To evaluate the effectiveness of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) combined with western medicine on breast cancer after surgical resection.

Background Reliable intraocular pressure (IOP) measurement is essential in glaucomatous study.TonoLab is a newly designed tonometer for small animals,however,its repeatability and reproducibility remains unknown.Objective This study aimed to evaluate the repeatability and reproducibility of TonoLab rebound tonometer in DBA/2J mice.Methods Intraocular pressure was measured in both eyes of 63 DBA/2J mice aged 7 months under systemic anesthesia with TonoLab rebound tonometer.IOP of each eye was measured for 3 times by two observers independently and consecutively using TonoLab rebound tonometer,and the data were obtained in single blind method.Within standard deviation (Sw),interclass correlation coefficient (ICC),within coefficient of variation (CVw) and corresponding 95％ confidence interval (CI) were calculated to evaluate the repeatability of measuring result from single observer,and Bland-Altman method was used to assess the agreement between two observers.The abnormal data which affected repeatability was analyzed.Results Among the 126 eyes,105 eyes showed the normal IOP with mean value (12.98 ± 1.05) mmHg from observer 1 and (12.41 ±0.92) mmHg from observer 2.Ocular hypertension was found in 21 eyes with mean value (27.76 ± 1.95) mmHg and (27.49 ± 1.28) mmHg for observer 1 and observer 2 respectively.Sw,ICC and CVw for observer 1/observer 2 were 1.34/1.11 mmHg,0.90/0.92,8.24％/7.42％ in normal eyes and 2.21/1.49 mmHg,0.89/0.95,6.97％/4.82％ in hypertensive eyes.The average bias between two measuring values from different observers was 0.60 mmHg in the normal eyes (95％ CI:-5.20-6.30 mmHg) and 0.30 mmHg in the hypertensive eyes (95％ CI:-7.30-7.80 mmHg).Conclusions TonoLab rebound tonometer can offer a good intraobserver repeatability in both normal and hypertensive eyes in mice,but the agreement between two observers is outside an acceptable level.So we consider IOP in mice obtained by TonoLab rebound tonometer is reliable and accurate from a single observer.

Objective To explore the inhibition effects of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) antagonist monoclonal antibody cetuximab (C225) on breast cancer stem cells in human breast cancer cell line MCF-7.Methods The effects of C225 on the proliferation of breast cancer cell line MCF-7 were detected by MTT assay. MCF-7 cells were cultured to generate primary mammospheres, and were divided into control group, C225 group, epidermal growth factor (EGF) group and EGF + C225 group according to whether or not the culture media contained exogenous EGF and C225.Thirteen days after culture, the volume and number of mammospheres of these four groups were observed, and mammosphere-forming efficiency ( MFE) was calculated. The percentages of CD44~+ CD24~- cells in mammospheres of these four groups and in routinely cultured MCF-7 cells were determined by flow cytometry. Results The inhibition rate on MCF-7 cells increased with the concentration of C225.Compared with control group, the volume of mammospheres in C225 group significantly decreased, and MFE and percentages of CD44~+ CD24~- cells in mammospheres significantly decreased [(0.61 ±0.04)% vs (1.44±0.09)%, P<0.01; (3.50±0.29)% vs (9.07 ±0.52) % , P<0.01]. Compared with EGF group, the volume of mammospheres in EGF + C225 group significantly decreased, and MFE and percentages of CD44~+ CD24~- cells in mammospheres significantly decreased [ (0.68 ± 0.04) % vs (1.61 ± 0.05) % , P < 0.01; (4.00 ± 0.58) % vs (10.47 ± 0.79) % , P < 0.01]. The percentage of CD44~+ CD24~- cells in routinely cultured MCF-7 cells was (2.03 ±0.15) % , and was significantly different from those in EGF group and control group (P < 0.01). There was no significant difference in volume of mammospheres, MFE and percentage of CD44~+ CD24~- cells in mammospheres between EGF group and control group (P >0.05). Conclusion C225 has significant inhibition effects on CD44~+ CD24~- cells in MCF cells.

AIM: To investigate the role of catecholamine, angiotensin converting enzyme(ACE) and adenosine triphosphatase in ischemic preconditioning in isolated rat hearts. METHODS: Isolated perfused rat heart was subjected to global ischemia for 40 min followed by reperfusion for 10 min (I/R). Preconditioning (PC) was induced by 5 min of ischemia and 10 min of reperfusion. The tissue concentrations in NE, and ACE, ATPase activities were determined in left ventricle in the PC and I/R groups by fluorometry and spectrophotometry. RESULTS: There were no significant difference in NE and ACE between PC and I/R groups. PC hearts showed improved recovery of the contractile function after 40 min ischemia/10 min reperfusion, but activities of the myocardial total ATPase, Mg2＋-ATPase, Na＋K＋-ATPase were inhibited markedly compared with I/R group. CONCLUSION: The inhibited myocardial ATPase may be involved in the mechanism of ischemic preconditioning protection in the isolated rat heart. Endogenous myocardial norepinephrine and ACE activation are not essential for ischemic preconditioning in the isolated rat heart.

BACKGROUND:Silk fibroin, as an inorganic mineralization template, can induce hydroxyapatite crystal growth, and combined with nano-hydroxyapatite can simulate the inorganic and organic components of natural bone, which is expected to become the most ideal bone graft material. OBJECTIVE:To prepare the silk fibroin/nano-hydroxyapatite composite material and investigate its treatment outcomes in spinal fusion. METHODS:Silk fibroin/nano-hydroxyapatite composite was synthesized by the co precipitation method with silk fibroin and calcium phosphate as raw materials, to simulate the structure and composition of the bone tissue. The crystal phase composition and microstructure of the composite scaffold were analyzed by X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscope. Osteoblasts were seeded onto the composite, and the cel adhesion and proliferation were observed under inverted microscope. The lumbar posterolateral spinal fusion models were established in the New Zealand rabbits, fol owed by treated with autologous bone graft (control group) and composite (composite group), respectively. The gross, radiological and histological observations of bone fusion were compared between groups. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Silk fibroin/nano-hydroxyapatite composite appeared to be fascicular under electron microscope, the length was 200-500 nm and width was 20-30 nm. And the hydroxyapatite was about 200 nm in length and 50 nm in width. X-ray diffraction showed that the bottom of diffraction peak was wide, and the peak was not sharp. Transmission electron microscope found that cel s adhered wel onto the composite scaffold at 2 days. Scanning electron microscope showed that the polygonal, oval or conical cel s covered most of the composite scaffold holes, presented obvious mitotic phase at 5 days. The third generation of MC3T3-E cel s tended to rise at first 3 days, and then decreased. The fusion site of L5-6 transverse process was strong, and non-bony fusion occurred. At the same time, numerous new bones were visible in the composite group. Hematoxylin-eosin staining showed a large number of cel aggregation, abundant osteoblasts surrounding cartilage, and the bone tissues were in a regular arrangement in the composite group. Moreover, irregular trabecular bone with medul ary cavity was found in the composite material. These results suggest that the silk fibroin/nano-hydroxyapatite composite with the similar structure and composition of natural bone can achieve satisfactory fusion effect in the rabbit lumbar posterolateral fusion.

BACKGROUND:Although the traditional surgical treatment can improve the symptoms of patients with senile osteoporotic vertebral fracture, the treatment easily produces bone graft fusion failure and pseudoarticulation formation and affects clinical effects. OBJECTIVE:To investigate biomechanical properties of anterior cervical pedicle screw and the effects on osteoporotic vertebral stability. METHODS:A total of 16 fresh cadaver cervical specimens contained 64 motion segments (C3-4, C4-5, C5-6 and C6-7). The 64 segments by the way of implantation were randomly divided into ordinary anterior locking screw fixation group and lower anterior vertebral pedicle screw system group (32 segments per group). The mechanical properties were determined on the biomechanical testing machine for each group. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1) Biomechanics:Compared with the ordinary anterior locking screw fixation group, the maximum pul-out strength, screw path length, postoperative vertebral column height, the maximum surface strain, strain maximum and the range of maximum values were increased in the lower anterior vertebral pedicle screw system group (P<0.05). (2) Results suggest that compared with the ordinary anterior locking screw fixation group, lower cervical anterior pedicle screw required larger extraction force and was more stable for osteoporotic vertebrae.

Objective To further elaborate the clinical characteristics,diagnosis,treatment and prognosis of primary cutaneous invasive epidermo-tropic CD8 positive cytotoxicity T-cell lymphoma.Methods The clinical characteristics,diagnosis and treatment of a patient with primary cutaneous invasive epidermotropic CD8 positive cytotoxicity T-cell lymphoma were summarized,and diagnosis and treatment of the disease from published literature were reviewed.Results After one year long,recurrence of exudative maculopapule on his body and limbs,a middle-aged male patient visited our hospital.Then,the patient was diagnosed as T2N0M0 Ⅰ phase of primary cutaneous invasive epidermo-tropic CD8 positive cytotoxicity T-cell lymphoma based on results of skin biopsy,immunohistochemistry,T-cell gene rearrangement and PET-CT.Through integrative medicine treatment (combination of bruceolic oil emulsion and chemotherapy with GDP regimen),the patient achieved complete remission (CR).The treatment and follow-up continues till now and his condition was stable.Conclusions Clinical occurrence of primary cutaneous invasive epidermo-tropic CD8 positive cytotoxicity T-cell lymphoma is rare and early diagnosis is difficult.It could be diagnosed with histopathology combined with T-cell gene rearrangement.In order to avoid misdiagnosis,great caution should be taken during disease history inquiry and physical examination,should be early lesion for delayed healing of recurrent lesions,biopsy should be conducted as soon as possible and immunohistochemistry should be performed simultaneously,which will provide a good basis for further treatment.

Background The establishment of chronic ocular hypertension is a basis for the research of glaucoma.Previous laser photocoagulation method to establish ocular hypertension model showed obvious fluctuation of intraocular pressure (IOP) and complications and need repeatedly photocoagulation.Improvement of modeling method is of important significance for glaucoma.Objective This study was to establish chronic ocular hypertension rat models by transgoniscope laser photocoagulation to trabecular meshwork and to compare this method with previous translimbal laser photocoagulation.Methods Thirty-six 8 to 12-week-old clean grade Fischer344 rats were collected and divided into normal control group,translimbal laser photocoagulation group and transgoniscope laser photocoagulation group,12 rats for each group.Five hundred and thirty-two nm YAG laser was used to photocoagulate trabecular meshwork translimbally in the right eyes of rats in the translimbal laser photocoagulation group,with the laser power 440-500 mW and spots 40-60,and the photocoagulation was perfored transgoniscopely in the right eyes of rats in the transgoniscope laser photocoagulation group,with the laser power 800-850 mW and spots 100-120.IOP was measured by using Tonolab tonometer in all the rats after modeling.The rats were sacrificed 3 weeks after modeling and retinas were isolated,the Tuj-1 positive retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) were counted by immunofluorescence technology.The use and care of the animals followed the Statement of ARVO.Results The successful rate of establishement of models was 75％ in the translimbal laser photocoagulation group and 100％ in the transgoniscope laser photocoagulation group.The mean IOP was (11.0±1.3),(23.4±12.6) and (25.3± 4.9) mmHg,and the peak IOP was (12.3 ± 1.0),(50.5 ± 7.3) and (44.3 ± 12.3) mmHg in the normal control group,transgoniscope laser photocoagulation group and translimbal laser photocoagulation group,respectively,with significant differences among the groups (F=25.496,80.762,both at P＜0.001),and the mean IOP was significantly higher in the transgoniscope laser photocoagulation group and translimbal laser photocoagulation group than that in the normal control group (all at P＜0.001),and no significant differences in the mean and peak IOP between transgoniscope laser photocoagulation group and translimbal laser photocoagulation group (P=1.000,P=0.195).The numbers of Tuj-1 positive RGCs in the retinas were (2 048.2± 148.5),(645.2 ± 177.1) and (1 223.7 ± 148.6)/mm2 in the normal control group,transgoniscope laser photocoagulation group and translimbal laser photocoagulation group,showing a significant difference among the groups (F=98.767,P＜0.001).The number of Tuj-1 positive RGCs was considerably reduced in the transgoniscope laser photocoagulation group and translimbal laser photocoagulation group compared with the normal control group and the number of Tuj-1 postive RGCs was low in the translimbal laser photocoagulation group compared with the transgoniscope laser photocoagulation group (all at P＜0.001).Conclusions Transgoniscope laser photocoagulation targeting trabecular meshwork can induce chronic ocular hypertension and RGCs losing.However,its pattern is different from translimbal laser photocoagulation.Transgoniscope laser photocoagulation has a higher successful rate of chronic ocular hypertention than that of translimbal laser photocoagulation.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the treatment effect, quality of life and side-effect of transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in treating metastatic liver cancer. METHODS: Thirty-nine cases of colon metastatic liver cancer were randomly divided into two groups. Both TACE and TCM were used in the treatment group, while only TACE was used in the control group. The drug used in TACE included floxuridine, pirarubicin, cisplatin, and the herbs for strengthening the spleen and regulating Qi were used in TCM. RESULTS: The response rate in the treatment group was 30% (45% including minor remission patients), and the median survival time was 18.6 months. While in the control group the response rate was 15.8% (36.8% including minor remission patients), and the median survival time was 14.3 months. The 1-, 2-, 3- year survival rates of treatment group and the control group were 70.2%, 40.3%, 13.0% and 68.7%, 29.5%, 10.3% respectively. There were fewer other organ metastases in the treatment group. The score from the EORTC quality of life questionnaire QLQ-C30 in treatment group was higher than that in the control group. CONCLUSION: Integration of TACE and TCM in treating colon metastatic liver cancer has better results.

Objective:To establish a precise three-dimensional finite element model of temporomandibular joint.Methods: On the basis of images of Chinese Visible Human, the reverse engineering technology was applied to reconstruct the Computer Aided Design(CAD) model of temporomandibular joint.Afterwards, the model was established. Results:A three-dimensional finite element model consisting of 66 122 nodes and 212 704 elements of temporomandibular joint including cortical bone, cancellous bone, mandibular dental arch, masticatory muscles, articular cartilage and periodontal ligament was constructed. Conclusion:The finite element model is more efficient and more precise.