Cancer stem cells (CSCs) play an important role in drug resistance of tumor and are responsible for high recurrence rates. Agents that can suppress the proliferation and differentiation of CSCs would provide new opportunity to fight against tumor recurrence. In this study, we developed a new strategy to enrich CSCs in human osteosarcoma cell line hMG63. Using these CSCs as model, we tested the effect of bufalin, a traditional Chinese medicine, on the proliferation and differentiation of CSCs. hMG63 cells were cultured in poly-HEMA-treated dish and cancer stem cell-specific medium. In this nonadhesive culture system, hMG63 formed spheres, which were then collected and injected into the immunodeficient mice. Cisplatin was administered every 3 days for five times. The enriched xenograft tumors were cultured in cancer stem cell-specific medium again to form tumor spheres. Expression of cancer stem cell markers of these cells was measured by flow cytometry. These cells were then treated with bufalin, and the proliferation and differentiation ability were indicated by the expression level of molecular markers and the formation of sphere again in vitro. We obtained a low CD133+/CD44 cell population with high-level stem cell marker. When treated with bufalin, the sphere could not get attached to the flask and failed to differentiate, which was indicated by the stable expression of stem cell marker CD133 and OCT-4 in the condition permissive to differentiation. Treatment of bufalin also suppressed the single cells isolated from the sphere to form sphere again in the nonadhesive culture system, and a decreased expression of proliferation marker Ki67 was also detected in these cells. Sphere-formed and chemoresistant colon xenograft tumors in immunodeficient mice could enrich cancer stem cell population. Bufalin could inhibit proliferation and differentiation of CSCs.

PURPOSE:To investigate the accelerating effects of low-intensity pulse ultrasound stimulation (LIPUS) on the fracture healing of distal radius. METHODS:A total of 81 patients with distal radius fracture were randomly divided into two groups: the ultrasound treatment group and the control group. Patients in the ultrasound treatment group were immobilized in a below-elbow cast and received LIPUS treatment 15 min/day, while the control group were immobilized by a plaster support and cast. The patients were followed up every week and took X-ray films. The initial and healed X-ray films and the gray value of fracture site were analyzed by Photoshop software. The effect of reposition was evaluated based upon Steward recommended by Dienst, combining with Aro's measuring method. RESULTS:Clinical fracture healing time in ultrasound group was significantly shorter than that in the control group (32.04 ± 2.58d vs.40.75 ± 5.12d, p <0.01). In addition, the grey value changes of fracture sites of the ultrasound group were much higher than that of the control group. The reposition effects of fracture healing had no difference between the two groups (p >0.05). CONCLUSION:Low-intensity pulse ultrasound stimulation could accelerate fracture healing of the distal radius and promote local bone formation.

Aim To explore a more effective surgical procedure, the outcomes of closed manipulative reduction (CMR) combined with minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis (MIPO) and conventional open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) for treating proximal humeral fractures were compared. Material and methods In a retrospective study of patients operated for humerus shaft fractures from April 2008 to July 2011, the outcomes of 33 patients treated with CMR/MIPO were compared with the outcomes of 42 patients treated with ORIF. The fractures were classified, and the incision length, blood transfusion, operating time, as well as the VAS (Visual Analog Scale) pain scores were analyzed. The neck-shaft angles of the proximal humerus were detected, and the postoperative function of the shoulder was evaluated. Results The mean values of incision length, blood transfusion, and VAS pain scores at the 1st and 3rd day after CMR/MIPO and operation time were lower than that of ORIF. The postoperative radiographs verified good position of all screws and satisfactory bone fracture reduction in both groups. Meanwhile, in the ORIF group, nonunion (three cases) and humeral head necrosis (four cases) were detected. Conclusions The MR/MIPO technique showed smaller incisions, easier operation, less blood transfusion and more effective recovery of shoulder joint function for treating proximal humeral fractures than ORIF.

These results indicate that the technique of use of IM nailing with the femoral hollow trephine significantly decreases the occurrence of nonunion in femoral shaft fractures.