The effects of immobilization on vascular canal orientation in rat cortical bone

It is well established that bone is capable of adapting to changes in loading; however, little is known regarding how loading specifically affects the internal 3D microarchitecture of cortical bone. The aim of this study was to experimentally test the hypothesis that loading is a determinant of the 3D orientation of primary vascular canals in the rat tibial diaphysis. Left tibiae from 10 rats (30 weeks old) that had been immobilized (sciatic neurectomy) for 27 weeks, right SHAM-operated tibiae from these same rats (internal control) and right tibiae from 10 normal age-matched rats (external control) were scanned by micro-CT. Mean canal orientation (for the whole bone segment and by region), percent porosity, canal diameter and canal separation were quantitatively assessed in 3D. Canal orientation in the immobilized tibiae was significantly (P < 0.001) more radial (by 9.9°) compared to the external controls but did not differ from the internal controls (P = 0.310). Comparing the external and internal controls, orientation was significantly (P < 0.05) more radial in the internal control group (by 6.8°). No differences were found for percent porosity and canal separation. Canal diameter was significantly greater in the immobilized vs. internal (P < 0.001) and external control (P < 0.001) tibiae. The differences in orientation relative to the external controls indicated that the organization of cortical bone in the rat is affected by loading. Although the predicted difference in canal orientation was not detected between immobilized and internal control groups, the distributions of individual canal orientations, from which the mean values were derived, revealed distinctive patterns for all three groups. The internal controls exhibited an intermediate position between the immobilized and external controls, suggesting that paralysis on the contralateral side resulted in altered loading relative to the normal state represented by the external control. This was also evident in a regional analysis by quadrant. The loaded bones had the same cross-sectional shape; however, their internal structure differed. These results provide novel insights into the impact of loading on the 3D organization of primary cortical bone and have implications for understanding the relation between cortical bone adaptation, disease and mechanical properties.     

Development of fetal trabecular micro-architecture in the humerus and femur

It is widely accepted that during postnatal development trabecular bone adapts to the prevailing loading environment via modelling. However, very little is known about the mechanisms (whether it is predominantly modelling or remodelling) or controls (such as whether loading influences development) of fetal bone growth. In order to make inferences about these factors, we assessed the pattern of fetal trabecular development in the humerus and femur via histomorphometric parameter quantification. Growth and development (between 4 and 9 months prenatal) of trabecular architecture (i.e. thickness, number and bone volume fraction) was compared across upper and lower limb bones, proximal and distal regions, and sexes. The data presented here indicate that during prenatal development trabeculae became thicker and less numerous, whilst bone volume fraction remained constant. This partly mimics the pattern of early postnatal development (0-2 years) described by other researchers. Thickness was reported to increase whilst number reduced, but bone volume fraction decreased. This is perhaps because the balance of bone modelling (deposition vs. resorption) changes post partum. Published histological data suggest that bone deposition slows after birth, while resorption rates remain constant. Hence, fetal development may be characterized by relatively high rates of modelling and, particularly, bone deposition in comparison to postnatal. With respect to measures of thickness, number and bone volume fraction prenatal development was not bone, site, or sex specific, whilst postnatally these measures of architecture diverge. This is despite reported developmental variation in the frequency, speed and amplitude of fetal movements (which begin after 11 weeks and continue until birth), and probably therefore loading induced by muscular contractions. This may be because prenatal limb bone micro-architecture follows a generalised predetermined growth trajectory (or genetic blueprint), as appears to be the case for gross distribution of trabecular tissue.     

Combined Polymorphisms in Oxidative Stress Genes Predict Coronary Artery Disease and Oxidative Stress in Coronary Angiography Patients

Oxidative stress has been implicated in all stages of atherosclerosis, but how inherited variations in oxidative stress genes influence the severity of cardiovascular disease is not known. We tested associations between polymorphisms in candidate oxidative stress genes, plasma oxidative stress biomarkers, and cardiovascular mortality in an angiography cohort. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) across 15 genes were selected by linkage disequilibrium tagging. Genotyping was performed using customized arrayed primer extension micro‐arrays, with automated genotype calling methods. Effects of SNPs and haplotypes on plasma oxidative stress and coronary artery disease (CAD) were estimated using a stochastic estimation maximization algorithm. Proportionate hazards analyses were used to determine effects of single and combined genetic markers on cardiovascular mortality risk, and on the following oxidative stress biomarkers: myeloperoxidase (MPO), nitrotyrosine, oxidized low‐density lipoprotein, and antioxidant capacity. Oxidative stress gene SNPs associated with CAD were combined into an oxidative stress risk allele score, which predicted disease presence (1.5‐fold risk increase per allele, P < 0.001). Combined risk alleles were also associated with elevated plasma MPO (P < 0.003), an oxidative stress biomarker that predicts cardiovascular mortality. Genetic markers that represent lifetime oxidative stress burden may implicate specific oxidative stress pathways in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis, and offer therapeutic opportunities.     

Resistance/response molecular signature for oral tongue squamous cell carcinoma

Worldwide, the incidence of oral tongue cancer is on the rise, adding to the existing burden due to prevailing low survival and high recurrence rates. This study uses high-throughput expression profiling to identify candidate markers of resistance/response in patients with oral tongue cancer. Analysis of primary and post-treatment samples (12 tumor and 8 normal) by the Affymetrix platform (HG U133 plus 2) identified 119 genes as differentially regulated in recurrent tumors. The study groups had distinct profiles, with induction of immune response and apoptotic pathways in the non-recurrent and metastatic/invasiveness pathways in the recurrent group. Validation was carried out in tissues by Quantitative Real-Time PCR (QPCR) (n=30) and immunohistochemistry (IHC) (n=35) and in saliva by QPCR (n=37). The markers, COL5A1, HBB, IGLA and TSC individually and COL5A1 and HBB in combination had the best predictive power for treatment response in the patients. A subset of markers identified (COL5A1, ABCG1, MMP1, IL8, FN1) could be detected in the saliva of patients with oral cancers with their combined sensitivity and specificity being 0.65 and 0.87 respectively. The study thus emphasizes the extreme prognostic value of exploring markers of treatment resistance that are expressed in both tissue and saliva.     

The effect of whole-body hyperthermia combined with 'metronomic' chemotherapy on rat mammary adenocarcinoma metastases

Many women diagnosed with invasive breast cancer have undetected occult metastases at the time of their primary tumour diagnosis. The development and growth of these micro-metastases relies heavily on angiogenesis. Therefore, administering an angiogenesis-blocking treatment from the time of diagnosis could reduce the incidence of metastasis and, ultimately, increase patient survival. It is hypothesized that an antiangiogenesis strategy combining fever-range whole-body hyperthermia (FR-WBH) and metronomic chemotherapy could inhibit the development of metastatic disease with minimal toxicity. To test this theory, a low, daily dose of the topoisomerase-I inhibitor irinotecan hydrochloride (CPT-11) was administered over a prolonged period of time to rats bearing the highly metastatic MTLn3 mammary adenocarcinoma primary tumour surgically excised on day 12 after implantation. The metronomic CPT-11 was combined with long-duration, low-temperature, fever-range whole body hyperthermia (FR-WBH). This systemic hyperthermia enhances chemotherapy-induced cytotoxicity as well as immunological activity. Both the group treated with FR-WBH alone and the combined FR-WBH+CPT-11 group had delayed onset and reduced incidence of axillary lymph node metastases compared to control ( p < 0.05). Combination therapy of FR-WBH+CPT-11 resulted in a significantly greater inhibition of axillary lymph node metastasis volume compared to both control and CPT-11 alone ( p < 0.02) at day 16. Interestingly, none of the therapies significantly affected inguinal lymph node metastases. Lung metastases were decreased by 36% at the time of death in rats treated with FR-WBH+CPT-11, by 25% in the CPT-11 alone group and by 14% in the FR-WBH alone group. Rats treated with FR-WBH, + CPT-11 survived significantly longer (35%) than control animals ( p < 0.04). Neither significant body weight loss nor gastrointestinal toxicity was observed in any group. These data suggest that, after excision of the primary tumour, FR-WBH and metronomic CPT-11 can be safely combined to reduce distant lymph node and lung metastases and, thus, to increase survival.     

针刺改善脑缺血“血行不畅、壅遏经脉”血瘀证候的实验研究

目的:观察针刺对MCAO大鼠模型病理及软脑膜血流量的影响,并观察针刺对其神经功能重建的作用,分析探讨针刺改善脑缺血"血行不畅、壅遏经脉"血瘀证候的微观机制。方法:采用线栓法制作局灶性脑梗死大鼠模型,随机配伍分组分为模型组、曲池组、内关组及地机组,并复制假手术组,设置正常组,每组8只。针刺14天,观察大鼠走横木实验(beam walking test,BWT)评分的变化,并检测其软脑膜微循环血流量;脑组织取材,HE染色。结果:模型组与正常组及假手术组大鼠相比,BWT评分明显降低,具有显著性差异(P<0.01),针刺内关组及曲池组与模型组及地机组相比,评分明显升高,具有显著性差异(P<0.05);软脑膜微循环血流量明显升高(P<0.05);脑组织病理改变明显减轻。结论:针刺有助于脑缺血"血行不畅、壅遏经脉"血瘀证证候的缓解,从微观病理变化与宏观外在表现两个方面改善脑组织缺血状态及其功能。     

微技巧培训提高护士心理护理能力的应用

心理护理一直是护理工作的重点之一,如何提高护士心理护理的能力,是心理护理培训工作的关键。文章通过文献阅读,对国外应用广泛的微技巧培训作简要介绍,试图为国内心理护理培训领域提供参考。     

Efficacy of oregonin investigated by non‐invasive evaluation in a B16 mouse melanoma model

Oregonin has been reported to act as a mediator of antibiosis, a liver‐protective agent, an antioxidant, an anti‐inflammatory agent, and to prevent cancer outbreaks. B16 melanoma cells were separated with trypsin‐ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, resuspended in 50 μl of phosphate‐buffered saline and transplanted into the backs of 6‐ to 8‐week‐old male Balb/c nude mice through subcutaneous injection. Treatment doses of oregonin were administered three times weekly, for 30 days from the 11th day after transplantation of the melanoma cells, in each group. The study consisted of a control group, a dacarbazine group, an oregonin group and a dacarbazine + oregonin group. Measurements were taken before treatment and on the 5th, 7th, 10th and 15th days after treatment for each group. Based on survival rates after transplantation, the control group showed less than 50% survival after 20 days, while the treatment groups showed at least 50% survival up to the 41st day.     

3种全自动血型仪在交叉匹配试验中的应用

目的 探讨WADiana(R)(戴安娜)、Techno TwinStation、ORTHO AutoVue Innova/Ultra 3种全自动血型/配血系统分析仪在临床交叉匹配试验中应用的效果,以确保临床输血的安全.方法 用3种全自动血型/配血系统分析仪对临床备血的8 073例受血者与上海市血液中心提供的供血者标本进行交叉匹配试验操作,将血液交叉匹配试验阳性标本用抗人球蛋白试管法的交叉匹配试验进行确认.结果 3种全自动血型/配血系统分析仪共检出589例阳性的备血标本.经抗人球蛋白试管法的交叉匹配试验确认,WADiana(R)全自动血型/配血系统分析仪未出现假阳性结果,Techno TwinStation和ORTHOAutoVue Innova/Ultra的分析仪分别出现了6例和19例假阳性结果.结论 3种全自动血型/配血系统分析仪在交叉匹配试验中都能准确判断阳性的标本,以WADiana(R)系统分析仪的效果更为突出.     

掌远端微型穿支皮瓣修复指蹼挛缩临床研究

目的探讨掌远端微型穿支皮瓣修复指蹼挛缩的临床效果.方法分析2008年6月-2011年8月我院收治的8例指蹼挛缩患者,患者术中予以挛缩的指蹼处开大,然后采用掌远端微型穿支皮瓣移位修复缺损.术后随访6-12个月,观察恢复情况.结果术后7例患者皮瓣成活良好,创面Ⅰ期愈合,供区切口Ⅰ期愈合;1例患者创面愈合不好,予2期植皮修复,创面愈合.总有效率87.5%;经随访,所有患者指蹼重建后的外形尚可,质地较软,指蹼活动可.手掌切口没有出现挛缩的瘢痕,近端关节活动灵活.结论临床观察应用掌远端微型穿支皮瓣临床效果好,对主干动脉损伤小,值得临床推广应用.