Stem cells offer considerable promise in the repair or replacement of damaged tissue in the body.Mature and functional endothelial cells play a pivotal role in neovascularization and maintenance of blood vessel integrity.Although being the best choice for transplantation endothelial,cells isolated from autologous vessels have been heavily obstacled in medical application due to poor resources and limitted proliferation potential in culture.Thus,stem cells have been the focus of the studies soareh for suitable cell sources.Several types of stem cells have been reported to possess endothelial cell differentiation potential.This article summarized the recent study on the sources,distribution,features-differentiation,animal experiments and clinical use of stem cells.Advantages and disadvantages are compared to provide a reference for the choice of evdothelial celia source.

Objective To observe the effect of acupuncture at lumbar Jiaji (EX-B 2) points plus botulinum toxin injection on the seated function of patients with spastic cerebral palsy.Method Sixty patients aged 1-4 years old with spastic cerebral palsy were randomized into a treatment group and a control group, 30 in each group. The treatment group was intervened by acupuncture at lumbar Jiaji (EX-B 2) points plus botulinum toxin injection, while the control group was by conventional acupuncture plus botulinum toxin injection. After 3 treatment courses, the seated function zone (zone B) of Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM) was used for evaluation, and the clinical efficacies were compared.Result Respectively after 1, 2, and 3 treatment courses, the total effective rates were 46.7%, 73.3% and 83.3% in the treatment group, versus 33.3%, 46.7% and 60.0%. There were significant differences in comparing the total effective rate between the two groups after 2 and 3 courses (P<0.05). After the first treatment course, the seated function score of GMFM was significantly changed in both groups (P<0.01). After the second course, the seated function score was significantly different from that after the first course in both groups (P<0.01). After the third course, the seated function score was significantly different from that after the second course in both groups (P<0.01). There was a significant between-group difference in comparing the changes of the seated function score during the second treatment course (P<0.01). There was a significant between-group difference in comparing the changes of the seated function score during the second treatment course (P<0.05). Conclusion Acupuncture at lumbar Jiaji (EX-B 2) points plus botulinum toxin injection can produce a more significant efficacy in improving the seated function of patients with spastic cerebral palsy.

Objective To observe the difference between the bone marrow and peripheral blood engraftment evidence after allogeneic haemopoietic stem cell transplantation(Allo-HSCT) using PCR-STR. Methods DNA from peripheral blood or bone marrow of donors and recipients in different phases were extracted,and 16 STR loci with high polymorphism were amplified by PCR.Separation of the PCR products and fluorescence detection were performed by ABIprism 3100 Genetic Analyzer with capillary electrophoresis.Results The 16 patients included in the study had different levels of engraftment.Twelve patients displayed complete chimerism,while 5 patients showed mixed chimerism.One patient was keeping continuance of remission.The decrease of donor DNA amounts in mixed chimerism was earlier in bone marrow than that in peripheral blood(P

Objective To establish eight human platelet antigen systems and HLA-Ⅰ antigen donor bank,and to determine the gene frequencies of human platelet antigen(HPA) and HLA-Ⅰin Guangzhou area.Methods A total of 805 blood samples from Chinese Han voluntary platelet donors were included in this study.PCR-SSP was used to detect single-nucleotide polymorphism in HPA systems.Luminex-SSO was used to detect the HLA-Ⅰantigens.Results The distribution of HPA 1,2,3,4,5,6,9,15 was in Hardy-Weiberg equilibrium among study subjects.Allele frequencies of 0.998 and 0.002 were observed for HPA 1a and 1b,0.952 and 0.048 for HPA 2a and 2b,0.553 and 0.447 for HPA 3a and 3b,0.999 and 0.001 for HPA 4a and 4b,0.976 and 0.024 for HPA 5a and 5b,0.982 and 0.018 for HPA 6a and 6b,1 and 0 for HPA 9a and 9b,0.518 and 0.481 for HPA 15a and 15b.The high frequency HLA-Ⅰ alleles were A*02,0.286;A*24,0.162;A*11,0.323;B*46,0.147;B*75,0.100;C*01,0.177;C*03,0.289;C*07,0.179.Conclusions This study confirmed the ethnic and territorial difference of HPA and HLA-Ⅰ.The establishment of HPA and HLA-Ⅰ matched plateletpheresis donor registry is helpful in the improvement in platelet transfusion.

Objective To evaluate the diagnostic value of the direct MR arthrography in the meniscus degeneration and tear of knee.Methods Thirty subjects undefined by MR imaging having meniscus degeneration and tear of knee underwent MR arthrography.The diagnostic accurate rates in meniscus degeneration and tear by using MR imaging and MR arthrography were evaluated according to the arthroscopy results.Results The diagnostic accurate rates of meniscus degeneration and tear were 80% and 96.7% by conventional MRI scan and MR arthrography respectively.Conclusion The direct low-feild MR arthrography can improve the diagnostic accuracy of meniscus degeneration and tear of knee.

Objective:To observe the clinical effect of acupuncture combined with low-frequency electric stimulation on scissor gait in children with spastic cerebral palsy. Methods:A total of 60 spastic cerebral palsy kids were allocated into two groups by random number table, 30 in each group. Cases in the control group were treated with physical exercise therapy, massage and hydrotherapy. Based on the therapies given to the control group, cases in the observation group were supplemented with acupuncture combined with low-frequency electric stimulation. Selected points included Zusanli (ST 36), Sanyinjiao (SP 6), Yanglingquan (GB 34), Jiexi (ST 41), Chengshan (BL 57), Naoqing [Extra, locates at 2 cun directly above Jiexi (ST 41)] and Genping (Extra, locates at the midpoint of the line connecting medial and lateral malleolus). The treatment was done once every other day and 10 d made up a treatment course. The low-frequency electric stimulation was applied to anterior tibia, 6 times a week and 20 times made up a treatment course. Cases were treated for a total of 3 courses and there was a 15-20 d interval between two courses. The low limb functions were assessed before and after treatment using the modified Ashworth scale (MAS) and composite spasticity scale (CSS). In addition, the ankle dorsiflexion angles were measured before and after treatment. Results:After treatment, the ankle dorsiflexion angles and CSS scores in the observation group were better than those in the control group, showing statistical significances (P<0.05); the effective rate in the observation group calculated by MAS and ankle dorsiflexion angle were both higher than that in the control group, showing a statistical significance (P<0.05). Conclusion:Rehabilitation training combined with acupuncture and low-frequency electric stimulation can achieve better effect than rehabilitation training alone in improving scissor gait in kids with spastic cerebral palsy.

Objective To observe auditory brainstem response evoked at different electrode positions adopting electrode slices .Methods The ABRs of 12 normal guinea pigs (24 ears)were recorded by two methods using clicks as stimulation .Active electrode was positioned at the vertex while the ground electrode at the nose .The reference e‐lectrode was placed on bilateral pinnas or mastoids .Then observe waveforms ,response thresholds (RT) ,peak la‐tencies(PL) and inter-peak latencies (IPL)of ABR .Results No significant difference were observed in the RT ,Ⅰ ,Ⅱand Ⅲ PL ,Ⅰ - Ⅲ IPL of ABR between the two methods(P>0 .05) .When stimulation was decreasing and with the reference electrode slices placed at bilateral pinnas ,waveⅡpeak was stable and discernable of ABR record‐ings across twenty -four ears of guinea pigs .The amplitude decreased more slowly than any other waves ,and dis‐appeared at the last .While reference electrode slices were placed on bilateral mastoids ,the amplitude of wave Ⅲ de‐creased more slowly than any other waves except wave Ⅳ ,and disappeared at lost .Ⅱ - Ⅲ ,Ⅲ - Ⅳ IPL became shorter .These two positions both recorded amplitude higher and PL advanced for wave Ⅳ as the stimulation de‐creased by 20 to 40 dB nHL ,and Ⅲ - Ⅳ IPL became shorter .This phenomenon was more obvious when reference electrode was placed at mastoid .Conclusion Wave Ⅱwas more stable and discernible with reference electrode placed at the bilateral pinnas .Therefore wave Ⅱ recorded by this way can be a new method to record the ABR threshold of g uinea pig s .

BACKGROUND:Under hypoxic environment, hypoxia-inducible factor 1α plays a dualregulatory role in cel apoptosis. Severity of hypoxia is the key to determine whether cels appear to have apoptosis or adapt to survive. When the cels are exposed to chronic or extreme hypoxia, a lack of protection mechanisms from hypoxia-inducible factor-1α can induce cel apoptosis. OBJECTIVE: To research the expression of hypoxia-inducible factor 1α in human lumbar nucleus pulposus of different herniated types and its relationships with cel apoptosis. METHODS: The nucleus pulposus was harvested from 60 cases of herniation of lumbar intervertebral discs, L4-5 in 41 cases and L5-S1 in 19 cases. The nucleus pulposus tissues were equaly divided into protruded and sequestered groups. Meanwhile, the nucleus pulposus tissues from another 10 cases of lumbar spine fracture were taken as control group. Expression of hypoxia-inducible factor 1α and apoptosis of lumbar nucleus pulposus cels were observed and detected with immunohistochemical technique and TUNEL method. Correlation of hypoxia-inducible factor 1α and apoptosis in human lumbar nucleus pulposus of different herniated types was analyzed. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The expression of hypoxia-inducible factor 1α was visualized in each case, but it was significantly higher in the sequestered group than in the protruded group and control group (P < 0.01). Apoptosis of nucleus pulposus cels were found in al the three groups, but the apoptotic rate was also higher in the sequestered group than in the protruded group and control group (P < 0.01). Expression of hypoxia-inducible factor 1α was positively correlated with cel apoptosis in human lumbar nucleus pulposus (P < 0.01). Overal, the expression of hypoxia-inducible factor1α in degenerative human lumbar nucleus pulposus is associated with herniated types, which is the highest in the sequestered type. The relationship between hypoxia-inducible factor 1α and apoptosis is positive.

BACKGROUND:Under hypoxic environment, hypoxia inducible factor-1 plays an important role in regulation of hypoxia-induced gene expression in the intervertebral disc. Hypoxia-inducible factor-1 consists of α and βsubunits, and which hypoxia inducible factor-1α determines the stability and activity of hypoxia-inducible factor-1. OBJECTIVE: To observe the expression of hypoxia inducible factor-1α in the human lumbar nucleus pulposus of different herniated types and to judge their relationships. METHODS:A total of 60 nucleus pulposus samples were harvested from the lumbar vertebra, including 41 from L4-5 and 19 from L5-S1, and then divided into protruded group and sequestered group, with 30 cases in each group. Meanwhile, another 10 samples of lumbar nucleus pulposus served as controls. Hematoxylin-eosin staining and streptavidin-biotin peroxidase complex immunohistochemical technique were used to observe the expression of hypoxia inducible factor-1α in the human lumbar nucleus pulposus in different groups. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The expression level of hypoxia inducible factor-1α was (58.2±7.5)% in the sequestered group, (27.3±2.3)% in the protruded group, and (10.5±4.7)% in the control group, which was significantly higher in the sequestered group than the other two groups (P < 0.01). These findings indicate that the expression of hypoxia inducible factor-1α in the lumbarnucleus pulposus is associated with the herniated types, which is the highest in the prolapse sequestered type.

BACKGROUND:Endogenous hydrogen sulfide can be used as a new gaseous signaling molecule, and has important signal transfer function and biological regulation effects. OBJECTIVE:To study the neuroprotective effects of hydrogen sulfide in rats with acute cauda equina syndrome. METHODS: The 72 Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to three groups. Experimental group, model group: laminectomy was performed at the lumbar 4 (L4) level of the vertebra, and a piece of silicone (10 mm long, 1 mm thick, and 1 mm wide) was placed under the laminae of the L5-6 vertebra to produce the animal model of cauda equina syndrome. Sham surgery group: a simple laminectomy was performed in L4, but silicone was not implanted. In the experimental group, 20 μmol/kg NaHS was injected intraperitonealy at 1 hour before model establishment. Model and sham surgery groups: an equal volume of saline was injected intraperitonealy. At 12, 24, 48 and 72 hours after model establishment, malonaldehyde and glutathione levels in cauda equina nerve tissue were detected. Simultaneously, hematoxylin-eosin staining and TUNEL staining were performed at 48 hours. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Hematoxylin-eosin staining demonstrated that cauda equina nerve tissue was dense and regular, with complete myelin sheath, no axon sweling in the sham surgery group. Cauda equina nerve tissue was sparse, with the presence of demyelination, and partial axons and myelin sheath sweling in the model group. Cauda equina nerve tissue was tight, with axonal sweling and demyelination in the experimental group. TUNEL staining demonstrated that the number of positive cels was less in the spinal cord and dorsal root ganglia in the sham surgery group. Abundant positive cels were detected in the spinal cord and dorsal root ganglia in the model group. The number of positive cels was significantly lower in the experimental group than that in the model group. Malonaldehyde levels were lower in the sham surgery and experimental groups than in the model group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01), but glutathione levels were higher than model group (P < 0.05,P < 0.01). These results indicated that hydrogen sulfide could decrease oxidative stress and protect cauda equina nerve in rats with acute cauda equina syndrome.