BACKGROUND:Previous study has proved that implantation of the tissue-engineering bone with vascular bundles or sensory nerve tracts can promote bone formation, which may be related to the expression of sensory neuropeptide receptors. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the effect of implantation of tissue-engineered bone containing vascular bundles and sensory nerve tracts on the middle-and long-term expression of calcitonin gene-related peptide type Ⅰ receptor (CGRP1R) in the repair of rabbit large femoral defects. METHODS:Thirty-six New Zealand white rabbits were enrol ed and modeled into 1.5 cm femoral defects, and then randomized into three groups. Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) were subjected to osteoblastic induction for 7 days, and then seeded onto the β-calcium phosphate scaffold to construct the tissue-engineered scaffold.In sensory nerve group, the tissue-engineered scaffold was implanted into the defect region, and autologous sensory nerve bundles were implanted into the lateral groove of the tissue-engineered bone;in vascular bundle group, the tissue-engineered scaffold was implanted, and autologous femoral blood bundles were implanted into the lateral groove of the tissue-engineered bone;in blank control group, only the tissue-engineered scaffold was implanted. X-ray examination, immunohistochemistry and real-time PCR were performed at 24 and 48 weeks postoperatively. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The X-ray scores in the sensory nerve and vascular bundle groups were significantly higher than that in the control group (P<0.05), but no significant difference was found between sensory nerve and vascular bundle groups. Real-time PCR found that the expression level of CGRP1R mRNA in the vascular bundle group was significantly higher than that in the other two groups (P<0.05), but showed no significant difference between sensory nerve and blank control groups.Immunohistochemistry findings showed that CGRP1R positive expression rate in the sensory nerve and vascular bundle groups was higher than that in the blank control group. These results reveal that implantation of the tissue-engineered bone containing vascular bundles can promote the CGRP1R expression.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association of UGTs, ABCC2, SLCO1B1 and IMPDH gene polymorphisms with metabolism and adverse reaction of mycophenolate ester in early renal transplant recipients. METHODS: A total of 233 patients who received tacrolimus+glucocorticoid+mycophenolate mofetil treatment after living kidney transplantation were enrolled. Single nucleotide polymorphisms of 13 gene were detected by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry. Kruskal-Wallis H test was used to analyze the effect of 13 single nucleotide polymorphisms on the exposure/dose (AUC/D) and adverse reactions of mycophenolic acid in early recipients after renal transplantation. RESULTS: The AUC/D of mycophenolic acid in UGT2B7 802C>T CC and CT genotype recipients was (36.03±16.19) and (38.06±15.41) mg•h•L-1/g•d-1, which was significantly lower than that in TT genotype recipients (43.63±15.10) mg•h•L-1/g•d-1 (P=0.021). The AUC/D of mycophenolic acid in SLCO1B1 521T > C TT, TC and CC genotype recipients were (36.78±15.70), (41.27±12.92) and (45.10±21.32) mg•h•L-1/g•d-1, respectively. There was significant difference between groups (P=0.036). There was no significant difference between 13 single nucleotide polymorphisms and adverse reactions (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: The AUC/D of mycophenolic acid in early recipients after kidney transplantation are associated with the polymorphism of UGT2B7 802C > T and SLCO1B1 521T > C.

Objective To prepare the standard molecular weight fragment mixtures. Methods Primers were designed to prepare clones which contained different sizes of standard molecular weight fragments. The template used for amplification of insert fragments was the pMD18-T vector. Bacteria culture and plasmid extraction were used to obtain abundant target fragment. Unlabeled DNA fragments were prepared by double digestion of the recombinant plasmids, and the fluorescent adaptor was prepared by annealing with two partial reverse complimentary DNA fragments. The unlabeled fragments and fluorescent adaptor were connected by DNA ligation reaction assisted with T4 DNA ligase. In this way, different sizes of standard molecular weight fragments were prepared. Standard molecular weight fragment mixture was finally prepared by mixing all the fragments together before purification. Results Ten standard molecular weight fragments of different sizes were prepared. The sizes of each fragment are 80bp, 124bp, 194bp, 224bp, 254bp, 304bp, 349bp, 399bp, 424bp and 454bp. The internal standard could accurately determine the size of PCR products amplified with the DNATyper15 kit. Conclusion Using this method, the standard molecular weight fragment mixture which meet the requirements of research and laboratory use was prepared, perfectly providing a new method for preparation of the DNA molecular weight standards. The peaks and the size of the prepared DNA internal lane standard are correct, which can be used to calculate the DNA fragments size in capillary electrophoresis.

BACKGROUND: Neuropeptides, a kind of endogenous active substance in nerve tissues, can modulate physiological functions of multiple body systems.OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of vascular bundles or sensory nerve tracts implanted into tissue-engineered bone for rabbit large bone defects on the expression levels of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) and neuropeptide-Y.METHODS: Fifty-four New Zealand rabbits were enrolled to make model of large bone defects, and then, the animal models were randomly divided into three groups, including sensory nerve tract, vascular bundle, and control groups (n=18 per group), followed by implanted with sensory nerve tracts, vascular bundle, and tissue-engineered bone without sensory tracts or vascular bundle, respectively. The defected bone received gross and Masson staining at 4, 8 and 12 weeks after modeling, to compare the expression levels of CGRP and neuropeptide-Y in each group.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: mRNA expression levels of CGRP and neuropeptide-Y in the sensory nerve tract and vascular bundle groups were significantly higher than those in the control group at different time points after modeling (P < 0.05). mRNA expression levels of CGRP and neuropeptide-Y in the tissue-engineered bone began to be increased and peaked at the 8th week, and then decreased (P < 0.05), which were the lowest at the 4th week (P < 0.05).Immunohistochemical staining results showed that CGRP was mainly found in the bridge, periosteum of newly born bones and around blood vessels; while neuropeptide-Y mainly localized in the medullary cavity and around blood vessels. These results indicate that the implantation of vascular bundle and sensory nerve tracts for bone defects can upregulate the expression levels of CGRP and neuropeptide-Y, and promote bone repair. However, sensory tract implantation may cause sensory impairment; thereafter, vascular bundle implantation is more suitable for ideal tissue-engineered construction to meet physical requirements.

Objective To report computer-aided three-dimensional visualization of simulated surgery for distal femoral fractures using software Unigraphics NX and Mimics. Methods The preoperative CT scans of 6 patients with distal femoral fractures were used for three-dimensional reconstruction of distal femoral fractures using software Mimics. Three-dimensional reconstruction of the surgical instruments using the modeling function of software Unigraphics NX. The assembly function of software Unigraphics NX was used to vi-sualize the simulated internal fixations of distal femoral fractures with both Less Invasive Stable System plates and the retrograde nails. The operative procedures simulated by the software Unigraphics NX were analyzed preoperatively. Results The simulated operative procedures were clearly and vividly visualized in three-dimensions, The fracture reduction and operative effects could be predicted. Conclusion This system of three-dimensional visualization of simulated surgery for distal femoral fractures using software Unigraphics NX and Mimics can help surgeons make preoperative predictions and select reliable methods to improve the reliability and effectiveness of the orthopaedic surgery.

Objective To investigate whether tissue engineered bone with implanted vascular bun-dles can up-regulate release of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in models of femoral defect in rabbits.Methods Thirty-two rabbits were randomized into 2 even groups.In both groups, a segmental bone defect of 15 mm in length was made at the left femur before a tissue engineered bone was inserted into the defect.In the experimental group, a femoral vascular bundle was implanted into the tissue engineered bone.In the control group, there was no vascular implantation.At 2, 4, 8, and 12 weeks after implantation, samples were taken to determine new bone formation by histology and expression level of VEGF by immuno-histochemistry.Results The new bone formation was significantly higher in the experimental group at the end of 4, 8, and 12 weeks(P < 0.05) .The expression level of VEGF in the experimental group was also significantly higher than in the control group at all time points after operation, and the expression of VEGF peaked at 4 weeks.Conclusion Tissue engineered bone with vascular bundle implanted can up-regulate VEGF release in models of femoral defect in rabbits.

Objective To explore whether the respective implantation of vascular bundles and sensory nerve tracts into a tissue-engineered bone will affect the expression of CGRP (Calcitonin gene related peptide) and its receptor. Methods Fifty-four New Zealand rabbits were randomly divided into 3 even groups for implantation of sensory nerve tracts (group A),implantation of vascular bundles (group B),and a control group of simple tissue-engineered bone (group C) . Animals were sacrificed 4,8,12 weeks after implantation,respectively. Masson staining was conducted to observe the process of bone formation and re-molding. CGRP and CGRPR-1 expressions in the new bone were measured by immunohistochemistry and Real-time PCR at 4,8 and 12 weeks after implantation. Results At all time points,the CGRP and CGRPR-1 expressions in groups A and B were significantly higher than in group C (P<0.05),and those in group A were higher than in group B too (P<0.05) . Over time,the expressions of CGRP and CGRPR-1 mRNA in each group in the new bone tissue were gradually reduced after an initial increase. The neuropeptide expression at the 8th week was higher than those at the 4th and 12th weeks. The neuropeptide expression at the 4th week was the lowest. The expression of CGRP was mainly localized in the periphery of newly generated bone,periosteum and the blood vessels. The expression of CGRPR-1 was mainly localized in the periphery of osteoblasts. Conclusions Implantation of either vascular bundles or sensory nerve tracts can promote neuropeptide secretion. The vascular bundle implantation may result in higher expressions of CGRP and CGRPR-1 than sensory nerve tract implantation.

BACKGROUNDOur previous papers indicate that flurbiprofen axetil (FA), a cyclooxygenase inhibitor, is a promising therapeutic strategy for cerebral ischemia in rats. This study aimed to investigate whether FA could promote a neuroprotective effect by activation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPAR-γ) after focal cerebral ischemia in rats.

METHODSTotally 48 male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly assigned into six groups (n = 8 in each group): animals in group ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) only received 120-minute transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (tMCAO); animals in group I/R + FA were administered FA (10 mg/kg) by caudal vein just after 120-minute tMCAO; animals in group I/R + FA + GW9662 were administered GW9662 (a PPAR-γ inhibitor, 1 mg/kg) intraperitoneally 30 minutes before cerebral ischemia onset and FA (10 mg/kg) by caudal vein just after 120-minute tMCAO; animals in group I/R + GW9662 were administered GW9662 (1 mg/kg) intraperitoneally 30 minutes before cerebral ischemia onset; animals in group I/R + DMSO were administered 3% DMSO (vehicle of GW9662, 1 ml/kg) intraperitoneally 30 minutes before cerebral ischemia onset; animals in sham group experienced the identical surgery apart from the insertion of the nylon filament. The neurologic deficit score (NDS) were performed at 72 hours after reperfusion, and then mean brain infarct volume percentage (MBIVP) was determined with 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC) 10 g/L staining.

RESULTSNDS was significantly increased in group I/R + FA (12.0 (10.0 - 15.0)), group I/R + FA + GW9662 (10.0 (8.0 - 12.0)), and in group I/R + FA + DMSO (12.0 (9.0 - 14.0)) at 72 hours after reperfusion compared with those in group I/R (7.5 (6.0 - 10.0)). NDS was conspicuously different between group I/R + FA (12.0 (10.0 - 15.0)) and group I/R + FA + GW9662 (10.0 (8.0 - 12.0)). MBIVP in group I/R ((45.82 - 8.83)%) was significantly greater than that in group I/R + FA ((23.52 - 9.90)%), group I/R + FA + GW9662 ((33.17 - 7.15)%); MBIVP in group I/R + FA ((23.52 - 9.90)%) was significantly smaller than that in group I/R + FA + GW9662 ((33.17 - 7.15)%).

CONCLUSIONSFA confers the neuroprotective effect on tMCAO in rats and the selective PPAR-γ antagonist GW9662 attenuates the effect of FA. FA could promote a neuroprotective effect by, or in part, activation of PPAR-γ after focal cerebral ischemia in rats.

Animals ; Brain Ischemia ; drug therapy ; Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors ; pharmacology ; Flurbiprofen ; analogs & derivatives ; pharmacology ; Male ; Neuroprotective Agents ; pharmacology ; PPAR gamma ; physiology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

CD55 Antigens ; Complement Activation ; Humans ; Membrane Cofactor Protein ; Pemphigoid, Bullous ; Recombinant Fusion Proteins

Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) is one of the most important swine diseases worldwide. In the present study, a new virulent strain of PRRS virus (PRRSV), GDsg, was isolated in Guangdong province, China, and caused high fever, high morbidity, and high mortality in sows and piglets. The genome of this new strain was 15,413 nucleotides (nt) long, and comparative analysis revealed that GDsg shared 82.4% to 94% identity with type 2 PRRSV strains, but only 61.5% identity with type 1 PRRSV Lelystad virus strain. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that type 2 PRRSV isolates include five subgenotypes (I, II, III, IV, and V), which are represented by NADC30, VR-2332, GM2, CH-1a, and HuN4, respectively. Moreover, GDsg belongs to a newly emerging type 2 PRRSV subgenotype III. More interestingly, the newly isolated GDsg strain has multiple discontinuous nt deletions, 131 (19 + 18 + 94) at position 1404–1540 and a 107 nt insertion in the NSP2 region. Most importantly, the GDsg strain was identified as a virus recombined between low pathogenic field strain QYYZ and vaccine strain JXA1-P80. In conclusion, a new independent subgenotype and recombinant PRRSV strain has emerged in China and could be a new threat to the swine industry of China.
China ; Fever ; Genome ; Mortality ; Nucleotides ; Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome ; Porcine respiratory and reproductive syndrome virus ; Swine ; Swine Diseases