ObjectiveTo screen for the differentially expressed genes in steroid-induced osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH) by gene microarray.
MethodsThe femoral head tissue of ONFH was harvested from 3 patients with steroid-induced ONFH, aged 25, 31, and 38 years, respectively. Normal tissue was harvested from a 26-year-old male remains contributor. HE staining of the specimens was performed for observing the histology manifestation; the total RNA was extracted for measuring the purity; cDNA probe was synthesized by reverse transcription, and then were hybridized as the cDNA microarray for scanning of fluorescent signals and differentially expressed genes in the tissues.
ResultsHE staining of normal tissue showed complete unit composed of lamellar bone, continuous and complete lamellar bone with a concentric arrangement around blood vessels, and normal bone cells in the trabecular bone lacuna. In ONFH tissue, adipose tissue increased in the medullary cavity, with increased fat cells filling in the medullary cavity and extruding capillary, and with decreased bone cells in the bone trabecula, which had deeply-stained nuclear chromatin, pyknotic or cracking nucleus, and even bone cells disappeared in the part of the bone lacuna, and trabecular bone became thin, sparse, interrupt, reduced area in visual field/unit. Total RNA extraction electrophoretogram displayed clear bands of 28S and 18S, and the brightness ratio of the 28S:18S was 2:1, indicating good total RNA quality. And 44 genes were differentially expressed, and there were 28 up-regulated genes and 16 down-regulated genes, including cell/organism defense genes, cell structure/motility genes, cell division genes, cell signaling/cell communication genes, cell metabolism genes, gene/protein expression genes, and unclassified genes.
ConclusionThe analysis of the gene expression profile of steroid-induced ONFH can provide evidence for the pathogenesis of ONFH.
ObjectiveTo investigate the operative method of repairing soft tissue defect of the thumb with modified radial dorsal fasciocutaneous flap and its effectiveness.MethodsBetween June 2015 and December 2016, 15 patients with volar or dorsal defects of the thumb were treated with modified radial dorsal fasciocutaneous flaps which distal pedicles were cut off. Of 15 cases, 11 were male and 4 were female, aged 35-70 years (mean, 46 years). The causes of injury included crush injury in 12 cases and avulsion injury in 3 cases. Because all patients had volar or dorsal defects of the thumb which were accompanied by tendon or bone exposure, they had no condition or desire to replant. There were 12 cases of volar defect of thumb and 3 cases of dorsal defect. The area of defects ranged from 2.0 cm×1.2 cm to 3.0 cm×2.5 cm. The time between injury and operation was 16 hours to 2 days (mean, 30.4 hours). The radial dorsal fascio-cutaneous flaps of 2.3 cm×1.5 cm to 3.3 cm×2.8 cm in size were adopted to repair defects. The donor sites were directly sutured.ResultsAll flaps survived, and no severe swelling or tension blister occurred. The donor sites and wounds healed by first intention. All patients were followed up 3-12 months (mean, 6 months). The color and texture of the grafted flaps were similar to those of normal skin, with no bloated appearance. According to total active motion standard at last follow-up, the finger function was excellent in 8 cases and good in 7 cases.ConclusionModified radial dorsal fasciocutaneous flap of the thumb is a reliable flap with easy dissection and less trauma in repair of soft tissue defects of the thumbs, and satisfactory clinical outcome can be obtained.
ObjectiveTo discuss the clinical result of extrinsic radioulnar tether combined with anchoring nail fixation for treating chronic dorsal instability of the distal radioulnar joint (DRUJ).
MethodsBetween July 2011 and December 2012, 6 patients with chronic dorsal instability of the DRUJ were treated with extrinsic radioulnar tether combined with anchoring nail fixation. There were 1 male and 5 females with the average age of 27.3 years (range, 22-35 years). All of 6 patients had a wrist trauma history. The average disease duration was 4.8 years (range, 6 months to 15 years). Radiographs were taken postoperatively to observe the anchoring nail loosening. The stress test and forearm rotation test were used to evaluate the function of DRUJ. The complications, the grip power, range of motion, and visual analogue scale (VAS) scores were recorded at last follow-up. And the joint function was evaluated by disability of arm, shoulder, and hand (DASH) score.
ResultsPrimary healing of incision was obtained in all cases, without any complications such as infection and ulnar neck fracture. All 6 patients were followed up 6-24 months (mean, 13.7 months). Stability was achieved in all patients. Radiographs showed that the joint space was widened and dislocation of the ulnar head was improved at 3 and 6 months after operation. The results of the stress test and forearm rotation test were negative. At last follow-up, the grip power, DASH score, VAS score, and range of motion of the wrist were significantly improved when compared with preoperative ones (P<0.05).
ConclusionExtrinsic radioulnar tether combined with anchoring nail fixation is an easy method of surgical revision to treat chronic dorsal instability of DRUJ, which can maintain the stability and protect the blood supply of triangular fibrocartilage complex.
