BACKGROUND: Establishment of lumbar disc degeneration in animal models can help doctors understand the development rules and pathophysiological changes of this disease, and can explore and research more rational treatment by creating animal models.OBJECTIVE: To review recent advances in vivo model of lumbar disc degeneration.METHODS: The first author used the computer to search related articles on PubMed database and Chinese Journal Full-text Database from inception to May 2016. The search key words were lumbar disc, degeneration, animal model,vivo model. A total of 161 related articles were retrieved and 49 of them met the inclusion criteria.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) Building an intuitive and reliable animal model of lumbar disc degeneration will not only help the basic research of degenerative disc disease, but also provide a good experimental carrier for the repair treatment of degenerative lumbar disc. (2) After more than 80 years of development, the animal model of lumbar disc degeneration has formed a production mode of more species, more methods and newer ideas. Current models have their own advantages, cannot be replaced. However, problems such as poor controllability, low degree of safety or long observation period are still exiting more or less. All these need further research and exploration.

0.05).Conclusions The expression of PBMC IP-10 mRNA increases in KD.IP-10 may participate in the pathogenesis of KD and CAL in KD.Perhaps the inhibition to the expression of PBMC IP-10 mRNA is one of the mechanisms of IVIG.

Objective To evaluate the expression of alpha-methylacyl-coenzyme-A racemase (AMACR,P504s) with immunohistochemical staining in diagnosis of prostate carcinoma. Methods A total of 133 specimens were taken from the patients (mean age,71 years),including 46 cases of prostate carcinoma (PCa) (1 case of stage A,19 cases of stage B,14 cases of stage C,12 cases of stage D;4 cases of gradeⅠ,14 cases of gradeⅡ,28 cases of grade Ⅲ),53 cases of benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH),13 cases of prostate intraepithelial tumor (PIN),9 cases of normal prostate,6 cases of prostatitis,3 cases of metastatic prostate cancer.Two sections of each specimen were made,with 1 stained by hematoxylin and eosin,and the other stained immunohistochemically by a rabbit monoclonal antibody to AMACR (P504s).AMACR staining expression was characterized as negative (score,1), weak (positive) (2), moderate (3) or strong (4). Results In 46 cases of PCa,AMACR staining expression was negative in 2 cases,weak in 1,moderate in 25 and strong in 18,with a mean staining intensity of 3.28 [95% confidence interval (CI), 3.07-3.50]. In 53 cases of BPH, the staining expression was negative in 47 cases, weak in 6, with a mean intensity of 1.11 (95% CI, 1.02-1.20).In 13 cases of PIN, the staining expression was negative in 12, weak in 1, with a mean intensity of 1.08 (95% CI, 0.91-1.24).The score of PCa group was significantly different from those of the latter 2 groups (P

Objective To investigate whether preoperative proton pump inhibitor (PPI) would increase the risk of bacteremia after endoscopic ultrasonography guided fine needle aspiration (EUS-FNA).Methods Dogs were randomly divided into experimental group ( n = 8) to take 20mg of omeprazole orally twice a day for 3 days before EUS-FNA, and control group (n = 10) to take placebo.EUS-FNA was performed to puncture the pancreas, and blood was collected before and after the procedure for culture.Bacteremia incidence of the two groups were compared.Results Bacteria culture was positive in 11 edogse.After excluding contamination, 1 dog in experimental group and 3 in control group were authentical bacteremia.There was no significant difference on the incidence of bacteremia between 2 groups based on Fisher test ( P = 0.383).Conclusion Aplication of PPI before EUS-FNA is not likely to increase the incidence of bacteremia.

OBJECTIVETo examine the protective effect of Ginkgo biloba leaf extract (GbE) on learning and memory deficit induced by aluminum chloride (AlCl(3)), and explore its mechanisms.

METHODSThe rat models with learning and memory deficit were induced by administering via gastrogavage and drinking of AlCl(3) solution. And the model rats were treated with GbE at the dose of 50, 100, 200 mg/kg every day for 2 months accompanied with drinking of AlCl(3) solution, respectively. Their abilities of spatial learning and memory were tested by Morris water maze, and the acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity in serum was assayed with chemical method, the AChE expression in hippocampus was observed by immunohistochemistry assay, and then quantitative analysis was done by BI 2000 image analysis system.

RESULTSLearning and memory deficit of rats could be induced by AlCl(3) solution (P < 0.01), and AChE expressions in rats hippocampus were increased (P < 0.01); GbE ameliorated learning and memory deficit and reduced AChE expression in rats hippocampus in a dose-dependent manner, while GbE significantly increased serum AChE activity at the dose of 200 mg/kg each day (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONGbE can ameliorate learning and memory deficit induced by AlCl(3), which may be due to its inhibition of the AChE expression in hippocampus.

Acetylcholinesterase ; metabolism ; Aluminum Compounds ; toxicity ; Animals ; Chlorides ; toxicity ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Ginkgo biloba ; Hippocampus ; enzymology ; Immunohistochemistry ; Male ; Maze Learning ; drug effects ; Memory Disorders ; chemically induced ; prevention & control ; Neuroprotective Agents ; therapeutic use ; Phytotherapy ; Plant Extracts ; therapeutic use ; Plant Leaves ; Plant Structures ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Reaction Time

OBJECTIVETo explore the efficacy and safety of acupoint catgut embedding combined with vessel pricking therapy for ankylosing spondylitis (AS).

METHODSEighty-six cases of AS were randomly divided into an acupoint catgut embedding combined vessel pricking group (group A) and a medication group(group B), 43 cases in each group. In the group A, acupoint catgut embedding combined with vessel pricking therapy were applied at Shenshu(BL 23), Dazhu (BL 11) and Jiaji (EX-B 2) etc. The group B was treated with oral administration of Sulfasalazine (SASP). The treatment lasted for 8 weeks. Symptom score, Visual Analogue Scale(VAS), the indices of morning stiff duration, Schober test, occiput to wall distance, chest expansion, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-response protein (CRP) were compared before and after treatment between two groups.

RESULTSAfter treatment, the total effective rate was 83.7% (36/43) in the group A, which was superior to that of 70.0% (28/40) in the group B (P < 0.05). The improvements of all indices in two groups were more significant than those before treatment (all P < 0.01), and symptom score, Schober test score and VAS score in group A were superior to those in the group B (P < 0.01, P < 0.05). No adverse reaction occurred in the group A.

CONCLUSIONThe therapeutic effect of acupoint catgut embedding combined with vessel pricking therapy for AS is preferable without any adverse effects, which is superior to that of oral administration of SASP.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Bloodletting ; Catgut ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Spondylitis, Ankylosing ; therapy ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo study the rehabilitation effects ergometry on COPD patients.

METHODSThirty COPD out-patients in our Hospital were randomly divided into 2 groups. Rehabilitation group, 15 patients, performed leg ergometry exercise of 80% peak Watt x 30min/d x 3d/w x 12w. Another 15 patients were control group without exercise. All patients received conventional therapy. Pulmonary function testing (PFT), cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET), arterial blood gas analysis (ABG), Borg and CAT sores were done at both baseline and 12 w.

RESULTSThere was no statistically difference in lung function testing, blood gas analysis and cardiopulmonary exercise test when pre- exercises between 2 sub-groups. The IC, peak VO2 and peak, W of rehabilitation group significantly increased (P < 0.05); and Borg and CAT.scores significantly decreased (P < 0.05) from baseline; and other PFT and ABG did not change (P > 0.05). While there was no difference in control group (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONLeg submaximal ergometry rehabilitation improves health condition and ameliorate dyspnea symptoms in COPD patients.

Blood Gas Analysis ; Dyspnea ; therapy ; Exercise Test ; Exercise Therapy ; Humans ; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive ; therapy ; Respiratory Function Tests

Objective To obtain the full length (FL ) and C‐terminal fragment of polymorphic membrane protein I (PmpI) of Chlamydia trachomatis serovar D ,and to study the immunogenicity of these proteins .Methods The target genes of PmpI‐FL and PmpI‐C were amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and inserted into the prokaryotic plasmid vector pGEX‐6P‐1 .The recombinant plasmids pGEX‐6P‐1/PmpI‐FL and pGEX‐6P‐1/PmpI‐C were separately transformed into Escherichia .coli ( E . coli) DH5αand were identified by enzyme digestion ,sequencing and PCR .After the identification ,the recombinant plasmids were separately transformed into E .coli BL21 and induced to express the proteins . The expected proteins were identified by Coomassie brilliant blue staining and Western blot ,then purified by glutathione S‐transferase (GST) MagBeads .The purified proteins were then injected into BALB/c mice to prepare the polyclonal antibodies against PmpI‐FL or PmpI‐C .Enzyme‐linked immune sorbent assay (ELISA) was used for the quantitative detection of the specific antibody .Results The lengths of cloned target genes PmpI‐FL and PmpI‐C were 2 659 bp and 1 195 bp ,respectively ,and the sequences were consistent with those of Chlamydia trachomatis serovar D in GenBank .The molecular masses of target proteins were 122 000 and 69 000 ,respectively ,which were confirmed by Coomassie brilliant blue staining and Western blot and then purified .The titers of the antibodies (anti‐PmpI‐FL and anti‐PmpI‐C) in sera of immunized mice detected by ELISA were 1∶12 800 and 1∶6 400 ,respectively .Conclusion The PmpI‐FL‐GST and PmpI‐C‐GST fusion proteins with high immunogenicity are successfully expressed and purified , which lays the foundation for further study .

OBJECTIVETo explore the effect of ligustrazine on the migration of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) and protein expressions of matrix metalloproteinase-2 and-9 (MMP-2 and MMP-9) in vitro.

METHODSBMSCs were in vitro isolated and cultured using whole bone marrow adherent method, and phenotypes [surface positive antigens (CD29 and CD90) and negative antigens (CD34 and CD45)] identified using flow cytometry. BMSCs were divided into the blank control group, 25, 50, 100 µmol/L ligustrazine group, and the GM6001 group (100 µmol/L ligustrazine +MMPs inhibitor GM6001 ). The migration of BMSCs was tested by Transwell chamber test and wound healing assay after treated with ligustrazine for 24 h. The protein expressions of MMP-2 and MMP-9 were detected by Western blot.

RESULTSThe third passage BMSCs grew well in uniform morphology. The expression rate of CD29, CD90, CD34, and CD45 was 96.9%, 97.3%, 0.2%, and 3.0%, respectively. Compared with the blank control group, the number of migrated cells and relative distance of cell invasion increased, and the protein expressions of MMP-2 and MMP-9 were elevated in each ligustrazine group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). Compared with 100 µmol/L ligustrazine group, the number of migrated cells and relative distance of cell invasion decreased in 25 and 50 µmol/L ligustrazine groups and the GM6001 group (P < 0.01). Protein expression of MMP-2 decreased in 25 and 50 µmol/L ligustrazine groups (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONLigustrazine could promote the migration of BMSCs in vitro, and its mechanism might be related to up-regulating expression levels of MMP-2 and MMP-9 protein.

Cell Movement ; Cells, Cultured ; Hematopoietic Stem Cells ; cytology ; drug effects ; Humans ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 ; metabolism ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 ; metabolism ; Pyrazines ; pharmacology ; Up-Regulation

OBJECTIVETo identify the anatomical variability of the left spermatic vein (LSV) and determine its effect on the induction of experimental left varicocele (ELV) in adolescent rats.

METHODSWe equally randomized 30 adolescent male SD rats to groups A (LSV collaterals fully ligated and the left renal vein constricted), B (only the left renal vein constricted), and C (sham operation), observed the courses of the LSVs and measured their diameters. At 30 days after operation, we analyzed the changes in the left kidneys and the diameters of the LSVs.

RESULTSIrregular collaterals were observed in 90% of the LSVs and no abnormal changes were found in the left kidneys after surgery. The postoperative LSV diameter was remarkably increased in group A as compared with the baseline ([1.47 +/- 0.15 ] vs [0.16 +/- 0.08] mm, P < 0.01), but showed no significant difference in group B ([0.31 +/- 0.49] vs [0.15 +/- 0.07] mm, P > 0.05) and C ([0.17 +/- 0.07] vs [0.16 +/- 0.06] mm, P > 0.05), and it was significantly longer in A than in B (P < 0.01). The success rate of ELV induction was 100% in group A and 10% in group B, but no varicocele was observed in group C.

CONCLUSIONCorrect identification of the anatomical course of the LSV and ligation of its irregular collaterals are essential for the establishment of a stable and consistent ELV model.

Animals ; Disease Models, Animal ; Kidney ; pathology ; Ligation ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Spermatic Cord ; blood supply ; Varicocele ; Veins ; abnormalities