This paper summarizes major advances in military-related life sciences in 2014 .The United States ,European Union and Japan officially launched brain science programs .The era of big data in life sciences is coming .MRC,NIH and DARPA are investing more in big data research .Studies on brain-machine interface ,brain-brain interface ,mind reading and mind control are going ahead so that brain control and reading the brain may become a reality in the near future .New technology and tools,such as genome editing , neuroimaging techniques , protein research and single molecule technology , keep emerging , which is promoting the development of military medicine research .

Human enhancement technology is an emerging field that aims to enhance human physical and mental power of humans with the latest developments of the life science , information science , electronic science , cognitive neuroscience and other fields .This paper provides an overview of status quo of human enhancement technology and its military applica -tions, and analyzes the factors that may adversely affect its applications .

2013 saw sustained and rapid development in the military medicine-related life sciences .New research fields, new technologies and devices continue to emerge , such as Brain Science Projects , 3D bio-printing, cognitive neuro-science, brain-computer interface and mind control , genome editing technology , neuroimaging techniques , protein research technology , Which will promote the all-round development of basic and applied research for military medicine .

Objective: To evaluate sensory recovery in noninnervated radial forearm free flap after tongue reconstruction. Methods: Sixty-five cases of tongue reconstruction by using free radial forearm flaps were analyzed. Flap sensations to touch, sharp vs dull, two-point discrimination and warmth vs cold was evaluated in each of these patients at 6 months and 12 months after treatment. Results:Twenty-nine flaps (44.6%) showed good sensory recovery, thirty-two flaps (50%) recovered partly, four flaps (6.1%) was anesthetic. Conclusion: Spontaneous recovery of flap sensation can be re-established after reconstruction. Delay or failure of sensory recovery in flap reconstruction could be caused by radiation therapy.

Objective To study the feasibility of stem cell transplantation under mild hypothermia so as to provide a prerequisite for stem cell transplantation in patients with traumatic brain injuries (TBI) during mild hypothermia treatment. Methods After transfecting plasmid containing temperature-sensitive simian virus 40 large T-antigen (tsSV40LT) into temperature-sensitive umbilical cord mes-enchymal stem cells (tsUCMSCs) , the changes of cell morphology, nuclear proliferation index (PIx) and telomerase activity were detested when the tsUCMSCs were cultured at 33℃ and 37℃. After the mouse model with tTBI treated with mild hypothermia was established, tsUCMSCs were transplanted into semi-injury area to detect survival rate, proliferation and apoptosis indices and perform neurological deficit scoring. Results When cultured at 33℃, the tsUCMSCs displayed long spindle-shaped and highly refractive, with higher proliferation index and telomerase activity than those cultured at 37℃. Compared with control group (non-temperature-sensitive UCMSCs transplantation), tsUCMSCs in semi-injury area showed much higher cell survival and proliferating cell nuclear antigen expression ( P < 0.05 ) , with fewer apoptotic cells and better neurological function (P < 0.05). Conclusion The establishment of temperature-sensitive stem cell line enables stem cell transplantation during treatment of TBI with mild hypothermia, as provides us a new direction for treatment of TBI.

BACKGROUND: The aging and lesions of the intervertebral disc are closely related to the lack of nutritional blood supply to the disc. Aquaporin plays an important role in the nutritional supply to the intervertebral discs, but the specific mechanism has not been fully defined. OBJECTIVE: To study the mechanism of Yaobishu on degenerated intervertebral disc in rabbits based on the changes of aquaporin (AQP) 1 and AQP3 protein expression. METHODS: Thirty-six New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into model group, low-dose Yaobishu group and high-dose Yaobishu group. Animal models of lumbar intervertebral disc prolapse were prepared through an injection of normal saline into L4/5 and L5/6 segments. The model group was intragastrically given normal saline 5 mL/kg per day, the low-dose group was intragastrically given Yaobishu 5 mL/kg per day, and the high-dose group was intragastrically given Yaobishu 10 mL/kg per day, twice a day, for 21 days. After 6 weeks of treatment, the intervertebral discs were taken for anatomical and histological observation using hematoxylin-eosin staining. Expression of AQP1 and AQP3 in the nucleus pulposus at protein and mRNA levels was quantified by RT-PCR and western blot assay. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: In all the three groups, the annulus fibrosus was destroyed, abnormal cartilage tissue appeared, and the nucleus pulposus was reduced in number. Severest degeneration of the intervertebral disc was found in the model group, followed by the low-dose Yaobishu and high-dose Yaobishu groups in turn. The expression of AQP1 and AQP3 mRNA and protein in the high-dose Yaobishu group and low-dose Yaobishu group increased significantly after 6 weeks of treatment (P < 0.05), while the expression in the model group showed no significant difference before and after treatment (P > 0.05). There were significant differences in the expression of AQP1 and AQP3 mRNA and protein among the three groups (P < 0.05). Therefore, Yaobishu may alleviate the degeneration of the rabbit intervertebral disc by increasing the expression of AQP1 and AQP3.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the risk factors of vaginal dilators by 567 adverse event reports, and to provide a reference for the reasonable use.

METHODSWith retrospective case study, analyzed 567 reports induced by vaginal dilators by National Adverse Drug Reaction Monitoring Center in 2012.

RESULTSExpected treatment of disease might be relevant with severity of adverse events, while age was not the related factor; the influencing factor of consequences of grading was the classification of the cause of adverse events.

CONCLUSIONMonitoring should be strengthen in order to reduce or avoid the vaginal dilator adverse events.

Adverse Drug Reaction Reporting Systems ; Dilatation ; adverse effects ; Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions ; epidemiology ; Female ; Humans ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Vagina ; pathology

Objective:To explore the surgical techniques in posterolateral mini-incision total hip arthroplasty and clinical effcacy.
Methods:A total of 94 patients (98 hips) had posterolateral mini-incision total hip arthroplasty, from December 2006 to December 2008, and were randomly divided into a posterolateral mini-incision total hip arthroplasty group (Group A) and a conventional group of posterolateral incision for total hip arthroplasty (Group B). Forty-nine patients (50 hips) in Group A had posterolateral small incision total hip arthroplasty [26 males, 23 females, between 37.0 and 95.0 years (average 68.9 years), body mass index (BMI) between 20.3 and 29.7 (average BMI 25.4)]. Forty-ifve patients (48 hips) in Group B had the conventional posterolateral incision [27 males, 18 females, between 45.0 and 92.0 years (average 69.7 years), BMI between 18.7 and 34.1 (average BMI 26.9)]. The incision length, blood loss, drainage, operation time, and postoperative Harris scores were compared between the 2 groups.
Results:The incision length was 6.0~10.5 (average length 7.4) cm, average blood loss was 387.6 (140.0~1000.0) mL, average drainage was 143.1 (63.0~375.0) mL, average blood transfusion was 77.6 (0~400.0) mL, average operation time was 84.6 (63.0~130.0) min, and vitalock abduction angle imaging after the operation was 41.6° (averagely 38.0°~57.0°) in Group A. The incision length was 15.0~23.0 (average length 20.0) cm, average blood loss was 513.1 (210.0~1350.0) mL, average drainage was 152.3 (70.0~520.0) mL, average blood transfusion was 142.2 (0~800.0) mL, average operation time was 84.0 (71.0~115.0) min, and postoperative radiographic acetabular cup abduction angle was 42.3° (37.0°~54.0°) in Group B. The follow-up showed that the prosthesis of the 2 groups was in a good position, Harris score was significantly improved with no complications after total hip arthroplasty in the 2 groups.
Conclusion:With the correct selection of indications and adept operation skills and other circumstances, posterolateral mini-incision total hip arthroplasty may do little damage to the soft tissue with a small scar on the skin. The imaging evaluation after the operation and the Harris score show no difference between the 2 groups. Patients are satisfied with their joint function and postoperative recovery.

Objective To investigate the effect of astragalus polysaccharides (APS) on the growth and proliferation of hepatocellular carcinoma cells and its effect on adenosine monophosphate activated pro-tein kinase (AMPK) activity.Methods Hepatocellular carcinoma HepG2 cells cultured for 12,24,and 48 hours were treated with 200,300,and 400 mg/L concentration of astragalus polysaccharides.The cell inhibition rate was detected with methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT),and apoptosis was observed under the fluorescence microscope.Western blot method was used to measure the expression of total AMPK,phosphorylated AMPK (p-AMPK),and phosphorylate mammalian target of rapamycin (p-mTOR) protein expressions.Results Astragalus polysaccharides of each concentration significantly inhibited the proliferation of human hepatoma HepG2 cells (P ＜ 0.01),and the effect of 300 mg/L concentration astragalus polysaccharides was more significant than that of the 200 mg/L concentration (P ＜0.01);while inhibitory effect of 400 and 300 mg/L Astragalus polysaccharides on the proliferation of human hepatoma cell line HepG2 was not significant difference.We found that Astragalus polysaccharides of each concentration could promote the apoptosis of HepG2 cells,and the effect of 300 mg/L Astragalus polysaccharides was more significant.However,astragalus polysaccharide of 400 mg/L concentration could promote the apoptosis no more than the 300 mg/L concentration,which was observed by fluorescent microscope.Western blot results showed that astragalus polysaccharides could increase the expression of p-AMPK (P ＜ 0.05),and inhibit its downstream protein expressions of p-mTOR (P ＜ 0.05).The proliferation effect of astragalus polysaccharides was weakened after accession of AMPK antagonist compound C on hepatocellular carcinoma cells.Conclusions APS can inhibit the growth and proliferation of hepatocarcinoma cells,and its mechanism is related to the AMPK-mTOR pathway.

In order to provide morphological data and theoretical basis for pig-to-human hepatic xenotransplantation, the difference in morphological parameters and vessel wall structural factors between human and porcine hepatic portal vein was studied. From human subjects and pigs of varying ages, hepatic portal veins were collected, paraffin-embedded and cut into sections. The histological structures were stained with HE, and elastin, collagen and smooth muscles were stained with Weigert, Aniline blue and orange G, respectively. Morphological parameters and relative contents of structural components were determined under microscopy and by computer image analysis system, respectively. The results showed that histological structures of human and porcine hepatic portal vein wall were similar. Caliber, wall thickness, lumen and wall area in pigs increased with age, all in linear correlation to months. Morphological parameters of 6- month-old pigs were similar to those of human. In pigs, collagen content increased gradually with months, elastin content remained relatively stable, smooth muscle content reached the peak at the 3rd month, and collagen/elastin (C/E) rose gradually. The contents of collagen and elastin in porcine hepatic portal vein wall were lower, while the content of smooth muscle was higher than in human, and C/E at the 5th and 6th month was similar to that in human. It is concluded that morphological parameters and contents of structural components of porcine hepatic portal vein vary with age. At the 6 month, its caliber, wall thickness, lumen and wall area are similar to those of human. There are differences in contents of structural components between human and pigs. However, in terms of C/E, mechanic properties of pigs at the 5th and 6th month mimic those of human, hence inosculation is viable in xenotrans-plantation between pigs and human.
Collagen/*analysis ; Elastin/*analysis ; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted ; Liver Transplantation ; Muscle, Smooth, Vascular/cytology ; Portal Vein/*anatomy & histology ; Portal Vein/chemistry ; Swine ; Transplantation, Heterologous