Engraftable neural crest stem cells derived from cynomolgus monkey embryonic stem cells

Neural crest stem cells (NCSCs), a population of multipotent cells that migrate extensively and give rise to diverse derivatives, including peripheral and enteric neurons and glia, craniofacial cartilage and bone, melanocytes and smooth muscle, have great potential for regenerative medicine. Non-human primates provide optimal models for the development of stem cell therapies. Here, we describe the first derivation of NCSCs from cynomolgus monkey embryonic stem cells (CmESCs) at the neural rosette stage. CmESC-derived neurospheres replated on polyornithine/laminin-coated dishes migrated onto the substrate and showed characteristic expression of NCSC markers, including Sox10, AP2α, Slug, Nestin, p75, and HNK1. CmNCSCs were capable of propagating in an undifferentiated state in vitro as adherent or suspension cultures, and could be subsequently induced to differentiate towards peripheral nervous system lineages (peripheral sympathetic neurons, sensory neurons, and Schwann cells) and mesenchymal lineages (osteoblasts, adipocytes, chondrocytes, and smooth muscle cells). CmNCSCs transplanted into developing chick embryos or fetal brains of cynomolgus macaques survived, migrated, and differentiated into progeny consistent with a neural crest identity. Our studies demonstrate that CmNCSCs offer a new tool for investigating neural crest development and neural crest-associated human disease and suggest that this non-human primate model may facilitate tissue engineering and regenerative medicine efforts.     

Vacuum myofascial therapy device for non-specific neck pain. A single blind randomized clinical trial

ObjectivesThis study aimed to investigate the efficacy of a vacuum myofascial therapy device (VT) for improving pressure pain thresholds (PPTs), range of motion (ROM), neck pain-related disability, pain, and quality of life in patients with non-specific neck pain.MethodsA randomized controlled trial in which thirty-eight participants with non-specific neck pain (NP) were randomly assigned to either an experimental (VT) or a comparison physical therapy program (PTP) group. The VT group (n = 19) received five sessions of treatment with a vacuum myofascial therapy device while the PTP group (n = 19) received five sessions of massage, ultrasound therapy (US), and transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation (TENS) over two weeks. The outcome measures were the numerical pain rating scale (NPRS), range of motion, quality of life (SF-12), neck disability Index (NDI), and PPTs at the end of treatment and at one-month follow-up.ResultsAlthough both groups experienced improvements in pain, neck disability, range of motion, and pressure pain, these only were statistically significant in the VT group. At one-month follow-up, the VT group still showed improvements in pain, neck disability, and range of motion.DiscussionVacuum myofascial therapy applied with a device offers similar results to other vacuum-based techniques such as cupping therapy. Moreover, in this device the parameters are digitally controlled, which allows for the precise reproduction of treatment.     

细胞低温显微图象的计算机处理及定量分析

本文用计算机图象处理技术对细胞显微图象进行处理和定量分析,求出了细胞面积在低温保存中极其重要的参数。实验证明,计算机测量比人工精度高,误差小,同时新颖的标号去噪方法也非常有效。     

膳食结构及身体活动度对攀枝花城乡居民血脂水平的影响

目的分析评价膳食结构和身体活动度对攀枝花城乡居民血脂水平的影响。方法随机整群抽取攀枝花城乡居民863人进行血脂水平的测定,以系统抽样的方法选择其中99人,通过食物频度问卷及身体活动度问卷定量评价膳食结构和身体活动度对人群血脂水平的影响。结果城乡居民总体血脂异常的患病率为36.0%,城镇居民TC、TG及LDL-C水平显著高于乡村居民(P<0.01),而HDL-C水平城乡无显著差异(P>0.05)。城乡居民平均每人每日能量摄入量差别无统计学意义(P>0.05),能量消耗量城镇显著低于乡村(P<0.01),城镇居民脂肪及胆固醇的摄入量显著高于乡村(P<0.01),碳水化合物及膳食纤维的摄入量低于乡村(P<0.05),Keys脂质分值显著高于乡村(P<0.01)。结论应针对人群特点,进行适当的健康教育,改善膳食结构,增强体力活动,以获得理想的血脂水平。     

Characteristics of pediatric invasive pneumococcal diseases and the pneumococcal isolates in Suzhou,China before introduction of PCV13

BackgroundData on characteristics of invasive pneumococcal diseases (IPD) is limited in China. We aimed to understand the clinical features and explore the molecular characteristics of the pneumococcal isolates in China.MethodsSince 2010, we prospectively collected the pneumococcal isolates and the IPD patients’ demographic and clinical information in Suzhou University Affiliated Children’s Hospital (SCH). The antibiotic susceptibility, serotypes, genotypes of Streptococcus pneumoniae strains were identified by E-test, quellung reaction and/or multiplex PCR, and multi-locus sequence typing, respectively.ResultsDuring the period from January 2010 to December 2015, a total of 80 IPD patients were identified. They were diagnosed as meningitis (31.3%), septicemia (27.5%), pneumonia (21.3%) and others (20.0%). About half of them required vancomycin treatment, 42.5% were admitted to ICUs, 36.2% had complications and 6.2% were hospitalized for over 1 year. The most common serotypes of the pneumococcal isolates were serotypes 6B and 14, the coverage of PCV13 was 92.5%, and CC236s and CC199s were the most common clone complexes.ConclusionsPediatric IPD patients had severe clinical symptoms, demanded intensive treatment, suffered poor prognosis and substantial burden. The pneumococcal isolates’ serotype coverage of PCV13 vaccine was high, which leads to implication of PCV vaccine usage among children in China.