ObjectiveTo investigate the efficacy of sulfasalazine combined with thalidomide in the treatment of spondyloarthropathy (SpA), and to probe whether the treatment can reach and maintain clinical remission for the patients. MethodBetween January 2011 and June 2013, we used a prospective, non-intervention and regular follow-up study to observe and assess 70 SpA patients on their Bath ankylosing spondylitis disease activity index, visual analogue scale score, peripheral arthritis, blood sedimentation, and C-reactive protein. All the patients had taken sulfasalazine, thalidomide and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for 24 weeks. Multivariate analysis of factors affecting the efficacy of the program was our object of this study. ResultsAfter 24 weeks, the total clinical remission rate of these patients was 72.9%. Clinical remission rate of 40 patients with short duration of SpA was 90.0%, while it was 50.0% for the other 30 patients with a non-short duration of SpA. Observation indexes before and after treatment in both groups of patients had significant differences (P<0.05). For patients with non-short duration SpA, the curative effect for female was obviously better than male, but the difference between male and female patients with short-duration SpA was not so obvious. Clinical remission rate for youth was similar with that for non-youth patients. Binary logistic regression analysis showed that whether the disease had a short duration[OR=3.408, 95%CI (1.637, 7.437), P=0.001] and whether the patients were urban residents[OR=4.163, 95%CI (2.011, 8.761), P=0.001] were statistically significant (P<0.05). ConclusionsClinical remission of spondyloarthropathy can be maintain by sulfasalazine combined with thalidomide. Clinical remission rate of the scheme is affected by duration of disease and residency except age and gender of the patients. Short duration and urban residency are independent factors for reaching clinical remission after treatment.
ObjectiveTo investigate the biomechanical properties of artificial ligament in the treatment of injuries to distal tibiofibular syndesmosis so as to provide a scientific basis for clinical application. MethodsSixteen fresh ankle specimens were harvested from 8 normal fresh-frozen cadavers. The initial tests were performed on 16 intact specimens (group A) and then the distal tibiofibular syndesmosis injury models were made (group B); the distal tibiofibular syndesmosis was fixed with artificial ligament in 8 specimens (group C) and with cannulated lag screw in the other 8 specimens (group D). The pros and cons of different fixation methods were analyzed by displacement, stress shielding effect, the strength and stiffness of ankle joints, the contact area of tibiotalar articular surface and the contact stress. ResultsUnder the physiological loading or combined with external rotation moment, the displacement of group C was significantly lower than that of groups B and D (P < 0.05), but no significant difference was found between groups A and C (P > 0.05); and there were significant differences among groups A, B, and D (P < 0.05). The rates of stress shielding in the tibia and fibula of group C were significantly lower than those of group D (t=-71.288, P=0.000;t=-97.283, P=0.000). The stress strength in tibia of group C was significantly higher than that of groups A and D (P < 0.05), but no significant difference was found between groups A and D (P > 0.05). Group C had the highest stress strength in fibula, followed by group A, group D had the lowest; differences were significant among 3 groups (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in shear strength among groups A, C, and D (P > 0.05). The axial stiffness in tibia of group D was significantly lower than that of groups A and C (P < 0.05), but no significant difference was found between groups A and C (P > 0.05). The axial stiffness in fibula of group C was significantly higher than that of groups A and D (P < 0.05), but no significant difference was found between groups A and D (P > 0.05). Group C had the highest shear stiffness in tibia and fibula, followed by group D, group A had the lowest; differences were significant among 3 groups (P < 0.05). In groups A, C, and D, the contact area of tibiotalar articular surface gradually reduced, and the contact stress gradually increased, and differences were significant among 3 groups (P < 0.05). ConclusionFixation of distal tibiofibular syndesmosis injury with artificial ligament can better meet the physiological functions of the distal tibiofibular syndesmosis and has lower stress shielding, better stress distribution. Hopefully, it can reduce the complications of the distal tibiofibular syndesmosis injuries and become a better treatment choice.
ObjectiveTo investigate the clinical efficacy of catheter directed thrombolysis (CDT) through three different approaches combined with iliac venous endovascular therapy for acute deep venous thrombosis (DVT) complicated with Cockett syndrome of the lower extremities. MethodThe clinical data of 87 patients with CDT through three different approaches (small saphenous vein group, popliteal vein group, and posterior tibial vein group) combined with iliac venous endovascular therapy for DVT complicated with Cockett syndrome of the lower extremities were analyzed retrospectively. ResultsThe lower extremity swelling of all the patients were disappeared obviously within 72 h after surgery, there was no death related surgery and pulmonary embolism. The limb edema reduction rates had no significant differences among the small saphenous vein group, popliteal vein group, and posterior tibial vein group﹝(77±13)% versus (82±12)% versus (77±18)%, P > 0.05﹞. The recanalization rates of thrombolysis had no significant differences among the above three groups﹝(86.5±10.6)% versus (92.0±7.7)% versus (87.3±7.8)%, P > 0.05﹞. The time required for the cannulation in the posterior tibial vein group was significantly shorter than that of the small saphenous vein group or popliteal vein group﹝(15.14±3.62) min versus (32.62±9.36) min or (42.79±13.30) min, P < 0.01﹞. All the patients were performed by balloon dilatation and iliac vein stenting. Eighty-seven cases were followed-up for 1-24 months, the primary patency rate of iliac venous was 100%. ConclusionsCDT with iliac venous endovascular therapy is an effective method in treatment of acute DVT with Cockett syndrome. CDT through posterior tibial vein is an easier and effective method with less complications and time. This way could be acceptable in basal hospital.
ObjectiveTo explore the pathological role of high mobility group box chromosomal protein 1 (HMGB1) in osteoarthritis (OA) by comparing the difference of HMGB1 in the synoviocytes between OA and normal knees. MethodsSynoviocyte lines from OA and normal knees were collected and cultured. Immunohistochemistry and Western blot were applied to identify the difference of HMGB1 between the OA and normal synoviocyte lines. The eukaryotic expression vector containing human Pgenesil-1/HMGB1 small interfering RNA (siRNA) were constructed and identified. The synoviocyte lines were transfected with the eukaryotic expression vector of Pgenesil-1/HMGB1 siRNA (Pgenesil-1/HMGB1 siRNA group) and with Pgenesil-1 plasmid (Pgenesil-1 group) and were not transfected as a control (untransfected group). Western blot was applied to identify the difference of HMGB1 among groups, and the levels of interleukin 1β (IL-1β) and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) protein synthesis in the supernatants were measured by ELISA. ResultsPrimary knee synoviocytes cultured in vitro were fibroblast-like cells with longspindle shape. The immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence results showed positive staining for HMGB1 in cytoplasm and weak positive staining in the nucleus in the OA synoviocyte line, but positive staining for HMGB1 in the nucleus and weak positive staining in the cytoplasm in the synoviocyte line of normal knee. The level of HMGB1 in the OA synoviocytes (0.687±0.025) was significantly higher than that of normal synoviocytes (0.172±0.030) (t=32.159, P=0.000) by Western blot. The recombinant plasmid Pgenesil-1/HMGB1 siRNA was successfully constructed. The expression of HMGB1 protein in Pgenesil-1/HMGB1 siRNA group (0.134±0.048) was significantly lower than that of Pgenesil-1 group (0.581±0.032) and untransfected group (0.514±0.069) (P<0.05). ELISA results showed that IL-1β and TNF-α in supernatants of Pgenesil-1/HMGB1 siRNA group were significantly lower than those of Pgenesil-1 group and untransfected group (P<0.05). ConclusionThe up-regulated expression and expressed location (from nucleus to cytoplasm) of HMGB1 in the synoviocyte are closely related to OA. The siRNA targeting inhibition of HMGB1 gene expression can obviously inhibit IL-1β and TNF-α in supernatants of the OA synoviocyte line and delayed the inflammation of OA.