BACKGROUND: Jaw defects are common clinically. It is desirable to find ideal seed cells combined with scaffolds to construct tissue engineered jaws for curing these diseases. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the growth characteristics of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) transfected with basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) gene after seeded on coral scaffold in vitro. DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING: An experimental study of bone tissue engineering was performed in the Research Institute of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University between March 2006 and June 2008. MATERIALS: Natural coral from China Hainan bench was made into pieces of 8 mm×8 mm×2 mm. METHODS: BMSCs were isolated from New England rabbits by density gradient centrifugation and then purified by adherent separation. bFGF-pcDNA3 gene was transfected into BMSCs using Lipofectamine TM 2000. bFGF gene-transfected (transfected group) or untransfected (untransfected group)BMSCs were seeded on different coral scaffolds. In addition, bFGF gene-transfected BMSCs were simply cultured but not on the coral scaffold for control (simple culture group). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: BMSC proliferation was detected by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay and BMSC growth on coral scaffold was observed under the scanning electron microscope. RESULTS: MTT assay showed that the BMSC proliferation rate was significantly higher in the transfected group than in the untransfected group (P < 0.05) and that there was no significant difference in BMSC proliferation between the transfected and simple culture groups (P > 0.05). Scanning electron microscope results displayed that BMSCs adhered to and spread over the coral scaffold, exhibiting various appearances, with some cells had grown into scaffold micropores or spanned micropore surface, and some extracellular matrix secreted by BMSCs were found. CONCLUSION: The transfected group exhibited better growth of BMSCs transfected by bFGF gene than the untransfected group. These findings indicate that coral skeleton does not influence BMSC proliferation and can be used as a scaffold of BMSCs to construct tissue-engineered bone.

BACKGROUND:Platelet rich plasma contains various growth factors, such as platelet-derived growth factor, metastatic growth factor, insulin-like growth factor, epidermal growth factor as wel as vascular endothelial growth factor. Therefore, it can directly or indirectly promote cel differentiation and proliferation in different stages of bone regeneration.
OBJECTIVE:To study the effects of coral bone with platelet rich plasma in the repair of mandibular defects.
METHODS: Totaly 24 New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into three groups (n=8 per group) including test group, control group and blank control group. Coral bone with autologous platelet rich plasma, coral bone or nothing was implanted, respectively, after establishing unilateral mandibular defect models. The defects were evaluated by imaging observation and bone his-tomorphometric analysis at 2, 4, 8, 12 weeks after surgery.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:At 12 weeks after surgery, by imaging observation, density of the defect increased in the blank control group, which was lower than that of the normal bone; the bone density in the test group was higher than that in the control group, both of which were similar with the normal bone. Besides, the materials were closely combined with the new tissues. By bone his-tomorphometric analysis, area of the new bone in the test group was significantly larger than that in the control and blank control group (P< 0.05). In conclusion, coral bone with platelet rich plasma has good biocompatibility and bone conductivity, which can induce bone regeneration to promote defect repair.

Objective To determine the amount of serum Vitamin D in premature infants,and to investigate its correlation with bone quantitative ultrasound measurement.Methods The serum of premature infants born between 2013 March and 2014 March in the Maternal and Children Health Hospital of Huadu District in Guangzhou were collected,and serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25-(OH) D] level was measured by using chemiluminescence immunoassay,while Omnisense quantitative ultrasound was used to measure bone speed of sound(SOS) in the middle area of the left tibia.According to gestational age,the participants were divided into A,B and C groups(28-32 weeks,32 +1-34 weeks,34 + 1-36 +6 weeks,respectively).The levels of 25-(OH)D and SOS were compared and the correlation between them was analyzed.Results The amount of 25-(OH) D of the 3 groups was (41.65 ± 21.15) nmoL/L,(47.15 ± 19.78) nmol/L,and (49.35 ± 19.93) nmol/L,respectively,and the differences among the 3 groups were statistically significant (F =4.441,P =0.012).The ratio of vitamin D abundant or not (insufficiency including deficiency and lack) in preterm among the 3 groups were compared,and the differences among the 3 groups were statistically significant(x2 =11.38,P =0.023).SOS of the 3 groups were (2 787.85 ± 123.01) m/s,(2 865.12 ± 129.44) m/s and (2 908.59 ± 124.01) m/s,respectively,and the differences among the 3 groups were statistically significant (F =28.716,P =0.000).There was a positive correlation between 25-(OH) D and SOS (r =0.084,P =0.024).Conclusions Level of Vitamin D in premature infants is generally inadequate.The smaller the gestational age,the higher the occurrence rate.Vitamin D levels and SOS are significantly positively correlated,and both of them increase with gestational age.

Objective To understand the changes of schistosomiasis epidemic situation,so as to provide the evidence for for?mulating schistosomiasis control strategy in the Hexi reservoir area. Methods From 2012 to 2015,Xinyuan Village,Meishan Town in the north entrance of Hexi reservoir was selected as a monitoring site. According to the requirements of the monitoring program of schistosomiasis surveillance in Zhejiang Province,the Schistosoma japonicum infection was investigated by using the serological screening(IHA),and the basic situation of the surveillance site was also investigated. Results From 2012 to 2015,167 environments(21.68 hm2)were surveyed,and 2 slices(0.1 hm2)were found with Oncomelania hupensis snails. The detection rate of frames with snails was 0.12%,and the living snail density was 0.0192 snails per 0.1 m2. Totally 374 snails were dissected and no schistosome infected snails were found. A total of 970 local residents and 8 748 mobile people were investigated with the serological tests,and no schistosome infected people were found. In addition,3 085 cattle were investigated and no in?fected ones were found. Conclusion The schistosomiasis epidemic situation is stable in the Hexi reservoir area,but we still should strengthen the monitoring of imported source of infection and snail status,and increase the efforts of environmental trans?formation.

ObjectiveTo assess revascularization and vessel anastomosis in digital replantations with DSA.MethodsTwelve cases of digital replantations underwent digital subtract angiography during 2 to 4 days after fingers reattachment. The vessel anastomosis,hemodynamics,stenosis and discontinuation were investigated.The unobstructed and smooth anastomosis was suggested as early stage survival of the reattached fingers,the spasm and stenosis of the reattached vessels were considered as mild vascular crisis,and the discontinuation of hemodynamics were indicated as severe vascular crisis.ResultsThe total 27 vessels were clearly displayed on DSA.Of these vessels,23 vessels were unobstructed and smooth,all digits were survived.Diagnosis coincidence of early stage survival was 100%(23/23). Two vessels were obstructed,which were testified having thrombus by operation research.The other 2 vessels were spasm,the digits were also survived ultimately by expectant treatment.All 4 abnormal vessel anatomosis were found by DSA.Conclusion DSA is important modality in assessing revascularization and blood circulation for digital replantations,guiding in dealing with the vascular crisis,and in predicting early stage survival of the reattached digits.

AIM:To generate thalassemia-specific integration-free induced pluripotent stem cells ( iPSC) and to detect their ability of differentiation into hematopoietic precursors .METHODS:The plasmids pEB-C5 and pEB-Tg were transfected into the fibroblast cells from hemoglobin Bart ’ s hydrops fetalis ’ s skin by the method of nuclear transfection to reprogramm the cells into iPSC .The ability of the iPSC to differentiate into 3-germ layer cells was determined .The iPSC were cocultured with mouse OP 9 cells to differentiate into hematopoietic precursors and the hematopoietic precursor specific antigens were detected .RESULTS:The integration-free iPSC from hemoglobin Bart ’ s hydrops fetalis ’ s skin fibroblasts were successfully derived, and had the ability to differentiate into 3 germ layers.When cocultured with OP9 cells for 9 d, the positive rate of hematopoietic progenitor cell marker CD 34 was 18.7%, and the CD34 and CD45 double positive rate was 12.2%.CONCLUSION:Hemoglobin Bart ’ s hydrops fetalis ’ s skin fibroblasts can be successfully induced into “in-tegration-free” iPSC.This cell line has the ability to differentiate into 3 germ layers , and can be differentiated into hemato-poietic precursors when cocultured with OP 9 cells.

objective To understand the status of Oncomelania hupensis snail distribution and diffusion in main drainages of Hexi Reservoir and evaluate the snail control effect of the schistosomiasis control engineering of Hexi Reservoir. Methods The O. hupensis snails were investigated by using the straw curtain method and fishing net method in different areas of the main drainages of Hexi Reservoir and the results were analyzed. Results A total of 1 800 straw curtains were used and 37 snails were found in Naxi stream. Totally 5 870 kg floats were salved and no snails were found. Conclusion The schistosomiasis con?trol engineering of Hexi Reservoir is effective in the prevention of the snail diffusion but there are still snails in the upstream. Therefore the snail surveillance and control need to be strengthened.

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of sodium valproate (VPA) on the proliferation and apoptosis of human lung carcinoma SPC-A1 cells and the underlying mechanism.

METHODSThe effect of VPA on the proliferation of SPC-A1 cells was evaluated by MTT assay and clone formation assay. Flow cytometry was used to analyze the apoptosis of the cells exposed to VPA. The changes in the expressions of Bcl-xl, Bcl-2, Mcl-1, caspase-9, and caspase-3 in the exposed cells were detected by Western blotting.

RESULTSIncubation with VPA for 48 h resulted in a significant inhibition of SPC-A1 cell proliferation, with a IC(50) of 1.8 mmol/L. VPA treatment also inhibited cell colony formation and induced obvious cell apoptosis. Exposure to 8 mmol/L VPA for 48 h caused a percentage of early apoptotic cells of 60.44%. VPA treatment at different concentrations for 48 h obviously lowered the protein levels of Bcl-xl, Bcl-2, and Mcl-1 and induced caspase-9 and caspase-3 activation in SPC-A1 cells.

CONCLUSIONVPA can inhibit the proliferation of SPC-A1 cells by triggering mitochondrion-dependent apoptosis.

Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Caspase 3 ; metabolism ; Caspase 9 ; metabolism ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Humans ; Myeloid Cell Leukemia Sequence 1 Protein ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 ; metabolism ; Valproic Acid ; pharmacology ; bcl-X Protein ; metabolism