Objective To investigate the dynamic changes of the spinal cord during neck flexion in Hirayama disease for diagnosis.Methods MRI examinations in neutral neck position and a fully flexed neck position were performed on 18 cases of Hirayama disease and 31 young normal control subjects.We measured an antero-posterior diameter(APD)and transverse diameter(TD)of the cervical cord at the superior margin of the C6 vertebral body for each position,and investigate the dynamic changes.The different in frequency of these findings between the control and patient groups was examined by means of the x~2 test.The group means were compared by independent-sample t-test.Significance was defined as P

Aging ; Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Glutathione Peroxidase ; metabolism ; Male ; Malondialdehyde ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Superoxide Dismutase ; metabolism ; Testis ; drug effects ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo study the inhibition of berberine (BBR) against ECV-304 apoptosis induced by Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus).

METHODSECV-304 cells were pre-treated with 128 microg/mL BBR for 2 h and then S. aureus was added (1:100). The viability of cells was detected by MTT (3-4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay. The morphological changes were observed by Hoechst 33258 staining. The protection of BBR for infected cells was detected by DNA Ladder.

RESULTSECV-304 cells' viability were not obviously affected by berberine. But S. aureus induced ECV-304 cells' viability could be significantly inhibited by pre-treatment of BBR (P < 0.05). Besides S. aureus-induced ECV-304 apoptosis could be reduced, with significantly lessened apoptotic body and unobvious DNA degradation.

CONCLUSIONBBR could significantly inhibit S. aureus induced ECV-304 apoptosis.

Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Berberine ; pharmacology ; Cell Line ; Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells ; drug effects ; microbiology ; pathology ; Humans ; Staphylococcus aureus

This article reviews that as a functionally and phenotypically distict immunoregulatory T cell subpopulation, CD4(+)CD25(+) regulatory T cells can suppress the activation and proliferation of CD4(+)CD25(-) T cells and CD8(+) T cells and the production of IL-2 and IFN-gamma. These regulatory cells play an important role in allograft tolerance, although the mechanisms are not completely understood to date. CD4(+)CD25(+) regulatory T cells can be isolated, activated and expanded in vitro without loss of their immunoregulatory function. The suppressive function of activated CD4(+)CD25(+) cells is antigen non-specific. Ex vivo activated and expanded regulatory T cells have a perspective for practical use.
CD4 Antigens ; blood ; CD8 Antigens ; blood ; Cell Division ; immunology ; Humans ; Interferon-gamma ; blood ; Interleukin-2 ; blood ; Receptors, Interleukin-2 ; blood ; T-Lymphocytes ; cytology ; immunology ; metabolism ; Transplantation Tolerance ; immunology

OBJECTIVETo review the recent developments in the mechanisms of glucocorticoids induced osteonecrosis of femoral head (ONFH) and introduce a new theory of ONFH.

DATA SOURCESBoth Chinese- and English-language literatures were searched using MEDLINE (1997 - 2011), Pubmed (1997 - 2011) and the Index of Chinese-language Literature (1997 - 2011).

STUDY SELECTIONData from published articles about mechanisms of glucocorticoids induced ONFH in recent domestic and foreign literature were selected. Data extraction Data were mainly extracted from 61 articles which are listed in the reference section of this review.

RESULTSGlucocorticoids are steroid hormones secreted by the adrenal cortex that play a pivotal role in the regulation of a variety of developmental, metabolic and immune functions. However, high dose of exogenous glucocorticoids usage is the most common non-traumatic cause of ONFH. Glucocorticoids can affect the metabolisms of osteoblasts, osteoclasts, bone marrow stromal cells and adipocytes which decrease osteoblasts formation but increase adipocytes formation and cause ONFH finally.

CONCLUSIONSGlucocorticoids affect the differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells, through activating or inhibiting the related transcript regulators of osteogenesis and adipogenesis. At last, the size and volume of mesenchymal stem cells derived adipocytes will increase amazingly, but the osteoblasts will be decreased obviously. In the meantime, the activity of the osteoclasts will be activated. So, these mechanisms work together and lead to ONFH.

Animals ; Bone Marrow Cells ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Femur Head ; cytology ; Glucocorticoids ; metabolism ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Osteonecrosis ; etiology ; metabolism ; Stromal Cells ; drug effects ; metabolism

Objective To observe the effect of T-2 toxin on growth and development of rat epiphyseal plate of left knee and metaphyseal bone of femur and tibia in normal and low nutritional status, to find out possible pathogenic factors of Kashin-Beck disease and provide experimental basis for early intervention. Methods Ninety 3-week-old Wistar rats, weighing 60 - 70 g, were randomly divided into three groups: control group(general feed), T-2 toxin + general feed group, T-2 toxin + low nutrition feed group, thirty rats in each group with equally sex ratio. T-2 toxin (1.0 mg/kg) was administered orally 5 times a week via a gavage needle for 4 weeks. The change of hair, activity and body weight was observed. After 1, 2, 4 weeks, the epiphyseal plate of left knee and metaphyseal bone of femur and tibia (including distal femur and proximal tibia) were collected. Specimens were processed with HE and Masson staining. The morphology of chondrocytes and matrix collagen content in epiphyseal plate was observed. Trabecular bone volume fraction in tibial metaphyseal bone was analyzed by Image-Pro Plus 6.0 software. Results In the control group, rats were in good movement and hair with light, but in T-2 toxin + general feed group and T-2 toxin + low nutrition feed group, rats were found with reduced activities and hair with dark color. Body weights(g) of the control group, the T-2 toxin + general feed group and the T-2 toxin + low nutrition feed group were 81.0 ± 6.2, 79.0 ±5.1, 77.0 ± 7.5, respectively, by the end of first week; 101.8 ± 6.7, 97.0 ± 6.8, 93.0 ± 5.3, respectively, by the end of second week; 151.1 ± 15.7, 126.5 ± 11.9, 106.5 ± 11.5, respectively, by the end of fourth week. There was significant difference in groups by second week and the fourth week (F = 9.72, 41.65, all P ＜ 0.05 ). There was significant difference among multi-groups by the fourth week(all P ＜ 0.01 ). Under light microscope, at the second weeks, coagulative necrosis of chondrocytes was found in hypertrophic zone in the two groups with T-2 toxin; at the fourth weeks, cell necrosis increased. Masson staining showed collagen staining in the two groups with T-2 toxin significantly turned to clear pale coloration, indicating that the collagen matrix was significantly reduced. Image analysis showed there was significant difference in groups at the second and fourth week(F= 9.72, 41.65, all P＜ 0.05)in tibial metaphyseal trabecular bone volume fraction. There was significant difference between T-2 toxin + low nutrition feed group[(0.55 ± 0.12)％, (0.21 ± 0.0)％] and control group[(0.67 ± 0.09)％, (0.51 ± 0.14)％] by the second and fourth week(all P ＜ 0.01 ). Conclusions Under normal nutritional status, T-2 toxin can induce hypertrophic epiphyseal cartilage necrosis, collagen content decreased in epiphyseal plate, metaphyseal trabecular bone formation disorders; in the low nutritional status, T-2 toxin can lead to rat epiphyseal necrosis and significant metaphyseal bone disorder, but whether the performance is related to Kaschin-Beck disease needs to be studied further.

OBJECTIVETo analyze the clinical and radiographic results of the extended trochanteric osteotomy in revision total hip arthroplasty procedure.

METHODSThe data of 27 patients (27 hips) of the clinical and radiographic results were reviewed between January 1998 and June 2005. There were 16 men and 11 women, and the mean age at the time of revision surgery was 63 years (range 42 to 78 years). Indications for use of the trochanteric osteotomy were removal of well-fixed femoral implants. Clinical evaluation included Harris and WOMAC scores. The radiological evaluation included stem subsidence, trochanteric fragment fractures and stem position change.

RESULTSNineteen patients (19 hips) were followed up for an average of 5.3 years. All osteotomy sites healed by 16 months,with an average time to union of 16 weeks. No intraoperative fracture at the osteotomy site occurred. There was only one dislocation postoperatively. Three femoral components were subsidence at a mean of 3.4 mm (range 3-7 mm) in the first 6 weeks postoperatively; It united within 6 months without further migration.

CONCLUSIONSThe extended trochanteric osteotomy facilitates the removal of well-fixed femoral implants, allows reliable reattachment of the trochanteric fragment and results an excellent rate of healing and implant stability in revision total hip arthroplasty during mid-term follow-up. Long-term follow-up is needed.

Adult ; Aged ; Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip ; Female ; Femur ; surgery ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Osteotomy ; methods ; Reoperation ; methods ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo investigate the relationship between the biological features and the treatment efficacy and prognosis in acute myeloid leukemia subtype M2 (AML-M2) patients with chromosome 8 and 21 translocation.

METHODSBy using Cox regression model and Kaplan-Meier analyses, prognostic factors in 54 cases of de novo adult AML with t(8;21) in our institute from 1990 to 2003 were retrospectively analyzed.

RESULTThe complete remission (CR) rates were 81.9% for all M2 patients, 82.4% for patients with normal karyotype, 88.5% for patients with t(8;21) [P > 0.05 for normal karyotype vs t(8;21)], 100.0% for 28 patients with t(8;21) alone and 75.0% for 24 patients with additional chromosome abnormalities (P < 0.01). The actuarial 3 year overall survival(OS) was 26% for M2 patients with normal karyotype, 25% for patients with t(8;21) [P > 0.05 for normal karyotype vs t(8;21)], in whole t(8;21) group, 46.4% for patients with t(8;21) alone and 0% for patients with additional chromosome abnormalities (P < 0.01). Multivariate analysis of prognostic factors showed that chromosome abnormalities besides t(8;21) was the only factor affecting CR, disease-free survival (DFS) and OS. DFS of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) and intermediate-dose cytarabine/high dose cytarabine (IDAC) groups were better than the group received routine dose cytarabine as postremission therapy (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONAML with t(8;21) is not a single defined AML subset, and patients with additional chromosome abnormalities have a worse prognosis. HSCT and IDAC could improve the outcome. HSCT is the best choice for patients with high risks, especially with additional chromosome abnormalities.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; therapeutic use ; Chromosomes, Human, Pair 21 ; genetics ; Chromosomes, Human, Pair 8 ; genetics ; Female ; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation ; Humans ; Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute ; drug therapy ; genetics ; surgery ; therapy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Translocation, Genetic

OBJECTIVETo evaluate clinical and radiographic results and influencing factors of hybrid total hip arthroplasty (THA).

METHODSTotally 126 patients (135 hips) from January 1999 to December 2001 accepted hybrid THA were followed up. Components migration, periprosthetic bone changes, the polyethylene wear rate were measured radiologically. Kaplan-Meier analysis was performed to evaluate the survival of the acetabular and femoral components. End point was obvious radiological loosening or revision either or both of the acetabular and femoral components for aseptic loosening, infection or osteolysis debridement surgery.

RESULTSA total of 79 cases (85 hips) had been given follow-up. Using revision as the end point, the survival rate of acetabular was 95.2%, cemented femoral components was 98.8%. Using loosening as the end point for failure, the survival rate of acetabular was 97.6%, cemented femoral components was 100%.

CONCLUSIONSThe hybrid total hip prosthesis long-term survival rate was satisfactory, especially in the femoral side. As a result of third-cement technology, the long-term survival rate of the femoral components was close to the modern cementless prosthesis.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip ; methods ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo observe the clinical results of proximal femoral nail anti-rotation (PFNA) combined with zoledronic acid injection in the treatment of osteoporotic intertrochanteric fractures in the elderly.

METHODS60 elderly patients with osteoporotic intertrochanteric fractures were diagnosed using a dual energy X-ray bone density instrument. Patients were randomly divided into treatment or control groups (30 cases in each group). Patients in both groups were treated by closed/open reduction and internal fixation using PFNA. In the treatment group, patients received one zoledronic phosphonic acid injection of 5 mg/100 ml via intravenous drip, in addition to 600 mg of Caltrate D (qd) and 0.25 mg of alpha ossification alcohol (qd). The control group received 600 mg of Caltrate D (qd) and 0.25 mg of alpha ossification alcohol (qd). The oral drugs were administered for 12 months. Bone pain relief was observed, and changes in the bone mineral density (BMD) of the lumbar and health-side hip were recorded. Clinical results were evaluated using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), Harris joint function score, and Osteo- porosis Quality of Life Scale (OQOLS).

RESULTSCompared with the control group, bone pain symptoms were significantly alleviated (p < 0.05) in the treatment group. In the treatment and control groups, both between-group and within-group differences in BMD were significantly increased in L1e4, femoral neck and trochanter (p < 0.05). No significant differences were found between the two groups in regard to the involved hip or the total rate of improvement at the end of the follow-up period, although cases in the treatment group had higher OQOLS scores than those of the controls (p = 0.04). Cases in the treatment group healed more quickly than those in the control group [(13 ± 3.2) weeks vs (15 ± 4.6) weeks, p = 0.02]. During the follow-up period, cases in the treatment group had no new fractures, whereas 2 new cases of hip fracture and 2 cases of distal radial fractures were observed among the controls.

CONCLUSIONZoledronic acid injection combined with PFNA is a favorable treatment option for the elderly patients with osteoporotic intertrochanteric fracture. It can effectively relieve bone pain, increase bone density, improve quality of life, reduce the occurrence of new fractures and promote fracture healing.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Bone Density ; Bone Nails ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Diphosphonates ; administration & dosage ; Female ; Hip Fractures ; psychology ; therapy ; Humans ; Imidazoles ; administration & dosage ; Injections ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Osteoporotic Fractures ; psychology ; therapy ; Quality of Life