Expression profiles of NOS isoforms in gingiva of nNOS knockout mice

Nitric oxide is a gaseous molecule associated with many distinct physiological functions, and is derived from l-arginine catalyzed by nitric oxide synthase (NOS). Nitric oxide synthase has 3 isoforms: nNOS, iNOS and eNOS. Although these NOS isoforms are believed to play an important role in gingival tissue, little information is available on their morphological dynamics. The aim of this study was to investigate the profiles of NOS isoforms in deficiency of nNOS in gingiva of mice. Twelve male (6 normal (C57BL/6) and 6 nNOS knockout) mice were used. All mice were 5-week-old, weighing approximately 20–25 g each. After sacrifice, the jaws of the mice were removed by mechanical means and specimens analyzed by histology, in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry. Immunohistochemical observation revealed positive staining for iNOS and eNOS, especially in lamina propria. Similar results in the mRNA expression levels were shown by in situ hybridization analysis. It may suggest that iNOS and eNOS compensated nNOS deficiency in the gingiva of nNOS knockout mice.     

Investigation of different cage designs and mechano-regulation algorithms in the lumbar interbody fusion process – A finite element analysis

Lumbar interbody fusion cages are commonly used to treat painful spinal degeneration and instability by achieving bony fusion. Many different cage designs exist, however the effect of cage morphology and material properties on the fusion process remains largely unknown. This finite element model study aims to investigate the influence of different cage designs on bone fusion using two mechano-regulation algorithms of tissue formation. It could be observed that different cages play a distinct key role in the mechanical conditions within the fusion region and therefore regulate the time course of the fusion process.     

Stretching cell morphogenesis during late neurulation and mild neural tube defects

Neurulation is defined as a process of neural tube closure. Recent reports suggested that upon completion of this process the major factors of neurulation remain in force at least until the central canal of the neural tube is formed. Hence, an idea has been put forward to define the two periods of neurulation: early neurulation corresponds to the period of neural tube closure and late neurulation corresponds to the period of formation of the central canal. These ideas are discussed in a context of neural tube defects that may affect late neurulation and result in distention of the central canal.     

The effect of lateral eccentricity on failure loads,kinematics, and canal occlusions of the cervical spine in axial loading

Current neck injury criteria do not include limits for lateral bending combined with axial compression and this has been observed as a clinically relevant mechanism, particularly for rollover motor vehicle crashes. The primary objectives of this study were to evaluate the effects of lateral eccentricity (the perpendicular distance from the axial force to the centre of the spine) on peak loads, kinematics, and spinal canal occlusions of subaxial cervical spine specimens tested in dynamic axial compression (0.5 m/s). Twelve 3-vertebra human cadaver cervical spine specimens were tested in two groups: low and high eccentricity with initial eccentricities of 1 and 150% of the lateral diameter of the vertebral body. Six-axis loads inferior to the specimen, kinematics of the superior-most vertebra, and spinal canal occlusions were measured. High speed video was collected and acoustic emission (AE) sensors were used to define the time of injury. The effects of eccentricity on peak loads, kinematics, and canal occlusions were evaluated using unpaired Student t-tests. The high eccentricity group had lower peak axial forces (1544±629 vs. 4296±1693 N), inferior displacements (0.2±1.0 vs. 6.6±2.0 mm), and canal occlusions (27±5 vs. 53±15%) and higher peak ipsilateral bending moments (53±17 vs. 3±18 Nm), ipsilateral bending rotations (22±3 vs. 1±2°), and ipsilateral displacements (4.5±1.4 vs. −1.0±1.3 mm, p<0.05 for all comparisons). These results provide new insights to develop prevention, recognition, and treatment strategies for compressive cervical spine injuries with lateral eccentricities.     

趋化因子介导的神经炎症反应和神经病理性疼痛

各种疾病引起的神经系统的损伤或功能障碍致使全球数以百万计的人们患有神经性病理性疼痛。目前的方法对神经病理性疼痛的疗效不佳且有副作用,需要开发有效的治疗方法。近年来人们逐渐认识到,脊髓中胶质细胞（如小胶质细胞和星形胶质细胞）能通过释放强效的神经调质,如促炎细胞因子和趋化因子,在神经性病理性疼痛的产生和维持中起重要作用。近期的证据显示,趋化因子是疼痛调控中的新成员。该文综述了一些趋化因子和受体（如CCL2／CCR2、CXCL1／CXCR2、CX3CL1／CX3CR1、CCL21／CXCR3）作为神经元和胶质细胞相互调控的介质参与神经病理性疼痛的调节。靶向趋化因子介导的神经炎症反应将成为治疗神经病理性疼痛的新方向。     

骶神经电刺激对脊髓损伤大鼠肠黏膜机械屏障的保护作用

目的：观察骶神经电刺激对脊髓损伤大鼠肠黏膜机械屏障的保护作用。方法：56只Wistar大鼠分7组（n=8）：正常组、急性完全性脊髓损伤（SCI）组和骶神经电刺激组（按24、48、72h各8只）。进行内毒素测定;肠系膜淋巴结、肝脏、脾脏菌培养;肠道形态学观察;紧密连接蛋白zo-1的蛋白表达测定。结果：对照组肠黏膜不同程度损伤;肠道上皮细胞及细胞间连接破坏;内毒素血症和细菌移位明显。实验组肠黏膜得到改善,内毒素水平下降且细菌移位减少。ZO-1蛋白表达无统计学差异。对照组ZO-1的分布出现不同程度的散乱、排列不规则,实验组分布得到改善。结论：骶神经电刺激可促肠蠕动、排肠内容物、减少肠道菌群数量,保护肠黏膜上皮细胞及紧密连接的机械屏障,减少细菌移位和内毒素血症。     

Molecular,genetic and stem cell‐mediated therapeutic strategies for spinal muscular atrophy (SMA)

Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is an autosomal recessive motor neuron disease. It is the first genetic cause of infant mortality. It is caused by mutations in the survival motor neuron 1 (SMN1) gene, leading to the reduction of SMN protein. The most striking component is the loss of alpha motor neurons in the ventral horn of the spinal cord, resulting in progressive paralysis and eventually premature death. There is no current treatment other than supportive care, although the past decade has seen a striking advancement in understanding of both SMA genetics and molecular mechanisms. A variety of disease modifying interventions are rapidly bridging the translational gap from the laboratory to clinical trials. In this review, we would like to outline the most interesting therapeutic strategies that are currently developing, which are represented by molecular, gene and stem cell‐mediated approaches for the treatment of SMA.     

微创腰椎后路减压融合术与传统全椎板切除术治疗老年腰椎管狭窄的疗效对比分析

目的:对老年腰椎管狭窄的两种治疗方式,微创腰椎后路减压融合术和传统全椎板切除术的治疗疗效进行比较,以及研究其临床应用价值。方法:选取2009年7月至2013年1月来我院治疗的76例老年腰椎管狭窄症患者,其中43例采用微创腰椎后路减压融合术(A组),33例患者接受全椎板切除手术(B组)。对所有患者进行术后随访6个月~2年,平均随访时间1年零7个月。比较分析两组的手术情况、术后不良反应发生率及JOA评分情况。结果:A组的患者手术切口小,术中出血量少及住院时间缩短,并且较B组差异有统计学意义(P0.05);两组患者发生不良反应的情况差异无统计学意义(P0.05);A组患者的JOA评分明显优于B组患者,说明A组疗效优于B组。结论:老年腰椎管狭窄患者采用微创腰椎后路减压融合手术方法创口小,术中出血量少,降低术后不良反应发生的风险,疗效明显,值得推广应用。