BackgroundEndostatin (ES) is currently the strongest endogenous angiognesis inhibitor,and it can inhibit the occurrence of neovascularization.Various studies demonstrated that the poly RGD sequence can enhance the function of the ES gene.ObjectiveThis study was to evaluate the use of gene therapy of modified ES for alkaline burn-induced corneal neovascularization (CNV).MethodsOne hundred and two clean SD rats were randomly divided into the normal control group,the pCI empty vector group,the pCI-ES group,and the pCI-RGDRGDES group.Corneal neovascularization models were established by placing a piece of 3 mm filter paper with 1 mol/L NaOH at the central cornea for 40 seconds.3 μg of the pCI blank vector,ES-tranfected pCI blank vector,or RGDRGD-ES-transfected pCI vector was injected into the superior bulbar conjunctiva after the alkali burn twice at 1-week intervals.Area of CNV and edema of the cornea in the various groups of rats were examined daily under the slit lamp biomicroscope.1,4,7 and 14 days after operation,the rats were sacrificed by the excessive anesthesia method and corneal tissues were obtained to evaluate pathological changes.The expression of CD34 in vascular endothelial cells was detected by immunochemistry to calculate the corneal neovascular density.The expressions of VEGF mRNA and Flk-1 protein in the corneas were detected by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blot analysis.The use and maintenance of animals followed the Statement of ARVO.Results Seven to fourteen days after corneal alkali-burning,the corneal neovascular area was smaller in the pCI-ES group and pCI-RGDRGD-ES group compared with the normal control group and pCI blank vector group (P＜0.05,P＜0.01 ),and nevascular area in the pCI-RGDRGD-ES group was smaller than that in the pCI-ES group (P＜0.05).The expression level of CD34 was significantly lower in the pCI-ES group and pCI-RGDRGD-ES group than that in the normal control group and pCI blank vector group (P＜0.05,P＜0.01 ),and the expression level of CD34 was further declined in the pCI-RGDRGD-ES group compared with the pCI-ES group (P＜0.05 ).Compared with the normal control group and pCI vector group,the expressions of the Flk-1 protein and VEGF mRNA were decreased in the pCI-ES group and pCI-RGDRGD-ES group on the fourth day after corneal alkali-burning (P＜0.01,P＜0.05 ),and those in the pCI-RGDRGD-ES group were less than the pCI-ES group (P＜ 0.05,P＜ 0.05 ).Conclusions Subconjunctival injection of both ES and modified RGDRGD-ES genes result in significant suppression of CNV in vivo,and modified RGDRGD-ES appears to be more effective than native ES.The main mechanism of ES in inhibiting neovascularization is to downregulate the expression of VEGF and Flk-1.

Fed with high-fat diet and assessed by hyperinsulinemia-euglycemia clamp technique, rat models with insulin resistance were successfully induced. Compared with normal chow group ( NC ), serum concentrations of free-fatty acids(FFAs) and baseline insulin in high-fat diet group(HF) was higher( P＜0.05 ), the average glucose infusion rate from 60 to 120 min( GIR60-120 ) was lower( P＜0.01 ), and the expression of p-IRE-lα in the liver was higher( P＜0.05 ). Furthermore, the expression of p-IRE-1α in the liver was positvely correlated with the serum concentration of FFAs. All these data indicate that high-fat diet may induce endoplasmic reticulum stress in the liver by elevating serum concentration of FFAs, and may participate in the genesis of insulin resistance via p-IRE-1α.

The article summarized the teaching experience to cultivate the capability of writing the standardized diagnostic imaging reports in the internes of the medical imaging speciality.The need and content of diagnostic imaging reports was standardized.The skill to read image and the capability to write the standardized diagnostic imaging report was cultivated gradually by three phases composed of the accidence phase,and the improve phase and the practice phase.

Adult ; Aged ; Autoimmune Diseases ; diagnosis ; metabolism ; Female ; Humans ; Insulins ; metabolism ; Male ; Middle Aged

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of Fuzheng Capsule (FC) and Quxie Capsule (QC) in reducing relapse and metastasis of colorectal cancer in stage II and III after the cancer had been treated by radical operation and succedent routine radiotherapy and chemotherapy.

METHODSA prospective cohort controlled study was conducted in 101 patients with colorectal cancer in stage II and III after radical operation and routine radiotherapy and chemotherapy, among whom 53 patients were treated with FC and QC and 48 were given no treatment, they were followed up regularly. The rate and time of relapse and metastasis were observed after 1, 2 and 3 years.

RESULTSOne-year, 2-year and 3-year relapse-metastasis rate was 0, 2.7% and 14.8% respectively in the treated group, and 6.2% , 24.2% and 30.8% in the control group. Significant difference was found only in the 2-year rate between the two groups (chi-squared = 5.428, P < 0.05). Average time of relapse and metastasis was 26.2 +/- 4.5 months in the treated group and 14.2 +/- 4.2 months in the control group, showing significant difference between the two groups (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONFC and QC applying in the succedent consolidating treatment for stage II and III colorectal cancer after radical operation might be favourable to reduce relapse and metastasis and improve quality of life, further clinical study with randomized and controlled method is worthwhile to be conducted.

Adenocarcinoma ; therapy ; Aged ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; therapeutic use ; Capsules ; Cohort Studies ; Colorectal Neoplasms ; therapy ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; prevention & control ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local ; prevention & control ; Phytotherapy ; Postoperative Period ; Prospective Studies

Objective To discuss biomechanical mechanism of reconstructed joint capsule ligament stabilizing hip joint by means of three-dimensional finite element analysis.Methods A finite element model of total hip arthroplasty(THA)including ischiofemoral ligament reconstruction was construtted by using finite element analysis software Unigraphics NX 2.0 and SolidWorks 2006 to simulate seated leg crossing and obtain peak resisting moment and range of motion prior to impingement.Results The current form of finite element model was characterized by large deformation multi-body contact,large interfacial sliding and high elasticity and could clearly reflect real anatomy and biomechanical behavior of ischiofemoral ligaments.Compared with model with only metal,model of ischiofemoral ligament reconstruction could reduce the peak polyethylene stress at the impingement site and at the head egress site by typically 17%and 31%respectively,increase peak resisting moment by nearly 57%and provide 2.29-fold stability.Conclusions As a discrete structure within the posterior capsule of the hip joint,the ischiofemoral ligament may be the most important contributor to the mechanical integrity of the posterior stability structure.The joint capsule ligament must be reconstructed in hip arthroplasty.

OBJECTIVETo study the effects of intestinal microflora alteration on specific and nonspecific immune function and hematopoietic function of mice.

METHODSSixty BALB/C mice were divided at random into two groups, experimental group and control group, with 30 mice in each. The mice in the experimental group were given kanamycin 50 mg while those in the control group were given distilled water intragastrically everyday for consecutive 10 days. After the 10 day treatment all the mice were sacrificed, and the cecal contents were collected for quantitative analysis of the intestinal bacterial flora. Certain indexes of immune function, including phagocytosis rate of macrophages, number of T lymphocytes positively stained by esterase and serum interleukin 2 (IL-2) content, and the weight of the spleen, granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor etc. as indexes of hematopoietic function were determined.

RESULTSIn the group, the quantity of Enterobacteriaceae, Enterococcus, Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus were significantly lower than that in the control group (P < 0.01). The number of PFC (plaque forming cells), the phagocytosis rate of macrophage, the number of T lymphocytes with positive NANE staining, the level of IL-2 significantly decreased when compared with that in the control group (P < 0.01). The weight of the spleen in the experimental group decreased when compared with that in the control group (P < 0.01). Levels of IL-3, GM-CSF, the total number of WBC and the proportion of neutrophil remarkably decreased as compared to that in the control group (P < 0.01). Analysis of the correlations between normal microflora, immunologic and hematopoietic indexes showed that marked positive correlations between the quantity of Bifidobacteria and each immune index including the levels of IL-3 and GM-CSF. There was a positive correlation between IL-2 and IL-3, IL-2 and GM-CSF as well.

CONCLUSIONThe application of antibiotics may cause changes in the structure and quantity of intestinal microflora. The dysbacteriosis may decrease the immune function of organism. The dysbacteriosis may decrease the hemopoietic function. The dysbacteriosis, the decrease in immune and hematopoietic function may affect one another. The balance in microecosystem should be emphasized and antibiotics should be applied rationally to reduce the side effects such as dysbacteriosis.

Animals ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; pharmacology ; Esterases ; biosynthesis ; Feces ; microbiology ; Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor ; analysis ; Interleukin-2 ; blood ; Intestines ; drug effects ; microbiology ; Kanamycin ; pharmacology ; Macrophages ; drug effects ; physiology ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Models, Animal ; Organ Size ; Phagocytosis ; drug effects ; Spleen ; drug effects ; pathology ; T-Lymphocytes ; drug effects ; metabolism

Ischemic stroke leads to high potentiality of mortality and disability.The current treatment for ischemic stroke is mainly focused on intravenous thrombolytic therapy.However,ischemia/reperfusion induces neuronal damage,which significantly influences the outcome of patients with ischemic stroke,and the exact mechanism implicated in ischemia/reperfusion injury remains unclear,although evidence shows that oxidative stress is likely to be involved.Betulinic acid is mainly known for its anti-tumor and anti-inflammatory activities.Our previous study showed that betulinic acid could decrease the reactive oxygen species (ROS) production by regulating the expression of NADPH oxidase.Thus,we hypothesized that betulinic acid may protect against brain ischemic injury in the animal model of stroke.Focal cerebral ischemia was achieved by using the standard intraluminal occlusion method and reperfusion enabled after 2 h ischemia.Neurological deficits were scored.Infarct size was determined with 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride monohydrate (TTC) staining and the mRNA expression of NADPH oxidase 4 (NOX4) was determined by RT-PCR in infarct tissue.ROS generation and apoptosis in ischemic tissue were analyzed by measuring the oxidative conversion of cell permeable 2',7'-dichloro-fluorescein diacetate (DCF-DA) to fluorescent dichlorofluorescein (DCF) in fluorescence microplate reader and TUNEL assay,respectively.In Kunming mice,2 h of middle cerebral artery (MCA) occlusion followed by 24 or 72 h of reperfusion led to an enhanced NOX4 expression in the ischemic hemisphere.This was associated with elevated levels of ROS generation and neuronal apoptosis.Pre-treatment with betulinic acid (50 mg/kg/day for 7 days via gavage) prior to MCA occlusion prevented the ischemia/reperfusion-induced up-regulation of NOX4 and ROS production.In addition,treatment with betulinic acid could markedly blunt the ischemia/reperfusion-induced neuronal apoptosis.Finally,betulinic acid reduced infarct volume and ameliorated the neurological deficit in this stroke mouse model.Our results suggest that betulinic acid protects against cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury in mice and the down-regulation of NOX4 may represent a mechanism contributing to this effect.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effect of perioperative continuous epidural morphine administration on plasma D-dimer level in patients undergoing total hip replacement.

METHODSForty ASA I-II patients undergoing total hip replacement under epidural anesthesia were randomized into two groups. In one group, the patients were given epidural administration of morphine 15 min before operation at 4 mg (in 10 ml normal saline) and for 48 h after the operation at 80 microg/h, while those in the other group received epidural injection of the same amount of normal saline before operation and 0.15% ropivacaine 2.0 ml/h for 48 h in the same manner after operation. Blood samples were taken before anesthesia (T(0)), at the end of operation (T(1)), and 24 h and 48 h after operation (T(2) and T(3)) for determination of plasma IL-6 and D-dimer levels.

RESULTSIn both groups plasma IL-6 and D-dimer levels showed significant increase at T(1), T(2) and T(3) in comparison with those at T(0), and their levels were significantly lower in morphine group than in ropivacaine group at T(1), T(2) and T(3).

CONCLUSIONEpidural morphine can lower plasma IL-6 and D-dimer levels and correct blood hypercoagulability in patients undergoing total hip replacement.

Aged ; Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip ; Female ; Fibrin Fibrinogen Degradation Products ; metabolism ; Humans ; Injections, Epidural ; Interleukin-6 ; blood ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Morphine ; administration & dosage ; Perioperative Care ; Postoperative Period

OBJECTIVETo study the function and clinicopathological significance of RNA-29c (miR-29c) in the carcinogenesis and development of gastric cancer.

METHODSMicroRNA microarray was applied to assess the miRNAs expression profile of gastric cancer. Quantitative real-time PCR was used to detect the expression of miR-29c in 64 cases of gastric cancer tissues and corresponding normal gastric epithelium, as well as cell lines GES-1, BGC-823 and SGC-7901 cells. MTT assay and flow cytometry were applied to detect the effects of forced expression of miR-29c in gastric cancer BGC-823 cells including cell proliferation, apoptosis, cell cycle and drug sensitivity. Quantitative real-time PCR, Western blot and luciferase reporter assay were used to explore the targeted relationship between miR-29c and myeloid cell leukemia-1 (Mcl-1).

RESULTSCompared with normal gastric epithelium, seven microRNAs (miR-374b*, miRPlus-E1212, miR-338-5p, miR-297, miR-21, miR-135b, miR-18a) were significantly up-regulated more than 2-folds, and nine microRNAs (miR-29b-2*, miR-1260, miRPlus-E1241, miR-S1-5p, miR-148a, miR-29c, miR-647, miR-196b*, ebv-miR-BART5) were significantly down-reguated in gastric cancer tissues. The average expression level of miR-29c in gastric cancer tissues was 0.70 ± 0.34 and in corresponding normal epithelium was 1.00 ± 0.06 (P < 0.05). miR-29c expression was related to tumor size, lymph node metastasis, clinical stage, Laurén classification, Borrmann classification and Ming classification (P < 0.05). The poorer differentiation degree of gastric cell lines, the lower was miR-29c expression level (P < 0.05). Overexpression of miR-29c in gastric cancer BGC-823 cells suppressed cell proliferation, stimulated cell apoptosis, induced cell cycle arrest in S phase and increased the chemotherapy sensitivity to drug docetaxel (all were P < 0.05). The average expression level of Mcl-1 mRNA in gastric cancer tissues was 3.47 ± 1.34 and corresponding epithelialium was 1.00 ± 0.20 (P < 0.05). The expression level of miR-29c was negatively related with that of Mcl-1 mRNA in gastric cancer tissues. miR-29c directly targeted to regulation of Mcl-1 expression.

CONCLUSIONSThere are special miRNA expression profile in gastric cancer. The expression of miR-29c is closely related to biological behavior of human gastric cancer. miR-29c is involved in targeted regulation of Mcl-1, and may be one of mechanisms of the carcinogenesis of gastric cancer.

Antineoplastic Agents ; therapeutic use ; Apoptosis ; Cell Cycle Checkpoints ; Cell Differentiation ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; Drug Resistance, Neoplasm ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Humans ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; MicroRNAs ; genetics ; metabolism ; Microarray Analysis ; Myeloid Cell Leukemia Sequence 1 Protein ; genetics ; metabolism ; Neoplasm Staging ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism ; Stomach Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Taxoids ; therapeutic use ; Transcriptome ; Tumor Burden