BACKGROUNDWhile attempting to restore bone stock, impaction bone grafting employed during revision joint surgery may result in slow and limited allograft incorporation into host bone. A new approach including gene-modified bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) in combination with impaction bone grafting may effectively restore bone stock and improve allograft incorporation. This study aimed to investigate the effect of impaction on gene-modified BMSCs seeded on granular bone allografts in vitro and in vivo.

METHODSDeep-frozen, granular, cancellous bone allografts from canines were prepared to serve as cell delivery scaffolds and were seeded with green fluorescent protein (GFP) genetically-modified BMSCs to construct cell-allograft composites. The composites were impacted in a simulative, in vitro impaction model and cultured for further analysis under standard conditions. Four Beagle dogs, treated with bilateral, uncemented proximal tibial joint hemiarthroplasty with a prosthesis, were implanted with autologous GFP gene-modified cell-allograft composites to repair the bone cavity around each prosthesis.

RESULTSA significant reduction in cell viability was observed after impaction by fluorescence microscopy in vitro. However, there remained a proportion of GFP-positive cells that were viable and functionally active, as evidenced by the secretion of GFP protein in vitro and in vivo.

CONCLUSIONSGene-modified BMSCs seeded on granular allografts were able to withstand the impaction forces and to maintain their normal functions in vitro and in vivo, in spite of a partial loss in cell viability.

Animals ; Bone Marrow Cells ; cytology ; Bone Transplantation ; methods ; Cell Survival ; physiology ; Cells, Cultured ; Dogs ; Male ; Microscopy, Fluorescence ; Stem Cells ; cytology ; Stromal Cells ; cytology ; Transplantation, Homologous

Autophagy is a self-protecting cell catabolic pathway. That macrophages involved in lipid metabolism dis-orders are the basis of atherosclerotic lesions. Autophagy plays an important role in the inhibition of inflammation and apoptosis and the promotion of cholesterol efflux. The macrophage autophagy can promote lipid metabolism, re-duce the formation of foam cells and inflammation signal, thereby inhibit atherosclerosis. Induction of macrophage autophagy may have potential significance in the treatment of atherosclerosis.

Objective To establish the method of fingerprint and content determination of multi-component for Xiangsha Yangwei pill by gas chromatography(GC).Methods The GC fingerprint of Xiangsha Yangwei pill was found,and the peak attribution was carried out.The contents of limonene,eucalyptol,camphor,borneol,bornyl acetate,patchouli alcohol,pogostone,and α-cyperone were determined.Results The fingerprint similarity of 56 batches of Xiangsha Yangwei pill were 0.33-0.99,28 common peaks were confirmed,and 14 known components were identified.Limonene,eucalyptol,camphor,borneol,bornyl acetate,patchouli alcohol,pogostone and α-cyperone showed good linearity within the determined ranges(14.30-286.08,24.52-490.44,16.14-322.88,9.40-187.95,15.39-307.83,25.78-515.60,19.95-398.90,and 24.87-497.30 μg·mL-1).The average recoveries were 101.20％,97.90％,93.97％,94.23％,102.94％,100.54％,99.16％,and 98.31％;with the RSDs were 2.41％,1.48％,1.65％,2.00％,1.93％,2.30％,2.07％,and 2.38％,respectively.The concentrations of eight components were 0.2-959.1,0.3-420.4,1.0-542.6,0.0-64.5,0.0-364.2,0.0-339.6,0.0-130.7,0.0-82.0 μg·g-1,respectively.Conclusion The fingerprint and multi-component determination method can be used for the quality control and evaluation of Xiangsha Yangwei pill.

OBJECTIVETo investigate therapeutic strategy of fulminant acute pancreatitis (FAP) in acute response stage.

METHODSSixty-four patients were divided into Death group (27 patients) and Survival group (37 patients). The time course of shock and recovery of enteral function, parameters of fluid resuscitation, PaO(2)/FiO(2) and AaDO(2) at 24 hours prior to mechanical ventilation, rate of continuous venovenous hemofiltration (CVVH) and abdominal compartment syndrome (ACS), severity of the disease in the acute response stage were investigated. And the effect of surgical manner and time on the prognosis was also analyzed.

RESULTSCompared with Survival group, the time course of shock and recovery of enteral function in Death group were prolonged significantly (P < 0.05). Between the groups, there was no difference in the amount of crystal fluid infused from admission to 72 hours after, but the amount of colloid fluid infused and ratio of amount of colloid and crystal fluid in Survival group were higher (P < 0.05). The amount of fluid retention in third space from admission to 72 hours after in Death group was higher than that of Survival group significantly (P < 0.05). The fluid infusing rate in Survival group in the first day of admission was faster than Death group (P < 0.05). PaO(2)/FiO(2) and AaDO(2) in 24 hours prior to mechanical ventilation in Death group were negatively changed significantly. Within 72 hours after the onset of the disease, the rate of CVVH in Survival group was higher than Death group. Incidence rate of ACS and the APACHEII scores within 72 hours after admission in Death group were higher than in Survival group. The cure rate of the patients operated in the day 7 to day 14 after admission was higher than that of patients operated prior and post this period. Time for the first operation in operated patients was earlier than patients received minimally invasive drainage (MID) and its cure rate was lower than that of MID Group.

CONCLUSIONSIt is the key point to shorten the time course of ischemia, to control persistent systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) and to adopt reasonable surgical intervention in acute response stage for FAP.

Acute Disease ; Adult ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pancreatitis ; complications ; mortality ; therapy ; Resuscitation ; methods ; Retrospective Studies

BACKGROUNDMultidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (MDRAB) is an important and emerging hospital-acquired pathogen worldwide. This study was conducted to identify the sources of MDRAB and its role in respiratory tract colonization and nosocomial pneumonia in intensive care unit (ICU) patients.

METHODSWe conducted a prospective active surveillance study of MDRAB in three ICUs at a Chinese Hospital from April to August 2011, to identify the sources of MDRAB and its role in respiratory tract colonization and nosocomial pneumonia.

RESULTSOne hundred and fourteen (13.0%) MDRAB isolates were detected from 876 specimens, with a sensitivity of 11.6% (55/474) in screening of the pharyngeal and tracheal swabs, and 14.7% (59/402) of the sputum/endotracheal aspirates. MDRAB colonization/infection was found in 34 (26.8%) of 127 patients, including 16 (12.6%) cases of pure colonization and 18 (14.2%) cases of pneumonia (two pre-ICU-acquired cases of pneumonia and 16 ICU-acquired cases of pneumonia). Previous respiratory tract MDRAB colonization was found in 22 (17.3%) patients: eight (6.3%) were pre-ICU-acquired colonization and 14 (11.0%) ICU-acquired colonization. Of eight pre-ICU-colonized patients, five were transferred from other wards or hospitals with hospitalization > 72 hours, and three came from the community with no previous hospitalization. Overall, 6/22 colonized patients presented with secondary pneumonia; only two (9.1%) colonized MDRAB strains were associated with secondary infections. Respiratory tract MDRAB colonization had no significant relationship with nosocomial pneumonia (P = 0.725). In addition, acute respiratory failure, mechanical ventilation, renal failure, and prior carbapenem use were risk factors for MDRAB colonization/infection.

CONCLUSIONSA high proportion of cases of MDRAB colonization/infection in ICU patients were detected through screening cultures. About one-third were acquired from general wards and the community before ICU admission. The low incidence of MDRAB colonization-related pneumonia questions the appropriateness of targeted antibiotic therapy.

Acinetobacter baumannii ; drug effects ; pathogenicity ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; therapeutic use ; Cross Infection ; drug therapy ; microbiology ; Drug Resistance, Multiple, Bacterial ; Female ; Humans ; Intensive Care Units ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pneumonia ; drug therapy ; microbiology ; Prospective Studies ; Respiratory Tract Infections ; drug therapy ; microbiology

BACKGROUNDEmergence agitation is a common problem in pediatric anesthesia, especially after sevoflurane induction and maintenance anesthesia. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of sufentanil to reduce emergence agitation after sevoflurane anesthesia in children undergoing adenotonsillectomy compared with fentanyl.

METHODSOne hundred and five children, aged 3 - 11 years, were randomly allocated to receive normal saline (control group), sufentanil 0.2 µg/kg (S2) or fentanyl 2 µg/kg (F2) 1 minute after loss of the eyelash reflex. Anesthesia was induced and maintained with sevoflurane. Time to tracheal extubation, recovery time, Paediatric Anesthesia Emergence Delirium (PAED) scale, and emergence behavior were assessed.

RESULTSThe incidence of severe agitation was significantly lower in S2 and F2 groups vs. the control group, 4/32 and 15/34 vs. 24/34 respectively, (P = 0.002, 0.009, respectively). PAED scales were significantly different among three groups (P = 0.007), and lower in the S2 and F2 groups than in the control group (P = 0.007 and P = 0.025, respectively). And the incidence of severe agitation and the PAED scale score was significantly different between the S2 and F2 groups (P = 0.007, P = 0.019, respectively). Time to tracheal extubation and recovery time were similar in all three groups.

CONCLUSIONSAdministration of sufentanil at 0.2 µg/kg after induction of anesthesia reduced emergence agitation in children receiving sevoflurane anesthesia for adenotonsillectomy compared with fentanyl. This was without delaying the recovery time or causing significant hypotension.

Adenoidectomy ; methods ; Anesthesia ; methods ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Fentanyl ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Male ; Methyl Ethers ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Prospective Studies ; Psychomotor Agitation ; drug therapy ; etiology ; Sufentanil ; therapeutic use

PURPOSEIt is becoming increasingly clear that genetic factors play a role in traumatic brain injury (TBI), whether in modifying clinical outcome after TBI or determining susceptibility to it. MicroRNAs are small RNA molecules involved in various pathophysiological processes by repressing target genes at the post- transcriptional level, and TBI alters microRNA expression levels in the hippocampus and cortex. This study was designed to detect differentially expressed microRNAs in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of TBI patients remaining unconscious two weeks after initial injury and to explore related single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs).

METHODSWe used a microarray platform to detect differential microRNA expression levels in CSF samples from patients with post-traumatic coma compared with samples from controls. A bioinformatic scan was performed covering microRNA gene promoter regions to identify potential functional SNPs.

RESULTSTotally 26 coma patients and 21 controls were included in this study, with similar distribution of age and gender between the two groups. Microarray showed that fourteen microRNAs were differentially expressed, ten at higher and four at lower expression levels in CSF of traumatic coma patients compared with controls (p<0.05). One SNP (rs11851174 allele: C/T) was identified in the motif area of the microRNA hsa-miR-431-3P gene promoter region.

CONCLUSIONThe altered microRNA expression levels in CSF after brain injury together with SNP identified within the microRNA gene promoter area provide a new perspective on the mechanism of impaired consciousness after TBI. Further studies are needed to explore the association between the specific microRNAs and their related SNPs with post-traumatic unconsciousness.

Adult ; Brain Injuries, Traumatic ; cerebrospinal fluid ; genetics ; Computational Biology ; Humans ; Male ; MicroRNAs ; cerebrospinal fluid ; genetics ; Middle Aged ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Unconscious (Psychology)

BACKGROUNDHemoconcentration may be an important factor that determines the progression of severe acute pancreatitis (SAP). In addition, it has been proposed that biomarkers may be useful in predicting subsequent necrosis in SAP. However, it is still uncertain whether hemodilution in a short term can improve outcome. We aimed to investigate the effect of rapid hemodilution on the outcome of patients with SAP.

METHODSOne hundred and fifteen patients were admitted prospectively according to the criteria within 24 hours of SAP onset. Patients were randomly assigned to either rapid hemodilution (hematocrit (HCT) < 35%, n = 56) or slow hemodilution (HCT > or = 35%, n = 59) within 48 hours of onset. Balthazar CT scores were calculated on admission, day 7, and day 14, after onset of the disease. Time interval for sepsis presented, incidence of sepsis within 28 days and in-hospital survival rate were determined.

RESULTSThe amount of fluid used in rapid hemodilution was significantly more than that used in slow hemodilution (P < 0.05) on the admission day, the first day, and the second day. There were significant differences between the rapid and slow hemodilution group in terms of hematocrit, oxygenation index, pH values, APACHE II scores and organ dysfunction at different time during the first week. There were significant differences in the time interval to sepsis in rapid hemodilution ((7.4 +/- 1.9) days) compared with the slow hemodilution group ((10.2 +/- 2.3) days), and the incidence of sepsis (78.6%) was higher in the rapid group compared to the slow (57.6%) in the first 28 days. The survival rate of the slow hemodilution group (84.7%) was better than the rapid hemodilution (66.1%. P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSRapid hemodilution can increase the incidence of sepsis within 28 days and in-hospital mortality. Hematocrit should be maintained between 30%-40% in the acute response stage.

Acute Disease ; mortality ; therapy ; Adult ; Female ; Hemodilution ; adverse effects ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pancreatitis ; mortality ; therapy ; Sepsis ; etiology ; mortality ; Treatment Outcome

BACKGROUNDFluid therapy for severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) should not only resolve deficiency of blood volume, but also prevent fluid sequestration in acute response stage. Up to date, there has not a strategy for fluid therapy dedicated to SAP. So, this study was aimed to investigate the effects of fluid therapy treatment on prognosis of SAP.

METHODSSeventy-six patients were admitted prospectively according to the criteria within 72 hours of SAP onset. They were randomly assigned to a rapid fluid expansion group (Group I, n = 36) and a controlled fluid expansion group (Group II, n = 40). Hemodynamic disorders were either quickly (fluid infusion rate was 10 - 15 ml x kg(-1) x h(-1), Group I) or gradually improved (fluid infusion rate was 5 - 10 ml x kg(-1) x h(-1), Group II) through controlling the rate of fluid infusion. Parameters of fluid expansion, blood lactate concentration were obtained when meeting the criteria for fluid expansion. And APACHE II scores were obtained serially for 72 hours. Rate of mechanical ventilation, incidence of abdominal compartment syndrome (ACS), sepsis, and survival rate were obtained.

RESULTSThe two groups had statistically different (P < 0.05) time intervals to meet fluid expansion criteria (Group I, 13.5 +/- 6.6 hours; Group II, (24.0 +/- 5.4) hours). Blood lactate concentrations were both remarkably lower as compared to the level upon admission (P < 0.05) and reached the normal level in both groups upon treatment. It was only at day 1 that hematocrit was significantly lower in Group I (35.6% +/- 6.8%) than in Group II (38.5% +/- 5.4%) (P < 0.01). Amount of crystalloid and colloid in group I ((4028 +/- 1980) ml and (1336 +/- 816) ml) on admission day was more than those of group II ((2472 +/- 1871) ml and (970 +/- 633) ml). No significant difference was found in the total amount of fluids within four days of admission between the two groups (P > 0.05). Total amount of fluid sequestration within 4 days was higher in Group I ((5378 +/- 2751) ml) than in Group II ((4215 +/- 1998) ml, P < 0.05). APACHE II scores were higher in Group I on days 1, 2, and 3 (P < 0.05). Rate of mechanical ventilation was higher in group I (94.4%) than in group II (65%, P < 0.05). The incidences of abdominal compartment syndrome (ACS) and sepsis were significantly lower in Group II (P < 0.05). Survival rate was remarkably lower in Group I (69.4%) than in Group II (90%, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSControlled fluid resuscitation offers better prognosis in patients with severe volume deficit within 72 hours of SAP onset.

Acute Disease ; Adult ; Female ; Fluid Therapy ; methods ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pancreatitis ; pathology ; therapy

OBJECTIVETo test a nerve bridge substitute for peripheral nerve repair by tissue-engineering approach.

METHODSAn artificial nerve fabricated with a scroll of amnion derivative (ZQ membrane) and cultured autogenous Schwann cell was sutured to bridge sciatic nerve defect of 2.5 cm in length in rats. The specimens were assessed with tracking study, histology, electrophysiological technique, NF200, and synaptophysin-38 (SYP) immuno histochemical staining 3 months postoperatively.

RESULTSThe regenerated nerve sprouted 3 months after the operation. The regenerated nerve fibers were plentiful and could grow into the recipient nerve and target muscle's motor end plate (MEP) areas to reinnervate target muscle, and reconstruct function of nerve-muscle junction. Functional recovery could reach to 40%-60% of normal control. Nerve-muscle conduction velocity (N-MCV) arrived at 21.77 +/- 1.15 m/s.

CONCLUSIONSA tissue engineering material fabricated with a scroll of ZQ membrane and cultured autologous Schwann cell may be a useful substitute for nerve repair.

Amnion ; cytology ; Animals ; Cells, Cultured ; Female ; Male ; Nerve Regeneration ; physiology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Schwann Cells ; cytology ; Sciatic Nerve ; injuries ; surgery ; Tissue Engineering ; methods