Bone marrow stem cells derived exosomes improve osteoporosis by promoting osteoblast proliferation and inhibiting cell apoptosis.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate whether bone marrow stem cells (MSCs) derived exosomes in rats could promote osteoblast proliferation and improve osteoporosis via inhibiting cell apoptosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: MSCs in rats were isolated and cultured, followed by the identification of surface antigens via flow cytometry. The differentiation of MSCs was detected by alizarin red staining and oil red staining. After extraction from MSCs by ultracentrifugation, the size distribution of exosomes was detected by tunable resistive pulse sensing (TRPS). Specific antigens in MSCs-derived exosomes were determined by flow cytometry. Furthermore, the proliferation and viability of hFOB1.19 cells treated with MSCs-derived exosomes were detected by cell count kit-8 (CCK-8) assay. The effect of MSCs-derived exosomes on cell apoptosis was evaluated by flow cytometry. Protein expression levels of apoptosis-related genes in hFOB1.19 cells were detected by Western blot. RESULTS: MSCs differentiated into osteoblasts and lipoblasts under different treatments. Meanwhile, MSCs-derived exosomes exhibited typical elongated morphology after isolation and culture for 1 and 3 days, respectively. Functionally, MSCs-derived exosomes could promote the viability of hFOB1.19 cells, and significantly increase the expression level of GLUT3. In addition, MSCs-derived exosomes remarkably downregulated apoptosis-related genes and decreased apoptosis in hFOB1.19 cells. CONCLUSIONS: MSCs-derived exosomes could promote osteoblast proliferation via inhibiting cell apoptosis, eventually improving osteoporosis.

Gastroscopy-guided placement of intranasal jejunum nutrient canal and analysis of nutrient absorption efficiency.

This study investigated and analyzed using both a pair of clamping pliers to place intranasal-jejunum nutrient canal under the guidance of gastroscope and using a guide wire to place the canal under the guidance of gastroscope. Ninety critically ill patients were randomly divided into a control (n=45) and an observation (n=45) group. The observation group had the intranasal-jejunum nutrient canal placed under the guidance of gastroscope by using a pair of clamping pliers while patients in the control group had the same canal placed under the guidance of gastroscope but using the guide wire. An intergroup comparison was conducted on the success rate of intranasal-jejunum nutrient canal placement and the incidence of complications. The results showed that the comparison yielded no significant difference in the success rate between observation (95.56%) and control (97.78%) groups (P＞0.05). When compared with control group, the A/G ratio and BMI level in the observation group increased significantly (P＞0.05). The intergroup comparison also yielded no significant difference in the incidence of complications. It was concluded that the method of gastroscopy-guided placement of intranasal jejunum nutrient canal produced better clinical results. The operating steps were simple and it had very low incidence of complications, therefore this method can be widely promoted for clinical practices.

Clinical efficacies of coracoclavicular ligament reconstruction using suture anchor versus hook plate in the treatment of distal clavicle fracture.

INTRODUCTION: Comparison of clinical efficacies between coracoclavicular ligament reconstruction using autologous gracilis tendon with suture anchor and clavicular hook plate for the treatment of acute Neer type II distal clavicle fracture. HYPOTHESIS: Both coracoclavicular reconstruction with autologous gracilis tendon and clavicular hook plate could achieve satisfactory results for treating acute Neer type II distal clavicle fracture. METHODS: Acute Neer type II distal clavicle fracture patients enrolled in this prospective randomized study were divided into the coracoclavicular ligament reconstruction group (using autologous gracilis tendon and suture anchor) and the hook plate group. Clinical outcomes were evaluated by shoulder X-ray, forward flexion, abduction and external rotation angle, Constant-Murley shoulder score and pain Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) at each follow-up for up to 24 months. RESULTS: The current study enrolled a total of 42 acute Neer type II distal clavicle fracture patients attended our hospital from March 2010 to December 2013. All patients had achieved complete healing and followed up for an average of 26 months (range, 24-38 months). At 3-month and 6-month follow-ups, Constant-Murley score in the ligament reconstruction group was significantly higher (93.8±2.6 vs. 88.7±8.7; 95.9±2.7 vs. 93.0±7.0, P<0.05), while VAS score was poorer than those in the hook plate group (1.6±0.8 vs. 2.5±1.9; 1.1±1.0 vs. 1.6±1.7, P<0.05). DISCUSSION: Reconstruction with autologous gracilis tendon improved VAS pain score in early postoperation follow-up; while Constant-Murley score and VAS score were significantly improved in the hook plate group after the implant was removed. These suggested that both coracoclavicular reconstruction with autologous gracilis tendon and clavicular hook plate could achieve satisfactory results. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level II, low-powered prospective randomized trial.

Genital HPV infection among heterosexual and homosexual male attendees of sexually transmitted diseases clinic in Beijing, China.

Human papillomavirus (HPV) has been identified as etiologic agent of various cancers for both men and women. However, HPV vaccine has not been recommended for men in China by far. To provide more evidences to promote HPV vaccination among males at high-risk of infection, this study investigated genital HPV genotypes among male attendees of sexually transmitted disease (STD) clinic. Male attendees (⩾18 years old) were recruited from STD clinic of Beijing Ditan Hospital. Data on sociodemographic characteristics and self-reported sexual behaviors were collected based on questionnaire. Genital swab specimens were collected for HPV genotypes. Finally, a total of 198 eligible participants were included in the study. Nearly half of them were infected with at least one type of HPV. The prevalence of genital infection among participants with only heterosexual behaviors (50·91%, 56/110) was significantly higher than those with only homosexual behaviors (36·36%, 32/88) (P < 0·001). However, the distribution pattern of the most frequently observed HPV subtypes were found to be similar between these two subgroups. HPV31, HPV18, HPV16 and HPV58 were the most frequently identified high-risk types and HPV11, HPV6, HPV81 and HPV61 were the most frequently observed low-risk types. Our results, although need further verification by larger sample size, suggested that currently available HPV vaccines covered most prevalent HPV types observed in Chinese men. As HPV vaccine has been approved for application in females in China, molecular epidemiological studies and intervention studies among high-risk males should be promoted as well.

A genome-wide analysis of the ERF gene family in sorghum.

The ethylene response factor (ERF) family are members of the APETALA2 (AP2)/ERF transcription factor superfamily; they are known to play an important role in plant adaptation to biotic and abiotic stress. ERF genes have been studied in Arabidopsis, rice, grape, and maize; however, there are few reports of ERF genes in sorghum. We identified 105 sorghum ERF (SbERF) genes, which were categorized into 12 groups (A-1 to A-6 and B-1 to B-6) based on their sequence similarity, and this new method of classification for ERF genes was then further characterized. A comprehensive bioinformatic analysis of SbERF genes was performed using a sorghum genomic database, to analyze the phylogeny of SbERF genes, identify other conserved motifs apart from the AP2/ERF domain, map SbERF genes to the 10 sorghum chromosomes, and determine the tissue-specific expression patterns of SbERF genes. Gene clustering indicates that SbERF genes were generated by tandem duplications. Comparison of SbERF genes with maize ERF homologs suggests lateral gene transfer between monocot species. These results can contribute to our understanting of the evolution of the ERF gene family.

Treatment of early avascular necrosis of femoral head by small intestinal submucosal matrix with peripheral blood stem cells.

BACKGROUND: Avascular necrosis of the femoral head (ANFH) is a highly mutilating disease. There are no effective ways to treat early femoral head ischemia. Peripheral blood stem cell (PBSC) transplantation may be superior to conventional bone marrow transplantation. Small intestinal submucosae matrix (SIS) is composed of highly conserved collagens, glycoproteins, proteoglycans, and glycoaminoglycans in their natural configuration and concentrations. When implanted in a number of microenvironments in vivo, SIS has been used to induce proliferation, remodeling, and regeneration of host tissues. This study was designed to verify the curative effects of PBSC and SIS transplantation-induced vascular regeneration to improve ischemic femoral head necrosis in rabbits. METHODS: 32 New Zealand white rabbits underwent ischemic femoral head necrosis modeling in both hindlimbs by liquid-nitrogen refrigeration. All rabbits were intraperitoneally injected with grannlocytectomy-stimulating factor (250 µg/kg/d), except for normal control subjects injected with equivalent saline solution. After separation of peripheral blood stem cells (PBSCs), 64 femoral heads in 32 rabbits were randomly divided into 4 groups: group A, cancellous bone and peripheral blood stem cells cultured with small intestinal submucosa; group B, cancellous bone and PBSCs; group C, cancellous bone autografts; and group D, no treatment. The specimens were harvested at 4 and 8 weeks after surgery. All specimens were examined to observe angiogenesis and osteogenesis repairing the avascular necrosis of the femoral head by using gross observation, x-ray, histology, and immunohistochemical staining. RESULTS: In 4 weeks after peripheral stem cell transplantation, the standing ability and activity of the transplanted hindlimbs were improved remarkably, but there were no obvious changes in the control limbs. X-rays showed a greater density of grafts than the host bone in groups A,B, and group C was unchanged at 4 weeks. Histology revealed many osteoprogenitor cells and osteoblasts and no inflammatory cell infiltration at 4 weeks with much new bone formed at 8 weeks in group A and at 4 weeks in group B. The cancellous bone autograft was absorbed completely at 8 weeks in group C. There was little osteoid tissue formed in group D at 8 weeks. The zone of new bone formation in group A was greater than that in group B (P < .05), but there was no significant difference between groups A and C (P > .05). Immunohistochemical staining with CD31 mouse antibody showed greater amounts and zones of new blood vessels in groups A and B at 4 and 8 weeks and little evidence in group D. There was no significant difference between groups A and B (P > .05) and significant differences between groups A and B versus C and D (P < .05). CONCLUSION: Transplantation of PBSCs cultured with SIS effectively improved ischemic femoral head necrosis.

Peripheral blood stem cell transplantation for ischemic femoral head necrosis.

BACKGROUND: Avascular necrosis of the femoral head (ANFH) is a highly mutilating disease. There is no effective way to treat femoral head ischemia. This study was designed to show the curative effects of peripheral blood stem cell transplantation to induce vascular regeneration and improve ischemic femoral head necrosis in rabbits. METHODS: Twenty New Zealand white rabbits underwent ischemic femoral head necrosis in both hindlimbs using liquid-nitrogen refrigeration. One cohort of rats was intraperitoneally injected with granulocyte-specific colony-stimulating factor (250 microg/kg/d), and control animals received equivalent saline solution. The right side was used as the transplantation group and the left as the control. After separation of peripheral blood, a stem cell suspension was poured into the right femoral artery and saline solution into the left femoral artery. RESULTS: At 4 weeks after peripheral stem cell transplantation, standing ability and activity of the the transplanted right hindlimb were remarkably improved, but there were no obvious changes in the control limbs. The experimental rabbits underwent arteriography of bilateral femoral heads, which indicated increased and thickened blood supply to the transplanted right hindlimb compared with the left control. CONCLUSION: Peripheral blood stem cell transplantation improved ischemic femoral head necrosis.