With the development of cartilage tissue engineering, how to achieve an ideal scaffold has become the difficult and hot spot in this study field. The scaffold for cartilage tissue engineering should provide with some special physical and biochemical properties, such as excellent biocompatibility, proper biodegradability, controlled porosity, adequate pore size and so on. Such properties are closely related to two factors, one is the materials used for scaffolds, the other is the fabrication technology. This review is concentrated on the present common fabrication technologies of three-dimensional porous scaffolds, and mainly introduces the following technologies: solvent casting/particulate leaching, phase separation/freeze-drying, hydrogels, gas foaming, electrospinning and rapid prototyping manufacturing. Those fabrication technologies' effects on structure and properties of scaffolds have been compared to summarize and analyze the advantages and disadvantages of every fabrication technology, and simultaneously prospect the developing tendency of fabrication technology in cartilage tissue engineering.

The scaffold for cartilage tissue engineering should have special physical and biochemical properties,such as excellent biocompatibility,proper biodegradability,controlled porosity,adequate pore size,etc.With the development of cartilage tissue engineering,how to achieve ideal scaffolds is becoming a hot spot in this field.This review outlines the advances in the studies of scaffolds in cartilage tissue engineering.

Instability of the cervical spine disease requires surgery to restore stability. In the past, surgical methods were divided into two kinds of anterior and posterior. But each has its own disadvantages:anterior vertebral screw has a higher failure rate, sometimes need a second operation; and posterior pedicle screw, lateral mass screw and facet joint screw may make greater trauma, lead to longer hospitalization. For general instable cervical spine disease, according to the location of the disease, only with the anterior or posterior approach can achieve a stable effect. However, it often fails to achieve the desired stability with only anterior or posterior approach for the three column injury of single segment, the disease need for multi-segment corpectomy and discectomy. Meanwhile, combined with the anterior and posterior have more obvious disadvantages:such as prolonged operation time, greater surgical injury, increased risk of infection and so on.In recent years, anterior transpedicular screw (ATPS) as a new technique was used for cervical spine fixation. Its laboratory and clinical studies have been conducted about biomechanical properties, morphological feasibility, pull-out strength, radiological features and new technology for inserting screws. Because of its strong stability, perfect mechanical properties and the satisfactory results of patients, which has been recognized by many scholars. Although this technique has been used in clinical practice, Its long-term clinical effect needs to be further clarified. Even so, the innovative proposal will provide a new thread for the majority of doctors and colleagues in treating unstable cervical disease.

Objective To observe the influence of Yishen Huoxue prescription on expressions of vascular endothelial growth factor-2 (VEGF-2) and Notch4 in rats with unilateral ureter obstruction (UUO).Methods Ninety-six male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into sham operation group, UUO model group, losartan group, and Yishen Huoxue group, with 24 rats in each group. The rat models of renal fibrosis were reproduced by using UUO method, and they were treated by Yishen Huoxue herb prescription or losartan intra-gastric administration respectively for therapeutic interference. In the sham operation group, simply the unilateral ureter was separated from the near-by tissues and then the abdomen incision was stitched. The blood was collected on 7, 14 and 21 days after operation for determination of blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and serum creatinine (SCr). Kidney tissues specimens were harvested, and microvessed desity (MVD), the protein expression levels of VEGF-2 and Notch4 in the kidney were detected. Results Compared with UUO model group, BUN and SCr in both treatment groups were significantly decreased with significant difference (allP < 0.01). BUN and SCr in Yishen Huoxue group were slightly lower than those in losartan group without significant difference (bothP >0.05). The expression levels of VEGF-2 and Notch4 in sham operation group at each time point were in normal range; with the time extension, the expressions of VEGF-2 and Notch 4 protein were slightly increased, and the descent degree of MVD in kidney was aggravated gradually in UUO model group. The VEGF-2 and Notch4 protein expressions in kidney tissues of the two treatment groups were significantly increased compared with those in model group, the expression of VEGF-2 (A value) reached the highest level on the 14th day after operation (VEGF-2 levels in sham operation, model, Yishen Huoxue Herb prescription and losartan groups were 0.18±0.09, 4.73±0.72, 7.27±1.35, 8.11±1.64 on the 14th day, and they were 0.19±0.07, 4.05±0.88, 7.10±1.12,7.79±1.53 on 21th day, respectively), later representing a tendency of slight decrease, and Notch4 protein expression (A value) peaked on the 21st day (0.62±0.35, 9.08±1.52, 14.48±3.14, 15.54±3.38 in above four groups, allP < 0.05). The degrees of decrease in renal MVD (microvessel/mm2) in the both treament groups was significantly less than that in model group (45.20±6.25, 25.34±4.67, 30.23±4.20, 32.26±4.36 on the 7th day, 46.07±6.22, 20.06±3.98, 26.88±4.36, 26.95±4.11 on the 14th day, 45.18±6.10, 17.79±3.72, 21.71±4.25, 21.68±4.41 on the 21st day in above four groups,P < 0.05 orP < 0.01). There were no statistically significant differences in the above values between Yishen Huoxue herb group and losartan group.Conclusion Traditional Chinese medicine benefiting qi for activating blood circulation therapy (Yishen Huoxue herb prescription) has obvious improving effect on the microvascular injury in the process of renal fibrosis that possibly is related closely to the drug regulation on VEGF/Notch signaling cascade.

OBJECTIVE: To identify an unknown tadalafil analogue illegally adulterated in health foods. METHODS: An unknown tadalafil analogue was observed in a routine screening for compounds illegally adulterated in heath foods by HPLC-DAD. The compound of interest was isolated by silica gel thin layer chromatography. Its molecular weight and structural fragments were obtained by UPLC-MS/MS, and its ¹H-NMR spectum was also obtained using nuclear magnetic resonance. Its structure is elucidated by analysis of these data in combination of the literature. RESULTS: A new tadalafil analogue, nortadalafil, was detected in health foods. CONCLUSION: This is the first time to disclose that nortadalafil was illegally adulterated in health foods. It's necessary to supplement the current inspection standard, which lists 11 target compounds but not including nortadalafil, to punish the illegal producers in time.

[Objective]To investigate the feasibility and optimal condition of in vitro chondrogenesis by co-culture of adipose derived stem cell(ADSC)and chondrocytes in pathologic state so as to provide a new clinical approach for repairing damaged articular cartilage.[Method]ADSC and aricular chondrocytes from osteoarthritis model in adult New Zealand white rabbits were in vitro expanded and then seeded on plate and plug-in type millicell dish respectively.The co-culture cells were cultured in different conditions including different serum concentration(10% FBS and 2% FBS)and dimensions(fibrin scaffold and monolayer).The culture medium was changed every 3 days.The shape of ADSC before and after co-culture was observed by inverted microscope and transmission electron microscope.The expression of aggrecan and type Ⅱ collagen genes in ADSC were studied by toluidine blue staining and immunohistochemistry after in vitro co-culture for 14 days.And the transcription of aggrecan and type Ⅱ collagen genes in ADSC were studied by RT-PCR.[Result]The shape of ADSC was fibroblast-like cells morphologically.And they became round at 7 days after in vitro co-culture.At 14 days after co-culture with chondrocytes,ADSC was changed to chondrocyte-like cells morphologically and increased immunostaining particles of type Ⅱ collagen and enhanced toluidine blue staining.And the transcription of type Ⅱ collagen and aggrecan genes was also increased,especially in the ADSC cultured in fibrin scaffold with 10% FBS.[Conclusion]Chondrocytes in pathologic state may provide chondrogenic microenvironment to induce chondrogenic differentiation of ADSC in vitro,which will be enhanced by high serum concentration and three-dimensional culture.

Hyaluronic acid (HA) is an important biomaterial as the extracellular matrix in human body. We produced HA by fermentation of Streptococcus iniae (Strep.). Production of HA by Strep. was evaluated and further improved by strain mutation by ultraviolet. One strain with higher HA yield and lower content of protein was obtained. Its HA yield increased from (82.3±3.3) mg/L to (120±10.6) mg/L, and protein decreased from (0.178±0.011) mg/L to (0.032±0.017) mg/L. The molecular weight (MW) of HA yield from Strep. is about 3.0×10⁵ Da. Using the method of freezing and thawing, HA aqueous solution was transferred into hydrogel. This HA hydrogel, casted on sterilized non-woven fabric, was applied to repair rabbit skin with full-thickness defect. The preliminary results of the animal tests displayed that HA hydrogel obviously reduced the inflammation around the wound and promoted the skin regeneration comparing with the control tests.
Animals ; Biocompatible Materials ; Fermentation ; Hyaluronic Acid ; biosynthesis ; Hydrogels ; Molecular Weight ; Rabbits ; Regeneration ; Skin ; drug effects ; growth & development ; Streptococcus iniae ; metabolism ; Wound Healing

【Objective】 To explore the predictive value of preoperative liver function for massive blood transfusion (MBT) in patients undergoing ascending aorta surgery. 【Methods】 Data from 238 patients undergoing ascending aorta surgery in the Department of Cardiovascular Surgery at The Affiliated Lihuili Hospital of Ningbo University were collected. Preoperative liver function tests were performed for all patients. Based on the perioperative transfusion volumes of red blood cell suspension, patients were divided into the MBT group, non-MBT group, and no blood transfusion (NBT) group. Clinical data during the perioperative period were compared among different groups. Receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC curve) analysis was used to assess the predictive value of liver function indicators for MBT and determine cut-off values. 【Results】 Compared with the non-MBT group and NBT group, the MBT group showed statistically significant differences in preoperative levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), direct bilirubin (DBIL), and serum albumin (SA) (P<0.05). ROC curve analysis revealed that AST had the largest area under the curve (AUC) for predicting MBT, with a value of 0.723. ALT had the highest specificity for predicting MBT at 86.7%, and SA had the highest sensitivity at 89.7%. When AST >28.50 U/L, ALT >40.00 U/L, SA ≤34.55 g/L, and DBIL >4.25 μmol/L, there was a significant increase in the transfusion volume of various blood components and the incidence of MBT. 【Conclusion】 Preoperative liver function indicators (AST, ALT, SA, DBIL) have a moderate predictive value for MBT in patients undergoing ascending aorta surgery.

OBJECTIVETo compare the clinical effects of injured vertebra pedicle instrumentation and injured vertebra bone grafting in treating thoracolumbar fractures.

METHODSA retrospective study was performed on 48 patients with single thoracolumbar fractures (type A3) from August 2008 to August 2010. Twenty-four patients were treated with injured vertebra pedicle instrumentation (group A) and 24 were treated with injured vertebra bone grafting (group B). There were 14 males and 10 females with an average age of (44.0 +/- 7.4) years old (34 to 56) in group A and there were 13 males and 11 females with an average age of (42.5 +/- 7.1) years(ranged, 31 to 54) in group B. Operation time, volume of blood loss, complications and the relative parameter of imageology were compared between two groups.

RESULTSThere was no significant difference in gender,age, position of injury, volume of blood loss between two groups. Operation time of group A was shorter than that of group B. Cobb angle and injured vertebral height obviously improved at the immediately postoperatively between two groups; there was no significant difference in group A between the immediately and three months postoperatively, but there was significant difference in group B; there was no significant difference between three months and one year postoperatively in two groups. The failure rate of group B was significantly higher than that of group A.

CONCLUSIONPedicle screw fixation in the injured vertebrae has advantage of short operation time,can obtain satisfactory effects and is better than injured vertebra bone grafting in maintaining the reduction in treating single thoracolumbar fractures.

Adult ; Aged ; Bone Transplantation ; Case-Control Studies ; Female ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; Humans ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; injuries ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Spinal Fractures ; surgery ; Thoracic Vertebrae ; injuries ; surgery

OBJECTIVETo determine the detection rate and distribution characteristics of colorectal adenomas in Ningbo area of China, and to identify the risk factors for colorectal adenoma, in order to provide reference for colorectal cancer screening.

METHODSA cross-sectional study was performed among 8660 subjects undergoing colonoscopy in the Ningbo No.2 Hospital between January and December 2016, using a questionnaire, including demographic data (age, gender, height and weight), history of diseases (diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and family history of malignant neoplasm), lifestyle (smoking, alcohol, dietary bias on red meat, dietary bias on fruit and vegetables, dietary frequency of pickled food and physical activities), and intestinal early warning symptoms. All colonoscopically detected polyps were removed for histological examination. Polyps were histologically divided into non-adenomatous (hyperplastic polyps and inflammatory polyps) and adenomatous polyps (tubular, villous, tubulovillous and serrated adenomas). Pathologic features were analyzed according to anatomical site. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to identify the risk factors for colorectal adenoma.

RESULTSA total of 7077 subjects who received colonoscopic examination and completed the questionnaire survey were enrolled in this study. There were 3633 males and 3444 females with a median age of 53 (ranged 17 to 83) years. Adenoma detection rate was 15.6% (1103/7077) in all cases, 21.0%(762/3633) for males, and 9.9%(341/3444) for females(P=0.000). Detection rate of 6.2%(29/469) was recorded in individuals aged less than 30 years, 8.0%(87/1086) in those from 30 to 39 years, 12.1%(148/1222) in those from 40 to 49 years, 16.8%(272/1623) in those from 50 to 59 years, 20.4%(326/1601) in those from 60 to 69 years, and 22.4%(241/1076) in those ≥70 years. The detection rate increased according to age(P=0.000). A total of 1521 adenomas were detected in 1103 cases, including 1455 tubular adenomas, 33 tubulovillous adenomas, 9 villous adenomas and 24 serrated adenomas. Among 1521 adenomas, 44.1%(n=671) located in the right hemicolon, 39.0%(n=593) in the left hemicolon, and 16.9%(n=257) in the rectum. Significantly larger number of serrated adenomas and advanced adenomas (advanced adenoma was defined as any adenoma with high-grade intraepithelial neoplasia, diameter ≥10 mm or with villous component) was observed in the right hemicolon compared to left hemicolon and rectum [serrated adenomas: 2.5%(17/671) vs. 0.8% (5/593) and 0.8% (2/257), P=0.029; advanced adenoma: 9.2% (62/671) vs. 5.2% (31/953) and 6.6% (17/257), P=0.021]. Multivariate analysis showed that malely (P=0.003), elderly (P=0.000), obesity (P=0.014), smoking (P=0.001), alcohol (P=0.032), and family history of malignancy (P=0.000) were independent risk factors of colorectal adenoma.

CONCLUSIONSIn view of a higher detection rate of colorectal adenoma in population aged 40 to 49 years especially in male individuals, the starting age of colonoscopy screening may be advanced to 40 years old. People with family history of malignancy, obesity, and habit of smoking or drinking should be regarded as important subjects for colonoscopy screening. During colonoscopy screening, special emphasis should be given to right hemicolon.

Adenoma ; diagnosis ; epidemiology ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; China ; epidemiology ; Colonic Polyps ; Colonoscopy ; Colorectal Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; epidemiology ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Risk Factors ; Young Adult