Endoscopic instrumented posterolateral lumbar fusion with Healos and recombinant human growth/differentiation factor-5

OBJECTIVE: The goal of this study was to use a minimally invasive endoscopic surgical technique in a sheep model to evaluate the efficacy of an osteoinductive growth factor, recombinant human growth/differentiation factor-5 (also designated MP52), and an osteoconductive matrix formulation (Healos; DePuy AcroMed, Inc., Mountain View, CA) for inducing and facilitating bone formation. METHODS: Twelve mature sheep underwent bilateral posterolateral lumbar fusion and pedicle screw fixation via a posterior endoscopic approach. Each sheep received two different types of graft material, autogenous iliac crest bone, or a bone graft substitute (MP52 with Healos), inserted into the right and left sides of the spine in an alternating fashion. Groups of four sheep were killed at 2, 4, and 6 months postoperatively for manual, radiographic, and histological evaluation. RESULTS: No neurological impairments, infections, or other complications were observed. After 2 months, partial fusion on both sides was observed, but radiographic evaluation showed greater bone growth on the side that received the bone graft substitute. Solid posterolateral fusion was observed in both autograft and bone graft substitute sites at 4 and 6 months, and autograft and Healos MP52 fusion sites were essentially the same at histological examination. There was no abnormal overgrowth of new bone from either of these two materials. CONCLUSION: Endoscopic posterolateral lumbar arthrodesis and instrumentation is feasible, safe, and effective in a sheep model. Healos is a useful bonding agent that mimics natural bone in posterolateral intertransverse fusion sites. Combined with MP52, it produced fusion comparable to that of autogenous bone graft. Minimally invasive techniques and bone graft substitutes could eliminate morbidity and increase the likelihood of successful fusion.     

RU486 blocks fasting-induced decrease of neuronal nitric oxide synthase in the rat paraventricular nucleus

It has been reported that food deprivation decreases expression of neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN). Food deprivation produces autonomic changes and the PVN nitric oxide has been suggested to be involved in regulation of autonomic functions. In order to understand the molecular mechanism by which food deprivation decreases nNOS expression in the PVN, we examined if plasma glucocorticoids, which reported to be elevated during food deprivation, mediates the fasting-induced down-regulation of the PVN-nNOS. Male Sprague-Dawley rats underwent 48 h of food deprivation, but not water deprivation, with/without subcutaneous RU486, glucocorticoid receptor antagonist, and the brain tissues were processed for immunohistochemistry with specific antibodies against nNOS. Immunoreactivity of phosphorylated cAMP response element-binding protein (pCREB) was also examined in the PVN sections, because nNOS promoter carries cAMP response element (CRE). Food deprivation significantly decreased both nNOS and pCREB immunoreactivity (-ir) in the medial parvocellular PVN, and RU486 blocked this reduction. In the posterior magnocellular PVN, nNOS-ir, but not pCREB-ir, was decreased by food deprivation, and RU486 exerted no effect. These results suggest that glucocorticoid receptor may mediate the fasting-induced down-regulation of nNOS in the parvocellular PVN, but not in the magnocellular PVN.     

Induction of cytochrome P450s by rutaecarpine and metabolism of rutaecarpine by cytochrome P450s

Rutaecarpine is an alkaloid originally isolated from the unripe fruit of Evodia rutaecarpa. Recently, rutaecarpine has been characterized to have an anti-inflammatory activity through cyclooxygenase-2 inhibition. In the present studies, the effects of rutaecarpine on liver cytochrome P450 s (P450s) and P450 s involved in the metabolism of rutaecarpine were studied in vivo and in vitro, respectively, because the data are crucial in the early development of rutaecarpine as a new drug candidate. Oral administration to male ICR mice of rutaecarpine for 3 consecutive days induced liver P450 1A-, 2B- and 2E1-selective monooxygenase activities. The induction of P450 1A and 2B by rutaecarpine was confirmed by Western immunoblotting. When rutaecarpine was incubated with rat liver microsomes in the presence of an NADPH-generating system, five metabolites were detected by UV and mass spectral analyses. The 3-methylcholanthrene- and phenobarbital-induced microsomes greatly increased the formation of metabolites. Our present results suggest that rutaecarpine might induce P450 1A and 2B in mice, and that P450 1A and 2B might predominantly metabolize rutaecarpine in rat liver microsomes.     

Selective effects of light exposure on distribution of motility in the chick embryo at E18

It is well established that orderly patterns of motor neuron activity, muscle recruitment, and limb movement are generated in chicks during motility by embryonic day (E)9, the midpoint in embryonic development. However, our recent work suggests that some attributes of motility, such as the rhythm of repetitive limb movements and distribution of activity, become less orderly after E9. In this study, we extend these observations by performing continuous force recordings over a 24-h period in ovo at E18 with augmented sampling of synchronized video and electromyogram (EMG) recordings. We report the distribution of three repetitive behaviors, rapid limb movement, respiratory-like movement, and beak clapping, identified in force recordings, and the general distribution of motility. We also test a model recently proposed to account for age-related changes in motility parameters. In the model, we proposed that circadian networks contribute to the age-related changes in distribution of motility. As a first test of this hypothesis, we examine whether light exposure contributes to the variable distribution of motility by comparing motility parameters at E18 for embryos incubated and tested under either a 12-h light/dark cycle or continuous light. Results suggest that exposure to light increases the total amount of activity and hastens the onset of extended respiratory-like movement sequences but does not impact expression of repetitive limb movement or beak clapping at E18. The possible influence of circadian mechanisms on embryonic behavior and insensitivity of repetitive limb movements to light exposure are discussed.     

Excision of a recurrent mediastinal cyst through mid sternotomy with high thoracic epidural anesthesia as the sole anesthetic—A case report

Conclusion Our case report highlights the possibility of tackling mediastinal, pericardial and pleural problems with regional anesthesia alone even if the surgery requires opening of the pleura.     

公共产品价格机制及价格约束分析

公共产品涉及千家万户的切身利益，近10多年来，部分公共产品价格变化又多以超过国民经济发展速度提高，怎样正确认识和判断其价格的合理性，具有十分重要的现实意义。本文分析了我国公共产品的价格类型，定价机制，阐明了我国公共产品的价格约束制度构建的主要内容，希望为政府及相关部门工作提供有益的帮助。     

Synthesis and biological activity of conformationally controlled 2-PAM derivatives

A series of conformationally controlled 2-PAM derivatives were prepared from 2-acetylpyridine and 2,3-pyrido[b]cycloalkenones in two steps and their reactivities towards parathion poisoned AChE were evaluated. The most planar 2,3-pyrido[b]cyclohexanone oxime methiodide showed an activity comparable to 2-PAM implying E-syn is that the most active conformation of 2-PAM in the biological system.     

PBL在病原生物与免疫学教学中的实践

目的探讨病原生物与免疫学教学中开展PBL教学的效果。方法对照组采用传统的教学方法，实验组采用PBL教学方法，通过问卷调查、考试成绩综合分析教学改革效果。结果实验班绝大多数学生接受并欢迎PBL教学模式，并在自学能力、理解能力、分析解决问题能力等方面得到明显的提高。结论PBL教学方法优于传统的教学方法，能有效提高病原生物与免疫学教学质量。     

淋巴靶向制剂——吸附抗癌药毫微粒活性炭的研究进展

目的介绍新型淋巴靶向制剂———吸附抗癌药毫微粒活性炭的研究进展。方法依据近年来的文献 ,对活性炭的制备工艺及体内外性质等方面进行了综述。结果活性炭具有很强的吸附功能 ,普通市售活性炭仅用作脱色、吸附热原与除味等。以微粒球磨机为粉碎器械 ,可加工制备粒径达1 0 0nm左右的纳米炭微粒 ,具有优越的淋巴趋向性。结论吸附抗癌药毫微粒活性炭在临床治疗癌症方面具有良好的运用前景     

Cervicogenic headache

Eleven female patients with cervicogenic headache (mean age, 43 years; range, 25-59 years) have been examined with the pupillometer. The pupillary diameter was examined in the basal state (that is, the status before pharmacologic stimulation) and after topically administered tyramine (2%), phenylephrine (1%), and hydroxyamphetamine (1%). A total of 51 tests were performed, 35 in the asymptomatic period and 16 during pain attacks. In a control group consisting of 26 age-matched women a total of 39 tests were carried out. Before pharmacologic stimulation (that is, in the "basal state") the pupils were smaller in the asymptomatic (pain-free) period than during pain attacks in the patients and also as compared with that of control individuals. The anisocoria (the difference in pupillary size in the same individual) observed was not significantly different between the patient group and control individuals either in the basal state (before pharmacologic stimulation) or after pharmacologic stimulation. The mydriasis resulting from the instillation of the three sympathicomimetic drugs was symmetrical in both controls and patients both during and between the pain attacks. This finding is in clear contrast to what is found in cluster headache, in which there is a "Horner-like" syndrome on the symptomatic side. These two headaches thus seem to differ essentially with regard to this variable.