Multiple Mechanistic Models Reveal the Neuroprotective Effects of Diterpene Ginkgolides against Astrocyte-Mediated Demyelination via the PAF-PAFR Pathway.

Currently, therapies for ischemic stroke are limited. Ginkgolides, unique Folium Ginkgo components, have potential benefits for ischemic stroke patients, but there is little evidence that ginkgolides improve neurological function in these patients. Clinical studies have confirmed the neurological improvement efficacy of diterpene ginkgolides meglumine injection (DGMI), an extract of Ginkgo biloba containing ginkgolides A (GA), B (GB), and K (GK), in ischemic stroke patients. In the present study, we performed transcriptome analyses using RNA-seq and explored the potential mechanism of ginkgolides in seven in vitro cell models that mimic pathological stroke processes. Transcriptome analyses revealed that the ginkgolides had potential antiplatelet properties and neuroprotective activities in the nervous system. Specifically, human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC-T1 cells) showed the strongest response to DGMI and U251 human glioma cells ranked next. The results of pathway enrichment analysis via gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) showed that the neuroprotective activities of DGMI and its monomers in the U251 cell model were related to their regulation of the sphingolipid and neurotrophin signaling pathways. We next verified these in vitro findings in an in vivo cuprizone (CPZ, bis(cyclohexanone)oxaldihydrazone)-induced model. GB and GK protected against demyelination in the corpus callosum (CC) and promoted oligodendrocyte regeneration in CPZ-fed mice. Moreover, GB and GK antagonized platelet-activating factor (PAF) receptor (PAFR) expression in astrocytes, inhibited PAF-induced inflammatory responses, and promoted brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) secretion, supporting remyelination. These findings are critical for developing therapies that promote remyelination and prevent stroke progression.

Uncontacted tire explosion causing trauma to bilateral lower extremities: A case report.

It is uncommon for tire explosion related injuries on the lower extremity. The bilateral lower extremities were injured by tire explosion when the patient was seated in a bus. She sustained an open fracture with partial bone loss in the right calcaneus (a comminuted fracture in the right ankle joint) and a closed comminuted fracture in the left tibia and fibula. This damage was caused by uncontacted tire explosion, thanks to a thick floor between the exploded tire and the patient's feet. This type of injury on lower extremity caused by uncontacted tire explosion was uncommon.

Synergistic effect of celecoxib in tumor necrosis factor­related apoptosis­inducing ligand treatment in osteosarcoma cells.

Tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis­inducing ligand (TRAIL) is under clinical development as a cancer therapeutic as it has been shown to induce apoptosis in numerous types of cancer cells without significant toxicity towards normal cells. However, the majority of osteosarcoma (OS) tumors are resistant to TRAIL. Thus, the development of cancer therapeutics that overcome TRAIL resistance is required. In the present study, celecoxib (CXB), a non-steroidal anti­inflammatory drug, was administered in combination with TRAIL to induce cell apoptosis and the doses of the two drugs were simultaneously reduced. The effects of this combination treatment were examined in MG-63 human OS cancer cell lines in culture. Assays of proliferation, apoptosis and tumor growth were performed, along with analysis of the proteins involved. The results revealed that CXB sensitized TRAIL-resistant MG-63 OS cells to TRAIL­induced apoptosis through downregulation of cellular B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2), Bcl-2-associated X protein, caspase-8 and caspase-3. Furthermore, combination treatment reduced tumor growth in a nude rat model. In conclusion, the experimental results provided evidence that the combined administration of CXB and TRAIL is potentially a novel treatment method of OS tumors.

An anthropometry study of the shoulder region in a chinese population and its correlation with shoulder disease / Estudio antropométrico de la región del hombro en una población china y su relación con enfermedad del hombro

Purpose: There is a paucity of data which reflected the relationship between morphology and incidence of shoulder disorders with respect to the ethnic Chinese population. We used anteroposterior radiographs to measure the Acromion Index (AI) and Acromioglenoid Angle (AA) of Chinese patients. The baseline was defined as the line that connected the superior and inferior osseous margins of the glenoid cavity. In order to calculate the AI, the distance from the baseline to the lateral margin of the acromion was measured and then divided by the distance from the baseline to the lateral aspect of the humeral head. The AA was defined as the angle formed by the intersecting line drawn tangent to the sclerotic line of the acromion undersurface and the baseline point. The AI and AA were determined in three groups: 165 patients (average age, 60.2 years) with chronic shoulder symptoms; in an age and gender-matched acute injury group of 61 patients (average age, 44.3 years); and in an age and gender-matched control group of 63 volunteers (average age, 37.3 years).The average AI and standard deviation was 0.72 +/- 0.06 in shoulders with subacromial impingement syndrome, 0.59 +/- 0.06 in those with acute injury, and 0.66 ± 0.06 in normal shoulders. The average AA and standard deviation was 76.8°+/-7.02 in shoulders with subacromial impingement syndrome, 84.2°+/-7.81 in those with acute injury, and 80.0°+/- 7.33 in normal shoulders. The AI and AA varied between patients with acute and chronic shoulder problems.

Hay escasez de datos que reflejen la relación entre la morfología y la incidencia de los trastornos de hombro con respecto a la población de origen chino. Se utilizó radiografías anteroposteriores para medir el índice acromial (IA) y ángulo acromioglenoido (AA) de los pacientes chinos. La línea de base se define como la que conecta los márgenes óseos superior e inferior de la cavidad glenoidea. Con el fin de calcular el IA, se midió la distancia desde la línea base hasta el margen lateral del acromion y luego se dividió por la distancia desde la línea base hasta la cara lateral de la cabeza humeral. El AA se define como el ángulo formado por la línea de intersección dibujada tangente a la línea esclerótica de la superficie inferior del acromion y el punto de línea base. El AI y AA se determinaron en tres grupos: 165 pacientes (edad media, 60,2 años) con síntomas crónicos en el hombro; en un grupo de 61 pacientes (edad media, 44,3 años) con herida aguda, y en un grupo control de 63 voluntarios (edad media, 37,3 años). La IA promedio fue de 0,72 +/- 0,06 en los hombros con el síndrome de pinzamiento subacromial, 0,59 +/- 0,06 en los pacientes con lesión aguda, y 0,66 +/- 0,06 en los hombros normales. El AA promedio fue de 76,8 ° +/- 7,02 en los hombros con el síndrome de pinzamiento subacromial, 84,2 ° +/- 7,81 en los pacientes con lesión aguda, y 80,0 ° +/- 7,33 en los hombros normales. La IA y AA variaron entre los pacientes con problemas en el hombro agudos y crónicos.