BACKGROUND: Myelination following axonal regeneration is a key factor affecting the recovery of spinal cord injury. Oligodendrocyte survival directly affects the myelination following axonal regeneration. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the feasibility of differentiation of rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) into oligodendrocytes induced by neurotrophic factors. DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING: The cell molecular biology in vitro study was performed at the Laboratory of Department of Orthopaedics, Tongji Hospital from September 2006 to June 2007. MATERIALS: A total of 5 Sprague Dawley rats aged 2-4 weeks, of both gender were selected. Bilateral femur and tibia bone marrow was obtained to harvest BMSCs. METHODS: At passage 4, BMSCs were incubated in serum-free medium, supplemented with N2, 20 ng/mL basic fibroblast growth factor, 20 ng/mL epidermal growth factor for 48 hours, and incubated in medium containing 500 ng/mL insulin-like growth factor I and N2 for 3 days. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Morphological changes were observed using an phase contrast microscope. Semiquantitative RT-PCR was utilized to detect specific marker mRNA expression of oligodendrocytes. Using neuron marker anti-microtubule-associated protein, astrocyte marker anti-glial fibrillary acidic protein, oligodendrocyte marker anti-galactocerebroside, anti-myelin basic protein antibody, immunocytochemical staining was performed to detect the positive rate of the differentiation of BMSCs into oligodendrocytes. RESULTS: Morphological changes in BMSCs during the differentiation into oligodendrocytes: After the induction, a majority of BMSCs presented the morphological characteristics of oligodendrocytes. Cytoplasm retraction towards nucleus, cell process extension towards outwards, and strong refraction were found. With the prolongation of time, several cell processes connected and formed a typical net-shape structure. Specific marker mRNA expression of oligodendrocytes: Following induction, specific strap of myelin basic protein mRNA and galactocerebroside mRNA could be detected. Positive rate of oligodendrocytes: During induction, the positive rates of galactocarebroside, myelin basic protein and microtubule-associated protein were 65%, 45% and 10%, respectively. CONCLUSION: The combination of epidermal growth factor, basic fibroblast growth factor and insulin-like growth factor can effectively promote the directional differentiation of BMSCs into oligodendrocytes.

Objective To detect the expressions of Wnt2 and dishevelled (Dvl) protein in esophageal squamous carci-noma, and analyze their relationship with the occurrence and development of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. Meth-ods The expression levels of Wnt2 and Dvl protein were detected by Western blot assay in 60 samples of esophageal carci-noma and adjacent non-carcinomatous esophageal tissues, and their relationship with clinical pathological features were ana-lyzed. Results The relative expression levels of Wnt2 and Dvl protein were higher in esophageal squamous carcinoma tis-sue (0.512 ± 0.406, 1.218±1.082) than those of esophageal tissue adjacent to carcinoma (0.153 ± 0.189, 0.505±0.358). There were significant differences in the expression levels of Wnt2 and Dvl protein between different infiltration depth, different TNM stages, and lymph node metastasis (P<0.01). There was a positive correlation between Wnt2 and Dvl protein in esopha-geal squamous carcinoma (r=0.718, P<0.01). Conclusion The high expression levels of Wnt2 and Dvl protein promote the development and metastasis of esophageal squamous cell carcinomas collaboratively via Wnt2 signal transduction path-ways.

BACKGROUND:Stem cel s can be induced to differentiate into dopaminergic neurons in vivo and in vitro, which provides a theoretical basis for stem cel transplantation in the treatment of Parkinson’s disease
OBJECTIVE:To explore the feasibility and mechanism of intracerebral transplantation of umbilical cord blood mesenchymal stem cel s for treatment of Parkinson’s disease rats.
METHODS:Intracerebral injection of 6-hydroxydopamine was used to make Parkinson’s disease models in SD rats. Twenty-two model rats were randomized into cel transplantation group (n=12) and control group (n=10) and respectively injected intracerebral y with umbilical cord blood mesenchymal stem cel suspension and PBS. At 1-8 weeks after cel transplantation, intra-abdominal injection of apomorphine was performed every week to observe the rotation behaviors of rats;at the 2nd and 8th weeks, rat’s striatum and substantia nigra were taken for immunohistochemistry staining.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The rotation behaviors were gradual y decreased with time in the cel transplantation, but had no changes in the control group. At 3-8 weeks after transplantation, there were significant differences in the rotation behaviors between the two groups (P<0.05). At 2 weeks after transplantation, tyrosine hydroxylase-positive cel s were found within and around the striatum of the cel transplantation group;but there were no exogenous cel s in the control group. At 8 weeks after transplantation, there were stil active cel s and tyrosine hydroxylase-positive cel s in the striatum of cel transplantation group, and there was no tyrosine hydroxylase expression in the striatum of the control group. These findings suggest that transplanted umbilical cord blood mesenchymal stem cel s can survive in the brain that are positive for tyrosine hydroxylase, which can improve the behavior abnormalities of Parkinson’s disease rats.

BACKGROUND: Dynamic hip screw (DHS) is a standard internal fixation for intertrochanteric fracture, whereas the patient combined with osteoporosis, cut-out incidence of lag screw is common. The articles in China and abroad indicate bone cement augmentation of DHS to achieve firm fixation. As for normal bone, no reports is published that whether bone cement augmentation is effective.OBJECTIVE: To investigate the biomechanics of DHS with bone cement augmentation for the fixation of intertrochanteric fracture specimen that has a normal bone density.DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING: Bilateral contrast observation study of the same sample was performed in the Laboratory of Biomechanics, Hebei Orthopaedic Research Institute (Shijiazhuang, Hebei Province, China) between March and April In 2005.MATERIALS: Bilateral upper femora from the embalmed male cadaver were provided by Anatomy Department of Hebei Medical University (China). X-ray scan results proved the absence of tuberculosis, anatomical deformity and tumor.METHODS: Twenty-four matched pairs of the upper femora (48 sides) were used to make the specimens of the intertrochanteric fracture of type A2. The right femur specimens were fixed with DHS augmented by bone cement, as the augmentation group (The screw track of femoral neck was expended by curette, and the femoral head facing upwards were injected with 2mL low viscosity bone cement. Then lag screw was wrested to keep the position unchanged till the bone cement coagulated. Placing barrel, compressing through tighten tail screw, and cortical screw fixing side-plate were. followed). And the left femur specimen was fixed with DHS conventional fixation, as the control group. The bending and torsional tests were performed in the two groups.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The maximum load and the maximum torque in the two groupsRESULTS: The maximum load and the maximum torque were (3852.1602±143.6031) N and (15.5+2.6) Nm in the augmentation group, and (3702.9667±133.8601) N and (14.7±3.4) Nm in the control group. There was no significant difference in the biomechanical effects between the two groups (P>0.05).CONCLUSION: The augmenting fixation with bone cement for intertrochanteric fracture specimen has no significant effect on the strength of DHS fixation or on the overall stability of the fractured bone in normal bone density.

ObjectiveTo analyze the technique and clinical effect of percutaneous nephrolithotomy combined with endoscopic balloon dilation in the treatment of upper ureterostenosis with recurrent renal calculi. MethodsFrom June 2008 to June 2011,18 ureteral stenosis patients with the history of ureteral open surgery,postoperative residual or recurrent kidney stones were treated.There were 8 males and 10 females with the age of 27 -48 years.Fourteen cases were with hydronephrosis of 2 -4 cm,3 cases were with hydronephrosis of 5 -6 cm and 1 case was with hydronephrosis ＞6 cm.Subsequent stone size ＜ 1 cm was found in 15 cases,1 -3 cm in 3 cases,＞3 cm in 1 case.All patients were treated with percutaneous nephrolithotomy ultrasonic lithotripsy combined with balloon dilatation.The stone clearance rate,hydronephrosis changes,complications and IVP situation before and after surgery were analyzed.ResultsAll the 18 cases were completed surgery successfully.There was 1 (6％) case with renal hemorrhage 3 days after the surgery and controlled with DSA hemostasis.There was 1 case accepted adjusting double-J tube by ureteroscopy.Sixteen (89％) patient's stones were completed removed.One case with residual calyceal stones size ＜5 mm was not further treated.There was 1 case treated with nephrectomy because of renal stone with infection.The patients were followed up for 6 to 36 months.Fourteen cases with hydmnephrosis improved significantly; 3 cases with no significant changes but improved following balloon dilation.All patients achieved significant improvement in imaging study comparing of preoperative and postoperative data.ConclusionThe use of percutaneous nephrolithotomy combined with endoscopic balloon dilation is a safe and efffective treatment option in the treatment of kidney stones with ureteral stenosis.

Objective To retrospectively analyze the surgical methods and efficacy in 70 cases of type A aortic dissection patients over 65 years old.Methods From January 2005 to May 2012,70 type A aortic dissection patients over 65 years old received surgical treatment.Among them,there were 47 males aged 65 to 78 years old with mean 71,23 females,aged 65 to 72 years old with mean 68.55 cases were acute onset,while 15 cases were chronically onset.Different surgical methods were selected depend on patients' situations.We followed up all patients after discharged from hospital to continue to observe their health situation and evaluate the therapeutic effects.Results After surgery,eight patients died in the hospital,62 patients were recovered and discharged from the hospital.The mortality rate is 11.4％.During the follow up period from 3 to 72 months,there were no dead,aneurysm rupture and others severe complications.9 cases received endovascular graft exclusion within 6 months after discharged from hospital.The survival patients were satisfactory healed with their daily living activity resumed.Conclusion For over 65 years old patients with aortic dissection,the accurate and rapid selection of surgical method could improve the survival rate and the quality of life with a lower occurrence rate of complications.

Objective To investigate the feasibility of urethral reconstruction with colonic mucosa graft in the treatment of complex long urethral stricture.Methods The clinical data of three cases with complex long urethral stricture were reported and analyzed.Patient ages were 71,64 and 48 yrs and the course of disease was three months,six months and six yrs,respectively.The length of urethral stricture was 13,18 and 12 cm.Removing the narrow urethral segment and intercepting the length from 12 to 18 cm sigmoid colon and stripping colonic mucosa were performed.Urethral reconstruction was done with a free graft of colonic mucosa.Follow-up included urethrography,uroflowmetry,and urethroscopy.Results The urethral reconstructions were completed successfully.The urinary peak flows of the patients were 16.7 ml/s,19.6 ml/s and 26.4 ml/s at six weeks post operation.Urethrography revealed the graft urethral lumens were bulky three months after the operation.In urethroscopy,the colonic mucosa was found to be of good color and the anastomotic site healed well.Patients were followed-up 28,16,and three months,respectively,and were all voiding well.Conclusions Colonic mucosa graft urethroplasty is a feasible procedure for the treatment of complex long urethral stricture.

ObjectiveTo analyze therapeutic efficiency of 125 iodine brachytherapy seeds implantation guided by flexible fiber-optic bronchoscopy(FFB)image in terminal central non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC).MethodsUnder therapy planning system (TPS) and guided by flexible fiber-optic bronchoscopy image,125 iodine seeds were implanted in 66 Confirmed terrainal cases with NSCLC and its posology Was validated and rechecked regularly.Remlts Complete remission (CR) was observed in 15 cases and partial remission (PR) in 36 cases during the first-year follow-up,with an overall efficiency rate (CR+PR) of 77.3 percent and one-year survival of 80.3 percent.Complete remission (CR) was observed in seven cases,partial remission (PR) in 22 cases,stable condition (SC) in three cases.and no progression was found during the second-year follow-up,respectively,with an overall efficiency rate (CR+PR) of 90.6 percent and two-year survival of 43.8 percent No radioactive damage were observed in the early and late stages of therapy.ConclusionsTherapy with radioactive 125 iodine seeds implantation guided by flexible fiber-optic bronchoscopy image could relieve airway obstruction effectively in terminal lung cancer and control progression of bronchiogenic carcinoma.

Objective:To observe the clinical efficacy of auricular needle-embedding therapy for treating primary insomnia. Methods:A total of 63 patients were randomly divided into a conventional acupuncture group and an auricular needle-embedding group.The conventional acupuncture group received acupuncture at meridian points,while the auricular needle-embedding group received acupuncture at auricular points.Treatments were given once a day for 6 consecutive days,followed by a 1-day break,as a course of treatment.Both groups were treated for 2 courses.Before treatment,and after 1 course and 2 courses of treatment,the Pittsburgh sleep quality index(PSQI)score was assessed,and the efficacy was evaluated. Results:The cured and markedly effective rate and total effective rate of the auricular needle-embedding group were higher than those of the conventional acupuncture group,but there was no significant difference between the two groups(P>0.05).After 1 course of treatment,the PSQI global score and the scores of subjective sleep quality,sleep latency,sleep duration,habitual sleep efficiency,and daytime dysfunction of both groups decreased compared with those before treatment(P<0.01);there was no statistical significance in comparing the PSQI global score and individual component scores between the two groups(P>0.05).After 2 courses of treatment,the PSQI global score and the scores of sleep latency and habitual sleep efficiency of the auricular needle-embedding group decreased compared with those after 1 course of treatment(P<0.01 or P<0.05),while only the score of sleep latency of the conventional acupuncture group decreased compared with that after 1 course of treatment(P<0.05);the PSQI global score and the scores of subjective sleep quality and sleep latency of the auricular needle-embedding group were lower than those of the conventional acupuncture group(P<0.05). Conclusion:Both therapies can improve insomnia.Compared to conventional acupuncture,auricular needle-embedding therapy demonstrates a therapeutic advantage in improving sleep latency and sleep quality,making it worthy of clinical promotion.

Objective To investigate the association of HLA-DRB31*03,*04 and *11 alleles with alopecia areata(AA)in Han Nationality in East China.Methods Polymerase chain reaction-sequence specific primer(PCR-SSP)method was conducted in 158 Chinese Han patients with AA as well as in 172 healthy human controls in East China.The relationships of HLA-DRB1 polymorphism to age of onset,episode frequency,clinical course,family history,and severity of AA were evaluated.Results No significant differences were observed for the frequency of HLA DRB1*03,*11 alleles between the patients and human controls,while increased frequency of HLA-DRB1*04 was observed in patients(OR=1.99,Pc=0.01).Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that HLA-DRB1*04 was more prevalent in patients with an onset after 16 years of age(OR=1.94,Pc=0.02),those without family history(OR=1.97,Pc=0.02),those with recurrent AA(OR=2.49,Pc=0.02),those with a clinical course of more than 1 year(OR=2.94,Pc=0.01),those with severe AA(OR=3.53,Pc=0.00)and tbose with single episode of AA(OR=1.83,Pc=0.04)in comparison with the normal human controls.Conclusion This study demonstrates that HLA-DRB1*04 allele is associated with the occurrence and clinical types of AA in Han Nationality in East China.