Objective To explore the feasibility of enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) transfection into the joint synovial tissues of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) rats by ultrasound-mediated microbubble destruction.Methods Twenty-eight normal rats were established the RA rat model,four rats were control group,twenty-four rats were categorized into four experimental groups:EGFP,ultrasound +EGFP,microbubbles + EGFP,and ultrasound + microbubbles + EGFP.The last group was irradiated with ultrasound for 10 min after the mixture consisting of 300 μl Sono Vue and 10 μg EGFP was injected into the joint cavity.The rats were sacrificed after 3 days and the joint synovial tissues were collected for EGFP observation under fluorescence microscopy and quantitative analysis by real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).Results Comparing with control group,EGFP expression was observed in the rat joint synovial tissues from all groups.However,a strong EGFP expression was observed in the ultrasound + microbubbles +EGFP group.EGFP expression had no statistically significant difference (the P values were 0.89,0.93,and 0.82,respectively,P ＞ 0.05) in the EGFP,ultrasound + EGFP and microbubbles + EGFP groups.However,EGFP expression in the EGFP,ultrasound + EGFP,microbubbles + EGFP groups significantly differed (all P values were ＜0.01) from that in the ultrasound + microbubbles + EGFP group.Conclusions Ultrasound-mediated microbubble destruction can improve EGFP transfection efficiency into the joint synovial tissues of RA rats.

Objective To study the feasibility and long-term effects in 173 infants with congenital ventricular septal defect who underwent transcatheter therapy by double-disk ventricular septal defect occluder. Methods We analyzed the clinical data of 173 infants with ventricular septal defect who were performed interventional therapy followed by a follow up study from December 2002 to October 2013. Results The procedure was performed in 173 infants (male = 81 cases and female = 92 cases) aged 11 month-3 years[(2.1±0.7)years]. The weight were 6-15 kg[(10.2±3.6)kg]. The diameter of the defects ranged from 2.5-9.0 mm[(5.1±1.7) mm]. The characteristics of septal were classiifed into four types:the simply perimembranous ventricular septal defects (88 patient,50.8%), the perimembranous ventricular septal defects with pseudoaneurysm (52 patients, 30.0%), the perimembranous ventricular septal defects complicated with aortic valve prolapse (13 patients, 7.5%), and the intracristal ventricular septal defect (20 patients, 11.7%). The diameter of the occluders were between 4-12 mm[(6.3±2.2)mm]. The period of follow-up ranged from 1 month-10 years[(6.2±1.3)years]. The 168 defects were completely occluded in 173 patients(97.1%closure rate) except 5 infants, which 3 patients because the occluder hinder the function of aortic valves and the other occurred complete atrioventricular block(CAVB) when the catheter through defect. One patient occurred CAVB on the third day after the procedure, was reversed by dexamethasone after 4 days. 3 patients with complete left bundle branch block(CLBBB) after the procedure and one went to sustained, but did not observed heart failure in this case during 5 years follow-up. One patient observed sustained CLBBB on the fourth year after the procedure, also did not observed heart failure in this case during 3 years follow-up. 8 patients with trivial residual shun and 4 patients with newly appearance of trivial aortic regurgitation after the procedure, the shun all disappear at one year and the regurgitation did not progress during longest follow-up period at 8.5 years. No other complications, including late-onset CAVB, hematolysis, the occluder displacement and detachment, occurred during 1 month-10 years of follow-up. Conclusions Transcatheter closure of congenital ventricular septal defects is an efifcient method that can be safely used in the majority of infants with ventricular septal defects and have signiifcant long-term effects.

Objective To investigate the clinical effects of transpedicular graft of biological artificial material (BAM) -induced artificial bone and posterior pedicle screw fixation in the treatment of osteoporotic thoracolumbar fractures.Methods A total of 72 patients with osteoporotic thoracolumbar fractures treated by transpedicular reduction by leverage,BMA-induced artificial bone grafting and posterior pedicle screw fixation from 2005 to 2010 were reviewed and followed up.The frontal and lateral X-ray radiograph of the spine was performed before and after operation and during the follow-up.The anterior and posterior height of the injured vertebrae,thoracolumbar kyphotic angle ( Cobb' s angle),ratio of anterior to posterior vertebral height were determined.Also,the America Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) scale was used to evaluate the neurological recovery and the visual analog scale (VAS) was applied to assess the back and waist pain.Results All patients were followed up for a mean period of 18.3 months,ranging from 12 to 28 months.Meanwhile,all the patients obtained bone union,with no rejection of artificial bone graft,breakage or loosening of screws,or obvious loss of both vertebrae height and deformity correction angle.Notable improvement of neurological function was achieved in all patients except for two patients with Frankel A nerve injury.The VAS score descended from pre-operative ( 8.4 ± 2.5 ) points to (2.2 ± 1.6 ) points at latest follow-up,which showed obvious alleviation of back and waist pain.Conclusions Transpedicular bone graft plus internal fixation is an effective,reasonable and easy method for managing osteoporotic thoracolumbar fractures.In addition,the implanted BAM-induced artificial bone is of good biological and mechanical properties.

ObjectiveTo observe the clinical effects of biological artificial material (BAM)induced artificial bone in the repair of lower extremity bone defects. MethodsThe study involved 32 patients with lower extremity bone defects treated by BAM artificial bone grafting from January 2008 to December 2010.Their age was at a range of 21-77 years (mean,32.5 years).The volume of bone defects was 1.0 cm × 2.0 cm × 2.5 cm-3.0 cm × 3.5 cm × 5.0 cm ( mean,15.4 cm3 ).The main causes of bone defects were comminuted fracture,bone cyst,fibrous dysplasia,and chronic osteomyelitis.A followup was performed immediately after the surgery and at 1,2,3,5,7,9,12,18 months after surgery to observe the systemic and local reactions,changes of blood calcium/phosphorus,repair of bone defect and restoration of function of the affected extremity.ResultsAll patients were followed up for 9-18 months (mean,10.5 months).There were no local or systemic grafts rejection from the postoperative period to the last follow-up.Follow-up X-ray films showed fuzzy boundary of BAM artificial bone implantation area and bone tissues around bone defects three months postoperatively and new bone formation. Apparent bone ingrowth into the BAM artificial bone implantation area,integrated artificial bone materials and bone tissues,and basically repaired bone defects were founded six months postoperaively.The time for full weight-bearing of the affected extremity was on postoperative 2.5-4 months ( mean,3.2 months).ConclusionBAM artificial bone is characterized by good biocompatibility,osteogenesis effect and a certain stiffness and strength of inner structure and can he used to repair the lower extremity bone defects.

Objective To observe the bioeffects on the normal rats synovial with diagnostic ultrasound combined with different doses contrast medium. Methods Twenty normal cleaning level Wister rats were divided into 5 groups (each with 4 rats and 8 knees): ultrasound+100 μl contrast medium, ultrasound+200 μl contrast medium, ultrasound+300 μl contrast medium, ultrasound+500 μl contrast medium, a simple ultrasound irradiation (control group). Each group was irradiated with diagnostic ultrasound for 10 min. Rats were sacrificed after 1 week and joints synovial tissues were observed with pathological HE staining. Results In group ultrasound+100 μl contrast medium, ultrasound+200 μl contrast medium, ultrasound+300 μl contrast medium and control group, no significant damage in synovial tissues was found. In group ultrasound+500 μl contrast medium, synovial cells swelling, showing round, oval or polygonal, synovial tissues hyperplasia, arranged disorder, capillary proliferation, some muscle fiber structure dissolved fracture, inflammatory cell infiltration in the surrounding tissue were found. Conclusion Ultrasound combined with contrast medium can significantly enhance the bioeffects of synovial tissues, and the more the contrast medium doses, the more serious injury occurs in synovial tissues.