rhBMP in lumber fusion for lumbar spondylolisthesis: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: To compare the efficacy and safety of recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein (rhBMP) and iliac crest autograft in the fusion treatment of lumbar spondylolisthesis. METHODS: The studies using randomized controlled trials to compare the rhBMP with iliac crest autograft in the treatment of lumbar spondylolisthesis were retrieved from Embase, Pubmed, ProQuest dissertations & theses (PQDT), China national knowledge infrastructure (CNKI), Chinese Biomedical Database, Wanfang Data, Cochrane Library (from March 1998 to March 2018). Postoperative fusion rate, clinical success rate, postoperative intervertebral height, complications, operation time, blood loss and duration of hospitalization were chosen as the outcome indicators. Methodological quality of the trials was critically assessed, and relevant data were extracted. Statistical software Revman 5.3 was used for data-analysis. RESULTS: Eleven articles were included in the meta-analysis. The results showed that, comparing the efficacy of rhBMP with iliac crest autograft, statistical significance was found in the 24-month fusion rate post operation [95% CI (1.38, 24.70), p = 0.02] and operation time [95% CI (-14.22, -2.08), p = 0.008]. There is not sufficient evidence for statistical differences in the remaining indicators. CONCLUSION: The current literature shows rhBMP is a safe and effective grafting material in the treatment of lumbar spondylolisthesis. Further evidence is dependent on the emergence of more randomized controlled trials with higher quality and larger sample sizes in the future.

Antimicrobial activity and safety evaluation of Enterococcus faecium KQ 2.6 isolated from peacock feces.

BACKGROUND: The objective of this paper was to study antimicrobial activity and safety of Enterococcus faecium KQ 2.6 (E. faecium KQ 2.6) isolated from peacock feces. METHODS: Agar well diffusion method was adopted in antimicrobial activity assay. Disk diffusion test was used to determine the antibiotic resistance. The identification and virulence potential of E. faecium KQ 2.6 were investigated using PCR amplification. RESULTS: The results indicated that cell free supernatant (CFS) of the strain had the good antimicrobial activity against selected gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. The biochemical characteristics of antimicrobial substances were investigated. The results indicated that the antimicrobial substances were still active after treatment with catalase and proteinase, respectively. Moreover, the stability of antimicrobial substances did not change after heat treatment at 40, 50, 60, 70 and 80°C for 30 min, respectively. The activity of antimicrobial substances remained stable at 4 and -20°C after long time storage. The antimicrobial activity of CFS was compared with that of the buffer with similar strength and pH. The inhibitory zone of the buffer was apparently smaller than that of CFS, which meant that the acid in CFS was not the only factor that was contributed to antibacterial activity of CFS. The antibiotic resistance and virulence potential were evaluated using disk diffusion test and PCR amplification. The results showed that E. faecium KQ 2.6 did not harbor any tested virulence genes such as gelE, esp, asa1, cylA, efaA and hyl. It was susceptible to most of tested antibiotics except for vancomycin and polymyxin B. CONCLUSION: E. faecium KQ 2.6 may be used as bio-preservative cultures for the production of fermented foods.

[Preparation of Rubber Accelerator Zinc Diethyldithiocarbamate and Its Spectral Analysis].

In the study, rubber accelerator Zinc diethyldithiocarbamate (EZ) was synthesized firstly. Complex EZ of single crystal was cultivated by solvent evaporation method. EZ was detected and characterized by XRD single crystal diffraction, FTIR and TG-DSC. The micro-structure and intrinsic regularity were revealed. Its highly efficient performance of rubber vulcanization promotion was decided due to its orientation structure? and high order. The result of TG-DSC showed that complex EZ was possessed with a little CS2. The chemical bond types in EZ were revealed by FTIR, the same as single crystal? diffraction testing by different way. The decomposition temperature of EZ was very high. It could provided reference with research on rubber vulcanizing properties by EZ on rubber vulcanizing machine. This study can help the enterprises to designate the working standard tracing detection of EZ industrialized production. Performance index of EZ was judged. The project of EZ industry standard can be declared by the enterprises, written a draft standard on the basis experimental data.

Production of a new non-specific nuclease from Yersinia enterocolitica subsp. palearctica: optimization of induction conditions using response surface methodology.

A new non-specific nuclease from Yersinia enterocolitica subsp. palearctica (Y. NSN) was expressed in Escherichia coli (E. coli) BL 21 StarTM (DE3)plysS. Induction conditions, including isopropyl-ß-D-thiogalactoside (IPTG) concentration, cell density (OD600), induction time and induction temperature, were optimized using response surface methodology. Statistical analysis of the results revealed that induction temperature and all the quadratic terms of variables had significant effects on enzyme activity of Y. NSN. The optimal induction conditions were as follows: 1.5 mmol/L IPTG, OD600 of 0.80, induction time of 20.5 h, and induction temperature of 32 °C. Under the optimized conditions, the highest enzyme activity could be obtained.

Development of stabilized itraconazole nanodispersions by using high-gravity technique.

PURPOSE: For large scale preparation of stabilized itraconazole (ITZ) nanodispersions to improve the dissolution rate. METHOD: High-gravity technique was employed to produce ITZ nanodispersions. RESULTS: Stabilizer had a significant effect on the stability of drug nanoparticles. Hydroxypropylmethylcellulose was found to be the most effective stabilizer to prevent drug nanoparticles from aggregation. ITZ nanoparticles with an average size of 210 nm were obtained. Mannitol was the suitable carrier matrix for improving the flowability and the dissolution rate of ITZ nanodispersion. The effects of operating variables on the particle size distribution were investigated in detail. The stability of ITZ nanodispersions was characterized by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, and in vitro dissolution studies. After 6 months storage, the nanodispersion showed unchanged particles size, morphology, crystal state, chemical structure, and dissolution. In vitro dissolution rate indicated that the nanodispersion could significantly enhance the dissolution rate when compared to the commercial available Sporanox capsules. The nanodispersion achieved 70% of drug dissolution in 10 min, whereas the Sporanox capsules only dissolved 20% during the same period. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated that high-gravity technique is a promising method for large scale production of nanodispersions to enhance the dissolution rate of poorly water-soluble drugs.

Preparation of stable micron-sized crystalline irbesartan particles for the enhancement of dissolution rate.

PURPOSE: In this study, micron-sized crystalline drug particles of irbesartan (IBS) were prepared to improve its stability and dissolution rate. METHOD: The approach to crystalline particles was based on the liquid precipitation process by which the amorphous particles were prepared. Pharmaceutical acceptable additives were used as the crystallization agent to convert the amorphous drug into crystalline particles. High pressure homogenization (HPH) process has been employed to reduce the size of the crystalline particles, and the micron-sized particles were obtained by the freeze-drying process. RESULTS: Different additives show different influences on the polymorphic form of IBS. Polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) were effective in stabilizing amorphous particles instead of converting amorphous drug into crystalline particles, while poloxamer407 (F127) and tween80 (T80) could convert the amorphous drug into crystalline particles. T80 was also effective in controlling the particle size than that of F127. After HPH, crystalline particles with an average of 0.8 µm were obtained. The freeze-dried micron-sized crystalline particles exhibited significantly enhanced in vitro dissolution rate when compared to the raw drug. SEM, FT-IR, XRD, DSC and dissolution rate studies indicated that the micron-sized particles were stable during 6 months storage. CONCLUSION: The preparation of micron-sized crystalline drug particles is an effective way to improve the stability and dissolution rate of irbesartan.

Effect of acceptance and commitment therapy on rehabilitation patients with spinal cord injury.

This study aimed to explore the differences between the effectiveness of using a combination of rehabilitation and acceptance commitment therapy (ACT), and rehabilitation therapy alone for the treatment of spinal cord injury (SCI). The newly admitted patients with spinal cord injury whose post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) score was higher than 38 points were randomly categorized into the treatment group and control group, with 30 patients in each group. One group underwent ACT and rehabilitation treatment, while the other underwent rehabilitation treatment only. PTSD and functional independence measure (FIM) scores were evaluated. Changes in scores were compared between the two groups before, one month, two months, and three months after treatment. The total PTSD score in SCI patients who were treated with ACT was significantly different before and after treatment (P < 0.05). Total FIM scores were also significantly different before and after treatment (P < 0.05). The FIM score in the treatment group was significantly higher than that in the control group after 2 and 3 months of treatment (P < 0.05). The combination of rehabilitation therapy and ACT could immediately reduce stress levels and significantly improve impaired function, lifelong self-care ability, and the impact of rehabilitation therapy.

[Study on repair of full-thickness skin defect with collagen-chitosan dermal stent in pigs].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate angiogenesis of collagen-chitosan porous scaffold, and to study survive of skin grafts on the scaffold after bilayer dermal equivalent (BDE) was transplanted on wounds with full thickness skin defects. METHODS: The full thickness skin defects were made on 10 Bama miniature pigs and the BDE composed of collagen-chitosan porous scaffold and silicone membrane was transplanted on wound. Angiogenesis in dermal equivalent, wound healing, and healing and survive of skin grafts on dermal equivalent were observed in 1, 2, and 3 weeks after the BDE transplantation. At the same time, CD34 positive signals (neo-forming micro-vessels) were detected by immunohistochemical staining. RESULTS: Inflammatory cells and fibroblasts infiltrated into dermal equivalent and a few new micro-vessels had been formed in 1 week after the BDE transplantation; neo-forming micro-vessels perpendicular to wound bed had increased significantly in 2 weeks after the BDE transplantation; neo-forming micro-vessels could be observed in almost all dermal equivalents in 3 weeks after the BDE transplantation. CD34 positive signals (neo-forming micro-vessels) in 3 weeks after the BDE transplantation was much more than those in 2 weeks after the BDE transplantation, and CD34 positive signals in 2 weeks after the BDE transplantation was much more than those in 1 week after the BDE transplantation. Survival rate of intermediate split thickness skin graft were 10%, 70% and 100% respectively after the skin grafts had been grafted for 2 weeks on surface of the scaffold which had been transplanted for 1, 2 and 3 weeks. Epidermis which had been grafted on surface of the scaffold for 1 or 2 weeks could perfectly survive after BDE had been transplanted for 1 or 2 weeks. CONCLUSIONS: Collagen-chitosan porous scaffold plays a very important role in wound healing of full thickness skin defect and can induce fibroblast infiltration and new micro-vessel formation. Epidermis grafted on surface of collagen-chitosan porous scaffold can perfectly repair wounds, and it has brilliant applied prospects in repairing skin defect.

Clinical efficacy of OrthoPilot navigation system versus conventional manual total hip arthroplasty: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: This study was performed to compare the clinical efficacy between the OrthoPilot navigation system and conventional manual surgery in patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty. METHODS: The Embase, PubMed, CINAHL, and Cochrane databases were searched for clinical trials. The outcome measurements were the anteversion angle, inclination angle, and complications. Review Manager 5.3 statistical software was used for the data analysis. RESULTS: Significant differences were found in the femoral offset and overall complication rate between the conventional and navigation groups. Additionally, the conventional group had significantly less anteversion than the navigation group. However, the navigation group had significantly better inclination. The operation time was significantly shorter in the conventional than navigation group. CONCLUSION: Both the OrthoPilot navigation system and conventional total hip arthroplasty result in significant improvements in patient function with similar overall complication rates and have their own advantages in achieving good cup position. The conventional procedure has a shorter operation time than does use of a navigation system.

[Clinical effects of robot-assisted total knee arthroplasty compared with traditional surgery: a Meta-analysis].

OBJECTIVE: To compare the difference between robotic-assisted TKA and traditional TKA by Meta-annlysis in order to determine whether robotic-assisted TKA can provide better lower limb force line and clinical prognosis. METHODS: Computerized searches of Embase, Pubmed, Web of Science and CNKI, Wanfang and VIP databases were conducted until November 2018 to find out the difference between robotic assisted TKA and traditional TKA. After screening, quality evaluation and data extraction according to inclusion and exclusion criteria, Revman 5.3 software was used for meta-analysis of literature data. RESULTS: Six clinical controlled studies were included, 253 in robot-assisted TKA group and 231 in traditional TKA group. Meta-analysis showed that the incidence of coronal force line angle[WMD=-1.00, 95%CI(-1.66, -0.35), P=0.003], coronal force line inversion or valgus>3°[RR=0.04, 95% CI(0.01, 0.13), P=0.000 01] in robot-assisted TKA group was significantly better than that in traditional TKA group, but there were no statistical differences between two groups in range of knee joint motion[WMD=0.06, 95%CI(-5.43, 5.55)], P=0.98], anterior position tibial angle[WMD=-0.19, 95% CI(-0.81, 0.43), 95%, P=0.55] and lateral tibial angle[WMD=-1.37, 95%CI(-3.73, 0.99), P=0.25], anterior position femoral angle[WMD=0.30, 95%CI(-1.37, 1.96), P=0.72] and lateral femoral angle[WMD=-0.93, 95%CI(-1.98, 0.013), P=0.08], the incidence of complications[RR=0.84, 95%CI(0.45, 1.58), P=0.60]. The operation time of robot-cassisted TKA group was longer than that of traditional TKA group[WMD=14.28, 95%CI(0.79, 27.77), P=0.04]. CONCLUSIONS: The application of robotic assistant system in TKA surgery can significantly improve the accuracy of prosthesis fixation, better reconstruct the lower limb line of force, and has the potential advantages of reducing postoperative pain and promoting the recovery of knee joint function. Due to the limitation of the quantity and quality of the included literature, a high-quality randomized controlled study with long-term follow-up is still needed in the future to support the conclusions of this paper.

Robotics-assisted versus conventional manual approaches for total hip arthroplasty: A systematic review and meta-analysis of comparative studies.

BACKGROUND: Several studies have compared robotics-assisted (RA) and conventional manual (CM) approaches for total hip arthroplasty (THA), but their results are controversial. METHODS: A literature search was conducted for controlled clinical trials (CCTs) comparing the clinical efficacy of the RA and CM approaches for THA and published between August 1998 and August 2018. The obtained data were analyzed using the statistical software Review Manager 5.3. RESULTS: Fourteen articles were included in the meta-analysis, which revealed that the RA group had less intraoperative complications, better cup angle, and more cases of cup placement in the safe zone than the CM group. However, the operation time required for the CM group was less than that required for the RA group. Moreover, postoperative complications (eg, dislocation and revision surgery) were less frequent in the CM group than in the RA group. However, the two groups had similar functional scores, total number of complications, and rate of occurrence of limb length discrepancy. CONCLUSION: Compared with the CM approach, the RA approach yields better radiological outcomes and fewer intraoperative complications in THA, but similar functional scores.

[Meta-analysis of clinical effects between non-metallic materials and metallic materials by internal fixation for patellar fracture].

OBJECTIVE: To systematically evaluate clinical effects of metal and non-metallic materials in internal fixation for patellar fracture. METHODS: The reports concerning about controlled trial of metallic and non-metallic materials for patellar fracture from create database to June 2018 were searched from PubMed, EMBASE, Web of science, CNKI and Wanfang data. Information was screened and taken out according to inclusion and exclusion criteria by 2 researchers, and risk of bias in non-andomised studies of interventions (ROBINS-I) was used to evaluate literature quality. Rate of reoperation, excellent and good rate of clinical rehabilitation, incidence of postoperative complications were compared with Revman 5.3 software for Meta-analysis. RESULTS: Totally 9 retrospective cohort studies including 493 patients were selected. There was no significant difference in reoperation rate of internal fixation failure between metallic implants and non-metallic implants[OR=0.52, 95% CI (0.25, 1.08) P=0.08]. The excellent and good rate of postoperative clinical rehabilitation in patients receiving non-metallic implants were higher than those in receiving metallic implants[OR=3.34, 95% CI (1.67, 6.71), P=0.000 7]; incidence of total complications was also lower than that of metallic implants[OR=0.21, 95% CI (0.07, 0.60), P=0.003]. There was no significant difference in the incidence of non-metallic related complications after removing Kirschner wire needle and complications of skin irritation [OR=1.08, 95% CI(0.45, 2.56), P=0.86]. CONCLUSIONS: Non-metallic plants could provide the same success rate of internal fixation as metal plants, could improve the excellent and good rate of postoperative rehabilitation by reducing incidence of complications associated with metallic plants. In further, more evidence-level research is needed to confirm in the future.

Contribution of IL-1ß, 6 and TNF-α to the form of post-traumatic osteoarthritis induced by "idealized" anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction in a porcine model.

BACKGROUND: It has been noted that anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury-induced cartilage degeneration is the key risk factor for post-traumatic osteoarthritis (PTOA). However, whether the cartilage degeneration after ACL injury is caused by inflammation, abnormal biomechanics or both remains largely unknown, as there has been no animal model for separating the two factors so far. METHODS: Eighteen-month-old female mini-pigs were divided into an "idealized" anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (IACLR) group and a control group (n = 16 limbs per group). Real-time PCR, safranine O staining and indian ink staining were performed to verify whether animal models were successfully established or not. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to evaluate the correlation between levels of the inflammatory factors (including interferon [IFN]-γ, interleukin [IL]-1ß, IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-12 and tumor necrosis factor [TNF]-α measured by the Luminex method) and changes in cartilage histology (quantified by morphological scoring) after surgery. RESULTS: A significant OA cartilage damage with increased MMP-1, MMP-13 mRNA levels and reduced aggrecan mRNA/protein levels was observed in IACLR groups. As a result, the IACLR gross morphology score was dramatically increased than control. Moreover, IACLR significantly increased the levels of IL-1ß, IL-4, IL-6 and TNF-α in the synovial fluid of the knee. Most importantly, a close relationship was found between IL-1ß, IL-6 and TNF-α concentrations and morphological score of PTOA, respectively. CONCLUSION: These results demonstrated that inflammatory factors are independently responsible for the onset of PTOA.

Preventive effect of gelatinizedly-modified chitosan film on peritoneal adhesion of different types.

AIM: To comparatively study the preventive effect of gelatinizedly-modified chitosan film on peritoneal adhesions induced by four different factors in rats. METHODS: Chitosan was chemically modified by gelatinization, and made into films of 60 microm in thickness, and sterilized. Two hundred Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into five groups, Sham-operation group (group A), wound-induced adhesion group (group B), purified talc-induced adhesion group (group C), vascular ligation-induced adhesion group (group D), and infection-induced adhesion group (group E), respectively. In each group, the rats were treated with different adhesion-inducing methods at the cecum of vermiform processes and then were divided into control and experimental subgroups. Serous membrane surface of vermiform processes were covered with the films in the experimental subgroups, and no films were used in the control subgroups. After 2 and 4 wk of treatments, the abdominal cavities were reopened and the adhesive severity was graded blindly according to Bhatia's method. The cecum of vermiform processes were resected for hydroxyproline (OHP) measurement and pathological examination. RESULTS: Adhesion severity and OHP level: After 2 and 4 wk of the treatments, in the experimental subgroups, the adhesions were significantly lighter and the OHP levels were significantly lower than those of the control subgroups in group B (2 wk: 0.199 +/- 0.026 vs 0.285 +/- 0.041 microg/mg pr, P < 0.001; 4 wk: 0.183 +/- 0.034 vs 0.276 +/- 0.03 microg/mg pr, P < 0.001), D (2 wk: 0.216 +/- 0.036 vs 0.274 +/- 0.040 microg/mg pr, P = 0.004; 4 wk: 0.211 +/- 0.044 vs 0.281 +/- 0.047 microg/mg pr, P = 0.003) and E (2 wk: 0.259 +/- 0.039 vs 0.371 +/- 0.040 microg/mg pr, P < 0.001; 4 wk: 0.242 +/- 0.045 vs 0.355 +/- 0.029 microg/mg pr, P < 0.001), but there were no significant differences in groups A (2 wk: 0.141 +/- 0.028 vs 0.137 +/- 0.026 microg/mg pr, P = 0.737; 4 wk: 0.132 +/- 0.031 vs 0.150 +/- 0.035 microg/mg pr, P = 0.225) and C (2 wk: 0.395 +/- 0.044 vs 0.378 +/- 0.043 microg/mg pr, P = 0.387; 4 wk: 0.370 +/- 0.032 vs 0.367 +/- 0.041 microg/mg pr, P = 0.853); Pathological changes: In group B, the main pathological changes were fibroplasias in the treated serous membrane surface and in group D, the fibroplasia was shown in the whole layer of the vermiform processes. In group E, the main pathological changes were acute and chronic suppurative inflammatory reactions. These changes were lighter in the experimental subgroups than those in the control subgroups in the three groups. In group C, the main changes were foreign body giant cell and granuloma reactions and fibroplasias in different degrees, with no apparent differences between the experimental and control subgroups. CONCLUSION: The gelatinizedly-modified chitosan film is effective on preventing peritoneal adhesions induced by wound, ischemia and infection, but the effect is not apparent in foreign body-induced adhesion.

[Infection status of common intestinal soil-borne nematodes in children from 3 to 6 years old in kindergartens of Hangzhou].

1667 children of 3 to 6 years old were inspected randomly in kindergartens of Hangzhou from April to June 2006. Enterobius vermicularis eggs were detected by cellophane swab technique. Eggs of Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichiura and hookworms in fresh stool samples were examined by Kato-Katz thick smear and saturated brine flotation. 216 children were found to have infected with intestinal nematodes (12.96%). The prevalence of E. vermicularis, A. lumbricoides, T. trichiura and hookworm was 4.44%, 8.28%, 0.54% and 0.24% respectively. Higher prevalence has been found in kindergartens with poorer environment and sanitation.

Preventive effects of chitosan on peritoneal adhesion in rats.

AIM: To study the effects of chitosan gel and blending chiston/gelatin film on preventing peritoneal adhesion in rats. METHODS: SD rats were randomly divided into 2 groups, group A treated with chitosan gel and group B with blending chiston/gelatin film. In group A, rats were randomly subdivided into 3 subgroups as groups A1, A2 and A3, and different methods were used to induce peritoneal adhesions at the dead end of vermiform process in each group as follows: Group A1 with trauma, A2 with talc powder and A3 with ligation of blood vessel. In each subgroup, rats were redivided into control group and experimental group whose treated vermiform processes were respectively coated with chitosan gel and normal saline immediately after the adhesion-induced treatments. In group B, all the rats received traumatic adhesion-induced treatments and then were randomly divided into 4 groups (groups B1, B2, B3, B4). Group B1 served as control group and were coated with normal saline in the vermiform processes immediately after the treatments, and groups B2, B3 and B4 with 100% chitosan film, chitosan film containing 10% gelatin and chiston film containing 50% gelatin, respectively. At 2 and 4 wk after the above treatments, half of the rats in each terminal group were belly opened, and the peritoneal adhesive situation was graded and histopathological changes were examined. RESULTS: (1) In group A, regarding peritoneal adhesion situation: At both 2 and 4 wk after the treatments, for groups A1 and A3, the adhesive grades of experimental groups were significantly lower than those of the control group (2 wk: H = 4.305, P < 0.05 for A1, H = 6.743, P < 0.01 for A3; 4 wk: H = 4.459, P < 0.05 for A1, H = 4.493, P < 0.05 for A3). However, of group A2, there was no significant difference between the experimental and control groups (2 wk: H = 0.147, P > 0.05; 4 wk: H = 1.240, P > 0.05). Regarding pathological changes: In groups A1 and A3, the main pathological change was fibroplasia. In group A2, the main changes were massive foreign-body giant cell reaction and granuloma formation with fibroplasia of different degrees. (2) In group B, regarding degradation of film: With increase of the blended gelatin concentration, degrading speed of the film accelerated significantly. Regarding peritoneal adhesion situation: At both 2 and 4 wk after the treatments, the adhesive grades of B1 were the lowest among the four subgroups of B (2 wk: H = 29.679, P < 0.05; 4 wk: H = 18.791, P < 0.05). At 2 wk after the treatments, the grades of group B2 were significantly lower than that of groups B3 and B4 (H = 4.025, P < 0.05 for B2 vs B3; H = 4.361, P < 0.05 for B2 vs B4). At 4 wk, there were no significant differences of the grades between groups B2, B3 and B4. Regarding pathological changes: Inflammatory cell infiltration and fibroplastic proliferation were observed in the local treated serous membranes, which was the mildest in group B1. Slight foreign-body giant cell reactions were also found in groups B2, B3, and B4. CONCLUSION: (1) Chitosan gel has preventive effect on traumatic or ischemic peritoneal adhesion, but no obvious effect on foreign body-induced peritoneal adhesion. (2) Chitosan film may exacerbate the peritoneal adhesion. Blending with gelatin to chitosan film can accelerate the degradation of the film, but can simultaneously facilitate the formation of peritoneal adhesion.

[Characteristics of genesis and development of peritoneal adhesion by different causes: experiment with rats].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the characteristics of genesis and development of peritoneal adhesion by different causes. METHODS: 236 rats underwent laparotomy with their vermiform processes lifted up and were randomly divided into 5 groups: Group A (control group), with the vermiform process exposed to air for 5 min, Group B, with the vermiform process smeared with talcum powder; Group C, with the vermiform process scraped by scalpel; Group D, with the tip of vermiform process stabbed by needle so as to squeeze the contents of intestine to cause infection; and Group E, with the artery of vermiform process ligated. Then the abdominal incision was sutured. 1, 2, 4, and 6 weeks after the treatment 11-12 rats from each group were randomly to undergo laparotomy. The degree of adhesion was graded blindly by Bhatia's method. The vermiform process was resected to undergo pathological examination and examination of the level of organ hydroxyproline (OHP) was detected. RESULTS: (1) At different time points the adhesive grades of Groups B-E were all significantly higher than that of Group A (all P < 0.05) and the adhesive grades of Groups B and D were both significantly higher than those of Groups C and E (both P < 0.05). There were no significant differences in the adhesive degree 1, 2, and 4 weeks after the treatment between Groups C and E, however, the adhesive degree of Group E was significantly lower than that of Group C (P < 0.05). (2) There were not significant differences in the OHP levels at any time points in Group A (all P > 0.05). There were not significant differences in the OHP levels 1, 2, and 4 weeks after the treatment (all P > 0.05), and the levels 8 weeks after the treatment were all significantly lower than those 1, 2, and 4 weeks after the treatment (all P < 0.05) in Groups B, D, and E. In Group C the OHP level 2 weeks after the treatment was 0.275 +/- 0.031 microg/mg protein, significantly lower than that 1 week after (0.221 +/- 0.036 microg/mg protein, P < 0.05), and the OHP level 8 weeks after the treatment was 0.254 +/- 0.039 microg/mg protein, significantly lower than those 1, 2, and 4 weeks after (all P < 0.05). The OH levels 1, 2, and 4 weeks after the treatment of the 4 experimental groups were all significantly higher than that of the control group (all P < 0.05). 8 weeks after the treatment the level of OHP of Groups B was significantly higher than that of Group A (P < 0.05), however, the OHP levels of Group C, D, and E had all decreased to almost similar to that of Group A (all P > 0.05). (3) The adhesive degrees of Groups C and E were significantly positively correlated with the OHP level (both P < 0.05), however, the adhesive degrees of Groups B and D were not significantly correlated with the OHP level (both P > 0.05). The adhesive degrees 1, 2, and 4 weeks after the treatment of the 5 groups were all significantly positively correlated with the OHP levels (all P < 0.05, however, the adhesive degrees 8 weeks after the treatment of the 5 groups were all not significantly correlated with the OHP levels (all P > 0.05). (4) The main pathological changes of Group B were foreign body granuloma reaction and fibroplasia in Group B and unspecific inflammatory reaction and fibroplasia in Groups C, D, and E. CONCLUSION: Abdominal adhesions resulting from different causes show different characteristics. The abdominal adhesion caused by foreign bodies and that caused by infection are relatively severe and more difficult to recover than those caused by injury and ischemia. It is more reliable to use OHP level as a marker of abdominal adhesion in the early stage.

A new one-dimensional cadmium(II) coordination polymer incorporating 4-[4-(1H-imidazol-1-yl)phenyl]pyridine and 5-hydroxybenzene-1,3-dicarboxylate ligands.

The design and synthesis of new organic lgands is important to the rapid development of coordination polymers (CPs). However, CPs based on asymmetric ligands are still rare, mainly because such ligands are usually expensive and more difficult to synthesize. The new asymmetric ligand 4-[4-(1H-imidazol-1-yl)phenyl]pyridine (IPP) has been used to construct the title one-dimensional coordination polymer, catena-poly[[[aqua{4-[4-(1H-imidazol-1-yl-κN(3))phenyl]pyridine}cadmium(II)]-µ-5-hydroxybenzene-1,3-dicarboxylato-κ(3)O(1),O(1'):O(3)] monohydrate], {[Cd(C8H4O5)(C14H11N3)2(H2O)]·H2O}n, under hydrothermal reaction of IPP with Cd(II) in the presence of 5-hydroxyisophthalic acid (5-OH-H2bdc). The Cd(II) cation is coordinated by two N atoms from two distinct IPP ligands, three carboxylate O atoms from two different 5-OH-bdc(2-) dianionic ligands and one water O atom in a distorted octahedral geometry. The cationic [Cd(IPP)2](2+) nodes are linked by 5-OH-bdc(2-) ligands to generate a one-dimensional chain. These chains are extended into a two-dimensional layer structure via O-H...O and O-H...N hydrogen bonds and π-π interactions.

Umbilical cord blood-derived non-hematopoietic stem cells retrieved and expanded on bone marrow-derived extracellular matrix display pluripotent characteristics.

BACKGROUND: Umbilical cord blood (UCB) not only contains hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs), but also non-hematopoietic stem cells (NHSCs) that are able to differentiate into a number of distinct cell types. Based on studies published to date, the frequency of NHSCs in UCB is believed to be very low. However, the isolation of these cells is primarily based on their adhesion to tissue culture plastic surfaces. METHODS AND RESULTS: In the current study, we demonstrate that this approach overlooks some of the extremely immature NHSCs because they lack the ability to adhere to plastic. Using a native extracellular matrix (ECM), produced by bone marrow (BM) stromal cells, the majority of the UCB-NHSCs attached within 4 h. The colony-forming unit fibroblast frequency of these cells was 1.5 × 104/108 mononuclear cells, which is at least 4000-fold greater than previously reported for UCB-NHSCs. The phenotype of these cells was fibroblast-like and different from those obtained by plastic adhesion; they formed embryonic body-like clusters that were OCT4-positive and expressed other human embryonic stem cell-related markers. Importantly, when implanted subcutaneously for 8 weeks into immunocompromised mice, these ECM-adherent and expanded NHSCs generated three germ layer-derived human tissues including muscle, fat, blood vessel, bone, gland, and nerve. Moreover, injection of these cells into muscle damaged by cryoinjury significantly accelerated muscle regeneration. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that UCB may be a virtually unlimited source of NHSCs when combined with isolation and expansion on ECM. NHSCs may be a practical alternative to embryonic stem cells for a number of therapeutic applications.

Silk fibroin scaffolds promote formation of the ex vivo niche for salivary gland epithelial cell growth, matrix formation, and retention of differentiated function.

Salivary gland hypofunction often results from a number of causes, including the use of various medications, radiation for head and neck tumors, autoimmune diseases, diabetes, and aging. Since treatments for this condition are lacking and adult salivary glands have little regenerative capacity, there is a need for cell-based therapies to restore salivary gland function. Development of these treatment strategies requires the establishment of a system that is capable of replicating the salivary gland cell "niche" to support the proliferation and differentiation of salivary gland progenitor cells. In this study, a culture system using three-dimensional silk fibroin scaffolds (SFS) and primary salivary gland epithelial cells (pSGECs) from rat submandibular (SM) gland and parotid gland (PG) was established and characterized. pSGECs grown on SFS, but not tissue culture plastic (TCP), formed aggregates of cells with morphological features resembling secretory acini. High levels of amylase were released into the media by both cell types after extended periods in culture on SFS. Remarkably, cultures of PG-derived cells on SFS, but not SM cells, responded to isoproterenol, a ß-adrenergic receptor agonist, with increased enzyme release. This behavior mimics that of the salivary glands in vivo. Decellularized extracellular matrix (ECM) formed by pSGECs in culture on SFS contained type IV collagen, a major component of the basement membrane. These results demonstrate that pSGECs grown on SFS, but not TCP, retain important functional and structural features of differentiated salivary glands and produce an ECM that mimics the native salivary gland cell niche. These results demonstrate that SFS has potential as a scaffold for creating the salivary gland cell niche in vitro and may provide an approach for inducing multipotent stem cells to provide therapeutically meaningful numbers of salivary gland progenitor cells for regenerating these tissues in patients.