Nature is abundant in protein scaffolds.By selecting suitable protein scaffold,display and screening methods,the rational and constrained random peptide library(RPL)can be constructed.Compared with the non-constrained RPL,it offered more opportunities for obtaining novel protein structures and more higher affinity ligands against the target molecules.At present,the protein scaffold constrained RPLs have been shown great potential in applications such as target selection,basic research,clinical diagnosis,medical therapy and so on.It is systematically introduced the structure bases,classification and construction of constrained RPL based on scaffolds,as well the recent great advances of application in selection against target molecules with S-S constrained scaffolds,antibodies,Zinc finger protein,Z domain,FN3 domain as important examples.

OBJECTIVETo observe effects of mild moxibustion and lovastatin on immunologic function in rabbits with chronic hyperlipidaemia and atherosclerosis (AS) to initially explain regulating rules of mild moxibustion on immunologic function.

METHODSAmong thirty-two Japanese male big-ear rabbits, 8 rabbits were randomly selec ted as a blank group, the rest 24 rabbits were fed with method of endothelial injury and high-fat diet to establish AS model. The blank group was raised with normal diet and free water. After ten weeks of model establishment, the rest 24 rabbits were randomly divided into a model group, a moxibustion group and a medicine group, eight rabbits in each one. Moxibustion was applied at "Shenque" (CV 8) and "Zusanli" (ST 36) for 10 min per acupoint per day in the moxibustion group, while intragastric administration of 3.6 mg/kg lovastatin capsule was applied in the medicine group. After treatment, serum was acquired. Spectrophotometry method was adapted to measure cholesterol (TC) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL-C) and evaluated atherosclerosis index (AI), while enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method was used to measure interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) and interleukin-4 (IL-4).

RESULTS(1) The serum TC and HDL-C in the model group were significantly higher than those in the blank group, moxibustion group and medicine group (all P < 0.01). The mean value of AI was 1.683 +/- 0.486 in the moxibustion group, which was obviously lower than 20.301 +/- 4.022 in the model group (P < 0.01). (2) The ratio of Th1/Th2 was 0.569 +/- 0.143 in the moxibustion group and 0.445 +/- 0.079 in the medicine group, which were significantly lower than 0.917 +/- 0.255 in the model group (both P < 0.01), but there was no statistically significant difference between the moxibustion group and the medicine group (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe moxibustion for AS could reduce atherosclerosis index, influence drift and bias of helper T cell and regulate balance between humoral immunity and cellular immunity. As a result, status of relative balance of immunity is acquired, which could slow down the development of atherosclerosis and process of thrombus burst.

Animals ; Atherosclerosis ; immunology ; therapy ; Humans ; Hyperlipidemias ; immunology ; therapy ; Interferon-gamma ; immunology ; Interleukin-4 ; immunology ; Male ; Moxibustion ; Rabbits ; Th1 Cells ; immunology ; Th2 Cells ; immunology

Objective To investigate the anatomic feature and exposing methods of recurrent laryngeal nerve(RLN) in thyroid surgery. Methods The data of 327 cases of thyroid tumor were analyzed retrospectively. The anatomic feature, injury and prevention of RLN were discussed. Of all the cases, 293 RLNs (242 cases) were anatomically exposed. Results The temporary injury rates of RLN was 1.65% (4/242) in the exposed group and 8.23% (7/85) in the unexposed group with a persistent injury rate of 2.35%(2/85). The differences of temporary injury rates and persistent injury rates between the two groups were statistically significant (P<0.05). 67.23% (197/293) of the RLNs had two branches before entering larynx, 61.09%(179/293) of RLNs were posterior to the inferior thyroid artery and 31.39% (92/293) anterior to the inferior thyroid artery, 4.09% (12/293) passed through the bifurcation of inferior thyroid artery, and 4. 13% (10/293) were not related to the inferior thyroid artery. The incidence of non-recurrent laryngeal nerve (inferior laryngeal nerve) was 0.68% (2/293). Conclusions The anatomic relation of RLN is relatively complicated along its journey. The injury of RLN could be reduced with designed exposal during the thyroid surgery.

OBJECTIVETo explore effects and action mechanism of warm moxibustion on regulation of blood lipids and anti-atherosclerosis.

METHODSForty-one male Japanese big-ear white rabbits were randomly divided into a blank group (10 rabbits), a model group (10 rabbits), a moxibustion group (10 rabbits) and a medication group (11 rabbits). Normal diet was applied in the blank group while high-cholesterol diet combined with injection of bovine serum albumin were applied in the rest groups to establish rabbit model of atherosclerosis. After establishment, the model group was not intervened and warm moxibustion was applied in the moxibustion group at "Zusan-li" (ST 36) and "Shenque" (CV 8), 10 min per acupoint per day for continuous 4 weeks. The medication group was treated with intragastric administration of lovastatin capsule (3.6 mg/kg) for continuous 4 weeks. The level of blood lipids, such as total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), and content of CD40 ligand (CD40L), soluble CD40 ligand (sCD40L) and expression of nuclear factor NF-kappaB were tested after 4 weeks.

RESULTSCompared with the model group, the moxibustion group and medication group could effectively reduce the contents of TC and low density lipoprotein (all P < 0.05), lower the level of sCD40L [(8.310 +/- 1.221) ng/mL in the model group, (7.097 +/- 0.846) ng/mL in the moxibustion group and (7.354 +/- 0.631) ng/mL in the medication group], reduce expression of CD40L [(0.235 +/- 0.179) mm2 in the model group, (0.072 +/- 0.079) mm2 in the moxibustion group and (0.039 +/- 0.015) mm2 in the medication group] and NF-kappaB [(0.145 +/- 0.052)mm2 in the model group, (0.052 +/- 0.012) mm2 in the moxibustion group and (0.036 +/- 0.013) mm2 in the medication group], indicating the significant difference (P < 0.05, P < 0.001). There was no statistical difference between the moxibustion group and medication group (all P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe warm moxibustion has great effect on regulation of blood lipids and anti-atherosclerosis, in which lowering expression of CD40-CD40L could be one of possible mechanisms to take effect of anti-atherosclerosis.

Animals ; Atherosclerosis ; blood ; therapy ; CD40 Antigens ; blood ; CD40 Ligand ; blood ; Humans ; Lipids ; blood ; Male ; Moxibustion ; methods ; Rabbits

Objective To evaluate the outcome of percutaneous K-wire leverage reduction and fixation for O'Brien Ⅱ,Ⅲ pediatric radial neck fracture.Methods From March 2010 to February 2013,16 children with O'Brien Ⅱ,Ⅲ pediatric radial neck fracture were operated in our hospital.There were 6 females and 10 males aged from 6 to 14 years old.There were 12 left arms and 4 right arms.Concomitant injuries included proximal ulna fractures in 2 cases and medial epicondyle fracture of humerus in 1 case.All children present a swollen and painful elbow with loss of rotation and pain on pronation and supination.The mean visual analogue score (VAS) was 7.9 (range,6.5-9.2).The flextion,extention,pronation and supination of elbow were 78°±3°,-54°±4°,9°±3° and 5°±3° in average.All cases were classified by the O'Brien system,including 9 cases of Ⅱ type and 7 cases of Ⅲ type.Mechanism of injury was fall from a height.The interval between injury and surgery averaged 2.8 days.Percutaneous leverage reduction and fixation were performed for 16 patients.After confirming successful reduction,the wire was advanced to the far cortex of the radius and penetrated into the far cortex to maintain the reduction status.4 weeks of long-arm cast followed by functional exercises were carried out for all patients.We analyzed radiographs and clinical results according to the criteria suggested by Metaizeau.Results 16 patients were followed up for 11.8 month in average after operation.14 patients were gained anatomical reduction.No patient had posterior interosseous nerve injury,fracture redisplacement and pin site infection.All fractures healed in a mean of 4.1 weeks.The follow-up flextion,extention,pronation and supination of elbow were 136°±4°,-2°±2°,81 °±4° and 75°±4° in average.Follow-up radiographs showed no patient had avascular necrosis of radial head.One patient had physeal arrest after 15 months of operation and outpatient follow-up observation were conducted.According to Metaizeau function scale,8 were excellent,7 good and 1 fair.The healing rate was 93.8％ (15/16).Conclusion Percutaneous joystick reduction and fixation technique have good effect for O'Brien Ⅱ,Ⅲ pediatric radial neck fracture,which is simple and easy to master.

Objective To study interleukin-1 receptor(IL-1R) and connexin(Cx36) gene expression following Mg 2+-free-induced seizures in cultured developing neuron. Methods Rat embryo cortical neurons cultured for 6 and 17 days were exposed to Mg 2+-free media to induce seizure. At different time after Mg 2+-free treatment, real-time RT-PCR was used to detect IL-1R and Cx36 mRNA expression. Results 1. IL-1R mRNA expression transiently decreased after Mg 2+-free treatment in neurons cultured for 6 and 17 days in vitro. Then the levels of IL-1R mRNA expression recovered in neurons cultured for 6 days, but IL-1R mRNA expression were increased in neurons cultured for 17 days compared with control group and the peak was at 24 hours. 2. In neurons cultured for 6 days in vitro, Cx36 mRNA expression increased after Mg 2+-free treatment compared with control group, the peak was at 24 hours. But in neurons cultured for 17 days in vitro, Cx36 mRNA expression decreased at 6 hours after Mg 2+-free treatment compared with control group, the peak was at 24 hours. Conclusions IL-1R mRNA and Cx36 mRNA expression following Mg 2+-free-induced seizures are different between the neurons cultured for 6 and 17 days in vitro. This is possibly related to the different neuron injury between 6 and 17 days in vitro following seizures.

OBJECTIVETo study the diagnostic value of diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) in cervical spondylotic myelopathy.

METHODSTwenty healthy volunteers and fifty patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy underwent DTI in the Affiliated Hospital of Medical College of Ningbo University from January 2014 to April 2015. Healthy volunteers served as controls. Fifty patients were divided into three groups (group A , B, C) according to cervical MRI scan standard. Group A (17 cases) had only the dura mater spinalis compressed; Group B (23 cases) showed the cervical spinal cord compressed, but no high signal in it; Group C (10 cases) had the cervical spinal cord compressed with high signal in the same level. The average apparent diffusion coefficients(ADC) and fractional anisotropy (FA)values in these examinee were analyzed and all subjects were performed fiber tracking.

RESULTSThere was no statistically significant differences in ADC and FA values in C2/C3, C3/C4, C4/C5, C5/C6, C6/C7 of control group (P>0.05). The average ADC and FA values in control group were (0.875 +/- 0.096) x10(3) mm2/s and 0.720 +/- 0.051, respectively; compared with group A,there was no statistically significant difference; compared with group B and C, there was significant difference; comparison among group A, B, C, there was significant differences.

CONCLUSIONDTI can early and accurately quantify the changes of microstructure in cervical spondylotic myelopathy. Fiber tracking can show the damage range of spinal cord lesions.

Adult ; Case-Control Studies ; Cervical Vertebrae ; diagnostic imaging ; Diffusion Tensor Imaging ; Female ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Radiography ; Spinal Cord Diseases ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Spondylosis ; diagnostic imaging ; Young Adult

Adult ; Chronic Disease ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Occupational Diseases ; Radiation Injuries

OBJECTIVETo explore the clinical effects of Dynesys system for the treatment of multiple segment lumbar degenerative disease.

METHODSA total of 28 patients with lumbar degenerative disc disease treated with Dynesys system from December 2008 to May 2011 were retrospectively reviewed. There were 16 males and 12 females, aged from 27 to 75 years old with an average of 49.1 years. Thirteen patients with multiple segmental lumbar intervertebral disc protrusion, including L3-L5 in 7 cases, L2-L4 in 1 case and L4-S1 in 5 cases. Fifteen patients with multiple segmental lumbar spinal stenosis, including L3-L5 in 10 cases, L4-L5 in 4 cases and L2-S1 in 1 case. The symptoms of lumbago and (or) intermittent claudication in all patients were treated with conservative treatments for more than 6 months and these methods did not work. Visual analogue scale (VAS) was used to analyze the lumbar and leg pain, imaging data were used to measure the intervertebral space height and intervertebral motion of fixed segment and upper adjacent segment, Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) was used to evaluate the clinical effect.

RESULTSAll operations were successful and the patients were followed up from 38 to 65 months with an average 50.6 months. At final follow-up, ODI and VAS of the low back pain and leg pain were (25.10±6.52)%, (1.25±0.70) points and (1.29±0.89) points, respectively and were decreased compared with preoperative (P<0.05). Postoperative intervertebral space heights were increased and intervertebral motions were decreased in fixed segment compared with preoperative (P<0.05). There were no significant differences in intervertebral space heights and intervertebral motions of upper adjacent segment between preoperative and postoperative (P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONDynesys system may obtain long-term clinical curative effect in treating multiple lumbar degenerative disease. It can partially preserve the intervertebral motions of the fixed segments, have little effect on adjacent segments. The long-term clinical effect of Dynesys still need longer time follow-up observation.

Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Intervertebral Disc Degeneration ; pathology ; surgery ; Joint Instability ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Visual Analog Scale

Objective To evaluate the effect of sevoflurane postconditioning on microRNA-133a (miR-133a) expression during myocardial ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) in mice.Methods Thirty adult male C57 mice,weighing 20-30 g,were randomized to 3 groups (n =10 each) using a random number table:control group (group C),I/R group,and sevoflurane postconditioning group (group SP).In I/R and SP groups,hearts from adult male C57 mice were exposed and subjected to 30 min of ischemia and 180 min of reperfusion in anesthetized mice according to the method described by Das et al.In group C,only thoracotomy was performed without ligation of the coronary artery.In group SP,2.4％ sevoflurane was inhaled for 5 min starting from the onset of reperfusion to perform sevoflurane postconditioning.At 180 min of reperfusion,blood samples from the femoral vein were collected for determination of serum lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) and creatine kinase (CK) activities using the colorimetric method.The mice were then sacrificed,and myocardial specimens were obtained for determination of myocardial infarct size,miR133a and caspase-9 mRNA expression (by real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction),and caspase-9 expression (by Western blot).Results Compared with group C,the serum LDH and CK activities and myocardial infarct size were significantly increased in I/R and SP groups,the expression of miR-133a was significantly down-regulated,and the expression of caspase-9 protein and mRNA was significantly up-regulated in group I/R,and the expression of miR-133a and caspase-9 protein and mRNA was significantly up-regulated in group SP (P＜0.05).Compared with group I/R,the serum LDH and.CK activities and myocardial infarct size were significantly decreased,the expression of miR-133a was significantly up-regulated,and the expression of caspase-9 protein and mRNA was significantly downregulated in group SP (P＜0.05).Conclusion The mechanism by which sevoflurane postconditioning inhibits cell apoptosis during myocardial I/R is related to up-regulation of miR-133a expression in mice.