OBJECTIVETo investigate changes in gene expression that occur upon treatment with human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (UC-MSCs) for hepatic cirrhosis using a rat model system.

METHODSHepatic cirrhosis was induced in Sprague-Dawley rats by subcutaneous injection of carbon tetrachloride and oral administration of alcohol.UC-MSCs were isolated from human umbilical cord and the cells' immunophenotype and differentiation towards osteogenic and adipogenic lineages were confirmed.The UC-MSC sample or vehicle alone (phosphate buffered saline, PBS) was transplanted by intravenous injection.Histopathological staining and serological testing were used to compare the liver morphology and function among the different groups.The gene expression in the PBS group and UC-MSC group were detected by gene microarray and differences between the groups were statistically analyzed by t-test.

RESULTSTransplantation of the UC-MSCs improved liver function in the hepatic cirrhosis rats.Comparison of the gene expression profiles of the PBS group and the UC-MSC group showed that the latter had up-regulation of the genes related to the complement and coagulation cascades and down-regulation of the genes related to cell proliferation, cell cycle, and collagen synthesis.

CONCLUSIONUC-MSC therapy might improve liver function in cirrhosis by increasing the expression of genes related to the complement and coagulation cascades and by decreasing genes involved in cell proliferation and collagen deposition.

Animals ; Carbon Tetrachloride ; Cell Differentiation ; Cell Proliferation ; Down-Regulation ; Gene Expression Profiling ; Humans ; Liver Cirrhosis ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Transcriptome ; Umbilical Cord ; Up-Regulation

Objective To investigate the clinical efficacy of three-stage Masquelet technique in the treatment of infective bone defects of foot and ankle.Methods A retrospective case series study was conducted on the clinical data of 19 patients with infective bone defects of foot and ankle admitted to Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University from December 2014 to October 2017.There were 15 males and four females,aged 18-68 years [(39.6 ± 12.3)years].Among the patients,16 patients were infected with bacteria and three patients were infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis.The infection involved humeral end,talus and surrounding joints in 14 patients,internal hemorrhoids in two patients,midfoot and interphalangeal joints in one patient,and humerus and metatarsophalangeal joints in two.The operation included three stages:the first stage was thorough debridement,supplemented with negative pressure closed drainage (VSD) and continuous washing to clarify the pathogenic bacteria;the second stage was to fill the bone defect with targeted antibiotic bone cement to prevent or treat infection;in the third stage,after filling the antibiotic bone cement for 3 months with no sign of local wound infection,the bone cement was taken out,and the bone reconstruction operation was performed by means of internal fixation and bone grafting.The flap survival and wound healing were observed,and the time of fracture healing was recorded.The American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) score and the Visual Analogue Score (VAS) were used to evaluate the improvement of the function of the foot and ankle before operation and at the last follow-up,and the bone healing was evaluated according to the radiographic union scale in tibial (RUST) fractures.Results The patients were followed up for 9-12 months [(11.1 ±1.0) months].Two patients with soft tissue defects caused by preoperative infection and necrosis received posterior tibial artery perforator flap and anterolateral thigh flap repair in the second stage,and the flaps all survived.The postoperative bone healing time was 3 7 months [(3.5 ± 1.4)months].Nineteen patients underwent three-stage surgery,and the ankle and foot wound or sinus tract were all healed,with no infection recurrence during follow-up.At the last follow-up,the AOFAS score was improved significantly from preoperative (36.3 s-12.1) points to (71.4 ± 5.7) points (P ＜ 0.05).The VAS was decreased significantly from preoperative (5.3 ± 1.2) points to (1.4 ± 0.9) points (P ＜ 0.05).The RUST bone healing score at the last follow-up was 8-12 points [(10.2 ± 1.1) points].Conclusion In treating the infective bone defects of foot and ankle,the three-stage Masquelet technique can effectively control infection,facilitate wound healing,promote bone union,and improve foot and ankle function.

Objective To investigate the surgical outcomes of one-stage repair of the ankle fracture combined with grade Ⅲ injury to the lateral ligament.Methods From April 2015 to December 2017,23 patients with ankle fracture and lateral ligament injury were treated at Department of Traumatic Reconstruction Surgery/Foot and Ankle Surgery,Zhongnan Hospital.There were 15 males and 8 females,aged from 18 to 65 years (average,37.8 years).After intraoperative treatment of their fractures,22 ruptures of the ligamentous insertion were repaired with suture anchor and one rupture of the middle ligament with Internal Brace.Routine postoperative X-rays,physical examination and Sefton grading system were used to evaluate the stability of the ankle joint and the subtalar joint.The Karlsson-Peterson and American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) scores were used to evaluate the function and pain of the ankle.Results The follow-up for this cohort ranged from 12 to 24 months (average,13.9 months).The bone union time ranged from 6 to 24 weeks,averaging 10.1 weeks.There was no chronic instability of lateral ankle or subtalar joint in all the cases.Two cases developed osteochondral lesion of the medial talus which was treated with micro-fracture surgery one year after injury;one case suffered subtalar arthritis which was treated by subtalar arthrodesis 14 months after injury.Their Karlsson-Peterson scores averaged 84.6 points and AOFAS ankle-hindfoot scores 93.7 points with 19 excellent and 4 good cases.The Sefton grading system gave 9 cases of grade Ⅰ and 14 ones of grade Ⅱ.Conclusion One-stage repair of the ankle fracture combined with grade Ⅲ injury to the lateral ligament can lead to the stability of the ankle joint and the subtalar joint and improved function of the ankle.