A modified form of low-density lipoprotein with increased electronegative charge is present in rheumatoid arthritis synovial fluid

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are pro-inflammatory factors in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis. During inflammation, the amount of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) in the inflamed joint is increased. LDL is known to be susceptible to oxidation by ROS. Oxidized LDL may serve as a mediator for joint damage, further exacerbating the inflammatory process. LDL isolated from synovial fluid and plasma from individual patients (paired samples) with rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis was characterized by crossed immunoelectrophoresis. On analysis by this technique, synovial fluid LDL from most patients with rheumatoid arthritis contained two peaks: one corresponding to normal plasma native LDL, and the other having an increased electrophoretic mobility associated with oxidized LDL. Paired plasma LDL samples contained native LDL alone, as did paired synovial fluid and plasma LDL from patients with osteoarthritis. Thus, in addition to native LDL, a second form of LDL was shown to be present in rheumatoid synovial fluid, which had properties consistent with those of oxidized LDL.

Meniscal injury in children: long-term results after meniscectomy

Twenty-four children who underwent open total meniscectomy were reviewed and followed-up for an average of 16.1 years (range 6-33 years). There were 7 boys and 17 girls aged between 7 and 16 years (average 12.5 years). Excellent and good results were noted in 62.5% of the patients. Eighty-seven of the children showed radiographic degeneration of the knee joint. This study in a Chinese population indicates that meniscectomy is not a benign procedure in children, and total meniscectomy should be avoided as far as possible.

Ascorbate promotes low density lipoprotein oxidation in the presence of ferritin

Whilst catalytic iron has been implicated in the development of atherosclerosis by initiating low density lipoprotein (LDL) oxidation, the source of such iron remains uncertain. Here, we show that LDL oxidation in the presence of ferritin was stimulated by ascorbate (15-60 microM), whilst this effect was inhibited by the iron chelator desferrioxamine. Ascorbate also showed an antioxidant activity at high concentrations (125-250 microM). Our results suggest that the combination of ascorbate with ferritin may supply free iron for LDL oxidation in vivo.

[Analysis and identification of calculus equi components]

Components of the genuine calculus Equi and false Mabao were analyzed by X-ray diffraction. The results indicate that the main components of the genuine Mabo are NH4MgPO4.6H2O, NH4MgPO4.H2O and MgHPO4.3H2O, whereas the main components of the false Mabao is CaCO3.

[Os odontoideum]

Seventeen patients who had os odontoideum were reviewed. Among them occipito-cervical fusion was performed upon 12 patients with atlanto-axial instability. All of them achieved fusion. The patients were followed up for 2 to 16 years and satisfactory results were demonstrated. We consider that surgical treatment is indicated when os odontoideum is combined with atlanto-axial instability.

Radiographic measurements of the heights of vertebral bodies in thoracic and lumbar spine

Radiographic measurements was performed on 124 normal adults for anterior, posterior and middle heights of the vertebral bodies in thoracic and lumbar spine. The normal ratios of vertebral height in one vertebral body and one with the adjacent bodies were presented. The method for measurement and its diagnostic value to osteoporotic vertebral fractures were discussed.

Role of facet asymmetry in lumbar spine disorders

The correlation between facet joint asymmetry and disorders of the lumbar spine was analyzed in a study of plain radiographs, computed tomograms and magnetic resonance images from 76 normal subjects and 173 patients who underwent lumbar surgery. Of 76 normal controls who were studied by means of plain radiographs, only 21 (27.6%) had facet asymmetry at the level of L4-5 or L5-S1, while 84 (48.6%) of 173 patients who were studied with plain radiographs, and partially with CT or MRI, were noted to have facet asymmetry. The difference was highly significant (P < 0.01). This study supports the etiologic significance of facet asymmetry in lumbar disorders.

[Using ligustrazini and angelica sinensis treat the bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis in rats]

OBJECTIVE

To seek a kind of Chinese traditional medicine to treat the bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis.

METHODS

SD rats with bleomycin A(s) induced pulmonary fibrosis, were divided into 4 groups. Normal control group (10 rats), untreated model group (35 rats), ligustrazini group (10 rats), Angelica sinensis group (10 rats). Both ligustrazini and angelica sinensis were given intraperitoneally by injection daily for 28 days. Then all rats were put to death and took out the lungs for examination. Using histopathological examination and image processing computer assisted to evaluate the result of treatments.

RESULTS

Ligustrazini could obviously reduced alveolitis and fibrosis and Angelica sinensis had the similar but lesser result.

CONCLUSION

Ligustrazini and angelica sinensis have successful result of treatment for pulmonary fibrosis.

Long-term results after meniscectomy in 60 patients

The long-term results of total meniscectomy in 60 patients were reviewed. The patients were followed up to 10 to 33 years. 58.3% of the patients had excellent or good results. Statistical analysis showed that the late results were related to the time of follow-up and not associated with the duration of disease before operation. Radiological degeneration of the knee was seen in 35 patients (87.5%), whereas no relationship of the degeneration to the clinical results was found. It is indicated that the menisci are so important in biomechanics that total meniscectomy should be avoided as far as possible.

[Protection from procarbazine induced testicular toxicity by gonadal steroid hormones]

To confirm the claims that the procarbazines (PCZ) effect on stem spermatogonia can be overcome by gonadal steroid hormones,mature,LBNF1 male rats were implanted with silastic capsules containing testosterone (T 200 mm) + estradiol (E 50 mm). The silastic capsules of control and TE groups were removed 24 hours after the PCZ injection and the rats were sacrificed 9 weeks later. The functional status of the testis and the hormonal parameters at the time of the injection of PCZ were measured and correlated with the degree of protection ,as measured by the recovery of sperm counts. The results indicated that testosterone and estradiol does protect spermatogenesis from PCZ intoxification. To determine whether the protection is specific for stem spermatogonia, we also measured body weight loss 3-4 days, lymphocyte counts 1 day, and spermatocyte count 9 days after PCZ treatment. There were no differences in the dose response curves of these three assays between the hormone and sham treated rats. The lack of protection indicates that the hormonal protection of stem spermatogonia was not due to the alterations in either systemic or testicular pharmacokinetics of spermatocyte. We conclude that A3 spermatogonia and preleptotene spermatocyte are sensitive to PCZ and there is no evidence of hormonal protection for the differentiated spermatogonia and preleptotene spermatocyte.

The effect of posterior element resection on the stress distribution in the lumbar spine

A three-dimensional finite element model of the lumbar motion segment was used to predict the stress distribution in lumbar spine with posterior element resection. It was shown that the stress level in all parts of the lumbar spine was elevated although the stress distribution remained unchanged. The authors concluded that the posterior element resection in lumbar surgery should be avoided as much as possible.

Cruciate paralysis caused by injury of the upper cervical spine

Cruciate paralysis is an uncommon injury to the cervicomedullary junction. Five patients with injuries of the upper cervical spine and the clinical manifestation of cruciate paralysis are presented. This injury pattern is characterized by bilateral upper extremity paralysis, with minimal or no lower extremity involvement. The neuroanatomic basis and the diagnosis of this clinical entity are discussed, and the related reports in the literature are reviewed.

[ATPase activity of erythrocytic membrane and intraerythrocytic ionic levels in pregnancy with intrahepatic cholestasis]

To study the relationship between lithocholic acid and intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP), the ATPase activity of erythrocytic membrane and intraerythrocytic ionic levels were determined in 24 non-pregnant women, 38 normal pregnant women and 34 gravida with ICP. The activities of Na(+)-K+ ATPase, Ca++ ATPase and Mg++ ATPase of the membrane were found significantly lower in ICP group than in the controls. Intraerythrocytic Na+ and Ca++ levels were higher and Mg++ was significantly lower in ICP group than in the controls, and K+ showed no difference among the three groups. A negative correlation existed between lithocholic acid level and the activity of ATPase (Na(+)-K+, Ca++). The conclusion is that the high levels of lithocholic acid affected the morphology and function of the red blood cells.

Senile osteoporosis and hip fracture

A randomized block design was used to compare the Singh index, the cortical index of the femoral neck and the lateral cortical width of the femur of a group of patients with femoral neck fracture, a group with intetrochanteric fracture, and a normal control group among a total of 102 postmenopausal women. The three indices in fracture group were very significantly (P < 0.01) or significantly (P < 0.05) different from those in the normal control subjects. The importance of osteoporosis in hip fracture of the aged is confirmed. Radiographic measurement of bone mass was found to have some predictive value for the risk of hip fracture.

Double cortical line in the acetabular roof of paraplegic patients

The pelvic radiographs of 60 patients with paraplegia or quadriplegia were reviewed and double cortical line in the acetabular roofs on both sides was found in 35 patients. It was concluded that the double cortical line was a radiologic sign of disuse osteoporosis after spinal cord injury. It was noticed that the acetabular double cortical line in incomplete paralysis was not so prominent as that in complete paralysis (P < 0.05), suggesting that the degree of acetabular osteoporosis may be related to the severity of spinal cord injuries. The etiology of double cortical line and related factors were discussed.

[Studies on the ecological distribution of Bacillus thuringiensis in forest soils of China]

A total of 384 forest soils samples at 0-5cm depth collected from 8 forest site zones (13 Natural Reserves) in China were examined for the distribution of Bacillus and Bacillus thuringiensis. The 79 cultures (4.21%) in 1873 isolates of Bacillus collected referable to the Bacillus thuringiensis. Soil pH, moisture content and soil nutrient were determined. Rules of the ecological distribution of Bacillus thuringiensis of 8 forest site zones in China were analysed. Toxicities against 6 species of insect were tested. Strain some efficient serains were obtained. It was shown that resource of Bacillus thuringiensis is much fruitful in forest soils of China.

[Studies on the chemical constituents of Epimedium acuminatum Franch]

Five flavonoids were isolated from the aerial parts of Epimedium acuminatum. Their structures were determined chemically and spectroscopically to be baohuoside VI, tricin, icaritin, icariside I and baohuoside I.

[Studies on anti-inflammatory protein from the extraction of the larva of Parasa sinica Moore]

As a kind of anti-inflammatory protein fractionated and purified from the larva of parasa sinica, CCP (ip) has a significant anti-inflammatory effect on ear odema induced by croton oil in mice. Its ID50 is 1.6mg/kg, but a dose of 2.5mg/kg can also significantly inhibit the rat ankle odema induced by carrageenan and egg white.

[An analysis of the risk factors of child bronchial asthma]

We have analyzed the risk factors of child bronchial asthma by a 1:1 matched case-control study. The results showed that the family hereditary history (OR = 44.44); the history of ingesting sensitizing foods (OR = 22.52) and of allergy (OR = 7.11) in maternal pregnancy; the history of allergy in childhood (OR = 9.27) and of respiratory diseases in infancy (OR = 7.71); the personality of child (OR = 8.01), the residential environment (OR = 9.08), and so on were the risk factors of child bronchial asthma. In addition, we have found that the age of the 1st onset of child bronchial asthma was associated with the following risk factors: the history of allergy in childhood and in maternal pregnancy, the family hereditary history and the residential environment, etc. It is confirmed that the child bronchial asthma is a multifactor disease.

The stress distribution of the lumbar spine and disc degeneration

A three-dimensional finite element model of the lumbar motion segment was developed to study the effect of disc degeneration upon stress distribution in the lumbar spine. The results showed that after degeneration of the intervertebral disc, the stress distribution and load transmission of the lumbar spine are significantly changed. It is concluded that these changes provide a biomechanical basis for understanding the etiology of spinal canal stenosis and nerve root entrapment.

[Nosocomial infections of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and their detection]

In 142 strains of Staphylococcus aureus randomly isolated from clinical samples in a year, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) accounted for 79.6% (113/142). MRSA in the samples from the respiratory, burning and hematological departments came to 92.0% (23/25), 84.6% (11/13) and 83.3% (30/36) in proportion respectively. 79.6% of MRSA strains were isolated from the patients in whom the infections were confirmed to be hospital-acquired. All the strains of Staphylococcus aureus examined were resistant to penicillin G and ampicillin, but sensitive to vancomycin. Twenty hospital-acquired strains of MRSA showed a resistance to all detected antibiotics (multi-drug resistance, MDR), but vancomycin; strains of methicillin-sensitive ones, however, showed on MDR. In 45 strains of Staphylococcus aureus isolated from swabs of fingers of 62 medical workers, 31 (68.9%) were methicillin-resistant. The resistant similarity of shares of strains between medical staff and patients indicated a potential role that medical workers play in spread of nosocomial infections.