BACKGROUND:The clinical application of Mongolian Medicine Erdun-uril in the treatment of osteoarthritis is effective,but its therapeutic effect and related mechanism are still unclear. OBJECTIVE:To observe the repairing process of osteoarthritis in rats by Mongolian Medicine Erdun-uril and analyze its mechanism. METHODS:Thirty male Sprague-Dawley rats(8 weeks of age)were selected to establsih an osteoarthritis model using intraarticular injection of sodium iodoacetate solution into the unilateral knee joint.Two weeks after modeling,the model rats were randomly divided into three groups:control group(n=6)was given normal saline by gavage,and low and high dose groups(n=12 per group)were given Erdun-uril 1.4 and 2 g,respectively,3 times per day.After 2 and 4 weeks of continuous administration,blood samples,articular cartilage and periarticular bone tissue were taken from rats to detect changes in cartilage metabolic markers(cartilage oligomeric matrix protein,proteoglycan),bone metabolic markers(bone alkaline phosphatase,keratan sulfate),inflammatory markers(interleukin 6,tumor necrosis factor α),lipid metabolic markers(total cholesterol,triacylglycerol).Histopathological changes were also observed. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:qRT-PCR results showed that after 2 and 4 weeks of administration,the mRNA expression of cartilage oligomeric matrix protein,proteoglycan and bone alkaline phosphatase and keratan sulfate in knee cartilage of rats were significantly reduced in the low and high dose groups compared with the control group(P<0.05,P<0.01,P<0.001),with the reduction being more significant in the high dose group.After 2 and 4 weeks of administration,compared with the control group,serum tumor necrosis factor α and interleukin 6 levels were decreased(P<0.01,P<0.001)and total cholesterol and triacylglycerol levels were increased(P<0.05,P<0.01,P<0.001)in the low and high dose groups,with the improvement being more significant in the high dose group.Hematoxylin-eosin staining results showed that in the control group,there were large defective areas on the surface of the knee cartilage with unknown structure and severe inflammatory cell infiltration;in the low dose group,the surface of the knee cartilage was rough with disordered cell arrangement and the cartilage structure did not improve significantly after 2 weeks of administration,while the number of inflammatory cells in the knee cartilage was reduced and the cartilage structure was restored to some extent after 4 weeks of administration;in the high dose group,the structure of the knee cartilage become clear after 2 weeks of administration and even clearer after 4 weeks of administration,and the inflammation was significantly reduced after 2 weeks of administration.To conclude,Mongolian Medicine Erdun-uril with better anti-inflammatory properties can improve cartilage metabolism and obviously alleviate osteoarthritis in rats.

Objective:To evaluate the clinical efficacy of arthroscopic side-to-side suture with remnants preserved in repair of transtendinous rotator cuff tears.Methods:A retrospective study was conducted to analyze the data of 17 patients who had been treated by arthroscopic side-to-side suture with remnants preserved for transtendinous rotator cuff tear caused by trauma at Sports Medicine Center, The Second Hospital Affiliated to Inner Mongolia Medical University from January 2017 to January 2020. There were 11 males and 6 females with an age of (47.9±8.3) years and a duration from injury to surgery of (50.4±21.3) d. Recorded were range of motion and muscle strength of the shoulder, University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) shoulder function score, Constant-Murley shoulder function score, visual analogue scale (VAS) pain score, re-tears and complications before operation and at the last follow-up.Results:The 17 patients were followed up for (16.5±3.5) months after operation. Retear of the rotator cuff occurred in 2 patients after operation while MRI showed good healing of the rotator cuff in the other patients with no such postoperative complications as infection or wound dehiscence. At preoperation and the last follow-up, respectively, the range of shoulder flexion was 152.9°±8.5° and 172.4°±5.6°, the abductor muscle strength 3.5 (2.6, 4.1) kg and 6.9 (6.3, 8.3) kg, the external rotator muscle strength (3.8±1.0) kg and (5.9±1.6) kg, the internal rotator muscle strength 3.9 (3.4,4.7) kg and 5.2 (4.5,5.9) kg, the UCLA score (13.2±1.9) points and (30.9±2.4) points, the Constant score (40.1±2.8) points and (86.1±4.6) points, and the VAS score (6.7±0.8) points and (0.9±0.6) points, all showing a significant difference between preoperation and the last follow-up ( P<0.05). Conclusion:In repair of transtendinous rotator cuff tears, arthroscopic side-to-side suture with remnants preserved can lead to significantly improved clinical outcomes in range of motion, muscle strength, functional recovery and pain relief.

Objective To compare and analyze the differences in the transcriptomics between mycelium and early yeast phases of Sporothrix schenckii (S.schenckii),and to realize the changes in transcriptome expression profiles during mycelium-to-yeast transformation.Methods A standard strain of S.schenckii (ATCC 10268) was subjected to 96-hour culture with Sabouraud medium at 25 ℃ or 36-hour culture with brain-heart infusion medium at 37 ℃ to obtain the mycelium and yeast form of S.schenckii,and then,their transcriptomes were sequenced.Functional annotation was performed for screened unigenes by comparison using several databases (such as NR,Swiss-Prot,KEGG,COG,KOG,GO and Pfam),coding sequence prediction,and gene expression analysis in each sample.Finally,the differentially expressed genes were subjected to pattern clustering,functional annotation and enrichment analysis.Results A total of 14.76 Gb valid data (clean data) were obtained,and functional annotation results were acquired in 28 094 of 43 863 assembled unigene clusters.Compared with S.schenckii in mycelium phase,there were 10 969 up-regulated genes and 199 down-regulated genes in S.schenckii in yeast phase.These differentially expressed genes were involved in protein phosphorylation,intracellular protein transport,cellular protein modification,small guanosine triphosphate-mediated signal transduction,vesicle-mediated transport,translation,intracellular signal transduction,microtubule formation,adenosine triphosphate synthesis,coupled proton transport and so on.Sixteen genes in the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway and two-component signaling pathway,which were two important signal transduction pathways involved in fungal morphogenesis,and 16 genes involved in chitin synthesis and metabolism were all confirmed to be up-regulated in S.schenckii in yeast phase.Conclusions Compared with S.schenckii in mycelium phase,great changes in gene expression profiles were observed in S.schenckii in yeast phase.These differentially expressed genes are involved in many functions,suggesting that the dimorphic transition of S.schenckii is regulated by a multi-gene network system.

BACKGROUND:The treatment method of tibial avulsion fractures of anterior cruciate ligament is varied;each has its advantages. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the methods and clinical effects of the treatment of avulsion fractures of tibial insertion of anterior cruciate ligament by the means of making two decussate lines and four strands of non-absorbable Arthrex sutures passing through two bone tunnels combined with pushlock free knotting anchor under arthroscopy. METHODS:From December 2014 to November 2015, 23 cases of avulsion fractures of tibial insertion of anterior cruciate ligament were treated in the Second Hospital of Inner Mongolia Medical University. Under the arthroscopy, avulsed fracture was fixed in tibial intercondylar eminence by the means of making two decussate lines of Arthrex sutures passing through. At the same time, pushlock free knotting anchor beside tibial tubercle provided a tightening of tension for Arthrex sutures, which could strengthen the fixation of avulsion fracture blocks. Knee joint Lysholm and Tegner scores were fol owed up. Knee stability was evaluated by anterior drawer test and Lachman test. Postoperative reset and healing were evaluated with X-ray films. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1) Al 23 patients were fol owed up for 6 months to 1 year. (2) Lysholm scale of the knee function was (47.31±6.16) preoperatively and (94.69±1.28) postoperatively (P<0.05). Tegner score was (3.14±1.58) preoperatively and (7.74±1.69) postoperatively (P<0.05). (3) Lachman test of al cases was negative. X-ray films demonstrated that fracture healing was good. There was no repeated swel ing or cross locking of the joint. The knee was not limited by flexion or extension. No infection or deep venous thrombosis of lower extremity occurred. (4) The method of Arthrex sutures passing through two bone tunnels combined with pushlock free knotting anchor under arthroscopy has the advantages of minimal y invasive, simple operation, reliable fixation, no metal implants and satisfactory result to treat the tibial intercondylar eminence fracture of anterior cruciate ligament.

BACKGROUND:Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) has been reported to hold a self-recovery potential, which may be related to certain cytokines and biological factors, such as stem cells or progenitor cells.OBJECTIVE: To review the literatures about the relationship between mesenchymal stem cells and ACL injuries, and understand the potential of stem cells or progenitor cells differentiating into ACL, thus providing a basis for the clinical use of mesenchymal stem cells in the treatment of ACL injury. METHODS:A computer-based online research of PubMed databases was performed to collect articles including reviews, clinical trials and basic studies using the English keywords of ACL regeneration, stem/progenitor cells, mesenchymal stem cells. Forty-five eligible articles were included finally. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:In recent years, there are a lot of studies addressing the treatment of ACL injuries and muscle/bone regeneration, but the use of stem cells is still far from the clinical requirements. The source of stem cells suitable for the ACL regeneration and their most suitable injection points are under discussion. Although the mesenchymal stem cells have been reported to successfully repair ACL injury in animal models, either trophic factors of stem cells or these cells themselves improving the regeneration remains unclear.

BACKGROUND:As meniscectomy may result in various adverse reactions, tissue-engineered meniscus is expected to be used for meniscus repair. Seed cel selection and optimal physicochemical stimuli are crucial for the construction of tissue-engineered meniscus.
OBJECTIVE:To overview the seed cel s for the tissue-engineered meniscus construction and the research progress of physicochemical factors.
METHODS:The first author retrieved the CNKI and Medline databases using the keywords of“meniscus, tissue engineering, seed cel s, physical and chemical factors”in English and Chinese, respectively, to retrieve articles related to the seed cel s and physicochemical factors of the tissue-engineered meniscus construction. Irrelative and repetitive articles were excluded, and 49 eligible articles were enrol ed for analysis.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The seed cel s must maintain their phenotype and synthetic ability after physicochemical stimulation in combination with scaffolds, to achieve the reproducibility of tissue-engineered meniscus. Most of cytokines can be used for promoting the proliferation and differentiation of chondrocytes, but the underlying mechanisms were little known. Their application in the meniscus tissue engineering needs to be studied in depth. Currently it is urgent to improve physicochemical stimuli in order to construct the tissue-engineered meniscus. The shear force does harm to chondrocyte phenotype, and dynamic compression loading has been proved to enhance Ca+and glycosaminoglycan release. The fibrous cartilage stimulated by shear force and other factors may be helpful for constructing the tissue-engineered meniscus. An elaborated randomized control ed trial and the long-term quantitative analysis are of importance to assess the research results.

BACKGROUND:Until now, musculoskeletal bioengineering used in the orthopedic surgery and regenerative medicine are developing. OBJECTIVE:To summarize the construction strategies for tissue-engineered knee ligaments. METHODS:A computer-based online search was conducted in PubMed to screen the relevant literatures using the terms“knee ligament”AND“tissue engineering”OR“regenerative medicine”. The literature retrieval, data assessment and extraction were performed by both authors independently. The relevant literatures were included through reviewing preclinical and clinical studies to display the preclinical and clinical medicine progresses in the construction strategies for tissue-engineered ligaments. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Included 224 literatures focus on the construction strategies for tissue-engineered ligaments, including stem cel therapy, growth factors, biomaterials and scaffolds, and mechanical stimulation pattern. Construction techniques for tissue-engineered ligaments have some potential advantages, such as rapid function recovery, good tenacity, and reduced relapse. However, rigorous and high-level randomized control ed clinical trials are needed for the translation of preclinical results into successful clinical trials.

BACKGROUND: At present, there are different strategies for treating unsteable osteochondritis dissecans of the knee joint in adolescents, but their therapeutic effects are not ideal. OBJECTIVE: To assess the therapeutic effect of bioabsorbable pin fixation on functional recovery and fracture healing in juvenile unstable osteochondritis dissecans through Lysholm, IKDC, Hughston scoring and imaging examination. METHODS: Eighteen patients with unstable osteochondritis dissecans were enrol ed. Under arthroscopy, a smal incision was localized and cut fol owed by bioabsorbable pin fixation. The average fol ow-up period was 2.7 years. Functional recovery of the affected limbs after fixation was assessed by using Lysholm, IKDC and Hughston scoring. X-ray examination was used to observe fracture healing. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: At 6 months after fixation, the Lysholm and IKDC scores were improved significantly as compared with those before operation and maintained til the last fol owing up. There were 15 patients scored as excel ent, 2 as good and 1 as poor. X-ray films also showed that there were 17 cases of fracture healing (94% healing rate). The average fracture healing time was 2.9 months. These findings indicate that the bioabsorbable pins can improve the bone healing in juvenile unstable osteochondritis dissecans.

BACKGROUND:The meniscus injury is one of the most common sports injuries of knee joint. The treatment after injury is always a difficult problem in the clinic. Researchers have been trying to apply the method of using tissue-engineering to solve the problem of meniscus repair after injury.
OBJECTIVE:To summarize tissue-engineered meniscus-related basic research.
METHODS:The first author retrieved China National Knowledge Infrastructure and Medline for literatures on tissue-engineered meniscus. The key words were“meniscus, tissue engineering, basic research”. Articles with unrelated objective and repeated articles were excluded. Final y, 35 articles were included.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:There was some controversy about the classification of the cel of the meniscus. The outer tissue of the meniscus is mainly composed of the fibrous cartilage cel s and the extracel ular matrix. The inner tissue of the meniscus is mainly composed of a smal atypical class of cartilage cel s. The biomechanical properties of the meniscus can be properly adjusted when it is subjected to external pressure. The lateral meniscus is assumed to bear al the pressure of the outer part of the knee joint during knee flexion, but the medial meniscus is assumed to bear 50%of the medial part of the knee joint. The etiology and pathophysiology of meniscus injury are not the same, which is highly dependent on the age of onset of the patient. However, in each age group, right knee meniscus injury was the majority. The way of surgical repair of the meniscus tear can be divided into the technology from inside to outside, and that from outside to inside, total internal repair under arthroscopy and open repair technology.