The Role of DNA Methylation in Transcriptional Regulation of Pro-Nociceptive Genes in Rat Trigeminal Ganglia.

Epigenetic modulation by DNA methylation is associated with aberrant gene expression in sensory neurons, which consequently leads to pathological pain responses. In this study, we sought to investigate whether peripheral inflammation alters global DNA methylation in trigeminal ganglia (TG) and results in abnormal expression of pro-nociceptive genes. Our results show that peripheral inflammation remotely reduced the level of global DNA methylation in rat TG with a concurrent reduction in and expression.

Androgen receptor transcriptionally regulates μ-opioid receptor expression in rat trigeminal ganglia.

The involvement of testosterone in pain, inflammation, and analgesia has been reported, but the role of androgen receptor (AR), a steroid receptor for testosterone, is not well understood. We have previously shown that peripheral inflammation upregulates μ-opioid receptor (MOR) in rat trigeminal ganglia (TG) in a testosterone-dependent manner. In this study, we hypothesized that testosterone regulates MOR expression via transcriptional activities of AR in TG.

Cross-stacked single-crystal organic nanowire p-n nanojunction arrays by nanotransfer printing.

We fabricated cross-stacked organic p-n nanojunction arrays made of single-crystal 6,13-bis(triisopropylsilylethynyl) pentacene (TIPS-PEN) and fullerene (C60) nanowires as p-type and n-type semiconductors, respectively, by using a nanotransfer printing technique. Single-crystal C60 nanowires were synthesized inside nanoscale channels of a mold and directly transferred onto a desired position of a flexible substrate by a lubricant liquid layer. In the consecutive printing process, single-crystal TIPS-PEN nanowires were grown in the same way and then perpendicularly aligned and placed onto the C60 nanowire arrays, resulting in a cross-stacked single-crystal organic p-n nanojunction array.

H11/HspB8 and Its Herpes Simplex Virus Type 2 Homologue ICP10PK Share Functions That Regulate Cell Life/Death Decisions and Human Disease.

Small heat shock proteins (sHsp) also known as HspB are a large family of widely expressed proteins that contain a 90 residues domain known as α-crystallin. Here, we focus on the family member H11/HspB8 and its herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) homologue ICP10PK, and discuss the possible impact of this relationship on human disease. H11/HspB8 and ICP10PK are atypical protein kinases.

Combined therapy of orthopedic surgery after deep brain stimulation in cerebral palsy mixed type - a case report -.

Dystonia is a symptom defined by involuntary and irregular contractions of the muscles, which cause movement disorders and postural problems. Deep brain stimulation (DBS) in globus pallidus interna (GPi) is a good option for controlling dystonia. DBS has already been shown to have significant effects on primary dystonia as well as Parkinson's disease.

Limb angular deformity correction using Dyna-ATC: surgical technique, calculation method, and clinical outcome.

Purpose: Dyna-ATC is a unilateral external fixator with angulator, lengthener, and translator, which allows for angular correction and compensation of the secondary displacement during angular correction. The purpose of this study is to introduce surgical technique and calculation methods and to evaluate the clinical outcome of angular deformity correction using Dyna-ATC.

Materials And Methods: The amounts of secondary displacement were calculated with the distances between axis of correction of angulation, Center of Rotational Angulation, and osteotomy and the amount of angular deformity.

Effects of multiple drilling on the ischemic capital femoral epiphysis of immature piglets.

Purpose: This study investigated the effects of multiple drilling on the immature capital femoral epiphysis following ischemic injury in a piglet model.

Materials And Methods: Ischemic necrosis of capital femoral epiphysis was induced bilaterally in 12 piglets using a cervical ligation method. Three weeks later, medial, central, and lateral 3 drill holes were made on the left femoral head using 0.

Pulmonary manifestations in Proteus syndrome: pulmonary varicosities and bullous lung disease.

We report on two patients with Proteus syndrome (PS), with emphasis on its pulmonary manifestations. The first patient was a 6-year-old girl diagnosed with PS at 5 years of age. The pulmonary abnormalities first observed at age 3 years and included streaky densities with accentuated vascular markings detected by chest radiography.

Ankle valgus deformity secondary to proximal migration of the fibula in tibial lengthening with use of the Ilizarov external fixator.

Background: Ankle valgus deformity secondary to proximal migration of the fibula following an Ilizarov tibial lengthening has not been discussed in detail in the literature. The purposes of this study were to determine the underlying mechanism of and to identify factors associated with proximal migration of the fibula that caused ankle valgus deformity after an Ilizarov tibial lengthening.

Methods: We reviewed the outcome of seventy-four bilateral Ilizarov tibial lengthenings for short stature in thirty-seven patients.

Altered synthesis of cartilage-specific proteoglycans by mutant human cartilage oligomeric matrix protein.

Background: The mechanism by which mutant cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP) induces a pseudoachondroplasia phenotype remains unknown, and the reason why a mutation of a minor protein of the growth plate cartilage causes total disruption of endochondral bone formation has not yet been determined. The current study was performed to investigate the effects of mutated COMP on the synthesis of the cartilage-specific major matrix proteins of Swarm rat chondrosarcoma chondrocytes.

Methods: The Swarm rat chondrosarcoma chondrocytes transfected with a chimeric construct, which consisted of a mutant gene of human COMP and an amino acid FLAG tag sequence, were cultured in agarose gel.

Tibial lengthening over an intramedullary nail with use of the Ilizarov external fixator for idiopathic short stature.

Background: The details regarding bone formation and complication rates associated with tibial lengthening over an intramedullary nail with use of the Ilizarov external fixator have not been reported, to our knowledge. The purpose of this study was to review our experiences with this procedure, performed in individuals with idiopathic short stature. In addition, we compared the results of lengthening over a nail, in terms of the observed bone formation and the complications, with those of the conventional Ilizarov method.

Changes in dynamic foot pressure after surgical treatment of valgus deformity of the hindfoot in cerebral palsy.

Background: Calcaneal lengthening osteotomy and extra-articular arthrodesis of the subtalar joint are two methods used for the correction of valgus deformity of the heel and forefoot abduction. The purpose of this study was to compare the operative results of these procedures in patients with cerebral palsy who were able to walk. We focused primarily on changes in radiographic parameters and how altered mobility of the subtalar joint by the two operative methods would modify pressure distribution over the plantar surface of the foot.

Trochanteric advancement in patients with Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease does not improve pain or limp.

Unlabelled: Premature closure of the proximal epiphysis in patients with Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease can cause overgrowth of the greater trochanter. We asked whether distal transfer of the greater trochanter relieved pain and improved limp and whether the operation changed frontal plane kinematic and kinetic parameters of the hip and pelvis in the gait analysis. We reviewed 15 patients (15 hips) with an average age of 16.

Proximal tibial lengthening by distraction osteogenesis in congenital pseudarthrosis of the tibia.

The purposes of this study were to investigate the outcome of distraction osteogenesis (DO) at the proximal tibial metaphysis in congenital pseudarthrosis of the tibia (CPT) patients and to identify the risk factors of poor regenerate bone formation. Twenty-seven cases of DO in 22 patients with CPT, with average age of 7 years, were divided into 2 groups. Group 1 contained those cases in which the target length was achieved with a healing index (HI) of 65 d/cm or less, and group 2 contained those with an HI of more than 65 d/cm and those that received additional procedures to achieve bone healing.

Interlocking telescopic rod for patients with osteogenesis imperfecta.

Background: Intramedullary fixation with use of a telescopic rod with a T-piece is one of the standard methods for long-bone stabilization in growing children with osteogenesis imperfecta. However, installation and removal of this device can cause substantial damage to the distal joint, which limits its use, especially in the tibia. We devised a modification of the telescopic rod system--the interlocking telescopic rod--in which the obturator is a simple rod with a hole, instead of a T-piece, at its distal end.

The role of the sympathetic nervous system in moxibustion-induced immunomodulation in rats.

The effects of chemical sympathectomy on moxibustion-induced changes in splenic natural killer (NK) cell cytotoxicity, T and B cell proliferation were studied. Direct moxibustion was applied to the unilateral Zusanli region. NK cell cytotoxicity was suppressed by moxibustion in both vehicle-treated rats and sympathectomized rats.