored. The optimum conditions for the extraction of LRH flavonoids are listed below: extraction temperature of 65 ℃, the ethanol concentration of 50%, extraction time of 60 min, a material-liquid ratio at 1∶25, and the yield of LRH flavonoids of 0.553%. RSM determined the multiple quadratic regression equation model of response value and variables as follows: the yield of LRH flavonoids=0.61-0.48A+0.1B+0.029C-0.014D+0.32AB+0.04AC-0.012AD-0.02BC+0.037BD-0.031CD-0.058A~2-0.068B~2-0.069C~2-0.057D~2. LRH flavonoids could effectively inhibit ear swelling and footpad swelling, reduced acetic acid-induced writhing, and delayed the paw licking response time in mice. Additionally, LRH flavonoids could improve the carbon clearance index in immunosuppressed mice, potentiate the activities of SOD and CAT and reduce MDA levels in the liver of aging mice induced by D-galactose, and effectively inhibit macrophage pyroptosis by decreasing the levels of caspase-1, IL-1β, and IL-18. The results reveal that LRH flavonoids possess excellent pharmacological activities such as resisting inflammation and oxidation, relieving pain, and enhancing immunity. They can inhibit pyroptosis by enhancing the cAMP-PKA signaling pathway. The results of this study can underpin the pharmacological research, development, and utilization of LRH.
Analgesics/therapeutic use* ; Animals ; Edema/drug therapy* ; Flavonoids/therapeutic use* ; Inflammation/drug therapy* ; Lonicera ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred ICR ; Pain/drug therapy* ; Plant Extracts/therapeutic use* ; Pyroptosis

OBJECTIVETo study the effects of acupuncture on Chinese medicine syndromes of vascular dementia (VaD).

METHODSSixty-three VaD patients were divided into three groups. Those willing to be randomized were randomly assigned to receive either acupuncture (random acupuncture group, 24 cases) or rehabilitation training (guided rehabilitation group, 24 cases) for 6 weeks. Those unwilling to be randomized also received acupuncture for 6 weeks (non-random acupuncture group, 19 cases). Patient syndromes and their severity were evaluated before treatment (baseline), at the end of treatment, and at 4-week follow-up after the completion of treatment using a CM scoring system (scale of differentiation of syndromes of vascular dementia, SDSVD). The SDSVD scores of the random and non-random acupuncture groups, and of all patients who received acupuncture (combined acupuncture group, 43 cases), were compared with those in the guided rehabilitation group.

RESULTSIn the random, non-random, and combined acupuncture groups, SDSVD scores were significantly reduced at the end of treatment and at follow-up than at baseline. In the guided rehabilitation group, SDSVD scores were similar to baseline scores at the end of treatment and at follow-up. However, there were no significant differences in SDSVD scores among the three groups or between the combined acupuncture group and the guided rehabilitation group at any time points. In the non-random and combined acupuncture groups, SDSVD scores were significantly reduced at the end of treatment than at baseline in patients with hyperactivity of Liver (Gan)-yang or phlegm obstruction of the orifices.

CONCLUSIONSAcupuncture reduced the severity of VaD. The improvement was the greatest in patients undergoing their treatment of choice. Treatments in this study were more effective for excess syndromes, such as Liver-yang hyperactivity or phlegm obstruction of the orifices than deficiency syndromes, such as Kidney (Shen)-essence deficiency.

Acupuncture ; Dementia, Vascular ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Humans ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the value of a new platelet function test PFA P2Y (PFA-200) in monitoring clopidogrel treatment for cardiovascular disease in elderly patients.

METHODSFifty-six elderly patients receiving clopidogrel therapy in the Department of Cardiology of General Hospital of PLA from March to August in 2016 and 85 healthy volunteers were recruited for analysis. All the subjects underwent PFA P2Y, LTA (light transmittance aggregometry) and TEG (Thromboelastograph) tests, and Spearman correlation coefficients were used to test the associations between test results. The agreement among the 3 platelet function test methods was assessed using Cohen's kappa coefficient.

RESULTSCorrelation coefficient (r) was -0.701 (P<0.001) between PFA P2Y and LTA, and 0.475 (P<0.001) between PFA P2Y and TEG. The agreement was 75% between PFA P2Y and LTA and 67.9% between PFA P2Y and TEG. The κ value was 0.434 (P=0.001) between PFA P2Y and LTA and 0.242 (P=0.046) between PFA P2Y and TEG. With ADP-induced maximum platelet aggregation rate of LTA >50% as the laboratory clopidogrel resistance, the cut-off value of PFA P2Y was 119 s (AUC=0.733) with a sensitivity of 75.6% and a specificity of 73.3%.

CONCLUSIONPFA P2Y has a moderate correlation and agreement with LTA, but has a poor correlation and agreement with TEG. PFA P2Y can be useful for assessing the effects of clopidogrel therapy and the association of the cut-off value (119 s) with the long-term clinical ischemic events needs be confirmed in further study.

Biological Assay ; Blood Coagulation Tests ; Blood Platelets ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; drug therapy ; Humans ; Platelet Aggregation ; Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors ; therapeutic use ; Platelet Function Tests ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Ticlopidine ; analogs & derivatives ; therapeutic use

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the efficacy of hBMP-4 gene modified tissue engineered bone graft in the enhancement of rabbit spinal fusion and find an ideal kind of substitute for the autograft bone.

METHODSRabbit BMSCs were cultured and transfected with AAV-hBMP-4 using different MOI value. The optimal MOI value were determined by observing cell's morphology change. BMSCs were then transfected with AAV-hBMP4 and AAV-EGFP respectively, following which the transfected cells were evenly suspended in a collagen sponge I, and implanted to either side of the L5,6 intertransverse spaces posterolateral in the New Zealand rabbits to induce spinal fusion. Fourteen rabbits were randomly divided into 2 groups. Group 1: AAV-hBMP-4 transfected BMSCs in the right side (hBMP-4 side) and autograft bone in the left side. Group 2: AAV-hBMP-4 transfected BMSCs in the right side (hBMP-4 side) and AAV-EGFP transfected BMSCs in the left side (EGFP side). Radiographs and three-dimensional CT of the spine, manual palpation, gross and histological examination of the fusion masses for all the animals were performed subsequent to animals having been sacrificed at 12 weeks after surgery.

RESULTSEvaluation has been taken in 12 New Zealand rabbits delivered into 2 groups which meet the criterion after operation. Eleven in 12 implemented sides involved hBMP-4 achieved bony fusion, to which 5 in 6 autografted sides was similar. But only 2 in 6 sides in EGFP-group achieved bony fusion meanwhile. Three-dimensional CT scan and palpation also evidenced the results. Bone formation was observed obviously on specimen both in hBMP4 sides and autografted ones. EGFP-group also got bony integration, but the quantity was small.

CONCLUSIONTissue-engineered bone graft constructed from application of hBMP4 is a fine substitute for autograft. Effective enhancement of bony integration in spinal fusion surgery has been evidenced in vivo.

Animals ; Bone Morphogenetic Protein 4 ; genetics ; Bone Regeneration ; Bone Substitutes ; Bone Transplantation ; methods ; Genetic Vectors ; Lentivirus ; genetics ; Male ; Myeloid Progenitor Cells ; Rabbits ; Random Allocation ; Spinal Fusion ; methods ; Stromal Cells ; Tissue Engineering ; Transfection

BACKGROUNDTherapeutic angiogenesis has been shown to promote blood vessel growth and improve tissue perfusion. Nerve growth factor (NGF) has been reported to play an important role in both physiological and pathological angiogenesis. This study aimed to investigate the effects of NGF on angiogenesis and skeletal muscle fiber remodeling in a murine model of hindlimb ischemia and study the relationship between NGF and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in angiogenesis.

METHODSTwenty-four mice were randomly allocated to normal control group (n = 6), blank control group (n = 6), VEGF gene transfection group (n = 6), and NGF gene transfection group (n = 6). The model of left hindlimb ischemia model was established by ligating the femoral artery. VEGF165plasmid (125 μg) and NGF plasmid (125 μg) was injected into the ischemic gastrocnemius of mice from VEGF group and NGF group, respectively. Left hindlimb function and ischemic damage were assessed with terminal points at 21th day postischemia induction. The gastrocnemius of four groups was tested by hematoxylin-eosin staining, proliferating cell nuclear antigen and CD34 immunohistochemistry staining, and myosin ATPase staining. NGF and VEGF protein expression was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

RESULTSOn the 21th day after surgery, the functional assessment score and skeletal muscle atrophy degree of VEGF group and NGF group were significantly lower than those of normal control group and blank control group. The endothelial cell proliferation index and the capillary density of VEGF group and NGF group were significantly increased compared with normal control group and blank control group (P < 0.05). The NGF and VEGF protein expression of NGF group showed a significant rise when compared with blank control group (P < 0.05). Similarly, the VEGF protein expression of VEGF group was significantly higher than that of blank control group (P < 0.05), but there was no significant difference of the NGF protein expression between VEGF group and blank control group (P > 0.05). The type I skeletal muscle fiber proportion in gastrocnemius of NGF group and VEGF group was significantly higher than that of blank control group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSNGF transfection can promote NGF and VEGF protein expression which not only can induce angiogenesis but also induce type I muscle fiber expression in ischemic limbs.

Animals ; Antigens, CD34 ; metabolism ; Female ; Hindlimb ; metabolism ; pathology ; Ischemia ; metabolism ; pathology ; Mice ; Muscle, Skeletal ; metabolism ; pathology ; Neovascularization, Physiologic ; genetics ; physiology ; Random Allocation ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; genetics ; physiology

BACKGROUNDWilms' tumor (nephroblastoma) is a cancer of the kidneys that occurs typically in children and rarely in adults. Early diagnosis is very important for the treatment and prognosis of the disease. The aim of our study was to discover and identify potential non-invasive and convenient biomarkers for the diagnosis of Wilms' tumor.

METHODSNude mice were used to construct a Wilms' tumor model by injecting nephroblastoma cells into their bilateral abdomen. We collected 94 serum samples from mice consisting of 45 samples with Wilms' tumor and 49 controls. The serum proteomic profiles of the samples were analyzed via surface-enhanced laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry. The candidate biomarkers were purified by high-performance liquid chromatography, identified by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry, and validated using ProteinChip immunoassays.

RESULTSWe finally retrieved two differential proteins (m/z 4509.2; 6207.9), which were identified as apolipoprotein A-II and polyubiquitin, respectively. The expression of apolipoprotein A-II was higher in the Wilms' tumor group than in the control group (P < 0.01). By contrast, the expression of polyubiquitin was lower in the Wilms' tumor group than in the control group.

CONCLUSIONApolipoprotein A-II and polyubiquitin may be used as potential biomarkers for nephroblastoma in children, and the analysis of apolipoprotein A-II may help diagnose and treat Wilms' tumor.

Animals ; Apolipoprotein A-II ; blood ; Biomarkers ; blood ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Mice ; Mice, Nude ; Polyubiquitin ; blood ; Proteomics ; methods ; Wilms Tumor ; blood ; metabolism ; pathology

OBJECTIVETo investigate whether intrapericardial urokinase irrigation along with pericardiocentesis could prevent pericardial constriction in patients with infectious exudative pericarditis.

METHODSA total of 94 patients diagnosed as infectious exudative pericarditis (34 patients with purulent pericarditis and 60 with tuberculous pericarditis, the disease courses of all patients were less than 1 month), 44 males and 50 females, aged from 9 to 66 years (mean 45.4 +/- 14.7 years), were consecutively recruited from 1993 to 2002. All individuals were randomly given either intrapericardial urokinase along with conventional treatment in study group, or conventional treatment alone (including pericardiocentesis and drainage) in control group. The dosage of urokinase ranged from 200000 to 600000 U (mean 320000 +/- 70000 U). The immediate effects were detected by pericardiography with sterilized air and diatrizoate meglumine as contrast media. The long-term investigation depended on the telephonic survey and echocardiographic examination. The duration of following-up ranged from 8 to 120 months (mean 56.8 +/- 29.0 months).

RESULTSPercutaneous intrapericardial urokinase irrigation promoted complete drainage of pericardial effusion, significantly reduced the thickness of pericardium (from 3.1 +/- 1.6 mm to 1.6 +/- 1.0 mm in study group, P < 0.001; from 3.4 +/- 1.6 mm to 3.2 +/- 1.8 mm in control group, P > 0.05, respectively), and alleviated the adhesion. Intrapericardial bleeding related to fibrinolysis was found in 6 of 47 patients with non-blood pericardial effusion and no systemic bleeding and severe puncture-related complication was observed. In follow-up, there was no cardiac death, and pericardial constriction events were observed in 9 (19.1%) of study group and 27 (57.4%) of control group. Cox analysis illustrated that urokinase could significantly reduce the occurrence of pericardial constriction (relative hazard coefficient = 0.185, P < 0.0001).

CONCLUSIONThe early employment of intrapericardial fibrinolysis with urokinase and pericardiocentesis appears to be safe and effective in preventing the development of pericardial constriction in patients with infectious exudative pericarditis.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Child ; Female ; Fibrinolytic Agents ; administration & dosage ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pericardiocentesis ; Pericarditis ; drug therapy ; therapy ; Pericarditis, Constrictive ; prevention & control ; Thrombolytic Therapy ; Urokinase-Type Plasminogen Activator ; administration & dosage

Objective To explore the influence of preoperative transarterial chemoembolization on short-term prognosis in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma after liver transplantation Methods From Jan 2006 to Sep 2016 in Ruijin Hospital 21 patients received preoperative hepatic transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) before liver transplantation,the other 30 patients undergoing upfront liver transplantation served as control group.Results No statistical difference was found in the total operation time (401 ± 72) min vs.(377 ± 100) min,blood loss (2 785 ± 25 56) ml vs.(4 199 ± 3 748) ml and length of hospital stay (32-± 16) d vs.(28 ± 17) d between two groups,and the occurrence rate of vascular complications (14.3％ vs.0) or biliary complications (9.5％ vs.6.7％) also showed no difference (P ＞ 0.05).Although more patients were diagnosed with postoperative infection in the observation group (81％ vs.40％) (P ＜ 0.05),there was no statistically significant difference in complication grade and perioperative mortality between two groups (P ＞ 0.05).There's no remarkable difference in the liver function recovery level between two groups in terms of postoperative indexs of liver function such as TBL,ALT,AST,and there was also no statistical difference between two groups in 1-year,2-year and 3-year overall survival (P ＞ 0.05).The waiting time in the study group was significantly longer than that in the control group (P ＜ 0.05),and the incidence of postoperative immune dysfunction was lower than that of the control group (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion Preoperative TACE does not affect liver function recovery and perioperative safety after liver transplantation.