Objective To prepare and characterize nanoparticles in-loaded one-way release-controlled chitosan membrane,and to explore the release-controlled rule of the film in vitro.Methods The chitosan nanoparticles were prepared by inverse crosslinking-emulsion method.The one-way release-controlled membrane was prepared by a casting method.Transmission electron microscope (TEM) was used to evaluate the morphological properties and particle size analyzer was used to analyze particle size distribution.The morphology of the membrane was inspected through scanning electron microscope (SEM).MTT assay was applied to determine the biological safety of chitosan nanoparticles.The distribution of the nanoparticles was observed by fluorescence microscope.The in vitro release studies were adopted to evaluate the release-controlled rule.Results The four kinds of nanoparticles had spherical shapes and uniform particle size.The size of the hyaluronic acid-coated chitosan nanoparticle was (255.40±39.10) nm.Hyaluronic acid-coated chitosan nanoparticles showed the best property of sustained release and biocompatibility.The membrane had a loose inner layer and a dense outer layer,and the distribution of the nanoparticles was uniform in the inner layer of the membrane.The release of protein from membrane was unidirectional and the membrane displayed good controlled release property.Conclusions The nanoparticles in-loaded one-way release-controlled chitosan membrane presents good one-way sustained release performance.It is potentially useful in delivery system of growth factors.

Objective To prepare three kinds of biodegradable film materials used for protein drug carrier,and compare their degradation and drug release behavior.Methods Three different biodegradable and controlled release films,gelatin,chitosan oligosaccharides and crosslinked chitosan oligosaccharides films were prepared.Protein release behavior was determined by the Bradford.At the same time,degradation rate and swelling rate were tested,and the biocompatibility of film was investigated by MTT assay.Results The release time of crosslinked chitosan oligosaccharides film was 168 h,which was longer than that of chitosan oligosaccharides film,and different in different solution.The degradation rate and the swelling rate of crosslinked chitosan oligosaccharides was 60％ (360 h) and 110.45％,respectively,while the chitosan oligosaccharides membrane was 80％ (360 h) and 113.03％.The MTI assay revealed that the crosslinked chitosan oligosaccharides film had better biocompatibility.Conclusions By comparing different properties,the crosslinked chitosan oligosaccharides film is the best choice for protein drug carrier.

Obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) is a common clinical disease that seriously threatens human health and life. Accurate location of the upper airway obstruction is the key to the diagnosis and treatment of OSAHS. Acoustic pharyngometry uses sound reflection to quickly assess the cross-sectional area and volume of the upper airway. Acoustic pharyngometry represents a simple, quick, non-invasive method for measuring upper airway dimensions which could predict sleep apnea risk. In this article we sought to introduce the application of acoustic pharyngometry in the diagnosis and treatment of OSAHS.
Acoustics ; Humans ; Larynx ; Pharynx ; diagnostic imaging ; Sleep Apnea, Obstructive ; diagnosis ; therapy ; Syndrome

BACKGROUND:Reports have demonstrated that cytotoxicity produced by ferric oxide (Fe2O3) nanoparticles is associated with cellular lipid peroxidation. Whether Fe2O3 nanoparticles have toxicity to macrophages, and what is the association of toxic mechanism and oxidization?OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of different concentrations of Fe2O3 nanoparticles on the oxidative damage of macrophages.DESIGN: A controlled observation experiment.SETTING: School of Public Health, Southeast University.MATERIALS: RAW264.7 cells were peritoneal macrophages of mouse and purchased from Shanghai Institute of cells, Chinese Academy of Sciences. Fe2O3 nanoparticles (30 nm) suspension was provided by Department of Biomedical Engineering, Southeast University). Fe2O3 nanoparticle suspension was placed in 60 ℃ water for 10 hours,then in 37 ℃ water overnight. This procedure was repeated 3 times for germicidal treatment. Then, the suspension was packed into small bottles and stored at 4 ℃ for later use. DMEM high glucose culture fluid (Gibco Company,USA); trypsinase (Difco Company, USA, imported); new-bom calf serum(Sijiqing Company, Hangzhou); hydrogen dioxide (H2O2, Gibco Company); Kits for measuring hydrogen dioxide(H2O2), hydroxy radical (·OH), superoxide anion radical (O2·-), lactic acid dehydrogenase, ultramicro ATP enzyme and Coomassie brilliant blue protein levels (Jiancheng Biotechnique Co., Ltd.,Nanjing).METHODS: This experiment was carried out in the laboratory of Department of Labor and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Dongnan University between March 2006 and July 2006. RAW264.7 cells (Abelson murine leukemia virus-induced tumor) were cultured in DMEM (Gibco Company) containing 100 g/L fetal bovineserum, 100 000 U/L penicillin and 100 mg/L streptomycin in the environment of 5% CO2. Cell growth was observed under an inverted radical in the cells: 1.5×108 L-1 macrophages were inoculated to 24-well plate, 1 mLa well. After the macrophages were cultured for 24 hours in incubation at 37 ℃ in a humidified atmosphere containing 5% CO2. 1.070 0, 0.5350 and 0.2675 g/L Fe2O3 nanoparticles (30 nm) suspension-intervened macrophages were set as Fe2O3 nanoparticle group, and normal saline group was set as control group. Following the intervention of nanoparticles, macrophages were disrupted with Determination of the activities of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), Na+-K+-ATPase and Ca2+-Mg2+-ATPase: Macrophages in the Fe2O3 nanoparticle group and control group were treated as above. The activities of LDH in culture medium were determined according to the instruction of reagent kit (Nanjing Jiancheng Bioengineering Co., Ltd). And the activities of Na+-K+-ATPase and Ca+-Mg2+-ATPase were also determined according to the instruction of reagent kit (Nanjing Jiancheng Bioengineering Co., Ltd) at low temperature. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: ①Effects of different concentrations of Fe2O3 nanoparticles on the production of H2O2, ·OH and O2·- in RAW264.7 cells.②Effects of different concentrations of Fe2O3 nanoparticles on the activities of LDH ,Na+-K+-ATPase and Ca2+-Mg2+-ATPase in RAW264.7 cell culture fluid.RESULTS: ① Level of ·OH free radical in Fe2O3 nanoparticle 0.267 5, 0.535 0, 1.070 0 g/L groups was higher than that in control group, respectively [(0.605±0.066), (0.410±0.080), (0.764±0.051), (0.285±0.057)mkat/g, P ＜ 0.05]; Level of respectively [(9.935±1.159), (8.912±0.131), (13.479±0.752), (5.635±0.475)μkat/g,P ＜ 0.05]; Level of H2O2 in Fe2O3 nanoparticle 1.070 0 g/L group was higher than that in the control group [(14.695±2.815), (2.397±0.399) mmol/L, P ＜increased (P ＜ 0.05). Fe2O3 nanoparticles had effects on the activities of Na+,K+-ATPase and Ca2+,Mg2+-ATPase. With the increase of dose of Fe2O3 nanoparticles, the activities of Na+-K+-ATPase and Ca2+-Mg2+-ATPase were gradually decreased. There were significant differences as compared with control group (P ＜ 0.05)CONCLUSION:Increasing dose of Fe2O3 nanoparticles wouldcause more H2O2,·OH and O2·- free radicals in the cells, increase cell membrane permeability and inhibit the activities of LDH, Na+-K+-ATPase and Ca2+-Mg2+-ATPase.

Objective To observe the combined poisonous effects of fluoride and aluminum on sex hormone of male rats.Methods Sixteen weaned SD healthy male rats aged two week were selected and divided into control group,aluminum group,fluoride group,fluorine-aluminum group,four rats in each group.All rats in the experimental groups were fed with corn collected from the prevailng areas containing different fluorine contents respectively for 90 days.Serum testosterone(T)and estradiol(E2)were detected.Results Compared separatelv with the control group[(3.317±0.635)μg/L],serum T level of fluorine-aluminum group[(15.994±6.558)μg/L]was higher(P＜0.05),but aluminum[(8.134±3.134)μg/L]and fluorine[(1.868±0.367)μg/L]groups had no significant differences(P＞0.05).Compared separately with the control group[(0.319±0.072)nmol/L],E2 level of the fluorine group[(0.172±0.030)nmol/L]being lower(P＜0.05),and it was not significant differences(P＞0.05)in the control group when compared with aluminum group[(0.282±0.012)nmol/L],and fluorine-aluminum group[(0.265±0.047)nmol/L].Fluorine and aluminum interacted with each other(F=9.82,P＜0.05).Conclusion The combined poisonous effects of fluorine and aluminum may influence sex hormone levels of male rats.

OBJECTIVETo establish the steriod-induced osteoporosis model with the type of Kidney-Yin deficiency.

METHODSTotally 45 female Kunming mice were randomly divided into normal group,model group and Liuwei Dihuang pills(Chinese character: see text)group. The model was established by intramuscular injecting of Dexamethasone. Liuwei Dihuang pills (Chinese character: see text) group was administered orally with Liuwei Dihuang pills (Chinese character: see text). The signs and symptoms of mice were observed dynamically. All the animals were sacrificed at the end of the 6th weeks. The level of ACTH, cAMP, cGMP, TSH and E2 in serum were detected to evaluate deficiency of Kidney-Yin. Morphological changes and bone density were observed to evaluate osteoporosis.

RESULTS(1) Compared with control group, mice in model group appeared obvious Kidney-Yin deficiency symptoms, including hair dry, restlessness, excitability, hard stool, and yellow. (2) Compared with control group,the weight of mice in model group gained slower (P<0.01); the index of adrenal gland,liver and spleen decreased (P<0.01, P<0.01 ,P<0.01); the level of ACTH and TSH increased (P<0.01 ,P<0.01), the level of E2 decreased (P<0.01) and the ratio of cAMP/cGMP increased (P< 0.05). (3)Compared with control group,the bone density of lumbar vertebra and femur in model group were significantly decreased (P<0.01, P<0.05); HE staining revealed osteoporosis in model group mice. (4)However, the Liuwei Dihuang pills (Chinese character: see text) group can partly antagonize the inhibition of the HPA axis, alter the disordered sex hormone and the ratio of cAMP/cGMP, and reverse the osteoporosis partly.

CONCLUSIONthe model of osteoporosis with type of Kidney-Yin deficiency could be established by Dexamethasone intramuscular injection. With less interference, it wight be a stable and reliable modeling method for integration of disease and syndrome in TCM.

Animals ; Bone Density ; Dexamethasone ; toxicity ; Disease Models, Animal ; Female ; Kidney Diseases ; etiology ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Mice ; Osteoporosis ; chemically induced ; Yin Deficiency ; complications

Objective:To explore the role of group 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2) in atopic dermatitis (AD) .Methods:C57BL/6J and Rag1 -/- mice served as research objects. The C57BL/6J mice were divided into 2 groups: model group topically treated with calcipotriol (MC903) on both ears every day for 14 consecutive days, control group topically treated with anhydrous ethanol alone at the same time. On day 15, peripheral blood samples were collected from the mice. After the sacrifice, the ear skin tissues were obtained for histopathological examination, and the spleens were resected. Real-time fluorescence-based quantitative PCR was performed to determine the expression of inflammatory factors in the skin and spleen tissues, and flow cytometry to determine the proportion of ILC2 in the skin tissues. The Rag1 -/- mice were divided into model group, control group and experimental group: the Rag1 -/- mice in the model group and control group received the same treatment and evaluation as the C57BL/6J mice; two days before the topical treatment with MC903, the Rag1 -/- mice in the experimental group started to be intraperitoneally injected with the monoclonal antibody CD90.2 at a dose of 300 μg/150 μl once every other 2 days for 7 sessions, with the purpose of antagonizing the function of ILC2, and other treatments were the same as those in the model group. Skin manifestations were observed, and histopathological features were evaluated. Two-independent-sample t test was used for comparisons between 2 groups, and one-way analysis of variance for comparisons among multiple groups. Results:In the model group, the ear skin of the C57BL/6J mice was apparently red, swollen and dry with crusts, and hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining showed increased thickness of the epidermis and dermal infiltration of eosinophils; the serum level of IgE (6 751.016 ± 282.324 μg/L) was significantly higher in the model group than in the control group (6 387.038 ± 267.853 μg/L, P= 0.007) , so were the expression of interleukin (IL) -4, IL-13 and interferon (IFN) -γ in the skin tissues ( P= 0.005, 0.012, < 0.001, respectively) , but there was no significant difference in IL-5 expression ( P= 0.190) ; the expression of IL-4, IL-13 and IFN-γ in the spleen was significantly higher in the model group than in the control group (all P < 0.001) , but there was no significant difference in IFN-γ expression ( P= 0.278) ; moreover, the model group showed significantly increased proportion of ILC2 (5.604% ± 2.105%) compared with the control group (1.750% ± 1.104%, P= 0.003) . In the Rag1 -/- mice, the ear skin was obviously red, swelling and dry with crusts in the model group, and HE staining showed increased epidermal thickness and eosinophil infiltration in the dermis; the model group showed significantly increased expression of IL-4, IL-5, thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) and IL-33 in skin tissues ( P= 0.010, 0.043, 0.034, 0.007, respectively) , but no significant difference in the expression of IL-13 or IFN-γ ( P= 0.274, 0.697, respectively) compared with the control group; the proportion of ILC2 was significantly higher in the model group (5.165% ± 2.436%) than in the control group (0.835% ± 0.578%, P= 0.014) ; the experimental group showed markedly attenuated skin lesions, reduced epidermal thickness and number of eosinophils infiltrating in the dermis, but no significant difference in the expression of IL-4, IL-5, IL-13, TSLP or IL-33 compared with the model group (all P > 0.05) . Conclusion:ILC2 play a role in the mice with AD-like inflammatory response induced by MC903, which dose not depend on adaptive immunity.

Harmful substances are produced during the metabolism of alcohol in the human body, which causes liver disease.The mechanism of oxidative stress is the main pathogenesis of alcoholic liver disease, which plays a major role in the occurrence and development of alcoholic liver disease.Alcohol-induced oxidative stress mediated by reactive oxygen species(ROS)/reactive nitrogen species(RNS) brings about liver disease via apoptotic signaling pathway and MAPK signaling pathway, and alleviates liver disease through Nrf2 signaling pathway.In this paper, the studies on the mechanism of oxidative stress in alcoholic liver disease are reviewed.

Background The underlying mechanism of choroidal neovascularization(CNV) is multifactorial and complex.Focal adhesion kinase(FAK) plays a crucial role in controlling essential cellular processes and influencing distinct steps of the angiogenic response.But to our knowledge,seldom study on the effect of FAK on CNV formation has been reported previously.Objective In this study,the effect of several CNV risk factors on the expression of FAK in cultured retinal pigment epithelium(RPE) cells was investigated to illuminate effect of FAK on CNV.Methods Human RPE cells were isolated from donor eyes and exposed to H2O2,swallow of outer segment of photoreceptors(POS) and extracellular matrix(ECM) separately with the treating as follows:RPE cells were co-cultured with 10,20,50 and 100μmol/L H2O2 for 20 days;POS(1×106/ml) were co-cultivated with RPE cells for 20 days(setting control group,POS group,hypoxia group with 200μmol/L CoCl2,and POS+hyoxia group);RPE cells were cultured on the plates coated with 100mg/L fibronectin(FN),laminin(LN) or collagen typeⅠfor 30minutes or 1 hour.The expression of FAK and pFAK in RPE cells were examined by Western blot analysis.Results FAK was highly expressed in the 20μmol/L and 50μmol/L H2O2 groups compared with control group(P＜0.01);while he expression level of pFAK was reduced after treated with H2O2 in comparison with the control group(P＜0.01).After cultured with POS for 20 days,the undigested lysosome could be observed in RPE cells.The expressions of FAK and pFAK in RPE cells were not significantly changed between control group and POS groups(P＞0.05),but those in hypoxia group were significantly up-regulated in comparison with control group(P＜0.01).Compared with the hypoxia group,the expression amount of pFAK was elevated in POS+hyoxia group(P＜0.01).In comparison with control group,the increased pFAK expression was seen in FN,LN and collagen typeⅠtreating for 1-hour groups(P＜0.05,P＜0.01).Conclusion FAK pathway participates in several CNV-initiated signaling,such as H2O2,POS and ECM,in cultured RPE cells.It is reasonable to believe that FAK potentially plays an important role in CNV-dependent disorder.

?Age-related macular degeneration ( AMD) is one of the main leading causes of irreversible damage eyesight over the 50 years old people. Genetic factors play an important role in the occurrence and development of AMD. ln recent years, the studies found that complement factor H ( CFH) gene has obvious correlation with the incidence of AMD. ln this article, we reviewed the researches on the CFH in AMD.