BACKGROUND:The tumor tissue engineering can build an integrated culture model to ful y simulate the in vivo microenvironment of tumor growth, which can be used to study tumor developmental dynamics and related treatment strategies.
OBJECTIVE:To review the three-dimensional culture of tumor cells using tumor engineering technology.
METHODS:PubMed database was retrieved for articles related to tumor engineering, three-dimensional culture of tumor cells, biological scaffold materials and tumor microenvironment published from January 1992 to March 2013.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Three-dimensional culture, because of its reproducible tissue and cellgrowth in vivo, has become an important platform for study of tumor resistance, invasiveness and tumor microenvironment. The three-dimensional culture has showed a trend to gradual y replace the flat culture technique in many fields, and provides a research platform which is very close to in vivo environment. In recent years, with the development of tumor engineering, a variety of new polymer materials have been used in the three-dimensional culture of tumor cells. Three-dimensional culture technology is becoming a hotspot in the field of tumor biology, in which, using a variety of methods and materials, the cells show a growth in the spatial manner to form a biological support or matrix similar to in vivo growth environment. Biomaterials have become the soil on which seed cells can grow wel , and plays an alternative to the extracellular matrix or the matrix of tissues and organs in the tumor engineering. Therefore, the three-dimensional cellculture has been widely used in cancer research, which has become a powerful tool to tumor drug resistance, angiogenesis, cel-cellinteraction, signal transduction, stem cells and other research.

Objective To observe early histopathological changes in explosive wounds at canine limbs after seawater inmersion.Methods Forty adult dogs,weighing 10 to 15 kg each,were assigned into 2 equal groups.The left hind limb of each dog in both groups was injured by a man-made explosion.The explosive wound was first washed by normal sodium.The 20 injured limbs in the experimental group (EG)were immersed in seawater for one hour while those in the control group (CG) were only exposed naturally for one hour without seawater immersion.All the wounds were covered with sterile dressing without suture.The pus and soft tissue at the wound were taken for pathological examination,bacterial culture and drug sensitivity test on day 3.The time of wound healing was recorded.Tissue sections were taken from the wounds for pathological examination at 4 and 8 weeks.Results Fifteen wounds (75％) were infected in the EG,significantly more than the 8 wounds infected (40％) in the CG( P ＜ 0.05).The wounds healed in a mean time of 38.4 days in the EG,significantly longer than the mean time for wound healing (23.1 days) in the CG ( P ＜ 0.05).In the EG,Vibrio infection caused more serious tissue necrosis and inflammatory reaction than Bacillus and coccus did.At 4 and 8 weeks,tissue necrosis and inflammatory reaction in the EG were worse than those in the CG.Conclusion Seawater immersion can lead to increased infective tissue necrosis and inflammatory reaction in an explosive wound,as well as longer time for wound healing.

Objective In order to protect the natural resources of Swertia bimaculata which has been destroyed seriously,the method of artificial propagation by way of tissue culture have been systematically studied.Methods The stems,leaves,and stems with buds which were from the seedlings germinated from the seeds on the initial medium were taken as explants.These explants were cultured on MS culture media by adding different portions of hormones at various cultural conditions.Results The stems were the best material in speeding propagation among the three explants.The proper initial medium for the stems was MS+ BA 0.5 mg/L+saccharose 3.0%,the optimum medium for proliferation was MS+BA 0.5 mg/L+IBA 0.1 mg/L+saccharose 3.0%,and the best medium for rooting was 1/2MS+NAA 0.5 mg/L+saccharose 1.5%.Conclusion Tissue culture of S.bimaculata could make its propagation rapid,its resources preserved,and its utilization last.

Objective To understand the change of leptin level in human in acute hypoxia state. Methods 34 male mountaineers were examined, 7 at the altitude of 2 800 m, 27 at 5 050 m. The serum leptin level and anoxic degree were determined by radioimmunoassay and arterial oxygen saturation were determined by Tuffsat arterial oxygen saturation monitor. Results The leptin level at 5 050 m (9.08?7.77) ng/ml was significantly higher than that at 2 800 m(2.02?1.09) ng/ml, P

AIM: To explore the influence of IFN-? on the role of tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) in inducing apoptosis of RKO cell line. METHODS: Survival fraction and apoptosis were measured by MTT method and flow cytometry (FACS). RESULTS: Survival fraction of IFN-? group, TRAIL and IFN-? 72 h+TRAIL group were 99.28%, 85.45%, 52.60%, respectively. The percentage of apoptotic cells of IFN-? group, TRAIL group, IFN-? 24 h+TRAIL group, IFN-? 48 h+TRAIL and IFN-? 72 h+TRAIL group were 1.51%, 2.38%, 4.97%, 13.30%, 21.00%, respectively. The percentage of apoptotic cells of IFN-? 24 h+TRAIL group was higher than the sum of IFN-? group and TRAIL group (P

Objective To investigate the safety and feasibility of a new pancreaticojejunal anastomotic method [the penetrating-suture type of pancreaticojejunostomy (PPJ)] after pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD).Methods From May 2005 to November 2011,a new surgical anastomosis was carriedout between the pancreas stump and jejunal wall with penetrating-suture technique after pancreaticoduodenectomy in 46 patients.The clinical data were reviewed and analysed.Results The anastomosis of the pancreas stump and jejunal wall was completed with six to eight interrupted full-layer sutures.There was no pancreatic anastomotic leakage and hemorrhage.Conclusion The PPJ is a simple and effective approach and can be recommended.

To assess the effects of resuscitation with oxygen or room air on the cardiac circulation and the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) in a hypoxic newborn piglet model. Methods Newborn piglets(1.6-2.5 kg) were randomly assigned into three groups:control group (n=8) with no hypoxic insult;room air group (n=12) resuscitated with room air for 240 min after 120 min hypoxia;and oxygen group (n=12) resuscitated with 100% oxygen for 30 min followed by 210 min with room air after 120 min hypoxia. Blood gas analysis, blood pressure and hemodynamic parameters were recorded at 0, 10, 30, 60, 120, 180 and 240 min of resuscitation. The activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) in the left ventricle was measured at 240 min of resuscitation using enzyme method . One-way analysis of variance, two-way analysis of variance measured repeatedly and Student-Newman-Keuls test were applied as statistical methods. Results Severe metabolic acidosis, hypotension and hypoxemia were caused by hypoxia.(1)Arterial oxygen partial pressure(PaO2):At 10 min of resuscitation, PaO2 of control group, room air group and oxygen group was (67±4), (78±12) and (409±42)mmHg(1 mmHg=0.133 kPa) (F=580.19, P<0.01). At 30 min of resuscitation, PaO2 of the three group was (68±3), (79±15) and (342±62)mmHg(F=173.67;P<0.01). PaO2 of oxygen group was higher than room air group and control group (10 min:q=42.51 and 39.28, 30 min: q=23.17 and 21.67, all P<0.05). There was no statistical significance between the room air group and control group. (2)Cardiac output(CO):At 240 min of resuscitation,CO of control group, room air group and oxygen group was(181.6±33.8), (150.9±70.1) and (103.6±53.6) dl/(min·kg) (F=4.82, P<0.05). CO of oxygen group was lower than control group (q=4.25,P<0.05). There was no statistical significance between oxygen group and room air group, neither was between room air group and control group (all P>0.05). (3)Arterial oxygen content (CaO2):At 10 min of resuscitation, CaO2 of control group, room air group and oxygen group was(87.0±16.1), (76.9±13.2) and (102.2±15.9) ml O2/dl (F=8.64, P<0.01). At 30 min of resuscitation, CaO2 of the three group was(87.5±14.9), (79.9±11.3) and (100.1±16.7) ml O2/dl (F=5.98, P<0.01). At 10 min of resuscitation, CaO2 of oxygen group was higher than control group and room air group (q=3.14 and 5.85, all P<0.05). At 30 min of resuscitation, CaO2 of oxygen group was higher than room air group (q=4.85, P<0.01), but there was no statistical significance between oxygen group and control group (q=2.71, P>0.05). (4)Oxygen delivery (DO2): At 10, 30, 60, 120, 180 and 240 min of resuscitation, there were no statistical significance among DO2 of control group, room air group and oxygen group [10 min:(16.5±3.3), (15.7±9.9) and (16.9±4.2)L O2/(kg·min), F=0.10;30 min:(16.2±4.1), (15.1±5.5) and (14.5±3.3) L O2/(kg·min), F=0.38;60 min:(16.1±4.2), (14.9±4.0)and(13.3±3.8)L O2/(kg·min), F=1.28;120 min:(15.5±3.7),(15.6±6.1)and(13.4± 4.6) L O2/(kg·min), F=0.66;180 min:(15.4±3.1), (15.3±9.3) and (11.9±5.0) L O2/(kg·min), F=0.97;240 min:(14.7±3.4), (13.4±6.7) and (9.3±5.2) L O2/(kg·min), F=2.84;all P>0.05]. (5) SOD activity in the left ventricle:At 240 min of resuscitation, SOD activity of control group (n=6), room air group (n=8) and oxygen group (n=8) was (289±107), (210±75) and (142±61)U/mg protein, F=5.75, P<0.05]. SOD activity of oxygen group was lower than control group (q=4.79, P<0.01). There was no statistical significance between oxygen group and room air group, neither was between room air group and control group(q=2.58 and 2.39, all P>0.05). Conclusions Despite higher oxygen content in the blood, resuscitation with oxygen is not beneficial to recovery from metabolic acidosis in newborn hypoxic piglets. Oxygen supplementation does not increase oxygen delivery but reduces SV compared to resuscitation with room air. Resuscitation with oxygen may impair the oxidative stress defense.

Objective To investigate the hemodynamic changes and their association with the expression of β 1 and β 2 adrenoceptors after hypoxia-reoxygenation injury in a neonatal swine model of asphyxia.Methods One to four day-old piglets were randomly assigned to control group (n=6),acute hypoxia group (n=8) and subacute hypoxia group (n=8).The piglets in the control group were observed for 50 h under normoxic mechanical ventilation; while the acute and subacute hypoxia groups were subject to two hours of hypoxic injury induced by ventilation with 0.10-0.15 oxygen followed by 4 or 48 h of observation under normoxic mechanical ventilation,respectively.Blood gases were analyzed and the mean arterial blood pressure,heart rate,and cardiac output were recorded at different time points during the experiment.Tissues from the left ventricle were also harvested to assay lactate,glutathione and β adrenoceptors at the end of the experiment.Analysis of variance,the Tukey test and Pearson correlation analysis were used for statistical analysis of the data.Results Two hours after hypoxia,pH,HCO3-and partial pressure of oxygens (PO2) in the acute hypoxia group and subacute hypoxia group were lower than in the control group,however,pH and HCO3-in animals in the subacute hypoxia group recovered to 7.38 ± 0.05 and (23.04± 2.40)mmol/L,respectively,after reoxygenation,which was similar to those in the control group,and higher than in the acute hypoxia group [7.25±0.07 and (16.88±2.40) mmol/L,respectively,q=6.76 and 7.81,both P＜0.01].Mean arterial pressure,cardiac output and stroke volume in the acute group and subacute group were lower than those in the control animals following two hours of hypoxic injury (all P＜0.01).After reoxygenation,the mean arterial pressure in the acute hypoxia group and subacute group recovered to (42.17±6.14) and (43.19± 5.55) mmHg (1 mmHg=0.133 kPa),cardiac output recovered to (150.04± 56.17) and (169.75 ± 37.85) dl/min,respectively,and there were no differences compared with the control group (all P＞0.05).Expressions of β 1 and β 2 adrenoceptors in the left ventricle in the subacute hypoxia group (1.51 ±0.51 and 2.14±0.66,respectively),were higher than those in the control group (0.56±0.24 and 0.38±0.21,q=7.02 and 10.97,both P＜0.01) and the acute hypoxia group (0.65±0.20 and 0.45±0.11,q=6.86 and 11.38,both P＜0.01).The lactate level in the acute hypoxia group and subacute hypoxia group was higher than that in the control group [(6.95±0.32) and (6.92±0.40) vs (5.03±0.19) μ mol/mg protein,respectively,q=15.43 and 15.19,both P＜0.01].The level of glutathione in the subacute hypoxia group was lower than the control group and acute hypoxia group [(352.00± 16.51) vs (438.35±33.66) and (464.66±52.65) nmol/mg protein,respectively,q=6.00 and 8.46,both P＜0.01).In the subacute hypoxia group,the expressions of β 1 and β 2 adrenoceptors were negatively correlated with the changes in cardiac output (r=-0.60 and-0.59,respectively,both P＜0.05).Conclusions Severe metabolic acidosis and cardiac dysfunction resulting from perinatal asphyxia may recover after reoxygenation,which may be associated with the enhanced expression of β adrenoceptors in the left ventricle during the subacute phase.

Objective To investigate the changes of insulin resistance and islet β cell function in gout patients with different status of glucose metabolism, and to analyse metabolic features in gout patients with hyperglycemia. Methods Ninety-six patients with gout were consecutively enrolled into the study and were divided into normal glucose tolerance group ( NGT, n = 35 ) , impaired glucose regulation group ( IGR, n = 27 ) , and diabetic group (DM, n=34). Height, weight, blood pressure, fasting plasma glucose, fasting insulin, HbA1C,serum uric acid, C-reactive protein (CRP), total cholesterol (TC), and triglycerides were determined in all subjects. Body mass index (BMI), homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR),homeostasis model assessment for β cell function index (HOMA-B), and insulin sensitivity index (ISI) were calculated. Results Compared with the NGT group, the levels of BMI, 2hPG, fasting insulin, HbA1C,TC,triglycerides, CRP, HOMA-IR in the DM and IGR groups were higher while ISI was lower (0.023±0.018 and 0.024±0.017 vs 0. 052±0. 026, P<0.05 ). HOMA-B was significantly different among the three groups ( 87.6±25. 1,126.46±34. 2, and 173.75±32.1, P<0.05). Family history of diabetes was more commonly seen in DM group than NGT group ( 41.17% vs 11.4%, P< 0.05 ). Logistic analysis showed that age, BMI, systolic blood pres(s)ure, triglyceride, CRP, and ISI were independently associated with diabetes, but not with uric acid.Conclusions Severe insulin resistance, β cell dysfunction, increased BMI and CRP, lipid disorders, and hereditary susceptibility may be the main metabolic features of gout patients with hyperglycemia.

The geo-herbalism of Cangzhu, Atractylodes lancea (Thunb.) DC. , was studied for itsstrict quality control. Samples of typical and representative populations of geo-herbal and non-geo herbalorigin were collected, examined and cultivated through field work. Volatile oils from samples of varioushabitats were determined by GC/MS, and their respective bacteriostatic minimum inhibitory concentration(MIC)determined. Results of the study showed that both the size of capitulum and cleft on the leaves var-ied greatly even in species of the same population. The main components in their volatile oil also variedgreatly with Maocangzhu (MCZ) contains atractylone (29.54%) and atractylodin (17.82%); that of Nan-cangzhu (NCZ) contains hinesol (61.86%) and β-eudesmol (19.79%), and Baicangzhu (BCZ) cantains βeudesmol or mixture of β-eudesmol and atractylone (over 30%). Volatile oils of speciaes from Luotina,Taibai, and Huanglong showed potent bacteriostatic activity against Streptococcus hemolyticus (SH), com-parable to penicillin or streptomycin. In conclusion, A. lancea is a polymorphic complex greatly influencedby geographic environment and a reasonable proposal is to name them by geo-herbal names such as: MCZas A. lancea var. maoshanensis Hu et Feng; NCZ as A. lancea subsp. luotianensis Hu et Feng; and BCZ asA. lancea var. chinensis (Bunge) Kitam other than independent species as A. chinensis Bunge. It was in-correct to say that MCZ has no atractylone in its volatile oil and therefore differs from A. macrocephalaKoidz. (Baizhu). Inhibitory activity of the volatile oils against SH and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA) arealso quite different due to the habitats and imply that the rhizome from Luotian may be used to cure infec-tion diseases caused by SH and PA besides their traditional uses.