Objective To explore the mechanism of therapeutic action of needle knife “regulating sinews and treating bones” on knee osteoarthritis (KOA) by observing the effect of needle knife intervention on KOA rabbit behaviors, mechanical characteristics of patellar ligament (PL), and expressions of interleukin-4 (IL-4), matrix metalloproteinase-3 (MMP-3) and aggrecan in knee cartilages.Methods Forty New Zealand rabbits were randomly allocated to blank, model, needle knife and electroacupuncture groups, 10 rabbits each. A rabbit model of KOA was made by the modified Videman method of immobilization in extension position. After model making, the needle knife and electroacupuncture groups received needle knife and electroacupuncture treatments, respectively. A behavioral assessment was made using the modified Lequesne MG knee grade evaluation method in every group after model making and treatment. The samples were taken after treatment. PL tension, stress relaxation and creep state were tested using a Bose Electro Force 3300 protracted test machine. Cartilage cell IL-4 expression was examined by ELISA. MMP-3 mRNA and aggrecan mRNA expressions were detected by real-time PCR.Results After model making, there was a statistically significant difference in the Lequesne MG score between the model and blank groups (P<0.01); there was no statistically significant difference in the Lequesne MG score between the needle knife or electroacupuncture group and the model group (P>0.05). There was a statistically significant post-treatment difference in the Lequesne MG score between the needle knife or electroacupuncture group and the model group (P<0.01,P<0.05) and between the needle knife and electroacupuncture groups (P<0.05). There were statistically significant post-treatment differences in PL maximum stress, maximum displacement, elastic modulus, stress relaxation rate and creep rate between the model and blank groups (P<0.01,P<0.05). There were statistically significant post-treatment post-treatment differences in PL maximum stress, maximum displacement, elastic modulus, stress relaxation rate and creep rate between the needle knife and model groups (P<0.01,P<0.05). There was a statistically significant post-treatment difference in elastic modulus between the electroacupuncture and model groups (P<0.01). The IL-4 content and aggrecan mRNA expression decreased significantly and MMP-3 mRNA expression increased significantly in the model group after model making and there were statistically significant differences compared with the blank group (P<0.01,P<0.05). After treatment, the IL-4 content increased significantly in the needle knife and electroacupuncture groups compared with the model group (P<0.01,P<0.05) and aggrecan mRNA expression tended to increase in the two groups. The regulation of aggrecan mRNA and MMP-3 mRNA expressions was better in the needle knife group than in the electroacupuncture groups, but there was no statistically significant difference compared with the model group (P>0.05).Conclusion The mechanism of action of needle knife treatment on KOA may be that it improves ligament mechanical characteristics, regulates intra-articular stress environment, and modulates aggrecan mRNA and MMP-3 mRNA expressions and inhibits cartilage degeneration through IL-4 mechanical signal pathway, to produce the therapeutic effect of “regulating sinews and treating bones”.

Objective To evaluate the clinical value of gasless video-assisted endoscopic thyroidectomy by infraclavicular wall.Methods 15 cases received gasless video-assisted endoscopic thyroidectomy by infraclavicular wall.13 cases underwent total thyroidectomy,2 cases underwent subtotal thyroidectomy.All 15 cases were protected recurrent laryngeal nerve and parathyroid by inspecting during the operation.Results All 15 patients were cured without hoarse and tetany,and the flaps without hematomas and extravasated blood.Conclusion Gasless video-assisted endoscopic thyroidectomy by infraclavicular also can reach the principle demand by the tradional opening way.As the supremacy way of aesthetic and hidden,it can be used to the patients who want high request on faces.

Ear Neoplasms ; Ear, Middle ; pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Mastoid ; pathology ; Melanoma ; Middle Aged

Adenocarcinoma, Clear Cell ; pathology ; Humans ; Kidney Neoplasms ; pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Thyroid Neoplasms ; secondary

Objective To establish the quality standards of Longdan Xiegan Capsule and Longdan Xiegan Soft Capsule. Methods Gentianae Radix et Rhizoma, Bupleuri Radix, Scutellariae Radix, Gardeniae Fructus, Alismatis Rhizoma, Angelicae Sinensis Radix, Rehmanniae Radix and Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma were identified by TLC. Gentiopicrin in Gentianae Radix et Rhizoma, geniposide in Gardeniae Fructus, baicalin in Scutellariae Radix were determined by HPLC. Results The TLC spots developed were clear. Gentiopicrin showed good linear relationship in the range of 0.066 1-0.595 1 mg (r=1.000 0), the average recovery of Capsule was 99.34%(RSD=1.50%), and the average recovery of Soft Capsule was 96.62%(RSD=1.50%). Geniposide showed good linear relationship in the range of 0.076 1-1.369 8 mg (r=0.999 9), the average recovery of Capsule was 101.3% (RSD=1.70%), and the average recovery of Soft Capsule was 100.59%(RSD=0.79%). Baicalin showed good linear relationship in the range of 0.214 4-1.608 mg (r=1.000 0), the average recovery of Capsule was 101.12% (RSD=1.30%), and the average recovery of Soft Capsule was 98.07% (RSD=2.40%). Conclusion The method is simple and reproducible. It can be used to control the quality of Longdan Xiegan Capsule and Longdan Xiegan Soft Capsule.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Cadherins ; genetics ; metabolism ; physiology ; Female ; Humans ; Inhibitor of Apoptosis Proteins ; Ki-67 Antigen ; genetics ; metabolism ; Male ; Microtubule-Associated Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; physiology ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Invasiveness ; physiopathology ; Pituitary Neoplasms ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Young Adult

To investigate the mechanism of agarwood formation in Aquilaria sinensis induced by Lasiodiplodia theobromae, the fermentation liquor of L. theobromae was analyzed qualitatively and quantitatively by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). JAs were detected in the fermentation liquor. The effect of the fermentation liquor on the abundance of sesquiterpenes in the callus of A. sinensis was analyzed by solid phase microextraction-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (SPME-GC-MS). And the fermentation liquor stimulated alpha-guaiene, alpha-humulene and delta-guaiene biosynthesis in calli. It was inferred that L. theobromae produced JAs, which resulted in a significant increase of sesquiterpenes in A. sinensis.
Ascomycota ; physiology ; Fermentation ; Sesquiterpenes ; metabolism ; Thymelaeaceae ; metabolism ; microbiology

Objective To construct multiple myeloma mucin MUC1-2VNTR gene eukaryotic expressing vector,which provided the basic material for further study of multiple myeloma DNA vaccine.Methods MUC1-2VNTR coding gene as target gene,and a KOZAK sequence was inserted before it.Hind Ⅲ and Xba Ⅰ restriction enzyme site were inserted on both ends.Then the whole sequence was synthesized and cloned into pcDNA3.1/myc-his B vector,and the recombinant vector was identified by restriction enzyme digestion and DNA sequencing.Results Synthesized MUC1-2VNTR gene was 140 bp.Restriction enzyme digestion and DNA sequencing confirmed pcDNA3.1/MUC1-2VNTR/myc-his B including the whole exact translation frame region and MUC1-2VNTR gene.Condnsion The pcDNA3.1/MUC1-2VNTR/myc-his B has been successfully constructed,which provides the basic material for further studies of MUC1 mucin function and multiple myloma DNA vaccine.

Knee osteoarthritis is one of the common type of arthropathy, the clinical stage of the typical patients belongs to the middle-late stage, so it urges to improve the early diagnosis. At present, magnetic resonance imaging is most used in clinical diagnosis of knee osteoarthritis, and with the development of different MRI sequences, the sequences of early articular cartilage lesions are used in clinic. In the early diagnosis of knee osteoarthritis, the simple and practical methods such as ultrasonography is becoming a trend, and the specific biomarkers of early knee osteoarthritis have become the hot research. This overview article outlined the methods of early diagnosis from the ultrashort echo time MRI, ultrasonography and biomarkers.
Biomarkers ; analysis ; Early Diagnosis ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Osteoarthritis, Knee ; diagnosis ; diagnostic imaging ; metabolism ; Radiography ; Ultrasonography

OBJECTIVETo research the clinical application of lower cervical pedicle screw fixation procedure.

METHODSFrom September 2011 to July 2013,32 patients underwent posterior pedicle screw-rod system fixation were retrospective analyzed includinig 20 males and 12 females with an average age of 56.4 years old ranging from 21 to 78 years. Among them, 10 patients were traumatic cervical spinal injury, 9 patients were cervical spinal canal tumors, 7 cases were posterior longitudinal ligament ossification of cervical vertebrae, 6 cases were multiple segmental cervical spondylopathy. Preoperatively, X-ray, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging and magnetic resonance angiography of the vertebral artery were performed in all patients. After the operation and during the follow-up,X-ray and computed tomography were performed to confirm the pedicle screw position. The accuracy of the pedicle screw placement was evaluated by 4 grades classification from Lee. The spinal cord function was assessed by ASIA impairment scale for traumatic patients and JOA score for non traumatic patients.

RESULTSTotally 144 pedicle screws performed on 32 patients from C3 to C7 involving 132 screws of grade 0,5 screws of grade 1,5 of screws grade 2 and 2 screws of grade 3 according to postoperative CT. There were 12 screws penetrating the pedicle cortex including 8 screws at lateral,2 screws at caudal, 1 screw at medial and 1 screw at cranial. The follow-up time was 12 to 33 months with an average of (21.0±1.5) months. The spinal cord function was not improved in 6 complete cervical spinal cord injury patients,but their paraplegic level descended 1 to 3 segments. Four incomplete cervical spinal cord injury patients' ASIA impairment scale was increased by 1 to 2 grades in average. The JOA score of 22 atraumatic patients increased from preoperative 11.5±0.8 to 15.9±0.6 of postoperative at 6 months (P<0.01). There were no screw loosening,screw pullout and screw-rod breakage.

CONCLUSIONThe lower cervical pedicle screw fixation can provide excellent 3D stability of the vertebral column. The operation risk and Complication could be minimized by adequate preoperative evaluation for appropriate cases and individual pedicle screw placement. It deserved the clinical expansion.

Adult ; Aged ; Cervical Vertebrae ; injuries ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pedicle Screws ; Retrospective Studies ; Spinal Cord Injuries ; physiopathology ; surgery