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15 December 2012, Volume 7 Issue 35 Previous Issue    Next Issue

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Selective control by posterior spinal nerve roots of micturition and erection in rats Wenting Wang, Mouwang Zhou, Genying Zhu, Tao Li, Nan Liu 2012, 7 (35):  2749-2754.  Abstract ( 202 )   PDF (205KB) ( 858 )   Save The posterior rootlets in L6 and S1 spinal cord of adult male Sprague-Dawley rats underwent electrostimulation. The bladder pressure, urethral perfusion pressure and intracavernous pressure were recorded. When some posterior rootlets of L6 and S1 were electrostimulated, the intracavernous pressure peaked rapidly, but the bladder pressure and the urethral perfusion pressure curve did not show great change. When other rootlets were stimulated, the bladder pressure changed greatly, but the urethral perfusion pressure and the intracavernous pressure did not show great change. When different rootlets were stimulated, the urethral perfusion pressure changed maximally, but there were no great changes in bladder pressure or intracavernous pressure. Furthermore, stimulation of some rootlets produced simultaneous changes in two or three different pressure measures mentioned above. The results demonstrate that regulation by L6 and S1 posterior rootlets of the rat bladder detrusor, external urethral sphincter and penis cavernous body are significantly distinct. Different rootlets can be distinguished by electrostimulation. Related Articles | Metrics

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Spinal cord biological safety of image-guided radiation therapy versus conventional radiation therapy Wanlong Xu, Xilinbaoleri, Hao Liu, Ruozheng Wang, Jingping Bai 2012, 7 (35):  2755-2760.  doi: 10.3969/j.issn.1673-5374.2012.35.002 Abstract ( 210 )   PDF (359KB) ( 975 )   Save Tumor models were simulated in purebred Beagles at the T9-10 levels of the spinal cord and treated with spinal image-guided radiation therapy or conventional radiation therapy with 50 or 70 Gy total radiation. Three months after radiation, neuronal injury at the T9-10 levels was observed, including reversible injury induced by spinal image-guided radiation therapy and apoptosis induced by conventional radiation therapy. The number of apoptotic cells and expression of the proapoptotic protein Fas were significantly reduced, but expression of the anti-apoptotic protein heat shock protein 70 was significantly increased after image-guided radiation therapy compared with the conventional method of the same radiation dose. Moreover, the spinal cord cell apoptotic index positively correlated with the ratio of Fas/heat shock protein 70. These findings indicate that       3 months of radiation therapy can induce a late response in the spinal cord to radiation therapy; image-guided radiation therapy is safer and results in less neuronal injury compared with conventional radiation therapy. References | Related Articles | Metrics

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Activities of autonomic neurotransmitters in meibomian gland tissues are associated with menopausal dry eye Lianxiang Li, Dongling Jin, Jinsheng Gao, Liguang Wang, Xianjun Liu, Jingzhang Wang 2012, 7 (35):  2761-2769.  Abstract ( 258 )   PDF (225KB) ( 1401 )   Save The secretory activities of meibomian glands are regulated by the autonomic nervous system. The change in density and activity of autonomic nerves in meibomian glands during menopause play an important role in the pathogenesis of dry eye. In view of this, we established a dry eye rat model by removing the bilateral ovaries. We used neuropeptide Y and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide as markers of autonomic neurotransmitters. Our results showed that the concentration of estradiol in serum significantly decreased, the density of neuropeptide Y immunoreactivity in nerve fibers significantly increased, the density of vasoactive intestinal polypeptide immunoreactivity in nerve fibers significantly decreased, and the ratio of vasoactive intestinal polypeptide/neuropeptide Y positive staining significantly decreased. These results suggest that a decrease in ovary activity may lead to autonomic nervous system dysfunction, thereby affecting the secretory activity of the meibomian gland, which participates in sexual hormone imbalance-induced dry eye. Related Articles | Metrics

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Suprachoroidal injection of ketorolac tromethamine does not cause retinal damage Sumeng Liu, Wu Liu, Yaling Ma, Kegao Liu, Meizi Wang 2012, 7 (35):  2770-2777.  doi: 10.3969/j.issn.1673-5374.2012.35.004 Abstract ( 236 )   PDF (185KB) ( 1439 )   Save Rabbit right eyes were injected with 3 or 6 mg ketorolac tromethamine into the suprachoroidal space. Electroretinography results demonstrated no abnormal changes in rod cell response, maximum rod cell or cone cell mixing reaction, oscillation potential, cone cell response, waveform, amplitude, and potential of 30 Hz scintillation response in right eyes before injection, and at 1, 2, and 4 weeks after injection. There was no difference between left (control) and right eyes. Under light microscopy, the histomorphology of cells in each retinal layer was normal at 4 weeks following 6 mg ketorolac tromethamine administration. These results indicate that a single suprachoroidal injection of 3 or 6 mg ketorolac tromethamine into rabbits was safe. Suprachoroidal space injection appears to be safe. References | Related Articles | Metrics

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Change of retinal nerve fiber layer thickness in patients with nonarteritic inflammatory anterior ischemic optic neuropathy Tingting Liu, Hongsheng Bi, Xingrong Wang, Guimin Wang, Haiyan Li, Hui Wu, Yi Qu, Ying 2012, 7 (35):  2778-2783.  Abstract ( 221 )   PDF (160KB) ( 820 )   Save In this study, 16 patients (19 eyes) with nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy in the acute stage (within 4 weeks) and resolving stage (after 12 weeks) were diagnosed by a series of complete ophthalmic examinations, including fundus examination, optical coherence tomography and fluorescein fundus angiography, and visual field defects were measured with standard automated perimetry. The contralateral uninvolved eyes were used as controls. The retinal nerve fiber layer thickness was determined by optical coherence tomography which showed that the mean retinal nerve fiber layer thickness and the retinal nerve fiber layer thickness from temporal, superior, nasal and inferior quadrants were significantly higher for all measurements in the acute stage than the corresponding normal values. In comparison, the retinal nerve fiber layer thickness from each optic disc quadrant was found to be significantly lower when measured at the resolving stages, than in the control group. Statistical analysis on the correlation between optic disc nerve fiber layer thickness and visual defects demonstrated a positive correlation in the acute stage and a negative correlation in the resolving stage. Our experimental findings indicate that optical coherence tomography is a useful diagnostic method for nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy and can be used to evaluate the effect of treatment. References | Related Articles | Metrics

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Transactivating-transduction protein-polyethylene glycol modified liposomes traverse the blood-spinal cord and blood-brain barriers Xianhu Zhou, Chunyuan Wang, Shiqing Feng, Jin Chang, Xiaohong Kong, Yang Liu 2012, 7 (35):  2784-2792.  Abstract ( 232 )   PDF (360KB) ( 848 )   Save Naive liposomes can cross the blood-brain barrier and blood-spinal cord barrier in small amounts.Liposomes modified by a transactivating-transduction protein can deliver antibiotics for the treatment of acute bacterial infection-induced brain inflammation. Liposomes conjugated with polyethylene glycol have the capability of long-term circulation. In this study we prepared transactivating-transduction protein-polyethylene glycol-modified liposomes labeled with fluorescein isothiocyanate. Thus, liposomes were characterized by transmembrane, long-term circulation and fluorescence tracing. Uptake, cytotoxicity, and the ability of traversing blood-spinal cord and blood-brain barriers were observed following coculture with human breast adenocarcinoma cells (MCF-7). Results demonstrated that the liposomes had good biocompatibility, and low cytotoxicity when cocultured with human breast adenocarcinoma cells. Liposomes could traverse cell membranes and entered the central nervous system and neurocytes through the blood-spinal cord and blood-brain barriers of rats via the systemic circulation. These results verified that fluorescein isothiocyanate-modified transactivating-transduction protein-polyethylene glycol liposomes have the ability to traverse the blood-spinal cord and blood-brain barriers. Related Articles | Metrics

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Mechanism of alpha-lipoic acid in attenuating kanamycin-induced ototoxicity Aimei Wang, Ning Hou, Dongyan Bao, Shuangyue Liu, Tao Xu 2012, 7 (35):  2793-2800.  Abstract ( 213 )   PDF (231KB) ( 838 )   Save null References | Related Articles | Metrics

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Active Achilles tendon kinesitherapy accelerates Achilles tendon repair by promoting neurite regeneration Jiasharete Jielile, Minawa Aibai, Gulnur Sabirhazi, Nuerai Shawutali, Wulanbai Tangkejie 2012, 7 (35):  2801-2810.  Abstract ( 295 )   PDF (221KB) ( 1018 )   Save Active Achilles tendon kinesitherapy facilitates the functional recovery of a ruptured Achilles tendon.However,protein expression during the healing process remains a controversial issue. New Zealand rabbits, aged 14 weeks, underwent tenotomy followed immediately by Achilles tendon microsurgery to repair the Achilles tendon rupture. The tendon was then immobilized or subjected to postoperative early motion treatment (kinesitherapy). Mass spectrography results showed that after 14 days of motion treatment, 18 protein spots were differentially expressed, among which, 12 were up-regulated, consisting of gelsolin isoform b and neurite growth-related protein collapsing response mediator protein 2. Western blot analysis showed that gelsolin isoform b was up-regulated at days 7–21 of motion treatment. These findings suggest that active Achilles tendon kinesitherapy promotes the neurite regeneration of a ruptured Achilles tendon and gelsolin isoform b can be used as a biomarker for Achilles tendon healing after kinesitherapy. References | Related Articles | Metrics

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Inducible expression of endomorphins in murine dendritic cells Xiaohuai Yang, Hui Xia, Yong Chen, Xiaofen Liu, Cheng Zhou, Qin Gao, Zhenghong Li 2012, 7 (35):  2811-2817.  Abstract ( 264 )   PDF (452KB) ( 840 )   Save Bone marrow precursor cells were extracted from C57BL/6J mice aged 7–8 weeks, and dendritic cells were purified using anti-CD11c (a specific marker for dendritic cells) antibody-coated magnetic beads. Immunofluorescence staining revealed that the expression levels of endomorphin-1 and endomorphin-2 were upregulated in dendritic cells activated by lipopolysaccharide. An enzyme immunoassay showed that lipopolysaccharide and other Toll-like receptor ligands promoted the secretion of endomorphin-1 and endomorphin-2 from activated dendritic cells. [3H]-thymidine incorporation demonstrated that endomorphin-1 and endomorphin-2 both inhibited the proliferation of T lymphocyte induced by activated dendritic cells. Furthermore, this immunosuppressive effect was blocked by CTOP, a specific antagonist of μ-opioid receptors. Our experimental findings indicate that activated dendritic cells can induce the expression and secretion of endomorphins, and that endomorphins suppress T lymphocyte proliferation through activation of μ-opioid receptors. Related Articles | Metrics

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Transplantation of neural stem cells, Schwann cells and olfactory ensheathing cells for spinal cordinjury Xing Zhang, Fei Yin, Li Guo, Dongxu Zhao, Gu Gong, Lei Gao, Qingsan Zhu 2012, 7 (35):  2818-2825.  Abstract ( 220 )   PDF (93KB) ( 1238 )   Save OBJECTIVE: To identify global research trends in transplantation of neural stem cells, Schwann cells and olfactory ensheathing cells for spinal cord injury.DATA RETRIEVAL: We performed a bibliometric analysis of studies on transplantation of neural stem cells, Schwann cells and olfactory ensheathing cells for spinal cord injury published from 2002 to 2011 and retrieved from the Web of Science, using the key words spinal cord injury along with either neural stem cell, Schwann cell or olfactory ensheathing cell.SELECTION CRITERIA: Inclusion criteria: (a) peer-reviewed published articles on neural stem cells,Schwann cells or olfactory ensheathing cells for spinal cord injury indexed in the Web of Science; (b)original research articles, reviews, meeting abstracts, proceedings papers, book chapters, editorial materials and news items; and (c) published between 2002 and 2011. Exclusion criteria: (a) articles that required manual searching or telephone access; (b) documents that were not published in the public domain; and (c) corrected papers.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: (1) Annual publication output, distribution by journal, distribution by institution and top-cited articles on neural stem cells; (2) annual publication output, distribution by journal, distribution by institution and top-cited articles on Schwann cells; (3) annual publication output, distribution by journal, distribution by institution and top-cited articles on olfactory ensheathing cells.RESULTS: This analysis, based on articles indexed in the Web of Science, identified several research trends among studies published over the past 10 years in transplantation of neural stem cells, Schwann cells and olfactory ensheathing cells for spinal cord injury. The number of publications increased over the 10-year period examined. Most papers appeared in journals with a focus on neurology, such as Journal of Neurotrauma, Experimental Neurology and Glia. Research institutes publishing on the use of neural stem cells to repair spinal cord injury were mostly in the USA and Canada. Those publishing on the use of Schwann cells were mostly in the USA and Canada as well. Those publishing on the use of olfactory ensheathing cells were mostly in the UK,the USA and Canada.CONCLUSION: On the basis of the large number of studies around the world, cell transplantation has proven to be the most promising therapeutic approach for spinal cord injury. Related Articles | Metrics

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Use of nerve conduits for peripheral nerve injury repair A Web of Science-based literature analysis Jinniang Nan, Xuguang Hu, Hongxiu Li, Xiaonong Zhang, Renjing Piao 2012, 7 (35):  2826-2833.  Abstract ( 277 )   PDF (202KB) ( 984 )   Save OBJECTIVE: To identify global research trends in the use of nerve conduits for peripheral nerve injury repair.DATA RETRIEVAL: Numerous basic and clinical studies on nerve conduits for peripheral nerve injury repair were performed between 2002–2011. We performed a bibliometric analysis of the institutions, authors, and hot topics in the field, from the Web of Science, using the key words peripheral nerve and conduit or tube.SELECTION CRITERIA: Inclusion criteria: peer-reviewed published articles on nerve conduits for peripheral nerve injury repair, indexed in the Web of Science; original research articles, reviews,meeting abstracts, proceedings papers, book chapters, editorial material, and news items.Exclusion criteria: articles requiring manual searching or telephone access; documents not published in the public domain; and several corrected papers.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: (a) Annual publication output; (b) publication type; (c) publication by research field; (d) publication by journal; (e) publication by funding agency; (f) publication by author; (g) publication by country and institution; (h) publications by institution in China; (i) most-cited papers.RESULTS: A total of 793 publications on the use of nerve conduits for peripheral nerve injury repair were retrieved from the Web of Science between 2002–2011. The number of publications gradually increased over the 10-year study period. Articles constituted the main type of publication. The most prolific journals were Biomaterials, Microsurgery, and Journal of Biomedical Materials Research Part A. The National Natural Science Foundation of China supported 27 papers, more than any other funding agency. Of the 793 publications, almost half came from American and Chinese authors and institutions.CONCLUSION: Nerve conduits have been studied extensively for peripheral nerve regeneration;however, many problems remain in this field, which are difficult for researchers to reach a consensus. Related Articles | Metrics

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Cardiac autonomic nerve distribution and arrhythmia Quan Liu, Dongmei Chen, Yonggang Wang, Xin Zhao, Yang Zheng 2012, 7 (35):  2834-2841.  Abstract ( 405 )   PDF (183KB) ( 1568 )   Save OBJECTIVE: To analyze the distribution characteristics of cardiac autonomic nerves and to explore the correlation between cardiac autonomic nerve distribution and arrhythmia.DATA RETRIEVAL: A computer-based retrieval was performed for papers examining the distribution of cardiac autonomic nerves, using “heart, autonomic nerve, sympathetic nerve, vagus nerve, nerve distribution, rhythm and atrial fibrillation” as the key words.SELECTION CRITERIA: A total of 165 studies examining the distribution of cardiac autonomic nerve were screened, and 46 of them were eventually included.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The distribution and characteristics of cardiac autonomic nerves were observed, and immunohistochemical staining was applied to determine the levels of tyrosine hydroxylase and acetylcholine transferase (main markers of cardiac autonomic nerve distribution).In addition, the correlation between cardiac autonomic nerve distribution and cardiac arrhythmia was investigated.RESULTS: Cardiac autonomic nerves were reported to exhibit a disordered distribution in differentsites, mainly at the surface of the cardiac atrium and pulmonary vein, forming a ganglia plexus. The distribution of the pulmonary vein autonomic nerve was prominent at the proximal end rather than the distal end, at the upper left rather than the lower right, at the epicardial membrane rather than the endocardial membrane, at the left atrium rather than the right atrium, and at the posterior wall rather than the anterior wall. The main markers used for cardiac autonomic nerves were tyrosine hydroxylase and acetylcholine transferase. Protein gene product 9.5 was used to label the immunoreactive nerve distribution, and the distribution density of autonomic nerves was determined using a computer-aided morphometric analysis system.CONCLUSION: The uneven distribution of the cardiac autonomic nerves is the leading cause of the occurrence of arrhythmia, and the cardiac autonomic nerves play an important role in the occurrence, maintenance, and symptoms of arrhythmia. Related Articles | Metrics

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Clinical manifestations and gene mutation in a case of Machado-Joseph disease Bin Zhang, Liru Li, Longxing Chen, Jie Huang 2012, 7 (35):  2842-2847.  Abstract ( 234 )   PDF (297KB) ( 887 )   Save This study reports a case of a 75-year-old female Machado-Joseph disease patient exhibiting unstable walking and inaccurate hand holding for 8 months, which progressively worsened. Physical examination on admission showed cerebellar ataxia and a history of hypertension. Cranial MRI demonstrated cerebellar and brain stem atrophy. Gene analysis showed abnormal amplification of the CAG trinucleotide repeat in exon 10 of the ataxin-3 (ATXN3) gene,resulting in 70–81 CAG repeats in the patient, with a significant positive family history. References | Related Articles | Metrics