Objective　To investigate the feasibility of osteoid callus allograft as a kind of bone healing promoting materials. Methods　The osteoid callus was obtained at one week after bilateral femoral fracture of a SD rat, then was kept at -196℃ for 2 weeks. The bone defect model which bone repair was in intra-membranous osteogenesis was made at bilateral tibial shaft in 5 rats, and filled with the osteoid callus in the left defect area, the right side was filled with allogenous cancellous as control group. The specimen were processed with undecalcified technique and the sections were staining with light blue and sofranin T. Results　After 2 weeks ,there were cartilage and bone formation in the defect area of osteoid callus graft group(3/4), medullary cavity formation in bone tissue with cartilage arround it, fibrous tissues between new bone and host bone. While there were no cartilage or bone formation in the control group. Conclusion　The allograft osteoid callus is not absorbed by immunological rejection, but changed into bone tissue through endochondral osteogenesis. It is inspiring to develop osteoid callus allograft as a kind of material for bone healing.

Adolescent ; Cough ; complications ; Fatal Outcome ; Female ; Fever ; complications ; Humans ; Pulmonary Fibrosis ; complications ; diagnosis

Autopsy has played a unique role in the progression of clinical medicine, medical education, epidemiology, and public health. However, the autopsy rate has been decreasing during the past several decades worldwide, and its necessity is frequently argued. Autopsy-based research in China, a country with the world's largest population, is very important for studying the spectrum and epidemiology of diseases as well as for discovering new diseases. This article summarizes the brief history of autopsy in China and analyzes the cause of its decline in recent decades by reviewing previously published papers, review articles, self-collected materials, and private correspondence. Since the first officially permitted autopsy in 1913, China witnessed the highest autopsy rate between 1950 and 1970, and since then the autopsy rate began to decline as it in other parts of the world. The main reasons for the reduction in autopsy rates in China include negligence by hospital administrators and relevant government authorities, unmotivated clinicians, helpless pathologists, unenforceable regulations and laws, and local cultures and customs.
Autopsy ; history ; statistics & numerical data ; Biomedical Research ; history ; statistics & numerical data ; China ; History, 20th Century ; History, 21st Century ; History, Medieval ; Humans

Objective To evaluate the treatment of radial head fracture of different type. Methods The clinical data of 80 radial head fracture cases from November, 1999 to December,2009 were collected and analyzed retrospectively. Among the 80 cases,12 cases received conservative treatment( all type Mason Ⅰ ) ;48 cases received open reduction internal fixation (ORIF) (4 case type Mason Ⅰ ,15 cases type Mason Ⅱ ,24 cases type Mason Ⅲ,5 cases type Mason Ⅳ ); 12 cases received removing radial head ( 4 cases type Mason Ⅲ and 8 cases type Ⅳ ).8 cases received artificial joint replacement ( 8 cases type Mason Ⅳ ). Results All cases were followed up for 1.0 -4. 1 years. According to the Mayo Elbow Performance Index, the excellent and good rate of treatment in nonoperative,ORIF,excision of the radial head as well as artificial joint replacement was 83.3 % (10/12) ,87.5 %(42/48) ,75.0% (9/12) and 100. 0% (8/8) ,respectively. Conclusions Conservative treatment can be selected for type Mason Ⅰ ;Open reduction and internal fixation can be selected for type Mason Ⅱ , type Mason Ⅲ and part of type Mason Ⅳ. The excision of radial head or mental prosthesis replacement is alternative for type Mason Ⅳ for those can not be treated with open reduction and internal fixation.

OBJECTIVETo find sensitive and specific micro-metastic markers for prostate cancer.

METHODSUsing nested reverse transcription-PCR, we examined the expression of PSA, hK2 and PSMA mRNA in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of 51 patients with prostate cancer, 33 patients with benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) and 32 normal young people.

RESULTSThe expression rates of PSA, hK2 and PSMA mRNA were 52.9%, 43.1% and 64.7%, respectively in prostate cancer group, and 6.2%, 7.7% and 4.6%, respectively in control group (BPH patients and normal young people) with statistical significance (P < 0.01). Although the expression rate of PSA and hK2 mRNA increased with cancer progression, there was no statistical significance among patients in different stages. The expression rate of PSMA mRNA was higher than that of PSA and hK2 mRNA in each clinical stage.

CONCLUSIONPSMA mRNA expression detected by nested RT-PCR is of greater value for the diagnosis, therapy choice and prognostic evaluation of prostate cancer patients.

Aged ; Antigens, Surface ; blood ; Biomarkers, Tumor ; blood ; Glutamate Carboxypeptidase II ; blood ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Invasiveness ; Neoplasm Staging ; Prostate-Specific Antigen ; blood ; Prostatic Hyperplasia ; blood ; pathology ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; blood ; pathology ; Tissue Kallikreins ; blood

OBJECTIVETo investigate flap survival after transfection using gene encoding vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF).

METHODSIn 30 Sprague-Dawley rats, the anterior abdominal skin flap supplied by the epigastric vessels was created. The animals were divided into three groups, with ten of each. The first group was treated with a mixture of liposomes and the cDNA encoding the 165-amino acid isoform of VEGF; the second group was treated with control blank plasmid DNA and liposome transfection medium; the third group was treated with physiological saline. Four days after injection, the epigastric artery and vein were ligated and the blood flow in the flap was evaluated by intraperitoneal injection of fluorescence solution. Seven days later, the survival area of the flap was measured by planimetry. After the animals were killed, specimens were harvested from the anterior abdomen skin flap for immunohistological evidence of VEGF expression and for hematoxylin and eosin staining of microvascular growth.

RESULTS30 minutes after pedicle ligation the average fluorescence staining planimetry of the three groups (PCD-VEGF165, PCD and physiological saline) was 60.64%, 30.15% and 29.89% respectively. Tissue survival planimetry of the three groups was 92.3%, 30.5%, 31.8%. There was significant difference between the first group and the latter two (P < 0.05). Immunohistochemical staining documented increased deposition of VEGF cDNA in the first group compared to the control groups (P < 0.05). Normal staining documented that the average vessel number of the three groups was 101.72, 91.35 and 89.85 (P < 0.05), the average vessel lumen diameter was 26 microns, 31.09 microns and 32.51 microns(P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThrough administration, PCD-VEGF165 can transfect the anterior abdominal skin flap and enhance its survival. There was express of VEGF protein in the treated flap.

Animals ; Biomarkers ; metabolism ; DNA, Complementary ; administration & dosage ; Epigastric Arteries ; Genetic Therapy ; Graft Survival ; physiology ; Liposomes ; Plasmids ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Surgical Flaps ; blood supply ; physiology ; Time Factors ; Transfection ; methods ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; genetics ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the veracity of the C1 lateral mass screw insertion in the atlantoaxial fixation using plate and screw method without A-P fluoroscopic guiding.

METHODSIn the atlantoaxial fixation, without A-P fluoroscopic guiding, we probe lateral mass edge and identify the entrance point of C1 lateral mass screw indirectly. 159 patients treated with atlantoaxial fixation using plate and screw method were studied. Postoperative CT was used for analysis, and the position of the lateral mass screws in atlas was identified by coronary and axial CT scan. Three areas were delimited in and around the lateral mass of atlas in the axial CT scan, so as to analyze the location of screws: area A (inside the joint face), area B (outside the joint face but still in lateral mass), and area C (outside the lateral mass).

RESULTSAmong the 318 screws, 308 (96.9%) were located in area A, 5 in area B (1.6%), and 5 in area C (1.6%). All cases got atlantoaxial union at 4 months after operation.

CONCLUSIONProbing lateral mass edge and identifying the lateral mass indirectly is reliable for identifying the path of screw in atlas.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Atlanto-Axial Joint ; surgery ; Bone Screws ; Cervical Atlas ; surgery ; Child ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; methods ; Humans ; Joint Instability ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Spinal Fusion ; methods

OBJECTIVETo assess the effect of puerarin, a natural flavonoid found in Chinese Pueraria Lobata (Wild.) Ohwi, on promotion of new bone formation.

METHODSOsteoblasts isolated from calvarial of newborn rats were cultured in vitro in the presence of puerarin at various concentrations. The viability of osteoblasts and alkaline phosphotase activity and mineral node formation were determined. In addition, osteoblasts seeded in the β-tricaclium phosphate scalfolds as bone substitute were implanted in rat dorsal muscles. Half -of the recipient rats received intramuscular injection of puerarin at 10 mg/(kg·d) for 7 days. Osteogenesis was analyzed by examining the histology after 4 weeks of implantation.

RESULTSThe viability of osteoblasts treated with puerarin at either 40 or 80 μmol/L was significantly higher than that of the control (P<0.05 and P<0.01, respectively). Alkaline phosphatase and mineral modules were significantly increased in osteoblasts cultured with puerarin at 40 or 80 mol/L when compared with that of the untreated cells. The puerarin-treated rats had a higher rate of bone formation in the osteoblast implants than the control rats (6.35% vs. 1.32%, respectively, P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONPuerarin was able to affect osteoblast proliferation and differentiation, and promote the new bone formation in osteoblast implants.

Alkaline Phosphatase ; metabolism ; Animals ; Calcification, Physiologic ; drug effects ; Cell Differentiation ; drug effects ; Cell Survival ; drug effects ; Implants, Experimental ; Isoflavones ; pharmacology ; Male ; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning ; Osteoblasts ; cytology ; drug effects ; enzymology ; Osteogenesis ; drug effects ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Tissue Scaffolds

OBJECTIVETo observe the clinical effect of a occipitocervical fixation systems using C(2) pedicle screws and plates.

METHODSAn occipitocervical fixation system was designed. Since June 2001 to March 2003, 38 patients with instability of atlantoaxial joint underwent reconstructive surgery using this systems. Twenty-four patients were associated with congenital occipitalization. The pedicle screws were inserted into C(2) pedicles in the direction as its axis. The occipitocervical plate was slightly bent to fit the occipital contour and fixed onto the occiput. Hyperflexion alignment of the occipitoatlantoaxial complex was corrected by application of extensional force created by tightening of the nut on the pedicle screws. The autogenous cancellous bones were grafted between the occiput and the axis.

RESULTSIn this series, neither vertebral artery nor spinal cord was injured. 36 of 38 cases were followed up for an average of 18 months, all cases achieved solid bony fusion. No implant failure was found.

CONCLUSIONSOccipitocervical reconstruction by the combination of C(2) pedicle screws and occipitocervical plate systems can provide sufficient correction of malalignment in the occipitoatlantoaxial region and achieve high fusion rate.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Atlanto-Axial Joint ; surgery ; Bone Plates ; Bone Screws ; Cervical Vertebrae ; surgery ; Child ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Joint Instability ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Occipital Bone ; surgery ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures ; methods ; Spinal Fusion ; instrumentation ; methods ; Treatment Outcome

AIMTo investigate the effects of RLI on plasma nitric oxide (NO) and NO synthase (NOS) isoforms of healthy humans.

METHODS30 healthy human subjects (aged from 40 - 70 years old) were recruited. RLI was induced by five 5 min cycles of ischemia of non dominant arm (200 mmHg, 5 min interval). Blood pressure, heart rate, and the feelings of ischemic arm were continuously monitored. Venous plasma was collected in contralateral arm at Pre, Post-0 h, Post-4 h, and Post-24 h. Plasma level of NO was measured by Griess reaction, and NOS was measured by chemical method.

RESULTSBlood pressure and heart rate varied in normal range. The uncomfortable feeling was decreased with the increasing numbers of ischemic cycles. Plasma level of NO, and iNOS in plasma were significantly increased at Post-0 h, Post-4 h, and Post-24 h compared to Pre (P < 0.05). tNOS was also significantly increased at Post-0 h and Post-4 h compared to Pre (P < 0.05). No significant change in plasma cNOS was shown at following three time points than Pre.

CONCLUSIONThese findings suggest that RLI can elevate plasma level of NO, tNOS, and iNOS in healthy humans. RLI might be a safe method as a rIPC, and it would have important possibility to be performed in clinic.

Adult ; Aged ; Arm ; blood supply ; Female ; Humans ; Ischemia ; blood ; physiopathology ; Ischemic Preconditioning ; methods ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nitric Oxide ; blood ; Nitric Oxide Synthase ; blood ; metabolism ; Reperfusion Injury ; physiopathology ; prevention & control