Study of the relationship between the expression of nerve growth factor and aneurysm formation and prognosis

We sought to investigate the effect of nerve growth factor (NGF) expression on the formation and prognosis of cerebral aneurysms. Forty-eight cases were selected following a diagnosis of cerebral aneurysm using computed tomography angiography and surgical confirmation. Thirty-four cases of healthy deaths were also chosen. The tissue was tested for NGF expression changes by reverse-transcription PCR, Western blot and histopathology, and NGF expression was compared between the cerebral aneurysm and healthy groups. The expression level of NGF in cerebral aneurysm tissue was significantly increased over that observed in control tissue. The abnormal expression of NGF is related to cerebral aneurysms. The elevated expression of NGF in cerebral aneurysms may be associated with a poor prognosis.

Relationship between abnormal NOS expression and the pathogenesis of cerebral aneurysm

We sought to investigate the relationship between abnormal expression of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) and pathogenesis of cerebral aneurysm. Brain tissues were collected from 36 patients with cerebral aneurysm confirmed by computer tomography with angiography or neurosurgical therapy. The control group consisted of 25 patients of similar age who had no vascular diseases, as confirmed by magnetic resonance imaging. Samples of cortical arterioles were collected. The structure of the aneurysms was detected by hematoxylin and eosin staining, and the expression of inducible NOS was detected by immunohistochemistry. NOS expression was significantly higher in the patient group than in the control group (patients: 30/36 strongly positive; control: 0/25 strongly positive; P < 0.05). In conclusion, the pathogenesis underlying cerebral aneurysm may be due to abnormal expression of NOS, degradation of the extracellular matrix, aggravation of a pro-inflammatory reaction, or a deficiency in arterial elasticity layer synthesis. These changes may result in a deficiency in vascular remodeling.

Surgical results of developmental dysplasia of the hip in older children based on using three-dimensional computed tomography

BACKGROUND

The surgical management of developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) in older children has been the subject of controversy. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the outcome in patients with neglected DDH who underwent individual procedures based on using three-dimensional computed tomography.

METHODS

Forty-seven patients (59 hips) were treated using Pemberton osteotomy or Dega plus Pemberton osteotomy. Subtrochanteric transverse femoral shortening and derotation osteotomy were performed for all patients. The average age at the time of surgery was 10.5 y for group 1 (bilateral dislocation, 24 hips) and 11.2 y for group 2 (unilateral dislocation, 35 hips). Mean follow-up was 5.3 y for group 1 and 5.8 y for group 2.

RESULTS

At the end of follow-up, 13 hips (54.2%) were rated excellent, eight hips (33.3%) were good, and three hips (12.5%) were fair in group 1. In group 2, 20 hips (57.1%) were rated excellent, 10 hips (28.6%) were good, and five hips (14.3%) were fair. There were five patients who had a limb length discrepancy of approximately 1.5 cm in group 2. Six hips in group 1 and seven hips in group 2 had osteonecrosis of varying severity.

CONCLUSIONS

We believe that preoperation three-dimensional computed tomography evaluation, personalized operation plans, and experience with the surgical procedure are the main reasons for the satisfactory therapeutic effects achieved in this study in older children with DDH.

Anti-osteoporosis activity of Cibotium barometz extract on ovariectomy-induced bone loss in rats

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Recent research has confirmed that Cibotium barometz could inhibits osteoclast formation with no affect on BMM cell viability. However, the influence of Cibotium barometz on osteoporosis in animals is relatively unknown. The purpose of this study is to systemically investigate the effects of Cibotium barometz extract (CBE) on ovariectomy-induced osteoporosis in rats.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of Seventy-two 3-month-old female Sprague-Dawley rats were used and randomly divided into sham-operated group and five ovariectomized (OVX) groups: OVX with vehicle; OVX with 17β-estradiol (E2, 25 μg/kg/day); OVX with CBE of graded doses (100, 300, or 500 mg/kg/day). Daily oral administration of E2 or CBE began 4 weeks after the surgery and lasted for 16 weeks. Bone mass, bone turnover and strength were analyzed by DEXA, biochemical markers and three-point bending test. The trabecular bone microarchitecture was evaluated by MicroCT.

RESULTS

CBE prevented total BMD decrease in the femur induced by OVX, which was accompanied by a significant decrease in skeletal remodeling, as was evidenced by the decreased levels of the bone turnover markers, such as osteocalcin (OC), alkaline phosphatese (ALP), deoxypyridinoline (DPD), and urinary Ca and P excretions. The treatment could also enhance the bone strength and prevent the deterioration of trabecular microarchitecture.

CONCLUSIONS

The present study indicated that Cibotium barometz extract might be a potential alternative medicine for the prevention and treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis.