A case report of diffuse pneumocephalus induced by sneezing after brain trauma / 中华创伤杂志(英文版)

Pneumocephalus is the presence of air in the cranial vault. The common etiologies of pneumocephalus are brain trauma and cranial surgery. We report a case of a 26-year-old man with brain trauma who developed diffuse pneumocephalus after sneezing. CT scan was performed on arrival, and the image showed subarachnoid hemorrhage without pneumocephalus. On the seventh day after a big sneeze brain CT scan was re-performed, which showed pneumocephalus. After another ten days of treatment, the patient was discharged without any symptoms.

Expression of extracellular signal-regulated protein kinases in the subcutaneous fascia of rats and their changes after acupuncture / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the effect of acupuncture on the expression of extracellular signal-regulated protein kinases 1/2 (ERK1/2) in the subcutaneous fascia of SD rats.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Eighteen SD rats were randomly divided into 6 groups (n=3) including 5 acupuncture groups and a control group. The rats in the 5 acupuncture groups received electro-acupuncture therapy in the regions of the inguinal groove, and at 0, 1, 6, 12, and 36 h after the last therapy, the superfacial fascia surrounding the acupuncture point (about 1.5 cm in diameter) were collected. The fascia tissues at the corresponding sites and at the acupoint Zusanli (ST36) were obtained from the control rats. The expression of ERK1/2 and phosphorylated ERK1/2 (p-ERK1/2) in the tissues were detected by Western blotting.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>ERK1/2 and p-ERK1/2 expressions were detected in the tissues harvested from both the acupoint and the non-acupoint in the control rats with similar expression intensities. In the rats of each acupuncture group, ERK1/2 expression was significantly increased on the acupuncture side in comparison with the control side.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The normal loose connective tissue may participate in tissue proliferation and differentiation possibly via phosphorylation of ERK. Acupuncture can promote the signal transduction pathway of ERK, which can be a possible mechanism for the effect of acupuncture in modulating the physiopathological conditions.</p>

Distribution of neuronal nitric oxide synthase-immunopositive neurons in rat corpus striatum and their ultrastructures / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the distribution of neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS)-immunopositive neurons in rat corpus striatum and their ultrastructural features.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Brain tissue specimens were obtained from normal SD rats, in which nNOS-immunopositive neurons were visualized by ABC immunocytochemistry and observed under immunoelectron microscope with pre-embedding staining.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Under light microscope, nNOS-immunopositive neurons appeared brown with distinct profiles of the cell body and processes. These neurons, mostly medium-sized and small cells, were located mainly in the lateral region of the corpus striatum. Only a few immunopositive neurons were detected in the medial region of the corpus striatum. Immunohistochemistry and transmission electron microscopy identified the nNOS-immunopositive neurons as interneurons possessing large nuclei with small amount of cytoplasma. The immunopositive granules were visualized as black plaques, and the larger ones distributed mainly in the cell bodies, some with monolayer membrane encapsulation. The small granules did not have the encapsulation, scattering in perinuclear regions and under the cell membrane, but not in the cell body. The immunopositive granules were also found in the axons and dendrites, but not in the vesicles of the synapses. In addition, many immunopositive terminals were found close to the blood vessels.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>nNOS-immunopositive neurons in rat corpus striatum are mainly medium-sized and small cells as is typical of the interneurons. The immunopositive granules locate in the cytoplasma, axons and dendrites, and larger granules have membrane coating while small ones do not, possibly in relation to their functions.</p>

Construction of artificial nerve bridge by three-dimensional culture of interleukin-1beta- activated Schwann cells with human hair keratins / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To culture interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta)-activated Schwann cells (SCs) with human hair keratins (HHKs) for artificial nerve bridge construction.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>SCs purified by primary culture with or without IL-1beta activation were cultured with HHKs decorated by extracellular matrix (ECM), and the artificial nerve bridge was implanted into the defect of rat sciatic nerve. The morphology of the SCs cultured with HHKs was monitored by inverted microscope, scanning electron microscope and evaluated by immunocytochemical staining, and the expression of nerve growth factor (NGF) in the sciatic nerve was observed by in situ hybridization.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Activated SCs showed better ability to adhere to the HHKs and grew well. The HHKs component in the artificial nerve bridge underwent degradation in the sciatic nerve defect after 3 to 4 weeks, and IL-1beta activation resulted in enhanced NGF expression in the SCs.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The constructed artificial nerve bridge by three-dimensional culture of IL-1beta-activiated SCs with HHKs decorated by ECM promotes the repair of sciatic nerve defects and accelerates sciatic nerve regeneration.</p>

Morphologic Localization and Purified Cultivation of Sinoatrial Nodes Isolated from Newborn Rabbits / 实用儿科临床杂志

Objective To localize the sinoatrial node (SAN) of the newborn rabbits in vivo and cut it for purifying cultivation and study the morophologic characters of primary cultured pacemaker cells of SAN under light microscope and transmissional electron microscope. Methods Hearts of the newborn rabbits were embedded in paraffin for HE-staining and observed the location, form of SAN under optical microscope; SAN cells isolated from neonatal rabbits cultured and purified with the method of differential attachment and BrdU-treatment.Results SAN localized in the anterior wall of the superior vena cava and the posterior-lateral atrial wall.There was about 0.32 mm between its lowest point and sulcus terminalis. Three distinctly different types of cells were observed among the cultured cells of SAN: spindle, araneiform and polygon. The spindle cells covered the greatest proportion of the cultured cells of SAN (59.6%?7.3%). The frequency of spontaneous contraction of spindle cells was the highest among the constrcting cells (145 ?9)time/min. The results of ultrastructure observation showed that myofibrils and other organelles in spindle cells were poorly organized and significantly decreased in number compared with araneiform cells. There was no significant difference between araneiform cells isolated from SAN and from atrial muscle.Conclusion Among the cultured cells from neonatal rabbits SAN, the spindle cells are the pacemaker cells of SAN.