Objective To explore the expression and significance of neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) in lupus nephritis (LN) in mice. Methods Female MRL/lpr lupus mice (n=36) were randomly divided into the experimental group and intervention group, and female Kunming mice (n =18) served as controls. Each mice in the intervention group received intraperitoneal injection of 20 μg anti-mice interleukin (IL)-17 antibody. The serum concentrations of NGAL, IL-17,matrix metalloproteinase(MMP)-9 and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP)-1 were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). And the protein expressions of NGAL, IL-17, MMP-9 and TIMP-1 in renal tissue were detected by immunohistochemisty. One-factor analysis of variance (ANOVA) or nonparametric rank sum test was used for the comparisons between the three groups. Associations between these factors were analyzed by Pearson′s test. Results The levels of serum NGAL, IL-17, MMP-9 and TIMP-1 in the experimental group were obviously increased as compared to those in the control group and intervention group [NGAL: (30.31±1.22) ng/ml vs (11.36±0.14) ng/ml, (20.09±0.35) ng/ml, F=986.524, P<0.001]. The protein expression of NGAL, IL-17, MMP-9 and TIMP-1 in the renal tubular epithelial cells in the experimental group was increased as compared to the control group and intervention group[NGAL:(11.27±0.58) vs(0.45±0.19),(9.22±0.67), H=15.158, P =0.001]. In the experimental group, a positive correlation was found between the level of serum NGAL
and the serum levels of IL-17, MMP-9 and MMP-9/TIMP-1(r=0.899, 0.789, 0.925, P<0.01). The protein expression of NGAL in renal tissue was positively correlated with IL-17, MMP-9 and MMP-9/TIMP-1 levels (r=0.929, 0.899, 0.723, P<0.01). Conclusion The level of NGAL in the serum and renal tissue is signifi-cantly increased in the MRL/lpr lupus mice. And it is closely correlated with the levels of IL-17 and MMP-9. Our results suggest the potential role of NGAL in the inflammation of lupus nephritis.

Objective To explore the effects and mechanism of implantation of umbilical blood mesenchymal stem cells(MSCs)on rats with cerebral infarction. Methods Umbilical blood MSCs were cultured in vivo,flow cytometry was ap-plied to test cytometric immunophenotype, and model of rat cerebral infarction was made by suture method; 120 rats were randomly assigned to MSCs implantation group and control group; rats' neurological function was evaluated;western-blot was applied to test the expression of GFAP protein. Fluorescence microscope was applied to observe changes of hippocampal formation in rats as well as the distribution of MSCs in rats' brain. Results According to the test of neurological function, the score of neurological function in the experiment group was reduced, and the score in the control group was improved. The difference was statistically significant(P<0.05). Expression of GFAP in MSCs im-plantation group was increased with a peak in the 7th day,while no significant changes in the control group(P<0.05). According to the observation of immunofluorescence microscopy, the distribution of MSCs in rats' brain was good in MSCs implantation group, and the hippocampal formation showed clear layers in the experiment group. Hippocampal structures in the control group were chaotic, and synapses and organelles were dissolved and compromised. Conclu-sion MSCs are able to promote the repair of hippocampal structures after cerebral infarction in rats, strengthen neuro-plasticity and promote the recovery of neurological functions.

Objective:To compare the clinical outcomes of arthroscopic external tension band fixation versus open reduction and internal fixation in the treatment of greater tubercle fracture of the humerus.Methods:A retrospective cohort study was conducted on 55 patients with greater tubercle fracture of the humerus admitted to Taizhou Hospital of Zhejiang Province from September 2019 to June 2022, including 24 males and 31 females, aged 26-80 years [(61.7±10.5)years]. Out of them, 35 patients treated with open reduction and internal fixation (open reduction group), and 20 patients were treated with external anchor tension band under arthroscopy (arthroscopy group). The operation time, and the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) score, American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) score, Constant-Murley score and shoulder active range of motion (anterior flexion, abduction and posterior extension) before operation, at 1 month after operation and at the last follow-up were compared between the two groups. Bone healing was observed in both groups at the last follow-up. Postoperative complications were compared between the two groups.Results:All the patients were followed up for 12-29 months [(16.9±4.0)months]. There was no significant difference in operation time between the two groups ( P>0.05). There were no significant differences in the VAS score, ASES score, Constant-Murley score and shoulder active range of motion between the two groups before operation ( P>0.05). The VAS score of the arthroscopy group was 3(2, 3)points at 1 month after operation, which was significantly lower than that of the open reduction group [4(3, 4) points] ( P<0.01). No significant difference was found in the VAS score at the last follow-up between the two groups ( P>0.05).The ASES scores of the arthroscopy group were (70.6±4.2)points and (90.2±3.7)points at 1 month after operation and at the last follow-up respectively, which were significantly higher than those of the open reduction group [(64.7±6.4)points and (87.5±4.9)points respectively] ( P<0.05 or 0.01). There was no significant difference in the Constant-Murley score between the arthroscopy group [(71.8±4.3)points] and the open reduction group [(70.9±5.3)points] at 1 month after operation ( P>0.05), while the Constant-Murley score of the arthroscopy group was (94.1±3.1)points at the last follow-up, which was significantly higher than that of the open reduction group [(89.2±4.7)points] ( P<0.01). At 1 month after operation and at the last follow-up, ranges of motion of the anterior flexion, abduction and posterior extension were (52.7±12.3)° and (140.0±16.9)°, (57.4±8.6)° and (125.0±14.3)°, and 16(15, 19)° and 25(20, 30)° in the arthroscopy group respectively, which were significantly higher than those in the open reduction group [(42.2±5.2)° and (110.9±14.0)°, (52.8±6.0)° and (103.7±11.7)°, and 10(10, 20)° and 16(15, 25)° respectively] ( P<0.05 or 0.01). At the last follow-up, it was found that bony union was achieved in both groups. There were no obvious complications such as incision infection or joint stiffnessin both groups. In the open reduction group, 2 patients had internal fixation failure within 1-3 months after operation but was treated with revision operation; 6 patients developed shoulder stiffness at 3-6 months after operation but had outpatient rehabilitation. The incidence rate of postoperative complications in the arthroscopy group [0%(0/20)] was significantly lower than that in the open reduction group [23%(8/35)] ( P<0.05). Conclusion:Compared with open reduction and internal fixation with plates and screws, arthroscopic external anchor tension band fixation in the treatment of greater tuberosity fracture of the humerus has the advantages of earlier pain relief, better shoulder functional improvement, better recovery of shoulder mobility, and fewer complications.