BACKGROUND:Studies have shown that nerve grafts with Schwann cels can repair peripheral nerve defect and Schwann cels have an important role in nerve regeneration. OBJECTIVE: To observe the rehabilitation status of neutral function after sciatic nerve injury in rats bridged by nerve grafts with Schwann cels. METHODS: A rat model of sciatic nerve injury was established, and schwann cels were primarily cultured. Then, the rat model was repaired with polylactic-co-glycolic acid copolymer-extracelular matrix gel-Schwann cels complex. According to different concentrations of Schwann cels, there were five cel groups from 105/L to 109 RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The nerve conduction velocities in the cel groups were al higher than that in the control group at 3, 6, 12 weeks after modeling (P < 0.01), and it was highest in the 10 and a control group. The nerve conduction velocity was detected respectively at 3, 6, 12 weeks after modeling; the e tibialis anterior muscle gravity was detected and histological observation was done at 12 weeks. 8/L (P < 0.05). At 12 weeks, hematoxylin-eosin staining of the tibialis anterior muscle showed that the number of normal muscle fibers was higher in the cel groups than the control group (P < 0.05). In the 108/L and 109 and had similar length, thickness and density. These findings indicate that polylactic-co-glycolic acid complex with 10/L groups, the morphology of tibialis anterior muscle recovered wel; the muscle fibers were in strip-like and wavy shapes, grew in the same direction, 8/L Schwann cels is better to promote sciatic nerve regeneration.

Recently,study on cencer stem cells has been a focus of study.Cancer stem cell is a small population of cencer cells possessing the properties of stem cells:self-renewal,differentiation and proliferation.To date,the existence of cancer stem cells has been proven in acute and chronic myeloid leukemia,breast cancer,brain tumors,liver cancer and colon cancer,etc..In this article we reviews the current progress on cancer stem cells,including the defination,existing evidence,research methods, and challenges in clinical application.

Objective This study aims to evaluate the initial results of a hybrid procedure for treating descending thoracic aortic disease that involves distal aortic arch.It also intends to report our initial experience in performing this procedure.Methods A total of 45 patients(35 males and 10 females) with descending thoracic aortic disease underwent a hybrid procedure,namely,thoracic endovascular aortic repair(TEVAR) combined with supra-arch branch vessel bypass,in our center from April 2009 to August 2014.Right axillary artery to left axillary artery bypass(n =20) or right axillary artery to left common carotid artery and left axillary artery bypass(n =25) were performed.The conditions of all patients were followed up from the 14th month to the 77th month postoperative[mean(38.0 ± 17.1) months].Mortality within 30 days,complications such as endoleak after the hybrid procedure,and stenosis or blockage of the bypass graft during the follow-up period were assessed.Results One case of death and one case of cerebral infarction were reported within 30 days.Two patients underwent open surgery beacuse of endoleak.And a newly formed intimal tear was observed in one patient and the patient underwent a second TEVAR during the follow-up period.Condusion Initial results suggest that the one-stage hybrid procedure is a suitable therapeutic option for thoracic aortic pathologies that involve distal aortic arch.However,this procedure is not recommended for type-B aortic dissection,in which a tear is located in the greater curvature or near the left subclavian artery,because of the high possibility of endoleak occurrence.

Objective To compare the clinical effects and adverse effects of microwave ablation (MWA) with sorafenib and sorafenib monotherapy in the treatment of advanced-stage hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).Methods Medical records and follow-up information of 57 patients with advanced-stage HCC were retrospectively reviewed.25 patients were treated with MWA combined with sorafenib (combined group),and 32 patients were treated with sorafenib monotherapy (monotherapy group).The end points were therapeutic effect,progression-free survival (PFS),overall survival (OS) and adverse reactions.Results The objective response rate in the combined group was similar to the monotherapy group (16.0％ vs.3.1％,x2 =1.521,P =0.217).The disease control rate in the combined group was significantly higher than that in the monotherapy group (80.0％ vs.50.0％,χ2 =5.429,P =0.020).The median PFS in the combined group was longer than that in the monotherapy group (6.0 months vs.3.2 months,x2 =7.675,P =0.006),but the median OS was similar (11.5 months vs.8.5 months,x2 =2.480,P =0.115).The serious adverse reactions were similar between the two treatment groups (44.0％ vs.34.4％,x2 =0.549,P =0.459).Conclusion MWA plus sorafenib is superior to sorafenib alone with respect to PFS in patients with advanced-stage HCC,although it may not improve OS,with no increased risk of serious adverse reactions.

[ABSTRACT]AIM:Toobservetheeffectofazithromycinontheratswithchronicobstructivepulmonarydisease ( COPD) , and to explore the underlying mechanism about the airway inflammation and mucus hypersecretion.METH-ODS:Male SD rats were randomly divided into normal control group, COPD model group, azithromycin treatment group. The COPD model was established by the method of cigarette smoking combined with intratracheal injection of LPS.Patho-logical changes of the bronchi and lung tissues of the rats were observed with HE staining.Pulmonary ventilation function in the rats was detected with pulmonary function instrument.The levels of IL-8, IL-17 and TNF-αin bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were measured by ELISA.The expression of MUC5ac and TLR4 at mRNA and protein levels in bronchi and lung tissues was determined by real-time PCR and Western blot.RESULTS:HE staining showed that the changes of bron-chi and lung tissues in model group were consistent with typical pathological manifestations of COPD .Compared with model group, these changes were alleviated in treatment group.The pulmonary functions in model group were significantly de-creased compared with control group.The levels of IL-8, IL-17 and TNF-αin the BALF in model group were significantly increased compared with control group (P<0.05).The expression of MUC5ac and TLR4 at mRNA and protein levels in model group was significantly higher than that in control group (P<0.05).Compared with model group, the degree of the descent in pulmonary function in treatment group was significantly lessened.Compared with model group, the levels of IL-8, IL-17 and TNF-αin treatment group were significantly inhibited (P<0.05).Furthermore, the expression of MUC5ac and TLR4 at mRNA and protein levels in treatment group was significantly lower than that in model group ( P<0.05 ) . CONCLUSION:Azithromycin decreases the levels of IL-8, IL-17 and TNF-αin the BALF of COPD model rats, inhibits the protein expression of MUC5ac and TLR4 in the lung tissues, thus playing a preventive and therapeutic role to reduce airway inflammation and airway mucus hypersecretion.

Objective To investigate the effects of different doses of pituitary adenylate cyclase- activating polypeptide(PACAP)on the functional and morphological outcome in a mice model of Parkinson' s disease(PD)rendered by 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine(MPTP).Methods Male mice were treated with PACAP 0.02, 0.20 or 2.00 ?g by iv bolus for 7 days after MPTP was administered, and were compared with the saline-treated mice.The immunohistochemistry and Western blot were used to detect the alterations of PD biomarker including tyrosine hydroxylase(TH), dopamine transporter(DAT)and vesicular monoamine transporter2(VAMT2).In addition, monoamine neurotransmitters in the striatum of mice were measured by the high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC).Results TH immunohistochemistry indicated that the number of TH-positive neurons in the substantia nigra was increased in all PACAP-treated mice(PACAP(0.02 ?g/d)group was 93.33?4.87, F=85.85,P

ObjectiveTo explore the efficacy and toxicity of nimotuzumab plus chemotherapy in the treatment of metastatic gastrointestinal tumor.MethodsObservationgroup 22 patients with metastatic gastrointestinal tumor with confirmed diagnosis,were treated with nimotuzumab in combination chemotherapy.Nimotuzumab was given 200 mg weekly for at least six weeks. Control group 21 patients with metastatic gastrointestinal tumor with confirmed diagnosis were treated with only chemotherapy.ResultsThe effects of observation group could be observed in 22 patients, the rate of response(RR)was 31.8％ (7/22), and the disease control rate (DCR) was 72.7 ％ (16/22).QOL was improved.The effects of observation group could be observed in 21 patients,RR was 14.3 ％ (3/21),and the disease control rate was 42.8 ％ (19/21).DCR and QOL improvements were statistically significant different between the two groups.(x2=3.939,x2=4.250,P＜0.05).The two groups had no significant difference in RR and toxicity.ConclusionNimotuzumab in combination with chemotherapy is effective and can improve the disease control rate, toxicity, tolerance,quality of life.

OBJECTIVESTo observe olfactory ensheathing glia (OEG) survival and repair in vivo for spinal cord injury after OEG transplantation.

METHODSThe OEG was cultured with the olfactory bulb of Wistar neonate rats. The spinal cords contusion was made in group A, B, and C with the New York University impactor, then complete transection was performed in the contusion area in group A. OEG labeled by Hoechst was transplanted in group A and B. In group C, DMEM were injected. In group D, laminectomies were done without cord contusion and transection. The functional recovery of the spinal cord injury [Basso, Beattie, Bresnahan (BBB) Locomotor Rating Scale scores] and changes of body weight were observed. The tissue sections were done 24 weeks postoperatively. HE staining, neurofibril (NF) immunohistochemical staining, and silver staining were performed respectively to observe the pathologic changes and axon regeneration. The survival of OEG labeled by Hoechst was observed under the fluorescence microscope.

RESULTSLocomotive behaviour improved 4 weeks postoperatively. The BBB locomotion scores of group A and B were significantly higher than that of group C in all periods (from 4 weeks to 24 weeks) (P < 0.01). Sixteen weeks after operation, the BBB locomotion scores became stable and showed no change. HE staining showed that the area of spinal cord injury was disorder and the number of nerve cell was more in group A and B. In group C, there was the obvious cavum and few wring nerve fiber in the area of spinal cord injury. The nerve fibers innervated to the injuried area in group A and B were more than that of group C, but less than that of group D. A great number of OEG labeled by Hoechst were observed around spinal injuried area under fluorescence microscope. After operation, the body weight reduced in every group. The body weight of group D had recovered after 2 weeks and gradully increased. After 4 weeks, the body weight in group A, B, and C decreased to the minimum and were significantly less than that of group D (P < 0.01). After this, body weight in group A and B increased and was significantly more than that of group C (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSOEG transplantation can promote the axons regeneration and the recovery of locomotion function in experimental spinal cord injuries.

Animals ; Animals, Newborn ; Axons ; physiology ; Cells, Cultured ; Female ; Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein ; metabolism ; Nerve Regeneration ; Neuroglia ; cytology ; transplantation ; Olfactory Bulb ; cytology ; transplantation ; Olfactory Mucosa ; cytology ; transplantation ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Spinal Cord ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Spinal Cord Injuries ; surgery

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 analysis the clinical features of thoracic spine and spinal cord injury (SCI) and summarize the inclusive standard of cellular transplant clinical trial for SCI.MethodsThe data of 72 cases with thoracic spine and spinal cord injury from 1990 to 2005 were analyzed retrospectively.ResultsMean follow-up period was 20 months (6～48 months). There was no recovery in 12 spinal cord injury without radiographic abnormality (SCIWORA) patients, but improvement of urine function in 4 cases. 5 cases of 52 fracture-dislocation complete injury were improved to grade B (sense recovery), rate of recovery was 9.6%; recovery rate was 62.5% in incomplete injury. Sense recovery of all cases was better than motor recovery. Partial cases appeared spasm paralysis relief.ConclusionIncidence rate of complete injury is high and recovery is bad in thoracic spine and spinal cord injury. The inclusive standard of cellular transplant clinical trial for SCI is old complete thoracic spinal cord injury without residual compression.