Animals ; Humans ; MicroRNAs ; physiology ; RNA, Small Interfering ; physiology ; RNA, Untranslated ; physiology

AIM: To observe the effect of Ahmed glaucoma valve implantation intravitreal bevacizumab in the treatment of neovascular glaucoma ( NVG) .
METHODS:Twenty-two cases (22 eyes) who presented with NVG were first treated with intravitreal bevacizumab 0. 1mL ( 2. 5mg ), then with Ahmed glaucoma valve implantation after regression of iris neovessels. Cases were followed - up for 6 - 36 ( mean 24 ) mo with observation on visual acuity, IOP control, regression of iris neovessels, and complications during or after surgery.
RESULTS: Iris neovessels was regressed in different degree after injection within 1wk in 22 eyes. At final follow-up, the IOP of 18 eyes were all less than 21mmHg without any drugs and of 3 eyes with 1-3 kinds of anti-glaucoma drugs after combined Ahmed glaucoma valve implantation. The IOP of one eye was controlled after cryotherapy. The mean IOP dropped from 45. 36 ±8.13mmHg preoperatively to 15. 59 ± 3. 21mmHg postoperatively. IOP reduction was statistically significance between preoperative and postoperative ( P<0. 05) at final follow-up. Visual acuity was improved in 9 eyes (41%) and was no changed in 13 eyes. No serious complications were observed during or after intravitreous bevacizumab injection and Ahmed glaucoma valve implantation.
CONCLUSION: Ahmed glaucoma valve implantation and intravitreal bevacizumab in the treatment of NVG is useful and safe. It improves the success rate of surgery and preserves visual function, furthermore its complications are less.

According to the requirements of the regulatory authorities, degree of modification (DP) should be included in the characterisation of the PEGylated protein drug substance, and is one of the critical quality attributes for quality control. In this study, based on the fundamental assumption that the refractive index (RI) signal and the ultraviolet (UV) signal of PEGylated protein are equal to the sum of the corresponding signal produced by the polyethylene glycol (PEG) and protein parts of the conjugates in their uncoupled state, we developed a method to determine the DP of PEGylated recombinant human growth hormone (inpegsomatropin). In this method, 20 μL of 1 mg·mL^-1 human growth hormone (hGH) standard, 2 mg·mL^-1 PEG reference substance and 1 mg·mL^-1 drug substance solution were each injected to size exclusion chromatographic (SEC) column for separation, detected with ultraviolet and refractive index (UV-RI) detectors in series. Finally, the DP was calculated as the formula derived from the fundamental assumption. The developed SEC-UV-RI method showed good specificity, repeatability (RSD = 0.63%, n = 9) and accuracy, with a recovery of 100.0%, compared with the result obtained from the simultaneously established classical acid hydrolysis method, demonstrating pretty handleability and accessibility, and is appropriate for quality control test of DP for this drug substance.

Chinese traditional patent medicine for promoting blood circulation and removing blood stasis(PBCRBS) originated from traditional Chinese medicine theory and had approved efficacy and safety standards. However, its compatibility regularity and anti-thrombotic mechanism is not clear. To analyze the compatibility regularity and anti-thrombotic mechanism of Chinese traditional patent medicine for PBCRBS, a statistical and bioinformatics analysis was carried out using traditional Chinese medicine inheritance support system (TICMISS, V2.0) and ingenuity pathway analysis (IPA). The compatibility regularity analysis shows that the most commonly used herb combinations are Danshen (Salvia miltiorrhiza Bge.), Chuanxiong (Ligusticum chuanxiong Hort.) and Honghua (Carthamustinctorius L.). The anti-thrombotic mechanism analysis reveals that 25 ingredients have an effect on 29 thrombosis related molecules which 23 molecules are related to inflammation response. Furthermore, there are 5 inflammation molecules (NOS2, PTGS2, IL6, TNF, IL1β) served as major targets. At the same time, Danshen, Chuangxiong and Honghua mainly used as sovereign herb or minister herb in the application of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. Therefore, Chinese traditional patent medicine for PBCRBS probably has an effect on anti-thrombotic activity through inhibiting the inflammatory response. In summary, the most commonly used herb combinations of Chinese traditional patent medicine for PBCRBS are Danshen, Chuanxiong and Honghua. Inhibiting inflammatory response, especially inflammation related molecules (NOS2, PTGS2, IL6, TNF and IL1β), is probably a new starting point to clarify the anti-thrombotic mechanism of Chinese patent medicine for PBCRBS.
Anti-Inflammatory Agents ; pharmacology ; Carthamus tinctorius ; Computational Biology ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Fibrinolytic Agents ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Inflammation ; drug therapy ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional

OBJECTIVETo observe the curative effects of bone marrow stem cell (BMSC) and peripheral blood stem cell (PBSC) transplantations on the avascular necrosis of femoral head (ANFH).

METHODSTotally 122 ANFH patients (211 coxae) treated by BMSC or PBSC transplantations were enrolled from July 2004 to December 2006. All of them were classed to different stages according to the ARCO. Control group were desired as themselves before and after treatment. The puncture of femoral artery was conducted with digital subtraction angiography (DSA), and the tubes were inserted into medial femoral circumflex artery, lateral femoral circumflex artery and obturator artery with the cell suspensions were gradually poured into the arteries.

RESULTSThe joint pain, joint functions and walking distance of 122 patients were detected for the follow-up. Compared with before treatment, the calibers thickened; vessels increased and blood velocity quickened of femoral head blood-supply artery were observed in 15 patients after 6 months checked by DSA. The reduced areas of femoral head necrosis in 8 patients indicated the new bone formation between 12 and 24 months.

CONCLUSIONSAutologous BMSC and PBSC transplantation results in the new bone formation and improvement of ischemia in areas of femoral head necrosis at 6 months. The change of angiography was observed about 12 to 24 months after cell transplantation. The stem cell transplantation is convenient, safe and effective in the treatment of the ANFH with no adverse reaction, and can be considered as a new therapy of ANFH.

Bone Marrow Transplantation ; Femur Head ; blood supply ; pathology ; surgery ; Femur Head Necrosis ; surgery ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Ischemia ; surgery ; Peripheral Blood Stem Cell Transplantation ; Stem Cell Transplantation ; methods ; Transplantation, Autologous ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo observe the effects of expansive pedicle screws fixation combined Wright artificial bone implantation in treating thoracolumbar burst fracture of the elderly.

METHODSFrom March 2007 to July 2009, 12 patients with thoracolumbar burst fractures were treated with surgery in the study. There were 7 males and 5 females, with an average age of 62.3 years (from 56 to 71 years). Nerve functions of all patients were ASIA classified grade E. According to TLICS score system, 6 points were in 5 cases and 7 points were in 7 cases. Expansive pedicle screw system was used and Wright artificial bone was injected into the injuried vertebrae. The anterior border height of vertebral body and Cobb angle were observed at the preoperation, postoperation and final follow-up.

RESULTSAll patients were followed up from 10 to 15 months with an average of 12 months. Wounds healed well, pain in the chest-back abated, no the expansive pedicle screws loosened or broke down. The anterior border height of vertebral body increased from (32.3 +/- 9.1)% preoperatively to (95.3 +/- 3.2)% postoperatively; and the Cobb angle decreased from (31.6 +/- 6.8) degrees preoperatively to (4.5 +/- 3.2) degrees postoperatively. There was significant difference between two groups (P<0.01). After 3 months, the anterior border height of vertebral body was (94.7 +/- 3.3)% and the Cobb angle was (4.6 +/- 3.4) degrees; at the final follow-up, the anterior border height of vertebral body was (93.2 +/- 3.6)% and the Cobb angle was (5.3 +/- 3.7) degrees. There was no significant difference between the two data (P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe combination of expansive pedicle screws fixation and Wright artificial bone injection is a good treatment for thoracolumbar burst fracture, with advantages such as easy operation and good effect, which mainly applied to patients with no obvious nerve injuries.

Aged ; Bone Screws ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; diagnostic imaging ; injuries ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Spinal Fractures ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Thoracic Injuries ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

In order to investigate the role of tryptase in angiogenesis of acute leukemia (AL), the expressions of tryptase and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in leukemic cells from 61 patients with AL were examined by using immunocytochemical method, and the correlation between tryptase and VEGF was analyzed. The results showed that tryptase positive expression was found in 15 out of 51 patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) (M(1) 1/3, M(2) 7/15, M(3) 5/20, M(5) 2/8). Tryptase positive expression was 29.4% in AML. However, none of 10 patients with acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) showed tryptase expression. There were no correlations between the amounts of cells with tryptase expression and patient age, WBC count, numbers of blood or marrow myeloblasts and neutrophil POX. VEGF expression was revealed in 41 patients with AML (80.4%) and only 3 with ALL (30%). Significant correlation has been found between the expression of tryptase and that of VEGF in AML-M(2) (r = 0.65, P < 0.05). It is concluded that tryptase appears to be a myeloid-specific marker in AML and may be involved in the angiogenesis of AML-M(2).
Biomarkers, Tumor ; biosynthesis ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Leukemia, Monocytic, Acute ; metabolism ; pathology ; Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute ; metabolism ; pathology ; Leukemia, Promyelocytic, Acute ; metabolism ; pathology ; Neovascularization, Pathologic ; Tryptases ; biosynthesis ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; biosynthesis

OBJECTIVETo study the specific cytotoxicity of (131)I-Rituximab against CD20-positive B-cell lymphoma cells.

METHODSRituximab was labeled with (131)I using IODO-GEN method, and the dose-effects of various concentrations of (131)I-Rituximab, (131)I alone and Rituximab in Raji cells were evaluated by MTT assay to determine the optimal dose according to the dose-effect curves. The cytotoxicity of (131)I-Rituximab, (131)I and Rituximab was assessed in CD20-positive Ramos (RA-1) cells, Raji cells and CD20-negative Molt-4 cells according to the changes of the survival rates. Giemsa staining was used to evaluate the antitumor effect of (131)I-Rituximab in Raji cells by measuring the mitosis index (MI).

RESULTS(131)I-Rituximab presented with a dose-dependent cytotoxicity against Raji cells. At the specific activity of 60 microCi/ml, (131)I-Rituximab resulted in significantly higher growth inhibition rate of the cells than Rituximab (P<0.05). The inhibition rate of Raji cells treated with (131)I-Rituximab, (131)I, or Rituximab for 96 h were comparable with the rates in Ramos RA-1 cells, but significantly higher than the rates in Molt-4 cells. The MI values in (131)I-Rituximab group were significantly lower than those in the other groups (P<0.001).

CONCLUSION(131)I-Rituximab can induce specific cytotoxicity against CD20-positive tumor cells, and may potentially serve as an agent for targeted radioimmunotherapy for CD20-positive B-cell lymphoma.

Antibodies, Monoclonal ; pharmacology ; Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived ; Antigens, CD20 ; immunology ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Humans ; Iodine Radioisotopes ; pharmacology ; Lymphoma, B-Cell ; pathology ; Radioimmunotherapy ; Tumor Cells, Cultured

OBJECTIVETo explore the feasibility of in vitro chondrogenesis by co-culture of chondrocytes and adipose-derived stromal cells (ADSCs) so as to confirm the hypothesis that chondrocytes can provide chondrogenic microenvironment to induce chondrogenic differentiation of ADSCs.

METHODSHuman ADSCs and porcine auricular chondrocytes were in vitro expanded respectively and then were mixed at the ratio of 7:3 (ADSCs: chondrocytes). 200 microl mixed cells (5.0 x 10(7)/ml) were seeded onto a polyglycolic acid/polylactic acid (PGA/PLA) scaffold, 8 mm in diameter and 2 mm in thickness, as co-culture group. Chondrocytes and ADSCs with the same cell number were seeded respectively onto the scaffold as positive control group and negative control group. 200 microl chondrocytes (1.5 x 10(7)/ml) were seeded as low concentration chondrocyte group. There were 6 specimens in each group. All specimens were harvested after in vitro culture for 8 weeks in DMEM plus 10% FBS. Gross observation, histology, immunohistochemistry, wet weight measurement and glycosaminoglycan (GAG) quantification were used to evaluate the results. Multiple-sample t-test statistics analysis was done to compare the difference of wet weight and glycosaminoglycan(GAG) content between the groups.

RESULTSCells in all groups had fine adhesion to the scaffold and could secrete extracellular matrix. In co-culture group and positive control group, cell-scaffold constructs could maintain the original size and shape during in vitro culture. At 8 weeks, cartilage-like tissue formed in gross appearance and histological features, and abundant type II collagen could be detected by immunohistochemistry. Wet weight and glycosaminoglycan(GAG) content of co-culture group were respectively (174 +/- 12) mg and (7.6 +/- 0.4) mg. There were respectively 75% (P < 0.01) and 79% (P<0.01) of those of positive control group. In negative control group, however, constructs shrunk gradually without mature cartilage lacuna in histology. In low concentration chondrocyte group, constructs also shrunk obviously with small amount of cartilage formation at the edge area of the construct, and wet weight was (85 +/- 5) mg, which was 37% (P<0.01) of that of positive control group.

CONCLUSIONSChondrocytes can provide chondrogenic microenvironment to induce chondrogenic differentiation of ADSCs and thus promote the in vitro chondrogenesis of ADSCs.

Adipocytes ; cytology ; Animals ; Cell Differentiation ; Cells, Cultured ; Chondrocytes ; cytology ; Coculture Techniques ; Humans ; Swine ; Tissue Engineering ; methods ; Tissue Scaffolds

Adult ; Female ; Femoral Fractures ; surgery ; Fracture Fixation ; methods ; Humans ; Knee Injuries ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Tibial Fractures ; surgery