Identification of Tyrosinase Inhibitory Peptides from Sea Cucumber (Apostichopus japonicus) Collagen by in silico Methods and Study of their Molecular Mechanism.

AIMS: Identify novel tyrosinase inhibitory peptides from sea cucumber (Apostichopus japonicus) collagen using in silico methods and elucidate the molecular interaction mechanism. BACKGROUND: Tyrosinase is a key enzyme in the melanin biosynthesis pathway, to restrain melanin production and reduce the appearance of associated skin diseases, inhibition of tyrosinase activity is one of the most effective methods. OBJECTIVE: The collagen from Apostichopus japonicus, which consists of 3,700 amino acid residues, was obtained from the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) as the accession number of PIK45888. METHOD: Virtual hydrolyzed method was used, and the peptides generated were compared to the previously established BIOPEP-UWM database. In addition, peptides were examined for their solubility, toxicity, and tyrosinase-binding capacity. RESULT: A tripeptide CME with optimal potential inhibitory activity against tyrosinase was identified, and its inhibitory activity was validated by in vitro experiments. The IC50 value of CME was 0.348 ± 0.02 mM for monophenolase, which was inferior to the positive control peptide glutathione, while it had an IC50 value of 1.436 ± 0.07 mM for diphenolase, which was significantly better than glutathione, and the inhibition effect of CME on tyrosinase was competitive and reversible. CONCLUSION: In silico methods were efficient and useful in the identification of new peptides.

The Clinical Efficacy of Two Endoscopic Surgical Approaches for Intractable Plantar Fasciitis.

In this randomized retrospective study, 2 different endoscopic approaches were used to treat intractable plantar fasciitis with the aim to reduce complications and improve therapeutic effects. The lateral double incisions group included 23 feet in 22 patients, and the medial and lateral incisions group included 21 feet in 19 patients. Both groups were treated with endoscopy through the suprafascial approach. Patients were evaluated using the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society ankle-hindfoot scale (AOFAS-AHS) and visual analog scale (VAS) preoperatively and 3, 6, 12, and 24 months postoperatively. At the final follow-up, the Roles-Maudsley (R-M) score was used to determine patient satisfaction. The AOFAS-AHS scores of the lateral double incisions group were 54.54 ± 7.02 preoperatively and 97.71 ± 3.67 postoperatively. Similarly, AOFAS-AHS scores in the medial and lateral incisions group were 55.52 ± 6.41 preoperatively and 96.64 ± 3.18 postoperatively. There was no significant difference in AOFAS-AHS scores between groups before and after surgery. The time to full weightbearing after surgery and the time to return to full athletic activities in the 2 groups showed no significant difference. The postoperative VAS scores were significantly lower than the preoperative values for both groups. However, no differences were noted in VAS scores or R-M scores postoperatively between the 2 groups. In the medial and lateral incisions group, 3 cases of injury of the first branch of the lateral plantar nerve occurred postoperatively. In conclusion, both endoscopic approaches are effective in the treatment of intractable plantar fasciitis. The lateral double incisions approach showed a lower incidence of nerve injury.

[Early diagnosis and treatment for trauma around the knee with popliteal vascular injury].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the early diagnosis and treatment for trauma around the knee with popliteal vascular injury. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was employed to analyze the clinical data from 15 patients (9 males and 6 females were with a mean age of 39.2 years old,ranging from 26 to 62 years old) with fracture or dislocation around the knee with popliteal vascular injury from January 2007 to January 2013. Combined with clinical symptoms and signs, oxygen saturation monitors, color ultrasound, DSA angiography and interventional surgery were used to determine the vascular injury. The knee fracture and dislocation were fixed with hybrid external fixation and plate-screw fixation, respectively. Then, the blood circulation was reconstructed by thrombectomy, repair and autologous vein graft for individual injured vascular. The average total operation time, average hospitalization days, predictive salvage index (PSI), average blood transfusion amount, average medical expenses and infection cases were recorded to determine the effect of early diagnosis and treatment. RESULTS: There was one patient with death, 8 patients with amputation, and 6 patients with successful repair surgery for popliteal artery, anterior tibial and posterior tibial arteries. These six patients with surviving limbs were followed up for an average of 28.3 months (ranged, 12 to 60 months). Among the 6 successful patients, the joint function of 4 patients was good and excellent. CONCLUSION: The trauma around the knee with popliteal vascular injury is characterized by complex and serious injury, easy misdiagnosis and loss diagnosis, poor prognosis and high risk of amputation. The early diagnosis of trauma around the knee with popliteal vascular injury should depend on the mechanism of trauma, local anatomical characteristics of injury site, clinical presentations and appropriate auxiliary examinations. The appropriate indications for limb salvage and amputation should be used to achieve more effective clinical results.

[Case-control study on operative treatment for complex tibial plateau fracture].

OBJECTIVE: To explore optimal choice of surgical treatment and operative approach for closed complex tibial plateau fractures and its influencing factors. METHODS: From January 2003 to January 2011, 95 patients with closed complex tibial plateau fractures were estimated Schatzker V and Vl, and treated with three different surgical methods. The methods included single plate through anterolateral incision (Group A, 22 cases), double plates through inside and outside incisions (Group B, 36 cases), and double plates through antero-midline incisions (Group C, 37 cases). There were 56 males and 39 females, ranged the age from 19 to 57 years (averaged, 36.3 years), 50 cases in left, 45 cases in right. According to Schatzker classification, 51 cases were type V, 44 cases were VI. The data of operation time, intraoperative blood loss, complications (infectious of wound, necrosis, bad incision, collapse fracture, loosen of internal fixation, fracture failure)and recovery of function of lower limb joint were collected. RESULTS: There were no significant difference among three groups in operation time (P > 0.05); blood loss in group A was obvious better than other groups (P < 0.05); collapse of joint surface and failure rate of internal fixation in group A was higher than other groups (P > 0.05); Merchant score after 1 year were higher in group B, C than group A. For lower limb function, 10 cases got excellent results, 5 good, 4 fair and 3 poor in group A; 21 cases got excellent results, 11 good, 3 fair and 1 poor in group B; 23 cases got excellent results, 11 good,2 fair and 1 poor in group C. CONCLUSION: The blood loss in group A was least, but fracture exposure and joint surface was not satisfactory, and stable fixation could not be achieved, the long-term result was not good. For fractures with double condyles and dislocated involved, double plates through inside and outside incisions or double plates through antero-midline incisions was suggested,which benefit good reduction of joint surface, stable fixation, and erlier exercise.

[Case-control study on MDCT and MRI for the diagnosis of complex fractures of tibial plateau].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical value of MDCT and MRI in the diagnosis and treatment of complex fractures of tibial plateau. METHODS: From March 2004 to January 2009,71 patients with complex fractures of tibial plateau estimated Schatzker III, V and VI were included in the study. Their X-ray films, MDCT, MRI were analyzed and compared. Twenty-four patients (14 males and 10 females with a mean age of 33.6 years) were treated with double incision and single plate. Average follow-up period was 31.4 months. Twenty-one patients (12 males and 9 females with a mean age of 33.2 years) were treated with double incision and bilateral plates. Average follow-up period was 28.4 months. Twenty-six patients (17 males and 9 females with a mean age of 35.3 years) were treated with bilateral plates via genicular anterior midline incision. Average follow-up period was 28.4 months. The index such as diagnosis correction for fracture location, fracture comminuted degree,fracture displacement degree,bone defect degree,and positive ration for number of collapsed joint surface,injuries of cruciate ligament, collateral ligament and menisci of knee joint. RESULTS: The satisfaction score of X-ray flims, MDCT and MRI were (1.04 +/- 0.20), (1.82 +/- 0.38) and (1.12 +/- 0.33) separately for fracture positions; (0.81 +/- 0.51), (1.92 +/- 0.26) and (0.83 +/- 0.60) separately for fractures comminuted degree; (1.23 +/- 0.48), (1.92 +/- 0.26) and (0.46 +/- 0.58) separately for fracture displacement degree; (0.36 +/- 0.51), (1.55 +/- 0.79) and (0.26 +/- 0.53) separately for bone defect; the number of patients having collapse of tibial articular surface were 6,61 and 12 separately; the number of patients having cruciate ligaments were 3,10 and 17 separately; the number of patients having menisci injuries were 0,0 and 6 separately;the number of patients having collateral ligament injuries were 1, 1 and 8 separately. MDCT was the most sensitive method in the diagnosis of tibial articular surface collapse,avulsion tibial fracture at the point of cruciate ligament,fracture comminuted degree and fracture displacement degree (P < 0.01). MRI was the most sensitive method in the diagnosis of injuries of cruciate ligament, collateral ligament, menisci, the cartilage peeling of articular surface (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: MDCT and MRI further detail the Schatzker classification based on X-ray films, which also conduce to make precise diagnosis and reasonable treatments. MDCT and MRI are more sensitive for the diagnosis of insidious damages around knee.