Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is angiogenic and neurotrophic factor. It is now known that VEGF also plays an importmant role in neurogenesis and neuroprotection in addition to angiogenesis. VEGF and VEGF receptor increase in the ischemic brain, promote vascular endothelial cell proliferation and decrease infarct volume. VEGF plays neuroprotective and neurotrophic roles by the modulation of the phosphatidylinositol3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt/nuclear factor-κB and MAPK/ERK signaling pathways. VEGF reduces ischemic neuronal apoptosis, promotes neural stem cells proliferation, migration and differentiation and improves nerve functions. In the other hands, VEGF increases permeability of blood vessel which may aggravate cerebral edema early.

Recent evidence has shown that neurogenesis occurs throughout adulthood, and neural stem cells reside in the adult central nervous system (CNS) in mammals. Experimental stroke in adult mammals increases neurogenesis from neural stem cells or progenitor cells located in the dentate subgranular zone and the subventricular zone lining the lateral ventricle. New neurons can migrate to the areas of damage regions and express morphological markers characteristic of died neurons. These findings bring hope for self-repair after brain injury. The author of this paper reviewed the adult neurogenesis and its regulation in vivo, and described evidence for stroke-induced neurogenesis and neuronal replacement in the adult, and discussed the future research directions about neurogenesis after stroke and other brain injuries.

Objective To observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) pretreatment of different durations on the expressions of AQP4 and CLN5 in the blood-brain barrier after cerebral ischemia and reperfusion Methods Sixty-four male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into a model group,a sham operation group,a 7-day EA-pretreatment group (EAP-7 group) and a 15-day EA-pretreatment group (EAP-15 group),each of 16.After EA-pretreatment on the baihui and shuigou acupoints for 7 days or 15 days,a model of unilateral middle cerebral artery embolism (MCAO) model was induced in the rats of the model,EAP-7 and EAP-15 group using a modified Longa method.In the sham operation group the carotid artery was separated without middle cerebral artery embolism.The reperfusion was begun 90 min after the MCAO modeling.Immunohistochemical methods and fluorescence quantitative PCR were applied to detect the expression of AQP4,CLN5 and their mRNAs expression in the blood brain barrier (BBB) 24h after the operation.Results Compared with the sham operation group,the expression of AQP4 positive cells and AQP4 mRNA in the BBB in the other three groups had increased significantly,while the expression of CLN5 positive cells and CLN5 mRNA was significantly less.Compared with the model group,the expression of AQP4 positive cells and AQP4 mRNA in the EAP-7 and EAP-15 groups was significantly reduced,while the expression of CLN5 positive cells and CLN5 mRNA was significantly increased.Moreover,the expression of AQP4 positive cells and AQP4 mRNA in the EAP-15 group were significantly higher than in the EAP-7 group,while the expression of CLN5 positive cells and CLN5 mRNA were significantly lower.Conclusions EA-pretreatment on the baihui and shuigou acupoints can restrain the expression of AQP4-positive cells and AQP4 mRNA and promote that of CLN5-positive cells and CLN5 mRNA in the BBB after cerebral ischemia and reperfusion,at least in rats.The BBB protection effect is better when the EA-pretreatment lasts longer.The mechanisms of cerebral ischemia tolerance may be related to the regulation of AQP4,CLN5 and their mRNAs in the blood-brain barrier after cerebral injury.

Objective:To investigate the correlation between fluorescence emission and color difference (CIE△Eab). Methods:Color and spectral distribution in three kinds of modifying porcelains (Vita Interno, Shofu Vintage & Unibond, Noritake Super Porcelain EX-3) were measured on CIELAB color scale on Color-Eye 7000A spectrophotometer under four measuring modes. CIE△Eab were analyzed by two-way ANVOA and SNK-q test (?=0.05). Correlation analyses were also performed between CIE△Eab and the color parameters difference(?= 0.05). In addition, CIELAB color coordinate was established. Results:Fluorescence emission of Vita and Shofu, Vita and Noritake were significantly different(P

AlM: To analyze, summarize and describe ophthalmic imaging features of posterior scleritis.
METHODS: Clinical data of 16 patients ( 21 eyes ) with posterior scleritis diagnosed in our hospital from October 2008 to June 2013 were retrospectively analyzed. The results of type-B ultrasonic, fundus chromophotograph, fundus fluorescein angiography, CT were recorded for comprehensive evaluation and analysis of ophthalmic imaging features of posterior scleritis.
RESULTS: All patients underwent type-B ultrasonic examination and manifested as diffuse and nodular types. The diffuse type showed diffusely thickened sclera and a dark hypoechoic area that connected with the optic nerve to form a typical “T”-shaped sign. The nodular type showed scleral echogenic nodules and relatively regular internal structure. FFA showed that relatively weak mottled fluorescences were visible in the arterial early phase and strong multiple needle-like fluorescences were visible in the arteriovenous phase, which were then progressively larger and fused; fluorescein was leaked to the subretinal tissue in the late phase;varying degrees of strong fluorescences with less clear or unclear boundaries were visible in the optic disk. CT results showed thickened eyeball wall.
CONCLUSlON: Posterior scleritis is common in young female patients, whose ophthalmic imaging features are varied and more specific in type-B ultrasonic. Selection of rational ophthalmic imaging examination method, combined with clinical manifestations, can accurately diagnose posterior scleritis and avoid the incidence of missed and delayed diagnosis.

BACKGROUND: Zein has excel ent solubility, heat resistance and biodegradability, but its biocompatibility and effect on periodontal defects repair are under discussion. OBJECTIVE: To analyze biocompatibility of zein and its effect on periodontal defect repair. METHODS: Zein scaffold was prepared by solvent casting/particulate leaching. In vitro test: Human periodontal ligament cel s were co-cultured with zein scaffold for 18 days, and cel growth was observed by scanning electron microscope. In vivo test: Eight Beagle dogs were enrol ed to establish periodontal defect models, which were randomly assigned to receive zein scaffold implantation as experimental group, or interrupted suture as control group. Afterwards, the defect region was observed by scanning electron microscope at 3 months. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: In vitro results: Human periodontal ligament cel s adhered wel and tightly on the scaffold with a fusiform, and could grow around pores. In vivo results: In the experimental group the scaffold dissolved completely, bone trabecular arranged regularly, and mature tissues appeared, to be integrated with the surrounding tissues; in the control group, the defect region almost healed, but there were irregular fibers and obvious lacunae. Moreover, compared with the control group, the height of new alveolar bone and bone defect, as wel as the length of junctional epithelium were significantly decreased, and new cementum was significantly increased in the experimental group (P < 0.05). To conclude, zein scaffold has good biocompatibility and can promote periodontal defect repair.

BACKGROUND:The template method used in cementless total hip arthroplasty is influenced by many factors,so the accuracy is poor.Studies demonstrated that femoral isthmus plays an important role in total hip arthroplasty,which affect femoral prosthesis.OBJECTIVE:To discuss the effects of femoral isthmus on cementless total hip arthroplasty.METHODS:The images of 4 cadaver femoral isthmus were obtained by computer tomography.The relations between femoral component and cortical bone contact were observed on coronal slices by sawing manully.The longest and the smallest medullary canal dimensions and the cortical thickness of femoral isthmus were measured by CT films from 50 patients (55 hips) prepared forprimary total hip arthroplasty.The size of prosthesis was predicted based on the smallest medullary canal dimension of isthmus.And the conventional preoperative template was served as control.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:There were a press fit and good contact between the femoral component and cortical bone of isthmus in 3 cadaver femoral bones.In 50 patients,the longest medullary canal dimensions of femoral isthmus were 8.2-22.4 mm(mean 14.2±3.1 ram).The smallest medullary canal dimensions of femoral isthmus were 6.1-17.9 mm[mean (10.2±2.9) mm],and the cortical thickness of femoral isthmus were 2.7-12.7 mm[mean (7.5±1.8) mm].The results of CT-isthmus measurement method predicted sizes were excellence in the 50.9% cases.There was statistically significant difference of predicted sizesbetween the excellence rate of CT-isthmus measurement method and the rate of control (P＜0.05).Particularly,the excellence rate of CT-isthmus measurement method was 63.9% in the group aged below or equal to 65 years.When the ratio of the longest medullary canal dimensions and the smallest medullary canal dimensions of femoral isthmus was large than or equal to 1.4,the excellence rate of CT-isthmus measurement method was 70%.The press fit and good contact between the femoral component and femoral isthmus plays a very important role in stabilizing of femoral prosthesis in total hip arthroplasty.The predicted sizes of femoral prosthesis depending on the medullary canal dimensions of femoral isthmus measured by CT film has better accuracy than the conventional preoperative template.

Objective To identify highly sensitive and specific antigens in Aeromonas hydrophila strain ATCC7966 by using immunoproteomics.Methods Outer membrane proteins were extracted from the Aeromonas hydrophila strain by using two-dimension electrophoresis and identified by LC-LTQ-XL-MS ( liq-uid chromatography coupled with linear ion trap mass spectrometry).Western blot assay was performed to screen out the immunogenic proteins.Results A total of 43 peptides representing 39 proteins were identi-fied by LC-LTQ-XL-MS.Among the 39 proteins, 69% were outer membrane proteins and 12% were inner membrane proteins.They were involved in the process of transportation, cell motility, biosynthesis, etc. One candidate vaccine antigen was identified by using two-dimensional Western blot analysis .Conclusion The immunoproteomics approach could be used to identify immunogenic proteins of Aeromonas hydrophila. This study provided references for further investigation on candidate vaccine antigens.

Adult ; Bacteremia ; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation ; Humans ; Male ; Nontuberculous Mycobacteria ; Postoperative Complications

Adenocarcinoma, Follicular ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Child ; Humans ; Thyroid Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; epidemiology ; Young Adult