On the measurement of multi-component T2 relaxation in cartilage by MR spectroscopy and imaging

The multicomponent T₂ relaxation in bovine nasal cartilage (BNC) was investigated by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy using the Carr-Purcell-Meiboom-Gill (CPMG) sequence and microscopic magnetic resonance imaging (μMRI) method using a CPMG-SE imaging sequence. All experimental data were analyzed by the non-negative least square (NNLS) procedure. Only one T₂ component was found in BNC by both experimental methods (about 113 and 170 ms before and after being enzymatically digested by trypsin). Several experimental and specimen-related factors were investigated in this study, and it was found that some of them could produce artificial multi-component T₂, including the use of the standard MSME imaging sequence at certain imaging gradients.     

In vivo triple quantum filtered twisted projection sodium MRI of human articular cartilage

In this work, we present the first triple quantum filtered (TQF) sodium MR images of the human knee joint in vivo. A 3D TQF data set of 16 slices was obtained in 20 min using a TQF pulse sequence preencoded to a twisted projection imaging readout. Images clearly demarcate patellar cartilage and also demonstrate fluid signal suppressed by the triple quantum filter. Biexponential transverse relaxation times were calculated by fitting the TQF free induction decay to a theoretical signal expression. The average values from three healthy volunteers were T(2fall)(*) = 9.59 +/- 0.35 ms and T(2rise)(*) = 0.84 +/- 0.06 ms. Application of TQF imaging in biological tissues is discussed.     

A new method for suppressing the central transition in I=3/2 NMR spectra with a demonstration for 23Na in bovine articular cartilage

The splitting and the lineshape of the satellite transitions of 23Na are measures of the residual quadrupolar interaction and its distribution, which are related to the degrees of order and binding of sodium in biological tissues. However, these transitions are often masked by the stronger signals of the central transition and the isotropic sodium ions. A way to suppress the central signals, while preserving the lineshape and the intensity of the satellites, is suggested and tested on a liquid crystal and on bovine articular cartilage.     

17400鲨鱼软骨血管生成抑制因子的纯化及生物学活性研究

采用盐酸胍抽提、膜超滤、丙酮分级沉淀、Sephadex-75柱层析和C₄反相高效液相色谱等分离步骤,从广东阳江鲨鱼软骨中纯化获得新的鲨鱼软骨血管生成抑制因子SCAI-c(SharkCartilageAngiogenesis In-hibitor-c,SCAI-c);SDS-PAGE电泳银染显示为一条带,根据蛋白质的相对迁移率计算,分子量为17400;它对鸡胚绒毛尿囊膜血管的形成具有显著抑制效应,并有明显的浓度依赖关系.SCAI-c与SCAI-a具有类似的生物学特征.     

微波消解衍生化气相色谱-质谱法测定鲨鱼软骨中的脂肪酸

 研究了用微波技术消解衍生化气相色谱 质谱法 (GC MS)快速测定鲨鱼软骨中脂肪酸的分析方法。用正交设计试验优化消解衍生化条件 ,以盐酸 甲醇 (体积比为 1∶4)体系作消解衍生化溶液 ,在 60 0W微波功率作用下加热 4min进行样品的前处理 ,将样品的消解、脂肪酸的衍生化及脂肪酸甲酯的萃取融于一体。方法具有灵敏度高、省时、省试剂、操作方便等特点。该法适用于大批量固体样品中脂肪酸的测定。     

Herbal Composition LI73014F2 Alleviates Articular Cartilage Damage and Inflammatory Response in Monosodium Iodoacetate-Induced Osteoarthritis in Rats

The aim of this study was to determine the anti-osteoarthritic effects of LI73014F2, which consists of Terminalia chebula fruit, Curcuma longa rhizome, and Boswellia serrata gum resin in a 2:1:2 ratio, in the monosodium iodoacetate (MIA)-induced osteoarthritis (OA) rat model. LI73014F2 was orally administered once per day for three weeks. Weight-bearing distribution and arthritis index (AI) were measured once per week to confirm the OA symptoms. Synovial membrane, proteoglycan layer, and cartilage damage were investigated by histological examination, while synovial fluid interleukin-1β level was analyzed using a commercial kit. Levels of pro-inflammatory mediators/cytokines and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in the cartilage tissues were investigated to confirm the anti-osteoarthritic effects of LI73014F2. LI73014F2 significantly inhibited the MIA-induced increase in OA symptoms, synovial fluid cytokine, cartilage damage, and expression levels of pro-inflammatory mediators/cytokines and MMPs in the articular cartilage. These results suggest that LI73014F2 exerts anti-osteoarthritic effects by regulating inflammatory cytokines and MMPs in MIA-induced OA rats.     

Dependence of Cartilage Matrix Composition on Biosynthesis,Diffusion, and Reaction

The steady-state composition of articular cartilage has previously been described as a balance between the metabolism of matrix molecules and the loss of these components from the tissue. Single compartment kinetic models have previously been developed to describe the relationship between these processes and overall (spatially-averaged) concentration of matrix molecules. Here, we develop a continuum model to describe the relationship between spatially-varying matrix concentrations and the processes of matrix formation, binding, degradation, and molecular transport within and from the cartilage tissue. At steady-state, the resultant concentration profile, and also spatially-averaged concentration, are predicted to depend on the balance between diffusivity and binding rate, diffusivity and formation rate, and various rate processes, some of which depend on tissue thickness. The predicted concentration profile, for certain parameter values, exhibits similarities to that known to exist for the proteoglycan matrix component, suggesting that transport factors may play an important role in causing the spatial variation in this component. Under other conditions, the predicted concentration profile may have a large portion of bound components and be relatively constant, consistent with the known distribution of collagen in cartilage. Thus, the continuum model may provide insight into the biophysical mechanism underlying matrix distribution within different regions of articular cartilage.     

关节软骨两相多孔介质非线性模型的有限元方法

基于混合物理论的两相多孔介质模型可以准确描述关节软骨的力学行为，关节软骨的渗透率与固体相体积应变相关。本文研究这一模型的非线性有限元法。具体采用伽辽金加权残值法得到有限元平衡方程，编制了有限元程序，进而对关节软骨围限压缩蠕变和应力松弛行为进行了数值模拟。与视渗透率为常数的线性模型的计算结果比较表明，在变形较大时，渗透率随固体相体积应变变化这一非线性效应不容忽视。