Lentiviral Vectors and Adeno‐Associated Virus Vectors: Useful Tools for Gene Transfer in Pain Research

Pain, especially chronic pain, has always been a heated point in both basic and clinical researches since it puts heavy burdens on both individuals and the whole society. A better understanding of the role of biological molecules and various ionic channels involved in pain can shed light on the mechanism under pain and advocate the development of pain management. Using viral vectors to transfer specific genes at targeted sites is a promising method for both research and clinical applications. Lentiviral vectors and adeno‐associated virus (AAV) vectors which allow stable and long‐term expression of transgene in non‐dividing cells are widely applied in pain research. In this review, we thoroughly outline the structure, category, advantages and disadvantages and the delivery methods of lentiviral and AAV vectors. The methods through which lentiviral and AAV vectors are delivered to targeted sites are closely related with the sites, level and period of transgene expression. Focus is placed on the various delivery methods applied to deliver vectors to spinal cord and dorsal root ganglion both of which play important roles in primary nociception. Our goal is to provide insight into the features of these two viral vectors and which administration approach can be chosen for different pain researches. Anat Rec, 301:825–836, 2018. © 2017 The Authors. The Anatomical Record published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of American Association of Anatomists.     

Time-average albumin predicts the long-term prognosis of IgA nephropathy patients achieved remission

Objective To clarify the long-term renal prognosis and related risk factors of progression for IgA nephropathy (IgAN) patients who achieved remission under current therapy. To identify the target value of the serum albumin level for Chinese patients with IgAN. Methods The patients with biopsy-proven primary IgAN in Nephrology Department of Renji Hospital in Shanghai were studied．The survival of renal and the relationships between clinical parameters and renal outcome were assessed. Results A total of 369 patients between Jan 2005 and Dec 2010 were included with a median follow-up time of 49.0 (38.0-65.8) months. All the subjects had achieved a complete remission (CR) or partial remission (PR) following six months’ therapy after diagnosis. Progressive renal disease had occurred in 61 cases at the end of follow-up. Three variables had a significant independent effect on renal outcome in patients achieving remission under current therapy regimen for IgAN, including time-average serum creatinine (TA-Scr) [HR(95%CI): 1.03(1.01-1.04)], time-average serum albumin (TA-Alb) [HR(95%CI): 0.83 (0.69-0.99)], and eGFR ratio within one year [HR(95%CI): 0.00(0.00-0.01)]. By multivariate Cox analyses, each 1 g/L drop of TA-Alb was related with 17.2% increase in the risk of renal progression. The ROC curve indicated that combination of serum albumin at baseline and during a long-term had a more significant value in prediction of renal outcome than independent predictor alone. By Kaplan-Meier analyses, patients with TA-Alb﹤38 g/L had a 10.4 fold sincreased risk of progressive disease compared with that of TA-Alb﹥38 g/L. Conclusions IgAN patients with lower eGFR ratio, higher TA-Scr and lower TA-Alb would progress to ESRD more quickly, and serum albumin during follow-up is important for predicting IgAN progression.     

精索静脉曲张手术疑似失败一例报告及再手术指证探讨

本文报告一例精索静脉曲张手术疑似失败病例的处理经过。患者双侧精索静脉曲张(左侧Ⅲ度,右侧Ⅱ度)伴局部疼痛不适及精液质量严重异常,行腹腔镜双侧精索静脉高位结扎术,术后2个月自觉局部坠胀、疼痛症状明显缓解,但双侧阴囊的迂曲较术前更加明显,疑似手术失败并再次入院。经临床和实验室检查后,发现患者无明确手术失败证据,选择对症治疗而避免再次手术。观察等待3个月后复诊,患者临床表现(鞘膜积液及坠胀感)减轻,实验室检查精液质量改善,超声检查乏氏动作后双侧精索静脉未见返流,双侧睾丸鞘膜未见明显积液,进一步确诊术后症状为术后暂时性侧枝循环建立不佳所致,而这种情况在同类手术中比较常见。综合本病例及文献报道,我们建议要严格掌握再手术的指证:明确的复发征象(与体位相关的精索静脉曲张及血液返流);患者的原始诉求(疼痛不适、精液质量异常)仍然存在且无改善。难以判断者,建议观察等待,以避免不必要的再次手术。通常术后应观察3~6个月再进行综合判定。     

Correction to: Factors Contributing to Psychological Ill#Effects and Resilience of Caregivers of Children with Developmental Disabilities During a Nation#wide Lockdown During the COVID#19 Pandemic

Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders -     

Basilar artery on computed tomography angiography score and clinical outcomes in acute basilar artery occlusion

Journal of Neurology - This study aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of mechanical thrombectomy (MT) in patients with acute basilar artery occlusion (BAO) based on the baseline Basilar...     

Development of a miniaturized and modular probe for fNIRS instrument

Lasers in Medical Science - Functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) is a non-invasive and promising method for continuously monitoring hemodynamic and metabolic changes in tissues. However,...