颈椎终板弧形高度与椎间隙后缘骨赘的相关性研究

目的：通过对颈椎病患者上下终板弧形高度、椎间隙高度与椎间隙后骨赘的影像学测量，研究其相关性及其临床应用价值。方法：收集2017年9月至2018年9月颈椎病手术108例患者的临床资料，男48例，年龄30~72岁，平均52岁，女60例，年龄37~79岁，平均54岁。其中C_2，3 6例，C_3，4 15例，C_4，5 32例，C_5，6 42例，C_6，7 13例。术前及术后摄颈椎X线片，利用PACS（Picture Archiving and Communication Systems）调阅影像，测量椎间隙的下上终板弧形高度（L₁，L₂），椎间隙高度（L₃）及后方骨赘的宽度（L₄）。利用Spearman分析它们之间的相关性。结果：L₁与L₄对比（r=-0.34，P<0.05），L₃与L₄对比（r=-0.36，P<0.05），存在负相关。L₁与L₃对比（r=0.38，P<0.05），L₂与L₃对比（r=0.48，P<0.05），存在正相关。L₁与L₂对比（P>0.05），L₂与L₄对比（P>0.05），差异无统计学意义。结论：下终板弧形高度与椎间隙后缘骨赘宽度呈负相关，通过其测量可明确颈椎退变程度，对颈椎病的早期防治有指导意义。     

The chondrocyte channelome: A narrative review

Chondrocytes are the main cells in the extracellular matrix (ECM) of articular cartilage and possess a highly differentiated phenotype that is the hallmark of the unique physiological functions of this specialised load-bearing connective tissue. The plasma membrane of articular chondrocytes contains a rich and diverse complement of membrane proteins, known as the membranome, which defines the cell surface phenotype of the cells. The membranome is a key target of pharmacological agents and is important for chondrocyte function. It includes channels, transporters, enzymes, receptors, and anchors for intracellular, cytoskeletal and ECM proteins and other macromolecular complexes. The chondrocyte channelome is a sub-compartment of the membranome and includes a complete set of ion channels and porins expressed in these cells. Many of these are multi-functional proteins with “moonlighting” roles, serving as channels, receptors and signalling components of larger molecular assemblies. The aim of this review is to summarise our current knowledge of the fundamental aspects of the chondrocyte channelome, discuss its relevance to cartilage biology and highlight its possible role in the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis (OA). Excessive and inappropriate mechanical loads, an inflammatory micro-environment, alternative splicing of channel components or accumulation of basic calcium phosphate crystals can result in an altered chondrocyte channelome impairing its function. Alterations in Ca²⁺ signalling may lead to defective synthesis of ECM macromolecules and aggravated catabolic responses in chondrocytes, which is an important and relatively unexplored aspect of the complex and poorly understood mechanism of OA development.     

A modality-specific somatosensory evoked potential test protocol for clinical evaluation: A feasibility study

ObjectiveWe aimed to establish an objective neurophysiological test protocol that can be used to assess the somatosensory nervous system.MethodsIn order to assess most fiber subtypes of the somatosensory nervous system, repetitive stimuli of seven different modalities (touch, vibration, pinprick, cold, contact heat, laser, and warmth) were synchronized with the electroencephalogram (EEG) and applied on the cheek and dorsum of the hand and dorsum of the foot in 21 healthy subjects and three polyneuropathy (PNP) patients. Latencies and amplitudes of the modalities were assessed and compared. Patients received quantitative sensory testing (QST) as reference.ResultsWe found reproducible evoked potentials recordings for touch, vibration, pinprick, contact-heat, and laser stimuli. The recording of warm-evoked potentials was challenging in young healthy subjects and not applicable in patients. Latencies were shortest within Aβ-fiber-mediated signals and longest within C-fibers. The test protocol detected function loss within the Aβ-fiber and Aδ-fiber-range in PNP patients. This function loss corresponded with QST findings.ConclusionIn this pilot study, we developed a neurophysiological test protocol that can specifically assess most of the somatosensory modalities. Despite technical challenges, initial patient data appear promising regarding a possible future clinical application.SignificanceEstablished and custom-made stimulators were combined to assess different fiber subtypes of the somatosensory nervous system using modality-specific evoked potentials.     

Self-Mutilation in Neurodegeneration with Brain Iron Accumulation

Neurodegeneration with brain iron accumulation (NBIA) is the term applied to a heterogeneous group of disorders resulting in iron deposition in the basal ganglia. Well-known phenotypic features are progressive regression with extra pyramidal involvement and a variable course. A 10-year-old child born to consanguineous parents presented with progressive generalized opisthotonic dystonia, retrocollis, oromandibular dyskinesias, apraxia for swallowing, optic atrophy and severe self-mutilation of lips. MR imaging showed brain iron accumulation. Other causes of self-mutilation were excluded. Early infantile onset, ophisthotonic dystonia with oromandibular dyskinesias and characteristic MR images are suggestive of NBIA. There is only one case reported in the literature of self-mutilation in this condition.     

外周血液中miRNA表达与老年性黄斑变性相关性研究

目的　检测微小核糖核酸（microribonucleicacids，miRNA）在老年性黄斑变性（age-related macular degeneration，AMD）患者中的表达，并探讨miRNA的表达量与AMD病程之间的关系。方法　选取2014年1月至2016年11月于同济大学附属第十人民医院眼科门诊就诊的AMD患者6例为试验组，并选取同期6名正常人为对照组，通过基因芯片技术检测两组血液中miRNA的表达量。扩大样本的病例对照研究中共纳入126例AMD患者和140名正常人，检测其血液样本中miRNA的表达，比较两组人群间miRNA的表达量差异。结果　通过基因芯片技术，在试验组与对照组间共检测出216个miRNA存在表达差异（均为P<0.05），与对照组相比，试验组中111个miRNA表达量上升，105个miRNA表达量下降，差异均有统计学意义（均为P<0.05）。扩大样本的病例对照研究结果表明，在AMD患者中，miR-27a-3p、miR-29b-3p、miR-195-5p的表达量显著上升，同时，湿性AMD患者血液中miR-27a-3p的表达量高于干性AMD患者，差异均有统计学意义（均为P<0.05）。结论　AMD患者外周血中miRNA表达量水平有明显变化，miR-27a-3p、miR-29b-3p、miR-195-5p可能成为AMD血清学诊断和预后的标志物。     

Optimization of immunohistochemical detection of collagen type II in osteochondral sections by comparing decalcification and antigen retrieval agent combinations

Bone containing tissues such as osteochondral joint are resistant to routine tissue processing, therefore require decalcification. This technique causes removal of mineral salts, but in the process may macerate the organic tissue, hence the need for tissue fixation. Such severe processing demands careful antigen retrieval to necessitate optimal staining. The aim of our study was to compare five different antigen retrieval protocols (heat retrieval and protein digestion) following decalcification of rabbit knee joints using two different techniques (20% formic acid and 10% ethylenediamine-tetra acetic acid: EDTA). Osteochondral sections were compared based on time required for decalcification, ease of sectioning, morphological integrity using HE staining and antigen preservation (Collagen type II) using immunohistochemistry. The two decalcification solutions did not impair the tissue morphology and ease of sectioning. Joints processed with formic acid decalcified four times faster than EDTA. Among the five antigen retrieval approaches, maximal collagen II uptake with minimal nonspecific staining was found with protein digestion (pronase and hyaluronidase) in both formic acid and EDTA sections. For osteo-chondral sections, we recommend using 10% EDTA for decalcification and pronase plus hyaluronidase for antigen retrieval if maintaining tissue morphology is crucial, whereas if time is of the essence, 20% FA with pronase plus hyaluronidase is the faster option while still preserving structural integrity. Clin. Anat. 33:343–349, 2020. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

使用棱镜重新定位双侧中心暗点患者视网膜物像的预试验

目的 本研究使用激光扫描检眼镜(SLO)评价双侧中央暗点患者使用棱镜后的眼球运动反应.方法 本预试验共招募6例有双侧中央暗点的年龄相关性黄斑变性(AMD)患者以及6例正常视力的志愿者.首先用Nidek MP-1微视野仪确认患者的中央暗点和优选视网膜注视点(PRL),然后用Rodenstock SLO,在将视标投射在优选视网膜注视点时拍下实时视网膜像,接着在受检者眼前加入6～8 PD的棱镜,要求受检者保持注视视标,这时通过视网膜标记来测量视网膜像的移位量,以及随后发生的优选视网膜注视点的再次注视.过程中平均移位量和再次注视时间通过图像软件(ImageJ software)来计算.结果 实验组再次注视时的移位量在3个像素点或11.66个弧分之内(x轴:2.90±3.92,y轴:2.53±4.18).对照组再次注视时的移位会准确些(x轴:0.33±1.15,y轴:0.89±2.50),但与实验组差异无统计学意义(tx=1.32,Px＞0.05;ty=0.80,Py＞0.05).对照组再次注视时间(0.98±0.19)s较实验组(2.83±1.63)s要短,差距有统计学意义(t=5.03,P＜0.01).其中有1例实验组受检者没有发生再次注视,其结果被排除并单独分析.结论 研究发现,双眼中央暗点患者对棱镜物像转移后的再注视反应与正常人接近,但实验组再注视明显较对照组慢,并有1例受检者没有发生再注视.该数据说明双侧中央暗点患者无论眼前有没有棱镜,都会利用相同的视网膜位置视物,因此,通过棱镜物像再定位的意义不大.