Implant wear induces inflammation, but not osteoclastic bone resorption, in RANK(-/-) mice.

Signaling of RANK (receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa B) through its ligand RANKL appears critical in osteolysis associated with aseptic loosening (AL). The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of RANK in a murine osteolysis model developed in RANK knockout (RANK(-/-)) mice. Ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) debris was introduced into established air pouches on RANK(-/-) mice, followed by implantation of calvaria bone from syngeneic littermates. Wild type C57BL/6 (RANK(+/+)) mice injected with either UHMWPE or saline alone were included in this study. Pouch tissues were collected 14 days after UHMWPE inoculation for molecular and histology analysis. Results showed that UHMWPE stimulation induced strong pouch tissue inflammation in RANK(-/-) mice, as manifested by inflammatory cellular infiltration, pouch tissue proliferation, and increased gene expression of IL-1beta, TNFalpha, and RANKL. However, the UHMWPE-induced inflammation in RANK(-/-) mice was not associated with the osteoclastic bone resorption observed in RANK(+/+) mice. In RANK(+/+) mice subjected to UHMWPE stimulation, a large number of TRAP(+) cells were found on the implanted bone surface, where active osteoclastic bone resorption was observed. No TRAP(+) cells were found in UHMWPE-containing pouch tissues of RANK(-/-) mice. Consistent with the lack of osteoclastic activity shown by TRAP staining, no significant UHMWPE particle-induced bone resorption was found in RANK(-/-) mice. A well preserved bone collagen content (Van Gieson staining) and normal plateau surface contour [microcomputed tomography (microCT)] of implanted bone was observed in RANK(-/-) mice subjected to UHMWPE stimulation. In conclusion, this study provides the evidence that UHMWPE particles induce strong inflammatory responses, but not associated with osteoclastic bone resorption in RANK(-/-) mice. This indicates that RANK signaling is essential for UHMWPE particle-induced osteoclastic bone resorption, but does not participate in UHMWPE particle-induced inflammatory response.     

Evidence that the Receptor for Soluble CD14:LPS Complexes may not be the Putative Signal-Transducing Molecule Associated with Membrane-Bound CD14

Membrane-bound CD14 acts as a receptor for lipopolysaccharide (LPS) on monocytes/macrophages and neutrophils. Studies have suggested that the activation of monocytes/macrophages by the binding of LPS to membrane-bound CD14 may require the association of a signal-transducing molecule with membrane-bound CD14. The observation that non-CD14 expressing cells, such as endothelial cells, can nevertheless be activated by a complex of LPS and a soluble form of CD14 (sCD14) suggests that the receptor for this complex may be identical to the signal transducing molecule associated with membrane-bound CD14. The studies described show that two CD14-specific MoAb are able to block the LPS-induced activation of endothelial cells but do not affect the response of monocytes to LPS. This suggests that the interaction of the sCD14:LPS complex with endothelial cells is distinct from the interaction of membrane-bound CD14 with its putative signal-transducing molecule.     

A prospective randomized trial of colchicine in prevention of liver cirrhosis in chronic hepatitis B patients

Background : The clinical course of chronic hepatitis B is variable. Patients with hepatic decompensation, bridging necrosis or an alpha-fetoprotein level greater than 100 ng/mL during an exacerbation of hepatitis have a high risk of developing cirrhosis. This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of colchicine in the prevention of cirrhosis in such patients.
Methods : Patients with risk factor(s) were randomized to receive either colchicine 5 mg/week or no specific treatment, the end point being development of cirrhosis.
Results : After a follow up period of 4 years, the treatment group had a marked reduction in exacerbations of acute hepatitis (32% vs. 63%/patient/year, P <0.005). Seven out of 38 patients in the treatment group and 10 out of 27 patients in the control group developed cirrhosis. The calculated cumulative incidence of cirrhosis by the end of first, second, third and fourth years in the treatment group was 8.7, 18.6, 32 and 32%, respectively. The corresponding figures in the control group were 30, 35.5, 46.3 and 73.2%, respectively, with a P -value of 0.057.
Conclusions : The results suggest that colchicine may prevent cirrhosis in chronic hepatitis B patients with risk factor(s), possibly by suppressing exacerbations of hepatitis through an anti-inflammatory effect.     

Kindergarten children's representation and understanding of written number symbols

Two samples of kindergarten children's representation and understanding of written number symbols were examined in two time points in one academic year. About 85% of Chinese five year olds (mean = 5 years 10 months) were able to use conventional number symbols to represent the quantity of 30 or larger. At the end of the kindergarten year, 94% of Chinese six year olds (mean = 6 years 4 months) were able to use conventional number symbols to represent the quantity of 100 or larger. Some Chinese six year olds had problems in representing written addition and subtraction tasks. Children's ability to represent written number symbols, ability to represent written addition and subtraction formula and their performance on written addition and subtraction were closely related. The performance of children in a university-affiliated childcare center was better than that of the center serving working-class families in Time 1, but the performance reversed at the end of the kindergarten year.     

Antisense Smad2 inhibits high glucose-stimulated production of extracellular matrix in cultured rat glomerular mesangial cells

Transforminggrowthfactor-β1(TGF-β1)is amultifunctionalpolypeptidethatregulatesanum-berofcellularprocesses,includingcellprolifera-tion,differentiation,apoptosis,migration,matrix synthesis,andtheimmuneresponse[1,2].Inchron-icrenaldiseases,TGF-β1isakeymediatorofex-tracellularmatrix(ECM)accumulation[3].Oneof thetargetrenalcellsforTGF-β1isglomerular mesangialcellsthatarecapableofproducingcom-ponentsofECM,suchascollagens,lamininand fibronectin[4,5].Recentstudiesindicatedthatinhi-bitionofT…     

Effect of hepatitis C antibody screening in blood donors on post-transfusion hepatitis in Taiwan

A national screening programme for antibody to hepatitis C virus (HCV) in blood donors in Taiwan began in July 1992 using a second-generation immunoassay. To study the impact of this screening on post-transfusion hepatitis in Taiwan, a prospective study on post-transfusion hepatitis, that was started in 1987, was continued. As of June 1994, 245 patients who received a blood transfusion after July 1992 had completed a follow-up period for more than 6 months post-transfusion. Of them, seven (2.8%) recipients developed acute post-transfusion hepatitis. The hepatitis in six cases could not be attributed to infection by hepatitis A, B, C, D, E viruses or cytomegalovirus (CMV) or Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). The remaining patient seroconverted to both IgG and IgM anti-CMV. All seven patients recovered in 6 months without development of chronicity, and the mean peak alanine aminotransferase level was lower compared with that of the cases before anti-HCV screening (i.e. pre-July 1992). These results indicate that the current anti-HCV screening has effectively interrupted HCV transmission through blood transfusion in Taiwan.     

关于癌症患者"坚强"的概念分析

全文以Walker和Avant概念分析格式介绍坚强（hardiness）的定义和特征,说明案例,分析前置因子和后果,列举坚强的评估方法和在不同人群中的运用.希望通过对坚强的全面分析加深医务人员对此概念的理解,从而有助于激发患者的坚强特质.     

切开复位内固定治疗Gartland Ⅲ型肱骨髁上骨折

目的探讨切开复位内固定治疗Gartland Ⅲ型肱骨髁上骨折的疗效。方法1999年10月-2005年4月，对62例平均年龄7．5岁的患儿，应用切开复位克氏针固定治疗Gartland Ⅲ型肱骨髁上骨折。其中伸直尺偏型41例，伸直桡偏型18例，伸直中间型3例；无伴发血管、神经损伤和筋膜室间隔综合征。闭合性骨折47例，开放性骨折15例。结果术后56例获得随访，随访时间为6～15个月，平均11．5个月。所有骨折均获得愈合。根据Flynn标准进行疗效评价，其中优22例（占39．3％），良21例（37．5％），可9例（16．1％），差4例（7．1％）。伤后8h内手术的优良率为89．7％，伤后8h后手术的优良率为63．0％。直接手术治疗的优良率为90．1％，曾接受手法复位的优良率为67．7％。结论切开复位内固定治疗Gartland Ⅲ型肱骨髁上骨折可取得满意的疗效，是安全、有效的治疗方法。     

王焕禄老中医治疗哮喘发作期的用药经验

王焕禄老中医在长期的临床实践中，总结出治疗哮喘病的一些用药体会，兹介绍如下，以飨读者。     

应用输尿管镜放置双J管早期治疗输尿管阴道瘘

Objective To evaluate the clinical effect of placing double J stent using a ureteroscope in early managing ureterovaginal fistula.Methods Twenty-eight patients cases with ureterovaginal fistula from 2002 to 2008 were treated early with placing double J stent using a ureteroscope and the clinical data were reviewed.Results Twenty-two of 28 cases were treated and double J stent was placed in them by a uretero-scope and 75% (21/28)of cases were cured.Four of 21 cases were treated twice by a ureteroscope and were cured finally.7 cases with failure ureterovaginal treatment underwent ureterocystostomy and were cured.The follow-up from 6 months to 33 months (average 10.1±6.4 months)showed that all of the 28 cases had been cured and had no urinary fistula.Conclusion Placing double J stent using a ureteroscope is the first choice of operative procedure for the early treatment of ureterovaginal fistula.