0.05). The mean degrees for coronal inclinations of facet joint of the patients with degenerative spondylolisthesis were significantly greater than those of the patients without degenerative spondylolisthesis (P

Objective To investigate the effect of astaxanthin on the peripheral blood endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) apop-tosis induced by oxidative stress in vitro and to explore its underlying mechanism .Methods Human peripheral blood EPCs were in vitro cultured and divided into the control group ,model group with 100 μmol/L tert-butyl hydroperoxide(tBHP) and the astaxan-thin plus tBHP group(with 0 .10 ,1 .00 ,10 .00 nmol/L astaxanthin pretreatment for 24 h ,then adding the final concentration of 100μmol/L tBHP for 6 h continuous culture) .The cell viability was measured by the MTT method .The level of reactive oxygen spe-cies (ROS) was determined by the DCFH-DA method .The changes of mitochondrial membrane potential(MMP) and the apoptosis ratio were detected by the JC-1 method and the DAPI method ,respectively .Results Compared with control group ,100μmol/L tB-HP could obviously caused the apoptosis of EPCs(P<0 .05) ,while astaxanthin could decrease tBHP induced apoptosis ,which man-ifested by the decrease of the apoptosis ratio (P<0 .05) and MMP increase .Conclusion Astaxanthin has the protective effect on the apoptosis of EPCs ,its mechanism may be related with the protection of the mitochondrial function .

Objective To evaluate the uncertainty of the pseudo-ginsenoside GQ (PGQ) concentration in human plasma by HPLC-MS/MS.Methods The whole process of PGQ determination by HPLC-MS/MS in human plasma was evaluated and the uncertainty caused by repeatability,weighing,standard solution preparation,biological sample preparation,extraction recovery process,recovery,instrument precision and calibration curve fitting were evaluated,respectively.The combined and expanded uncertainty values were both calculated.Results The expanded uncertainty values for low (15.16 ng·mL-1),medium (2 516.67 ng·mL-1) and high (3 902.00 ng·mL-1) levels of PGQ were 1.39,177.74 and 262.69 ng·mL-1,respectively (P =95 ％,k =2).Conclusion The uncertainty of the PGQ determination in human plasma by HPLC-MS/MS is mainly caused by recovery,repeatabihty and sample preparation at low concentration,by sample preparation and recovery at medium and high concentration.

To evaluate the effect of impeller design on pump hemolysis, five impellers with different number of vanes or different vane angles were manufactured and tested in one pump for hemolysis comparison. The impellers are made to have the same dimension and same logarithmic spiral vane from which coincide with the stream surfaces in the pump, according to the analytical and three-dimensional design method developed by the authors. Consequently, an impeller with 6 vanes and 30 degrees vane angle has the lowest hemolysis index. This result agrees with the theoretical analyses of other investigators searching optimal number of vanes and vane angle to achieve the highest efficiency of the pump.
Heart-Assist Devices ; adverse effects ; Hemolysis ; Humans ; In Vitro Techniques ; Prosthesis Design

The author's implantable pulsatile impeller pump can assist the circulation of the calves for several months. The termination of the experiments was related to wear of the mechanical bearing, which resulted in vibration of the rotor and pump failure. It seemedas if the experiments could have lasted inde finitelyif the bearing had not failed. To solve the problem of bearing wear, a specially devised rolling bearing was investigated and applied to the impellerp ump. Its service life is more than 10 years due to the wear-proof roller made of ultra-high-molecular weight polythene. This newly devised impeller heart promises to have long-term and permanent applications. Compared with the magnetic bearing, the rolling bearing has the advantages of simpler construction and control, no consumption of energy, and better reliability.

Objective To renovate angiography in identifying portal vein anatomy during transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) procedures,saving the time of TIPS procedures,decreasing the risk of the complications of the post-procedure.MethodsThe difference between the Wedge hepatic venography with Carbon Dioxide in 6 cases and Inferior Mesenteric artery angiography in 7 cases during TIPS procedures were compared in the identification of portal vein anatomy.The quality of images,their effects on the procedures,the complications and the recovery post-procedure were evaluated.Results Using CO2,the portal veins were opacified in all 6 cases.TIPS procedures succeeded in all cases except 1 case because of poor coagulation function.Using Inferior Mesenteric artery angiography,the portal veins were opacified in al1 7 cases.TIPS procedure succeeded in all cases except 1 case because of chronic portal occlusion.Puncture-site hematoma occurred in 1 case after TIPS procedure.ConclusionWedge hepatic venography with Carbon Dioxide is superior,safer and more convenient than Inferior Mesenteric Artery angiography in identifying portal vein anatomy during TIPS.

Objective To explore the expression of RIP2 in colorectal cancer(CRC)tissues,and the inva-sion and migration was observed after RIP2 was increased in CRC cell line.Methods 48 cases of CRC paraf-fin-embedded specimens and 56 cases of tumor-adjacent tissues were collected,and expressions of RIP2 was tested by immunohistochemistry(IHC).pEGFP-RIP2 plasmid and JetPRIME were employed to increase the RIP2 in SW480 cells,and variety of invasion and migration was tested in SW480 cells.Results It was showed that expressions of RIP2 was lower in CRC tumors than in tumor-adjacent tissues(P<0.05).After RIP2 in-creased,migration ability of SW480 cells weakened.Conclusion The expression of RIP2 was decreased in CRC tissues,and it was closely related to tumor cell's invasion and metastasis.

Objective:To investigate the clinical effects of free transplanted pre-expanded scapular flap in reconstructing scar contracture deformity of neck.Methods:A retrospective observational study was conducted. From February 2010 to August 2020, 17 cervical scar deformity patients (9 males and 8 females, aged 8-42 years) who met the inclusion criteria were admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Air Force Medical University. The patients underwent skin and soft tissue expander (hereinafter referred to as expander) implantation in scapular region in stage Ⅰ procedures, and the free transplanted pre-expanded flaps were used to resurface the wounds followed by neck scar resection in the stage Ⅱ procedures. The wound size after neck scar release was 12.0 cm×6.0 cm-30.0 cm×24.0 cm, and the size of the flap ranged from 13.0 cm×7.5 cm to 31.5 cm×25.0 cm. The wounds in donor site of 15 patients were sutured directly, and the wounds in donor site of 2 patients were covered with full-thickness skin graft from abdominal area. The survival of flaps was observed after the operation of stage Ⅱ. Six months after stage Ⅱ surgery, Z plasty was performed to treat the incision scar contracture in 2 patients. For the 5 patients of overweight or bloating appearance in the 1/3 proximal flap underwent debulking procedures in 6-9 months after stage Ⅱsurgery. Before the stage Ⅰ surgery and six months after the last procedure (stage Ⅱ or stage Ⅲ), mental cervical angle (MCA) and cervical mandibular angle (CMA) were measured and the improvement of neck scar was evaluated by the angle values. The cervical motor function, skin color and texture in recipient areas, and scar in the donor sites assessed by Vancouver scar scale (VSS) were observed during follow-up. Data were statistically analyzed with paired sample t test. Results:After stage Ⅱ surgery, 15 patients' flaps survived well; venous crisis occurred in 2 flaps within 24 h after operation, and the flaps survived well after emergency exploration and thrombus removal+vascular re-anastomosis. Compared with the angle values of MCA of (126±12)° and CMA of (148±13)° of patients before the stage Ⅰ surgery, the angle values of MCA of (107±12)° and CMA of (123±11)° of patients in six months after the last procedure were significantly decreased (with t values of 10.68 and 6.54, respectively, P<0.05). After 2 years of follow-up, the patient's neck dorsiflexion, lateral bending, or other motor functions were not restricted; the color and texture of the flap in recipient site were close to those of the normal neck skin; the patient cases with VSS scores of scarring of 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 were 1, 3, 7, 5, and 1 case, respectively. Conclusions:The free transplantation of the pre-expanded scapular flaps can provide sufficient tissue for wound coverage after the release of cervical scar contracture deformity; the expanded skin tissue is featured by thin soft tissue and good pliability, which is conducive to restore the neck appearance; the donor sites are relatively covert with less tension, therefore, the treatment is an effective method for correcting the contracture in the neck.

Inorganic arsenic (iAs) is a toxic metalloid found ubiquitously in the environment. In humans, exposure to iAs can result in toxicity and cause toxicological manifestations. Arsenic trioxide (As2O3) has been used in the treatment for acute promyelocytic leukemia. The kidney is the critical target organ of trivalent inorganic As (iAsIII) toxicity. We examine if oral administration of astaxanthin (AST) has protective effects on nephrotoxicity and oxidative stress induced by As2O3 exposure (via intraperitoneal injection) in rats. Markers of renal function, histopathological changes, Na+-K+ ATPase, sulfydryl, oxidative stress, and As accumulation in kidneys were evaluated as indicators of As2O3 exposure. AST showed a significant protective effect against As2O3-induced nephrotoxicity. These results suggest that the mechanisms of action, by which AST reduces nephrotoxicity, may include antioxidant protection against oxidative injury and reduction of As accumulation. These findings might be of therapeutic benefit in humans or animals suffering from exposure to iAsIII from natural sources or cancer therapy.
Adenosine Triphosphatases ; Administration, Oral ; Animals ; Arsenic ; Humans ; Kidney ; Leukemia, Promyelocytic, Acute ; Oxidative Stress ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar*

Objective:To design 3D printed prosthesis in an individualized way and explore the short-term clinical efficacy of reconstruction of segmental defect after resection of bone tumor in lower extremities with 3D-printed prosthesis.Methods:From January 2017 to June 2019, 6 patients with lower limb bone tumor who met the inclusion criteria were recruited, including 3 males and 3 females, aged 8.67±1.11 years (range 6-11 years). All 6 cases were primary bone tumors, and the Enneking stages were all IIB, including 3 cases of left tibial tumors, 2 cases of right tibial tumors, and 1 case of right femoral tumor. These 3D-printed prostheses were designed based on the preoperative imaging data. The mechanical stability of the prosthesis was evaluated by three-dimensional finite element analysis. After tumor resection, the 3D-printed prosthesis was installed and fixed to reconstruct the segmental bone defect. All patients were clinically followed up and evaluated by imaging regularly after operation. The functional status was assessed by the Musculoskeletal Tumor Society (MSTS) score. Oncology results and complications were recorded in detail.Results:All operations were successfully performed, including 3 cases underwent left tibial tumor resection, 2 cases underwent right tibial tumor resection, and 1 case underwent right femoral tumor resection. The length of the bone defect after tumor resection was 18.19±3.74 cm, the average operation time was 165.83±54.17 min, and the average intraoperative bleeding was 233.33±133.33 ml. These finite element analysis data show that the overall stress of these prostheses are lower than the maximum mechanical strength of the corresponding materials. These 3D printed prostheses match well with the excision defect and meet the expected effect. There were no adverse reactions during the operation. The mean follow-up period was 16.83±7.17 months. At the last follow-up, all patients survived without tumor recurrence or metastasis. Postoperative imaging results showed that all the implants were stable without complications such as peripheral infection, aseptic loosening, prosthesis fracture. These 3D-printed prostheses composite resulted in substantial bone integration at follow-up. The average MSTS score was 83.67%±9.11%.Conclusion:The individualized 3D printed prosthesis can be used to reconstruct the bone defect after the resection of osteosarcoma in the lower extremities, and the clinical efficacy was satisfactory in the short-term follow-up.