[Objective]To study the repair of articular cartilage defects with combined bone morphogenetic protein(BMP)/basic fibroblast growth factor(bFGF)biomaterial in order to supply experimental basis for repairing cartilage defects biologically.[Method]Twenty-four 14-week-old rabbits were randomly divided into four groups,BMP/bFGF biomaterial gel(group A),BMP biomaterial gel(group B),bFGF biomaterial gel(group C)and simple fibrin glue treated group(group D).A couple of knees of each rabbit experienced 5 mm-diameter-full cartilage resection and drilling throuth of bone marrow.Gross appearance,histologicol section and electron microscope were axamined at 8,12,24 weeks after operation.[Result]In group A the cartilage defects were smoothly repaired by white translucent hard tissue at 8 and 12 weeks,and defect boundary was hard to be indentified with normal cartilage at 24 weks.No smooth repairing was observered in B,C and D groups.Group A got a better histological score than B,C and group D(P0.05).[Conclusion]Combined BMP/bFGF biomaterial is good for repair of articular cartilage defects and has better result than using BMP or bFGF alone.These results may provide a therapy for articular cartilage defects.

Objective To evaluate the safe ty and efficacy of CT-guided percuta neous ethanol injection (CT-PEI) in the treatment of thyroid adenoma. M ethods Fifty-four patients with 73 nodules were included in the study. Thyroi d adenoma was confirmed by pathology. The serum level T3, T4, and TSH were norma l in all cases. CT-PEI (0.3-2.5 ml ethanol/cm~3 nodular tissue) was given for 115 times (mean 1.58?078 times/nodule). Results Complete cu re was observed in 37 nodules (50.7%). In 28 nodules (38.3%) volume reduction was greater than 80%. A significant nodule reduction (50%-80%) was observed in 7 nodules. Only 1 (1. 4%) nodule volume reduction was 28.9%. Apart from 1 case of transient dysphonia and 2 cases of mild pain and burning sensation, no side effect was observed. Conclusion CT-PEI is a safe and effective therapeutic procedure with f ew side effects for thyroid adenoma.

Objective To explore the relationship between platelet to lymphocyte ratio (PLR) and microangiopathyin type 2 diabetes mellitus. Methods In this case-control study, the clinical data on 428 adult patients with type 2 diabetic microangiopathy in our hospital from January 2009 to December 2015 were retrospectively analyzed. PLR, age, sex, fasting blood glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin, total cholesterol and triglyceride were tested to investigate their relationship with type 2 diabetic microangiopathy. Results Logistic regression analysis showed that PLR was a risk factor of type 2 diabetic microangiopathy (OR = 3.162, 95%CI:1.556 ~ 7.421, P < 0.05). Conclusions Greater PLR is closely related to type 2 diabetic microangiopathy, and we should pay attention to type 2 diabetic microangiopathy with a greater PLR in clinical practice.

ObjectiveTo investigate the preventive effects of rosiglitazone on nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) rats and to explore the potential mechanisms in modulating peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ),nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB),and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression.Methods Thirty male SD rats were assigned into the normal group ( n =10),the model group ( n =10),rosiglitazone prevention group [ n =10,simultaneously 4mg/( kg · d) gavage daily at beginning].Liver appearance,liver index,and histological changes were assessed.Serum tumor necrosis factor-o (TNF-c) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) were determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.The expressions of PPARγ,NF-κB,and COX-2 in liver were determined using immunohistochemical methods.The mRNA and protein expressions of COX-2 were disclosed by real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blot analysis.ResultsCompared with the normal group,the liver index significantly increased in model group (3.92 ±0.72 vs.5.71 ± 1.05,P =0.004).HE and Masson staining showed significantly increased steatosis,inflammation,and fibrosis.The serum levels of TNF-α,PGE2 in high-fat-diet-fed rats were significantly increased ( 11.72 ± 2.47 vs.29.39 ± 5.32,P =0.002 ; 236.60 ± 24.90vs.288.24 ± 17.17,P =0.004).Immunohistochemistry showed NF-κB and COX-2 in livers were significantly elevated,but PPARγ wasdecreased in nonalcoholic steatohepatitis rats.Real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blot found mRNA and protein expressions of COX-2 were increased in the model group (0.57 ± 0.08 vs.2.83 ± 0.24,P =0.0007 ; 0.38 ± 0.03 vs.1.00 ± 0.03,P =0.004).Compared with the model group,the expressions of PPARγsignificantly increased and the expressions of NF-κB and COX-2 significantly decreased ( mRNA:2.83 ± 0.24 vs.0.46 ± 0.11,P =0.002 ; protein: 1.00 ± 0.03 vs.0.62 ± 0.02,P =0.006 ) in the rosiglitazone prevention group.ConclusionBy inhibiting NF-κB and COX-2 expressions,rosiglitazone can reduce insulin resistance and then prevent the occurrence and deve lopment of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis.

ObjectiveTo investigate and compare the efficacy, safety, and cost effectiveness in the treatment of painful osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures ( OVCFs ) with percutaneous vertebroplasty (PVP) and kyphoplasty(PKP). MethodsSeventy-two patients (96 vertebrae) with painful OVCFs were treated by PVP (n ＝34) or PKP (n ＝38) under radiological monitoring. After bone biopsy needle into the compressed vertebra, bone cement (polymethylmethacrylate) was injected in PVP group, and that was inserted followed by the inflation of vertebra to create cavities in PKP group. The fluoroscopy time, total amount of bone cement injected, and cost were recollected respectively. The score of visual analogue scale point( VAS, 10-point scale)was determined at before the procedures, and 24 hours, one week, and one month after the procedures.Pain relief and complications were observed.The Cobb angle and vertebral heights of the anterior, middle, and posterior border were measured pre-and post-operative. ResultsThe two procedures were technically successful in all patients. The follow-up ranged from 1. 0 to 34. 0 months [mean time, (8. 9 ±3.2) months]. The Mean fluoroscopy time of treating per vertebra in PVP group was ( 11. 1 ± 10. 6 ) min, which was significant shorter than that ( 23.5 ± 13. 0) min in PKP group( P ＜0. 05 ).The mean total cost per patient was (5127. 2 ± 502.3 ) yuan in PVP group, which were strikingly lower than that(32 301.4 ±3204. 6) yuan in PKP group (P ＜0. 05).(3)There was no significant difference( P ＞0. 05 ) in average cement volumes in PVP group [ (4. 9 ± 1.1 ) ml]and PKP group [ (5.4 ± 1.7 ) ml]. Pain relief of was observed in 94. 1％ (32/34) of PVP group and in 92. 1％ (35/38) of PKP group. The score of VAS at pre-operation was (8. 3 ±0. 4 vs 7.9 ±0. 8) ,and at post-operative 24 h (2. 9 ±0. 9 vs 2. 8 ± 1. 2),1 week (2.6 ± 0. 9 vs 2.6 ± 1. 1 ), and 1 month (2.6 ± 0. 9 vs 2. 5 ± 1.3 ) were no difference at PKP and PVP group(P ＜0.05). There was significant difference between pre- and post-operative time point in each group. The Cobb angle, anterior and middle height of vertebra was corrected in both PVP and PKP group. In PVP group, the preoperative Cobb angle, anterior and middle height of vertebra was (24. 2 ± 3.8 )°,( 19. 1 ± 1.4) mm, (25. 2 ± 1.0) mm, which was significant different ( P ＜ 0. 05 ) from that of ( 19.4 ±3.9)°, (21.0 ± 1.5) mm, (27.0 ± 1.2) mm at pre-operation.In PKP group,there was significant difference (P ＜ 0. 05 ) in the preoperative Cobb angle, anterior and middle height of vertebra [(25. 1 ±5.0)°vs(10.7 ±2.8)°, (19.5 ± 1.5) mm vs (24.3 ± 1.9) mm, (25.4 ± 1.1) mm vs (29.7 ±1.3) mm, respectively]. As to the above index, the overall correcting effect in PKP was much better than that in PVP( P ＜0. 05 ). Cement leakage occurred in 9 cases in PVP group and 3 cases in PKP group ( P ＜0. 05 ) but no symptoms. There were no major complications during operation in the two groups. Conclusion PVP and PKP are effective and safe in the treatment of painful OVCFs but PVP is more cost effective than PKP.

Objective To evaluate the impact of rosiglitazone (Ros) on liver expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ),nuclear factor (NF-κB) and cyclooxygenase-2(COX-2) in treatment of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) rats.Methods Thirty Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into normal group,model group and Ros treated group with 10 each.Except the normal group,the other two groups were given high fat diet for 12 weeks for NASH model.The rats in Ros treated group were gavaged 4 mg/kg of Ros daily at the 12th week for 8 weeks.All rats were sacrificed at the 20th week for blood sample and liver tissue.Biochemical parameters of liver function,lipid metabolism,glycometabolism and antioxidant enzyme activities were measured.The histological change of the liver were assessed with HE and Masson staining.The level of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) was measured using ELISA.The expression of PPARγ,NF-κB and COX-2 was detected with immunohistochemistry.The mRNA and protein expressions of COX-2 were tested by real-time PCR and Western blotting,respectively.Results In comparison with model group,Ros treated group showed significant improvement in hepatic steatosis,inflammation and fibrosis(all P value<0.05).In model group,the serum levels of fasting blood glucose,insulin and HOMA-insulin resistance index (HOMA-IRI),total cholesterol (TC),total triglyeride (TG),lowdensity lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and free fatty acids were increased,but HDL-C level was decreased.All above parameters markedly improved after Ros treatment.The levels of ALT and AST,total anti-oxidation competence,superoxide dismutase,catalase,glutathione peroxidase and malondialdehyde in Ros treated group were significantly ameliorated when compared with those in model group.Immunohistochemistry showed that the expression of NF-κB and COX-2 was significantly elevated,but PPARγ was decreased in model group.Real-time PCR and Western blot revealed that the mRNA and protein expressions of COX-2 were higher in the model group than those in normal group (0.57±0.08 vs 0.38±0.03;2.83±0.24 vs 1.00±0.03,P=0.000 and P=0.004,respectively),but significantly lower in Ros treated group (0.55±0.06 and 1.84±0.13,P<0.01).Conclusions Ros can reduce oxidative stress and insulin resistance in NASH rats by activing PPARγ expression and inhibiting expression of NF-κB and cyclooxygenases.

Objective To analyze the clinical features and gene mutation in mthylmalonic acidemia (MMA) accompanied by homocysteinemia (cblC), and review the relevant literatures. Methods The clinical features of 3 cases of MMA diagnosed by gene detection were retrospectively analyzed, and meanwhile the pertinent literatures of pathogenesis of MMA, especially combined with late-onset cblC and its gene detection, were reviewed. Results Patient 1 (26 days old) suffered from intermittent convulsions for 3 days, with isosuccinic acid 175.8 μmol/L, C3/C2 rate 1.363, homocysteine >?65 μmol/L and abnormal EEG. MMACHC gene detection found an exon deficiency (delEXON1), which has not been reported. Patient 2 ( 12 year old) was hospitalized for limb shaking, hyperspasmia and vomiting. His isosuccinic acid level was 334.3 μmol/L, C3/?C2 rate was 0.37, homocysteine >?65 μmol/L, and had abnormal EEG. MMACHC gene detection found the mutations of c.482G?>?A and c.609G?>?A. Patient 3 was hospitalized for intermittent convulsions for 20 days, whose isosuccinic acid, C3/?C2 rate, and homocysteine were increased. MMACHC gene detection found the mutations of c.394C?>?T and c.540del8 and c.540del8 had not been reported. Review of literatures discovered that MMA was combined with epileptic seizure in some patents, which further validate that the mutation in MMACHC gene c.482G?>?A may be related to the late-onset of cblC. Conclusions Gene detection contributes to the diagnosis of MMA; the mutation of MMACHC gene c.482G>A may be related to the late-onset of cblC; delEXON1 and c.540del8 are new mutations which have not been reported.

Objective To investigate the effects of icarrin on the activity and protein expression of core binding factor otl(Cbfa1) in rat osteoblasts cultured in vitro,and to explore whether mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway is involved in this process.Methods Calvarial osteoblasts were obtained from newborn (<24 h) SD rats by trypsin-coUagenase digestion method.The second generation osteoblasts were cultured in the medium containing icariin (10 ng/ml) or estradiol (10-8 mol/L) with or without extracellular-signal regulated kinase (ERK) inhibitor (UO126) or p38MAPK inhibitor (SB203580).Nuclear protein was extracted from osteoblasts.And then the activity of Cbfa1 was detected by ELISA.The amounts of Cbfa1 protein were detected by Western blot.Results Calvarial osteoblasts were obtained successfully and were used in this study after indentified by alkaline phosphatase and mineralized nodus staining.Cbfa1 expression and the activity in osteoblasts were up-regulated by both icariin and estradiol (P<0.05).The effects were partly inhibited by addition of U0126or SB203580 (P<0.05).Conclusions Either icarrin or estradiol can stimulate the proliferation and maturation of cultured osteoblasts in vitro via up-regulating the activity and expression of Cbfal.The MAPK signal pathway inhibitor seems to partly decrease Cbfa1 activity.It suggests that MAPK pathway may be involved in the transduction of icariin's impact on proliferation and mineralization of osteoblasts.

Objective To investigate the Du moxibustion therapy in the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease,COPD)at stable phase.Methods 60 cases of lung COPD patients in stable stage who received treatment from January to December 2010 in Taihe Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine outpatient were randomly divided into two groups in,according to the case of tail number,with 30 patients in each.The control group was taken oral doxofylline tablets,0.2 g/time,2 time/d and ambroxol hydrochloride,30 mg/time,3 time/d.The treatment group was treated with Du moxibustion two times on the basis of the control group.One year follow-up and pulmonary function and BODE index assessment were performed in each group.Results ① the pulmonary function of the treatment group after the treatment (65.58±7.90) ％ was significantly improved than the same group before the treatment (53.20± 7.37) ％ (P＜0.05),and had significant difference compared with the control group after the treatment (57.53 ± 7.22)％ (P＜0.05).The recurrence rate was significantly different in the treatment group (1.79±0.32) and the control group (2.09±0.38) (P＜0.05).② BMI,MMRC,6MWD,BODE index,shortness of breath,wheezing,anorexia was significantly improved after the treatment in the treatment group [after treatment were (21.98 ± 1.32)kg/m2,(2.09±0.37)％,(350.68±88.70),(3.82±2.18) meters,(0.38±0.27),(0.32±0.25)％,(0.35±0.27) respectively; before treatment were (18.21±2.49)kg/m2,(2.50±0.43)％,(324.88±70.92),(4.66±1.40) meters,(1.49±0.62) ％,(1.42±0.56)％,(1.77±0.35),P＜0.01 respecitively].Compared with the control treatment after the treatment [(18.20 ± 1.79) kg/m2,(2.36 ± 0.64) ％,(320.03 ± 68.53),(4.43 ±1.62) meters,(1.22± 0.71),(1.28±0.67)％,(1.73±0.24) respectively] (P＞0.01),the difference was statistically significant(P＜0.01).Conclusion Du moxibustion therapy was effective in treating chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases in stable phase.

Objective To explore pathological characteristics of different white matter tracts at core of the spinal cord injury (SCI) in adult rats. Methods 21 adult female Wistar rats were divided into normal group (n=3), sham group (n=3) and lesion group (n=15). The rats of the lesion group were severely injured at T7-8 using the NYU impactor of 10 g×50 mm. The pathology of spinal cord injury was detected using Luxol fast blue (LFB) staining and NF200 immunohistochemistry staining 1 day, 3 days, 7 days, 14 days and 28 days after injury, while the hindlimbs behavior of rats was rated with Basso-Beattie-Bresnahan (BBB) scores of open-field. Results The BBB scores recovered 3 days after injury and reached a platform from 14 to 28 days after injury. LFB showed that there were spared white matters on ventral white matter (VWM) and lateral white matter (LWM). The percentage of spared white matters area decreased to the lowest 3 days after injury, and reached a platform from 7 to 28 days after injury. The number of NF200-IR axons reduced significantly in white matter tracts after SCI. Conclusion Ventral spared white matters plays a key role in the recovery of motor function in rat with SCI, and the first 3 days was a time window to protect the white matters from injury.