The efficacy of Da Chaihu decoction combined with metformin tablets for type 2 diabetes mellitus: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the efficacy of Da Chaihu decoction combined with metformin tablets on patients with type 2 diabetes compared with metformin alone. METHODS: This systematic review and meta-analysis is written based on 2020 PRISMA Extension for Chinese Herbal Medicines 2020 (PRISMA-CHM 2020) reporting guidelines. We reviewed all the relevant studies from a search of the following databases from inception to February 2022 without any language restriction: Excerpta Medica Database (EMBASE), Google Scholar, PubMed, Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), VIP Information, Wanfang Data, and the Chinese Biomedical Literature Database(CBM). Data were extracted and the quality was independently evaluated by two reviewers, based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Data were analyzed using the Cochrane software RevMan 5.3. RESULTS: Six randomized controlled trials comprising 516 participants were included. The meta-analysis revealed the Da Chaihu decoction combined with metformin tablets group was significantly superior to the metformin tablets group in terms of fasting blood glucose(FPG) (-0.66 mmol/L; 95 % CI (confidence intervals) [- 1.28, - 0.04]), plasma glucose 2 h after meal (2-h PG) (-1.18 mmol/L; 95 % CI [-1.94, -0.42]) in six RCTs, body mass index (BMI) (-3.07 mmol/L; 95 % CI [-6.89, 0.75]) in three RCTs, glycosylated hemoglobin (HbAlc) (-0.36 mmol/L; 95 % CI [-1.04, 0.31]) in three RCTs, and triglycerides (TG) (-0.76 mmol/L; 95 % CI [-1.37, -0.15]) in two RCTs. In two RCTs, there were significant differences in terms of total cholesterol (TC) (-0.97 mmol/L; 95 % CI [-1.18, -0.76]). CONCLUSIONS: Very low-quality research shows that Da Chaihu decoction combined with metformin tablets exert a certain level of efficacy on patients with type 2 diabetes compared with metformin alone. However, random sequence generation methodology was reported in five studies leading to the low quality of the included studies. None of the six studies depicted the blinding method, allocation concealment, selective reporting, and assessed the purity and potency of the product. This observation requires verification through high-quality, multi-center, double-blinded randomized controlled trials, and assesses the purity and potency of the product.

Cangma Huadu granules, a new drug with great potential to treat coronavirus and influenza infections, exert its efficacy through anti-inflammatory and immune regulation.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Coronavirus and influenza virus infection seriously threaten human health. Cangma Huadu Granules (CMHD) is an in-hospital preparation composed of eight traditional Chinese medicines (TCM), which has been clinically used against COVID-19 in China and may be a promising candidate for the treatment of influenza. However, the role of its treatment urgently needs to be studied. AIM OF THE STUDY: To evaluate the therapeutic effects of CMHD on pneumonia induced by coronavirus (HCoV-229E) and influenza A virus (H1N1/FM1) in mice and explore its mechanism of anti-infection. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Mice were infected with HCoV-229E or H1N1/FM1 virus through the nasal cavity. CMHD (12.1, 6.05 and 3.03 g/kg/d) or the positive control drugs were administered intragastrically. The lung index and histopathological changes were used to evaluate the therapeutic effect of CMHD. The expression of TNF-α, IL-1ß, IL-6 and IL-4 in Serum and the proportion of CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes in peripheral blood were detected to evaluate the anti-inflammatory and immune regulation effects of CMHD, respectively. Furthermore, the levels of p-NF-κBp65/ NF-κB p65, which was the key targets of the NF-κB pathway was analyzed. RESULTS: In HCoV-229E-induced pneumonia, the lung index was markedly reduced, and lung pathology was improved in mice that treated with CMHD (12.1, 6.05 g/kg/d). Meanwhile, the expression of TNF-α, IL-6 were obviously inhibited, but the expression of IL-4 was significantly increased in CMHD groups. Compared with the model group, CMHD could also markedly upregulate the level of CD4+ and CD8+. Furthermore, CMHD has a markedly effect on inhibit the expression of p-NF-κB p65/NF-κB p65 in the lung. In H1N1-induced pneumonia, the lung index of mice in the CMHD (12.1 g/kg/d) treatment group was lower than that in the model group, and less inflammatory infiltration could be seen in the lung pathological. Moreover, CMHD could also obviously decrease the expression of TNF-α, IL-1ß, IL-6, but significantly increase the expression of IL-4. Except for that, CMHD could also markedly downregulate the level of CD4+ and upregulate the level of CD8+ compared with the model group. In addition, CMHD has a markedly effect on inhibit the expression of p-NF-κB p65/NF-κB p65 in the lung. CONCLUSION: CMHD can significantly combats viral infections caused by HCoV-229E and H1N1, and the mechanism may be related to its multiple functions of anti-inflammatory, immunity regulating and inhibiting NF-κB signal transduction pathway.

Integrated analysis of tRNA-derived small RNAs reveals new therapeutic genes of hyperbaric oxygen in diabetic foot ulcers.

Background: To reveal the alterations of tRNA-derived small RNA (tsRNA) expression profiles induced by hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) treatment in diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) and investigate new therapeutic targets. Materials & methods: tsRNA sequencing was employed in normal skin tissue, in DFUs, and after HBO treatment groups. A quantitative real-time PCR was used to validate tsRNA sequencing results and their targets levels. Bioinformatics analysis was performed to reveal their therapeutic functions in DFUs. Results: A total of 22 tsRNAs were differentially expressed in the three groups. Three selected tsRNAs were validated by quantitative real-time PCR for further analysis, which were all significantly overexpressed in DFU while being normally expressed after HBO treatment. Bioinformatics analysis disclosed that these tsRNAs may play therapeutic roles through the regulation of the Wnt signaling pathway. Conclusion: tsRNAs may be novel useful targets for HBO to treat DFUs.

Hyperbaric oxygen potentiates diabetic wound healing by promoting fibroblast cell proliferation and endothelial cell angiogenesis.

BACKGROUND: Diabetic foot ulcer (DFU), one of the diabetic complications, brings high burden to diabetic patients. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) has been proven to be an effective clinical method for the treatment of DFU. However, the mechanisms still to be elucidated. METHODS: Diabetic foot mice model was established, and treated with hyperbaric oxygen. Haematoxylin & eosin (H&E) staining and Masson's trichrome staining were used for the analysis of wound healing. Human skin fibroblast (HSF) and human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVECS) were exposed to high glucose and hyperbaric oxygen for studying the mechanism of hyperbaric oxygen promoted wound healing in vitro. Wound healing assay, reactive oxygen species (ROS) assay, cell proliferation assay and tube formation assay were used for the analysis of wound healing. Quantitative-polymerase chain reaction (Q-PCR), Western blotting and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) were used for the analysis of gene expression. RESULTS: HBOT facilitated wound healing in DFU mice model, and promoted the expression of HIF-1α, NF-κB, VEGFA, SDF-1, VEGFR2 and CXCR4. Hyperbaric oxygen promoted the proliferation, migration and ROS production, as well as the expression of SDF-1 and VEGFA in HSF. HBOT stimulated the proliferation, migration and tube formation, as well as the expression of CXCR4 and VEGFR2 in HUVECS. CONCLUSION: Hyperbaric oxygen potentiates angiogenesis and diabetic wound healing by activating HIF-1α signaling, so as to promote the expression of VEGF/SDF-1 in HSF and the expression of VEGFR/CXCR4 in HUVECS, ultimately to promote the proliferation of HSF and the angiogenesis of HUVECS.

Different effects of propofol and dexmedetomidine sedation on electroencephalogram patterns: Wakefulness, moderate sedation, deep sedation and recovery.

Sedation induces changes in electroencephalography (EEG) dynamics. However, the distinct EEG dynamic characteristics at comparable sedation levels have not been well studied, resulting in potential interpretation errors in EEG monitoring during sedation. We aimed to analyze the EEG dynamics of dexmedetomidine and propofol at comparable sedation levels and to explore EEG changes with increased sedation levels for each agent. We measured the Bispectral Index (BIS) and 20-channel EEG under dexmedetomidine and propofol sedation from wakefulness, moderate sedation, and deep sedation to recovery in healthy volunteers (n = 10) in a randomized, 2-day, crossover study. Observer's Assessment of Alertness and Sedation (OAA/S) score was used to assess sedation levels. Despite similar changes in increased delta oscillations, multiple differences in the EEG spatiotemporal dynamics were observed between these two agents. During moderate sedation, both dexmedetomidine and propofol induced increased spindle power; however, dexmedetomidine decreased the global alpha/beta/gamma power, whereas propofol decreased the alpha power in the occipital area and increased the global spindle/beta/gamma power. During deep sedation, dexmedetomidine was associated with increased fronto-central spindle power and decreased global alpha/beta/gamma power, but propofol was associated with increased theta/alpha/spindle/beta power, which was maximized in the frontal area. The transition of topographic alpha/spindle/beta power distribution from moderate sedation to deep sedation completely differed between these two agents. Our study demonstrated that there was a distinct hierarchy of EEG changes with increased sedation depths by propofol and dexmedetomidine. Differences in EEG dynamics at the same sedation level might account for differences in the BIS value and reflect the different sedation mechanisms. EEG-based clinical sedation monitoring should consider the effect of drug types on EEG dynamics.

Low-dose Simvastatin Increases Skeletal Muscle Sensitivity to Caffeine and Halothane.

Objective To determine whether the myotoxic side effects of statin simvastatin affect skeletal muscle's sensitivity to caffeine and halothane.Methods Primary cultured neonate rat skeletal myotubes were treated with 0.01-5.0 µmol/L simvastatin for 48 hours. MTT was used to evaluate cellular viability. The gross morphology and microstructure of the myotubes were observed with a light and electron microscope, respectively. The intracellular calcium concentrations ([Ca2+]i) at rest and in response to caffeine and halothane were investigated by fluorescence calcium imaging. Data were analyzed by analysis of variance (ANOVA) test.Results Simvastatin (0.01-5.0 µmol/L) decreased myotube viability, changed their morphological features and microstructure, and increased the resting [Ca2+]i in a dose-dependent manner. Simvastatin did not change myotube's sensitivity to low doses of caffeine (0.625-2.5 mmol/L) or halothane (1.0-5.0 mmol/L). In response to high-dose caffeine (10.0 mmol/L, 20.0 mmol/L) and halothane (20.0 mmol/L, 40.0 mmol/L), myotubes treated with 0.01 µmol/L simvastatin showed a significant increase in sensitivity, but those treated with 1.0 µmol/L and 5.0 µmol/L simvastatin showed a significant decrease. The sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ storage peaked in the myotubes treated with 0.01 µmol/L simvastatin, but it decreased when cells were treated with higher doses of simvastatin (0.1-5.0 µmol/L).Conclusions The myotoxic side effect of simvastatin was found to change the sensitivity of myotubes in response to high-dose caffeine and halothane. When dose was low, sensitivity increased mainly because of increased Ca2+ content in the sarcoplasmic reticulum, which might explain why some individuals with statin-induced myotoxic symptoms may show positive caffeine-halothane contracture test results. However, when the dose was high and the damage to the myotubes was severer, sensitivity was lower. It is here supposed that the damage itself might put individuals with statin-induced myotoxic symptoms at greater risks of presenting with rhabdomyolysis during surgery or while under anesthesia.

[Life table and biological characteristics of an exotic lace bug, Corythucha marmorata (Uhler).] / å¤–æ¥å ¥ä¾µèŠæ–¹ç¿ ç½‘è½ç”Ÿç‰©å­¦ç‰¹æ€§åŠå®žéªŒç§ç¾¤ç”Ÿå‘½è¡¨.

The lace bug, Corythucha marmorata (Uhler) is a newly introduced species in China. The biological characteristics, such as the life table, fecundity, population dynamics were studied under laboratory conditions, i.e., temperature (25±2) ℃, humidity (80±5) %, photoperiod L:D=14:10. The lace bugs were reared on the host plant Solidago canadensis. The morphological characteristics at different life stages, the longevity and adult fecundity were recorded and used to construct the life table. Results showed that the average length of immature stages was (14.88±1.45) d and the adult average life-span was (59.88±5.85) d, and the progeny per female was (87.2±17.8). The intrinsic rate of increase of C. marmorata (rm) was 0.05 per female per day, the finite rate of increase (d) was 1.06, and the net reproductive rate (R0) was 11.88. The mean generation time (T) was 46.11 d, and the double population time was (t) 12.91 d. The population on reaching a stable age distribution comprised approximately 59.3% of immature stages, and 40.7% of the adult stage. It was suggested that C. marmorata might disperse quickly and pose a potential threat to agricultural production.

A novel injectable borate bioactive glass cement as an antibiotic delivery vehicle for treating osteomyelitis.

BACKGROUND: A novel injectable cement composed of chitosan-bonded borate bioactive glass (BG) particles was evaluated as a carrier for local delivery of vancomycin in the treatment of osteomyelitis in a rabbit tibial model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The setting time, injectability, and compressive strength of the borate BG cement, and the release profile of vancomycin from the cement were measured in vitro. The capacity of the vancomycin-loaded BG cement to eradicate methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)-induced osteomyelitis in rabbit tibiae in vivo was evaluated and compared with that for a vancomycin-loaded calcium sulfate (CS) cement and for intravenous injection of vancomycin. RESULTS: The BG cement had an injectability of >90% during the first 3 minutes after mixing, hardened within 30 minutes and, after hardening, had a compressive strength of 18 ± 2 MPa. Vancomycin was released from the BG cement into phosphate-buffered saline for up to 36 days, and the cumulative amount of vancomycin released was 86% of the amount initially loaded into the cement. In comparison, vancomycin was released from the CS cement for up 28 days and the cumulative amount released was 89%. Two months post-surgery, radiography and microbiological tests showed that the BG and CS cements had a better ability to eradicate osteomyelitis when compared to intravenous injection of vancomycin, but there was no significant difference between the BG and CS cements in eradicating the infection. Histological examination showed that the BG cement was biocompatible and had a good capacity for regenerating bone in the tibial defects. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that borate BG cement is a promising material both as an injectable carrier for vancomycin in the eradication of osteomyelitis and as an osteoconductive matrix to regenerate bone after the infection is cured.

[Effects of Pb2+ stress on seed germination & seedling growth of Rabdosia rubescens].

The seeds of Rabdosia rubescens were as the materials to research the impacts of different lead (Pb2+) concentrations(0, 135, 270, 540, 1 080 mg x L(-1)) on seed germination and seedling growth. The results show that: Low concentration of lead had no obvious effect on early germination of the seed, the germination vigor and germination speed were lightly higher but not significantly differed at the level of Pb concentration 135 mg x L(-1) with control group; Mid-high concentration of Pb solution (270-1 080 mg x L(-1)) significantly inhibited the seed germination and seedling growth, which reduced the seed germination rate, germination vigor, germination index, embryo root length and shoot length, growth index with increasing of Pb concentrations. There was a inhibitory effect on embryo shoot length and root length at mid-high lead concentrations stress, and stronger inhibitory effect on root , which was more sensitive than shoot to Pb stress(P < 0.05). Pb bioaccumulation coefficient (BC) was 0.76-2.59, increased with concentration of Pb; Pb enrichment in seedling mainly caused the growth inhibition. The fitting model predictive analyses show, the critical concentration of Pb, which causes the germination rate and biomass fresh weight reducing 10%, is 195.18, 101.65 mg x L(-1).

Reward processing in adolescents with bipolar I disorder.

OBJECTIVE: Bipolar disorder (BD) is a debilitating psychiatric condition that commonly begins in adolescence, a developmental period that has been associated with increased reward seeking. Because youth with BD are especially vulnerable to negative risk-taking behaviors, understanding the neural mechanisms by which dysregulated affect interacts with the neurobehavioral processing of reward is clearly important. One way to clarify how manic symptoms evolve in BD is to "prime" the affect before presenting rewarding stimuli. The objective of this study was to investigate the neural effects of an affective priming task designed to positively induce mood before reward processing in adolescents with and without BD. METHOD: Neural activity and behaviors during the anticipation of and response to monetary reward and loss after an affective prime were compared using functional magnetic resonance imaging in 13- to 18-year-old adolescents with a recent onset of BD-I (n = 24) and demographically matched healthy comparison youth (n = 24). RESULTS: Compared with the healthy control youth, youth with BD had speeded reaction times and showed decreased activation in the thalamus and inferior temporal gyrus while anticipating gains after priming but increased activations in the middle frontal gyrus and parietal cortices while anticipating losses after priming. Youth with BD also showed less activation in the inferior parietal lobule, thalamus, and superior frontal gyrus while receiving losses after priming. CONCLUSIONS: Aberrant prefrontal and subcortical activations during reward processing suggest mechanisms that may underlie disordered self-awareness during goal pursuit and motivation in BD. Longitudinal studies are needed to examine whether this pattern of neural activation predicts a poorer long-term outcome.

[Injectable borate glass/chitosan composite as drug carrier for treatment of chronic osteomyelitis].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the characterization, biocompatibility in vitro and in vivo, and antimicrobial activity of an injectable vancomycin-loaded borate glass/chitosan composite (VBC) so as to lay the foundation for its further clinical application. METHODS: The solid phase of VBC was constituted by borate glass and vancomycin, liquid phase was a mixture of chitosan, citric acid, and glucose with the proportion of 1 : 10 : 20. Solid phase and liquid phase was mixed with the ratio of 2 : 1. Vancomycin-loaded calcium sulfate (VCS) was produced by the same method using calcium sulfate instead of borate glass and saline instead of chitosan, as control. High performance liquid chromatography was applied to detect the release rate of antibiotics from VBC and VCS, and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was tested by using an antibiotic tube dilution method. The structure of the VBC and VCS specimens before and 2, 4, 8, 16, and 40 days after immersion in D-Hank's was examined by scanning electron microscopy, and the phase composition of VBC was analysed by X-ray diffraction after soaked for 40 days. Thirty-three healthy adult New Zealand white rabbits (weighing, 2.25-3.10 kg; male or female) were used to establish the osteomyelitis models according to Norden method. After 4 weeks, the models of osteomyelitis were successfully established in 28 rabbits, and they were randomly divided into 4 groups (groups A, B, C, and D). In group A (n=8), simple debridement was performed; in groups B and C (n=8), defect was treated by injecting VCS or VBC after debridement; and in group D (n=4), no treatment was given. The effectiveness of treatment was assessed using radiological and histological techniques after 2 months. RESULTS: The releases of vancomycin from VBC lasted for 30 days; the release rate of vancomycin reached 75% at the first 8 days, then could reached more than 90%. The releases of vancomycin from VCS lasted only for 16 days. The MIC of VBC and VCS were both 2 microg/mL. The VCS had a smooth glass crystal surface before immersion, however, it was almost degradated after 4 days. The fairly smooth surface of the VBC pellet became more porous and rougher with time, X-ray diffraction analysis of VBC soaked for 40 days indicated that the borate glass had gradually converted to hydroxyapatite. After 2 months, the best result of treatment was observed in group C, osteomyelitis symptoms disappeared. The X-ray scores of groups A, B, C, and D were 3.50 +/- 0.63, 2.29 +/- 0.39, 2.00 +/- 0.41, and 4.25 +/- 0.64, respectively; Smeltzer scores were 6.00 +/- 0.89, 4.00 +/- 0.82, 3.57 +/- 0.98, and 7.25 +/- 0.50, respectively. The scores were significantly higher in group D than in groups A, B, and C (P < 0.05), and in group A than in groups B and C (P < 0.05). The scores were higher in group B than in group C, but no significant difference was found (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: The VBC is effective in treating chronic osteomyelitis of rabbit by providing a sustained release of vancomycin, in addition to stimulating bone regeneration, so it may be a promising biomaterial for treating chronic osteomyelitis.

[Analysis of mineral elements in different organs of Chrysanthemum indicum L. based on ICP-AES].

ICP-AES technique was used to analyse the mineral elements in different organs of Chrysanthemum indicum L. The results show that: (1) The content of K in root, stem, leaves and flower was the highest among macroelements, and can respectively reach to 15.84, 17.74, 31.52 and 37.55 mg x g(-1), while the content of Fe was the highest in microelements in root, stem, leaves and flower, and can respectively reach to 3 219.90, 433.36, 1 519.46, and 1 426.63 microg x g(-1). (2) The accumulation of K, P, Ca, Mg, Mn, Zn and Mo was highest in stem of Chrysanthemum indicum L, and can respectively reach to 240.61, 19.67, 74.87, 18.31 mg x plant(-1) and 893.00, 1 039.08, 2.85 microg x plant(-1), while the accumulation of Na, Fe and Cu was highest in root, and can respectively reach to 11.51 mg x plant(-1), 11 725.27 microg x plant(-1), and 235.24 microg x plant(-1). (3) The proportion of K:P, Ca:Mg, Fe:Mn, Zn:Cu was varied in different organs. The results of the study pinpoint the mineral elements in different organs of Chrysanthemum indicum L. and will be a scientific basis for fertilization.

Investigate for the micro syndrome of HR-HPV cervical lesions / 国际中医中药杂志

ObjectiveThrough the study of cervical lesions vagina inmage to investigate the micro-syndrome identified methods for cervical lesions. MethodsThrough the methods of retrospective study, collecting cases of HR-HPV infection (HC Ⅱ positive) and colposcopy detection, the objective evaluation of micro-syndrome differentiation was primarily established. ResultsRGB mode quantitative analysis for colposcopy images showed category 3 (the purple samples) occupied 44.4％, category 2 (the red samples)occupied 12.6％; category 1 (the white samples) occupied 43％. ConclusionsRGB mode quantitative analysis for colposcopy images was appropriate exploration of micro-differentiation in cervical lesions. There is a close relationship between traditional Chinese medicine syndrome and mucosai color differentiation by colposcopy.

Speeded near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) response detection.

The hemodynamic response measured by Near Infrared Spectroscopy (NIRS) is temporally delayed from the onset of the underlying neural activity. As a consequence, NIRS based brain-computer-interfaces (BCIs) and neurofeedback learning systems, may have a latency of several seconds in responding to a change in participants' behavioral or mental states, severely limiting the practical use of such systems. To explore the possibility of reducing this delay, we used a multivariate pattern classification technique (linear support vector machine, SVM) to decode the true behavioral state from the measured neural signal and systematically evaluated the performance of different feature spaces (signal history, history gradient, oxygenated or deoxygenated hemoglobin signal and spatial pattern). We found that the latency to decode a change in behavioral state can be reduced by 50% (from 4.8 s to 2.4 s), which will enhance the feasibility of NIRS for real-time applications.

Osteogenesis mechanism of chitosan-coated calcium sulfate pellets on the restoration of segmental bone defects.

A radial segmental defect model of a rabbit was used to study the restoration effect on defects treated with chitosan-coated pressed calcium sulfate pellets combined with recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 (rhBMP-2), coated pressed calcium sulfate pellets, and uncoated pressed calcium sulfate pellets. Nothing was implanted in the control group. After 4, 8, and 12 weeks, the results indicated that coated pressed calcium sulfate pellets combined with rhBMP-2 and coated pressed calcium sulfate pellets facilitated new bone formation on defected bones and that, particularly, the coated pressed calcium sulfate pellets combined with rhBMP-2 was more effective than the coated pressed calcium sulfate pellet. Histologic and tetracycline fluorimetric findings showed that the osteogenesis mechanism of chitosan-coated pressed calcium sulfate pellets is membrane bone formation, and the pellets showed slightly slower resorption that closely coincides with the growth rate of new bone.

[Restoration of segmental bone defect by calcium sulfate pellet: experiment with rabbit].

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effects of different calcium sulfate pellets made by different methods in treating segmental defect of bone. METHODS: Eighty New Zealand white rabbits underwent cutting off a segment in the middle part of radius so as to establish models of radial segmental defect, and than were divided into 4 groups: Group A as control group, Group B with calcium sulfate pellet made by routine method implanted into the defect, Group C with chitosan coated pressed calcium sulfate pellet implanted into the defect, and Group D with chitosan coated pressed calcium sulfate pellet combined with recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein (rhBMP)-2 implanted into the defect: X-ray photography was done every 4 weeks to observe the new bone formation. Four, 8, and 12 weeks 5 rabbits from each group were killed. The defect segments with parts of normal bone at both ends were cut off to undergo fluorescence microscopy and biomechanic three point bending test. RESULTS: X-ray photography and histological examination showed that new bone formation of cortex and reconstruction of marrow cavity were seen in Groups D and C, especially in Group D. The new bone mineralization rate of Group D was significantly higher than that of Group C (P<0.05) which was significantly higher than that of Group B (P<0.01). The anti-bending strength ratio of Group D was (47.5%+/-2.1%, significantly higher than that of Group C [(39.6+/-1.7)%, F=125.3, P<0.01], and the anti-bending strength ratios of Groups D and C were both significantly higher than those of Groups B and A [(23.6+/-3.3)% and (21.3+/-2.7)%]. CONCLUSION: Chitosan coated pressed calcium sulfate pellet shows relatively higher anti-bending strength and slightly slower resorption that closely coincide with the growth rate of new bone. It can be used to restore segmental bone defect, and particularly when combined with rhBMP-2.

Effects of chitosan-coated pressed calcium sulfate pellet combined with recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein 2 on restoration of segmental bone defect.

A chitosan-coated pressed calcium sulfate pellet combined with recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein 2 (rhBMP-2) has been developed with increased compressive strength and osteoinduction, but with a resorption profile only slightly slower than uncoated pellet. A radial segmental defect model of rabbit was used to study the restoration effect on defect treated with chitosan-coated pressed calcium sulfate pellet combined with rhBMP-2, coated pressed calcium sulfate pellet, and uncoated pressed calcium sulfate pellet. Nothing was implanted in the control group. After 4, 8, and 12 weeks, the results indicated that coated pressed calcium sulfate pellet combined with rhBMP-2 and coated pressed calcium sulfate pellet facilitated new bone formation on defected bone and that particularly the former was more effective than the latter.

Vividness of mental imagery: individual variability can be measured objectively.

When asked to imagine a visual scene, such as an ant crawling on a checkered table cloth toward a jar of jelly, individuals subjectively report different vividness in their mental visualization. We show that reported vividness can be correlated with two objective measures: the early visual cortex activity relative to the whole brain activity measured by functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and the performance on a novel psychophysical task. These results show that individual differences in the vividness of mental imagery are quantifiable even in the absence of subjective report.