Recent Progress in the Construction of Functional Artificial Bone by Cytokine-Controlled Strategies / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>Objective</b>Combining artificial scaffolds with stimulatory factors to reconstruct lost bone tissues is one of the hottest research directions. The purpose of this review was to conduct a retrospective survey on the latest reports on artificial bone fabrication with functional cytokines.</p><p><b>Data Sources</b>The status of related scientific research from the year 2005 to 2018 was analyzed through the mode of literature retrieval in PubMed and VIP Database. The retrieval words are as follows: "bone tissue engineering," "angiogenesis," "cytokines," "osteogenesis," "biomimetic bone marrow," "sol-gel," "delivery system," and the corresponding Chinese words.</p><p><b>Study Selection</b>After reading through the title and abstract for early screening, the full text of relevant studies was evaluated and those not related with this review had been ruled out.</p><p><b>Results</b>According to the literature retrospective survey, there were three key points for the successful construction of functional artificial bones: (1) the continuous supply of relatively low concentration of cytokines during the required period; (2) the delivery of two or more cytokines essential to the process and ensure the relatively spatial independence to reduce the unnecessary interference; and (3) supporting the early-stage angiogenesis and late-stage osteogenesis, respectively, regulating and balancing the crosslinking of both to avoid the surface ossification that would probably block the osteogenesis inside.</p><p><b>Conclusions</b>The synergistic effect of both angiogenic factors and osteogenic factors applied in bone regeneration is a key point in the combined functional artificial bone. Through analysis, comparison, and summary of the current strategies, we proposed that the most promising one is to mimic the natural bone marrow function to facilitate the regeneration process and ensure the efficient repair of large weight-bearing bone defect.</p>

An experimental study of artificial murine bladder reflex arc established by abdominal reflex / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>The neurogenic bladder dysfunction caused by spinal cord injury is difficult to treat clinically. The aim of this research was to establish an artificial bladder reflex arc in rats through abdominal reflex pathway above the level of spinal cord injury, reinnervate the neurogenic bladder and restore bladder micturition.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The outcome was achieved by intradural microanastomosis of the right T13 ventral root to S2 ventral root with autogenous nerve grafting, leaving the right T13 dorsal root intact. Long-term function of the reflex arc was assessed from nerve electrophysiological data and intravesical pressure tests during 8 months postoperation. Horseradish peroxidase (HRP) tracing was performed to observe the effectiveness of the artificial reflex.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Single stimulus (3 mA, 0.3 ms pulses, 20 Hz, 5-second duration) on the right T13 dorsal root resulted in evoked action potentials, raised intravesical pressures and bladder smooth muscle, compound action potential recorded from the right vesical plexus before and after the spinal cord transaction injury between L5 and S4 segmental in 12 Sprague-Dawley rats. There were HRP labelled cells in T13 ventral horn on the experimental side and in the intermediolateral nucleus on both sides of the L6-S4 segments after HRP injection. There was no HRP labelled cell in T13 ventral horn on the control side.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Using the surviving somatic reflex above the level of spinal cord injury to reconstruct the bladder autonomous reflex arc by intradural microanastomosis of ventral root with a segment of autologous nerve grafting is practical in rats and may have clinical applications for humans.</p>

Association of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase A1298C polymorphisms with non-syndromic cleft lip with or without cleft palate / 中华口腔医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the association between a polymorphism of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase with Non-syndromic cleft lip with or without cleft palate (NSCL/P) in Chinese population.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) technique was used to detect a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP), rs1801131, at the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene in both 158 patients with NSCL/P and 192 healthy individuals. The Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium for genotypic distributions was estimated by the goodness-of-fit test. The UNPHASED program was applied to perform the association analysis.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The genotypic distribution of A1298C was not deviated from the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium in both controls and patients. No association was found between cleft lip with or without palate (CL/P) and controls. There was significant difference of cleft palate only (CPO) and the healthy individuals (χ(2) = 4.256, P = 0.039). The frequency of AC + CC genotype was higher in control group than that in CPO group (OR = 0.8, 95%CI = 0.381 - 1.683), 26 among 100 healthy individuals carried AC + CC genetypes, which were carried by 22% of CPO patients.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The polymorphism of MTHFR A1298C may be involved in the occurrence of non-syndromic cleft palate only in Chinese population.</p>

Repair of brachial plexus lower trunk injury by transferring brachialis muscle branch of musculocutaneous nerve: anatomic feasibility and clinical trials / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>There are few effective methods for treating injuries to the lower trunk of brachial plexus, and the curative effect is usually poor. The purpose of this study was to provide anatomic references for transferring the brachialis muscle branch of musculocutaneous nerve (BMBMCN) for selective neurotization of finger flexion in brachial plexus lower trunk injury, and to evaluate its clinical curative effects.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Microanatomy and measurement were done on 50 limbs from 25 adult human cadavers to observe the origin, branch, type of the BMBMCN and median nerve, as well as their adjacent structures. Internal topographic features of the fascicular groups of the median nerve at the level of the BMBMCN were observed. In addition, the technique of BMBMCN transfer for selective neurotization of finger flexion of the median nerve was designed and tested in 6 fresh adult human cadavers. Acetylcholinesterase (AchE) staining of the BMBMCN and median nerve was done to observe the features of the nerve fibers. This technique was clinically tried to restore digital flexion in 6 cases of adult brachial plexus lower trunk injury. These cases were followed up for 3, 6, 9 and 12 months postoperatively. Recovery of function, grip strength, nerve electrophysiology and muscle power of the affected limbs were observed and measured.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The brachialis muscle was totally innervated by the musculocutaneous nerve (MCN). Based on the Hunter's line, the level of the origin of the BMBMCN was (13.18 +/- 2.77) cm. AchE histochemical staining indicated that the BMBMCN were totally made up of medullated nerve fibers. At the level of the BMBMCN, the median nerve consistently collected into three fascicular groups as shown by microanatomy in combination with AchE stain. The posterior fascicular group was mainly composed of anterior interosseous nerves and branches to the palmaris longus. The technique was tested in six fresh cadavers successfully, except that stoma split occurred in one case. Five of the six cases recovered digital flexion 12 months after operation, and at the same time grip strength, muscle power, and nerve electrophysiology also recovered markedly.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The technique of transferring the BMBMCN for selective neurotization of finger flexion is anatomically safe and effective, with satisfactory clinical outcomes.</p>

Early open reduction of acute incarceratied metacarpophalangeal dislocation / 中国骨伤

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the mechanism and the treatment of acute incarcerated metacarpophalangeal dislocation.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Seven patients (6 male and 1 female) with acute incarcerated metacarpophalangeal dislocation admitted from 1997 to 2006 were studied retrospectively. The age ranged from 8 to 33 years(mean 17 years). All the types were the dorsal dislocation. The dislocation were occurred on index finger in 3 cases, thumb in 2 cases, middle finger in 1 case and small finger in 1 case.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>All the patients were followed up from 3 to 42 months with an average time of 21 months. Operative finding revealed the rupture of volar capsule and entrapment of metacarpal head. The joint function and postoperative X-ray showed anatomical reduction were good in all the patients.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Repeated manipulative reduction should not be advocated if the close reduction was not successful. In order to avoid influencing the joint function,early open reduction of acute complex metacarpophalangeal dislocation is necessary.</p>

Clinical observations of the effects on the lower limb function after lumbar or sacral nerve root transferring to reconstruct urination function / 中华外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the effects on the lower limbs function after lumbar or sacral nerve root transferring to reconstruct urination function.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Nine patients with bladder dysfunction and normal lower limb function after spinal cord injury were treated with anastomosis the S2 or S3 nerve root with the normal lumbar or sacral nerve root to reconstruct a new bladder artificial reflex arc. Then the alterations on the sensation and motor function of the lower limb after the surgery were observed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Myodynamia of the legs decreased slightly, and the decreasing about half grade of the myodynamia in the plantar flexion of the ankles were detected in 4 of 9 patients with S1 transferring. And the myodynamia recovered 3 months postoperatively. No obvious decreasing of the myodynamia appeared in the other cases.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>No obvious effects on the motor function can be found after the single lumbar or sacral nerve root transferring to reconstruct urination function.</p>

Restoration of shoulder abduction by transfer of the spinal accessory nerve to suprascapular nerve through dorsal approach: a clinical study / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>In recent years, transfer of the spinal accessory nerve to suprascapular nerve has become a routine procedure for restoration of shoulder abduction. However, the operation via the traditional supraclavicular anterior approach often leads to partial denervation of the trapezius muscle. The purpose of the study was to introduce transfer of the spinal accessory nerve through dorsal approach, using distal branch of the spinal accessory nerve, to repair the suprascapular nerve for restoration of shoulder abduction, and to observe its therapeutic effect.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>From January to October 2003, a total of 11 patients with a brachial plexus injury and an intact or nearly intact spinal accessory nerve were treated by transferring the spinal accessory nerve to the suprascapular nerve through dorsal approach. The patients were followed up for 18 to 26 months [mean (23.5 +/- 5.2) months] to evaluate their shoulder abduction and function of the trapezius muscle. The outcomes were compared with those of 26 patients treated with traditional anterior approach. And the data were analyzed by Student's t test using SPSS 10.5.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>In the 11 patients, the spinal accessory nerves were transferred to the suprascapular nerve through the dorsal approach successfully. Intact function of the upper trapezius was achieved in all of them. In the patients, the location of the two nerves was relatively stable at the level of superior margin of the scapula, the mean distance between them was (4.2 +/- 1.4) cm, both the nerves could be easily dissected and end-to-end anastomosed without any tension. During the follow-up, the first electrophysiological sign of recovery of the infraspinatus appeared at (6.8 +/- 2.7) months and the first sign of restoration of the shoulder abduction at (7.6 +/- 2.9) months after the operation, which were earlier than that after the traditional operation [(8.7 +/- 2.4) months and (9.9 +/- 2.8) months, respectively; P < 0.05]. The postoperative shoulder abduction was 62.8 degrees +/- 12.6 degrees after transfer of the spinal accessory nerve, better than that after the traditional (51.6 degrees +/- 15.7 degrees). All the 11 patients could extend and externally rotate the shoulder almost normally.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The accessory nerve transfer through dorsal approach is a safe and reliable procedure for the treatment of brachial plexus injury. Its postoperative effect is confirmed, which is better than that of the traditional operation.</p>

Use of a self-designed bladder controller for restoring bladder function in paraplegic dogs / 中华创伤杂志(英文版)

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the results of a self-designed bladder controller for restoring micturition function in paraplegic dogs.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The spinal cords of 4 dogs were transected above the cone. Electrodes were implanted in S2 bilaterally and connected to the subcutaneous receivers for external activation. Microsurgical technique was employed to perform dorsal rhizotomy of S1-3 intradurally. The dogs were stimulated daily to observe micturition. Urodynamic testing and vesicography were performed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>All the dogs acquired micturition under the control of electric stimulation, with urine volume 80-140 ml per time. The mode of micturition was post-stimulus voiding. Vesicography revealed that the bladder was filled well and the bladder neck was open in the micturition course of electric stimulation. Residual urine volume was 15-20 ml. Urodynamic testing found that the bladder pressure and intraurethral pressure increased simultaneously, but when the intraurethral pressure was greater than the bladder pressure, no micturition occurred. The pressure decreased to baseline rapidly and the bladder pressure decreased slowly between two bursts. Micturition occurred when the bladder pressure was greater than the intraurethral pressure.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The self-designed bladder controller together with a sacral deafferentation procedure can restore micturition function of paraplegic dogs.</p>