Proline-Serine-Threonine Phosphatase-Interacting Protein 2 Alleviates Diabetes Mellitus-Osteoarthritis in Rats through Attenuating Synovial Inflammation and Cartilage Injury.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the possible way of proline-serine-threonine phosphatase-interacting protein 2 (PSTPIP2) influencing diabetes mellitus-osteoarthritis (DM-OA) progression. METHODS: In vivo, eight-week-old male Sprague Dawley rats were induced with DM-OA by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin with high-fat diet feeding and intra-articular injection of monoiodoacetate. PSTPIP2 overexpression was achieved by intra-articular injection of lentivirus vectors. PSTPIP2 expression was verified by real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting. Histological changes were examined by hematoxylin/eosin and safranin-O/fast-green staining. In vitro, rat synovial fibroblasts were induced DM-OA by stimulation of high glucose (HG) and interleukin (IL)-1ß. PSTPIP2 overexpression was achieved by lentivirus infection. U0126 was added as an ERK inhibitor. Levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, IL-6, and IL-1ß were detected using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Expression of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-3, MMP-13, aggrecanase-2 (ADAMTS-5), intercellular cell adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1, extracellular regulated protein kinase (ERK) and phospho-ERK (p-ERK) was detected by Western blotting. RESULTS: In DM-OA rats, PSTPIP2 relative messenger RNA (mRNA) level was significantly decreased compared to control rats. The protein expression was also decreased obviously. Inflammation score in synovium was dramatically increased, accompanying with increased TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1ß levels. Osteoarthritis research society international (OARSI) score in cartilage was markedly increased, along with increased MMP-3, MMP-13, ADAMTS-5, ICAM-1, ERK and p-ERK expression. In PSTPIP2-overexpressed DM-OA rats, PSTPIP2 mRNA level and protein expression was increased compared to DM-OA rats received negative-control lentivirus vectors. The inflammation score, as well as TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1ß levels were dramatically decreased. Also, the OARSI score and protein expression of MMP-3, MMP-13, ADAMTS-5, ICAM-1, ERK and p-ERK were decreased. In HG+IL-1ß-treated rat synovial fibroblasts, PSTPIP2 protein expression was decreased compared to normal glucose (NG)-treated cells. Levels of TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1ß, as well as expression of MMP-3, MMP-13, ADAMTS-5, ICAM-1, ERK and p-ERK were increased. After cells were infected with PSTPIP2-overexpressed lentivirus, levels of TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1ß, and expression of MMP-3, MMP-13, ADAMTS-5, ICAM-1, ERK and p-ERK were obviously decreased compared to cells infected with NC lentivirus. In addition, ERK inhibitor U0126 treatment also decreased the TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1ßlevels and MMP-3, MMP-13, ADAMTS-5, ICAM-1, ERK and p-ERK expression in HG + IL-1ß treated rat synovial fibroblasts. CONCLUSION: Overexpression of PSTPIP2 alleviates synovial inflammation and cartilage injury during DM-OA progression via inhibiting ERK phosphorylation.

Etiology of Spontaneous Extensor Tendon Injury in Northern-China Rice Farmers.

BACKGROUND: Spontaneous extensor tendon injury is caused by repeated finger flexion and wrist movement. This rare disease has a relatively high incidence in northern China, mostly among rice farmers. This study aimed to elucidate the etiology of spontaneous extensor tendon injury in rice farmers. METHODS: Morphologic changes in the extensor tendons and wrist extensor retinaculum in wrist dorsiflexion were studied via ultrasound examination of the hands of 30 healthy adult men, and 34 patients with a non-rupture extensor tendon injury and 11 patients with spontaneous ruptures of the extensor tendons were also enrolled in the study. The daily workload and potential causes of injuries were assessed. RESULTS: Ultrasound images of healthy male hands showed that during wrist dorsiflexion, the extensor retinaculum of the wrist forms differently shaped trochleas as the dorsiflexion angle changes. Histopathologic examination of the wrist extensor retinaculum revealed that the inner face was abraded evenly, the synovial membrane on the surface of the wrist extensor retinaculum disappeared, the internal coarse fibers were exposed and there was fibrous debris, suggesting that dry friction occurred before the rupture. CONCLUSIONS: From clinical observation it could be concluded that the severity and progress of swelling and pain are related to the force applied during rice transplantation as abrasions were found at the front of the wrist extensor retinaculum.

Osteoblast-oriented differentiation of BMSCs by co-culturing with composite scaffolds constructed using silicon-substituted calcium phosphate, autogenous fine particulate bone powder and alginate in vitro.

Autogenous bone graft is the best for spinal fusion in clinics, however, lacking sources, bleeding and infection are limited its practice. Seeking alternative materials are urgent for orthopaedic surgeon. Here, we evaluated osteoblast-oriented differentiation of rabbit BMSCs by co-culturing with composite scaffolds constructed using silicon-substituted-CaP-fine particulate bone powder-alginate. Using CCk8-kit, biocompatibility was evaluated by testing BMSCs proliferation; morphology and survival of osteoblasts within scaffolds were observed using EM and HE staining; growth factors and related genes were detected using RT-PCR. HE staining showed spindle-shaped BMSCs after the 3rd passage; EM data showed that uneven surface and longitudinal section were observed with scattered distribution of 5-100 mm interspaces, which leave enough space for BMSCs adhesion and growth. Interestingly, at 14-day culture with HE staining, osteocytes within the scaffolds grew well with regular shape and integrate structure. RT-PCR results showed that expression levels of BMP2, TGF-b and COL-I, ALP, OPN were increased significantly and time-dependently. Collectively, all mentioned effects were more obvious in co-culture BMSCs with scaffolds than those with other components. Immunohistochemistry showed that positive OPN expression was detected at 7-day co-culturing BMSCs with scaffold, rather than other situations. These results suggest that composite scaffolds constructed with Si-CaP-fine particulate bone powder-alginate have a certain degree of biocompatibility and bioactivity to promote osteoblast-oriented BMSCs differentiation.

Extensor tendon injury due to repetitive wrist dorsiflexion: morphological study of extensor retinaculum and extensor tendon.

Most etiological studies of extensor tendon injury were based on the normal anatomy of extensor tendon and extensor retinaculum of the wrist. Further understanding of the morphological changes of the extensor tendon and extensor retinaculum during wrist dorsiflexion might contribute to improved and more accurate understanding of the etiology. The morphology of the extensor tendon of the mid-finger and the fourth compartment of the wrist extensor retinaculum was studied by sonography, and the anatomy was studied in 15 extremities from 11 young male cadavers. Compared with anatomical images, ultrasonography provides similar morphological observations of the extensor retinaculum of the wrist and extensor tendon. Ultrasonography findings revealed that as the dorsiflexion angle changed, the extensor retinaculum of the wrist formed different shaped trochleas. The trochlea guides the rotation of the extensor tendon at the wrist, but it does not form a sharp corner with the extensor tendon; thus, the extensor tendon is not compressed. As the dorsiflexion angle increased from 0° to 60°, the length of the trochlea gradually decreases. The shortening of the trochlea length will lead to a smaller frictional contact area between the extensor tendon and the extensor retinaculum. Consequently, the friction is centralized. During wrist dorsiflexion, the extensor retinaculum provides a trochlea for the extensor tendon. Extensor tendon injury of repetitive wrist dorsiflexion might be caused by centralized friction at the small contact area.

A comparison of osteocyte bioactivity in fine particulate bone powder grafts vs larger bone grafts in a rat bone repair model.

The osteogenic potential for bone grafts is based on numbers and activities of cells that survive transplantation. In this study, we compared the bioactivity of osteocytes in 300-500 µm fine particulate bone powder grafts to 2 mm larger bone grafts in a rat radial defect model. Expression levels of bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2), transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-ß1), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and collagen I were semi-quantified by both immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR at days 1 and 4, as well as weeks 1, 2, 4, 6 and 10 post-transplantation. Within two weeks post-transplantation, more cells stained positively for BMP-2, TGF-ß1, ALP, and collagen I within the bone grafts and in the surrounding tissues in the group transplanted with the fine particulate bone powder grafts than in those with larger bone grafts (P<0.05). The mRNA levels of all four markers in the group transplanted with fine particulate bone powder graft peaked earlier and were expressed more highly than in the larger bone graft group, suggesting that fine particulate bone powder grafts provide more viable and active osteocytes to accelerate bone defect healing than larger bone grafts.

[Reconstruction of tissue defects by infrahyoid myocutaneous flap in elder patients after oral cancer surgery].

PURPOSE: To investigate the role of repairing tissue defects by infrahyoid myocutaneous flap after oral cancer surgery in elder patients. METHODS: From December 2005 to November 2010, we used infrahyoid myocutaneous flaps to reconstruct soft tissue defects in 19 elder patients after radical operation of oral cancer. There were 11 males and 8 females with the age range of 65 to 89 years (average: 72.8) .The lesions included 10 tongue cancers, 2 buccal cancers, 6 mouth floor cancers and 1 gingival cancer. RESULTS: All wound healed uneventfully, and all the 19 infrahyoid myocutaneous flaps survived without total or partial necrosis. The results were satisfactory both in appearance and functions. The patients were followed up for 6 months to 5 years, no tumour relapse and metastasis occurred. CONCLUSIONS: The procedure of preparing the infrahyoid myocutaneous flap is simple and the result is reliable. The flap is useful for reconstruction of soft tissue defects in elder patients.

A oximato-bridged linear trinuclear [Mn(IV)Mn(III)Mn(IV)] single-molecule magnet.

The reaction of Mn(HCOO)(2)·2H(2)O, (t)BuSaoH(2) (3,5-di-tert-butyl-salicylaldoxime) and sodium azide in isopropanol leads to [NaMn(3)((t)BuSao)(6)] (1). Its structure can be described as a linear trinuclear cluster bridged by oximato ligands. Magnetic investigation revealed that the ferromagnetic coupling interaction is dominant in 1 leading to a ground-state spin S(T) = 5. 1 shows single-molecule magnet behaviour under zero or 1 kOe dc field with energy barrier U(eff) ~ 10 K.

Surgical treatment of cervicothoracic junction spinal tuberculosis via combined anterior and posterior approaches in children.

BACKGROUND: Cervicothoracic junction spinal tuberculosis (CJST) in children is uncommon, especially when accompanied by a huge abscess. However, its consequences can be severe. Because of the special anatomic location of the cervicothoracic junction, surgical treatment is difficult and rarely reported. The aim of this clinical study was to assess the effectiveness of combined anterior and posterior approaches for focal debridement, decompression, allografting and anterior instrumentation in the treatment of CJST in children. METHODS: Ten pediatric CJST patients underwent focal debridement and cord decompression through combined anterior and posterior approaches. Then an appropriate allograft and titanium plate were applied to reconstruct the spine. The patients were asked to wear head-neck-chest braces for six months and received regular anti-tubercular drugs therapy for 12 months. RESULTS: The patients were followed-up for an average of 26 months (range, 15-32 months). There was no recurrent tuberculous infection. The bone grafts incorporated well and the instrumentation was stable. Cervical and thoracic kyphosis was successfully corrected from 40° (range, 30-52°) before the operation to 18° (range, 12-26°) post-operation. Neurological function was improved in all patients. CONCLUSIONS: Combined anterior and posterior approaches for focal debridement, decompression, bone allografting and anterior instrumentation provided an effective means of treatment in children of CJST with a huge abscess in the posterior part of the vertebral body.

The fate of donor osteocytes in fine particulate bone powders during repair of bone defects in experimental rats.

The aim of the study was to investigate the fate of donor osteocytes in fine particulate bone powders during repair of bone defects in experimental rats. The iliac bone of male inbred DA rats was harvested and used as the larger bone grafts and also prepared as fine particulate (granulated) bone powders (300-500µm size particles) for transplantation into radial defects in female rats. The presence and relative amounts of genes specific to the sex-determining region of the Y-chromosome (Sry) originating from the bone grafts were evaluated by polymerase chain reaction and by in situ hybridization, respectively. Additional samples were evaluated histologically. In the larger bone grafts, the expression of Sry decreased relatively early, disappeared by 1 week, reappeared at 4 weeks and continued to increase with time. In the fine particulate bone powders, Sry was detected all the time and its expression was statistically greater than in the larger bone grafts at each time point. Both bone grafts provided donor cells to repair the defects. The donor cells seemed to function differently between the two groups. The fine particulate bone powders contained more living osteocytes in comparison with the larger bone grafts and may accelerate the healing of bone defects compared with conventional autografts.

[Application of orthognathic surgery in treating long-standing maxillofacial fracture].

PURPOSE: To explore the application of orthognathic surgery to treat malunioned fracture of maxillofacial bone, and the methods in reconstructing facial shape and occlusion. METHODS: 20 patients with maxillofacial malunioned fracture were involved in this study, the site of osteotomy and plan of operation were determined preoperatively with three-dimensional CT reconstruction, cephalometric analysis and model surgery. Occlusal guide plate was made in cases with malocclusion. Then osteotomies were performed in planned sites. Rigid internal fixation was conducted after restoring occlusion and facial contour. RESULTS: All patients were recovered to normal facial contour after operation, and the occlusion was satisfactory. Four cases with maxillary osteotomy developed bone unhealing in the lateral wall of the maxilla, with oral antral fistula in 2 patients. CONCLUSIONS: With orthognathic surgery and rigid internal fixation, it is easy to reduce long-standing maxillofacial fracture and recover normal occlusion.