BACKGROUND:Previous studies designed and made titanium metal rubber cervical disc prosthesis, and performed feasible studies on its effect on movement and stress distribution by replicating intervertebral discs. OBJECTIVE:To further observe the changes in the stability of goat cervical vertebra after metal rubber cervical disc replacement. METHODS:Nine goats were randomly divided into experimental group (n=6) and normal control group (n=3). Goats in the experimental group received metal rubber cervical disc replacement at C4/5segment. Goats in the normal control group did not receive any treatment. Radiographic data at anteroposterior and lateral position, hyperextension and excessive flexion were taken to measure intervertebral height, range of motion and intervertebral angle at C4/5 segment before operation, immediately, 4, 8, 12 weeks after operation. Subsequently, slicing and embedding of hard tissue at surgical segment, picric acid-acid fuchsin staining and scanning electron microscopy were conducted.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:No significant difference in the intervertebral height and spinal range of motion at C4/5 segment at different time points was detected between postoperative results in the experimental group and preoperative results in the experimental group, normal control group. The intervertebral height at C4/5 segment was higher immediately, 4 and 8 weeks after surgery than preoperative result in the experimental group (P < 0.05). No significant difference in intervertebral angle at C4/5 segment was detectable between 4, 8 and 12 weeks postoperatively in the experimental group and normal control group (P < 0.05). At 4 weeks after surgery, bone did not contact with the edge of the prosthesis in the experimental group. At 8 weeks, the gap between bone and the prosthesis became smal, and some new bone attached to the edge of the prosthesis. At 12 weeks, a few osteoblasts were observed on the surface of the prosthesis. New osteogenic tissue grew into the prosthesis. Results suggested that metal rubber cervical disc replacement in the intervertebral space could maintain intervertebral height and range of motion in a short period, and tightly bind to the vertebral body.

Object To develop an immunoassay method of species-specific protein for Radix Glycyrrhizae (RG) identification. Methods The crude drug of RG as a model was studied in this paper,the antigen of RG protein (RGP) was screened by Western-blot analysis using anti-RG serum. After species-specific protein,RGP was purified,and rabbit antiserum against RGP was prepared,the rabbit IgG of anti-RGP was isolated and biotinylated,then the sandwich enzyme-linked immuosorbent assay (ELISA) was developed. Results The method was only specific to RG,which was harvested from various areas or species,and showed excellent sensitivity and reproducibility. Conclusion The result suggests that the immunoassay method using specific antigen of RGP as a detection objective be a new potential for the unequivocal identification and quality control of RG.

BACKGROUND:Differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cels is induced by integrated factors.In vitro interaction of cytokine complex and certain cel mechanical stimulation is carried out to further improve the efficiency of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cels differentiating into nucleus pulposus-like cels. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cels into nucleus pulposus-like cels induced by transforming growth factor-β1 and insulin-like growth factor-1 under hydrostatic pressure. METHODS: Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cels from adult rats were separated, cultured and purified in vitro. Passage 3 cels were induced in vitrowith transforming growth factor-β1 and insulin-like growth factor-1 under hydrostatic pressure (hydrostatic pressure group), with transforming growth factor-β1 and insulin-like growth factor-1 under normal pressure (drug group), or with normal culture medium under normal pressure (blank control group). RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:At day 14 after culture, polygonal nucleus pulposus-like cels were observed in the hydrostatic pressure group, but irregular cels in the drug group. There was no obvious change in the blank control group. Levels of colagen type II and DNA were higher in the hydrostatic pressure group than the other two groups. These findings indicate that the combination of transforming growth factor-β1 and insulin-like growth factor-1 can successfuly induce the differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cels into nucleus pulposus-like cels under hydrostatic pressure, and the differentiation efficiency is higher under hydrostatic pressure than under normal pressure.

Objective To investigate the efficiency of 16S rRNA Real-time reverse transcription PCR technique in the diagnosis of periprosthetic joint infection,and compare its sensitivity and specificity with conventional culture.Methods There were 43 revision cases from July 2013 to December 2015.Synovial fluid collected by puncture preoperatively,tissues from five different parts around the prosthesis collected intra-operatively were cultured by blood plate and BacT/Alert FN respectively.The 16S rRNA in interface membrane was detected by real-time reverse transcription PCR as a marker to diagnose PJI.At the same time,the synovial fluid was routinely bacterial cultured.We compared the sensitivity and specificity of two methods.Results There are 22 THAs and 21 TKAs respectively in 43 cases,23 cases diagnosed prosthetic joint infection and 20 cases diagnosed non prosthetic joint infection.The sensitivity of 16S rRNA Real-time reverse transcription PCR is higher than the conventional bacterial culture (78.2％ vs.47.8％).There was no difference in the specificity and PPV and NPV.For PCR in prosthetic joint infection group,Staphylococcus epidermidis in 5 cases,Staphylococcus aureus in 3 cases,streptococcus in 4 cases,E.coli in 2 cases,Staphylococcus lugdunensis,Pseudomonas aeruginosa,Staphylococcus haemolyticus and Mycoplasma in 1 case respectively.For culture in prosthetic joint infection group,Staphylococcus epidermidis in 5 cases,Staphylococcus aureus in 2 cases,Staphylococcus lugdunensis,Pseudomonas aeruginosa,Staphylococcus haemolyticus and E.coli in 1 case respectively.For non prosthetic joint infection group,PCR and culture are all negative.Conclusion The sensitivity of 16S rRNA Real-time reverse transcription PCR is higher than the conventional bacterial culture.

Objective To investigate the myocardial protective effects of trimetazidine by observing the changes of peripheral B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP),cardiac troponin I (cTnI) level in patients undergoing off-pump coronary artery bypass graft (OPCAB), and the clinical significance of peripheral cTnI and BNP in cardiac surgery. Methods One hundred and three OPCAB patients were divided into trimetazidine group (52 cases) and control group (51 cases) by random digits table. The serum levels of BNP and cTnI preoperatively,postoperatively of 24 h, 72 h and 7 d were detected. Results The serum levels of BNP [(224.5 ± 12.0), (331.2 ±22.6), (82.4 ±3.3) ng/L] and cTnI [(0.21 ±0.04), (1.32 ±0.49), (0.26 ±0.04) μ g/L] in trimetazidine group were lower than those in control group [(294.7 ± 11.8 ), ( 383.9 ± 28.3 ),( 112.4 ± 12.5 ) ng/L and ( 1.20 ± 0. 13 ), (2.35 ± 0.54), (0.75 :± 0.21 ) μ g/L] postoperatively of 24 h, 72 h and 7 d (P＜ 0.05 ). The serum levels of BNP and cTnI increasedd at 24 h after operation. The peak level was found at 72 h and remained higher level until 7 d after operation. The baseline levels of BNP were positively correlated with cTnI (r = 0.635,P ＜ 0.05), but negatively correlated with left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) (r =-0.674,P ＜ 0.01 ). Conclusion Trimetazidine can obviously reduce serum levels of BNP and cTnI in patients undergoing OPCAB. So the united application of serum BNP and cTnI may be as a monitor marker to reflect the cardiac function in patients after OPCAB.

Objective: To examine the effects of perioperative intravenous administration of flurbiprofen axetil (FA) on pain associated with transrectal ultrasound-guided prostate biopsy.Methods: This was a randomized,controlled study.Eighty-one patients who underwent 12 core prostate biopsy were included in the study.The patients were randomly assigned to one of three groups (n=27 in each) by type of procedure during prostate biopsy.Group intrarectal local anesthesia (IRLA) received intrarectal 5% (0.05 g/L) lidocaine gel 60 mg, 5 minutes before the procedure alone;Group FA received intravenous flurbiprofen axetil (1 mg/kg) 1 hour before the procedure;Group IRLA+FA received intrarectal 5% lidocaine gel 60 mg, 5 minutes before the procedure and intravenous flurbiprofen axetil (1 mg/kg) 1 hour before the procedure.The patients were asked to score the pain by using visual analogue scale (VAS) in 4 situations,including when the probe was inserted (VASⅠ),during anesthesia (VASⅡ),during biopsy (VASⅢ) and 20 minutes after biopsy (VASⅣ).The findings were evaluated with analysis of variance,and the Tukey post hoc test was followed with an overall 2-tailed significance level at α =0.05.P1, P value between Group IRLA and Group FA;P2, P value between Group FA and Group IRLA +FA,P3, P value between Group IRLA and Group IRLA +FA.The bonferroni method was used to adjust the test level, α=0.017,a P value of less than 0.017 was accepted as the threshold for statistical significance.Results: No major complications,including sepsis and severe rectal bleeding,were noted in any patient.There were no differences in general condition of the patients before procedure among the 3 groups.There were statistically significant differences in VAS scores among the 3 groups in VASⅡ (5.7±2.2, 3.0±1.5,3.3±1.9,respectively,P=0.012) and VASⅢ (6.7±2.3,3.0±2.1,2.9±1.6,respectively,P=0.001).There were no differences in the pain scores among the 3 groups during probe insertion (VASⅠ, 3.2±1.0,4.1±2.1,4.2±1.7, respectively,P=5.752) and 20 minutes after biopsy (VASⅣ, 1.4±2.1,1.0±0.9,1.1±0.7,respectively,P=3.772).Between-column differences among the 3 groups were VASⅡ (P1=0.007,P2=5.655,P3=0.001,respectively) and VASⅢ(P1=0.008,P2=7.517,P3=0.001,respectively),the differences between Group IRLA and Group FA,Group IRLA and Group IRLA +FA in VASⅡ and VASⅢ were statistically significant.Conclusion:The intravenous flurbiprofen axetil was found to be more effective than intrarectal lidocaine gel alone.

AIM To compare liver-protective and anti-inflammatory effects of extracts from root,stem,leaf,and flower of Gentiana rigescens.METHODS The mouse model for the immunological liver injury induced by Concanavalin A,and mouse ear swelling model for inflammation caused by dimethylbenzene were used for the comparison of the liver-protective or anti-inflammatory effects of four parts individually.RESULTS Four aqueous extracts of Gentiana rigescens showed the dose-dependent decrease in the activity of ALT and AST in serum and liver index,and alleviation of hepatic tissue injury induced by Concanavalin A in mice.The effects of the extracts from the leaf and root were better than those from the stem and flower.These extracts presented dose-dependent inhibition against the ear swelling caused by dimethylbenzene in mice.The effects of the extracts from the leaf and stem were better than those from the flower and root.CONCLUSION Extracts from the root and leaf of G.rigescens have liver-protective effect,and parts from the stem and leaf have anti-inflammatory effect.

Objective To determine 1-deoxynojirimycin(DNJ) from mulberry resources and analyse their bioactivities.Methods Determination of DNJ by derivatization with 9-fluorenylmethyl chloroformate(FMOC-Cl) and followed by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography(RP-HPLC) and a fluorescence detector;the inhibitory curves on ?glucosidase at the enzymatic level and the activities to(?-)glucosidase in vitro were observed in the everted sac experiment.Results A reliable quantitative method suitable for assays of DNJ from mulberry resources has been developed.The inhibitory curves of the extracts on ?-glucosidase were parallel to those of DNJ.The extracts can inhibit hydrolyzation of starch and absorption of glucose.Conclusion The medicinal parts from mulberry resources can be used for diabetic therapy as ?-glucosidase inhibitor.

Objective:To investigate whether the prophylactic use of a dose of sensitive antibiotics before revision for periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) may affect the positive rate of intraoperative specimen culture.Methods:This prospective study recruited the patients who underwent revision due to PJI from July 1, 2017 to February 1, 2019 at Department of Orthopaedics, The First Affiliated Hospital to Fujian Medical University. After use of antibiotics was stopped in all patients for 2 weeks before operation, synovial fluid was extracted for culture to confirm pathogenic bacteria and drug sensitivity and some/all of the prostheses were removed during operation. According to their sequence number of admission, the patients were randomly divided into group A and group B. Samples were taken in group A after a dose of sensitive antibiotics was administered 30 to 60 minutes before revision while a dose of sensitive antibiotics was given in group B after all samples were taken. Intra-operatively, synovial fluid, tissue grinding fluid (TGF) and ultrasonic prosthesis lysate (UPL) were taken for aerobic and anaerobic culture. According to whether there was a positive culture of at least one microbiological specimen, the preoperative and intraoperative culture results were analyzed and compared between the 2 groups.Results:A total of 32 PJI patients were included in this study due to positive culture of synovial fluid before operation, with 16 cases in group A and 16 in group B. The most common infection bacteria were staphylococci (59.3%, 19/32). There was no significant difference in age, gender, mode of operation, Tsukayama classification, prosthesis removal, preoperative ESR, CRP, synovial fluid white blood cell count (SF-WBC) or polymorphonuclear cell percentage (PMN) between the 2 groups. The positive rates of synovial fluid, tissue, TGF and UPL were 81.3% (13/16), 62.5% (10/16), 93.8% (15/16) and 93.8% (15/16) for group A, and 87.5% (14/16), 68.8% (11/16), 93.8% (15/16) and 100.0% (16/16) for group B, showing insignificant differences between the 2 groups ( P>0.05). The positive rates of TGF and UPL culture showed no significant difference between them in group A or in group B ( P>0.05), but they were significantly higher than those of traditional tissue culture ( P<0.05). Conclusions:As prophylactic use of antibiotics before PJI revision may not affect the positive rate of intraoperative specimen culture, it is not necessary to postpone use of prophylactic antibiotics before PJI revision. Furthermore, as positive rates of TGF and UPL culture are similar but significantly higher than those of traditional tissue culture, tissue grinding can be used to improve the positive rate of tissue culture.

Objective: To study the expression of transmembrane protein CMTM2 in the testis and sperm of adult males and to approach the potential function of the protein in the male reproductive system.Methods: The expression of CMTM2 in human testis and sperm was confirmed by Western blot.Immunohistochemical staining was used for detecting CMTM2 localization in the testis tissue, TRITC-CMTM2 and FITC-Hoechst double immunofluorescence staining was performed to examine the subcellular localization of CMTM2 in the human sperm before and after acrosome reaction, that is, immunofluorescent staining was used for detecting CMTM2 localization in both the testis and sperm before and after the acrosome reaction.Results: CMTM2 was presented in both human testis and sperm.In the testis, CMTM2 immunoreactive particles were observed mainly in the membrane of the different stages of spermatogenic cells.In the human sperm, its immunoreactivity was restrictively localized to the posterior head where sperm-egg fusion occurred, and the CMTM2 localization was not affected by sperm acrosome reaction.CMTM2 was widely expressed in seminiferous tubules of the human testis, mainly in the cell membranes of spermatogenic cells, which was consistent with the previous reports.The immunofluorescence performed on frozen human testis slides showed similar findings with immunohistochemistry, which gave weight to the localization of CMTM2 in the cell membranes of spermatogenic cells at different stages.TRITC-CMTM2 and FITC-Hoechst double immunofluorescence staining was performed to examine the subcellular localization of CMTM2 in the human sperm before and after acrosome reaction.CMTM2 was localized at the posterior head of sperm before and after acrosome reaction.The localization and expression of CMTM2 were not affected by sperm acrosome reaction.Conclusion: Expression of CMTM2 in the male reproductive system of the adult human exhibits cell-and region-specific patterns, which suggests that they may play an important role in spermatogenesis and sperm-egg fusion.The expression of CMTM2 in the male reproductive system of the adult human exhibits cell-and region-specific patterns, which suggests that they may play an important role in spermatogenesis and sperm-egg fusion.However, it still remains to be further elucidated about the definite role of CMTM2 in male reproductive system and the process of spermatogenesis.And in vitro fertilization experiments are needed to confirm the role of CMTM2 in fertilization in future.