Adipocytes ; chemistry ; Blood Vessels ; Cytokines

Objective To investigate the effects of artesunate (Art) on cell proliferation and apoptosis of human Tenon's capsule fibroblasts (HTFs),and discuss the countermeasures of bleb scarfing in glaucoma.Methods In vitro,HTFs were cultivated and applicated by different concentrations (50 μg · mL-1,100 μg · mL-1,150 μg ·mL-1,200 μg · mL-1) of Art for 48 hours.The effect of Art on cell proliferation was assessed by MTT method.The rate of apoptosis induced by Art was determined by flow cytometry.Western Blot was performed to detect the relative expression levels of Bax and Bcl-2 after Art was treated.Results After treated with Art for 48 hours,compared with blank control group,Art (50 μg · mL-1,100 μg · mL-1,150 μg · mL-1,200 μg · mL-1) group exhibited notable anti-proliferative effect on HTFs with concentration-dependence (all P ＜ 0.05).The results of flow cytometry showed that the apoptosis rates (8.80％ ±0.88％,11.60％ ±0.56％,16.30％ ±1.03％,23.40％ ±1.62％) of HTFs were significantly enhanced with the increase of Art concentration (all P ＜ 0.05).The relative expression levels of Bax were obviously high with the increase of Art concentration,while Bcl-2 levels were significantly low with the increase of Art concentration (all P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion Art can inhibit the proliferation and induce cell apoptosis of HTFs possibly by enhancing the expression of Bax and reducing the expression of Bcl2.Art may be a potential drug in preventing fibrous scar formation after glaucoma filtration surgery.

Objective To observe the pathological regression of rabbit liver after the low-dose irradiation with high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU), and to explore the role and mechanism of the irradiation in changing acoustic environment of rabbit liver. Methods Pathological study was performed in 10 New Zealand white rabbits, the livers were observed under light and electron microscope. The observation was done immediately after low-dose HIFU irradiation and in 2, 3, 5, 7 days after the low-dose irradiation with HIFU. Results Light microscope changes: Edema existed in hepatocytes after irradiation instantly, congestion and aggravated edema were found at 2-3 days, then the injured cells recovered gradually. Electron microscope changes: Detached endothelial cells of hepatic sinusoid and swelling organelles were observed after irradiation, while 2 or 3 days later, erythrocyte aggregation was found in hepatic sinusoid and cavitation was found in cytoplasm. Thereafter, organelles swelling reduced till resumed to normal. Conclusion Low-dose HIFU irradiation can make corresponding changes to the acoustic environment of rabbit liver.

Objective To assess the influence of pre-exposure to non-ablating ultrasound on the effect of high intensity focused ultrasound(HIFU)ablation.Methods Forty rabbits with transplanted VX2 tumors on their livers were divided into three pre-exposure groups(60 W,80 W and 100 W)and a control group(O W),with 10 rabbits in each group.Each group was pre-exposed to lower intensity focused ultrasound at the corresponding power.From each group,5 rabbits were randomly selected to be exposed to HIFU on the next day.Each group received 14scans.The rabbits were sacrificed 24 h later to take tissue samples for tfipheny tetrazolium chloride(TTC)staining to measure the amount of coagulative necrosis.Hematoxylin and eosin(HE)staining and succinate dehydrogenase (SDH)were also measured to observe the structure and activation of pre-exposed tumors.Results After HIFU exposure,the ablated volumes increased with pre-exposure acoustic intensity,and all volumes were larger than those in the control group.The ablating efficiency in the 100 W group was the highest.The pre-exposure did not itself ablate tumor tissue,but in the 80 W and 100 W groups the structure and activation of the tissues changed.Those in the 60 W group were not obviously altered.Conclusion Prior exposure to non-ablating ultrasound can highly enhance the efficacy of HIFU ablation.

The strain Streptomyces sp.,nominated IMB-14,was isolated from the soil sample of WuDang Mountain by the method of cellulose ester membrane filter.The studies on antibiotic activities,morphological characteristics,cultural characteristics,physiological characteristics,16S rDNA sequence analysis and the metabolite of strain IMB-14 showed that the strain IMB-14 was accordance with Streptomyces xanthoci-dicus.The study on the isolation and identification of strain Streptomyces xanthocidicus establishes a foundation on screening of novel antibacterial and antitumor agents.

Objective To investigate the effects of rubella virus R16 infection on heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) and heat shock transcription factor 4 (HSF4) in the human embryonic lens epithelial cells in vitro. Methods The human embryonic lens epithelial cells were infected by rubella virus R16 for 3, 7 and 14 days respectively in vitro. Then the mRNA levels of HSP70 and HSF4 were measured by Real-time PCR assays, the HSP70 protein level was detected by Western blot assay, and the DNA sequence of HSF4 was also identified by DNA Sequencing. Results Both mRNA and protein levels of HSP70 were increased dramatically at 3 and 7 days after rubella virus R16 infection in vitro. But mRNA levels of HSF4 were decreased significantly. The DNA sequence of HSF4 had no change in the human embryonic lens epithelial cells at 14 d after rubella virus R16 infection. Conclusions Rubella virus R16 could directly induce the increased expression of HSP70 in the human embryonic lens epithelial cells infected by rubella virus R16 in vitro, which may prevent human embryonic lens epithelial cells from infecting with virus. The heat shock transcription factor may serve as a negative regulator at transcription level. However, the DNA sequence of HSF4 had no change in the human embryonic lens epithelial cells within 14 days after rubella virus R16 infection.

Objective: To measure the distances among anatomic points of bony orbit of Chinese Han-nationality adults. Methods: Bony orbits were measured with the special measuring tools in 86 Chinese adults (62 males and 24 famales), and the results were statistically analysed. Results: Difference between the left and right obits was observed in orbital width, medial distance of superior orbital foramen a and inferior foramen a and c in males. Difference between bilateral orbits was also observed in orbital width and anterior distance of superior orbital fissure in females. Normal values of the distances of anatomic points of adult orbits were then calculated. Conclusion: Normal values of the distances of anatomic points of orbit of male and female adults are concluded.

Objective To analyze the pathological significance of CK5 expression in primary cutaneous amyloidosis(PCA).Methods The expression of CK5 in superficial dermis of PCA group and the control group[lichen planus(LP),lupus erythematosus(LE)]were detected by CK5 monoclonal antibody.The infiltration densities of CD3-positive T lymphocytes and CD68-positive macrophages in superficial dermis of PCA and control group were measured respectively by immunohistochemical staining using anti-CD3 antibodies and anti-CD68 antibodies.The skin lesions of PCA and control groups were analyzed by immunofluorescence to detect whether CK5 was phagocytosed by macrophages in superficial dermis.Results Totally,39 cases of PCA all were CK5-positive.Some control cases were positive.The number of CD3-positive T lymphocytes and CD68-positive macrophages in 8 cases of PCA group was lower than that of control group.The result of immunofluorescence colocalization of monoclonal anti-CK5 antibodies and anti-CD68 antibodies in 5 cases of PCA lesions was negative;that in 2 cases of LE lesions were both positive,and that in 2 cases of LP lesions were both negative.Conclusion Amyloid protein may be derived from the basal keratinocytes after interface damage.The amyloid protein deposits may be related to the number decrease or the functional defect of macrophages.

Objective:To explore C-terminal tensin-like(CTEN) gene in breast cancer tissue and its significance. Methods:Explore the prevalence and clinical significance of CTEN expression in invasive breast cancer cases ( n = 1409 ) using immunohistochemistry and tissue microarray. Results: The staining pattern for CTEN in breast tumour cells was homogenous cytoplasmic staining. Moderate to strong cytoplasmic immunoreactivity for CTEN was observed in 90% of the studied cases(1268 cases) . CTEN expression was significantly associated with poor prognostic variables including larger tumour size(χ2=4. 254,P=0. 044), higher histological grade(χ2=7. 555,P=0. 019),axillary nodal involvement(χ2=5. 842,P=0. 035),poor Nottingham Prognostic Index (χ2=7. 578,P=0. 016),Local recurrence(χ2=5. 211,P=0. 039),Regional recurrence(χ2=4. 778,P=0. 042),Distant metastases (χ2=4. 780,P=0. 041) and Histological type(χ2=7. 634,P=0. 012). Significant associations were observed between increased CTEN expression and up-regulation of phosphorylated-Akt(P-Akt)(χ2=27. 23,P<0. 001),Phosphoinositide 3 kinase(PIK3)(χ2=37. 22,P<0. 001) and N-cadherin proteins(χ2=26. 91,P<0. 001). Kaplan-Meier survival analysis demonstrated that patients with high CTEN ex-pression had significantly shorter Breast Cancer Specific Survival(P=0. 004) and Metastasis-Free Survival(P=0. 041) than those with low-CTEN expression. Multivariate analysis showed that CTEN was not an independent prognostic marker in breast cancer. Conclusion:CTEN expression increase is a cancer gene,its association with poor prognostic parameters,and the expression of CTEN associated with poor prognosis of breast cancer parameters.

Objective To investigate whether the interleukin-10 (IL-10) gene therapy has the effect of anti liver fibrosis in mice and its mechanism.Methods Liver fibrosis was induced by long-term thioacetamide administration in mice.Human IL-10 expression plasmid was delivered via electroporation after liver fibrosis was established.The immunohistochemistry was used to study the expression of IL-10 in liver.Sircol collagen determination method was used to detect the contents of collagen in the liver.The reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to detect the expressions of liver fibrosis-related genes,including transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1),collagen α1,tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α),intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1),fibronectin,vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM-1),and matrix metalloproteinase-inhibiting factor (TIMP-1,TIMP-2).Results Immunohistochemical results showed IL-10 gene therapy reversed hepatic fibrosis.Sircol collagen assay showed that IL-10 gene therapy reduced the content of collagen fibers(P ＜ 0.05).RT-PCR revealed IL-10 gene therapy reduced liver TGF-β1,TNF-α,collagen α1,cell adhesion molecule,and TIMPs mRNA upregulation.Conclusions Electroporative IL-10 gene therapy might be an effective therapeutic reagent for liver fibrosis with potential future clinical applications.