Videoendoscopy of colonic early cancer

Since January 1982, 275 early colonic carcinomas undergoing total endoscopic resection were studied. Of this series, 234 lesions showed some adenoma components, whereas the remaining 41 lesions lacked adenoma components. Minute carcinomas measuring 5 mm, 92.3% were discovered by videoendoscopy. This high detection rate was attributed to the growing use of videoendoscope systems and reflects heightened interest on the part of endoscopists in superficial type lesions.     

Characteristics of anti-microbial agents and its clinical choice for H. pylori treatment

Eradication of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is now established as main treatment of upper-gastrointestinal diseases. Resistance to H. pylori and acid condition in the stomach were important factors which influenced H. pylori eradication. Recolonized H. pylori strains will be easily resistant to metronidazole and clarithromycin, whereas almost all of H. pylori strains are sensitive to amoxicillin. On the other hand, amoxicillin targets cell wall biosynthesis and clarithromycin inhibits protein synthesis of Helicobacter pylori mainly in the growth phase which induced high intragastric pH condition, however, metronidazole targets DNA and, therefore, is independent of the stationary or growth phase distribution. To established a optimal regimen for Helicobacter pylori treatment, several factors included them should be account according to the parmacokinetical standings.     

Experimental emphysematous bullae induced by methylcholanthrene and carrageenan

An animal model for the emphysematous bullae in the rabbit lung induced by methylcholanthrene and carrageenan was reported. In early stages (by 2 months) the cystic lesions associated with extensive pneumonia. In later stages the inflammation subsided and only the cystic lesions remained, resulting in typical, large emphysematous bullae.     

Gfap‐positive radial glial cells are an essential progenitor population for later‐born neurons and glia in the zebrafish spinal cord

Radial glial cells are presumptive neural stem cells (NSCs) in the developing nervous system. The direct requirement of radial glia for the generation of a diverse array of neuronal and glial subtypes, however, has not been tested. We employed two novel transgenic zebrafish lines and endogenous markers of NSCs and radial glia to show for the first time that radial glia are essential for neurogenesis during development. By using the gfap promoter to drive expression of nuclear localized mCherry we discerned two distinct radial glial‐derived cell types: a major nestin+/Sox2+ subtype with strong gfap promoter activity and a minor Sox2+ subtype lacking this activity. Fate mapping studies in this line indicate that gfap+ radial glia generate later‐born CoSA interneurons, secondary motorneurons, and oligodendroglia. In another transgenic line using the gfap promoter‐driven expression of the nitroreductase enzyme, we induced cell autonomous ablation of gfap+ radial glia and observed a reduction in their specific derived lineages, but not Blbp+ and Sox2+/gfap‐negative NSCs, which were retained and expanded at later larval stages. Moreover, we provide evidence supporting classical roles of radial glial in axon patterning, blood–brain barrier formation, and locomotion. Our results suggest that gfap+ radial glia represent the major NSC during late neurogenesis for specific lineages, and possess diverse roles to sustain the structure and function of the spinal cord. These new tools will both corroborate the predicted roles of astroglia and reveal novel roles related to development, physiology, and regeneration in the vertebrate nervous system. GLIA 2016;64:1170–1189     

Animal models for studying the etiology and treatment of low back pain

Chronic low back pain is a major cause of disability and health care costs. Effective treatments are inadequate for many patients. Animal models are essential to further understanding of the pain mechanism and testing potential therapies. Currently, a number of preclinical models have been developed attempting to mimic aspects of clinical conditions that contribute to low back pain (LBP). This review focused on describing these animal models and the main behavioral tests for assessing pain in each model. Animal models of LBP can be divided into the following five categories: Discogenic LBP, radicular back pain, facet joint osteoarthritis back pain, muscle‐induced LBP, and spontaneous occurring LBP models. These models are important not only for enhancing our knowledge of how LBP is generated, but also for the development of novel therapeutic regimens to treat LBP in patients. © 2017 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 36:1305–1312, 2018.