[Objective]To prepare a cartilage acellular matrix scaffold and to explore its feasibility in cartilage tissue engineering. [Methods]Microparticles about 100 ?m~154 ?m were prepared after calf cartilage physically shattered and experienced gradient centrifugation,and then treated by a modified Courtman's four-step method which was improved to produce acellular cartilage matrix.After this treatment the microparticles were made into 3% suspension which was placed into moulds.With the freeze-drying method,3-D cartilage acellular matrix (CACM) was prepared.The scaffolds were cross-linked by a neotype crosslinking agent genepin for 48h,and then placed into glycine solution server times for removing redundant genepin.The freeze-drying method was used to prepare CACM.The scaffolds were investigated by gross observation,histological staining (haematoxylin-eosin,toluidine blue) ,scanning electron microscope (SEM) observation and porosity measurement,water absorption rate and degradation rate analysis.After being cultivated for ten days,bone marrow stranal cells (BMSCs) of rabbit were seeded into the scaffold.MTT test and SEM were done to assess the growth and proliferation of BMSCs.[Results]Gross observation showed the scaffolds had a loosely porous and dark blue appearance after being cross-linked by genepin.The histological staining (haematoxylin-eosin,toluidine blue staining) showed that there were no chondrocyte fragments in the scaffold.The CACM scaffold had 90% porosity,(1314?337) % water absorption rate,and (13.69?7.3)% or (25.99?8.9) % degradation rate at 2 or 4 weeks.MTT test showed that BMSCs grew well in the 3-D CACM scaffolds of logarithmic trend,supporting that the scaffolds had no cytotoxic effect on BMSCs.SEM micrographs indicated that the scaffolds were porous and the cells covered the scaffolds firmly with cell processes.[Conclusion]The improved Courtman's four-step method makes a more thoroughly acellular scaffold.The 3-D CACM scaffold retains most of extracelluar matrix.After being cross-linked by genepin,the 3-D CACM scaffold has good biocompatibility and degradation rate of the scaffolds is decreased,which makes it a suitable carrier for cartilage tissue engineering.

Objective To investigate effects of very early hyperbaric oxygen treatment (HBOT) on patients with malignant brain edema after surgical operation for treatment of severe traumatic brain injury (TBI).Methods A total of 146 patients who suffered from malignant brain edema after last surgical operation for severe TBI were enrolled for this study.According to the intervention time of HBOT,they were randomized into a very early group (HBOT within 3 days after operation,n =55),an ordinary group (HBOT at 4 to 10 days after operation,n =65) and a control group (non-HBOT,n =26).Mortality rate of the 3 groups were recorded within 4 weeks after operation,and GCS (Glasgow Coma Scale) score were assessed in 1,2,3 and 4 weeks after operation.Dynamic head CT scan were performed for detecting brain status and for determine the duration of brain edema.Results The mortality of the very early group,the ordinary group and the control group were 10.9％,7.7％ and 11.5％,respectively,and no statistically significant difference was revealed among the groups (P ＞ 0.05).In very early group,the GCS scores of 1,2,3 and 4 weeks after operation were (8.837 ±3.350),(10.755 ± 3.388),(11.633 ± 3.408) and (12.367 ± 3.408),respectively,with significant difference between the time points 1 week and 2,3 and 4 weeks as well as 2 and 4 weeks after surgery (P ＜0.05),but not between 2 and 3 as well as 3 and 4 weeks after surgery (P ＞ 0.05).In ordinary group,the GCS scores at 1,2,3 and 4 weeks after surgery were (8.509 ±3.042),(9.458 ±3.115),(10.186 ±3.203) and (10.627 ±3.439),respectively,with significant difference between 1 week and 2,3 and 4 weeks after operation (P ＜ 0.05).In control group,the GCS scores at 1,2,3 and4 weeks after surgery were (8.042 ±2.881),(8.417 ±2.962),(8.542 ±3.02) and (8.958 ± 3.043),with no statistical difference among different time points (P ＞ 0.05).When compared with the very early group,the GCS sores of the ordinary group and the control group were significantly lower after intervention (P ＜ 0.05),and the GCS of control group was lower than that of the ordinary group (P ＜ 0.05).As for brain edema duration,the very early group was the shortest among the 3 groups (P ＞ 0.05) Conclusion Very early hyperbaric oxygen treatment could improve consciousness state and alleviate malignant brain edema after surgical operation in TBI patients.

Objective To design an exoskeleton mechanical device for hand dysfunction rehabilitation. Methods Based on the bionic　principles of the motion and the structure of finger joints, a micro exoskeleton mechanical structure with multi-joint fingers and multi-DOF　motion was established, which included wearable finger exoskeleton and micro-motor drive mechanism. With the motion analysis software,the motion simulation analysis of the design was carried out on the basis of the three-dimensional model of the mechanical device. Results　and Conclusion The structure of training device is compact and light, and the exoskeleton finger mechanism can move normally in the　range of 0～67° without interference. Simulation data show that the mechanical device can complete planning exercises, and meet the design　requirements of kinematics and mechanical properties.

Objective To observe the effects of standardized three stage rehabilitation treatment on the neu- rological deficit scores (NDS) and ADL performance of ischemic stroke patients.Methods A total of 164 ischemic stroke patients were recruited and randomly divided into a rehabilitation group and a control group.The neurological function and ADL performance of the patients were assessed by using NDS and Modified Barthcl Index (MBI) at the admission,at the end of 1st,3rd and 6th months post stroke.Results No significant differences were found be- tween the rehabilitative and the control groups with regard to NDS and MBI at admission.The NDS demonstrated a decreasing tendency,while the MBI score an increasing tendency in both groups.In the control group,significant difference of NDS was found between admission and the end of 1st month as well as between the end of the 1 st and the 3rd months.In rehabilitation group,significant difference was revealed between all the time points with regard to NDS and MBI scores.At the end of the 1st,3rd and 6th months,the MBI scores of the rehabilitation group were signifi- cantly higher than those of the control group,indicating that the ADL performance of those treated with standardized three-stage rehabilitation protocol was improved quicker than those without the protocol.Conclusion Standardized three-stage rehabilitation treatment could improve the neurological function and ADL performance of the ischemic stroke patients.

Background: Creatine transporter (CRTR) deficiency is the most common creatine deficiency syndrome, of which the final diagnosis relies on mutation in the X-linked CRTR gene. To date, more than 90 mutations in the SLC6A8 gene have been reported. This paper discusses a novel mutation detected via the thorough sequencing of all the X-chromosome-specific exons investigated in a four and a half year old boy with an intellectual disability, speech and language delay and motor disturbance. Methods: A brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and a proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) were carried out, the creatine and creatinine concentrations in the urine were checked and all exons were sequenced. Results: A detailed clinical investigation revealed a reduction in the cerebral creatine levels in the brain by the MRS, elevated creatine and creatinine concentrations in the urine and signal abnormalities in the left frontal cortex of the brain by the MRI. A novel change was identified in the heterozygosity of the exon 10: c.1395-c.1401 deletion. Conclusion: The use of a combination of powerful new technologies, such as thorough exome-nextgeneration sequencing and a brain MRS, should be considered, in order to determine any neurometabolic diseases, especially when the signal abnormalities in the brain MRI cannot be explained by any other factors. This mutation results most likely in a dysfunction of the creatine transport and synthesis, hence causing central nervous system symptoms.
Carrier Proteins

Objective To evaluate the functional changes in the isometric,concentric and eccentric muscle strength of the knee extensors and flexors in patients with knee osteoarthritis,and to explore the relationship among these contractions.Methods A Biodex System-3 isokinetic test system was used to assess the isometric,concentric and eccentric strength of the knee extensors and flexors of the involved and uninvolved limbs of 54 patients suffering from osteoarthritis.Results The strength of the knee extensors and flexors of the involved limbs was significantly less than that of the uninvolved legs in the different contraction modes(P＜0.05).The difference was especially marked in concentric and eccentric contraction at low angular velocity.The hamstrings/quadriceps ratio and the dy- namic control ratio showed abnormalities in the muscle balance of the hamstrings and quadriceps.Conclusion Iso- kinetic testing should be applied and the hamstrings/quadriceps ratio and the dynamic control ratio should be analyzed in evaluating patients with knee osteoarthritis.

Objective To determine the extent and distribution of error in knee joint proprioception and e- valuate the relationship between knee joint proprioception and pain and dysfunction.Methods Twenty-eight knee OA patients (19 female and 9 male) were compared with 27 age-matched healthy adults (20 female and 7 male). Knee joint proprioception was measured with a repositioning test on the Biodex dynamometer.The pain and knee dys- function were assessed with Visual Analogue Scale and Lequesne Index,respectively.Results Knee OA patients produced 79% more proprioception errors than the healthy subjects (P

Objective To investigate the clinical effects and postoperative complications of arthrotomy and arthroscopy in repair of 170 menisci in 168 cases.Methods One hundred and sixty-eight patients with meniscus injury were repaired by arthrotomy or arthroscopy.They were 121 males and 47 females.There were 77 left knees and 91 right knees;117 medial menisci and 53 lateral ones.Their average age was 25.5?8.4 years old.Arthro- scopic repair methods included puncture and grinding,bio-absorbable meniscus arrow fixation,Outside-In suturing, Inside-Out suturing,Elite scuff instrument repairing,T-Fix fixation and FasT-Fix fixation techniques.The clinical results were assessed on the basis of symptoms,physical signs,Tegner scores and Lysholm scores of the cases. Postoperative complications were also investigated.Re-arthroscopic exploration was done for patients with obvious symptoms and physical signs.Results The average folluw-up time was 49.3?28.8 months.Their mean pre- operative Tegner score was 3.3?2.3,and their postoperative one 6.8?2.1 (P＜0.05).Their preoperative Lysholm score was 30.1?18.2,and their postoperative one 87.5?22.5 (P＜0.01).There were significant differences in Tegner and Lysholm scores before operation and after operation.Ninety-eight repaired menisci were rated as excellent(57.7%),57 as good (33.5%),10 as fair (5.9%),and five as poor (2.9%).The total ex- cellent and good result was 91.2%.Of the 19 patients with obvious symptoms and physical signs,re-arthroscopic exploration found no healing in five and partial healing in six.Postoperative complications included pain at the Outside-In suture nodes in three cases,referred pain at posterior articular capsule resulted from failed Outside-In meniscus anterior horn suturing in one case,and twinge at the meniscus arrow site in the posterior capsule in five cases.No serious lesion occurred at blood vessels or nerves.The postoperative complication incidence was 5.3%. Conclusion The eight methods of arthrotomy and arthroscopy to repair injured menisci investigated in our study can have a high successful rate and low perioperative and postoperative risk.

OBJECTIVETo study the expression of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and the oncogene c-erbB2 on pulmonary fibrosis induced by bleomycin (BLM) in rats.

METHODSFifty-four Wistar rats were randomly divided into three groups, the pulmonary fibrosis group (BLM), Iressa group and the control group. There were 18 rats in each group. Control group were injected with saline 0.2-0.3 ml in trachea. Iressa group and BLM group were injected with BLM intratracheal. After the fibrosis models were build, Iressa group were given orally Iressa (200 mg/kg)1 h before modeling in Iressa group, saline were fed 10 ml/kg in BLM group and control group. The three groups were fed 5 times per week; and were sacrificed after treatment on days 1, 14 and 28 respectively. The lungs were harvested for histological studies.

RESULTSThe lung tissue in Iressa group showed fibrosis and inflammatory cell infiltration, the same as shown in the BLM group. The pulmonary fibrosis score was significantly lower than the BLM group on the 28 th day (2.17 +/- 0.41 vs 3.50 +/- 0.84, P < 0.01). Compared with the control group, c-erbB2 and EGFR were hyper expressed significantly both in BLM group and Iressa group at all time points (P < 0.01); c-erbB2 expression had no changes between the Iressa group and the BLM (P > 0.05), that were gradually decreased, and was significantly different at each time point (P < 0.01). EGFR expression was increased gradually on the 14th and 28th day (0.17 +/- 0.02 and 0.28 +/- 0.04) in Iressa group ,that was significantly lower than the BLM group (0.27 +/- 0.04 and 0.34 +/- 0.02) (P < 0.01). EGFR expression increased significantly on the 28th day than on the 14th day in the Iressa group (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONThe expression of C-erbB2 and EGFR are enhanced in different stages of alveolitis and pulmonary fibrosis, c-erbB2 and EGFR may be participated in different stages of pulmonary fibrosis.

Animals ; Bleomycin ; adverse effects ; Genes, erbB-2 ; Lung ; metabolism ; pathology ; Male ; Pulmonary Fibrosis ; chemically induced ; metabolism ; pathology ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Receptor, Epidermal Growth Factor ; metabolism ; Receptor, ErbB-2 ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the migration of fluorescent dye PKH26-labeled BM-MSC in the Alzheimer's model rats.

METHODSNormal human bone marrow extracted for isolation of BM-MSC was cultured in vitro. The 5th passaged BM-MSC was labeled with PKH26, and observed under a fluorescence microscope for PKH26 labeling efficiency, and using flow cytometry BM-MSC surface markers was checked. The PKH26 labeled BM-MSC injected into the tail vein of the normal control group and AD animal model group, 14 days after finding the PKH26-labeled BM-MSC cells in the rat hippocampus using fluorescence microscopy. Using the Morris water maze experiment comparison of AD model and BM-MSC transplantation group of spatial learning and memory ability.

RESULTSTFlow cytometry showed BM-MSC surface markers CD73 and CD105 were positive. In vitro, PKH26-labeled rate of BM-MSC was 100 %. The Morris water maze experiment comparison of BM-MSC transplantation group and AD group of animals, BM-MSC transplantation group at 13, 14 days of spatial learning and memory ability than AD animal group had significantly improved. 14 days after BM-MSCs in rat hippocampus could be found which were PKH26-positive, consistent with DAPI staining. PKH26-positive cells in animal models of AD were significantly more than those in the normal control group.

CONCLUSIONBM-MSC in AD rats not only migrates through the blood-brain barrier, but also mainly survives in the hippocampus of AD rats, and it can improve AD rat model of learning disabilities.

Alzheimer Disease ; pathology ; Animals ; Bone Marrow Cells ; cytology ; Cell Movement ; Cells, Cultured ; Disease Models, Animal ; Humans ; Injections, Intravenous ; Male ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; cytology ; Organic Chemicals ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley