Evolution of Vertebroplasty: A Biomechanical Perspective

This paper is a collection of computational, finite element studies on vertebroplasty performed in our laboratory, which attempts to provide new biomechanical evidence and a fresh perspective into how the procedure can be implemented more effectively toward the goal of preventing osteoporosis-related fractures. The percutaneous application of a bone cement to vertebral defects associated with osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture has proven clinical successful in alleviating back pain. When the biomechanical efficacy of the procedure was examined, however, vertebroplasty was found to be limited in its ability to provide sufficient augmentation to prevent further fractures without risking complications arising from cement extravasations. The procedure may instead be more efficient biomechanically as a prophylactic treatment, to mechanically reinforce osteoporotic vertebrae at risk for fracture. Patient selection for such intervention may be reliably achieved with the more accurate fracture risk assessments based on vertebral strength, predicted using geometrically detailed, specimen-specific finite element models, rather than on bone density alone. Optimal cement volume, placement, and material properties were also recommended. The future of vertebroplasty involving biodegradable augmentation material laced with osteogenic agents that upon release will stimulate new bone growth and increase bone mass was proposed.     

幽门螺杆菌对SGC-7901细胞增殖凋亡及p27kipl表达的影响

Objective To explore the influence of Helicobacter pylori (Hp) on the proliferation, apoptosis and expression of p27kipl protein of gastric epithelial cells in vitro. Methods SC, C-7901 cell pro-liferation was examined by flow cytometry after incubation with different concentration of NCTC11637. The effect of NCTC11637 on cell apoptosis was also evaluated by flow cytometryo And the expression of p27kipl of gastric epithelial cells was detected by immunohistochemical analysis and in situ hybridization, respectively. Results Cell proliferation was enhanced when co-incubated with the Hp in low concentration (3.4 x 104 to 1.9 x 105 CFU/ml) but inhibited in higher concentration (≥4.8×106CFU/ml). However, cell apoptosis was increase when co-incubated with the Hp in high concentration (≥9.6 ×105 CFU/ml) showing concen-tration dependent picture. In addition, the co-incubation of SGC-7901 with Hp led to decrease of the expres-sion of p27kipl protein but not mRNA in a Hp concentration dependent way. Conclusion Hp could effect the gastric epithelial cells apoptosis and proliferation directly and influence the expression of p27kips protein which might facilitate gastric carcinoma.     

Results of animal experiments using an undulation pump total artificial heart: analysis of 10 day and 19 day survival

An undulation pump is a special rotary blood pump in which rotation of a brushless DC motor is transformed to an undulating motion by a disc in the pump housing attached by means of a special link mechanism. In the blood pump, a closed line between the disc and housing moves from the inlet to the outlet by this undulating disc motion, which sucks and pushes the blood from the inlet to the outlet. Because the same phenomena occurs at both sides of the disc, a continuous flow is obtained when the motor rotational speed is constant. The pump flow pattern can be easily changed from continuous flow to pulsatile flow by controlling the motor drive current pattern. A seal membrane made of segmented polyurethane protects the blood from invading the link mechanism as well as the motor. UPTAH is fabricated with two undulation pumps and two brushless DC motors. Its size is 75 mm in diameter and 80 mm long, and it has one of the great advantage of no compliance chamber required in the system. UPTAHs were implanted under cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) into the chest cavities of 16 goats, each weighing between 41 and 72 kg. No anticoagulant and antiplatelet agent was used after the surgery. The left atrial pressure was automatically controlled to prevent its elevation and sucking of the atrial wall into the atrial cuff. The following results were obtained: (1) UPTAHs fit well into all the goats; (2) the longest survival was 19.8 days, the cause of death was bleeding from the aortic anastomosis; (3) No thrombus was observed in the blood pump despite no anticoagulant use. Hemolysis depended upon the length of CPB during surgery. When CPB time was within 2 hours, hemolysis level returned to baseline within a few days of the surgery. UPTAH is a promising implantable TAH, because of its small size and easy controllability.     

Increased mast cell density during the infection with velogenic Newcastle disease virus in chickens

In addition to their well-characterized role in allergic inflammation, recent data confirm that mast cells play a more extensive role in a variety of viral infections. The contribution of mast cells to Newcastle disease pathogenesis has not been investigated. We evaluated mast cell activity after Newcastle disease virus (NDV) infection in specific pathogen free chickens using cytochemical and immunocytochemical analyses. The results were as follows. Severe tissue damage was observed in the proventriculus, duodenum, jejunum and caecal tonsil, and NDV antigens were detected and presented extensively in these tissues. Second, in the NDV-infected group, the mast cell population was increased markedly in the proventriculus, duodenum, jejunum and caecal tonsil at 24, 48, 72 and 96 h after infection (P<0.01). However, very few mast cells were observed in those same tissues in the control. More intriguingly, the greatest number of mast cells was found in the proventriculus, which also showed the greatest level of NDV antigens. Third, the content of tryptase was significantly higher (P<0.01) in the NDV-infected group compared with the control from 24 to 96 h post infection). Furthermore, as an important protease released by mast cells, tryptase had a positive correlation with mast cell distribution. These data indicated that mast cells were involved in the response to NDV. Our results also suggested that the broad range of mast cell mediators might have a role in the pathology of Newcastle disease.     

高血压病患者血清IGFⅡ的变化

目的 :探讨胰岛素样生长因子Ⅱ (IGFⅡ )与高血压病 (EH)以及与高血压伴左室肥厚 (EH伴LVH)的关系。方法 :采用放射免疫分析 10 0例未治疗的EH患者和 5 0例正常人血清IGFⅡ水平。并用彩色多普勒诊断仪测定 10 0例EH患者的左心室重量 (LVM )。结果 :EH患者血清IGFⅡ水平明显高于正常人[(0 6 6± 0 35 )ng/ml:(0 4 4± 0 14 )ng/ml,p <0 0 1],EH伴LVH者IGFⅡ高于EH非LVH者 [(0 82± 0 4 0 )ng/ml:(0 5 4± 0 2 0 )ng/ml,p <0 0 1]。结论 :EH患者IGFⅡ水平升高 ,其升高程度与病情密切相关 ,IGFⅡ可能参与了EH心肌肥厚的形成     

三种蚊唾腺蛋白IgE亲和成分的初步分析

从我国分布较广的三种蚊中华按蚊、淡色库蚊和白纹伊蚊中分离出唾液腺 ,制成唾腺蛋白粗提物 ,再应用ELISA、竞争抑制ELISA和免疫印迹试验分析其与IgE结合的组分。结果显示三种蚊唾腺蛋白含能与IgE结合的成分 ,以白纹伊蚊反应所呈现的A值最高 ;免疫印迹在三种蚊均显示 4条阳性带 ,中华按蚊和淡色库蚊相似 ,白纹伊蚊有 3条带差异 ,但其相对分子质量为 30 0 0 0～ 310 0 0组分阳性条带均出现于三种蚊唾腺蛋白     

西酞普兰与马普替林治疗老年抑郁症的对照研究

目的探讨西酞普兰与马普替林治疗老年抑郁症的疗效和不良反应。方法将80例老年抑郁症患者随机分成两组，一组服用西酞普兰，另一组服用马普替林，疗程6周。采用汉密顿抑郁量表（HAMD）及药物副反应量表（TESS）定疗效和不良反应。结果西酞普兰组显效率为80％；马普替林组显效率为72．5％，两组差异无显著性。西酞普兰组不良反应较马普替林组少而轻。结论西酞普兰治疗老年抑郁症的疗效确切，起效快，不良反应轻，依从性好。     

青少年罪犯的人格障碍及人格特征研究

目的:了解青少年罪犯的人格障碍分布情况及人格特征,探讨进行人格矫正改造的重要性.方法:采用人格诊断问卷(PDQ-4 )对405名男性青少年犯人进行筛查,使用明尼苏达多相人格问卷(MMPI)进行人格特征调查,并与全国常模进行比较.结果:PDO-4 筛查结果示罪犯组12型人格障碍得分均显著高于对照,MMPI结果示罪犯组F、Hs、Hy、Pd、Pa、Pt、Sc、Ma等8个量表的均分显著高于对照.结论:青少年罪犯存在多种人格特征偏移正常,部分达人格障碍,需要及时矫正治疗.     

Development of CD4+ T cell lines that suppress an antigen-specific immune response in vivo

It has been suggested for many years that the regulation of the immune system for the maintenance of peripheral tolerance may involve regulatory/suppressor T cells. In the past few years, several investigators have demonstrated that these cells can be generated in vitro. It has also been shown that they can inhibit the progression of various autoimmune disease models when infused into susceptible mice. We have generated two murine T cell lines in the presence of KLH-specific T cell clones from BALB/c or DBA2 mice. The lines are characterized by a low proliferative response to mitogens, the capacity to secrete high amounts of IL-10 and TGF-beta, and small amounts of IFN-gamma. Interestingly, these cells are unable to produce IL-2, IL-4 or IL-5. The study of the surface phenotype of both lines revealed CD4+, CD25high, CD44low and CTLA-4- cells. When injected intravenously in (CBy.D2) F1 mice, these cells were able to inhibit 50-100% of the TNP-specific antibody production, when the hapten was coupled to KLH. In the present study we offer another evidence for the existence of regulatory T cells in the T lymphocyte repertoire, suggesting that they can also regulate immune responses to foreign antigens. Furthermore, we demonstrate an alternative pathway to generate these cells different from approaches used thus far.