Brainstem tethering with Ondine's curse.

Background: Brainstem tethering is a rare disease.

Case Description: We report and discuss a 20-year-old patient who experienced paroxysmal apnea (a symptom of Ondine's curse) during sleeping, causing him to wake up and control his breathing consciously. A magnetic resonance imaging study revealed that his medulla oblongata was twisted and displaced posteriorly by an abnormal tissue cord.

[Relationship between neuroinflammation and neurodegenerative diseases].

Over recent decade, studies have shown that inflammatory reaction characterized mainly by the activation of microglia in the brain is implicated in the pathogenesis and processes of neurodegenerative diseases. Neuroinflammation is a double-edged sword. On the one hand, it induces or aggravates the neurodegeneration in the nervous system, and on the other hand, it favors the recovery of the injured neurons in certain conditions.

Synergistic inhibitory effects by the combination of gefitinib and genistein on NSCLC with acquired drug-resistance in vitro and in vivo.

In clinical practice, most patients with non small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who respond to tyrosine kinase inhibitors eventually progress because of an acquired resistance mutation, T790M, in epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). Thus, it is important to identify a new drug to reduce resistance. The aim of this study was to test whether genistein combined with gefitinib is effective against NSCLC in a cell line carrying T790M, and to clarify the underlying mechanisms.

Interleukin-6 reduces NMDA-induced Ca2+ overload via prevention of Ca2+ release from intracellular store.

A mechanism for neuroprotection of interleukin-6 (IL-6) via reduction of intracellular Ca2+ overload induced by N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) was explored. Cerebellar granule neurons (CGNs) from postnatal 8-day infant rats were chronically exposed to IL-6 for 8 days. Confocal laser scanning microscope was used to measure dynamic changes of intracellular Ca2+ fluorescence intensity.

3D-fEA of stress levels and distributions for different bases under a Class I composite restoration.

Purpose: To investigate the level and distribution of stresses in composite-restored mandibular first molars with various combinations of base materials.

Methods: The finite element package Abaqus was used for the stress analysis. Several different base materials were evaluated [light-cured glass ionomer (LC-GI), chemically-cured calcium hydroxide (CC-CH), and light-cured calcium hydroxide (LC-CH)] in combination with light-cured composite (LC-CP).

Inclined nanoimprinting lithography for 3D nanopatterning.

We report a non-conventional shear-force-driven nanofabrication approach, inclined nanoimprint lithography (INIL), for producing 3D nanostructures of varying heights on planar substrates in a single imprinting step. Such 3D nanostructures are fabricated by exploiting polymer anisotropic dewetting where the degree of anisotropy can be controlled by the magnitude of the inclination angle. The feature size is reduced from micron scale of the template to a resultant nanoscale pattern.

Neuroprotection of interleukin-6 against NMDA-induced apoptosis and its signal-transduction mechanisms.

We have previously shown that interleukin-6 (IL-6)-protected neurons against the suppression of neuronal vitality and overload of intracellular Ca(2+) induced by glutamate or N-methyl-D: -aspartate (NMDA). Herein we provide further evidence for IL-6 neuroprotection against NMDA-induced apoptosis and explore the signal-transduction mechanisms underlying the anti-apoptotic action of IL-6. Cerebellar granule neurons (CGNs) from postnatal 8-day infant rats were chronically exposed to IL-6 (40 or 120 ng/ml) for 8 days, and stimulated with NMDA (100 μM) for 30 min.

Absorption performance of iodixanol-imprinted polymers in aqueous and blood plasma media.

This paper presents the preparation and absorption performance of iodixanol-imprinted polymers in aqueous and blood plasma media in vitro for biomedical applications. The imprinted polymers were prepared by non-covalent imprinting of iodixanol in a matrix of poly(4-vinylpyridine) crosslinked by ethylene glycol dimethacrylate. The binding capacities (BCs) were investigated as a function of template-to-monomer, as well as monomer-to-crosslinker, ratios in the polymerization, and the solvent type.

Na+/H+ exchanger mediates TNF-alpha-induced hepatocyte apoptosis via the calpain-dependent degradation of Bcl-xL.

Background And Aim: It is well known that tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) induces hepatocyte apoptosis and contributes to liver diseases. However, the exact mechanisms are not well understood.

Methods: In the present study, we reported that Na(+)/H(+) exchanger (NHE) is involved in TNF-alpha-induced hepatocyte apoptosis.

[Perioperative fast track programs enhance the postoperative recovery after rectal carcinoma resection].

Objective: To evaluate the effect of the fast track programs (FT) on the postoperative recovery of patients with rectum carcinoma after rectal cancer resection.

Methods: Eighty-three patients, undergone elective rectal carcinoma resection in our hospital, were randomly divided into two groups. FT group (44 cases) received the perioperative FT programs care, including bowel preparation reduction, preoperative normal intake, early removal of the nasogastric tube and bladder catheter, early postoperative feeding, early mobilization, and no routine drainage.

[Conserved amino-acid residue mutations in epitope of human cytomegalovirus antigen M].

We identified the critical amino-acid residues in antigen M derterminant (MAD) epitope of human cytomegalovirus protein M. On the basis of the peptide sequence of MAD, some conservative residues were mutated into the glycine residue. Then the gene fragment of mutants linked to amino terminal of Fc were cloned into the plasmid pET32-Fc and expressed by fusion with Fc.

[Three-dimensional finite analysis of the stress in first mandibular molar with composite class I restoration when various mixing ratios of bases were used].

Objective: To analyze the possible damage to the remaining tooth and composite restorations when various mixing ratios of bases were used.

Methods: Testing elastic modulus and poission's ratio of glass-ionomer Vitrebond and self-cured calcium hydroxide Dycal with mixing ratios of 1:1, 3:4, 4:3. Micro-CT was used to scan the first mandibular molar, and the three-dimensional finite element model of the first permanent mandibular molar with class I cavity was established.

Comparative evaluation on three-dimensional finite element models of the temporomandibular joint.

Background: The loads in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) have been proven to play an important role in its structure and function as well as the etiology and therapy of TMJ disorders. Up to now, finite element (FE) models have been largely used to analyze the stress distributions in TMJs. The disc and the articular surfaces in the TMJs were simulated to be bonded together in many models.

Numerical simulation of tooth movement in a therapy period.

Background: Orthodontic tooth movements are based on the ability of bone reaction to mechanical stimulus with the deposition and resorption of alveolar bone. The numerical simulation of tooth movement could be helpful for the treatment strategy. However, at present, few calculations have been carried out on the tooth movement simulation.

Spontaneous spinal epidural hematoma: analysis of 23 cases.

Background: Spontaneous spinal epidural hematoma is a rare but disabling disease. To explore its characters and find out what factors influence the prognosis, we gave a retrospective analysis of 23 patients in our department in the past 8 years.

Methods: Spontaneous spinal epidural hematoma was diagnosed by taking MRIs of patients without surgical management or by histopathological examination.

[The 3D finite element analysis of stress distributions in abutment and periodontal tissues with extra-coronal attachment].

A 3D finite element model of bilateral distal-extension edentulous dentition, which includes mandible, incisors, canines and premolars, was established in the first place. Based on it, another model with extra-coronal attachments and dentures was also developed. Moreover, contact elements were applied to the regions between the denture and alveolar bone.

[A study on the transdifferentiation of adipose mesenchymal stem cells into hepatocytes].

Objective: To investigate the possibility of transdifferentiation of adipose mesenchymal stem cells (AMSCs) into hepatocytes.

Methods: Human omentum adipose tissue was dispersed with collagenase I. Cells collected were cultured in a DMEM-F12 medium containing 2% FBS supplemented with 20 ng/ml HGF, 10 ng/ml FGF4, 1xITS and 0.

[Clinical features of spontaneous spinal epidural hematoma and influential factors of its prognosis].

Objective: To explore the clinical features of spontaneous spinal epidural hematoma (SSEH) and to find out factors influencing its prognosis.

Methods: From September 1998 to October 2006, 23 patients with SSEH (10 males and 13 females) were treated. Their ages ranged from 10 to 69 years.

A comparative study on therapeutic method of traumatic epidural hematoma.

Objective: To explore the therapeutic methods, surgical indications and clinical practice of minimally invasive surgery on traumatic epidural hematoma (EDH).

Methods: Retrospective study was made on 135 patients with traumatic EDH admitted into our hospital from June 2002 to August 2005. Sixty-five patients were treated with mini-invasive negative pressure drainage (treatment group), 70 patients with comparable condition used traditional craniotomy (control group).

Influencing factors for posttraumatic hydrocephalus in patients suffering from severe traumatic brain injuries.

Objective: To detect the influencing factors for posttraumatic hydrocephalus in patients with severe traumatic brain injuries and provide theoretical reference for clinical treatment.

Methods: Retrospective study was made on 139 patients with severe traumatic brain injuries in our hospital. The patients were divided into two groups: hydrocephalus group and non-hydrocephalus group.

Development of a finite element analysis model with curved canal and stress analysis.

This study aimed to establish a model of a curved canal by finite element analysis (FEA). To develop a repeatable and comparable model, simulated curved canals with uniform shape were selected as prototype canals, and a suitable extracted single-root tooth was chosen as the outline. Subsequent combinations and modifications were performed by using the analysis program ABAQUS.

[Three-dimensional finite element stress analysis of mandibular unilateral distal-extension with extra-coronal precision attachment].

From alveolar bone and the complete dentition CT images, a three-dimensionalysis of nonlinear finite element model of mandibular unilateral distal-extension with extracoronal precision attachment was established. The contact elements were used between the denture and alveolar bone. The result shows that, the stress in the second premolar and periodontal tissue decreased obviously as the second abutment was added.

[A semi-automatic method for tooth segmentation in dental CT images].

To reconstruct a tooth model from CT slices, we need to define the accurate contour of each tooth from CT slices. In this paper, we propose a semi-automatic method for drawing the contours of teeth in dental CT images. First of all, we select the reference slice from CT slices and carry out tooth segmentation interactively based on shape characteristic of each tooth.

Effect of hyperbaric oxygen on cytochrome C, Bcl-2 and Bax expression after experimental traumatic brain injury in rats.

Objective: To explore the effects of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) treatment on the neuronal apoptosis at an earlier stage and the expressions of Cytochrome C (Cyt C), Bcl-2 (B-cell lymphoma-2 family) and Bax (Bcl-2 associated X protein) in rat brain tissues after traumatic brain injury (TBI).

Methods: Forty adult rats were divided into two groups, i.e.

[Changes in P-selectin expression after brain injury in rats].

Objective: To explore the relationship between expression thange of P-selectin after brain injury and secondary brain damage.

Methods: Sixty SD rats were randomized into 3 equal groups, namely the control group, mild injury group and severe injury group and animal models of brain injury were established in SD rats according to the method of Feeney. P-selectin expression in the brain tissues were determined at 6 h and l, 3, and 7 days following brain injury (n=5 for each time point).