BACKGROUND:Silk fibroin, as an inorganic mineralization template, can induce hydroxyapatite crystal growth, and combined with nano-hydroxyapatite can simulate the inorganic and organic components of natural bone, which is expected to become the most ideal bone graft material. OBJECTIVE:To prepare the silk fibroin/nano-hydroxyapatite composite material and investigate its treatment outcomes in spinal fusion. METHODS:Silk fibroin/nano-hydroxyapatite composite was synthesized by the co precipitation method with silk fibroin and calcium phosphate as raw materials, to simulate the structure and composition of the bone tissue. The crystal phase composition and microstructure of the composite scaffold were analyzed by X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscope. Osteoblasts were seeded onto the composite, and the cel adhesion and proliferation were observed under inverted microscope. The lumbar posterolateral spinal fusion models were established in the New Zealand rabbits, fol owed by treated with autologous bone graft (control group) and composite (composite group), respectively. The gross, radiological and histological observations of bone fusion were compared between groups. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Silk fibroin/nano-hydroxyapatite composite appeared to be fascicular under electron microscope, the length was 200-500 nm and width was 20-30 nm. And the hydroxyapatite was about 200 nm in length and 50 nm in width. X-ray diffraction showed that the bottom of diffraction peak was wide, and the peak was not sharp. Transmission electron microscope found that cel s adhered wel onto the composite scaffold at 2 days. Scanning electron microscope showed that the polygonal, oval or conical cel s covered most of the composite scaffold holes, presented obvious mitotic phase at 5 days. The third generation of MC3T3-E cel s tended to rise at first 3 days, and then decreased. The fusion site of L5-6 transverse process was strong, and non-bony fusion occurred. At the same time, numerous new bones were visible in the composite group. Hematoxylin-eosin staining showed a large number of cel aggregation, abundant osteoblasts surrounding cartilage, and the bone tissues were in a regular arrangement in the composite group. Moreover, irregular trabecular bone with medul ary cavity was found in the composite material. These results suggest that the silk fibroin/nano-hydroxyapatite composite with the similar structure and composition of natural bone can achieve satisfactory fusion effect in the rabbit lumbar posterolateral fusion.

BACKGROUND:Although the traditional surgical treatment can improve the symptoms of patients with senile osteoporotic vertebral fracture, the treatment easily produces bone graft fusion failure and pseudoarticulation formation and affects clinical effects. OBJECTIVE:To investigate biomechanical properties of anterior cervical pedicle screw and the effects on osteoporotic vertebral stability. METHODS:A total of 16 fresh cadaver cervical specimens contained 64 motion segments (C3-4, C4-5, C5-6 and C6-7). The 64 segments by the way of implantation were randomly divided into ordinary anterior locking screw fixation group and lower anterior vertebral pedicle screw system group (32 segments per group). The mechanical properties were determined on the biomechanical testing machine for each group. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1) Biomechanics:Compared with the ordinary anterior locking screw fixation group, the maximum pul-out strength, screw path length, postoperative vertebral column height, the maximum surface strain, strain maximum and the range of maximum values were increased in the lower anterior vertebral pedicle screw system group (P<0.05). (2) Results suggest that compared with the ordinary anterior locking screw fixation group, lower cervical anterior pedicle screw required larger extraction force and was more stable for osteoporotic vertebrae.

Objective To evaluate the effect of resveratrol on the growth of an established A431 xenogratt tumor in nude mice.Methods The model of human skin squamous cell carcinoma was established by inoculating A431 cells in log-phase growth into the left axillary fossa of Balb/c (nu/nu) nude mice.After 7-8 days,60 mice bearing human A431 skin squamous cell carcinoma xenografts were randomly and equally divided into 6 groups:blank control group receiving no treatment,negative control group treated with intraperitoneal sodium chloride physiological solution,positive control group treated with intraperitoneal cyclophosphamide,high-,medium-and low-dose resveratrol groups treated with intraperitoneal resveratrol of 40,20 and 10 μg per gram body weight per day,respectively.Tumor size was measured at a 4-day interval during the treatment course.After 14-day treatment,the mice were sacrificed.Xenograft tumors were removed from these mice and subjected to weight measurement,pathological examination by hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining and apoptosis detection by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL).Western blot was conducted to quantify the protein expression of apoptosis-related factors,including phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase (p-ERK),p53 and caspase 3.Data were processed by SPSS 13.0 software,and statistical analysis was carried out by analysis of variance and Pearson correlation analysis.Results By the end of treatment,the xenograft tumor volume was (1153.56 ± 255.41) mm3,(1001.69 ± 115.08) mm3,(1206.80 ± 175.88) mm3,(1342.28 ± 211.12) mm3,(1642.34 ± 225.85) mm3 and (1564.32 ± 156.49) mm3,and the weight was (1.84 ±0.30) g,(1.72 ± 0.39) g,(1.96 ± 0.40) g,(2.67 ± 0.73) g,(3.16 ± 0.52) g,and (3.33 ± 0.59) g,respectively in the positive control group,high-,medium-and low-dose resveratrol group,negative control group and blank control group.Significant differences were observed in the xenograft tumor volume (F =16.00,P ＜ 0.05) and weight (F =19.15,P ＜ 0.05) among the 6 groups.According to the tumor weight,the growth of tumor was inhibited by 45.57％,37.97％ and 15.51％ respectively in the high-,medium-and low-dose resveratrol groups.Increased apoptotic index was observed in the positive control group,high-,medium-and low-dose resveratrol groups compared with the negative control group and blank control group (36.79 ± 8.86,33.15 ± 6.00,18.09 ±3.92 and 10.53 ± 4.20 vs.3.87 ± 1.63 and 2.73 ± 1.61,F =93.26,P ＜ 0.05).Analysis of variance showed that the protein expressions of p-ERK,p53 and caspase 3 were all higher in the three resveratrol groups than in the negative control group and blank control group (F =6.65,6.78,11.56,respectively,all P ＜ 0.05).The protein expression of p53 was statistically correlated with p-ERK (r =0.68,P ＜ 0.05) and caspase 3 (r =0.56,P ＜0.05).Conclusions Resveratrol shows an inhibitory effect on the growth of human A431 skin squamous cell carcinoma xenografts in nude mice,likely by increasing p53 expression and inducing tumor cell apoptosis via the activation of MAPK/ERK pathway.

Objective To evaluate the clinical results of the PCL-retaining total arthroplasty in treatment of knee osteoarthris with valgus.Methods From June 2002 to January 2005,8 cases of osteoarthris with valgus knee were treated with PCL-retaining total knee replacement.The X-ray before operation showed average 21.6 degrees(ranging from 10 to 35 degrees) valgus.The cases were follow-uped from 6 to 36 months,each of them was evaluated with the Special Surgery Knee Scoring System.Results The X-ray after operation showed average 5.7 degrees(ranging from 3 to 9 degrees) valgus.The average HSS scores increased from preoperative 54 to postoperative 91.The range of motion was significantly improved from preoperative 83 degrees to postoperative 118 degrees.All of the cases were no pains after operation,and the function of knees were apparently improved.Conclusions The preliminary clinical results are quite satisfactory for the PCL-retaining total arthroplasty in treatment of osteoarthris with valgus knee.The adequate relaxing and balancing of soft tissue is the key factor to the success of total knee arthroplasty.The follow-up is necessary for further long-term outcome.

To investigate the effects of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) therapy for clearing heat and resolving phlegm on systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) in acute deterioration stage of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and the serum procalcitonin (PCT) level.

Objective:To evaluate the assistant role of manifestations under tracheoscopy in the diagnosis of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) in severe patients.Methods:A retrospective study was conducted. The patients with suspected IPA admitted to intensive care unit (ICU) of Affiliated Hospital of Binzhou Medical College from January 2015 to December 2019 were enrolled. The diagnosis, clinical diagnosis and suspected diagnosis were made according to the grading criteria of Guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of invasive fungal infection in severe patients (2007). Those who met the criteria were enrolled in the IPA group, and those who did not meet the criteria or other pathogens were enrolled in the non-IPA group. The general data of the patients were collected, and the changes of tracheal and bronchial mucosa under tracheal microscope before and after treatment were recorded, as well as the results of galactomannan (GM) test and aetiology culture of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF). The baseline, bronchoscopy and pulmonary CT manifestations and their dynamic changes were compared in each group. Results:A total of 142 patients with suspected IPA were finally enrolled. Among them, 12 were pathologically proven IPA, 77 were probable IPA, 22 were possible IPA, and 31 were undefined IPA. Of the 142 patients, 60 had typical manifestations of mucosal injury under bronchoscopy, including 7 proven IPA patients (58.3%), 52 probable IPA patients (67.5%), and 1 possible IPA patient (4.5%), but none undefined IPA patient. The patients undergoing lung CT scan were 12 proven IPA patients (100%), 73 probable IPA patients (94.8%), and 21 possible IPA patients (95.5%), respectively. Most of the Chest CT showed patchy or strip density increasing and other non-specific manifestations. There were 3 proven IPA patients (25.0%), 7 probable IPA patients (9.0%), and 0 possible IPA patient (0%) who had typical IPA CT manifestations (halo sign and cavity or crescent sign). Among the patients of proven IPA and probable IPA (89 cases), there were a total of 35 cases with endoscopic airway mucosal injury and tracheoscopy reexamination ≥ 3 times. All the 35 patients received anti-aspergillus treatment, among which 16 survived and 19 died. Among the 16 patients who survived, the microscopic appearance of mucosal injury was gradually reduced and the clinical manifestations were gradually improved. Of the 19 patients who died, 16 had deteriorated endoscopic airway mucosal injury.Conclusions:The specific manifestations of severe patients with bronchial mucosal injury are of great significance in the diagnosis of IPA. In the case of severe patients who cannot receive pathological examination or chest CT in time, dynamic observation of the changes of airway mucosal injury is a simple auxiliary method to discover the changes of patients' condition in time, evaluate the effect of antifungal therapy and the prognosis of IPA.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the correlation between the interleukin-17 (IL-17) level of peripheral blood and aggression of bipolar mania. METHODS: Thirty-six patients of bipolar mania were selected as experimental group by DSM-IV-TR and received treatment with quetiapine and lithium. Thirty-six healthy volunteers with similar age and gender were selected as control group. The level of IL-17 at baseline in each group and the level of IL-17 in the experimental group after treatment for 2, 4 and 8 weeks were detected by ELISA. RESULTS: The level of IL-17 in experimental group at baseline, after treatment for 2 and 4 weeks were all significantly higher than that in control group. After 8 weeks treatment, there was no significant difference between the two groups (P > 0.05). After 2, 4 and 8 weeks treatment, the total score and aggression score of Young Mania Rating Score (YMRS) were significantly lower than the baseline level (P < 0.05). In experimental group, the level of IL-17 was positively correlated with the two scores of YMRS at baseline (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION Bipolar mania may be related to the up-regulation of IL-17. The level of IL-17 is related to the severity of manic symptoms at baseline, especially aggression symptom.
Aggression/drug effects* ; Antipsychotic Agents/therapeutic use* ; Biomarkers/blood* ; Bipolar Disorder/drug therapy* ; Case-Control Studies ; Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders ; Double-Blind Method ; Humans ; Interleukin-17/metabolism* ; Lithium Compounds/therapeutic use* ; Quetiapine Fumarate/therapeutic use* ; Treatment Outcome

BACKGROUND: The structure of nanometer chitosan-sodium/collagen (nano-CS/COL) is similar to that of the extracellular matrix (ECM) in the nanometer level. Whether this can promote the adhesion and growth of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and the calcification?OBJECTIVE: To investigate the in vitro histocompatibility of nano-CS/COL. DESIGN: Single sample observation.SETTING: Department of Orthopaedics, First Hospital, Jinan University. MATERIALS: This study was performed at the Experimental Center, First Hospital Affiliated to Jinan University between March 2007 and July 2007. Ten 4-week-old female SD rats, of SPF grade, weighing 200 g, were provided by the Guangdong Provincial Laboratory Center [Permission No. SCXK (yue) 2003-0002]. The protocol was carried out in accordance with animal ethics guidelines for the use and care of animals. Nano-CS/COL METHODS: Bone marrow MSCs were isolated from SD rats and cultured. Cell surface antigen was detected by loss cellanalyticalmethod.Nano-CS/COLscaffold waspreparedbypolyelectrolyte confocallaser-scanning microscopy. The well-grown cells of the third passage were co-cultured in vitro on the nano-CS/COL scaffold. Taking simple nano-CS/COL scaffold material as control, the histocompatibility of scaffold material and cells were comprehensively evaluated by cell adherence rate, growth curve, cell activity and cycle, and scanning electron microscope observation.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: ① Identification of cell surface antigen marker after isolation and culture of bone marrow MSCs. ②The histocompatibility of nano-CS/COL material and bone marrow MSCs 2, 4 and 8 days after nano-CS/COL material compounded with cells. ③Determination of adherence rate of cells to nano-CS/COL material. ? Cell circle and activity detected 5 days after nano-CS/COL material compounding with cells. RESULTS: ① Detection results of cell surface antigen marker: The expression of CD29, CD106, CD44, CD34 and CD45 was 90.86%, 73.38%, 82.61%, 0.76% and 0.60%, respectively. ②Histocompatibility of bone marrow MSCs and nano-CS/COL material: It was shown under the scanning electron microscope that nano-CS/COL scaffold presented porous three-dimensional structure, and different sizes of macropoles and interconnected small pores. The interval porosity determined by quality assay was 85%-90%, and aperture averaged 150 μm (range 50 - 300u m). Two days after bone marrow MSCs compounded to nano-CS/COL scaffold, bone marrow MSCs presented globular shape and were scattered; Four days later, bone marrow MSCs presented shuttle shape, extended and anchored on the surface of nano-CS/COL by pseudopods; Eight days later, bone marrow MSCs proliferated and fused each other, and they secreted a lot of extracellular matrix, then which covered most material particles. ③ The adherence rate of bone marrow MSCs to nano-CS/COL: Bone marrow MSCs and nano-CS/COL were co-cultured 2 and 6 hours separately. The adherence rate of bone marrow MSCs was higher to nano-CS/COL scaffold than to simple chitosan scaffold. ④ Comparison of cells and cell cycle between on nano-CS/COL scaffold and on the chitosan scaffold: On the nano-CS/COL scaffold, cell activity was 96.67%, cell cycle at G0-G1 was 90.81%, at G2-M was 0.52% and at S was 8.66%. G2/G1 was 1.81. On the simple chitosan scaffold, cell activity was 95.27%, cell cycle at G0-G1 was 87.14%, at G2-M was 9.69%, and at S was 4.16%. G2/G1 was 1.80.CONCLUSION: Nano-CS/COL scaffold can be used as tissue engineering biomaterials because bone marrow MSCs can well grow on it.

This paper investigates the effect of myricetin (MYR) on renal fibrosis induced by unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) and common bile duct ligation (CBDL) in mice and its mechanism. The animal experiment has been approved by the Ethics Committee of China Pharmaceutical University (NO: 2022-10-020). Thirty-five ICR mice were divided into control, UUO, UUO+MYR, CBDL and CBDL+MYR groups. H&E and Masson staining were used to detect pathological changes in kidney tissues. Western blot (WB) was used to detect the expression of fibrosis-related proteins in renal tissue, and total superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity detection kit (WST-8) was used to detect the changes of total SOD in renal tissue of CBDL mice. In vitro, HK-2 cells and transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β1, 10 ng·mL^-1) were used to induce fibrotic model, and high glucose (30 mmol·L^-1) was used to induce oxidative stress model, and then treated with different concentrations of MYR, WB was used to detect the expression of fibrosis and oxidative stress-related proteins, while NIH/3T3 cells were treated with different concentrations of MYR, and their effects on cell proliferation were detected by 5-bromo-2′-deoxyuridine (Brdu). The results showed that the renal lesions in UUO group and CBDL group were severe, collagen deposition was obvious, the expression of collagen-Ⅰ (COL-Ⅰ), α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), fibronectin (FN), vimentin and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) protein was up-regulated, and the activity of SOD enzyme in CBDL group was significantly decreased. MYR partly reversed the above changes after treatment. MYR inhibited the proliferation of NIH/3T3 cells but had no effect on the proliferation of HK-2 cells, and decreased the upregulation of PAI-1, FN and vimentin in HK-2 cells stimulated by TGF-β1. MYR can also up-regulate the down-regulation of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) in HK-2 cells stimulated by high glucose. To sum up, MYR can improve renal fibrosis in vivo and in vitro, probably by inhibiting the proliferation of fibroblasts and activating Nrf2/HO-1 signal pathway to inhibit oxidative stress.

BACKGROUND: The present study aimed to determine the short-term and long-term outcomes of critically ill patients with acute respiratory insufficiency who had received sedation or no sedation. METHODS: The data of 91 patients who had received mechanical ventilation in the first 24 hours between November 2008 and October 2009 were retrospectively analyzed. These patients were divided into two groups: a sedation group (n=28) and a non-sedation group (n=63). The patients were also grouped in two groups: deep sedation group and daily interruption and /or light sedation group. RESULTS: Overall, the 91 patients who had received ventilation ≥48 hours were analyzed. Multivariate analysis demonstrated two independent risk factors for in-hospital death: sequential organ failure assessment score (P=0.019, RR 1.355, 95％CI 1.051–1.747, B=0.304, SE=0.130, Wald=50483) and sedation (P=0.041, RR 5.015, 95％CI 1.072–23.459, B=1.612, SE=0.787, Wald=4.195). Compared with the patients who had received no sedation, those who had received sedation had a longer duration of ventilation, a longer stay in intensive care unit and hospital, and an increased in-hospital mortality rate. The Kaplan-Meier method showed that patients who had received sedation had a lower 60-month survival rate than those who had received no sedation (76.7％ vs. 88.9％, Log-rank test=3.630, P=0.057). Compared with the patients who had received deep sedation, those who had received daily interruption or light sedation showed a decreased in-hospital mortality rate (57.1％ vs. 9.5％, P=0.008). The 60-month survival of the patients who had received deep sedation was significantly lower than that of those who had daily interruption or light sedation (38.1％vs. 90.5％, Log-rank test=6.783, P=0.009). CONCLUSIONS: Sedation was associated with in-hospital death. The patients who had received sedation had a longer duration of ventilation, a longer stay in intensive care unit and in hospital, and an increased in-hospital mortality rate compared with the patients who did not receive sedation. Compared with daily interruption or light sedation, deep sedation increased the in-hospital mortality and decreased the 60-month survival for patients who had received sedation.