Objective To simulate the mechanical environment of cells in vivo and study cellular signal transduction mechanisms. Methods A device was developed which could provide high cell yield, control the time, strain magnitude, direction and frequency of stretch, and applied 10% cyclic strain to cell culture substrate with stretch frequency at 1Hz. Results After being stretched, morphology and cytoskeleton of cells were altered. The major axis of cells and the alignment of stress fibers were vertical to the orientation of cyclic stretch. Conclusion This device provides versatile options for the study on the cellular responses of mechanical loading.

Objective To prepare insulin thiolated hyaluronic acid nanoparticles (Ins-HA-Cys-NPs)and study its physicochemical properties. Methods The Ins-HA-Cys-NPs was prepared by ultrasonic emulsifying method,and the properties of nanoparticles including morphology,mean diameter,Zeta potential,entrapment efficiency and drug loading efficiency were studied,as well as the cryoprotectant selection.Results The prepared nanoparticles was round in appearance and the mean diameter was(178.5 ±0.8)nm,the polydispersity index was (0.214 ±0.013)and the Zeta potential was -(38.47 ±0.46 )mV,while the entrapment efficiency was (48.85 ±0.66 )%,drug loading efficiency was (4.79 ±0.13 )%;10%mannitol as cryoprotectant provided uniform and well dispersed suspension of nanoparticles with blue opalescence after redispersion.Conclusion The thiolated hyaluronic acid nanoparticles may be used as the carrier for oral drug delivery system of insulin,and it provides a basis for studies on rats in vivo.

Objective To investigate the clinical efficacy of electroacupuncture plus a multi-function cervical rehabilitation system in treating cervical spondylosis.Methods Sixty patients with cervical spondylosis were randomly allocated to treatment and control groups, 30 cases each. The treatment group received electroacupuncture plus treatment with a multi-function cervical rehabilitation system and the control group, electroacupuncture alone. After 30 days of treatment, changes in the pain score, the neck disability index, and cervical active range of motion and isometric muscle strength were observed in the two groups and the clinical therapeutic effects were compared between the two groups.Results The total efficacy rate was 96.7% in the treatment group and 93.3% in the control group; there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups (P>0.05). There were statistically significant pre-/post-treatment differences in the pain score, the neck disability index, and cervical active range of motion and isometric muscle strength in the two groups (P<0.01,P<0.05). There were statistically significant post-treatment differences in the neck disability index, and cervical active range of motion and isometric muscle strength between the treatment and control groups (P<0.05).Conclusions Electroacupuncture plus a multi-function cervical rehabilitation system is an effective way to treat cervical spondylosis. It can relieve the clinical symptoms in the patients.

An in vitro model was built for researching the effects of strain on vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). The cultured VSMCs was stretched by four-support-bending-beam system, then the project area of cells was measured by computer-image-processing, the adhesion force was measured by micropipette-aspirating system, the α-actin of VSMCs was distinguished by immunocytochemistry and the dynamic of VSMCs was determined by FCM. The results show that: (1) The adhesion force of VSMCs is positively related to time. The adhesion force of unit area is indistinct after stretched for four hour. (2) The amount of α-actin increases with stretching time. (3) The proliferation of VSMCs is a little inhibited by stretched 24 h. These results suggest that the VSMCs in vitro could adjust their behavious to adapt the tension.

Objective To investigate the difference of morphology and blood flow of cavopulmonary anastomosis by MRI and that by ultrasonic cardiography (UCG) in patients with bidirectional Glenn shunt (BGS).Methods Phase-contrast MRI (PC-MRI) and contrast enhanced MRI (CE-MRI) were performed for superior vena cava ( SVC ) and inferior vena cava (IVC) in 22 patients with BGS on 3.0 T MR scanner.PC-MRI was used for measuring blood flow and CE-MRI for illustrating morphology.The width,peak flow velocity and gradient pressure of cavopulmonary anastomosis were calculated by using Report Card software.The similar data of UCG was collected.The parameters by MRI and that by UCG were compared statistically by t test and Pearson correlation.Results Based on the MRI data,the blood flow of SVC [ ( 1.002 ±0.208) L/min ] was significantly lower than that of IVC [ ( 1.794 ± 0.392 ) L/min ] ( t =- 15.148,P ＜0.01 ),while the regurgitation fraction of SVC [ (26.54 ± 12.82)％ ] was significantly higher than that ofIVC [ ( 17.44 ± 10.17)％ ] (t =11.060,P ＜0.01 ).The morphology displayed with MRI angiography couldnot be detected with UCG.The width of cavopulmonary anastomosis measured by MRI [ (12.46 ±3.43 ) mm ] was significantly higher than that of UCG[ ( 11.04 ± 2.63 ) mm] ( t =4.048,P ＜ 0.01 ),while the peak flow velocity of cavopulmonary anastomosis measured by MRI [ (47.77 ± 10.44) cm/s] was significantly lower than that of UCG [ (52.19 + 9.63) cm/s] ( t =- 2.237,P ＜ 0.05 ).No significant difference was found in gradient pressure of cavopulmonary anastomosis between the values by MRI [(0.95+0.42) mm Hg(1 mm Hg =0.133 kPa)] and that by UCG [(1.12+0.38)mm Hg] (t=2.010,P ＞ 0.05).The width,peak flow velocity and gradient pressure of cavopulmonary anastomosis by MRI were closely correlated with those by UCG (r =0.858,0.489,0.427,all P＜ 0.05 ).Conclusions A good correlation is found in the width,peak flow velocity,and gradient pressure of the cavopulmonary anastomosis obtained by 3.0 T MRI and UCG.MRI is more useful tool to display the width and abnormal morphology of cavopulmonary anastomosis than UCG.

To establish vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and interleukin-8 (IL-8) as secretary biomarkers for cell growth on topographic substrates, we have evaluated the secretion and expression of these 2 factors by SH-SY5Y human neuroblastoma cells on poly-L-lactide (PLLA) micropillar arrayed topographic substrates. We fabricated topographic substrates with UV lithography, silicon etching and polydimethylsiloxane-based replica molding, and interfaced SH-SY5Y human neuroblastoma cells with both the topographic substrates and PLLA flat substrates. Cell morphology and spreading were examined with scanning electron microscopy. The secretion and mRNA expression of VEGF and IL-8 were evaluated with enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and real time qPCR, respectively, 24 hours after cell plating. We successfully achieved 4 topographic substrates with a nominal pillar diameter of 2 microm and 4 microm, and a nominal pillar spacing of 2 microm and 7 microm. We found that the secretion and mRNA expression of VEGF and/or IL-8 by SH-SY5Y cells on 2-2 microm (pillar diameter-spacing), 4-2 microm and 4-7 microm topographic substrates were upregulated in comparison to those by cells on PLLA flat substrate, 24 hours after cell plating. Furthermore, both cytokines were even more substantially upregulated on the 2-7 microm substrate than on the other 3 topographic substrates. Compared to those on PLLA flat substrate, cells on topographic substrates showed significant changes in morphology (spreading area, perimeter and roundness), and the increase in the secretion and mRNA expression of VEGF and IL-8 was accompanied with a decrease in cell spreading areas. These results provided evidence that pillar arrayed topography was an important microenvironmental factor in affecting VEGF and IL-8 expression or secretion, and VEGF and IL-8 might serve as important secretary biomarkers for growth on topographic substrates by SH-SY5Y cells.
Biomarkers ; Cell Line ; Cell Proliferation ; Cellular Microenvironment ; Humans ; Interleukin-8 ; genetics ; secretion ; Neuroblastoma ; secretion ; Polyesters ; chemistry ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; genetics ; secretion

Objective:To evaluate the effect of left ventricular hypertrophy and deformation on cardiac function in patients with uremic cardiomyopathy (UCM) by using the technology of two dimensional speckle tracking imaging (2D-STI).Methods:A total of 67 UCM patients were randomly divided into the normal cardiac function group (subgroup A,32 cases) and the abnormal cardiac function group (subgroup B,35 cases)according to the New York Heart Association points (NYHA-P).A total of 30 healthy subjetcs served as the control group.Parameters including left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF),left ventricular mass index (LVMI),left ventricular spherical index (LVSI),left ventricular myocardial mean radial strain (MRS),mean radial strain rate (MRSR),mean longitudinal strain (MLS),local systolic twist angle (STA),and mitral annulus maximum displacement (TMAD) were detected.Results:MLS,MRS,MRSR,LVSI,STA and TMAD in the Group A and Group B were lower than that in the control group (P＜0.05),and LVMI in the Group A and Group B was increased than those in the control group (P＜0.05);LVEE MLS,MRS,MRSR,LVSI and STAin the Group B was decreased than that in the Group A (P＜0.05).MLS in the Group A and B were positively correlated with LVEF and LVSI,but negatively correlated with LVMI.Using the point of 14.10％ for MLS to evaluate UCM patients with NYHA-P＞4 points,the sensitivity,the specificity and Yuedden index were 90.5％,71％ and 0.585,respectively.STA in UCM patients were lower than that in the control (P＜0.05).Conclusion:2D-STI possesses a unique advantage in detecting left ventricular strain and strain rate on left ventricular regional function in UCM with left ventricular hypertrophy and ventricular deformation.There is no direct correlation between the left ventricular hypertrophy and ventricular deformation,but the ventricular hypertrophy and deformation are correlated with regional cardiac function and clinical cardiac function.Left ventricular regional dysfunction may occur before cardiac hypertrophy and deformation.

Objective To investigate the clinicopathological features and prognostic factors in patients with low grade glioma. Methods Eighty- seven patients with low grade glioma confirmed by cytological examination were retrospectively analyzed. Results Among 87 patients, male accounted for 62.1%(54/87), and the average age was 36.2 years. The average followed- up time was 51.4 months (3-135 months), and 5 cases were lost in follow-up. The follow- up rate was 94.3% (82/87). The 3- year survival rate was 84.1%, and the 5- year survival rate was 66.7%. The 3- year survival rate was related to clinical symptoms, maximum diameter of tumor and the extent of resection (P<0.01 or<0.05);and the 5- year survival rate was related to years, Karnofsky score, clinical symptoms, maximum diameter of tumor, the pathology classification and extent of resection (P<0.05 or<0.01). Conclusions Low grade glioma is more common in male patients and patients under the age of 40 years. Age below 40 years, Karnofsky score ≥ 70 scores, only epilepsy symptom, tumor diameter below 6.0 cm, oligodendrogliomas, complete resection or subtotal resection are positive prognostic factors. Postoperative radiotherapy can reduce the rate of tumor progression.

The immune effect of two recombinant protein fragments of spike protein in severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS CoV) was investigated in Balb/c mice. Two partial spike gene fragments S1 (322 1464 bp) and S2 (2170 2814 bp) of SARS coronavirus were amplified by RT-PCR, and cloned into pET-23a prokaryotic expression vector, then transformed into competent Escherichia E. coli BL21 (DE3)(pLysS) respectively. Recombinant proteins were expressed and purified by Ni2+ immobilized metal ion affinity chromatography. The purified proteins mixed with complete Freund adjuvant were injected into Balb/c mice three times at a two-week interval. High titer antibody was detected in the serum of immunized Balb/c mice, and mice immunized with S1 protein produced high titer IgG1, IgG2a, IgG2b and IgG3, while those immunized with S2 protein produced high titer IgG1, IgG2a, but lower titer IgG2b and IgG3. Serum IFN-concentration was increased significantly but the concentrations of Il-2, IL-4 and IL-10 had no significant change. And a marked increase was observed in the number of spleen CD8+ T cells. The results showed that recombinant proteins of SARS coronavirus spike protein induced hormonal and cellular immune response in Balb/c mice.

Narrative medicine has brought new ideas to medical humanities education, and its con-notation is suitable to Undergraduate Medical Education Standards-Clinical Medicine (Trial). By analyz-ing the proposal and development of narrative medicine, its foundation and core, its programs and methods, as well as its forms and values, the author deepened the understanding of narrative medicine. And through the following four pathways including strengthening the renewal of ideas and concepts on medical humanities quality education, promoting the diversification of teaching ways and methods of medical humanities educa-tion, enhancing the effect of early exposure to clinical medical students, opening the path of integration narrative medicine and evidence-based medicine, the author analyzed narrative medical enlightenment on medical humanities quality education in China.