Mortality and Related Risk Factors of Fragile Hip Fracture

Objective

To explore the mortality of patients with fragile hip fractures and assess the death‐associated risk factors.

Methods

A total of 690 patients with osteoporotic hip fractures (age, 50–103 years) that were treated from January 2010 to December 2015 were enrolled and followed‐up in this study and the clinical data were retrospectively collected. Three months, 1 year, and the total mortality were measured. Mortality‐related risk factors were assessed including age, gender, surgery, the duration from injury to operation, pulmonary infection, and the number and type of complications. The mortality of each group was compared by chi‐square test or corrected chi‐square test for univariate analysis, and the factors with statistically significant mortality difference confirmed by univariate analysis were analyzed by binary logistic multivariate analysis.

Results

The 3‐month mortality was 7.69%, the 1‐year mortality was 15.60%, and the total mortality of the follow‐up time was 24.06%. The 1‐year and total mortality during the follow‐up of the patients were higher in the >75‐year‐old group than those in the ≤75‐year‐old group (p = 0.000, respectively); were higher in the male patients than that in the female patients (p = 0.042; p = 0.017, respectively); were significantly lower in the operation group than that in the non‐operation group (p = 0.000, respectively); were significantly lower in the patients that underwent the operation in ≤5 days than the patients that underwent the operation within >5 days (p = 0.008; p = 0.000, respectively); were significantly lower in patients with >2 kinds of combined medical diseases than those with ≥2 kinds of chronic diseases (p = 0.000, respectively); were significantly lower in patients receiving anti‐osteoporosis treatment than in patients not receiving anti‐osteoporosis treatment (p = 0.000, p = 0.002, respectively). Binary logistic regression analysis showed that the independent risk factors affecting mortality included advanced age >75‐years‐old (OR = 5.653, p = 0.000), male (OR = 1.998, p = 0.001), non‐surgical treatment (OR = 9.909, p = 0.000), the number of combined medical diseases ≥2 (OR = 1.522, p = 0.042), and non‐anti‐osteoporosis treatment (OR = 1.796, p = 0.002).

Conclusion

Age, whether or not surgical treatment was performed, the number of medical diseases, and whether or not anti‐osteoporosis treatment was performed were independent risk factors for 3‐month and 1‐year mortality in patients with fragile hip fractures.

[Percutaneous vertebroplasty for the treatment of osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures with spinal origin abdominal pain as the main symptom]

OBJECTIVE

To analyze the efficacy of percutaneous vertebroplasty for osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures with spinal origin abdominal pain as the main symptom.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis was performed on 37 patients with osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures treated from January 2015 to January 2021, all of whom had spin-derived abdominal pain as the main symptom, and were divided into surgery group(21 cases) and conservative group (16 cases) according to different treatment methods. Patients in the surgery group were treated with percutaneous vertebroplasty, including 7 males and 14 females, with an average age of (75.95±6.84) years old and an average course of disease of (5.26±3.79) days. The conservative group received non-surgical treatment, including 5 males and 11 females, with an average age of (75.50±8.07) years old and an average course of disease of (4.28±3.42) days. Two groups of patients with preoperative mainly characterized by abdominal pain, abdominal distension and constipation, have no obvious chest waist back pain symptoms, the thoracolumbar MRI diagnosed as fresh osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures, record its postoperative abdominal pain visual analogue scale (VAS), medical outcomes study short form-36 (SF-36) score, defecation interval after treatment, etc.

RESULTS

Thirty-seven patients were followed up for (14.90±14.11) months in surgery group and( 21.42±17.53) months in conservative group. Compared with before treatment, the VAS of surgery group at each time period after treatment, VAS of conservative group at 1 month after treatment and SF-36 score between two groups at 3 months after treatment were all improved(P<0.05), while VAS of conservative group at 3 days after treatment showed no statistically significant difference(P>0.05). Compared between two groups, there were no significant differences in VAS and SF-36 scores at 1 day before treatment(P>0.05), but VAS at 3 days after treatment in surgery group, life vitality and social function score at 3 months after treatment, and defecation time after treatment in surgery group were better than those in conservative group(P<0.05). There were no significant differences in other indexes(P>0.05). The incision healing of patients in surgery group was good, and no serious complications occurred in both groups.

CONCLUSION

Percutaneous vertebroplasty is an effective method for the treatment of osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures with spinal origin abdominal pain as the main symptom. Compared with conservative treatment, percutaneous vertebroplasty has more advantages in early relief of abdominal pain and constipation, recovery of vitality and social function.

Acute pancreatitis-induced thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura: A case report

BACKGROUND

Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) is a life-threatening but treatable disorder. Acute pancreatitis is a well-described consequence of TTP, but TTP as a consequence of acute pancreatitis is rare.

CASE SUMMARY

A 32-year-old male developed acute pancreatitis due to a fatty diet and suffered splenectomy 3 years ago due to trauma. From day 4 of his onset of pain the blood examination showed the platelet extremely reduced, bilirubin elevated and creatinine increased. High clinical suspicion of TTP was made and prompt initiation of plasma exchange was given followed intravenous drip methylprednisolone. After 7 sessions of plasm exchange and the laboratory parameters were back to normal and the patient was discharged from the hospital on the 13th day of admission.

CONCLUSION

Patients develop acute pancreatitis with no apparent causes for hemolytic anemia and thrombocytopenia, the possibility of TTP should be considered. Treatments for TTP including plasm exchange should be evaluated as soon as a diagnosis is made.

Resveratrol Promotes Osteogenic Differentiation of Bone Marrow-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells Through miR-193a/SIRT7 Axis

Resveratrol (RES) is a novel dietary phenol compound derived from plants and has been studied extensively for its health benefit and medical potential including osteoporosis. The purpose of this study is to investigate the role of resveratrol in osteoporosis in vivo and in vitro and explore the mechanism of osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs. RT-qPCR, ELISA, and Western blot were used to measure the expression level of miR-193a, SIRT7, and osteogenic markers proteins. The interaction between miR-193a and SIRT7 was validated by dual-luciferase reporter assay. Moreover, MTT assay was conducted to detect cell viability. Alizarin red s staining was used to examine bone formation and calcium deposits. The ovariectomized rat model was set up successfully and HE staining was used to examine femoral trabeculae tissue. Our results showed that miR-193a was overexpressed, while SIRT7 was downregulated in osteoporosis. RES suppressed miR-193a to promote osteogenic differentiation. Mechanically, miR-193a targeted and negative regulated SIRT7. Additionally, it was confirmed that SIRT7 promoted osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs through NF-κB signaling pathway. Further study indicated that RES exerted its beneficial function through miR-193a/SIRT7-mediated NF-κB signaling to alleviate osteoporosis in vivo. Our research suggested that the RES-modulated miR-193a inhibition is responsible for the activation of SIRT7/NF-κB signaling pathway in the process of osteogenic differentiation, providing a novel insight into diagnosis and treatment of osteoporosis.

The Role of Type II Fatty Acid Synthesis Enzymes FabZ, ODSCI, and ODSCII in the Pathogenesis of Toxoplasma gondii Infection

Toxoplasma gondii is an obligate intracellular protozoan parasite, which has a worldwide distribution and can infect a large number of warm-blooded animals and humans. T. gondii must colonize and proliferate inside the host cells in order to maintain its own survival by securing essential nutrients for the development of the newly generated tachyzoites. The type II fatty acid biosynthesis pathway (FASII) in the apicoplast is essential for the growth and survival of T. gondii. We investigated whether deletion of genes in the FASII pathway influences the in vitro growth and in vivo virulence of T. gondii. We focused on beta-hydroxyacyl-acyl carrier protein dehydratase (FabZ) and oxidoreductase, short chain dehydrogenase/reductase family proteins ODSCI and ODSCII. We constructed T. gondii strains deficient in FabZ, ODSCI, and ODSCII using CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing technology. The results of immunofluorescence assay, plaque assay, proliferation assay and egress assay showed that in RHΔFabZ strain the apicoplast was partly lost and the growth ability of the parasite in vitro was significantly inhibited, while for RHΔODSCI and RHΔODSCII mutant strains no similar changes were detected. RHΔFabZ exhibited reduced virulence for mice compared with RHΔODSCI and RHΔODSCII, as shown by the improved survival rate. Deletion of FabZ in the PRU strain significantly decreased the brain cyst burden in mice compared with PRUΔODSCI and PRUΔODSCII. Collectively, these findings suggest that FabZ contributes to the growth and virulence of T. gondii, while ODSCI and ODSCII do not contribute to these traits.

[Distribution and drug resistance of pathogens causing periprosthetic infections after hip and knee arthroplasty]

OBJECTIVE

To study the distribution and drug resistance of pathogens causing periprosthetic infections after hip and knee arthroplasty, and to formulate prevention and treatment strategies for drug-resistant bacteria.

METHODS

The data of 146 cases of periprosthetic infection after primary hip and knee arthroplasty from 2010 to 2015 were collected, including 111 cases of periprosthetic infection after hip arthroplasty and 35 cases of periprosthetic infection after knee arthroplasty. The culture positive rate, pathogenic bacteria composition and drug resistance rate were counted over the years, and the change trend of pathogen distribution and drug resistance was analyzed.

RESULTS

One hundredand eight strains of pathogenic bacteria were detected in 146 cases, and the positive rate of culture was 73.97%. Gram positive bacteria accounted for 55.48%, Staphylococcus epidermidis and Staphylococcus aureus accounted for 25.34% and 15.07% respectively. Gram negative bacteria accounted for 13.01%, including Enterobacter cloacae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli. There were 4 cases of Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection and mixed infection. The results of culture over the years showed that the constituent ratio of Gram positive bacteria had an increasing trend, fluctuating from 39.13% to 76.47%. The results of drug sensitivity showed that the pathogens were highly resistant to β-lactams, quinolones, clindamycin and gentamicin, and the drug resistance rate was increasing, but it was still sensitive to rifampicin, nitrofurantoin, tigecycline, linezolid and vancomycin.

CONCLUSION

Gram positive bacteria are the main pathogens of periprosthetic infection, and the proportion is increasing gradually.The pathogens have high resistance to many kinds of antibiotics, and the resistance rate is still increasing. To strengthen the monitoring of the distribution and drug resistance of pathogenic bacteria is helpful to grasp its change trend and formulate targeted prevention and control strategies.

A Novel miRNA-hlo-miR-2-Serves as a Regulatory Factor That Controls Molting Events by Targeting CPR1 in Haemaphysalis longicornis Nymphs

Successful completion of the molting process requires new epidermal growth and ecdysis of the old cuticle in Haemaphysalis longicornis (H. longicornis). MicroRNAs (miRNAs) participate in the development of organisms by inhibiting the expression of their target mRNAs. In this study, a novel tick-specific miRNA was identified and denoted hlo-miR-2 that serves as a novel regulator of molting events in H. longicornis nymphs by targeting a cuticular protein. The full length of this cuticular protein was first obtained and named it CPR1. A qRT-PCR analysis showed that hlo-miR-2 and CPR1 exhibit significant tissue and temporal specificity and that their transcription levels are negatively correlated during the molting process. CPR1, as a direct target of hlo-miR-2, was identified by a luciferase reporter assay in vitro. Agomir treatment indicated that the overexpression of hlo-miR-2 significantly reduced the protein expression level of CPR1, decreased the molting rate and delayed the molting time point in H. longicornis nymphs. RNA interference (RNAi) experiments demonstrated that CPR1 was significantly associated with the molting process in H. longicornis nymphs. Phenotypic rescue experiments convincingly showed that hlo-miR-2 participated in molting events by targeting CPR1 in H. longicornis nymphs. In summary, we present evidence demonstrating that miRNAs constitute a novel important regulator of molting events in addition to hormones. The described functional evidence implicating CPR1 in molting events contributes to an improved understanding of the distinct functions of the CPR family in ticks and will aid the development of a promising application of cuticular protein RNAi in tick control.

Evaluation of immune protection against Toxoplasma gondii infection in mice induced by a multi-antigenic DNA vaccine containing TgGRA24, TgGRA25 and TgMIC6

Toxoplasma gondii infection is prevalent in humans and animals worldwide. In this study, recombinant eukaryotic expression plasmids (pVAX-GRA24, pVAX-GRA25 and pVAX-MIC6) were constructed, and then injected into Kunming mice intramuscularly, as cocktailed plasmids or as single-gene plasmids. We evaluated immune protective responses by detecting the titer of antibodies and cytokine production of IFN-γ, IL-2, IL-4, IL-10, IL-12 and IL-23, the percentages of the subclasses of T lymphocytes, as well as the records of the survival time and cyst decrement in the brain of the mouse model after challenge with the T. gondii RH and Pru strains, respectively. Compared with the control groups, antibody and cytokine production were significantly increased, while the survival times of mice in all immunized groups were also prolonged, and the number of T. gondii cysts in their brains were decreased significantly (29.03% for pVAX-GRA24; 40.88% for pVAX-GRA25; 37.70% for pVAX-MIC6; 48.06% for pVAX-GRA24 + pVAX-GRA25; and 55.37% for pVAX-GRA24 + pVAX-GRA25 + pVAX-MIC6). The mouse group immunized with the three-gene cocktail (TgGRA24 + TgGRA25 + TgMIC6) had better performance in each detection index than the mouse groups immunized with the two-gene cocktail of TgGRA24 + TgGRA25, which was better than that in the group immunized with the single gene vaccine of TgGRA24, TgMIC6 or TgGRA25. In conclusion, TgGRA24 or TgGRA25 may be good vaccine candidates against T. gondii infection, but the three-gene cocktail of TgGRA24, TgMIC6 and TgGRA25 may induce the strongest protective immunity. Further studies of multi-antigenic DNA vaccines or cocktailed vaccines against T. gondii infection are necessary.

[Clinical analysis of 8 cases with anti-GQ1b antibody syndrome]

Objective: To investigate the clinical characterization, treatment and prognosis of anti-GQ1b antibody syndrome. Methods: The clinical data of 8 patients with positive serum anti-GQ1b antibody from the Department of Neurology of Nanjing Brain Hospital between June 2016 and July 2018 were analyzed retrospectively. Their serums were tested by immunoblotting. Relevant literatures were reviewed to investigate possible pathogenesis. Results: Of the 8 cases, 4 cases were male, 4 cases were female; their age ranged from 16 to 76 (47±21) years old. Seven of them were with acute onset, the time course of the disease ranged from 2 to 15 (7±4) days. Six cases had a history of influenza prior to the onset of the presenting symptoms. In terms of the clinical manifestations of the eight patients, two were affected with Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS), two with Cavernous sinus syndrome, one with Miller Fisher syndrome, one with both GBS and spinal cord demyelination, one with Bulbar paralysis, and one with chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP). The anti-GQ1b antibody IgG in serum was positive in 6 patients, two of whom were combined with positive IgG of anti-GD1b antibody in serum. The anti-GQ1b antibody IgM in serum was positive in 1 patient, and the anti-GQ1b antibody IgM and anti-GT1b antibody IgM in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) were both positive in the other patient. In terms of the treatment, 3 patients (3/8) received vitamin B treatment only, 2 patients (2/8) received steroid plus vitamin B treatment, 2 patients (2/8) received intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) plus vitamin B treatment, and 1 patient (1/8) received steroid plus IVIG treatment. During the 8-33 months' follow-up after discharge, 6 patients were significantly improved in their symptoms, one with mild diplopia, one with limbs weakness, numbness and difficulty in walking. The symptoms of one patient (case 3) fluctuated twice and recovered again after treatment. Conclusions: The disease spectrum of anti-GQ1b antibodies syndrome is broad, and main symptom is ophtalmoplegia. Immunotherapy with IVIG and steroid would be beneficial to prognosis.

[Quantitative EEG and event-related potential P300 analysis oxiracetam injection curative effect in the treatment of delayed encephalopathy after acutecarbon monoxide poisoning]

Objective: oevaluateclinical curative effect of oxiracetam injection in the treatment of delayed encephalopathy after acute carbon monoxide poisoning (DEACMP) . Methods: Methods 52 patients with DEACMP were randomly divided into the observation group and the control group, 27 cases in the observation group and 25 cases in the control group. The 2 groups were adopted the treatment to improve the cerebral microcirculation and other symptomatic, the observation group on the basis of treatment for the treatment of oxiracetam Injection. Quantitative electroencephalogram (QEEG) and event-related potential P300 were used to evaluate the therapeutic effects of the 2 groups before and after treatment. Results: After treatment, QEEG value and event related potential P300 in observation group were decreased with statistically significant, respectively (P<0.05) , compared with the control group after treatment, the observation group excepted the occipital lobe, left parietal lobe, left around central and other indicators, QEEG and P300 oflatent period was shortened while the bank widens with statistical significance (P<0.05) . Conclusion: Olathe injection of DEACMP patients recovery have certain curative effect.

Label-free identification of the microstructure of rat spinal cords based on nonlinear optical microscopy

The spinal cord is a vital link between the brain and the body and mainly comprises neurons, glial cells and nerve fibres. In this work, nonlinear optical (NLO) microscopy based on intrinsic tissue properties was employed to label-freely analyze the cells and matrix in spinal cords at a molecular level. The high-resolution and high-contrast NLO images of unstained spinal cords demonstrate that NLO microscopy has the ability to show the microstructure of white and grey matter including ventral horn, intermediate area, dorsal horns, ventral column, lateral column and dorsal column. Neurons with various sizes were identified in grey matter by dark spots of nonfluorescent nuclei encircled by cytoplasm-emitting two-photon excited fluorescence signals. Nerve fibres and neuroglias were observed in white matter. Besides, the spinal arteries were clearly presented by NLO microscopy. Using spectral and morphological information, this technique was proved to be an effective tool for label-freely imaging spinal cord tissues, based on endogenous signals in biological tissue. With future development, we foresee promising applications of the NLO technique for in vivo, real-time assessment of spinal cord diseases or injures.

MIC16 gene represents a potential novel genetic marker for population genetic studies of Toxoplasma gondii

Background

The zoonotic agent Toxoplasma gondii is distributed world-wide, and can infect a broad range of hosts including humans. Microneme protein 16 of T. gondii (TgMIC16) is responsible for binding to aldolase, and is associated with rhomboid cleavage and presence of trafficking signals during invasion. However, little is known of the TgMIC16 sequence diversity among T. gondii isolates from different hosts and geographical locations.

Results

In this study, we examined sequence variation in MIC16 gene among T. gondii isolates from different hosts and geographical regions. The entire genomic region of the MIC16 gene was amplified and sequenced, and phylogenetic relationship was reconstructed using Bayesian inference (BI) and maximum parsimony (MP) based on the MIC16 gene sequences. The results of sequence alignments showed two lengths of the sequence of MIC16 gene among all the examined 12 T. gondii strains: 4391 bp for strains TgCatBr5 and MAS, and 4394 bp for strains RH, TgPLH, GT1, PRU, QHO, PTG, PYS, GJS, CTG and TgToucan. Their A+T content ranged from 50.30 to 50.59 %. A total of 107 variable nucleotide positions (0.1–0.9 %) were identified, including 29 variations in 10 exons and 78 variations in 9 introns. Phylogenetic analysis of MIC16 sequences showed that typical genotypes (Type I, II and III) were able to be grouped into their respective genotypes. Moreover, the three major clonal lineages (Type I, II and III) can be differentiated by PCR-RFLP using restriction enzyme Pst I.

Conclusions

Phylogenetic analysis and PCR-RFLP of the MIC16 locus among T. gondii isolates from different hosts and geographical regions allowed the differentiation of three major clonal lineages (Type I, II and III) into their respective genotypes, suggesting that MIC16 gene may provide a novel potential genetic marker for population genetic studies of T. gondii isolates.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12866-016-0726-3) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Correlation between genetic susceptibility of tuberculosis and macrophage migration inhibitory factor

This paper aims to study the relationship between genetic susceptibility of tuberculosis and macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) and provide theoretical basis and foundation for further studies on pathogenesis and treatment of tuberculosis. Enzyme Linked Immuno Sorbent Assay (ELISA) was applied to detect the difference of MIF protein expression level in peripheral serum of the test subjects, and analyze the difference of MIF protein expression levels of different genotypes and alleles at -794CATT locus and -173G/C locus. The results showed that MIF protein expression level in serum of patients in the tuberculosis group was higher than that of the healthy control group (p < 0.05). The MIF protein expression level of genotype (5/5+5/6+6/6) and (7/X+8/X) at -794CATT locus of the tuberculosis group was higher than that of the healthy control group (p < 0.05), and MIF protein expression level of genotype GG and (GC+CC) at -173G/C locus of the tuberculosis group was higher than that of the healthy control group (p < 0.05). Therefore, macrophage migration inhibitory factor is an important cell factor which plays a regulating role in the immune system, as it can inhibit macrophage migration and promote the gathering, infiltration and proliferation of macrophages at inflammatory sites. Furthermore, it can secrete some cell factors which play a central role in immunological regulation.

Co-administration of interleukins 7 and 15 with DNA vaccine improves protective immunity against Toxoplasma gondii

Toxoplasma gondii is an obligatory intracellular parasite, which can infect all warm-blooded animals including humans. Cytokines, including IL-15 and IL-7, play a critical role in the regulation of the homeostasis of naive and memory T cells. Co-administration the DNA vaccine with cytokines may improve its efficacy. IL-7 and IL-15 from splenic tissues of Kunming mice were cloned, and eukaryotic plasmid pVAX-IL-7-IL-15 was constructed. Kunming mice were administrated with DNA vaccine expressing T. gondii calcium-dependent protein kinase 1 (TgCDPK1), pVAX-CDPK1, in the presence or absence of IL-7 and IL-15 plasmids (pVAX-IL-7-IL-15), immune responses were analyzed including lymphoproliferative assay, cytokine and serum antibody measurements, flow cytometric surface markers on lymphocytes, and thus protective immunity against acute and chronic T. gondii infection was estimated. Mice injected with pVAX-CDPK1 supplemented with pVAX-IL-7-IL-15 showed higher Toxoplasma-specific IgG2a titers, Th1 responses associated with the production of IFN-γ, IL-2 as well as cell-mediated cytotoxic activity where stronger frequencies of IFN-γ secreting CD8+ and CD4+ T cells (CD8+/CD4+ IFN-γ+ T cells) compared to controls. Co-administration of pVAX-IL-7-IL-15 and pVAX-CDPK1 significantly (P < 0.05) increased survival time (18.07 ± 5.43 days) compared with pVAX-CDPK1 (14.13 ± 3.85 days) or pVAX-IL-7-IL-15 (11.73 ± 1.83 days) alone, and pVAX-IL-7-IL-15 + pVAX-CDPK1 significantly reduced the number of brain cysts (73.5%) in contrast to pVAX-CDPK1 (46.0%) or pVAX-IL-7-IL-15 alone (45.0%). Our results indicate that supplementation of DNA vaccine with IL-7 and IL-15 would facilitate specific humoral and cellular immune responses elicited by DNA vaccine against acute and chronic T. gondii infection in mice.

Dormancy and germination: How does the crop seed decide?

Whether seeds germinate or maintain dormancy is decided upon through very intricate physiological processes. Correct timing of these processes is most important for the plants life cycle. If moist conditions are encountered, a low dormancy level causes pre-harvest sprouting in various crop species, such as wheat, corn and rice, this decreases crop yield and negatively impacts downstream industrial processing. In contrast, a deep level of seed dormancy prevents normal germination even under favourable conditions, resulting in a low emergence rate during agricultural production. Therefore, an optimal seed dormancy level is valuable for modern mechanised agricultural systems. Over the past several years, numerous studies have demonstrated that diverse endogenous and environmental factors regulate the balance between dormancy and germination, such as light, temperature, water status and bacteria in soil, and phytohormones such as ABA (abscisic acid) and GA (gibberellic acid). In this updated review, we highlight recent advances regarding the molecular mechanisms underlying regulation of seed dormancy and germination processes, including the external environmental and internal hormonal cues, and primarily focusing on the staple crop species. Furthermore, future challenges and research directions for developing a full understanding of crop seed dormancy and germination are also discussed.

Differentiating the extent of cartilage repair in rabbit ears using nonlinear optical microscopy

Nonlinear optical microscopy (NLOM) was used as a noninvasive and label-free tool to detect and quantify the extent of the cartilage recovery. Two cartilage injury models were established in the outer ears of rabbits that created a different extent of cartilage recovery based on the presence or absence of the perichondrium. High-resolution NLOM images were used to measure cartilage repair, specifically through spectral analysis and image texture. In contrast to a wound lacking a perichondrium, wounds with intact perichondria demonstrated significantly larger TPEF signals from cells and matrix, coarser texture indicating the more deposition of type I collagen. Spectral analysis of cells and matrix can reveal the matrix properties and cell growth. In addition, texture analysis of NLOM images showed significant differences in the distribution of cells and matrix of repaired tissues with or without perichondrium. Specifically, the decay length of autocorrelation coefficient based on TPEF images is 11.2 ± 1.1 in Wound 2 (with perichondrium) and 7.5 ± 2.0 in Wound 1 (without perichondrium), indicating coarser image texture and faster growth of cells in repaired tissues with perichondrium (p < 0.05). Moreover, the decay length of autocorrelation coefficient based on collagen SHG images also showed significant difference between Wound 2 and 1 (16.2 ± 1.2 vs. 12.2 ± 2.1, p < 0.05), indicating coarser image texture and faster deposition of collagen in repaired tissues with perichondrium (Wound 2). These findings suggest that NLOM is an ideal tool for studying cartilage repair, with potential applications in clinical medicine. NLOM can capture macromolecular details and distinguish between different extents of cartilage repair without the need for labelling agents.

Beclin-1-mediated autophagy protects spinal cord neurons against mechanical injury-induced apoptosis

Apoptosis has been widely reported to be involved in the pathogenesis associated with spinal cord injury (SCI). Recently, autophagy has also been implicated in various neuronal damage models. However, the role of autophagy in SCI is still controversial and its interrelationship with apoptosis remains unclear. Here, we used an in vitro SCI model to observe a time-dependent induction of autophagy and apoptosis. Mechanical injury induced autophagy markers such as LC3 lipidation, LC3II/LC3I conversion, and Beclin-1 expression. Injured neurons showed decreased cell viability and increased apoptosis. To elucidate the effect of autophagy on apoptosis, the mechanically-injured neurons were treated with the mTOR inhibitor rapamycin and 3-methyl adenine (3-MA), which are known to regulate autophagy positively and negatively, respectively. Rapamycin-treated neurons showed the highest level of cell viability and lowest level of apoptosis among the injured neurons and those treated with 3-MA showed the reciprocal effect. Notably, rapamycin-treated neurons exhibited slightly reduced Bax expression and significantly increased Bcl-2 expression. Furthermore, by plasmid transfection, we showed that Beclin-1-overexpressing neuronal cells responded to mechanical injury with greater LC3II/LC3I conversion and cell viability, lower levels of apoptosis, higher Bcl-2 expression, and unaltered Bax expression as compared to vector control cells. Beclin-1-knockdown neurons showed almost the opposite effects. Taken together, our results suggest that autophagy may serve as a protection against apoptosis in mechanically-injured spinal cord neurons. Targeting mTOR and/or enhancing Beclin-1 expression might be alternative therapeutic strategies for SCI.

Neuroprotective effects of autophagy induced by rapamycin in rat acute spinal cord injury model

BACKGROUND/AIMS

To explore the effects of rapamycin-induced autophagy on apoptosis in a rat model of acute spinal cord injury (SCI), and to explore the effect of rapamycin on apoptosis in primary spinal cord cell culture.

METHODS

SCI was induced at T10 in female adult Sprague-Dawley rats. After injury was induced, the rats were injected with rapamycin and/or methylprednisolone and were sacrificed at various days after injury. Apoptosis and autophagy were examined with TUNEL staining and electron microscopy. Hind limb function was assessed by the Gale scale.

RESULTS

The expression of the apoptosis-related protein caspase-3 did not significantly increase until 21 days following injury, while increases in LC3II and LC3I began 10 days after injury, but then declined. TUNEL staining and electron microscopy confirmed that following injury autophagy occurred before apoptosis, but by 14 days after the injury, the level of autophagy had decreased significantly while the level of apoptosis showed a continued increase. Following treatment with rapamycin, apoptosis was significantly higher than in the vehicle control group, but significantly lower than in the sham-operated group, showing a protective effect of rapamycin. Gale scale grades in rats treated with rapamycin were significantly higher compared with the vehicle control group, suggesting a functional effect of rapamycin-induced inhibition of apoptosis.

CONCLUSIONS

The results indicate that rapamycin significantly improved the prognosis of acute SCI in rats by inhibiting cell apoptosis. Rapamycin might be useful as a therapeutic agent for acute SCI.

Photosynthesis, water use efficiency and stable carbon isotope composition are associated with anatomical properties of leaf and xylem in six poplar species

Although fast-growing Populus species consume a large amount of water for biomass production, there are considerable variations in water use efficiency (WUE) across different poplar species. To compare differences in growth, WUE and anatomical properties of leaf and xylem and to examine the relationship between photosynthesis/WUE and anatomical properties of leaf and xylem, cuttings of six poplar species were grown in a botanical garden. The growth performance, photosynthesis, intrinsic WUE (WUE(i) ), stable carbon isotope composition (δ(13) C) and anatomical properties of leaf and xylem were analysed in these poplar plants. Significant differences were found in growth, photosynthesis, WUE(i) and anatomical properties among the examined species. Populus cathayana was the clone with the fastest growth and the lowest WUE(i) /δ(13) C, whereas P. × euramericana had a considerable growth increment and the highest WUE(i) /δ(13) C. Among the analysed poplar species, the highest total stomatal density in P. cathayana was correlated with its highest stomatal conductance (g(s) ) and lowest WUE(i) /δ(13) C. Moreover, significant correlations were observed between WUE(i) and abaxial stomatal density and stem vessel lumen area. These data suggest that photosynthesis, WUE(i) and δ(13) C are associated with leaf and xylem anatomy and there are tradeoffs between growth and WUE(i) . It is anticipated that some poplar species, e.g. P. × euramericana, are better candidates for water-limited regions and others, e.g. P. cathayana, may be better for water-abundant areas.

Maximum thickness of subarachnoid blood is associated with mortality in patients with traumatic subarachnoid haemorrhage

This study was designed to evaluate whether the maximum thickness of subarachnoid blood is an independent prognostic marker of mortality after traumatic subarachnoid haemorrhage. Multivariate analysis showed the maximum thickness of subarachnoid blood was an independent predictor of death versus survival 1 month after injury and was inversely associated with Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed that maximum thickness of subarachnoid blood > 6.7 mm immediately after non-surgical resuscitation predicted 1-month mortality with 83.9% sensitivity and 67.1% specificity; its predictive value was similar to that of the GCS score. Addition of maximum thickness of subarachnoid blood to the GCS score did not significantly improve predictive performance. Hence, the maximum thickness of subarachnoid blood is a new independent prognostic marker of mortality and might become an additional, valuable tool for risk stratification and decision making in the acute phase of traumatic subarachnoid haemorrhage.

Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells expressing the bFGF transgene promote axon regeneration and functional recovery after spinal cord injury in rats

OBJECTIVE

To investigate neurological effects of transplanting bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) transfected with the basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) gene in spinal cord-injured rats.

METHODS

Ninety-six male adult Sprague-Dawley rats were randomized into four groups: (1) pcDNA3.1-bFGF group; (2) pcDNA3.1 group; (3) BMSCs group; and (4) vehicle control (DMEM) group. After the rat model of acute spinal cord injury (SCI) was established, 1×10(6) BMSCs or cells transfected with pcDNA3.1-bFGF or pcDNA3.1 were injected into rats of groups 1-3. At days 1, 7, 14, and 21 after injection, the Basso-Beattie-Bresnahan (BBB) locomotor rating scale was used to evaluate recovery of motor function. Expression changes of bFGF, myelin basic protein (MBP), and NF200 were examined by immunohistochemistry.

RESULTS

The BBB score of DMEM group was significantly lower than those of groups 1-3 (P<0.05), but the score of pcDNA3.1-bFGF group was significantly higher than that of BMSCs group or pcDNA3.1 group at day 14 or 21 after injection (P<0.01). The number of bFGF-positive neurons in rats of pcDNA3.1-bFGF group was significantly higher than those of groups 1-3 at any time point (P<0.05). The optical density values of NF200-positive neurons and MBP-positive MBP axons in rats of pcDNA3.1-bFGF group were significantly higher than those of groups 1-3 at day 7 or 14 after injection (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

bFGF gene-modified BMSCs not only effectively promoted axonal outgrowth but also enhanced recovery of neurological function after SCI in rats, and may be a good candidate to evaluate gene therapy of SCI in man.

Association of Interleukin-11 with Mortality in Patients with Spontaneous Basal Ganglia Haemorrhage

This study evaluated interleukin (IL)-11 as an independent prognostic marker of mortality following intracerebral haemorrhage (ICH). Plasma IL-11 levels in patients with ICH were significantly higher than in healthy controls. Multivariate analysis indicated that plasma IL-11 level was an independent predictor for mortality within 1 week of ICH onset and was positively associated with haematoma volume. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis identified that a baseline plasma IL-11 level > 20.9 pg/ml predicted mortality within 1 week of ICH onset with 81.2% sensitivity and 74.1% specificity. The area under the curve for IL-11 level was significantly smaller than that for the Glasgow Coma Scale score, but similar to that for haematoma volume. IL-11 did not, however, significantly improve the predictive value of the Glasgow Coma Scale or haematoma volume. Thus, IL-11 may be considered as a new independent prognostic marker of mortality and an additional valuable tool for risk stratification and decision-making in the acute phase of ICH.

The effect of strontium incorporation in hydroxyapatite on osteoblasts in vitro

The purpose of this study was to test the effects of a series of strontium-substituted HA (Sr-HA) ceramics (0, 1, 5, and 10 mol% Sr substitution) on osteoblasts, thereby demonstrating whether strontium incorporation with HA would favor osteoblast metabolism. Rat primary osteoblasts were cultured with culture media containing ions released from the Sr-HA ceramics as they dissolved. MTT test, alkaline phosphatase activity, osteoblast transcription factor gene (cbfa1) expression and Alizarin Red staining were conducted at different time-points. There is no significant difference in cell proliferation between groups. However, compared with HA group, Sr-HA groups presented significant enhancement with regard to ALP activity, cbfa1 mRNA expression, and mineralization nodules. Among Sr-HA groups, 5 and 10% groups showed much better performances in ALP activity, cbfa1 mRNA expression, and mineralization nodules than 1% group, however, no significant difference was found between 5 and 10% groups. This study has demonstrated that Sr incorporation in HA ceramic enhanced osteoblastic cell differentiation and mineralization. However, further detailed studies are needed to understand the mechanistic effects of this Sr incorporation on osteoblastic cells and the optimal percentage of calcium should be substituted with strontium in HA.

Classification and prediction of outcome in traumatic brain injury based on computed tomographic imaging

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a common and potentially devastating problem. The classification of TBI is necessary for accurate diagnosis and the prediction of outcomes. The increased use of early sedation, intubation and ventilation in more severely injured patients has decreased the value of the Glasgow Coma Scale for the purposes of classification. An alternative is the classification of TBI according to morphological criteria based on computed tomography (CT) investigations. This article reviews the current classification and prediction of outcomes in TBI based on CT imaging. Classifications based on the presence or absence of intracranial local lesions, diffuse injury, signs of subarachnoid or intra-ventricular haemorrhage and fractures or foreign bodies are considered, and their predictive value is discussed. Future studies should address the complicated issue of how optimally to combine CT characteristics for prognostic purposes and how to improve on currently used CT classifications to predict outcomes more accurately.

Shunt implantation in a special sub-group of post-traumatic hydrocephalus--patients have normal intracranial pressure without clinical representations of hydrocephalus

BACKGROUND

Post-traumatic hydrocephalus (PTH) is a frequent complication secondary to traumatic brain injury (TBI) and controversy remains over whether to perform a shunt placement for patients with normal pressure hydrocephalus when the patient is too injured to display symptoms or has atypical symptoms.

METHOD

A hospital-based retrospective study was performed in patients who developed normal pressure hydrocephalus, without atypical symptoms, from January 2004 to June 2007. Information regarding patients' demographics, TBI, hydrocephalus and outcome was collected.

RESULTS

A total of 31 patients were involved in this study. At the 12-month follow-up, 20 patients (64.5%) showed clear improvement. Among the 10 patients who developed PTH after decompressive craniectomy, cranioplasty was performed after shunt implantation and clinical improvement was observed in nine patients. Additionally, in this series, the patients' age and the severity of hydrocephalus, assessed by CT imaging before shunt placement, significantly correlated with improvement.

CONCLUSION

Although the effect was not definitively established, many patients in the sub-group of PTH patients described here would benefit from shunt placement, especially when they simultaneously have large cranial defects after surgical decompression and underwent cranioplasties after shunt placement. Additionally, younger patients and those with less severe hydrocephalus before shunt placement may expect a better outcome after shunt placement.

Contralateral subdural effusion secondary to decompressive craniectomy performed in patients with severe traumatic brain injury: incidence, clinical presentations, treatment and outcome

OBJECTIVE

This study was performed to better understand postoperative contralateral subdural effusion, an uncommon but serious complication secondary to decompressive craniectomy in patients with head trauma.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

Data from medical records of 169 patients who underwent decompressive craniectomy after head trauma between 2003 and 2006 were collected. The data included demographics, clinical presentations, treatment and outcome.

RESULTS

Of the 169 patients, 11 (6.5%) had contralateral subdural effusion. On the average, this complication was found 14 days after decompressive craniectomy. Of the 11 patients, conservative treatment was effective in 7 with a gradual resolution which lasted 52.7 days on average. The effusion in the remaining 4 patients led to progressive deterioration of clinical presentation, and surgical intervention was necessary: subduroperitoneal shunting in 3 cases and burr hole drainage in the remaining 1 case.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings confirmed that postoperative contralateral subdural effusion was not an uncommon complication secondary to decompressive craniectomy. Most contralateral subdural effusions resolved spontaneously after conservative management, but surgical management may be necessary if the patients develop deteriorating clinical manifestations or the subdural effusion has an apparent mass effect.

Osteogenic behavior of alginate encapsulated bone marrow stromal cells: an in vitro study

Sodium alginate is a useful polymer for the encapsulation and immobilization of a variety of cells in tissue engineering because it is biocompatible, biodegradable and easy to process into injectable microbeads. Despite these properties, little is known of the efficacy of calcium cross-linked alginate gel beads as a biodegradable scaffold for osteogenic cell proliferation and differentiation. In this study, we investigated the ability of rabbit derived bone marrow cells (BMCs) to proliferate and differentiate in alginate microbeads and compared them with BMCs cultured in poly-L-lysine (PLL) coated microbeads and on conventional 2D plastic surfaces. Results show that levels of proliferation and differentiation in microbeads and on tissue culture plastics were comparable. Cell proliferation in microbeads however diminished after fortification with a coating layer of PLL. Maximum cell numbers observed were, 3.32 x 10(5) +/- 1.72 x 103; 3.11 x 10(5) +/- 1.52 x 10(3) and 3.28 x 10(5) +/- 1.21 x 10(3 ) for the uncoated, PLL coated and plastic surface groups respectively. Alkaline phosphatase and protein expressions reflected the stage of cell differentiation. We conclude that calcium cross-linked alginate microbeads can act as a scaffold for BMC proliferation and osteogenic differentiation and has potential for use as 3D degradable scaffold.

[Meta-analysis of mesenteric arterial embolism or mesenteric arterial thrombosis]

OBJECTIVE

To summarize the clinical characteristics of mesenteric arterial embolism (MAE) and mesenteric arterial thrombosis (MAT), and to clarify the diagnosis and treatment status of MAE and MAT in China.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis of 111 cases suffering from MAE or MAT was performed. Data of these cases were collected from Chinese Journal Full-text Database from 1994 to 2006.

RESULTS

There were 61 cases (54.9%) with MAE and 50 cases (45.1%) with MAT. Fifty-two patients (46.8%) had arterial fibrillation. Ninety-seven cases (87.4%) were diagnosed by exploratory laparotomy or autopsy, and 14 cases (12.6%) by imageology. Embolism or thrombosis in superior mesenteric artery (SMA) accounted for 92.8%, 4.5% in SMA plus inferior mesenteric artery. 15.2%(14/92) necrosis were located in jejunum or ileum, 39.1%(36/92) in jejunum and ileum, 38.0%(35/92) in jejunum, ileum and colon. Thrombolysis or anticoagulation in artery were operated in 7 cases(6.3%). Extraction of embolism or thrombosis in operation were implemented in 18 cases(16.2%). Intestinal resection were finished in 76 cases(68.5%). Sixty-eight patients (61.3%) were misdiagnosed. Sixty-three cases (60.6%) died.

CONCLUSION

The manifestation of MAE or MAT is quite complicated and changeable, so that many cases are misdiagnosed. The clinic and image characteristics of MAE and MAT have not been well known by doctors.

Investigation of rice transgene flow in compass sectors by using male sterile line as a pollen detector

Rice is the most important staple food in the world. The rapid development of transgenic rice and its future commercialization have raised concerns regarding transgene flow and its potential environmental risk. It is known that rice is a self-pollinated crop; the outcrossing rate between common cultivars is generally less than 1%. In order to improve the detection sensitivity of rice transgene flow, a male sterile (ms) line BoA with a high outcrossing rate was used as a pollen detector in this study. A concentric circle design was adopted, in which the transgenic rice B2 containing bar gene as a pollen donor was planted in the center circle and the recipient BoA was planted in eight compass sectors. The frequency of transgene flow in compass sectors was analyzed by continuous sampling to generate cumulative data. The results of two years with sound reproducibility demonstrated that the rice gene flow was closely associated with the wind direction. According to the mean frequency of transgene flow, the eight sectors can be divided into two groups: a higher frequency group downstream of the prevailing wind (DPW) with a mean frequency ranging from 6.47 to 26.24%, and a lower frequency group lateral to or upstream of the prevailing wind (UPW) with a mean frequency of 0.39 to 3.03%. On the basis of the cumulative data, 90-96% of the cumulative gene flow events occurred in the four DPW sectors, while it was 4-10% in the four UPW sectors. By using these systematic data, simulation models and isograms of transgene flow in the eight compass sectors were calculated and drawn, respectively.

Effects of colon hydrotherapy on liver injury induced by hyperthermia in dogs

AIM: To investigate the effect of colon hydrothe-rapy on the liver injury induced by hyperthermia in dogs.

METHODS: After the dog models of heat stroke were set up, the dogs were randomly divided into two groups, receiving colon hydrotherapy and conventional therapy, respectively. Cooling time as well as serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), malondialdehyde (MDA) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels before heat stroke, 6, 24 and 48 h after heat stroke were determined. The dogs were sacrificed 48 h after heat stroke. The contents of liver MDA and SOD were also measured and pathological changes were observed by light and electron microscopy.

RESULTS: In compared with those in conventional therapy group, the cooling time of dogs in colon hydrotherapy group was decreased (t = 5.39, P < 0.01), accompanied with reduced ALT, AST, MDA and elevated SOD at the 24^th (t = 3.46, P < 0.01; t = 3.74, P < 0.01; t = 2.43, P < 0.05; t = 2.44, P < 0.05) and 48^th (t = 3.33, P < 0.01; t = 2.97, P < 0.05; t = 3.32, P < 0.01; t = 4.34, P < 0.01) after heat stroke. The content of liver MDA was decreased (t = 4.08, P < 0.01) while that of SOD was increased (t = 6.52, P < 0.01) in colon hydrotherapy group. The values of LDH were similar between the two groups (P > 0.05). Light microscopy showed that hepatocellular cholestasis, fatty changes and focal necrosis were lessened, accompanied by lessened congestion of sinus hepaticus and decreased inflammatory cells in colon hydrotherapy group. In addition, ultrastructural observation showed that fusion of mitochondrial cristaes and degranulation of rough endoplasmic reticulum were decreased in colon hydrotherapy group.

CONCLUSION: Colon hydrotherapy is a more rapid cooling technique than conventional therapy, and it can promote the decrease of serum enzymes and relieve the hepatic injury induced by lipid peroxidation and pathological lesion.

In vitro evaluation of alginate encapsulated adipose-tissue stromal cells for use as injectable bone graft substitute

This study aims to investigate the survival and osteogenic behavior of murine-derived adipose-tissue stromal cells (ATSCs) encapsulated in alginate microcapsules thereby instigating further studies in this cell delivery strategy for in vivo osteogenesis. Cell viability was quantified using a tetrazolium-based assay and osteogenic differentiation was evaluated by both alkaline-phosphatase (ALP) histochemistry and osteocalcin mRNA analysis. Following microencapsulation, cell numbers increased from 3.9 x 10(3) on day 1 to 7.8 x 10(3) on day 7 and maintained excellent viability in the course of 21-day culture. ALP was 6.9, 5.5, and 3.2 times higher than monolayer cultures on days 7, 14, and 21, respectively. In addition, osteocalcin mRNA was detectable in encapsulated cultures earlier (day 14) than monolayer cultures. We conclude that alginate microcapsules can act as three-dimensional matrix for ATSC proliferation and has potential for use as injectable, biodegradable scaffold in bone tissue engineering.

Effects of selective brain cooling in patients with severe traumatic brain injury: a preliminary study

We prospectively investigated non-invasive selective brain cooling (SBC) in patients with severe traumatic brain injury. Sixty-six in-patients were randomized into three groups. In one group, brain temperature was maintained at 33 - 35 degrees C by cooling the head and neck (SBC); in a second group, mild systemic hypothermia (MSH; rectal temperature 33 - 35 degrees C) was produced with a cooling blanket; and a control group was not exposed to hypothermia. Natural rewarming began after 3 days. Mean intracranial pressure 24, 48 or 72 h after injury was significantly lower in the SBC group than in the control group. Mean serum superoxide dismutase levels on Days 3 and 7 after injury in the SBC and MSH groups were significantly higher than in the control group. The percentage of patients with a good neurological outcome 2 years after injury was 72.7%, 57.1% and 34.8% in the SBC, MSH and control groups, respectively. Complications were managed without severe sequelae. Non-invasive SBC was safe and effective.

Enlargement of post-traumatic intracerebral haematoma: incidence and time course

We retrospectively assessed the incidence and time course of enlargement in post-traumatic intracerebral haematoma (PTICH). Computed tomography (CT) scans from 165 patients who underwent a scan within 72 h and a repeat scan within 120 h of the onset of trauma were examined. A semi-automated method using region deformation-based segmentation was used to calculate the haematoma volume. The presence of haematoma enlargement was also determined based on a consensus by five observers. Seventy cases (42%) showed enlargement of the haematoma. The frequency of haematoma enlargement decreased as the interval between the onset of trauma and the initial scan increased. The discriminant value of the ratio of the haematoma volume in the second scan to that in the initial scan was ascertained, and the cut-off value for haematoma enlargement was determined to be 1.45. The radiographic criterion for enlargement in PTICH on CT scan was, therefore, defined as a > or = 1.45 times increase in haematoma volume.

A chitosan-arginine conjugate as a novel anticoagulation biomaterial

Chitosan (CS) was modified with arginine using 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl) carbodiimide (EDC) and N-hydroxysuccinimide (NHS) as coupling agents. FTIR and 13C NMR spectra showed that arginine was chemically coupled to CS to form a chitosan-arginine conjugate (CS-ArgC). The substitution degree of arginine in CS estimated from elemental analysis was 20.1%. The circular dichroism spectra indicated that the incorporation of arginine significantly altered the conformation of thrombin; while no obvious variation in the conformation of thrombin was observed with the addition of CS. The anticoagulation activity of glucose aldehyde crosslinked CS-ArgC and CS membranes was evaluated by assaying prothrombin time (PT), thrombin time (TT) and activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT). The APTT of CS-ArgC membrane was prolonged two times as that of CS counterpart, suggesting that the CS-ArgC is a promising candidate as an anticoagulation biomaterial.

Emission of M2X+ cluster ions in thermal ionization mass spectrometry in the presence of graphite

The emission of M2X+ cluster ions in thermal ionization mass spectrometry when graphite is loaded on the heating filaments was studied. The emission model of non-reductive thermal ionization of graphite was preliminarily discussed and factors influencing the thermal emission of M2X+ ions were investigated. The results show that the intensities of M2X+ cluster ions are related to ionic radius and crystal lattice energy, and possibly also to the solvation energies of ions. The intensities of M2Cl+ (M stands for K, Rb, and Cs) cluster ions, the M2Cl+/M+ ratios, and the 37Cl/35Cl ratios determined from M2Cl+ ion measurement usually increase with measurement time. The variation of the 37Cl/35Cl ratios determined from Cs2Cl+ ion measurement is lower than those based on K2Cl+ and Rb2Cl+ ion measurement, indicating the lowest isotopic fractionation.

Microbial dechlorination of three PCB congeners in river sediment

We investigated the potential for the anaerobic degradation of three PCB congeners (2,3,5,6-CB, 2,3,4,5-CB, and 2,3,4,5,6-CB) in sediments collected from five monitoring sites along the Keelung River in northern Taiwan. Optimal conditions for congener dechlorination were 30 degrees C and pH 7.0. Intermediate 2,3,4,5-CB products were identified as 2,3,5-CB, 2,4,5-CB, and 2,5-CB. Intermediate 2,3,4,5,6-CB products were identified as 2,3,5,6-CB, 2,3,6-CB, and 2,5-CB. For 2,3,5,6-CB, intermediate products were identified as 2,3,6-CB and 2,5-CB. Dechlorination rates for PCB congeners were observed as (fastest to slowest): 2, 3, 4-CB > 2, 3, 4, 5-CB > 2, 3, 4, 5, 6-CB > 2, 3, 5, 6-CB > 2, 2', 3, 3', 4, 4'-CB > 2, 2', 4, 4' 6, 6'-CB > 2, 2', 3, 4, 4', 5, 5'-CB > 2, 2', 3, 3', 4, 4', 5, 5'-CB. Rates decreased for mixtures of the eight congeners. Dechlorination rates for the three primary congeners under different reducing conditions occurred in the order of (fastest to slowest): methanogenic condition > sulfate-reducing condition > nitrate-reducing condition. Under methanogenic and sulfate-reducing conditions, dechlorination rates were enhanced by the addition of lactate, pyruvate, or acetate, but delayed by the addition of manganese oxide, or ferric chloride. Under nitrate-reducing condition, dechlorination rates were delayed by the addition of lactate, pyruvate, acetate, manganese oxide or ferric chloride. Treatment with such microbial inhibitors as bromoethanesulfonic acid (BESA) or molybdate revealed that methanogen and sulfate-reducing bacteria were involved in the dechlorination of these three PCB congeners.

[The early protective effects of basic fibroblast growth factor on acute spinal cord injury in rats]

OBJECTIVE

To study the early protective effects of basic fibroblast growth factor(bFGF) on the experimental acute spinal cord injury.

METHODS

Thirty-four SD rats were randomly divided into three groups, and were subjected to contusion of thoracolumbar spinal cord. A thin plastic tube was placed in subarachnoid space below the injury level for perfusion. The bFGF-treated rats were received 20 microliters bFGF(containing bFGF 100 U) at once, 30 min, 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 12, 24 and 48 hours after injury, and an equal volume of normal saline was given to the control group at the same time. The injured spinal cord was detected by morphological observation and biochemical index after injury.

RESULTS

The degree of ionic disorder in bFGF-treated rats was significantly ameliorated and the contents of H2O were also markedly decreased. The morphological finding showed that the damages of gray and white matter in bFGF-treated rats were slighter than those of saline-treated rats.

CONCLUSION

bFGF has some protective effects on the secondary lesion of early spinal cord injury in rats.

The usefulness of technetium-99m-MIBI scintimammography in diagnosis of breast cancer: using surgical histopathologic diagnosis as the gold standard

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of 99mTc-MIBI scintinammography for the detection of breast cancer.

METHODS

Sixty-one consecutive patients referred for a suspicions breast lesion on clinical examination were studied with 99mTc-MIBI scintimammography. There were 60 female patients and 1 male patient with 63 pulpable breast abnormalities. Each patient received 20mCi 99mTc-MIBI intravenously. Ten and 120 minutes postinjection, three planar views, right and left lateral prone and anterior supine thoracic views, were obtained. The patient underwent surgery within one week and the final diagnostic results (histopathology) were obtained.

RESULTS

Thirty-two of 63 abnormalities of breast were pathologically confirmed breast cancer, and 31 were benign lesions. In the group of patients studied, the sensitivity of 99mTc-MIBI scintimammography was 78.1% (25 true-positive, 7 false-negative) and the specificity was 90.3% (28 true-negative, 3 false positive). The positive predictive value was 89.3%, the negative predictive value was 80.0%, the positive likelihood ratio was 8.1, the negative likelihood ratio was 0.2.

CONCLUSION

This study showed the high diagnostic accuracy of 99mTc-MIBI scintimammography in detecting breast cancer. 99mTc-MIBI scintimammography can be used as an assistant method to non-invasively assess breast cancer invasiveness before surgery.

Strecker stents in the femoropopliteal arteries: value of duplex ultrasonography in restenosis assessment

PURPOSE

Experience with Strecker stent implantation in the femoropopliteal arteries has been described; however, few of the reports were prospective studies, and none routinely used site-specific assessment methods for follow-up evaluation of stent patency. The purpose of this study was to evaluate 1-year Strecker stent patency using duplex ultrasound imaging to obtain a more precise delineation of stent restenosis than is possible with other noninvasive assessment modalities.

METHODS

A prospective study involved 52 patients with 57 sites treated by angioplasty and Strecker stent deployment in the femoropopliteal arteries. Assessment included clinical evaluation; ankle-brachial index (ABI) measurements at rest and after exercise; and duplex ultrasound imaging preprocedurally and at 3 and 12 months after the intervention.

RESULTS

All 74 stents were deployed successfully in the 35 occluded arteries and 22 stenotic lesions. Acute reocclusion occurred in 6 (10%). At 3 months, primary patency was 81% and secondary patency 84%. Mean ( +/- SD) ABIs increased from 0.64 +/- 0.15 at rest and 0.32 +/- 0.17 after exercise to 0.89 +/- 0.14 and 0.68 +/- 0.23, respectively (p < 0.0001). At 12 months, primary patency was 79%, and secondary patency was 82%. Mean ABIs were 0.82 +/- 0.15 at rest and 0.52 +/- 0.22 after exercise at 12 months (p < 0.0002 compared with preprocedural ABIs). Analysis of the length of lesion treated showed betted results with shorter diseased segments, but this was not statistically significant (p > 0.05). Better outcomes were also obtained when one stent was used rather than two stents at 12 months (p = 0.15), but there was no difference at 3 months (p = 0.3). Thirty-four percent of the stented segments progressed from < 20% stenosis at 3 months to > 50% stenosis at 12 months. Overall, 19 (43%) of 44 segments progressed from < 50% stenosis at 3 months to a > 50% stenosis at 12 months. Restenosis seen at 3 months generally was in the native artery just proximal or distal to the stent, but at 12 months, restenosis was mainly inside the stent.

CONCLUSIONS

Strecker stents at 1-year demonstrated satisfactory patency in the femoropopliteal arteries when deployed for angioplasty salvage or recurrent disease. The 3- and 12-month evaluations obtained with duplex ultrasound provided site-specific hemodynamic data for stent assessment. Resting ankle pressures were a poor index of restenosis.

Human gastric cathepsin E gene. Multiple transcripts result from alternative polyadenylation of the primary transcripts of a single gene locus at 1q31-q32

Genomic clones containing portions of the human cathepsin E (CTSE) gene were isolated from cosmid and lambda recombinant libraries. The regions corresponding to coding, the 5'- and 3'-untranslated, and the exon-intron boundaries of the CTSE gene were identified by sequence and hybridization analysis. The size and placement of the nine exons found in the 17.5-kilobase CTSE gene was highly conserved relative to other aspartic proteinases and provided additional evidence that these proteinases are derived from a common ancestral gene. Segregation and linkage analysis of two informative restriction fragment length polymorphisms (MspI and DraI) indicated that there is a single human CTSE locus located at chromosome 1q31-q32 which is closely linked to the renin gene. Three CTSE transcripts (3.6, 2.6, and 2.1 kilobases) were identified in gastric fundic and antral mucosa poly (A+) RNA, and these appeared identical in size and relative abundance to those contained in poly(A+) RNA from cultured gastric adenocarcinoma cell lines containing CTSE. Sequence analysis of cDNA clones and comparison with the 3'-flanking untranslated region in genomic clones provided evidence that alternative polyadenylation of the primary transcript resulted in the 2.6- and 2.1-kilobase transcripts which constituted greater than 95% of CTSE transcripts found in the stomach.

Relationship between acupuncture-induced immunity and the regulation of central neurotransmitters in the rabbit: VI. The influence of NDR stimulation on acupuncture regulation of immune function in rabbit

T-lymphocyte transformation ability decreased and the function of the B-lymphocyte and mononuclear leucocyte/macrophage system increased when the activity of central serotonergic neurons was enhanced by the stimulation of nucleus dorsal raphe (NDR). These changes induced by NDR stimulation were not effected by electroacupuncture (EA) when EA was performed on the background of NDR stimulation. By comparing these results with the previous resultant that immunoreactions were affected by locus coeruleus (LC) stimulation and LC stimulation plus EA, some regularity had been discovered. So, a hypothesis was put forward by us that the catecholaminergic system plays a main role in EA regulation of cellular immunity while the serotonergic system plays such a role in EA regulation of humoral immunity.