SB Group Research Articles

Catheter-related bloodstream infection in patients with motility disorder of the alimentary tract.

Catheter-related bloodstream infection (CRBSI) is a serious complication associated with parenteral nutrition (PN). We retrospectively examined the features of CRBSI in patients with motility disorder (MD) by reviewing medical records. Patients who received PN for more than 100 days in our hospital between January 2009 and September 2013 were reviewed. They were divided into two groups based on the presence or absence of MD. The frequency of CRBSI and the pathogenic organisms detected were compared. Statistical analysis was performed with the Mann-Whitney U test or Fisher's exact test. P < 0.05 was considered significant. Six patients had MD (MD group) and four patients had short bowels without MD (SB group). The median frequencies of CRBSI were 12.6 per 1,000 catheter-days in the MD group and 2.3 in the SB group (P = 0.027). The percentage of Gram-negative bacilli in all pathogenic organisms was 61% in the MD group and 22% in the SB group (P = 0.036). We found CRBSI was more frequent and Gram-negative bacilli were more common in patients with MD. Stasis in the alimentary tract and subsequent bacterial overgrowth appear to be risk factors for CRBSI. Therefore, it is crucial to seek treatments not to cause intestinal stasis.

Relationship between uninflated swim bladder and skeletal anomalies in reared gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata)

Abstract The higher mortalities and lower morphological quality of juveniles with a non-inflated swim bladder still remain a major problem in intensive farming. The aim of this study was to investigate a possible relationship between the presence of an abortive swim bladder and skeleton anomalies in gilthead seabream juveniles. A batch of 109 DAH (LS range: 16–47 mm) gilthead seabream was split into two groups on the basis of the presence (SB group)/absence (WSB group) of a normally inflated swim bladder, and processed for skeletal anomaly and meristic count analysis. The presence of pectoral fin anomalies and the absence of any clear-cut and sound relationship between abortive swim bladder and axis deviations characterize the WSB group. Rarer anomalies, such as scoliosis and lordosis in the pre-haemal vertebrae, kyphosis in the haemal vertebrae, pre-haemal and haemal vertebrae body anomalies, exclusively affected the WSB seabream. This result contradicts what is observed in other species, where abortive swim bladder is shown to cause axis deviation. The authors hypothesize that when gilthead seabream larvae with uninflated swim bladder encounter difficulty in maintaining the level in the water column, they have to overuse flapping of the pectoral fins (which appear more deformed in the seabream without swim bladder of this study). This determines a hyper-activity of the pectoral muscles, which then exerts an intense mechanical load on pre-haemal muscles and ossifying vertebrae. Vertebrae and axis anomalies in the pre-haemal and in haemal (in this study still rare in the WSB lot) regions may be later effects, as postural consequences due to the uninflated swim bladder.

EPIPHYTIC FORAMINIFERAL INDICES AS BIOINDICATORS IN MEDITERRANEAN SEAGRASS MEADOWS

Mediterranean infralittoral soft bottoms are dominated by extensive seagrass meadows of the endemic phanerogam Posidonia oceanica (L.) Delile. Both leaves and rhizomes are substrates suitable for colonization by a vast array of epiphytic organisms, including foraminifera. Epiphytic foraminifera are very useful bioindicators, because of their relatively short life cycles and their quick reaction to environmental changes at global and local scales. To evaluate the environmental conditions reflected by the foraminiferal assemblages in P. oceanica -dominated environments, the FORAM Index (FI) has been slightly modified to include changes to the ecological categories defined in the original Langer A–D morphotype scheme. Sensitive, long-lived species are now represented by the SB and A* groups; the stress-tolerant taxa correspond to D*; and the small heterotrophic forms are still represented by B and C. Consequently, the FI was modified as follows: FI′ = 10 3 (PA*+PSB) + PD* + 2 × (PB+PC). The Posidonia oceanica foraminiferal assemblage contains very abundant B and C forms that remain more or less constant regardless of environmental conditions as they do not have as strict requirements for light and substrate as the A* and SB groups. Moreover, B and C taxa are not as well-adapted to stressful conditions as is D*. Therefore, to magnify the differences between, a priori, minimally altered and stressed areas, a new index is calculated. The “long vs. short life span” index (ILS), which is expressed as: ILS = (3.5 × (PA* + PSB) + 0.01)/(PD* + 0.01). Index ILS has a high correlation with the modified FORAM Index, which was developed to characterize water quality. Index ILS, can be used as a reference for the quality assessment and preservation of P. oceanica meadows.

Use of sodium butyrate as an alternative to dietary fiber: effects on the embryonic development and anti-oxidative capacity of rats.

In this study, we evaluated the effect of replacing dietary fiber with sodium butyrate on reproductive performance and antioxidant defense in a high fat diet during pregnancy by using a rat model. Eighty virgin female Sprague Dawley rats were fed one of four diets—(1) control diet (C group), (2) high fat + high fiber diet (HF group), (3) high-fat +5% sodium butyrate diet (SB group), and (4) HF diet + α-cyano-4-hydroxy cinnamic acid (CHC group)—intraperitoneally on days 8, 10, 12, 14, and 16 of gestation. SB and dietary fiber had similar effects on improving fetal number and reducing the abortion rate; however, the anti-oxidant capacity of maternal serum, placenta, and fetus was superior in the HF group than in the SB group. In comparison, CHC injection decreased reproductive performance and antioxidant defense. Both dietary fiber (DF) and SB supplementation had a major but different effect on the expression of anti-oxidant related genes and nutrient transporters genes. In summary, our data indicate that SB and DF showed similar effect on reproductive performance, but SB cannot completely replace the DF towards with respect to redox regulation in high-fat diet; and SB might influence offspring metabolism and health differently to DF.

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation in patients of small body size

The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) in patients of small body size (SB). Between October 2006 and November 2011, 424 patients undergoing TAVI were evaluated. Patients with a small body surface area (BSA; <1.75 m(2)) were defined as the "SB group" (n = 215) and the remaining large BSA patients as the "LB group" (n = 209). In the SB group, mean annulus diameter measured by CT and minimal femoral artery diameter were significantly smaller (23.1 ± 1.92 vs. 24.3 ± 1.91 mm, P < 0.01; 7.59 ± 1.06 vs. 8.29 ± 1.34 mm, P < 0.01, respectively). The logistic EuroSCORE was similar between groups (22.5 ± 10.4 vs. 23.4 ± 12.0; P = 0.43). Equivalent device success (91.2% vs. 91.4%; P = 0.94) and 30-day survival rates (85.1% vs. 87.6%; P = 0.46) were achieved in both groups. Vascular complications and the 30-day combined safety end point rate were significantly higher in the SB group (13.0% vs. 4.3%, P < 0.01; 27.4% vs. 18.3%, P = 0.03, respectively). Similar post-procedural mean pressure gradient was achieved in both groups (10.2 ± 4.3 vs. 11.0 ± 4.6 mmHg; P = 0.12). Multivariate analysis showed that BSA was one of the independent predictors of 30-day combined safety end point (Odds ratio: 0.20; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.05-0.88; P = 0.03). However, Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed no significant difference in mid-term survival rate between groups (log-rank P = 0.64). TAVI in SB patients resulted in similar clinical outcomes with effective post-procedural hemodynamics compared with LB patients. Care should be taken to avoid vascular complications in SB patients.

Prospective randomized comparison of knee stability and joint degeneration for double- and single-bundle ACL reconstruction

This study aims to determine the outcome of double-bundle anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction using an allograft in comparison with ACL reconstruction using a double-bundle autograft or a single-bundle allograft. A total of 424 patients who accepted primary ACL reconstructions were divided randomly into three groups: double-bundle technique with autograft (DB-AU group, n = 154), double-bundle technique with allograft (DB-AL group, n = 128), and single-bundle technique with allograft (SB group, n = 142). The KT-1000 arthrometer and pivot-shift tests were performed at 3, 12, and 36 months after surgery, and clinical outcome measurements include the Lysholm score and the IKDC rating scales. Radiological assessments evaluated arthritic changes and tunnel expansion at 36 months postoperatively. The KT-1000 test scores in the DB-AU and DB-AL groups were significantly better than those in the SB group at 12 and 36 months postoperatively (P < 0.05). The pivot-shift tests scores in the DB-AU and DB-AL groups were significantly better than those in the SB group at the 3, 12, and 36 month follow-ups (P < 0.05). Based on the IKDC score and Lysholm score, there were no significant difference between the three groups during follow-up (P > 0.05). At 36 months postoperatively, 42.3 % of patients in the SB group showed a progression in arthritic changes, which was greater than in the DB-AU (29.2 %) and DB-AL (27.3 %) groups (P < 0.05). At 36 months, the rates of tunnel expansion in the DB-AU group and the DB-AL group were lower than in the SB group (P < 0.05). Double-bundle ACL reconstruction can be used to achieve better anterior and rotational stability and has a lower rate of arthritic progression and tunnel expansion than the single-bundle procedure. I.

Roles of p38 MAPK in the regulation of the inflammatory response to swine influenza virus-induced acute lung injury in mice.

Swine influenza virus (SIV), one of the most important zoonotic agents, is associated with major public health concerns. The current study was conducted to investigate the role of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK) in the regulation of the inflammatory response to acute lung injury (ALI) induced by SIV of H9N2 subtype (H9N2-SIV) in mice. For this purpose, BALB/c mice were intranasally infected with 20 LD(50) of H9N2-SIV (infected group), while non-infected mice served as control (control group). To assess the effect of p38 MAPK, its specific inhibitor SB203580 was employed followed by SIV infection (SB group). At various times after infection, mouse lungs were subjected to pathological and histological observations and detection of inflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor α (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, and IL-10 and phosphorylated p38 MAPK. The obtained results showed obvious inflammatory responses, injury and raised levels of inflammatory cytokines and phosphorylated p38 MAPK in the lungs of virus-infected mice. In the mice inoculated with the virus alone, the level of phosphorylated p38 MAPK increased from day 2 and peaked at day 6 post infection (p.i.). However, SB203580 caused lower increases in inflammatory cytokines and phosphorylated p38 MAPK and a milder lung injury. These findings indicate that the activation of p38 MAPK upregulated the inflammatory responses to H9N2-SIV-induced ALI, increased its severity and promoted the production of inflammatory cytokines.

Evaluation of Degradation in Nanofilled Adhesive Resins Using Quantitative Light‐Induced Fluorescence

The aim of this study was to evaluate degradation in commercial dental nanofilled adhesive resins using quantitative light‐induced fluorescence (QLF). Three adhesives were selected: D/E resin (DR), Single Bond Plus (SB), and G‐Bond (GB). The adhesives were mixed with porphyrin for the QLF analysis. Specimens were prepared by dispensing blended adhesives into a flexible mold and polymerizing. Then, the QLF analysis of the specimens was done and the porphyrin values (Simple Plaque Score and ΔR) were measured. After thermocycling of the specimens (5000 cycles, 5 to 55°C) for the degradation, the specimens were assayed by QLF again. The porphyrin values were analyzed using paired t‐test at a 95% confidence level. A significant reduction in SPS was observed in all groups after thermocycling. The ΔR significantly decreased after thermocycling except area ΔR30 of SB group. Overall, porphyrin values decreased after thermocycling which indicates that the degradation of the adhesive resins may be measured by the change of porphyrin value. The QLF method could be used to evaluate the degradation of adhesive resin.

Clinical survey and analysis of persistent submacular fluid on optical coherence tomography after surgery for rhegmatogenous retinal detachment

To investigate the incidence, duration and consequences of persistent submacular fluid after pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) and scleral buckling surgery (SB) in rhegmatogenous retinal detachment, thus to explore the clinical association between persistent SMF and different surgical methods, and simultaneously, to study the effect of persistent submacular fluid on visual outcome. It was a retrospective case-series study. Ninety-two qualified eyes including 54 eyes of males and 38 eyes of females with rhegmatogenous retinal detachment which had been performed PPV or SB were recruited. The average age of the patients was (45.8 ± 15.3) years with a age-range from 15 to 76 years. The inclusion criteria was as follows, the macula-off rhegmatogenous retinal detachments without macular hole and obvious proliferative vitreoretinopathy, the retina was completely reattached 1 month after operation and no redetachment was found by ophthalmoscope and B scan till the last follow-up, the minimal follow-up time was 1 year and the submacular fluid must have been dissolved for at least 6 months. All patients underwent thorough ophthalmologic examinations before and after operation, Those patients in whom a persistent submacular fluid was seen on optical coherence tomography (OCT) at 1 month after operation performed follow-up with repeat of the investigations at 3, 6 and 12 months after surgery, If the abnormality resolved, further observations were continued to undertake for 6 months or more till the last follow-up.Rank-sum test, χ²-test and Fisher exact test were applied respectively to analyze for statistical analysis. The incidence of persistent submacular fluid at 1 month after surgery in the PPV and SB group was 13.9% (5/36) and 48.2% (27/56).Six months later however, the figure expressed as percentage was 2.8% (1/36) and 23.2% (18/28) correspondingly. Persistent submacular fluid was more frequent in eyes with inferior breaks (64.3%) than that with superior ones (13.9%), making a significant differences (χ² = 17.38, P < 0.01) . The persistent submacular fluid group showed worse best-corrected visual acuity than no persistent submacular fluid group 6 and 12 months after surgery (t = 2.525, t = 2.254, both P < 0.05). Comparing the visual acuity (VA) between the eyes with or without persistent submacular fluid 6, 12 months after surgery and the latest followed-up among the ever suffered eyes, a statistically significant differences presented in late stages(average VA: 0.47 ± 0.29, 0.30 ± 0.16; 0.44 ± 0.28, 0.27 ± 0.15;0.42 ± 0.22, 0.27 ± 0.19; t = 2.114, 2.207, 2.068; all P < 0.05), though there were no significant differences in the first three months (average VA: 0.70 ± 0.33, 0.63 ± 0.37; 0.50 ± 0.25,0.45 ± 0.22; t = 0.556, 0.601; both P > 0.05). Persistent submacular fluid presents in both surgical procedures but it is more frequent after buckling surgery than vitrectomy, the selection of patients, the location of retinal breaks and the duration of detachment may be the potential influencing factors. Persistent submacular fluid after retinal detachment surgery is responsible for delayed recovery, and may affect the final visual outcome. The longer it lasts, the more harm may it do.

Topically administered bevacizumab had longer standing anti-angiogenic effect than subconjunctivally injected bevacizumab in rat corneal neovacularization.

To compare the effect of topically administered and subconjunctivally injected bevacizumab on experimental corneal neovascularization in rats for two weeks after treatment. Twenty-eight Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into four groups of 7 animals. Each corneal center of right eye was cauterized with silver/potassium nitrate for 8s. After corneal burning, bevacizumab (12.5mg/mL) was topically administered three times per day (TB group) for two weeks or subconjunctivally injected on days 2 and 4 after cauterization (0.02mL; SB group). As negative controls, rats received 0.9% saline topically three times per day (TS group) or subconjunctivally on days 2 and 4 (0.02mL; SS group). Digital photographs of the cornea were taken 1 and 2 weeks after treatment and analyzed to determine the area of cornea covered by neovascularization as the percentage of corneal neovascularization. One week after treatment, the percentage of corneal neovascularization was significantly lower in the TB and SB groups than in the TS and SS groups (all P<0.05). Two weeks after treatment, the percentage of corneal neovascularization was significantly lower in the TB group than in the TS group (P<0.05). In all groups, the percentage of neovascularization was decreasing as time passed (all P<0.05). Topically administered bevacizumab has longer standing anti-angiogenic effect than subconjunctivally injected bevacizumab in corneal neovascularization following chemical injury in rats.

Sequential Platelet-Derived Growth Factor–Simvastatin Release Promotes Dentoalveolar Regeneration

Timely augmentation of the physiological events of dentoalveolar repair is a prerequisite for the optimization of the outcome of regeneration. This study aimed to develop a treatment strategy to promote dentoalveolar regeneration by the combined delivery of the early mitogenic factor platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) and the late osteogenic differentiation factor simvastatin. By using the coaxial electrohydrodynamic atomization technique, PDGF and simvastatin were encapsulated in a double-walled poly(D,L-lactide) and poly(D,L-lactide-co-glycolide) (PDLLA-PLGA) microspheres in five different modes: microspheres encapsulating bovine serum albumin (BB), PDGF alone (XP), simvastatin alone (SB), PDGF-in-core and simvastatin-in-shell (PS), and simvastatin-in-core and PDGF-in-shell (SP). The microspheres were characterized using scanning electronic microscopy, and the in vitro release profile was evaluated. Microspheres were delivered to fill large osteotomy sites on rat maxillae for 14 and 28 days, and the outcome of regeneration was evaluated by microcomputed tomography and histological assessments. Uniform 20-μm controlled release microspheres were successfully fabricated. Parallel PDGF-simvastatin release was noted in the PS group, and the fast release of PDGF followed by the slow release of simvastatin was noted in the SP group. The promotion of osteogenesis was observed in XP, PS, and SP groups at day 14, whereas the SP group demonstrated the greatest bone fill, trabecular numbers, and thickest trabeculae. Bone bridging was evident in the PS and SP group, with significantly increased osteoblasts in the SP group, and osteoclastic cell recruitment was promoted in all bioactive molecule-treated groups. At day 28, osteogenesis was promoted in all bioactive molecule-treated groups. Initial corticalization was noted in the XP, PS, and SP groups. Osteoblasts appeared to be decreased in all groups, and significantly, a greater osteoclastic cell recruitment was noted in the SB and SP groups. Both PDGF and simvastatin facilitate dentoalveolar regeneration, and sequential PDGF-simvastatin release (SP group) further accelerated the regeneration process through the enhancement of osteoblastogenesis and the promotion of bone maturation.

Biomechanical Comparison Of Double Bundle Versus Single Bundle Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction Using Three Dimensional Gait Analysis

No differences were detected between anatomic SB and DB ACL reconstructed patients with regard overall tibio-femoral rotation and adduction moments. There has been a recent focus on surgical techniques that more closely approximate the anatomy of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). Double bundle techniques have gained popularity but are more surgically demanding, costly and may lead to more complex revision procedures. Outcome measures used in clinical studies may not be sensitive enough to detect a difference between the techniques, therefore more accurate in vivo studies are required. This study utilizes three dimensional gait analysis to compare two groups of patients having undergone either an anatomical single or double bundle ACL reconstruction. It is hypothesised that there will be no significant difference between the two groups with regard tibio-femoral rotation and knee adduction moments. Twenty-eight patients (14 SBACLR, 14 DBACLR) were assessed using a ten-camera Vicon system allowing three dimensional gait analysis. They were each required to perform four tasks: level walking, step descent and immediate pivot, jog and cut and hop and dodge The overall range of tibial rotation and knee adduction moments were recorded for the reconstructed and normal contralateral knee. Other outcome measures including KT-1000, IKDC score and functional hop tests were recorded and clinical tests such as a Lachman and pivot shift were performed. Patient demographics were similar for both groups and all patients were clinically stable and satisfied with their reconstructed knee (IKDC A or B). There were no significant differences for range of tibial rotation between the reconstructed and ACL intact limbs for either the DB or SB groups. Similarly there were no differences between DB and SB groups regarding adduction moments. This paper demonstrates that an anatomical single bundle ACL reconstruction, when compared to the normal contralateral knee, is able to control tibio-femoral rotation and adduction moments as well as a double bundle procedure. The key may be anatomical graft position, not the number of bundles.

Role of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway in electro-acupuncture-induced reduction of endotoxic shock-induced acute lung injury in rabbits

Objective To evaluate the role of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38MAPK) pathway in electro-acupuncture (EA)-induced reduction of endotoxic shock-induced acute lung injury (ALI) in rabbits.Methods Seventy healthy male New Zealand white rabbits,aged 2 months,weighing 1.5-2.0kg,were randomly divided into 7 groups (n=10 each):normal control group (group C),anhydrous alcohol group (group A),specific p38MAPK blocker SB203580 group (group SB),endotoxic shock-induced ALI group (group ALI),EA + endotoxic shock-induced ALI group (group EA),sham EA + endotoxic shock-induced ALI group (group SEA),and EA + endotoxic shock-induced ALI + SB203580 group (group EAS).The animals were anesthetized with iv 20％ urethane 5ml/kg and tracheostomized and kept spontaneous breathing.Right common carotid artery was cannulated for mean arterial pressure monitoring.Ear vein was cannulated for drug administration.LPS 5 mg/kg (in 2 ml of normal saline) was injected intravenously in groups ALI,EA,SEA,EAS,while the equal volume of normal saline was injected in the other groups.Endotoxic shock was confirmed by decrease in mean arterial pressure to 75％ of the baseline value within 2h after LPS injection.SB203580 5 μmol/kg (in 0.5ml of anhydrous alcohol) was then infused intravenously at 0.05ml/min in groups SB and EAS,while the equal volume of normal saline was infused in group C and the equal volume of anhydrous alcohol was given in the other groups.Bilateral 30 min EA (wave length 0.2-0.6 ms,frequency 2/100 Hz,intensity ≤ 2-3 mA) stimulation of Zusanli and Feishu was performed once a day for 4 days before establishment of endotoxic shock model and during the process of establishment of endotoxic shock model in EA and EAS groups.EA was performed at the points 0.5 cm lateral to the acupoints of Zusanli and Feishu according to the method previously described in group SEA.Arterial blood samples were taken at 6h after LPS or normal saline administration for detection of concentrations of serum tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-10 (L-10).The rabbits were then sacrificed by exsanguination.The lungs were removed for microscopic examination and for measurement of phosphorylation of p38MAPK in lung tissues.The pathological changes of the lung were scored.Results Compared with group C,the pathological scores and serum TNF-α and L-10 concentrations were significantly increased in ALI,SEA,EA and EAS groups and phosphorylation of p38MAPK was increased in ALI,SEA and EA groups (P ＜ 0.05),and no significant changes were found in the parameters mentioned above in A and SB groups (P ＞ 0.05).Compared with group ALI,the pathological scores and serum TNF-α concentrations were significantly decreased and serum L-10 concentrations and phosphorylation of p38MAPK were increased in EA group,the pathological scores,serum TNF-α concentrations and phosphorylation of p38MAPK were decreased in EAS group (P ＜ 0.05),and no significant changes in the parameters mentioned above were found in SEA group (P ＞ 0.05).The pathological scores and serum TNF-α concentrations were significantly higher and phosphorylation of p38MAPK was lower in EAS group than in EA group (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion p38MAPK pathway mediates EA-induced reduction of endotoxic shock-induced ALI in rabbits.文章序号>=10.3760/cma.j.issn.0254-1416.2013.08.022 Key words: Electro acupuncture; p38Mitogen-activated protein kinases; Lung; Shock,septic

Infection Following Simultaneous Bilateral Total Knee Arthroplasty

Between 2000 and 2009, demographics, clinical characteristics, and infection details were compared among patients undergoing simultaneous BTKA (SBTKA), staged or UTKA. 2825 (16%) patients underwent SB, 1151 (6%) staged, and 13,983 (78%) UTKA. The overall infection rate following SBTKA (0.57%) was lower compared to staged (1.39%) or UTKA (1.1%) (P=0.01). The in-hospital infection rate was lower for the SB group (0.28% vs. 0.96% vs. 0.69%, respectively, P=0.01). The rate of late infections was comparable between the groups (0.32% vs. 0.43% vs. 0.43%, respectively, P=0.72). The rate of superficial infection was lower in the simultaneous cohort (0.28% vs. 1.04% vs. 0.87%; P=0.003). The overall rate of deep infection and reoperation for infection was similar among the groups. Among patients with late infection, age, gender, comorbidity score, time to infection, and most common organism isolated were not significantly different between the groups. Among infected patients after SB or staged TKA, 3 SB patients (18.75%), and 3 staged (20%) had bilateral involvement (P=1.0). Staged patients had more 2nd side infections, while simultaneous patients had more 1st side infections (P=0.02). Regression analysis showed that UTKA patients were 2.5 times more likely to develop in-hospital infection compared to SBTKA, while staged patients were almost 3.4 times more likely. Each additional hospital day increased the risk of late infection by 11.3%. SBTKA demonstrates an advantage over staged and maintains the safety profile of unilateral approaches with respect to infectious complications.

Changes in expression of cyclooxygenase-2 in the spinal dorsal horn after intrathecal p38MAPK inhibitor SB203580 on neuropathic pain in rats.

To investigate the changes of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression in the spinal cord dorsal horn after intrathecal a specific p38MAPK inhibitor-SB203580 on neuropathic pain in rats induced by chronic constrictive injury (CCI) to the sciatic nerve. Twenty-four male SD rats after intrathecal catheter placement were randomly divided into 4 groups: a sham group with sham surgery, the neuropathic pain model of a NS group, a DMSO group and an SB group were established by CCI to sciatic nerve. NS or DMSO or SB203580 was injected IT NS or 2% DMSO or SB203580 twice a day for 5 consecutive days starting at 6th day when the model of CCI was established. Mechanical stimuli were measured before the surgery and on 1st, 3rd, 5th, 7th, 9th, and 11th day after the surgery. Then all rats were sacrificed and the lumbar segment of spinal cord was removed to determine the COX-2 expression in the dorsal horn by immunocytochemistry. Day 1 to 11 after the surgery, the threshold to mechanical on the surgery side was significantly lower in the NS group and the DMSO group than in the sham group. Day 7 to 11 after the surgery, the threshold to mechanical on the surgery side was significantly lower in the SB group than in the NS group and the DMSO group. The expression of spinal COX-2 was higher in the NS group and the DMSO group than in the sham group, but lower in the SB group than in NS group and the DMSO group.

GW24-e2174 Effectives of benazepril on aortic morphosis and expression of MicroRNA-195 in aorta of spontaneously hypertensive rats

ObjectivesTo explore the changes of arotic morphosis expression of microRNA-195 in the aorta of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR), and the effect of benazepril on their.Methods8-week-old male SHRs were randomly divided...

Influence of the extent of aortic replacement on survival and quality of life in patients with aortic root replacement

Background: The influence of the extent of aortic replacement on the aortic root replacement is unclear. We investigated the clinical outcomes of the aortic root replacement in terms of the extent of aortic replacement and evaluated quality of life (QOL) after surgery. Methods: Thirty six patients were enrolled in this study. The mean age was 59.0 ± 13.1 years. The 36 patients were divided into three groups according the extent of aortic replacement: 21 patients with replacement of the ascending aorta (SB), 7 patients with hemi-arch replacement (HB), and 8 patients with total aortic arch replacement (TB). Postoperative health-related QOL was evaluated by SF-36 Version 2. Results: The hospital mortality in the 36 patients was 2.8%. The patient (TB) died from fungal infection of the prosthetic graft. Three late deaths (8.6%) were observed: cerebral hemorrhage in one (SB), pneumonia in one (SB), and unknown in one (HB). The 5-year survival was 94.1 ± 5.7% in the SB group, 100% in the HB and 87.5 ± 11.7% in the TB groups, respectively (p=0.84). One patient (4.8%) in the SB group had an aorta-related event 7 years after surgery. No patinets had aorta-related events in both the HB and the TB groups. There was no significant difference in postoperative health-related QOL among the three groups. Conclusions: Aortic root replacement at our hospital achieved excellent results. Neither long-term survival nor postoperative QOL differed significantly according to the extent of aortic root replacement. We plan to extend the present study by in cluding a larger number of subjects. ACTA MEDICA NAGASAKIENSIA 58: 49−56, 2013

Surgical Treatment of Retinal Detachment Associated with Degenerative Retinoschisis

Purpose: Although degenerative retinoschisis is almost always asymptomatic, retinal detachment occurs in some patients with outer layer breaks (OLBs). The purpose of this study is to evaluate the different surgical techniques used for the treatment of this condition. Methods: Retrospective interventional case series. The patients underwent either a Scleral-Buckling procedure (SB) or a 3-port pars plana vitrectomy (V). Pre-, intra-, and post-operative data were analyzed for the two groups. Results: Thirty eyes of 30 consecutive patients were included in the analysis. There was a statistically significant difference (0.5 ± 0.48 LogMAR units for the SB group, 1.37 ± 1.4 LogMAR units for the V group, p = 0.027) in final BCVA when the two groups were compared, whereas there was no statistically significant difference in the baseline BCVA between the two groups (p = 0.38). The proportion of cases that were successfully attached with one operation was slightly lower in the V group (62% versus 76%). Conversely, the proportion of cases that were successfully attached with more than one operation was similar in both groups (23% and 24%, respectively). Conclusion: The present study highlights that retinoschisis-associated RD is a demanding situation to treat and remains a challenge for vitreoretinal surgeons. Scleral buckle procedure was found to be successful in eyes that have peripheral OLBs and not extensive RDs, and PPV should be considered for treating symptomatic, rather extensive schisis-RDs, especially in cases with large or posterior outer layer breaks.

Use of Relief Contrast® Objective to Improve Sperm Morphometric Analysis by Isas® Casa System in the Ram

The aim of this study was to develop a new method for morphometric assessment of the sperm head and acrosome in the ram. Ejaculates from 10 adult males were collected using an artificial vagina. For each ejaculate, 10 semen smears were prepared, air-dried and divided (in pairs) into the following five treatment groups: (i) washed in distilled water and allowed to dry without further processing (DRY); (ii) fixed in 50% methanol (MET); (iii) fixed in 2% glutaraldehyde (GLUT); (iv) fixed and stained with Hemacolor(®) (HEM) and (v) fixed and stained with SpermBlue(®) (SB). The prepared slides were examined with a 40×Relief Contrast(®) objective (RC) and processed with ISAS(®) commercial software. The use of RC optics increased the contrast between acrosome and sperm head, allowing capture and morphometric analysis by ISAS of sperm heads and the acrosome, even in non-stained samples. MET and GLUT groups resulted in a lower number of acceptable, that is, correctly delineated, sperm heads than those in the SB, and SB and HEM groups, respectively (p<0.05). The higher proportion of sperm discarded in MET and GLUT groups may be explained by a higher presence of artefacts. For the majority of the primary morphometric parameters of the sperm head and the acrosomal area, the relationship between treatments was the following: GLUT> HEM≥ MET≥ SB> DRY. When studying the proportion of the sperm head covered by the acrosome, the relation between treatments was: MET> DRY = GLUT = SB> HEM. It was concluded that the new method for sperm morphometric assessment allows the simultaneous assessment of sperm head and acrosome in the ram by the first time, even in unprocessed semen smears.

Changes in expression of cyclooxygenase-2 in the spinal dorsal horn after intrathecal p38MAPK inhibitor SB203580 on neuropathic pain in rats

To investigate the changes of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression in the spinal cord dorsal horn after intrathecal a specific p38MAPK inhibitor-SB203580 on neuropathic pain in rats induced by chronic constrictive injury (CCI) to the sciatic nerve. Twenty-four male SD rats after intrathecal catheter placement were randomly divided into 4 groups: a sham group with sham surgery, the neuropathic pain model of a NS group, a DMSO group and an SB group were established by CCI to sciatic nerve. NS or DMSO or SB203580 was injected IT NS or 2%DMSO or SB203580 twice a day for 5 consecutive days starting at 6th day when the model of chronic constrictive injury was established. Mechanical stimuli were measured before the surgery and on 1st, 3rd, 5th, 7th, 9th, and 11th day after the surgery. Then all rats were sacrificed and the lumbar segment of spinal cord was removed to determine the COX-2 expression in the dorsal horn by immunocytochemistry. Day 1 to 11 after the surgery, the threshold to mechanical on the surgery side was significantly lower in the NS group and the DMSO group than in the sham group. Day 7 to 11 after the sugery, the threshold to mechanical on the surgery side was significantly lower in the SB group than in the NS group and the DMSO group. The expression of spinal COX-2 was higher in the NS group and the DMSO group than in the sham group, but lower in the SB group than in NS group and the DMSO group. Intrathecal administration of SB203580 has significant analgesic effect in the CCI rat model. Expression of COX-2 is significantly reduced when p38MAPK is inhibited by intrathecal SB203580, and p38MAPK stimulation is essential for COX-2 expression.