Clinical value of polymerase chain reaction in the diagnosis of joint tuberculosis by detecting the DNA of Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

Objective: To assess the clinical value of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in the diagnosis and differential diagnosis of joint tuberculosis (TB).

Methods: PCR was used blindly to detect the DNA of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M.TB) in five specimens of M.

[Comparison study on polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and standard culture technique in detecting mycobacterium tuberculosis to diagnose of joint tuberculosis].

Objective: To study the role of PCR technique in detection of mycobacterium tuberculosis in the samples from joint tuberculosis, and to evaluate the clinical value of PCR in diagnosis of joint tuberculosis.

Methods: From June 1993 to August 2001, PCR was used to detect DNA of mycobacterium tuberculosis, and the standard culture was applied to detect mycobacterium tuberculosis. Mycobacterium tuberculosis were respectively blindly by the two techniques in the samples obtained from 95 patients with joint tuberculosis (55 males and 40 females, the age ranging from 2 to 75 years, with an average of 34 years).

The development of binary Mg-Ca alloys for use as biodegradable materials within bone.

Binary Mg-Ca alloys with various Ca contents were fabricated under different working conditions. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis and optical microscopy observations showed that Mg-xCa (x=1-3 wt%) alloys were composed of two phases, alpha (Mg) and Mg2Ca. The results of tensile tests and in vitro corrosion tests indicated that the mechanical properties could be adjusted by controlling the Ca content and processing treatment.

Neocartilage formation from predifferentiated human adipose derived stem cells in vivo.

Aim: To examine the chondrogenic potential of human adipose derived stem cells (hASC) induced by human transforming growth factor beta2 (hTGF beta2) in vitro, and to investigate if predifferentiated hASC can produce neocartilage in vivo.

Methods: hASC were isolated from subcutaneous adipose tissue and cultured in pellets with the addition of hTGF beta2. Chondrogenic differentiation was assayed by RT-PCR, Western blotting, toluidine blue staining, and immunohistochemistry staining for collagen type II.

[A multi-central, randomized, controlled clinical trial of glucosamine hydrochloride/sulfate in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis].

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of glucosamine hydrochloride (GH) in the treatment of patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA) comparing with glucosamine sulfate (GS).

Methods: A multi-central, randomized, parallel-controlled clinical trial of GH vs GS was performed. 142 patients suffering from knee OA were randomized into 2 groups, treated with GH and GS for 480 mg and 500 mg one time respectively.

Expression of PDCD5, a novel apoptosis related protein, in human osteoarthritic cartilage.

Aim: To investigate the expression features of PDCD5 (programmed cell death 5 protein) in osteoarthritic and normal human cartilage, and speculate on its potential functions in the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis (OA).

Methods: Articular cartilage specimens were obtained from 30 patients with OA and 16 healthy patients at the time of arthroplasty. Expression of PDCD5 was detected by flow cytometry, immunofluorescence, RT-PCR and immunohistochemical analysis.

Effect of hydroxyurea and etoposide on transduction of human bone marrow mesenchymal stem and progenitor cell by adeno-associated virus vectors.

Aim: To study the effect of hydroxyurea and etoposide on transduction of human marrow mesenchymal and progenitor stem cells by adeno-associated virus (AAV).

Methods: Isolated human bone marrow mesenchymal stem and progenitor cells (hMSCs) were cultured in DMEM containing 10% FBS or 5% FBS and dexamethasone 1 micromol/L respectively. After being treated with hydroxyurea and etoposide, hMSCs were transduced by AAV-LUC.

[Characterization of programmed cell death 5 (PDCD5) gene in human cartilage and its possible significance].

Objective: To characterize the expression of programmed cell death 5 (PDCD5) in normal and osteoarthritic human cartilage.

Methods: Articular cartilage specimens were obtained from 20 patients with osteoarthritis and 10 with femoral neck (normal cartilage) at the time of arthroplasty. Expression of PDCD5 was detected by flow cytometry, immunofluorescence, RT-PCR and immunohistochemical analysis.

[Effects of chemokine-like factor 1 (CKLF1) on proliferation and metabolism of chondrocytes].

Objective: To investigate the effects of chemokine-like factor 1 (CKLF1) on proliferation and metabolism of chondrocytes.

Methods: Cell culture, 3H-TdR and 3H-Proline incorporation methods were used. Chondrocytes were harvested from rabbit articular cartilage.

In vitro chondrogenesis of human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal progenitor cells in monolayer culture: activation by transfection with TGF-beta2.

Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal progenitor cells are capable of chondrogenesis, making them a possible source of cells for cartilage tissue engineering. Because of this, we studied the effect of human transforming growth factor beta2 (TGF-beta2) on mesenchymal progenitor cell chondrogenesis in monolayer culture using gene transfection technology. A recombinant pcDNA3.