OBJECTIVETo study the expression of lipoprotein related genes in subchondral bone of early experimental os-teoarthritis, which may play an important role in the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis.

METHODSAnimals are equally divided into two groups: experimental group and control group, both of which contain fifteen rats of similar weight. The right knee joints of experimental group underwent surgery,which involved in both medial collateral ligament(MCL) transaction and medial meniscectomy, while the control group was only carried out with a sham operation. Rats were killed at 1, 2 and 4 weeks postsurgery to obtain the right knee joints. Total RNA of the subchondral bone was extracted,and then hybridized to Agilent Whole Rat Genome Microarray. Differentially expressed genes analysis was used to study the chemokine signaling pathway.

RESULTSApoa5 expression was down-regulated at 1, 2 weeks post-surgery, Apoc2 expression was up-regulated at 1 week after surgery, Apol3 expression was up-regulated at 1 and down-regulated at 4 weeks post-surgery, Lrp1 expression was down-regulated at 1, 2 weeks after surgery. Lrp5 was down-regulated at 2 weeks after surgery. Gpihbp1, Lpl, Tfpi and Vldlr were up-regulated at 1 weeks after surgery. Lrpap1 and RGD1309808 were down-regulated at 4 weeks after surgery.

CONCLUSIONDysregulation of lipoprotein related genes plays an important role in pathogenesis of early experimental osteoarthritis.

Animals ; Disease Models, Animal ; Knee Joint ; metabolism ; Lipoproteins ; genetics ; Male ; Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis ; Osteoarthritis ; genetics ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Transcriptome

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the clinical outcome of arthroscopically assisted combined anterior and posterior cruciate ligament (ACL/PCL) reconstructions using Achilles tendon-bone allografts.

METHODSAssociated meniscus injuries were treated according to established methods prior to ligament reconstructions during arthroscopic surgery. Thirty Achilles tendon-bone allografts were used to reconstruct torn ACL and PCL in 15 knees. At postoperative follow-up, all knees were graded using the modified IKDC and the Lysholm scoring systems just as done preoperatively.

RESULTSwere analyzed compared with the contralateral healthy knees. Results: Eleven men and 4 women with a minimum of 3-year follow-up (mean 38 months) were included in the study. Preoperatively, the group ratings by the modified IKDC standards were all severely abnormal. Twelve bicruciate reconstructions were performed in subacute or chronic stage (larger than 3-8 weeks), 3 for acute ligamentous deficiencies (less than or equal to 3 weeks). The noticeable early complication was transitory local fever combined with joint effusion in one case. At postoperative follow-up, 9 knees were normal, 5 nearly normal and 1 abnormal. On Lysholm score the difference was statistically significant (t- test, P less than 0.001) before and after operation.

CONCLUSIONSAchilles tendon-bone allograft offers an alternative for simultaneous arthroscopic ACL/PCL reconstructions. However, further investigation is needed to eradicate its potential immunogenicity for better use.

Achilles Tendon ; transplantation ; Anterior Cruciate Ligament ; surgery ; Arthroscopy ; methods ; Bone Transplantation ; methods ; Female ; Humans ; Knee Injuries ; surgery ; Male ; Posterior Cruciate Ligament ; surgery ; Range of Motion, Articular ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures ; methods ; Transplantation, Homologous

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the arthroscopic diagnosis and treatment of the chronic ankle pain after injury.

METHODSFrom April 1999 to June 2008, 39 patients with posttraumatic chronic ankle pain were treated. The mean duration between the initial injury and treatment was 18 months (2 months to 11 years). There were 15 males and 24 females with a mean age of 32 years (15 to 58 years). All the patients were treated with arthroscopic debridement. The preoperative and postoperative ankle functions were evaluated by the AOFAS (the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society) Clinical Rating System for the ankle-hindfoot.

RESULTSTwenty-six patients had osteochondral lesions. Impingement syndrome in ankle was observed in 21 patients. The impingement tissue included synovial hypertrophy in 3 patients, ligament injury in 10 patients (7 patients had anterior talofibular ligament injury and 3 patients had anteroinferior tibiofibular ligament injury), meniscoid tissue in 6 patients, pathological labrum in 3 patients. All the patients were followed up with an average of (14.2+/-8.4) months (ranged from 5 to 36 months). The AOFAS scores increased significantly from pre-operative (59.7+/-16.9) to post-operative (68.8+/-21.2), and it was obvious in relieving pain, which was pre-operative (22.8+/-10.0) and post-operative (29.5+/-12.1).

CONCLUSIONArthroscopy can be used to diagnose the cause of chronic ankle pain after injury. Furthermore, arthroscopic debridement was useful to relieve the pain and improve the joint function, and it is appropriate for patients who had no fractures and dislocations.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Ankle Injuries ; complications ; surgery ; Ankle Joint ; pathology ; surgery ; Arthroscopy ; methods ; Debridement ; methods ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

There is a dearth of case reports describing simultaneous bilateral patellar tendon ruptures in the medical literature. These ruptures are often associated with systemic disorders such as lupus erythematosus or chronic steroid use. The author describes a case of a 24-year-old man who sustained traumatic bilateral patellar tendon ruptures without any history of systemic disease or steroidal medication. We repaired and reattached the ruptured tendons to the patella and augmented our procedure with allogeneic tendon followed by wire loop reinforcement. One year after operation, the patient regained a satisfactory range of motion of both knees with good quadriceps strength and no extensor lag. The recurrent microtrauma from a history of intense sports activity and a high body mass index may have played an important role in this trauma event.
Humans ; Knee Injuries ; Patella ; injuries ; Patellar Ligament ; Rupture ; Tendon Injuries ; surgery

OBJECTIVETo study the feasibility of regenerating a whole menisci using poly-(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV) scaffolds loaded with meniscal cells in rabbits undergoing total meniscectomy, and to explore its protective effect on cartilage degeneration.

METHODSA solvent casting and particulate leaching technique was employed to fabricate biodegradable PHBV scaffolds into a meniscal shape. The proliferated meniscal cells were seeded onto the polymer scaffolds, transplanted into rabbit knee joints whose lateral menisci had been removed. Eight to 18 weeks after transplantation, the rege- nerated neomenisci were evaluated by gross and histological observations. Cartilage degeneration was assessed by Mankin score.

RESULTSEighteen weeks after transplantation, the implants formed neomenisci. Hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining of the neomenisci sections revealed regeneration of fibrocartilage. Type I collagen in the neomenisci was also proved similar to normal meniscal tissue by immunohistochemical analysis and Sirius scarlet trinitrophenol staining. Articular cartilage degeneration was observed 8 weeks after implantation. It was less severe as compared with that in total meniscectomy controls and no further degeneration was observed at 18 weeks. At that time, the regenerated neomenisci strongly resembled normal meniscal fibrocartilage in gross and histological appearance, and its mechanical property was also close to that of normal meniscus.

CONCLUSIONSThe present study demonstrates the feasibility of tissue-engineering a whole meniscal structure in total meniscectomy rabbit models using biodegradable PHBV scaffolds together with cultured allogeneic meniscal cells. Cartilage degeneration is decreased. But long-term in vivo investigations on the histological structure and cartilage degeneration of the neomenisci regenerated by this method are still necessary to determine the clinical potential of this tissue engineering avenue.

Animals ; Cartilage, Articular ; Cells, Cultured ; Knee Joint ; Menisci, Tibial ; Polymers ; Regeneration ; Tissue Engineering

OBJECTIVETo study the characteristics of inheritance and epidemiology of gallstone disease in one pedigree.

METHODSA gallbladder disease-specific questionnaire was administered to all family members to ascertain histories of cholecystectomy and other medical conditions as well as anthropometrical data. Laboratory examination and ultrasonography were performed to determine the existence of gallstone.

RESULTSOne hundred and thirteen members of four generations in the index family were enrolled in the study. The prevalence of gallstone in females (34.48%) was higher than in males (23.64%) but with no significant difference. The prevalence in the second and third generations (52%) was higher than in others (20%) (P < 0.05). The heritability and standard error showed as 86.38% +/- 46.46% in I generations. Body mass index, histories of hypertension, hyperlipidemia and blood glucose were positively related to gallstone disease (P = 0.012, < 0.01, 0.017, 0.043, respectively) in this family. Gallstone disease was not significantly related to history of diabetes, daily alcohol or diet habit. Plasma cholesterol and triglyceride levels were not correlated with gallstone disease.

CONCLUSIONGallstone disease presented aggregation in the family and was in accordance with the characteristics of autosomal dominant inheritance. Being female, obesity, hypertension and history of hyperlipidemia might serve as risk factors to this family.

Adolescent ; Adult ; China ; epidemiology ; Family Health ; Female ; Gallstones ; epidemiology ; genetics ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; genetics ; Humans ; Hyperlipidemias ; complications ; Hypertension ; complications ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Obesity ; complications ; Pedigree ; Prevalence ; Risk Factors ; Sex Factors ; Surveys and Questionnaires

BACKGROUNDNotch activation leads to transcriptional suppression of lineage-specific genes, inhibiting differentiation in response to inductive signals. The Notch signal system contains three parts: Notch molecules, Notch ligands and effectors. Delta4 is a newly-discovered Notch ligand which has received the attention of few detailed studies. This study sought to explore the biological function of Delta4 and observe its effects on 32D cell differentiation.

METHODSDelta4-expressing vector pTracer.CMV.Delta4.FLAG was constructed using molecular biological techniques. CHO cells stably transfected with pTracer.CMV.Delta4.FLAG were confirmed to have a Delta4 protein band via Western blotting. High-expression Delta4-CHO clones were selected for the following functional studies. Notch1-CHO and Notch2-CHO were used as host cells. After transiently transfecting with transition protein 1 (TP1), Delta4 activity was compared in both cell lines by means of luciferase analysis. CHO cells were incubated with Notch1-32D cells that had been transfected with Notch1 and were observed for granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF)-induced differentiation. Jagged2-CHO and Delta4-CHO cells transfected with the Notch ligands Jagged2 and Delta4, respectively, were incubated with Notch1-32D cells to observed inhibition of Notch on G-CSF-induced differentiation.

RESULTSThe vector pTracer.CMV.Delta4.FLAG was constructed successfully. CHO cells were stably transfected with the vector pTracer.CMV.Delta4.FLAG. Two CHO cell lines expressing Delta4 at high levels were selected for use in the study. Delta4 was found to induce signal activity via both Notch1 and Notch2 and the induction of signaling activity was stronger in Notch2 cells than in Notch1 cells. Compared with other Notch ligands, Delta4 was slightly weaker than Jagged2, but stronger than Delta1 and Jagged1 in terms of Notch1 ligands. In terms of Notch2, Delta4 had a strong signaling activity, but was weaker than Delta1, Jagged1, and Jagged2. Jagged2 could inhibit Notch1-32D cell differentiation induced by G-CSF, but Delta4 could not.

CONCLUSIONSDelta4 induces both Notch1 and Notch2 activity and is a ligand for both of them. The effect of Delta4 is stronger on Notch2 than that on Notch1. Jagged2 can inhibit Notch1-32D cell differentiation induced by G-CSF, but Delta4 cannot.

Animals ; CHO Cells ; Calcium-Binding Proteins ; Cell Differentiation ; Cricetinae ; Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins ; Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins ; Jagged-1 Protein ; Jagged-2 Protein ; Membrane Proteins ; genetics ; physiology ; Mice ; Receptor, Notch1 ; Receptor, Notch2 ; Receptors, Cell Surface ; physiology ; Serrate-Jagged Proteins ; Signal Transduction ; Transcription Factors ; physiology

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the efficacy of early superselective angiography and embolization in the diagnosis and treatment of massive bleeding after gastrectomy.

METHODSThe clinical data of 28 patients with massive bleeding after surgery from 1980 to 2001 were retrospectively analysed. All patients underwent emergency angiography and 27 of them were treated by transcatheter embolization.

RESULTSBleeding was controlled in 26 of the 28 patients (93%), recurrent bleeding occurred in 1, an recognized bleeding in 1, and abdominal pain in 1. There was no death.

CONCLUSIONSTransarterial embolization for massive bleeding after gastrectomy is safe and effective. It is suggested that early emergency angiography should be considered in all patients with massive gastrointestinal bleeding after gastrectomy.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Angiography ; methods ; Embolization, Therapeutic ; methods ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Gastrectomy ; adverse effects ; Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage ; diagnostic imaging ; etiology ; therapy ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Postoperative Hemorrhage ; diagnostic imaging ; etiology ; therapy ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo compare the clinical results of additional screws fixation on fractured vertebrae versus only short-segment posterior transpedicular instrumentation for A3 thoracolumbar fracture without neurologic deficit.

METHODSClinical data of 52 cases of thoracolumbar burst fracture without neurologic deficit were retrospectively analyzed. All patients were divided into 2 groups due to different instrumentation and all fractures were classified as type A3 according to AO Classification.From January 2005 to December 2006, 23 cases in group A were treated by short-segment posterior instrumentation combined with additional screws fixation on fractured vertebrae. There were 18 male and 5 female with a mean age of (35.3+/-8.3) years. The fracture segment included 1 in T11, 9 in T12, 11 in L1 and 2 in L2. From January 1999 to December 2004, 29 cases in group B were treated only by conventional short-segment posterior transpedicular instrumentation. There were 20 male and 9 female with a mean age of (37.3+/-6.8) years. The fracture segment included 1 in T11, 7 in T12, 20 in L1 and 1 in L2. The clinical effect and radiographic measurements were respectively compared preoperatively, immediate and 2 years postoperatively.

RESULTSAll patients were followed up and the mean follow-up time was (37.4+/-10.9) months (from 24 to 48 months). There was no statistic difference of mean JOA and VAS score between 2 groups preoperatively, immediate and 2 years postoperatively (P>0.05). The average immediate postoperative correction of Cobb's angle was 13.7 degrees+/-7.7 degrees in group A, which was statistically significantly higher than that of 8.8 degrees+/-5.0 degrees in group B (P<0.01). The mean kyphosis correction loss of 2.9 degrees+/-1.5 degrees in group A was statistically significantly lower than that of 5.0 degrees+/-2.9 degrees in group B 2 years postoperatively (P<0.01). The average restoration of anterior height of fractured vertebral body immediate postoperatively was (29.4+/-6.0)% and (21.7+/-6.9)% respectively. The mean correction loss of anterior height 2 years postoperatively was (3.1+/-0.8)% and (6.6+/-3.0)% respectively. The average restoration of posterior height of fractured vertebral body immediate postoperatively was (8.5+/-3.2)% and (6.1+/-1.8)% respectively. The mean correction loss of posterior height 2 years postoperatively was (2.0+/-0.8)% and (3.4+/-1.0)% respectively. There were significant differences in average restoration of anterior/posterior height immediate postoperatively and correction loss of anterior/posterior height 2 years postoperatively between the 2 groups (P<0.01). According to fracture fragments protruded into the spinal canal on immediate postoperative CT image, there were complete reduction in 11 cases (47.8%) and partial reduction in 12 cases (52.2%) in group A, which was statistically significantly better than those in group B (P<0.01). There was no severe neurologic complications and no other complications related to additional screws fixation postoperatively. Pedicle screw breakage occurred in 2 cases in group B and none in group A.

CONCLUSIONSBetter initial kyphosis correction and less loss of correction 2 years after operation can be obtained by using additional screws fixation on fractured vertebra for thoracolumbar A3 fracture without neurologic deficit.

Adult ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; methods ; Humans ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; injuries ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Spinal Fractures ; surgery ; Thoracic Vertebrae ; injuries ; Treatment Outcome