BACKGROUND:Both local infiltration analgesia and femoral nerve block are used for the pain management after total knee arthroplasty. Controversy stil remains regarding the optimal technique for pain relief. OBJECTIVE:To systematical y evaluate analgesic effects of local infiltration analgesia and femoral nerve block after total knee arthroplasty. METHODS:Databases including PubMed, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library, Web of Science and CBM, were comprehensively searched to identify randomized control ed studies comparing local infiltration analgesia with femoral nerve block. Two reviewers independently selected trials, included literatures, extracted data, and assessed the methodological qualities of included studies according to Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions Version 5.1.0. When there were different opinions, it was decided by the third author. Data were analyzed by RevMan 5.3 software. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1) Eleven randomized control ed trials involving 566 patients were included. (2) At 24 and 48 hours (h) after surgery, there were no significant differences between the local infiltration analgesia and femoral nerve block groups, in Visual Analog Scale scores [MD24 h=0.15, 95%CI (-0.26, 1.28), P>0.05;MD48 h=0.19, 95%CI (-0.06, 0.44), P>0.05] in the resting state, and [MD24 h=-0.01, 95%CI (-0.51, 0.48), P>0.05;MD48h=0.18, 95%CI (-0.45, 0.82), P>0.05] in the active state, amount of analgesic drug use [MD24 h=-2.23, 95%CI (-5.63, 1.16), P>0.05;MD48 h=2.44, 95%CI (-1.08, 5.95), P>0.05], hospital stay [MD=0.05, 95%CI (-0.40, 0.50), P>0.05], postoperative nausea and vomiting [OR=1.09, 95%CI (0.39, 3.04), P>0.05] and postoperative infection [OR=0.99, 95%CI (0.44, 2.59), P>0.05]. (3) These results indicated that the analgesic effect of local infiltration analgesia was identical to that of femoral nerve block after total knee arthroplasty. Due to its simple operation, local infiltration analgesia can be used as a standard analgesia method after total knee arthroplasty.

A new kind of curcin (curcin 2), induced by several kinds of stresses from Jatropha curcas leaves, under the control of the 35S CaMV (cauliflower mosaic virus) promoter, was introduced into tobacco genome by Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation method. Curcin 2 protein was only detected in the transgenic tobacco plants transformed with the cur2p fragment (coding premature curcin 2 protein), but not in the plants transformed with cur2m fragment (coding mature curcin 2 protein). The transgenic lines expressing curcin 2 showed increased tolerance to tobacco mosaic virus (TMV).

Objective:To explore the role of Semaphorins 3A(Sema 3A) and its receptor Neuropilin-1 (Nrp1) in the development of chronic periodontitis of rats and clinical samples.Methods:20 SD rats were divided into 2 groups.Rats in the experimental group were induced into chronic periodontitis models.Rats in control group were not treated.After 8 weeks,maxilla of all the rats were collected for micro-CT scanning and IHC staining.The distance from cementoenamel junction to alveolar bone crest(CEJ-ABC) and the IOD of Sema3A/Nrp1 positive staining in rats were analyzed.20 clinical samples of chronic periodontitis(n =10) and normal periodontal tissues (n =10) were collected for immunofluorescence and qRT-PCR analysis.Results:The CEJ-ABC distance of chronic periodontitis group was higher than that of the control group(P ＜ 0.05).The IOD of Sema3A/Nrp1 in experimental group was lower than that of the control group (P ＜ 0.05) and with a negative correlation with bone loss (P ＜ 0.05).Immunofluorescence and qRT-PCR analysis showed that the expression level of Sema3a/Nrpl in clinical samples with chronic periodontitis was also lower than that of the healthy subjects(P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion:The reduced Sema3A/Nrp1 plays an important role in the development of bone destruction in chronic periodontitis.

Objective To investigate the changes of serum bilirubin level in elderly patients with acute cerebral infarction and its significance.Methods 164 hospitalized elderly patients,who suffered from acute cerebral infarction within 1 week after onset,were divided into 2 groups according to age:group A aged over 60 years(n=85) and group B aged 40-60 years(n=79),and 66 healthy subjects aged over 40 years were collected as controls(group C).Serum bilirubin levels in all subjects were determined.The ratio of pulse pressure over mean arterial pressure(PP/MAP) in group A and B was calculated.Nerve function scores in the three groups were detected before and after 2 weeks of treatment.Meanwhile,the data of risk factors including blood glucose,blood pressure,blood lipids,smoking and drinking in group A and B were collected.Results Compared with group C,serum total,direct,indirect bilirubin levels were increased in group A and B(both P＜0.01),and the change was smaller in group A than in group B(P＜0.05).The nerve function scores was lower in group A than in group B before and after treatment [(35.2±12.6) vs.(44.3±7.9),(40.7±9.1) vs.(51.3± 4.1),t=5.58,9.73,both P＜0.01],but PP/MAP and the numbers of risk factors were higher in group A than in group B [(0.46±0.06) vs.(0.38±0.06),93.01 vs.71.20,both P＜0.01].There were no significant correlations of serum total,direct and indirect bilirubin levels with nerve function scores in group A or B(all P＞0.05).Conclusions Serum bilirubin level is increased in patients with acute cerebral infarction,but the endogenous antioxidant capacity is decreased because of aging,multiple risk factors and more serious atherosclerosis in elderly patients,and the increment of bilirubin level is relatively smaller in acute cerebral ischemia,leading to the reduced protective effect against stress.Serum bilirubin level may influence the prognosis in patients with acute cerebral infarction.

Objective To evaluate the immuno-potentiating effects of CpG-ODN plus alum as a composite adjuvant on influenza split virion vaccine.Methods BALB/c mice were immunized with various amounts of 2009 H1N1 influenza split virion vaccine,alone or in combination with CpG-ODN,alum,or both (composite adjuvant).Antigen-specific humoral immune responses were evaluated by ELISA,hemagglutination inhibiting (HI) assay and neutralizing assay.Antigen-specific cellular immune responses were evaluated by ELISPOT assay,intracellular cytokine staining assay and in vivo CTL assay.Results Compared with the control group immunized with antigen alone,a single use of either adjuvant weakly enhanced the humoral immune responses,as indicated by the increase of antigen-specific IgG titers,HI titers and neutralizing titers by 3-6 folds,2-4 folds and 4-8 folds,respectively,after two immunizations.In contrast,the composite adjuvant induced more potent humoral immune responses; the antigen-specific IgG titers,HI titers and neutralizing titers were increased by 23-57 folds,9-20 folds and 16-64 folds,respectively.Consequently,the composite adjuvant achieved antigen-sparing by at least 16 folds.In addition,the composite adjuvant significantly enhanced the antigen-specific cellular immune responses,as revealed by the increase of IFN-γ-secreting CD4+ T cells and the enhancement of CTL activity in immunized mice.Conclusion CpG-ODN plus alum as a composite adjuvant can enhance the immunogenicity of influenza split virion vaccine and achieve the antigen-sparing effect.

Objective To investigate the relationship between the level of serum uric acid(SUA) and carotid atherosclerosis in male patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM). Methods A collection of 579 male T2DM patients with or without carotid atherosclerosis were grouped based on quartiles of SUA. Age, SUA, smokers, duration, body mass index(BMI), blood pressure, total cholesterol(TC), triglyceride(TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol(HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-C), blood urea nitrogen(BUN), creatinine(Cr), and HbA1C were determined in all subjects. The plaques in carotid arteries and intima-media thickness(IMT) were measured with high-resolution ultrasound. Results BMI, systolic and diastolic blood pressures, TG, and Cr showed a gradual increase, while HDL-C and HbA1C showed a gradual decrease according to the higher SUA quartiles in male T2DM(P＜0.05). Nevertheless, the detectable rates of smokers, duration, age, TC, LDL-C, and BUN had no relationships with the SUA quartiles(P＞0.05). The detectable rate of carotid atherosclerosis and the thickness of carotid plaque were positively associated with the levels of SUA in male patients with T2DM(P＜0.05). However, intima-media thickness of carotid arteries did not illustrate the correlation with the levels of SUA in male T2DM patients(P＞0.05). Age, HbA1C, and SUA were independent factors of carotid atherosclerosis in these patients by logistic regression(P＜0.05). Conclusion The levels of SUA seems to be associated with the occurrence and development of carotid atherosclerosis in male patients with T2DM.

Objective To investigate the adverse effects of taurine on rabbit corneal endothelial cells. Methods Six rabbits (12 eyes) were selected, and 6 histologic sections were prepared from each of the eyes. Rabbit corneal endothelial cells were cultured by explant culture method. Cells were innoculated on a 12-well tissue culture plate, 2%, 4%, 6%, 8% and 10% taurine solutions were added respectively (cells from the right and left eyes of the same rabbit were added the same concentration of taurine solution), and blank control was established. The growth of corneal endothelial cells was observed by inverted microscopy, and cell morphology on the 1st, 2nd, 4th, 6th and 8th day of culture was observed with Wright staining. Results Corneal endothelial cells cultured with 2%, 4% and 6% taurine solutions and those of blank control formed endothelial cell layers after culture for one week, and the cells exhibited hexagonal or round-like morphology. Corneal endothelial cells cultured with 8% taurine solution appeared to be undergrowth with small cell body on the 4th day, and cell death occurred on the 8th day. Corneal endothelial cells cultured with 10% taurine solution turned out to be undergrowth with small cell body on the 2nd day, and cell death had occurred. The same growth velocity and cell morphology were observed in the corneal endothelial cells from the right and left eyes of the same rabbit. Conclusion Taurine with concentration between 2% and 6% has no adverse effects on the growth of rabbit corneal endothelial cells.

Objective To investigate the effect of excessive all-trans retinoic acid (atRA) on mouse embryonic palatal fusion and the mechanism. Method Palatal shelves from embryonic D 13 embryonic mice were cultured in BGJb medium and treated with vehicle control only or 5 ?mol/L atRA for 72 h. Palatal fusion was examined by hemagglutinin esterase. Apoptosis and laminin were detected by TUNEL and immunohistochemistry, respectively. The level of Smad2 phosphorylation (pSmad2) was analyzed by Western blot. Results atRA led to failure of palatal fusion and inhibited the migration and apoptosis of medial edge epithelial cells (MEE) and degradation of basal lamina within, compared with control palatal shelves in cultures. Additionally, apoptosis was detected in mesenchyme of atRA-treated palatal shelves. Further experiment revealed that pSmad2 was abrogated by atRA. Conclusion atRA induced failure of palatal fusion through inhibition of apoptosis of the MEE cell and degradation of basal lamina within medial edge epithelial seam. Inhibition of pSmad2 may account for the failure of palatal fusion by atRA.

OBJECTIVE:To study the effects of taurine on oxidative stress and calcium overload induced by cerebral cortex contusion.METHODS:SD rats were randomly divided into normal control group,brain contusion model group,taurine groups(high dose,middle dose and low dose respectively),and nimodipine group.After being fed with corresponding drugs for7days,all rats were subjected to modeling by brain contusion.For intracellular calcium detection,rats were sacrificed2h after modeling,and the brain slices were prepared to fluorescence labeling and confocal microscopy detection.For the detection of oxidative stress,rats were sacrificed24h after modeling,the cortex of contusion side was homogenated and then the activity of superoxide dis?mutase(SOD)and content of malondialdehyde(MDA)were detected through biochemical method.RESULTS:Compared with model group,all taurine groups were shown to have markedly less MDA and intracellular calcium content,and the high dose group had markedly stronger SOD activity.CONCLUSION:Taurine is effective in counteracting the oxidative stress and calcium overload caused by brain contusion.

AIM: To explore the regulatory effects of cytokines such as EGF, bFGF on expression of neural-specific molecules in mononuclear cells (MNCs) cultured in H-DMEM medium. METHODS: The umbilical cord blood samples were collected from health puerperal natural delivery. The mononuclear cells were isolated by centrifugation over Lymphoprep and planted in T-75 flasks containing H-DMEM medium with or without addition of EGF, bFGF or EGF plus bFGF at a final concentration of 20 ?g/L, respectively. Phenotypic changes were monitored by inverse phase-contrast microscopy. Tau and MAP2 mRNA were determined by reverse-transcript polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Tau and MAP2-positive cell were determined by immunocytochemistry. RESULTS: The expression of tau protein mRNA was negative in uncultured cells, but MAP2 mRNA was positive. In cultured cells, tau protein mRNA expressed positively, MAP2 mRNA expression was upregulated by EGF+bFGF, EGF or bFGF compared with control group (no cytokines). The upregulatory capability of EGF+bFGF to MAP2 mRNA expression was stronger than that of EGF or bFGF alone. The same upregulatory tendency was noted in tau mRNA expression. In the group of control, bFGF, EGF, EGF+bFGF, the rate of MAP2-positive cells was 14.4%, 19.6%, 25.6%, 33.5%, respectively. Tau protein-positive cells were 13.5%, 15.3%, 21.4%, 29.8%, respectively. Under inverse microscopy, the freshly isolated MNCs were small and round, after culturing, the cells became larger with some big, long cytodenrites in the EGF+bFGF group, with 1 or 2 threadlike cytodenrites in the EGF group, or with some short multi-dendron like-astrocyte in the bFGF group and control group, but the number of astrocyte-like cells in the control group was less than that in bFGF group. CONCLUSION: MNCs derived from human umbilical cord blood cells express some neural specific molecules and are upregulated by cytokines, especially EGF and bFGF, which have the synergetic action. [