Impact of preoperative [18F]FDG PET/CT vs. contrast-enhanced CT in the staging and survival of patients with clinical stage I and II non-small cell lung cancer: a 10-year follow-up study.

OBJECTIVES: To elucidate the impact of [18F]FDG positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) vs. CT workup on staging and prognostic evaluation of clinical stage (c) I-II NSCLC. METHODS: We retrospectively identified 659 cI-II NSCLC who underwent CT (267 patients) or preoperative CT followed by PET/CT (392 patients), followed by curative-intended complete resection in our hospital from January 2008 to December 2013. Differences were assessed between preoperative and postoperative stage. Five-year disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) rates were calculated using the Kaplan-Meier approach and compared with log-rank test. Impact of preoperative PET/CT on survival was assessed by Cox regression analysis. RESULTS: The study included 659 patients [mean age, 59.5 years ± 10.8 (standard deviation); 379 men]. The PET/CT group was superior over CT group in DFS [12.6 vs. 6.9 years, HR 0.67 (95% CI 0.53-0.84), p < 0.001] and OS [13.9 vs. 10.5 years, HR 0.64 (95% CI 0.50-0.81), p < 0.001]. In CT group, more patients thought to have cN0 migrated to pN1/2 disease as compared with PET/CT group [26.4% (66/250) vs. 19.2% (67/349), p < 0.001], resulting in more stage cI cases being upstaged to pII-IV [24.7% (49/198) vs. 16.1% (47/292), p = 0.02], yet this was not found in cII NSCLC [27.5% (19/69) vs. 27.0% (27/100), p = 0.94]. Cox regression analysis identified preoperative PET/CT as an independent prognostic factor of OS and DFS (p = 0.002, HR = 0.69, 95% CI 0.54-0.88; p = 0.004, HR = 0.72, 95% CI 0.58-0.90). CONCLUSION: Addition of preoperative [18F]FDG PET/CT was associated with superior DFS and OS in resectable cI-II NSCLC, which may result from accurate staging and stage-appropriate therapy.

Mapping and candidate gene analysis of clustered bud on the main inflorescence in Brassica napus L.

Breeding rapeseed varieties with more main inflorescence siliques is an idea for developing rapeseed varieties that are suitable for light and simplified cultivation. The Brassica napus exhibited cluster bud of the main inflorescence (Bnclib) gene. At the fruiting stage, the main inflorescence had more siliques, higher density, and more main inflorescences. Moreover, the top of the main inflorescence bifurcated. Genetic analysis showed that the separation ratio between Bnclib and the wild type in the F2 generation was 3:1, which indicated that the trait was a single-gene-dominant inheritance. Among the 24 candidate genes, only one gene, BnaA03g53930D, showed differential expression between the groups (False discovery rate, FDR ≤ 0.05, |log2FC|≤ 1). qPCR verification of the BnaA03g53930D gene between Huyou 17 and its Bnclib near-isogenic line showed that BnaA03g53930D was significantly differentially expressed in the stem tissue of Huyou 17 and its Bnclib near-isogenic line (Bnclib NIL). The determination of gibberellin (GA), brassinolide (BR), cytokinin (CTK), jasmonic acid (JA), growth hormone (IAA), and strigolactone (SL) content in the shoot apex of Huyou 17 by Bnclib NIL and wild type showed that all six hormones significantly differed between the Bnclib NIL and Huyou 17. It is necessary to conduct further research on the interactions between JA and the other five hormones and the main inflorescence bud clustering in B. napus.

[Ecological Risk and Migration Patterns of Heavy Metals in Soil and Crops in the Lead-Zinc Mining Area in Guizhou, China].

An accumulation of heavy metals in soil poses a risk to the ecological environment and human health. In this study, the concentrations of heavy metals in soil and crops were examined in a lead-zinc mining area in Guizhou Province, China. The distribution and sources of heavy metals were analyzed using GIS spatial mapping. The potential ecological risks of heavy metals were assessed using the potential ecological risk index (RI), and the human health risk assessment method recommended by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) was used to quantify the health risk of residents exposed to heavy metals in the soil around lead-zinc mines. According to the results, the average of concentrations of As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb, and Zn in the soil were 58, 7.9, 175, 64, 0.461, 65, 1539, and 2513 mg·kg-1, respectively, which were significantly higher than the background values in Guizhou Province. It was found that the As, Cd, Cu, Hg, Pb, and Zn concentrations were extremely irregular in the soil and that the concentrations decreased significantly with the distance to the smelters, which were greatly disturbed by human activities. Comprehensive evaluation of soil heavy metals using the potential ecological risk index revealed that the risks of soil heavy metals were pole-strength and strong levels, and Cd constituted the primary ecological risk factor. A total of 22% and 10% of the corn samples contained Pb and As above the heavy metal pollution thresholds in the national food safety standards. According to human health risk assessments, heavy metals in the soil present potential non-carcinogenic risks to adults or children, and pose a potential carcinogenic risk to children. Soil pH was an important controlling factor affecting the bioavailability, migration, and accumulation of Cd in soil-crop systems. This study provides data and theoretical support for the prevention and control of soil pollution in lead-zine mining areas.

[Sources Identification, Ecological Risk Assessment, and Controlling Factors of Potentially Toxic Elements in Typical Lead-Zinc Mine Area, Guizhou Province, Southwest China].

Carbonatite and basalt are widely distributed in southwest China, and potentially toxic elements (PTEs) are associated with the naturally high background properties. It is important to carry out ecological risk assessments and identify potential sources of PTEs. A total of 3180 soil samples (0-20 cm) were collected in Hezhang county, a typical high background area of PTEs with the parent lithology of carbonatite and basalt. Samples were obtained from 18 large lead-zinc mines, which belong to a multi-ecological risk superimposed area with high ecological risk. The concentration of PTEs (Cd, Cr, As, Hg, Pb, Cu, Zn, and Ni) in the topsoil were analyzed, and statistical analysis (SA), geographic information system (GIS), enrichment factor (EF), potential ecological risk index (RI), and positive matrix factorization (PMF) methods were used to assess the ecological risk and quantify sources of PTEs. The mean values of PTEs concentrations in topsoil were 24.55, 2.25, 176.40, 89.60, 0.19, 64.20, 102.00, and 257.00 mg·kg-1 for As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb, and Zn, respectively, which were remarkably higher than the average background value (ABV) of soils in Guizhou Province. The average concentrations of Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn exceeded the screening values specified for the soil contamination risk in agricultural land (GB 15618-2018) by 7.50, 1.18, 1.79, 1.07, 1.40, and 1.29 times, respectively. The EF showed that Cd had a large area of moderate pollution; Pb, Zn, and Cu had a small area of slight pollution; the EFs values of Hg, Cr, Ni, and As were near the baseline value (EF≈1), and contaminations were slight or nonexistent. The PMF indicated that there were five sources, namely pyrite mines, lead-zinc mines, natural sources of basalt and carbonatite, and agricultural activities; the risk contribution ratios were 5.25%, 27.37%, 28.94%, 17.91%, and 20.53%, respectively. The most toxic coefficients of Hg and Cd were mainly natural sources, with contribution ratios of 86.3% and 72.7%, respectively. The soil samples in the mining areas expectedly contained high ratios of Zn/Cd and Pb/Cd, which confirmed that PTEs in the soil were mainly derived from the smelting wastes. The contents of metal oxides such as Fe, Mn, and Si were the influencing factors of PTEs enrichment. On the contrary, soil samples exhibited much lower Zn/Cd and Pb/Cd ratios in non-mining areas, indicating that the main origin of these metals in soil was the smelting flue gas dusts and geological background.

[Factors Affecting the Translocation and Accumulation of Cadmium in a Soil-Crop System in a Typical Karst Area of Guangxi Province, China].

To understand the main factors influencing the translocation and accumulation of cadmium (Cd) in soil-crop systems in typical karst areas, 68 sets of paddy soil and rice grain samples were collected in Guangxi Province. These were used to analyze Cd concentrations and soil properties (pH, organic matter (OM) content, oxide content, and texture). Spearman's correlation coefficients and principal component analysis (PCA) were used to examine the effects of soil properties on Cd concentrations and identify the main influencing factors. The studied soils were highly enriched in iron oxide (TFe2O3), aluminum oxide (Al2O3), and manganese oxide (MnO) compared to background levels, with average concentrations of 20.2%, 19.0%, and 0.2%, respectively. However, the soils are relatively depleted in silica (SiO2), with an average concentration of 41.0%. The soils are strongly weathered and leached in study area, giving rise to rich occurrences of Fe-Mn nodules. The concentrations of TFe2O3 and MnO in the study soils were significantly correlated with soil Cd, rice seed Cd, and the Cd bioconcentration factor (BCF). The PCA analysis further showed that TFe2O3 and MnO in soils were the main factors affecting the migration and enrichment of Cd while soil pH, OM, and Al2O3 had less of an influence. Furthermore, SiO2 and soil texture indirectly affected the migration and enrichment of Cd. It is suggested that the Fe-Mn nodules effectively adsorb and immobilize Cd in the study area soils, acting as a heavy metal scavenger that reduced the biological accessibility of Cd.

[Ecological Risk Assessment of Heavy Metals at Township Scale in the High Background of Heavy Metals, Southwestern, China].

Heavy metals (HMs) are naturally occurring elements that have high natural background levels in the environment. Therefore, it is important to conduct ecological risk assessment and identify potential sources of HMs. In the past, studies were conducted at the regional scale. The accuracy of those studies could not meet the needs of spatial planning and natural resource management. Therefore, it is necessary to conduct ecological risk assessment at the township scale. In this study, 1092 soil samples (from 0-20 cm depth) were collected in the town of Reshui, an area with high background levels of soil HMs with the parent material of carbonatite, which is commonly found in Southwest China. The town of Reshui is a multi-ecological risk superimposed area where the ecological risk is high. In this study, concentrations of HMs (Cd, Cr, As, Hg, Pb, Cu, Zn, and Ni) in the topsoil were analyzed, and statistical analysis (SA), geographic information system (GIS) modeling, and positive matrix factorization (PMF) analysis were performed. The geoaccumulation index (Igeo) and potential ecological risk index (PERI) were applied for the ecological risk assessment and quantification of the sources of the soil HMs. The mean values of HM concentrations in the topsoil were 18.1, 1.18, 174.1, 202.2, 0.09, 71.1, 34.9, and 167.2 mg ·kg-1for As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb, and Zn, respectively, which were considerably higher than the average background value (ABV) in soils in Yunnan Province except for As and Pb. The average concentrations of Cd, Cr, Cu, and Ni exceeded the screening values specified in the soil contamination risk in agricultural land (GB 15618-2018) by 5.82, 1.16, 4.04, and 1.02 times, respectively. The Igeo value shows that the major pollutant is Cu in the surface soil of the study area, followed by Cr, and Cd. Speciation analysis of HMs indicates that HMs (Cr, As, Pb, Cu, Zn, and Ni) mainly exist in the residual form, mostly from the geological background with low bioavailability. The potential effective components of Hg have higher levels, but the total amount of Hg and its pollution risk are lower. Cd has a high bioavailability ratio, is easy to enter the soil solution and be absorbed by crops, and is the HM with the highest pollution risk in the study area. The PERI shows that the proportions of low ecological risk, moderate risk, and high risk soil samples are 44.23%, 54.40%, and 1.37% of the total number of samples, respectively. Hg and Cd were the major sources of risk because of their high toxicity coefficient. The PMF analysis indicates that there are four major sources of HMs in the study area: human activity, natural sources, coal mining and traffic emissions, and agricultural sources with the risk contribution ratios of 9.29%, 53.67%, 11.23%, and 25.81%, respectively. The PMF analysis effectively quantified the ecological risk from these sources, providing a reference for further pollution control and prevention measures.

Biased gene retention during diploidization in Brassica linked to three-dimensional genome organization.

The non-random three-dimensional (3D) organization of the genome in the nucleus is critical to gene regulation and genome function. Using high-throughput chromatin conformation capture, we generated chromatin interaction maps for Brassica rapa and Brassica oleracea at a high resolution and characterized the conservation and divergence of chromatin organization in these two species. Large-scale chromatin structures, including A/B compartments and topologically associating domains, are notably conserved between B. rapa and B. oleracea, yet their KNOT structures are highly divergent. We found that genes retained in less fractionated subgenomes exhibited stronger interaction strengths, and diploidization-resistant duplicates retained in pairs or triplets are more likely to be colocalized in both B. rapa and B. oleracea. These observations suggest that spatial constraint in duplicated genes is correlated to their biased retention in the diploidization process. In addition, we found strong similarities in the epigenetic modification and Gene Ontology terms of colocalized paralogues, which were largely conserved across B. rapa and B. oleracea, indicating functional constraints on their 3D positioning in the nucleus. This study presents an investigation of the spatial organization of genomes in Brassica and provides insights on the role of 3D organization in the genome evolution of this genus.

Machine Learning Methods Applied to Predict Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia with Pseudomonas aeruginosa Infection via Sensor Array of Electronic Nose in Intensive Care Unit.

One concern to the patients is the off-line detection of pneumonia infection status after using the ventilator in the intensive care unit. Hence, machine learning methods for ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) rapid diagnose are proposed. A popular device, Cyranose 320 e-nose, is usually used in research on lung disease, which is a highly integrated system and sensor comprising 32 array using polymer and carbon black materials. In this study, a total of 24 subjects were involved, including 12 subjects who are infected with pneumonia, and the rest are non-infected. Three layers of back propagation artificial neural network and support vector machine (SVM) methods were applied to patients' data to predict whether they are infected with VAP with Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection. Furthermore, in order to improve the accuracy and the generalization of the prediction models, the ensemble neural networks (ENN) method was applied. In this study, ENN and SVM prediction models were trained and tested. In order to evaluate the models' performance, a fivefold cross-validation method was applied. The results showed that both ENN and SVM models have high recognition rates of VAP with Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection, with 0.9479 ± 0.0135 and 0.8686 ± 0.0422 accuracies, 0.9714 ± 0.0131, 0.9250 ± 0.0423 sensitivities, and 0.9288 ± 0.0306, 0.8639 ± 0.0276 positive predictive values, respectively. The ENN model showed better performance compared to SVM in the recognition of VAP with Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection. The areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve of the two models were 0.9842 ± 0.0058 and 0.9410 ± 0.0301, respectively, showing that both models are very stable and accurate classifiers. This study aims to assist the physician in providing a scientific and effective reference for performing early detection in Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection or other diseases.

A Case of a Persistent Postoperative Infection Caused by Multidrug-Resistant Kluyvera ascorbata in the Oral and Maxillofacial Region.

INTRODUCTION: Kluyvera ascorbata infection is rare, but it has been extensively studied because of its potential to cause a wide range of infections and its ability to transfer the gene encoding for CTX-M-type extended spectrum ß-lactamases (ESBLs) to other Enterobacteriaceae. CASE PRESENTATION: The authors report a case of a 61-year-old Chinese male with a persistent postoperative infection caused by a multidrug-resistant ESBL-producing K. ascorbata. Following antimicrobial susceptibility testing, he was aggressively treated with gentamicin and levofloxacin with a favorable outcome. CONCLUSION: To our knowledge, this is the first case report of a persistent postoperative infection caused by a multidrug-resistant K. ascorbata in the oral and maxillofacial region. The authors suggest that K. ascorbata infection warrants prompt identification and aggressive antibiotic management, given that ESBL-producing K. ascorbata is resistant to penicillins and first-generation to third-generation cephalosporins.

Stromal Cell-Derived Factor-1α Alleviates Calcium-Sensing Receptor Activation-Mediated Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury by Inhibiting Caspase-3/Caspase-9-Induced Cell Apoptosis in Rat Free Flaps.

Surgical flaps are frequently affected by ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury. Calcium-sensing receptor (CaSR) and stromal cell-derived factor-1α (SDF-1α) are closely associated with myocardial I/R injury. This study was performed to evaluate the feasibility of applying SDF-1α to counteract CaSR activation-mediated I/R injury in ischemic free flaps. Free flaps that underwent ischemia for 3 h were equally randomized into five groups: CaCl2, NPS2143 + CaCl2, SDF-1α + CaCl2, AMD3100 + SDF-1α + CaCl2, and normal saline. The free flaps were harvested to evaluate flap necrosis and neovascularization after 2 h or 7 d of reperfusion. p-CaSR/CaSR was extensively expressed in vascular endothelial cells of free flaps after I/R injury, and activation of the SDF-1α/CXCR4 axis and NPS2143 could reduce the expression of cleaved caspase-3, caspase-9, FAS, Cyt-c, and Bax and increase Bcl-2 expression; the opposite was true after CaSR activation. Interestingly, initiation of the SDF-1α/CXCR4 axis might abrogate CaSR activation-induced I/R injury through enhancement of microvessel density. In conclusion, CaSR might become a novel therapeutic target of free flaps affected by I/R injury. Activation of the SDF-1α/CXCR4 axis and NPS2143 could counteract CaSR activation-mediated I/R injury and promote free flap survival through inhibition of caspase-3/caspase-9-related cell apoptosis and enhancement of neovascularization.

Epidemiology of Surgically Managed Mandibular Condylar Fractures at a Tertiary Referral Hospital in Urban Southwest China.

BACKGROUND: Mandibular condylar fracture is one of the commonest maxillofacial fractures treated by maxillofacial surgeons. Demography of the patients, causation, and characteristics of the fracture depends on various socio-economic factors. Hence, maxillofacial surgeons should be familiar with epidemiology of mandibular condylar fracture. OBJECTIVE: This study retrospectively describes the demography, etiology, fracture characteristics, and hospital utilization of surgically treated mandibular condylar fractures in a tertiary referral hospital in urban China in past five years. METHODS: Data of all patients who underwent surgical management between 2011 and 2015 were collected. This included aetiology, characteristics of fracture, time, age, sex, associated injuries, and hospital utilization of 166 patients with 208 mandibular condylar fractures. These patients had undergone open reduction and internal fixation with either miniplates or lag screws. Among the fracture of head of mandibular condyle, 21.28% of the patients had the fracture segments removed. These data were statistically analyzed to describe the epidemiology of mandibular condylar fracture. RESULTS: Most of the patients had unilateral mandibular condylar fractures (74.7%). Male patients (76.51%) outnumbered female patients (23.49%) in this cohort. The average age of the patients was 37 years. The fractures were mostly caused by fall from height (60.84%) and were located at the condylar neck (53.61%). Most of the patients had other associated maxillofacial injuries (71.08%) which were mostly located at symphysis and parasymphysis (44.59%). It took 12.58 +/- 0.35 days of hospitalization for the treatment. CONCLUSION: Fall from height was the most prevalent cause of mandibular condylar injury in mountainous urban China. The people at highest risk were middle-aged men. Mandibular condylar fracture was mostly located at the condylar neck and was usually associated with fracture at the symphysis and parasymphysis.

Modified L-shaped surgical approach to excision of the sublingual gland.

We present a series of 1131 patients who were treated between 1981 and 2013 using the modified L-shaped angular surgical approach to excision of the sublingual gland, and describe the risks and benefits compared with the conventional approach. A total of 365 patients were treated with the conventional approach, while the other 766 have been treated since 1991 using the modified approach. There were no serious complications or recurrences during or after the operation in the modified series. There were significant differences between the two approaches in terms of injuries to the submandibular duct (p=0.03), incidence of ranula on the opposite side (p=0.02), amount of intraoperative bleeding (p=0.000), and duration of operation (p=0.000). The modified L-shaped incision is both viable and safe, and simplifies excision of the sublingual gland while protecting the submandibular duct.

New advances in the mesenchymal stem cells therapy against skin flaps necrosis.

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), multipotential cells that reside within the bone marrow, can be induced to differentiate into various cells, such as osteoblasts, adipocytes, chondrocytes, vascular endothelial progenitor cells, and other cell types. MSCs are being widely studied as potential cell therapy agents due to their angiogenic properties, which have been well established by in vitro and in vivo researches. Within this context, MSCs therapy appears to hold substantial promise, particularly in the treatment of conditions involving skin grafts, pedicle flaps, as well as free flaps described in literatures. The purpose of this review is to report the new advances and mechanisms underlying MSCs therapy against skin flaps necrosis.

Primary tumor prevalence has an impact on the constituent ratio of metastases to the jaw but not on metastatic sites.

This article provides an overview of metastases to jaws (MJ), mainly concerning the differences between American and Chinese patients, and exploring the relationship between the primary tumors' prevalence (PTP) and constituent ratio of MJ. Information concerning of 399 MJ cases in 215 papers, including one new case in our hospital, was subjected to statistic analysis. The main clinical features of MJ, such as constituent ratio of PTP and that of MJ, metastatic sites, treatments, and prognosis were summarized. Breast, lung, kidney, prostate and thyroid (in descending order) were the leading primary sites of MJ. Furthermore, the constituent ratio of MJ was found to be correlated with that of PTP in all subjects including American and Chinese subjects in our study. As to metastatic sites in the mandible, a specific "M" shaped pattern appeared regardless of the tumor type or constituent ratios of MJ were in all subjects. Almost all subjects received traditionally palliative treatments, and the prognosis was quite poor. The PTP had a significant impact on the constituent ratio of MJ. However, it was the properties of the microenvironment rather than characteristics or constituent ratios of tumor cells, that decided the metastatic sites in various tumor subjects.

Mesenchymal stem cells transduced by stromal cell-derived factor-1α augment ischemic free flaps' survival.

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have the potential for differentiating into vascular endothelial cells. Stromal cell-derived factor-1α (SDF-1α) plays an important role in neovascularization of ischemic flaps. The authors evaluated the feasibility of applying MSCs transduced by SDF-1α gene to the treatment of early and partial ischemic free flaps survival. MSCs were isolated from Lewis rats and cultured in vitro. Recombinant adenovirus encoding SDF-1α gene (Ad-SDF-1α) was transduced into the MSCs. Lewis rats that underwent epigastric free flaps based on medial and lateral branches of superficial inferior epigastric vessels and femoral vessels were equally randomized into 4 groups, and injected with Ad-SDF-1α-transduced MSCs, MSCs, Ad-SDF-1α, and normal saline, respectively. Gene transduction, flaps survival, neovascularization, and expression level of SDF-1a protein were detected. The results showed that Ad-SDF-1α-transduced MSCs expressed higher SDF-1α both in vitro and in vivo, yielded more survival area, and resulted in higher neovascularization than any other groups. Interestingly, the necrotic sites of all free flaps were in the proximal end rather than in the distal end. In conclusion, Ad-SDF-1α-transduced MSCs can increase neovascularization of early and partial ischemic free flaps and augment the surviving areas.

Anterior skull base reconstruction with galeal-frontalis-pericranial flap based on temporalis myofascial flap.

Such a giant anterior skull base mucocele involving the orbito-ethmoido-maxillo-fronto sinuses is a rare case. This patient complained of a right orbital mass for 18 years, and he was recommended to our hospital for treatment. His history, physical examination, laboratory study results, diagnosis, and treatment are reported in detail. In conclusion, we show that modified transcranial pathway and ingenious assistant incision can get the utmost exposure and can obtain a satisfactory aesthetic result and that anterior skull base reconstruction with the galeal-frontalis-pericranial flap based on the temporalis myofascial flap for the first time can successfully prevent life-threatening complications from happening.

Expression of calcitonin gene-related peptide in anterior and posterior horns of the spinal cord after brachial plexus injury.

This study shows the expression pattern of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) in the anterior and posterior horns of the spinal cord after brachial plexus injury. The animals were divided into three injury groups: group 1, right C(7) anterior root avulsion; group 2, right C(7) anterior root avulsion and cut right C(5)-T(1) posterior roots; and group 3, right C(7) anterior root avulsion plus right hemitransection between the C(5) and C(6) segments of the spinal cord. These animals were killed at 1, 3, 7 and 14 days after injury. In the anterior horn of all three injured groups, the expression of CGRP increased progressively from day 1 to day 7 (p<0.05), peaked on day 7, and then began to decrease slowly. In the posterior horn of all three injured groups, the expression of CGRP decreased gradually from day 1 to day 14 after the operation and was significantly lower on day 14 compared to day 1. At each time point (days 1, 3, 7 and 14), the expression of CGRP was the highest in group 1 and the lowest in group 2, with significant differences among the three groups. The CGRP in the anterior horn of the spinal cord was derived from the cell bodies of motor neurons and was possibly involved in repair mechanisms and regeneration after nerve injury. However, the CGRP in the posterior horn was mainly derived from the posterior root ganglion and was possibly associated with the conduction of noxious stimulation.

[An experimental study on angiogenesis of non-vascularized autogenous bone graft with vascular bundle implantation].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of vascular bundle implantation in autogenous bone graft on angiogenesis. METHODS: Thirty-six New Zealand white rabbits were evaluated in this study. A portion of bilateral radial bones of a rabbit were removed as free bone grafts, whose periostea were peeled off. In test group, the external maxillary artery bundle was passed through the marrow cavity of the bone. In control group, there was no vascular bundle implantation. Each bone was placed in masseter muscle separately. The rabbits were sacrificed and the specimens were procured at 3 days, 1, 2, 3, 4 and 6 weeks after surgery for histological observation, Chinese ink perfusion and CD34 immunohistochemistry. Microvessel density (MVD) was assessed in order to evaluate angiogenesis of autogenous bone grafts. RESULTS: The bone grafts were found revascularization in 3 days after surgery in the test group, whereas at 2 weeks in the control group. In 3 days, 1 week, 2 weeks, 3 weeks and 4 weeks after surgery, the MVD of test group was significantly higher than that of control group. In 4 weeks after surgery, angiogenesis of test group reached to peak. CONCLUSION: Vascular bundle implantation improved angiogenesis in non-vascularized autogenous bone graft in this study.