Objective To explore the impact of the ratio between pelvic tilt (PT) and sacral slope (SS) on the life quality of patients with ankylosing spndylitis (AS) after kyphosis correction. Methods From November 2008 to May 2011, 33 AS pa?tients were reviewed, including 31 males and 2 females, aged from 19 to 58 years old (average, 36 years old). The thoracolumbar kyphosis angle was 35.23° ± 13.98° (range, 15.12°-74.37° ) and the lumbar lordosis angle was 8.68° ± 18.27° (range,-23.70°-62.15°). The Scoliosis Research Society (SRS)?22 questionnaire was used to evaluate the quality of life and the Oswestry disability index (ODI) was used to evaluate the condition of pain. The pelvic incidence (PI), PT, SS, sagittal vertical axis (SVA) and osteoto?my angle were obtained from standing lateral full?spine radiographs. The correlations were analyzed from the subjective grading and the sagittal parameters in AS patients. Results The osteotomy site was in L1 (5 cases, 21.00°-54.59° , average 32.59° ± 13.44° ), L2 (19 cases, 28.63°-66.24° , average 37.89° ± 9.26° ), L3 (9 cases, 31.78°-60.90° , average 47.05° ± 9.20° ), respectively. The range of osteotomy angle was 39.59°±10.82° (range, 21.00°-66.24°). The subjective grading and spino?pelvic parameters were improved significantly after operation except PI, only postoperative PT/SS (0.93±0.65) and ODI standing (0.60±0.75)(r=0.681, P<0.05), osteotomy angle (39.59°±10.82°) and satisfaction of management (3.33±0.49)(r=0.478, P<0.05)had correlation with the subjective grading. Conclusion Compared with the change of PT, SS and SVA, the change of PT/SS is more closely related to the quality of life after operation in AS patients with kyphosis, which should be pay attention to by surgeon when designing operative schemes.

Objective To explore the prognostic value of pediatric critical illness score(PCIS)and pediatric risk of mortality score(PRISMⅢ)and the accuracy for evaluating the state of children with acute respiratory distress syndrome(ARDS).Methods Seventy-one cases hospitalized children from 29 days to 14 years old of Hebei ARDS cooperation group were selected during the 13 months between 2005 and 2006.All cases were confirmed according to ARDS diagnostic standard.For prospective studies,the patients were scored simultaneously with PCIS and PRISMⅢ at different times:when the patients entered PICU,when the patients were in the worst situation in PICU,when the patients were diagnosed as ARDS and when ARDS was serious.The data were performed by using Logistic regression etc.Results Values of Logistic regression were P

OBJECTIVEThis study aims to detect microRNA-17(mir-17) expression on the osteogenic differentiation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs)-stimulated hunman periodontal ligament stem cells (HPDLSCs) and to analyze the influence of these cells on this process.

METHODSHPDLSCs were isolated using limited dilution technique. After osteogenic differentiation occurred, different time points of mir-17 expression in the experimental groups were detected by real time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The mir-17 overexpression and inhibition were evaluated using cell transfection technique. Differences in gene expressions were detected by real time PCR; differences in protein expressions were analyzed by Western blot.

RESULTSThe mir-17 expression was reduced after osteogenic differentiation occurred at 3, 7, and 14 d compared with that in the control group (P < 0.05). The expression levels of bone sialoprotein (BSP), Runt-related transcription factor-2 (Runx-2)and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) in the experimental groups were lower than those in the mimic control group when mir-17 expression increased. In addition, the protein expression levels of Runx-2 in the experimental groups were lower than those in the control group. The expression levels of BSP, Runx-2 and ALP in the experimental groups were higher than those in the inhibitor control group when mir-17 expression decreased. Likewise, the protein expression levels of Runx-2 in the experimental groups were higher than those in the control group.

CONCLUSIONAGEs inhibit the osteogenic differentiation of HPDLSCs by affecting mir-17 expression.

Alkaline Phosphatase ; Cell Differentiation ; Glycation End Products, Advanced ; Humans ; MicroRNAs ; Osteogenesis ; Periodontal Ligament ; Stem Cells

OBJECTIVEThe effect of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) on the osteogenic differentiation of humanperiodontal ligament stem cells(hPDLSCs) was discussed. Changes in the Wnt signaling pathway during glycation were also determined.

METHODSIn vitro tissue explanting method was primarily applied. Limiting diluted clone was cultured to obtain hPDLSCs in vitro. The subjects were divided into two groups: the healthy group (N-hPDLSCs) and the AGEs-stimulating group (A-hPDLSCs). Osteoblast mineralization was induced in the experimental groups. The following processes were performed: alizarin red staining; alkaline phosphatase (ALP) staining; real time polymerase chain reaction (real time PCR) for detecting osteogenic genes and Wnt classical pathway-related factors, DKK-1 and β-catenin; Western blot analysis. Bone protein and β-catenin were correlated in the nuclear expression.

RESULTSThe cells were osteogenically induced. ALP staining showed that the N-hPDLSCs displayed the deepest color. Alizarin red staining indicated that the A-hPDLSCs group had less calcified nodules than the N-hPDLSCs group. The real time PCR results suggested that the expression of relative osteogenic genes in A-hPDLSCs was quite low. Statistically significant differences in differentiation were found between groups (P < 0.05). The Western blot result was similar to that of real time PCR. Classical Wnt signaling pathway-related factor β-catenin was higher in A-hPDLSCs than in N-hPDLSCs. By contrast, DKK-1, which is an inhibitor in the Wnt pathway, had a significantly lower expression rate in A-hPDLSCs than in N-hPDLSCs. The Western blot result also showed that β-catenin expression in the nucleoprotein in A-hPDLSCs was notably higher than in N-hPDLSCs.

CONCLUSIONAGEs can inhibit hPDLSCs osteogenic differentiation. AGEs induce changes in the normal periodontal ligament stem cells classical Wnt pathway. Canonical Wnt pathway is reactivated because of AGEs stimulation.

Cell Differentiation ; Glycation End Products, Advanced ; Humans ; In Vitro Techniques ; Osteoblasts ; Osteogenesis ; Periodontal Ligament ; Stem Cells ; Wnt Proteins ; Wnt Signaling Pathway ; beta Catenin

Objective:To study the role of activin A in regulation of neutrophil function by detecting activin receptor expression and cellular activities.Methods:Peritoneal neutrophils were isolated in mouse.After the neutrophils were stimulated with activin A,the expression of ActRⅡA on neutrophils was examined by immunofluorescence and flow cytometry.Expression of Smad3 in neutrophils was analyzed by Western blot.Assays of neutrophils function were performed by detecting respiratory burst, production of NO and phagocytosis.Results:The isolated cells were composed of more than 90% peritoneal neutrophils.ActRⅡA was expressed on mouse neutrophils and Gr-1/ActRⅡA double-positive cells were 41.1%.Activin A promoted Smad3 phosphorylation in neutrophils,increased the production of ROS and O2-(P<0.05),enhanced secretion of NO and phagocytosis of mouse neutrophils(P<0.01),and promoted fluorescent microsphere phagocytosis of neutrophils by flow cytometry ( P<0.01 ) .Conclusion: Activin receptor and activin signaling protein were expressed on mouse neutrophils,activin A might play an important regulatory role in activation and function of neutrophils.

OBJECTIVETo explore the effect of ligustrazine on the migration of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) and protein expressions of matrix metalloproteinase-2 and-9 (MMP-2 and MMP-9) in vitro.

METHODSBMSCs were in vitro isolated and cultured using whole bone marrow adherent method, and phenotypes [surface positive antigens (CD29 and CD90) and negative antigens (CD34 and CD45)] identified using flow cytometry. BMSCs were divided into the blank control group, 25, 50, 100 µmol/L ligustrazine group, and the GM6001 group (100 µmol/L ligustrazine +MMPs inhibitor GM6001 ). The migration of BMSCs was tested by Transwell chamber test and wound healing assay after treated with ligustrazine for 24 h. The protein expressions of MMP-2 and MMP-9 were detected by Western blot.

RESULTSThe third passage BMSCs grew well in uniform morphology. The expression rate of CD29, CD90, CD34, and CD45 was 96.9%, 97.3%, 0.2%, and 3.0%, respectively. Compared with the blank control group, the number of migrated cells and relative distance of cell invasion increased, and the protein expressions of MMP-2 and MMP-9 were elevated in each ligustrazine group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). Compared with 100 µmol/L ligustrazine group, the number of migrated cells and relative distance of cell invasion decreased in 25 and 50 µmol/L ligustrazine groups and the GM6001 group (P < 0.01). Protein expression of MMP-2 decreased in 25 and 50 µmol/L ligustrazine groups (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONLigustrazine could promote the migration of BMSCs in vitro, and its mechanism might be related to up-regulating expression levels of MMP-2 and MMP-9 protein.

Cell Movement ; Cells, Cultured ; Hematopoietic Stem Cells ; cytology ; drug effects ; Humans ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 ; metabolism ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 ; metabolism ; Pyrazines ; pharmacology ; Up-Regulation

A total of 48 terminal cancer patients of Desheng Community were selected for developing life care,psychological support,pain relief and observations.As a result,the main symptoms of terminal cancer patients were alleviated.The average pain scores decreased from 5.6 ± 2.7 to 3.0 ± 2.4,average anxiety scores 14.2 ±6.8 to 6.3 ±3.0 and average depression scores 15.2 ±8.2 to 8.4 ±5.0.There were significant differences according to t-test (P ＜ 0.01).

Background Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a major event in the pathogenesis of posterior capsular opacification (PCO),and the expressions of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) is the marker of EMT.Previous studies showed that breviscapine plays an important role in anti-fibrosis and suppression EMT,however,the mechanism of its effect on EMT in LECs is unclear.Objective Present study was to investigate the effect of breviscapine on the expression of α-SMA and fibronectin (FN) in human LECs induced by transforming growth factor-β2 (TGF-β2).Methods Human LECs strain,HLE-B3,was cultured and passaged in DMEM containing 10％ fetal bovine serum.Different concentrations of breviscapine (6.75,12.75,25.00,50.00 and 100.00 mg/L)were added into the medium for 24,48 and 72 hours respectively,and then cell cunting kit-8 (CCK-8) was used to evaluate the half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) of breviscapine to HLE-B3.In addition,HLE-B3 was subcultured at the density of 1 × 106/hole and divided into 4 groups.The cells were in free-serum medium as the normal control;the cells were exposed in 10 μg/L TGF-β2 as TGF-β2 group;while in the breviscapine group,10 mg/L of breviscapine was added into the culture medium and another group was the combination of 10 mg/L breviscapine and 10 μg/L of TGF-β2 treatment.Real-time PCR and Western blot were used to detect the mRNA expressions of α-SMA and FN as well as their protein in HLE-B3 72 hours after cultured.Results The inhibitory rate of breviscapine to HLE-B3 proliferation was gradually elevated with the increase of concentration of breviscapine,showing a significant inhibition of the cell proliferation among the different groups and at various time points (F =292.851,P=0.000;F =65.037,P=0.000).IC50 of HLE-B3 at 72 hours was 22 mg/L,and therefore,in rest of experiment 10 mg/L of breviscapine was used which was 1/2 only half of the IC50.α-SMA and FN were expressed in cultured normal HLE-B3.The expressing level of α-SMA mRNA and FN mRNA in the HLE-B3 was significantly different among the normal group,TGF-β22 group,breviscapine treatment group and combination group as well as at various time points (F =105.490,P =0.000 ; F =1041.414,P =0.000).Similarly,the protein expressions of α-SM A and FN in the HLE-B3 was significantly different among the four groups and different time points (F=136.872,P=0.000;F=119.820,P=0.000).The expression levels of α-SMA and FN mRNA and their proteins in HLE-B3 were remarkably increased in the 10 μg/L TGF-β2 group compared with the normal control group (at all P=0.000),and those in the combination group were obviously declined in comparison to the TGF-β2 group (P =0.001,0.001,0.001,0.010).No significant difference was found in the expressions of α-SMA and FN in the HLE-B3 between the breviscapine group and normal control group in both transcriptional level and protein level (P =0.551,0.292,0.551,0.360).Conclusions 10 mg/L breviscapine can arrest the proliferation and EMT of human LECs.This result suggests that using breviscapine may be a potential prophylactic approach in the prevention of PCO.

Objective To observe the effect of S-adenosyl-L-methionine(SAMe) in treatment of jaundice in newborns and its mechanism.Methods Two hundred and two newborn infants with jaundice were treated with SAMe,76 cases in control group treated with phototherapy and liver enzyme induction elixir;SAMe 30-60 mg/(kg?d) were added to 202 cases intravenously in treatment group.The total biliorubin(T-BILI),direct bilinrubin(D-BILI) and indirect bilinrubin(I-BILI) were dynamically detected.Results Six days after treatment,the skin jaundice index in treatment group decreased remarkably.T-BILI,D-BILI and I-BILI decreased significantly.The curing effectiveness was higher in treatment group than that in control group.The number of applicating blood products and albumin,and blood produets/albumin were decreased in treatment group than those in control group.In those who used glucose to dissolve the SAMe 2.68% had blood-vessel phlebitis.Conclusions SAMe can efficiently quicken the retrogression of jaundice in newborns.It can reduce the use of blood products.It is a reliable and safe drug to treat jaundice in newborns.

Objective To investigate the clinical characteristics of acute pulmonary embolism in the elderly and its differences between the elderly and non-elderly patients,and explore the predictive effect of red blood cell distribution width(RDW)on chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH)in patients with acute pulmonary embolism.Methods A total of 129 consecutive patients with acute pulmonary embolism admitted into Affiliated Hospital of Binzhou Medical College were selected from Jan.2009 to Dec.2013.Clinical data including the basic data,blood routine test,blood gas analysis,Doppler echocardiography during admission were retrospectively analyzed.All the patients were followed-up.Ancillary findings and changes of the disease were recorded in detail during the follow-up period.SPSS 19.0 was used to analyze the results.Results The incidences of CEPPH and venous thromboembolism(VTE)in APE patients were higher in the elderly than in non-elderly.The mean RDW and pulmonary arterial systolic pressure on admission in APE patients were higher in the elderly than in non-elderly [(14.22±2.11)％ vs.(13.48± 1.69)％,P=0.033,for mean RDW] and [(54.82± 21.77)mmHg vs.(42.20 ± 19.36) mmHg,P=0.010 for pulmonary arterial systolic pressure].The mean RDW was higher in CTEPH patients than in patients without CTEPH [(16.79 ± 3.08) ％ vs.(13.68± 1.68)％,P=0.016].Multivariate Logistic analyses showed that the increased RDW level was an independent risk factors for CTEPH in APE patients(OR=1.535,95％ CI:1.094-2.155,P=0.013).The area under receiver operating characteristics curve(AUC)of RDW level for predicting CTEPH in APE patients was 0.856(95％ CI:0.706-0.987,P＜0.001),the corresponding cut-off point was 14.85％,and the sensitivity and specificity were 88.9％ and 87.5％ respectively.Conclusions The increased RDW level could predict the risk of CTEPH to a certain extent in APE patients.