Therapeutic Applications of Genes and Gene-Engineered Mesenchymal Stem Cells for Femoral Head Necrosis.

Osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH) is a common and disabling joint disease. Although there is no clear consensus on the complex pathogenic mechanism of ONFH, trauma, abuse of glucocorticoids, and alcoholism are implicated in its etiology. The therapeutic strategies are still limited, and the clinical outcomes are not satisfactory.

Mid-term outcomes of primary constrained condylar knee arthroplasty for severe knee deformity.

This study aimed to examine the clinical and radiographic outcomes of primary total knee arthroplasy (TKA) with use of NexGen® Legacy® Constrained Condylar Knee (CCK) prosthesis for severe knee deformity. Clinical data of 46 patients (48 knees in total, aged 61 years on average) with severe knee deformity who underwent TKA with NexGen® Legacy® CCK prosthesis between December 2007 and February 2012 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 34 knees with severe valgus with incompetent medial collateral ligament, 11 knees with severe flexion contracture with inability to achieve knee balancing in flexion and extension by posterior soft tissue release, 2 knees with Charcot arthritis with severe varus and bone loss, and 1 with traumatic osteoarthritis with severe varus and ligamentous instability.

Low-intensity treadmill exercise promotes rat dorsal wound healing.

In order to investigate the promoting effect of low-intensity treadmill exercise on rat dorsal wound healing and the mechanism, 20 Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into two groups: exercise group (Ex) and non-exercise group (non-ex). The rats in Ex group were given treadmill exercise for one month, and those in non-ex group raised on the same conditions without treadmill exercise. Both groups received dorsal wound operation with free access to food and water.

Total hip arthroplasty with subtrochanteric femoral shortening osteotomy for high hip dislocation.

Objective: To evaluate the outcomes of total hip arthroplasty (THA) with subtrochanteric femoral shortening osteotomy for high hip dislocation.

Methods: In this retrospective study, the results of 24 primary THAs with acetabular reconstruction and subtrochanteric femoral shortening osteotomy in 21 patients with high hip dislocation were evaluated. The acetabula were reconstructed with cemented or uncemented cups and bone grafting.

Decreased in the number and function of circulation endothelial progenitor cells in patients with avascular necrosis of the femoral head.

Introduction: Once non-traumatic avascular necrosis of the femoral head (ANFH) happened, vascular impairment and feeble collateral circulation are followed by poor outcomes. Circulating endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) may substantially contribute to vascular homeostasis such as vascular repair and new blood vessel growth. We investigated whether abnormalities in EPCs levels and functions are present in ANFH patients.

Clinical result of structural augmentation with cannulated bone screws for the treatment of osteonecrosis of the femoral head.

Objective: To evaluate the results of treatment of osteonecrosis of the femoral head by structural augmentation through a routine core decompression procedure combined with insertion of cannulated bone screws incorporating autogenous bone graft and biomaterial containing decalcified bone matrix.

Methods: From February 2002 to February 2005, 31 patients (33 hips) with femoral head necrosis were treated in our hospital using insertion of cannulated bone screws incorporating autogenous bone graft. There were 18 men and 13 women with an average age of 37 years (range, 27-49).

Shoulder hemiarthroplasty for the treatment of complex proximal humeral fractures.

Objective: To investigate the indication, perioperative announcements, selection of prosthesis and clinical results of shoulder hemiarthroplasty for the treatment of complex proximal humeral fractures.

Methods: A total of 55 patients who suffered from complex proximal humeral fractures were treated by shoulder hemiarthroplasty. The mean age was 55.

Total hip arthroplasty for treatment of elderly patients with comminuted intertrochanteric fracture accompanied by femoral head necrosis.

Objective: To assess the curative effect and investigate the indications of total hip arthroplasty for treatment of comminuted intertrochanteric fractures.

Methods: Total hip arthroplasty was carried out in 9 cases of severe intertrochanteric fracture. The patients included two men and seven women.

[Assessment of the expression profile during the entochondrostosis of vascular endothelial growth factor in bone morphogenetic protein 2 induced osteogenesis].

Objectives: To examine the gene expression profile of bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP-2) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) during entochondrostosis of mice and explore the expression rules and effects between BMP-2 and VEGF, and to detect the expression of VEGF in BMP-2 induced entochondrostosis in vivo.

Methods: cDNA microarray technique with 34,000 genes was used to analyze the gene expression profiles during entochondrostosis in the limbs of mice embryo from E10 to E14. Pathway analysis of BMP-2 and VEGF was performed with GCOS1.

[Effect of silencing HIF-1alpha by RNA interference on expression of vascular endothelial growth factor in osteosarcoma cell line SaOS-2 under hypoxia].

Background & Objective: Hypoxia-inducible factor-1 alpha (HIF-1alpha) is a key regulator for hypoxia tolerance and angiogenesis of tumor. This study was to investigate the expression of HIF-1alpha and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in human osteosarcoma cell line SaOS-2 under hypoxia, to explore the effect of HIF-1alpha on hypoxia-activated angiogenesis regulation pathway in osteosarcoma.

Methods: CoCl2 was used as chemical hypoxia-inducing reagent to mimic tumor hypoxic microenvironment.

[Therapeutic effects of RNA interference targeting HIF-1 alpha gene on human osteosarcoma].

Objective: To investigate the inhibition effect of the small hairpin RNA (shRNA) targeting HIF-1alpha gene on the growth of osteosarcoma in vitro and in vivo.

Methods: The small hairpin RNA (shRNA) eukaryotic expression vector targeting HIF-1alpha gene, named pSilencer-HIF, was constructed and transfected into cultured human osteosarcoma cell of line SaOS-2 via liposome reagent. Then the osteosarcoma cells were cultured under chemical hypoxia conditions.