Osteoarthritis (OA) is a common disease among elders and athletes. Mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) are molecules of stress sensitivity which play a significant role in the occurrence and development of OA. MAPKs are closely related with chondrocyte apoptosis and cartilage degradation. This paper reviewed the related studies between OA and MAPKs.

Objective To compare electrocoagulation effects of three types of electrodes for varicose veins.Methods Twelve dogs(24 veins in hind limbs)were randomly divided into 3 groups with 4 dogs in each group:columnar electrode group,circular electrode group,and radial electrode group.Each dog's long saphenous veins were high ligated and electrocoagulated.The activated partial thromboplastin time(APTT)was measured and pathological examinations(HE and Weigert)were performed immediately following operation and on the 7th and the 14th postoperative day,respectively.The destruction depth and extent,residual vessels,and skin burn after electrocoagulation were compared among the three groups.Results One case of skin burn on the left hind limb occurred in the columnar electrode group.Immediately following the operation,the number of vessels that were destroyed beyond 50% of perimeter in the radial electrode group was 8,which was significantly higher than that in the columnar electrode group(3 vessels)and the circular electrode group(4 vessels)(Fisher's exact test,P=0.013 and 0.038),and the number of vessels that were destroyed deep to the meddle membrane in the radial electrode group was 1,which was significantly lower than that in the columnar electrode group(7 vessels)and the circular electrode group(6 vessels)(Fisher's exact test,P=0.005 and 0.020).On the 7th day after operation,there was no statistical difference among the 3 groups in the number of vessels with remnant area above 50% of the perimeter(?2=5.371,P=0.068).On the 14th day after operation,the number of vessels with remnant area above 50% of the perimeter in the radial electrode group(1 vessel)was significantly lower than that in the columnar electrode group(7 vessels)and the circular electrode group(6 vessels)(Fisher's exact test,P=0.005 and 0.020).There was no statistical difference among 3 groups in APTT immediately following operation and on the 7th and the 14th postoperative day(P=0.905,0.871,and 0.865).Conclusions Compared with the other two catheters,radial electrode has the largest destroyed area,the smallest remnant area of the vessel,and the lowest risk of skin burn.

Objective　This study was To investigate the incidence rate of Cockett syndrome and relationship between Cockett syndrome and varicose veins and deep venous incompetence of the left lower extremities.Methods　73 patients(100 legs) with varicose veins of the lower extremities were investigated by descending deep venography and iliography preoperatively.Results　There were 35(47.9%) cases with abnormalities of the left common iliac vein (ALCIV)in all the cases.There were 31 cases with this conditions in the patients with varicose veins of the left or both lower extremity.While in the patients with varicose veins of the only right lower extremity,there were only 4 cases with ALCIV.In contrast,there was a significant difference between groups(χ2=9.8641,P=0.0017).In the patients with ALCIV,14 cases with Ⅲ or Ⅳ grade of deep venous incomptence were found, and only 6 cases with deep venous incompetence in the patients without ALCIV.There was a significant difference(χ2=5.3688,P=0.0205).Conclusion　Cockett's syndrome frequently occurs in varicose veins of the left lower extremity.There is a relationship between them.Cockett's syndrome might be one of the causes for the deep venous incompetence of the left leg.

Objective To summarize the clinical application of the Tempofilter Ⅱ temporary caval filter.Methods The Tempofilter Ⅱ temporary caval filter was employed in 24 patients from April 2002 to August 2006.Before the implantation,we performed color ultrasonography to detect the extent of thrombus and the situation of inferior vena cava,renal vein,and access vein(right internal jugular vein).Under the guidance of color ultrasonography and X-ray fluoroscopy(free of contrast agent),the temporary filter was placed in the inferior vena cava distal of the renal vein orifice through a guide wire by using the Seldinger technique.Results The filter was successfully implanted and removed in all the 24 patients.The duration of placement was 5 days～6 weeks(mean,16.8 days).Filter thrombosis occurred in 4 patients at 3 days ～ 2 weeks after operation.The thrombi(

Objective To study the effect of rat angiotensin Ⅱ receptor (AT2R) gene transfer mediated by adenoviral vector on neointimal proliferation after rat carotid artery injury. Methods AT2R gene was transducted into the carotid artery by adenoviral vector with GFP after carotid balloon injury. Restenosis models were established in Wistar rats. Immunostaining was performed to examin the expression of AT2R in local arteries. Neointima/media area ratio at day 21 after gene transfer was measured by morphometric analysis. Results The transduction rate of AT2R gene in rat carotid arteries was 40% and the gene expressed constantly in the vessel walls. Neointima/media area ratio of the gene transduction group was significantly reduced (48%) compared with the control group at day 21 after gene transfer. Conclusion The results suggest the possibility that AT2R gene transfer can inhibit proliferation of arterial intima after balloon injury and it is a potential therapeutic approach to prevent neointimal hyperplasia.

Objective To assess long-term outcomes of electrocoagulation for treating varicose veins of the lower extremities. Methods A retrospective review was made on clinical data of 426 cases of varicose veins of the lower extremities treatd by electrocoagulation from October 1996 to October 2001.Postoperative follow-ups were carried out with clinic checkups or questionnaires.Results Of the 426 cases,follow-ups for 4~9 years(mean,5.8 years) were completed in 364 cases(500 limbs) and a loss to follow-up was encountered in 62 cases,the follow-up rate being 85.4%.The cumulative rate of recurrent varicose veins was 10.4%(52/500),in which the recurrent varicose veins were cured with sclerosing agents in 50 limbs and with re-operations in 2 limbs.The relief rate of sensation of heaviness and tension was 95.1%(309/325).Accompanying venous ulcers in 20 limbs healed up within 2~8 weeks.The incidences of subcutaneous hematoma and saphenous nerve injury were 0.8%(5/594) and 1.2%((7/594),) respectively.Skin burns happened in 5 limbs(0.8%,5/594). Conclusions Electrocoagulation for varicose veins of the lower extremities is proved to be a novel minimally invasive method,with advantages of safety,effectiveness,low costs,and short hospital stay.

Rheumatoid arthritis(RA) is an autoimmune disease(AID) characterized by arthrosynovitis.Cytokines are involved in the whole course of the disease.Such important cytokines as TNF-? and IL-1? play a key role in the proliferation of synovial cells and progression of inflammation,and,therefore,have been taken as clinical therapeutic targets for RA in the recent years.The blocking agent of TNF-? or IL-1? is effective for only a few patients and the increasing adverse events it causes,such as infection and malignancy,are arousing more and more concern.The abnormal expression and imbalance of interleukin-6(IL-6) are closely associated with RA.IL-6 is an important regulatory factor for the pathogenesis of RA,and the blocking agent may be applied to the treatment of the disease.

Objective To evaluate the security and the reliability of ligating the cystic duct and the cystic ar- tery with common silk suture as the substitute for titanic or biological clamps in laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) us- ing the suture and knot instrument developed by the authors. Methods One hundred and two laparoscopic chole- cystectomies were performed by the authors using the instrument. Results All patients were discharged in the post- operative fourth or fifth day without any complication. Conclusion The instrument used for LC was safe and reliable.

Objective To report an improved method, color-ultrasonography-guided inferior vena cava (IVC) filter placement, for preventing the pulmonary embolism (PE) caused by the deep venous thrombosis (DVT). Methods Color-ultrasonography-guided IVC filter insertion was performed in 9 patients with DVT of lower limb, 1 of which also had PE accompanied with at the time of admission. Out of the 9 patients, 5 patients underwent embolectomy immediately after the filter placement while the other 4 patients were treated conservatively. Results The placements were all completed successfully. Follow-up observations for 1～7 months (mean 2 months) found no complications or occurrence of PE. No recurrence of PE was found in the patient already with PE. Conclusions The color-ultrasonography-guided IVC filter placement can effectively prevent PE caused by DVT. The method is suitable for severe, immovable patients, as well as patients with renal insufficiency and being allergic to intravenous contrast, and is safe, convenient, cheap and prone to popularization.

Objective To study the relationship between Bcl-2/Bax protein expression and the degree of malignancy of astrocytoma.Methods Bcl-2/Bax protein expression positive rate and apoptotic cell rate were determined using immunohistochemical technique and TUNEL, in 10 normal human brain tissues and 80 human astrocytoma specimens of differently malignant degrees confirmed by pathology separatively. Results Bcl-2/Bax protein positive expression was not found in normal human brain tissues, and apoptotic cell rate was only (0 6?0 1)%. The differences of Bcl-2/Bax protein expression positive rate and apoptotic cell rate were statistically significant in the differently malignant degrees(P