The use of a transolecranon pin joystick technique in the treatment of multidirectionally unstable supracondylar humeral fractures in children.

Multidirectionally unstable supracondylar humeral fractures cause severe instability in both flexion and extension movements. The traditional closed reduction often fails to overcome this lack of stability. The aim of this study is to use a closed reduction technique with a transolecranon pin to achieve temporary stability. From 35 pediatric multidirectionally unstable supracondylar humeral fractures hospitalized between March 2012 and March 2018 at our hospital, 23 fractures (65.7%) were treated with closed reduction and percutaneous pinning (CRPP) (group 1) and the remaining twelve fractures (34.3%) were treated utilizing a transolecranon pin joystick technique of CRPP (group 2). Both groups were followed over 16 weeks. The outcomes of our analysis included surgical time, times of fluoroscopy, Baumann angle, postoperative range of motion and complications. The surgical time and times of fluoroscopy were significantly shorter for patients in group 2 when compared with group 1 (P < 0.05). All cases showed restoration of the normal anterior humeral line-capitellar relationship. However, the quality of reduction on the anteroposterior radiographic view was significantly better for patients in group 2 than that of group 1 (P < 0.05). No immediate postoperative complications were observed. The range of motion was similar in both groups during the last follow-up appointment. A transolecranon pin is a safe and effective method for closed reduction of multidirectionally unstable supracondylar humeral fractures in children. The joystick technique can shorten surgical time and improve quality of reduction with no increasing risk of complications. Level of evidence: level III.

IL1R1 gene polymorphisms are associated with knee osteoarthritis risk in the Chinese Han population.

IL1R1, encoding interleukin 1 receptor type 1, is located in the IL-1 gene cluster and is involved in the pathogenesis of hand, hip, and knee osteoarthritis (OA) in different ethnicities. However, the link between IL1R1 polymorphisms and OA risk in the Chinese Han population is unknown. We studied the association between five IL1R1 polymorphisms (rs10490571, rs12712127, rs956730, rs3917225, and rs3917318) and OA risk by analyzing the genotypes of 298 knee OA patients and 297 controls using Sequenom MassARRAY technology. Logistic regression analysis after adjusting for gender and age revealed significant differences in the allele frequencies of IL1R1 rs956730 and IL1R1 rs3917225 between patients and controls. In addition, IL1R1 rs3917225 was associated with increased risk of knee OA with or without adjustment by age and gender in the dominant model (adjusted OR= 1.47, 95%CI: 1.04-2.07, P = 0.030), the recessive model (adjusted OR= 1.75, 95%CI: 1.08-2.85, P= 0.023), and the additive model (adjusted OR= 1.40, 95%CI: 1.09-1.79, P = 0.007). This study is the first to report that IL1R1 polymorphisms are associated with knee OA susceptibility in the Northwestern Chinese Han population.

Altered Chondrocyte Apoptosis Status in Developmental Hip Dysplasia in Rabbits.

BACKGROUND: Developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) is an important factor leading to early adult osteoarthritis. Chondrocyte apoptosis has been proven to be an important factor causing osteoarthritis. AIMS: The current study aims to explore whether a rabbit model of developmental dysplasia of the hip through cast immobilization in the legs results in chondrocyte apoptosis. STUDY DESIGN: Animal experimentation. METHODS: Thirty-two New Zealand white rabbits were divided in three groups with cast plaster-induced dislocation at 2, 4 and 6 weeks. The contralateral hip joint was utilized as a control group. Ten rabbits in each group were sacrificed, and hip specimens were obtained. Bcl-2/Bax, cleaved caspase-3 and cleaved caspase-8 expression were examined by western blot analysis. Chondrocyte apoptosis was analyzed through transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and TUNEL analysis. All experiments were repeated at least three times. RESULTS: In the experimental group, Bcl-2/Bax, cleaved caspase-3 and cleaved caspase-8 expression were significantly altered. The Bcl-2/Bax ratio decreased with time (all p<0.01), whereas levels of cleaved caspase-3 (p<0.01 and p<0.05) and cleaved caspase-8 (all p<0.05) gradually increased. Chondrocyte apoptosis was observed through transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and TUNEL analysis (p<0.05 at 4 weeks and p<0.01 at 6 weeks). CONCLUSION: Prolonged immobilization of rabbit hip caused chondrocyte apoptosis. Reduction of the hip joint may protect chondrocytes from apoptosis, thus preventing secondary osteoarthritis.

Decreased local and systematic matrix Gla protein (MGP) expression and its link to radiographic progression in ankylosing spondylitis patients.

BACKGROUND: Decreased serum levels of uncarboxylated matrix Gla-protein (ucMGP) have been detected in Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS) patients. The current study was to investigate the expression of MGP in AS tissues as well as the relationship between serum ucMGP (an inactive form of MGP) levels and radiographic severity in AS patients. METHODS: Local MGP expression were assessed by Western blot and RT-PCR in hip synovial tissues from patients with AS and control subjects. In addition, the serum level of ucMGP was assessed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in 68 healthy subjects and 62 patients with AS. The radiographic progression of AS was classified according to the radiographic events of modified New York Criteria for sacroiliac joint evaluation and modified Stoke Ankylosing Spondylitis Spine Score (mSASSS) system for spine assessment. RESULTS: MGP expression was downregulated in AS patients compared to controls in hip tissues. Decreased levels of ucMGP in serum were found in AS patients compared with healthy controls. ucMGP levels in serum of AS patients were significantly negatively correlated with the disease radiographic severity evaluated by modified New York grading criteria (r = -0.293, p = 0.045) and mSASSS system (r = -0.361, p = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: MGP expression is impaired in patients with AS. A low serum level of ucMGP in the setting of AS is linked to increased structural damage, emphasizing the role of MGP in the suppression of new bone formation.

[Simultaneous determination of captan and folpet pesticide residues in apples by solid-phase extraction and high performance liquid chromatography].

A method for the simultaneous determination of captan and folpet pesticide residues in apples was developed by solid-phase extraction and high performance liquid chromatography. The sample was extracted with acetonitrile and cleaned-up by a mixture of homemade sorbent and silica gel with hexane-dichloromethane-acetonitrile (50:49: 1, v/v) as the eluent. The cleaned effects by using Florisil column, amino column, the mixed sorbent were compared, and the effect of the mixed sorbent was the best. The optimal analytical conditions were follow as: an methanol-acetonitrile-water (50: 5:45, v/v) containing 0. 1 mmol/L acetic-acetate buffer (pH 3. 80) as the mobile phase, detection at 210 nm. The method had a good linear relationship in the range of 0. 40 - 8. 00 mg/kg for captan and folpet (r > 0. 999 9). The detection limits of captan and folpet were 0. 27 mg/kg and 0. 20 mg/kg, respectively. The relative standard deviations (RSDs) of retention time were no more than 0. 60%. The average recoveries of captan and folpet from the apples spiked at three levels ranged from 69. 3% - 106% and 101% - 108%, with RSD of 3. 7% - 4. 7% and 1. 3% - 5. 4%, respectively.