[Hepatitis B e antigen perturbs the LPS-stimulated production of inflammatory cytokines by mononuclear-derived dendritic cells].

Objective: To investigate whether hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) can modulate the ability of dendritic cells (DCs) to produce inflammatory cytokines (IL-12/IL-6) upon stimulation in vitro.

Methods: Purified adherent mononuclear cells isolated by Ficoll-hypaque density gradient centrifugation were cultured in complete medium containing granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor plus interleukin (IL)-4 to generate immature (i)DCs. Microscopic analysis and flow cytometry were performed to define the phenotypic characteristics of the iDCs.

Repair of critical size bone defects with porous poly(D,L-lactide)/nacre nanocomposite hollow scaffold.

Objective: To generate a novel porous poly(D,L-lactide)/nacre nanocomposite hollow scaffold.

Methods: This study was performed in the Department of Spine Surgery, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China from September 2010 to September 2011. Nacre nanoparticles were prepared using a physical process and identified by x-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy, to generate a novel scaffold though the salt leaching processing technique.

Leptin expression by heterotopic ossification-isolated tissue in rats with Achilles' tenotomy.

Objective: To set up heterotopic ossification (HO) models according to McClure and determine whether leptin messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) and protein are expressed in HO-isolated tissue.

Methods: This study was performed in the Department of Spine and Orthopedics, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China from November 2007 to June 2008. Thirty-six male rats were randomly divided into sham, partial achilles' tenotomy (PAT), and achilles' tenotomy (AT) groups, with 12 rats in each group.

[Preparation of nano-nacre artificial bone].

Objective: To assess the improvements in the properties of nano-nacre artificial bone prepared on the basis of nacre/polylactide acid composite artificial bone and its potential for clinical use.

Methods: The compound of nano-scale nacre powder and poly-D, L-lactide acid (PDLLA) was used to prepare the cylindrical hollow artificial bone, whose properties including raw material powder scale, pore size, porosity and biomechanical characteristics were compared with another artificial bone made of micron-scale nacre powder and PDLLA.

Results: Scanning electron microscope showed that the average particle size of the nano-nacre powder was 50.