Objective To evaluate clinical and CT features of the 4 th lumbar vertebral spondylolisthesis (L 4DS ) as well as CT value in its diagnosis. Methods CT features of 36 cases of L 4DS were observed and interarticular distance (IAD) and facet joint angle (FJA) were measured and compared with control group.Results Patients with L 4DS mostly were over 40 years old. CT features included degenaration, spondylolisthesis and spinal canal stenosis. IAD and FJA were significantly narrowed. Conclusion CT axial scans combined with plain films,CTM and MPR clearly shows basic changes of L 4DS , providing useful details for clinical management. Narrow posterior vertebral part are important factors leading to L 4DS.

This research was carried out to investigate the effect of basic fibrous growth factor (bFGF) controlled release hydrogel nanoparticles on the proliferation and differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells. The dex-GMA-bFGF-NPs were prepared by an improved emulsion polymerization method; their morphology, size and encapsulated ratio were assessed by routine procedure. Dynamic dialysis method was used to determine the release characteristics of dex-GMA-bFGF-NPs in vitro. The secondary culture MSCs were divided into four groups according the different ingredients being added into the DMEM culture medium: free bFGF group (A), blank dex-GMA nanoparticles group (B), dex-GMA-bFGF nanoparticles group (C), nothing group (D). The proliferation of cultured MSCs was measured by using cell counting method, MTT method and flow cytometry. ALP kit was used to evaluate the ALP activity of the MSCs to show the differentiation of the cells by adding the dex-GMA-bFGF-NPs to the DMEM culture medium (C group) or bFGF only (A group). B group and D group were taken as the controls. The results were analyzed by statistical analysis software (SPSS11.0). All results showed that the shape of dex-GMA-bFGF-NPs was spherical. The encapsulated ratio was 88% and more than 85% of the encapsulated bFGF could be released during 14 days. The in vitro cellular study showed the control release of bFGF from nanoparticles could promote the proliferation of MSCs. After 12 days, the cell number in groups A, B and C was (21.97 +/- 0.25) x 10(4) cells/ml, (12.43 +/- 0.13) x 10(4) cells/ml, (27.45 +/- 0.78) x 10(4) cells/ml and (12.03 +/- 0.43) x 10(4) cells/ml, with the difference being statistically significant among them (P < 0.05). The flow cytometry revealed that the G2/M+S percentage in group C was the highest at 4-8 days after plate culture(P < 0.05). During the first 3 days, the proliferation and differentiation of BMSCs between group A and group B were of no significance (P > 0.05), but were much faster than those of group C and D. After 7 days, dex-GMA-bFGF-NPs could enhance BMSCs proliferation and differentiation continually, but bFGF had no enhancement any more, the difference between group A and group B became more significant (P < 0.05). So we made the conclusions the bFGF loading dex-GMA hydrogel nanoparticles can release bFGF more than 21 days and can promote the proliferation and differentiation of the BMSCs through a long period of controlled release of bFGF. Dex-GMA-bFGF-NPs may be an ideal controlled release carrier for bioactive growth factors.
Animals ; Bone Marrow Cells ; cytology ; Cell Differentiation ; drug effects ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Culture Media ; Female ; Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 ; pharmacology ; Male ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; cytology ; Nanoparticles ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

Objective:To explore the clinical efficacy of periosteum-covered iliac crest autografts for treatment of severe osteochondral lesions of talus （OCLTs）.Methods:A retrospective case series study was used to analyze the clinical data of 26 patients with severe OCLTs treated at Zhejiang Armed Police Corps Hospital from January 2013 to October 2019. There were 21 males and 5 females，aged 17-49 years ［（36.3 ± 10.9）years］. All patients were treated using periosteum-covered iliac crest autografts. The visual analogue scale （VAS），American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society （AOFAS） ankle-hindfoot score and ankle joint range of motion （ROM） were assessed before operation，6 months after operation and at the last follow-up （≥ 12 months）. The area of talus injury with MRI at the same level was recorded before operation and at the last follow-up. The healing of talus and joint surface was detected with CT at the last follow-up. The healing of the incision and osteotomy site and complications were observed.Results:All patients were followed for 12 to 22 months［（15.1 ± 3.2）months］. The VAS was （2.4 ± 0.9）points and （1.7 ± 0.6）points at postoperative 6 months and at the last follow-up，significantly lower than the preoperative （5.4 ± 1.2）points （ P < 0.01）. Meanwhile，the VAS at the last follow-up was significantly lower than that at postoperative 6 months （ P < 0.01）. The AOFAS ankle-hindfoot score was （71.7 ± 7.8）points and （87.8 ± 6.2） points at postoperative 6 months and at the last follow-up，significantly lower than the preoperative （66.5 ± 7.5） points （ P < 0.01）. Meanwhile，the AOFAS ankle-hindfoot at the last follow-up was significantly lower than that at postoperative 6 months （ P < 0.01）. The ankle ROM was （58.4 ± 5.5）° and （70.0 ± 4.9）° at postoperative 6 months and at the last follow-up，significantly improved when compared to the preoperative （42.3 ± 8.1）° （ P < 0.01）. Meanwhile，the ankle ROM at the last follow-up was significantly improved when compared to that at postoperative 6 months （ P < 0.01）. The area of talus injury with MRI at the same level was 0.67（0.55，0.89）cm 2 at the last follow-up，significantly improved when compared to preoperative 2.64（1.98，3.68）cm 2 （ P < 0.01）. The transplantation had neither obvious defects nor joint surface steps based on CT findings. All surgical incisions were healed by first intention. There were no complications such as incision infection，skin necrosis，nonunion of osteotomy，malunion or severe ankle joint disorder except that 8 patients had residual local subchondral bone?marrow?edema-like?signal?and 2 patients showed delayed healing of medial malleolus osteotomy. Conclusion:For patients with severe OCLTs，periosteum-covered iliac crest autografts can effectively relieve ankle pain，improve ankle function，and reduce the area of injury.