Establishment and evaluation of a monkey acute cerebral ischemia model

OBJECTIVES: Cerebral ischemia seriously threatens human health and is characterized by high rates of incidence, disability and death. Developing an ideal animal model of cerebral ischemia that reflects the human clinical features is critical for pathological studies and clinical research. The goal of this study is to establish a local cerebral ischemia model in rhesus macaque, thereby providing an optimal animal model to study cerebral ischemia. METHODS: Eight healthy rhesus monkeys were selected for this study. CT scans were performed before the operation to exclude cerebral vascular and intracranial lesions. Under guidance and monitoring with digital subtraction angiography (DSA), a microcatheter was inserted into the M1 segment of the middle cerebral artery (MCA) via the femoral artery. Then, autologous white thrombi were introduced to block blood flow. Immediately following embolization, multisequence MRI was used to monitor cerebrovascular and brain parenchymal conditions. Twenty-four hours after embolization, 2 monkeys were sacrificed and subjected to perfusion, fixation and pathological examination. RESULTS: The cerebral ischemia model was established in 7 rhesus monkeys; one animal died during intubation. DSA and magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) indicated the presence of an arterial occlusion. MRI showed acute local cerebral ischemia. HE staining revealed infarct lesions formed in the brain tissues, and thrombi were present in the cerebral artery. CONCLUSION: We established a rhesus macaque model of local cerebral ischemia by autologous thrombus placement. This model has important implications for basic and clinical research on cerebral ischemia. MRI and DSA can evaluate the models to ensure accuracy and effectiveness.

The association between survivin −31G>C polymorphism and susceptibility to sporadic colorectal cancer in a Southern Chinese population

Background: The case–control study aimed to investigate the association between the −31G>C polymorphism in the promoter of survivin gene and the susceptibility to sporadic colorectal cancer (CRC) in a Southern Chinese population. Materials and Methods: The study was carried out on 711 healthy controls and 702 CRC cases of a Southern Chinese population. Survivin gene −31G>C genotypes were determined by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism. The association between CRC risk and −31G>C genetic polymorphism was estimated using an unconditional logistic regression model. Results: The number of CC genotype carried in CRC patients was much higher than those of controls (P < 0.001). Compared with CC genotypes, GC, GG genotypes and −31G wild-type genotypes (i.e., GC + GG) had a significantly decreased risk of CRC (P < 0.001). In addition, survivin −31G wild-type genotypes were not associated with decreased risk of sporadic CRC patients with body mass index (BMI) ≥28.0 kg/m2, family cancer history, and premenopausal. Conclusion: Survivin −31G>C polymorphism is associated with sporadic CRC risk in the Southern Chinese population. The −31G wild-type genotypes and GC, GG genotypes are the independent protective factors against sporadic CRC excluding those with a BMI ≥28.0 kg/m2, family cancer history, and premenopausal

Research progress in ultrasound use for the diagnosis and treatment of cerebrovascular diseases

Cerebrovascular diseases pose a serious threat to human survival and quality of life and represent a major cause of human death and disability. Recently, the incidence of cerebrovascular diseases has increased yearly. Rapid and accurate diagnosis and evaluation of cerebrovascular diseases are of great importance to reduce the incidence, morbidity and mortality of cerebrovascular diseases. With the rapid development of medical ultrasound, the clinical relationship between ultrasound imaging technology and the diagnosis and treatment of cerebrovascular diseases has become increasingly close. Ultrasound techniques such as transcranial acoustic angiography, doppler energy imaging, three-dimensional craniocerebral imaging and ultrasound thrombolysis are novel and valuable techniques in the study of cerebrovascular diseases. In this review, we introduce some of the new ultrasound techniques from both published studies and ongoing trials that have been confirmed to be convenient and effective methods. However, additional evidence from future studies will be required before some of these techniques can be widely applied or recommended as alternatives.

Refractive development during the past 5 years among primary school students in Jinshan District of Shanghai / 中国学校卫生

Objective@#To explore refractive development of primary school students in Jinshan district of Shanghai during the past five years.@*Methods@#A total of 201 first grade pupils enrolled in 2013 were followed up for 5 years. Annual examination of non-cycloplegic refraction and axial length (AL) was implemented and analyzed.@*Results@#The mean spherical equivalents (SEs) of boys at each grade was (0.22±0.53)(-0.04±0.64)(-0.36±0.92)(-0.74±1.23)(-1.14±1.67)D, respectively; for girls, (0.26±0.88)(-0.03±1.02)(-0.28±1.02)(-0.64±1.32)(-1.13±1.65)D, respectively. The mean ALs of boys at each grade was (22.94±0.60)(23.13±0.68)(23.45±0.69)(23.65±0.81)(24.03±0.93)mm, respectively and was (22.40±0.67)(22.67±0.70)(22.95±0.74)(23.14±0.79)(23.59±0.90)mm for girls at each grade, respectively. There were negative correlations between dioptres and ALs in each grade(r=-0.26, -0.35, -0.41, -0.53, -0.59, P<0.05).@*Conclusion@#The dioptre and AL among primary school students in Jinshan district of Shanghai increased gradually and results in developing into myopia. The dioptre negatively associates with AL, which should be both paid attention to among primary school students.