BACKGROUND:COX-2 gene actual y exists in the joint fibroblast-like synoviocytes, it affects osteoarthritis occurrence and development. Understanding the differences of COX-2 gene expression levels at different stages of osteoarthritis synoviocytes has important theoretical significance for the occurrence and development of osteoarthritis, as wel as the role of synoviocytes in this process.
OBJECTIVE:To analyze the difference of COX-2 mRNA at different stages of osteoarthritis fibroblast-like synoviocytes.
METHODS:Synovial membrane from 44 osteoarthritis patients and 12 normal cases were selected. Primary cells were cultured to passage 4 fibroblast-like synoviocytes for the use in the experiment. COX-2 mRNA expression in osteoarthritis fibroblast-like synoviocytes and normal fibroblast-like synoviocytes was detected using real-time fluorescence quantitative RT-PCR. The relative quantitative analysis was performed using 2-ΔΔCt method.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Expression of COX-2 mRNA in osteoarthritis fibroblast-like synoviocytes was significantly higher than that in normal fibroblast-like synoviocytes (P<0.05). The expression levels reached a peak at early osteoarthritis group, with significant differences compared with middle and late osteoarthritis groups (P<0.05). There was no significant difference between middle and later osteoarthritis groups (P>0.05). COX-2 mRNA might be important biological marker for the inflammation in osteoarthritis, and mainly plays a role in early osteoarthritis stage.

Objective To investigate the diffusion changes in ipsilateral substantia nigra after a chronic striatum infarction with diffusion tensor imaging ( DTI ) and its connotation for clinical lecture.Methods Participators underwent a DTI scan and were divided into three groups. The striatum infarction (SI) group consisted of twenty patients with chronic basal ganglia infarction with striatum involved, while the non striatum infarction (NSI) group consisted of another twenty patients with chronic basal ganglia infarctions without striatum involved. The control group consisted of twenty healthy volunteers. Before the DTI scan all patients underwent a clinical evaluation with Modified Rankin Scale (mRS) and Barthol Index,and the four patients of SI group with symptoms like Parkinson disease underwent an additional evaluation with the third subscale of Unified Parkinson' s Disease Rating Scale ( UPDRS Ⅲ ). Results Compared with NSI and control groups, the infarct side substantia nigra MD of SI group increased by 30. 86 percent (t =40.07,P=0.000) and 31.42 percent (t =42. 64,P =0.000). The FA values from the three groups were not different. There were four patients with some symptoms like Parkinson disease in SI group. Compared with those patients without symptom like Parkinson disease in SI group, the infarct side substantia nigra MD of these four patients increased by 22 percent(t = 18.03, P =0. 01 ). Moreover, the infarct side substantia nigra MD of these four patients was correlated with their UPDRS Ⅲ positively ( r = 0. 97, P = 0. 03 ).Conclusions The secondary degeneration in the ipsilateral side substantia nigra after striatum infarction could be detested quantitatively with diffusion tensor imaging. The secondary degeneration in substantia nigra may be responsible for the symptoms like Parkinson disease in striatum infarction patients.

The intracellular calcium signaling, which is modulated by the microenvironment of cells, is closely related to the cell's self renewal, differentiation, proliferation, and its apoptosis. The study on the quantitative modulation of the intracellular calcium signals could not only help to understand the dynamic behavior of such kind of signaling, but also play a significant role in the control of cell fate, simulation of cell behavior and bionics of cellular biological systems. This paper briefly reviewed the progress on the quantitative modulation of intracellular calcium signals induced by shear flow, including (1) experimental phenomena and the associated mechanisms of shear flow activated intracellular calcium response; (2) mathematical modeling and simulation of the intracellular calcium response induced by shear flow; (3) feedback control of the intracellular calcium signals by shear flow.

OBJECTIVEThe Medical Outcome Study of 36-item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36) is a well-validated generic questionnaire widely used to assess health-related quality of life (HRQOL), and the Chronic Liver Disease Questionnaire (CLDQ) is a specific HRQOL assessment designed for patients with liver diseases. The aim of our study is to evaluate the HRQOL based on SF-36 and CLDQ (Chinese version) in patients with chronic hepatitis B and liver cirrhosis, especially in the status of minimal hepatic encephalopathy (MHE).

METHODSThe SF-36 and CLDQ were answered by 160 healthy volunteers, 20 patients with chronic hepatitis B and 106 patients with cirrhosis. HRQOL scores of the groups with different liver disease severities and with or without MHE were compared. The SF-36 includes one multi-item scale that assesses eight health categories: physical functioning, role-physical, body pain, general health, vitality, social functioning, role-emotion, and mental health. CLDQ assesses 6 categories: abdominal symptoms, fatigue, systemic symptoms, activity, emotional function and worry.

RESULTSCompared with the healthy controls, patients with chronic hepatitis B and liver cirrhosis at baseline had a lower HRQOL on all scales of the SF-36 and CLDQ (P < 0.01 for all). Increased severity of liver cirrhosis (based on the Child-Pugh score but with MHE or without) was associated with a decrease in most components, both in SF-36 and in CLDQ. However, patients with Child-Pugh B and C disease had similar HRQOL scores on both the SF-36 and CLDQ (P > 0.05), except role-physical and vitality on SF-36. There was a significant difference between patients with and without MHE on the SF-36 score (P < 0.01), and no significant difference (P > 0.05) on CLDQ scores except in abdominal symptoms.

CONCLUSIONThe Chinese version of SF-36 along with CLDQ are valid and reliable methods for testing MHE in patients with liver cirrhosis.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Case-Control Studies ; Female ; Hepatic Encephalopathy ; Humans ; Liver Cirrhosis ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Quality of Life ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Young Adult

The aim of this study was to investigate the role of mesenchymal stem cells in the hematopoietic reconstitution of patients who had received haploidentical allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (hi-allo-HSCT). 15 patients who underwent treatment with both MSCs and HSCs, were selected as study group, while 20 patients receiving only HSCT were taken as control. Bone marrow samples were obtained from iliac crest aspirates at several times after HSCT for the isolation, purification and expansion of MSCs. The confluent ratio and time were measured and compared with those of the control. The peripheral blood samples were obtained from patients, then absolute neutrophil and platelet counts were assayed. From day 4 before transplantation to day 28 after transplantation, serum was obtained every four days from patients of the two groups, and then 3 cytokines as SDF-1alpha, TPO and IL-11 were detected by ELISA. The results indicated that as compared with the control group, the ratio of primary confluent layer formation of MSCs in study group was obviously higher (27.3%) (p < 0.01), and the confluence time in culture was significantly less (p < 0.05). In the study group, the concentration of SDF-1alpha amounted to peak value (2975.19 +/- 681.56 pg/ml) on the 8th day after HSCT, which was obviously higher than that before HSCT (2403.70 +/- 522.39 pg/ml, p < 0.05), whereas in the control, the concentration of highest point of SDF-1alpha reached to peak valve (2280.60 +/- 701.25 pg/ml) on the 16th day after HSCT, which was less than that before HSCT (2701.46 +/- 483.21 pg/ml, p < 0.05). The concentration of TPO and IL-11 was higher in study group compared with the control from day 16 to 28 after HSCT (p < 0.05). It is concluded that the transfusion of MSCs combined with hi-all-HSCT may improve the injured state of the hematopoietic microenvironment in bone marrow of patients during allo-HSCT.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Bone Marrow ; metabolism ; pathology ; Chemokine CXCL12 ; metabolism ; Child ; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation ; methods ; Hematopoietic System ; Humans ; Interleukin-11 ; metabolism ; Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation ; methods ; Middle Aged ; Thrombopoietin ; metabolism ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo breed estrogen receptor beta (ERbeta) gene knock-out female mice for studying postmenopausal osteoporotic fracture.

METHODSThree pairs of ERbeta gene knock-out mice were bred for 3 months, and 14 2-month-old female wild-type C57BL/6J mice with the same genetic background were paired at the ratio of 2:1 and mated with the male ERbeta gene knock-out homozygote mice. After further breeding to obtain sufficient number of mice, the genome DNA was extracted from the tail of the mice for genotyping by PCR. Ten 4-month-old female filial mice with ERbeta gene knock-out and 10 wild-type female mice were randomly selected and sacrificed, and the right proximal tibiae were removed and subjected to micro CT for measuring the parameters of trabecular bone histomorphometry.

RESULTSA total of 340 filial generation mice were reproduced in 2 months and genotypic identification revealed a proportion of ERbeta+ or + mice of 23.5%, ERbeta+ or - mice of 48.27 percent; and homozygous mutant (ERbeta- or -) mice of 28.3% (in which 54 were female). The MicroCT data revealed that the micro-architecture of the proximal tibiae was significantly different between ERbeta gene knock-out mice selected from the filial generation and wild type mice (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONIt is feasible to breed ERbeta knock-out female mice by introducing female wild-type mice to pair and mate with ERbeta knock-out homozygote male mice. This approach allows breeding of sufficient number of female ERbeta knock-out mice as the animal models for studying the role of ERbeta.

Animals ; Breeding ; DNA ; analysis ; Estrogen Receptor beta ; genetics ; Female ; Gene Knockout Techniques ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Mice, Knockout

The aim of this study was to investigate the expression of Th17 cells and regulatory T (Treg) cells in peripheral blood of patients with immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) and to clarify the role of the Th17/Treg cell ratio imbalance in pathogenesis of ITP. Patients were divided into the pre-treatment group (active group) (n = 38) and post-treatment group (remission group) according to the platelet count and curative effect. Post-treatment group was further divided into remission group (n = 24), partial remission group (n = 10), and non-remission group (n = 4). 30 healthy subjects were enrolled in control group. Flow cytometry was used to detect the percentages of peripheral blood Th17 cells and Treg cells in CD4(+) T cells from ITP patients and controls respectively. The results showed that the percentages of Th17 cells in active group and non-remission group were significantly higher than those in control group (p < 0.05). The percentages of Th17 cells in remission group, partial-remission group were also higher than those in control group, but there were no statistically significant differences between these groups. The percentage of Th17 cells in remission group was lower than that in active group, but there was also no statistically difference between two groups. The percentages of Treg cells in active group, partial-remission group and non-remission group significantly decreased, compared with in control group (p < 0.01). The percentage of Treg cells in remission group was lower than that in control group, but there was no statistically significant difference. The ratio of peripheral blood Th17/Treg cells in active group, partial-remission group and non-remission group was higher, as compared with in control group. The ratio of peripheral blood Th17/Treg cells in remission group was higher than that in control group, but there was no statistically difference between two groups. It is concluded the percentage of Th17 cells and the ratio of Th17/Treg cells are higher in active group. The percentage of Treg cells is low in active group, partial remission and non-remission groups. The imbalance of Th17/Treg ratio may play a critical role in ITP pathogenesis.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Blood Cell Count ; Case-Control Studies ; Female ; Flow Cytometry ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Purpura, Thrombocytopenic ; blood ; T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory ; immunology ; Th17 Cells ; immunology ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo report an anatomical basis for the posterior tibial artery intermuscular septum branches island flaps and its clinical value.

METHODSThe origin,course, number, caliber and distribution of the posterior tibial artery intermuscular septum branches were studied in 10 adult cadavers(20 legs). 10 cases of homonymy and opposite side ankle and adjacent soft tissue defects with posterior tibial artery intermuscular septum branches island flaps, aged 20-50 years. Free skin transplantation on the donor sites.

RESULTSThe posterior tibial artery gives off 2-7 intermuscular septum branches. Its external diameter was about 0.4-1.8 mm,and the length was about 0.3-4.5 cm. The area of flaps was 7 cm x 6 cm - 20 cm x 8 cm in the group. All the flaps were survived except 1 with partial necrosis in the distant part(3 cm x 1 cm) of the flap. 7 cases were followed up two months to three years. The color, texture and appearance of the flaps were good.

CONCLUSIONSThe kind of flap has reliable blood supply, the scope of repairing was wide; avoidance of sacrificing the major artery; the flap was easy to be dissected. It was one of the ideal flaps to repair the ankle and adjacent soft tissue defects.

Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Surgical Flaps ; blood supply ; Tibial Arteries ; anatomy & histology ; transplantation ; Young Adult

Adult ; Aged ; Bevacizumab ; therapeutic use ; Brain Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; therapy ; Edema ; drug therapy ; etiology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Re-Irradiation ; adverse effects

Objective To study the clinical significance of the method of three perpendicular planes plus special planes in diagnosing fetal cleft lip /palate by prenatal ultrasound .Methods The approach of three perpendicular planes and special planes were used in diagnosing 110 cases of cleft lip/palate.The sonogram features in each section were analyzed and the outcomes were recorded during follow-up.Results On prenatal ultrsound ,110 cases were examined with three perpendicular planes method .The coronary section could be displayed at 100%cases (110 cases), sagittal section 76.4%cases (84 cases),transverse section 96.4%cases (106 cases) and parasagittal section 25.5%cases (28 cases).With special planes method,74 cases were examined .The section through pyriform aperture could be displayed in 47 cases,in 45 cases on the section through the lower lip/lower jaw/submandibular triangle ,and in 16 cases on the section through the cheek.Combining the three perpendicular planes and special planes methods ,94.5%(104/110) cases could be diagnosed definitely.Six cases (5.5%,6/110) were missed because of fetal position or oligoamnios . Conclusions The method of three perpendicular planes plus special planes is effective in prenatal ultrasound diagnosing cleft lip/palate,which is of great help in improving prenatal diagnostic accuracy of fetal cleft lip/palate.