Endothelial Progenitor Cells Correlated with Oxidative Stress after Mild Traumatic Brain Injury

PURPOSE: Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) play a key role in tissue repair and regeneration. Previous studies have shown that infusion of human umbilical cord blood-derived endothelial colony-forming cells improves outcomes in mice subjected to experimental traumatic brain injury (TBI). However, the efficiency of cell transplantation is not satisfactory. Oxidative stress plays a significant role in the survival of transplanted cells following ischemic reperfusion injury. This observational clinical study investigated the correlation between the number of circulating EPCs and plasma levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malonyldialdehyde (MDA). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Peripheral blood samples were collected from 20 patients with mild TBI at day-1, day-2, day-3, day-4, and day-7 post TBI. The number of circulating EPCs and the plasma levels of SOD and MDA were measured. RESULTS: The average of circulating EPCs in TBI patients decreased initially, but increased thereafter, compared with healthy controls. Plasma levels of SOD in TBI patients were significantly lower than those in healthy controls at day-4 post-TBI. MDA levels showed no difference between the two groups. Furthermore, when assessed on day-7 post-TBI, the circulating EPC number were correlated with the plasma levels of SOD and MDA. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that the number of circulating EPCs is weakly to moderately correlated with plasma levels of SOD and MDA at day-7 post-TBI, which may offer a novel antioxidant strategy for EPCs transplantation after TBI.

Percutaneous vertebroplasty repairs non-osteoporotic single-segmental vertebral traumatic compression fractures / 中国组织工程研究

BACKGROUND: It is stil controversial about whether percutaneous vertebroplasty can be as an option for treatment of non-osteoporotic single-segmental vertebral traumatic compression fractures. OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of percutaneous vertebroplasty in repair of non-osteoporotic single-segmental vertebral traumatic compression fractures. METHODS: Total y 20 patients who underwent percutaneous vertebroplasty in repair of non-osteoporotic single-segmental vertebral traumatic compression fractures between March 2010 and January 2013 were col ected. The variation of visual analog scale scores and the Oswestry disability index scores of patients was observed before and after the repair. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) The visual analog scale scores and the Oswestry disability index scores of patients were significantly reduced after repair compared with those before repair, moreover, the visual analog scale scores and the Oswestry disability index scores of patients at the 3, 6, 12 and 18 months after repair were similar. (2) Al patients had no adverse effects and complications. (3) These results suggest that percutaneous vertebroplasty in repair of non-osteoporotic single-segmental vertebral traumatic compression fractures quickly relieves back pain and improves the actives of thoracolumbar segments.

Percutaneous pedicle screw internal fixation repairs single segment of thoracolumbar fracture：activity improvement during 12 months of follow-up / 中国组织工程研究

BACKGROUND:Studies have shown that percutaneous pedicle screw internal fixation in repair of single segment of thoracolumbar fracture can overcome quadrilateral effect, get better biomechanical properties, meanwhile, it also can provide three-point fixation, reduce suspension effect, and reduce the formation of kyphosis. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical efficacy and incidence of complications of the percutaneous pedicle screw internal fixation for treatment of single segment thoracolumbar fractures. METHODS:Totaly 36 patients with single segment thoracolumbar fractures treated by percutaneous pedicle screw internal fixation were enroled. A total of 36 vertebral bodies were treated: T11=5, T12=8, L1=17, L2=6. The visual analog scale scores before treatment and at 3, 6 and 12 months after treatment, the Oswestry disability indexes before treatment, at the first week and at the 12th month after treatment, the Cobb angle before treatment, the first day and at the 12th month after treatment were compared and observed. The incidence of complications was recorded. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The visual analog scale scores at 3, 6 and 12 months after treatment was significantly lower than those before treatment (P < 0.001). The Oswestry disability indexes before treatment, at the first week and at the 12th month after treatment were significantly lower those that before treatment (P < 0.001).The Cobb angle before treatment, at the first day and at the 12th month after treatment was significantly smaler than that before treatment (P < 0.001). Only three (8%) patients had complications, including pedicle screw penetrating pedicle into the spinal canal, pedicle screws loosing and the infection in puncture site. These results suggest that percutaneous pedicle screw internal fixation for treatment of single segment thoracolumbar fractures can correct kyphosis, improve the thoracolumbar motion, quickly relieve patient’s back pain, and the incidence of complications is low.

In situ Determination of Anthracene Adsorbed onto Mangrove Root Surface Micro-zone Using Microscopic Fluorescence Spectrometric Analysis System / 分析化学

A microscopic fluorescence spectrometric analysis ( MFSA) system was set in the laboratory. A novel method for in situ determination of Anthracene ( Ant) adsorbed onto root surface micro-zone of two kinks of mangrove plant, named Kandelia obovata ( K. obovata) and Avicennia marina ( A. marina) by MFSA was established. Fluorescence spectra of Ant adsorbed on root surface micro-zone were obtained by synchronous scanning mode. The signal to noise (S/N) of Ant (5. 3 pg/μm2) adsorbed on K. obovata and A. marina root surface micro-zone increased up to 5. 5 and 6. 8 while wavelength offset (△λ) both were at 60 nm, respectively. The linear dynamic ranges of established method were 5. 3-63. 2 pg/μm2 for K. obovata and 10. 5-52. 6 pg/μm2 for A. marina, with the detection limits of 1. 1 pg/μm2 and 5. 5 pg/μm2 , respectively. The relative standard deviations were both less than 12 . 5% ( n=9 ) , and the recoveries were 98 . 1% -117. 0% and 81. 2%-110. 9%, respectively. The result showed that the MFSA system had ability to obtain quantitative information of fluorescence spectra and fluorescence image of Ant adsorbed onto plant roots surface micro-zone.