BACKGROUND:Col agen/bioactive glass composite materials possess excellent osteogenic potential and biocompatibility, but its application in bone tissue engineering is limited by mechanical property and degradation. OBJECTIVE:To construct col agen/bioactive glass/chitosan composite scaffolds with good mechanical property, anti-degradation ability and bone repair property.
METHODS:Bioactive glass/col agen composite scaffolds with chitosan as dispersant were prepared by lyophylization. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscope, X-ray diffraction, and dynamic biomechanical testing were used to characterize the structure and properties of the composite scaffolds. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Results show that charge-attractions in pre-prepared bioactive glass/chitosan solution increased the homogeneity of bioactive glass dispersed in col agen gel and the compressive modulus and strength increased significantly due to the homogeneity and intermolecular interactions between chitosan and col agen. The enzymatic degradation rate and mineralization activity in the simulated body fluid were also lower because of a high degree of embedment of bioactive glass in col agen/chitosan matrix, and entanglement of col agen in chitosan at molecular level, which decreased the exposure of bioactive glass to the simulated body fluid, and col agen to enzyme solution.

Objective to investigate the efficacy of moxibustion treatment to rheumatoid arthritis(RA) patients and the impact to blood levels of rheumatoid factor(RF) ,C reactive protein(CRP) ,and interleukin-6(IL-6) .Methods RA patients were divided in-to treatment group and comfort group .The two groups were treated by moxibustion and sham-moxibustion for 2 courses ,respec-tievely .Results Overall clinical efficacy rate was higher in treatment group than in comfort group(P<0 .01) .The arthralgia ,ar-throcele ,tenderness and its degrees ,and morning stiffness time were significant improved in both groups(P<0 .05) ,and the indexes were better in treatment group than comfort group(P<0 .05) .The blood levels of RF ,IL-6 and CRP were reduced after treatment in both groups(P<0 .05) ,and which of treatment group reduced more than those of comfort group(P<0 .05) .Conclusion Moxi-bustion treatment can significantly improve clinical outcomes of RA and markedly reduce the blood levels of RF ,IL-6 and CRP of RA patients .

Objective To investigate the characteristics of the bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell(MSC)in children with aplastic anemia(AA)in vitro,and the expressions of tumor necrosis factor -α-induced protein -8 -like 2(TIPE2)in the bone marrow,and the correlation between the level of TIPE2 mRNA with γ-interferon(IFN -γ)and IL -6 in AA patients.Methods Bone marrow samples were collected from 1 8 children with AA(AA group)and 8 children with bone injury (control group)who were hospitalized in Jinan Children′s Hospital from January 201 2 to June 201 5.MSC were isolated and cultured.The morphology of MSC was observed and immune phenotype was detected.The TIPE2 mRNA was detected by using real -time fluorescence quantitative PCR,and the levels of IFN -γand IL -6 were detected by using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay.Results Different sizes had been presented in the primi-tive MSC of AA patients,but the third passage MSC until 80% confluence had manifested the uniform convergence with long spindle and swirl distribution.In the sixth passage,cells showed degenerative change.The primitive and first pa-ssage MSC in patients with AA was longer than that in the controls.CD73 ,CD1 05 ,CD44 and CD90 were expressed in MSC,while CD34 ,CD45 ,CD271 expressed rarely.The level of TIPE2 mRNA in AA patients (5.29 ±1 .56)was obviously lower than that of the control group(8.68 ±2.00),and the difference was significant(t =-4.48,P <0.01 ).The con-centration of IFN -γ[(5.48 ±1 .97)ng/L]and IL -6[(5.43 ±1 .92)ng/L]in AA patients were higher than those of the control group[(3.40 ±1 .24)ng/L,(3.79 ±0.92)ng/L],and the differences were significant (t =2.70, 2.26,all P <0.05).The level of TIPE2 mRNA in AA patients was negatively related with IFN -γand IL -6(r =-0.838,-0.658,all P <0.05),but there was no significant correlation between them in the control group (all P >0.05).Conclusions The proliferation of MSC is significantly reduced in patients with AA.TIPE2,as an important role to stabilize the immune system,plays an important role in the occurrence of AA by its low expression and up -regula-ting the expression of inflammatory factors.

OBJECTIVETo analyze the clinical features and genetic basis of a female neonate with muscle weakness, abnormal brain magnetic resonance imaging and elevated blood lactate.

METHODSThe patient was subjected to clinical and laboratory examination. Next generation sequencing was carried out for the patient and her relatives.

RESULTSThe proband was diagnosed as small for gestational age, with clinical features including muscle weakness, abnormal brain magnetic resonance imaging, increased blood lactate, and acidosis. By genetic testing, a de novo PDHA1 mutation c.1133G to A (p.R378H) was identified, which was known to be pathogenic. The patient was diagnosed with pyruvate dehydrogenase complex deficiency disease (PDCDD), for which vitamin B1, coenzyme Q10, and L-carnitine were prescribed, and a ketogenic diet was recommended. Follow-up at 4-month-7-day found that her blood lactic acid was reduced to normal but her muscle tone was still low.

CONCLUSIONThe proband was diagnosed as PDCDD caused by a PDHA1 missense mutation. NGS has provided a powerful tool for the diagnosis of such diseases.

OBJECTIVETo observe the repair effect of Schwann cells (SCs) modified by microgene pSVPoMcat on injured spinal cord in rats.

METHODSSemi-transection injury at the level of T(8) of spinal cord was made with cutting method on 120 Sprague Dawley (SD) rats. Then 40 rats implanted with SCs modified by microgene pSVPoMcat were taken as Group A, 40 rats implanted with simple SCs as Group B and the other 40 rats were taken as the control group (Group C). The functional recovery of the rats was observed through combined behavioral score (CBS) and cortical somatosensory evoked potential (CSEP), and the expression of the glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) was measured with in situ hybridization and immunocytochemistry. At 3 months after operation, the rats were examined with magnetic resonance image (MRI), and the neurofilaments (NF) of the axons were stained with immunohistochemical method.

RESULTSGFAP expression in Group A was significantly lower than that of the other 2 groups. MRI showed that the spinal signals in the injured area recovered fundamentally in Group A, didn't recover in Group B and malacia focus was found in Group C, which was same as the results of NF staining. Wave amplitudes in incubation periods in Group A and Group B tended to recover. It recovered to the normal level in Group A, which was similar to the results of CBS.

CONCLUSIONSSCs modified by microgene pSVPoMcat can inhibit GFAP expression, improve the growth of the axons and the functional recovery of neurons after spinal cord injury.

Analysis of Variance ; Animals ; Evoked Potentials, Somatosensory ; Gene Transfer Techniques ; Genetic Therapy ; Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein ; metabolism ; Immunohistochemistry ; In Situ Hybridization ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Nerve Regeneration ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Schwann Cells ; metabolism ; transplantation ; Spinal Cord ; physiopathology ; Spinal Cord Injuries ; pathology ; physiopathology ; therapy

OBJECTIVETo study the curative effect of wilsonii injecta on severe head injury (SHI).

METHODSA total of 120 patients with SHI were divided randomly into 2 groups, the patients treated with conventional methods as Group A (n=60) and the patients treated with wilsonii injecta as Group B (n=60). The changes of neural function indexes were evaluated with Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) before treatment and with Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) after treatment, simultaneously, the parameters of hemorrheological indexes (HI), brain electrical activity map (BEAM) and transcranial Doppler sonography (TCD) were observed before and after treatment.

RESULTSIn Group B, the clinical GCS, the HI, the BEAM and the prognosis GOS were improved much more than those in Group A. And the TCD parameters in Group B decreased, which had significant difference compared with that in Group A (P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONSWilsonii injecta can rapidly improve the injured p ersons' conscious states, the abnormal BEAM and the surviving quality. It suggests that the improvement of the HI is related to the relief of the vasospasm of the arterial blood vessels in the brain, which may be one of the important mechanisms of wilsonii injecta in improving the prognosis.

Adult ; Brain Injuries ; diagnostic imaging ; drug therapy ; Brain Mapping ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Glasgow Coma Scale ; Glasgow Outcome Scale ; Humans ; Injury Severity Score ; Male ; Plant Extracts ; administration & dosage ; Probability ; Reference Values ; Treatment Outcome ; Ultrasonography, Doppler

Infectious clone is a useful tool in exploring viral replication and pathogenesis. In order to prevent linear PCV2 cyclization, PCR mutagenesis was used to construct the first molecular clone (pSK-2PCV2) by ligating two copies of the complete PCV2 genome with the pBluescript SK (pSK) vector. In addition, pSK-PCV2 and ds-PCV2 were constructed. PK-15 cells were transfected with above three infectious clones. Indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA) revealed that the virus antigen mainly localized in infected cell nucleolus and cytoplasm. PCV2 specific nucleotide fragment in cell culture was amplified by RT-PCR. Typical porcine circovirus particles with diameter about 17 nm were also observed by transmission electron microscope (TEM) in the infected cells. The rescued virus sequences from the cultures had 100% homology with the inserting PCV2 genome. The rescued virus shared similar properties with that of the parental virus. The study establishes a platform for further research on the virus molecular biology and pathogenicity.
Animals ; Cell Line ; Circoviridae Infections ; virology ; Circovirus ; genetics ; growth & development ; pathogenicity ; physiology ; Cloning, Molecular ; DNA, Viral ; genetics ; physiology ; Recombination, Genetic ; genetics ; Swine ; Transfection ; Virulence ; Virus Replication

Purpose: This study explored the performance of prenatal ultrasonography in the differential diagnosis of cystic biliary atresia (CBA) and choledochal cyst (CC). Methods: Fetuses diagnosed with hepatic hilar cyst in the second trimester were included in this study. A series of prenatal ultrasound examinations were performed in the second and third trimesters. The diameter of the gallbladder (GB) and hepatic cyst were measured, as well as the wall thickness of the GB. The GB-cyst connection, visibility of the right hepatic artery (RHA), and other concomitant abnormalities were carefully evaluated. A neonatal transabdominal ultrasound examination was performed within 1 week after birth, and clinical data were followed up to 6 months after birth. Results: Between January 1, 2016 and January 31, 2020, 53 fetuses diagnosed with hepatic hilar cyst were recruited. Eight were excluded because they were lost to follow-up. Among the 45 cases included in this study, 10 were diagnosed with CBA and 35 with CC after birth. Statistically significant differences were found in GB width, wall thickness, change in GB width, change in cyst length, GB-cyst connection, and RHA visibility between the CBA and CC groups. GB width showed the best diagnostic performance with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.899. The combination of GB width, GB wall thickness, and GB-cyst connection yielded a comparable AUC of 0.971. Conclusion The GB should be carefully evaluated in fetuses with hepatic hilar cyst. Prenatal ultrasound findings could provide suggestive parameters for the differential diagnosis of CBA from CC.

Objective:To investigate the effect of unilateral biportal endoscopy (UBE) through extraforaminal approach in the treatment of extra canal lumbosacral nerve entrapment.Methods:Seventeen patients with extra canal lumbosacral nerve root entrapment were treated by UBE through extraforaminal approach in Tianjin Hospital from January 2020 to March 2022, including 9 males and 8 females with an average age of 59.2 years (range 45-71 years). All 17 patients had lower limb radiation pain, numbness, and weakness with or without intermittent claudication. MRI imaging examination showed L 4, 5 foramen stenosis with far lateral disc herniation in 2 case, and L 5S 1 foramen stenosis with far lateral disc herniation in 15 cases, and the height of intervertebral space decreased, resulting in the compression of exiting nerve root and ganglion. Among them, far-out syndrome was diagnosed in 7 cases and transitional lumbarsacral vertebrae was found in 12 cases. The incisions were designed 2 cm away form the projection of adjacent pedicles, while incision at S 1 was designed at the inner edge of the iliac bone due to the shielding of the ilium, taking the outer edge of the isthmus at the outer opening of the intervertebral foramen as the target of channels. The ventral and apical part of superior articular process (SAP) was gradually removed with high-speed burr from its outer edge and isthmus, and the occluded sacral ala and the lower edge of transverse process were removed when necessary. The hyperplastic ligament was removed to expose the exiting nerve root. The protruding intervertebral disc was removed at the ventral side of the nerve root. The far-out syndrome was decompressed laterally along the exiting nerve root until it is completely released. The results and stability were evaluated with visual analogue scale (VAS), Oswestry disability index (ODI), Macnab scores and dynamic X-ray film during follow-up. Results:The operation time was 45-85 min, with an average of 60 min. After remove of the SAP tip and enlarge of the intervertebral foramen, the exiting nerve root and disc protrusion were fully exposed, the exiting nerve root was exposed and released laterally until totally release without entrapment in far out syndrome, and the nerve could be decompressed completely. The symptoms were significantly relieved after operation, and imaging examination showed that facet joints were preserved. During follow-up, the pain and function improved continuously. At final follow-up, the improve rate of VAS and ODI were 85.2% and 86.2%, respectively, and the results were excellent in 15 cases and good in 2 case according to Macnab score, and there was no lumbar instability on dynamic lumbar X-ray film.Conclusion:Extra canal lumbosacral nerve entrapment can be treated by UBE through extraforaminal approach, with sufficient exposure, complete decompression and better preservation of lumbar stability.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the genetic cause for a child with growth retardation by next generation sequencing (NGS). METHODS: Clinical data of the patient was collected. Peripheral venous blood samples were taken from the neonate and his parents. Targeted capturing and NGS were carried out to detect mutations of genes associated with inborn errors of metabolism. Suspected mutations were validated by Sanger sequencing. RESULTS: The 15-month-old female patient was admitted to hospital for growth retardation for 4 months. Hypomyelination was found upon cranium MRI. Genetic testing revealed two novel insertional mutations in the GLB1 gene in the patient, namely c.2006-2007insT and c.475-476 insGGTCC. CONCLUSION The c.2006-2007insT and c.475-476 insGGTCC mutations of the GLB1 gene probably underlie the GM1 gangliosidosis resulting in the growth retardation in the child.
Female ; Gangliosidosis, GM1 ; genetics ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Mutation ; Pedigree ; beta-Galactosidase ; genetics