Objective To compare the hepatic differentiation potential of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (UC-MSCs) with bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs).Methods UC-MSCs and BM-MSCs derived from passage 3 were induced by IMDM supplemented with 20 μg/L HGF and 20 mg/L α-FGF.The medium was changed twice a week.The concentrations of albumin and urea nitrogen from cultural medium were measured to compare the differentiation ability of the two cells.We also examined the expression of hepatic related genes by real-time RT-PCR.Results UC-MSCs manifested significandy stronger proliferation potential than BM-MSCs.Both UC-MSCs and BM-MSCs could be induced into hepatocyte-like cells.The morphology of UC-MSCs tended to be more mature than BM-MSCs and they had more cytoplasmic granules.After 4 weeks,the levels of albumin and urea nitrogen from the cultural medium of the UC-MSCs group were significantly higher than the BM-MSCs group (P ＜ 0.05).Real-time PCR showed the expressions of four liver related genes CK18,G6P,HGF and ALB in the UC-MSCs group were significantly higher than the BM-MSCs group (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion UC-MSCs had higher hepatic differentiation potential than BM-MSCs.Thus,UC-MSCs are more suitable than BM-MSCs for tissue engineering in the treatment of end-stage liver diseases.

Objective To observe the effects of hepatocyte-like cells differentiated from human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (HuMSCs) on the liver function of the rats with liver cirrhosis.Methods Carbon tetrachloride was used to prepare rat model of liver cirrhosis.Then the rats in the experimental group received portal vein injection of 1 ml differentiated hepatocyte-like cells (1 × 107) ; the mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) group was injected with the same volume and number of MSCs; the model group was injected with the same volume of saline (NS) ; the normal rats were treated as control group.After transplantation,the rat angular vein blood and liver tissue were obtained for testing.Results One week after transplantation,compared with the model group,levels of serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT),aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and total bilirubin (TBil) in the experimental group significantly decreased (P ＜0.05),while the albumin (Alb) level increased significantly (P ＜0.05).Compared with the MSC group,the level of Alb in the experimental group also significantly increased (P ＜ 0.05),but there were no differences between the two groups of ALT,AST and TBil.4 weeks after transplantation,compared with the model group,levels of serum ALT,AST and TBil in the experimental group also significantly decreased (P ＜ 0.05),while Alb level increased significantly (P ＜ 0.05).Compared with the MSC group,the differences of the levels of Alb,ALT,AST and TBil were all statistically significant (P ＜ 0.05).Real-time PCR test results showed that the expressions of four liver-related genes of the MSC group and experimental group significantly increased comparing with the model group (P ＜ 0.05).And the experimental group showed higher expression level comparing with the MSC group (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion The differentiated hepatocyte-like cells could improve hepatic function of patients with liver cirrhosis to a certain degree and showed greater advantage than MSC.

Objective To observe angiogenic effect of platelet-released growth factors (PRGF) from platelet-rich plasma (PRP) on mierovessel formation at early stage after anterior crueiate ligament (ACL) reconstruction by freeze-dried Achilles tendon. Methods The study involved 14 rabbits, of which 12 rabbits were used as experiment group and the other 2 as control group. In the experiment group, after two sides of rabbit ACL were removed, freeze-dried Achilles tendon treated by PRGF was transplanted into random one side of the knee to substitute the original ACL (PRGF group), while the other side was transplanted with freeze-dried Achilles tendon treated only by normal saline (NS group). Only one side of the knee was removed in the control group. The grafts were observed by HE and immuno- histeehemical staining 2, 4 and 6 weeks after operation. Microvessel density (MVD) was measured by Weidner method. Results Compared with NS group, MVD in PRGF group was significant higher at 2,4 and 6 weeks after operation (P<0.05). MVD of NS group at 2,4 and 6 weeks after operation was 2.52±0.45, 3.41±0.44 and 2.57±0.51 respectively, but that of PRGF group at 2,4 and 6 weeks af- ter operation was 3.56±0.81,4.91±0.46 and 3.01±0.75 respectively (P<0.05). The time of neo- vascular formation and the depth of vascular penetration into the grafts of the PRGF group were superior to those of NS group. Conclusion PRGF can significantly promote microvessel formation at early stage after ACL reconstruction with freeze-dried Achilles tendon.

Objective To observe the effect of platelet-rich plasma(PRP)gel on tendon-bone healing following tendon allograft reconstruction of anterior cruciate ligament(ACL).Methods Bilateral ACL reconstructions using Achilles tendon allografts were performed in 24 New Zealand white rabbits matured skeletally.One knee joint was pretreated with the allograft PRP gel(served as experimental group),while the contralateral knee joint was free from treatment with PRP(served as control group).The reconstructions were assessed histologically,immunohistochemically and biomechanically at 2,6 and 12 weeks.Results At 2 and 6 weeks,Burak scores of experimental group were higher than control group.At 12 weeks,the grafts showed a mature zone of fibrocartilage in experimental group but mature scar tissues on the tendon-bone surface.Immunohistochemistry demonstrated early higher expression of VEGF in experimental group than control group and continually higher expression of TGF-β1 in experimental than control group.In contrast,the grafts of the controls group revealed the development of mature scar tissue resembling Sharpey fibers spanning the tendon-bone interface.At 2 and 6 weeks,the biomechanical analysis revealed the limit load of(15.3±2.9)N and(33.2±6.9)N respectively in experimental group,which were significantly higher than(7.9±1.4)N and(23.7±4.9)N in control group (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion Application of PRP is the potential means to enhance the earlier healing of the allograft tendon-bone.

Mycoplasma pneumoniae is a common pathogen of respiratory infection. Macrolides antibiotic is the first drug in treating children mycoplasma pneumoniae. Restently Mycoplasma pneumoniae shows resistance to macrolides antibiotic. Traditional Chinese medicine has more advantages in it. The paper summarizes drug resistance of mycoplasma pneumoniae and mechanisms research of traditional Chinese medicine.

The basement membrane (BM) is crucial in regulating the physical and biological activities of esophageal epithelial cells which attach to the underlying BM. In order to simulate the natural construction of BM, we prepared the fibrous scaffolds using biodegradable polylactide (PLA) and silk fibroin (SF) as the materials via electrospinning technology. BM's proteins containing collagen (IV), laminin, entactin and proteoglycan were extracted from porcine esophagus and coated on the eletrospun fibers. Morphology, mechanical strength, biodegradability and cytocompatibility of the coated and uncoated scaffolds were tested and evaluated using scanning electron micrography, mechanical test system, immunofluorescence assay and western blotting with CK14 as the primary antibody. The fibrous scaffold PLA or PLA/SF, generated from the present protocol had good formation and mechanical and biodegradable properties. After coating with BM's proteins, the scaffold could enhance the growth and differentiation of esophageal epithelial cells, which would contribute to remodel and regenerate the tissue engineered epithelium and further contribute to engineer the whole esophagus in future.
Absorbable Implants ; Basement Membrane ; Biocompatible Materials ; chemistry ; Epithelium ; Esophagus ; physiology ; Fibroins ; chemistry ; Humans ; Nanostructures ; chemistry ; Polyesters ; chemistry ; Regeneration ; physiology ; Tissue Engineering ; methods ; Tissue Scaffolds ; chemistry

Primary hepatocellular carcinoma progresses from liver fibrosis and cirrhosis to eventually result in liver failure and distant metastasis.Surgical resection is the preferred method of treatment for liver cancer while interventional treatment and liver transplantation are the choices to treat end-stage liver cancer.Unfortunately,partial hepatectomy and interventional treatment are not ideal due to the resulting consequence of hepatocyte dysfunction.Extensive clinical application of liver transplants is limited by the lack of available donors and high costs.Over the past decade,researches on bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs)have made remarkable achievements in the medical field.In this review,we summarize the recent progress of BMSCs in the treatment of liver diseases.

Objective To determine the relationship between subclinical hypothyroidism and asymptomatic myocardial ischemia in type 2 diabetes mellitus.Methods All of 399 asymptomatic subjects who underwent coronary CT angiography with type 2 diabetes mellitus but without thyroid disease were enrolled retrospectively.Totally patients were divided into subclinical hypothyroidism group (17 patients,type 2 diabetes mellitus with subclinical hypothyroidism) and euthyroid group(382 patients,type 2 diabetes mellitus with normal thyroid function).Results The incidence of subclinical hypothyroidism in type 2 diabetes mellitus was 4.3％(17/399).The ratio of male and smoking in subclinical hypothyroidism group was significantly lower than that in euthyroid group (3/17 vs.194/382,P =0.007;2/17 vs.136/382,P =0.043).The incidence of asymptomatic myocardial ischemia in subclinical hypothyroidism group was 5 cases and in euthyroid group was 130 cases,and there was no significant difference(P=0.694).The age,course of type 2 diabetes mellitus,level of glycosylated hemoglobin and low density lipoprotein cholesterol between two groups had no significant difference(P＞ 0.05).Conclusion Subclinical hypothyroidism is not an independent risk factor for asymptomatic myocardial ischemia in type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Objective To investigate the effects of soluble components derived from bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) on the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and liver regeneration caused by 70％ portal branch ligation (PBL) in rats.Methods Isolated and cultured BMSCs were lysed by sonication.PBL was performed in male SD rats followed by splenic injection of BMSCs or PBS as control.Animals were analyzed for liver regeneration index,hepatocytes proliferation,hepatic function,histopathological changes,and hepatic genes expression.Expression of VEGF was assessed by Western blot and immunohistochemistry.Results The liver regeneration index increased in the BMSCs group especially 2 and 5 days after PBL compared with the control group (P＜0.05) and reached (51.71±1.62)％ and (76.82±0.81)％ respectively.A 2-fold increase was showed in the PCNA labeling index of hepatocytes in rats treated with BMSCs compared with the control group (P＜0.05).Histopathological findings showed that vacuolar change and sinusoidal congestion were lower in the BMSCs group.Alanine transaminase (ALT) and Aspartate transferase (AST) showed no significant difference between the two groups (P＞0.05).On post operation day 2,hepatic interleukin-6 (IL6),tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα),hepatocyte growth factor (HGF),vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA),and vascular endothelial growth factor 2 (VEGFR2) mRNAs tended to increase in the BMSCs group (P＜0.05) while transforming growth factor β1 (TGFβ1) mRNA decreased (P＜0.05).Western blot showed that the expression level of VEGF in the two groups were equal 2 and 5 days after surgery (P＞0.05).On day 2 post operation,positive VEGF immunoreactivity was present in both pericentral and periportal hepatocytes in the BMSCs group,while only in periportal hepatocytes in the control group.Conclusion These results demonstrate that BMSCs accelerated liver regeneration caused by PBL,which may result from hepatoprotection,enhanced hepatocyte proliferation,and VEGF-mediated angiogenesis early after the operation,potentially creating a new avenue for the study of hepatic regeneration.

Objective To identify shortcomings in the current evaluation index system of medical quality. Methods The documentary analysis focused on the existing index system comprises the Hospital Management and Quality Evaluation Standards (2007) by China Hospital Association, Hospital Management Evaluation Guidelines (2005) by the Ministry of Health, and Implementation Rules of Hospital Management Evaluation Standards for Beijing (2007). JCI Accreditation Standards for Hospitals (edition 2) (2003), and New Hospital Accreditation Standards for Taiwan (2005, 2006) were referred to in the study. Results The shortcomings found include the weak operability of indexes, and the deficiency of evaluation indexes from the point of hospital visiting process by patients. Conclusion In view of the hospital visiting process of patients, add more indexes for patients' hospital visiting process,and quantize and highlight the operability of indexes, with summary and optimization of experiences in time by steps.