Modification of a Polyethersulfone Matrix by Grafting Functional Groups and the Research of Biomedical Performance

A new method for the functional modification of polyethersulfone (PES) is described in this paper in which PES was sulfonated by chlorosulfonic acid firstly and then chlorinated by phosphorus pentachloride. Thereby, chlorosulfonic groups (?SO₂Cl) were introduced in PES successfully, and the degree of the chlorosulfonation was about 15%. Since the chlorosulfonic group is reactive enough towards the amino group (?NH₂), the conformation of chlorosulfonic-based covalent bonding functional route could further extend the PES application area with versatile functionality. In this article, hydroxyl (?OH), carboxyl (?COOH), amino (?NH₂) and methyl (?CH₃) groups were grafted onto a PES matrix through the reaction of chlorosulfonic groups and the amino groups. The functional groups have effects on protein adsorption and cell behavior. The membrane modified with an amino group was in favor of cell adhesion and proliferation, and the membrane modified with hydroxyl and methyl did not so well as the membrane modified with an amino group, which will give guidance for biomaterial modification.     

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.     

宫腔镜子宫内膜切除术治疗功能失调性子宫出血的疗效

【目的】探讨宫腔镜子宫内膜切除术(TCRE)治疗功能失调性子宫出血(dysfunctional uterine bleeding,DUB)的疗效。【方法】选取80例 DUB 患者作为研究对象,根据患者治疗方式分为两组：观察组40例,采用宫腔镜子宫内膜切除手术;对照组40例,采用非手术治疗。比较两组患者的临床疗效,分析观察组预后影响因素。【结果】观察组有效率为92.50%(37/40),显著高于对照组75.00%(30/40),其差异有统计学意义(P <0.05)。观察组患者的年龄、子宫内膜厚度、宫腔深度和子宫腺肌病与患者的预后明显相关(P <0.05)。【结论】TCRE 治疗 DUB 的临床疗效满意,患者预后与患者的年龄、宫腔深度、子宫内膜厚度和子宫腺肌病相关。     

Effect of Glyceryl Trinitrate on Gastric Accommodation and Symptoms in Functional Dyspepsia

The purpose of this study was to investigatewhether sublingual glyceryl trinitrate influences thesize of the proximal stomach and postprandial symptomsin patients with functional dyspepsia. Twenty patients with functional dyspepsia were included in adouble-blind, placebo-controlled crossover study withsublingual glyceryl trinitrate. All patients werescanned twice on consecutive days, receiving eitherplacebo or 0.5 mg glyceryl trinitrate randomly 5 minprior to ingestion of 500 ml meat soup. Total symptoms,pain, nausea, and bloating were scored on a visualanalog scale before and after the meal. Standardized ultrasonograms were obtained 1, 10, and 20 minpostprandially of the proximal and distal stomach. Theproximal stomach was larger in the sagittal section at1 min postcibally (26.5 ± 3.9 vs 24.8 ±4.9 cm², P = 0.036) and 10 min postprandially (22.0± 5.1 vs 19.8 ± 5.3 cm², P =0.009) after administration of glyceryl trinitratecompared with placebo, whereas a tendency was observedafter 20 min (18.7 ± 5.5 vs 17.3 ± 5.7 cm², P = 0.076). The correspondingchanges in the frontal diameters were 8.3 ± 1.1vs 7.8 ± 1.2 cm (P = 0.067) after 1 min, 7.2± 0.9 vs 6.4 ± 0.8 cm (P = 0.001) after 10min, and 6.3 ± 1.1 vs 5.6 ± 1.2 cm (P =0.016) after 20 min. The area of the distal stomach was notdifferent (P = 0.31) in the two groups. Afteradministration of glyceryl trinitrate, the patientsreported less pain (P = 0.048) and nausea (P = 0.023) 5min postprandially, but this effect was reduced 15min later. Total symptom score was improved by glyceryltrinitrate treatment (P = 0.042). Sublingual glyceryltrinitrate improves accommodation of the proximal stomach to a meal and reduces postprandialsymptoms in a group of patients with functionaldyspepsia.     

功能性消化不良中医证型与胃肠动力及激素的相关性

目的：研究功能性消化不良（FD）中医辨证分型与胃肠动力及激素之间的关系。方法：选择动力障碍型消化不良患者30例，其中肝郁气滞型16例，脾胃虚弱型14例，并选择正常人20例作为对照组。均进行胃排空、胃窦十二指肠消化间期移行性运动复合波（MMC）、胃电图（EGG）和胃动素的检查，分型统计并进行显著性检验。结果：FD两型的胃排空、MMCⅢ相收缩波幅及协调收缩、空腹胃电主功率均较正常组下降，其中脾胃虚弱组各指标又低于肝郁气滞组，两组间差异有显著性（P＜0．05或P＜0．01）。同时，肝郁气滞组表现为Ⅱ组延长，I相、Ⅲ相不延长；脾胃虚弱组表现为I相延长，Ⅱ相、Ⅲ相缩短。结论：胃排空、MMC、EGG以及胃动素与功能性消化不良中医分型可能有相关性。     

Treating Nonulcer Dyspepsia Considering Both Functional Disorders of the Digestive System and Psychiatric Conditions

Nonulcer dyspepsia (NUD) is a common syndrome,but the optimal treatments have yet to be established.This study was performed to determine the most effectivetreatment for NUD. Subjects were recruited through the Department of General InternalMedicine at the Kyushu University Hospital because oftheir somatic symptoms. When no organic lesions werefound, the patients were directed to consult ourdepartment (Psychosomatic Medicine); 194 consecutive NUDpatients were studied. All subjects were assessedpsychiatrically with the Structured Clinical Interviewfor DSM-III-R(SCID). Patients with serious NUD were hospitalized, and randomly divided into control(N = 42) and experimental groups (N = 86). The controlswere treated with physical treatment alone. Theexperimental group received psychiatric treatment inaddition, based on the results of SCID. The experimentalgroup showed a significant improvement compared with thecontrols (P < 0.0001). The treatment for NUD takinginto consideration both the physical and psychiatric conditions is highly effective.     

In situ self hardening bioactive composite for bone and dental surgery

A new biomaterial is presented which consists of a cellulose derivative - silanised hydroxyethylcellulose (HEC-SIL) and biphasic calcium phosphate (BCP). Rheological properties of the polymer itself and its mixture with BCP are pH-dependent. At pH 10-12 HEC-SIL is liquid and undergoes quick gellation at pH < 9. Similarly, the paste of HEC-SIL and BCP is fluid and injectable at higher pH and solidifies in biological solutions. The rate of this solidification can be easily controlled by the degree of substitution of hydroxyethylcellulose with silicoalkoxy groups.     

Preliminary Studies on the Hydrolytic Degradation and Biocompatibility of Poly(3-allyloxy-1,2-propylene succinate)

In the present paper the synthesis and selected properties of functional aliphatic poly(3-allyloxy-1,2-propylene succinate) (PSAGE) are described. This polyester was synthesized by melt co-polymerization of succinic anhydride and allyl glycidyl ether in the presence of benzyltrimethylammonium chloride as catalyst. The chain structure of PSAGE and its end-groups was characterized by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry. It was found that PSAGE undergoes hydrolytic degradation in phosphate buffer solution (pH 7.41) at 37°C and, unexpectedly, the dependence of mass loss on immersion time turned out to be linear in the first 12 weeks, similar to hydrophobic polyanhydrides. The polysuccinate of 3600 Da was tested on rat alveolar macrophage cell line using the MTT assay to determine its cytotoxicity, as well as the NO production level, which is an indicator of cell activation. The data obtained show that PSAGE is non-toxic, and that the viability of cells ranges from 86 to 100%. The obtained results reveal the potential applicability of PSAGE as a component of biomaterials or as polymeric drug carrier.     

Halitosis and Helicobacter pylori: A Possible Relationship

With the aim of investigating a possiblerelationship between objective halitosis(established by sulfide levels in the breath) andHelicobacter pylori, we performed a study in 58dyspeptic patients reported to suffer from "badbreath." Furthermore, we evaluated the effects onhalitosis of eradication therapy (only for H.pylori-positive patients) and chlorhexidine antisepticmouth rinses (in all patients). Sulfide compoundassay indicated objective halitosis in 52/58 patients,30 of whom were positive and 22 negative for H. pylori.In 19/30 eradication by double therapy provoked a decrease to below the cutoff value of sulfidelevels in 15. In the other 11 of the 30 subjects, inwhom H. pylori positivity persisted, halitosisparameters did not change. Chlorexidine reduced sulfides to below the cutoff value in 16/22 H.pylori-negative patients, but did not provoke any changein the 11 unsuccessfully treated H. pylori-positivesubjects. In these, objective halitosis disappeared only after a successful eradication by tripletherapy (9/11). Our results show a possible associationbetween halitosis and H. pylori since bacterialeradication may resolve the symptom. Antisepticmouthwashes may be effective only in absence of H. pylori,when halitosis may be due to oral putrefactive microbialactivity. In a small number of subjects the cause andtreatment of halitosis need to be clarified.