BACKGROUND: Acellular amniotic membrane used widely in treating ocular surface disease as well as extensive burn wounds due to its low antigenicity and excellent histocompatibility. However, it is poorly understood whether it can be used in repairing urethral defects.OBJECTIVE: To evaluate role and the feasibility of human acellular amniotic membrane (HAAM) in the rabbit urethral reconstruction.DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING: The randomized control experiment of animals was performed at the Laboratory Center of Guangxi Medical University between April and June 2007.MATERIALS: Thirty-two New Zealand rabbits were supplied by animal center of Guangxi Medical University. The human HAAM was obtained from Department of Obstetrics, First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University.METHODS: HAAM was prepared by detergent-enzymatic approach. Firstly, the fresh amniotic membrane was protected with cross linking of 1% formaldehyde- 0.2% glutaral, digested with 0.125% trypsogen- 0.05 mol/L EDTA, followed by washing with 0.5% Triton X-100. Totally 32 New Zealand male rabbits were assigned into 3 groups: experimental group (n=12), control group (n=12) and sham operation group (n=8). Rabbits were prepared for urethral defects models in the experimental and control groups, which were repaired with HAAM or anastomosised directly. There was no urethral operation in the sham operation group.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The growth of epithelial cells and smooth muscle cells, as well as inflammatory cell infiltration was observed by histopathologic examination at days 10, 21 and 42 after operation. The urethral pressure changes and urinary bladder was examined by retrograde urethrography at day 42 after operation.RESULTS: ①The prepared HAAM was translucent, there was no residual cells or fragments. ②The pathological section examination showed that in the experimental group, some epithelial cells has grown without acute rejection at day 10 after operation, and several layers of urothelium covered HAAM at day 21 with reduced inflammatory cell infiltration. At day 42, a sprinkle of smooth muscle grew in HAAM with few inflammatory cells. Urodynamic studies indicated that there were no significant difference among 3 groups in the bladder volume, maximum urethral pressure and minimum urethral pressure (P > 0.05). The weight of bladder had obvious difference between the sham operation and control groups (P < 0.05).CONCLUSION: HAAM is an ideal biomaterial with well histocompatibility, biocompatibility and low antigenicity. HAAM is a good choice for urethral reconstruction.

BACKGROUND: Renal tubulointerstitial fibrosis is mainly featured as the accumulation of extracellular matrix (ECM) in renal interstitium. The tubular epithelial-myofibroblast transdifferentiation (TEMT) is important to the pathogenesy of renal tubulointerstitial fibrosis. OBJECTIVE: To examine the effects of sodium ferulate (SF) on TEMT, and ECM main components such as collagen Ⅰ, collagen Ⅲ and fibronectin, in rat renal tubular epithelial cellsinduced by transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF- β1)- DESIGN: Randomized and controlled experimental study based on cells. SETTING: Department of Kidney in West China Hospital of Sichuan University. MATERIALS: Rat renal tubular epithelial cells (NRK-52E) originated from American Type Culture Collection (ATCC), were offered by the laboratory of Department of Nephrology in Australian Monash Medical Center. Cell strain used in this study was cultured at the 36th passage. SF white crystal with water solubility and more than 98.0% purify, was from Chengdu Hengda Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. Different concentrations of SF (125,250, 500μreel/L) were designed in this study. Rabbit anti-rat α-smooth muscle actin (α -SMA) was produced by Wuhan Boster Company. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit was the produced of Shanghai Senxiong Science and Technology Co.,Ltd. Human recombinant TGF- β1 was produced by R&D Company. DNA Engine OpticonTM real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction apparatus was the product of MJ Research Company. METHODS: Rat renal tubular epithelial cells (NRK-52E) cultured in vitro were divided into five groups. Control group was added with serum-contained DMEM; TGF-β1-induced group was added with TGF-β1 at final concentration of 5 ng/L; SF at different concentrations groups were added with 125, 250, 500 μ mol/L SF and TGF- β1 at final concentration of 5 ng/L,respectively. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The contrast phase microscope, real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction and ELISA method were used to detect TEMT of NRK52E cells induced by TGF-β1 and levels of collagen Ⅰ, collagen Ⅲ and fibronectin in the supernatant. RESULTS: Morphology of NRK52E cells: Compared with control group, TGF-β1 could induce the transdifferentiation of NRK52E cells, showing fibroblast-like in morphology after 3 days, which were previously the typical road stone-like epithelial cells. In three different concentration SF groups, the morphologic transformation stimulated by TGF-β1 could be partly ameliorated in a dose-dependent manner. Expression of α-SMA mRNA: Compared with control group, 5 ng/L TGF- β1 enhanced expression of α-SMA at 6 hours, and reached a peak at 72 hours; SF depressed the expression in a dose-dependent manner at 72 hours (P < 0.05). Changes of ECM: After induced by 5 ng/L TGF- β1 for 72 hours, the levels of collagen Ⅰ, collagen Ⅲ and fibronectin in the supernatant increased significantly (P < 0.05), whereas SF decreased these levels in a dose-dependent manner (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: TGF- β1 induces the TEMT, and promotes the secretion of collagen Ⅰ, collagen Ⅲ and fibronectin. SF can inhibit TGF- β1-induced TEMT In a dose-dependent manner.

Objective To discuss the impact of an iterative reconstruction algorithm (True X) implemented with point spread function (PSF) on image quality and SUV in 18F-FDG PET, and compare with other reconstruction algorithms.Methods A total of 79 hypermetabolic lesions from 37 cancer patients (23 males, 14 females, age (63.38±15.25) years) were retrospectively studied.The PET images were reconstructed using the following six reconstruction algorithms, including FBP, FBP+TOF, iteration, iteration+TOF, True X, True X+TOF.Paired t test was used for statistical analysis.Results All six reconstruction algorithms showed significant difference in lesion SUVmax.The adoption of PSF increased SUVmax by 15%-16%, and decreased the dispersion of SUV in the liver parenchyma remarkably.Conclusions Lesion SUVmax calculated from different reconstruction algorithms has significant differences.Caution should be taken in using PSF, as it can improve image quality but may also increase lesion SUVmax.

AIM To investigate the effect of DO C(deoxycholic acid) on the absorption of INS-PLA-NP[insulin-loaded poly(lactic acid) nanoparticles] in different sites of gastrointestinal tracts. METHODS After INS-PLA-NP that contained or did not contain DOC was adminitered to different sites in gastrointestianl tracts(stomach, small intestine and colon)of normal rats, the hypoglycemic effect was observed. RESULTS The hypoglycemic effect did not exist after intragastric administration of INS-PLA-NP whether or not DOC was added. The alleviatory hypoglycemic effect was evident after intraintestinal absorption of INS-PLA-NP. After DOC was added, the absorption of INS-PLA-NP was accelerated obviously and the hypoglycemic effect was strengthened significantly. Glucose levels hardly changed after INS-PLA-NP was administered to colon. With the use of DOC, a little hypoglycemic effect appeared. CONCLUSIONS The absorption of INS-PLA-NP in small intestine was accelerated and enhanced by DOC. DOC could be used as absorption enhancer of INS-NP in the future.

The P53 gene has the important functions including induction of apoptosis, regulation of cell cycle, repair of DNA damage. The mutation of the P53 gene exists in more than 50% of human tumors and 13% of hematological malignancies. The P53 gene abnormality is closely related with the clinical course and prognosis of leukemia. The P73 or P63 gene, the member of the P53 family not only possesses similar to P53 activity of inducing apoptosis, activating transcription, but also plays different biological effects according to protein structural diversity, and even antagonises the function of the P53 gene. Researchers found that P73 or P63 gene also has the dual characteristics of the tumor suppressor and oncogene, and shows different expression and function in different types, different stages of leukemia. In this article, P53 family (P53, P73, P63) gene structure, biological function and the relationship of the three genes with the course, prognostic outcome, treatment and other clinical features of the leukemia are reviewed.
Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Genes, p53 ; Humans ; Leukemia ; diagnosis ; genetics ; pathology ; Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 ; genetics

To refine and analyze the characteristics and laws of acupoint selection in treatment of hyperlipidemia with acupuncture and moxibustion. By retrieving the main databases of Chinese and English version, the clinical research literature is included on the definite acupoints for hyperlipidemia treated with acupuncture and moxibustion, and the characteristics and laws are analyzed on the acupoint selection for hyperlipidemia treated with acupuncture and moxibustion. It is found out that the special points have been mainly used in treatment of hyperlipidemia. The first five top acupoints of high frequency use include Fenglong (ST 40), Zusanli (ST 36), Sanyinjiao (SP 6), Neiguan (PC 6) and Tianshu (ST 25). Totally 10 meridians are involved in acupoint prescriptions. The meridians of higher frequency use include the Stomach Meridian, the Spleen Meridian, the Conception Vessel, the Bladder Meridian and the Pericardium Meridian. The specific points are mainly from the Stomach Meridian, the Spleen Meridian, the Conception Vessel, the Bladder Meridian and the Pericardium Meridian in the treatment of hyperlipidemia. The acupoint prescription of acupuncture and moxibustion for hyperlipidemia is characterized as determining the treating principle based on the spleen theory, selecting the acupoints along the running courses of the spleen and stomach meridians, combining the nearby acupoints with the distal ones, selecting the acupoints for adjusting the deficiency and excess of zangfu and syndrome differentiation, collaborating the acupoints located in the front and on the back, as well as supplementing the acupoints based on symptoms.
Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Humans ; Hyperlipidemias ; therapy ; Moxibustion

Objective To study the impact of main source voltage fluctuation on dose rate and dose delivery accuracy of BJ-6B accelerator. Methods The accelerator was calibrated by a voltage regulator at an output voltage of 332 V. The main source voltage fluctuation was simulated by changing the output of voltage regulator within the range of 321 - 338 V. The change of dose rate was recorded. Using a water phantom, each absorption dose was measured five times and averaged along the central beam axis at the depth of 1.5 cm, 5 cm and 10 cm, respectively, with the conditions of monitor unit: 100 MU ,field: 10 cm× 10 cm and SSD = 100 cm. The impact of voltage fluctuation on dose rate and dose delivery of BJ-6B accelerator was analyzed. Results Voltage fluctuation had an significant effect on dose rate. In a certain range, dose rate and absorption dose at different depths increased as the output voltage increased. Conclusions It is essential to equip the BJ-6B accelerator with a high accurate voltage stabilizer, and the voltage stabilizer must be adjusted to its highest accuracy.

Objective To study the maintenance of BJ-6B accelerator. Methods Analyzed retrospectively the maintenance record of BJ-6B accelerator, including phenomena, causes and handle from 2002 to 2009. Results In 231 records, there were motion-controlling 64, hand-controlling-pendant 20.modulator 41, anti-peak overload 36, charging overload 5. Flatness 7, mechanical 21, digital-display 20,others lie in magnetron power, water-cooling system, light-indicator system, dose-monitor system and wedge system. Motion-controlling system is the highest among those, followed by high-voltage modulator and mechanical system. Conclusions The down time for BJ-6B accelerator is low because of its perfect technology. To keep its stability in clinic, the hospital authorities should emphasize training of engineer for improving their maintenance ability. The engineer must be familiar with the circuit diagram, check the electric wire and machine unit on time and prepare unit for maintenance. The temperature and humidity in machine house must be controlled on demand. The engineer must pay attention to machine parameters when beam is on for avoiding the spark's damage to magnetron and accelerating-tube

BACKGROUND: Connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) is a kind of factor that can mediate downstream action of transforming growth factor-β 1 (TGF- β 1). The upregulation of connective tissue growth factor expression plays an important role in pathological changes of renal interstitial fibrosis.OBJECTIVE: To explore the effect of Sodium Ferulate on the expression of CTGF mRNA and protein in rats with unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) and pathological changes of renal interstitial fibrosis, and to compare with Losartan.DESIGN: Randomized and controlled animal trial.SETTING: Department of Nephrology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, and College of Public Health, Sichuan University.MATERIALS: Twenty-four healthy adult male SD rats were selected from the Experimental Animal Center of Sichuan University. Sodium Ferulate was provided by Sichuan Hengda Pharmacy Co, Ltd (No. 050302); rabbit anti-rat CTGF by Santa Cruz; Western blotting by BioRAD, USA; DNA Engine OpticonTM real-time fluorescent quantitation PCR device by MJ Research, USA.METHODS: The experiment was performed at Research Laboratory of Clinical Medicine (grade BSL-1), College of Public Health, Sichuan University from May to December 2006. Twenty-four healthy rats were randomly divided into 4 groups (n=6): UUO model group, Sodium Ferulate group, Losartan group, and sham-operation group. According to the previous protocol, UUO models were established in UUO model group, Sodium Ferulate group, and Losartan group, and the other rats were subjected to sham operation. From the first day after UUO, Sodium Ferulate group was intragastrically (i.g.)administrated with 150 mg/kg/d Sodium Ferulate; Losartan group was administrated ig. with 20 mg/kg/d. Losartan; UUO and sham operation groups were administrated i.g. with matching normal saline. All rats were executed 14 days after UUO to harvest partial renal tissues. All experimental procedure was accorded with animal ethical standards.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The mRNA and protein expressions of CTGF were quantified by real-time PCR and Western blot. The pathological changes of renal interstitial tissues were observed by hematoxylin/eosin (HE) and Masson staining.RESULTS: Twenty-four rats were included in final analysis. Fourteen days after UUO, CTGF mRNA and protein expressions in UUO model group were significantly increased compared with sham operation group, but the expressions in Sodium Ferulate group were significantly lower than model group (P < 0.05). Compared with Losartan treated group, there was no significant difference (P > 0.05). HE and Masson staining showed inflammatory cell infiltration and tubular and interstitial changes as well as collagen deposition in renal interstitial tissues on day 14 after UUO. Sodium Ferulate obviously improved the renal pathological changes in UUO rats (P < 0.05), and the effect was similar to Losartan (P > 0.05).CONCLUSION: Sodium Ferulate inhibits UUO-induced renal interstitial fibrosis. This action, similar to the effect of Losartan, might be due to downregulation of CTGF expression.