BACKGROUND:Conventional therapies for lumbar spondylolisthesis can result in trauma,bleeding and low back pain.With the vigorous development of spinal biomechanics and novel spinal fixation systems,we have more understanding on the reduction and fusion after spondylolisthesis.OBJECTIVE:To observe the clinical effects of transforaminal lumbar interbody fusionvia the quadrant system on lumbar spondylolisthesis and related biomechanical changes.METHODS:A retrospective analysis was done in 23 patients with lumbar spondylolisthesis undergoing transforaminal lumbar interbody fusionviathe quadrant system admitted from June 2012 to September 2013.Oswestry disability index and visual analog scale score were detected at 3 months and 1 year after treatment,as wel as fusion conditions and internal fixation with or without loosening or breakage.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Al patients were successfuly treated,with no cerebrospinal fluid leakage and nerve injury.Incisions were healed wel in al cases except one case suffered from incision infection that wascontroled after 10 days of antibiotic treatment.Al the patients were folowed up.The Oswestry disability indexes and visual analog scale scores were significantly improved at 3 months and 1 year after treatment (P ＜0.05),but there was no difference in these two scores at 3 months and 1 year after treatment (P＞0.05).The improvement rates of Oswestry disability index and visual analog scale score were (65.3±14.8)％and (58.2±12.0)％,respectively.These findings indicate that the transforaminal lumbar interbody fusionvia the quadrant system is safe and effective to correct lumbar spondylolisthesis,maintains the biomechanical stability,improves patient's symptoms,reduces the incidence of low back pain and improves the quality of life.

Nowadays more and more biologists and immunologists focus on Galectin-1 due to the in -depth study of Galectins.As one of the important member of Galectins,Galectin-1 distributes widely,exists in a variety of tissues and cells,involves in cell adhesion,proliferation,apoptosis and inflammatory reaction,and results in a variety of physiological and pathological process.Recent studies have found that Galectin-1 expression in a variety of malignant tumor with a close relationship with tumor occurrence,invasion,development,anti-tumor immunity,and metastasis.It may be a potentially new target for cancer and inflammation therapies.This present paper reviews the current research about Galectin-1 and tumor progression.

BACKGROUND: Property of artificial liver reactor is generally evaluated by using an enclosed experimental device, which is constructed through simulating bioartificial liver supporting system. Moreover, the enclosed experimental device is also comprehensively evaluated biological function of hepatocytes and biological response efficiency. In addition, it is significance for primarily evaluating the properties of polysulfone membrane hollow fiber reactor to optimize bioartificial liver supporting system. OBJECTIVE: To construct polysulfone membrane bioreactor experimental system, understand the effects on plasma of patients with severe hepatitis, and observe the feasibility of hollow fiber reactor regarded as bioartificial liver reactor. DESIGN: Repeated measurement.SETTING: General Infectious Disease Institute, Southwest Hospital, the Third Military Medical University of Chinese PLA. MATERIALS: Seven Chinese mini-pigs with 1-7 days old and of either gender were provided by Experimental Animal Center, the Third Military Medical University (certification: F99017). The animal disposal accorded to the ethical standard. Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) kits were purchased from Jingmei Bioengineering Company, China; polysulfone membrane hollow fiber reactor by Shanghai Dehong Biomaterial Institute, China; Cellco culture-circular artificial capillary culture system by Spectrum Company, USA; seven plasma exponents were taken from admission patients with chronic severe hepatitis during plasma exchange. All patients provided the informed consent, and the animal experiment was conducted with confirmed consent by the local ethics committee.METHODS: This study was performed at the General Infectious Disease Institute, Southwest Hospital, the Third Military Medical University of Chinese PLA from January 2004 to July 2005. ① Experimental procedure: The experimental pigs underwent ablactation at 12 hours before experiment, and then hepatocytes were separated after cleaning their fur. An enclosed system was composed of polysulfone membrane hollow fiber reactor and Cellco culture-circular artificial capillary culture system, which were connected with oxygen-carbon dioxide diffusion tube and media holding pond. Interface of external cavity was blocked with clean rubber tampon. The separated hepatocytes underwent spheroid culture by using magnetic stirring method, and then they were inoculated in the external cavity of polysulfone membrane hollow fiber reactor. Next, 200 mL plasma from severe hepatitis patients was added in media holding pond and circled from internal cavity of reactor to media holding pond at the speed of 80 mL/min. ② Experimental evaluation: 2 mL liquid circulation separately collected from internal cavity of reactor at 0, 2, 4 and 6 hours after circulation was used to measure level of ammonia in supernatant by using glutamic dehydrogenase-violet method. In addition, content of total bilirubin was detected by using automatic biochemistry analyzer, prothrombin time by using automatic blood coagulometer, and TNF-α and TGF-β1 were detected according to the kits. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Effects of polysulfone membrane bioreactor on ammonia, bilirubin, prothrombin time, TNF-α and TGF-β1 in plasma of patients with severe hepatitis.RESULTS: ① Measurement of ammonia, total bilirubin and prothrombin time in patients with severe hepatitis: Level of ammonia decreased persistently, in particularly, the decrease was obvious from 0 to 2 hours, and then, it was decreased slowly. While, level of total bilirubin was also decreased persistently, and it was significantly lower at 6 hours than that at 0 hour (P < 0.05). Moreover, prothrombin time was decreased persistently, and it was significantly lower at 6 hours than that at 0 hour (P < 0.05). ② Measurement of TNF-α and TGF-β1 in patients with severe hepatitis: Contents of both TNF-α and TGF-β1 decreased persistently, and they were significantly lower at 6 hours than those at 0 hour (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION:Polysulfone membrane bioreactor experimental system can clear noxious substance of small molecules in plasma of patients with severe hepatitis, supply beneficial components, and decrease levels of cytokines. Therefore, it can be regarded as the bioartificial liver reactor.

AIM:To compare three different solvent extraction procedures affecting the extraction rate of polysaccharide from Schisandra chinensis (Turcz.). METHODS: We used single factor experiments, optimized the extraction process of polysaccharide from Schisandra chinensis (Turcz.) by alkali solution and ethanol-alkali solution, respectively, and contrasted the two methods with the water extraction method that had been reported, determined the extraction rate of polysaccharide by optimum condition of three kinds of solvent. RESULTS: These results showed that ethanol-alkali extraction procedure had the highest extraction rate, 1.12 times more than water extraction procedure and 1.06 times more than alkali extraction procedure. CONCLUSION: Ethanol-alkali extraction procedure is a high effective and stable for polysaccharide from Schisandra chinensis (Turcz.).

The multidisciplinary synthetic therapy for the colorectal liver metastases has been a hot spot in clinical research,which includes operative therapy,tumor local therapy,conversion therapy,chemotherapy, molecular targeted therapy and so on. It is need to choose multiple therapies for the patients and make the whole treatment strategy in accordance with the condition of patients to maximize the survival benefit in clinical prac-tice. So,it is important to comprehend the newest research process of the clinical therapy to make a good choice for the colorectal liver metastases patients.

Objective To analyze causes for postoperative coxa vara and anti-rotation nail cutting-out after treatment of brittle femoral intertrochanteric fractures with proximal femoral nails ( PFN ).Methods An retrospective study was done on 227 patients with intertrochanteric fracture treated with PFN from June 2006 to February 2009. The causes for postoperative coxa vara and anti-rotation nail cutting-out were analyzed. Harris score was used to evaluate the functional recovery of the hip joint. Results Of all, 221 patients were followed up for 12-48 months (mean 23 months) and six patients were died from serious internal disease within one year. According to Harris evaluation system, the results were excellent and good in 183 patients, fair in 30 and poor in 14. Postoperative coxa vara and anti-rotation nail cuttingout occurred in 16 patients, eight of whom received reoperation to remove internal fixation and skeletal traction at abducent position and the other eight received prosthetic replacement. Conclusions Treatment of proximal femoral fracture with PFN requires a high precision of reduction and operation. Many factors including lateral cortical bone conditions of tuberosity, postoperative patient's cognitive condition,use of improved Jensen-Evans classification and Singh's classification may affect operation outcome.

BACKGROUND:Calcium phosphate cements (CPCs) possess the bio-degradation and osteoconduction, and its final hydration product, hydroxyapatite, is the main inorganic constituent of bones. However, its poor mechanical property makes it unable to be used for repairing weight-bearing bone defects. OBJECTIVE:To develop a kind of bioactive bone cements with decent biomechanical property and biocompatibility. METHODS:6%silk fibroin aqueous solutions containing different concentrations of N-acetylcysteine (0, 10 and 25 mmol/L) were prepared. Each cement sample was prepared by mixing the curing liquid andα-tricalcium phosphate powder with the ratio of 0.4 mL:1 g;α-tricalcium phosphate powder mixed with ddH2O as control group. The compressive strength, setting time of the cements were measured. The crystal components of the cements were characterized using X-ray diffraction and the microstructure was observed using scanning electron microscope. MC3T3-E1 cel s were seeded onto the material in each group, and cel morphology was observed under scanning electron microscope at 24 hours. MC3T3-E1 cel s were cultured in the extract of each material, cel proliferation was detected at 1, 3, 5 and 7 days, and the lactate dehydrogenase level was detected at 1 and 3 days. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscope showed that the final hydration products ofα-tricalcium phosphate in al specimens were hydroxyapatite. When the concentration of N-acetylcysteine was 25 mmol/L, the compressive strength of the material reached (49.39±1.68) MPa, with the initial setting time of (21.77±1.07) minutes and the final setting time of (31.88±1.69) minutes. There was no significant difference in cel morphology among cements. These results suggest that the cement containing N-acetylcysteine exhibites good biocompatibility and high mechanical strength.

Objective To investigate the influence of tissue-specific growth hormone receptor (GHR)deficiency in type 1 diabetes in the mice at the gene level using pancreaticβcells combined with streptozotocin (STZ)-induced type 1 diabetes model.Methods The experiment was divided into four groups:knockout mice group (LLc knockout group), using the homozygotes (LLc:LL+Cre) producted by pancreaticβ cell-specific expressed recombinant enzyme mice (RIP-Cre)and Cre-LoxP system modified GHR mice (Floxed,LL);LL control group, containing Floxed GHR allele homozygous mice (LL);LLc STZ group and LL STZ group (STZ was used for inducing type 1 diabetes model mice). The mice with feeding glucose≥25 mmol · L-1 were considered to be successful models.The Glucose Tolerance Test (GTT),pancreas tissue HE staining and immunohistochemistry were performed in the mice.Results The blood glucose of the mice in LL STZ group and LLc STZ group and LLc STZ group were increased after inj ection of STZ and the models achieved the diagnostic criteria for diabetes 1 6 d later.The results of GTT showed that compared with LLc control group and LLc knockout group, the blood glucose levels of the mice in LL STZ and LLc STZ groups were increased (P<0.05).There was no significant change of morphology and structure of islets between LL control group and LLc knockout group detected by HE staining. The immunohistochemistry results showed that the insulin level of the mice in LL STZ group was significantly reduced compared with LL control group;the insulin level of the mice in LLc STZ group was reduced compared with LLc control group.Conclusion Pancreaticβcell GHR gene knockout has no effect on the blood glucose and the function ofβcells in the mice with STZ-induced type 1 diabetes.

BACKGROUND:Calcium phosphate bone cement has been applied to clinical surgery because of its good biocompatibility and osteoconduction. However poor mechanical properties and lack of osteoinductivity limit its wide application.
OBJECTIVE:To develop calcium phosphate cement incorporated with N-acetylcysteine (NAC) loaded silk fibroin microspheres (SFM), which is a kind of new injectable bone graft material with slow-release function, and evaluate its physical and chemical properties and cel compatibility.
METHODS: Empty SFMs were prepared with emulsion solvent evaporation to absorb NAC solution of different concentrations by NAC-SFM and the concentration of NAC at the maximum drug loading ratio was determined. Then, NAC-SFM was loaded into calcium phosphate bone cement to test the drug release propertiesin vitro. MC3T3-E1 osteoblasts were cultured on the surface of NAC-SFM calcium phosphate bone cement and cel attachment and growth were observed by scanning electron microscope. Additionaly, MC3T3-E1 cels were cultured with three kinds of bone cement extracts (calcium phosphate cement, SFM-calcium phosphate cement, NAC-SFM-calcium phosphate cement, as wel as cultured in theα-minimum essential medium containing a volume fraction of 10% fetal bovine serum and 1% penicilin-streptomycin double antibody as the control. MTS assay was used to evaluate cel proliferation.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Microspheres in the composite bone cement presented with smooth surface, same size, diffused distribution and no obvious destroy. Thus, the SFM could remain stable in the reaction process of the composite bone cement. The double slow release system which contained silk fibroin microspheres and calcium phosphate bone cement showed a significant decrease in the cumulative release percentage of NAC within the first 24 hours compared with the control group (P < 0.05). In the next 28 days, the release speed of NAC was significantly lower in the NAC-SFM-calcium phosphate cement group than the calcium phosphate cement group (P< 0.05). In addition, different extracts had no significant cytotoxicity to the growth of MC3TC-E1 cels. Thus, the NAC-SFM-calcium phosphate cement has good cytocompatibility, which provide a new insight into the development of bone repair biomaterials.

Objective:To investigate the expressions and clinical significances of SMO , STAT3 and MMP-9 in triple negative breast cancer ( TNBC) .Methods:The expressions of SMO , STAT3 and MMP-9 were immunohistochemically detected in 33 cases of TNBC, 30 cases of mammary hyperplasia and 18 cases of normal breast tissue , and the relationships among SMO , STAT3 and MMP-9 and clinicopathological parameters and prognosis of TNBC patients were analyzed .Results:In TNBC and mammary hyperplasia tissue , the positive expression rates of SMO were 90.9%and 60.0%,the positive expression rates of STAT3 were 96.9% and 73.3%, the positive expression rates of MMP-9 were 90.9% and 36.7%, respectively, however, expressions of them were completely absent in normal breast tissue .The significant correlations were observed between expressions of SMO , STAT3 and MMP-9 in TNBC, mammary hyperplasia and normal breast tissue (P<0.05).The expression of SMO and STAT3 was correlated with superior histologic grade and tumor stage .The expression of MMP-9 was correlated with metastasis of lymph node .The positive correlation was manifested between SMO and STAT3(r=0.361,P<0.05),between SMO and MMP-9 (r=0.633,P<0.01),between MMP-9 and STAT3 (r=0.803,P<0.01) in TNBC.The survival time of TNBC patients was correlated with SMO expression and pTNM (P<0.05).Conclusion:SMO, STAT3 and MMP-9 may play important roles in development of TNBC and may be an important therapeutic target in TNBC .