Stress protection by external fixation of the rabbit tibia

Osteopenia of the tibia and femur caused by an external fixator in the tibia was studied in 14 rabbits. Eight rabbits were treated with a complete unilateral external fixator in one tibia, whereas the other tibia served as control. The other 6 animals had one leg operated on with inserting of all the pins but without the frame. This technique was chosen to compare osteopenia caused by stress protection and the effect of the pins. After 6 weeks, we found a 7 percent reduction in the bone mineral content in the tibial diaphyseal segment between the pins of the external fixator and no bone loss in the tibia that were operated on with only pins. In the femurs, there was a smaller decrease in the bone mineral content: respectively 3.2 percent (complete frame) and 2.9 percent (only pins). On all the operated on tibiae, there was an increase in the bone mineral content around the pins both proximally and distally.     

Cytotoxic properties of eosinophil granule major basic protein for tumor cells

BACKGROUND: Eosinophil granule major basic protein (MBP) mediates many eosinophil-associated immune functions and it adheres eosinophils to parasite targets. METHODS: We compared the toxicities of MBP and melittin to K562 and HL-60 cells using five cytotoxicity methods. RESULTS: Trypan blue staining, propidium iodide/ CellTrackertrade markGreen staining and incorporation of 14C-leucine assays indicated that MBP damages most cells by 1 h. In contrast, 51Cr and lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) release assays indicated that MBP damages most cells only at 20 h. All five methods indicated that melittin damages nearly all cells by 1 h. To resolve these discrepancies, the procedures were modified. Without cell transfer, dye staining methods showed that MBP produces very little cytotoxicity at 4 h. 51Cr and LDH assays, modified to mimic cell transfer, showed increased cytotoxicities at 4 h. The 14C-leucine assay modified by solubilization of cells with SDS and by trichloroacetic acid precipitation showed increased recovery of labeled protein and, thus, lower cytotoxicity, about 50%, at 4 h. CONCLUSION: Overall, MBP's ability to cause molecular and cellular adhesion confounds cytotoxicity measurements. A modified 14C-leucine assay overcame MBP's adhesiveness and provided an accurate measure of cytotoxicity.     

Reduction of atherosclerosis in cholesterol-fed rabbits and decrease of expressions of intracellular adhesion molecule-1 and vascular endothelial growth factor in foam cells by a water-soluble fraction of Polygonum multiflorum

Polygonum multiflorum stilbeneglycoside （PMS） is a water-soluble fraction of Polygonum multiflorum Thunb. , one of the most famous tonic traditional Chinese medicines, that has protective effects on the cardiovascular system. The purpose of the present study is to elucidate the effects of PMS on macrophage-derived foam cell functions and the reduction of severity of atherosclerosis in hypercholesterolemic New Zealand White （NZW） rabbits. NZW rabbits were fed for 12 weeks with a normal diet, a high cholesterol diet, or a high cholesterol diet associated with irrigation with different doses of PMS （25, 50, or 100 mg/kg）. Treatment of NZW rabbits fed with high cholesterol diet with 100 mg/kg PMS attenuated the increase in plasma cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and plasma triglyceride. Treatment with 50 and 100 mg/kg PMS caused 43% and 60% decrease in atherosclerotic lesioned area ratio to total surface area, respectively. In U937 foam cells, PMS could decrease the high expression of intercellular adhesion molecule （ICAM）-1 protein and the vascular endothelial growth factor （VEGF） protein levels in the medium induced by oxidized lipoprotein when analyzed by flow cytometry. The results proved that PMS is a powerful agent against atherosclerosis and that PMS action could possibly be through the inhibition of the expression of ICAM-1 and VEGF in foam cells.     

Finger dexterity in well-functioning cohort of office workers in Macau

AimThe study aimed to describe the finger dexterity in office workers of an Asian population.MethodsOne hundred twenty-seven right-handed office workers, aged 21–50 with a similar split of male and female, were recruited with finger dexterity measured by the O’Connor Finger Dexterity Test. The grip strength, tip and lateral pinch strength of both hands were also measured.ResultsThis study provided the percentile score of the O’Connor Finger Dexterity Test of both males and females in the Asian population. Raw scores of below 218 and 213 seconds in male and female participants respectively reach the 90th percentile, and above 237 and 235 seconds in male and female below the 10th percentile. Results showed no significant difference in local mean scores across different age groups, between male and female and with varying hours of working in typing, filing, and writing. A significant difference was only found in finger dexterity and years of working as office workers. No significant correlation was found between the finger dexterity with grip strength, tip and lateral pinch of the dominant right hand. The results were similar to the original normative score with similar work skills and demands.ConclusionThe mean scores could be used as a valid reference for local occupational therapists to evaluate the finger dexterity of office workers. However, caution has to be taken that conclusions drawn can be biased because of the relatively small sample size, and the results cannot be generalized to represent a wider Asian population.     

单克隆抗体博来霉素A6偶联物对白血病细胞特异性结合与内化

抗CCT2单克隆抗体博来霉素A6偶联物可吸附胶体金颗粒(McAb-A6-Au)。电镜观察表明,在4℃,1h,表面有McAb-A6-Au颗粒的CEM细胞最高达78%;在37℃,4h,内化McAb-A6-Au颗粒的CEM细胞高达72%。而抗原性无关的U937细胞仅为14%。并且McAb-A6-Au颗粒能直接穿过细胞膜、核膜进入细胞浆和细胞核。37℃,1h已有10～18%的CEM细胞核内有McAb-A 6-Au颗粒。实验结果提示了单抗与博来霉素A6的偶联物与选择性地结合靶细胞,而且进入细胞速度快、穿透力强,有可能成为治疗白血病药物。     

FISSURE SEALANT IN A NUTSHELL. EVIDENCE-BASED META-EVALUATION OF SEALANTS’ EFFECTIVENESS IN CARIES PREVENTION AND ARREST

ObjectiveThis meta-evaluation aimed to summarize all available evidence regarding different fissure sealants on occlusal caries prevention, arrest, retention rate, adverse effect, and cost-effectiveness; when compared with no intervention, other preventive or minimally-invasive procedures.Materials and MethodsThe systematic reviews and meta-analyses were identified via four electronic databases and manual searching. Two independent reviewers performed study selection, data extraction, quality assessment with AMSTAR-2.ResultsAmong the 366 records yielded, 38 systematic reviews were identified as eligible 24 of them included meta-analyses. Moderate evidence has supported the efficacies of resin-based sealants (RBS) in occlusal caries prevention, arrest and cost-effectiveness compared to no interventions. Low to very low certainty of evidence suggested similar effectiveness of glass-ionomer cements in caries prevention with RBS and more superior performance of resin infiltration in arresting non-cavitated occlusal lesions.ConclusionThis meta-evaluation supports the use of RBS on permanent molars to reduce occlusal caries occurrence, arrest lesion progression and alleviate oral health inequalities between individuals of different socioeconomic status. This meta-evaluation also advocates further research on glass-ionomer cements and resin infiltration with respect to their efficacies in caries prevention and arrest.     

No adverse effects of early weight bearing after uncemented total hip arthroplastyA randomized study of 20 patients

Experimental fibular defects in 16 rats were filled with an acid decalcified homogenous bone matrix (bone inductive material). Autogenous bone grafts in corresponding defects in the other legs of the same rats served as controls. After 3 months, 11 of the 16 defects filled with bone inductive material healed with bony union, but only 4 of the 16 defects treated with autogenous bone grafts had healed. The results suggest that bone inductive material can repair bone defects which are too large to be healed by autogenous bone grafts.     

Unstable versus stable uncemented femoral stems: a radiological study of periprosthetic bone changes in two types of uncemented stems with different concepts of fixation

Introduction Uncemented stems in total hip arthroplasty (THA) are used increasingly often because they are believed to offer a reliable long-term fixation. However, periprosthetic bone remodelling has been a worrying issue. A proximal demineralization has been noted in femurs with well-fixed stems, and it has been explained as by-passing of mechanical forces along the fixed implant (stress-shielding). Aseptic loosening has been a major problem in several uncemented series with earlier designs. The objective for this study was to investigate how the host bone adapts to a loose stem compared with a well-fixed stem after a long time.Materials and methods An investigation with dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA), scintimetry and radiological assessment was carried out in 20 patients 8 years after a THA for arthrosis with two different uncemented stems. Ten patients received a stem coated with polytetrafluoroethylene (Anaform); all prostheses showed migration and were considered unstable. Ten patients received a hydroxyapatite-coated stem (Bi-Metric); no prosthesis migrated.Results Different remodelling patterns were seen. In the unstable group, the periprosthetic bone mineral density (BMD) was significantly reduced along the entire stem, while in the stable group only proximal bone loss was seen. The scintigraphic uptake was increased under the stem tip in both groups, and among unstable stems uptake was also increased in the calcar region.Conclusion The assessment of periprosthetic bone remodelling after uncemented THA with long-term observation shows a different host-bone response in stable versus unstable femoral implants. Prior to a femoral revision, measurement of the BMD could be beneficial; it may guide the surgeon when deciding which surgical technique to use.