Down-regulation of spinal D-amino acid oxidase expression blocks formalin-induced tonic pain.

A series of inhibitors of d-amino acid oxidase (DAAO) are specific in blocking chronic pain, including formalin-induced tonic pain, neuropathic pain and bone cancer pain. This study used RNA interference technology to further validate the notion that spinal DAAO mediates formalin-induced pain. To target DAAO, a siRNA/DAAO formulated in polyetherimide (PEI) complexation and a shRNA/DAAO (shDAAO, with the same sequence as siRNA/DAAO after intracellular processing) expressed in recombinant adenoviral vectors were designed. The siRNA/DAAO was effective in blocking DAAO expression in NRK-52E rat kidney tubule epithelial cells, compared to the nonspecific oligonucleotides. Furthermore, multiple-daily intrathecal injections of both siRNA/DAAO and Ad-shDAAO for 7 days significantly inhibited spinal DAAO expression by 50-80% as measured by real-time quantitative PCR and Western blot, and blocked spinal DAAO enzymatic activity by approximately 60%. Meanwhile, both siRNA/DAAO and Ad-shDAAO prevented formalin-induced tonic phase pain by approximately 60%. Multiple-daily intrathecal injections of siRNA/DAAO and Ad-shDAAO also blocked more than 30% spinal expression of GFAP, a biomarker for the activation of astrocytes. These results further suggest that down-regulation of spinal DAAO expression and enzymatic activity leads to analgesia with its mechanism potentially related to activation of astrocytes in the spinal cord.

Spontaneous regression of stage III neuroblastoma: A case report.

BACKGROUND: Neuroblastoma (NB) is the most common type of extracranial solid tumour in children. The overall prognosis of NB is poor, but at the same time, NB shows significant clinical diversity. NB can demonstrate spontaneous regression or can differentiate into benign ganglioneuroma. CASE SUMMARY: This study retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of a patient with spontaneous regression of stage III NB who was admitted in May 2015. Studies of the spontaneous regression of NB published from October 1946 to September 2019 were retrieved through PubMed. The clinical manifestations, diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up results were analysed. CONCLUSION: Spontaneous regression of stage III NB is rare in the clinic. The report of this case is an important supplement to the study of the spontaneous regression of NB.

[Population resources and fishery management policies of Schizopygopsis younghusbandi in the Yarlung Zangbo River, China.] / é› é²è—å¸ƒæ±Ÿæ‹‰è¨è£¸è£‚å°»é±¼ç§ç¾¤èµ„æºçŠ¶å†µåŠå ¶æ¸”ä¸šç®¡ç†å¯¹ç­–.

Schizopygopsis younghusbandi, an endemic species in China, is threatened by overfi-shing and biological invasion. With 694 individuals collected during August 2008 to August 2009 from the Xietongmen to Nimu of Yarlung Zangbo River, Tibet, the population resources and fishery management policies of the fish were studied using per-recruit models. The total instantaneous annual mortality (Z) of S. younghusbandi was 0.81 year-1 for females and 0.78 year-1 for males. The range of natural mortality (M) of females and males were 0.17-0.27 year-1 and 0.21-0.33 year-1, respectively. The range of current fishing mortality (Fcur) was 0.54-0.64 year-1 for females and 0.45-0.57 year-1 for males. The range of spawning potential ratio of S. younghusbandi was 10.1%-17.9% for females, being significantly lower than the threshold reference point (F25%). That for males was 28.3%-43.6%, with 22.3% of which was higher than the target reference point (F40%). This result indicated that the stock of S. younghusbandi had been over-exploited under the current fishery management policy. To evaluate the protective effects of capture age and seasonal closure, 14 different fishery management policies were simulated. The results showed that the stock of S. younghusbandi would be effectively conserved by enhancing the capture age to not less than 10 years old or setting the seasonal closure from February to June.

3D simulation assisted resection of giant hepatic mesenchymal hamartoma in children.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the usefulness of Hisense Computer Assisted Surgery System (Hisense CAS) in pre-operative surgical planning and intra-operative navigation for resection of pediatric giant hepatic mesenchymal hamartoma (HMH). METHODS: Five children with HMH underwent hepatectomy in our hospital. Pre-operative abdominal enhanced CT was performed for diagnosis and treatment planning. Using CT DICOM files, three-dimensional reconstruction was performed in three cases for operation planning and intra-operative navigation, with SID carrying out precise liver resection during the operation with Hisense CAS. RESULT: Two patients underwent right and left lobe hepatectomy, respectively, based only on enhanced CT. In 3 patients, by using the Hisense CAS system, three-dimensional reconstruction of the liver and tumors was successfully completed, and virtual hepatectomy performed successfully according to surgical plans. Hisense CAS could clearly and directly indicate the HMH location and shape, as well as its relationship with the intra-hepatic Glisson system, assisting safe hepatectomy. All five patients recovered well from surgery without any complications, and pathological examinations confirmed that all cases were HMH. No recurrence was observed during the follow-up period of 3 months to 5 years. CONCLUSION: Hisense CAS system is useful for preoperative planning and intra-operative navigation, assisting safer hepatectomy.

Usefulness of three-dimensional(3D) simulation software in hepatectomy for pediatric hepatoblastoma.

BACKGROUND: Hepatoblastoma (HB) is the most common malignant liver tumor in childhood. Complete HB surgical resection which is technically demanding is the cornerstone of effective therapy with a good prognosis. The aim of our study is to evaluate the usefulness of 3D simulation software in assisting hepatectomy in pediatric patients with HB. METHODS: 21 children with HB who underwent hepatectomy were enrolled in this study. All patients underwent computer tomography (CT) imaging preoperatively. CT images from 11 cases (from September 2013 to August 2015) were reconstructed with Hisense CAS, and performed hetpatectomy. While 10 cases (from September 2011 to August 2013) without 3D simulation were token as the control group. The clinical outcome were analyzed and compared between the 2 groups. RESULTS: All the HB were successfully removed for all patients and there was no positive margins in the surgical specimens, no complications, and no recurrences. For the reconstructing group, 3D simulation software successfully reconstructed the 3D images of liver and were used as a navigator in the operation room during hepatectomy. Anatomic hepatectomy were successfully completed for all patients after operation planning using the software. There was no obvious discrepancy between the virtual and the actual hepatectomy. The mean operation time was shorter (142.18 ± 21.87 min VS. the control group, 173.5 ± 54.88 min, p = 0.047) and intraoperative bleeding was less (28.73 ± 14.17 ml VS. 42.8 ± 41.12 ml, p = 0.011) in the reconstructing group. Moreover, postoperative hospital stay tended to be shorter in the reconstructing group (11.18 ± 2.78d VS. the control group 13 ± 3.46d, P = 0.257). CONCLUSIONS: 3D simulation software facilitates the investigation of the complex liver structure, contributes to the optimal operation planning, and enables an individualized anatomic hepatectomy for each pediatric patient with HB.

Application value of computer assisted surgery system in precision surgeries for pediatric complex liver tumors.

We discussed the diagnostic and treatment value and clinical significance of computer assisted surgery system (Higemi) in precision surgeries for pediatric complex liver tumors. A total of 21 pediatric cases receiving hepatectomy for tumors in the portal vein and giant liver tumors from June 2012 to January 2015 were analyzed. Higemi was used for 3-dimensional (3D) reconstruction of thin-slice CT images and surgical planning. Tumors were precisely located and blood vessel neighborhood was determined so as to evaluate surgical feasibility. In addition, pathological classification, surgical time, intraoperative blood loss, transfusion rate and complications were predicted. After 3D reconstruction using Higemi, the neighboring relationship of tumors with blood vessels and the running direction of the blood vessels were clearly visualized. Of 21 cases, 10 cases had tumors located in the left lobe, 5 cases in the right lobe, 3 cases showing involvement of right trilobes, and 3 cases in the middle lobe. Lobes exceeding one third of the total liver volume were resected in 18 cases. Postoperative pathological examination indicated 10 cases of hepatoblastoma, 3 cases of hepatocellular carcinoma, 3 cases of hamartoma, 3 cases of infantile hemangioendothelioma, 1 case of teratoma and 1 case of undifferentiated malignant mesenchymoma. The surgical time was 90-240 min with an average of 130 min; the medium intraoperative blood loss was 60 ml and the minimum blood loss was 3 ml; the transfusion rate was 42.9% (9/21). Surgeries were successful in 20 cases, who were discharged after recovery. However, one case had giant liver tumor combined with severe obstructive jaundice and hepatic insufficiency and died of postoperative liver failure and DIC. 3D reconstruction of CT data using Higemi can clearly visualize the running direction of blood vessels and the neighboring relationship with tumors. Higemi can improve the precision and safety of complex hepatectomy.

[Risk factors related to infantile spastic cerebral palsy among 145 cases].

OBJECTIVE: To study the risk factors related to spastic type of cerebral palsy through a screening program. METHODS: With a 1:2 matched case-control study design, 145 cases were selected from the Cerebral Palsy Treatment and Management Center in Heilongjiang Province from Dec., 2007 through May 2009. Another 290 cases of children as control group were chosen from the First Affiliated Hospital of Jiamusi University, in the same period. Controls were excluded the central nervous system diseases, matching with cases at the age differences no more than 3 months, with same sex and ethnicity. Questionnaire survey was used to access relevant information, while logistic regression analysis was used to screen the risk factors. RESULTS: Data from Single factor logistic regression analysis notified 39 items as statistically significant factors. Through multivariate logistic regression analysis, 11 factors in all the cerebral palsy cases, and incidence of cerebral palsy risk factors related to low or high birth weight were discovered as follows: mother with college degree, newborns with high muscle tone, skin color as purple, taking antipyretic analgesics drugs during pregnancy, experience significant events during pregnancy, situation of environment pollution around the house, having intracranial hemorrhage and birth asphyxia, fetal distress during pregnancy or neonatal stage etc. CONCLUSION: Pre/Neonatal factors were closely related to cerebral palsy, suggesting that health care knowledge be popularized and related management be strengthened, to reduce the cerebral palsy incidence in the newborns.