Objective:To study the isolation, culture and identification of the TMJ cells and to observe the biological characteristics of cultured fibrochondrocytes. Methods:The TMJ discs were dissected from two 1 month goats under sterile conditions and were digested with collagenase. The cells were collected. Morphological changes and attachment efficiency were constantly observed under phase-contrast microscope. Immunohistochemical staining for type I collagen as well as toluidine blue staining were performed. Ultrastructures of the TMJ cells were observed under transmission electron microscope. Results: Most of the primary fibrochondrocytes presented a short spindle-shape while the rest showed polygon-shape. On the 7th day, the perliferating fibrochondrocytes started to contact each other to form a monolayer covering the bottom of the incubation disc. Immunohistochemical staining of type I and toluidine blue staining exhibited positive results. The fibrochondrocytes cytoplasms were rich in mictochondria and endoplasm reticulum. Conclusion: The fibrochondrcytes isolated from one-month-old goat TMJ disc have good proliferation ability in vitro and cells from passage 1 to 3 might be used as seed cells for TMJ disc tissue engineering.

BACKGROUND:There is no common cognition in the cell type in the temporomandibular joint(TMJ)discs,and names describing TMJ disc cells also vary a lot.OBJECTIVE:To characterize the type and the distribution of cells in the TMJ disc of goats DESIGN,TIME AND SETTING:A single sample observation was completed in Cettutar and Motecutar Biologicat Center and Electron Microscope Center of Lanzhou University from March to May in 2007.MATERlALS:TMJ discs were obtained from two one-month-old healthy goats that were slaughtered freshly.METHODS:Bilateral TMJ discs of goats were cut off completely and were divided into 6 parts by 3 cuts in the major axis direction (mediolaterally)and 2 cuts in the minor axis direction(anteroposteriorly).Then the marked samples were fixed in 10%neutral formalin Iiquid for 24 hours and embedded by paraffin.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:Hematoxylin and eosin staining were used to identify regional variation of cell type and cellnumbers.Toluidine blue staining and collagen type Ⅰimmunohistochemical assay were performed to test the distribution of collagens.Transmission etectren microscopy was used to observe the ultrastructure of cells of goat TMJ discs.RESULTS:TMJ discs were comprised of cells and collagen fibers distributing unevenly.Collagens were mostly type Ⅰ.Collagen fibers were wave or crimping and approximately parallel to each other.with cells scattered in their matrix.Fibroblast-like cells and chondrocyte-like cells were the main two types of cells existing,with the former predominating over the later in a ratio of 2.05:1 approximately.There were no significant regional differences in cell type and distribution statistically.Transmission electron microscopy denoted that fibroblast-iike cells have fairly larger fusiform or irregular nuclei with very few organelles,while the chondrocyte-like cells exhibited round or elliptical nuclei,well defined pericellular electron lucent zones,unconspicuous cytocysta and non-distinctive pseudopodia CONCLUSION:There are no significant differences in type,number and arrangement of cells in TMJ discs of one-month-old goats statistically,with Fibroblast-like cells predominating slightly over chondrocyte-like cells.

The theory of "Yang transforming Qi while Yin constituting form" in the Huangdi's Internal Classic is derived from the application， transformation， movement， and balance of Tao. It is highly condensed， revealing the true meaning of Tao and guiding the changes and progress of all natural things， including diseases. Therefore， the appearance of various physical diseases is the manifestation of Yin-Yang Qi transformation. Sweat pore， formed by the Qi transformation of Yin and Yang， is the nourishing and regulating system. It serves as the hub and channel， assisting in the flow and transformation of Qi， facilitating the exchange of material， energy， and information with the outside world. With sweat pore as the hub and based on the macro-control and holistic thinking of "Yang transforming Qi while Yin constituting form"， this paper explores the microscopic mechanisms underlying chronic liver disease. In combination with the roles of mitochondria， exosomes， and the ultraliver sieve structure in the formation and progression of chronic liver disease， this paper elucidates the close internal relationship between the disease's initial quality， symptom signs， and its physiological and pathological functions under the guidance of this theory. Modern studies have shown that autophagy， intestinal flora disorders， glucose and lipid metabolism disturbances， activation of inflammatory factors， ferroptosis， and other microscopic pathological mechanisms are involved in the occurrence and development of chronic liver disease. The common connotation of the Yin-Yang concept in traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） and the pathological mechanisms in modern medicine is deeply analyzed. The corresponding relevant microscopic mechanisms and the guiding role of the theory of "Yang transforming Qi while Yin constituting form-sweat pore" in the management of chronic liver disease are summarized. Wind medicine promotes growth and transformation through sweat pore. The combination of pungent and sweet medicines facilitates Yang and disperse Yin. The formulas， combining the characteristics of wind medicine and pungent and sweet medicines， fit the principle of "Yang transforming Qi while Yin constituting form-sweat pore". This paper combines both macro and micro perspectives to explain the scientific connotation and microscopic mechanisms of chronic liver disease based on the theory of "Yang transforming Qi while Yin constituting form-sweat pore"， and explore the prevention and treatment of chronic liver disease through the principles， methods， prescriptions， and medicines featured by combination of pungent and sweet medicines， facilitating Yang， activating sweat pore， and dispersing Yin， providing new ideas and reference for the clinical treatment of chronic liver disease.