Microencapsulated Schwann cell transplantation inhibits P2X3 receptor expression in dorsal root ganglia and neuropathic pain

Schwann cell transplantation is a promising method to promote neural repair, and can be used for peripheral nerve protection and myelination. Microcapsule technology largely mitigates immune rejection of transplanted cells. We previously showed that microencapsulated olfactory ensheathing cells can reduce neuropathic pain and we hypothesized that microencapsulated Schwann cells can also inhibit neuropathic pain. Rat Schwann cells were cultured by subculture and then microencapsulated and were tested using a rat chronic constriction injury（CCI） neuropathic pain model. CCI rats were treated with Schwann cells or microencapsulated Schwann cells and were compared with sham and CCI groups. Mechanical withdrawal threshold and thermal withdrawal latency were assessed preoperatively and at 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11 and 14 days postoperatively. The expression of P2X3 receptors in L4-5 dorsal root ganglia of the different groups was detected by double-label immunofluorescence on day 14 after surgery. Compared with the chronic constriction injury group, mechanical withdrawal threshold and thermal withdrawal latency were higher, but the expression of P2X3 receptors was remarkably decreased in rats treated with Schwann cells and microencapsulated Schwann cells, especially in the rats transplanted with microencapsulated Schwann cells. The above data show that microencapsulated Schwann cell transplantation inhibits P2X3 receptor expression in L4-5 dorsal root ganglia and neuropathic pain.

Study on traditional Chinese medicine syndrome of esophageal cancer based on Delphi method

Esophageal cancer is one of the common malignant tumors in humans.Traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)has unique advantages in the treatment of esophageal cancer.However,the TCM syndrome classification of esophageal cancer is not standardized.This Delphi survey aimed to explore the TCM syndrome classification and symptom characteristics of esophageal cancer.Methods:Based on literature research,an expert consultation questionnaire was developed for the study of the TCM syndrome rules of esophageal cancer.Two rounds of questionnaire surveys were conducted among 62 experts across the country.Statistical description and statistical analysis of the mean,coefficient of variation,grade sum,and unimportant percentage of the retrieved data.TCM syndrome rules and diagnostic indicators for esophageal cancer after screening and sorting out the questionnaire items,convening experts to demonstrate.Results:62 valid questionnaires were collected,and the expert positive coefficient was 100%.The Kendall's coefficient of concordance W of the first and second rounds are 0.232 and 0.2334 respectively.In addition,the Kendall's coefficient of concordance W of the second round has been improved compared with the first round,suggesting that experts have a better degree of coordination on the importance of indicators.The common TCM syndromes of esophageal cancer are obtained:"liver-stomach disharmony,phlegm and qi obstruction syndrome","liver and spleen disorders,phlegm accumulating with stagnation syndrome","deficiency of liver and kidney yin,stubborn blood syndrome","deficiency of spleen and kidney yang,stubborn blood syndrome".Conclusion:The TCM syndrome indicators of esophageal cancer has been established.It provides a basis for the standardized research of TCM syndrome diagnosis of esophageal cancer,which is of positive significance for improving the level of clinical diagnosis and treatment.

Calculation of the wide-angle neutron spectra from the ~9Be(d,xn) reaction in a thick beryllium target

The multi-layer computing model is developed to calculate wide-angle neutron spectra, in the range from0° to 180° with a 5° step, produced by bombarding a thick beryllium target with deuterons. The double-differential cross-sections(DDCSs) for the ~9 Be(d, xn) reaction are calculated using the TALYS-1.8 code. They are in agreement with the experimental data, and are much better than the PHITS-JQMD/GEM results at 15°, 30°, 45° and 60° neutron emission angles for deuteron energy of 10.0 MeV. In the TALYS-1.8 code, neutron contributions from direct reactions(break-up, stripping and knock-out reactions) are controlled by adjustable parameters, which describe the basic characteristics of typical direct reactions and control the relative intensity and the position of the ridgy hillock at the tail of DDCSs. It is found that the typical calculated wide-angle neutron spectra for different neutron emission angles and neutron angular distributions agree quite well with the experimental data for 13.5 MeV deuterons. The multi-layer computing model can reproduce the experimental data reasonably well by optimizing the adjustable parameters in the TALYS-1.8 code. Given the good agreement with the experimental data, the multi-layer computing model could provide better predictions of wide-angle neutron energy spectra, neutron angular distributions and neutron yields for the ~9 Be(d, xn) reaction neutron source.