OBJECTIVETo explore clinical significance of rotational axis of distal femur on Chinese adults in total knee arthroplasty (TKA).

METHODSThere were 86 Chinese adults (106 normal knees) including 47 males (53 knees) and 39 females (53 knees), 54 knees were on left and 52 on right. The CT scan was employed in the distal femur. The scan direction was aligned to be on the plane perpendicular to the mechanical axis of the femoral. The CT images of cross sections across lateral and medial femoral epicondyle were moved to personal computer,lateral angle between anterior posterior line (APL) and surgical transepicondylar axis (STEA) (ATA),lateral angle between posterior condylar line (PCL) and APL (APA), angle between perpendicularity of APL and PCL (A-PA), posterior condylar angle (PCA), condylar twist angle (CTA), angle between clinical transepicondylar axis (CTEA) and STEA (CSA) were measured. These values were divided into different groups according to gender and side, the values of CTA, PCA, A-PA, angle PT (varus of tibia plateau), constant 3, ATA, APA and constant 90° were compared by statistically. A-PA and PCA, and CTA were analysed statistically with the liner regression, the relationship among CTEA, STEA ,PCL, APL and PLP were performed to assess by liner regression.

RESULTSATA was (89.79 ± 1.22)°, APA was (84.84 ± 1.83)°, A-PA was (5.16 ± 1.83)°, PCA was (4.80 ± 1.23)°, CTA was (8.23 ± 1.40), CSA was (3.45 ± 0.68)°. All the parameters had no differences on sex and side,but CSA had difference on male and female. There was no difference among angle PT, PCA, A-PA. There was significant difference in CAT, constant 30 and angle PT, PCA,A-PA. There was no difference between ATA and constant 90°, but there was difference between APA and constant 90°. There was relativity between PCA and CTA, and also PCA and A-PA, CTA and A-PA. There was significant relativity between STEA and CTEA, between STEA and APL, between STEA and PCL, and also between APLP, APL and PCL, but there was no significant relativity between PCL and CTEA.

CONCLUSIONTKA for Chinese, the section of femoral posterior condyle should be external 5° to obtain the optimum rotational orientation. The property is different entirely between STEA and CTEA, the rotational alignment is not performed according to parallel to the CTEA in distal femur. Among STEA, APL, PCL, the STEA is the most reliable mark ofrotational alignment of the distal femur, and the PCL is the less reliable mark.

Adult ; Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee ; Female ; Femur ; anatomy & histology ; diagnostic imaging ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Rotation ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Aim To investigate the role of TGF-β3 in the anti-proliferation effect of ursolic acid(UA)in co-lon cancer cells and the possible molecular mechanism underlying this effect.Methods We introduced crys-tal violet staining,flow cytometry and Western blot as-say to determine the effect of UA on proliferation and apoptosis in HCT1 1 6 cells.The levels of TGF-β3, Smad2 /3 and β-catenin in HCT1 1 6 cell were evaluated by RT-PCR and Western blot.Finally,TGF-β3 inhibi-tor and recombinant adenovirus,and luciferase reporter assay were used to analyze the possible mechanism through which TGF-β3 mediated the anti-cancer effect of UA in HCT1 1 6 cells.Results UA inhibited the proliferation and induced apoptosis apparently in HCT1 1 6 cells.UA down-regulated TGF-β3 both in mRNA and in protein level.Meanwhile,UA decreased the phosphorylation of Smad2 /3 concentration depend-ently,although no significant effect was found on the total protein level of Smad2 /3 in HCT1 1 6 cells.Over-expression of TGF-β3 attenuated the inhibitory effect of UA on the proliferation of HCT1 1 6 cells,while the TGF-β3 inhibitor potentiated this effect. UA sup-pressed the transconduction of Wnt/β-catenin signaling in HCT1 1 6 cells through decreasing the level of β-catenin.Exogenous expression of TGF-β3 increased the level of β-catenin and partly reversed the UA-in-duced decrease of β-catenin.However,TGF-β3 inhib-itor potentiated the inhibitory effect of UA on β-catenin in HCT1 1 6 cells.Conclusion The anti-proliferation activity of UA in colon cancer may be partly mediated through down-regulating TGF-β3 to suppress Wnt/β-catenin signaling at least.

Aim To investigated the possible effect of COX-2 on the BMP9-induced activation of PI3K/Akt signal in progenitor cells.Methods The activity of alkaline phosphatase(ALP) was measured using histochemical staining or chemiluminescence.The mRNA level of ALP was determined using real-time PCR assay.The protein levels of osteopontin(OPN), osteocalcin(OCN), COX-2, Akt1/2 and phosphorylated Akt1/2 were detected by Western blot.The mRNA level of COX-2 was assayed with RT-PCR, and the mineralization was measured with Alizarin Red staining.Results The ALP activity was apparently increased by BMP9 in C2C12 cells, as well as the protein level of OPN and OCN.The mineralization was also markedly induced by BMP9 in C2C12 cells.BMP9 increased the level of phosphorylated Akt1/2 greatly, although no substantial effect was observed on total protein level of Akt1/2.The BMP9-induced ALP activity was dramatically decreased by the inhibitor of PI3K.The mRNA and protein level of COX-2 were both increased by BMP9 in C2C12cells, and the BMP9-induced ALP activity and mineralization were greatly attenuated by the inhibitor of COX-2.The BMP9-induced phosphorylation level of Akt1/2 was increased by the exogenous expression of COX-2, but decreased by the inhibitor of COX-2.Conclusion Activation of PI3K/Akt signaling may be a critical event in BMP9-induced osteogenic differentiation, and this process may be mediated by the BMP9-upregulated COX-2 in stem cells at least.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome ; complications ; pathology ; Antigens, CD34 ; metabolism ; Gastrectomy ; methods ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Sarcoma, Kaposi ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; virology ; Stomach ; pathology ; Stomach Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; virology ; Vimentin ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo study the relationship between gene p53 codon 72 polymorphism and pathological scar formation occurrence after caesarean section.

METHODSThe method of molecular beacon with real-time PCR was applied to detect gene polymorphism of p53 codon 72 in blood samples taken from 303 pregnant women (within a week after caesarea section). The clinical visits were taken 3 times for 12th to 18th months to ascertain clinical formation of pathological scar and its relationship to genotype of p53. The chi-square method was used to analyze the relationship of p53 gene polymorphism and abnormal scar formation occurrence by statistical software SPSS 13.0.

RESULTSTotal of 303 pregnant women were assayed. 30 patients were found with pathological scar by clinical visit in the total 303 pregnant women. The genotype frequencies of total three types (C/C, C/G and G/G) of p53 gene codon 72 in patients with pathological scar are significantly different from that of normal pregnant woman. The frequency of C/C genotype in patients are higher than that of normal pregnant women (P < 0.01). The frequency of C/C genotype in these patients with pathological scar is higher (46.7%, 14/30) than C/G (33.0%, 10/30, P < 0.01) or G/G (20%, 6/30) genotype (P < 0.01). The C allele frequency in the patients is 63.7%. It is also higher than G allele (36.7%, P < 0.01). The OR value is 2.30. Therefore the C allele of p53 gene codon 72 is a risk factor for pathological scar.

CONCLUSIONSThere was a certain relationship between p53 gene codon 72 C allele and pathological scar formation after caesarean section.

Alleles ; Cesarean Section ; Cicatrix ; genetics ; Codon ; Female ; Gene Frequency ; Genes, p53 ; Genotype ; Humans ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Pregnancy ; Risk Factors

Aim To investigate the anti-proliferation effect of resveratrol (Res)on human colon cancer cells and dissect the possible mechanism underlaying this effect.Methods We introduced crystal violet staining and Western blot to analyse the anti-proliferation effect of Res on HCT1 1 6 cells.Then,we used flow cytome-try and Western blot assay to detect the Res induced apoptosis in HCT1 1 6 cells.Next,we employed the well established TCF4 /LEF luciferase reporter to meas-ure the effect of Res on Wnt/β-catenin signaling trans-duction.Finally,we took Western blot and PCR assay to analyse the effect of Res on the expression of β-cate-nin in HCT1 1 6 cells.Results Crystal violet staining and Western blot analysis showed that Res could inhib-it the proliferation of HCT1 1 6 cells in a concentration-and time dependent fashion.What’s more,Res could promote apoptosis in HCT1 1 6 cells.The transcriptional activities of TCF4 /LEF reporter were reduced by Res in a concentration-dependent fashion (P <0.05 when the concentration of Res was 20 μmol·L -1 ,and P <0.01 when the concentration of Res was 40 μmol·L -1 or 80 μmol·L -1 ).Res could decrease not only the protein level of β-catenin in HCT1 1 6 cells,but also the mRNA expression of β-catenin.Conclusion Res can inhibit the proliferation of HCT1 1 6 cells,which may be mediated at least by down-regulating the ex-pression of β-catenin to inhibit the Wnt/β-catenin sig-naling transduction.

Aim To investigate the relationship be-tween the anti-proliferation effect of resveratrol ( Res ) and p38 MAPK in colon cancer cells .Methods Crys-tal violet staining , Western blot and flow cytometry were employed to analyze the effect of Res on the pro-liferation in LoVo cells.Western blot assay was used to detect the effect of Res on the apoptosis of LoVo cells and the phosphorylation of p 38 MAPK.Crystal violet staining and Western blot assay were used to analyze whether p38 MAPK was involved in the Res-induced proliferation inhibition and apoptosis in LoVo cells .Re-sults Res inhibited the proliferation , arrested cell cy-cle at S phase , and increased the protein level of PC-NA in LoVo cells apparently .Res increased the level of Bad in LoVo cells, but decreased the level of Bcl-2. Although Res exerted no substantial effects on total lev-el of p38 MAPK, it markedly increased the phospho-rylation level of p38 MAPK in LoVo cells.p38 MAPK inhibitor promoted the proliferation , and decreased the anti-proliferation effect of Res on LoVo cells .Moreo-ver , the effects of Res on the level of Bcl-2 and Bad were both reduced by the p 38 MAPK inhibitor .Con-clusions Res can inhibit the proliferation of LoVo cells, which may be partly mediated by promoting the phosphorylation of p38 MAPK.

Aim To study the anti-proliferation effect of resveratrol (Res)and the role of Res-induced bone morphorgenetic protein 9 (BMP9 )in this process in colon cancer cells.Methods Crystal violet staining and flow cytomtry were introduced to assay the anti-proliferation effect of Res in LoVo cells.The effect of Res on apoptosis in LoVo cells was also detected with flow cytometry.Then,RT-PCR and Western blot assay were employed to unveil the effect of Res on the ex-pression of BMP9 .The effect of BMP9 on the anti-pro-liferation of Res in LoVo cells was analyzed with crystal violet staining and flow cytometry too.Finally,the effect of Res on the expression of ALK2 and ALK3 was assayed with RT-PCR,and the inhibitor of ALK2 and ALK3 was used to figure out the possible mechanism of BMP9 on Res-induced proliferation inhibition in LoVo cells.Results Res apparently inhibited the prolifera-tion,arrested the cell cycle at S phase in LoVo and in-creased the percentage of apopotic cells in LoVo cells. Res increased the expression of mRNA and protein of BMP9 concentration dependently. Exogenous ex-pressed-BMP9 enhanced the anti-proliferation and ap-optosis inducing effects of Res in LoVo cells, but BMP9 knockdown decreased these effects of Res.Al-though Res had no apparent effect on increasing the phosphorylation of Smad1/5/8,it increased the ex-pression of ALK2 and ALK3 .Inhibition of ALK2 and ALK3 decreased the anti-proliferation effect of Res partly in LoVo cells.Conclusion Res is potent to in-hibit the proliferation of LoVo cells,Which may be mediated by up-regulating the expression of BMP9 and its receptor at least.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of HMME-PDT (Hematoporphyrin Monomethyl Ether-Photodynamic therapy) on Hyperplastic scar in the rabbit ear.

METHODSThe acute model of dermal Hyperplastic scar in the rabbit ear was established. 24 scars were randomly divided into 2 groups: the experimental group (n = 12) received HMME-PDT treatment, and the controlled group (n = 12) received no special treatment. Specimens were harvested from scars on postoperative 28 day. Scar hyper plasty and collagen fibers were observed by haematoxylin-eosin staining and Van-Gieson staining respectively. The microvessel density was calculated under microscope.

RESULTSCompared with the controlled group, HMME-PDT treatment in the experimental group reduced scar formation, decreased the microvessel density and prevented excess collagen deposition at the wound site.

CONCLUSIONSHMME-PDT may play a role in inhibiting hyperplastic scar in rabbit ear.

Animals ; Cicatrix, Hypertrophic ; pathology ; therapy ; Ear ; pathology ; Female ; Hematoporphyrins ; pharmacology ; Male ; Photochemotherapy ; Rabbits

OBJECTIVETo study the clinical technology of transcatheter closure of secundum atrial septal defects (ASD) with Amplatzer device in younger and lower body weight children.

METHODSThe transcatheter closure of ASD using Amplatzer septal occluder (ASO) was performed in 165 children under 5 years of age (75 boys and 90 girls) with secundum ASD from Aug 1998 to May 2004. The age of the cases ranged from 2 to 5 (mean 3.7 +/- 1.1) years. The body weight ranged from 9 to 18 (mean 12.6 +/- 2.3) kg. The ratio of pulmonary circulation quantity to the systemic circulation quantity (Qp/Qs) was 3.2 +/- 1.9. All the patients underwent clinical examination, X-ray, electrocardiography (ECG) and echocardiography (Echo) for diagnosis of secundum ASD. The transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) was used to detect and measure the defect of the patients and even trans-esophageal echocardiography (TEE) had to be used when it was necessary. With Echo and X-ray guidance, the measuring balloon was used in the body and outside the body to determine the balloon-stretch diameters of ASD, and proper occluders were selected accordingly for the patients for interventional treatment of ASD.

RESULTSThe devices were implanted successfully in 163 (98.8%) cases. One failure occurred in a case in whom the device moved into the left atrium after release, and the other failure was that the position of the device was uncertain because of temporary unavailability of a special transducer for TEE. Surgical operations were performed for these two cases. The stretch diameter of ASD was from (8 - 30) mm, (mean 18.3 +/- 5.1) mm. The size of device was selected according to the stretch diameter of ASD. The diameter of the occluders selected was from (8 - 30), (mean 18.6 +/- 5) mm in this series. The occlusion procedure was monitored by fluoroscopy and TTE and in 5 cases (3%) by TEE. The diameter of right ventricle was improved within 2 days after occlusion from (mean 16.4 +/- 4.9) mm to (mean 12.6 +/- 3.8) mm, (p < 0.01). One hundred and forty seven cases belonged to the simple secundum ASD(89%). Thirteen cases who were complicated with other cardiac deformity were treated successfully with different interventional procedure. Six cases had multiple openings and three of these cases had tumour-like changes of the atrial septum which were closed completely just by one occluder. In only one case small quantity of residual shunt remains. No other severe complication was found in this group. About 100 cases (60%) had large ASD, so the procedure was more difficult in those cases.

CONCLUSIONThe clinical effectiveness of treatment of ASD in children under 5 years of age with Amplatzer occluders was satisfactory and therefore this therapeutic procedure is feasible for this age group of patients. Nevertheless, we do not recommend to use the technique for infants and children under 2 years of age. Strict selection of indications and proper size of occluder and good cardiologic and surgical settings are among the basic factors for successful interventional occlusion of ASD in young children.

Child, Preschool ; Echocardiography ; Female ; Heart Septal Defects, Atrial ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Septal Occluder Device ; adverse effects