Spontaneous fracture of a titanium mesh cranioplasty implant in a child: A case report.

Background: Titanium mesh cranioplasty is often performed after decompressive craniectomy. Spontaneous fracture of the titanium prosthesis is an extremely rare postoperative complication. Here, we report a 10-year-old boy who presented with a spontaneous fracture of titanium mesh without antecedent head trauma.

Antiviral activity and underlying molecular mechanisms of Matrine against porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus in vitro.

Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS), caused by porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV), is an acute infectious disease. The prevalence of PRRS has made swine industry suffered huge financial losses. Matrine, a natural compound, has been demonstrated to possess anti-PRRSV activity in Marc-145 cells.

Effects of sodium tanshinone IIA sulfonate against Marek's disease virus in experimentally infected chickens.

Chickens experimentally infected with Marek's disease virus J-1 strain were used to evaluate the anti-Marek's disease virus (MDV) activity of sodium tanshinone IIA sulfonate (STS) in vivo. Chickens in same group were kept in one pen and control group chickens were housed in negative pressure isolator. Chickens were treated with different dose of STS or ABOB for 21 consecutive days.

Immunolocalization of β-catenin and Lef-1 during postnatal hair follicle development in mice.

It is well recognized that the Wnt pathway, in which β-catenin and Lef-1 are important factors, is associated with many physiological processes, including embryogenesis and postnatal development. The Wnt pathway also plays a critical role in the development of skin. It regulates the formation of the dorsal dermis and epidermal appendages in the skin and the activity of epithelial stem cells.

Expression of growth differentiation factor 9 (GDF9), ALK5, and claudin-11 in adult alpaca testis.

Growth differentiation factor 9 (GDF9) is an oocyte-derived factor critical for folliculogenesis. Recently, in vitro data showed that GDF9 inhibited the localization of tight junction (TJ) proteins, suggesting that GDF9 could potentially regulate spermatogenesis in vivo, via inhibition of Sertoli cell TJ function. The purpose of the present study was to determine the expression and localization of GDF9, its receptor, ALK5, and its latent target protein, claudin-11 (one of TJ proteins) in adult alpaca testis using Western blot and immunohistochemistry.

Immunolocalization of Smad4 protein in the testis of domestic fowl (Gallus domesticus) during postnatal development.

The transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) superfamily exerts a wide range of effects on biological events, including spermatogenesis. Smad proteins are downstream signal mediators, which transduce TGF-β signals from the cell surface to the nucleus. Smad4 protein is the common transducer of the TGF-β superfamily that participates in the signaling of all the members of TGF-β superfamily.

Therapeutic effects of astragalus polysaccharides on inflammation and synovial apoptosis in rats with adjuvant-induced arthritis.

Background: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA), an autoimmune disease, is characterized by pronounced inflammation and cell accumulation within affected joints. Beneficial effects of active ingredients of the astragalus root (Radix astrogali) in treatment of immunological diseases have been previously observed, but the mechanisms are not well understood. This study aims to evaluate therapeutic effects and the mechanisms of astragalus polysaccharides (APS) on adjuvant-induced arthritis (AA) in rats.

Expression of growth differentiation factor 9 (GDF9) and its receptor in adult cat testis.

Oocyte-secreted growth differentiation factor (GDF) 9 plays an essential role during follicle maturation through actions on granulosa cells. Despite its critical role in female reproduction, GDF9 expression, signalling and function are less well characterized during spermatogenesis. The purpose of this study was to investigate temporal and spatial expression and potential cellular targets of GDF9 in the adult cat testis.

[The application and evaluation of map-based gene isolation in crops].

As an efficient strategy for gene isolation, map-based cloning has been widely applied and well advanced in crops with small genomes. However, the application of this strategy is challenging in crops with large genomes that are rich in repetitive DNA. Because of the importance of map-based cloning, its basic contents and development are summarized.

[Amplified consensus genetic markers and its application in plants].

Amplified consensus genetic markers (ACGM) is a novel PCR-based DNA molecular marker technique, which is based on the conservation of coding sequences and the potential polymorphism within non-coding sequences in homologous genes among closely related species. Along with the rapid development of comparative genomics and bioinformatics, the ACGM technique has already become a powerful tool for comparing homologous genes, analyzing phylogenetic relationships among species, and mapping of genes of interest. Here, an introduction to ACGM technique, especially its application in Brassica genera and Gramineae, was presented in detail.

[Cranial vault reconstruction of plagiocephaly].

Objective: Treatments of unilateral lambdoid synostosis and unilateral coronal synostosis.

Methods: Approach to coronal, double frontal flaps were rotated with orbit advancement and anteversion of the frontal to enlarge the volume of ante cranial fossa., and reconstruct the contour of orbit and the frontal.

[Skull plasty to correct congenital craniosynostosis].

Objective: To investigate the technique of skull reconstruction for the congenital craniosynostosis.

Methods: Many technique of skull plasty were adopted to correct the congenital craniosynostosis. We advanced fronto-orbital, reversal change of the frontal bone to correct the brachycephalic, hydrocephaly acrocephaly, which were supported by parietal bone.

[Total calvarial reconstruction for sagittal synostosis].

Objective: To study the technique of total calvaria reconstruction for sagittal synostosis.

Methods: 11 children with sagittal synostosis were treated. The David II procedure was used to reconstruct the calvarial gap in 6 cases; Osteotomies with reversal change was performed on 2 cases; Plum-plasty of the calvaria was performed on 3 cases.

[Filter-based template preparation for rapid and sensitive PCR detection of Staphylococcus aureus in meat].

In the present study, an assay using Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) was developed for the detection of Staphylococcus aureus in meat. Based on flotation and solvent extraction technology, FTA filter was used to extract S. aureus DNA from artifically contaminated meat.

Study on the chromosomal karyotype and G-banding of Alpacas (Lama pacos).

Blood samples from 23 Huacaya alpacas, 3 males and 20 females, were used to study chromosomes and karyotypes, so as to provide some effective cytogenetic bases for the selection, improvement by crossing, disease diagnosis of alpacas, and genetic mechanisms of sex determination. Peripheral blood lymphocyte culture was used to prepare chromosome. A method of trypase-EDTA was used for G-banding.