circRNA.33186 Contributes to the Pathogenesis of Osteoarthritis by Sponging miR-127-5p.

Osteoarthritis (OA), the most prevalent age-related joint disorder, is characterized by chronic inflammation, progressive articular cartilage destruction, and subchondral bone sclerosis. Accumulating evidences indicate that circular RNAs (circRNAs) play a critical role in various diseases, but the function of circRNAs in OA remains largely unknown. Here we showed that circRNA.33186 was significantly upregulated in IL-1ß)-treated chondrocytes and in cartilage tissues of a destabilized medial meniscus (DMM)-induced OA mouse model. Knockdown of circRNA.33186 increased anabolic factor (type II collagen) expression and decreased catabolic factor (MMP-13) expression. Knockdown of circRNA.33186 also promoted proliferation and inhibited apoptosis in IL-1ß-treated chondrocytes. Silencing of circRNA.33186 in vivo markedly alleviated DMM-induced OA. Mechanistic study showed that circRNA.33186 directly binds to and inhibits miR-127-5p, thereby increasing MMP-13 expression, and contributes to OA pathogenesis. Taken together, our findings demonstrated a fundamental role of circRNA.33186 in OA progression and provide a potential drug target in OA therapy.

Minimal invasive percutaneous plate osteosynthesis (MIPPO) through deltoid-pectoralis approach for the treatment of elderly proximal humeral fractures.

BACKGROUND: Current treatments for proximal humeral fractures include conservative treatment, conventional open reduction internal fixation (ORIF) and MIPPO through deltoid-splitting approach. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical outcome of MIPPO versus ORIF via the deltoid-pectoralis approach in elderly patients with proximal humeral fractures. METHODS: Thirty-six patients with proximal humeral fractures were enrolled in this study. Following the randomized block and single-blinded principle, the patients were assigned to two groups and treated with either conventional ORIF or MIPPO, both through the deltoid-pectoralis approach. Surgical outcomes were evaluated by the NEER score, Constant-Murley score, blood loss, length of operation, radiological imaging and clinical examination. The patients were followed up for 4-24 (mean 10) months. RESULTS: According to Constant-Murley score, the surgical outcome was excellent in 14 cases, satisfactory in 2 cases and unsatisfactory in one case in MIPPO group versus 10, 5 and 4 in conventional ORIF group. MIPPO was significantly advantageous over conventional ORIF in terms of NEER score, Constant-Murley, length of operation and intraoperative blood loss. In addition, MIPPO was also more advantageous in several indexes in patients with BMI > 26.0 and NEER type III fracture. CONCLUSION: The results of our study have demonstrated that MIPPO through the deltoid-pectoralis approach is an effective alternative for the treatment of proximal humeral fractures in elderly patients. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The trial registration number (TRN): ChiCTR-INR-17011098 (retrospectively registered at 2017-04-09).

Treatment of pelvic fractures through a less invasive ilioinguinal approach combined with a minimally invasive posterior approach.

BACKGROUND: Unstable pelvic fractures usually result from high-energy trauma. There are several treatment modalities available. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical application of a new less invasive ilioinguinal approach combined with a minimally invasive posterior approach technique in patients with unstable pelvic fractures. We also address the feasibility, validity, and limitations of the technique. METHODS: Thirty-seven patients with unstable pelvic fractures were treated with our minimally invasive technique. The anterior pelvic ring fractures were treated with a less invasive ilioinguinal approach, and the sacral fractures were treated with a minimally invasive posterior approach. The clinical outcome was measured using the Majeed scoring system, and the quality of fracture reduction was evaluated. The patients were followed up for 13 to 60 months (mean, 24 months). RESULTS: Anatomical or near to anatomical reduction was achieved in 26 (70.3 %) of the anterior pelvic ring fractures and a satisfactory result was obtained in another 11(29.7 %). For the posterior sacral fractures, excellent reduction was obtained in 33 (89.2 %) of the fractures, with a residual deformity in the other 4 patients. One superficial wound infection and two deep vein thromboses occurred, all of which resolved with conservative treatment. The clinical outcome at one year was "excellent" in 29 patients and "good" in 8 patients (Majeed score). CONCLUSIONS: The satisfactory results showed that a reduction and fixation of unstable pelvic fractures is possible through a combination of a limited ilioinguinal approach and posterior pelvic ring fixation. We believe our method is a new and effective alternative in the management of pelvic fractures.

Accurate segmental motor innervation of human lower-extremity skeletal muscles.

BACKGROUND: There is limited knowledge about accurate segmental motor innervation of the human lower extremity skeletal muscles. The aim of the present study was to explore the truth of segmental motor innervation of the lower extremity. METHODS: Included in this study were 20 patients with unilateral fracture of the sacrum and sacral nerve injury, who underwent internal fixation and decompression of the sacral nerve in our hospital between June 2009 and January 2014. L4-S4 nerve roots of the uninjured side were stimulated during operation. Motor innervation was determined by stimulating the spinal nerves with supramaximal intensity. RESULTS: We found the gluteus medius and the gluteus maximus were both mainly innervated by L5 and S1. In addition, the nerve fibres that innervated the extensor digitorum brevis, the abductor hallucis and the flexor digitorum brevis were mainly from S2 to S3. CONCLUSIONS: Our study provides the electrophysiological mapping of the segmental anatomy of the human lower extremity muscles, which should be clinically useful in helping the diagnosis and treatment of nerve injury and neuropathies.

Removal of a broken guide wire entrapped in a fractured femoral neck.

Guide wire plays an important role in the fixation of femoral neck fracture with dynamic hip screw (DHS). Breakage of a guide wire during operation is a very rare condition. We met such a dilemma in DHS fixation of a 54-year-old male patient who sustained Garden type IV fracture of the right femoral neck. The distal end of the guide wire broke and was entrapped in the fractured femoral neck. We tried to get the broken part out by a cannulated drill. Reaming was started with the cannulated drill slowly rotating around the guide K-wire until the reamer fully contained the target under fluoroscope. A bone curette was used to get the broken wire out but failed, so we had to use the cannuated drill to dredge this bone tunnel. Finally the broken wire end was taken out, mixed with blood and bone fragments. Through the existing drilling channel, DHS fixation was easily finished. The patient had an uneventful recovery without avascular necrosis of femoral head or non-union of the fracture at one year's follow-up. A few methods can be adopted to deal with the broken guide wire. The way used in our case is less invasive but technically challenging. When the guide wire is properly positioned, this method is very practical and useful.

[Phenolic derivatives from Wisteria sinensis sweet caulis].

OBJECTIVE: To study the phenolic derivatives from Wisteria sinensis. METHODS: From the petroleum ether extraction of 95% alcohol permeating extraction, 12 compounds were isolated and purified with silica gel and Sephadex LH-20 column chromatography. Their structures were determined on the basis of physicochemical properties and spectroscopic analysis. RESULTS: They were identified as formononetin (1), (3S)-vestitol (2), (6aS, 11aS)-medicarpin (3), (-+/-) isoduartin (4), (3S)-7,1'-dihydroxy-8,3'-dimethoxyisoflavan (5), isosakuranetin (6), p-hydroxy-benzaldehyde (7), 11b-hydroxy-11b, 1-dihydromedicarpin (8), 3-hydroxy-medicarpin (9), syringaresinol (10), 5-hydroxy-7-methoxychromone (11), vanillin (12). CONCLUSION: All the compounds are isolated from this plant for the first time.

[Study on triterpenoids from Wisteria sinensis].

OBJECTIVE: To study the triterpenoids constituents from Wisteria sinensis Sweet Caulis. METHODS: The compounds were beta-solated and purified with silica gel and Sephadex LH-20 column chromatography from the petroleum ether extract. Their structures were determined on the basis of physicochemical properties and spectroscopic analysis. RESULTS: They were identified as beta-sitosterol palmitate (1), alpha-spinasterol (2), (22E, 24R)-5alpha, 8alpha-epidioxy-ergosta-6, 22-dien-3beta-ol (3), (22E, 24R)-ergosta-5, 7, 22-trien-3beta-ol (4), (22E, 24R) -ergosta-7, 22-dien-3beta-ol (5), 11alpha, 12alpha-oxidotaraxerol (6), lupeol (7), betulinic acid (8), 22-oxo-3beta, 24-dihydroxyolean-12-ene (9), 2alpha, 3beta, 23-trihydroxyolean-12-ene (10), soyasapogenol E (11), 3alpha, 21beta-dihydroxy-olean-12-ene (12). CONCLUSION: Compounds 1 - 12 are isolated from this plant for the first time.

Characteristic quantum phase in Heisenberg antiferromagnetic chain with exchange and single-ion anisotropies.

We investigate the ground-state phase diagram for a spin-one quantum Heisenberg antiferromagnetic chain with exchange and single-ion anisotropies in an external magnetic field by using the infinite time-evolving block decimation algorithm to compute the ground-state fidelity per lattice site. We detect all phase boundaries solely by computing the ground-state fidelity per lattice site, with the prescription that a phase transition point is attributed to a pinch point on the ground-state fidelity surface. Furthermore, the results indicate that a magnetization plateau corresponds to a fidelity plateau on the ground-state fidelity surface, thus offering an alternative route for investigating the magnetization processes of quantum many-body spin systems. We characterize all phases by using the local-order parameter, the spin correlation, the momentum distribution of the spin correlation structure factor, and mutual information as a function of the lattice distance. The commensurate and incommensurate phases are distinguished by the mutual information. In addition, the central charges at criticalities are identified by performing a finite-entanglement scaling analysis. The results show that all phase transitions between spin liquids and magnetization plateaus belong to the Pokrovsky-Talapov universality class.

BCL2 Ala43Thr is a functional variant associated with protection against azoospermia in a Han-Chinese population.

Apoptosis is very common during various stages of mammalian germ cell development and differentiation, and the BCL2 gene is one of the most important apoptotic regulators. Although its genetic variants are reported to be involved in cancers and autoimmune diseases, little information is available regarding BCL2 polymorphisms in male spermatogenesis. In the present study, single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in coding regions of the BCL2 gene were examined in a hospital-based, case-control study including 198 infertile patients with idiopathic azoospermia and 183 fertile controls. Subsequently, a functional study was conducted for comparison of paclitaxel-induced cytotoxicity and apoptosis between the BCL2 variant and the wild type in vitro. Three SNPs were found in exon 2--A21G (rs1801018), G127A (rs1800477), and C300T (rs61733416)--with the latter first reported in the Han-Chinese population. The frequency of G127A (GA+AA) genotype was significantly lower in azoospermic, infertile men compared to the age-matched controls (P = 0.01). This genotype may confer a lower risk of azoospermia (adjusted odd ratio [OR] = 0.448, 95% confidence interval = 0.226-0.889). In addition, HeLa cells expressing the BCL2 Ala43Thr (G127A), similar to the control cells, were more sensitive to paclitaxel-induced cytotoxicity and apoptosis than those expressing wild-type BCL2. Consistently, the cleaved PARP and p-BCL2 proteins were subsequently increased after paclitaxel treatment, as also predicted by the bioinformatics analysis. Considering the decreased antiapoptotic function of BCL2, these results suggest that the Ala43Thr variant is associated with protection against azoospermia in the Han-Chinese population.

Mifepristone-induced abortion and duration of third stage labour in a subsequent pregnancy.

To evaluate the impact of mifepristone-induced abortion (MA) on the duration of third stage labour in a subsequent pregnancy, an observational cohort study was conducted from 1998 to 2001 at antenatal clinics in Shanghai, Beijing and Chengdu, China. A total of 4925 pregnant women with no history of induced abortion (NA) and 4931 pregnant women with one previous MA were enrolled and followed until delivery. Of these, 5139 women who delivered singletons vaginally were used in the present analyses, including 2614 with NA and 2525 with a history of MA. Maternal characteristics, labour duration and other obstetric and gynaecological information were obtained. The incidence rates of prolonged third stage of labour were 1.55% and 1.49% in NA and MA, respectively. After adjusting for age at delivery, maternal education, maternal occupation, area of residence, duration of gestational, type of delivery and pregnancy-induced hypertension, MA was not associated with the risk of prolonged third stage of labour (odds ratios = 0.92, 95% confidence interval 0.58, 1.44). Subgroup analysis of women with MA showed similar results regardless of gestational age at abortion, woman's age at abortion, subsequent curettage/complications and the interpregnancy interval. In conclusion, the data did not provide evidence that one MA was associated with the risk of prolonged third stage of labour in a subsequent pregnancy in primiparae.

Characterization and expression analysis of Medicago truncatula ROP GTPase family during the early stage of symbiosis.

ROPs (Rho-related GTPases of plants) are small GTPases that are plant-specific signaling proteins. They act as molecular switches in a variety of developmental processes. In this study, seven cDNA clones coding for ROP GTPases have been isolated in Medicago truncatula, and conserved and divergent domains are identified in these predicted MtROP proteins. Phylogenetic analysis has indicated that MtROPs are distributed into groups II, III, IV but group I. MtROP genes are expressed in various tissues at different levels. A quantitative reverse transcription PCR analysis indicated that these MtROP genes have different expression profiles in the roots in response to infection with rhizobia. The expression of MtROP3, MtROP5 and MtROP6 are increased, as the expression of Nod factor or rhizobial-induced marker genes--NFP, Rip1 and Enod11; MtROP10 has showed enhanced expression at a certain post-inoculation time point. No significant changes in MtROP7 and MtROP9 expression have been detected and MtROP8 expression is dramatically decreased by about 80%-90%. Additionally, ROP promoter-GUS analysis has showed that MtROP3, MtROP5 and MtROP6 have elevated expression in transgenic root hairs after rhizobial inoculation. These results might suggest a role for some ROP GTPases in the regulation of early stages during rhizobial infection in symbiosis.

Mifepristone-induced abortion and placental complications in subsequent pregnancy.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the study was to explore the effect of first-trimester mifepristone-induced abortion (MA) on placental complications in subsequent pregnancy. METHODS: Two cohorts of nulliparous pregnant women were recruited in China during early pregnancy, one with a history of one MA and the other with no abortion (NA). Women were followed up until delivery. RESULTS: The incidence proportions of abruptio placenta, placenta previa, placenta accreta and retained placenta in the MA group (4673) and NA group (4690) were, respectively, 0.5 and 0.3, 0.8 and 0.9, 0.5 and 0.5, and 0.7 and 0.8% (all differences non-significant). After adjustment for center, age, education, occupation, residence, income, BMI and type of delivery, the incidence rates of placenta previa, accreta and retained placenta in the MA and NA groups showed no significant differences. The risk of abruptio placenta in women with a MA was nearly double that of women with no abortion, although this apparent increased risk was not statistically significant. Furthermore, this increased risk of abruptio placenta was found only in those with a gestational age >6 weeks at abortion (aOR: 2.46; 95% CI: 1.00-6.04), a curettage after abortion (aOR: 3.00; 95% CI: 1.25-7.20) or a longer inter-pregnancy interval (P-value for trend: 0.022). CONCLUSIONS: Mifepristone-induced abortion itself is not associated with placental complications in subsequent pregnancy, but other factors related to medical abortion-such as a gestational age >6 weeks at abortion, a curettage after abortion, and a longer interpregnancy interval-may increase the risk of abruptio placenta.

Reconstructed bladder innervation below the level of spinal cord injury: the knee-tendon to bladder artificial reflex arc.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE: To study the effectiveness of knee-tendon to bladder artificial reflex arc in dogs. METHODS: In 6 beagles, the proximal end of the right L5 anterior motor root and the distal end of the right S2 anterior root were anastomosed to build a knee-tendon to bladder reflex, whereas the right L5 posterior sensory root was kept intact. Action potential (AP) curves and electromyograms (EMGs) of the detrusor muscle, the intravesical pressure, horseradish peroxidase (HRP)-labeled neurons, and the passing rates of myelinic nerve fibers were calculated to evaluate its feasibility. RESULTS: AP curves and EMG detected in all 6 dogs were similar to those of the control. Six and 18 months after surgery, the means for bladder contraction induced by percussion of the right knee-tendon were 38 +/- 27% and 62 +/- 5% that of the normal control, respectively. The mean duration times induced by percussion of the right knee-tendon at 6 and 18 months after surgery were 51 +/- 37% and 84 +/- 12% that of the normal control, respectively. HRP retrograde tracing and neurohistologic observation indicated the feasibility of the artificial reflex arc. CONCLUSIONS: Our data showed the effectiveness of bladder innervation below the level of spinal cord injury producing urination by knee-tendon to bladder reflex contractions, and therefore, might provide a new clinical approach for restoring bladder function in individuals with paraplegia.

Ipsilateral S2 nerve root transfer to pudendal nerve for restoration of external anal and urethral sphincter function: an anatomical study.

Patients suffer bilateral sacral plexus injuries experience severe problems with incontinence. We performed a cadaveric study to explore the anatomical feasibility of transferring ipsilateral S2 nerve root combined with a sural nerve graft to pudendal nerve for restoration of external anal and urethral sphincter function. The sacral nerve roots and pudendal nerve roots on the right side were exposed in 10 cadavers. The length from S2 nerve root origin to pudendal nerve at inferior border of piriformis was measured. The sural nerve was used as nerve graft. The diameters and nerve cross-sectional areas of S2 nerve root, pudendal nerve and sural nerve were measured and calculated, so as the number of myelinated axons of three nerves on each cadaver specimen. The length from S2 nerve root to pudendal nerve was 10.69 ± 1.67 cm. The cross-sectional areas of the three nerves were 8.57 ± 3.03 mm2 for S2, 7.02 ± 2.04 mm2 for pudendal nerve and 6.33 ± 1.61 mm2 for sural nerve. The pudendal nerve contained approximately the same number of axons (5708 ± 1143) as the sural nerve (5607 ± 1305), which was a bit less than that of the S2 nerve root (6005 ± 1479). The S2 nerve root in combination with a sural nerve graft is surgically feasible to transfer to the pudendal nerve for return of external urethral and anal sphincter function, and may be suitable for clinical application in patients suffering from incontinence following sacral plexus injuries.

The GntR-type regulators gtrA and gtrB affect cell growth and nodulation of Sinorhizobium meliloti.

GntR-type transcriptional regulators are involved in the regulation of various biological processes in bacteria, but little is known about their functions in Sinorhizobium meliloti. Here, we identified two GntR-type transcriptional regulator genes, gtrA and gtrB, from S. meliloti strain 1021. Both the gtrA1 mutant and the gtrB1 mutant had lower growth rates and maximal cell yields on rich and minimal media, as well as lower cell motility on swimming plates, than did the wild-type strain. Both mutants were also symbiotically deficient. Alfalfa plants inoculated with wild-type strain 1021 formed pink elongated nodules on primary roots. In contrast, the plants inoculated with the gtrA1 and gtrB1 mutants formed relatively smaller, round, light pink nodules mainly on lateral roots. During the first 3 approximately 4 weeks post-inoculation, the plants inoculated with the gtrA1 and gtrB1 mutants were apparently stunted, with lower levels of nitrogenase activity, but there was a remarkable increase in the number of nodules compared to those inoculated with the wild-type strain. Moreover, the gtrA1 and gtrB1 mutants not only showed delayed nodulation, but also showed markedly reduced nodulation competition. These results demonstrated that both GtrA and GtrB affect cell growth and effective symbiosis of S. meliloti. Our work provides new insight into the functions of GntR-like transcriptional regulators.

[Clinical observations of the effects on the lower limb function after lumbar or sacral nerve root transferring to reconstruct urination function].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects on the lower limbs function after lumbar or sacral nerve root transferring to reconstruct urination function. METHODS: Nine patients with bladder dysfunction and normal lower limb function after spinal cord injury were treated with anastomosis the S2 or S3 nerve root with the normal lumbar or sacral nerve root to reconstruct a new bladder artificial reflex arc. Then the alterations on the sensation and motor function of the lower limb after the surgery were observed. RESULTS: Myodynamia of the legs decreased slightly, and the decreasing about half grade of the myodynamia in the plantar flexion of the ankles were detected in 4 of 9 patients with S1 transferring. And the myodynamia recovered 3 months postoperatively. No obvious decreasing of the myodynamia appeared in the other cases. CONCLUSION: No obvious effects on the motor function can be found after the single lumbar or sacral nerve root transferring to reconstruct urination function.

[Influence of sterilization treatments on continuous carbon-fiber reinforced polyolefin composite].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the influence of sterilization treatment on continuous carbon-fiber reinforced polyolefin composite (CFRP) so as to provide experimental reference for selection of sterilization method for CFRP. METHODS: Seventy bars of CFRP were divided into 7 equal groups to undergo sterilization by autoclave, 2% glutaraldehyde soaking, 75% alcohol soaking, ethylene oxide sterilization, and Co-60 gamma ray irradiation of the dosages 11 kGy, 25 kGy, and 18 kGy respectively, and another 10 bars were used as blank controls. Then the bars underwent three-point bending test and longitudinal compression test so as to measure the biomechanical changes after sterilization treatment, including the maximum load, ultimate strength, and elastic modulus. RESULTS: Three-point bending test showed that the levels of maximum load of the all experimental groups were lower than that of the control group, however, only those of the 3 Co-60 irradiation groups were significantly lower than that of the control group and that Co-60 radiation lowered the level of maximum load dose-dependently; and that the levels of ultimate strength of all the all experimental groups were lower than that of the control group, however, only those of the 3 Co-60 groups were significantly lower than that of the control group and that the higher the dosage of Co-60 radiation the lower the level of ultimate strength, however, not dose-dependently. The elastic modulus of the Co-60 25 KGy group was significantly higher than that of the control group, and there was no significant difference in the level of ultimate strength among the other groups. Longitudinal compression test showed that the levels of maximum load and ultimate strength of the 3 Co-60 irradiation groups, autoclave group, and circular ethylene groups were significantly lower than that of the control group, and there was no significant difference in elastic modulus among different groups. CONCLUSION: During sterilized package of CFRP products produced in quantity autoclave sterilization and Co-60 gamma ray irradiation sterilization should be avoided. Ethylene oxide is proposed as the best sterilization method. If gamma ray irradiation is to be used further technology improvement is necessary.

Association between polymorphisms of prokineticin receptor (PKR1 rs4627609 and PKR2 rs6053283) and recurrent pregnancy loss.

Recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) is a condition with complex etiologies, to which both genetic and environmental factors may contribute. During the last decade, studies indicated that the expression patterns of the prokineticin receptor (PKR1 and PKR2) are closely related to early pregnancy. However, there are few studies on the role of PKR1 and PKR2 in RPL. In this study, we purpose to investigate the association between polymorphisms of the prokineticin receptor (PKR1 rs4627609 and PKR2 rs6053283) and RPL on a group of 93 RPL cases and 169 healthy controls. Genotyping of the single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) was performed using a Sequenom MassARRAY iPLEX system. The results revealed a significant association between PKR2 rs6053283 polymorphism and RPL (P=0.003), whereas no association was observed between PKR1 rs4627609 polymorphism and RPL (P=0.929) in the Chinese Han population.

Repair and regeneration of lumbosacral nerve defects in rats with chitosan conduits containing bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells.

OBJECTIVES: Despite the great progress in surgical treatment of lumbosacral nerve injuries caused by high-energy trauma, functional recovery remains poor and insufficient. Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs), which express neurotrophic factors and can also differentiate into nerve cells, have potential as an effective alternative therapy for lumbosacral nerve defects. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the functional recovery, nerve regeneration, motor neuron survival and apoptosis after lumbosacral nerve transection in rats receiving BMSC transplantation into the chitosan conduit. METHODS: The right L4-L6 nerve roots of rats were transected and bridged with three 1-cm-long chitosan conduits, which were further injected with the BMSCs (MSC-treated group) or culture medium (DMEM group). The nerve regeneration and motor function recovery were assessed by the sciatic functional index (SFI) and analysed electrophysiologically and morphologically. RESULTS: At 6 and 12 weeks after surgery, the SFI values in MSC-treated group were significantly higher than those in DMEM group (P≤0.05). The peak amplitude of CMAP (compound muscle action potential) and nerve conduction velocity in MSC-treated group were significantly higher than that in DMEM group (P≤0.01), while the latency of CMAP onset in MSC-treated group was significantly shorter than that in DMEM group (P≤0.01). The diameter of the myelinated fibres and thickness of the myelin sheath in MSC-treated group were significantly higher than those in DMEM group (P≤0.05). There was no difference in the number of motor neurons in the anterior horn of the spinal cord at 6 weeks post-operation (P>0.05), while the number of motor neurons was significantly greater in MSC-treated group than that in DMEM group at 12 weeks post-operation (P≤0.001). The number of apoptotic cells was also significantly lower (P≤0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The results of the present study showed that BMSCs treatment improved lumbosacral nerve regeneration and motor function. In addition, our data suggested that BMSCs inhibited motor neuron apoptosis, and improved motor neuron function and survival in the anterior horn of the spinal cord.

Use of a self-designed bladder controller for restoring bladder function in paraplegic dogs.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the results of a self-designed bladder controller for restoring micturition function in paraplegic dogs. METHODS: The spinal cords of 4 dogs were transected above the cone. Electrodes were implanted in S2 bilaterally and connected to the subcutaneous receivers for external activation. Microsurgical technique was employed to perform dorsal rhizotomy of S1-3 intradurally. The dogs were stimulated daily to observe micturition. Urodynamic testing and vesicography were performed. RESULTS: All the dogs acquired micturition under the control of electric stimulation, with urine volume 80-140 ml per time. The mode of micturition was post-stimulus voiding. Vesicography revealed that the bladder was filled well and the bladder neck was open in the micturition course of electric stimulation. Residual urine volume was 15-20 ml. Urodynamic testing found that the bladder pressure and intraurethral pressure increased simultaneously, but when the intraurethral pressure was greater than the bladder pressure, no micturition occurred. The pressure decreased to baseline rapidly and the bladder pressure decreased slowly between two bursts. Micturition occurred when the bladder pressure was greater than the intraurethral pressure. CONCLUSIONS: The self-designed bladder controller together with a sacral deafferentation procedure can restore micturition function of paraplegic dogs.