AIM:To investigate the correlation between matrix metalloproteinase-9(MMP-9),tissue metalloproteinase inhibitor-1(TIMP-1),MMP-9/TIMP-1 and carotid atheromatous plaque stability in cerebral infarction patients.METHODS:80 patients with cerebral infarction were categorized as microemboli-negative group(n=70)and microemboli-positive group(n=10),20 normal human were served as control group.The MMP-9 and TIMP-1 levels in plasma were determined by mean of ELISA in 3 groups.RESULTS:The levels of MMP-9 and TIMP-1 in plasma were significantly higher in cerebral infarction patients than those in control group(P

BACKGROUND:The self-locking ROI-CTM interbody fusion has zero profile design which can significantly reduce the impact on the esophagus and pharynx, and also simplify the operation procedure. However, there is no report whether it has satisfactory outcomes in the treatment of Hangman fractures.
OBJECTIVE: To compare the clinical effects of ROI-CTM or titanium plate internal fixation on postoperative cervical stability and fusion rate in the treatment of Hangman fractures.
METHODS:Twenty-one cases of Hangman fractures were included, including 13 males and 8 females, aged 25-62 years old. Fifteen cases were treated with titanium plate internal fixation, and the other five cases were treated with ROI-CTM fusion device. Cervical anteroposterior and lateral radiographs, lateral flexion extension radiographs and CT scanning were carried out before, 3 days and 3 months after repair to assess angular displacement, horizontal displacement and fusion rate; visual analog scale score and Bazaz dysphagia score were determined.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:At 3 days after operation, the ROI-CTM group was significantly better than the titanium plate group in visual analog scale scores and Bazaz dysphagia grade (P < 0.05), and there were no significant differences in angular displacement and horizontal displacement (P > 0.05). However, at 3 months after operation, there was no significant difference between the two groups in visual analog scale score, Bazaz dysphagia grade, angular displacement and horizontal displacement and fusion rate (P > 0.05). Postoperative complete reduction rate of spondylolisthesis was higher in the ROI-CTM group than the titanium plate group (P < 0.05). In each group, the angular displacement and horizontal displacement were significantly reduced at 3 day and 3 months after operation (P < 0.05), but there was no significant difference at 3 days and 3 months after operation (P > 0.05). No rejection reaction, internal fixation fracture and loosening occurred in the two groups. These findings indicate that the self-locking ROI-CTM fusion for treatment of Hangman fractures are characterized as higher reduction rate of spondylolisthesis, less dysphagia, and less neck pain.

BACKGROUND:Airway epithelial regeneration can effectively inhibit submucosal hyperblastosis and the occurrence of obliteration. Studies demonstrated that ventilation could accelerate the regeneration of airway epithelium. OBJECTIVE:To establish and improve an orthotopic tracheal transplantation model and to further observe the effects of ventilation on trachea in alogeneic mice. METHODS:C57BL/6 mouse's tracheal served as donor, and BALB/c mouse's tracheal as recipient. This experiment contained two groups. In the experimental group, the membranous part of trachea was longitudinaly dissected in two donors and sutured into an enlarged trachea, which was implanted in the recipient. In the control group, donor's trachea was implanted into the recipient in situ. Samples were obtained and detected at 28 days after surgery. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Hematoxylin-eosin staining results demonstrated that compared with the control group, wel-differentiated ciliated epithelium was visible in the epithelial lamina of tracheal lumen, accompanying a few non-ciliated single or stratified squamous epithelium, mild submucosal fibrosis and inflammatory cel infiltration. Morphological analysis revealed that ciliated epithelial proportion in the experimental group was higher than in the control group (P < 0.05). The ratio of lamina propria to the tracheal cartilage, submucous fibrous tissuearea and the degree of lymphocyte infiltration were lower in the experimental group than in the control group (P < 0.05). Immunohistochemical staining demonstrated that the transplanted tracheal epithelium in both groups was recipient epithelial phenotype. Results verified that a modified orthotopic tracheal transplantation model was successfuly established. The increased ventilation of the tracheal alografts can accelerate the differentiation of tracheal epithelium. The wel-differentiated airway epithelium inhibited the proliferation of fibroblast.

Objective To assess the value of whole cerebral perfusion weighted map (PWM) and whole cerebral perfusion blood volume (PBV) integrating in scan protocol about CT perfusion (CTP) combined with CT angiography (CTA) in acute cerebral infarction. Methods Twenty-three patients with acute cerebral infarction proved clinically underwent CTP examination combined with CTA. The color-coded images of PWM and PBV were attained using workstation, and the raw data of contract CTA images and subtractive images between contract CTA and non-contract CTA were processed. The diagnostic sensitivity and the value of CTP and PWM, PBV integrating CTP in acute cerebral infraction were evaluated. Results Seven of 9 patients with negative results on CTP images had positive expressions on PWM and PBV images. The sensitivity of CTP was 60.87% and the sensitivity of PWM and PBV integrating CTP was 91.30%. Conclusion The scan protocol of PWM, PBV integrating CTP not only increases detection rate of acute cerebral infraction, but also has ability to predict the clinical prognosis of patients with cerebral infraction.

3' Untranslated Regions ; genetics ; 5' Untranslated Regions ; genetics ; Enterovirus B, Human ; genetics ; Genome, Viral ; genetics ; Humans ; Poly A ; genetics

Objective To investigate the effect of manganese-enhanced MRI (MEMRI) at 7.0T for tracing nerve tracts in rat brain in vivo. Methods With brain stereotactic apparatus, 0.4 μl Mncl_2 with aqueous solution of 1 mol/L was injected into the right somatosensory cortex of 9 SD rats. MR scan was performed for tracing corticospinal tracts and other coherent nerve tracts pre-, and 24, 48, 72 h, 7 days post-injection with 7.0T micro-MRI system, respectively. Results Corticospinal tracts were showed in intact after Mn~(2+) administration from somatosensory cortex, thalamus, cerebral peduncle to pons at the time point of 24, 48, 72 h and 7 days, while the best tdisplaying was achieved at 24-48 h after Mn~(2+) administration. Simultaneously a small quantity of Mn~(2+) reached the opposite somatosensory cortex through the corpus callosum. Conclusion MEMRI for tracing rat nerve tracts can be showed clearly with 7.0T MRI. The location of manganese-enhanced corticospinal tracts in agreement with the rat brain atlas in stereotaxic is in agreement with that Paxinos' published. MEMRI can display the relationship between the two sides of hemisphere, and may play an important role in investigating the brain function and nerve plasticity after nerve injury in vivo.

ObjectiveTo explore the diagnosis and treatment of acute mesenteric ischemia.MethodsClinical data of 12 cases with acute mesenteric ischemia diagnosed by both operation and pathology were analyzed retrospectively.ResultsThe cases were mainly aged patients accompanied by cardiovascular disease and easily developed to strangulative intestinal obstruction. The mortality rate of this disease was very high.ConclusionThe early diagnosis with suitable techniques and prompt treatment are the keys to the management of this disease.

Objective To explore the neuroprotective mechanism of propofol by comparing the influence of propofol and isoflurane on inflammatory cytokines ( TNF-α、IL-1、ICAM-1 ) in patients with intracranial tumors. Methods One hundred and sixty-eight patients with intracranial neoplasm were randomly divided into two groups:the propofol ( Group P) and isoflurane (Group I),84 cases in each. Patients were given with propofol (3-6 μg·mL-1) by plasma target-controlled infusion or with continuously inhaled isoflurane ( 1%-2%) , respectively. The serum levels of TNF-α, IL-1 and ICAM-1 were detected before anesthesia and at 0,24,and 48 h after operation. Results The serum levels of TNF-α,IL-1 and ICAM-1 were significantly increased after operation as compared to baseline in both groups. The serum level of TNF-α was(69. 11±8. 95) and (76. 26±11.28) μg·mL-1,IL-1 was(21.57±3.19) and (29.58±4.38) ng·L-1,and ICAM-1 was (1.63±0.24)and (1.94±0.29) g·L-1 at 24 h post operation in Group P and Group I,respectively. These inflammatory cytokine levels were significantly higher in group I compared to group P at 24 and 48 h after operation (P<0. 05 or P<0. 01). Conclusion The target-controlled infusion of propofol brings about lower level of inflammatory reaction than isoflurane inhalation in patients with intracranial neoplasm,which may attribute to the mechanism of brain protection against injury.

Superinfection is frequently detected among individuals infected by human immunodeficiency virus type Ⅰ (HIV-1).Superinfection occurs at similar frequencies at acute and chronic infection stages but less frequently than primary infection.This observation indicates that the immune responses elicited by natural HIV-1 infection may play a role in curb of superinfection;however,these responses are not sufficiently strong to completely prevent superinfection.Thus,a successful HIV-1 vaccine likely needs to induce more potent and broader immune responses than those elicited by primary infection.On the other hand,potent and broad neutralization responses are more often detected after superinfection than during monoinfection.This suggests that broadly neutralizing antibodies are more likely induced by sequential immunization of multiple different immunogens than with only one form of envelope glycoprotein immunogens.Understanding why the protection from superinfection by immunity induced by primary infection is insufficient and if superinfection can lead to cross-reactive immune responses will be highly informative for HIV-1 vaccine design.

Objective To study the role of manganese-enhanced MRI(MEMRI) in the depiction of cortical architecture of rat brain after systemic administration of Mn~(2+) through caudal vein and compare the effects of normal or opened blood-brain barrier on the manganese-enhanced MRI. Methods Fifteen SD rats were randomly divided into three groups according to ranked list of random. Blood-brain barrier was opened in short time by the injection of 30% mannitol via the right internal carotid artery, in group A, then 100 mmol/L MnCl_2 physiologic saline solution was delivered through vena caudalis, and MRI was performed 12 hours later. In group B, 100 mmol/L MnCl_2 physiologic saline solutions was administrated through vena caudalis, following normal saline injection into the right internal carotid artery, and MRI was performed 12 hours later. The group C served as normal control group. All images were acquired with a 7.0 T microMR scanner. Signal-to-noise ratios (SNR) in regions of interest were measured by Paravision 4.0 and the differences of three groups were compared by using one-way ANOVA. The differences of SNR on both sides of hemispheres were compared by using paired t test. Results MEMRI could show the gray matter and white matter of rat brain and the anatomy borders between somatosensory cortex and motor cortex clearly. Periventricular structures such as hippocampus, dentate gyms, habenula united, and olfactory bulb could also be showed clearly. Symmetrical enhancement on both sides of the cortex and banded structures was shown clearly in group B. The SNR increased and the differences were significant in right cerebral cortex, both sides of cerebellar cortex, hippocampus and pituitary, among three groups (right cerebral cortex 35.2±7.0,30.1±2.4,26.6±2.8,F =4.36,P=0.038;left cerebellar cortex 27.1±5.2,29.4±3.8,19.4±4.5, F=6.66, P=0.011;right cerebellar cortex 27.8±3.8,28.5±4.2,20.4±4.8, F=5.84, P=0.017; left hippocampus 34.5±4.9,38.1±5.3,24.5±3.6, F=11.38, P=0.002; right hippocampus 35.3±5.5, 37.6±4.7,25.6±3.0,F=9.93,P=0.003;pituitary 39.5±3.8,52.6±9.1,26.2±4.2,F=22.80, P=0.001) after systemic administration of Mn~(2+). Asymmetric enhancement on two sides of cortex was shown in group A. The mannitol-infused side was enhanced obviously but displayed blurring banded structures. However,the SNR differences of both sides of hemispheres in group A and B were not significant (P >0.05). Conclusions After systemic administration of MnCl_2 through vena caudalis, MEMRI could map the laminar architectures and the anatomy border of functional zone of somatosensory cortex specifically. High concentration of mannitol could open blood brain barrier(BBB) effectively and have distinct impacts on the architectures displayed in MEMRI. Opening or maintaining BBB in MEMRI had respective characteristics, and it should be selected according to practical needs.