ABSTRACT
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a common malignant tumor with poor prognosis and high mortality. In this study, we demonstrated a novel vaccine targeting HCC and tumor neovascular endothelial cells by fusing recombinant MHCC97H cells expressing porcine α-1,3-galactose epitopes (αGal) and endorphin extracellular domains (END) with dendritic cells (DCs) from healthy volunteers. END+/Gal+-MHCC97H/DC fusion cells induced cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) and secretion of interferon-gamma (IFN-γ). CTLs targeted cells expressing αGal and END and tumor angiogenesis. The fused cell vaccine can effectively inhibit tumor growth and prolong the survival time of human hepatoma mice, indicating the high clinical potential of this new cell based vaccine.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:Pathophysiological mechanisms after spinal cord injury are very complex, so there is no compressive and in-depth understanding on it. OBJECTIVE:To study the effect of dura mater spinalis integrity on cytokine levels in the cerebrospinal fluid of animal models of spinal cord injury. METHODS:The white rabbit models of spinal cord injury were established using clamp compression method, and then the models were randomly divided into four groups:no dura mater spinalis defect group, dura mater spinalis defect group, dura mater spinalis defect composite with membrane repairing group and dura mater spinalis defect composite with autologous fascia repair group. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was performed to detect the changes of levels of cytokines (interleukin-6, interleukin-10 and tumor necrosis factorα) in the cerebrospinal fluid at 30 minutes, 1, 3, 6, 12 and 36 hours after surgery. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The levels of interleukin-6, interleukin-10 and tumor necrosis factorαin the cerebrospinal fluid of the dura mater spinalis defect group, dura mater spinalis defect composite with membrane repairing group and dura mater spinalis defect composite with autologous fascia repair group were significantly lower than those of the no dura mater spinalis defect group at 6 hours after surgery (P0.05). The results indicate that maintaining the integrity of dura mater spinalis of the spinal cord injury model can affect the levels of interleukin-6, interleukin-10 and tumor necrosis factorαin the cerebrospinal fluid, thus inhibiting the inflammatory response.
ABSTRACT
Objective To discuss indications,operation method and clinical outcome of posterior short-segment pedicle fixation at the injured level for treatment of thoracolumbar spine fractures.Methods A total of 38 patients with thoracolumbar spine fractures were equally randomized to Group A(treated with classic short-segment pedicle screw fixation)and Group B(treated with short-segment pedicle screw fixation at the injured level)based on fixation methods(19 patients per group).Preoperative and postoperative JOA score,segmental lordosis(Cobb' s angle),R value(anterior fractured vertebral body height/mean normal vertebral body height×100%),VSA score and internal fixation condition were assessed and compared clinically.Results All patients were followed up for 6-37 months(mean 20.5 months),which showed no statistical difference upon Frankel scores of two operation modes,while the segmental lordosis,VAS score and R value in Group B were than those in Group A.There occurred nuts loosening in one patient and screw bending in one in Group A.There was no implant breakage,loosening or emersion in Group B.Conclusion Posterior short-segmental fixation at the injured level is an adequate and effective procedure for compression fractures and mild to moderate burst fractures of the thoracolumbar spine.