Objective To explore morphologic characterizatics of cellular processes from adult human nucleus pulposus cells. Methods The nucleus pulposus of adult human intervertebral disc were obtained from 8 patients(Thompson's grade Ⅰ-Ⅱ) and then the tissues specimens were carried out by frozen section and electron microscopic section as well as cell isolation and cultured,processes of nucleus pulposus cells were examined using light microscopy,laser scanning confocal microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. Results When examined at both the confocal and electron microscope level,all the cells possessed the processes and adjacent nucleus pulposus cells processes possessed a gap junction.The elongated and round cells were examined when NP cells became monolayer in vitro.The rate of elongated cells to round cells was 2.3 to 1.The elongated cells protruded along with the long axis of cell body without second processes.Dendritic processes of round cells protruded to all directions from the cell body with multiple-level processes.Conclusion Processes are one of the morphologic characteristics of intervertebral disc cells.The research on processes functions could be helpful to understand pathomechanism of intervertebral disc degradation.

Objective To observe the influence of intra-articular injection of lovastatin on cartilage degeneration and mRNA expres-sion of matrix metalloproteiase-1,-3 (MMP-1,-3) in cartilage and synovium of osteoarthritis (OA) model. Methods Thirty New Zeal-and rabbits underwent unilateral anterior cruciate ligament transection (ACLT) were random divided into two groups. The rabbits in experi-mental group received 0.1 mg/ml intra-articular lovastatin injection at 0.2 ml/kg of body weight immediately after surgery , once a week. Those in control group were treated with intra-articular injection of normal saline. At the 6th week after surgery, all rabbits were sacrificed. The articular cartilage degeneration of medial femoral condyle was evaluated under microscopy. Gene expression of MMP-1,-3 was detected by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Results Cartilage degeneration in untreated group was significantly more severe than that in experimental group. In cartilage, no significant difference on the expression of MMP-1 and MMP-3 mRNA was found be-tween the experimental group and control group. In synovium, the expression of MMP-1 and MMP-3 mRNA was significantly suppressed in experimental group compared with control group. Conclusion During the development of experimental OA, intra-articular administration of lovastatin reduces the expression of matrix degrading enzyme, thus alleviate cartilage degradation.

Objective To clone VEGF gene and construct its eukaryotic expression vector for the evaluation of the possability of VEGF gene therapy in orthopedic disease. Methods Human vascular endothelial growth factor(hVEGF) cDNA was amplified by nested PCR method from the HL60 cells and cloned to expression vector pcDNA 3. The cDNA was identified by enzyme digestion and DNA sequencing. Rabbit osteoblasts were transfered with pCD-hVEGF165 plasmid by lipofectin mediated gene transfer method. The transient expression of VEGF were detected by Streptavidin-Biotin-enzyme Complex(SABC). Results The cloned cDNA was confirmed to be VEGF165 cDNA. It was observed that the expression of human VEGF gene was detected distinctly 72 h after transfering. Conclusion We successfully cloned hVEGF 165 gene and construced its eukaryotic expression vector, which provided the further foundation of VEGF gene therapy for ostenecrosis,bone defeat and fracture.

Objective To evaluate the effectiveness of thoracoscopic techniqu es for the anterior correction of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. Methods Betwe en March 2000 and November 2002, 33 patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosi s were selected to undergo thoracoscopic instrumentation, correction, and fusion . There were 26 females and 7 males. The average age at surgery was 13.6 years ( range, 10 to 18 years). All patients had idiopathic thoracic curves of typeⅠacc ording to the Lenke classification system, 24 of whom were typeⅠA, and 9 typeⅠ B. The average preoperative Cobb angle of the primary thoracic curve was 57.4?( range, 43? to 68?), and that of the compensatory lumbar curve was 32.0?(range , 20? to 47?). 27 patients were an averaged 6.3? of hypokyphosis (range, 0? to 18?). All 33 patients underwent endoscopic anterior release, instrumentation , correction and intervertebral fusion using the CD Horizon Eclipse system. Para meters including coronal Cobb angle of the primary thoracic curve, the compensat ory lumbar curve and thoracic kyphosis, were measured to assess coronal and sagi ttal correction. Results The instrumented levels were from T4 to T12. The averag e number of levels instrumented for each patient was 7.4 (range, 5 to 9). Operat ive times averaged 3 h and 48 min (range, 2 h 40 min to 5 h 30 min). Blood loss averaged 308 ml (range, 100 to 500 ml). Hospitalization averaged 4.4 days (range , 3 to 9 days). The average follow-up period was 20.6 months (range, 6 to 36 mon ths). The correction for the primary thoracic curve averaged 60.2%, and the comp ensatory lumbar curve averaged 50.3%. Correction with hypokyphosis averaged 20.4 ?. One patient developed pseudoarthrosis and rod fracture. Two patients experie nced transient chest wall numbness. Conclusion Anterior thoracoscopic correction of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis has the advantages of minimal invasion and s horter rehabilitation period. It can also provide the same corrective effect com paring to conventional open thoracotomy.

The study assessed the early functional outcomes with cemented titanium implants of radius in the treatment of comminuted fractures of radial heads. The functional outcomes of arthroplasty with cemented titanium implants of radius in the treatment of radial head fractures (Mason Type III: 6; Mason Type IV: 4) in 10 consecutive patients (mean age, 38 years) were evaluated over a mean time of 23.7 months (18-31 months). The patients were assessed on the basis of physical examination, functional rating (Mayo) and radiographic findings. The parameters evaluated included motion, stability, pain, and grip strength. Five patients were considered to have excellent results, 4 patients had good results and 1 patient had fairly good results. There were no cases of infection, prosthetic failure, heterotopic ossification or dislocation. When medial collateral ligament was injured, radial head became the main stabilizing structure of the elbow. Titanium radial head implant may provide the stability similar to that of native radial head. We believe that titanium radial head implants may be indicated for the Mason Type III and Mason Type IV radial head fractures.
Elbow Joint/surgery ; Fracture Fixation/*methods ; Fractures, Comminuted/*surgery ; Prostheses and Implants ; Radius Fractures/*surgery ; Titanium ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVE:To observe the clinical efficacy of Xinhuang tablets combined with Azithromycin granules and 0.1% Adapalene gel in the treatment of acne vulgaris.METHODS:216 patients with acne vulgaris were randomly divided into experimental group and control group according to visiting order (n=108).Experimental group were treated with oral administration of Xinhuang tablets and Azithromycin granules and 0.1% Adapalene gel for external use.Control group were treated with Erythromycin enteric-coated tablets and Compound sulfur lotion.Clinical efficacies of 2 groups were observed after 6 weeks.RESULTS:Total effective rate was 97.2% for experimental group and 41.6% for control group.There was significant difference between 2 groups (P

Objective To explore laboratory examination method of vaginal infection disease ,and to investigate the etiology of recurrent vaginitis .Methods 324 patients with recurrent vaginitis were selected to investigated the symptoms ,signs and vaginal discharge examination .Results (1)Among 324 patients ,293 cases (90 .4% ) of single infection and 31 cases (9 .6% ) mixed infec-tions were founded .There were 97 cases with VVC ,81 cases with CV ,17 cases with AV ,12 cases with BV ,and 14 cases with TV in the single infection cases .(2)In the 120 cases with VVC ,Candida albicans were accounted for 65 .0% ,non-Candida albicans strains were founded in 42 cases (35 .0% ) .(3)Among 28 cases of AV ,Escherichia coli ,Staphylococcus aureus ,Streptococcus aga-lactiae and Enterococcus f aecalis were main bacteria .Conclusion Recurrent vaginitis is common in clinical obstetrics and gynecolo-gy .Because of complex pathogeny ,clinicians should pay attention to laboratory results ,combined with the symptoms and signs , comprehensive evaluation ,improve disease diagnosis and treatment .

AIM: To prepare and evaluate the biocompatibility of a thermosensitive hydrogel poly-(N-isopropylacrylamide-co-N-hydroxymethylacrylamide) (P-NIPAAm-co-NHMPA) in vivo so as to appraise its safety as a medical implant in clinical use. METHODS: The experiments were carried out in the Central Laboratory, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science & Technology(HUST) and the Key Laboratory of Biomedical Polymer Materials, Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry, Wuhan University between January and October in 2007. ① Preparation of thermosensitive hydrogel P-NIPAAm-co-NHMPA: Taking ammonium persulfate and tetramethyl ethylene diamine as oxidation-reduction initiation system, while N, N'-methylene bisacrylamide as cross-linking agent, P-NIPAAm-co-NHMPA was prepared with the addition of NHMPA in reaction system. Low critical solution temperature was determined by shrinking tests. ②A series of biocompatibility tests such as sensitization test, acute systemic toxicity test, genetic toxicity test and implantation test were conducted to evaluate the safety of the implant. RESULTS: ①Synthesized hydrogel showed thermosensitive character as expected, and the low critical solution temperature was 38 ℃.②In sensitization test, there was no sensitization proved in the material; in acute systemic toxicity test, the symptom of toxicity was not found; the genetic toxicity test suggested no teratogenic or mutagenic effects; in vivo implantation test showed that the inflammation around the material was mild and limited. CONCLUSION: Thermosensitive hydrogel P-NIPAAm-co-NHMPA has good biocompatibility and is a potential medical implant.

Objective To investigate the efficacy of transcutaneous injection of MIIGX3 artificial bone and methylprednisolone for recurrent bone cysts.Methods From January 2004 to March 2006,a total of 13 children with recurrent bone cysts received transcutaneous injection of methylprednisolone and MIIGX3 in our hospital.X-ray was employed to detect the degradation of MIIGX3 and formation of new bones.Results The operation time ranged from 30 to 95 minutes(mean 42 minutes).The patients were followed up for 1 to 3 years.None of them had recurrence of bone cysts during this period.The artificial bones were completely degraded and replaced by new bones in 1.5 years after the injection.Conclusions Transcutaneous injection of methylprednisolone and MIIGX3 is effective for recurrent bone cysts.Patients have shorter operation time and hospital stay after this treatment because the procedure is microinvasive.

Objective To investigate the correlation between serum adiponectin level and severity of coronary artery disease.Methods We measured the serum concentrations of adiponectin in 135 patients whom had received CAG.The severity of coronary artery lesion was evaluated by Gensini score,the number of stenosis vessel and clinical manifestation.Results The serum concentrations of adiponectin in Gensini score 0 group(74.53?30.76 ng/mL)and score 40 group(28.96?11.87 ng/mL)(P40 group were lower than those in score 20-40 group(P