电针对佐剂关节炎大鼠脊髓单胺类递质含量的影响

为观察电针局部取穴对佐剂关节炎大鼠脊髓单胺类递质含量的影响, 将Ｗｉｓｔａｒ 雄性大鼠２１ 只, 随机分为正常对照组、佐剂关节炎模型组和电针局部取穴加模型组, 电针局部取穴组针刺患侧太溪、昆仑穴,接Ｇ－ ６８０５ 电针仪, 频率１５ Ｈｚ, 时间２０ ｍｉｎ , 隔日针刺１ 次。于实验后１４ ｄ 上午取脊髓组织, 测定５－ 羟色胺（５－ ＨＴ） 、多巴胺（ＤＡ）、去甲肾上腺素（ＮＡ） 、５ － 羟吲哚乙酸（５ － ＨＩＡＡ） 的含量。结果： 电针局部取穴组脊髓５ － ＨＴ、５ － ＨＩＡＡ含量均显著升高, 脊髓ＮＡ、ＤＡ含量显著下降。结果表明脊髓单胺类递质参与炎性痛大鼠电针镇痛的调制过程     

Ultrastructure of rat seminal vesicle epithelium in the acute phase of spinal cord transection

Abstract

Objective: After a spinal cord injury (SCI), most men experience fertility related problems including poor semen quality in which decreased sperm viability and motility, have been proposed to be related to the accessory sex glands dysfunction. In this study, we investigated the probable effects of SCI on the seminal vesicle epithelium in rat.

Methods: Spinal cord was injured in adult male rats by surgical transection at the level of T9. Controls received similar surgery without transection. Five days later, animals were killed and the seminal vesicles were removed, subjected to routine procedures for light and transmission electron microscopy respectively.

Results: Acute inflammation of the seminal vesicles including vasodilatation and migration of leukocytes to epithelium was observed through the light microscopy. Transmission electron microscopy study revealed significant changes in the experimental epithelium, such as decrease in rough endoplasmic reticulum, secretory granules and Golgi apparatus dimensions, accumulations of fat droplets and lipofuscin in the cytoplasm, euchromatinized and swelled nuclei, decrease in cell diameters, and the presence of macrophages and hollow spaces in the epithelium. The seminal vesicle of sham-operated animals showed normal morphology.

Discussion: Histologic evidence in this study confirms dysfunction of seminal vesicle in the acute phase of SCI. Further works are needed to follow up the reversibility of such lesions.     

Spinal cord regeneration induced by a voltage-gated calcium channel agonist

Abstract

Regeneration in the central nervous system (CNS) is prohibitive. This is likely due to an interplay of cellular (gene expression, growth factors) and environmental (inhibition by CNS myelin) factors. Calcium supports various intracellular functions, and multiple in vitro studies have shown a role of calcium in axonal growth. In this study, we examine the role of a calcium agonist, S(-)-Bay K 8644, in promoting or impeding CNS growth in vivo, in an effort to understand further the relationship between the voltage-gated L type calcium channel and regeneration. Using a well-established rat spinal cord model of regeneration, we have injected various doses of S(-)-Bay K 8644 (30-240 M) around the injured spinal cord. Our results demonstrate that S(-)-Bay K 8644 enhances regeneration in a dose-dependent fashion. In addition, at very specific concentrations, the same agonist has no effect on or even inhibits regeneration. We conclude that spinal regeneration is highly dependent on intracellular calcium concentration. Furthermore, depending on the dose used, the effect of calcium agonist supplementation on spinal regeneration can be supportive or inhibitory.     

In vitro study on hemocompatibility and cytocompatibility of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyhexanoate)

Samples of polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB), poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV) and poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyhexanoate) (PHBHHx) containing 4–20% (mol/mol) 3-hydroxyhexanoate (3HHx) were characterized as potential components of blood-contact biomaterials. In an erythrocyte contact hemolysis assay, all tested PHBHHx films had substantially reduced reactivity, typically displaying about 2-fold less hemolytic activity compared with that of PHBV. Both 12% and 20% containing PHBHHx also bound less platelets than other films. After a 120-min exposure to platelet-rich plasma (PRP), few platelets adhered to the 12% and 20% containing PHBHHx films, while numerous platelets were seen on PHBV. Surface properties investigation suggested along with increasing 3HHx content, PHBHHx co-polymer films became smoother and smoother, which may contribute to lower platelet adhesion of PHBHHx containing high HHx content in a short-term contact to platelet-rich plasma. In a long-term contact to PRP, the difference in crystallization of PHBVand PHBHHx can be a critical parameter for platelet adhesion. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) grew well on PHBHHx containing high content of 3HHx, indicating that both had good biocompatibility with HUVECs. While gelatin-coated or lipase-treated polyesters improved HUVECs proliferation compared with that on uncoated films, platelet adhesion was also decreased on gelatin-coated polyester. The hemocompatibility and biocompatibility of PHBHHx film were markedly improved. Thus, PHBHHx, particularly the surface-modified PHBHHx film, is promising for blood-contact materials.     

Primary primitive neuroectodermal tumor within the spinal epidural space: report of a case and review of the literature

Abstract

Primary intraspinal primitive neuroectodermal tumors (PNETs) are rare tumors and a have poor prognosis. In reviews of the literature, it is seen that primary intraspinal PNETs may arise at all levels of the spine and may be intramedullary, intradural-extramedullary, or epidural. Spinal epidural location of PNET is extremely rare and out of 22 cases of primary spinal PNETs reported to date, only two were epidural. Tumors within the epidural space of the spinal canal are most often metastatic neoplasms from different primary sites. Here we report a case of primary extradural PNET located in the thoracic spine in a 16-year-old boy and review the relevant literature.     

Clear cell ependymoma with a lipidized component that developed in the thoracic spinal cord

Abstract

The authors report a case of clear cell ependymoma with a lipidized component that developed in the thoracic spinal cord. A 59-year-old man was admitted to the hospital with an itchy pain in the left forearm to the left anterior and lateral chest for the past three years. Neurological findings on admission included dissociated sensory disturbance below the C8 level and increased deep tendon reflex in both lower extremities. An MRI scan of the spinal cord revealed an intramedullary tumor with a longer diameter of 3.5 cm at the T3-T4 level and a distended syrinx at the T2-T3 level. Surgery was performed after T1-T5 laminectomy. The gray, soft and well demarcated tumor was removed subtotally. Light microscopy revealed a portion where clear cells proliferated and a portion where foamy cells proliferated. In some tissue, there were a very few anuclear areas suggestive of a perivascular pseudorosette. Neither nuclear division nor necrosis was observed. Immunohistochemically,the tumor cells were positive for glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), epithelial membrane antigen (EMA), vimentin, and negative for cytokeratin, synaptophysin. The MIB-1 staining index was 0.25%. Based on these findings, diagnosis of clear cell ependymoma with a lipidized component was made.     

Human neural stem cell differentiation following transplantation into spinal cord injured mice: association with recovery of locomotor function

Abstract

Stem cells are under intense investigation as potential therapeutics for central nervous system (CNS) injury and disease. However, several reports have suggested that stem cells grown as neurospheres and transplanted into an injured environment preferentially differentiate into astrocytes, contributing to glial scar. Further, the relationship between functional recovery and cell transplantation has not been empirically investigated in early studies. Using severe combined immunodeficient (scid) mice to minimize xenograft rejection, we report that prospectively isolated human fetal CNS-derived stem cells grown as neurospheres (hCNS-SCns) survive, migrate and express differentiation markers for neurons and oligodendrocytes after long-term engraftment in spinal cord injured (SCI) NOD-scid mice. Only rarely do these cells differentiate into glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP)-positive astrocytes, with no apparent contribution to glial scar. hCNS-SCns engraftment was associated with recovery of locomotor function. After long-term engraftment and stable behavioral plateaus in recovery were achieved (4 months post-transplantation), locomotor improvements were abolished by selective ablation of human cells with diphtheria toxin (DT). These data suggest that hCNS-SCns survival is required for locomotor recovery, possibly via differentiation and integration of human cells in the mouse host or continuous supply of trophic or other support necessary for gains in host cell function.     

Adiponectin Is a Candidate Biomarker of Lower Extremity Bone Density in Men With Chronic Spinal Cord Injury

Adipose tissue is a major regulator of bone metabolism and in the general population obesity is associated with greater bone mineral density (BMD). However, bone‐fat interactions are multifactorial, and may involve pathways that influence both bone formation and resorption with competing effects on the skeleton. One such pathway involves adipocyte production of adipokines that regulate bone metabolism. In this study we determined the association between BMD, walking status, and circulating adipokines (adiponectin and leptin) in 149 men with chronic spinal cord injury (SCI). Although adipokine levels did not vary significantly based on walking status, there was a significant inverse association between adiponectin and BMD in wheelchair users independent of body composition. We found no association between adiponectin and BMD in the walkers and no association between leptin and BMD in either group. These findings suggest that for subjects with chronic SCI, walking may mitigate the effect of adiponectin mediated bone loss. For wheelchair users, adipose‐derived adiponectin may contribute to SCI‐induced osteoporosis because the osteoprotective benefits of obesity appear to require mechanical loading during ambulation. © 2014 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.     

Childhood Bone Mineral Content Is Associated With Methylation Status of the RXRA Promoter at Birth

Maternal vitamin D deficiency has been associated with reduced offspring bone mineral accrual. Retinoid‐X receptor‐alpha (RXRA) is an essential cofactor in the action of 1,25‐dihydroxyvitamin D (1,25[OH]₂‐vitamin D), and RXRA methylation in umbilical cord DNA has been associated with later offspring adiposity. We tested the hypothesis that RXRA methylation in umbilical cord DNA collected at birth is associated with offspring skeletal development, assessed by dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry, in a population‐based mother‐offspring cohort (Southampton Women's Survey). Relationships between maternal plasma 25‐hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]‐vitamin D) concentrations and cord RXRA methylation were also investigated. In 230 children aged 4 years, a higher percent methylation at four of six RXRA CpG sites measured was correlated with lower offspring bone mineral content (BMC) corrected for body size (β = ?2.1 to ?3.4 g/SD, p = 0.002 to 0.047). In a second independent cohort (n = 64), similar negative associations at two of these CpG sites, but positive associations at the two remaining sites, were observed; however, none of the relationships in this replication cohort achieved statistical significance. The maternal free 25(OH)‐vitamin D index was negatively associated with methylation at one of these RXRA CpG sites (β = ?3.3 SD/unit, p = 0.03). Thus, perinatal epigenetic marking at the RXRA promoter region in umbilical cord was inversely associated with offspring size–corrected BMC in childhood. The potential mechanistic and functional significance of this finding remains a subject for further investigation. © 2014 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.     

Dominant Leber congenital amaurosis,cone‐rod degeneration,and retinitis pigmentosa caused by mutant versions of the transcription factor CRX

We summarize 18 mutations in the human CRX gene that have been associated with Leber congenital amaurosis (congenital retinal blindness), cone‐rod degeneration, or retinitis pigmentosa. Except for one obviously null allele not definitely associated with a phenotype (a frameshift in codon 9), all CRX mutations appear to be completely penetrant and cause disease in heterozygotes. These dominant alleles fall into two categories. In one group are missense mutations and short, in‐frame deletions; in the second group are frameshift mutations, all of which are in the last exon. All of these dominant mutations are likely to produce stable mRNA that is translated. Mutations in the missense group preferentially affect the conserved homeobox (codons 39–98), and all frameshift mutations leave the homeodomain intact but alter the OTX motif encoded by codons 284–295 at the carboxy terminus. We could not uncover any correlation between type of disease (congenital amaurosis vs. cone‐rod degeneration or retinitis pigmentosa) and the type of mutation (missense vs. frameshift). Four of the 18 mutations (～20%) were de novo mutations, and all of these were found in isolate cases of Leber congenital amaurosis. Dominant CRX mutations have not been associated with mental retardation or developmental delay that has sometimes been found in Leber congenital amaurosis caused by other genes. Implications regarding potential future therapies are discussed. Hum Mutat 18:488–498, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.