ObjectiveTo compare the biological features of early and late endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) by isolating and culturing early and late EPCs from the human peripheral blood so as to find some unique properties of EPCs and to propose a suitable strategy for EPCs identification. MethodsMononuclear cells were isolated from the human peripheral blood using density gradient centrifugation. Then, the cells were inoculated in human fibronectin-coated culture flasks and cultured in endothelial cell basal medium 2. After 4-7 days and 2-3 weeks culture, early and late EPCs were obtained respectively. The morphology, proliferation potential, surface markers, cytokine secretion, angiogenic ability, and nitric oxide (NO) release were compared between 2 types of EPCs. Meanwhile, the human aortic endothelial cells (HAECs) were used as positive control. ResultsThe morphology of early and late EPCs was different:early EPCs formed a cell cluster with a spindle shape after 4-7 days of culture, and late EPCs showed a cobblestone appearance. Late EPCs were characterized by high proliferation potential and were able to form capillary tubes on Matrigel, but early EPCs did not have this feature. Both types EPCs could ingest acetylated low density lipoprotein and combine with ulex europaeus Ⅰ. Flow cytometry analysis showed that early EPCs did not express CD34 and CD133, but expressed the CD14 and CD45 of the hematopoietic stem cell markers;however, late EPCs expressed CD31 and CD34 of the endothelial cell markers, but did not express CD14, CD45, and CD133. By RT-PCR analysis, the expressions of vascular endothelial growth receptor 2 and vascular endothelial cadherin in early EPCs were significantly lower than those in the late EPCs and HAECs (P<0.05), but no significant difference was found in the expression of von Willebrand factor and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) between 2 type EPCs (P>0.05). The concentrations of vascular endothelial growth factor, granulocyte colony-stimulating factor, and interleukin 8 were significantly higher in the supernatant of early EPCs than late EPCs (P<0.05). Western blot assay indicated eNOS expressed in both types EPCs, while the expression of eNOS in late EPCs was significantly higher than early EPCs at 5 weeks (P<0.05). Both cell types could produce similar amount of NO (P>0.05). ConclusionThe expression of eNOS and the production of NO could be used as common biological features to identify EPCs, and the strategy of a combination of multiple methods for EPCs identification is more feasible.
ObjectiveTo collect and analyze the clinical data and quality of life of hemophilic children, understand the present condition of these patients in Sichuan Province, and analyze related influencing factors. MethodWe retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of hemophilic children treated in our hospital from January 1, 2008 to May 30, 2015. ResultsThere were 92 child patients from Sichuan Province with a median age of 9.6 years old (ranging from 3.6 to 18.0). There were 87 cases (94.6%) of hemophilia A and 5 (5.4%) of hemophilia B; the number of light cases was 4 (4.3%), of moderate cases was 67 (72.8%), and of severe cases was 21 (22.9%); eighteen (19.6) of the patients had family history. First bleeding episode occurred at a median age of 11 months (0-48 months). Mild bleeding occurred in 23 cases (25.0%), moderate bleeding in 31 cases (33.7%), and severe bleeding in 38 cases (41.3%). First bleeding site was mainly the mucous membrane of the skin, followed by the joint muscles. Fist joint bleeding occurred at a median age of 18 months (2-107 months). Forty-six patients (59.0%) had severe joint damage during the course of the disease. Intracranial hemorrhage occurred in 4 patients (4.3%), among whom 3 were cured and discharged from the hospital, and 1 had neurological sequelae. Median diagnostic age was 12 months (0-120 months). Sixty-two (67.4%) were diagnosed in a short period of time, 9 (9.8%) in a mediate period of time, and 21 (22.8%) in a long period of time. Forty (43.5%) of the patients had been given sufficient coagulation factors, while all the others had not received sufficient replacement therapy. Fifty-six (60.9%) children had received prophylactic treatment. First prophylaxis was administrated at a median age of 36 months (1-199 months), but 27 (48.2%) discontinued. The median score of the 29 retreated Disease Burden Scale was 22.7±11.6 (4-43), and among them, 11 (37.9%) could not care for themselves. Twenty-three participated in the assessment of social activity ability, among whom, 2 did not attend school, and 6 could not take part in the assessment because of school learning. Correlation analysis showed that there was no significant relationship between diagnostic timing and family history (P=0.795) or between diagnostic timing and areas they came from (P=0.495). However, significant association was found between diagnostic timing and the severity of first bleeding (r=0.392, P=0.035). Disease burden of family was significantly correlated with the number of target joints (r=0.370, P=0.048), and was not closely related with area, severity of bleeding, frequency of hemorrhage, medical insurance, or physical and social activities. ConclusionsThe general diagnosis and treatment condition of child hemophilia in Sichuan is relatively under-developed with a high prevalence of joint damage, poor quality of life, and high disease burden to the family. Improvement in the care of hemophilia children is urgently needed.
ObjectiveTo investigate the surgical procedures and results of nonunion of lateral humeral condyle fracture combined with cubitus valgus. MethodsBetween January 2006 and September 2011, 19 cases of nonunion of lateral humeral condyle fracture combined with cubitus valgus were treated with supracondylar closing wedge osteotomy, open reduction, autogenous bone grafting, and internal fixation. There were 11 males and 8 females, aged 14-28 years (mean, 21.6 years). The left side was involved in 7 cases, and the right side in 12 cases. The disease duration was 3-22 years (mean, 9 years). The osseous protuberance and enlargement were seen in the lateral condyle of all the cases, with cubitus valgus. Compared with the contralateral side, the angle of cubitus valgus deformity increased (34.00±7.68)° at the affected side. The elbow range of motion of flexion and extension was (117.35±19.77)° in the other 17 patients except 2 patients with joint stiff. Among them, 10 patients had limited mobility. Three patients had ulnar neuritis. ResultsAll the patients obtained primary healing of incision, and no surgery-related complication occurred. Nineteen patients were followed up 2-6 years (mean, 3.2 years). Bony union at lateral condylar fracture site and the supracondylar osteotomy site was achieved in all cases within 6 months postoperatively. In 3 patients with ulnar neuritis, the symptoms of nerve injury disappeared within 6 months. At last follow-up, the angle of cubitus valgus deformity increased (3.21±4.09)° at the affected side when compared with the contralateral side, showing significant difference when compared with preoperative angle (t=30.472, P=0.000). The range of motion of the elbow was 20° and 30° in 2 patients with joint stiff before operation; the elbow range of motion of flexion and extension was (117.64±15.72)° in the other 17 patients, showing no significant difference when compared with preoperative value (t=-0.180, P=0.859). According to the appearance of the elbow, range of motion, and complications, the overall results were classified as excellent in 9 patients, good in 8 patients, and poor in 2 patients; the excellent and good rate was 89.5%. ConclusionSupracondylar closing wedge osteotomy can correct the cubitus valgus deformity and improve the symptoms of ulnar neuritis. Open reduction, autogenous bone grafting, and internal fixation for nonunion of the lateral condyle can effectively stabilize the lateral condylar fracture and promote fracture healing.
Objective Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease( COPD) is highly heterogeneous. In theory, the patients with same clinical manifestations, treatment response and prognosis can be classified into one phenotype, which may have same biological or physiological mechanisms. In this study the profiles of patients with COPD including body mass index( BMI) , Goddard score, fractional exhaled nitric oxide( FeNO) were analyzed in order to find some special phenotypes.Methods Patients with COPD at stable stage in Ruijin Hospital from May 2011 to February 2012 were evaluated with COPD assessment test ( CAT) in Chinese version, St. George’s Respiratory Questionnaire( SGRQ) , hospital anxiety and depression( HAD) rating scale, pulmonary function test, and 6-minute walking test ( 6MWT) . Baseline data was collected including height, weight, drug use, times of exacerbation, etc. Results A total of 126 patients were recruited. The patients with low BMI had poorer quality of life, lower FEV1 , poorer diffusion function, and higher Goddard score, and was easier to develop anxiety and depression. The patients with high BMI had lower oxygen saturation at rest. We failed to define a certain kind of phenotype according to FeNO. The patients of emphysema phenotype( assessed by Goddard score) had lower BMI, decreased lung diffusion capacity, and poorer quality of life. Conclusion The study can define COPD patients into some special phenotypes( low BMI and emphysema phenotype) , but failed to define a certain kind of phenotype according to FeNO.
ObjectiveTo investigate the role of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 in the posterior transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) for patients with osteoporosis and lumbar degenerative disease. MethodsBetween November 2011 and October 2012,44 patients with osteoporosis and lumbar degenerative disease were treated with TLIF and the clinical data were retrospectively analyzed.The patients were divided into 2 groups based on the administration of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3.After TLIF operation,1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 was used in 21 patients (trial group),and was not used in 23 patients (control group).There was no significant difference in gender,age,etiology,affected segment,and disease duration between 2 groups (P>0.05).Lumbar interbody fusion was observed by X-ray and thin-section CT scan reconstruction of lumbar spine according to Brantigan assessment system at 6 months after operation and last follow-up.Clinical outcome was evaluated by Oswestry disability index (ODI) before and after operation. ResultsThe patients of 2 groups were followed up 12-27 months (mean,14.5 months).No fixation loosening or breaking occurred during follow-up.ODI scores in both groups were significantly improved at 6 months after operation and last follow-up (P<0.05) when conpared with preoperative value.Although at preoperation there was no significant difference in ODI score between 2 groups (P>0.05),ODI score of trial group was significantly lower than that of control group at 6 months after operation and last follow-up (P<0.05).At 6 months after operation,the interbody fusion rate was 76.19% (16/21) in trial group and 43.48% (10/23) in control group,showing significant difference (χ2=3.60,P=0.03); at last follow-up,the fusion rate was 95.24% (20/21) in trial group and 65.22% (15/23) in control group,showing significant difference (χ2=4.38,P=0.02). Conclusion1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 can improve the lumbar interbody fusion rate and general conditions in the patients with osteoporosis and lumbar degenerative disease.