Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of green surgery pathway on senile hip fractures. Methods: The green surgery pathway was implement in senile (≥75 years) hip fracture cases in our department since March 2016. A historically controlled trial study was designed: 97 senile hip fracture patients admitted between March 2016 and March 2017 were included in the intervention group and 78 senile hip fracture patients admitted between March 2015 and March 2016 were included in the control group. The patients’ general information were recorded, including gender, age, type of fracture, internal medical conditions, surgery method, the American Association of Anesthesiologists classification of physical status (ASA) classification, et al. The hip function was evaluated by the Harris score system at one week,6 months and one year after surgery. The waiting time for operation, operation time, length of hospital stay, complications during hospitalization and hip Harris score were compared between the two groups. Results: For the baseline data between the two groups in terms of gender, age, fracture type, surgery method, ASA classification, and combined underlying disease, the differences were not statistically significant. The waiting time for operation of the green surgery pathway group (36.3±7.8 h) was significantly shorter than that in the control group (46.9±11.4 h, t=6.995, P=0.000). The operation time of the green surgery pathway group was 45.4±17.5 min, and that of the control group was 43.8±20.8 min, the differences were not statistically significant. The length of hospital stay in the green surgery pathway group (6.8±2.4 d) was significantly shorter than that in the control group (9.5±2.8 d), the difference was statistically significant (t=6.866, P=0.000). In the green surgery pathway group, one patient developed acute myocardial infarction at 15 h after surgery and died of invalid rescue. In the control group, one patient developed acute cerebral hemorrhage 3 d after surgery and died of invalid rescue. The incidence of pulmonary infection, urinary tract infection, and acne in the green surgery pathway group were lower than that in the control group, the differences were statistically significant (χ^2PI=5.081, P_PI=0.024; χ^2UI=6.841, P_UI=0.009; χ^2acne=11.768, P_cne=0.001). For the incidence of acute myocardial infarction, acute cerebrovascular accident, pulmonary embolism and deep vein thrombosis between the two groups, the differences were not statistically significant. The Harris score of hip in the green surgery pathway was higher than that in the control group (72.6±13.1 points vs 62.2±15.4 points, t=4.826, P=0.000) one week after the surgery, the difference was statistically significant. While the score was slightly higher than that of the control group in the half year (93.8±16.8 vs 90.5±14.7) and one year (94.1±18.3 vs 92.4±15.9) after surgery, but the differences were not statistically significant. The mortality rate of the green surgery pathway was slightly lower than that of the control group within one year after surgery (6.19% vs 8.97%), but the difference was not statistically significant. Conclusion The implementation of green surgery pathway can reduce the occurrence of complications in bed, promote the early hip rehabilitation, effectively shorten the hospitalization time. It is worth further promotion because of its social benefits and health economic benefits.

Objective To explore the effect of giving sedatives according to the circadian rhythm in prevention of occurrence of delirium and the prognosis of patients undergoing mechanical ventilation in intensive care unit (ICU). Methods A prospective double-blinded randomized controlled trial (RCT) was conducted. The patients admitted to Department of Critical Care Medicine of the Second Hospital of Lanzhou University from July 2014 to February 2015, undergoing invasive mechanical ventilation over 12 hours were enrolled. All the patients were given fentanyl for analgesia, and they were randomly divided into simulated circadian clock group (study group, n = 35) and non-simulated circadian clock group (control group, n = 35). The patients in each group were subdivided into three subgroups according to the kinds of sedative drugs, namely dexmedetomidine group (n = 8), propofol group (n = 14), and dexmedetomidine combined with propofol group (combination group, n = 13). Visual analogue scale (VAS) standard and Richmond agitation-sedation scale (RASS) were used to control the analgesic and to quantify the depth of sedation by titrating the dose of sedative drugs, the simulated circadian clock was set to control the RASS score at 0-1 during the day, and -1 to -2 at night in study group. The RASS score in the control group was set at -1 to -2 day and night. The urine 6-hydroxy acid melatonin (aMT6s) levels at different time points in the first diurnal rhythm (06:00, 12:00, 18:00, 24:00) were determined by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The incidence of delirium, severe hypotension, severe bradycardia and other adverse reactions, duration of mechanical ventilation and the time of extubation, length of ICU stay, amount of sedative and analgesic drugs used were recorded. The correlation between delirium and other indexes was analyzed by using Spearman correlation analysis. Results ① There were no significant differences in gender, age, acute physiology and chronic health evaluation Ⅱ (APACHEⅡ) score among groups. ② Urine aMT6s levels did not show circadian rhythm in both groups, aMT6s level at 06:00 in study group showed an increasing tendency as compared with the control group, but the difference was not statistically significant. ③ Compared with the control group, the incidence of delirium was significantly lowered in the study group (14.3% vs. 37.1%, P = 0.029), but no significant differences were found in the incidence of severe hypotension or severe bradycardia (20.0% vs. 25.7%, 11.4% vs. 20.0%, both P > 0.05). In simulated circadian clock group, the incidence of delirium in dexmedetomidine group was significantly lower than that of the propofol group (6.3% vs. 32.1%, P < 0.05). ④ Compared with control group with the same sedative, the duration of mechanical ventilation, extubation time, length of ICU stay were significantly shortened, and the dosage of sedative drugs used was reduced in study group (all P < 0.05). In simulated circadian clock group, the duration of mechanical ventilation in dexmedetomidine group was significantly shorter than that of propofol group and combination group (hours: 75.75±26.78 vs. 102.00±26.31 and 100.31±25.38, both P < 0.05), and the length of ICU stay was significantly shorter than that of propofol group (days: 5.75±1.04 vs. 7.00±1.52, P < 0.05). ⑤ The occurrence of delirium was positively correlated with duration of mechanical ventilation (r = 0.705), extubation time (r = 0.704), length of ICU stay (r = 0.666, all P = 0.000), and no correlation was found between the occurrence of delirium and aMT6s level at 06:00, 12:00, 18:00, and 24:00 (r = -0.135, r = 0.163, r = 0.269, r = -0.077, all P > 0.05). Conclusions Administration of sedatives according to simulating circadian time could decrease the duration of mechanical ventilation, extubation time, and the length of ICU stay, decrease the dosage of sedative drugs, and reduce the incidence of delirium. Dexmedetomidine could reduce the incidence of delirium, and improve the prognosis of patients. Trial registration Registration of clinical trials in China, ChiCTR-IPR-15006644.

BACKGROUND:Articular cartilage repair has been a difficulty in the clinical setting, which is mainly treated with autologous or al ogeneic osteochondral grafts, and cartilage periosteum or periosteum grafts. However, the limited source, secondary lesion and immunological rejection force some researchers to search for a novel treatment strategy, cartilage tissue engineering, that is of great significance for cartilage regeneration and repair. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the tissue-engineered scaffolds for the repair of articular cartilage defects. METHODS:The first author searched the PubMed and WanFang databases for the articles addressing tissue-engineered cartilage for articular cartilage defects published between 1991 and 2015 using the keywords“articular cartilage defect, scaffold, tissue engineered cartilage”in English and Chinese, respectively. The irrelative and repetitive literatures were excluded. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Final y 48 eligible literatures were enrol ed based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Cartilage tissue engineering possesses the advantages of control ability, little damage to tissue itself, and biological repair of injured cartilage. Tissue-engineered scaffold material is a critical factor in tissue engineering construction;therefore, it should hold biodegradability and histocompatibility. The commonly used scaffold materials include natural macromolecule materials (col agen, silk fibroin and chitosan), and synthetic polymer materials (polylactic acid and tricalcium phosphate). It is necessary to prepare composite scaffolds with high bioactivity integrate advantages of each material. The tissue engineering is bound to be a hotspot in the field of articular cartilage repair.

BACKGROUND:Osteoarthritis is a joint disease that primarily affects the cartilage. With the changes of the extracelular matrix, chondrocytes appear to have apoptosis. Vascular endothelial growth factor plays an important role in promoting endothelial cel division and proliferation and inducing angiogenesis. Hypoxia-inducible factor is a celular transcription factor and produces different reactions due to the oxygen content. Vascular endothelial growth factor and hypoxia-inducible factor are focused on inhibiting chondrocyte apoptosis. OBJECTIVE:To elaborate the effects of vascular endothelial growth factor and hypoxia-inducible factors on chondrocyte apoptosis. METHODS: Recent literatures related to chondrocyte apoptosis were summarized and analyzed. During the process of osteoarthritis, changes in vascular endothelial growth factors in chondrocytes and regulatory effects of vascular endothelial growth factor and hypoxia-inducible factor on chondrocyte apoptosis were elaborated.

BACKGROUND:Studies have found that vascular endothelial growth factor and hypoxia inducible factor are involved in the development process of osteoarthritis, but their correlation is rarely reported. OBJECTIVE:To observe the expression and correlation of hypoxia inducible factor-2α and vascular endothelial growth factor in chondrocytes of articular cartilages in human osteoarthritis. METHODS: Articular cartilage specimens were colected from 50 patients with knee osteoarthritis undergoing total knee joint replacement. According to the joint Kelgren-Lawrance (K-L) X-ray grouping classification standard, there were 18 cases of K-LIII level and 32 cases of K-LIV level. Besides, articular cartilage specimens from 10 patients undergoing amputation for legs tumor or traffic accident served as control group. Hematoxylin-eosin staining, Safranin O-Fast Green staining and Mankin scoring were performed to observe and evaluate the histological characteristics of articular cartilages of each group, immunohistochemical staining was conducted to detect the expression of hypoxia inducible factor-2α and vascular endothelial growth factor in chondrocytes of articular cartilages, and their correlations were analyzed. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The Mankin score of K-LIV group was significantly higher than those of K-LIII group and control group. Immunohistochemical staining revealed that the number of chondrocytes with positive expression of hypoxia inducible factor-2α or vascular endothelial growth factor in K-LIV group was significantly higher than that in K-LIII group and control group (P < 0.05). The expression of hypoxia inducible factor-2α and vascular endothelial growth factor increased in chondrocytes of articular cartilages of osteoarthritis patients, and to up-regulate the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor may be the regulatory mechanism of hypoxia inducible factor-2αinthe pathogenesis of osteoarthritis.

Abstract BACKGROUND: Sodium hyaluronate is an effective treatment for osteoarthritis, but the underlying mechanism remains unclear. There is evidence that abnormal expressions of matrix metaloproteinase (MMP)-1, -3 and -9 and tissue inhibitor of metaloproteinase (TIMP)-1 and -2 show great effects on osteoarthritis. OBJECTIVE: To assess the influence of intra-articular injection of sodium hyaluronate on expressions of MMPs-1, 3, 9 and tissue inhibitor of TIMPs-1, 2 in the rabbit cartilage after osteoarthritis. METHODS: Twenty-four mature New Zealand white rabbits were divided into normal control, model, and sodium hyaluronate groups. The model and sodium hyaluronate groups underwent unilateral anterior cruciate ligament transection, and rabbits in the sodium hyaluronate group received 0.3 mL of 1% sodium hyaluronate via intra-articular injection at 4 weeks after modeling, once a week for 5 weeks. At 11 weeks folowing surgery, the rabbits were kiled and the cartilage was harvested to extract total RNA. mRNA expressions of MMPs-1, 3, 9 and TIMPs-1, 2 in the cartilage were analyzed using real-time PCR for each group. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Compared with the model group, the range and extent of cartilage damage was reduced in the sodium hyaluronate group (P < 0.01), and Mankin scores were noticeably decreased (P < 0.05). In the cartilage, mRNA expressions of MMPs-1, 3, 9 were enhanced and mRNA expressions of TIMPs-1, 2 were down-regulated in the model group. However, the mRNA expression levels of MMPs-1, 3, 9 and TIMPs-1, 2 in the articular cartilage were not obviously changed in the sodium hyaluronate group. These results suggest that MMPs-1, 3, 9 and TIMPs-1, 2 are involved in the progression of osteoarthritis and the therapeutic mechanism of sodium hyaluronate is not realized through the down-regulation of their expressions during development of osteoarthritis. Sodium hyaluronate for treatment of osteoarthritis is a complex process and the underlying mechanisms require further investigation.

BACKGROUND:In recent years, repair of articular cartilage injury has become an important field in basic medical research. Because injured articular cartilage is difficult to repair, the repair of articular cartilage injury has become a difficult hotspot.

BACKGROUND:Mesenchymal stem cels, underin vivo orin vitro specific induction conditions, can differentiate into the cartilage, muscle, tendons and so on. Clinical trials concerning mesenchymal stem cels mainly include tissue repair (such as bone, cartilage and joint repair) and treatment of heart, liver, spinal cord injury and nervous system diseases.
OBJECTIVE:To compare the biological characteristics of mesenchymal stem cels from different sources.
METHODS: PubMed and CNKI databases were retrieved for articles related to sources of mesenchymal stem cels and biological characteristics of mesenchymal stem cels published from 1987 to 2015. The retrieved articles were summarized and analyzed in the folowing aspects: cel surface marker, proliferation, differentiation, migration, and function, so as to explore the merits and demerits of mesenchymal stem cels from different sources.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:A difference in the proliferation ability and surface markers is found between different sources of mesenchymal stem cels. Immunological competence of mesenchymal stem cels from different sources may be correlated with their activation status, species differences, tissue sources and culture conditions, resulting the immunological competence of mesenchymal stem cels from different sources is not exact the same. In-depth understanding of the factors and mechanisms by which influence the migration of mesenchymal stem cels from different sources can enhance the migration ability of different sources of mesenchymal stem cels, and increase their efficiency in wound healing, tissue repair and regeneration treatment.

BACKGROUNDGastrodin, as one of the major components extracted from the Chinese herb Gastrodia elata Bl., has many biologic effects, one of which is anti-apoptosis. Apoptosis is considered to be one of the pathogenetic mechanisms in steroid-induced osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH). Therefore, we performed this study to investigate whether gastrodin has the potential to prevent steroid-induced ONFH.

METHODSAll 18 male adult Wistar rats were divided equally into three groups: the steroid group, the gastrodin+steroid group, and the control group. Osteonecrosis was induced by low-dose lipopolysaccharide and subsequent high-dose methylprednisolone. Histomorphometric method was used to determine the incidence of osteonecrosis. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end-labeling (TUNEL) assay was performed to detect apoptotic index of osteocytes and osteoblasts. Real-time PCR and Western blotting were performed to detect mRNA and protein expression of Bax, Bcl-2, and Caspase-3. Fisher's exact probability test and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) with Turkey's post hoc test were used to examine significant differences between groups.

RESULTSThe incidence of osteonecrosis in the gastrodin+steroid group (16.7%) was significantly lower than that in the steroid group (83.3%). According to TUNEL assay, the apoptotic indices in the steroid group, the gastrodin+steroid group, and the control group were 91.1%, 27.1%, and 5.4%, respectively, and the differences were significant between groups. Compared with the control group and the gastrodin+steroid group, the mRNA and protein expression levels of Bax and Caspase-3 were significantly higher in the steroid group, but the Bcl-2 mRNA and protein expression levels were significantly lower.

CONCLUSIONGastrodin could prevent steroid-induced ONFH by anti-apoptosis.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Benzyl Alcohols ; therapeutic use ; Femur Head Necrosis ; drug therapy ; prevention & control ; Glucosides ; therapeutic use ; Lipopolysaccharides ; pharmacology ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Steroids ; pharmacology

ObjectiveTo observe the effect on stress response to indwelling gastric tube assisted by bronchofiberoscope and traditional way in patients with severe craniocerebral injury in intensive care unit(ICU). Methods 126 patients admitted in Department of Surgery ICU in Lanzhou University Second Hospital were randomly divided into bronchofiberoscope assisted indwelling gastric tube group(experimental group) and the traditional way of indwelling gastric tube group(control group), 63 cases in each group. In the experimental group, the rod of mirror, Olypus BF-P60, was coated with lidocaine gel, through the nasal cavity it was sent into interior, when arrived at epiglottis, the operator adjusted the mirror head and let it go into the esophagus(about 10 cm), then put a steel wire as a guide into a hole for biopsy, and simultaneously, as the operator pulled out the rod, the wire was continuously pushed slowly further inside; after the bronchofiberoscope was completely withdrawn, valelinum liquidum was used to ensure sufficient lubrication to the external and internal walls of the indwelling gastric tube ready to be sent into the stomach, afterwards the tube was slowly pushed along the guide wire to an appropriate location and then the wire was pulled out, the operator injected air, when he or she heard the gurgling sound as the gas passing water, fixed the tube. In the control group, the traditional way of indwelling gastric tube was applied. Before and after indwelling gastric tube for 1, 3, 5 minutes, the changes of systolic pressure(SBP),diastolic pressure(DBP),heart rate(HR), end-expiratory carbon dioxide partial pressure(PETCO2) and plasma concentrations of norepinephrine(NE), adrenaline, angiotensinⅡ(AngⅡ), glucose(GLU) were examined.Results The plasma levels of SBP, DBP, HR, PETCO2, adrenaline, NE, AngⅡ and blood GLU had no statistical significant differences before operation in comparisons between both groups(allP>0.05). Compared to those before indwelling the tube, the levels of SBP, DBP, HR, PETCO2, NE, adrenaline, AngⅡ and GLU at various time points after the indwelling in experimental group were of no statisticalsignificant differences(allP>0.05), while the levels of SBP, DBP,HR, adrenaline, NE, AngⅡand GLU in control group at various time points after indwelling were higher obviously than those before operation, and the level of PETCO2 was decreased significantly compared with that before operation. The differences in the above indexes were significant between the treatment and control groups at 1 minute after indwelling〔SBP(mmHg, 1 mmHg=0.133 kPa): 125.1±15.4 vs. 135.5±13.6, DBP(mmHg): 85.6±16.1 vs. 91.1±17.2, HR(bpm): 99.4±13.8 vs. 107.9±16.5, PETCO2(mmHg): 32.5±2.8 vs. 29.8±4.1, NE(ng/L): 365.4±29.7 vs. 475.7±49.9, adrenaline(ng/L): 75.4±7.2 vs. 83.6±7.4, AngⅡ(ng/L): 65.3±6.9 vs. 73.3±9.1, GLU(mmol/L): 10.1±1.9 vs. 13.4±3.0, allP<0.05〕; the differences in the above indexes remained significant between the treatment and control groups till 5 minutes after indwelling〔SBP(mmHg): 123.7±14.8 vs. 129.7±15.1, DBP(mmHg): 84.3±14.6 vs. 88.4±14.2, HR(bpm): 97.7±13.6 vs. 31.6±3.9, PETCO2(mmHg): 33.5±3.1 vs. 31.6±3.9, NE(ng/L): 363.9±31.3 vs. 457.7±48.4, adrenaline(ng/L): 74.6±7.8 vs. 83.5±8.5, AngⅡ(ng/L): 64.3±8.4 vs. 71.9±5.9, GLU(mmol/L): 9.6±2.3 vs. 12.7±3.1, allP<0.05〕.ConclusionCompared with traditional way, the indwelling of gastric tube assisted by branchofiberoscopy can induce milder stress response.