Objective To assess the clinical value of measuring the concentration of serum osteoprotegerin (OPG) in detecting the bone metastases in patients with prostate cancer. Methods The concentration of serum OPG in 40 patients was determined by ELISA. The data of ECT bone scan and Gleason score was collected simultaneously. The correlations between serum OPG and bone metastases, Gleason score were tested. Results The concentration of serum OPG in patients with bone metastases by ECT scan was( 16 237. 19 ±5144. 26) ng/L,which was significantly higher than the concentration in patients without bone metastases , which was (12 123.32 ±4136. 50)ng/L. There was no significant correlation between serum OPG and Gleason score. Conclusions The serum OPG has an important clinical value in prediction of prostate cancer with bone metastases. There is no significant correlation between serum OPG and the Gleason score.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the use of anterior cervical discectomy and fusion with self-locking cages to treat multi-segmental cervical myelopathy.

METHODSFrom April 2008 to March 2010, anterior cervical discectomy and fusion with self-locking cages were performed on 45 patients who suffered from multi-segmental cervical myelopathy, among of them there were 23 male and 22 female, aged from 32 to 67 years (average 53 years). Recording the Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) scores and SF-36 scores in the protocol time point, in order to investigate the clinical outcome, meanwhile, accumulating the pre-operation and postoperation X-ray films of cervical spine for measuring the height of intervertebral space, whole curvature of cervical spine and the rate of fusion by repeated measures analysis of variance.

RESULTSThe mean follow-up time was 28.4 months (24 - 35 months). JOA scores ascended from preoperative 6.5 ± 3.1 to postoperative 13.4 ± 1.7 (F = 17.84, P = 0.001), the 7 scores of SF-36 improved significantly after operation (t = 1.151 - 12.207, P < 0.05), but mental health not. The fineness rate was 91.1%. Height of disc space ascended from preoperative (5.5 ± 1.8) mm to postoperative (8.3 ± 0.8) mm (F = 11.71, P = 0.043), globle curvature of cervical spine ascended from preoperative 5° ± 7° to postoperative 10° ± 14° (F = 234.53, P = 0.000), the change of the two index was significantly, respectively. Fat necrosis in one case and hematoma in another case at the bone donor-site were found, both of the two cases were cured by physiotherapy. All of the 45 cases (111 segments) achieved bone fusion.

CONCLUSIONThe use of anterior cervical discectomy and fusion with self-locking cages to treat multi-segmental cervical myelopathy possess many advantages as follows: satisfactory clinical outcome, minimally invasive, higher fusion rate, higher orthopaedic ability.

Adult ; Aged ; Cervical Vertebrae ; surgery ; Decompression, Surgical ; methods ; Diskectomy ; methods ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Internal Fixators ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Spinal Cord Diseases ; surgery ; Spinal Fusion ; instrumentation ; methods ; Treatment Outcome

To analyze the indications and dominant diseases of acupotomology by literature research. The findings reveal that the 64.4% of all literature focused on eight categories of diseases, including the third lumbar vertebrae transverse process syndrome, tendinitis stenosans, cervical spondylosis, heel pain, scapulohumeral periarthritis, external humeral epicondylitis, lumbar disc herniation and osteoarthritis. The 87.5% of all literature focus on diseases of chronic strain of movement system, cervical spondylosis, cervicogenic disease, lumbar disc herniation and osteoarthritis. The indications of acupotomology are various, but not evenly distributed; the dominant diseases are comparatively concentrated. The acupotomology has great potential to treat the indications and dominant diseases. Therefore, acupotomology should be promoted scientifically in the future.
Acupuncture Therapy ; methods ; Humans ; Musculoskeletal Diseases ; therapy

OBJECTIVESTo summarize the characteristics of interventional treatment of dural arteriovenous fistulae (DAVFs) and improve clinical curative effects.

METHODSThe clinical data from 135 patients with DAVFs were analyzed retrospectively.

RESULTSSeventy-four patients were cured, 53 were significantly improved, 8 unchange, and 1 died of intracranial haemorrhage.

CONCLUSIONSClinical presentations and prognosis of DAVF depend on the types of venous drainage. Compression of the affected carotid artery and endovascular embolization are safe and effective.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Arteriovenous Fistula ; congenital ; diagnosis ; therapy ; Dura Mater ; blood supply ; Embolization, Therapeutic ; Female ; Humans ; Intracranial Arteriovenous Malformations ; diagnosis ; therapy ; Male ; Middle Aged

Objective To observe the effect of lentiviral vector-mediated basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) gene transfection on the biological characteristics of rabbit bone marrow stromal cells(BMSCs)under in vitro culture conditions. Methods BMSCs were obtained by density gradient centrifugation and adherence screening. The bFGF gene was transfected into BMSCs by lentiviral vector and divided into bFGF transfection group,empty virus group and untransfected group according to the transfection conditions.After transfection,the morphology,expressions of bFGF mRNA and protein, cell proliferation,cell cycle and alkaline phosphatase(ALP)activity were observed in three groups of cells. Results High density BMSCs were successfully obtained by density gradient centrifugation and adherence screening.After transfection of BMSCs with bFGF gene, the cell morphology showed no significant changes, while the expressions of bFGF mRNA and protein were significantly increased, the cell proliferation curve shifted upward, the proportion of proliferating cells increased,and the activity of ALP was significantly enhanced.There were significant differences between three groups(P<0.05).Conclusion The rabbit bFGF gene is successfully introduced into the BMSCs cultured in vitro by lentiviral vector, and the target gene is stably expressed.The expression of bFGF can promote the proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs.

OBJECTIVETo develop a chitosan (CH)/polyethylene glycols succinate acid (PEG-SA)-mediated mitomycin C (MMC) delivery system and investigate its drug release characteristics in vitro and its effect against scar tissue adhesion in vivo.

METHODSMitomycin C loading in the composite CH/PEG-SA/MMC films was determined using ultraviolet. The freeze-dried films were dispersed in 1 ml PBS (pH7.4) and mitomycin C release in vitro was determined according to the mitomycin C concentration-UV value standard curve. The influence of the film structure on the drug release was evaluated. The drug delivery system was then implanted in SD rats, and 4 weeks later, immunohistochemical and histological examinations were carried out to assess the therapeutic effect on epidural scar tissue.

RESULTSThe linear regression equation of the mitomycin C concentration-UV value standard curve was y=0.593x(3)-2.563x(2)+25.944x-0.236 (R(2)=1.000). The film demonstrated good drug delivery capability, and 20 mg of the samples in PBS showed a peak mitomycin C release after 12 days of 14.9616 microg/ml, which was higher than the ID(50) of mitomycin C (10.4713 microg/l) to the fibroblasts. On days 18 and 32, another two drug release peaks occurred (14.4824 microg/ml and 11.4092 microg/ml, respectively), followed by maintenance of slow release. Till day 60, the accumulative mitomycin release reached 0.1793 microg/ml, and the loaded drug was ultimately completely released. Significant differences were noted in the hydroxyproline content in the scar tissues of different groups (F=12.085, P=0.000), and the CH/PEG-SA/MMC DDS reduced the amount of scar tissue and promoted its orderly alignment to control potential scar hyperplasia that may compress the spinal cord and nerve roots.

CONCLUSIONThe composite film for drug delivery possesses good flexibility and mechanical properties and allows sustained drug release of mitomycin C to prevent epidural scar tissue adhesion following lumbar laminectomy.

Animals ; Chitosan ; chemistry ; Drug Delivery Systems ; Intervertebral Disc ; drug effects ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Mitomycin ; administration & dosage ; chemistry ; Polyethylene Glycols ; chemistry ; Polyethylenes ; chemistry ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Succinates ; chemistry ; Tissue Adhesions ; prevention & control

Objective To anderstand the metagenesis of Oncomelania snails in the mountainous regions so as to control the spread of snails and the epidemics of schistosomiasis.Methods Observation spot was established at a typical snail habitat close to Puge county,Sichuan province from February 2008 to July 2009.Random sampling was applied to determine the place of each frame during the observation.All the snails in each frame were collected and numbers counted in the laboratory,with the number of mating pairs in each frame also observed.Snails being collected were measured for the body indices and the dissection was carried out to identify gender composition.survival status and the number of live snails in each frame counted.Line graphs of the body indices.mating pairs in each observed months,bar graphs of the snail density,proportions of gender together with the maturity of the snails in each month were drawn.Results The number of live snail existed the whole year and its density fluctuated.All the three kinds of body indices showed the same time trend and a dynamic circulation.The young snail existed all year around and arose constantly in proportion from May,becoming the dominant snailin October to replace the adult snails.The young and adult snails also showed a dynamic alternative.The gender composition showed no significant difference during each month.The number of the mating pairs was more on April.May and June annually,when were the snail's main multiplying stage.Conclusion In mountain area.the young snails existed through all the year while adult snails appeared to be dominantin each month except for October.Oncomelania snail showed a circular process of metagenesis which started in May and finished in October.The snail population presented a dynamic equilibrium.It was concluded that ecological studies on Oncomelania snail were extremely relevant,either to optimally apply the existing control measures or to develop alternative measures for snail control,ecologically or biologically.

Objective To explore the dynamic changes of hydrogen sulfide(H2S)in the pathological course in cortical tissues at diffe-rent times of hypoxia-ischemia brain damage(HIBD).Methods Fifty-six healthy 7-day-old Sprague-Dawley newborn rats were randomly assigned into 7 groups(n=8):normal group,sham-operated group,HIBD 12 h group,HIBD 24 h group,HIBD 48 h group,HIBD 72 h group,and HIBD 7 d group.HIBD rat models were established by ligating the left common carotid artery,after 2-4 h,followed by exposuring to hypoxia(80 mL/L oxygen and 920 mL/L nitrogen)for 2 h.The achievement of HIBD model was determined by the change on behaviour of neonatal rats.There were no treatment on the normal group,and the left common carotid artery was only separated in the sham group.The left cortical tissues in the experimental group were removed at 12,24,48,72 h,and 7 d after HIBD.H2S amounts in cortical tissues at different times after HIBD were measured by biochemical methods.Results H2S level in cortical tissues in HIBD 12 h group increased significantly compared with sham-operated group(P

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of L-arginine on expression of human FVIII gene.

METHODSPlasmid pcDNA6/V5-HisA-BDDhF VIII containing B domain deleted human coagulant factor VIII cDNA (BDDhF VIII cDNA) was constructed and transfected into human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC). After 72 h incubation with L-arginine (final concentration was 10 mmol/L) , the supernatant was collected for determining the antigen and clotting activity of human FVIII (FVIII: Ag and FVIII: C ) with ELISA and one stage clotting assay respectively. HUVECs were harvested for detecting human FVIII mRNA by Northern blot analysis. The five functional domains of BDDhFVIII cDNA including A1, A2, A3, C1 and C2 were amplified with PCR and inserted into pcDNA6/V5-HisA to construct the expression plasmids pcDNA6/V5-Hi-sA-BDDhFVIII-A1, pcDNA6/V5-HisA-BDDhFVIII-A2, pcDNA6/V5-HisA-BDDhFVIII-A3, pcDNA6/V5-HisA-BDDhFVIII-C1 and pcDNA6/V5-HisA-BDDhFVIII-C2, respectively. HUVEC were transfected with the five plasmids respectively and incubated with L-arginine (at the final concentration of 10 mmol/L) for 72 h. Nucleoli were then isolated and underwent run-on assay.

RESULTSAfter 24 h incubation with L-arginine, FVIII: Ag and FVIII: C were increased markedly in the supernatant of HUVEC [FVIII: Ag was (146.08 +/- 4.78) ng/ ml, and FVIII: C (0.752 +/- 0.009) U/ml/10(6) cells x 24 h, while in control supernatant without L-arginine, FVIII: Ag was (34.66 +/- 3.98) ng/ml, and FVIII: C (0.171 +/- 0.006) U/ml/10(6) cell x 24 h, P < 0.01]. Northern blot analysis indicated that, after adding L-arginine, the transcription of human FVIII mRNA was intensified remarkably in HUVEC transfected with pcDNA6/V5-HisA-BDDhFVIII, but no any transcription in those transfected with pcDNA6/V5-HisA. Run-on assay demonstrated that with L-arginine induction, A1 and A2 domains transcription was increased obviously, while no change in A3, C1 and C2 domains transcription.

CONCLUSIONL-arginine increases expression of human FVIII gene in HUVEC through enhancing its transcription, particularly, domain A1 and A2 within FVIII gene.

Arginine ; pharmacology ; Cells, Cultured ; DNA, Complementary ; genetics ; Endothelial Cells ; metabolism ; Factor VIII ; genetics ; Gene Expression ; drug effects ; Genetic Vectors ; Humans ; Plasmids ; genetics ; Transcription, Genetic ; drug effects ; Transfection ; Umbilical Veins ; cytology

OBJECTIVESTo prove the protective effect of Edaravone to neurons and to study the particular mechanism.

METHODSNeurons were collected from 18-day fetal rat brains and a culture of almost pure neurons was obtained after 14-day culture, then the cells were randomly assigned to one of the three groups: control group, hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂)-treated group, and Edaravone-treated group. In H₂O₂-treated group, 300 µmol/L H₂O₂ was added to the medium, followed by returning to the normal culture for the presupposition of time. In Edaravone-treated group, 500 µmol/L Edaravone was prophylactically added to the medium for 30 minutes before the insult. Morphology of mitochondria was visualized by transmission electron microscopy. The rate of apoptotic cells was detected by flow cytometry analysis. The relationships between the proteins and the key proteins expressions were observed by immunoprecipitation and immunoblotting.

RESULTSCompared to the Edaravone-treated group, mitochondria in H₂O₂-treated group displayed more vesicular matrix compartments at the same time. Percentage of apoptotic cells in H₂O₂-treated group after 0.5, 2, 6 and 12 h were 14.40% ± 1.23%, 45.50% ± 2.81%, 56.40% ± 3.53%, 62.50% ± 4.23%, which were higher than control group (F = 274.8, P < 0.01). Edaravone-treated group were 0.90% ± 0.07%, 1.10% ± 0.08%, 3.50% ± 1.90%, 12.60% ± 1.10%, which were lower than H₂O₂-treated group (F = 362.7, P < 0.01). After H₂O₂ stimulation for 0.5 h in H₂O₂-treated group, the levels of p-JNK (Thr183/Tyr185) and cytochrome c in cytosol and BAX in heavy membrane were increased significantly at 0.5 h, reaching a peak at 12 h after stimulation, In addition, the expressions of p-BAD, BAX, BAD and 14-3-3 of cytoplasm decreased, however, these changes were inhibited in the Edaravone-treated group.

CONCLUSIONSAs a free radical scavenger, the Edaravone could protect neurons by inhibiting the activity of JNK, the disassociation of BAD from 14-3-3 and the translocation of BAX from the cytosol to mitochondria.

14-3-3 Proteins ; metabolism ; Animals ; Antipyrine ; analogs & derivatives ; pharmacology ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Free Radical Scavengers ; pharmacology ; Hydrogen Peroxide ; metabolism ; MAP Kinase Signaling System ; Mitochondria ; drug effects ; Neurons ; drug effects ; Neuroprotective Agents ; pharmacology ; Primary Cell Culture ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; bcl-2-Associated X Protein ; metabolism ; bcl-Associated Death Protein ; metabolism