Preparation of Rat Spinal Synaptosome and Qualitative and Quantitative Test of Neurotransmitters / 中国康复理论与实践

Objective:To prepare rat spinal synaptosomes, and to conduct qualitative and quantitative analysis of various neurotransmitters in rat spinal synaptosomes to explore the physiological activities. Methods:Rat spinal synaptosomes were prepared by discontinuous Percoll density gradient centrifugation and their morphology and structure were observed under transmission electron microscopy. The properties and content of neurotransmitters in rat spinal synaptosomes were determined by ultra performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Results:Under the experimental conditions, rat spinal synaptosomes were found to contain dopamine, norepinephrine, serotonin, homovanillic acid, 3,4-dihydroxybenzene, 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid, methoxytyramine, tryptophan, γ-aminobutyric acid, kynurenine, 3-hydroxy kynurenine and 3-hydroxy-2-aminobenzoic acid, and so on. The corresponding neurotransmitter contents were detected, and the corresponding linear relationship and correlation coefficient were obtained. Conclusion:Discontinuous Percoll density gradient centrifugation could prepare rat spinal synaptosomes and detect neurotransmitters and their contents in rat spinal synaptosomes.

Anesthetic effect and safety of ultrasound-guided thoracic paravertebral blockade in sympathectomy for palmar hyperhidrosis: a randomized controlled trial / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the anesthetic effect and safety of ultrasound-guided thoracic paravertebral blockade in video-assisted thoracoscopic sympathectomy for treatment of palmar hyperhidrosis.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 120 patients undergoing video-assisted thoracoscopic sympathectomy for moderate or severe hyperhidrosis were randomized to receive ultrasound-guided thoracic paravertebral blockade (group A, n=60) or general anesthesia with tracheal intubation (group B, n=60). In both groups routine monitoring and radial artery catheterization were used. The patients in group A were given oxygen inhalation via a nasal tube after thoracic paravertebral blockade, and those in group B had intratracheal intubation. Blood gas analyses were conducted 5 min before and 5 min after the operation and the clinical outcomes and complications were recorded in each group.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>All the patients completed the operations safely and none of the patients with thoracic paravertebral blockade required conversion to general anesthesia. Significant differences were recorded between groups A and B in anesthetic preparation time (6.26∓2.09 vs 46.32∓15.76 min), awakening time (6.26∓2.09 vs 46.32∓15.76 min), and mean hospitalization expense (6355.54∓426.00 vs 8932.25∓725.98 RMB Yuan). Compared with those in group B, the patients in group A showed a significantly lower rate of postoperative throat discomfort (0% vs 100%), a shorter monitoring time (2 h vs 12 h), and faster recovery time for food intake (2 h vs 6 h). The parameters of artery blood gas analysis both before and after the operation were similar between the two groups, but the postoperative variations differed significantly between the two groups in pH value and PaCObut not in PaO.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Ultrasound-guided thoracic paravertebral blockade is safe and effective in video-assisted thoracoscopic sympathectomy for palmar hyperhidrosis and is associated with less complications and better postoperative recovery.</p>

Predictive value of c-met for long-term mortality in patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the correlation of c-met protein with the clinical staging and cell differentiation of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 100 patients with ESCC were enrolled were examined for expression of c-met protein using immunohistochemistry, and the patients in negative and positive c-met expression groups were compared for clinicopathological characteristics and overall survival.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>s The 100 ESCC patients included 67 male and 33 female patients with a median age of 59 years; 49 of the patients were negative and 51 were positive for c-met expression. Positive c-met expression was significantly correlated with advanced TMN stages and lower tumor differentiation. Kaplan-Meier survival curve showed that the median survival time of c-met-positive patients was significantly reduced compared with that of c-met-negative patients (30.9 vs 48.2 months, P<0.05). COX regression analysis showed that c-met was a independent risk factor for the overall survival of the patients (HR: 2.34, 95% CI: 1.63-4.54, P<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>A positive expression of c-met protein is significantly correlated with an advanced TMN stage, lower tumor differentiation and a poor prognosis, and may serve as a indicator for predicting the prognosis of ESCC.</p>

TRPV1 channel-mediated thermogenesis is a common mode for the Chinese pungent-hot or pungent-warm herbs to demonstrate their natures / 药学学报

To further uncover the scientific significance and molecular mechanism of the Chinese herbs with pungent hot or warm natures, endogenous and exogenous expression systems were established by isolation of dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons and transfection of HEK293 cells with TRPV1 channel gene separately. On this basis, the regulation action of capsaicin, one main ingredient from chili pepper, on TRPV1 channel was further explored by using confocal microscope. Besides, the three-sites one-unit technique and method were constructed based on the brown adipose tissue (BAT), anal and tail skin temperatures. Then the effect of capsaicin on mouse energy metabolism was evaluated. Both endogenous and exogenous TRPV1 channel could be activated and this action could be specifically blocked by the TRPV1 channel inhibitor capsazepine. Simultaneously, the mice's core body temperature and BAT temperature fall down and then go up, accompanied by the increase of temperature of the mice's tail skin. Promotion of the energy metabolism by activation of TRPV1 channel might be the common way for the pungent-hot (warm) herbs to demonstrate their natures.

Clinical observation of microsurgial repairing for the treatment of soft tissue defection of heel / 中国骨伤

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>T o summarize the clinical effects of the repairing methods for skin and soft tissue defection of heel.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>From June 1998 to June 2009,42 patients with skin and soft tissue defection of heel underwent the repairing treatment,including 23 males and 19 females, with an average age of 37 years old ranging from 18 to 65. The causes of injuries included mangled injury in 22 cases, high fall injury in 10 cases, cut injury in 5 cases,melanoma in 3 cases, decubital ulcer in 2 cases. Of the 42 cases, 27 were on left side and 15 on right side. The defect area of skin ranged from 3 cm x 2 cm to 18 cm x 16 cm. The time between the injury and surgery ranged from 8 hours to 10 years. The wounds were repaired separately by medial plantar flap in 13 cases, lesser saphenous sural nerve vascular island flap in 18 cases, saphenous neurocutaneous vascular flap in 11 cases. The patients' outcome were evaluated with appearance,blood supply, texture, resilience and two points discrimination of the flaps.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>All of the 42 flaps were survived. The distal skin necrosis occurred in 2 flaps, but healing occurred after debridement and intermediate thickness skin grafting. Three patients with sinus formation healed after 5 to 12 months of dressing change. All patients were follow-up for 8 months to 6 years. The flaps of all patients gained a satisfied shape after operation. The patients had a normal gait, the flaps had a good sense and a resistance to wearing,and no ulcer occurred. The two point discrimination of the flap was 4 to 12 mm.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>It is convenient and effective to repair the heel skin and soft tissue defects using medial plantar island skin flap when the defects is less then 8 cmx6 cm. As reliable blood supply,major artery preservation and high survival, the lesser saphenous sural nerve vascular island flap and saphenous neurocutaneous vascular flap can be transferred to repair the large soft tissue defect of heel.</p>

Reinforcement property of collagen fibril in articular cartilage / 医用生物力学

Objective To evaluate and compare the differences in COSMOL articular cartilage (AC) simulation due to the application of collagen fibril reinforcement property. Methods Collagen fiber stress was modeled independently according to its orientation in AC and written into the original poro-elastic AC model. Function call was used to avoid quadric strain term. The iteration of solver was increased for better convergence. Results The initial superficial Y displacement of the reinforced model was 15 μm, which was 17.6% of the non-reinforced model. X normal strain of the reinforced model was 10% of that in the non-reinforced model, but the superficial X normal stress of the reinforced model was 10 times higher than that of the non-reinforced model. Conclusions The application of collagen fibril reinforcement property in COMSOL AC simulation is achieved, which provided the computational model and theoretical analysis for collagen fibril lesion. Lateral reinforcement of collagen fiber can constrain the vertical strain, by which enlarge AC load capacity and improve AC mechanical properties.

Multiscale computation on mechanical environment of chondrocytes / 医用生物力学

Objective To compare the mechanical environment of chondrocytes between superficial zone and deep zone by multiscale computation. Methods The chondrocyte biphasic model was set up and made the results of the articular cartilage (AC) biphasic model mapped to the corresponding borders of the chondrocyte model as the boundary condition. The chondrocyte model was computed to obtain the results of the mechanical environment of chondrocytes and analyzed. Results The results showed that the stress of chondrocytes at deep zone was half of that at superficial zone, but both were much smaller than those outside chondrocytes. The pericellular matrix (PCM) sustained the high stress outside chondrocytes and remarkably reduced the stress inside chondrocytes. Interstitial flow directions adjacent to two chondrocytes were totally the opposite.Conclusions The bearing property of AC reduced the stress near chondrocytes at deep zone prominently and protected the chondrocytes at deep zone and subchondral bone. PCM sustained the high stress outside chondrocytes to provide lower stress environment for chondrocytes living. The opposite interstitial flow direction of two chondrocytes supported the theory that synovia seepage from cartilage surface and nutrient pumped out from subchondral bone constitute the bidirectional nutrient supply in AC.

Articular cartilage simulation using depth-dependent mechanical parameters / 医用生物力学

Objective To evaluate the difference in articular cartilage simulation due to the application of either homogeneous or depth-dependent mechanical parameters. Method The nonlinear， biphasic， porous model of articular cartilage was built using poroelasticity module in COMSOL. Under the static load, the model was computed using homogeneous and depth dependent parameter, respectively. The difference between the results was analyzed. Results For the total stress of cartilage， there was no remarkable difference between two parameter configurations. However, for the analysis such as solid phase stress, fluid pressure and flow velocity， the difference between two parameter configurations must be considered. Conclusions Different parameter configuration has negligible effect on the total stress of cartilage, but it is influential to the flow velocity. Therefore， homogeneous mechanical parameters should be used in order to simplify the total stress computation problem. The other more detailed analysis should be based on the depth dependent parameters. These conclusions could be referred to for future cartilage modeling and numerical computation and thus laying a foundation for the design and computation of artificial joint.

Study on the compression properties between articular cartilage and polyvinyl alcohol hydrogel as artificial cartilage / 医用生物力学

Objective To compare the compression properties of articular cartilage and polyinyl alcohol hydro-gel(PVA-H)as artificial carlage.Method Unconfined compression tests were conducted on articular card-lage and PVA-H,including stress-strain tests,creep tests and stress relaxation tests.The stress-strain rela-tionship of articular cartilage and PVA-H were measured.Result The compression modulus of articular card-lage was higher than that of PVA hydrogel.The average compression modulus of articular cartilage and PVA hydrogel was(3.6492±0.6199)Mpa and(1.5951±0.1469)Mpa,respectively.Condusions The experimental results revealed the differences existed between articular cartilage and PVA-H and this would be useful to fur-ther improve the mechanical properties of artificial cartilage.

Study on the compression properties between articular cartilage and polyvinyl alcohol hydrogel as artificial cartilage / 医用生物力学

Objective To compare the compression properties of articular cartilage and polyinyl alcohol hydro-gel(PVA-H)as artificial carlage.Method Unconfined compression tests were conducted on articular card-lage and PVA-H,including stress-strain tests,creep tests and stress relaxation tests.The stress-strain rela-tionship of articular cartilage and PVA-H were measured.Result The compression modulus of articular card-lage was higher than that of PVA hydrogel.The average compression modulus of articular cartilage and PVA hydrogel was(3.6492±0.6199)Mpa and(1.5951±0.1469)Mpa,respectively.Condusions The experimental results revealed the differences existed between articular cartilage and PVA-H and this would be useful to fur-ther improve the mechanical properties of artificial cartilage.

Thoracoscopy assisted Nuss procedure for pectus excavatum correction / 中华整形外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the short-term effect and experience of Nuss procedure on 120 cases of patients with pectus excavatum.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Thoracoscopy assisted Nuss procedure with different ways of anesthesia were applied to 120 cases of patients with pectus excavatum, including 7 cases of recurrence after traditional surgical procedure (6 cases) and Nuss method (another one). The patients ranged in age from 2.5 to 43 (mean 14.1) years and in Haller index from 2.91 to 29. Of the 120, 73 had symmetric and 47 had asymmetric pectus excavatum. The Nuss procedure is performed with general anesthesia and a convex steel bar is inserted under the sternum with thoracoscopy through small bilateral thoracic incisions. The steel bar is inserted with the convexity facing posteriorly, and when it is in position, the bar is turned over, thereby correcting the deformity.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The operation was successfully accomplished without severe complications in all the 120 cases. The mean operative time was 58 minutes and the mean volume of blood loss was 30 ml. 103 patients had one bar inserted while the other 17 cases with more extremely diffuse depression required 2 or even 3 bars to get a satisfactory correction. Such methods as modifications to the fixing points and the shape of the bar, partial osteotomy, were developed to deal with asymmetric ones.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The Nuss procedure is a minimally invasive technique for correction of pectus excavatum. It can lead to a satisfactory outcome and surgical time is less.</p>

Sensory and sympathetic innervation of cervical facet joint in rats / 中华创伤杂志(英文版)

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the patterns of innervation of cervical facet joints and determine the pathways from facet joints to dorsal root ganglions (DRGs) in order to clarify the causes of diffuse neck pain, headache, and shoulder pain.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Forty-two male-Sprague-Dawley rats, weighing 250-300 g, were randomly divided into three groups: Group A (n=18), Group B (n=18), and Group C (n=6). Under anesthesia with intraperitoneal pentobarbital sodium (45 mg/kg body weight), a midline dorsal longitudinal incision was made over the cervical spine to expose the left cervical facet joint capsule of all the rats under a microscope. The rats in Group A underwent sympathectomy, but the rats in Group B and Group C did not undergo sympathectomy. Then 0.6 microlitre 5% bisbenzimide (Bb) were injected into the C1-2, C3-4 and C5-6 facet joints of 6 rats respectively in Group A and Group B. The holes were immediately sealed with mineral wax to prevent leakage of Bb and the fascia and skin were closed. But in Group C, 0.9% normal saline was injected into the corresponding joint capsules. Then under deep re-anesthesia with intraperitoneal pentobarbital sodium (45 mg/kg body weight), C1-C8 left DRGs in all rats and the sympathetic ganglions in Group B were obtained and the number of the labeled neurons was determined.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Neurons labeled with Bb were present in C1-C8 DRGs in both Group A and Group B, and sympathetic ganglions in Group B. In the C1-2 and C3-4 subgroups, labeled neurons were present from C1 to C8 DRGs, while in C5-6 subgroups they were from C3 to C8. The number of Bb(+) neurons after sympathectomy was not significantly different in the injected level from that without sympathectomy. But in the other levels, the number of Bb(+) neurons after sympathectomy was significantly less than that without sympathectomy.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The innervation of the cervical facet joints is derived from both sensory and sympathetic nervous system, and DRGs are associated with sympathetic ganglions through nerve fibers outside the central nerve system.</p>