BACKGROUND: Myelination following axonal regeneration is a key factor affecting the recovery of spinal cord injury. Oligodendrocyte survival directly affects the myelination following axonal regeneration. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the feasibility of differentiation of rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) into oligodendrocytes induced by neurotrophic factors. DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING: The cell molecular biology in vitro study was performed at the Laboratory of Department of Orthopaedics, Tongji Hospital from September 2006 to June 2007. MATERIALS: A total of 5 Sprague Dawley rats aged 2-4 weeks, of both gender were selected. Bilateral femur and tibia bone marrow was obtained to harvest BMSCs. METHODS: At passage 4, BMSCs were incubated in serum-free medium, supplemented with N2, 20 ng/mL basic fibroblast growth factor, 20 ng/mL epidermal growth factor for 48 hours, and incubated in medium containing 500 ng/mL insulin-like growth factor I and N2 for 3 days. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Morphological changes were observed using an phase contrast microscope. Semiquantitative RT-PCR was utilized to detect specific marker mRNA expression of oligodendrocytes. Using neuron marker anti-microtubule-associated protein, astrocyte marker anti-glial fibrillary acidic protein, oligodendrocyte marker anti-galactocerebroside, anti-myelin basic protein antibody, immunocytochemical staining was performed to detect the positive rate of the differentiation of BMSCs into oligodendrocytes. RESULTS: Morphological changes in BMSCs during the differentiation into oligodendrocytes: After the induction, a majority of BMSCs presented the morphological characteristics of oligodendrocytes. Cytoplasm retraction towards nucleus, cell process extension towards outwards, and strong refraction were found. With the prolongation of time, several cell processes connected and formed a typical net-shape structure. Specific marker mRNA expression of oligodendrocytes: Following induction, specific strap of myelin basic protein mRNA and galactocerebroside mRNA could be detected. Positive rate of oligodendrocytes: During induction, the positive rates of galactocarebroside, myelin basic protein and microtubule-associated protein were 65%, 45% and 10%, respectively. CONCLUSION: The combination of epidermal growth factor, basic fibroblast growth factor and insulin-like growth factor can effectively promote the directional differentiation of BMSCs into oligodendrocytes.

BACKGROUND:In clinical practice,there are some patients with labial inclined anterior teeth which influence their appearance,but they refuse orthodontic treatment because of many factors such as long-term treatment.Alternatively,these patients can receive aesthetics restoration with re-directional post-core and crown.OBJECTIVE:To investigate the influence of three kinds of post-core materials on fracture resistant ability of labial inclined maxillary central incisor with different changed angles.METHODS:Seventy-five maxillary central incisors were randomly divided into three groups:group Ⅰ was restored with Co-Cr post-core and porcelain-fused-to-metal (PFM) crown,group Ⅱ was restored with 50％ gold alloy post-core and PFM crown,group Ⅲ was restored with everStick fiber post and composite resin core and PFM crowns.Each group then was divided into five subgroups based on angles between the post-core and long axis of the tooth (0°,10°,20°,30°,40°).All specimens were embedded in acrylic resin and fixed in electronic universal testing machine.Force was loaded to each specimen until fracture occurred,and the maximum load values of fracture and the fracture mode were recorded.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The fracture resistance of group Ⅲ was superior to groups Ⅰ and Ⅱ (P ＜ 0.05),but there was no significant difference between group Ⅰ and group Ⅱ (P ＞ 0.05).The maximum load value of the three groups decreased as the changed angle increased.The fracture of group Ⅲ mostly appeared on the 1/3 of the root neck,while the fracture of groups Ⅰ and Ⅱ mostly appeared on the 1/3 of root central or the 1/3 of the root neck.So,the fracture resistance and fracture mode of central incisor under changed angles restored with everStick fiber post were superior to that with cast metal post-core.During re-directional restoration of labial inclined maxillary anterior teeth,everStick fiber post is recommended as a better choice to reduce the risk of catastrophic fractures.Also it suggests that excessive changed angle should be avoided to prevent root fracture.

Objective A systematic study to classify mixed gallbladder stones to determine their relationship with Clonorchis sinensis infection.Methods 349 consecutive patients with mixed gallbladder stones were enrolled into this study and their gallstones were studied.The material composition of gallbladder stones was analyzed using Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy,and the distribution and microstructure of the material components were studied using Scanning Electron Microscopy.The composition and distribution of the elements were analyzed by an X-ray energy spectrometer.Gallbladder stones were classified accordingly,and the stones were then grinded for microscopic examination.The stones were divided into two groups based on the results of detection of clonorchis sinensis eggs.Patients were also divided into two groups according to the patients' region (high-incidence and low-incidence regions of Clonorchis sinensis infection).The diversity of the subtypes of mixed gallbladder stones was compared.Results 14 subtypes were found,including Bilirubinate-calcium carbonate mixed stones (n =134),Cholesterol-bilirubinate mixed stones (n =87),Bilirubinate-phosphate mixed stones (n =39),Cholesterol-calcium carbonate mixed stones (n =30),Cholesterol-bilirubinate-calcium carbonate mixed stones (n =15),etc.Bilirubinate-calcium carbonate mixed stones were the main subtype of egg-positive mixed gallbladder stones and the patients were from high-incidence regions.Cholesterol-bilirubinate mixed stones were the main subtype of egg-negative mixed gallbladder stones and patients were from low-incidence regions.The differences of the subtypes constituent between the high-incidence and low-incidence regions groups were significant (P ＜ 0.05),and between the egg-positive and egg-negative groups were also significant (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions The most common subtypes of mixed gallbladder stones were bilirubinate-calcium carbonate mixed stones,while the second was cholesterol-bilirubinate mixed stones.Clonorchis sinensis infection was mainly associated with Bilirubinatecalcium carbonate mixed stones.

OBJECTIVE:To evaluate the therapeutic effect of clarithromycin on prostatitis induced by NG,CT and U?U.METHODS:56cases of venereal disease-related prostatitis were treated with oral clarithromycin in combination with prostatic massage and hip bath.7days after withdrawing drug,examination of prostatic secretion(EPS)and detection of pathogens were carried out.RESULTS:Total effective rate was82.1%;negative turn rate was92.9%;87.5%EPS routine came back to normal;no obvious ARDs were found.CONCLUSION:Clarithromycin is high in therapeutic effect,slight in ad?verse reactions and convenient in administration.It is suitable for treatment of venereal disease-related prostatitis.

The levels of urine thromboxane B, (TXB2) and 6-keto-PGF1a were measured by radioimmunoassay in 24 patients with lupus nephritis and 12 normal subjects. The results showed that the level of TXB2 and the ratio of TXB2/6- keto- PGF1x in urine were significantly higher, while the level of urine 6-keto-PGF1x( was lower in patients with lupus nephritis than that in normal group. The ratio of TXB2/6-keto-PGF1a in urine was correlated positively to the content of urine protein. These results indicate that there is TXA2-PGI2 imbalance in the kidney in patients with lupus nephritis. TXA2 can play an important pathogenetic role in the progression of lupus nephritis in patients. The ratio of TXB2/6-keto-PGF1x in urine may serve as a parameter in evaluating patients with lupus nephritis.

AIM: To improve the acute cumulative death rates method (ACD method) in animal by oral administration. METHODS: A mathematic model was established to evaluate the dose-toxic effect relationship by twice oral administration and the experimental steps were improved too. The methodological quality was explored using the simulation data from computer program and the real experimental date from the reference paper. RESULTS: The results showed that the experimental data could be fitted to its theoretical data from LD_5/2 to LD_ 95/2. Concentration-time curve after po ordinary powder of Semen Strychni in mice were fitted to a one-compartment with T_ 1/2(ka)= 1.136 h,T_ 1/2(ke)= 7.100 h,and T_ max= 3.576 h. CONCLUSION: The improved ACD method can be used in the pharmacokinetics of TCM by oral administration.

BACKGROUND:Recent studies have found that stem cellpluripotency and differentiation is regulated by many long non-coding RNAs (LncRNAs). The expression and effect of LncRNA AK089560 during differentiation of stem cells is unclear. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the expression of LncRNA AK089560 in mesenchymal stem cells C3H10T1/2 undergoing osteogenic and adipogenic differentiation. METHODS:Osteogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells C3H10T1/2 was induced by recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 and evaluated using alkaline phosphatase staining. The adipogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells C3H10T1/2 was induced by three factors (dexamethasone, indomethacin and insulin) and evaluated by oil red O staining. The dynamical expression of LncRNA AK089560 was detected by qRT-PCR assay. The AK089560 secondary structure was predicted using RNAfold software. The relationship between AK089560 and neighboring protein-coding genes was analyzed using UCSC genome browser and visualized by fancyGENE online software. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Over 70%of C3H10T1/2 cells were positive for alkaline phosphatase after osteogenic induction and more than 80%of the cells positive for oil red O staining after adipogenic induction. qRT-PCR results showed that the expression of LncRNA AK089560 at days 2, 4, 6 of both osteogenic and adipogenic differentiation was significantly decreased compared with the control group (P<0.05). Bioinformatics analysis showed that there was a stem-loop structure for AK089560 and sense overlap relationship between AK089560 and protein-encoding gene Sema3a. These findings indicate that LncRNA AK089560 expression is reduced during osteogenic differentiation and adipogenic differentiation, showing that AK089560 may be involved in regulating the multi-directional differentiation of stem cells.

OBJECTIVETo observe the therapeutic effect and relevant mechanism of shuxuening Injection (SI) in treating patients with active ulcerative colitis (UC).

METHODSTotally 91 patients with active UC were randomly assigned to 2 groups, 44 in the control group and 47 in the treatment group. Patients in the control group received routine treatment, while patients in the treatment group additionally received intravenous injection of SI (15 mL), twice daily for 14 days in total. Colonoscopy was performed before and after treatment. The therapeutic effect was assessed by Mayo scoring system and the grading of activities evaluated by Baron endoscope. Serum levels of IL-6 and TNF-α were detected by ELISA. The activity of SOD was detected by xanthine oxidase method. The content of MDA was detected by thiobarbituricacid (TBA). Besides, 20 healthy subjects were recruited as the healthy control group.

RESULTSTotally 82 patients completed the study (40 in the control group and 42 in the treatment group). There was no statistical difference in serum levels of IL-6, TNF-α, SOD, MDA, the Mayo score and endoscope grading between the two groups before treatment (P >0. 05). Compared with the healthy control group, serum levels of IL-6, TNF-α, MDA significantly increased (P <0.01), and the serum SOD level decreased (P < 0. 05) in the treatment grup and the control group before treatment. Compared with before treatment in the same group, serum levels of IL-6, TNF-α, MDA, the Mayo score and endoscope grading all decreased in the treatment group and the control group after treatment (P <0. 01, P <0. 05). Compared with the control group after treatment, serum levels of IL-6, TNF-α, MDA, the Mayo score and endoscope grading all decreased (P <0.01, P <0.05), the serum SOD level increased (P <0.05) in the treatment group after treatment. The serum SOD level was obviously negative correlated with serum levels of IL-6, TNF-a, Mayo score, and endoscope score (r = -0. 621, -0.638, -0. 509, -0.787, P <0.01). The serum MDA level was obviously positive correlated with serum levels of IL-6, TNF-α, Mayo score, and endoscope score (r =0.711, 0. 882, 0. 525, 0. 639, P <0.01).

CONCLUSIONSI could improve inflammatory injury and clinical symptoms of patients with active UC, and its mechanism might be associated with antioxidant and scavenging oxygen free radicals.

Colitis, Ulcerative ; blood ; drug therapy ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Inflammation ; drug therapy ; Interleukin-6 ; blood ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; blood

Congenital cataract is a highly heterogeneous disorder at both the genetic and the clinical-phenotypic levels. A unique cataract was observed in a 4-generation Chinese family, which was characterized by autosomal dominant inheritance and late-onset. Mutations in the 13 known genes (CRYAA, CRYAB, CRYBB1, CRYBB2, CRYGC, CRYBA1/A3, CRYGD, Connexin50, Connexin46, intrinsic membrane protein LIM2, cytoskeletal protein BFSP2, the major intrinsic protein-MIP and the heat shock factor HSF4) have previously been demonstrated to be the frequent reason for isolated congenital cataracts, but the exact molecular basis and underlying mechanisms of congenital cataract still remain unclear. This study was designed to find whether these 13 genes developed any mutation in the family members and to identify the disease-causing gene. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and direct DNA sequence analysis were carried out to detect the 13 genes. The results showed that no mutation causing amino acid alternations was found in these potential candidate genes among all patients in the family, and only several single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were identified. A transitional mutation in the fourth intron of CRYBB2 and some silent mutations in the first exon of BFSP2 and CRYGD were found in the cataract family, but further study showed that these mutations could also be found in normal controls. It was concluded that some unidentified genes may underlie the occurrence of late-onset cataract in this family. A genome-wide screening will be carried out in the next study.

Objective To assess the feasibility and clinical results of video-assisted high anterior transcervical approach (Smith-Robinson) in treatment of spinal lesions of the craniovertebral junction. Methods Between April 2007 to October 2009, nineteen consecutive patients with spinal lesions of the craniovertebral junction were included in the study. There were 9 males and 10 females aged from 16 to 62 years old with a mean of 32 years. The primary pathologies included 4 cases with chronic odontiod fracture, 2 cases with purely irreducible atlantoaxial dislocation, 6 cases with os odonteideum, 1 case with Marfan synd rome, 1 case with primary basilar invagination from Kippel-Feil syndrome, 3 case with axis tumor and 1 case with irreducible rheumatoid atlantoaxial dislocation. All of the patients underwent combined video-assisted high anterior transcervical procedure and posterior fixation at one-stage. The anterior procedure included atlantoaxil release and reduction (8 cases), odontoidectomy (8 cases), and intralesional extracapsular excision and reconstruction (3 tumor cases). The posterior technique were C1-C2 pedicle screw fixation (13 cases), C1-C3 pedicle screw fixation (2 cases), and occipitalcervical fusion (4 cases). Results Anatomical reduction was achieved in eight cases with anterior release and reduction. Tumors were completely removed in three cases with axial tumor. The mean follow-up was 14 months (6-36 months). All of them achieved solid bone fusion. In the 14 patients with symptoms of spinal cord dysfunction, the average Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA)score had improved from 9.1±3.3 preoperatively to 14.1±2.9 postperatively. The improvement rate was excellent for 7 cases, good for 5 cases, fair for lcase and poor for 1 case. One patient experienced leakage of cerebrospinal fluid which was resolved by bioprotein gelatin blocking and lumbar subarachnoid continuous drainage within 1 week. Dysphagia which occurred in 3 cases responded well to dexamethason and mannitol.No infection and hardware failure were observed. Conclusion Video-assisted high anterior transcervical procedure is a safe and effective alternative for treating spinal lesions in the craniovertebral junction.