BACKGROUND:Compared with traditional autogenous bone graft, composite, as the carrier of seed cells, possesses advantages of fewer traumas and no limitation of donor site in repairing bone defect.OBJECTIVE: To observe the ability of the composite of β-tricalcium phosphate artificial bone-hyaluronic acid-type I collagen (β-TCP/HA/COL-I), as induced bone marrow stromal cell (MSC) carrier, to repair rabbit radial defect, and the feasibility with the composite as bone substitute material.DESIGN: A randomized and controlled trial.SETTING: Department of Orthopaedics, Renmin HospitaL, Wuhan University.MATERIALS; The study was conducted in the Department of Orthopaedics Renmin Hospital, Wuhan University between September 2003 and July 2004. Thirty-one New Zealand big white rabbits, aged 6 months, with body mass of 1.5 to 2.0 kg were enrolled in this study. The rabbits were randomized into control group (n =4) and experimental group (n =27).METHODS : ①In vitro induction and culture of MSCs was performed on 31 white rabbits, and the alkaline phosphatase (ALP) positive ratio of induced MSCs was observed. The structure of β-TCP/HA/COL-I was observed under scanning electron microscope. ② A 2 cm radial defect was created through operation. Eight weeks later, composites of β-TCP/HA/COL-I/MSCs were implanted into one side of rabbits in the experimental group, and autogenous bone was implanted into the other side. Rabbits in the control group were untouched. ③All the animals in the experimental group were randomly sacrificed at postoperative 4,8 and 12 weeks, 6 rabbits at 4 and 8 weeks, 15 at 12 weeks; Animals in the control group were sacrificed at 12 weeks. Gross observation, X-ray photographing, haematoxylin-eosin (HE) dyeing, and assessment of inorganic ingredient were performed. Osteogenic area and biomechanical tests were performed at 12weeks. Repairing effects on bone defect in each group were compared.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The ALP positive ratio of induced MSCs; The structure of composite ofβ-TCP/HA/COL-I;Gross observation; X-ray photographing; HE dyeing and assessment of inorganic ingredient; Osteogenic area and biomechanical tests.RESULTS: All the 31 rabbits entered the stage of result analysis. ① The ALP positive ratio of cells reached 75% after induction and culture. ② Scanning electron microscope observation showed that 3 kinds of materials with abundant cellular structure distributed evenly. ③ The osteogenic area at 12 weeks was (72.5±3.6)% and (76.7±6.2)% in the experimental group and autogenous group, respectively (P ＞ 0.05). ④The maximum bending moment was (521.0±61.1) and (554.3±53.3)N·mm in the experimental group and control group, respectively; The maximum displacement at point of application of force was (0.816±0.071)and (0.870±0.103)respectively, without significant difference (P ＞ 0.05). ⑤Inorganic ingredient in the composite was 75%, 57% and 42% at 4,8 and 12 weeks respectively, suggesting that the inorganic component in the material was gradually decomposed with the elongation of time. ⑥Results of gross observation,X-ray photographing, histopathological examination, biomechanical test showed that with the elongation of time, composite of β-TCP/HA/COL-I/MSCs could repair bone defect in the experimental group, while bone defect in the control group had not been repaired.CONCLUSTON: Composite of β-TCP/HA/COL-I /MSCs possesses the same effect on repairing bone defect as autogenous bone, so it may be used as autogenous bone graft substitute.

Objective To compare the effects of propofol versus isoflurane on brainstem auditory evoked potential (BAEP) and explore the difference in the effects of the two anesthetics on the brainstem. Methods Thirty ASA Ⅰ or Ⅱ patients aged 20-50 yr without heating disorder, scheduled for elective surgery performed under general anesthesia were randomly divided into 2 groups (n = 15 each): propofol group (group P) and isoflurane group (group Ⅰ). SpO2, PET CO2, BIS and BAEP were continuously monitored before and during anesthesia. Anesthesia was induced by propofol administered by TCI or isoflurane inhalation. Tracheal intubation was facilitated with vecuronium. The patients were mechanically ventilated. PET CO2 was maintained at 35-40 mm Hg and SpO2 at 98%-100%. After intubation BIS was maintained at 70 and 50 respectively ,the latency of the wave Ⅰ , Ⅱ and Ⅴ and the inter-peak latency (IPL) betwecn wave Ⅰ -Ⅲ , Ⅲ-Ⅴ and Ⅰ -Ⅴ were recorded.Results In group P there was no significant difference in the latency of the wave Ⅰ , Ⅲ and Ⅴ and the IPL between wave Ⅰ - Ⅲ , Ⅲ - Ⅴ and Ⅰ - Ⅴ between the baseline before anesthesia and at BIS 70 and 50. In group Ⅰ the latency of wave Ⅲ and Ⅴ and the IPL between wave Ⅰ - Ⅲ , Ⅲ - Ⅴ and Ⅰ - Ⅴ were significantly longer at BIS 50 than the baseline before anesthesia, while the latency of wave Ⅲ and Ⅴ and the IPL between wave Ⅰ -Ⅲ andⅠ -Ⅴ at BIS 50 were significantly longer than that at BIS 70. At BIS 50 the latency of wave Ⅴ and the IPL between wave Ⅰ -Ⅴ were significantly longer in group Ⅰ than in group P. Conclusion At comparable depth of anesthesia propofol exerts less depressant effects on BAEP indicating less depression of brainstem.

This study was aimed to assay the antibacterial activity of compounds from Rabdosia rubescens. Disc dif-fusion (K-B method) was used to screen the in vitro antibacterial activity. All kinds of chromatography were used to isolate the chemical constituent and structure was identified by MS and NMR spectroscopy. The results showed that six compounds were isolated and identified as oridonin (1), rosmarinic acid (2), caffeic acid (3), salicylic acid (4), ferulic acid (5), vanillic acid (6). Oridonin had activity against Staphylococcus aureus (SA), Methcillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), β-lactamase positive Staphylococcus aureus (ESBLs-SA), and showed the highest ac-tivity (MIC is 3.125, 6.25 and 6.25 μg·disc-1, respectively), but was still weaker than that of berberine as positive control (MIC is 0.156 μg·disc-1). Ferulic acid had activity against SA and MRSA (MIC is 50 and 50 μg·disc-1, re-spectively). Salicylic acid had only activity against SA (MIC 50 μg·disc-1). It was concluded that oridonin, ferulic acid and salicylic acid were the main antibacterial activity compounds from R. rubescens.

This article was aimed to evaluate the α-glucosidase inhibitory activity of extracts from the root of Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge and different processed products. The α-glucosidase inhibitory activity was screened with acarbose as positive control and by α-glucosidase inhibitory model in v itro . The results showed that the ex-tracts from the root of S. miltiorrhiza and different processed products had inhibitory activity. And the activity was higher than that of acarbose. In addition to the MeOH extract of S. miltiorrhiza carbon, the inhibitory activity of MeOH extracts from other processed products were higher than that of MeOH extract of S. miltiorrhiza. The in-hibitory activity of petroleum ether extracts of different processed products were close to S. miltiorrhiza. EtOAC extracts were lower than that of S. miltiorrhiza. The n-BuOH extracts were higher than that of S. miltiorrhiza. The inhibitory activity of extracts was positively correlated with concentrations, and it depended on the concentra-tion. It was concluded that the processed products of S. miltiorrhiza can strengthen α-glucosidase inhibitory activ-ity in different degrees.

Objective To Investigate the influence of high-intensity pulsed electromagnetic field (HIPEMF) on neural differentiation of neonatal rats neural stem cells in vitro.Methods Neural stem cells (NSCs) were isolated from the subventricular zone of 3-day-old neonatal rats and cultured with serum-free condition medium for 14 days.All the NSCs were then randomly classified into an experimental group which received the stimulation of HIPEMF (0.1 Hz,4 T,8 pulses) and a control group which received no special intervention.Differentiation of the culture was induced by addition of 10％ fetal bovine serum on the first day after intervention,the morphological changes of cells were observed under the microscope at different time points.The NSCs adhered to the wall and differentiated for seven days,the immunofluorescence was employed to observed and calculate the ratio of differentiated cells with astrocyte marker GFAP or neuronal markers TUJ1.RT-PCR and western blotting were used to measure the expression levels of the differentiated cells based on gene and protein levels,respectively.Results Immunofluorescence staining showed the number of TUJI positive cells in the experimental group(33.4％ ± 5.1％)was significantly more than the control group (26.5％ ± 7.0％),while the number of GFAP positive cells was decreased(23.9％ ± 5.0％) as compared with the control group(36.2％ ± 2.2％).RT-PCR showed that the TUJ1 mRNA expression levels in the experimental group was (1.682 ± 0.086) times of the control group.Western blot showed that the expression of TUJ1 (0.729 ±0.061) in the experimental group was higher than in the control group (0.590 ± 0.157),while the expression of GFAP in the experimental group (0.566 ± 0.056) was less than in the control group(1.034 ± 0.051).Conclusions HIPEMF facilitates differentiation of neural stem cells to neurons,at the cost of reducing astrocytic differentiation.

Objective To observe the extent of bone coagulation and the thermal field distribution created in ablating the swine vertebral bodies in vitro with multi-polar radiofrequency and to discuss the correlation between the electrode position in the vertebral body and the safety of the spinal cord as well as the soft tissue injury around the vertebral body. Methods Thirty fresh adult porcine vertebrae, were randomly and equally divided into two groups. The depth of the electrode needle was 10 mm or 20 mm. When the ablation process reached to a stable state, the temperature at the scheduled spots was estimated. Twenty minutes after ablation, the vertebral body was cut along the electrode needle plane and also along the plane perpendicular to the electrode needle to observe the extent of bone coagulation. Results The temperature at the scheduled spots reached to a stable state in 3.5 minutes. The more close to the electrode the spot was,the more quickly the temperature rose. No soft tissue injury around the vertebral body was observed in both groups and no spinal cord injury occurred when the electrode needle was 10 mm or 20 mm deep in the vertebral body. Conclusion In treating vertebral metastases, the radiofrequency ablation is safe and reliable if the posterior wall of the vertebral body remains intact.

BACKGROUND: Endoscopic transnasal lacrimal duct reconstruction by grafting of autogenous tissue is a novel method for treatment of severe lacrimal duct obstruction and it needs detailed anatomical data for surgery.OBJECTIVE: To study the applied microsurgical anatomy of lacrimal duct and to provide anatomical evidence for endoscopic transnasal lacrimal duct reconstruction by grafting of autoganous tissue.DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING: This study was performed at the laboratory of the Department of Ophthalmology, Armed Police General Hospital from July 2006 to June 2007.MATERIALS: Twenty 10% formaldehyde-treated adult cadaveric heads, 14 males and 6 females, comprising 40 lacrimal ducts were included in this study.METHODS: The cadaveric heads were split on the level of the line between the superior border of the superciliary arch and the site 10 mm higher than occipital tuberosity. After removal of brain tissue,the heads were decalcified for approximate 1 week with 10%nitric acid. This promised non-alteration of morphological structure and facilitation for surgical cutting. Following dissection of facial cranium in the median sagittal plane, the nasal septum was excised to expose the lateral wall of the nasal cavity.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The anteroposterior diameter and depth of lacrimal fossa; at middle third level, the thickness of lacrimal fossa at the anterior lacrimal crest, vertical middle line, and posterior lacrimal crest; the cross section area of nasolacrimal canal upper opening, middle part, and lower opening; horizontal distance, 30° oblique distance, and 45°oblique distance from lacrimal caruncie to nasal cavity; distance from lacrimal caruncle to nasolacrimal canal upper opening; and the included angle between lacrimal caruncle-nasolacrimal canal upper opening line and Aeby's plane.RESULTS: The length, anteroposterior diameter, and depth of lacrimal fossa were (17.85±1.72) mm, (6.74+1.28) mm, and (3.09+0.78) mm, respectively. At middle third level, the thickness of lacrimal fossa at the anterior lacrimal crest,perpendicular bisector, and posterior lacrimal crest was (4.03±0.89) mm, (0.61±0.36) mm, and (0.63±0.24) mm, respectively.Anterior lacrimal crest was significantly thicker than vertical middle line and posterior lacrimal crest (P ＞ 0.05). Horizontal distance, 30°oblique distance, and 45° oblique distance from lacrimal caruncle to nasal cavity was (17.23±0.70) mm,(14.51±1.72) mm, and (17.34±2.38) mm, accordingly, with a difference which was not significant (P ＞ 0.05). The distance from lacrimal caruncle to lateral wall middle point of nasolacrimal duct superior opening was (11.86±1.84) mm, and the included angle between lacrimal caruncle-lateral wall middle point of nasolacrimal duct superior opening line and Aeby's plane averaged (49.9±1.8)°.CONCLUSION: The distances from lacrimal caruncle to nasal cavity and lacrimal sac and the included angles between lacrimal caruncle-nasolacrimal canal upper opening line and Aeby's plane provide guidance significance for selection of bony opening position on the lateral wall of nasal cavity and determinations of tunnel oblique angle and autogenous tissue length. Creation of bony tunnel should start from the middle or posterior middle part of lacrimal fossa and then extend towards anterior inferior region with an optimal downward oblique angle of 45°. The length of autogenous tissue used for lacrimal duct reconstruction should exceed 21.22 mm.

Objective To investigate the effect of RNA interference connective tissue growth factor (CTGF)expression on Kulclffer cells(KC)induced activation of hepatic stellate cells(HSC).Methods Rat CTGF RNA interference vector Psilencer 3.1H1-Neo-CTGF was constructed and identified.HSC cell line rHSC-99 cells were divided into three groups,group A served as control,group B transfected with vector without CTGF interference.group C was RNA interferenee CTGF expression of HSC.RT-PCR was used to measure the expression of CTGF in HSC.Rat Kur)ffer cells were isolated and identified.and cocultured with HSC in the 3 groups respectively.MTT assay was used to evaluate the proliferation of HSC.RT-PCR was used to measure the expression of TGF-β1 and precollagen type I in HSC.Western blot was used to measure the expression of TGF-β1 in HSC.ELISA was used to detect the production of precollagen type I protein.Immunofluorescence was used to detect the expression of ot-smooth muscle actin(α-SMA)in HSC.Resuits After CTGF RNA interference vector transfection.CTGF expression of HSC decreased by 22%(P＜0.01).The yield rate of Kupffer cell was 5×107 and the cell viability exceeded 98%.In the HSC and KC co-culture system.the proliferation and activation of HSC were inhibited while RNA interferenee CTGF of HSC.As compared with control,HSC proliferation decreased by 29%(P＜0.01).Precollagen type I and ot-SMA expression decreased by 38%(P＜0.01).Production of precollagen type I protein in culture medium decreased bv 48%(P＜0.01).Conclusions Blockade CTGF expression of HSC inhibits KC induced activation of HSC.

Objective To investigate the feasibility and efficacy of laparoscopic orchiopexy for inguinal palpable undescended testes. Methods Ninety patients with 103 inguinal undescended pal-pable testes were treated by laparoscopic orchiopexy performed by the same surgeon. There were 24 (26.7 %) left and 53 (58. 9%) right palpable cryptorchidism cases, plus 13 cases (14.4 % ) with bilat-eral undescended testes. The mean age of the patients was 17 months (range 8 months-6 years). The surgical procedures were described as following. First, the peritoneum was opened at the anterior sur-face of the spermatic vessels and vas deferens before the testis was pulled into the abdominal cavity so that the spermatic vessels and vas deferens were released and easily manipulated. Second, the inter-space between internal spermatic fascia (transversalic fascia) and processus vaginalis was divided so, that the testis could be pulled into the abdominal cavity. Finally, the trocar which was inserted from scrotum was placed through the outer ring. Finally, the testis was placed at position and fixed. Re-suits The mean operative time was 32.7±5.2 min. The processus vaginalis unclose was found in 93 (90.3%) cases; and contralateral process us vaginalis unclose were found in 12 (15.6%) cases of 77 unilateral undescended testes. The complication rate was 3(3.3%)cases, all in bilateral cases. All 103 testes were descended by laparoscopy. On follow-up ranging 6-12 months, all testes maintained good size and a proper position. Conclusions The laparoscopic approach may be a safe way to descend the inguinal palpable testes. Orchiopexy of palpable undescended testes can be done with advantages in the laparoscopic approach.