[Anatomical basis and clinical application of "two points" acupotomology surgery program in treating cubital tunnel syndrome].

OBJECTIVE: To explore an effective acupotomology surgery program in treating cubital tunnel syndrome. METHODS: According to pathogenic factors and elbow anatomy, a "two points" acupotomology surgery program was designed, which could loose the attachment point of arcuate ligament on medial border of olecroanon and medial epicondyle of humerus. Twenty-one cases of cubital tunnel syndrome were treated with acupotmology, then the efficacy was obsered. RESULTS: After one year postoperative visit, 21 patients with ulnar nerve area skin numbness were cured, claw hand deformity and medial hand muscle atrophy recovered significantly. Results of function evaluation were excellent in 17 cases, good in 2 cases, fair in 2 cases and poor in 0 cases, the good rate was 90.5%. CONCLUSION: The acupotomology surgery program which could cut the starting and ending points of osborne's ligament and solve the problem of ulnar nerve entrapment is an easy, little-traumatic and effective minimally invasive surgery which also conforms to the anatomical structure.

Toward immunosuppressive effects on liver transplantation in rat model: tacrolimus loaded poly(ethylene glycol)-poly(D,L-lactide) nanoparticle with longer survival time.

In this study, tacrolimus (FK506) was encapsulated into a biodegradable poly(ethylene glycol)-poly(D,L-lactide) (MPEG-PLA) block copolymer using a double emulsion-solvent evaporation technique. Drug loading (DL) and encapsulation efficiency (EE) can be changed by varying the mass ratio of FK506/MPEG-PLA. Furthermore, transmission electron microscope (TEM) and Malvern Zetasizer were used to investigate the properties of FK506/MPEG-PLA nanoparticles (DL=9.5%), which were monodisperse (PDI=0.100 ± 0.023) with a mean particle size of 90.5 ± 1.5 nm. Compared with FK506 capsule, in vitro release profile showed that FK506/MPEG-PLA nanoparticles exhibited sustained release. Meanwhile, the higher concentration and longer retention time in plasma were also confirmed in vivo. We further preliminarily evaluated immunosuppressive effect on liver transplantation in rat model. The survival time of the rat administrated FK506/MPEG-PLA nanoparticles was obviously prolonged than that of the control group administrated FK506 capsule.

The aryl hydrocarbon receptor nuclear translocator-interacting protein 2 suppresses the estrogen receptor signaling via an Arnt-dependent mechanism.

We explored whether modulation of the estrogen receptor (ER) signaling is possible through an aryl hydrocarbon receptor nuclear translocator (Arnt)-dependent mechanism. We utilized the Arnt-interacting protein 2 (Ainp2) to examine whether the presence of Ainp2 in MCF-7 cells would interfere with the Arnt-mediated ER signaling. We found that Arnt increased the 17 beta-estradiol (E2)-dependent luciferase activity and Ainp2 significantly suppressed this Arnt-mediated luciferase activity. Ainp2 significantly suppressed 25% of the E2- and Arnt-dependent up-regulation of the GREB1 message. No suppression of the ER target gene expression by Ainp2 was detected in Arnt-knockdown MCF-7 cells and in Arnt-independent ER signaling. Although Ainp2 did not interact with ER alpha and ER beta, it suppressed the ER alpha::Arnt interaction and reduced the E2-driven recruitment of Arnt to the GREB1 promoter. We concluded that Ainp2 suppresses the ER signaling by not allowing Arnt to participate in the ER-dependent, Arnt-mediated activation of gene transcription.

A novel polypeptide from shark cartilage with potent anti-angiogenic activity.

Using guanidine-HCl extraction, acetone precipitation, ultra-filtration and chromatography, a novel polypeptide with potent anti-angiogenic activity was purified from cartilage of the shark, Prionace glauca. N-terminal amino acid sequence analysis and SDS-PAGE revealed that the substance is a novel polypeptide with MW 15500 (PG155). The anti-angiogenic effects of PG155 were evaluated using zebrafish embryos model in vivo. Treatment of the embryos with 20 microg/ml PG155 resulted in a significant reduction in the growth of subintestinal vessels (SIVs). A higher dose resulted in almost complete inhibition of SIV growth, as observed by endogenous alkaline phosphatase (EAP) staining assay. An in vitro transwell experiment revealed that the polypeptide inhibited vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) induced migration and tubulogenesis of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Exposure of HUVECs in 20 microg/ml PG155 significantly decreased the density of migrated cells. Almost complete inhibition of cell migration was found when HUVECs were treated with 40-80 microg/ml PG155. PG155 (20 microg/ml) markedly inhibited the tube formation of HUVECs and a dose-dependent effect was also found when treatment of HUVECs with PG155 at the concentration from 20-160 microg/ml.

[The application of sodium hyaluronate in joint diseases].

OBJECTIVE: To review the physiological function of sodium hyaluronate in joints and its clinical applications. METHODS: Many literatures were reviewed and analysed on therapeutic mechanism and the application foreground of sodium hyaluronate. RESULTS: Extrinsic sodium hyaluronate plays an important role in improving synovial fluid and protecting cartilages as well as suppressing inflammation, so it is used in the treatment of joint diseases such as knee osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis or temporomandibular osteoarthritis. CONCLUSION: Sodium hyaluronate possesses a good applied prospect in joint diseases.