Objective To retrospectively analyze the correlation between uterine fibroid and ovarian blood supply, and to discuss the visualization of ovarian artery and uterine ovarian branch in uterine arterial embolization. Methods A total of 363 patients with clinically-confirmed uterine fibroid were enrolled in this study. Uterine arterial embolization was carried out in all patients. The visualization of ovarian artery and uterine ovarian branch during angiography was recorded. After the procedure the changes of uterine fibroid and ovarian functions were followed up. The results were statistically analyzed. Results The blood supply of uterine fibroid could be divided into three types: unilateral artery as the main source of blood supply (34.16%), bilateral balanced blood supply (43.80%) and unilateral uterine artery (22.04%). The visualization rate of uterine ovarian branch in bilateral balanced blood supply type was significantly higher than that of other two types (P<0.05). The visualization rate of ovarian artery at the side which was lack of blood vessels was higher than that at the opposite side (P< 0.05). Transient ovary functional impairment was observed in patients with visualization of uterine ovarian branch, which restored to normal in three months. No significant difference in the reduction of the tumor mass existed between each other among the different blood supply types. Conclusion The blood supply types of uterine fibroids have a parallel relationship with the ovarian blood supply from ovarian artery and/or uterine ovarian branch. Special attention should be paid to the uterine arterial embolization of the side that is lack of blood vessels, and it is needed to carefully observe the embolization extent, the flow velocity, etc. during the performance of embolization so as to avoid ovarian function impairment.

Objective To compare the efficacy of arthroscopic assisted percutaneous plate osteosynthesis and conventional open reduction and plate internal fixation in treatment of tibial plateau fractures of SchatzkerⅠ ~ Ⅳ . Methods Clinical data of 60 patients with tibial plateau fractures from July 2014 to July 2016 was retrospectively analyzed. All the patients were divided into observation group (30 cases) and control group (30 cases). Patients in observation group underwent arthroscopic assisted percutaneous internal fixation surgery, while patients in control group underwent conventional open reduction and plate internal fixation. Then record the operation index, the incidence of postoperative complications, maximum active angle of knee joint and the excellent rate of treatment. Results The operation index, postoperative complication rate, maximum active angle of knee joint and the treatment excellence rate in observation group was superior to control group. Conclusion With better clinical value, arthroscopic assisted percutaneous plate fixation was more satisfactory than conventional open reduction and plate internal fixation in treatment of tibial plateau fractures of Schatzker Ⅰ ~ Ⅳ .

BACKGROUND:Mesenchymal stem cells from human skeletal muscle exhibit multi-directional differentiation potential under the influence of osteogenic proteins such as bone morphogenetic protein 4 (BMP4). But the differentiation of a specific cell subpopulation is not yet clear.OBJECTIVE:To characterize the multi-directional differentiation potential of mesenchymal stem cells from human skeletal muscle based on the expression of different surface markers.METHODS:Four different subpopulations were isolated from the human skeletal muscle by fluorescence-activated cell sorting based on their expression of the myogenic-specific marker CD56 and the endothelial-specific markers CD34 and CD144, including CD56+, CD56+CD34+CD144+, CD34+CD144+, and unsorted groups. Osteogenic differentiation of the four groups of the cells was displayed by Von Kossa staining after the treatment with BMP4 alone or BMP4 plus transforming growth factor β3. Chondrogenic differentiation of these cells was displayed by Alcian blue staining. Bone metabolism was assessed by alkaline phosphatase staining.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:No significant difference in the bone metabolism was found among four groups after the treatment with BMP4 (P > 0.05). Osteogenic and chondrogenic potentials of the four cell subpopulations were significantly different. Under the same osteogenic induction, the CD56+ cells exhibited strongest potential for osteogenic differentiation; and under the same chondrogenic induction, the CD56+CD34+CD144+ cells exhibited better potential for chondrogenic differentiation than the CD56+ cells. These findings indicate that the osteogenic and chondrogenic potentials are intimately associated with the type of mesenchymal stem cells from human skeletal muscle:the CD56+ cells are closely related to the osteogenic potential, while the CD56+CD34+CD144+ cells have stronger chondrogenic potential.

Objective To investigate the function and regulatory mechanisms of VCAN gene and protein in metastatic prostate cancer.Methods The data of whole genomic expression profiles got from the prostate cancer metastasis were obtained from gene expression omnibus (GEO) database,a set of bioinformatics tools,such as BRB-Array Tools,protparam,SMART,SignalP 4.0,TMHMM,NetPhos2.0,PredictProtein,SWISS-MODEL,GO,KEGG and STRING softwares were used to accomplish data-mining and bioinformatics analysis.Results There were 73 co-expressed differentially genes in prostate cancer metastasis,21 up-regulated and 52 down-regulated.Bioinformatics analysis indicated that VCAN gene encoded 3396 amino acids,VCAN was also contained one Immunoglobulin domain,two hyaluronan-binding domain,one epidermal growth factor-like domain,one calcium-binding EGF-like domain,one C-type lectin domain and one domain abundant in complement control proteins,and a furthermore analysis suggested that VCAN played essential roles in such important biological function including cell adhesion,hyaluronic acid binding,calcium-binding,glycosaminoglycan binding,extracellular matrix and cell adhesion molecules.Conclusions Bioinformatics analysis had a high efficiency in analyzing microarray data and revealing internal biology information.VCAN may play an important role in the prostate cancer metastasis,Thus,VCAN might be a novel biomarker for the diagnosis of prostate cancer metastasis or a new target for its treatment.

OBJECTIVE:To study the effects of Tanshinone capsules on glucose and lipid metabolism and serum sex hormone level in rats with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). METHODS:90 female SD rats were randomly divided into normal group (distilled water),model group (distilled water),positive control group (metformin 200 mg/kg) and Tanshinone capsules low-dose,medium-dose and high-dose groups(30,60,90 mg/kg),with 15 rats in each group. Those groups were induced PCOS mod-el except for normal group;after modeling,those groups were given relevant medicine intragastrically for consecutive 28 d,once a day. The ovulation rate was compared before intervention and 28 d after intervention. Body weight,fat wet weight,fasting insulin (FINS),fasting blood-glucose (FPG),AUC of glucose,HOMA-IR,ISI,serum levels of FSH,LH and T were detected. RE-SULTS:Compared with normal group,anovulation,body weight,fat wet weight,FINS,FPG,AUC of glucose,HOMA-IR, FSH,LH and T were all increased significantly in model group,while ISI decreased significantly(P<0.05). Compared with mod-el group,ovulation rate and ISI of positive control group and Tanshinone capsules groups were increased significantly after interven-tion, while body weight (except for Tanshinone capsules low-dose group), fat wet weight (except for Tanshinone capsules low-dose group),FINS,FPG,AUC of glucose,HOMA-IR,FSH,LH and T were all decreased significantly(P<0.05),especial-ly in Tanshinone capsules high-dose group and positive control group. CONCLUSIONS:Tanshinone capsules can regulate glucose and lipid metabolism and serum sex hormone secretion disorder in PCOS rats.

Objective:Previous studies suggested that the-308G/A allele in the tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α) gene promoter (-308G/A) may be a potential risk factor for inflammatory diseases and tumor progression. However, only a few studies have focused on the-308 polymorphism of TNF-αgene with primary lung cancer in Chinese population. This study aims to evaluate the role of TNF-α-308G/A single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) and the risk of primary lung cancer in Chinese population. Methods:A total of 250 patients and 447 healthy individuals (control group) were involved in this study. Genotyping was performed using TaqMan technology. Results:The frequencies of (GG), (A/G), and (A/G+AA) genotypes of-308G/A SNP in TNF-αgene were 183 (73.2%), 67 (26.8%), and 67 (26.8%) in the patients, and 406 (90.8%), 39 (8.7%), and 41 (9.2%) in the control group, respectively. The distribution of poly-morphism frequencies in the case group and the control group showed a statistically significant difference for the Chinese population (P<0.05). Conclusion:Results indicated that TNF-αgene polymorphism at position-308G/A is associated with susceptibility to lung cancer in Chinese Han population.

Objective Toanalyzethealterationsofplasmaglucocerebrosidase(GBA),protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A)and its degradation product ceramide in patients with ischemic stroke. Methods Atotalof45inpatientswithischemicstrokeattheDepartmentofNeurology,theAffiliated Hospital of Logistics College of the CAPF were enrolled from May to September 2013,and 45 age-and sex-matched healthy subjects at the Physical Examination Center collected at the same time period were used as a control group. Blood samples of the patients and healthy subjects were obtained,anticoagulated, and the plasma was separated. H50 protein chip and laser matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization top of flymassspectrometrywereusedtotestthelevelsofplasmaceramide.Results TheplasmaGBAand PP2A activities in patients with ischemic stroke were significantly lower than those of the control group;the GBA activities of the ischemic stroke group and the control group were 2 . 4 ± 0 . 8 and 3 . 1 ± 1 . 4 U/L respectively. There was significant difference (P<0. 05);the PP2A activities of the two groups were 6. 5 ± 2. 8 and 14. 5 ± 4. 7 U/L respectively (P<0. 01). The relative level of the plasma ceramide in patients with ischemic stroke was 1. 9 ± 0. 7,and it was significantly lower than 12. 2 ± 5. 0 of the control group (P<0.01).Conclusion ThedecreasedlevelsofplasmaGBAandPP2Aactivitiesaswellasthe ceramide in patients with ischemic stroke suggested that the abnormal phosphorylation of synuclein in the blood of patients with stroke.

Objective To explore the trend of changes of Th1 and Th2 cytokines within 6 months after adult liver transplantation (LT). Methods Twenty-three patients from Tianjin First Center Hospital were chosen as the patient group with an average age of (52.7 ± 7.6), range from 37 to 63 years old, including 21 males and 2 females. Twenty healthy staffs from Tianjin First Center Hospital formed the control group (C) with 15 males and 2 females whose average age was (31.0 ± 6.1) ranged from 22 to 24 years old. The patient group was treated with tacrolimus after LT as main immunosuppressive drug. The peripheral blood at time points before (T0) and 1 month (T1), 3 months (T3), 6 months (T6) after LT at 9:00 AM were collected. The blood sample was also collected form control group but only one time. Levels of IL-2, IFN-γ, IL-10 and TGF-βwere detected by ELISA. Results (1) The concentration of IL-2 showed a continuous up-going trend, which was not such obvious between T1 and T0, and until T3 reached a higher concentration than T0. The concentration at T6 was higher than T0 and T1. There were no significant differences in concentrations of T0 to T3 between patient group and control group, while T6 reached a higher concentration in patient group than that of the control group. (2) The concentration of IFN-γexperienced a shortly down-going trend from T0 to T3, and started rising, reached the peak at 3 months after the operation, then started its down-going trend. There were no significant differences in the concentrations of IFN-γfrom T1 to T6, and T3 reached a higher concentration than T1 while T6 was lower than T3. Only at T3, the concentration of IFN-γwas higher in patient group than that of control group. (3) There were no significant differences in the concentrations of IL-10 at various time points in patient group, and there were no significant differences in the concentrations of IL-10 at different time points between two groups (P>0.05). (4) The concentration of TGF-βshowed a gradual decline after the operation, and reached its bottom at T6, and which was lower than T0 to T3. Compared with the control group, the down-going trend was not such obviously at T0 and T1, and the concentration was down at T3 and T6(P<0.05). Conclusion Our results suggest that there is a tendency of an increasing Th1 cytokine expression at early stage in post-transplantation, while the TGF-βof Th2 cytokine is a decreasing trend. This tendency may associate with the autoimmunity response caused by LT and the immunosuppressive drugs.

Objective To investigate the effects of acupoint therapy on inflammatory factors and its clini-cal efficacy in relieving bronchial asthma. Methods Selected patients with bronchial asthma which was in remis-sion were randomly divided into a treatment group that was treated with acupoint therapy and a control group that was given Seretide. Each group had 30 cases. The treatment period was 4 weeks. Both groups were evaluated in terms of Asthma Control Test ( ACT) scores and the serum content of interleukin-5 ( IL-5) and interleukin-10 ( IL-10) before and at one month ( short-term) , as well as three months after the end of the treatment ( long-term) . The asthma control situation ( fully controlled, partially controlled or uncontrolled) was evaluated. Results Before treatment the average ACT scores of the two groups were not significantly different. After the treatment both the short-term and long-term average ACT scores of the treatment group were significantly higher than those of the con-trol group. The total effectiveness rate of asthma control in the treatment group in the short term ( 93%) was signifi-cantly higher than that in the control group ( 70%) . After the treatment the IL-5 and IL-10 levels in the treatment group were improved to a significantly greater extent than those in the control group. Conclusion Acupoint thera-py can reduce airway inflammation, control bronchial asthma symptoms and show good clinical efficacy, probably by regulating IL-5 and IL-10 levels.

BACKGROUND:The ankle joint is capable of flexion and extension, including plantar flexion and dorsiflexion, to act as a support and a lever. An ankle injury, often accompanied by fracture and ligament injury, seriously threatens the ankle joint function. Previous diagnosis of ankle injury mainly relied on clinical signs and X-ray examination. However, X-ray examination is not accurate enough for ankle injury diagnosis because it cannot clearly diagnose damage to the surrounding ligaments, tendons and other soft tissues except for obvious fractures. Mutlisequence and multiplanar MRI is currently the optimal noninvasive method for high-resolution determination of soft tissue deformations, but little has been reported on the diagnostic accuracy of ankle ligament and tendon injury. OBJECTIVE:To observe the diagnostic value of MRI for ligament and tendon injury of the ankle in its normal position, and during complete plantar flexion and dorsiflexion. METHODS:It is a single-center, prospective, diagnostic trial that wil be completed at the First Hospital of Hebei Medical University, China. Sixty cases were recruited, including 30 cases of normal ankle joint and 30 cases of ankle ligament and tendon injury. MRI scans of the ankle joint in normal position, complete plantar flexion and complete dorsiflexion were performed in al the cases, and the multi-position MRI results were compared. The primary outcome measure is the sensitivity of MRI to ligament and tendon injury of the ankle during complete plantar flexion. The secondary outcomes include the specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, positive likelihood ratio, and negative likelihood ratio of MRI to ligament and tendon injury of the ankle during the complete plantar position as wel as rate of correct diagnosis;specificity and sensitivity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, positive likelihood ratio, and negative likelihood ratio in normal position or during the complete dorsiflexion as wel as rate of correct diagnosis;the morphology of the ankle on the multi-position MRI. This study design was registered at ClinicalTrial.gov (03049423) on February 8, 2017. This study protocol has been approved by the Medical Ethics Committee of Qinghai University Affiliated Hospital of China (approval No. 2015076) and wil be performed in accordance with the guidelines of the Declaration of Helsinki, formulated by the World Medical Association. Signed informed consent regarding trial procedure and treatment was obtained from each volunteer. DISCUSSION:This study aims to determine the rate of correct diagnosis of ankle ligament and tendon injury using the MRI, to clarify the diagnostic value of MRI for ankle ligament and tendon injury, and to provide a quantitative MRI diagnostic standard for developing a reasonable surgical treatment.