Glenohumeral kinematics following total shoulder arthroplasty: a finite element investigation.

The osseous geometry of the glenohumeral joint is naturally nonconforming and minimally constrained, and the joint's stability is maintained by action of the rotator cuff muscles. Damage to these muscles is often associated with joint degeneration, and a variety of glenoid prostheses have been developed to impart varying degrees of stability postoperatively. The issues of conformity and constraint within the artificial shoulder have been addressed through in vivo and in vitro studies, although few computational models have been presented. The current investigation presents the results of three-dimensional finite element analyses of the total shoulder joint and the effects of design parameters upon glenohumeral interaction. Conformity was shown not to influence the loads required to destabilize the joint, although it was the principal factor determining the magnitude of humeral head translation. Constraint was found to correlate linearly with the forces required to dislocate the humeral head, with higher constraint leading to slightly greater humeral migration at the point of joint instability. The model predicts that patients with a dysfunctional supraspinatus would experience frequent eccentric loading of the glenoid, especially in the superior direction, which would likely lead to increased fixation stresses, and hence, a greater chance of loosening. For candidates with an intact rotator cuff, the models developed in this study predict that angular constraints of at least 14 degrees and 6.5 degrees in the superoinferior and anteroposterior axes are required to provide stable unloaded abduction of the humerus, with larger constraints of 18 degrees and 10 degrees necessitated by a dysfunctional supraspinatus. The tools developed during this study can be used to determine the capacity for different implant designs to provide resistance to excessive glenohumeral translations and reduce the potential for instability of the joint, allowing surgeons to optimize postoperative functional gains on a patient by patient basis.     

Leishmaniasis: vaccine candidates and perspectives

Leishmania is a protozoan parasite and a causative agent of the various clinical forms of leishmaniasis. High cost, resistance and toxic side effects of traditional drugs entail identification and development of therapeutic alternatives. The sound understanding of parasite biology is key for identifying novel drug targets, that can induce the cell mediated immunity (mainly CD4+ and CD8+ IFN-gamma mediated responses) polarized towards a Th1 response. These aspects are important in designing a new vaccine along with the consideration of the candidates with respect to their ability to raise memory response in order to improve the vaccine performance. This review is an effort to identify molecules according to their homology with the host and their ability to be used as potent vaccine candidates.     

组蛋白去乙酰化酶抑制剂联合芬维A胺诱导人肝癌细胞凋亡的研究

目的探讨组蛋白去乙酰化酶抑制剂Scdptaid、TSA分别联合芬维A胺诱导人肝癌细胞凋亡作用。方法组蛋白去乙酰化酶抑制剂Scriptaid（10／zM）合芬维A胺（10／zM）、TSA（1／zM）联合芬维A胺（10／zM）分别处理人肝癌细胞株（SNU475。SNU449,SNU398,sK—HEP-1,PLC／PRF／5）。通过Caspase-3／7检测试剂盒和CellTiter—Glo发光细胞活力检测试剂盒监测组蛋白乙酰化酶抑制剂联合芬维A胺对肝癌细胞的影响。结果组蛋白去乙酰化酶抑制剂Scriptaid（10／zM）、Ts（1／zM）联合芬维A胺（10肚M）处理细胞24h能显著诱导人肝癌细胞株SNU475、SNU449、SNU389、SK—HEP-1、PLC／PRF／5凋亡（P〈0．01）。结论组蛋白乙酰化酶抑制剂Scriptaid、TSA联合芬维A胺能诱导肝癌细胞凋亡。     

椎弓根螺钉内固定术有关角度测量及其临床意义

目的 :为椎弓根螺钉内固定术提供椎弓根相关角度的解剖学资料。方法 :在 10 0例脊柱骨标本 (C2 ～L5)上 ,测量椎弓根长轴与椎体矢状面及上平面之间的夹角。结果 :绝对值 :E角C4 ～C5最大 ,L5次之 ,而T12 最小 ,总体出现两个高峰一个低谷值 ;F角胸段均较大 ,其中T4 最大 ,颈段及腰段较小 ,呈典型的“山峰”形趋势 ;C2～L5的E角和F角侧别间差异均无显著性 (P <0 0 5 ) ,而性别间差异E角均为男大于女 ,C2 ～T6有显著性差异(P <0 .0 5 ) ,而T7～L5无显著性差异 (P >0 .0 5 ) ;F角除C3 、C4 女大于男且差异有显著性 (P <0 0 5 )外 ,其余均为男大于女 ,C2 、C5～T12 差异有极显著性 (P <0 0 1) ,而L1～L5则无显著性差异 (P >0 0 5 )。结论 :E角和F角值均有明显的规律性 ,参照E角F角及椎弓根的骨质结构确定相应的TSA角及SSA角。     

The in vitro biological activity of selected South African Commiphora species

Ten South African Commiphora (Burseraceae) species were investigated to validate their use in traditional healing rites. The leaf and stem extracts of each species were analysed for the anti-oxidant (ABTS and DPPH assays), antimicrobial (MIC and death kinetic assays), anti-inflammatory (5-LOX assay), anticancer (SRB assay) properties, as well as the cytotoxic effects (tetrazolium-based assay). The best anti-oxidant activity (ABTS assay) was observed for the stem extracts of Commiphora tenuipetiolata IC(50)=5.10 microg/ml), Commiphora neglecta (IC(50)=7.28 microg/ml) and Commiphora mollis (IC(50)=8.82 microg/ml). Extracts generally exhibited poor anti-oxidant activity in the DPPH assay, with the exception of Commiphora schimperi (stem), Commiphora neglecta (stem), Commiphora tenuipetiolata (stem and leaf), and Commiphora edulis (stem), with IC(50) values ranging between 7.31 and 10.81 microg/ml. The stem extracts exhibited moderate to good 5-LOX inhibitory activity with Commiphora pyracanthoides (stem) displaying the greatest inhibitory effect (IC(50)=27.86+/-4.45 microg/ml). For the antimicrobial (MIC) assay, a greater selectivity was exhibited by the extracts against the Gram-positive bacteria (0.01-8.00 mg/ml) and the yeasts (0.25-8.00 mg/ml) than against the Gram-negative bacteria (1.00-8.00 mg/ml). Using death kinetic studies (time-kill studies), the rate at which Commiphora marlothii (stem) kills Staphylococcus aureus over a 24h period was determined. Mostly, a concentration-dependent antibacterial activity was observed beginning after ca. 30 min. All concentrations exhibited antibacterial activity, with complete bactericidal effect achieved by the 24(th) hour. The most active Commiphora species against the HT-29 cells (SRB anticancer assay) were Commiphora glandulosa (leaf and stem) and Commiphora marlothii (leaf). The MCF-7 cells (SRB anticancer assay) exhibited the highest sensitivity to indigenous Commiphora species, with Commiphora edulis (leaf and stem), Commiphora glandulosa (leaf and stem), Commiphora marlothii (leaf), Commiphora pyracanthoides (leaf and stem), Commiphora schimperi (stem), and Commiphora viminea (stem) all possessing a percentage inhibition greater than 80% at 100 microg/ml. Commiphora glandulosa (leaf and stem) and Commiphora pyracanthoides (leaf and stem) were the two most active species against the SF-268 cells (SRB anticancer assay), with IC(50) values ranging between 68.55+/-2.01 and 71.45+/-1.24 microg/ml. The majority of the Commiphora extracts were largely non-cytotoxic against Graham human kidney epithelial cells when investigated in the MTT assay.     

过继转输TSA诱导的CD4^＋CD25^＋调节性T细胞对不明原因复发性流产的治疗作用

目的观察过继转输TSA诱导的CD4^＋CD25^＋调节性T细胞（CD4＋CD25＋Treg）对不明原因流产的作用机制及妊娠预后的影响。方法以雌性CBA/J×雄性BALB/c为正常妊娠模型,以雌性CBA/J×雄性DBA/2J为自然流产模型,使用免疫磁珠方法分选雌性CBA/J小鼠脾脏CD4^＋CD25^＋Treg细胞,并使用流式细胞术检测分选纯度。采用TSA对流产孕鼠外周CD4^＋/CD25^-T细胞Foxp3基因特定位点进行表观修饰,以实现Foxp3稳定、持久的表达,并将CD4^＋Treg分别转输至流产模型孕4d（着床期）的雌性CBA/J孕鼠,于孕14d分别观察宿主孕鼠的胚胎吸收率。结果与对照组比较,过继转输TSA诱导的CD4^＋CD25^＋Treg细胞的宿主孕鼠的胚胎吸收率（11.27%）显著下降。结论孕早期过继转输TSA诱导的CD4^＋CD25^＋Treg细胞疗法能诱导宿主母胎免疫耐受,有利于妊娠的维持。     

小组心理辅导对初中生学习潜能开发的实验研究

目的探讨小组辅导对激发学生学习潜能及提高学生学业成绩的影响。方法将10名学业不良的初二学生作为实验组进行14次的小组辅导,将同质的10名学生作为对照组,采用一般效能感量表、考试焦虑量表、自我和谐量表在辅导前后对两组进行评定,并收集组员完成自我报告。结果①小组辅导后,实验组与对照组学生的学业成绩存在显著性差异(t=3.20,P<0.01);②实验组与对照组学生自我和谐水平在前、后测变化上差异显著(t=-2.17,P<0.01);③实验组学生的自我效能整体上呈上升趋势,对照组学生的一般自我效能整体上保持不变。结论小组辅导是一种行之有效的学校心理辅导模式,它可以改善学生的心理健康水平,激发学生的学习潜能进而改善学生学业发展的停滞状态。     

MuLV IN mutants responsive to HDAC inhibitors enhance transcription from unintegrated retroviral DNA

For Moloney murine leukemia virus (M-MuLV), sustained viral infections require expression from an integrated provirus. For many applications, non-integrating retroviral vectors have been utilized to avoid the unwanted effects of integration, however, the level of expression from unintegrated DNA is significantly less than that of integrated provirus. We find that unintegrated DNA expression can be increased in the presence of HDAC inhibitors, such as TSA, when applied in combination with integrase (IN) mutations. These mutants include an active site mutation as well as catalytically active INs bearing mutations of K376 in the MuLV C-terminal domain of IN. MuLV IN K376 is homologous to K266 in HIV-1 IN, a known substrate for acetylation. The MuLV IN protein is acetylated by p300 in vitro, however, the effect of HDAC inhibitors on gene expression from unintegrated DNA is not dependent on the acetylation state of MuLV IN K376.