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 study the early diagnosis and prevention of fungal infection in severe acute pancreatitis(SAP). Method 1.SAP patients from July 1998 to June 2002 were prospectively randomized into 3 groups: garlicin prevention group, fluconazole (low dosage) prevention group and control group, the incidence of fungal infection in SAP was compared between the groups. For fungal infection patients, the fungal clearance and mortality rate were observed. 2.Clinical data of SAP patients with fungal infection and with simple bacterial infection was compared by multivariate logistic regression, and clinical characters and risk factors of fungal infection were evaluated. Results 1.There were lower incidences of fungal infection in garlicin group (16% vs. 30%,P

Objective To studying the MR findings and pathology of peripheral small intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma and improving the understanding of peripheral small cholangiocarcinoma with no-bile duct dilatation. Methods A retrospective analysis of 12 patients with intrahepatic peripheral cholangiocarcinoma which were confirmed by surgery and pathology, all patients were examined by abdominal MRI without and with contrast. Correlation was made with gross pathology and surgical pathological specimen. Results On T1WI, there were 4 cases of complex low signal intensity and 8 cases of low signal intensity. On T2WI, there were 8 cases of high signal intensity and 4 cases of complex high signal intensity. Enhanced MRI showed: marked nidus enhancement on arterial phase in 1 case, and the pathological diagnosis was poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma. Inhomogeneous enhancement or annular enhancement were seen in 10 cases on arterial phase, 3 of these cases showed thin annular enhancement on arterial phase, low signalintensity on portal venous phase and isointensity on delayed phase. One case showed delayed enhancement. Thick circular enhancement correlated with pathological changes of survival of tumor cells, center areas correlated with fibrous connective tissue, and a small amount of necrotic tissue. Island-like enhancement or inhomogeneous enhancement were seen in 3 cases. Corresponding pathological changes consisted of tumor tissue and a small amount of fibrous connective tissue, as well as somenecrotic tissue. In 1 case, no enhancement was seen on all three phases and pathological changes showed cystic changes, hemorrhage, necrosis, with survival tumor cells seen between cyst and normal liver tissue. Conclusions MRI scanning of peripheral small cholangiocarcinoma lacked characteristic features, but dynamic contrast-enhanced MR had certain specific findings. Due to different pathology, the fibrous tissue, necrotic tissue and survival tumor tissue components were exhibited different imaging findings.

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

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

OBJECTIVETo study the effects of mild hypothermia on cerebral oxygen partial pressure, carbon dioxide partial pressure, pH and body temperature (PbrO2, PbrCO2, pHbr and BT) in patients with acute severe head injury.

METHODSThirty-eight patients with acute severe head injury were treated with mild hypothermia, meantime PbrO2, PbrCO2, pHbr and BT were monitored in order to study the changes of PbrO2, PbrCO2, pHbr and BT.

RESULTSIn patients with acute head injury, mild hypothermia obviously increased PbrO2, decreased PbrCO2 and CO2 accumulation and acidosis in brain tissue. BT was 1-1.5 deg. higher than rectal temperature (RT) after injury. The BT and RT were decreased when the patients were treated with mild hypothermia, but at the same time the difference between BT and RT was increased.

CONCLUSIONSIn patients with acute severe head injury the direct monitoring of PbrO2, PbrCO2, pHbr and BT was safe and reliable, and is helpful in estimating prognosis and mild hypothermia therapy.

Acute Disease ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Biomarkers ; blood ; Body Temperature ; physiology ; Brain Injuries ; diagnosis ; mortality ; therapy ; Carbon Dioxide ; blood ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Glasgow Coma Scale ; Humans ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Hypothermia, Induced ; Injury Severity Score ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Monitoring, Physiologic ; methods ; Oxygen ; blood ; Probability ; Risk Assessment ; Survival Rate ; Treatment Outcome

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