Whether the bone marrow-derived stem cells (BMDSCs) might migrate into the brain and differentiate there into the neural cells is one of focus of current researches with regard to adult stem cells. There were some studies showing that a certain number of BMDSCs marked with Y chromosome and GFP gene and grafted through the vein of the host animals could be presented in their brain tissue and these migrated cells expressed the specific markers for glial and neuronal cells. There were other studies nevertheless reporting that none of those cells labeled with GFP gene were found in the brain after transplantation through the blood. The causes of such inconsistent results may be due to the times of observation, the methods for labeling the BMDSCs with GFP gene and the gene silence in the brain tissue. As for the integrity of the migrated BMDSCs in the host brain tissue, some experiments showed that they could be differentiated into the glia and neurons by an inducing mechanism from microenviroment in the host brain, while the other experiments proved that the cell fusion might occur between the migrated BMDSCs and the Purkinje cells. The differentiation and fusion of cells may be therefore the two essential ways for the BMDSCs to change their phenotypes from mesoderm to ectoderm. It therefore appears that further study of this matter is necessary to understand the cell replacement in the brain structure maintenance and repair.

OBJECTIVETo compare the difference of early postoperative hip abductor strength and function between improved Gibson anterolateral approach (group A) and conventional Gibson posterolateral approach (group B) in patients who had underwent total hip arthroplasty (THA).

METHODSAmong 149 patients performing total hip arthroplasty,130 patients were followed up and were randomly divided into two groups (19 unqualified cases were excluded). Group A included 65 cases who underwent anterolateral approach, and the other group included 65 cases who underwent posterolateral approach. In the group A, male:female = 26:39,with an average age of (72.5 ± 8.3) years old, BMI of (24.7 ± 3.7) kg/m², and hip abductor strength of (1.08 ± 0.49) N · m/kg. In the group B, male:female = 30:35, with an average age of (71.6 ± 7.1) years old, BMI of (25.5 ± 3.9) kg/m², and hip abductor strength of (1.05 ± 0.51) N · m/kg. In the age-related control group, male:female = 33:32, with an average age of (73.1 ± 7.5) years old, BMI of (24.2 ± 3.8) kg/m², and hip abductor strength of (1.17 ± 0.53) N · m/kg. The age, BMI, hip abductor strength, anatomy of surgical approach, hip abduction angles and Harris score in all patients were evaluated at the day before surgery and at 1, 2, 3, 6, and 12 months after surgery. All preoperative clinical data (age, BMI and abductor strength of the uninjured side limb ) of these cases had no significant differences.

RESULTSAt 1, 2, 3, 6, and 12 months after surgery, the hip abductor strength in group A were (0.53 ± 0.13), (0.66 ± 0.21), (0.85 ± 0.15), (0.95 ± 0.19), (1.03 ± 0.13) N · m/kg respectively, while in group B were (0.46 ± 0.14), (0.57 ± 0.18), (0.78 ± 0.12), (0.85 ± 0.18), (0.98 ± 0.14) N · m/ kg respectively.The differences between the two groups at the 6th months after operation were significant; the hip abduction angles in group A were (25.35 ± 4.31)°, (36.53 ± 5.13)°, (48.07 ± 1.62)°, (61.53 ± 1.77)°, (68.62 ± 3.16)°,while in group B were (23.47 ± 2.41)°, (33.42 ± 4.23)°, (46.64 ± 2.51)°, (60.96 ± 1.75)°, (67.47 ± 4.36)°. The differences between the two groups at the 3rd month after operation were significant. Harris score in the group A were 72.23 ± 2.57, 79.36 ± 3.91, 84.75 ± 3.17, 88.63 ± 2.16, 95.21 ± 1.37 repectively ; while in the group B were 71.58 ± 3.62, 78.96 ± 2.21, 83.97 ± 3.57, 87.92 ± 2.94, 94.83 ± 1.62 respectively. There were no significant differences between them.

CONCLUSIONOwing to less muscles interrupted, the THA with improved Gibson anterolateral approach offers a better improvement in earlier hip abductor strength and abduction angle compared with the conventional surgery.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip ; methods ; Case-Control Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Muscle Strength ; Muscle, Skeletal ; physiology ; Postoperative Period

OBJECTIVE Lapachol is a natural naphthoquinone compound that possesses extensive biological activities. The aim of this study is to investigate the inhibitory effects of lapachol on rat C6 glioma both in vitro and in vivo, as well as the potential mechanisms. METHODS The antitumor effect of lapachol was firstly evaluated in the C6 glioma model in Wistar rats. The effects of lapachol on C6 cell proliferation, apoptosis and DNA damage were detected by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-5-(3-carboxymethoxyphenyl)-2-(4-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium (MTS)/ phenazinemethosulfate (PMS) assay, hoechst 33358 staining, annexinⅤ-FITC/PI staining, and comet assay. Effects of lapachol on topoisomerase I (TOP I) and topoi?somerase Ⅱ (TOP Ⅱ) activities were detected by TOP Ⅰ and TOP Ⅱ mediated supercoiled pBR322 DNA relaxation assays and molecular docking. TOPⅠ and TOPⅡ expression levels in C6 cells were also determined. RESULTS High dose lapachol showed significant inhibitory effect on the C6 glioma in Wistar rats (P<0.05). It was showed that lapachol could inhibit proliferation, induce apoptosis and DNA damage of C6 cells in dose dependent manners. Lapachol could inhibit the activities of both TOPⅠ and Ⅱ. Lapachol-TOPⅠ showed relatively stronger interaction than that of lapachol-TOPⅡ in molecular docking study. Also, lapachol could inhibit TOPⅡ expression levels, but not TOPⅠ expression levels. CONCLUSION These results showed that lapachol could significantly inhibit C6 glioma both in vivo and in vitro, which might be related with inhibiting TOPⅠ and TOPⅡ activities, as well as TOPⅡ expression.

Magnetic separation(MS)is frequently used to enrich specific targets from biological sam-ples,which is commonly performed using antibodies coupled immunomagnetic beads(IMBs).However,due to the high cost of antibodies and difficulties in the process of releasing captured targets,IMBs have limitations for large-scale enrichment of targeted bioproducts.The specificities and affinities of aptamers towards their targets are in line with antibodies,but with characteristic of significantly lower costs of prep-aration,simpler structures,and higher chemical stability.In this study,taking advantages of the distinct adsorption features of graphene for single-stranded and double-stranded nucleic acids,we designed a novo system as bioseparation method that could display aptamers on graphene surfaces to enrich targets and then manipulate their release.This system mainly includes two units.Take CD63 aptamer as an exam-ple:double-stranded oligonucleotides scaffold attached to the graphene surface for CD63 aptamer exhibi-tion;and a single-stranded oligonucleotide complementary to the scaffold bipod sequence to desorb the captured targets from graphene.In this study,firstly,using graphene oxide(GO)paper as a graphene surface,we fluorescently labeled scaffolds or CD63 proteins and compared the fluorescence intensity difference on the GO paper before and after scaffold or CD63 protein release.Subsequently,a novo mate-rial,amino-modified graphene-shelled iron-nitrogen magnetic beads were introduced to carry the scaffold,and used to capture CD63 proteins from cell lysates.The results indicate that this scaffold can display the aptamer on the graphene surface for CD63 protein capture and controlled release.Using selected modified graphene magnetic beads carried with the scaffold,we achieved the capture of CD63 proteins from cell ly-sates.This system is expected to enrich various proteins such as CD63,or capture exosomes by hooking membrane proteins.

OBJECTIVETo conduct a meta-analysis on the effects of testosterone on the related factors of metabolic syndrome in hypogonadal males.

METHODSBased on the principles and methods of Cochrane systematic reviews, we searched the PubMed (1980 to August 2009), Embase (1980 to August 2009), the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and CNKI (1995 to August 2009) , and handsearched some relevant journals and conference proceedings as well. We also identified randomized controlled trials addressing the use of testosterone for the treatment of hypogonadism, screened the retrieved studies according to the predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria, evaluated the quality of the included studies, and performed a meta-analysis on the results of homogeneous studies using the Cochrane Collaboration's RevMan 5.0 software.

RESULTSSix randomized controlled trials were included. The results of analysis indicated that testosterone substitution could significantly ameliorate fasting blood glucose, total cholesterol and insulin resistance in hypogonadism patients, and it could also reduce LDL, HDL, triglyceride and systolic blood pressure, though with no significant difference from the controls. However, there was insufficient evidence to show the effects of testosterone on waist circumference, waist-hip ratio and diastolic blood pressure.

CONCLUSIONExisting clinical evidence has demonstrated the positive effects of testosterone substitution on the improvement of insulin resistance, blood glucose and lipids, but due to the heterogeneity and high risk of bias in the included studies, the evidence might be insufficient to give full support to the demonstration. Further large-scale trials are required to define the metabolic effects of testosterone in the treatment of hypogonadism.

Humans ; Hypogonadism ; complications ; drug therapy ; Male ; Metabolic Syndrome ; complications ; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic ; Testosterone ; therapeutic use ; Treatment Outcome

Adult ; Craniocerebral Trauma ; diagnosis ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Scalp ; injuries ; Young Adult

To clone mouse phage antibodies against H-Y antigen from a phage antibody library, three cycles of affinity enrichment of the mouse phage antibody library with male spleen cells and two cycles of nonspecific absorption with female spleen cells were performed. The presence of mouse Fab on the phage surface was determined by ELISA and sequence analysis. 9 of 15 strains can bind to male spleen cells with the specific activity. Recombination rate of the phage antibody library clones is 60%. Sequence analysis of the PCR products of plasmid DNA of E5 clones show VH and Vkappa had common characteristics shared by other known variable region of antibodies. The mouse phage Fab antibody could be used for identifying H-Y antigen, and for the development of sex determination of early embryos in mammals.
Animals ; Base Sequence ; Cloning, Molecular ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Female ; H-Y Antigen ; analysis ; Immunoglobulin Fab Fragments ; genetics ; immunology ; Isoantibodies ; genetics ; immunology ; Male ; Mice ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Peptide Library

OBJECTIVETo detect the putative association between the polymorphism of human NAD(P)H: quinone oxidoreductase (NQO1) gene and Parkinson's disease(PD).

METHODSPolymerase chain reaction-denaturing high performance liquid chromatography (PCR-DHPLC) was used to detect the polymorphism of monoamine NQO1 gene cDNA 609 site(C-->T). The frequencies of alleles and genotypes in different PD groups were compared with those of the control group.

RESULTSIt was found that the frequencies of TT genotype in the patients with PD and in the controls were 0.226 and 0.118 respectively (P=0.004), i.e., TT genotype increased the risk of PD by 2.186-fold (P=0.005). When the patients with PD were divided into two groups by the age at onset, significant difference in the genotypic frequencies was observed only between late-onset PD group and control group (the frequencies of TT genotype being 0.260 and 0.118, P=0.001) and TT genotype increased the risk of late-onset PD by 2.627-fold(P=0.001). There were no significant differences in frequencies of alleles between different PD groups and control group.

CONCLUSIONThis study revealed significant differences in genotypic frequencies between PD group and control group. The findings supported the hypothesis about an association between NQO1 gene and PD, suggesting that the age at onset of PD might be related to the putative association, and NQO1 cDNA C609T site be a risk factor for PD.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Genotype ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; NAD(P)H Dehydrogenase (Quinone) ; genetics ; Parkinson Disease ; genetics ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Polymorphism, Genetic

OBJECTIVETo study the association between the polymorphism of human monoamine oxidase type A (MAO-A) gene and Parkinson's disease(PD).

METHODSFnu4HI restriction fragment length polymorphism(RFLP) and PCR-RFLP were used to detect the mutation of MAO-A gene. The frequencies of alleles and genotypes at the MAO-A Fnu4HI locus on the X chromosome in different PD group were compared with those of the control group.

RESULTSIt was found that the frequencies of G allele in the patients with PD and controls were 0.613 and 0.527 respectively, P=0.039 "the frequencies of TT genotype were 0.303 and 0.415(P=0.014), and the frequencies of GG genotype were 0.564 and 0.451 respectively(P=0.021). When the patients were divided into two groups by age-onset, significant difference in the allelic and genotypic frequencies was observed only between early-onset PD group and control group. And when the PD patients were grouped by sex, significant difference was observed only between male PD group and male control group (the frequencies of G allele being 0.669 and 0.500 respectively, P=0.005).

CONCLUSIONThis study revealed significant differences between PD group and control group in allelic and genotypic frequencies. The findings supported the hypothesis about an association between MAO-A gene and PD, suggesting that age at onset of PD and gender predisposition might be related to the putative association, and Fnu4HI SNP be a risk factor for PD.

Alleles ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Deoxyribonucleases, Type II Site-Specific ; analysis ; genetics ; Gene Frequency ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; Genotype ; Humans ; Male ; Monoamine Oxidase ; genetics ; Parkinson Disease ; genetics ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; genetics ; Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length

Aged ; Female ; Femoral Neck Fractures ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; methods ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Radiography ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome