To compare the quality of cultivated species with w ild species of Desmodium styracifolium (Osbeck) Merr. TLC and UV were used to study their qualities. Results showed that there was no obvious di fference between them.

Objective　To investigate the expression of endometrial leukaemia inhibitory factor（LIF） gene in patients with unexplained infertility. Methods　 By a quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR)，the expression of LIF gene on endometrium during mid-luteal phase was detected in 35 unexplained infertility (infertility group) cases and 20 infertile cases due to tubal obstruction or male factor (control group). Results　The level of LIF mRNA expression on endometrium during mid-luteal phase in infertility group was 0.448±0.239，significantly lower than those in the control group （1.093±0.761，P<0.01). Conclusions　Our findings suggested LIF might play an important role in the process of implantation. The decreased expression of LIF gene might be one of the major causes of unexplained infertility.

Objective To study the effect of the expansive open-door laminoplasty on the three-dimensional motion and stiffness of the cervical spine. Methods 55 cases after open-door laminoplasty of cervical spine due to myelopathy were follow-up for an average of 35.9 months. Cervical axial symptoms, neural functionality (JOA scoring system) and pre- and post-surgery dynamic cervical spine lateral X-ray films were evaluated. The Three-dimensional Motion and Stiffness of the Cervical Spine of Human Body Measuring Equipment was used in 12 post-operative open door laminoplasty cases and 10 pre-operative cases to measure the active and passive range of motion(ROM), load-displacement relationship, stiffness of cervical spine and torque caused by the isometric contraction of the extensors and flexors of the cervical spine. Results The average rate of improvement was 66. 2%. The excellent and good rate was 78.2%. The number of cases with distinct or severe cervical axial symptoms increased after the surgery ( P ＜ 0. O1 ) . The patients who have severe axial symptoms tend to have less curved cervical spine (P ＜ 0. 01 ) . There was no significant statistic difference between the severity of post-surgery cervical axial symptoms and JOA improvement level (P ＞ 0. 05). The active and passive ROM of extension, rotation and lateral bending of cervical spine were decreased after the surgery ( P ＜ 0. 05), and the main affection was on the middle and lower part of the cervical spine. The load-displacement figure of cervical spine can fit into an exponential equation T= b0eb1θ. In each direction, the lateral bending had the strongest stiffness, then the extension and flexion. The stiffness of rotation was the weakest. The stiffness of cervical spine of the post-surgery group was stronger than that of the contrast group. Conclusion The open-door laminoplasty of cervical spine damages the static mechanic balance on the sagittal plane and decreases the ROM and the flexibility of cervical spine. The curvature of the cervical spine is related to the severity of the axial symptoms and seems not to be related to the JOA score improvement.

AIM:To investigate the inhibitory effect of aliskiren on the angiogenesis of human umbilical vein endothelial cells ( HUVECs) induced by lipopolysaccharide ( LPS) and to explore its possible mechanism.METHODS:HUVECs were cultured and randomly divided into blank group and renin group.The levels of tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α) and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) in the culture supernatant were detected by ELISA.The protein levels of Toll-like receptor 4 ( TLR4) and ICAM-1 in the HUVECs were determined by Western blot.HUVECs were cul-tured and randomly divided into control group, LPS group, low-dose (1μmol/L) aliskiren group, middle-dose (10μmol/L) aliskiren group and high-dose (100 μmol/L) aliskiren group.The proliferation of HUVECs was detected by MTT and BrdU assays.The mobility of HUVECs was measured by Transwell assay.The formation of the vessels was judged by ob-serving the formation of the luminal structure by HUVECs in Matrigel.The levels of TNF-α, ICAM-1 and monocyte chemo-tactic protein 1 ( MCP-1) in the culture supernatant were measured by ELISA.The expression of renin, TLR4, matrix me-talloproteinases-2 (MMP-2) and matrix metalloproteinases-9 (MMP-9) at mRNA and protein levels in the HUVECs was determined by RT-PCR and Western blot.RESULTS:Renin stimulated the expression of inflammatory factors and TLR4 in the HUVECs.Aliskiren inhibited the growth, migration and angiogenesis of HUVECs in a dose-dependent manner, de-creased the levels of TNF-α, ICAM-1 and MCP-1 and the expression of renin, MMP-2 and MMP-9, and inhibited TLR4 expression (P<0.05).CONCLUSION:Aliskiren inhibits LPS-induced angiogenesis of HUVECs, which may be related to the down-regulation of renin expression, the inhibition of TLR4-mediated inflammatory reaction, and the formation of MMP-9 and MMP-2.

Objective To prospectively evaluate the safety and therapeutic efficacy ofdalteparin in patients with high risk non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndromes (ACS) during percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Methods Atotal of 175 patients with high risk non-ST-elevation ACS were randomly assigned to 2 groups [dalteparin group and unfractionated heparin (UFH) group]. The patients in dalteparin group were given dalteparin at a dose of 5,000U subcutaneously soon after diagnosis and then an additional 60U/ kg intravenous bolus ofdalteparin before emergent PCI. Vascular access sheaths were removed immediately after PCI or coronary artery angiography; the patients in UFH group were given UFH intravenously at a dose of 25mgjust before PCI and an additional 65mg bolus was administered if angiographic findings showed that the patients were suitable for percutaneous transluminai coronary angioplasty (PTCA). Sheaths were removed at 4-6 hours after PCI; Results Eighty-three patients in dalteparin group underwent PCI while 82 patients in UFH group underwent PCI; anti-Xa activities of 52 patients in dalteparin group were measured. The average anti-Xa activity was (0.83±0.26) U/ml at 15 minutes after intravenous injection of dalteparin and anti-Xa>0.5U/ml was obtained in 96.1% of the patients; hematomas at puncture sites were significantly fewer in dalteparin group as compared with UFH group (2.3% vs 9. 2%, P < 0.05); none of the patients in 2 groups suffered major bleeding events. No death, acute arterial reocclusion or emergent revascularization events occurred at 30 days after PCI. Conclusions Our study demonstrated that early subcutaneous injection of dalteparin at a dose 5,000U after diagnosis and an additional 60U/kg intravenous bolus ofdalteparin before PCI is safe and efficacious for patients with high risk non-ST-elevation ACS undergoing emergent PCI

BACKGROUND: Beside direct trauma, a series of secondary pathological changes would occur in local injured spinal cord area during spinal cord injury. It has been reported that recombinant human erythropoietin (rhEPO)could inhibit cell apoptosis and inflammatory reaction, and possess neuroprotective role.OBJECTIVE: To explore the neuroprotective role of rhEPO in spinal cord injury by observing the nerve cell apoptosis and related cytokine expression in traumatic spinal cord.DESIGN: Randomized and controlled study.SETTING: Orthopedic Surgery Laboratory of Affiliated Cooperation Hospital of Tongji Medical College, and Department of Pathology of Tongji Medical College, Central China Science and Technology University.PARTICIPANTS: The study was conduced at Orthopedic Surgery Laboratory of Affiliated Cooperation Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Central China Science and Technology University and Department of Pathology of Tongji Medical College from September 2003 to May 2004. Thirty healthy female adult rats were randomly divided into 4 groups: ① Six rats in blank control group only subjected to spinal cord exposure without injury. ②Eight rats in injury group were subjected to spinal cord injury without medication. ③ Eight rats in medication A group were treated with rhEPO.④ Eight rats in medication B group were treated with thEPO and βaeacine sodium.METHODS: ① Animal model preparation: Spinal cord injury model was established on 24 rats by using improved Allen method. ② Administration: Rats in medication A group were treated with rhEPO in dosage of 300 U/(kg·d) at postoperative 1, 3, 5, 8, 11 days, while rats in medication B group were given additional β-aeacine sodium in dosage of 0.1 mg/kg,once a day for consecutive 11 days. Rats in blank control group and injury group were injected with the same volume physical saline from tail veins.③ Neurological function: The neurological function was scored by the same examiner at 1 day and 12 days after model establishment. Behavioral observation: Basing on improved Gale's neurological functional behavioral analysis, 0 score presented severer dysfunction and 6 scores represents normal. Slope test: The gradient was determined by the grasping capability of rat, which could reflect the recovery of neurological function. ④ Pathological examination: Rat was put to death at postoperative 12 days; traumatic spinal cord was made into slices for HE staining. ⑤ Expression of apoptosis cytokine bcl-2, bax and fas in nerve cells: Specimen was collected for IHC stain and brown colored positive cells was counted for calculating positive expressing rate. ⑥ Apoptosis nerve cells: In situ end-labeling techniques was used to calculate apoptosis index (the number of apoptosis nucleus/total number). All data were analyzed by using paired chi-test.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: ① Neurological functional behavioral score and results of slope test. ② Histological observation of traumatic spinal cord. ③ Expression of apoptosis nerve cell cytokines. ④ Examination of apoptostic nerve cells.RESULTS: ① Neurological functional behavioral score and results of slope test: There was no significant difference between 1 day and 12 days in blank control group, while the gradient in traumatic group was significantly larger in 12 days than in 1 day (P ＜ 0.05). In both therapeutic A and B groups, the behavioral scores and slope gradient were found significantly larger at 12 days than 1 day (P ＜ 0.05) and that of traumatic group (P ＜ 0.05). ② Histological observation of traumatic spinal cord: Traumatic spinal cord became slim with a majority of necrosis and glial cell hyperplasia in it; most of neurological tissues were found normal in medication A and B groups, with the neural structure of medication B group better than A group. ③Expression of nerve cell apoptosis cytokines: bax and fas positive cells in traumatic group were more than medication group A and B [traumatic group of (25.75±3.37)% and (41.37±2.83)% vs medication group A of (19.87±3.56) and (26.00±3.29)% vs medication group B of (12.00±2.97)and (17.50±2.20)％, P ＜ 0.05]; bcl-2 was significantly lower in medication group A and group B [(9.75±1.83)％, (14.63±2.83)％, (21.63±5.34)％,P ＜ 0.05]. ④ Examination of apoptotic nerve cells: Cell apeptosis index in traumatic group was significantly higher than medication group A and group B (50.75±5.39, 34.75±3.01, 24.00±3.46, P ＜ 0.05).CONCLUSION: Cell apoptosis is an important kind of neuronal death following spinal cord injury. rhEPO can inhibit nerve cell apoptosis and possess neuroprotective effect for traumatic spinal cord.

To modify the surface property of poly lactide-co-glycolide (PLGA) by biomimetic mineralization to construct a new kind of artificial bone. PLGA films and 3-diamensional (3-D) porous scaffolds hydrolyzed in alkaline solution were minerilized in SBF for 14 days. The morphology and composition of the mineral grown on PLGA were analyzed with SEM, FTIR and XRD. The porosity of the scaffolds was detected by using the liquid displacement method. The compressive strength of the scaffolds was detected by using a Shimadzu universal mechanic tester. An obvious mineral coating was detected on the surface of films and scaffolds. The main component of the mineral was carbonated hydroxyapatite (HA) similar to the major mineral component of bone tissues. The porosity of the un-mineralized and mineralized porous scaffolds was (84.86 +/- 8.52) % and (79.70 +/- 7.70) % respectively. The compressive strength was 0.784 +/- 0.156 N/mm2 in un-mineralized 3-D porous PLGA and 0.858 +/- 0.145 N/mm2 in mineralized 3-D porous PLGA. There were no significant differences between the mineralized and un-mineralized scaffolds (P > 0.05) in porosity and biomechanics. Biomimetic mineralization is a suitable method to construct artificial bone.
Biocompatible Materials ; Bone Substitutes ; Calcification, Physiologic ; Durapatite/metabolism ; Lactic Acid/*chemistry ; Polyglycolic Acid/*chemistry ; Polymers/*chemistry ; Porosity ; Tissue Engineering

ObjectiveTo observe the expression of apoptosis factor, the mechanism of neuronal apoptosis and profective effect of recombinant Human Erythropoietin (rHu EPO) after spinal cord injury (SCI) in SD rats.Methods30 SD rats were divided into four groups including control group, SCI group, treatment groups A and B.The animal SCI model was established with Allen's method. The changes of nerve functions of rats of 4 groups were observed before and after treating with rHu EPO. The expressions of apoptosis factors (Bcl-2,Bax,Fas) were tested with immunocytochemistry technique, and apoptosis neurones were labeled with TUNEL dyeing.ResultsThe grade of nerve function was improved distinctly in treatment groups, but group B was better than group A.The number of the positive cells for Fas and Bax in SCI group was more than that in treatment groups (P<0.05), and group A was more than group B. The number of Bcl 2 positive cells in the treatment groups was greater than that in SCI group (P<0.05).ConclusionApoptosis is a important death mode of neuron after SCI. rHu EPO can distinctly improve the comeback of the nerve function and protect the nerve tissue.

Objective To investigate the effect of 17β-estradiol on insulin resistance and the expression of insulin receptor-α in skeletal muscle of ovariectomized rats with insulin resistance induced by high fructose.Methods Forty-eight mature female Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into four groups: the normal control group (NC, n= 12) rats were fed with the normal diet for 8 weeks; the model group (M, n= 12)rats were ovariectomized and fed with the high fructose diet for 8 weeks, meanwhile the physiological-dose of 17βestradiol (30 μg · kg-1 · d-1 ) was injected subcutaneously every day; the vehicle control group (VC, n= 12) rats were ovariectomized and fed with the high fructose diet for eight weeks, meanwhile equivalent alcohol was injected subcutaneously every day. Systolic blood pressure (SBP), fasting blood sugar (FBS), and fasting serum insulin (FSI) were measured and insulin sensitivity index (ISI) was calculated. The expressions of mRNA and protein of insulin receptor-α in quadriceps femoris were measured by RT-PCR and Western-blot. Results Compared with the normal control group, SBP (P<0.05), FBS (P<0.05) and FSI (P<0.01) were increased significantly while ISI was decreased significantly (P < 0. 05) in the model group. The expressions of mRNA and protein of insulin receptor-α and phosphorylated Akt were decreased significantly in quadriceps femoris in the model group (P<0.05), compared with the normal control group. However, these effects were reversed by 17β-estradiol in the 17βestradiol replacement group. Conclusions 17β-Estradiol inhibits insulin resistance, and up-regulates the expression of insulin receptor-α and the level of phosphorylated Akt in ovariectomized rats with insulin resistance induced by high fructose diet.

Objective To establish a HPLC method for the determination of ferulic acid in Xuefu Zhuyu Decoction. Methods A Kromasil C18(250 mm ×4. 6 mm, 5 μm) column was adopted. The mobile phase consisted of acetonitrile-0. 085 % phos-phoric acid(17 : 83)with the flow rate of 1.0 mL/min. The column temperature was at 35 ℃ and detection wavelength was set at 316 nm. Results A good linearity of ferulic acid was in the range of 0. 0252μg to 0. 504μg and r=0. 999 9. The average recovery was 100. 15 % and RSD=1.69 %. Conclusion The method is simple and rapid, and it is suitable for the determi-nation of ferulic acid in Xuefu Zhuyu Decoction.