Comparative study on the efficacy of PRP gel and UC-MSCs gel as adjuvant therapies in the treatment of DFU wounds.

BACKGROUND: Diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) is a common and serious complication of diabetes, and its treatment is challenging. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) gel and umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (UC-MSCs) gel have been concerned as new therapies for DFU in recent years, and comparative studies on the efficacy and mechanisms of these methods, however, are rarely reported. METHODS: Thirty patients with DFU were selected and divided into the PRP group and the UC-MSCs group, and wound healing, foot blood vessels (ABI index), infection index (CRP), neuropathy symptoms (TCSS score), and foot skin temperature before and after treatment were compared between the two groups. SPSS 21.0 was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: The results showed that the efficacy of the UC-MSCs gel group was significantly better than that of the PRP group in terms of wound healing rate, time to complete wound closure, ABI index, CRP level and TCSS score. No statistically significant difference in foot skin temperature was observed between the two groups. CONCLUSION: The efficacy of UC-MSCs gel is significantly superior to that of PRP gel in the treatment of DFU, with shortened time to complete wound closure, increased wound healing rate, better pain and infection control, and improved vascular and neurological symptoms.

A CIC-related-epigenetic factors-based model associated with prediction, the tumor microenvironment and drug sensitivity in osteosarcoma.

Osteosarcoma is generally considered a cold tumor and is characterized by epigenetic alterations. Although tumor cells are surrounded by many immune cells such as macrophages, T cells may be suppressed, be inactivated, or not be presented due to various mechanisms, which usually results in poor prognosis and insensitivity to immunotherapy. Immunotherapy is considered a promising anti-cancer therapy in osteosarcoma but requires more research, but osteosarcoma does not currently respond well to this therapy. The cancer immunity cycle (CIC) is essential for anti-tumor immunity, and is epigenetically regulated. Therefore, it is possible to modulate the immune microenvironment of osteosarcoma by targeting epigenetic factors. In this study, we explored the correlation between epigenetic modulation and CIC in osteosarcoma through bioinformatic methods. Based on the RNA data from TARGET and GSE21257 cohorts, we identified epigenetic related subtypes by NMF clustering and constructed a clinical prognostic model by the LASSO algorithm. ESTIMATE, Cibersort, and xCell algorithms were applied to analyze the tumor microenvironment. Based on eight epigenetic biomarkers (SFMBT2, SP140, CBX5, HMGN2, SMARCA4, PSIP1, ACTR6, and CHD2), two subtypes were identified, and they are mainly distinguished by immune response and cell cycle regulation. After excluding ACTR6 by LASSO regression, the prognostic model was established and it exhibited good predictive efficacy. The risk score showed a strong correlation with the tumor microenvironment, drug sensitivity and many immune checkpoints. In summary, our study sheds a new light on the CIC-related epigenetic modulation mechanism of osteosarcoma and helps search for potential drugs for osteosarcoma treatment.

Comparison of the differentiation abilities of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells and adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells toward nucleus pulposus-like cells in three-dimensional culture.

Nucleus pulposus cell (NPC) transplantation can be a potential therapeutic approach for intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD). However, low cell viability has restricted the therapeutic capacity of NPCs, and sources of natural NPCs are limited. Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) and adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ADSCs) can be differentiated toward NPC-like cells. However, it is unknown whether there are differences in the abilities of these two cell types to differentiate into NPC-like cells, or which cell type exhibits the best differentiation ability. The present study compared the abilities of BMSCs and ADSCs to differentiate toward NPC-like cells with or without a 3D culture system to lay a foundation for stem cell transplantation therapy for IDD. BMSCs were isolated from the rat whole bone marrow cell using the repeated adherent culture method. ADSCs were isolated from rat adipose tissues in the subcutaneous inguinal region using the enzyme digestion method. Cells were identified using flow cytometry. Cell viability was assessed via Cell Counting Kit-8 assays, and reverse transcription-quantitative PCR and western blotting were carried out to evaluate the expression of NPC markers and chondrocyte-specific genes. Glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) and proteoglycans were examined via Alcian blue and safranin O staining, respectively. ADSCs in 3D culture displayed the highest cell proliferative ability, compared with the 2D culture system and BMSC culture. In addition, ADSCs in 3D culture exhibited increased GAG and proteoglycan synthesis than BMSCs. Compared with BMSCs in 3D culture, ADSCs in 3D culture exhibited higher mRNA and protein expression of NPC marker genes (hypoxia-inducible factor 1-α, glucose transporter 1) and chondrocyte-specific genes (Sox-9, aggrecan and type II collagen). The present findings indicated that ADSCs exhibited a better ability to differentiate into NPC-like cells in 3D culture compared with BMSCs, which may be of value for the regeneration of intervertebral discs using cell transplantation therapy.

A Novel Fast Mobile-Window Small Incision Technique for Hip Arthroplasty in the Elderly and Comparison with Conventional Incision.

BACKGROUND We deeloped a novel technique - fast mobile-window small incision (FMWSI) - a modification of minimally invasive surgery for total hip arthroplasty, which we believe is particularly suited to elderly patients with hip fractures. The present article aimed to introduce this technique and compare the clinical effects between the FMWSI technique and conventional incision (CI) for hip arthroplasty in elderly patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS This study included 240 consecutive patients who underwent hip arthroplasty. Half received total hip arthroplasty and half received hemi hip arthroplasty. The 120 patients in each group were further divided into FMWSI and CI groups. The following parameters were compared between the FMWSI and CI groups: length of incision, operation time, bleeding volume, drainage volume, postoperative ambulation time, and Harris score. RESULTS Compared with the CI group, the FMWSI group had a significantly shorter incision length, operation time, and postoperative ambulation time, as well as lower bleeding and drainage volumes, irrespective of whether the treatment was total or hemi hip arthroplasty (P<0.05). However, no significant difference was found in the Harris score between the FMWSI and CI groups (P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS The novel FMWSI technique introduced in this study is a useful method for hip arthroplasty, especially for elderly patients with poor constitutions or tolerance to surgery.

[Modified retrograde rotative-type interlocking intramedullary nail for humeral shaft fractures].

OBJECTIVE: To improve the retrograde rotative-type interlocking intramedullary nail based on humeral bone dissection and clinical application, and investigate the clinical values of modified retrograde rotative-type interlocking intramedullary nail for humeral shaft fracture. METHODS: Between March 2006 and March 2010, 146 patients with humeral shaft fractures were treated and fractures were fixed with the modified retrograde rotative-type interlocking intramedullary nail (the modified group, n=73) and with the retrograde rotative-type interlocking intramedullary nail (the original group, n=73). In the original group, there were 40 males and 33 females with an average age of 41 years; 41 cases were classified as transverse fracture, 18 as oblique fracture, 8 as spiral fracure, and 6 as comminuted fracture; the median disease duration was 11 days (range, 3 hours to 2 months); and close reduction fixation was performed in 27 cases and open reduction fixation in 46 cases. In the modified group, there were 39 males and 34 females with an average age of 40 years; 43 cases were classified as transverse fracture, 16 as oblique fracture, 10 as spiral fracure, and 4 as comminuted fracture; the median disease duration was 13 days (range, 3 hours to 3 months); and close reduction fixation was performed in 31 cases and open reduction fixation in 42 cases. There was no significant difference in sex, age, fracture type, and disease duration between 2 groups (P > 0.05). The fracture healing and functional recovery of affected limbs were compared between 2 groups after operation. RESULTS: The operation time and intraoperative blood loss in the modified group were significantly less than those in the original group (P < 0.05). Iatrogenic fracture occurred in 3 cases of the original group, which were cleavage fracture of supracondylar. No iatrogenic fracture occurred in the modified group. All incisions of 2 groups healed by first intention without complications of postoperative infections, metal fracture, and loosening of internal fixation, etc. A total of 116 patients were followed up more than 12 months in 2 groups with 58 patients in each group. The fracture healing time was (15 +/- 3) weeks (fresh fracture) and (30 +/- 12) weeks (old fracture and nonunion) in the modified group, and was (16 +/- 4) weeks (fresh fracture) and (35 +/- 14) weeks (old fracture) in the original group, showing significant differences between 2 groups (P < 0.05). The results of Neer shoulder score were excellent in 65 cases and good in 8 cases, and the results of Aitken and Rorabeck elbow function score were excellent in 61 cases and good in 12 cases in the original group; the results of Neer shoulder score were excellent in 67 cases and good in 6 cases, and the results of Aitken and Rorabeck elbow function score were excellent in 63 cases and good in 10 cases; and the excellent and good rates were 100% in 2 groups. CONCLUSION: The modified retrograde rotative-type interlocking intramedullary nail has the advantages of easy operation and less complication, which is an effective and reliable internal fixator.