In order to study whether marrow stromal cells (MSCs) can be induced into nerve-like cells in vitro, and the mechanism, the MSCs in Wistar rats were isolated and cultured, and then induced with DMSO and BHA in vitro. The expression of specific marking proteins in neurons, glia and neural stem cells were detected before preinduction, at 24 h of preinduction, at 6 h, 24 h, and 48 h of neuronal induction by using immunohistochemistry and Western blotting. The ultrastructural changes after the inducement were observed. The results showed that after the inducement, many MSCs turned into bipolar, multipolar and taper, and then intersected as network structure. At the same time, some MSCs had the typical neuron-like ultrastructure. Immunohistochemistry revealed that NeuN and Nestin expression was detectable after inducement, but there was no GFAP and CNP expression. Western blotting showed the expression of Nestin was strong at 6 h of neuronal induction, and decreased at 24 h, 48 h of the induction. NeuN was detectable at 6 h of neuronal induction, and increased at 24 h, 48 h of the induction. It was concluded MSCs were induced into neural stem cells, and then differentiated into neuron-like cells in vitro.
Bone Marrow Cells/*cytology ; *Cell Differentiation ; Cells, Cultured ; Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein/metabolism ; Neurons/*cytology ; Rats, Wistar ; Stromal Cells/cytology

OBJECTIVETo prospectively evaluate the feasibility, safety and efficacy of the percutaneous pedicle screw fixation through the pedicle of fractured vertebra in the treatment of type A thoracolumbar fractures using Sextant system in the retrospective non-randomized case-control study.

METHODSA total of 38 consecutive non-randomized patients with type A thoracolumbar fractures, which had been stabilized posteriorly from December 2006 to March 2009, were examined retrospectively more than 9 months after surgery. Twenty-one patients had been treated conventionally with open pedicle screw fixation (OPSF) and 17 patients received minimally invasive treatment with Sextant percutaneous pedicle screw fixation (SPPSF). As a method of evaluation, the incision size, the intraoperation and postoperative volume of blood loss, operation time, postoperative hospital stay, blood transfusion, the radiological assessment of the sagittal Cobb;s angle, vertebral body angle and vertebral body height were recorded and compared.

RESULTSAll patients were followed up for 8-24 months (average 11.6 months). There were significant differences in the incision size, surgical blood loss, surgical draining loss, operation time, hospital stay after operation, blood transfusion, the proportion of antalgic supplement and postoperative incisional VAS between the two groups (P less than 0.05). Mean preoperative kyphotic deformity was 16.0 degree and improved by 9.3 degree after surgery in OPSF group, but 15.2 degree and 10.3 degree respectively in SPPSF group. Mean preoperative angle of the fractured vertebral body was 15.9 degree and improved by 7.9 degree after surgery in OPSF group, but 14.9 degree and 6.6 degree respectively in SPPSF group. Mean anterior vertebral body height (% of normal) was 67.3% before surgery and 95.8% after surgery, but 69.1% and 90.1% respectively in SPPSF group. Mean posterior vertebral body height (% of normal) was 93.3% before surgery and 99.5% after surgery, but 88.9% and 93.3% respectively in SPPSF group. Among the patients whose 9-month follow-up films were available, 3.0 degree of kyphosis correction was lost in OPSF group, but 3.2 degree in SPPSF group. And 1.0 degree of the angle of the fractured vertebral body correction was lost in OPSF group, but 1.5 degree in SPPSF group. Then 3.0% of the anterior vertebral body height correction was lost in OPSF group, but 2.2% in SPPSF group. And 3.0% of the posterior vertebral body height correction was lost in OPSF group, but 2.5% in SPPSF group. The sagittal Cobb's angle, vertebral body angle and anterior height of the fractured vertebra were all significantly different in each group before and after operation (P less than 0.05). There were no significant differences in the postoperative sagittal Cobb's angle, vertebral body angle and the improvement of the vertebral body height and the kyphotic deformity correction between OPSF and SPPSF groups (P larger than 0.05), but there was significant difference in the postoperative anterior height of the fractured vertebra between the two groups (P less than 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe percutaneous pedicle screw fixation through the pedicle of fractured vertebra using Sextant system is a good minimally-invasive surgical therapeutic choice for patients with type A thoracolumbar fracture except for that the SPPSF has a little insufficiency in resuming the anterior height of the fractured vertebra compared with OPSF.

Adult ; Biomechanical Phenomena ; Bone Screws ; Female ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; methods ; Humans ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; diagnostic imaging ; injuries ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prospective Studies ; Radiography ; Spinal Fractures ; surgery ; Thoracic Vertebrae ; diagnostic imaging ; injuries ; surgery

OBJECTIVETo investigate the pathological expression and significance of VEGF in patients with active ankylosing spondylitis.

METHODSThe expression of VEGF in the synovial tissues of cacroiliac joint of patients with active AS was detected by using in situ hybridization and the results were compared with those in the patients with pelvic fracture using image analysis system.

RESULTSThe positive expressions of VEGF in the synovial tissues of cacroiliac joint of patients with active AS were stronger than those in the control group (P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONVEGF are important factors in patients with active AS. They are tightly correlated with the process of osteoclasia and pathological new bone formation in the cacroiliac joint of patients with active AS. If we can reduce the expressions of VEGF in the patients with active AS, the process of osteoclasia and pathological new bone formation will be interrupted and this provides a new strategy for the treatment of ankylosing spondylitis.

Adult ; Case-Control Studies ; Female ; Gene Expression Regulation ; Humans ; Male ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; metabolism ; Spondylitis, Ankylosing ; genetics ; Synovial Fluid ; cytology ; metabolism ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; genetics

In order to study whether marrow stromal cells (MSCs) can be induced into nerve-like cells in vitro, and the mechanism, the MSCs in Wistar rats were isolated and cultured, and then induced with DMSO and BHA in vitro. The expression of specific marking proteins in neurons, glia and neural stem cells were detected before preinduction, at 24 h of preinduction, at 6 h, 24 h, and 48 h of neuronal induction by using immunohistochemistry and Western blotting. The ultrastructural changes after the inducement were observed. The results showed that after the inducement, many MSCs turned into bipolar, multipolar and taper, and then intersected as network structure. At the same time, some MSCs had the typical neuron-like ultrastructure. Immunohistochemistry revealed that NeuN and Nestin expression was detectable after inducement, but there was no GFAP and CNP expression. Western blotting showed the expression of Nestin was strong at 6 h of neuronal induction, and decreased at 24 h, 48 h of the induction. NeuN was detectable at 6 h of neuronal induction, and increased at 24 h, 48 h of the induction. It was concluded MSCs were induced into neural stem cells, and then differentiated into neuron-like cells in vitro.
Animals ; Bone Marrow Cells ; cytology ; Cell Differentiation ; Cells, Cultured ; Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein ; metabolism ; Neurons ; cytology ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Stromal Cells ; cytology

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)and anti-VEGF on the expression of fracture healing-related factors and observe pathological changes at fractured sites.

METHODSFracture models were established in 105 New Zealand white rabbits and they were randomly divided into control group, VEGF group and anti-VEGF group. The relevant factors expression at fractured sites was assayed and pathological changes were observed in decalcified samples at 8, 24, 72 hours and 1,3,5,8 weeks after fracture.

RESULTSAfter application of VEGF, the expression of BMP appeared earlier and expression time lasted longer. On the contrary, anti-VEGF completely inhibited the expression of BMP. The fractured sites were filled with fibrous callus, cartilaginous callus and bony callus at the 3rd week and woven bone was constructed at the 5th week. Fracture healing was accomplished at the 8th week in VEGF group. In anti-VEGF polyclonal antibody group, cellular necrosis increased at early period. Continuous focal necrosis was seen in the fractured sites from the 1st week to 5th week. Vascularization reduced obviously at the 3rd week.

CONCLUSIONSFracture healing is a result of mutual regulation and coordination among many factors. VEGF may be an important factor in fracture healing.

Animals ; Bone Morphogenetic Proteins ; metabolism ; Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel ; Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 ; metabolism ; Fracture Healing ; physiology ; Rabbits ; Radius Fractures ; physiopathology ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; physiology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the change of serum levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6), C-reactive protein (CRP) and creatine kinase (CK) in patients undergoing microendoscopic discectomy (MED) and open discectomy.

METHODSForty-four patients with single level lumbar disk herniation were treated, either by MED (Group A, n equal to 22) or open discectomy (Group B, n equal to 22). Peripheral venous blood samples were taken before surgery and at 24 and 48 hours postoperatively. The operating time, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative hospital stay were recorded. The pain severity of incision was evaluated by visual analog scale after operation and the clinical outcome was evaluated by Oswestry disability index. Statistical comparison was performed by the analysis of variance and Student's t test.

RESULTSThe data showed that patients in Group A had a less intraoperative blood loss (P < 0.05), shorter operating length (P < 0.05), shorter postoperative hospital stay (P < 0.05) and less postoperative pain of incision than those in Group B. Serum levels of IL-6 (mean, 31.60 ng/L +/- 9.88 ng/L vs 39.16 ng/L +/- 11.14 ng/L, P < 0.05) and CK (mean, 167.91 U/L +/- 51.85 U/L vs 401.55 U/L +/- 108.86 U/L, P < 0.05) all get to the peak at 24 hours after operation and Group A with the response statistically less than Group B. Serum level of CRP peaked at 24 hours in Group A (mean, 12.68 mg/L +/- 7.10 mg/L vs 20.82 mg/L +/- 8.79 mg/L, P less than 0.05)and peaked at 48 hours after surgery in Group B (mean, 10.77 mg/L +/- 5.25 mg/L vs 29.95 mg/L +/- 14.85 mg/L, P < 0.05). The clinical outcomes of both groups were the same at 6 months after surgery.

CONCLUSIONSBoth MED and open discectomy have made good clinical outcomes, however, the less change of IL-6, CRP and CK after operation proves that MED procedure is less traumatic to patients than open discectomy.

Adult ; C-Reactive Protein ; analysis ; Creatine Kinase ; blood ; Diskectomy ; methods ; Endoscopy ; Female ; Humans ; Interleukin-6 ; blood ; Intervertebral Disc Displacement ; surgery ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; surgery ; Male ; Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures ; methods

OBJECTIVETo clone and identify one novel regeneration related gene H(3) (CA854305) from the differential expression genes library we had set up before.

METHODSUse the method of Northern blot to detect the different expressions of the novel gene under different situations, employ the technique of in silico cloning to scan the span of the novel gene, and analyze their sequences. Also we used reverse transcription PCR to validate the largest open reading frame.

RESULTSNorthern blotting results of H(3) (CA854305) showed that the transplanted group had more efficient and extensive expression than untreated and uninjured groups 5 days after spinal cord injury, while the untreated group had more extensive expression than uninjured group. It implied that H(3) might have some relationship with nerve regeneration after spinal cord injury. From the results of in silico cloning we got a longest contig of 1635 bp and an largest open reading frame of 542 bp from 49 to 591 bp correspondent with the Cozak rules. Reverse transcription PCR validated the largest open reading frame sequence primarily.

CONCLUSIONSWe got the sequence of novel gene H(3) which might be one of the regenerationjrelated genes. Key words:Gene library; Genes; Nerve regeneration; Spinal cord injuries.

Animals ; Base Sequence ; Blotting, Northern ; DNA, Complementary ; genetics ; Gene Library ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Nerve Regeneration ; genetics ; Rats ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Spinal Cord Injuries ; genetics

Objective:We aimed to analyze the spectrum of diseases of Experienced Ten Acupoints in clinical studies, in order to provide reference for further clinical trials.Methods:The Chinese academic journals full-text database (CNKI),Chinese science and technology journals full-text database (VIP),Wanfang database and Chinese biomedical database (SinoMed), PubMed, Cochrane Library and Web of Science Database were searched from the incecption to October, 2021. The quantitative analyses were conducted on the characteristics of the clinical studies, including years of publication, journals, affiliations of authors, interventions, diseases, types of studies, evaluation of efficacy, rate of citations.Results:A total of 81 articles were included in 44 journals. The majority types of studies were RCTs, the main intervention was acupuncture as well as acupuncture combined with Traditional Chinese Medicine or medicine. For types of diseases, digestive system diseases account for the major part (66.67%), followed by nervous system diseases (17.28%).Conclusions:The studies associated with Experienced Ten Acupoints were relatively few, the corresponding spectrum of diseases was in limit range, and experimental studies lacks. This study suggested that the clinicians should pay attention to the classical acupoints prescriptions, and the research progress of clinical trials should be more standardized.

Objective To observe the effect of Chaijin-Huayu decoction combined with endoscopic minimally invasive for gallbladder polyposis and its effect on quality of life.Methods A total of 91 patients with gallbladder polyposis were selected from March 2014 to early March 2017 outpatients and wards of Hebei Provincial Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital.According to the method of random number table,the paitents were randomly divided into the observation group (n=46) and the control group (n=45).After three courses of treatment,the total effective rate,TCM symptom score and quality of life were observed in both groups,and the postoperative complications of the two groups were compared.Results After three courses of treatment,the total effective rate of the observation group was 91.3％ (42/46),while that of the control group was 88.9％ (40/45).There was no significant difference between the two groups (x2=0.149,P=0.592).In the observation group,the scores of subcardiac pycnosis and belching,right flank distended pain and burp were lower than those of the control group (t were 2.431,3.560 and 2.891 respectively,all P＜0.05).In the SF-36 scale,the scores of mental health,social function,physical pain,physiological function,emotional function,vitality,physiological function and overall health of the observation group were higher than those of the control group (t were 2.342,2.831,2.765,2.545,2.485,2.650,2.582,2.325 respectively,all P＜0.05);The incidence of surgical complications of the observation group was 2.2％ (1/46),while that of the control group was 17.8％ (8/45),and the difference between the two groups was statistically significant (x2=0.149,P＞0.05).Conclusions Chaijin-Huayu decoction combined with minimally invasive choledochoplasty could relieve symptoms,improve quality of life and reduce postoperative complications in patients with gallbladder polyposis.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the surgical procedure of unilateral transforaminal discectomy, bone grafting, cage (Telamon) insertion and Dylanok pedicle screw fixation using X-tube operation system for the treatment of lumbar disc herniation combined with segmental instability and Spondylolysis with pars defect.

METHODSFrom 2004 to 2006, 42 patients including 17 male and 25 female were treated in our department. The age range from 22 to 77 (mean: 51.6). Etiologies including lumbar disc herniation combined with segmental instability and Spondylolysis with pars defect.

RESULTOf these 42 patients, the mean operation time was 240 min (110 - 320 min), the average blood loss was 140 ml (80 - 420 ml), the average incision length was 3 cm (2.8 - 3.2 cm) and the average hospitalization time was 12.5 days (5 - 25 days). Nakai criteria, Excellent in 23 cases (62.2%), good in 11 cases (29.2%) and fair in 3 cases (8.6%). 5 patients had postoperative complication (complication rate: 16.3%).

CONCLUSIONSThe surgical procedure has shown predominant benefits: small incision, less stripping of paraspinal muscles, minimal blood loss and rapid postoperative recovery which makes it a valuable alternative to conventional surgical procedures.

Adult ; Aged ; Bone Screws ; Bone Transplantation ; Decompression, Surgical ; methods ; Diskectomy, Percutaneous ; methods ; Endoscopy ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Intervertebral Disc Displacement ; complications ; surgery ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Spinal Fusion ; instrumentation ; methods ; Spondylolysis ; complications ; surgery ; Treatment Outcome