BACKGROUND:Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) has been reported to hold a self-recovery potential, which may be related to certain cytokines and biological factors, such as stem cells or progenitor cells.OBJECTIVE: To review the literatures about the relationship between mesenchymal stem cells and ACL injuries, and understand the potential of stem cells or progenitor cells differentiating into ACL, thus providing a basis for the clinical use of mesenchymal stem cells in the treatment of ACL injury. METHODS:A computer-based online research of PubMed databases was performed to collect articles including reviews, clinical trials and basic studies using the English keywords of ACL regeneration, stem/progenitor cells, mesenchymal stem cells. Forty-five eligible articles were included finally. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:In recent years, there are a lot of studies addressing the treatment of ACL injuries and muscle/bone regeneration, but the use of stem cells is still far from the clinical requirements. The source of stem cells suitable for the ACL regeneration and their most suitable injection points are under discussion. Although the mesenchymal stem cells have been reported to successfully repair ACL injury in animal models, either trophic factors of stem cells or these cells themselves improving the regeneration remains unclear.

BACKGROUND:Until now, musculoskeletal bioengineering used in the orthopedic surgery and regenerative medicine are developing. OBJECTIVE:To summarize the construction strategies for tissue-engineered knee ligaments. METHODS:A computer-based online search was conducted in PubMed to screen the relevant literatures using the terms“knee ligament”AND“tissue engineering”OR“regenerative medicine”. The literature retrieval, data assessment and extraction were performed by both authors independently. The relevant literatures were included through reviewing preclinical and clinical studies to display the preclinical and clinical medicine progresses in the construction strategies for tissue-engineered ligaments. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Included 224 literatures focus on the construction strategies for tissue-engineered ligaments, including stem cel therapy, growth factors, biomaterials and scaffolds, and mechanical stimulation pattern. Construction techniques for tissue-engineered ligaments have some potential advantages, such as rapid function recovery, good tenacity, and reduced relapse. However, rigorous and high-level randomized control ed clinical trials are needed for the translation of preclinical results into successful clinical trials.

Objective To explore the feasibility of application of data mining in the study on selection and specificity of acupoints.Methods The ancient and modern prescription data of acupuncture treating migraine and functional dyspepsia were regarded as sample data. Database techniques and natural language processing techniques were introduced to structurize and standardize acupuncture prescription data. Based on association rule data mining, the self-developed Acupuncture Data Mining System was applied to discover the rules of selection of acupoints.Results There were collected 634 and 386 prescriptions of acupuncture treating migraine and functional dyspepsia respectively. In the prescriptions treating migraine, acupoints distributed on Gallbladder meridian and Triple Energizer meridian accounted for 40.5% and 50.6% in ancient time and modern time respectively, and specific points accounted for 84.0% and 82.8% in ancient time and modern time respectively. In the prescriptions treating functional dyspepsia, acupoints distributed on Conception vessel, Bladder meridian and Stomach meridian accounted for 62.1% and 75.7% in ancient time and modern time respectively, and specific points accounted for 70.0% and 83.3% in ancient time and modern time respectively.Conclusion The result of data mining proves that the rule of selection of acupoints is "selecting acupoints along the affected meridian" and "mostly selecting specific points", and the specificity of acupoints is "where the meridian goes, where the qi accumulates".

Objective To study expression enhancement and significance of Y14 and Upf1 in human breast cancer cell lines and tissue.Methods Immuocytochemistry and laser scanning confocal microscope(LSCM) were applied. Y14 and Upf1 were determined in human breast cancer cell lines(MCF-7,ZR-75-30,T47D,MDA-MB-435s,MDA-MB-453,MDA-MB-231)and breast epithelial cell line(HBL-100).Results (1)Y14 and Upf1 level of breast cancer cells are obviously higher than that in breast epithelial cell line(P

AIM: To observe the protein expression of vascular endothelial growth factor 1 (VEGF-1) in pulmonary arterial endothelial cells and VEGF-1 gene expression in lung tissue in rats with hypoxia-induced pulmonary hypertension and treated with heparin. METHODS: Twenty four male adult SD rats were randomly divided into three groups (8 rats each): a control group (group A), a group with hypoxia for 4 weeks (group B) and a group with hypoxia for 4 weeks and injected with heparin to abdominal cavity simultaneously (group C). Mean pulmonary arterial pressure (mPAP), right ventricle hypertrophy index (RVHI) and vessel morphometry were measured. The morphology of pulmonary artery was observed by HE staining. The expression of VEGF-1 protein in pulmonary arterial endothelial cells was determined by immunohistochemistry. The level of VEGF-1 mRNA in lung tissue was measured by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). RESULTS: mPAP, RVHI, pulmonary artery remodeling parameters, VEGF-1 protein expression in pulmonary arterial endothelial cells and VEGF-1 gene expression in lung tissue of the three groups from high to low were group B, group C and group A. It was statistically significant when compared between either two groups of the three (P<0.01). Linear correlation analysis showed that VEGF-1 protein was positively correlated with pulmonary artery remodeling parameters (r=0.974, P<0.01), and VEGF-1 mRNA was positively correlated with VEGF-1 protein (VEGF 120 mRNA, r=0.919, P<0.01; VEGF164 mRNA, r=0.896, P<0.01). CONCLUSION: Heparin may down-regulate the expression of VEGF-1 at the levels of transcription and translation, resulting in the inhibitory effect on rats with hypoxia-induced pulmonary hypertension.

Objective To evaluate the association between maternal serum levels of vitamin B12 and folate and neural tube defects (NTD) in Shanxi Province which with the extremely high prevalence of NTD in China. Methods A case-control study was conducted in five counties of Shanxi Province, China. Maternal concentrations of vitamin B12 and folate [expressed as G (P5-P95)]in NTD-affected pregnancies were dichotomized at a cut-off of 10th percentile of the mean values of control women to calculate the risk of NTD for the lower level group. Results The mean levels of serum vitamin B12 and folate in the NTD pregnancies were significantly lower than in the control [vitamin B12 83. 8 pmol/L(30. 5-209. 1) pmol/L vs 102. 6 pmol/L(51. 9-269. 7) pmol/L, P<0. 05; folate:10. 5 pmol/L(4. 4-24. 5) nmol/L vs 12. 9 pmol/L(6. 3-32. 7) nmol/L, P<0. 01]. In cases complicated with spina bifida, lower maternal serum vitamin B12 and folate levels were detected compared with the control group. While, in those complicated with anencephaly, only lower levels of maternal folate were shown. There was no statistical significance in maternal serum concentrations of vitamin B12 and folate between those cases with encephalocele and controls. Higher risk of NTDs were found in pregnant women with lower level of vitamin B12 and folate (AOR = 2. 58, 95% CI: 1. 20-5. 51; AOR= 2. 76, 95%CI: 1. 30-5. 87). Conclusions Deficiency or insufficiency of folate or vitamin B12 is associated with the increased risk of NTD, especially in high risk population.

Objective To study expression enhancement and significance of Y14 and Upf1 in human breast cancer cell lines and tissue. Methods Immuocytochemistry and laser scanning confocal microscope(LSCM) were applied. Y14 and Upf1 were determined in human breast cancer cell lines(MCF-7,ZR-75-30,T47D,MDA-MB435s,MDA-MB-453, MDA-MB-231) and breast epithelial cell line ( HBL-100). Results (1) Y14 and Upf1 level of breast cancer cells are obviously higher than that in breast epithelial cell line (P < 0. 05 ). (2)Y14 and Upf1 level of MDA-MB-231 are obviously higher than that in MCF-7. (3)The expression enhancement of Y14 and Upf1 level are obviously higher in human breast cancer tissue. Conclusion The expression level of Y14 and Upf1 in breast cancer cells and tissue enhance obviously.

Objective To investigate the effects of hyperbaric oxygenation(HBO)therapy on serum con- centrations of soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1(slCAM-1),soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1(sV- CAM-1),soluble E-selectin(sE-selectin)and matrix metalloproteinase-9(MMP-9)in patients with aeute cerebral infarction and their clinical implications.Methods One hundred and twelve cases of cerehral infarction in the ca- rotid artery system were assigned into two groups.Patients in the routine treatment group(RT group,n=62)were treated with routine clinical treatment regime,whereas those in the HBO group(n=50)were treated with H BO ther- apy in additioo to routine clinical treatment.Thirty age- and sex-matched normal subjects were recruited and served as controls.The serum concentrations of sICAM-1,sVCAM-1,sE-selectin and MMP-9 were measured hy using ELISA method before and 10 days after treatment.The assessment of neurological deficits using National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale(NIHSS)score was conducted before treatment,and at 10 and 30 days after treatment,and the therapeutic efficacy was evaluated.Results The concentrations of sICAM-1,sVCAM-1,sE-selectin and MMP-9 of the patients were significantly higher than those of the control subjects.These parameters were all decreased signifi- cantly after treatment in the two patient groups.Moreover,these parameters were lower in the HBO group than those in the RT group after treatment.The NIHSS scores of HBO group were significantly lower than that of the RT group at the 30th clay post-treatment.The effective rate of HBO group was higher than that of RT group.Conclusion HBO therapy can decrease the serum levels of sICAM-1,sVCAM-1,sE-seleetin and MMP-9,which might be one of the mechanisms of HBO in the treatment of cerebral infarction.

Objective To explore the fixation method of tibial helical plate for treatment of proximal and middle one-third of humeral fractures and evaluate the clinical outcome. Methods A review was performed on 15 patients with proximal and middle one-third of humeral fractures treated by tibial helical plate from May 2004 to February 2009. There were 10 males and five females, at age range of 19-65 years ( average 38.0 years). The surgical method was summarized and the shoulder function evaluated.Results The follow-up lasted for 7-24 months (mean 13 months) , which showed bony union in all patients, with mean union time of 4.7 months. There was no implant loosening or failure. According to Neer 's criteria, the result was excellent in seven patients and good in six, with excellence rate of 86.7%.Conclusions Open reduction and internal fixation using tibial helical plate is simple and effective for treatment of proximal and middle one-third of humeral fractures.

OBJECTIVETo analyze the regularity of selection of meridians and acupoints for treating migraine in past dynasties.

METHODSThe data were collected from 178 kinds of literature concerning acupuncture and moxibustion from the Pre-Qin Dynasty to the end of the Qing Dynasty, based on which bibliographic database in ancient acupuncture and moxibustion for treating migraine was established. By way of data excavation and analysis, meridians and acupoints and their combinations frequently used for the treatment in successive dynasties were screened, and the potential regularity was searched.

RESULTSIn the treatment of migraine, the Gall Bladder Meridian was the meridian used most frequently, and both local and remote points in the four extremities were used. Acupoints in yang meridians, especially Fengchi (GB 20), Sizhukong (TE 23) and Shuaigu (GB 8) in Shaoyang meridians were used most frequently. In terms of classification of the special points selected, besides the Crossing Points with meridian qi passing through and crossing in the head, points below the elbow and knee joints, such as Source points, Luo Points, Eight Confluence Points, as well as Five Shu Points were also much frequently used.

CONCLUSIONAccording to data excavation and analysis of references recorded on the treatment of migraine by acupuncture and moxibustion in past dynasties, it is concluded that meridian theories are the foundation and prerequisite for guiding clinical treatment and point selection, in which special acupoints are the main components and the core in point prescription.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; history ; methods ; China ; History, 15th Century ; History, 16th Century ; History, 17th Century ; History, 18th Century ; History, 19th Century ; History, 20th Century ; History, Ancient ; History, Medieval ; Meridians ; Migraine Disorders ; therapy ; Moxibustion ; history ; methods