痛泻要方对肝气乘脾泄泻小鼠肠道微生物活度的影响

目的探讨痛泻要方对肝气乘脾泄泻小鼠肠道微生物活度的影响,为痛泻要方通过调节肠道微生物治疗肝气乘脾泄泻提供实验基础和理论依据。方法将25只SPF级雄性昆明小鼠随机分为正常组10只和模型组15只,造模成功后,随机选取正常组和模型组动物各5只,在无菌环境下提取肠道内容物和肠黏膜,剩余模型动物随机分为自然恢复组和治疗组各5只,治疗成功后处死各组动物提取肠道内容物和肠黏膜。用荧光素二乙酸法测定各样品中微生物活度。结果肝气乘脾泄泻造模小鼠肠道内容物微生物活度高于正常组,与正常组相比差异有统计学意义(P=0.01),而模型组小鼠肠黏膜微生物活度降低,与正常组相比差异有统计学意义(P=0.01)。痛泻要方治疗组和自然恢复组小鼠肠道内容物微生物活度均降低,与正常组相比差异无统计学意义(P>0.05),治疗组和自然恢复组小鼠的肠黏膜前段和后段均与正常组差异有统计学意义(P=0.001),肠黏膜中段自然恢复组与正常组差异有统计学意义(P=0.043),而治疗组与正常组没有差异。结论肝气乘脾泄泻造模使肠道内容物微生物活度增加,而使肠黏膜微生物活度降低。痛泻要方能够使肝气乘脾泄泻小鼠肠道内容物中微生物活度降低,恢复至正常水平,增加肠黏膜中段微生物活度,对肠黏膜后段微生物活度增加作用更显著。     

上鼓室重建对慢性中耳炎开放式鼓室成形术作用的临床研究

目的：观察在开放式鼓室成形术中,重建上鼓室对慢性中耳炎治疗的临床疗效。方法：86例（86耳）慢性中耳炎患者随机均分两组：两组均行开放式鼓室成形术,其中实验组应用自体乳突骨粉联合耳后肌骨膜瓣缩窄乳突根治腔,并垫高上鼓室内壁;对照组不行乳突根治腔缩窄术。回顾性观察两组患者在鼓膜状态（内陷及穿孔）、干耳时间、听力提高,头晕头痛、肉芽增生等几个方面的恢复情况。结果：通过对两组病例进行随访和疗效分析,在鼓膜状态、干耳时间、头晕头痛等方面,其临床疗效差异有显著性（P〈0．05）;而在术后听力提高及肉芽增生方面无显著性差异（P〉0．05）。结论：在慢性中耳炎开放式鼓室成形术中,自体材料的应用缩短了千耳时间、提高了手术疗效,减少了手术相关的并发症。     

Potentialities of temporal bone CT in the diagnosis of chronic purulent otitis media and its complications

Temporal bone CT was used to examine a group of 87 patients with chronic purulent otitis media (103 temporal bones). The patients' age ranged from 2 to 74 years. A scheme was developed and proposed to evaluate the temporal bone by CT. The CT signs of chronic purulent otitis media uncomplicated by cholesteatoma and those of cholesteatomic purulent otitis were identified. The CT symptomatology of chronic purulent otitis includes: sclerotic changes in the bone tissue of the mastoid process, impaired pneumatization of the cavities of the middle ear, including the tympanic cavity, destructive changes in auditory ossicles, carious changes in the walls of the cavities of the middle ear. The CT semiotics of cholesteatoma depends on its site and spread into the temporal bone and includes as follows: deformation of the epitympanum due to soft tissue mass-induced destruction of the lateral wall; the dilated entrance into the antrum; the presence of a cavity with the sclerosed walls in the antromastoid area; carious changes in the auditory ossicles; the displacement of a chain of ossicles medially or laterally in relation to the initial site of cholesteatoma. CT reflects carious changes in the walls of the cavities of the middle ear, including the roof and labyrinthine wall of the tympanum, which allows labyrinthine fistula and intracranial cholesteatomic complications. The study of the temporal bone by the proposed scheme may reveal anomalies and the specific features of its structure: the presentation of the sigmoid sinus, the high elevation of the bulb of the jugular vein, diverticulum of the latter, the low standing of the bottom of the ACH.     

Reduced bone mineral density and radial bone growth in young rabbits treated with dexamethasone eye drops

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of dexamethasone eye drops on bone metabolism in newborn rabbits. METHODS: Thirty-four 3-week-old rabbits had unilateral clear lens extraction and were randomized into three groups. Postoperatively, group 1 received high-dose and group 2 low-dose dexamethasone eye drops (average doses 0.27 and 0.10 mg/kg body weight/day, respectively). These rabbits also received a postoperative subconjunctival injection of betamethasone. Group 3 (control) received vehicle eye drops only. After 8 weeks of treatment, all animals were killed and the left femurs were isolated and subjected to peripheral quantitative computerized tomography (pQCT) and dual X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) analyses. RESULTS: DXA showed that rabbits treated with either a high or low dose of dexamethasone eye drops had significantly reduced areal bone mineral density (BMD), area and total bone mineral content (BMC) of the femur. Measurements with pQCT demonstrated a dose-dependent reduction in cortical BMC, cortical volumetric BMD and cortical area. These effects were associated with an inhibition of radial femur growth, cortical thickness and periosteal and endosteal circumferences. CONCLUSION: Dexamethasone eye drops have systemic effects affecting several bone parameters in young rabbits. Any long-term systemic effects of ocular glucocorticoids need to be further studied.     

Corticosteroid reduces blood flow to femoral heads in rabbits

Avascular necrosis of the femoral head is one of the common problems in orthopedic practice in Taiwan. The subchondral bone loses its blood supply which weakens its biomechanical support. Steroid overuse is one of many possible etiologies in reducing blood flow to the femoral head. Laser Doppler velocimeter is a precise monitor of regional blood flow of bone which is expressed in perfusion units (PU). In the control group the rabbits were injected with normal saline and there were no statistical differences between blood flow to the right hip (39.26±5.64 PU) and left hip (38.58±4.35 PU). In group B a weekly injection of methylprednisolone into rabbits for 6 weeks demonstrated the reduction of blood flow of femoral head (24.74±3.13 PU) by the laser Doppler velocimeter. The flow decreased further (15.93±2.33 PU) by 12 weeks of steroid treatment. In group C after a weekly injection of steroid for 6 weeks the flow became 31.63±4.79 PU. The steroid was then discontinued for 3 weeks and the flow was 34.6±1.34 PU. In group D the blood flow was 25.89±4.01 PU after 6 weeks of steroid treatment and we stopped the steroid for 6 weeks, the blood flow became 29.86±2.59 PU. The merit of our experiment established a model of study in avascular necrosis of the femoral head in rabbits.     

Effect of a modified terrilytin on ampicillin pharmacokinetics in experimental peritonitis

The effect of modified terrilytin, a new enzyme of the microbial origin on the pharmacokinetics of ampicillin in experimental peritonitis was studied on 16 pubertal rabbits. Peritonitis was caused by laparotomy and administration of a 15 per cent fecal suspension into the abdominal cavity. The drugs were injected intramuscularly: the enzyme in a dose of 5 PU/kg and the antibiotic in a dose of 10 mg/kg. The ampicillin levels in the blood and peritoneal exudate were determined with the agar-diffusion method. The specimens were collected 30 minutes, 1, 1.5 and 2 hours after administration of the drugs. The animals were divided into 2 groups: control (not treated with the enzyme) and experimental. An increase in the antibiotic levels in the blood and peritoneal exudate by 50--54 per cent was observed. The maximum increase was recorded 30 minutes after simultaneous administration of the drugs.     

不同手术方式治疗慢性鼻-鼻窦炎对上颌窦黏膜纤毛传输功能的影响

目的:比较不同手术方式治疗慢性鼻-鼻窦炎的疗效及其对上颌窦黏膜纤毛传输功能的影响,为临床制定治疗慢性鼻-鼻窦炎的优选术式提供参考依据。方法:选取2013年9月-2014年12月于本院耳鼻咽喉科就诊的160例确诊为慢性鼻-鼻窦炎的患者作为研究对象,将其随机分为4组,分别为治疗组1~4,每组各60例。治疗组1接受上颌窦自然开口扩大术,治疗组2接受上颌窦开窗术,治疗组3接受经泪前隐窝上颌窦开放术,治疗组4接受上颌窦口球囊扩张术。观察和比较4组患者的术后鼻腔黏膜的覆盖、水肿、囊泡形成、骨质暴露、瘢痕形成等情况,上颌窦窦腔内分泌物性状、蓄积情况以及术后3个月和6个月时行上颌窦腔糖精实验及窦口周黏膜活检情况。结果:四组手术后均取得较好临床疗效,而组4的临床总有效率显著高于其他三组(均P0.05)。术后3、6个月,组4Lund-Kennedy评分和MMT时间均明显低于其他三组(均P0.05);在上颌窦黏膜活检方面:术后炎性细胞数量及状细胞和黏膜下腺体细胞形态及黏膜下结构水肿改善程度亦在中组四最为显著(P0.05)。结论:上颌窦窦球囊扩张术治疗慢性鼻-鼻窦炎疗效较高,可有效改善状细胞和黏膜下腺体细胞形态及鼻窦黏膜水肿、窦口通畅引流等作用,且安全性高。     

胰岛素对糖尿病兔牙槽骨缺损修复的影响

目的：探讨胰岛素对糖尿病兔牙槽骨缺损修复治疗的效果,为糖尿病所致的牙周炎提供临床治疗的依据,方法：40只大耳白兔随机分为4组：A组制备健康兔的牙槽骨缺损;B组为胰岛素组,制备健康兔牙槽骨缺损后,用胰岛素治疗;C组为糖尿病组,制备糖尿病兔牙槽骨缺损;D组为糖尿病胰岛素治疗组,制备糖尿病兔牙槽骨缺损后,用胰岛素治疗。每组10只,缺损制备后4、8周各处死5只,对各组成骨情况进行组织学观察及测定。结果：组织学观察A、B、D组修复区可见大量新骨形成,以B组为显著;C组仅见少许成骨,多为纤维组织。新生骨面积比和成骨细胞数在4、8周时均为D组大于c组,B组大于A组,组间差异有统计学意义（P〈0．05）。证明应用胰岛素促进糖尿病兔缺损牙槽骨形成新骨的效果明显。结论：胰岛素能够促进糖尿病兔牙槽骨缺损的戍骨,为,临床上治疗糖尿病并发牙周炎提供一种新的手段。     

生长激素-海藻酸钠-壳聚糖微胶囊促进骨折愈合的组织学研究

目的:观察生长激素-海藻酸钠-壳聚糖微胶囊促进兔挠骨骨折愈合的作用。方法:实验将新西兰兔80只,在制备新西兰兔右桡骨中段3mm骨缺损模型的基础上,随机分成四组:口服生长激素-海藻酸钠-壳聚糖微胶囊组、皮下注射生长激素组、口服空微胶囊组和生理盐水对照组。实验组口服生长激素-海藻酸钠-壳聚糖微胶囊和皮下注射生长激素,对照组口服空微胶囊。并于术后9、17、30、42d定期HE染色和地衣红染色观察各组的骨折愈合情况。结果:本实验HE染色结果表明,由于在骨缺损部位成纤维细胞产生的大量胶原纤维为基质,形成透明软骨及成骨细胞,骨小梁生长的基础,连接骨痂形成和骨髓腔贯通。而观察到生长激素微胶囊组各期提前生长及改建提前的形态。地衣红染色图像结果分析及直方图的分析表明:生长激素微胶囊组胶原纤维产生促进骨小梁提前形成,进而骨折处骨性骨痂的提前愈合和髓腔的提前贯通。结论:生长激素-海藻酸钠-壳聚糖微胶囊口服能促进骨折修复愈合。     

Treatment of periodontal disease using xanthan based chlorhexidine gel

People of all ages are suffering from periodontal disease. It causes indirect damage in the oral cavity. It is of interest to evaluate the efficacy of xanthan-based chlorhexidine gel (Xan-CHX) in patients with mild-severe chronic periodontitis. Five patients with 60 sites were divided in two groups. Group A (treated with SRP) and group B (treated with Chlosite i.e., SRP + CHL). The recorded clinical parameters were Plaque index (PI), Gingival index (GI), Bleeding index (BI), and Clinical attachment Level (CAL) with sub gingival plaque subjected to microbial analysis. Significant reduction was observed in both groups. However, group B (treated with Chlosite i.e., SRP + CHL) showed statistically significant improvement on above mentioned parameters as compared to group A. Data suggest that in the treatment of periodontal disease (viz. PI, GI, BI and CAL) combination of SRP and Chlosite showed added benefits over only SRP.     

兔下颌骨慢性化脓性骨髓炎动物模型的建立

目的 探讨下颌骨慢性化脓性骨髓炎的造模方法.方法 成年新西兰兔22只,于下颌骨体外侧近正中联合处开骨窗注入0.1 mL5％鱼肝油酸钠和0.1 mL5.0×108 CFU/mL金黄色葡萄球菌悬液,术后常规回笼饲养.于6周开始采用以下方法检测:①肉眼大体观察;②双能X线骨密度检测;③CBCT(锥束CT)放射学形态观察;④局部细菌培养;⑤组织病理学评价.结果 所有新西兰兔早期精神状况较差,手术区域肉眼观有瘘管并有脓性分泌物.双能X线骨密度检测发现手术区骨密度(BMD)值变化不具有统计学意义(P＞0.05).CBCT显示骨缺损区边缘模糊,有骨破坏迹象.局部取材细菌培养有金黄色葡萄球菌生长.病理切片显示有不同程度的淋巴细胞、中性粒细胞、桨细胞浸润,死骨形成.结论 采用兔下颌骨体外侧近正中联合处造骨缺损并注射一定量细菌悬液的方法能够获得理想的慢性化脓性骨髓炎模型.     

Expression of osteoprotegerin and receptor activator for the nuclear factor-κB ligand in XACB/LV-bFGF/MSCs transplantation for repair of rabbit femoral head defect necrosis

The aim of this study is to observe the changes in osteoprotegerin (OPG) and receptor activator for the nuclear factor-κB ligand (RANKL) in a rabbit model, and to explore the therapeutic effect of tissue engineering bone on femoral head necrosis. A total of 60 rabbits were randomly divided into 5 groups. The necrosis model of femoral head defects was created by dexamethasone combined with a horse serum injection. The model of femoral head necrosis was reconstructed by tissue engineering bone. The protein expressions of OPG and RANKL were detected by Western blot analysis. The expression of OPG and the RANKL protein in group E was higher than that in the other 4 groups (P < .05); there was no significant difference between groups C and D ( P > .05). The expression of OPG protein in the rabbit femoral head necrosis group was improved by xenogeneic antigens of cancellous bone/lentiviral-basic fibroblast growth factor/mesenchymal stem cells, which were expected to be used as an effective tissue engineering material to repair the necrosis of the femoral head.     

重组人骨保护素对激素性股骨头坏死患者骨密度及髋关节Harris评分 的影响

目的:探讨重组人骨保护素对于激素性股骨头坏死患者的骨密度和髋关节Harris评分的影响。方法:选取我院骨科已经确诊的110例激素性股骨头坏死患者,随机分为对照组(给予仙灵骨葆胶囊)和观察组(给予仙灵骨葆胶囊和重组人骨保护素),连续治疗4周,检测并比较两组患者治疗前后的骨密度、髋关节Harris评分、血清抗酒石酸酸性磷酸酶(TRAP)、Ⅱ型胶原羧基端端肽(CTX-Ⅱ)水平以及复发率变化。结果:与对照组相比较,观察组患者腰椎骨和股骨近端的骨密度较高平(P0.05);髋关节Harris评分总有效率(92.73%)显著高于对照组(76.36%)(P0.05)。两组血清TRAP及CTX-Ⅱ水平显著低于治疗前,且试验组血清TRAP及CTX-Ⅱ水平显著低于对照组(P0.05),与对照组相比,观察组复发率较低(P0.05)。结论:重组人骨保护素能够抑制骨吸收,提高骨密度和强度,改善髋关节功能,有望成为激素性股骨头坏死的新型治疗方法。     

Mechanistic action of mesenchymal stem cell injection in the treatment of chemically induced ovarian failure in rabbits

BackgroundNo curative treatment is known for primary ovarian failure; however, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), through self-renewal and regeneration, push the trial to evaluate their role in the treatment of ovarian failure. The aim of this study was to explore the impact of MSCs on cyclophosphamide (CTX)-induced ovarian failure in rabbits and to clarify the mechanism(s) by which MSCs exert their action.MethodsThirty-five adult female rabbits were injected with CTX to induce ovarian failure. Five rabbits were euthanized after the last injection of CTX for histological examination. The others (30 rabbits) were further subdivided into two groups: group 1 (ovarian failure group, 15 rabbits) received no treatment; group 2 (ovarian failure and MSC recipient group, 15 rabbits) received MSCs isolated from extracted bone marrow of male rabbits.ResultsA decrease of follicle-stimulating hormone and an increase of estrogen and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) levels in the MSC recipient group versus the ovarian failure group were found. Weak caspase-3 expression and +ve proliferating cell nuclear antigen staining after MSC injection were detected. Cytological and histological examinations showed increased follicle numbers with apparent normal structure of ovarian follicles in the MSC recipient group. Moreover, Y chromosome–containing cells from male donors were present within the ovarian tissues in group 2.ConclusionsThe current study suggests that intravenous injection of MSCs into rabbits with chemotherapy-induced ovarian damage improved ovarian function. MSCs accomplish this function by direct differentiation into specific cellular phenotypes and by secretion of VEGF, which influence the regeneration of the ovary.     

Comparison of CGRP distributions in the maxillary sinus and trigeminal ganglion between elderly dentulous and edentulous humans

Thickening of the Schneiderian membrane (SM, mucosa of the maxillary sinus) appears in the paranasal sinus. Information on SM thickening is available for patients receiving sinus lift treatments, which is a risk factor for SM excretory dysfunction. However, more information is needed on the structure of the SM and the relationship between the maxilla sinus and palatine with the alveolar bone and the SM for dental implant treatment in the human maxilla. One hundred twenty-six sides of the maxilla from 71 cadavers were subjected to cone-beam computed tomography analysis and macroscopic and immunohistochemical observations in this study. A thickened SM was mainly observed in the middle region of the basal layer of the maxillary sinus (MS). Strong calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP)-positive reactions were observed in the alveolar bone, oral mucosa, mucosa of the MS, and trigeminal ganglion (TG) cells in dentulous samples compared with edentulous samples. TG cells play important roles in delivering CGRP through axons to the mucosal gland and in regulating the maxilla-related thickening of the SM. These data could help determine CGRP functions in the mucosal gland and bone formation between dentulous and edentulous samples and indicate that CGRP may pass from the TG to the MS glands.Key words: Mucosa, maxillary sinus, cone-beam computed tomography, immunohistochemistry, calcitonin gene-related peptide, trigeminal ganglion     

In vivo efficacy of tobramycin-loaded synthetic calcium phosphate beads in a rabbit model of staphylococcal osteomyelitis

Background

Osteomyelitis is an acute or chronic inflammatory process of the bone following infection with pyogenic organisms like Staphylococcus aureus. Tobramycin (TOB) is a promising aminoglycoside antibiotic used to treat various bacterial infections, including S. aureus. The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of tobramycin-loaded calcium phosphate beads (CPB) in a rabbit osteomyelitis model.

Methods

Tobramycin (30 mg/mL) was incorporated into CPB by dipping method and the efficacy of TOB-loaded CPB was studied in a rabbit osteomyelitis model. For juxtaposition, CPB with and without TOB were prepared. Twenty-five New Zealand white rabbits were grouped (n?=?5) as sham (group 1), TOB-loaded CPB without S. aureus (group 2), S. aureus only (group 3), S. aureus?+?CPB (group 4), and S. aureus?+?TOB-loaded CPB (group 5). Groups infected with S. aureus followed by CPB implantation were immediately subjected to surgery at the mid-shaft of the tibia. After 28 days post-surgery, all rabbits were euthanized and the presence or absence of chronic osteomyelitis and the extent of architectural destruction of the bone were assessed by radiology, bacteriology and histological studies.

Results

Tobramycin-loaded CPB group potentially inhibited the growth of S. aureus causing 3.2 to 3.4 log₁₀ reductions in CFU/g of bone tissue compared to the controls. Untreated groups infected with S. aureus showed signs of chronic osteomyelitis with abundant bacterial growth and alterations in bone architecture. The sham group and TOB-loaded CPB group showed no evidence of bacterial growth.

Conclusions

TOB-incorporated into CPB for local bone administration was proven to be more successful in increasing the efficacy of TOB in this rabbit osteomyelitis model and hence could represent a good alternative to other formulations used in the treatment of osteomyelitis.

     

Defective osteoclast differentiation and function in the osteopetrotic (os) rabbit

We tested the ability of normal osteoclast progenitors found in neonatal liver and bone marrow to develop into functional osteoclasts when co-cultured with metatarsals from newborn osteopetrotic rabbits; the latter inherit an osteoclast incompetence resistant to cure by bone marrow transplantation. This system, developed by Burger and colleagues, has been shown to produce normal, functional osteoclasts when used with normal metatarsals. Our study tested the competence of the mutant skeletal microenvironment for differentiation of normal osteoclasts. Mutant and normal metatarsals were cultured alone or with normal liver, spleen, or bone marrow for up to 14 days. All normal cultures possessed a marrow cavity and contained numerous osteoclasts with cytochemical characteristics (tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase) of active cells. Mutant metatarsals co-cultured with normal spleen, liver, or bone marrow failed to develop a marrow cavity (evidence in itself of reduced bone resorption) and had osteoclasts reduced in both numbers and cytochemically detectable activity. Similar metatarsal cultures of an osteopetrotic rat mutation (incisors--absent) curable by bone-marrow transplantation exhibited marrow cavity development in mutant metatarsals co-cultured with normal spleen. These data suggest that the skeletal environment of osteopetrotic rabbits contains an inhibitor or lacks a promoter of osteoclast differentiation and function.     

Effects of milrinone on left ventricular cardiac function during cooling in an intact animal model

A significant reduction in immunogenicity has been observed in some frozen-thawed tissues after cryopreservation. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of programmed cryopreservation on immunogenicity of rabbit bladder mucosa and on the extent of immunological rejection caused by the allograft. This study would provide theoretical support for the application of allogenic frozen-thawed bladder mucosa in the treatment of urethral stricture. Forty-two adult male New Zealand rabbits were used in this study. The immunogenicity was detected by mixed lymphocyte reaction using the allograft of bladder mucosa (fresh and frozen-thawed) and spleen lymphocytes. Twelve urethral stricture models were established in New Zealand rabbits for substitution urethroplasty using the allograft of bladder mucosa, which were divided into fresh and frozen-thawed group. Two weeks after operation, lymphocyte proliferation was detected in both blood and spleen of recipient rabbits. At the same time, immunohistochemical staining of urethral allograft was performed and the expression of CD3, CD4 and CD8 were observed. The mRNA of bladder mucosa (fresh and frozen-thawed) was extracted and the expressions of RLA-I, RLA-II and RLA-III gene were detected by real-time PCR. By mixed lymphocyte reaction, we found that allogenic lymphocyte proliferation stimulated by frozen-thawed bladder epithelial cells was significantly weaker than that of the fresh cells. The blood and spleen lymphocytes from fresh bladder mucosa group showed significantly higher proliferation rate than frozen-thawed group. Compared with the fresh group, the expression of CD3+ and CD8+ T cells infiltrated in the operation locus of bladder mucosa urethroplasty was significantly decreased in the frozen-thawed group. However, the expressions of RLA genes did not change significantly after the freeze-thaw procedure. This study demonstrates for the first time that a programmed freeze-thaw procedure of rabbit bladder mucosa could reduce its immunogenicity in allogenic bladder mucosa urethroplasty and thus restrict the extent of immunological rejection, therefore, provides theoretical support for the application of frozen-thawed bladder mucosa in the treatment of urethral stricture.     

Autologous rabbit adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stromal cells for the treatment of bone injuries with distraction osteogenesis

Background aimsAdipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) have a higher capacity for proliferation and differentiation compared with other cell lineages. Although distraction osteogenesis is the most important therapy for treating bone defects, this treatment is restricted in many situations. The aim of this study was to examine the therapeutic potential of adipose tissue-derived MSCs and osteoblasts differentiated from adipose tissue-derived MSCs in the treatment of bone defects.MethodsBone defects were produced in the tibias of New Zealand rabbits that had previously undergone adipose tissue extraction. Tibial osteotomy was performed, and a distractor was placed on the right leg of the rabbits. The rabbits were placed in control (group I), stem cell (group II) and osteoblast-differentiated stem cell (group III) treatment groups. The rabbits were sacrificed, and the defect area was evaluated by radiologic, biomechanical and histopathologic tests to examine the therapeutic effects of adipose tissue-derived MSCs.ResultsRadiologic analyses revealed that callus density and the ossification rate increased in group III compared with group I and group II. In biomechanical tests, the highest ossification rate was observed in group III. Histopathologic studies showed that the quality of newly formed bone and the number of cells active in bone formation were significantly higher in group III rabbits compared with group I and group II rabbits.ConclusionsThese data reveal that osteoblasts differentiated from adipose tissue-derived MSCs shorten the consolidation period of distraction osteogenesis. Stem cells could be used as an effective treatment for bone defects.     

Computed tomography in the diagnosis of exudative otitis media

Temporal bone computed tomography (CT) was used to examine 37 patients aged 2 to 55 years who had exudative otitis media; in 27 patients of them, a pathological process was bilateral. An analysis of 58 temporal bone CT scans identified the CT signs of chronic exudative otitis media. These included a partial or complete block of the osseous foramen of the auditory tube; impaired pneumatization of the tympanic cavity, mastoid process fenestrae, and antrum; pathological drawing-in of the tympanic membrane. The preservation of the auditory ossicles and the absence of destructive changes in the walls of the cavities of the middle ear were observed in most cases. Repeated temporal bone CT study was performed in 10 patients (14 temporal bones) in different periods (from 2 months to 3 years) after surgery. The results of tympanostomy were visually assessed. These included recovered pneumatization of middle ear cavities (7 temporal bones), a cicatricial process in the tympanic cavity (5 temporal bones), recurrence of the CT manifestations of exudative otitis media (2 temporal bones).