OBJECTIVETo explore the effects of nano-hydroxyapatite/polyamide 66 (n-HA/PA66) cage on recovering and maintaining lumbar curvature, lumbar heights and fusion rate when used in the transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion.

METHODSFrom February to July 2012, 50 patients with degenerative lumbar disease(lumbar disc herniation in 32 cases and lumbar spondylolisthesis in 18 cases) were treated with transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion using the n-HA/PA66 cage, and their preoperative and postoperative clinical outcomes were analyzed. The patients were followed up for 2, 4, 6 and 8 months after operation, during which the CR and CT film of lumbar vertebra were checked to get relative height of vertebral space, Taillard index,index of lumbar spinal curvature,angle of segmental and full lumbar lordosis. The data were analyzed respectively with pair t-test, analysis of variance or LSD-t-test.

RESULTSAll the patients were followed up, and the duraion ranged from 8 to 13 months, with a mean of 11.32 months. There were significant differences in relative height of vertebral space, Taillard index, index of lumbar spinal curvature, angle of segmental and full lumbar lordosis after surgery, but there were no significant differences in different periods after operation. The fusion time of lumbar ranged from 4 to 8 months.

CONCLUSIONThe n-HA/PA66 cage can recover and maintain lumbar normal stability with higher rate of fusion and less complications.

Adult ; Durapatite ; administration & dosage ; Female ; Humans ; Intervertebral Disc Displacement ; surgery ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nylons ; Spinal Fusion ; adverse effects ; instrumentation ; methods ; Spondylolisthesis ; surgery ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Objective: To explore the relationship between expressions of estrogen (ER) and progesterone (PR) receptors and syndromes of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in gastric carcinoma and to establish prognostic indicators for gastric carcinoma. Methods: A total of 72 patients with gastric carcinoma were divided into six groups according to TCM syndrome differentiation. Specimens were collected after operation and ER and PR protein expressions were detected by EnVision immunohistochemical method. Results: The common syndromes in female patients with gastric carcinoma were disharmony between liver and stomach, yin impairment due to stomach heat, and insufficiency of both qi and blood; while in males, interior retention of stagnant toxin, interior retention of phlegm and dampness, and deficiency-cold in spleen and stomach were common. Different TCM syndromes were related with gender (P<0.01), pathology (P<0.01), cell differentiation (P<0.05), infiltration depth (P<0.01), lymphaden metastasis (P<0.05), distant metastasis (P<0.05), and TNM stage (P<0.01). Deficiency and excess syndromes were associated with gender (P<0.05), pathology (P<0.05), tumor location (P<0.01) and TNM stage (P<0.05). The deficiency syndromes were common in female patients. The total positive rates of ER and PR expressions were 8.33% and 37.5% respectively. There was a significant difference in PR expression among different TCM syndromes (P<0.01). PR expression was significantly higher in the syndrome of yin deficiency due to stomach heat than in the other syndromes. The PR expressions in deficiency syndromes were significantly higher than those in excess syndromes (P<0.01). No correlation was found between ER expression and different TCM syndromes. Conclusion: There is a correlation between PR expression and different TCM syndromes in gastric carcinoma.

Objective To assess the therapeutic effect of plum-blossom needle tapping combined with topical imiquimod immunotherapy on cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) in SKH-1 mice,and to explore the immunological mechanism.Methods A total of 40 SKH-1 mice with ultraviolet light-induced cutaneous SCC were randomly and equally divided into 4 groups:control group receiving no treatment,plum-blossom needle group receiving plum-blossom needle tapping on all the tumors once a day,imiquimod group topically treated with imiquimod 5％ cream at a dose of 1.2 g/kg once a day,combination group firstly treated with plum-blossom needle tapping on all the tumors,and after the stop of bleeding topically treated with imiquimod 5％ cream at the same dose as the imiquimod group once a day.All the mice were treated for 30 days.Morphological changes of tumors in all groups were photographed and recorded every day.The tumor size was measured once every three days,and changes of total tumor volume and survival rate of the mice were compared among the 4 groups.At the end of treatment,tunor tissues were resected,and histopathological changes were compared among the 4 groups.Real-time fluorescence-based quantitative PCR (qRT-PCR) was performed to measure the mRNA expression of interferon-α (IFN-α),IFN-β,interleukin-1β (IL-1β),tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-o) and IL-12 in tumor tissues.Results In the combination group,tumors on the back of mice grew slowly,and some even regressed.However,tumors grew fast in the control group,plum-blossom needle group and imiquimod group,and grew more slowly in the plum-blossom needle group and imiquimod group than in the control group.Before the treatment,there was no significant difference in the total tumor volume among the 4 groups (F =0.90,P ＞ 0.05).After 24-day treatment,the total tumor volume significantly differed among the 4 groups (F =5.16,P ＜ 0.05).The LSD-t test showed that the total tumor volume significantly decreased in the combination group compared with the control group (P ＜ 0.01),but no significant difference was observed among the other groups (P ＞ 0.05).Log-rank test revealed that survival curves significantly differed among the 4 groups (x2 =8.32,P ＜ 0.05).The survival rate was significantly higher in the combination group than in the control group (x2 =4.62,P =0.03),but did not differ between the plum-blossom needle group or imiquimod group and the control group or combination group (all P ＞ 0.05).Histopathological examination showed atypical cells arranged closely,a large number of tumor cells and some keratin pearls in the control group and plumblossom needle group,few dead tumor cells in the imiquimod group,and plenty of dead tumor cells,mild nuclear atypia and increased keratinization in the combination group.qRT-PCR revealed that the relative mRNA expression levels of IFN-α,IFN-β,IL-12,IL-1β and TNF-α were significantly higher in the combination group than those in the control group,plum-blossom needle group and imiquimod group (P ＜ 0.05).The imiquimod group showed significantly higher mRNA expression of IL-1β than the control group (P ＜ 0.01),but no significant differences were observed among the other groups (P ＞ 0.05).Conclusion Plum-blossom needle tapping can effectively enhance the anti-SCC activity and immunological effects of imiquimod in SKH-1 mice.

Objective To study the expression of interleukin-1β in aortic dissections and aneurysms. Methods Aortic specimens were obtained from patients with type Ⅰ thoracic aortic dissection (11 cases),ascending thoracic aortic aneurysms (10 cases),and healthy organ donors (7 cases).Expression of interleukin-1β,matrix metalloproteinase-9,and signal transduction factors phospho-p38 and phospho-JNK were detected by real time RT-PCR,Western blot,and immunohistochemistry,respectively.TUNEL staining was performed to detect apoptosis of media cells. Results Apoptosis in the media of thoracic aortic dissection and ascending thoracic aortic aneurysms was dramatically higher than control group.Expression of interleukin-1β gradually increased in an order of control group,thoracic aortic dissection to ascending thoracic aortic aneurysms ( P ＜ 0.01,respectively).Expression of matrix metalloproteinase-9significantly increased in the media of thoracic aortic dissection and ascending thoracic aortic aneurysms compared with control group (P ＜ 0.01,respectively).There were positive correlations between interleukin1 β and matrix metalloproteinase-9,interleukin-1β and phospho-p38 in thoracic aortic dissection ( P ＜ 0.01,respectively),interleukin-1β and apoptosis in ascending thoracic aortic aneurysms (P ＜ 0.01 ).Conclusions Interleukin-1β and interferon-γ might effect the formation of thoracic aortic dissection and ascending thoracic aortic aneurysms possibly through the up-regulation of matrix metalloproteinase-9 and apoptosis of media cells in humans.

BACKGROUNDChemokines and their receptors have been a research focus in transplantation immunology. Chemokines and their receptors play a role in lymphocyte recruitment and differentiation process. This study aimed to observe whether IL-4 and IL-10 may regulate the expression of chemokine receptors CCR3, CCR5 and CXCR3 on CD4(+) T cells in CBA/JxDBA/2 mouse model and to explore the role of CCR3, CCR5, CXCR3 in immune tolerance in pregnancy.

METHODSThe mouse model of spontaneous abortion (CBA/JxDBA/2) and the normal pregnant mouse model (CBA/JxBALB/c) were used. CBA/JxDBA/2 mice were injected with IL-4 (CBA/JxDBA/2-IL-4), IL-4 and IL-10 (CBA/JxDBA/2-IL-4+IL-10), or normal saline (CBA/JxDBA/2-NS) as a control. The expression of CCR3, CCR5 and CXCR3 on CD4(+) T cells from mouse peripheral blood was measured by the double-labelled FCM method, and the embryo resorption rate was also examined.

RESULTSThe embryo resorption rate in the CBA/JxDBA/2 group without any treatment was significantly higher than that in the CBA/JxBALB/c group (17.9% vs 3.7%, P < 0.01). The embryo resorption rate in the CBA/JxDBA/2 group immunized with IL-4 or IL-4 together with IL-10 was significantly decreased, compared with that in the control and NS groups respectively. CCR3 expression on CD4(+) T cells in the CBA/JxDBA/2 group without any treatment was significantly lower than that in the CBA/JxBALB/c group (0.3738 +/- 0.3575 vs 1.2190 +/- 0.2772, P < 0.01); both CCR5 (3.0900 +/- 1.5603 vs 1.2390 +/- 0.6361, P < 0.01) and CXCR3 (2.4715 +/- 0.9074 vs 0.9200 +/- 0.5585, P < 0.01) expressions on CD4(+) T cells of the CBA/JxDBA/2 group without any treatment were significantly higher than those of the CBA/JxBALB/c group. Significant up-regulation of CCR3 and down-regulation of CXCR3 were found in the CBA/JxDBA/2 group treated with IL-4 (CCR3: 2.0360 +/- 0.6944, CXCR3: 1.3510 +/- 0.5263, P < 0.01) or IL-4 and IL-10 (CCR3: 1.8160 +/- 1.0947, CXCR3:1.0940 +/- 0.7168, P < 0.01). Because of the CCR5, IL-4 and IL-10 (1.9400 +/- 0.8504 vs 3.0900 +/- 1.5603, P < 0.05), but IL-4 alone (2.5310 +/- 1.3595 vs 3.0900 +/- 1.5603, P > 0.05) treatment significantly decreased the expression of CCR5 in CBA/JxDBA/2.

CONCLUSIONSThe abnormal expression of CCR3, CCR5 and CXCR3 on CD4(+) T cells may play an important role in the pathogenesis of spontaneous abortion. The pregnancy immune tolerance may be induced through selective induction of CCR3, CCR5 and CXCR3 expressions by IL-4 together with IL-10.

Animals ; CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Cells, Cultured ; Embryo Loss ; metabolism ; Embryo, Mammalian ; Female ; Interleukin-10 ; pharmacology ; Interleukin-4 ; pharmacology ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Pregnancy ; Receptors, CCR3 ; metabolism ; Receptors, CCR5 ; metabolism ; Receptors, CXCR3 ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo prepare and evaluate novel chlorine dioxide-based disinfectant powder in single-pack that is more convenient for use and transportation.

METHODSOrthogonal experiment was performed to determine the recipe of the disinfectant powder. Stability test, suspension quantitative bactericidal test, simulation field trial, and animal toxicity test were carried out to observe its bactericidal and toxicological effects.

RESULTSThe orthogonal experiment showed that the type of water solution had no effect on the disinfectant powder and the best ratio of sodium chlorite to solid acid was 1:3. Ten grams of the disinfectant powder was fully dissolved in 20 mL water for 2 min, and diluted to 500 mL in water. After 5-10 min, the concentration of chlorine dioxide (ClO2) solution was 266 mg/L to 276 mg/L. After stored at 54 degrees C for 14 d, the average concentration of ClO2 was decreased by 5.03%. Suspension quantitative bactericidal test showed that the average killing logarithm (KL) value for both Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli in 100 mg/L ClO2 solution for 2 min was over 5.00. in simulation field trial, the average descending KL value for Escherichia coli in the solution containing 100 mg/L ClO2 for 5 min was over 3.00. The mouse acute LD50 in the solution 5 times exceeded 5000 mg/kg. The disinfectant powder was not toxic and irritative to rabbit skin and had no mutagenic effect on mouse marrow polychromatic erythrocytes (PCE).

CONCLUSIONThe stability and bactericidal efficacy of solid chlorine dioxide-based disinfectant powder in single-pack are good. The solution containing 100 mg/L ClO2 can kill vegetative forms of bacteria. The concentration of ClO2 on the disinfecting surface of objects is 100 mg/L. The disinfectant powder is not toxic and irritative.

Chlorine Compounds ; pharmacology ; Disinfectants ; pharmacology ; Escherichia coli ; drug effects ; Oxides ; pharmacology ; Staphylococcus aureus ; drug effects

BACKGROUNDPrevious studies have shown that local immune cells in the feto-maternal interface are recruited from peripheral blood, and that chemokines and their receptors play an initial and key role in this recruitment process. In this study, we aimed to determine whether spontaneous abortion is associated with the expression of chemokine receptors CCR3, CCR5, and CXCR3 on CD4(+) T cells.

METHODSPeripheral blood, spleen, and thymus were collected from the spontaneous abortion mouse model CBA/JxDBA/2 (SA group, n = 14), the normal pregnant mouse model CBA/JxBALB/c (NP group, n = 13), and normal non-pregnant CBA/J mice (NNP group, n = 11). The number of chemokine receptors CCR3, CCR5, and CXCR3 expressed on CD4(+) T cells was measured by double-label flow cytometry (FCM) method.

RESULTSIn peripheral blood, the SA group had significantly lower CCR3 expression (P < 0.01) and higher CCR5 and CXCR3 expression (P < 0.01) on CD4(+) T cells than did the NP group. But comparing these chemokines between the SA and NNP groups, there was no significant difference (P > 0.05). In spleen, the SA group expressed significantly lower CCR3 expression (P < 0.01) and higher CCR5 and CXCR3 expression (P < 0.05) on CD4(+) T cells than did the NP group. When compared with the NNP group, the SA group had significantly higher CCR3 expression (P < 0.01), but was not statistically different with regards to the other two chemokines (P > 0.05). In thymus, the SA group had significantly lower CCR3 expression (P < 0.05) and higher CXCR3 expression (P < 0.05) on CD4(+) T cells than the NP group, with no significant difference in CCR5 expression (P > 0.05). Compared with the NNP group, the SA group had higher CCR3 expression (P < 0.01), but there was no statistical difference in CXCR3 and CCR5 expression (P > 0.05) between the two groups.

CONCLUSIONThe abnormal expression of CCR3, CCR5 and CXCR3 on CD4(+) T cells may play an important role in the pathogenesis of spontaneous abortion.

Animals ; CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes ; metabolism ; Embryo Loss ; Female ; Flow Cytometry ; Gene Expression Regulation ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Pregnancy ; Receptors, CCR3 ; metabolism ; Receptors, CCR5 ; metabolism ; Receptors, CXCR3 ; metabolism ; Spleen ; metabolism ; Thymus Gland ; metabolism

Objective:To establish SKH-1 mouse models of subcutaneously transplanted B16F10 melanoma and of lung-metastasized B16F10 melanoma.Methods:Seven SKH-1 mice and seven C57BL/6 mice were subcutaneously inoculated with 5 × 10 6 B16F10 cells on the back, and the survival duration of mice was observed and recorded. The tumor volume was measured by using a precision vernier caliper every 3 days. Mice were considered as ethically dead when the tumor length was more than 15 mm, or when cachexia or ulceration occurred. In addition, 5 SKH-1 mice were injected with 5 × 10 6 B16F10 cells via the tail vein, and the activity, nutritional status and survival duration of the mice were observed. The mice were sacrificed after the observation, and the lungs were weighed after dissection. Histopathological examination was performed on the lungs of all mice. All the experiments were repeated 3 times. Results:On day 6 after the subcutaneous inoculation, black spots appeared at the skin inoculation site in the SKH-1 mice, and gradually developed into round black nodules, then progressed into ulcerative and hemorrhagic tumors until the death of mice, and the time to ethical death ranged from 20 to 33 days. In the C57BL/6 mice, small black nodules measuring 2 - 3 mm in length appeared at the skin inoculation site on day 4 after the subcutaneous inoculation, and the time to ethical death ranged from 12 to 18 days. The survival duration of SKH-1 mice was 26.57 ± 4.03, 27.86 ± 4.53, and 27.43 ± 5.32 days in the 3 times of experiments respectively, and there was no significant difference ( F = 0.14, P = 0.87) ; on day 27 after the subcutaneous inoculation, the tumor volume was 1 367.9 ± 150.2, 1 452.0 ± 50.1, and 1 490.3 ± 69.0 mm 3 in the 3 times of experiments respectively, and there was also no significant difference ( F = 0.92, P = 0.46). SKH-1 mice had shown decreased activity and anorexia since day 25 after tail vein injections of B16F10 cells, and dullness, emaciation, ascites and death had been observed since day 31, and the time to ethical death ranged from 31 to 40 days; multiple black nodules were observed in the lung after dissection, and the survival duration was 34.20 ± 2.58, 36.40 ± 2.60, and 34.80 ± 2.38 days in the 3 times of experiments respectively, which did not differ among the 3 times of experiments ( F = 1.01, P = 0.39) ; there was also no significant difference in the lung weight among the 3 times of experiments (156.1 ± 18.5, 164.0 ± 19.6, and 172.0 ± 17.2 mg, respectively, F = 3.18, P = 0.72). All the mice developed tumors, and histopathological examinations of subcutaneous tumor masses and lung tissues confirmed the diagnosis of melanoma. Conclusion:In this experiment, the SKH-1 mouse models of subcutaneously transplanted B16F10 melanoma and of lung-metastasized B16F10 melanoma were successfully established, which showed high tumor formation rates and favorable stability in tumor formation.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate total antioxidant capacity (TAC) of seminal plasma in fertile and infertile men and understand the relation between seminal plasma TAC and male fertility.

METHODSTwo hundred and twenty-five infertile men were divided into 10 cases of obstructive azoospermic men, 42 cases of non-obstructive azoospermic men,20 cases of oligozoospermic men, 78 cases of asthenozoospermic men, 57 cases of oligoasthenozoospermic men, and 18 cases of normozoospermic men, then 28 fertile men were taken as the control. The seminal parameter analysis was performed by computer-assisted semen analysis (CASA) system. Seminal plasma TAC was measured using spectroscopic analysis.

RESULTSSeminal plasma TAC were (1.71 +/- 1.33) U in obstructive azoospermic men, (12.73 +/- 9.44) U in non-obstructive azoospermic men, (10.85 +/- 6.64) U in oligozoospermic men, (13.88 +/- 8.24) U in asthenozoospermic men, (11.20 +/- 7.02) U in oligoasthenozoospermic men, (18.07 +/- 8.73) U in normozoospermic men, and (19.82 +/- 6.33) U in fertile men. There was no significant difference in TAC between normozoospermic men and fertile men (P > 0.05). Compared with fertile men, seminal plasma TAC in other infertile groups was significantly lower (P < 0.01). There were significantly made positive correlation between seminal plasma TAC and sperm density (r = 0.182, P < 0.05), as well as sperm with grade a (r = 0.150, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSeminal plasma TAC is closely related to male fertility, and the decreased level of TAC in seminal plasma may be one of the causes of male infertility.

Adult ; Case-Control Studies ; Fertility ; physiology ; Humans ; Infertility, Male ; physiopathology ; Male ; Oxidation-Reduction ; Reactive Oxygen Species ; metabolism ; Semen ; chemistry

AIMTo investigate the action of anions and anion channel blockers in the regulation of vascular contraction induced by norepinephrine (NE).

METHODSNE-induced contraction was observed in rat aorta by using routine blood vascular perfusion in vitro.

RESULTSThe anion channel blockers niflumic acid (NFA) and 5-nitro-2-(3-phenoxylpropylamino)-benzoic acid (NPPB) produced inhibitory effects on NE-evoked contractions in the aorta. NE-induced contraction was not significantly changed after the extracellular Na+ was replaced by choline, in contrast, the vascular was relaxed when the extracellular Cl- was replaced by glutamate. Moreover, the vasoconstriction induced by NE was further enhanced with the replacement of the extracellular Cl- by Br-, which was still sensitive to either NFA or NPPB.

CONCLUSIONSAnion channels play an important role in the regulation of blood vascular tone, which may be responsible for the salt-sensitivity hypertension.

Animals ; Anions ; metabolism ; Aorta ; drug effects ; physiology ; In Vitro Techniques ; Ion Channels ; antagonists & inhibitors ; Male ; Muscle Contraction ; drug effects ; physiology ; Muscle, Smooth, Vascular ; drug effects ; physiology ; Norepinephrine ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley