BDE-47 disturbs the immune response of lymphocytes to LPS by downregulating NF-κB pathway.

The health risks associated with 2,2',4,4'-tetra-bromodiphenyl ether (BDE-47) have become an increasing concern due to its widespread presence in the environment and biological samples. To date, the potential toxicity of BDE-47 to immune system remains unclear. In this study, we aimed to study the immunotoxicity of BDE-47 using spleen-derived lymphocytes in vitro and BALB/c mice in vivo.

Reducing host aldose reductase activity promotes neuronal differentiation of transplanted neural stem cells at spinal cord injury sites and facilitates locomotion recovery.

Neural stem cell (NSC) transplantation is a promising strategy for replacing lost neurons following spinal cord injury. However, the survival and differentiation of transplanted NSCs is limited, possibly owing to the neurotoxic inflammatory microenvironment. Because of the important role of glucose metabolism in M1/M2 polarization of microglia/macrophages, we hypothesized that altering the phenotype of microglia/macrophages by regulating the activity of aldose reductase (AR), a key enzyme in the polyol pathway of glucose metabolism, would provide a more beneficial microenvironment for NSC survival and differentiation.

Cytotoxicity and transcriptome changes triggered by CuInS/ZnS quantum dots in human glial cells.

As a newly developed cadmium-free quantum dot (QD), CuInS/ZnS has great application potential in many fields, but its biological safety has not been fully understood. In this study, the in vitro toxicity of CuInS/ZnS QDs on U87 human glioma cell line was explored. The cells were treated with different concentrations of QDs (12.

BDE-47 induced PC-12 cell differentiation via TrkA downstream pathways and caused the loss of hippocampal neurons in BALB/c mice.

As the most abundant congener of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) detected in environment and human biotic samples, 2, 2', 4, 4'-tetrabromodiphenyl ether (BDE-47) has been found to accumulate in brain and induce neurotoxicity, however, the detailed mechanism has not been clearly elucidated. To investigate the neurotoxicity of BDE-47, undifferentiated PC-12 cells were exposed to different doses of BDE-47, and BDE-47 dissolved in corn oil was orally administered to mice for 8 consecutive weeks. Our data showed that BDE-47 obviously changed cell morphology, altered cell viability, promoted cell apoptosis, and induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) production.

Surgical treatment of atlantoaxial subluxation by intraoperative skull traction and C1-C2 fixation.

Background: Atlantoaxial subluxation (AAS) is a not rare abnormality between the atlas (C1) and axis (C2). For AAS patients with persistent neck pain and neurologic symptoms, surgical intervention is a good choice. Nevertheless, there were still few reports about the use of intraoperative skull traction and different fixation methods in treatment of AAS.

Selective anterior thoracolumbar/lumbar fusion and instrumentation in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis patients.

Background: Selective anterior thoracolumbar/lumbar (TL/L) fusion and instrumentation in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) patients with a structural major TL/L curve and a nonstructural minor thoracic curve is rarely reported. We investigate the correction results of these patients.

Methods: By reviewing the medical records and roentgenograms of AIS patients undergone selective anterior TL/L fusion and instrumentation, Cobb angle, correction rate of the major and minor curves, coronal balance, lowest instrumented vertebra (LIV) tilt, coronal disc angle immediately below the LIV (LIVDA) and radiographic shoulder height (RSH) were measured and analyzed.

[Selective anterior thoracolumbar or lumbar fusion for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis].

Objective: To evaluate the outcomes of selective anterior thoracolumbar or lumbar (TL/L) fusion for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) with PUMCIId1 curves (Lenke type 5).

Methods: Thirty-five consecutive AIS patients (PUMC type IId1, Lenke type 5) with selective anterior TL/L fusion with single solid rod instrumentation were reviewed. The average follow-up was 36 months (range, 18 - 42 months).

[Clinical diagnosis and surgical treatment of congenital contractural arachnodactyly: analysis of 6 cases].

Objective: To discuss the clinical diagnosis and surgical treatment of congenital contractural arachnodactyly (CCA).

Methods: The clinical data of 6 CCA patients, 1 male and 5 female, aged 7.5 (5-14) were analyzed.