Objective To develop the quality standard for Lajiao Fengshi Plaster. Methods Identification for menthol and borneol were established by gas chromatography SP-2000A. The content of capsaicin, an activity component from capsicum which is the main ingredient of Lajiao Fengshi Plaster, was determined by Kromasil C18 chromatogram columniations(250 mm?4.6 mm, 5 ?m)mobile phase of aqueous acetonitrile-0.17%phosphoric with gradient elution method, velocity of flow: 1.0 ml/min, and detection wavelength: 209 nm. Results The retention time of menthol and borneol is consistent with that of the main ingredient of the reference substance. The good liner range of capsaicin reference substance on calibration curve was 0.03952～0.3952 ?g (r=0.9995), and the average recovery was 96.61%, RSD=0.30%. Conclusion The method is sensitive, specific, and repeatable. It could be used in quality control for Lajiao Fengshi Plaster.

BACKGROUND: Locking pedicle screw system is commonly used in clinic, but it often suppresses spinal longitudinal growth of adolescent at growth phase. Thus, a pedicle screw system that can reduce even avoid the inhibition to spinal growth is needed. OBJECTIVE: To compare the biomechanical performance of sliding instrumentation of pedicle screw system and traditional locking pedicle screw system. DESIGN: Comparative observation. SETTING: Department of Orthopedics, Xinqiao Hospital of Third Military Medical University of Chinese PLA, and Department of Orthopedics, the 211 Hospital of Chinese PLA. MATERIALS: The experiment was performed at Department of Material Science, Harbin Institute of Technology on June 29th, 2007. Self-designed sliding pedicle screw system was made of Ti alloy by Wujin No. 3 Medical Instrument Factory Co., Ltd., Jiangsu Province. It consisted of sliding pedicle screw, orthopaedic rod and transversal coupling device. Twelve samples of fresh porcine spine were selected, and muscles attached on vertebral bodies of TrL5 were removed carefully but integrity of main ligament and precessus articularis posterior was retained. METHODS: The samples were randomly divided into sliding system group and locking system group with 6 samples in each group. Partial vertebral plate and surrounding ligaments of T12as well as bilateral facet joints between T11-12 and T12-L1 were removed to induce spinal destabilization, then sliding pedicle screw system and locking pedicle screw system were respectively fixed onto T10, T12, and L2 vertebral bodies of two groups. The samples then were fixed into fixture, and put onto INSTAON-4505 axial compressor. The strain gauge was connected with YJ-31 static electricity resistance strain gauge instrument human to simulate human spinal load, and the center of gravity was loaded to induce forward flexion, backward extension, lateral flexion and axial construction. Load of 100, 200, 300, 400 and 500 N was given gradually, and displacement of T12 was measured under different loads. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: ①Changns in principal stress and displacement under forward flexion, backward extension, lateral flexion and axial construction; ②Spinal fixation intensity and rigidity. RESULTS: No statistical difference was detected in main straining, displacement of apical vertebrae and intensity of fixation between sliding system group and locking system group under forward flexion, backward extension, lateral flexion and axial construction (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Sliding pedicle screw system has identical biomechanical stability as locking system. Furthermore, in sliding pedicle screw system, the screw and rod are coupled by sliding pattern, which extend along with spinal growth. It can be used to treat scoliosis at growth phase.

Aim To investigate the protective effects of dihydroquercetin(DDQ) against myocardial ischemis reperfusion injury(MIRI) in rats.Methods Male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 4 groups(n=10):normal,control,I/R model, and I/R model+DDQ(5,10 mg·L-1).This study used an isolated Langendorff rat heart model.The left ventricu-lar developed pressure(LVDP),heart rate(HR) and the maximum rise and fall rate of the left ventricular pressure(±dp/dtmax) were monitored and documented using a physiological recorder.The levels of lactate dehydrogenase(LDH) and creatine kinase(CK) were analyzed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA).Infarct size was measured using 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride staining.The levels of superoxide dismutase(SOD) and malondialdehyde(MDA), as well as the ratio of glutathione/glutathione disulfide(GSH/GSSG) were measured via ELISA.HE staining was used to observe the pathological changes of myocardial tissue.Results Compared with the I/R model group, the I/R model+DDQ groups raised hemodynamic parameters, SOD level, and GSH/GSSG ratio;and reduced the amount of CK, LDH, MDA levels.Moreover, the I/R model+DDQ groups had lower infarct size and pathological changes in myocardial tissue than I/R model group.Conclusion DDQ exertes cardioprotective effects against I/R via improving the oxygen free radical scavenging ability, the inhibition of oxygen free radical and reducing lipid peroxidation.

Objective: To investigate the effect of cinobufacini on proliferation, celly cycle distribution, invasion capability of MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cell line in vitro and possible mechanism. Methods: The effect of cinobufacini on cell growth was measured by CCK-8 reagent kit. Cell cycle distribution was determined by flow cytometry. The invasion capability in vitro was detected by Transwell chamber assay. The mRNA expressions of cell cycle related factors (cyclin) and p21 were tested by RT-PCR. Results: Cinobufacini inhibited proliferation of MDA-MB-231 cells. The half inhibition concentration (IC50) was 0.31 mg/mL. The inhibitory effect was timE-dependent (P<0.05). Cinobufacini significantly decreased invasion capability of MDA-MB-231 cells in vitro compared with control group (P<0.05). Cinobufacini induced S-phase arrest of MDA-MB-231 cells in a concentration-dependent manner (P<0.000 1). Cinobufacini down-regulated the expression levels of cyclin A1, cyclin D1, and cyclin E1, while up-regulated that of p21 in MDA-MB-231 cell line. However, there was no marked change in the expression of cyclin B1. Conclusion: Cinobufacini inhibits cell proliferation and influences the cell cycle distribution in vitro by regulating the expression of cyclin A1, cyclin D1, cyclin E1 and p21 in breast can-cer cells.

Phaffia rhodozyma is one of the organisms for production of astaxanthin, and the key process for extracting intracellular astaxanthin is cell disruption. In this work, cell disruption for extracting astaxanthin from Phaffia rhodozyma was studied with autoclave method at low acid concentration. The optimum disrupting conditions were: autoclave pressure 0.1 MPa, 121 degrees C; hydrochloric acid concentration 0.5 mol/L; liquid to material ratio (V/W) 30 mL/g dry cell weight and disruption time 2 min. Under the optimum conditions, medium scale experiment showed that astaxanthin and total carotenoids recovery from Phaffia rhodozyma were (84.8 +/- 3.2)% and (93.3 +/- 2)%, respectively. This new method can lead to no poisonous residues and get high extraction yield, which have good prospects to be put into industrial production.
Basidiomycota ; chemistry ; Carotenoids ; isolation & purification ; Cell Wall ; metabolism ; Hot Temperature ; Hydrochloric Acid ; Xanthophylls ; isolation & purification

Purpose: Gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) has been reported as being involved in tumor progression. Previous studies documented a potential relationship between serum GGT level and survival outcome in several types of human malignancies. However, the association between serum GGT levels and response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) has not yet been reported. The present study aimed to evaluate the association between pre-therapeutic serum GGT level and the efficacy, long-term survival, and adverse reactions of NAC and to investigate its role in predicting NAC sensitivity in patients with breast cancer. Methods: A total of 129 patients were recruited and stratified into 2 groups according to serum GGT level (< 29 U/L and ≥ 29 U/L). The association between pre-therapeutic serum GGT levels and clinicopathological parameters was examined. The correlation between pre-therapeutic serum GGT levels and pathological complete response (pCR) was analyzed using univariate and multivariate logistic regression. Survival analyses of relapse-free survival (RFS) and disease-free survival (DFS) were performed. Pearson's χ 2 test and multivariate logistic regression model were used to analyze the correlation between pre-therapeutic serum GGT levels and adverse reactions. Results: Pre-therapeutic serum GGT levels were associated with pCR among breast cancer patients treated with NAC. Multivariate analysis showed that low-level GGT significantly increased pCR rate. Patients in the high-level GGT group had poorer survival than those in the low-level GGT group. Subgroup analysis demonstrated that serum GGT level was potentially related to RFS and DFS in the hormone receptor-positive group. Low levels of GGT are significantly associated with a higher incidence of neutropenia. Conclusion Pre-therapeutic serum GGT level is an independent and novel biomarker for predicting the efficiency, prognosis, and adverse reactions to NAC in breast cancer patients.Patients with low pre-therapeutic serum GGT levels are more likely to have higher pCR rates, better RFS and DFS, and higher hematologic toxicity.

The recovery force of Ti-Nb coated and uncoated TiNi shape memory alloy rods was investigated. The rods were 6.0 mm, 6.5 mm and 7.0 mm in diameter respectively. The mean transition temperature was 33.0 degrees C. The rods were stored at -18 degrees C and pre-bent with a three-point bending fixture, the span was 20. 0 centimeters and the deflections were 5.0 mm, 10.0 mm, 15.0 mm and 20.0 mm, respectively. The rods were then heated in a constant temperature saline solution chamber. The experimental temperature was 37.0 C and 50.0 C respectively. The recovery force was measured in a constant displacement mode on biomaterial test machine. The results showed that the recovery force of the memory alloy rod increased with increasing recovery temperature, rod diameter and deformation of both Ti-Nb coated and uncoated surface. The recovery force of Ti-Nb coated rods of 6.0 and 6.5 millimeter in diameter was lower than the uncoated rods in the same diameter. However, the recovery force of 7.0-mm-diameter rods showed no significant difference between coated and uncoated surface.
Alloys ; chemistry ; Biomechanical Phenomena ; Coated Materials, Biocompatible ; Niobium ; Temperature ; Titanium

Objective To establish preoperative and postoperative femoral-pelvic-lumbar spine models of patients with developmental dysplasia of the hip(DDH)and healthy volunteers and to study the biomechanical effects of curved periacetabular osteotomy on the lumbar spine.Methods Preoperative and postoperative femoral-pelvic-lumbar spine DICOM data from four patients with DDH and one healthy volunteer were acquired using CT scanning technology,and a three-dimensional finite element model was constructed.The offset method was used to divide the cortical and cancellous bones in Geomagic and the lumbar cartilage,sacroiliac joint,pubic symphysis,and other cartilages were added to SolidWorks.The model was analyzed using ANSYS for finite element analysis,and the gait was the mid-stage of single-leg support during slow walking.The biomechanical changes in the lumbar spine of patients with DDH before and after surgery were analyzed and compared,and the biomechanical data of the lumbar spine of patients after surgery were compared with those of healthy volunteers.Results The femoral-pelvic-lumbar spine models of four patients and a healthy volunteer were established.The results obtained by the established models under each working condition were within the range of the referenced literature,and the validity of the models was proved.The postoperative stresses on the lumbar spine,femoral neck,annulus fibrosus,and nucleus pulposus were much smaller than those of the patients in the preoperative state,and the postoperative stresses on the lumbar spine,femoral neck,annulus fibrosus,and nucleus pulposus of the patients were similar to those of healthy volunteers.Conclusions Curved periacetabular osteotomy significantly reduced the stresses on the lumbar spine and intervertebral discs.Additionally,the stresses on the annulus fibrosus were more uniform after surgery,which indicated that curved periacetabular osteotomy will adjust patients to a healthy state.This study provides a biomechanical basis for the clinical treatment of DDH and helps optimize surgical plans.

Objective To explore the regulatory effect of miR-6838-5p on DDR1 gene expression and proliferation of breast cancer cells.Methods The expression levels of miR-6838-5p in normal breast epithelial cells and breast cancer cells were detected using qRT-PCR,and the potential target genes of miR-6838-5p was predicted using TargetscanV 8.0.Double luciferase reporter gene experiment was performed to verify the binding between miR-6838-5p and DDR1.Breast cancer MCF-7 cells were transfected via liposome,miR-6838-5p mimic,miR-6838-5p inhibitor,DDR1 siRNA,DDR1-overexpresisng vector,or both miR-6838-5p mimic and DDR1-overexpressing vector,and the changes in cell proliferation were examined with CCK-8 and EdU assays;Western blotting was used to detect the expression of DDR1.The mediating role of DDR1 in miR-6838-5p overexpression-induced inhibition of MCF-7 cell proliferation was verified in a nude mouse model bearing MCF-7 cell xenografts.Results The expression of miR-6838-5p was significantly lower in breast cancer cells than in normal breast epithelial cells.In MCF-7 cells,miR-6838-5p overexpression induced significant inhibition of cell proliferation.Dual luciferase reporter gene experiment demonstrated a binding relationship between miR-6838-5p and DDR1(P<0.01).Western blotting showed that miR-6838-5p overexpression significantly lowered DDR1 expression in MCF-7 cells,and DDR1 overexpression promoted proliferation of the cells;co-transfection of the cells with DDR1-overexpressing vector significantly attenuated the inhibitory effect of miR-6838-5p mimic on cell proliferation.In the tumor-bearing nude mice,the xenografts overexpressing miR-6838-5p showed a significantly smaller volum with obviously the expression of DDR1.Conclusion Overexpression of miR-6838-5p inhibits breast cancer cell proliferation by regulating DDR1 expression.

To investigate the genomic features and perform cluster analysis of Carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (CRKP) to provide an experimental basis for guiding the prevention and treatment of CRKP infections.A retrospective case-cohort study was conducted on 19 non-redundant CRKP strains isolated from the Tenth Affiliated Hospital of Southern Medical University between January and June 2023. Whole genome sequencing (WGS) and multilocus sequence typing (MLST) were performed to compare genomic features and analyze the resistance genes and homology of the strains.The results showed that the 19 CRKP strains were isolated from 8 different clinical departments, mainly from respiratory specimens. The whole genome sequencing revealed that the genomic lengths of CRKP ranged from 4.90 to 5.85 Mbp, with contigs N50 values>20 kb for each genome. The median overall GC content was 57.0% (50.4%-57.1%). Comparative genomic analysis identified three regions with high genomic variability. WGS detected 32 resistance genes across 11 categories. All 19 strains carried carbapenem resistance genes ( blaKPC-2 and blaOXA-48), blaTEM-1B extended-spectrum β-lactamase resistance genes, qnrS1 quinolone resistance gene, and fosA fosfomycin resistance gene, with each strain carrying only one carbapenemase gene. The detection rate of blaKPC-2 was 94.7% (18/19). MLST identified three sequence types: ST11, ST437 and ST147, with ST11 being predominant (89.5%, 17/19). Clustering analysis based on acquired resistance genes revealed three clonal transmission patterns among strains 72 and 90, and strains 88, 84, 66 and 79.In conclusion, CRKP strains carry multiple resistance genes, and clustering analysis indicating that nosocomial clonal transmission is closely related to acquired resistance genes. The ST11- blaKPC-2 type strain is the predominant clone. Strengthened surveillance and effective control strategies are necessary to reduce nosocomial transmission of CRKP.