Lycium barbarum polysaccharide protects against osteonecrosis of femoral head via regulating Runx2 expression.

Background: Osteonecrosis of femoral head (ONFH) is a pathological state caused by lack of blood supply in femoral head. This study aimed to explore the function of Lycium barbarum polysaccharide (LBP), an antioxidant agent extracted from L. barbarum, on ONFH.

Clinical application of different operative approach of total knee replacement in knee valgus patients. Retrospective cohort study.

Purpose: According to the severity of knee valgus, different operative approaches were applied in total knee replacement. Hence, we assessed the safety and efficacy of different operative approaches in the level IV study.

Methods: From May 2011 to March 2014, a retrospectively analysis was conducted among 31 patients with knee valgus (mild in 10 cases, moderate in 8 cases and severe in 13 cases based on Keblish grade).

Elevated chemerin levels in synovial fluid and synovial membrane from patients with knee osteoarthritis.

To test the serum, synovial fluid and synovial membrane levels of the adipokine chemerin in patients with knee osteoarthritis (KOA) and investigate their relationships with the severity of articular cartilage damage and synovitis. According to the American College of Rheumatology criteria for diagnosis of osteoarthritis (OA), 30 cases with OA diagnoses (OA group) were selected from patients who underwent arthroscopic surgery in our hospital from June 2013 to February 2014. Another 30 cases with other knee joint diseases (non-OA group) were included as controls.

Detection of anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibodies in rheumatoid arthritis patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is the most common chronic inflammatory joint disorder and anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibody (anti-CCP Ab) is regarded as a serological marker for diagnosing early and late RA. In the present study, we aimed to determine the levels of anti-CCP Ab in serum, synovial tissue (ST) and synovial fluid (SF) in RA patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty (TKA). 23 patients were included.

[Development of a quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction for detecting Bartonella henselae].

Objective: To develop a quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for detecting Bartonella henselae.

Methods: According to the 16S-23S rRNA intervening sequences (IVS) specific for B. henselae, one pair of primers and one TaqMan-MGB probe were designed.

[Detection of Rickettsia prowazekii by quantitative real-time PCR].

Objective: To develop a quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for detecting Rickettsia prowazekii.

Methods: Primers and TaqMan-MGB probes designed based on ompB gene of R. prowazekii, were used to develop this method.

[Study on the development of a real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction assay to detect Rickettsia].

Objective: To develop a real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction(PCR) assay for detecting Rickettsia rickettsii.

Methods: The primers and TaqMan-MGB probe were designed according to the ompB gene of R. rickettsii.

Recombinant 56-kilodalton major outer membrane protein antigen of Orientia tsutsugamushi Shanxi and its antigenicity.

The gene encoding the 56-kDa protein of Orientia tsutsugamushi Shanxi was amplified by a nested PCR and cloned into the expression vector pQE30. The 56-kDa protein of O. tsutsugamushi Shanxi (Sxh56) was expressed as a fusion protein with the His(6)-binding protein of Escherichia coli by deleting the signal peptide-encoding sequence from the 5' end of the open reading frame.