OBJECTIVETo study the effects of pulsed ultrasound (PUS) and pulsed electromagnetic fields (PEMF) on the secretion of extracellular matrix from a culture complex during in vitro chondrogenesis.

METHODSAll the rat bone marrow mesen- chymal stem cell pellets were cultured in achondrogenic medium. Different intensities of PUS (100, 150, and 200 mW · cm⁻²) and PEMF (1, 2, and 5 mT) were applied to the cell pellets for 2 weeks. Group N was cultured without PUS and PEMF stimu- lation as control. The culture medium was collected after 2 weeks of culture. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect the type of collagen and glycosaminoglycan (GAG) in the culture medium.

RESULTSPUS increased the secreting-type collagen and GAG from cell pellets compared with group N (P < 0.05), whereas there was no difference in different intensities (P > 0.05). PEMF had no significant effect on the secretion of the type of collagen (P > 0.05). A PEMF of 1 mT had no significant effect on the secretion of GAG (P > 0.05). A PEMF 2 and 5 mT decreased the secretion of GAG (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONTo prevent the secretary of extracellular matrix may play a role in chondrogenic effect of PEMF.

Animals ; Bone Marrow Cells ; radiation effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Chondrogenesis ; radiation effects ; Electromagnetic Fields ; Extracellular Matrix ; Glycosaminoglycans ; Hematopoietic Stem Cells ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; radiation effects ; Rats ; Ultrasonic Waves

Fast pyrolysis experiments of corn stalk were performed to investigate the optimal pyrolysis conditions of temperature and bed material for maximum bio-oil production under flue gas atmosphere. Under the optimized pyrolysis conditions, furfural residue, xylose residue and kelp seaweed were pyrolyzed to examine their yield distributions of products, and the physical characteristics of bio-oil were studied. The best flow rate of the flue gas at selected temperature is obtained, and the pyrolysis temperature at 500 degrees C and dolomite as bed material could give a maximum bio-oil yield. The highest bio-oil yield of 43.3% (W/W) was achieved from corn stalk under the optimal conditions. Two main fractions were recovered from the stratified bio-oils: light oils and heavy oils. The physical properties of heavy oils from all feedstocks varied little. The calorific values of heavy oils were much higher than that of light oils. The pyrolysis gas could be used as a gaseous fuel due to a relatively high calorific value of 6.5-8.5 MJ/m3.
Biofuels ; Biomass ; Bioreactors ; Furaldehyde ; chemistry ; Hot Temperature ; Kelp ; Temperature ; Xylose ; chemistry ; Zea mays

Objective To investigate the differences of clinical features,pulmonary function tests,chest imaging and prognosis between patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) combined with emphysema and without emphysema.Methods A total of 43 patients with IPF and with pulmonary fibrosis and emphysema (CPFE) were selected as observation group,and 40 patients with IPF and without emphysema were selected as control group.The clinical data of two groups of patients,including pulmonary function,partial pressure of oxygen,cellular components of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF),survival time were retrospectively analyzed and compared between two groups.Results The smoking index was (29 ± 17) pack years in observation group,much higher than that in control group (17 ± 15) pack years,the difference was statistically significant (P ＜ 0.05).The percentage of forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) and forced vital capacity (FVC) was (70 ± 6)％ in observation group,significantly lower than that in control group (84 ± 9)％,the difference was statistically significant (P ＜ 0.05).The percentage of diffusion capacity of carbon monoxide (DLCO) in observation group was (43 ± 11)％,significantly lower than that in control group (55 ± 17)％,the difference was statistically significant (P ＜ 0.05).The percentage of lung volume in observation group was (78 ± 12)％,significantly higher than that in control group (63 ± 11)％,the difference was statistically significant (P ＜0.05).The vital capacity was expected to account for partial pressure had no significant difference in percentage and resting arterial oxygen value between two groups (P ＞ 0.05).The total number of BALF cells,macrophages,neutrophils,lymphoeytes and eosinophils ratio had no significant difference between two groups (P ＞ 0.05).Conclusion Smoking is an important risk factor of IPF with emphysema,emphysema does not affect the prognosis of patients with IPF.

OBJECTIVE:To evaluate the efficacy and safety of the application of airway secretions expurgation cluster manage-ment in oxygen-driven aerosol inhalation. METHODS:280 patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in the Respiratory Second Division of our hospital from Mar. 2012 to Dec. 2013 were randomly divided into group A,B,C and D,with 70 cases in each group.Group A and B were treated with compound isopropyl bromide 2 ml+nomal saline 5 ml,10 min/time,twice a day,and 6 L/min oxygen-driven aerosol inhalation for 7 days;group C and Dreceived Ambroxol hydrochloride injection 15 ml+normal saline 5 ml,10 min/time,twice a day,and 6 L/min oxygen-driven aerosol inhalatiom for 7 days. group A and C were treatment groups, group B and D were control groups. Two treatment groups inhaled compound medications while the application of airway secretions expurgation cluster management. Two control groups inhaled compound medications with single effective cough guidance. RE-SULTS:Compared with control groups,the patients in treatment groups eliminated more phlegm,had lower (PaCO2)and higher (PaO2),also had a shorter hospitalization period,with significant difference(P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS:Airway secretions expur-gation cluster management technology is a simple,safe and effective method,especially in patients with chronic obstructive pulmo-nary disease in oxygen-driven inhalation therapy.

Objective To observe the correlation of histologicalactivity(HAI) of chronic hepatitis B (CHB) with CCL20 expression, and to investigate the impact of CCL20 expression in CHB infection. Methods On the basis of established competitive quantitative RT-PCR with an internal standard, the expression of the CCL20 in the hepatocytes in different infected patterns of HBV infected cells and liver biopsies were quantified and at the same time its correlation to HAI were explored. Results In the cell levels, the expression quantity of CCL20 in control cells (HepG2), persistent HBV infected hepatocytes( HepG2. 2. 15) are (2. 65 ± 0. 02) pg/106 cells, ( 1.22± 0. 04) pg/106 cells, respectively. There were significantly differences between them ( t = 39. 66, P < 0. 01 ). The expression of CCL20 was enhanced in hepatocytes stimulated by PMA but their expression pauern was not changed. Moreover, CCL20 expression in liver biopsies with CHB was (3.54 ± 0. 65 ) pg/20 mg and CCL20 expression in control groups was ( 8. 74±0. 56) pg/20 mg. The expression of CCL20 between two groups was different (t =30. 09,P <0. 01 ) and correlation lied in between HAI and CCL20 expression in liver biopsies of CHB patients ( r = 0. 675, P =0. 023 ). Conclusion CCL20 expression was down-regulated and it was correlated to HAI of liver biopsies in CHB patients.

OBJECTIVEThe study was aimed to provide insights into cell proliferation ability alteration of human periodontal ligament fibroblasts (HPDLF) under two different types of stimulation, cyclic tensile and compressive stress, and screen the differentially expressed genes to have a comprehensive understanding of the molecular mechanism of changes in proliferation.

METHODSPrimary HPDLF were subjected to cyclic tensile and compressive stress (0.5 Hz, 4 000 microstrain) for 2 h through a four-point bending strain system. After that, cell proliferation ability was examined by flow cytometry. Then the gene expression profile was investigated by microarray analysis.

RESULTSMechanical stress slowed a down proliferation of cells. S phase cells and proliferation index (PI) decreased. Differentially expressed genes were mainly located at nucleus and focus in transcription factor activity related genes, and most of them were involved in the regulation of transcription factors. Among them, more were in group of compressive stress.

CONCLUSION1) Under mechanical loading, HPDLF proliferation were slowed and cell cycles were arrested. 2) Cell cycle arrest and the slow-down proliferation, which can be viewed as an adaptation and protection mechanism of cells to have more time to decide how to respond to mechanical stimuli, and the differential gene expression reflect the behavior of cells. The result of the response is gene transcription changes at first, and the most important biological response is the nuclear transcription. 3) HPDLF are more sensitive to cyclic compressive stress.

Cell Proliferation ; Fibroblasts ; Gene Expression Regulation ; Humans ; Periodontal Ligament ; Stress, Mechanical

ObjectiveForskolin （FSK） analogs，isoforskolin （isoF），deacetylforskolin（deaF），and 1-acetylforskolin（1-aF），extracted from Coleus forskohlii native to Yunnan，were assayed for their adenylate cyclase stimulating activities in vitro and for effects of two analogs on ocular hypertension （OHT） in water-loaded rabbits．MethodsAdenylate cyclase stimulation was determined by protein-binding method of radioimmunoassay，and intraocular pressure was monitored by pneumatonometer．ResultsIt showed that isoforskolin and forskolin stimulated adenylate cyclase in vitro with almost equal activity，deacetylforskolin with milder activity，and 1-acetylforskolin with little activity in vitro．1％ deaF and 1-aF suppressed rabbit OHT induced by water-loading for at least 3h，with the maximal inhibitory rates of 6.0，10.9% respectively．ConclusionThis study suggests that two foskolin analogs （isoforskolin，deacetylforskolin） possess adenylate cyclase stimulation activities in vitro；deacetylforskolin and 1-acetylforskolin suppress OHT induced by water-loading in rabbits．

OBJECTIVEThe purpose of this study was to study the changes of available spaces of posterior arch segments in mandible dentitions (ASPAS) from ages of 11 to 20 years, which would provide information on normal growth and development of the dental arches in teenagers in Chengdu area.

METHODSThe data were derived from systematically collected preorthodontic lateral cephalograms of 526 patients, including 232 males and 294 females from the Orthodontic Department of West China College of Stomatology, Sichuan University during the period of 1999-2000 (aged 11-20 years). The values of ANB angle, FH-MP, ASPAS were obtained using the cephalometric analysis. Afterwards, the growth changes of ASPAS from the subjects and their correlations with age, gender, angle malocclusion types and vertical skeletal patterns were analyzed.

RESULTSASPAS was related to age and class II angle malocclusion. Though gender was not associated with ASPAS, significant differences in curves of ASPAS were found between males and females. The growth changes of ASPAS in the patients with skeletal Class III malocclusion were more obvious than in patients with Class I and II malocclusion.

CONCLUSIONOur results reveal that significant differences were demonstrated in growth change values in posterior available spaces of patients with different races and angle malocclusion types.

Adolescent ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Dental Arch ; anatomy & histology ; pathology ; Dentition ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Malocclusion ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Mandible ; anatomy & histology ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Orthodontics, Corrective ; Pilot Projects ; Radiography ; Reference Values

Objective: To investigate the mediating role of psychological resilience in the relationship between family intimacy and adaptability and experiential avoidance among undergraduate nursing students (hereafter referred as nursing undergraduates). Methods: A total of 725 nursing undergraduates from six colleges in Guangdong Province were selected as the research subjects using convenience sampling method. The Acceptance Action Questionnaire-2nd Edition, Conner-Davidson Resilience Scale and Family Intimacy and Adaptability Scale were used to evaluate the experiential avoidance, psychological resilience, and family intimacy and adaptability, respectively. Results: The mean scores of experiential avoidance, psychological resilience and family intimacy and adaptability among nursing undergraduates were (23.4±7.7), (58.8±8.9) and (99.7±20.3), respectively. The results of the mediation analysis indicated that the total effect of family intimacy and adaptability on experiential avoidance was -0.16 (P<0.01), with a direct effect of -0.05 (P>0.05). Psychological resilience played a significant mediating role in the relationship between family intimacy and adaptability and experiential avoidance among nursing undergraduates (P<0.01). The standardized mediation effect was -0.11, accounting for 68.8% of the total effect. Conclusion: Resilience plays a mediating role between family intimacy and adaptability and experiential avoidance among nursing undergraduates.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the relationship between c-fos gene and filamentous actin (F-actin) in MG-63 osteoblasts under cyclic tensile stress.

METHODSMG-63 osteoblasts were subjected to cyclic tensile stress (0.5 Hz, 2 000 microstrain) for 3, 6, and 12 h. The changes of c-fos gene were investigated by fluorescent quantitation polymerase chain reaction. Then the best loading time group was screened as the experimental group compared with 0 h group. The changes of F-actin and c-fos were investigated with or without cytochalasin D treatment.

RESULTSCyclic tensile stress induced high expression of c-fos mRNA, and peaked at 3 h. After loading, F-actin had a structure reorganization, but had no change in expression. After cytochalasin D treatment, the formation of stress fibers and the fluorescence intensity of F-actin cytoskeleton significantly reduced, meanwhile the c-fos mRNA expression was inhibited.

CONCLUSIONAfter loading, there is only structure reorganization for F-actin, and the expression has not any change. That means the remodeling F-actin is the existing one. F-actin reorganization is an important part in c-fos gene expression induced by stress.

Actin Cytoskeleton ; Actins ; Cytochalasin D ; Cytoskeleton ; Genes, fos ; Humans ; Microtubules ; Osteoblasts ; RNA, Messenger ; Stress, Mechanical