Macrophages are important immunocytes in human body , playing an important role in antigen and inflammation process.In recent years , it has shown that macrophage is a kind of cell mass with high plasticity , heterogeneity , diverse and variable immune functions .They can be polarized into different phenotypes in different microenvironments or stimulations , playing different roles in the process of inflammation .There are a variety of factors which can modulate macrophage polarization process , such as the de-velopment and progression of metabolic diseases .The polarization of adipose tissue macrophages and the factors in the regulation of macrophage polarization are summarized in this paper .

[Objective] To observe the effects of Oysters, Abalone shel , Concha arcae, Mother-of-pearl, Concha cypraeae, Clamshel , these six testacean TCM on the goiter rats. [Method] 72 healthy SD rats were randomly divided into nine groups:normal group, model group, positive group and six testacean TCM groups. Rats were given daily propylthiouracil (0.15 g·kg-1), continuous modeling for 10d, weighing thyroid wet weight,assaying T3, T4 and TSH contents in serum by ELISA, observing the morphological changes of thyroid under light microscope. [Result] Rats in the model group compared with normal group in-creased the relative weight of thyroid, reduced the content of T3,T4, and there was a significant difference( P<0.01), thyroid fol icular epithelial cellhyperplasia was obvious;compared with the model group, Oysters and Clamshel group made the content of T3,T4 in rat rebound, and there was a significant difference (P<0.05);Oyster and Clamshel group’s thyroid fol icular cellhyperplasia were not obvious, while the hyperplasia had different levels for the other 4 kinds of testacean TCM. [Conclusion] Oysters and Clamshel were better to improve the thyroid function of the goiter model rats.

BACKGROUND:Tissue engineering scaffolds can create proper nerve regeneration microenvironment, enrich nutritional factors for nerve regeneration and promote axonal growth. OBJECTIVE:To review the progress of tissue engineering scaffolds in nerve repair in recent years. METHODS:A computer-based retrieval was performed to search ful-text articles addressing tissue engineering scaffolds used to repair nerve damage published from 2009 to 2014 in PubMed databases using the keywords of “nerve regeneration, prostheses and implants” as wel as articles published from 2004 to 2014 in CNKI database using the keywords of “nerve repair, material” in Chinese. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Currently, scaffold materials for nerve damage mainly include natural materials, naturaly derived materials, synthetic materials and composites, al of which have their own advantages and disadvantages. By chemical crosslinkers or chemical modification, the naturaly derived polymer can be combined with other natural or synthetic composite materials, to improve their physicochemical and biological properties, i.e., the composite scaffolds have better effects than single materials in nerve regeneration. Therefore the current research focus is composite materials. In clinical research, colagen scaffold for nerve repair has entered the clinical research stage.

Objective To analyse a novel splice mutation in EXT1 gene of hereditary multiple osteochondroma, and study its pathogenic mechanism.Methods In April of 2013, the proband was hospitalized from the outpatient department with multiple joint deformity for more than 20 years, peripheral blood of the proband and his parents were collected and genomic DNA was extracted .Coding regions and adjacent intron sequences of EXT1/EXT2 genes in genomic DNA of the family members were amplified and sequenced.Bioinformatics was used to analyze the mutation from sequencing .cDNA from peripheral blood of the proband ,the mother and normal control was made respectively as a template for amplifying coding regions of EXT1 gene, and the product was T-A cloned and sequenced.The abnormal transcripts of each group were counted and analyzed using chi square test to study the pathogenic mechanism of the mutation .Results Sequencing results of family members revealed that there was a heterozygous deletion mutation ( c.1284 +2del) in the 5′splice site of intron 4 in EXT1 gene of the proband and his mother .Bioinformatics predicted that exon 4 of EXT1 gene was skipping or spliced aberrantly due to the mutation .T-A clone and sequencing results as well as the statistical analysis suggested that there was a significantly higher proportion of transcripts with skipping exon 4 in the proband and his mother compared with the normal control (P=0.000, P<0.01).Conclusions c.1284+2del in EXT1 gene is reported for the first time internationally , which results in a considerable number of abnormal transcripts with skipping exon 4 in EXT1 gene, thereby influences the normal transcription and translation of EXT1 gene.

Objective Urinary protein is closely related to the development and progression of major vascular lesionsin diabetic patients.This study was to investigate the correlation between brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity(baPWV) and urinary protein in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus ( T2DM) . Methods According to the level of 24-hour urinary albumin ( UAL) , 142 T2DM patients were divided into three groups:control (UA<30 mg, n=84), microalbuminuria(UAL<300 mg, n=26), and clinical albuminuria group ( UAL≥300 mg, n=33) .All the patients underwent examination offasting blood glucose, blood lipid, renal function, HbA1c, islet func-tion, C-reactive protein, blood pressure, and BMI.Their baPWV was determined with an Omron atherosclerosis detector and the correla-tion of baPWV with other factors evaluated by Pearson analysis and multivariate linear regression analysis. Results The baPWVwas significantly higher in themicroalbuminuria([1649.19±229.36]cm/s) and clinical albuminuria ([1759.21±291.05]cm/s) than in the control group ([1522.33±248.37]cm/s) (P<0.05).Pearson analysis showed a positive correlation between 24-hour UAL and baPWV ( r=0.347, P<0.01) and multivariate linear regression analysis manifested the same correlation ( P<0.05) . Conclusion The level of urinary protein is closely correlated with baPWV in T2DM patients.

Objective:To investigate the effects of epidermal growth factor (EGF)on cell cycle and cell cycle-related regulatory factors of human esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) cell line Eca109.Methods: Serum starved Eca109 cells were treated with 20 ng/ml recombinant human EGF(rhEGF)for 24 h.The cell cycle phase distribution was detected by flow cytometry.The mRNA and protein expression levels of p21CIP1/WAF1(p21) and p27KIP1(p27) were detected by real-time quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction(qRT-PCR)and Western blot,respectively.Results: The proportions of G1 phase cells in EGF group and control group were ( 54.90 ±0.82 )% and ( 65.94 ±0.74 )%.The mRNA and protein expression levels of p 21 in EGF group was significantly higher ,and p27 was significantly lower than that in control group ( P<0.01 ) .Conclusion: EGF facilitates G1-S phase transition,and promotes the proliferation of Eca 109 cells,which may be associated with the up-regulation of p21 and down-regulation of p27.

Objective To investigate the different distribution and expression of mammalian target of rapamycin complex (mTORC) in the kidney of diabetic nephropathy (DN) mice.Methods Fourteen eight-week-old male C57BL/6 mice were assigned to 2 groups: the control group ( n=7 ) and the streptozotocin ( STZ )-induced DN group ( n=7 ) . Blood and urinary variables including glucose , albumin, creatinine and albumin/creatinine ratio were assessed 2 weeks after STZ injection.Hematoxylin-eosin staining was performed for renal pathological analyses .The distributions of mTOR , phosph-ser2448-mTOR(p-mTOR), mTORC1(Raptor), mTORC2(Rictor) and phosph-ser240/244-S6K1 (p-S6K1) were determined by immunofluorescence.The expression levels of mTOR, p-mTOR, mTORC1(Raptor), mTORC2(Rictor), S6K1 and p-S6K1 were detected by Western blotting .Results Two weeks after STZ injection , the diabetic mice developed albuminuria (P<0.01) and renal hypertrophy (P<0.05).The immunofluorescence positive staining for mTOR , Raptor, and Rictor was distributed in the epithelial cells of proximal tubules , glomerular mesangium and capillary loops as well as the medullary collecting ducts of the control mouse kidney .These positive signals increased in the DN mouse kidney ( P<0.05).However, pS6K1 was not detected in the inner medulla of control mouse and p-mTOR was not found in the glomeruli of both control and DN mice .Conclusion mTORC is widely expessed in the mouse kidney and participates in the development of DN , whereas the 2448 serine phosphorylation of mTOR may be not implicated in the hyperglycemia mediated glomerular injury .

Objective To analyze the MRI features of chordoid meningioma (CM),and to compare with other meningiomas. Methods Clinical and MRI features of 7 patients with CM confirmed by pathology were analyzed retrospectively.Featrues of every MRI sequence were investigated qualitatively.Meanwhile normalized signal ratios of each sequence were analyzed furtherly,including normalized T1 weighted image intensity ratios (NT1 ),normalized T2 weighted image intensity ratios(NT2 ),normalized ADC ratios (NADC)and normalized T1 WI contast enhancement intensity ratios (NCE).Fisher ’s exact test and Dunnett T 3 test were employed to analyze the difference of CM and nonchordoid meningiomas (34 cases of WHO grade Ⅰ meningioma,1 6 cases of nonchordoid WHO grade Ⅱ meningioma,and 5 case of WHO grade Ⅲ meningioma).Results The CM showed hyperintensity on T2 WI and meanwhile other nonchordoid meningiomas demonstrated isointensity,hypointensity or slight hyperintensity on T2 WI.Evaluations of DWI revealed variable signal intensities of CM.But all 7 cases had no obvious restricted diffusion,and increased signal was seen on the ADC map in each patient.The solid parts of CM enhanced markedly after contrast agent injection.Quantitative indicators NT2 , NADC and NCE of CM were higher than other meningiomas(P <0.01),but NT1 showed no statistic difference between CM and other meningiomas (P =0.889).Whether there was cyst,necrosis,orflow void sign on T2 WI,and no matter with or without perifocal edema,dural tail sign and a broader base among meningiomas had no significance in differentiating CM and other meningiomas.Conclusion CM has typical MRI features.The tumors show hyperintensity on T2 WI,especially have no obvious restricted diffusion and enhance markedly after contrast.The measurement of NT2 ,NADC and NCE enables reliable preoperative prediction of the atypical histopathologic diagnosis.

Objective To investigate the relationship between serum uric acid (UA) level and abdominal obesity or metabolic syndrome (MS).Methods A total of 875 subjects,with 350 males and 525 females,aged 40-65 years old,were enrolled in this study.The clinical and biochemical data were collected and MRI was used to assess the visceral and subcutaneous adipose tissues.The relationships between UA level and abdominal obesity or MS were analyzed,and the cut-off values of UA for abdominal obesity and MS were determined.Results Raised risks of abdominal obesity (OR =4.35,95％ CI 1.91-9.90 in males; OR =5.44,95％ CI 2.41-12.31 in females) and MS (OR =4.47,95 ％ CI 2.08-9.62 in males; OR =11.62,95％ CI 3.43-39.37 in females) were observed with the increase of UA level.The multiple logistic regression analysis showed that UA was an independent risk factor for hypertriglyceridemia (OR =2.23,95％ CI 1.02-4.87 in males ; OR =3.04,95％ CI 1.49-6.23 in females) in all subjects and for abdominal obesity(OR =3.23,95％ CI 1.32-7.91) and hypertension (OR =2.35,95％ CI 1.37-4.05)in the females.Among the females,the regression line analyzed by simple correlation indicated that the UA level of 244.0 μmol/L was corresponded to the visceral adipose tissue area of 80 cm2.The optimal cut-off point of UA for the diagnosis of MS was 258.8 μmol/L determined by the receiver operating characteristic curve.Conclusions The level of UA is closely correlated with abdominal obesity and MS in the middleaged Chinese.The elevated UA level is an independent risk factor for abdominal obesity and MS in the female.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the lead exposure, its effects, and the relationships between biomarkers of susceptibility in the workers with low-level occupational lead exposure, and to explore its sensitivity and practical value to evaluate the health hazard.

METHODSThe concentrations of lead fume and lead dust in workplaces of a lead acid storage battery enterprise in Jiangsu Province, China, were measured by occupational health monitoring method. The blood samples of 233 workers with occupational lead exposure and 76 non-occupational lead exposure were collected to measure the blood lead (Pb-B) level using graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GFAAS), the zinc Protoporphyrin (ZPP) level with blood fluorescence assay, and the delta-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase (ALAD) concentration by a spectrophotometer, and to determine the gene polymorphism of ALAD with TaqMan real-time polymerase chain reaction. At the same time, their urine samples were collected to measure urine lead (Pb-U) concentration with GFAAS and delta-aminolevulinic acid (ALA-U) concentration with a spectrophotometer. The correlations between the above indices were analyzed by multiple linear regression method.

RESULTSThe concentration of lead fume in 18 testing sites and the concentration of lead dust in 30 testing sites were 0.002-0.019 mg/m3 and 0.004-0.013 mg/m3, respectively. Pb-B level was positively correlated with Pb-U concentration (r=0.62, P<0.01) and ZPP level (r=0.47, P<0.01) and was negatively correlated with ALAD concentration (r=-0.77, P<0.01) in 233 workers with occupational lead exposure. Among 233 workers, 218 (93.6%) had ≤70 µg/L Pb-U, and 15 (6.9%) had ≥400≥g/L Pb-B. Pb-B level was not correlated with ZPP level as Pb-B level was <190 µg/L (r=0.18, P=0.068 ), while Pb-B level was positively correlated with ZPP level as Pb-B level was ≥190 µg/L (r=0.36, P<0.01). Pb-U concentration was positively correlated with ALA-U concentration (r=0.49, P<0.01) and ZPP level (r=0.47, P<0.01). ZPP level was negatively correlated with ALAD concentration (r=-0. 19, P<0.01), and was positively correlated with ALA-U concentration (r=0.27, P<0.01). ALAD concentration was not correlated with ALA-U concentration (r =-0. 11, P>0.05). And in 233 workers with occupational lead exposure, there were no significant differences in Pb-B level, ZPP level, and ALAD activity between the workers with ALAD1-2 genotype and the workers with ALAD1-1 genotype (P>0.05). In 76 workers with non-occupational lead exposure, there was no significant difference in Pb-B level between the workers with ALAD1-2 genotype and the workers with ALAD1-1 genotype (P >0.05). The workers with ALAD1-2 genotype had a significantly lower ALAD activity, and a significantly higher ZPP level compared with those ALAD1-1 genotype (P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONIn the workers with low-level occupational lead exposure, ZPP level is positively correlated with Pb-B level when Pb-B level was ≥190 µ/L. ALAD could be used as an effect biomarker of low Pb-B level. ALAD gene polymorphism shows different effects on the Pb-B level and the toxic effects between the workers with occupational lead exposure and the workers with non-occupational lead exposure.

Aminolevulinic Acid ; blood ; Biomarkers ; blood ; China ; Electric Power Supplies ; Genotype ; Humans ; Lead ; blood ; Linear Models ; Occupational Exposure ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Porphobilinogen Synthase ; blood ; genetics ; Protoporphyrins ; blood