pH/Temperature Responsive Curcumin-Loaded Micelle Nanoparticles Promote Functional Repair after Spinal Cord Injury in Rats via Modulation of Inflammation

BACKGROUND@#The formation of an inhibitory inflammatory microenvironment after spinal cord injury (SCI) remains a great challenge for nerve regeneration. The poor local microenvironment exacerbates nerve cell death; therefore, the reconstruction of a favorable microenvironment through small-molecule drugs is a promising strategy for promoting nerve regeneration. @*METHODS@#In the present study, we synthesized curcumin-loaded micelle nanoparticles (Cur-NPs) to increase curcumin bioavailability and analyzed the physical and chemical properties of Cur-NPs by characterization experiments. We established an in vivo SCI model in rats and examined the ability of hind limb motor recovery using Basso–Beattie– Bresnahan scoring and hind limb trajectory assays. We also analyzed neural regeneration after SCI using immunofluorescence staining. @*RESULTS@#The nanoparticles achieved the intelligent responsive release of curcumin while improving curcumin bioavailability. Most importantly, the released curcumin attenuated local inflammation by modulating the polarization of macrophages from an M1 pro-inflammatory phenotype to an M2 anti-inflammatory phenotype. M2-type macrophages can promote cell differentiation, proliferation, matrix secretion, and reorganization by secreting or expressing pro-repair cytokines to reduce the inflammatory response. The enhanced inflammatory microenvironment supported neuronal regeneration, nerve remyelination, and reduced scar formation. These effects facilitated functional repair in rats, mainly in the form of improved hindlimb movements. @*CONCLUSION@#Here, we synthesized pH/temperature dual-sensitive Cur-NPs. While improving the bioavailability of the drug, they were also able to achieve a smart responsive release in the inflammatory microenvironment that develops after SCI. The Cur-NPs promoted the regeneration and functional recovery of nerves after SCI through anti-inflammatory effects, providing a promising strategy for the repair of SCIs.

Targeted muscle reinnervation: a surgical technique of human-machine interface for intelligent prosthesis / 中国修复重建外科杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To review targeted muscle reinnervation (TMR) surgery for the construction of intelligent prosthetic human-machine interface, thus providing a new clinical intervention paradigm for the functional reconstruction of residual limbs in amputees.@*METHODS@#Extensively consulted relevant literature domestically and abroad and systematically expounded the surgical requirements of intelligent prosthetics, TMR operation plan, target population, prognosis, as well as the development and future of TMR.@*RESULTS@#TMR facilitates intuitive control of intelligent prostheses in amputees by reconstructing the "brain-spinal cord-peripheral nerve-skeletal muscle" neurotransmission pathway and increasing the surface electromyographic signals required for pattern recognition. TMR surgery for different purposes is suitable for different target populations.@*CONCLUSION@#TMR surgery has been certified abroad as a transformative technology for improving prosthetic manipulation, and is expected to become a new clinical paradigm for 2 million amputees in China.

Correlation analysis between mammographic features and different molecular subtypes of breast cancer / 实用放射学杂志

Objective To investigate the correlation between mammographic findings and different molecular subtypes of breast cancer.Methods Totally 84 patients with breast cancer proved pathologically who underwent digital mammography examination before operation were enrolled.All cases were examined by immunohistochemical staining,the expression levels of estrogen receptor(ER),progesterone receptor (PR)and human epidermal growth factor receptor-2(HER-2)in tumor cells were analyzed.They were classified into four molecular subtypes:Luminal A,Luminal B,HER-2 + and Basal-like tumors according to their expression levels.The correlation between mammographic findings and different molecular subtypes of breast cancer were analyzed.Results Among the 84 cases of breast cancer,there were significant differences between mass shadow and mass shape in the four subtypes of tumors(P<0.05).Luminal A,Luminal B breast cancer showed more irregular edge of the tumor;HER-2 + breast cancer with more malignant calcifications,of which simple calcifications of breast cancer were more;Basal-like breast cancer with regular shape,clear border shadow,rarely accompanied by malignant calcifications.Conclusion Mammographic features of breast cancer can predict its molecular subtypes to some extent,which can provide objective basis for the selection of clinical preoperative treatment protocols.

Quantitative analyses on the fund theses in the Journal of Practical Radiology and Chinese Journal of Radiology / 实用放射学杂志

Objective To quantitatively analyze the fund theses published in the Journal of Practical Radiology(JPR)and Chinese Journal of Radiology(CJR)in order to detect effective approaches to the improvement of the journal quality and academic level of the JPR.Methods The number of funds-supported theses published,the ratio of fund theses,grade,regional,source of institutions and publication time-lag distribution of the fund theses were statistically analyzed by using bibliometrics in the two journals in 2013.Re-sults Six hundred and eighteen theses were published in JPR in 2013,the total number of fund theses were 137(accounted for 22.2% of total articles),the ratio of fund theses were 0.22,the provincial and municipal fund theses accounted for 59.2%.All fund theses were from 23 regions and 82 institutions throughout the country.The average of publication time-lag was 235.6 days.Three hundred and thirteen theses were published in CJR in 2013,the total number of fund theses were 97(accounted for 31.0% of total articles),the ratio of fund theses were 0.31,the provincial and municipal fund theses accounted for 32.0%.All fund theses were from 18 regions and 70 institutions throughout the country.The average of publication time-lag was 228.4 days.Conclusion JPR has its own superi-ority,meanwhile,it also has a significant disparity and insufficiency comparing to CJR.In order to further promote the quality conno-tations and the academic level of JPR,efforts should be made on subject selection and planning,initiative collection of manuscripts, priority publishment to excellent manuscripts,shortening publication time-lag,etc.Additionally,a database of core authors and ex-perts should be established.

Research progress of multifunctional upper-limb prosthesis systems / 国际生物医学工程杂志

With the continuous improvement and innovation of modern engineering technology and biomedical technology,many efforts and process have been made on multifunctional prosthesis systems and have gained more and more attentions.The multifunctional powered prosthesis has become one of the research areas in the current muscular rehabilitation medicine and neural engineering.The bionic control of prosthesis,especially using the neural signal to control the upper prosthesis effectively,is one of the most important fields of prosthesis technology.Choosing the proper neural signals seems to be particularly important for bionic prosthetic control strategy.Currently,several different signal controls such as EMG control,EEG control,voice signal control and peripheral nerve signal control have been proposed and investigated for the bionic control of multi-function prosthesis.This paper reviews the latest efforts and progress of multifunctional upper prosthesis.

The incidences and mortalities of major cancers in China, 2009 / 癌症

In 2012, the National Central Cancer Registry (NCCR) of China collected cancer registration information for the year 2009 from local cancer registries and analyzed it to describe the incidences and mortalities of cancers in China. Based on the data quality criteria from NCCR, data from 104 registries covering 85,470,522 people (57,489,009 in urban areas and 27,981,513 in rural areas) were checked and evaluated. The data from 72 registries were qualified and accepted for the cancer registry annual report in 2012. The total cancer incident cases and cancer deaths were 244,366 and 154,310, respectively. The morphologically verified cases accounted for 67.23%, and 3.14% of the incident cases only had information from death certifications. The crude incidence in the Chinese cancer registration areas was 285.91/100,000 (317.97/100,000 in males and 253.09/100,000 in females). The age-standardized rates for incidences based on the Chinese standard population (ASRIC) and the world standard population (ASRIW) were 146.87/100,000 and 191.72/100,000, respectively, with a cumulative incidence of 22.08%. The cancer mortality in the Chinese cancer registration areas was 180.54/100,000 (224.20/100,000 in males and 135.85/100,000 in females). The age-standardized rates for mortalities based on the Chinese standard population(ASRMC) and the world standard population (ASRMW) were 85.06/100,000 and 115.65/100,000, respectively, and the cumulative mortality was 12.94%. Lung cancer, gastric cancer, colorectal cancer, liver cancer, esophageal cancer, pancreatic cancer, encephaloma, lymphoma, female breast cancer, and cervical cancer were the most common cancers, accounting for 75% of all cancer cases. Lung cancer, gastric cancer, liver cancer, esophageal cancer, colorectal cancer, pancreatic cancer, breast cancer, encephaloma, leukemia, and lymphoma accounted for 80% of all cancer deaths. The cancer registration's population coverage has been increasing, and its data quality is improving. As the basis of the cancer control program, the cancer registry plays an important role in directing anticancer strategies in the medium and long term. Because cancer burdens are different in urban and rural areas in China, prevention and control efforts should be based on practical situations.

Survey of psychological behaviors of children in Guiyang / 中国组织工程研究

BACKGROUND: With conversion of medical patterns and revolution of healthy concept, temperament, psychological health and behavior become key topics for child care and are paid more and more attention nowadays.OBJECTIVE: To survey the status quo of psychological and behavior problems and distribution of temperamental types through questionnaire for children in Guiyang.DESIGN: Randomized cluster sampling and cross-sectional study.SETTING: Guiyang Institute for Mother and Child Health.PARTICIPANTS: Twelve settings were randomly selected from 33 duty units for child care in Guiyang. Children aged 1-6 years suffered from health check at survey stage, and those with severe body diseases and abnormal intelligence were excluded.METHODS: Problems of psychological health and behavior and distribution of temperamental types for children were surveyed with self-made psychological health scale, Chinese temperament scale for 1-3-year children,Chinese temperament scale for 3-7-year children, behavior scale for 2-3-year children and Achenbach's children behavior scale standardized by Shanghai Mental Health Center. All questionnaires were answered by parents and taken back on the spot. After 2-4 weeks, several children were randomly selected to refill in the questionnaires mentioned above to measure reliability again.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Status quo of psychological and behavior problems, distribution of temperamental types and effect of social environment on temperament and behavior.RESULTS: ① Distribution of temperamental types was divided into easy nurture, difficult nurture, nearly easy nurture, nearly difficult nurture and slow development, and the percentage was 35.58%, 4.21%, 39.70%, 7.37%and 13.14%. ② Total ratio of psychological problems was 94.50%, and ratios of children in various temperamental types were 98.91%, 97.26%,96.19%, 94.05% and 93.13% (P ＜ 0.01). ③ Total ratio of behavior problems was 19.57%, and ratios of children in various temperamental types were 31.76%, 26.69%, 22.58%, 21.33% and 12.72% (P ＜ 0.01). Temperamental types and behavior problems were related to living condition, educational level of parents, marriage, supervised attitude, paternity, pregnant nutrien, illness and infirmarian, especially temperament was closely related with psychological and behavior problems.CONCLUSION: Psychological and behavior problems wildly exist among children in Guiyang and should be paid much attention. Fine personality of children can be molded through reforming relevant factors so as to decrease the incidence of psychological and behavior problems.