Objective To study the toxic effect of exotoxin A of Pseudomonas aeruginosa on keratocytes.Methods Three-dimensional gels of type I collagen containing rabbit keratocytes were incubated in the presence of different concentrations of exotoxin A(0.1,1.0,10 mg?L-1),cultivated for 24 h at 37℃,the change of keratocytes in morphology was observed under the light microscope,and the amount of lactate dehydrogenase(LDH) was measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA).Results The LDH contents in different concentrations(0.1,1.0,10 mg?L-1)of exotoxin A groups were higher than that in the group without exotoxin A(P

Objective:To observe the effect of TGF-β1 on collagen degradation of rabbit keratocytes.Methods:The activity of collagen degradation of keratocytes with three-dime nsional culture in collagen gel was determined with spectrophotometer.Results:TGF-β inhibited collagen degradation of keratocytes in dose-dependent manner.Conclusion:The present result suggests that TGF-β1 has the inhibitory effect on collagen degradation of keratocytes and may help in the treatment of corneal ulceration.

Aim To construct and express the eukary-otic expression vector of double-stranded RNA-depend-ent protein kinase (PKR)fusion green fluorescent and analyse its antiviral activity of HBV in vitro.Methods The PKR gene was cloned into an empty expression vector pEGFP-N1 using molecular clone technology. After being confirmed by restriction enzyme digestion and sequencing methods,the recombinant plasmid was named as pEGFP-PKR that was subsequently transfect-ed into HepG2.2.15 cells using LipofectamineTM2000. The expression level of PKR in HepG2.2.15 cells was confirmed by using fluorescent microscopy. Mean-while,HBV DNA and HBsAg/HBeAg were detected by real-time PCR and electrochemiluminescence meth-od,respectively.Results Both restriction enyme di-gestion and sequencing assays showed that the recombi-nant vector pEGFP-PKR was successfully constructed in our study.Fluorescent microscopy observation indi-cated that the fusion protein pEGFP-PKR expressed ef-ficiently in HepG2.2.15 cells.Moreover,compared with the empty vector group,the expression of HBV antigen in supernatants was significantly decreased (P<0.05 ).However,the extracellular HBV DNA ex-pression was not inhibited significantly.Conclusion In vitro,PKR proteion has certain antiviral activity of HBV.

Objective To investigate the etiological and epidemiological characteristics of fungal keratitis in Jilin province of China and to establish a rapid and specific method for molecular identification of the prevalent fungal pathogens.Methods Corneal scrapings were collected from 225 patients with suspected fungal keratitis.Fungal strains were isolated and identified based on their morphology and physiological characteristics.The epidemiological characteristics of all isolated strains causing fungal keratitis were statistically analyzed.Species-specific primers of Fusarium solani (F.solani) were designed and used together with the universal fungal primers to establish a multiplex PCR assay for identification of F.solani in corneal scrapings.Results 156 out of 225 patients (69.3％) were diagnosed as fungal keratitis by fungal culture followed by the examination of morphological and physiological characteristics.A total of 168 pathogenic fungi strains were isolated,most of which were Fasarium spp.(49.4％),followed by Aspergillus spp.(17.9％) and Candida spp.(14.3％).F.solani was the predominant pathogen accounting for 34.5％ in all patients.Most of the patients (87.5％) were farmer and male patients (57.1％) accounted for the majority of 156 patients as well.Corneal trauma (38.5％) was considered as the main predisposing factor.The established multiplex PCR could specifically amplify a 300 bp nucleotide fragment of F.solani.It could be used for a rapid identification of F.solani in corneal scrapings.Conclusion Fusarium genus,particularly the species of F.solani,was the predominant pathogen for fungal keratitis in Jilin province of China.Corneal trauma was the most important predisposing factor.The established multiplex PCR could identify fungal infection from corneal scrapings rapidly and specifically.These findings are very important for the early diagnosis and treatment of fungal keratitis.

This study was aimed to observe the protective effect of extract from Rhizoma A nemones Raddeanae (RAR) on hepatic fibrosis induced by porcine serum in rats. A total of 68 SD rats were randomly divided into 5 groups, which were the normal group, model group, RAR group, extraction of RAR (EXRAR) group, Fu-Zheng Hua-Y u(FZHY) group. Each rat was intraperitoneally injected with 0.5~0.6 ml of porcine serum twice a week for 15 suc-cessive weeks to establish liver fibrosis model. Intragastric administration was given after the model was successfully established. The FZHY group was given FZHY capsule (0.525 g·kg-1). The RAR group was given RAR decoction (0.7 g·kg-1). The EXRAR group was given EXRAR (0.071 g·kg-1). The model group and normal group were given e-qual amount of physiological saline. The medication was given once a day. And the treatment course was 8 weeks. At the end of the 23th week, rats were sacrificed. Contents of SOD and MDA in blood serum were assayed. The protein expressions of α-SMA and TGF-β1 in liver tissues were detected by SABC. The results showed that compared with the model group, content of MDA decreased in the EXRAR group, RAR group and FZHY group (P<0.05), and content of SOD increased obviously (P<0.05). In the model group, expression of α-SMA and TGF-β1 increased, with dark brown dyeing and diffusion area. Expression area and strength of the FZHY group, RAR group, and EXRAR group were ob-viously weak with tasteless interval dyeing and no formation of typical pseudolobule in comparison with the model group. The color rendering index showed that compared with the model group, the protein expression of α-SMA and TGF-β1 decreased obviously in liver tissues of the FZHY group, EXRAR group, and RAR group (P< 0.05). It was concluded that RAR and its extract had a good antifibrosis effect. And the EXRAR had basically the same antifibrosis effect as RAR. It was assumed that the possible mechanism was related with the inhibiting of hepatic stellate cell (HSC) activation and the expression of TGF-β1 as well as the resisting of lipid peroxidation.

Objective To performed microarray-based comparative genomic hybridization (aCGH) detection and carried out pathway analysis to gain a systemic view on the pathway alterations of the genetically altered genes in human osteosarcoma.Methods aCGH experiments were carried on 10 fresh osteosarcoma samples to obtain recurrent copy number change pattern,then the samples were further subjected to the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis to identify the altered pathways in the osteosarcoma.To validate the aberrations of these key pathways,the alterations of VEGF pathway were selected to confirm by the methods of fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and immunohistochemistry (IHC) in formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded (FFPE) osteosarcoma archival tissues.Results The KEEG analysis of aCGH data identified 33 genetically altered pathways in osteosarcomas.Among them 20 pathways were identified genetic amplifications,such as VEGF and mTOR signaling pathways.Thirteen pathways were genetic deletions,such as Wnt and Hedgehog signaling pathways.The genetic aberrations of cell-cell-matrix pathway such as CAMs,Adherens junction and Tight junction pathways implied the genetically alterations of these pathways which are associated with the tumor invasion and metastasis.Validation the aberrations of VEGF pathway showed that VEGFA gene was significantly amplified.The positive protein expression of VEGFA had a significant association with microvessel density (MVD).Conclusion There are genetic aberrations which involved the component genes of VEGF,mTOR,CAMs,Adherens junction,Wnt,Hedgehog and other 26 signaling pathways.The alterations of these pathways which are significantly associated with tumor invasion,metastasis and progression suggest that the genetic aberrations of these key pathways might contribute to the tumorigenesis and progression in human osteosarcoma,and provide molecular genetic evidence for targeted therapy.

Objective:To construct a microfluidic organ-on-a-chip and evaluate its capability in simulating subchondral bone remodeling during the progression of osteoarthritis.Methods:The chip′s main body was designed based on the microfluidic technology and cell co-culture technique. MC3T3-E1 cells were cultured adherently within the cell seeding micro-chamber, with the culture medium perfused at a flow rate of 0.5 ml/min at the bottom of the micro-chamber. Evaluation metrics were as follows: (1) Assessment of the microfluidic organ-on-a-chip: The growth culture medium was perfused and simulation experiments were conducted to test the concentration differences and equilibrium times of the fluid inside and at the bottom of the cell seeding micro-chamber at various time points; live-dead staining was performed to observe the biocompatibility of cells cultured continuously for 3 days and 7 days at a set flow rate, which was divided into 3-day and 7-day groups. (2) Osteogenic potential of the microfluidic organ-on-a-chip: The osteogenic induction medium was perfused, and ALP staining and PCR were performed to compare the number of the black alkaline phosphatase (ALP)-positive cells and the expression levels of osteogenesis-related marker genes including osteoblast-specific transcription factor 2 (RUNX2), type I collagen (COL1A1), bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2), and osteocalcin (OCN) under static, 3-day and 7-day perfusion conditions, which was divided into static non-induced, static-induced and perfusion-induced groups. (3) Characterization of morphology and size, and biocompatibility of extracellular vesicles (EVs) of three osteoblast subtypes: Three different subtypes of osteoblasts were obtained [endothelial-type osteoblasts (EnOB)-EVs, stromal-type osteoblasts (StOB)-EVs and mineralizing-type osteoblasts (MinOB)-EVs]. Their morphology and size were obtained through transmission electron microscopy and particle size analysis. Growth medium containing EVs of three different cell subtypes was perfused, and cell proliferation/apoptosis assay was performed to compare the biocompatibility of the addition of different EVs concentrations (1, 1.25, 2.5, and 5 μg/ml) for 24 hours, which was categorized into the EnOB-EVs group, StOB-EVs group and MinOB-EVs group. (4) Osteogenic effect of EVs from three subtypes of osteoblasts: Osteogenic induction media containing EVs from three different osteoblast subtypes were perfused for 3 days, and ALP staining and PCR were performed to compare the number of black ALP-positive cells and the expression levels of osteogenesis-related marker genes including RUNX2, COL1A1, BMP-2, and OCN, which was divided into non-EVs group, EnOB-EVs group, StOB-EVs group and MinOB-EVs group.Results:(1) Evaluation of the microfluidic organ-on-a-chip: Simulation results showed that the concentration in the top layer of the upper chamber reached more than 95% of that in the lower chamber and that the concentration in the bottom layer was about 96.5% of that in the lower chamber after 12 hours of continuous perfusion, reaching an equilibrium state of the concentration difference between the upper and lower chambers. The results of live-dead staining showed that the chip was biocompatible at a flow rate of 0.5 ml/min, and the cell survival rate at 3 and 7 days of perfusion was (99.48±0.12)% and (97.07±1.05)% ( P<0.01). (2) ALP staining results showed that at 3 days, the perfusion-induced group showed the highest number of black ALP-positive cells, followed by the static-induced group, and the least in the static non-induced group. At 7 days, the static-induced group had the highest number of black ALP-positive cells, followed by the perfusion-induced group, and the least in the static non-induced group. PCR results indicated that at 3 days, the expression levels of RUNX2, COL1A1, BMP-2, and OCN were 1.00±0.03, 1.00±0.12, 1.00±0.01, and 1.00±0.02 respectively in the static non-induced group; 1.80±0.04, 4.05±0.37, 9.80±1.94, and 4.38±0.89 respectively in the static-induced group, and 2.45±0.23, 5.48±0.42, 91.50±4.56, and 10.82±4.96 respectively in the perfusion-induced group ( P<0.01). At 7 days, the expression levels of RUNX2 was 1.00±0.01 in the static non-induced group, 1.46±0.46 in the static-induced group, and 1.11±0.08 in the perfusion-induced group ( P>0.05); the expression levels of COL1A1, BMP-2, and OCN were 1.00±0.03, 1.00±0.13, and 1.00±0.09 respectively in the static non-induced group, 9.38±0.25, 14.27±4.35, and 84.01±4.02 respectviely in the static-induced group, and 2.39±0.08, 133.64±8.87, and 86.64±8.36 respectively in the perfusion-induced group ( P<0.01). When comparing the static non-induced, static-induced, and perfusion-induced groups at both 3 and 7 days, the perfusion-induced group demonstrated the strongest osteogenic capability. (3) Characterization of morphology and size and biocompatibility of EVs from three osteoblast subtypes: Under the transmission electron microscope, EVs from EnOB-EVs, StOB-EVs, and MinOB-EVs all exhibited a typical saucer-shaped morphology. The particle sizes of EnOB-EVs, StOB-EVs, and MinOB-EVs were (91.3±14.7)nm, (106.0±16.0)nm, and (68.1±10.7)nm, respectively. Cell proliferation/apoptosis assay results indicated that the optimal administration concentration of EnOB-EVs, StOB-EVs, and MinOB-EVs was all 1.25 μg/mL. (4) Validation of osteogenic effect of the microfluidic organ-on-a-chip on three types of EVs: ALP staining results showed that the non-EVs group had the fewest black ALP-positive cells, followed by the EnOB-EVs group, then the StOB-EVs group, and the MinOB-EVs group had the most. PCR results showed that the expression levels of RUNX2, COL1A1, BMP-2, and OCN were 1.00±0.01, 1.00±0.03, 1.00±0.02, and 1.00±0.02 respectively in the non-EVs group, 1.95±0.11, 6.78±2.04, 7.99±0.57, and 6.93±3.83 repectively in the EnOB-EVs group, 0.79±0.12, 5.68±1.53, 12.59±3.15, and 25.59±0.95 respectively in the StOB-EVs group, and 0.68±0.10, 4.36±0.69, 18.75±3.21, and 34.74±3.98 repectively in the MinOB-EVs group ( P<0.01). Compared with the non-EVs group, EnOB-EVs group, StOB-EVs group, and MinOB-EVs group, the MinOB-EVs group showed the most significant osteogenic effect. Conclusions:The microfluidic organ-on-a-chip constructed using microfluidic technology and cell co-culture techniques is capable of maintaining the normal growth of MC3T3-E1 cells, enhancing their proliferation and osteogenic induction differentiation. EVs released by osteoblasts at different stages possess osteogenic effects and can accelerate the bone sclerosis in the remodeling of subchondral bone during the progression of osteoarthritis.

Objective To develop the methodology for using TLDs and films to measure absorbed dose and 2D dose distribution produced by the multi-leaf collimator (MLC) in intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT),in order to provide the guidance on dose quality audit in IMRT.Methods A total of 30 different-typed accelerators were selected from 27 hospitals in Jiangsu,Sichuan,Hubei and Henan provinces,including 17 Varian accelerators,10 Elektas and 3 Simens.The same batch of films and TLDs were put in a 2 cm-thick solid plate for fixation and then loaded in a 15 cm × 15 cm × 15 cm polysyrene solid phantom supplied by International Atomic Energy Agency(IAEA) in terms of 90 cm SSD,19 cm depth,10 cm × 10 cm field at different doses.The standard dose curves wcrc established for film and TLD,respectively.The irradiated film was measured and then sent to the External Audit Group (EAG) in China.The TLD-and film-absorbed doses were compared with TPS-calculated doses.The 2D dose distribution on the IRMT MLC field was measured using films.The homogeneous phanton of 30 cn × 30 cm was scanned by CT and the image was transferred to the TPS.The IMRT was implemented with 6 Gy fractionated irradiation by placing a 25 cm × 25 cm film on the phantom surface at 95 cm SSD and at 5 cm depth.The irradiated film was sent to the IAEA dosimetry laboratory for measurement and calculation.2D dose distribution verification was conducted in thc same way consistent with the procedure of international multi-radiotherapy center.The 3 mm/3％ passing rate was calculated for 2D dose distribution and compared with the film-measured and TPS calculated result.Results IAEA requires the relative deviation of TLD and film measured absorbed dose are with in ± 5％.The relative deviation of TLD-and filmmeasured to TPS-calculated absorbed dose was within the range of ±0.7％-± 8.5％ and within ±0.3％ ±7.8％ in Jiangsu,Sichuan,Hubei and Henan provinces,respectively.IAEA requires the 3 mm/3％ passing rate of film-measured 2D distribution to be 90％.The result of the present study were up to 94.0％.The verification result of 2D dose distribution were within 70.0％-99.9％ in Sichuan,Jiangsu,Hubei and Henan provinces.Conclusions The adsorbed dose and 2D distribution can be audited using TLDs and films for MLC in IRMT.The method is scientific and applicable,economical and convenient for development of dose quality audit for a wide range of IRMT.

Objective: To develop the methodology for using TLD and radiochromic film to measure the planned target volume (PTV) and organ at risk (OAR) doses and 2D dose distribution in IMRT, in order to provide technical guidance on the dose quality audit in IMRT at home. Methods: China has participated in the research project launched by the international multi-radiotherapy centre (IMRC). IMRT polystyrene phantom provided by IAEA was scanned by CT scanner and then the scanned images were transmitted to TPS to outline prescribed dose to PTV and to OAR. The former was limited to 400 cGy while the latter limited to 200 cGy. IMRT was implemented with the phantom irradiated using 6 MV X-ray. The irradiated TLDs and films were sent to IAEA dosimerty laboratory for measurement and calculation. Jiangsu, Sichuan, Hubei and Henan provinces were selected to engage with this study for their variety of accelerators and highly skilled physicists. The procedures used were the same as in the IMRC and the irradiated TLDs and films were required to send to external audit group for measurement and calculation. Results: According to IAEA requirement, the relative deviations of the TLD-measured and TPS planned doses are within ±7.0% for PTV and OAR. The China′s research results at the IMRC have shown that the relative deviation of TLD-measured and TPS-planned values for the upper and lower PTV were -0.2% and 0.8%, respectively, consistent with the IAEA requirement, and the values for upper and lower OAR were -0.6% and -1.0%, respectively, consistent with the requirement. As the results have shown in four provinces, the relative deviations of the TLD-measured and TPS-planned were within 0 to 10.6% for upper and lower PTV and -0.6% to 20.9% for upper and lower OAR. According to IAEA requirement, the passing rate should be greater than 90% for 3 mm /3% for 2D dose distribution. China′s result at the IMRC is 100%, being excellent. The four provinces′ results have shown that 2D dose distribution pass rate of 3 mm/3% was in the range of 45.0%-100.0%. Conclusions The uses of TLD in quality audit for PTV and OAR doses and the radiochromic film in 2D dose distribution pass rate in IMRT are characterized by scientific feasibility, strong operability, easy-to-mail and data realibility. They are can be applied to quality assurance and audit in medical institutions in the country to on a large scale.

Development of thoracolumbar vertebra (TLV) and rib primordium (RP) is a common evolutionary feature across vertebrates, although whole-organism analysis of the expression dynamics of TLV- and RP-related genes has been lacking. Here, we investigated the single-cell transcriptome landscape of thoracic vertebra (TV), lumbar vertebra (LV), and RP cells from a pig embryo at 27 days post-fertilization (dpf) and identified six cell types with distinct gene expression signatures. In-depth dissection of the gene expression dynamics and RNA velocity revealed a coupled process of osteogenesis and angiogenesis during TLV and RP development. Further analysis of cell type-specific and strand-specific expression uncovered the extremely high level of HOXA10 3'-UTR sequence specific to osteoblasts of LV cells, which may function as anti-HOXA10-antisense by counteracting the HOXA10-antisense effect to determine TLV transition. Thus, this work provides a valuable resource for understanding embryonic osteogenesis and angiogenesis underlying vertebrate TLV and RP development at the cell type-specific resolution, which serves as a comprehensive view on the transcriptional profile of animal embryo development.