Objective To explore the clinical results of metacarpophalangeal(MP) intra-articular fractures treatment assisted with MP arthroscopy. Methods Five patients suffered from MP joint fractures were treated with closed reduction and K-wire fixation under the MP arthroscopy. The age of the patients was from 17 to 53 years with an average of 23.5 years. There were four males and one female. All the fractures were caused by direct trauma. The head of metacarpal bone was injured in one case while the bases of proximal phalange were involved in four cases. 2 were of simple fractures and 3 of comminuted fractures. No joint surface defects were found preoperatively. The duration from injury to surgery was from 5 days to 3 weeks. The treatment results were evaluated with respect to MP arthroscopical findings, the fracture union and the postoperative function. Results The fracture lines could be seen in 4 cases under arthroscopy except one located at the palmar aspect of metacarpal head, which was then treated with open reduction and internal fixation. During the examination with MP arthroscopy, one case each of volar plate injury and collateral ligament injury was found. The patients were followed up 3-6 months with an average of 4.8 months postoperatively. All the patients obtained fracture union with a smooth joint surface. The motion of involved MP joints achieved nearly to their normal active range in 3 cases. No pain or snapping was found during the movement of MP joints. There was also no lateral instability. Only in one case, because of the massive and comminuted fracture, the involved finger was immobilized with plaster for five weeks, the ROM of MP joint became 90? for flexion and -56? for extension at 5 months postoperatively. Conclusion It is a less invasive procedure with good results to treat MP joint fractures assisted with MP arthroscopy. It is suitable for some acute MP intra-articular fractures.

The efficacy of injecting sclerosing agent next to transverse process of cervical vertebra to induce vertebral artery type of cervical syndrome (CSA) was observed. Twenty rabbits were randomly divided into two groups: the model group and the control group. The rabbits in the model group were injected with sclerosing agent next to transverse process of cervical vertebray, on the contrary, the rabbits in the control group were injected with nothing. Transcranial Doppler (TCD) was used to detect the average speed of blood (Vm), pulsatility index (Pi) and the resistant index (Ri) of the vertebral artery, hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining was used to observe the morphological changes, and immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expression of alpha-smooth muscle actin (alpha-SMA) and matrix metalloproteinase-2(MMP-2). TCD showed increased Pi, Ri and decreased Vm in the model group (P<0.05) compared with the control group. HE staining revealed hyperplasia and hypertrophied smooth muscle cells in the model group (P<0.05). Immunohistochemistry displayed up-regulation of alpha-SMA and MMP-2 in the model group (P<0.05). It was concluded that injecting sclerosing agent next to transverse process of cervical vertebra induces remodeling of vertebral artery in rabbits, suggesting it is a practical method to establish CSA animal model.

In order to study the effect of nitric oxide (NO) on the expression of hypoxia-inducible factor-1 alpha (HIF-1alpha) mRNA in hypoxic pulmonary hypertension (HPH) rats, 30 healthy male Wistar rats were randomly divided into normoxic control group, chronic hypoxic group and hypoxia plus L-arginine (L-Arg) group. The animal model of HPH was developed. The mean pulmonary arterial pressure (mPAP) was measured by inserting a microcatheter into the pulmonary artery. The HIF-1alpha mRNA expression levels were detected by in situ hybridization (ISH) and semiquantitative RT-PCR. It was found that after 14 days hypoxia, the mPAP in normoxic control group (17.6 +/- 2.7 mmHg, 1 mmHg=0.133 kPa) was significantly lower than that in chronic hypoxic group (35.8 +/- 6.1 mmHg, t=0.2918, P<0.05) and mPAP in chronic hypoxic group was higher than that in hypoxia plus L-arginine group (24.4 +/- 3.8 mmHg, t=0.2563, P<0.05). ISH showed that the expression of HIF-1alpha mRNA in the intraacinar pulmonary arteriolae (IAPA) in normoxic control group (0.1076 +/- 0.0205) was markedly weaker than that in chronic hypoxic group (0.3317 +/- 0.0683, t=3.125, P<0.05) and that in chronic hypoxic group was stronger than that in hypoxia plus L-arginine group (0.1928 +/- 0.0381, t=2.844, P<0.05). RT-PCR showed that the content of HIF-1alpha mRNA in chronic hypoxic group (2.5395 +/- 0.6449) was 2.16 times and 1.75 times higher than that in normoxic control group (1.1781 +/- 0.3628) and hypoxia plus L-arginine group (1.4511 +/- 0.3981), respectively. It is concluded that NO can reduce the mPAP by the inhibition of the expression of HIF-1alpha mRNA, which may be one of the mechanisms through which NO affects the pathogenesis of HPH.
Anoxia/metabolism ; Arginine/pharmacology ; Hypertension, Pulmonary/*metabolism ; Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit ; Nitric Oxide/*pharmacology ; RNA, Messenger/biosynthesis ; RNA, Messenger/genetics ; Random Allocation ; Rats, Wistar ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Transcription Factors/*biosynthesis ; Transcription Factors/genetics

Inflammatory bowel disease is thought to be regulated by the balance between Th1 and Th2 cytokines secreted by T cells, and NF-kappaB p65 also plays a predominant role in the intestinal inflammation. We evaluated the potency of oxymatrine, one of active components of Sophora Root, in inhibiting the immune responses and inflammation in 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS)-induced colitis. The inflammation was markedly ameliorated in the oxymatrine-treated rats. The level of IL-2 was increased and that of IL-10 was decreased in colon tissue in the rat model, which was reversed by the treatment of oxymatrine. Moreover, the elevated expression of NF-kappaB p65 in colon tissue in the model was also improved by oxymatrine treatment. Our results suggest that oxymatrine might be beneficial for the abnormal immune responses and inflammation by regulating the unbalance of Th1 and Th2 cytokines secretion and inhibiting the expression of NF-kappaB p65 in colon tissue.

To provide a foundation for the development of rapid and specific methods for the diagnosis of rabies virus infection,anti-rabies virus monoclonal antibodies were prepared and rabies virus nucleoprotein and human rabies virus vaccine strain (PV strain) were used as immunogens to immunize 6-8 week old female BALB/c mice.Spleen cells and SP2/0 myeloma cells were fused according to conventional methods:the monoclonal cell strains obtained were selected using the indirect immunofluorescence test; this was followed by preparation of monoclonal antibody ascitic fluid; and finally,systematic identification of subclass,specificity and sensitivity was carried out.Two high potency and specific monoclonal antibodies against rabies virus were obtained and named 3B12 and 4A12,with ascitic fluid titers of 1∶8000 and 1∶10000,respectively.Both belonged to the IgG2a subclass.These strains secrete potent,stable and specific anti-rabies virus monoclonal antibodies,which makes them well suited for the development of rabies diagnosis reagents.

To investigate the distribution characteristics and linkage disequilibrium of T cell immunoglobulin domain and mucin domain protein 4 (TIM4) promoter polymorphisms in asthma patients of Chinese Han population, the promoter region of TIM4 was re-sequenced by PCR-sequencing, and linkage disequilibrium was analyzed by SHEsis software. Four single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the promoter region of TIM4 were detected, including two new SNPs (at positions-1609,-153) and two reported SNPs (rs6874202, rs6882076). The frequency distribution of rs6882076 was different among different races (P<0.05). In addition, linkage disequilibrium among the SNPs of the promoter region of TIM4 was found and GGTG was the predominant haplotype. There were four SNPs in the promoter region of TIM4 in asthma patients of Chinese Han population, which were in linkage disequilibrium.

The effects of Wumeiwan (WMW) on TNF-alpha, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10 and NF-kappaBp65 in rats with ulcerative colitis (UC) were investigated, the curative effectiveness of WMW vs salicylazosulfapyridine (SASP) was compared, and the action mechanism was analyzed. Fifty-Six Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into four groups (n=14 in each group, with equal ratio of male and female): normal control group, model group, SASP group, and WMW group. Except normal control group, the rat UC models in the remaining three groups were established using the method of 2.4-dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB) immunization and acetic acid local enema. The rats in model group, SASP group, and WMW group were treated with distilled water, SASP, and WMW respectively. The changes in the symptoms and signs were observed, and levels of IL-6, IL-8, TNF-alpha, IL-10 and the expression of NF-kappaBp65 in the colonic tissues were statistically analyzed. The results showed that the levels of IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-alpha were significantly increased (P<0.01), while those of IL-10 significantly reduced (P<0.01) after establishment of rat UC models as compared with normal control group. The levels of IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-alpha were obviously lower, but the level of IL-10 was obviously higher in WMW and SASP groups than those in model group (P<0.05). The levels of IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-alpha were lower, while the level of IL-10 was higher in WMW group than in SASP group. NF-kappaBp65 was expressed negatively or weakly in normal colonic tissues. The positive expression rate of NF-kappaBp65 in WMW group and SASP group was obviously lower than in model group (P<0.01), and there was significant difference between WMW group and SASP group (P<0.05). It was concluded that rat UC model was established successfully. WMW could up-regulate the expression of IL-10, down-regulate the expression of TNF-alpha, IL-6, IL-8, and inhibit the NF-kappaBp65 activity to adjust immune function, indicating WMW had better curative effects on UC in rats.

BACKGROUND:Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) hydrogel with similar porous structure and mechanical properties to the natural cartilage is very suitable for the repair of articular cartilage. However, the pure PVA hydrogel after lyophilization wil be accompanied by the shrinkage of the polymer network and the col apse of the pores, leading to the inhomogeneous performance of the material even in the state of re-swel ing. Addition of the active polymer wil increase the cel adhesion ability of PVA hydrogel. OBJECTIVE:To construct PVA/lota-carrageenan (l-CA) composite materials with different mass fractions of l-CA and evaluate the biocompatibility with vascular endothelial cel s. METHODS:PVA/l-CA composite films with different contents of l-CA were fabricated and then co-cultured with vascular endothelial cel s. Attachment, proliferation and morphological changes of vascular endothelial cel s on the composite were observed by scanning electron microscope and MTT assay to evaluate its biocompatibility. PVA/l-CA three-dimensional scaffold with different contents of l-CA were constructed, and hemolysis experiment was conducted according to the biological evaluation standards of medical devices, and the porosity and pore size were observed using scanning electron microscope. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:In vitro experimental results showed that the addition of l-CA could significantly increase the biological activity of PVA hydrogel, and promote the cel attachment and proliferation on the scaffold. The hemolysis rate of each experimental group was less than 5%(the accepted safety standard), suggesting that the composite materials were in accordance with the standard of medical devices for hemolysis experiment. These findings indicate that the composite scaffolds with 20%-30%l-CA possess the pore size suitable for cel growth and proliferation and the porosity beneficial for transportation of nutrients and metabolites, which can serve as an excel ent scaffold for tissue engineering.

ObjectiveTo classify the type of lumbosacral plexus nerve root injury.MethodsFrom November 2004 to August 2011,36 patients suffered with lumbarsacral plexus nerve root injury underwent surgical exploration in our department.There were 24 males and 12 females,aged from 7 to 49 years(average,29.5 years).By inductively analyzing the location and amount of nerve root injury,preoperative clinical manifestations and results of physical examination,the clinical typing of lumbarsacral plexus nerve root injury was made.ResultsLumbosacral plexus nerve root injury was classified into 6 types:total lumbosacral plexus nerve root injury (4 cases),lumbar plexus and upper sacral plexus nerve root injury (6 cases),sacral plexus nerve root injury (9 cases),upper sacral plexus nerve root injury (11 cases),lower sacral plexus nerve root injury(4 cases) and lumbar plexus injury(2 cases).There were 19 patients with total lumbosacral plexus nerve root injury,lumbar plexus and upper sacral plexus nerve root injury or sacral plexus nerve root injury,among which 73.7％(14/19) nerve root injury located in the spinal canal and all of them were nerve root avulsion or rupture.There were 17 patients with upper sacral plexus nerve root injury,lower sacral plexus nerve root injury or lumbar plexus nerve root injury,among which 64.7％ (11/17) nerve root injury located in intro-pelvic or pelvic sacral foramina,and all of them were distraction injury.ConclusionThis clinical typing is useful for the accurate diagnosis of lumbosacral plexus nerve root injury.In addition,it is also beneficial for judging the location and characteristics of nerve root injury.

In order to study the effect of nitric oxide (NO) on the expression of hypoxia-inducible factor-1 alpha (HIF-1alpha) mRNA in hypoxic pulmonary hypertension (HPH) rats, 30 healthy male Wistar rats were randomly divided into normoxic control group, chronic hypoxic group and hypoxia plus L-arginine (L-Arg) group. The animal model of HPH was developed. The mean pulmonary arterial pressure (mPAP) was measured by inserting a microcatheter into the pulmonary artery. The HIF-1alpha mRNA expression levels were detected by in situ hybridization (ISH) and semiquantitative RT-PCR. It was found that after 14 days hypoxia, the mPAP in normoxic control group (17.6 +/- 2.7 mmHg, 1 mmHg=0.133 kPa) was significantly lower than that in chronic hypoxic group (35.8 +/- 6.1 mmHg, t=0.2918, P<0.05) and mPAP in chronic hypoxic group was higher than that in hypoxia plus L-arginine group (24.4 +/- 3.8 mmHg, t=0.2563, P<0.05). ISH showed that the expression of HIF-1alpha mRNA in the intraacinar pulmonary arteriolae (IAPA) in normoxic control group (0.1076 +/- 0.0205) was markedly weaker than that in chronic hypoxic group (0.3317 +/- 0.0683, t=3.125, P<0.05) and that in chronic hypoxic group was stronger than that in hypoxia plus L-arginine group (0.1928 +/- 0.0381, t=2.844, P<0.05). RT-PCR showed that the content of HIF-1alpha mRNA in chronic hypoxic group (2.5395 +/- 0.6449) was 2.16 times and 1.75 times higher than that in normoxic control group (1.1781 +/- 0.3628) and hypoxia plus L-arginine group (1.4511 +/- 0.3981), respectively. It is concluded that NO can reduce the mPAP by the inhibition of the expression of HIF-1alpha mRNA, which may be one of the mechanisms through which NO affects the pathogenesis of HPH.
Animals ; Arginine ; pharmacology ; Hypertension, Pulmonary ; metabolism ; Hypoxia ; metabolism ; Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit ; Male ; Nitric Oxide ; pharmacology ; RNA, Messenger ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Transcription Factors ; biosynthesis ; genetics