Recent work has revealed that large numbers of mitotic figures are present in adult hearts,which has implied that there should be some mechanism about nature repair of the adult heart.But the levels of natural repair are not high enough to retrieval the traumatic myocardium.As a new approach to improving the cardiac repair,stem-cell therapy provides an exciting and powerful treatment.We describe the background of natural repair,and summarize the current strategies in the application of stem-cell therapy to repair the traumatic myocardium.

Objective To analyze the application of color Doppler ultrasonography in diagnosis of diabetic carotid sclerosis and to study the relation between diabetes and carotid sclerosis. Methods Color Doppler ultrasound findings in 68 hospitalized type 2 diabetes patients ( as an observation group) and in 73 healthy individuals ( as a control group) were compared and analyzed from Feb. 2007 to Feb. 2009. Results The tunica intima and media of carotid were significantly thicker in observation group than in control group ( P

Bardet-Biedl Syndrome ; diagnosis ; therapy ; Child ; Female ; Humans

Port-wine stains(PWS)are a common congenital capillary malformation. The lesions of PWS appear to gradually darken in color and thicken with age, and even progress into nodules in late stage. Based on the principles of selective photothermolysis, pulsed dye laser (PDL)has become a standard treatment for PWS. However, for some intractable PWS, single PDL treatment shows unsatisfactory and even no effects. Considering this state, the authors summarize multiple treatment strategies for intractable PWS with thick or nodular lesions, providing a reference for their treatment.

Objective To investigate the effects of transcription factor achaete scute-like 2(Ascl2)on epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EM T ) associated microRNAs .Methods Colon cancer LS174T cells were transfected with shRNA-Ascl2 vector and shRNA-control vector respectively ,then the transfected cells were selected with G 418 and stably transfected cell lines were estab-lished .Real-time PCR and Western-blot analysis were used to determine the interference effect .Transwell invasion experiment were used to observe the effects of Ascl2 RNA interference on cell invasion capability in vitro .MicroRNA chip analysis was used to de-tect the change of EMT-associated microRNA expression ,and real-time PCR experiment was used to validate the microarray re-sults .Results The mRNA and protein expressions were significantly reduced after Ascl2 interference (P<0 .01) .The numbers of invading cells were significantly decreased after Ascl2 interference (P<0 .01) .MicroRNA chip analysis found microRNA-200 fami-ly (including microRNA-200b ,microRNA-200a ,microRNA-429 ,microRNA-200c ,microRNA-141) was more than 2-fold upregula-tion after Ascl2 interference (P< 0 .01) .Conclusion Ascl2 regulates the invasion and metastasis of colon cancer cell ,possibly through transcription regulation of microRNA-200 family ,and then regulation of EM T .

Objective To evaluate the short-term effects of three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3D-CRT) associated with transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) in the treatment of primary hepatic carcinoma and 3D-CRT associated with chemotherapy in the treatment of metastatic hepatic carcinoma. Methods In 52 patients with primary hepatic carcinoma, first of all a single TACE was conducted. Then after an interval of 2 weeks, the conformal radiotherapy was given, with a radiation dose of 2~3 Gy every fraction, once daily or once every other day and 3~5 fractions every week. The total radiation dose to the target was 42.2~60.0 Gy (mean, 52.2 Gy). Afterwards, 2 additional TACEs were given after the radiotherapy. In 35 patients with metastatic hepatic carcinoma, chemotherapy was carried out for 1 treatment course firstly. Then 3D-CRT was employed. After the radiotherapy, another 2 courses of consolidating chemotherapy were administrated. The patient continued with the chemotherapy for additional 3 treatment courses (a total of 6 courses) if efficacy evaluation showed the patient had responded to the chemotherapy. Results The response outcomes were: complete remission (CR) 23 0% (20/87), partial remission (PR) 39 1% (34/87), stable disease (SD) 34 5% (30/87) and progressive disease (PD) 3 4% (3/87), the response rate (RR) being 62 1% (54/87). Conclusions 3D-CRT with TACE for primary hepatic carcinoma and 3D-CRT with chemotherapy for metastatic hepatic carcinoma offers high local control rates and good short-term effects.

Objective To investigate the effect of erythropoietin (EPO) on the expression of integrin-β1 in hippocampus of neonatal rats after hypoxic-ischemic brain damage (HIBD) and to discuss the neuroprotective mechanisms for EPO.Methods Neonatal Sprague-Dawley rats of 7 days old were randomly divided into 3 groups by random number table method (24 cases in each group):sham-operated group,HIBD group and EPO treated group(EPO group),then each group was further divided into 4 subgroups (n=6) based on different time points following the injection of 9 g/L or EPO (6 h,24 h,3 d,7 d).The expressions of integrin-β1 and integrin-β1 gene in hippocampus were determined by Western blot and real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR(RT-qPCR).Results By Western blot method:integrin-β1 had low expression in the hippocampus of the sham-operated group at each time point,which had no significant difference(0.47±0.22,0.45±0.18,0.54±0.24,0.53±0.22,F=.223,P=0.879).The expression of integrin-β1 in HIBD group was increased at first and then decreased,which had a significant difference(0.62±0.16,1.42±0.32,1.13±0.37,0.81±0.21,F=11.809,P=0.000).In the EPO group the expression of integrin-β1 was rising significantly at 24 h and 7 d and showed two peaks (0.64±0.21,1.10±0.37,0.96±0.30,1.19±0.31,F=3.741,P=0.028).Compared with the sham-operated group at corresponding time points,the integrin-β1 protein expression showed significant increase at 24 h and on 3 d in HIBD group and 24 h,3 d,and 7 d in EPO group (all P<0.05).By RT-qPCR:there was no significant difference in the gene expression of integrin-β1 in ippocampus of the sham-operated group at different time points (0.31±0.13,0.33±0.16,0.34±0.15,0.32±0.17,F=0.036,P=0.990).Gene expression of integrin-β1 in HIBD group was increased at first and then decreased and the summit was at 24 h point(0.72±0.35,1.39±0.33,0.95±0.24,0.61±0.25).The difference between each time point was statistically significant (F=8.022,P=0.001).Integrin-β1 gene expression of EPO group showed two peaks at 24 h and on 7 d(0.77±0.30,1.09±0.27,0.90±0.38,1.17±0.36),and there was a significant difference between 6 h group and 7 d group (P<0.05).Compared with the sham-operated group at corresponding time points,the expression of integrin-β1 gene in between HIBD group and EPO group was extremely higher(all P<0.05).Besides,the gene expression of integrin-β1 in EPO group was higher than that in the HIBD group on 7 d with statistically significant difference (P<0.05).Conclusion Erythropoietin can upregulate the expression of integrin-β1 in the recovery phase of HIBD,which may be one of the beneficial effects of EPO for HIBD.

Objective · To detect gingival thickness of the anterior teeth region of Han nationality youths in Shanghai by cone-beam computerized tomography (CBCT), and evaluate its clinical application feasibility and the gingival biotype. Methods · Firstly, gingival thickness in the same site (5 participators, 30 sites) was detected by bone sounding and CBCT respectively, and the data were compared. A total of 30 participators with healthy gingival were recruited to the study and examined by the CBCT, the gingival thickness of selected sites (330 sites) was assessed and compared. All the subjects were examined by the experienced doctors and classified into three groups, thick-type middle-type and thin-type. Gingival thickness range and the proportion of every type were obtained. All data analyses were performed using SPSS 13.0. Results · There was no statistical difference in the thickness of gingival measured by bone sounding and CBCT (P>0.05). The main gingival biotypes of Han nationality youths in Shanghai were thin-type and middle-type. The average gingival thickness of upper central incisors [(1.32±0.15) mm] was larger than those of upper lateral incisors [(1.07±0.16) mm,P=0.000] and upper canines [(1.08±0.18) mm, P=0.000]. Conclusion · CBCT is feasible for detecting gingival thickness. Gingival thickness of the upper central incisors is significantly larger than those of upper lateral incisors and upper canines. The main gingival biotype of Han nationality youths in Shanghai is middle-type, the proportion of thick-type is least.

AIM: To express the DT389-hbFGF (389 amino acid residues of the N-terminus of diphtheria toxin (human basic fibroblast growth factor) fusion protein for potential targeting therapy towards posterior capsule opacification (PCO) after cataract surgery.METHODS: The DNA of inactivated diphtheria bacillus and RNA of 12-week fetal brain cortex were extracted, respectively. The fragments of truncated diphtheria toxin (containing 389 amino acids of N-terminus, DT389) )and full-length human basic fibroblast growth factor(hbFGF) sequence (encoding 18kDa protein) were amplified by PCR. The two fragments were inserted into pGEX-4T-1 prokaryotic expression vector to obtain pGEX-DT389-hbFGF prokaryotic expression plasmid. After sequence analysis, the expressing plasmid was transformed into Escherichia Coli BL21 strain and expression was induced under IPTG. The expressed fusion protein was purified and identified.RESULTS: The gene fragments encoding DT389 and hbFGF were amplified and their gene sequences were confirmed. Hybrid gene expression plasmid pGEX-DT389 (hbFGF was constructed. The fusion protein DT389-hbFGF was expressed and purified.CONCLUSIONS: The successful cloning and expression of DT389-hbFGF immunotoxin provides a foundation for targeting therapy towards posterior capsule opacification.

AIM: To explore the feasibility of combining small pieces of allo-conjunctiva transplantation (ACT) with amniotic membrane transplantation (AMT) to reconstruct ocular surface.METHODS: Bilateral superior bulbar conjunctiva of New Zealand white rabbits were burned by NaOH (1mol/L).After 24h, the right eye (experimental groups Exps) was performed AMT and ACT;the left eye (control groups Cons)was done merely ACT. The viability and function of allografts were identified by PAS staining and scanning electron microscope (SEM) of cytology impression (CI) every week after the operation.RESULTS: In Exps, no obvious rejection was observed.All grafts survived, extended and covered the conjunctival defect. The appearance of grafts, and the shape, number,and function of goblet cells recovered perfectly four weeks after the operation;however, in Cons, obvious rejection was found. Seven grafts were rejected and. symblepharon was observed in those eyes. The appearance of survival allografts were similar to the normal conjunctiva, with similar shape, number and function of goblet cells till the fifth week after the operation. The survival ratet was significantly higher in Exps than in Cons (P ＜0.05).CONCLUSION: ACT based on AMT can be considered a good way to reconstruct ocular surface for large area conjunctiva alkali burns in early-stage.