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

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

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

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

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

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 clinical results of modified Sutherland pelvic osteotomy for developmental dysplasia of hip (DDH).

METHODSSutherland pelvic osteotomy were performed in 10 patients (11 hips) with DDH. Among them, there were 3 male (3 hips) and 7 female (8 hips) patients, aged (32 ± 8) years. During operation, arthroscopes were performed additionally to remove the existing hyperplasia tissue in the fossae ovalis and trimming acetabulum and glenoid labrum, thus to insure the better match between the femoral head and the realigned acetabulum. The change of imaging indexes were acquired by comparing the preoperative X-ray with the postoperative X-ray. The change of hip function and life quality were acknowledged according to contrast and analysis Harris hip score and Short Form 12-items Health Survey (SF-12) before and after osteotomy.

RESULTSAll patients were followed up for a mean of (5.2 ± 2.3) years, the osteotomy were all union in 3 months. The acetabular head index was 71 ± 8 before operation, and 86 ± 4 after operation. The pre- and post-operative centre edge angle were (7 ± 9)° and (33 ± 9)°, sharp angle were (48 ± 4)° and (37 ± 5)°, acetabular index angle were (24 ± 8)° and (11 ± 5)° respectively. The average Harris score improved from 42 ± 13 preoperatively to 90 ± 5 postoperatively, with 100% excellent and good results. Every domains of SF-12 was improved in the different extents postoperatively, the improvement of physical component summary was more conspicuous than mental component summary. The imaging indexes, Harris and SF-12 were all improved with significant difference (all P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe modified Sutherland pelvic osteotomy is effective. It could increase the load bearing capacity of hip, and improve the quality of life.

Adult ; Arthroscopy ; Female ; Hip Dislocation, Congenital ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Osteotomy ; methods ; Pelvic Bones ; surgery ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo analyze the results of cortical windowing of the femoral diaphysis for well-fixed cement/plug removal during hip revision surgery.

METHODSFrom May 2005 to June 2009, 14 patients (14 hips) were undergone revision total hip arthroplasty (THA), window was cut into the cortex of the femur, and the well-fixed cement/plug distal to the window was removed under the direct vision. After reimplanted the cementless revision stem, the cortical lids were replanted and fixed with 2 to 3 cerclage wires. Six patients who had suffered from osteoporosis were undergone morselized bone graft to the osteotomy site. Postoperatively, the patients were maintained at partial weight-bearing (touchdown) for 6 weeks and then advanced as they were able.

RESULTSThe length of the cortical windows varied from 2.5 to 6.0 cm (mean, 3.4 cm), the width ranged from 0.8 to 1.4 cm (mean, 1.2 cm). In one patient the window was enlarged during the procedure to facilitate the cement/plug removal. The mean radiologically healing time for the windows was 19 weeks. There was no intraoperative femoral perforation during cement/plug removal. One femoral fracture during the revision stem was implanted. No postoperative periprosthetic fracture and other complications such as infection, implant subsidence occurred during the fellow-up. There was no femoral thigh pain or implant loosening with femoral window.

CONCLUSIONThe cortical windowing technique is very helpful to facilitate the well-fixed cement/plug distal to the prosthesis tip removal and the windows heal rapidly and decrease the femoral complications associated with revision THA.

Aged ; Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip ; Bone Cements ; Device Removal ; methods ; Female ; Femur ; surgery ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Reoperation ; Retrospective Studies

OBJECTIVETo retrospectively analyze the clinical and radiological results of the impaction morselized allografting combined with cementless long stem for femoral component revision in patients with significant bone loss.

METHODSFrom July 2003 to June 2009, 27 patients (27 hips) underwent revision hip arthroplasty in femurs with bone defect using impaction allografting and cementless components. There were 15 male and 12 female with mean age of 67 years. According to the Paprosky classification system, the bone defects in femur were classified into type II in 3 cases, type III in 21 cases and type IV 3 cases. The patients were followed up postoperatively to observe the clinical and radiological results, and if there had the stem subsidence, periprosthetic fracture, infection and other complications.

RESULTSTwenty-three patients were followed up. The mean follow-up time was 26 months. Harris score improved from 43 points pre-revision to 83 points at the final follow-up. No femoral stem loosening and failure occurred. There were 4 stem with a mean 3.3 mm subsidence. One case had an acute infection after revision and treated successfully by debridement and drainage, antibiotics. No stem need further revision. Radiographic analysis showed all the revised stem was stable, and graft incorporation was seen in at least 1 zone in 100% of the femurs.

CONCLUSIONThe results of this study demonstrates that femoral support and vigorous impaction grafting combined with cementless long stem results in an good intermediated-term clinical effects.

Aged ; Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip ; Bone Transplantation ; methods ; Female ; Femur ; surgery ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prosthesis Design ; Reoperation ; Retrospective Studies ; Transplantation, Homologous ; Treatment Outcome