Objective To investigate effects of different doses of recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 (rhBMP-2) on vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression in fetal mouse osteoblasts.Methods Calvaria osteoblasts of fetal mice of 19 days were cultured.The effects of rhBMP-2 at different doses and different action times on VEGF expression patterns in fetal mouse osteoblasts were observed with reverse transcrip- tion-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blot staining.Results In the present study,RT-PCR detected a steady expression of VEGF mRNA in the control fetal mouse osteoblasts.The levels of VEGF mRNA increased in an apparent biphasic manner with a maximum stimulation (about 2-fold above the control,P＜0.05 ) in both VEGF mRNA species observed at 300 ng/mL of rbBMP-2.After 48 h of rhBMP-2 treatment,the VEGF mRNA levels approached those in the control.The VEGF mRNA levels appeared to be biphasic in rhBMP-2-treated cultures,showing peak induction at 3 and 24 h and remaining elevated at 48 b.Compared with the individual control value at each time point,an apparent maximum increase (about 2.5-fold above the control,P＜0.05) occurred at 6 h.The second peak induction,about 2-fold above that in the control,occurred at about 36 h.Conclusions The expression of VEGF mRNA is steady in the control fetal mouse osteoblasts.RhBMP-2 can promote the expression of VEGF in dose-dependent and time-dependent manners.

Aged ; Coal Mining ; Electrocardiography ; Heart Rate ; physiology ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pneumoconiosis ; physiopathology

Aged ; Arrhythmias, Cardiac ; diagnosis ; physiopathology ; Coal Mining ; Electrocardiography ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pneumoconiosis ; complications ; physiopathology

This paper analyses the defects of bubble oxygen inhalators currently used, and investigates into their solutions for improvement.
Oxygen Inhalation Therapy ; instrumentation ; methods ; Oxygenators ; standards

Objective To observe the therapeutic action of choline on As2O3 induced electrecardiogram (ECG)QT interval prolongation and to further explore molecular biological mechanisms.Methods 40 guinea pigs were divided into 5 groups randomly with 8 rats in each group:control group intravenously injected with saline, experimental group with 0.4,0.8,1.6 ms/kg of choline and As2O3 group with 8 mg/kg choline plus 1.6 mg/kg As2O3.After a series of concentration of As2O3 was intravenously given,ECG was monitored at different time(0,10, 30,60,90,120 min),and corrected QT interval(QTc)was studied.Total RNA Wa$abstracted from the guinea pigs hearts after 6 h,and the effects of choline on altered L-type calcium channel α1c and potassium channel GPERG mRNA expression caused by As2O3 in cardiomyocytes of guinea pig were studied by the method of reverse transcription polyme,chain reaction(RT-PCR).Results In 0.8 mg/kg As2O3 group,the value of QTc at 60, 90 and 120 min respectively being 354 ±22.366± 31 and 368 ±29 waa significantly higher than that of control groups[(325±26,336 ±26 and 324 ±20)at same time] with a significant difference(P<0.05 or<0.01);the value of QTc at 90 and 120 rain was significantly higher than that of O min group(334 ±12),the difference being statistically significant(P<0.05).In 1.6 mg/kg As2O3 group,the value of QTc at 10,30,60,90 and 120 min respectively being 362±33,380±21,382±35,388±39 and 388 ±31 was significantly higher than that of control groups[(328 ±20.324 ±25,325 ±26,336±26 and 324 ±20)at same time]with a significant difference (P<0.05 or<0.01);the value of QTc at 10,30,60,90 and 120 min Was significantly higher than that of O min group(329 ±31),the difference being statistically significant(P<0.05).In choline+As2O3group,the value of qrc at 30,60,90 and 120 min was 337 ±17,341±15,344 ±22 and 343 ±19,significantly lower than that of 1.6 mg/kg As2O3 group,the difference being statistically significant(P<0.05 or<0.01).The RT-PCR results indicated that the value of L-type calcium channel α1c mRNA expression at the concentration of 1.6 mg/kg As2O3 was 1.27±0.14 vs 1.02±0.12 of control group(P<0.01),and it was 1.10 ±0.13 in choline+As2O3 group(P<0.05 Vs 1.6 mg/kg As2O3 group).The value of potassium channel GPERG mRNA expression were 1.29 ±0.11,1.22±0.12 and 1.27±0.16 at the dose of 0.4,0.8,1.6 mg/kg As2O3(P>0.05 VS 1.23±0.08 of control group).In choline+ As2O3 group,the value was 1.30±0.14(compared with 1.6 mg/kg As2O3 group,P>0.05).Conclusions Choline normalizes QTc abnormality during As2O3 application,and modulating changed calcium channel mRNA expression induced by As2O3 may be one of the mechanisms.

Objective：To investigate the correct expression of dengue 2 virus 43 strain NS1 gene in transfected BHK-21 cell. Methods：The D2-43 DNA fragment coding for signal peptide plus NS1 protein was cloned between KpnⅠ site and EcoR Ⅰ site of expression plamid pcDNA3.1. The obtained recombinant vector pcDNA-NS1 was transfected into BHK-21 cells with electroporation technique. After selection by G418, resistant clones were screened by RT-PCR and Western blotting test. Results：The RT-PCR results of four in five randomly selected cell clones were positive. Western blotting test showed that NS1 gene could be expressed in BHK-21 cells. Conclusions：NS1 protein was capable of being expressed and appropriately processed in pcDNA-NS1 transfected BHK-21 cells. The present results suggest the feasibility of NS1-based DNA immunization.

BACKGROUNDThe cause of the adjacent segment degeneration (ASD) after fusion remains unknown. It is reported that adjacent facet joint stresses increase after anterior cervical discectomy and fusion. This increase of stress rate may lead to tissue injury. Thus far, the load rate of the adjacent segment facet joint after fusion remains unclear.

METHODSSix C2-C7 cadaveric spine specimens were loaded under four motion modes: Flexion, extension, rotation, and lateral bending, with a pure moment using a 6° robot arm combined with an optical motion analysis system. The Tecscan pressure test system was used for testing facet joint pressure.

RESULTSThe contact mode of the facet joints and distributions of the force center during different motions were recorded. The adjacent segment facet joint forces increased faster after fusion, compared with intact conditions. While the magnitude of pressures increased, there was no difference in distribution modes before and after fusion. No pressures were detected during flexion. The average growth velocity during extension was the fastest and was significantly faster than lateral bending.

CONCLUSIONSOne of the reasons for cartilage injury was the increasing stress rate of loading. This implies that ASD after fusion may be related to habitual movement before and after fusion. More and faster extension is disadvantageous for the facet joints and should be reduced as much as possible.

Biomechanical Phenomena ; Humans ; In Vitro Techniques ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; physiopathology ; Range of Motion, Articular ; physiology ; Spinal Fusion ; adverse effects ; Spine ; physiopathology

Objective To evaluate the diagnostic value of brain SPECT imaging with a novel Aβ plaque probe,131 I-2-(4'-dimethylaminophenyl) -6-iodoimidazo[ 1,2-α ] pyridine ( 131 I-IMPY) in early AD.Methods Thirteen patients with AD (3 males,10 females,age ranged 52 - 79 y),11 with mild cognitive impairment (MCI,4 males,7 females,age ranged 48 - 67 y) and 14 normal controls (6 males,8 females,age ranged 42 - 67 y) were enrolled in this study.131I-IMPY SPECT imaging was acquired in 2 -3 h after the agent injection.ROIs were drawn on cerebral lobes and cerebellum.The ratios of mean radioactivity of cerebral lobes over cerebellum (Rcl/cb) were calculated.The t-test was used for data analysis.Results In patients with MCI,Rcl/cb ratios were increased in parietal gyrus,temporal gyrus and frontal gyrus (right:1.15±0.18,1.18±0.12,1.14±0.14; left:1.16±0.11,1.19±0.18,1.15±0.09)compared with those in normal control group ( right:1.02 ± 0.12,1.05 ± 0.14,1.01 ± 0.12 ; left:1.03 ±0.13,1.05 ±0.13,1.01 ±0.14; t:2.1642 to 2.8757,all P ＜0.05).Rcl/cb ratios of basel ganglia and occipital gyms in MCI group (right:0.92 ±0.18,1.12 ±0.15; left:0.94 ±0.15,1.13 ±0.17) showed no statistical difference compared with those in normal control group (right:0.82 ±0.15,1.06 ±0.18;left:0.85 ±0.16,1.08 ±0.15; t:0.7805 to 1.4344,all P＞0.05).In patients with AD,Rcl/cb ratios were increased in parietal,temporal,basal ganglia and occipital lobes (right:1.16 ±0.19,1.24 ±0.17,1.16 ±0.13,1.14±0.11,1.23±0.10; left:1.17±0.21,1.25±0.15,1.18±0.08,1.17±0.16,1.25±0.11)compared with those in normal control group( t:2.1001 to 6.2789,all P ＜0.05).Rcl/cb ratios of parietal,temporal and frontal lobes in AD group showed no statistical difference compared with those in MCI group (t:0.1316 to 0.9806,all P ＞ 0.05 ),while Rcl/cb ratios of basal ganglia and occipital lobes in AD group were increased compared with those in MCI group ( t:2.0850 to 3.6772,all P ＜ 0.05 ).Conclusion 131 I-IMPY as a β- amyloid plaque probe for brain SPECT imaging may be potentially helpful for early diagnosis of AD.

Objective To analyze three different classification criteria, the clinical characteristics of antiphospholipid syndrome(APS)in a cohort of Chinese patients. Methods From January 1996 to October 2006, APS patients diagnosed with different classification criteria were retrospectively studied. Results There were totally 120 APS patients fulfilled at least one criterion, One hundred and one patients fulfilled the 1988 Asherson criteria, 96 patients fulfilled the 1999 Sapporo criteria, and 115 patients fulfilled the 2006 Sydney criteria. The ratio of male to female in a cohort of 115 definite APS patients was 1 to 10.5. The mean period of the disease until entry into the study was 82.6 months, the mean age at study entry was(41?12)years. Ninety patients had thrombosis episodes, among which the most common presenting manifestations were deep venous thrombosis, stroke and skin vasculitis. Forty-six of 92 married women in our cohort had fetal morbidity. Catas- trophic APS occurred in 7 patients. The presence of anticardiolipin antibodies(aCL)was detected in 86 pa- tients, anti-beta-2 glycoproteinⅠantibodies in 58 patients and lupus anticoagulant(LA)in 27 patients. Conclusion The most common presenting manifestations are deep venous thrombosis, stroke and cutaneous manifestations. The sensitivity of Sydney classification criteria is improved by adding anti-beta-2 glycopreteinⅠantibody as one of the laboratory criteria. However, primary APS patients who only presented with thrombo- cytupenia and positive laboratory tests could not satisfy this criterion. In addition, the significance of autoanti- bodies to some coagulant factors in APS needs further study.

BACKGROUNDThe virtual reality (VR) system can provide the neurosurgeon to intuitively interact with and manipulate the three dimensional (3-D) image similarly to manipulate a real object. It was seldom reported that the system was used in diagnosis and treatment of cerebral aneurysms. This study aimed to investigate the application of VR system in diagnosis and therapeutic planning of cerebral aneurysms.

METHODSA total of 24 cases of cerebral aneurysms were enrolled in this study from 2006 to 2008, which diagnosed by 3-D digital subtraction angiography (3D-DSA) or VR-based computed tomography angiographies (CTA). The VR system and 3D-DSA system were used to observe and measure aneurysms and the adjacent vessels. The data of observation and measurements were compared between VR image and 3D-DSA image. All the patients underwent surgical plan and simulated neurosurgical procedures in the VR system.

RESULTSThere were 28 aneurysms detected in VR system and 3D-DSA system. The VR system generated clear and vivid 3-D virtual images which clearly displayed the location and size of the aneurysms and their precise anatomical spatial relations to the parent arteries and skull. The location, size and shape of the aneurysms and their anatomical relationship with the adjacent vessels were similar between 3-D virtual image and 3D-DSA, but the spatial relationship between aneurysms and skull only been displayed by VR system. This VR system also could simulate simple surgical procedures and surgical environments.

CONCLUSIONSThe VR system can provide a highly effective way to provide precise imaging details as same as 3D-DSA system and assist the diagnosis of cerebral aneurysms with virtual 3-D data based on CTA. It significantly enhances the chosen therapeutic strategy of cerebral aneurysms.

Angiography, Digital Subtraction ; Humans ; Imaging, Three-Dimensional ; Intracranial Aneurysm ; diagnosis ; diagnostic imaging ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed