The abnormality of corneal development leads to congenital corneal endothelial dystrophy,Peter abnormality,Axenfeld-Rieger syndrome and squamous cell epithelioma of ocular surface etc..The development of cornea experiences the different phases,such as induction,embryogenesis and maturation.In this procedure,cellular proliferation and differentiation are tightly regulated by signaling cascades.Some members of these signaling cascades have been identified in recent studies.By using embryo tissue and genetic manipulation techniques in the study of corneal development researchers reveal that a number of transcription factors such as Pax6,Kruppellike factor (KLF6),transforming growth factor β (TGF-β),TGF-α are expressed,and they play major roles in different stages of cornea development.This review summarizes the recent researching progress in the study of transduction pathway and factors during the development of the cornea.

Objective To observe the expression of cyclooxygenase(COX)-2 in different malignancy astrocytoma by immunohistochemistry,so as to judge the invasive action of COX-2 in astrocytoma.Methods A total of 55 cases with astrocytoma underwent 63 times operation including 8 recurrent cases were selected,and 9 cases with severe brain injury who needed decompression surgery were selected as control group.The astrocytoma tissues and decompression surgery to remove tissues removed immediately fixed in 10％ formalin buffer solution.The expression of COX-2 was determined by immunohistochemistry.Results The positive expression rate of COX-2 in astrocytoma tissues was higher than that in decompression surgery to remove tissues[69.84％ (44/63) vs.1/9],and there was significant difference (x2 =11.589,P ＜ 0.01).The positive expression rate of COX-2 in recurrent astrocytoma tissues was higher than that in primmy astrocytoma tissues [8/8 vs.65.45％ (36/55)],and there was significant difference (x2 =3.957,P ＜ 0.05).With increased astrocytoma malignancy,the positive expression rate of COX-2 also increased,and there was significant difference (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion COX-2 may have some relationship with the invasion of astrocytoma,leading to increase tumor grade,and relapse.

AIM To prepare diosgenin nanosuspensions.METHODS The nanosuspensions prepared by media milling method were solidificated by freeze drying method.With particle size and polydispersity index (PDI) as evaluation indices,stabilizer kind,ratio of diosgenin to stabilizer,ratio of preliminary nanosuspension volume to grinding bead amount,milling time,lyoprotectant kind and its amount as influencing factors,single factor test was applied to screening preparation and solidification processes.The morphology of nanosuspensions was observed,then the particle sizes and polydispersity indices of nanosuspensions and freeze-dried powder were determined.RESULTS The optimal conditions were determined to be 6:1 for ratio of diosgenin to Pluronic F127 (stabilizer Ⅰ),50:1 for ratio of diogenin to sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS,stabilizer Ⅱ),1:4 for ratio of preliminary nanosuspension volume to grinding bead amount,120 min for milling time,and 8％ PEG-6000 and 2％ mannitol as lyoprotectants.The average particle size and polydispersity index of rod-like or flaky nanosuspensions were (348.1 ±14.2) nm and 0.244 ± 0.059,respectively,which were lower than those of freeze-dried powder.At room temperature,the particle sizes of nanosuspensions and freeze-dried powder remained stable within 35 d and 3 months,respectively.CONCLUSION The physical stability of diosgenin freeze-dried powder is superior to that of its nanosuspensions,which can be used after being reconstituted.

OBJECTIVETo study the feasibility of multi-slice spiral computed tomography (MSCT) 3-dimensional reconstruction technique in assisting cervical pedicle screw fixation (PSF) and double-door laminoplasty to treat multi-segmental degenerative spinal stenosis with traumatic instability (MDSTI) of lower cervical spine.

METHODSFrom September 2006 to August 2007, PSF combined with double-door laminoplasty was performed in 9 patients with MDSTI of lower cervical spine. MSCT 3-dimensional reconstruction techniques, including volume rendering (VR) and multi-planar reconstruction (MPR), were used to assist preoperative diagnosis and measurement to guide the procedure. MPR was performed after operation. In coronal view, the degree of screw perforation was measured precisely and the different positions of pedicle screws were divided into three grades according to Richter's method. In axial view, the canal sagittal diameter and transverse area of every laminoplasty level were measured.

RESULTSNine patients with MDSTI of lower cervical spine underwent PSF (total 44 screws). According to the classification of Richter, 72.7% (32/44) was in Grade 1 and 27.3% (12/44) was in Grade 2. No screw perforation occurred in Grade 3 and no screw revision was done for misplacement. No iatrogenic damage was observed. Double-door laminoplasty was performed in total 42 volumes. The postoperative sagittal diameter and transverse area of cervical spinal canal were significantly increased (P<0.05). The confidence intervals of mean increased ratio were 23.43%-40.65% in sagittal diameter and 23.18%-42.07% in transverse area. Six months after laminoplasty, based on MSCT axial view, complete union between "open door" and allograft bone was obtained in 76.19% of volumes (32/42), and allograft bone was absorbed partly in 23.81% (10/42). A solid union in bilateral gutters was achieved in all cases. They were followed up from 6 months to 1 year (mean 7.8 months). Postoperative neural function recovery in two cases improved 2 ASIA grade, 5 cases improved 1 grade and 2 cases remained the same as preoperative grade. No cases had lower ASIA grade.

CONCLUSIONAssisted with MSCT 3-dimensional reconstruction technique, PSF combined with double-door laminoplasty can be performed more safely and effectively to treat patients with MDSTI of lower cervical spine.

Aged ; Cervical Vertebrae ; injuries ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Imaging, Three-Dimensional ; methods ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Spinal Stenosis ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Tomography, Spiral Computed ; methods

Animals ; Captopril ; pharmacology ; Heart Failure ; metabolism ; Male ; Myocytes, Cardiac ; metabolism ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; bcl-2-Associated X Protein ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of specific RNA interference (RNAi) to Notch ligand Delta1 on proliferation and differentiation of human dental pulp stem cells (DPSC).

METHODSDPSC were infected by lentivirus vectors carrying Delta1-RNAi. DPSC were divided into three groups, DPSC/Delta1-RNAi group, DPSC/wt group and DPSC/vector group as control. Cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay and flow cytometry were used to evaluate the proliferation of DPSC. Expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) was examined with immunohistochemical staining. All groups were cultured in an odonto-inductive medium and were observed under microscope. The number of mineralization nodules was counted after Alizarin red staining. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and the expression of dentin sialophosphoprotein (DSPP) were detected by ALP activity assay and Western blotting.

RESULTSCompared with DPSC/wt or DPSC/vector separately, proliferating rate and S-cycle of DPSC/Delta1-RNAi was significantly lower. The S phase and proliferation index (PI) decreased markedly from 22.32 ± 2.35 and 33.68 ± 4.19 (DPSC/Delta1-RNAi) to 5.44 ± 0.91 and 16.00 ± 6.07 (DPSC/wt). The PCNA staining of DPSC/Delta1-RNAi was evidently weaker. DPSC/Delta1-RNAi group had more calcified cell nodules than the other two control groups, and ALP activity and DSPP expression of DPSC/Delta1-RNAi group increased markedly.

CONCLUSIONSDelta1-RNAi induced by the lentivirus vectors may inhibit DPSC proliferation and differentiation. Notch-Delta signal pathway plays an important role in self-renewal and differentiation.

Cell Differentiation ; Cell Proliferation ; Cells, Cultured ; Dental Pulp ; cytology ; metabolism ; Epithelial Cells ; Extracellular Matrix Proteins ; biosynthesis ; Genetic Vectors ; Homeodomain Proteins ; Humans ; Lentivirus ; Phosphoproteins ; biosynthesis ; RNA Interference ; Sialoglycoproteins ; biosynthesis ; Signal Transduction ; Stem Cells ; metabolism

Objective To investigate the service needs in relation to the related behavioral characteristics and reproductive health service for women receiving induced abortion in childbearing age in Wenzhou, providing reference for the protection of reproductive health in women of childbearing age. Methods A questionnaire survey was conducted among a total of 1 065 women of childbearing age who received artificial abortion in 12 medical institutions and maternal and child health care institutions in Wenzhou. Results Of the 1 065 women, 456 (42.82%) were under 24 years old, 609 (57.18%) were over 25 years old.815 (76.53%) with high school / technical secondary school degree or below, 250 (23.47%) with college degree or above.448 unmarried (42.07%), 617 married (57.93%).484 (45.45%) of first abortion and 581 (54.55%) of repeated abortion.Among the direct causes of abortion, 244 (54.46%) were not contraception, 382 (61.91%) were contraception failure.There was a significant difference in the direct causes of induced abortion among women with different marital status(χ²＝28.128, P < 0.05).67.51% of the surveyed women hoped that the family planning clinic would provide contraceptive and reproductive health consulting services after abortion. Conclusion Women of childbearing age with induced abortion in Wenzhou have low education level, high rate of repeated abortion, lack of contraceptive knowledge and high demand for contraceptive and reproductive health consulting services.Therefore, it is necessary to improve reproductive health education, popularize contraceptive knowledge, reduce abortion rate and promote reproductive health.

OBJECTIVETo explore the clinical effects of external fixation associated with limited internal fixation on treatment of Gustilo grade III leg fractures.

METHODSFrom July 2006 to December 2008, 40 cases of Gustilo grade III leg fractures were emergently treated in our unit with external fixation frames. Soft tissue injuries were grouped according to the Gustilo classification as IIIA in 17 cases, IIIB in 13 cases, and IIIC in 10 cases. All the patients were debrided within 8 hours, and then fracture reposition was preformed to reestablish the leg alignment. Limited internal fixation with plates and screws were performed on all the Gustilo IIIA cases and 10 Gustilo IIIB cases at the first operation. But all the Gustilo IIIC cases and 3 Gustilo IIIB cases who had severe soft tissue injuries and bone loss only received Vacuum-sealing drainage (VSD). Broad-spectrum antibiotics were regularly used and VSD must be especially maintained easy and smooth for one week or more after operation. Limited internal fixation and transplanted free skin flaps or adjacent musculocutaneous flaps were not used to close wounds until the conditions of the wounds had been improved.

RESULTSThe first operations were completed within 90-210 minutes (170 minutes on average). The blood transfusions were from 400 ml to 1500 ml (those used for anti-shock preoperatively not included). All the 40 patients in this study were followed up for 6-28 months, 20.5 months on average. The lower limb function was evaluated according to the comprehensive evaluation standards of leg function one year after operation and the results of 28 cases were excellent, 9 were good and 3 were poor.

CONCLUSIONExternal fixation associated with limited internal fixation to treat Gustilo grade III leg fractures can get satisfactory early clinical therapeutic effects.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Debridement ; External Fixators ; Female ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; methods ; Humans ; Leg Injuries ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged

BACKGROUNDRepair of large bone defects remains a challenge for clinicians. The present study investigated the ability of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and/or periosteum-loaded poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) to promote new bone formation within rabbit ulnar segmental bone defects.

METHODSRabbit bone marrow-derived MSCs (passage 3) were seeded onto porous PLGA scaffolds. Forty segmental bone defects, each 15 mm in length, were created in the rabbit ulna, from which periosteum was obtained. Bone defects were treated with either PLGA alone (group A), PLGA + MSCs (group B), periosteum-wrapped PLGA (group C) or periosteum-wrapped PLGA/MSCs (group D). At 6 and 12 weeks post-surgery, samples were detected by gross observation, radiological examination (X-ray and micro-CT) and histological analyses.

RESULTSGroup D, comprising both periosteum and MSCs, showed better bone quality, higher X-ray scores and a greater amount of bone volume compared with the other three groups at each time point (P < 0.05). No significant differences in radiological scores and amount of bone volume were found between groups B and C (P > 0.05), both of which were significantly higher than group A (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSImplanted MSCs combined with periosteum have a synergistic effect on segmental bone regeneration and that periosteum plays a critical role in the process. Fabrication of angiogenic and osteogenic cellular constructs or tissue-engineered periosteum will have broad applications in bone tissue engineering.

Animals ; Bone Regeneration ; physiology ; Cells, Cultured ; Lactic Acid ; chemistry ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; cytology ; Periosteum ; cytology ; Polyglycolic Acid ; chemistry ; Rabbits ; Tissue Engineering ; methods ; Tissue Scaffolds ; chemistry