Minimally invasive laminar lift and posterior cervical laminoplasty via the intermuscular approach: a canine model study

Purpose: This study aimed to develop a minimally invasive surgical procedure for laminar lift and posterior cervical laminoplasty via the intermuscular approach using a canine model. Methods: Six Alaskan dogs were used for developing the surgical approach. The bilateral laminae of C3-7 were cut with an ultrasonic osteotome and fixed with bilateral plates to maintain the lamina lifting and reshape a wider spinal canal. The important structures, such as ligaments, supraspinous ligaments, interspinous ligaments, and ligamentum flavum were preserved. The therapeutic effect was evaluated by preoperative and postoperative imaging results and neck mobility. Results: The surgical procedures were all successfully performed in the 6 animals. All the dogs survived well within 1 year of postoperative follow-up. The postoperative neck mobility was as good as the preoperative one. Computed tomography results showed that the anteroposterior diameter of the spinal canal was successfully enlarged and maintained well. Conclusions: The minimally invasive surgical procedure for laminar lift and posterior cervical laminoplasty via the intermuscular approach was feasible in a canine model, which might be applied in clinical practice.

Construction of α3(S147T)* Nicotinic Acethlcholine Receptor Mutants and Study of Their Function / 中国药学杂志

OBJECTIVE: To construct the point mutants of α3* nicotine acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs), optimize the method of receptor mutagenesis and investigate the function of the mutants by using the agonist acetycholine (Ach). METHODS: The α3* nAChRs mutants were constructed by PCR mediated site-directed mutation techniques. Point mutated primers were designed according to rat α3 subunit gene. The cRNA of α3 subunit point mutant was synthesized by in vitro transcription. The expression of mutants in Xenopus oocytes were detected by two-electrode voltage-clamp techniques. Gating properties of the two mutants were detected by Ach. RESULTS: Mutants of α3β2 and α3β4 nAChRs subtypes were constructed successfully. The half effective concentrations (EC50) of wild types α3β2 and α3β4 nAChRs were 55.33 and 163.00 μmol·L-1, respectively. While the EC50 of α3(S147T)β2 and α3(S147T)β4 nAChRs mutants were 33.10 and 121.10 μmol·L-1, respectively. CONCLUSION: The construction of mutation from the 147th serine to threonine of α3 subunit can provide a function model to make more other receptor mutants, and would be helpful to interrogate the interaction between drug and α3* nAChR.

Toxic effects of manganese ion eyedrops to ocular anterior segment / 中华实验眼科杂志

Background A preliminary study determined an application of manganese ion eyedrops in tracing observation of visual system in vivo,but whether manganese ion has toxic effects on ocular anterior segment tissues is still unclear.Objective This study was to investigate the toxic effects of different concentrations of manganese ion eyedrops on ocular anterior segment tissues.Methods Thirty-two clean New-Zealand white rabbits were divided into 1.00 mol/L MnCl2 group,0.50 mol/L MnCl2 group,0.25 mol/L MnCl2 group and normal control group according to random number table.The experimental eye was randomly chosen from each rabbit for eyedrops application.The manganese ion eyedrops at concentration of 1.00 mol/L,0.50 mol/L or 0.25 mol/L was topically administered in any lateral eye of each rabbit in the 1.00 mol/L MnCl2 group,0.50 mol/L MnCl2 group,0.25 mol/L MnCl2 group,and normal saline solution was used in the same way in the normal control group.In 2 hours,1 day and 3,7,14,21,28 days after eyedrops application,the irritative response of ocular surface was examined under the slit lamp microscope,and corneal damage was evaluated by corneal fluorescence staining,and corneal endothelial cell density (ECD) and corneal thickness were assessed using corneal specular microscope.The eyeball samples were prepared in 3,7,14 and 28 days after eyedrops application and hematoxylin and eosin staining was performed for histopathological examination of conjunctiva,cornea,trabecular meshwork and ciliary body tissue.The use and care of experimental animals complied with the Statement of ARVO.Results Severe hyperemia and edema in palpebral conjunctiva appeared in the 1.00 mol/L MnCl2 group and 0.50 mol/L MnCl2 group,and the symptoms reached a maximum level 1 day after eyedrop application and disappeared 7 days after eyedrops application in the 1.00 mol/L MnCl2 group.These symptoms were milder in the 0.50 mol/L MnCl2 group in comparison with the 1.00 mol/L MnCl2 group.There were no ocular irritative response in the 0.25 mol/L MnCl2 group.Significant differences were found in the corneal fluorescence scores among the groups 2 hours,1 day,3 and 7 days after eyedrop application (X2 =17.350,19.200,12.200,10.140,all at P＜0.05),with the highest score in the 1.00 mol/L MnCl2 group.The ECD was not significantly different among the groups and different time points (Fgroup =0.38,P＞0.05;Ftime =1.79,P＞0.05).The corneal thickness value was significantly different among the groups and different time points (Fgroup =18.22,P＜0.05;Ftime =116.75,P ＜ 0.05).The corneal thickness value was elevated during 2 hours to 3 days after administration of eyedrops in the 1.00 mol/L MnCl2 group and closed to normal from 7 days to 28 days.The corneal thickness value was higher from 2 hours to 14 days than that in 28 days after administration of eyedrops in the 1.00 moL/L MnCl2 group,and the corneal thickness value was higher in 2 hours to 1 day than that in 28 days after administration of eyedrops in the 0.50 mol/L MnCl2 group (all at P＜0.05).Inflammatory cell infiltration and stromal edema were exhibited in conjunctival,trabecular meshwork and ciliary body tissue in the 1.00 mol/L MnCl2 group 3 days and 7 days after eyedrops application,and only inflammatory cell infiltration in conjunctival tissue in the 0.50 mol/L MnCl2 group 3 days after eyedrops application.No obvious abnormity was seen in the 0.25 mol/L MnCl2 group.Conclusions 1.00 mol/L manganese ion eyedrops has a remarkable toxic effect on ocular anterior segment tissue in rabbit.With the lowing of drug concentrations,the toxic effects were reduced.The manganese-enhanced MRI using 0.25 mol/L manganese ion eyedrops is feasibility bacause of its non-toxicity to ocular tissues.

Serum uric acid levels and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in Uyghur and Han ethnic groups in northwestern China / Concentração sérica de ácido úrico e doença hepática gordurosa não alcoólica em grupos étnicos Uyghur e Han no nordeste da China

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to compare serum uric acid values in two ethnically distinct Chinese populations: Uyghur, with a high prevalence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, and Han, with a lower prevalence. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Serum uric acid and several clinical features and laboratory tests relevant to the metabolic syndrome were measured in 4,157 Uyghur and 6,448 Han subjects in a health examination program. The diagnosis of hepatic steatosis was established by abdominal ultrasound examination. RESULTS: The prevalence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease was 42.3% and 33.3% among Uyghur and Han subjects, respectively. The corresponding prevalence of hyperuricemia was 8.8% and 14.7%. The mean concentration of serum uric acid in Uyghurs also was lower than in Hans (282.75 vs. 310.79 µmol/L; p < 0.01). However, in both populations, the prevalence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease was increased in association with increasing serum uric acid concentrations, a trend that was more pronounced in Uyghur than in Han subjects (OR 3.279 and 3.230, respectively). Several components of the metabolic syndrome were more pronounced in Uyghurs than in Hans. CONCLUSIONS: Serum uric acid is an independent risk factor in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in both Uyghurs and Hans, but other risk factors may be more important in the differences in prevalence of the disease between the two ethnic groups.

OBJETIVO: O objetivo deste estudo foi comparar os valores de ácido úrico em duas populações chinesas etnicamente diferentes: Uyghur, com alta prevalência de doença hepática gordurosa não alcoólica, e Han, com prevalência mais baixa. SUJEITOS E MÉTODOS: A concentração sérica de ácido úrico e várias características clínicas e testes laboratoriais relevantes para a síndrome metabólica foram determinados em 4.157 indivíduos Uyghur e 6.448 indivíduos Han submetidos a um programa de checkups. O diagnóstico de esteatose hepática foi estabelecido por ultrassom abdominal. RESULTADOS: A prevalência de doença hepática gordurosa não alcoólica foi de 42,3% e 33,3% entre os indivíduos Uyghur e Han, respectivamente. A prevalência correspondente de hiperuricemia foi de 8,8% e 14,7%. A concentração sérica média de ácido úrico em Uyghurs também foi mais baixa do que em Hans (282,75 contra 310,79 µmol/L; p < 0,01). Entretanto, em ambas as populações, a prevalência de doença hepática gordurosa não alcoólica aumentou com a elevação da concentração sérica de ácido úrico, uma tendência mais pronunciada em Uyghurs do que em Hans (OR 3,279 e 3,230, respectivamente). Vários componentes da síndrome metabólica são mais pronunciados em Uyghurs do que em Hans. CONCLUSÕES: A concentração sérica de ácido úrico é um fator de risco independente para a doença hepática gordurosa não alcoólica tanto em Uyghurs quando em Hans, mas outros fatores de risco podem ser mais importantes nas diferenças na prevalência da doença entre esses dois grupos étnicos.

Heme oxygenase-1 regulates the major route involved in formation of immune hepatic fibrosis in rats / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Heme oxygenase (HO) plays roles in some liver diseases, but what it does in immune liver fibrosis is rarely reported. We investigated the regulation mechanisms of HO-1 in rat immune liver fibrosis to find routes for intervention.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into control group (N, n = 12), fibrosis group (F, n = 20), cobalt protoporphyrin (CoPP) inducing group (Co, n = 20) and zinc protoporphyrin (ZnPP) inhibiting group (Zn, n = 20). In groups F, Co and Zn, immune liver fibrosis was established with human serum albumin. At the attacked stage, CoPP (5 mg/kg) and ZnPP (5 mg/kg) were intraperitoneally injected in groups Co and Zn, respectively. After establishment of rat models, the numbers of rats reduced to 11, 15, 17 and 12 in groups N, F, Co and Zn respectively, because of death during the process. HO-1 in liver was detected by Western blotting and immunohistochemistry. The indexes of fibrosis were assessed by radioimmunoassay. Concentrations of serum transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1), and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinses (TIMP-1) were detected using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Hepatic stellate cell (HSC) and proliferation degree of fibrosis were assessed by pathological examination. Data analysis was performed by SPSS 10.0 software.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The expression of HO-1 in group F was significantly higher than that in group N, but lower than that in group Co (P < 0.05); while that in group Zn was lower than in group F (P < 0.05), but still higher than that in group N (P < 0.01). Compared with group N, liver functional and liver fibrosis indicators were increased in group F (P < 0.01), while comparing to group F, they were decreased in group Co (P < 0.05) and increased in group Zn (P < 0.05). CoPP reduced the extent of hepatocellular injury and hepatic fibrosis in comparison with group F (P < 0.01), being the opposite effect of ZnPP (P < 0.01). HSC was observed using indirect method and the result showed that the number of HSC in group F increased more than that in groups N and Co, while much less than in group Zn. The concentration of TGF-β1 decreased when HO-1 expressed increasingly (group Co: (3.5 ± 1.0) ng/ml, group F: (7.8 ± 1.3) ng/ml, P < 0.01) and enhanced (group Zn: (9.6 ± 13.6) ng/ml) when HO-1 presented less (P < 0.01). The concentrations of TIMP-1 were (151.1 ± 32.0), (472.0 ± 34.8), (232.3 ± 41.3) and (533.2 ± 37.2) ng/g liver wet weight in groups N, F, Co, and Zn, respectively. It was reduced in group Co (P < 0.01) and increased in group Zn compared with group F (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Inducing HO-1 expression appropriately may lighten hepatic fibrosis, and in contrast, inhibiting it strengthens the lesion. HO-1 interferes with the main ways to form liver fibrosis.</p>