Age of Onset ; China ; epidemiology ; Dust ; Humans ; Occupational Exposure ; analysis ; Pneumoconiosis ; epidemiology

OBJECTIVETo analyze the influence of retinoic acid (RA) on the undifferentiated state and EB formation abilities of human embryonic stem cells.

METHODSThe biological characteristics of H9 ESCs after RA treatment were characterized by real-time PCR, MTS proliferation assay and immunofluorescence staining. The expression of three germ layers markers, osteogenic differentiation markers and adipogenic differentiation markers in H9-differentiated embryoid bodies (EBs) with RA treatment were quantified by real time PCR.

RESULTSThe proliferation of H9 ESCs in the early logarithmic growth phase was accelerated by RA treatment. In addition, RA induced differentiation of H9 ESC coupled with morphology changes, decreased expression of undifferentiated markers Oct4, Nanog, Sox2 and OCT4 mRNA binding protein Lin28 at mRNA level, and reduced expression of Oct4 at protein level. RA induced formation of cavities in EBs. Real time PCR results showed that the expressions of ectodermal markers: NeuroD1, Noggin; mesodermal markers: Brachyury, Twist and endodermal markers: AFP, GATA-4 were significantly increased (P < 0.05), especially for AFP (P < 0.01), by RA treatment in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, the expression of adipogenic differentiation marker C/EBPalpha was increased while the osteogenic differentiation marker OPN was decreased in EBs after RA treatment for 5 days.

CONCLUSIONSHigh concentrations of RA induced the loss of stemness in H9 ESCs and excessive differentiation in EBs, and damaged the balance between osteogenic and adipogenic differentiation during early EB differentiation, which may be relevant to the congenital malformations.

Cell Differentiation ; drug effects ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Embryonic Stem Cells ; cytology ; drug effects ; Humans ; Tretinoin ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo compare the tissue engineered cartilage constructed with chondrocytes derived from auricular and articular cartilage.

METHODSChondrocytes were isolated from porcine auricular and articular cartilage, and BMSCs were obtained from bone marrow aspirate and cultured. Each kind of chondrocytes were resuspended alone or mixed with BMSCs at a ratio of 1:1, and seeded onto PGA/PLA scaffolds to construct tissue engineered cartilage (n = 4). The constructs were cultured for 8 weeks in vitro and then subcutaneously implanted into nude mice for 6 weeks. The differences between chondrocytes monoculture from articular and auricular cartilage or between each of them co-cultured with BMSCs were evaluated by gross view, measurement of thickness and wet weight, histological examinations including H&E, Safranin O, type II collagen, and Ponceau's & Victoria blue staining, and gene expression analysis of cartilage related genes.

RESULTSNo obvious differences were found histologically among the complexes constructed in vitro 8 weeks except for few elastic fibers secreted in the auricular chondrocytes + BMSCs co-culture group. Neo-cartilage is thicker in the groups of articular chondrocytes (38. 1% than the group of auricular chondrocytes, P < 0.05) and articular chondrocytes + BMSCs co-culture (19.3% than the group of auricular chondrocytes + BMSCs, P < 0.05). However, after 6 weeks in vivo the elastic fibers were found positive in the complexes constructed by auricular chondrocytes, and its staining was even stronger and more homogenous in the group of auricular chondrocytes + BMSCs co-culture. The tissues generated by articular chondrocytes alone and co-cultured with BMSCs both formed the characteristic features of three-layer structure of hyaline cartilage and ossified in vivo with significant up-regulation of COL10A1 and MMP-13. To summarize, auricular chondrocytes formed the elastic cartilage while articular chondrocytes formed the hyaline cartilage during the development of tissue engineered cartilage either by monoculture or the co-culture with BMSCs.

CONCLUSIONSThe chondrogenic response of chondrocytes from different cartilage origins demonstrates that an initial chondrocyte and cartilage type recapitulates the same in later tissue-engineered development.

Animals ; Bone Marrow Cells ; cytology ; Cartilage, Articular ; cytology ; Cells, Cultured ; Chondrocytes ; Coculture Techniques ; Ear Auricle ; cytology ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; cytology ; Mice, Nude ; Swine ; Tissue Engineering ; methods ; Tissue Scaffolds

Objective To investigate the effect of tourniquet compression on axonal transport in sciatic nerve of rats.Methods Twenty-four 12-week old male SD rats weighing 250-300 g were randomly divided into 4groups according to the duration of tourniquet compression(n=6 each):1,2,4 and 12 h.The tourniquet was applied to the middle 1/3 of thigh.In each animal whether the left or right thigh was compressed was determined by a flip of coin.The tourniquet was released for 10 min after every hour of compression.A 3-cm segment of sciatic nerve was removed at the end of tourniquet compression(1.5 cm proximal and 1.5 cm distal to the site of compression).Immuno-histochemistry was used to measure the expression of insulin-like growth factor-1(IGF-1)in the sciatic nerve.The ratio of average optic density of the compressed sciatic nerve to that of control was used to estimate the degree of IGF-1 accumulation.The regression equation of the interaction between the duration of compression and accumulation of IGF-1 was analyzed.Results There was significant accumulation of IGF-1 in the sciatic nerve proximal to the compressed site.The accumulation increased with the duration of compression.There was no significant accumulation of IGF-1 in the sciatic nerve distal to the compressed site.The regression equation of the interaction between the duration of compression(X)and accumulation of IGF-1(Y)was Y=0.422X+0.887.Conclusion Tourniquet compression of sciatic nerve can inhibit axonal transport.The accumulation increases with the duration of compression.

Objective To investigate the differential MSCT diagnostic features and comparative study of subtypes of renal cell carcinoma (RCC). Methods All of the renal cell carcinomas including 14 chromophobe RCCs (ChRCC), 10 papillary RCCs type 1(PRCC Ⅰ), 15 papillary RCCs type 2 (PRCC Ⅱ), 7 mucinous tubular and spindle cell carcinomas (MTSCCs) were investigated except for clear cell RCC. Dynamic contrast-enhanced CT was conducted in each case after intravenous administration of contrast agent, and the data including all the CT manifestations and the enhancement features were analyzed and contrasted together. Results The indexes including enhancement homogeneity, border of the tumor, renal pelvis violation, blood vessel in tumor showed statistically significant difference between the 4 subtypes (P<0.05), but no difference in the calcification of the tumor. Only the enhancement degree of MTSCC was lower than the kidney medulla in all of the three enhancement scanning phases, while the other 3 tumors' enhancement degree was higher than the kidney medulla in the cortical phase. Peak contrast enhancement of ChRCC was located in the cortical phase, however, peak contrast enhancement of the others did in the nephrographic phase. Conclusions Enhancement characteristics combined CT features is of great help in differential diagnosis of 4 subtypes of RCC.

Animals ; China ; epidemiology ; Epidemiologic Studies ; Molecular Epidemiology ; Rickettsia ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Rickettsia Infections ; epidemiology ; transmission ; Ticks ; microbiology

OBJECTIVETo explain the essence of pungent-hot herb property express according to in vivo and in vitro studies on its effect on calmodulin on the base of the observation of the adjustment in hypothalamic-pituitary-gonad axis functions of Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata, Curculiginis Rhizoma, Cinnamomi Cortex and bitter-cold herb Phellodendri Chinensis Cortex in rats under the state of yang deficiency.

METHODThe yang-deficient model was duplicated by intramuscularly injecting hydrocortisone sodium succinate powder injection. After the intervention with Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata, Curculiginis Rhizoma, Cinnamomi Cortex and bitter-cold herb Phellodendri Chinensis Cortex for seven days, TSH, T3, T4, 17-OHCS, COR, T, E2 of hypothalamus-pituitary-target gland axis and other relevant indexes were detected. The calmodulin expression in livers and L02 cells cultured in vitro was detected by using Western blot.

RESULTPungent-hot herbs Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata, Curculiginis Rhizoma, Cinnamomi Cortex can significantly correct indicators of hypothalamic-pituitary-gonad axis and calmodulin, whereas the bitter-cold herb Phellodendri Chinensis Cortex showed no obvious effect.

CONCLUSIONThe pungent-hot herb property expression may be closely related to calmodulin.

Animals ; Calmodulin ; metabolism ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; chemistry ; Gonads ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Liver ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Yang Deficiency ; drug therapy ; metabolism

Objective To investigate the effects of sustained abdominal aorta compression (SAAC) method combined with sim-plex chest compression (SCC) on partial pressure of end-tidal CO2 (PETCO2 ) ,return of spontaneous circulation(ROSC) ,resuscita-tion success rate and 24 h survival rate of the cardiac arrest model in domestic swines .Methods 20 healthy domestic swines were randomly divided into two groups ;the standard cadiopulmonary resuscitation group (S-CPR) by adopting SCC and the SAAC-CPR group by adopting SCC combined with SAAC during the resuscitation process .The cardiac arrest model was established by the ven-tricular fibrillation induced through the right atrium electrode alternating current stimulation .After 9 min of untreated interval ,CPR was performed .The two groups were firstly given SCC ,after 30 s ,the SAAC-CPR group was added with SAAC .PETCO2 ,coronary perfusion pressure(CPP) ,ROSC rate ,resuscitation success rates ,and 24 h survival rate were compared between the two groups .Re-sults PETCO2 in the SAAC-CPR group was higher than that during the SCC period in the SAAC-CPR group and in the S-CPR group during CPR[(22 .50 ± 3 .17 )mm Hg vs .(11 .80 ± 2 .57) mm Hg ,(13 .40 ± 3 .53) mm Hg ,P<0 .01)] .CPP in the SAAC-CPR group was also higher than that during SCC in the SAAC-CPR group and the S-CPR group[(50 .30 ± 6 .49) mm Hg vs .(14 . 12 ± 3 .01)mm Hg ,(14 .62 ± 2 .59)mm Hg ,P<0 .01)] .3 cases in the S-CPR group and 9 cases in the SAAC-CPR group restored ROSC within 3 times defibrillation ,succeeded in resuscitation after 20 min ROSC and underwent 24 h survival .The ROSC rate ,the resuscitation success rate and the 24 h survival rate in the SAAC-CPR group were significantly higher than those in the S-CPR group(P<0 .05) .No abdominal viscera damage was found in post mortem examinations of all the swines subjects .Conclusion SAAC combined with SCC can elevate PETCO2 ,CPP ,ROSC ,resuscitation success rate and 24 h survival rate ,which is conducive to CPR ,safe and easy to operate .

Objective: To observe the conditions of the activating areas in the brain evoked by needling Shenmen (HT 7) acupoint. Methods: Twelve healthy young volunteers were needled at Shenmen (HT 7) acupoint with rotating and twisting techniques. Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) was adopted to detect the brain activating areas, TR/TE/FA=3560 ms/50 ms/90°. After scanning, the images were dealt with SPM2. Results: Needling Shenmen (HT 7) primarily activated BA2 and BA1 of the gyms postcentralis in right-sided frontal lobe, BA47 of left-sided inferior frontal gyms and BA43 of left-sided gyms postcentralis, and also activated BA40 of inferior parietal lobule in right-sided parietal lobe, BA22 of gyrus temporalis superior in left-sided lobus temporalis, and BA40 of right-sided insula; however, the sham acupoints could not activate these nucleus. Conclusion: Needling Shenmen (HT 7) can activate the relevant functional areas in the brain.

We developed and designed a new type of artificial trachea. The basic structure of the artificial trachea was polytetrafluoroethylene vascular prosthesis linked with titanium rings on both sides. Dualmesh was sutured on titanium rings. This experimentation follows the replacement of trachea in dogs with a combined artificial trachea to investigate the feasibility of this type of prosthesis. Sixteen dogs were implanted with the combined artificial trachea after resection of 5 cm of cervical trachea. The 5 cm-long trachea of dogs on the necks were resected and the reconstruction of the defect of the trachea was performed with trachea prosthesis. According to the method of trachea reconstruction, the models were divided into 2 groups, artificial trachea implantation group (the control group, n = 8) and group of artificial trachea implantation with growth factor (the experimental group, n = 8). Then computer tomography scan (CT), bronchoscope and pathologic examination were conducted periodically to observe the healing state of the hybrid artificial trachea. None of the dogs died during operation of cervical segmental trachea construction. But four dogs in the control group died of apnea in succession because artificial trachea was displaced and the lumen was obstructed, while 2 dogs died in the experimental group. In the first month there was granulation around anastomosis with slight stenosis. The rest of dogs were well alive until they were sacrificed 14 months later. The mean survival time of the experimental group was longer than that of the control group. The rate of infection, anastomotic dehiscence, severe stenosis and accidental death in the experimental group were lower than the control group (P < 0.05). Artificial trachea was encapsulated by fibrous tissue and no mucous membrane was seen in the lumen of the artificial trachea. The artificial trachea can be used to reconstruction of the defect of the trachea with long-term survival of the animals. The unique design of artificial trachea reduces stenosis around anastomosis effectively but infections and split or displacement of the artificial trachea are still major problems affecting long-term survival of the animals. Application of growth factors to a certain extent promotes tissue healing by changing the local environment.
Animals ; Artificial Organs ; Dogs ; Prostheses and Implants ; Prosthesis Design ; Prosthesis Implantation ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures ; Titanium ; Trachea ; surgery