The ideal treatment and recovery of osteoarticular injury remain to be resolved. Small intestinal submucosa (SIS), a naturally-occurring decellularized extracellular matrix, has been recognized as an ideal scaffold for tissue engineering and widely used in repairing various tissues and organs. Nowadays its application has also been gradually increased in the field of orthopedics. We reviewed laboratorial studies and clinical trails about the application of SIS in bone and joint repair, aiming to evaluate its effects on the repair of bone, cartilage, meniscus, ligament and tendon. SIS has showed promising results in repairing bone, meniscus, ligament or tendon. However, additional studies will be required to further evaluate its effects on articular cartilage and tendon-bone healing. How to optimize SIS material,is also a focused problem concerned with making SIS a potential therapeutic option with high value for orthopedic tissue repair.
Animals ; Cell- and Tissue-Based Therapy ; Humans ; Intestinal Mucosa ; cytology ; Intestine, Small ; cytology ; Joint Diseases ; physiopathology ; surgery ; therapy ; Tissue Engineering ; instrumentation ; methods ; Tissue Scaffolds ; chemistry

Objective To investigate the clinical features,treatment response and prognosis in children with Takayasu′s arteritis(TA) in order to improve the understanding of TA.Methods A retrospective study of 10 children with TA was performed.All of them were admitted and diagnosed in Peking University First Hospital from Jan.1998 to Oct.2008.The clinical features,laboratory tests,imaging modalities,treatment response and prognosis were all collected and evaluated.Results There were 3 boys and 7 girls in the 10 patients with TA,and the ratio of male to female was 12.3.The onset was from 4 months to 9 years old,with average age at 5.5 years old.The average duration of diagnosis was 7.6 months.The incidences of hypertension,vascular bruits,albuminuria,convulsion were present in 100%,100%,70% and 40%,respectively.The clinical types included typeⅡ(60%),type Ⅲ(10%) and type Ⅳ(30%).The acute phase inflammatory indices of activity such as erythrocyte sedimentation rate(ESR),C-reactive protein(CRP) and white blood cell(WBC) were not evidently increased.Tuberculosis infection was found in 6 out of 10 patients and anti-tuberculosis treatment was performed.Six patients were treated with steroids and 3 cases of them were also given immunosuppressives cyclophosphamide or methotrexate.Three of the 10 patients received anti-hypertensive and vasodilator.Two patients received percutaneous translurminal angioplasty and 1 patient received nephrectomy.One patient died of renal failure,heart failure and shock.Conclusions The patients with TA had high prevalence of tuberculosis infection,diagnosis as often late because of lack of specific clinical features at the acute inflammatory period.When organic ischaemia occurred,treatment response was usually unsatisfactory.Patients with multi-systemic and multi-viscera lesions should have comprehensive examination,especially for those with hypertension,pulseless and vascular bruits,in order to rule out TA.Early ultrasonography,computed tomography and magnetic resonnance image methods are valued in eariler diagnosis and they are the key factors to improve prognosis.

In traditional clinical application, Coptidis Rhizome and Evodiae Fructus have been combined to treat various stomach heat and cold syndromes, gastritis, gastric ulcer and the like. With the application of modem instruments and the development of molecular pharmacologic theory, their chemical constituents and pharmacological effects have been sufficiently studied. In this paper, literatures from Pubmed were adopted, with particular emphasis on findings of international counterparts and studies on compatibility of main chemical components in Coptidis Rhizoma and Evodiae Fructus, in order to elaborate on the scientific comparability of Coptidis Rhizoma and Evodiae Fructus through chemical analysis, and pharmacological and biopharmaceutics studies and introduce the future development trend of the studies.
Animals ; Drug Interactions ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; analysis ; pharmacology ; Evodia ; chemistry ; Fruit ; chemistry ; Humans ; Ranunculaceae ; chemistry ; Rhizome ; chemistry

Pro-inflammatory macrophages play key regulatory role in the occurrence and development of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). In this study, we constructed a celastrol (Cel)-loaded polyamide-amine dendrimer (PAMAM) drug delivery system, which could target folate receptor and mitochondria. It could target inflammatory macrophages and realize chemo-photothermal synergistic therapy. Using PAMAM as the nano-carrier, folate receptor-targeting group folic acid (FA) and mitochondria-targeting group IR808 (also known as the photothermal agent) were conjugated with PAMAM through amide reaction, and then complexed with anti-inflammatory drug Cel to prepare the FA-PAMAM-IR808/Cel nanocomplex. In vitro characterization results showed that the drug loading efficiency of the nanocomplex was 50.90%, particle size was between 130 and 160 nm, average potential was between 1.0 and 3.5 mV, the drug release showed pH sensitivity, temperature reached to 42.5 ℃ after near-infrared (NIR) light irradiation for 10 min. In vitro cellular uptake experiments showed that the nanocomplex had obvious folate receptor-targeting and mitochondria-targeting ability. Following irradiation with NIR light, the cytotoxicity and cellular apoptosis enhanced. The secretion of pro-inflammatory factors tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6 and nitric oxide (NO) decreased in a concentration-dependent manner. This study provided insights for the development of novel anti-RA nanomedicines.

Melittin exhibits high antibacterial potency against drug-resistant bacteria. However, the clinical utility of melittin is limited by its serious hemolytic activity. Thus, the need for developing novel melittin analogues with high antimicrobial activity and low hemolytic activity has grown. We designed, synthesized, and evaluated 20 novel melittin analogues with varying hydrophobic, polar or positively charged amino acids. The results showed that 8 compounds had antimicrobial activity (MIC: 1-4 μg·mL^-1) against gram-positive pathogens equal to or better than that of melittin, and 16 compounds had low hemolytic activity (HC₅₀ ≥ 11.9 μg·mL^-1). Compounds 13 (MIC: 2-4 μg·mL^-1) and 15 (MIC: 1-2 μg·mL^-1) showed equal or better antimicrobial activity against both susceptible and resistant strains of Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococcus faecium compared to melittin (MIC: 4 μg·mL^-1). Compound 13 (HC₅₀: 24.0 ± 4.3 μg·mL^-1) displayed noticeably decreased hemolytic activity compared to melittin (HC₅₀: 5.3 ± 0.4 μg·mL^-1). This work established a base for further study on the structure-activity relationships and structure-toxicity relationships of melittin.

Objective:To preliminarily study the effect of Louqin Zhisou decoctions with the mechanism of clearing heat and resol-ving phlegm on the blood level of neutrophil elastase ( NE) in the rat model of acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary dis-ease ( AECOPD) . Methods:The rat model of AECOPD was established by passive cigarette smoking, intratracheal instillation of li-popolysacchricle ( LPY) and intranasal instillation of staphylococcus aureus. Totally 60 AECOPD rats were randomly divided into 3 groups, the model control group (n=20), ambrohexel group (n=20), and Louqin Zhisou decoctions group (n=20). NE was detec-ted by ELISA. Results:Compared with that before the treatment, NE in ambrohexel group and Louqin Zhisou decoctions group was de-creased significantly(P<0. 01). Conclusion:Clearing heat and resolving phlegm method probably can decrease NE by reducing air-way mucus hypersecretion and obstruction in AECOPD rats.

Objective:To study the molecular biology mechanisms of Wistar rats after spinal cord injury, and find out key microRNAs. Methods:A total of 15 Wistar rats were divided into control group (n = 3) and spinal cord injury group (n = 12). The latter group was divided into four hours, three days, seven days and 14 days subgroups, with three rats in each subgroup. Microarray 3.0 was used to investigate microRNA expression profiles of Wistar rats with spinal cord injury. Bioinformatics was used to predict microRNAs playing key regulatory roles, and to predict target genes. Reverse transcription real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) was applied to detect the expression of miR-20a-3p. Western blotting was employed to detect the signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) 3 level. The correlation between target protein and microRNA expression trend in each group was analyzed. The key microRNA was inhibited in the neurons. The relationship between target protein expression and axon growth was observed with immunofluorescence. Results:In the rats with spinal cord injury, totally 658 microRNAs had changed at least once. In all the altered microRNAs, miR-20a-3p was upregulated obviously. It predicted that the target gene of miR-20a-3p was STAT3 via application of bioinformatics analysis. The expression trend of STAT 3 and miR-20a-3p in spinal cord was opposite. After the inhibition of miR-20a-3p, the expression of STAT3 in neurons was unregulated and axonal growth was extended. Conclusion:The upregulation of miR-20a-3p leads to downregulation of STAT3, and miR-20a-3p is one of the key targets in the treatment of spinal cord injury.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate autogenous vein grafts and inside-out vein grafts as conduits for the defects repair in the rabbit facial nerves.

METHODSThe 10 mm segments of buccal division of facial nerve were transected for 48 rabbits in this study. Then the gaps were immediately repaired by autogenous vein grafts or inside-out vein grafts in different groups. All the animals underwent the whisker movement test and electrophysiologic test during the following 16 weeks at different time points postoperatively. Subsequently, the histological examination was performed to observe the facial nerve regeneration morphologically.

RESULTSAt 8 weeks after operation, the facial nerve regeneration has significant difference between the experimental group and the control group in electrophysiologic test and histological observation. However, at the end of this study, 16 weeks after operation, there was no significant difference between inside-out vein grafts and standard vein grafts in enhancing peripheral nerve regeneration.

CONCLUSIONThis study suggest that both kinds of vein grafts play positive roles in facial nerve regeneration after being repaired immediately, but the autogenous inside-out vein grafts might accelerate and facilitate axonal regeneration as compared with control.

Animals ; Axons ; physiology ; Facial Nerve ; physiology ; surgery ; Facial Nerve Injuries ; surgery ; Male ; Nerve Regeneration ; physiology ; Rabbits ; Transplantation, Autologous ; methods ; Veins ; transplantation

OBJECTIVETo investigate surgical procedure and clinical effects for the treatment of patellofemoral osteoarthritis (PFOA) with arthroscopic patelloplasty and circumpatellar denervation.

METHODSTotally 156 patients with PFOA (62 males and 94 females; aged from 45 to 61 years old with an average of 52) were treated from September 2011 and March 2013. The clinical manifestations included recurrent swelling and pains on knee-joint,and aggravated pains upon going up/down-stairs, squatting-down, or standing-up. PFOAs were treated with arthroscopic patelloplasty and circumpatellar denervation. The therapeutic effects before and after surgery were evaluated by Lysholm scores and Kujala scores. The therapeutic effects were graded by classification of cartilage injury degrees.

RESULTSTotally 149 cases were successfully followed up for 14.8 months. The incisions were healed well and no complication were occurred. Lysholm score was improved from 73.29 preoperatively to 80.93 postoperatively and average Kajala score from 68.34 preoperatively to 76.48 after surgery. This procedure was highly effective for patients with I - III degree cartilage injury, while not for patients with IV degree cartilage injury.

CONCLUSIONFor PFOA patients, arthroscopic patelloplasty and circumpatellar denervation is effective for significantly relieving anterior knee pains, improving knee-joint functions and quality of life, and deferring arthritic procession.

Arthroscopy ; Denervation ; Female ; Humans ; Knee Joint ; innervation ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Osteoarthritis, Knee ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Range of Motion, Articular ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo investigate the expressions of phosphorylated protein kinase B (p-AKT), phosphorylated glycogen synthase kinase 3β (p-GSK3β) and β-catenin proteins and to evaluate their relationship with the clinical pathological characteristics in epithelial tumors of the ovary.

METHODSThe expression of p-AKT, p-GSK3β, and β-catenin was detected with immunohistochemical staining (EnVision method) in 10 cases of benign epithelial neoplasia, 10 cases of borderline epithelial neoplasia and 70 cases of ovarian carcinoma. The relationship of the expression of p-AKT, p-GSK3β and β-catenin with the clinical pathological features was analyzed.

RESULTSThe positive expression rates of p-AKT, p-GSK3β and β-catenin in epithelial ovarian carcinoma were 67.1% (47/70), 60.0% (42/70) and 71.4% (50/70), respectively. Compared to the results of benign and borderline epithelial neoplasia, the expression of the three proteins in carcinoma of the ovary was significantly different (all P < 0.05).Positive correlation was found between p-AKT and p-GSK3β, p-GSK3β and β-catenin, and p-AKT and β-catenin in epithelial ovarian carcinoma (r = 0.546, 0.581, 0.500, respectively; all P < 0.05). Compared to the results of benign and borderline epithelial neoplasia, the expression of p-AKT protein in epithelial ovarian carcinoma was significantly different (all P < 0.05). The expression of p-AKT was correlated with the differentiation of epithelial ovarian carcinoma (P < 0.05), but no relationship was found between its expression and histological classification and FIGO staging (P > 0.05). The expression of p-GSK3β and β-catenin in epithelial ovarian carcinoma were both higher than that in benign and borderline epithelial neoplasia (P < 0.05), and correlated with tumor differentiation and FIGO staging (P < 0.05), but no relationship were found between their expression with histological classification (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSPositive correlations are found between p-AKT, p-GSK3β and β-catenin in epithelial ovarian carcinoma. The activation of β-catenin is possibly correlated with inactivation of p-GSK3β that binds to p-AKT.

Adult ; Aged ; Carcinoma, Endometrioid ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cell Differentiation ; Cystadenocarcinoma, Mucinous ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cystadenocarcinoma, Serous ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cystadenoma, Mucinous ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cystadenoma, Serous ; metabolism ; pathology ; Female ; Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 ; metabolism ; Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 beta ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Staging ; Ovarian Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Phosphorylation ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt ; metabolism ; beta Catenin ; metabolism