Phenotypic changes of Schwann cells on the proximal stump of injured peripheral nerve during repair using small gap conduit tube.

Dedifferentiation of Schwann cells is an important feature of the response to peripheral nerve injury and specific negative myelination regulators are considered to have a major role in this process. However, most experiments have focused on the distal nerve stump, where the Notch signaling pathway is strongly associated with Schwann cell dedifferentiation and repair of the nerve. We observed the phenotypic changes of Schwann cells and changes of active Notch signaling on the proximal stump during peripheral nerve repair using small gap conduit tubulization.

Effects of platelet-derived growth factor on chondrocyte proliferation, migration and apoptosis via regulation of GIT1 expression.

The formation of fibrocartilage, cartilaginous and bony calluses is vital for bone healing following a fracture. Fibroblasts, chondrocytes and osteoblasts are critical functional cells that are involved in these three processes, respectively. Platelet‑derived growth factor (PDGF), a growth factor that is released from platelet particles and appears during the early stages at the site of fractures, is essential in bone healing via regulation of cell proliferation and differentiation.

Pulsed electrical stimulation protects neurons in the dorsal root and anterior horn of the spinal cord after peripheral nerve injury.

Most studies on peripheral nerve injury have focused on repair at the site of injury, but very few have examined the effects of repair strategies on the more proximal neuronal cell bodies. In this study, an approximately 10-mm-long nerve segment from the ischial tuberosity in the rat was transected and its proximal and distal ends were inverted and sutured. The spinal cord was subjected to pulsed electrical stimulation at T10 and L3, at a current of 6.

Integrin-β1 regulates chondrocyte proliferation and apoptosis through the upregulation of GIT1 expression.

Chondrocytes play a critical role in the repair process of osteoarthritis, which is also known as degenerative arthritis. Integrins, as the key family of cell surface receptors, are responsible for the regulation of chondrocyte proliferation, differentiation, survival and apoptosis through the recruitment and activation of downstream adaptor proteins. Moreover, G-protein-coupled receptor kinase interacting protein-1 (GIT1) exerts its effects on cell proliferation and migration through interaction with various cytokines.

Role of recombinant plasmid pEGFP-N1-IGF-1 transfection in alleviating osteoporosis in ovariectomized rats.

Decreased levels of serum insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) have been proven to cause osteoporosis. Gene transfer of IGF-1 offers an attractive technology to treat skeletal metabolic disorders including osteoporosis, but the viral vectors are limited by their high antigenicity and immune response. Our purpose was to investigate the expression of a non-invasive vector, recombinant plasmid enhanced green fluorescent protein-N1 (pEGFP-N1) that transferred IGF-1 gene into ovariectomized (OVX) rats in vivo and evaluate the effect of this therapy on osteoporosis.

Management of lumbosacropelvic fracture-dislocation using lumbo-iliac internal fixation.

Objective: Traumatic lumbosacropelvic fracture-dislocation is a rare but potentially serious injury. Conventional methods like lumbosacral fixation used to treat such injuries often result in suboptimal outcome secondary to complications like pseudoarthroses, sagittal imbalance and hardware failure. In this study, we retrospectively analysed the clinical features and management for this trauma using lumbo-iliac fixation.

[Efficacy and safety of olmesartan medoxomil versus losartan potassium in Chinese patients with mild to moderate essential hypertension].

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of olmesartan medoxomil compared with losartan potassium in patients with mild to moderate essential hypertension.

Method: This is a randomized, double-blind, double-dummy, active-controlled, parallel, multi-center study. After a 2-week placebo run-in period, a total of 287 eligible subjects were randomized at 1:1 ratio to receive olmesartan medoxomil 20 mg or losartan potassium 50 mg, once daily for 8 weeks.

[Effects of tea polyphennols on hepatic lipase activity in rabbits with fatty liver].

Objective: To investigate the relationship between hepatic lipase activity and fatty degeneration of hepatocytes and explore the effects of tea polyphennols (TP) on the changes of hepatic lipase (HL) activity in rabbits with fatty liver.

Methods: According to serum cholesterol and triglyceride (TC) levels, 19 rabbits were divided into fatty liver group (FL, n=6) fed with high cholesterol diet, TP group (n=7) fed with high cholesterol diet and 20mug/g/d tea polyphennols everyday orally, control group (n=6) fed with normal diet. After 8 weeks, the levels of serum TC, HL activity, HL activity and malondildehyde (MDA) in hepatic tissue were detected, and the pathomorphology of hepatic tissue were determined in all rabbits.

[Effect of Erigeron breviscapus injection on ventricular and vascular remodeling in spontaneous hypertension rats].

Objective: To observe the ventricular and vascular remodeling reversal effect of Erigeron breviscapus injection (EBI), a protein kinase C inhibitor, in spontaneous hypertension rats (SHR).

Methods: Twenty-four SHR were divided into 4 groups, they were treated respectively with EBI, Fosinopril, Enalapril and normal saline 10 mg/kg per day by intraperitoneal injection for 8 weeks. Systolic blood pressure (SBP), ventricular weight index (VWI) and protein kinase C (PKC) activity in myocardial cells were determined, ultrastructural changes of heart and vessel were observed by polaroscope and transmission electron microscope, and the area and content of myocardial interstitial collagen (MIC) were determined by image analyzer system.