Induction of cytotoxicity and apoptosis in mouse blastocysts by silver nanoparticles.

Silver nanoparticles (nanoAg) are antibacterial materials widely used in various products and medical supplies. In this report, we examined the cytotoxic effects of nanoAg on mouse embryos at the blastocyst stage, subsequent embryonic attachment and outgrowth in vitro, and in vivo implantation by embryo transfer. Blastocysts treated with 50 microM nanoAg exhibited significantly increased apoptosis and a corresponding decrease in total cell number.

MR imaging of primary spinal germinoma: a case report and review of the literature.

Germinomas in the central nervous system (CNS) are uncommon tumors and occur usually in the pineal or suprasellar regions. Primary spinal germinoma is extremely rare. Here we reported a rare case of an extramedullary germinoma in a young adult who presented with progressive paraparesis and retention of stool and urine.

Effect of amino-modified silica nanoparticles on the corrosion protection properties of epoxy resin-silica hybrid materials.

In this paper, a series of organic-inorganic hybrid materials consisting of epoxy resin frameworks and dispersed nanoparticles of amino-modified silica (AMS) were successfully prepared. First of all, the AMS nanoparticles were synthesized by carrying out the conventional acid-catalyzed sol-gel reactions of tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) in the presence of (3-aminopropyl)-trimethoxysilane (APTES) molecules. The as-prepared AMS nanoparticles were then characterized by FTIR, 13C-NMR and 29Si-NMR spectroscopy.

Anterior corpectomy with iliac bone fusion or discectomy with interbody titanium cage fusion for multilevel cervical degenerated disc disease.

Study Design: Clinical and radiologic study evaluating the outcome after anterior corpectomy with iliac bone fusion compared with discectomy with interbody titanium cage fusion for multilevel cervical degenerated disc disease.

Objectives: To investigate the safety and effectiveness of interbody titanium cage with plate fixation in multilevel postdiscectomy fusion.

Summary Of Background Data: The operation for segmental multilevel cervical degenerated disc disease remains controversial.

Outcome analyses of interbody titanium cage fusion used in the anterior discectomy for cervical degenerative disc disease.

Anterior discectomy and fusion to treat cervical degenerative disc disease is the preferred procedure for many spine surgeons. The ideal device for structural reconstruction of the anterior cervical spine remains controversial. The purpose of this prospective study was to investigate the effectiveness of a non-threaded titanium cage in performing anterior spinal fusion for cervical degenerative disc disease.

Massive cerebral air embolism after cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

We report a case of massive intracerebral air embolism after cardiopulmonary resuscitation in a patient with a fatal head injury. There was no pneumothorax or extravascular pneumocephalus, however, air was found in the internal carotid artery. Massive cerebral air embolism may occur after entrance of air into the circulatory system via ruptured pulmonary vessels during cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

Three-level and four-level anterior cervical discectomies and titanium cage-augmented fusion with and without plate fixation.

Object: Cage-assisted anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) has proven to be a safe and effective procedure for the treatment of one- and two-level degenerative disc disease (DDD). To the authors' knowledge, clinical results after three- and four-level interbody cage-augmented ACDF have not been reported in the literature. The authors investigated the safety and effectiveness of titanium cages used in such procedures and evaluated the results in cases with or without plate fixation.

Punctate midline myelotomy for intractable visceral pain caused by hepatobiliary or pancreatic cancer.

The purpose of this study was to demonstrate the existence of a newly recognized midline posterior column pathway that mediates the perception of visceral pain resulting from hepatobiliary or pancreatic cancer. A punctate midline myelotomy (PMM) of T(3) level was performed in 6 patients who experienced severe visceral pain caused by hepatobiliary or pancreatic cancer. Preoperatively, the pain was refractory to strong opioids.