[Correlation between balloon volume and Meckel's cave size and its influence of percutaneous microballoon compression for trigeminal neuralgia]

Objective: To investigate the correlation between balloon volume and Meckel's cave size during percutaneous puncture microballoon compression (PMC) for trigeminal neuralgia and the influence of the compression coefficient (the ratio of balloon volume/Meckel's cave size) on the prognosis. Methods: Seventy-two patients (28 males and 44 females) aged (62±11) years who underwent PMC under general anesthesia for trigeminal neuralgia in the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from February 2018 to October 2020 were retrospectively collected. All patients underwent preoperative cranial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to measure Meckel's cave size, intraoperative balloon volume was recorded, and the compression coefficient was calculated. Follow-up visits were performed preoperatively (T₀) and 1 d (T₁), 1 month (T₂), 3 months (T₃), and 6 months (T₄) postoperatively, either in the outpatient clinic or by telephone, and the Barrow Neurological Institute pain scale (BNI-P) score, the Barrow Neurological Institute facial numbness (BNI-N) score and the occurrence of complications were recorded and compared at each time point. Patients were divided into 3 groups according to different prognoses: patients in group A (n=48) were with no recurrence of pain and mild facial numbness, patients in group B (n=19) were with no recurrence of pain but severe facial numbness, while those in group C (n=5) had recurrence of pain. The differences in balloon volume, Meckel's cave size, and compression coefficient were compared among the three groups, and the correlation between balloon volume and Meckel's cave size in each group was analyzed by Pearson correlation. Results: The effective rate of PMC for trigeminal neuralgia was 93.1% (67/72). At time points from T₀ to T₄, patients had BNI-P scores [M (Q₁, Q₃)] of 4.5 (4.0, 5.0), 1.0 (1.0, 1.0), 1.0 (1.0, 1.0), 1.0 (1.0, 1.0) and 1.0 (1.0, 1.0), and BNI-N scores [M (Q₁, Q₃)] of 1.0 (1.0, 1.0), 4.0 (3.0, 4.0), 3.0 (3.0, 4.0), 3.0 (2.0, 4.0) and 2.0 (2.0, 3.0), respectively. Compared with those at T₀, patients had lower BNI-P scores and higher BNI-N scores from T₁ to T₄ (all P<0.05). In all patients, group A, group B, and group C, the balloon volume was (0.65±0.15), (0.67±0.15), (0.59±0.15) and (0.67±0.17) cm³, respectively, with no statistically significant difference (P>0.05), while the Meckel's cave size was (0.42±0.12), (0.44±0.11), (0.32±0.07), and (0.57±0.11) cm³, with a statistically significant difference (P<0.001). The balloon volumes and Meckel's cave sizes were all linearly and positively correlated (r=0.852, 0.924, 0.937 and 0.969, all P<0.05). The compression coefficient in group A, B and C was (1.54±0.14), (1.84±0.18) and (1.18±0.10), respectively, with a statistically significant difference (P<0.001). There were no serious intraoperative complications such as death, diplopia, arteriovenous fistula, cerebrospinal fluid leak, and subarachnoid hemorrhage. Conclusions: Intraoperative balloon volume during PMC for trigeminal neuralgia is linearly and positively correlated with the volume of the patient's Meckel's cave. The compression coefficient varies among patients with different prognoses and the compression coefficient may be a factor affecting the patient's prognosis.

[Research advances of adipose stem cell matrix gel in promoting wound healing]

In recent years, with the problem of aging population in China being prominant, the number of patients with chronic wounds such as diabetic foot, pressure ulcer, and vascular ulcer is increasing. Those diseases seriously affect the life quality of patients and increase the economy and care burden of the patients' family, which have been one of the most urgent clinical problems. Many researches have confirmed that adipose stem cells can effectively promote wound healing, while exogenous protease is needed, and there are ethical and many other problems, which limit the clinical application of adipose stem cells. Adipose stem cell matrix gel is a gel-like mixture of biologically active extracellular matrix and stromal vascular fragment obtained from adipose tissue by the principle of fluid whirlpool and flocculation precipitation. It contains rich adipose stem cells, hematopoietic stem cells, endothelial progenitor cells, and macrophages, etc. The preparation method of adipose stem cell matrix gel is simple and the preparation time is short, which is convenient for clinical application. Many studies at home and abroad showed that adipose stem cell matrix gel can effectively promote wound healing by regulating inflammatory reaction, promoting microvascular reconstruction and collagen synthesis. Therefore, this paper summarized the preparation of adipose stem cell matrix gel, the mechanism and problems of the matrix gel in promoting wound repair, in order to provide new methods and ideas for the treatment of chronic refractory wounds in clinic.

Liraglutide alleviates vascular injury in diabetic rabbits with lower limb vascular stenosis through regulation of RCAN1

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the present study is to explore the possible mechanism that may have ameliorative effect of liraglutide (Lira) on diabetic lower extremity vascular stenosis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A diabetic rabbit model of lower extremity stenosis was established and treated with Lira. The intimal hyperplasia of the lower extremity and the oxidative stress level of vascular tissue were observed and examined. Vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) induced by high glucose (HG) were treated with Lira, and RCAN1 overexpressing plasmid was constructed to transfect VCMCs.

RESULTS

Lira treatment showed its association in significantly improving the hyperplasia of the intima, the level of oxidative stress, and the level of homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) in rabbits induced by diabetes and lower limb stenosis. In addition, Lira treatment reduced the elevated expression of RCAN1 in vascular tissues induced by diabetes. Not only could Lira treatment inhibit the increase of ROS level, proliferation and migration of VSMCs induced by HG, but reduce the expression of PCNA, MMP-9 and collagen I induced by HG. Overexpression of RCAN1 in VSMCs counteracted the effect of Lira, suggesting that Lira affected the proliferation and migration of VSMCs by regulating RCAN1.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings have important implications for Lira to exert beneficial outcomes in reducing excessive neointimal formation after lower extremity vascular injury in diabetic rabbits via the regulation of RCAN1.

[The reference intervals of thyroid functional indicators in pregnant population in Xi'an]

To establish reference intervals for thyroid functional indicators in early (T1), mid-term (T2), and late stage (T3) pregnancy in a population of women in Northwestern China. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 620 pregnant women. Subjects were recruited through a questionnaire where apparently healthy women were selected. Serum thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH3), total triiodothyronine (TT3), total thyroid hormone (TT4), free triiodothyronine (FT3), and free thyroid hormone (FT4) were detected using the Beckman Unicel DXI 800 automatic chemiluminescence analyzer (the third-generation TSH detection reagent for TSH3),and the reference intervals of different gestation periods were established. The results showed that the reference intervals of TSH3 in T1, T2, and T3 were 0.05-4.59, 0.61-6.01, and 0.63-4.78 mIU/L, respectively; TT3 were 1.62-2.97 nmol/L, 1.59-2.95 nmol/L, and 1.45-2.70 nmol/L, respectively; TT4 were 95.49-185.00 nmol/L, 92.70-181.54 nmol/L, and 77.93-155.09 nmol/L, respectively; FT3 were 3.18-5.22 pmol/L, 2.78-4.67 pmol/L, and 2.51-4.18 pmol/L, respectively; and FT4 were 7.72-12.97 pmol/L, 6.90-1.09 pmol/L, and 5.63-9.85 pmol/L, respectively. All thyroid function indexes had statistically significant differences between the three stages of pregnancy (TSH:H=30.879,P<0.01;FT3:H =153.827,P<0.01;FT4:H =229.967,P<0.01;TT3:H =36.484,P<0.01;TT4:H =58.531,P<0.01). 20 independent samples were collected to verify the reference intervals of TSH, FT3, FT4, TT3 and TT4 for three trimesters of pregnancy, and all of them passed.

A Novel Sulfonamide, 4-FS, Reduces Ethanol Drinking and Physical Withdrawal Associated With Ethanol Dependence

Carbonic anhydrase (CA) is abundant in glial cells in the brain and CA type II isoform (CA II) activity in the hippocampus plays an important role in buffering extracellular pH transients produced by neural activity. Chronic ethanol exposure results in respiratory and metabolic acidosis, producing shifts in extracellular pH in the brain and body. These neurophysiological changes by ethanol are hypothesized to contribute to the continued drinking behavior and physical withdrawal behavior in subjects consuming ethanol chronically. We explored whether chronic ethanol self-administration (ethanol drinking, 10% v/v; ED) without or under the influence of chronic intermittent ethanol vapor (CIE-ED) experience alters the expression of CA II in the hippocampus. Postmortem hippocampal tissue analyses demonstrated that CA II levels were enhanced in the hilus region of the hippocampus in ED and CIE-ED rats. We used a novel molecule-4-fluoro-N-(4-sulfamoylphenyl) benzenesulfonamide (4-FS)-a selective CA II inhibitor, to determine whether CA II plays a role in ethanol self-administration in ED and CIE-ED rats and physical withdrawal behavior in CIE-ED rats. 4-FS (20 mg/kg, i.p.) reduced ethanol self-administration in ED rats and physical withdrawal behavior in CIE-ED rats. Postmortem hippocampal tissue analyses demonstrated that 4-FS reduced CA II expression in ED and CIE-ED rats to control levels. In parallel, 4-FS enhanced GABAA receptor expression, reduced ratio of glutamatergic GluN2A/2B receptors and enhanced the expression of Fos, a marker of neuronal activation in the ventral hippocampus in ED rats. These findings suggest that 4-FS enhanced GABAergic transmission and increased activity of neurons of inhibitory phenotypes. Taken together, these findings support the role of CA II in assisting with negative affective behaviors associated with moderate to severe alcohol use disorders (AUD) and that CA II inhibitors are a potential therapeutic target to reduce continued drinking and somatic withdrawal symptoms associated with moderate to severe AUD.

[Effects of different fluid resuscitation methods on hemorheology in pigs during burn shock stage]

Objective: To investigate the impact of different methods of fluid resuscitation on hemorheology during burn shock stage. Methods: Twenty four miniature swines were randomly divided into four groups with 6 in each group (succinylated gelatin group, hydroxyethyl starch group, Parkland group and allogeneic plasma group). Severe burn shock model was established by burning miniature swine with napalm. Two hours after injury, succinylated gelatin, hydroxyethyl starch (130/0.4) and swine allogenic plasma were used as colloid (alternative colloid) in fluid resuscitation according to the burn shock fluid resuscitation formula which is commonly accepted in the field of Burns Surgery. In Parkland group, miniature swines received liquid recovery according to Parkland Formula. The vital signs before and within 48 h after burn were observed by Solar 8000i electrocardiomonitor during the process of transfusion. The infusion speed was adjusted based on the heart rate, blood pressure, urine volume and central venous pressure. The level of hematocrit (HCT), viscosity of plasma (ηp), index of rigidity (IR), red cell assembling index (RCA) and erythrocyte electrophoresis time (EFT) were measured at the time of pre-injury as well as 4, 8, 24 and 48 h post-injury and statistical analysis was performed. Results: HCT in hydroxyethyl starch group and Parkland group at 8 h post-injury were significantly higher than pre-injury [(0.395±0.047) vs (0.333±0.042), (0.379±0.026) vs (0.352±0.019)] (both P<0.05). And compared with pre-injury, HCT in hydroxyethyl starch (130/0.4) group at 48 h decreased significantly (0.232±0.021) vs (0.333±0.042) (P<0.05). HCT in Parkland group at 24, 48 h post-injury were lower than pre-injury [(0.277±0.021), (0.241±0.029) vs (0.352±0.019)] (both P<0.05). Compared with pre-injury, the levels of ηp in Parkland group decreased substantially at 4, 8 and 24 h post-injury [(1.61±0.07), (1.55±0.07) and (1.63±0.07) vs (1.73±0.04) mPa·s] (all P<0.05). Compared with allogeneic plasma group, IR decreased in succinylated gelatin group at 24, 48 h post-injury [(1.10±0.05 vs 1.26±0.07), (1.11±0.05 vs 1.32±0.05)](both P<0.05). RCA in succinylated gelatin group was significantly higher (both P<0.05) at 4 h (6.80±0.87) than pre-injury (5.92±0.43). RCA in hydroxyethyl starch group at 8 h post-injury (6.73±0.56) was significantly higher (both P<0.05) than pre-injury (6.03±0.53). Compared with pre-injury (17.3±1.3 s, 16.4±1.5 s), the levels of EFT in hydroxyethyl starch group (15.5±1.4 s) and Parkland group (13.4±1.2 s) decreased substantially at 48 h post-injury (both P<0.05). Compared with allogeneic plasma group, the level of EFT in succinylated gelatin group at 4 h post-injury (19.5±2.3 s) increased and decreased at 24 h post-injury (12.0±5.7 s) (both P<0.05). Conclusion: During swine burn shock stage, the hemorheological parameters of shock resuscitation with artificial colloid are more stable than those with Parkland formula resuscitation.

CpG Oligodeoxynucleotide1826 combined with radioresistant cancer cell vaccine confers significant antitumor effects

Immunotherapy is a hot issue in cancer research over the years and tumor cell vaccine is one of the increasing number of studies. Although the whole tumor cell vaccine can provide the best source of immunizing antigens, there is still a limitation that most tumors are not naturally immunogenic. CpG Oligodeoxynucleotides (CpG ODNs), synthetic oligonucleotides containing a cytosine-phosphate-guanine(CpG) motif, was shown to enhance immune responses to a wide variety of antigens. In this study, we generated the radioresistant Lewis lung cancer cell by repeated X-ray radiation and inactivated it as a whole tumor cell vaccine to enhance the immunogenicity of tumor cell vaccine. Mice were subcutaneously immunized with this inactivated vaccine combined with CpG ODN1826 and then inoculated with autologous Lewis lung cancer (LLC) to estimate the antitumor efficacy. The results showed that the radioresistant tumor cell vaccine combined with CpG ODN1826 could significantly inhibit tumor growth, increased survival of the mice and with 20% of the mice surviving tumor free in vivo compared with the unimmunized mice bearing LLC tumor. A significant increase of apoptosis was also observed in the tumor prophylactically immunized with vaccine of inactivated radioresistant tumor cell plus CpG ODN1826. The potent antitumor effect correlated with higher secretion levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha(TNF-α) and lower levels of interleukin-10(IL-10) concentration in serum. Furthermore, the results suggested that the antitumor mechanism was probably depended on the decreased level of programmed death ligand-1(PD-L1) which plays an important role in the negative regulation of immune response by the inhibition of tumor antigen-specific T cell activation. These findings clearly demonstrated that the radioresistant tumor cell vaccine combined with CpG ODN1826 as an appropriate adjuvant could induce effective antitumor immunity in vivo.

Stable tooth contacts in intercuspal occlusion makes for utilities of the jaw elevators during maximal voluntary clenching

Data are inconsistent concerning whether the level of the surface electromyographic (SEMG) activity of jaw-closing muscles increases when biting forces elevated during maximal voluntary clenching (MVC). In this study, T-Scan III system and BioEMG III system were used to record bite force, occlusal contacts and SEMG activity of the anterior temporalis (TA) and of the masseter muscles (MM) simultaneously. Recordings were obtained from 16 healthy young adult males during different conditions: (i) a fast MVC from resting position to intercuspal position (ICP); (ii) mandibular movements from ICP to protrusive or lateral edge-to-edge positions with teeth in contact with biting; (iii) a fast MVC in protrusive and lateral edge-to-edge positions. A higher level of SEMG activity was associated with a higher bite force during occluding movements (P < 0.05). However, during fast MVC from rest to ICP, the largest number of occlusal contacts was achieved and distributed more symmetrically, the highest level of biting force was obtained, but the SEMG activity of the jaw elevator muscles was reduced compared with its maximum level (P < 0.05). This phenomenon was not observed during the fast MVC in protrusive or lateral edge-to-edge positions. The present results that a lower SEMG activity was associated with the largest number of occlusal contacts and the highest level of bite force during centric MVC demonstrated a complex integration of jaw-closing muscles when a stable occlusion is present.

Expression of CD158b on Peripheral Blood Lymphocytic Cell After Kidney Transplantation

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the expression of CD158b on peripheral blood lymphocytes after kidney transplantation.

METHODS

Sixty two kidney transplant patients were divided into two groups (normal group and rejection group) according to pathologic results and clinical situation. Blood samples were assessed for percentage of CD3+; CD19+; CD3-CD16/56+; CD3+CD158b+; CD19+CD158b+, and CD3-CD16/56+CD158b+ subsets.

RESULTS

The percentages of CD3+ cells preop as well as at 1 and 7 postoperative and the day acute rejection happened were 60.06 +/- 4.67, 40.43 +/- 4.11, 31.67 +/- 4.04, and 39.21 +/- 5.20, respectively. The percentages of CD3-CD16/56+ were 21.65 +/- 1.79, 33.84 +/- 5.45, 38.10 +/- 4.86, and 39.53 +/- 4.80, respectively. The percentages of CD3+CD158b+ were 1.46 +/- 0.31, 1.88 +/- 0.70, 2.03 +/- 1.04, and 0.65 +/- 0.12, respectively. The percentages of CD3-CD16/56+CD158b+ were 5.87 +/- 1.24, 3.57 +/- 0.57, 2.82 +/- 0.45, and 1.60 +/- 0.33, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

The percentage of CD3+ cells in the normal and the rejection groups decreased significantly. The percentages of CD158b+T cells decreased significantly after acute rejection. The percentage of CD158b+NK cells decreased significantly after kidney transplantation, decreasing gradually after acute rejection. The percentage of CD158b+ total T cells decreased significantly following acute rejection. The percentage of CD3-CD16/56+CD158b+ of total NK cells decreased significantly after kidney transplantation and after acute rejection. Because few factors interfere with the expression of CD158b on NK cells, monitoring of this marker may be accurate and sensitive.

Neuroendocrine cells in human prostate over-express the anti-apoptosis protein survivin

BACKGROUND

Neuroendocrine (NE) differentiation may be related to the growth and progression of prostate cancer, especially androgen-insensitive tumors. Recently the over-expression of a new anti-apoptosis protein, survivin, has attracted attention for its potential implication in many human cancers. The fact that NE cells in prostate are bcl-2 negative prompted us to investigate if the prostatic NE cells over-express survivin.

METHODS

Double immunohistochemical staining and immunofluorescence of chromogranin A (CgA) and survivin were performed in 57 patients with localized prostate cancer who underwent radical prostatectomy. The terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TDT)-mediated dUTP-digoxigenin nick end-labeling (TUNEL) method was used for apoptosis detection in three prostate cancer specimens with NE differentiation. The relationship between NE differentiation and clinicopathological characteristics, disease progression as well as patient survival, were analyzed retrospectively.

RESULTS

It was found that NE cells in both benign and malignant prostate tissues over-expressed the anti-apoptosis protein survivin. While apoptosis was detected in non-NE epithelial cells, all NE cells were negative for apoptosis detection. During the period of follow-up, 17 (63%) of 27 patients with NE differentiation had prostate cancer progression, while 12 (40%) of 30 patients without NE differentiation had systemic prostate cancer progression. 10 (37%) of 27 patients with NE differentiation died from prostate cancer during the period of follow up, while 6 (20%) of 30 patients without NE differentiation died from prostate cancer. However, none of these characteristics reached statistical significance, probably because of the small number of cases enrolled.

CONCLUSIONS

This study discovers that all the prostatic NE cells express the new anti-apoptosis protein survivin. This provides a strong molecular basis for the hypothesis that NE cells may endure stressful conditions and escape from apoptosis. While our results suggest a trend of NE differentiation with poorer prognosis, the prognosis implication cannot be concluded due to our small sample size.

Quercetin inhibits the expression and function of the androgen receptor in LNCaP prostate cancer cells

The androgen receptor (AR) is involved in the development and progression of prostate cancer. In order to find new compounds that may present novel mechanisms to attenuate the function of AR, we investigated the effect of a natural flavonoid chemical, quercetin, on androgen action in an androgen-responsive LNCaP prostate cancer cell line. Western blot analysis showed that AR protein expression was inhibited by quercetin in a dose-dependent manner. To demonstrate that the repression effects on AR expression can actually reduce its function, we found that quercetin inhibited the secretion of the prostate-specific, androgen-regulated tumor markers, PSA and hK2. The mRNA levels of androgen-regulated genes such as PSA, NKX3.1 as well as ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) were down-regulated by quercetin. Transient transfections further showed that quercetin inhibited AR-mediated PSA expression at the transcription level. Finally, it was demonstrated that quercetin could repress the expression of the AR gene at the transcription level. Our result suggests that quercetin can attenuate the function of AR by repressing its expression and has the potential to become a chemopreventive and/or chemotherapeutic agent for prostate cancer.

[A monoclonal antibody that reacts with an antigen on both normal and malignant prostate cells]

OBJECTIVE

To study the YDPC--a monoclonal antibody that reacts with an antigen on both normal and malignant prostate cell.

METHOD

A murine monoclonal antibody (MAb) designated YDPC was generated by treating the primed spleen cells with leucine methyl ester (LeuOMe) following immunization of mice with prostate cancer cell line PC-3M.

RESULT

YDPC reacted uniformly with all adenocarcinomas of the prostate examined. It also reacted with the surface antigen on normal prostate epithelial cells and on cells from benign prostate hyperplasia. YDPC reacted with a limited number of normal tissues including renal tubules, adrenal and sweat gland. In addition, three lymph nodes metastasis and one bladder metastasis were found to be strongly positive, while four transitional cell carcinomas of the prostate negative. Preliminary experiments showed that this antibody does specifically localize to prostate cancer xenografts in nude mice.

CONCLUSION

YDPC reacts with a differentiation antigen and this antigen continues to be expressed on all adenocarcinomas of the prostate. This antibody may be useful in the diagnosis of or therapy for prostate cancer.