Treatment of Syringomyelia Characterized by Focal Dilatation of the Central Canal Using Mesenchymal Stem Cells and Neural Stem Cells

BACKGROUND@#Syringomyelia is a progressive chronic disease that leads to nerve pain, sensory dissociation, and dyskinesia. Symptoms often do not improve after surgery. Stem cells have been widely explored for the treatment of nervous system diseases due to their immunoregulatory and neural replacement abilities. @*METHODS@#In this study, we used a rat model of syringomyelia characterized by focal dilatation of the central canal to explore an effective transplantation scheme and evaluate the effect of mesenchymal stem cells and induced neural stem cells for the treatment of syringomyelia. @*RESULTS@#The results showed that cell transplantation could not only promote syrinx shrinkage but also stimulate the proliferation of ependymal cells, and the effect of this result was related to the transplantation location. These reactions appeared only when the cells were transplanted into the cavity. Additionally, we discovered that cell transplantation transformed activated microglia into the M2 phenotype. IGF1-expressing M2 microglia may play a significant role in the repair of nerve pain. @*CONCLUSION@#Cell transplantation can promote cavity shrinkage and regulate the local inflammatory environment.Moreover, the proliferation of ependymal cells may indicate the activation of endogenous stem cells, which is important for the regeneration and repair of spinal cord injury.

Selenium alleviates heart remodeling through Sirt1/AKT/GSK-3ß pathway.

Selenium, reported as an important medium for maintaining the body's homeostasis, acts to have multiple bioeffects including anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant and anti-apoptosis effects. However, its role in heart failure still remains unclear. In this study, we explored the effects of selenium on heart failure and its possible mechanism. The heart failure models were induced by aortic banding and isoproterenol. H&E, TUNEL and PSR staining were performed to detect the degree of cardiomyocyte hypertrophy, apoptosis rates and heart fibrosis, respectively. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was used to detect different mRNA levels, and western blot was applied to assess the expressions of relative proteins. Immunofluorescence staining was used to evaluate α-SMA density. We first found that treatment of selenium alleviated heart fibrosis and the development of heart failure but not cardiomyocyte cross sectional areas. Besides, selenium improved heart levels of superoxide dismutase2 (SOD2), glutathione peroxidase (Gpx) and glutathione (GSH) and the activity of SOD, accompanied by decreased apoptosis rate. In addition, our in vitro study has shown that selenium reduced mRNA levels of collagen Ⅰ and collagen III, expressions of a-SMA, p-AKT/AKT and p-GSK-3ß/ GSK-3ß, apoptosis rates and reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels in H9C2 cardio-myoblasts treated with TGF-ß1. Moreover, the level of Sirt1 was found to be up-regulated by selenium which effects were weakened after the administration of small interfering RNA (siRNA)-Sirt1 or EX527 (inhibitor of Sirt1). Our current results have demonstrated that the protective effects of selenium on heart hypertrophy is through the regulation of Sirt1 and AKT/GSK-3ß pathway.

Polyester braided wire and belt lock cable are employed for treatment of serious comminuted patellar fractures / 中国组织工程研究

BACKGROUND:Serious patel ar comminuted fractures can be treated by a number of methods such as cerclage with tension band steel wire or steel wire, or fixation with the nickel titanium patel a concentrator and absorption lines, or cerclage with 10# double-loop wire plus fixation with split-type patel a claws or with the memory al oy patel a concentrator. But it is difficult to achieve strongly fixed effect on patel a fractures by these methods. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the clinical effects of suture with polyester braided wire and cerclage with belt lock cable on serious comminuted patel ar fractures. METHODS:A retrospective analysis was performed on the clinical data of 57 patients with serious comminuted patel ar fractures who received suture with polyester braided wire and cerclage with belt lock cable from January 2007 to October 2012. According to AO classification of fractures, there were nine cases of type B3, 22 cases of type C2 and 26 cases of type C3. After satisfactory reduction of comminuted patel ar fractures during the operation, firstly we sewed up both sides of the expansion region of quadriceps muscle and stitched on periosteum and prepatel ar tissue with thick polyester braided wire fol owed by patel ar cerclage with belt lock cable. According to the stability of fracture blocks, tension band fixation with polyester braided wire was partial y added. After the operation, the clinical effects were assessed based on the Bostman score system. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Total y 46 out of 57 cases were fol owed up with an average of 8 months (4-18 months). Al patients obtained bone union within 3-5 months. Wounds healed in the first stage without any infections, and fractures in al patients healed without complications such as implant loosening and skin irritation. According to the Bostman score system, 33 cases were scored excellent, 10 good and three fair. The excellent and good rate was 93.5%. It suggests that treatment of serious patel ar comminuted fracture by the combination of polyester braided wire and belt lock cable leads to closely contact fracture sites and reliably fix bone fragments. It can facilitate early postoperative range of motion exercises.

Synthes cable system for periprosthetic femoral fractures after total hip replacement / 中国组织工程研究

BACKGROUND:Recently, periprosthetic femoral fractures have been a common complication after total hip replacement. Vancouver type B1 periprosthetic femoral fractures commonly received internal fixation due to stable femoral prosthesis and less bone defects. OBJECTIVE:To evaluate the effect of the application of Synthes cable system in the treatment of Vancouver type B1 periprosthetic femoral fractures after total hip replacement. METHODS:From May 2009 to October 2012, 18 patients with Vancouver type B1 periprosthetic femoral fractures were treated with Synthes cable system in the Department of Orthopedics, Nantong First People’s Hospital. There were 8 males and 10 females with an average age of (62.67±8.67) years ranging 45 to 80 years. They received a further consultation at 1, 3 and 6 months after treatment. The function of hip joint was evaluated by Harrris evaluation standard:ful marks, 100 points, ≥ 90 points, excellent;80-89 points, better;70-79 points, good; RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Al 18 patients were fol owed up for 6 to 43 months. Mean healing period was (19.06±4.04) weeks. Harris score was (22.3±3.6) points before treatment in 18 cases. Harris score was higher significantly at 1, 3 and 6 months after treatment compared with that before treatment (P<0.01), and the recovery of hip function was good. Results indicated that Synthes cable system could help to restore the normal anatomic structure of femur in the greatest extent, showing simple operation, little injury, high stability and high safety. It is an ideal method for treating Vancouver type B1 periprosthetic femoral fractures.

Tumor necrosis factor-α up-regulates the expression of β1,4-Galactosyltransferase-Ⅰ in fibroblast-like synoviocytes of osteoarthritis / 中华风湿病学杂志

Objective To analyze whether β1,4-galactosyltransferase-Ⅰ(β1,4-GaiT-Ⅰ)expression correlates with the expression of tumor necrosis factor(TNF)-α in osteoarthritis(OA).Methods Synovial tissue samples from eight OA patients and eight healthy people were obtained as the experimental group and controls respectively.The mRNA levels of β1,4-GalT-Ⅰ and TNF-α were measured by reverse transcriptionpolymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR)and real-time PCR.Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA)was used to test the expression of TNF-α in the protein level.Cellular colocalization of β1,4-GalT-Ⅰ and TNF-α was analyzed by double immunofluorescence.ANOVA and t-test was used for statistical analysis.Results ①Compared with the control group[β1,4-GalT-Ⅰ(0.48±0.09),TNF-α(0.46±0.07)],the expression of β1,4-GalT-Ⅰ(0.94±0.16)and TNF-α(1.19±0.19)were significantly increased in OA synovial tissue(t=3.47,t=4.06,P＜0.01)and there was colocalization between β1,4-GalT-Ⅰ and TNF-α;② Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)could induce fibroblast-like synoviocytes(FLSs)β1,4-GalT-Ⅰ[11.2±0.9 vs 2.9±0.5(dose effect),22.3±2.3 vs 4.4±0.9(time effect),F=83.03,F=157.58,P＜0.05]overexpression;③ LPS could induce FLSs TNF-α[(1256±96)vs(101±7)pg/ml,F=431.96,P＜0.01]overexpression;④ Not only endogenous TNF-α,but exogenous TNF-α could induce FLSs β1,4-GalT-Ⅰ[23.2±1.9 vs 8.4±1.3(dose effect),23.9±1.8 vs 11.5±1.3(time effect),F=124,F=93.6,P＜0.05]overexpression.Conclusion It is possible that FLSs mayuse TNF-αto control β1,4-GalT-Ⅰ functions during inflammation in OA.