Objective To investigate the therapeutic effect of two-stage delayed open reduction and internal fixation on Pilon fractures.Methods The clinical data of 36 patients(26 males and 10 females;aged 18-57 years with a mean of 38.5 years;9 patients suffered from open fractures and 27 with closed fractures;25 combined with fibular fractures) with monolateral Pilon fracture hospitalized in succession from Jan.2001 to Oct.2006 were analyzed retrospectively.According to the Ruedi-Allgower classification,there were 6 cases with type Ⅰ,21 with type Ⅱ and 9 with type Ⅲ fracture.All patients underwent temporary fixation with calcaneal traction or plaster slab for 7 to 14 days(mean 9.8d),and then they were treated with delayed surgery when the soft tissue injuries subsided.Ankle functions were evaluated to assess the clinical outcomes,and complications were documented for further analysis.Results Follow-up was performed for 19 to 34 months(in mean of 28 months).Based on the Mazur classification,the ankle function in 13 cases was excellent,17 as good,4 as fair and 2 as poor,with a satisfactory rate of 83.3%.Postoperative complications included 2 cases of superficial incision infections,2 of skin slough and 19 of articular degeneration.Conclusion Two-stage delayed open reduction and internal fixation is a reasonable and effective procedure in treating Pilon fractures with advantages of few complications and satisfactory ankle function.

BACKGROUND:Lumbar fusion is a conventional effective measure to treat spondylolisthesis, spinal stenosis or with deformity. Bilateral pedicle screw fixation is recognized as the standard treatment for various spinal disorders, and has biomechanical and clinical advantages. OBJECTIVE:To evaluate the effects of bilateral pedicle screw fixation in the repair of lumbar disc herniation to restore disc height from the angle of imaging. METHODS: Clinical data of 42 patients with lumbar disc herniation were retrospectively analyzed. They al received bilateral pedicle screw fixation. Pain was evaluated before implantation, immediately and 1 month after implantation using Japanese Orthopaedic Association score of lower back pain and visual analog scale score. X-ray including anteriorposterior and lateral films of lumbar spine and MRI were used. CT was utilized to verify screw placement conditions and complications. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:A total of 42 patients were folowed up for 3-6 months. Compared with pre-implantation, Japanese Orthopaedic Association score and visual analog scale score were significantly improved immediately after implantation (P < 0.01). There was no significant difference in Japanese Orthopaedic Association score between 1 month and immediately after implantation (P > 0.05). The height of intervertebral discs was significantly higher immediately and 1 month after implantation than pre-implantation (P < 0.01). The symptoms were lessened after fixation in al cases, and their qualities of life elevated. At 1 month, X-ray films and CT images revealed that no screw loosening, breakage or displacement occurred. The height of intervertebral discs was perfectly restored. No adverse events appeared in patients. These data indicate that bilateral pedicle screw fixation for lumbar intervertebral disc herniation can effectively restore the height of intervertebral discs, improve clinical symptoms and have biological and clinical superiority.

Objective To improve the therapeutic efficacy of cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) and reduce the complications by anterior cervical locking plate system (ACLPs).Methods 78 patients with CSM were treated with ACLPs.Thoughtful preparation and careful observation were given before and after the operation.Result All the cases obtained excellent results postoperatively according to the JOA score system except one dead.Conclusion ACLPs is a promising method for the treatment of CSM;careful preoperative preparation and postoperative observation can improve the efficacy and reduce the complications.

Objective To explore the expressions of lectin-like oxidized low-density lipoprotein receptor-1(LOX-1)and apoptosis related genes caspase-3,Bax and bcl-2 in placenta,and their associations with the pathogenesis of preeclampsia.Methods Thirty preeclampsia patients(preeclampsia group),hospitalized in Department of Obstetrics,Shengiing Hospital of China Medical University from June 2005 to December 2006,were selected as the subject group,and 40 normal pregnant women as control group.The expressions of LOX-1 and apoptosis related genes caspase-3.Bax and bel-2 in different gestational weeks'placenta tissues were examined using immunohistochemistry.RT-PCR and western-blot.Results (1)Immunohistochemical detection in preeclampsia group:at 20 w+1-24 w,24 w+1-28 w,28 w+1-32 w.32w+1-36 w+1-36 w+1-40 w,respectively,the results of LOX-1 were 20.1±1.8,25.6±1.3,32.8±1.6,34.3 ±1.5,39.9±1.2;in the control group they respectively were 11.2±0.6,18.5±1.6,26.1±1.8,28.3 4-1.6,32.3±1.6;the difierence was significant(P<0.05).In preeclampsia group,the results of easpase-3 were 12.3±0.9,16.3±0.9,24.4 4-0.8,28.3±0.5,36.3±1.1.and in the control group they respectively were 8.5±1.0,12.3±1.1,17.4±1.2,20.4±stronger than those in normal pregnant women at different gestational weeks(P<0.05).However,the expression tendency of bcl-2 mRNA and proten was converse to the expression tendency of Bax.Conclusion The expressions of LOX-1,caspase-3,and Bax are upregulated in placentas of preeclampsia patients,while bcl-2 iS downregulated,both of which are associated with the pathogenesis of preeclampsia.

Objective:To explore the effects of problem-solving based telephone and texting interventions for medication adherence of discharged patients with schizophrenia.Method:A total of 178 discharged patients with schizophrenia were randomly assigned to telephone intervention (TI)group (n =63),text-messaging intervention (TMI)group (n =61),and control group (n =54).All patients were routinely treated,and patients in TI and TMI groups were given problem-solving based interventions.Medication adherence and psychotic symptoms were as-sessed by pill counting and the Positive and Negative Symptom Scale (PANSS)at baseline and the first,third, sixth,ninth and twelfth month.Results:Overall,patients with TI had higher medication adherence than those with TMI (P <0.001),and patients with TMI had higher medication adherence than that in control group (P <0.001). PANSS scores in TI and TMI groups were not significantly different (P >0.05),but significantly lower than control group (P <0.01).There was higher rate of re-admission in control group in comparison with TI and TMI groups (9.3% vs.[0% and 1.6%],P <0.05).Conclusion:It suggests that problem-solving based telephone and texting interventions are effective for improving medication adherence in patients with schizophrenia after their discharge from hospital,so as to reducing psychotic symptoms and lowering re-hospitalization risk.In comparison with TMI, TI has a better effect in improving medication adherence.

BACKGROUND:It has been confirmed that carboxymethylated chitosan has an promoting effect on Schwann cel proliferation and secretion, but its impact on the cyclic adenosine monophosphate-mediated protein kinase A signaling pathway in schwann cel stil needs further study. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the effect of carboxymethylated chitosan on cyclic adenosine monophosphate/ protein kinase A signaling pathway in rat schwann cels. METHODS:The Schwann cels of the second generation neonatal rats were obtained and seeded in 6-wel plate at a concentration of 1×109/L. These Schwann cels were cultured and divided into four groups. The Schwann cels in the control group were cultured by adding PBS. The Schwann cels in the experimental groups were cultured by adding 50, 100 and 200 mg/L of carboxymethyl chitosan solution, respectively. After 24 hours, the concentration of cyclic adenosine monophosphate, protein kinase A activity and cyclic adenosine monophosphate response element binding protein mRNA expression were detected. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Compared with the control group, carboxymethyl chitosan increased cyclic adenosine monophosphate concentrations, the activity of protein kinase A and cyclic adenosine monophosphate response element binding protein mRNA expression within the Schwann cels in a dose-dependent manner (P < 0.05). These results demonstrate that carboxymethyl chitosan can increase the concentration of cyclic adenosine monophosphate within the Schwann cels and promote protein kinase A activity, thereby activating cyclic adenosine monophosphate/protein kinase A signaling pathway.

BACKGROUND:Carboxymethylated chitosan is shown to promote some kinds of cells proliferation, but its effects on proliferation of Schwann cells need further studies.
OBJECTIVE:To investigate the effects of carboxymethylated chitosan on proliferation of Schwann cells and expression of nuclear factor-κB in cultured Schwann cells.
METHODS:Schwann cells from Sprague-Dawley rats at logarithmic growth phase were seeded in 96-wel plates, and cultured respectively with PBS, 0, 10, 50, 100, 200, 500, 1 000 mg/L carboxymethyl chitosan for 24 hours. cellproliferation was detected using the cellcounting kit-8 assay. After trypsin digestion, Schwann cells from Sprague-Dawley rats at logarithmic growth phase were used to prepare cellsuspensions, which were seeded in 6-wel cellculture plates and cultured respectively with 50, 100 and 200 mg/L carboxymethyl chitosan and PBS for 24 hours. Then, 5-bromo-2-deoxyuridine, real-time PCR and western blot assay were performed.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:cellcounting kit-8 and 5-bromo-2-deoxyuridine detection results showed that carboxymethyl chitosan at 50-1000 mg/L, especial y at 200-500 mg/L, could promote Schwann cellproliferation. Real-time PCR and western blot results showed 50-200 mg/L carboxymethyl chitosan could promote nuclear factorκB mRNA and protein expression in Schwann cells in a dose-dependent manner, suggesting carboxymethyl chitosan can promote Schwann cellproliferation and expression of nuclear factor-κB in Schwann cells cultured in vitro.

BACKGROUND: Traumatic osteoarthritis (OA) resulted from the injury of joints and postoperation of joints is commonly observed. Intra-articular injection of sodium hyaluronate (Na-HA) has been considered as effective method for OA. OBJECTIVE: To observe the influence of intra-articular injection of NaHA on mRNA expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in cartilage of traumatic OA induced by transection of anterior cruciate ligament. DESIGN: Randomized controlled animal experiment. SETTING: Department of Orthopaedics, Renmin Hospital, Wuhan Uni ersity. MATERIALS: The experiment was performed in Laboratory of Depart ment of Orthopaedics, Renmin Hospital, Wuhan University from April to December 2003, in which, 16 clean healthy flat-eared white rabbits, aged 5-6 months were employed. The rabbits were randomly divided into Na- HA injection group and saline control group with 8 rabbits in each group. Na-HA (2000, No 366095) was provided by Shanghai Jiahua Fine Biologi- cal Products Co. METHODS: ①OA model was established in rabbits of the two groups. Each rabbit was anesthetized intravenously with 1.0 mg/kg ketamine hy- drochloride and underwent unilateral anterior cruciate ligament transection. ②5 weeks after transection, Na-HA injection group rabbits received 0.3 mL of intra-articular 10 g/L Na-HA injection, once a week for 5 weeks. Ani mals in saline controlled group were treated with saline of the same vol ume. ③The rabbits were killed at week 10 after operation, general morphology and histopathological changes of articular cartilage degeneration of medial femoral condyle were evaluated (0 points as smooth articular surface with normal color and luster; 1 point as minimal fibrillation or a slight crevice and dark grey color of the surface; 2 points as erosion extending into superficial or middle layers of cartilage; 3 points as ulceration and erosion extending into the deep layers, and 4 points as denudation of cartilage, erosion extending to the sub-chondral bone). The mRNA expression of iNOS in cartilages was examined with reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: ①Observation of articular cartilage degeneration of medial femoral condyle, ②observation of articular cartilage degeneration of medial femoral condyle at light microscopic level, ③expression of iNOS in cartilages of each group. RESULTS: A total of 16 clean healthy rabbits entered the result analysis. ① Result of articular cartilage degeneration of medial femoral condyle: Pathological change of articular surface of femoral condyle was observed under anatomic microscope. Cartilage degradation in experimental group was significantly less severe than that in saline control group. ②Histological changes of articular cartilage degeneration of medial femoral condyle at light microscopic level: The Na-HA injection group showed cartilage changes: Membrane of cartilage presented denaturalization and abscission. Chondrocytes of superficial zone presented denaturalization, necrosis, turbulence and erosion. Animals treated with saline showed denaturalization, necrosis and disorder of chondrocytes, ulceration penetrating into the middle or deep zone of the cartilage. New hyperplasia of capillary vessels and fibroblasts were more obvious. Proliferation of fibrous tissue appeared at the bottom of ulcer. ③Expression of iNOS in cartilages of two group:The gene expression of iNOS in cartilage of Na-HA injection group was(1.09±0.18) and the expression of saline control group was (1.26±0.23). Nosignificant difference of iNOS expression was found between the two groups(P ＞ 0.05).CONCLUSION: Intra-articular injection of Na-HA has protective and repairing effect on cartilage with early OA and can significantly reduce the severity of cartilage degradation during early stage of traumatic OA. Intra-articular injection of Na-HA does not down-regulated iNOS expression in cartilage.

Objective To study the effects of carboxymethylated chitosan (CMCS) to nitric oxide (NO)-induced apoptosis on rat chondrocytes,and explore p38MAPK signal transduction pathway in the process and its mechanism.Methods The rat articular cartilage cells were cultured in vitro,collagen type-2 (collagen-2) immunohistochemical staining was used to identify the cartilage cells.The model of chondrocyte apoptosis was built by different concentrations of sodium nitroprusside (SNP) induction.The cells were divided into the control group,the SNP treated group SNP+CMCS treated group,and the SNP+p38 MAPK inhibitor SB203580 treated group.The apoptotic rate of chondrocytes was calculated by FCM,apoptotic nuclei was identified by Hoechst33342 stain,the mitochondrial membrane potential changes was detected by Rhodamine123 (Rho123) stain,the expression of p38 and p-p38 were detected by Western blotting analysis.Results 1-3 mmol/L SNP could induce chondrocyte apoptosis,the apoptotic rate was increased with the SNP increasing,the most obvious apoptosis was occurred in 3 mmol/L SNP treated chondrocytes,which was 69.8％ (P＜0.05).SNP could increase the nuclear fragmentation of chondrocytes,the cells with nuclear fragmentation was significantly higher than that in the control group.SNP could reduce mitochondrial membrane potential in chondrocytes,which decreased significantly compared with the control group.SNP could increase the p-p38 expression in chondrocytes,which was 4.3 times compared to the control group.CMCS of different concentrations could reduce the apoptotic rate of SNP-induced chondrocytes,which was 51.0％,29.9％ and 15.2％,which was decreased significantly (P＜0.05) when compared with 3 mmol/L SNP induced group,CMCS decreased the cells number of SNP-induced nuclear fragmentation.CMCS increased the mitochondrial membrane potential in SNP-induced chondrocytes.CMCS reduced the expression levels of p-p38 in SNP-induced chondrocytes.Conclusion CMCS has protective effect on SNP-induced apoptosis of chondrocytes.This process is completed by inhibiting the activity of p38 MAPK signal pathway.

Objective To investigate the effect of Saussurea involucrata Injection(SII)on counteracting adjuvant-induced arthritis and its immunoregulation function,thus to supply the pharmacological evidences for the clinical treatment of arthritis.Methods Adjuvant arthritis was induced by plantar injection of Freundi' s complete adjuvant.MTT method was used to detect T and B lymphocytes proliferation,and sheep red blood cell immunization was used for hemolysin determination.Results(1)Rats right posterior metatarsus which was injected adjuvant was swollen from the second day to the 22nd day(the primary injury),and left posterior metatarsus not receiving adjuvant injection was swollen from the sixth day to the 20 th day(the secondary lesion).The differences of swelling degree were significant between SII group and NS group.(2)Consecutive intramuscular injection of SII 0.2,0.4,0.8 mL? kg-1? d-1 for 22 days suppressed the primary injury and the secondary lesion of adjuvant arthritis in rats,relieved swelling significantly from the sixth day(P