Objective To investigate the effect of estrogen on dendritic cells (DCs) and its role in disease progression by comparing the effects of 17β-estradiol (E2) on spleen DCs in systemic lupus erythe matosus (SLE) murine modeI-(NZBxNZW) F1 (NZB/w F1 ) female mice before and after the disease onset.Methods Anti-CD11c antibody labeled magnetic bead was used to purify spleen DCs.Flow cytometry was utilized to detect the co-stimulatory molecules and intracellular cytokines of DCs.Mixed lymphocytes reaction (MLR) was used to measure the stimulatory activity of DCs to T iymphocytes.And semi-quantitative RT-PCR was employed to check the expression of estrogen receptor (ER).Results E2 could modulate the expression of surface molecule CD40,the production of cytokines IL-6,IL-10,IL-12 and TNFa,and the stimulatory a bility of spleen DCs in SLE model mice.Tamoxifen (TAM) could antagonize E2 effects and E2 could affect the estrogen receptor (ERα) level of DCs.These changes of DCs varied with age.Conclusion E2 may be in volved in the pathogenesis of SLE by modulating DCs by binding ERa.The effects of E2 vary in different stages of SLE progression.

Objective To investigate the mechanisms of estrogen in the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus(SLE),we compared the effects of 17β-estradiol(E2)on bone marrow(BM)-derived dendritic cells (BMDCs)in(NZBxNZW)F1(NZB/w F1)female mice befbre and after the disease onset.Methods Immature,BMDCs were differentiated from BM monocytes cultured with rmGM-CSF,rmlL-4,E2 and estrogen receptor (ER)modulator-tamoxifen(TAM)for 7 days.Then immature DCs were stimulated by LPS for 24h to get mature BMDCs.Flow cytometry was utilized to detect the production of costimulatory molecule CD40 and intracellular IL-6,IL-10,IL-12 and TNFα of DCs.Mixed lymphocytes reaction was used to measure the stim-ulatory activity of DCs on spleen T lymphocytes.Results E2 mainly increased the expression of CD40 on im-mature BMDCs but reduced its expression on mature BMDCs.E2 enhanced the stimulatory activity of immature BMDCs,but weakened the activity of mature BMDCs.E2 decreased the production of cytokines of BMDCs in young mice,but increased them in old mice.Conclusion E2 modulates the functions of BMDCs of lupus model mice by binding with ER.The modulation varies depending on disease progression and cell maturation status.

Objective To evaluate the sera level of soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1) and soluble E-selectin (sE-selectin) in patients with rheumatic diseases and to explore the correlation between the sera level of soluble adhesion molecules (sAM) and clinical findings. Methods The concentrations of sICAM-1 and sE-selectin in the sera of patients with rheumatic diseases (SLE, RA, PM/DM) and patients without rheumatic diseases, as well as the healthy controls were measured by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). After that, the correlation of the concentrations of sAM and clinical data as well as other laboratory parameters (RF, CK, anti-dsDNA) were analyzed. Results The concentrations of sICAM-1 and sE-selectin in all three group patients were significantly higher than those of non-autoimmune rheumatic diseases and healthy controls (P

OBJECTIVETo study the promoting effects of the epidermal growth factor (EGF) and stem cell factor (SCF) on the proliferation and differentiation of spermatogenic cells in mice.

METHODSWe cocultured in vitro spermatogenic cells of male mice aged 7 - 8 days in the medium with EGF and/or SCF at the concentrations of 5, 10, 20, 40 and 100 ng/ml, respectively. Then we observed the survival rate and morphological changes of the spermatogenic cells, detected the expressions of the pachytene-specific phosphoprotein gene (P19) and haploid sperm cell-specific transition protein gene (TP1), and analyzed the ploidy of the cells.

RESULTSAfter cocultured with EGF or SCF for 2 - 4 days, the spermatogenic cells began to proliferate in masses or chains in all concentration groups, most obviously in the 20 ng/ml EGF and 40 ng/ml SCF groups. At 7 days, both the number and survival rate of spermatogenic cells were significantly higher in the 20 ng/ml EGF and 40 ng/ml SCF groups than in the others (P < 0.05), and meanwhile, the P19/TP1 ratio was obviously decreased and the rate of haploid sperm markedly increased in the 40 ng/ml SCF group (P < 0.05). Combination of EGF and SCF remarkably promoted the proliferation of the spermatogenic cells (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONBoth EGF and SCF could increase the number and survival rate of spermatogenic cells. SCF could promote the formation of haploid sperm, and the combination of the two cytokines could enhance the effect on the proliferation of spermatogenic cells.

Animals ; Cell Differentiation ; drug effects ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Chromosomal Proteins, Non-Histone ; metabolism ; Epidermal Growth Factor ; pharmacology ; Male ; Mice ; Spermatocytes ; cytology ; drug effects ; Stem Cell Factor ; pharmacology

Background Pterygium is a relatively common eye disease,but its aetiology and pathogenesis remain uncertain.At present,the study on pterygia focuses on understanding its underlying mechanism.Objective This study was to detect the expression of 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguaine (8-OHdG),a marker of oxidative damage of DNA,and bcl-2,a gene related with apoptosis,on the pterygium tissue.Methods Thirty pterygium tissue specimens were obtained during the surgery with the primary pterygium 24 cases and recurrent pterygium 6 cases.In addition,20 normal conjunctival specimens from retinal detachment surgery and strabismus surgery were collected.The expressions of 8-OHdG and bcl-2 in pterygium tissue were detected using immunochemistry and compared with the normal conjunctival tissue.The difference in the expressions of 8-OHdG and bcl-2 among different specimens was compared by x2test,and the relationship between 8-OHdG expression and bcl-2 expression was evaluated by Kappa test.Results The positive expressing rate of 8-OHdG in the pterygium tissue was 62.5％ and 83.3％ in the primary and recrudescence pterygium tissue,respectively,but the expression of 8-OHdG was absent in the normal conjunctiva tissue.No significant difference was found in the positive expressing rate of 8-OHdG between primary and recrudescence pterygium tissue(x2 =0.938,P＞0.05).The bcl-2 expressing rate was 90.0％ and 87.5％ in the primary and recrudescence pterygium tissue,respectively.However,that in the normal conjunctival tissue was absent.No significant difference was seen in the bcl-2 expression rate between primary and recrudescence pterygium tissue (x2=0.833,P ＞ 0.05).Of the 27 pterygium tissue with bcl-2 positive expression,8-OHdG showed the positive expression in 20 specimens,and 3 specimens with the bcl-2 negative response were absent reactive to 8-OHdG,showing insignificant difference between them (P＞0.05).The relationship between 8-OHdG expression and bcl-2 expression was concord in a certein extent (Kappa =0.464).Conclusions The upregulation of 8-OHdG in the pterygium tissue indicates that oxidative damage of DNA plays a role in the development of pterygium.Oxidative damage of DNA caused by ultraviolet may be an upriver factor,which induces raising up of expression of bcl-2 and inhibits the apoptosis of normal cells and further proliferation of the conjunctiva tissue,resulting in the genesis and development of pterysium.

Objective To evaluate the renal cortical blood perfusion changes in rabbits with acute renal failure (ARF) with gray scale contrast-enhanced ultrasound, and to explore the relationship between these changes and the blood creatinine (SCr), as well as the blood urea nitrogen (BUN). Methods Rabbit ARF models were established with 50% glycerin injected into the rabbits' thighs. Gray scale contrast-enhanced ultrasound was performed on the day before injection (T_0) and 1, 4, 8, 12 days (T_1, T_4, T_8, T_(12)) after injection. The renal cortex perfusion time-intensity curve (TIC) was analyzed, including parameters like arrival time (AT), time to peak intensity (TTP), amplitude of peak intensity (A) and slope rate of TIC (β) of renal cortex. Meanwhile the SCr and BUN were measured, the correlation between SCr, BUN and parameters were analyzed. Results Compared with the value of T_0, the value of TTP, A, β after injection (T_1, T_4, T_8) were statistically different, respectively (P<0.05), but the differences among T_1, T_4 and T_8 were various. No linear correlation between above parameters and SCr, BUN was found. Conclusion The renal cortical blood perfusion changes can be early observed with gray scale contrast-enhanced ultrasound, but there is no linear correlation between the changes of parameters and SCr, BUN.

Objective To study the clinical effects of the artificial vertebral body of the biomimetic nano-hydroxyapatite/polyamide 66 (n-HA/PA66) composite for the structural reconstruction and the height restoring of the vertebral body in the thoracolumbar fractures by the anterior surgical procedures. Methods From December 2003 to January 2006, 42 patients with thoracolumbar fractures received the anterior surgical procedures to decompress and reconstruct the spinal vertebral structure with the artificial vertebral body of the n-HA/PA66 composite. Among the patients, there were 28 males and 14 females, aged 17-67 years, averaged 43.6 years. The thoracolumbar fractures developed at T12 in 5 patients, at L1 in 17, at L2 in 14, and at L3 in 6. The height of the anterior border of the vertebral body amounted to 29%-47% of the vertebral body height, averaged 40.6%. The Cobb angle on the sagittal plane was 21-38° averaged 27.6°. According to the Frankel grading scale, the injuries to the nerves were as the following: Grade A in 7 patients, Grade B in 19, Grade C in 8, Grade D in 6, and Grade E in 2. Results All the 42 patients were followed up for 6-25 months. Among the patients, 36 were reconstructed almost based on the normal anatomic structure, and 6 were well reconstructed. The mean height of the anterior border of the vertebral body was 40.6% of the vertebral body height before operation but 91.7% after operation. And the reconstructed height of the vertebra was maintained. The mean Cobb angle on the sagittal plane was 27.6°before operation but 13.4° after operation. All the patients had a recovery of the neurological function that had a 1-grade or 2-grade improvement except 7 patients who were still in Grade A and 2 patients who were in Grade D. The implant was fused 3-5 months after operation. No infection, nail break, bar/plate break or loosening of the internal fixation occurred. Conclusion The artificial vertebral body of the biomimetic n-HA/PA66composite can effectively restore the height and the structure of the vertebra, can be fused with the vertebral body to reconstruct the spinal structural stability effectively, and can be extensively used in the clinical practice.

Objective To investigate the effects of mesenchymul stem cells(MSCs) transfected with human home oxygenase- 1 gene on the inflammatory cytokines and the ventricular remodeling after myocardial infarction in rats.Method MSCs were acquired from the hone marrow of adults rats.They were isolated,purified cultured,and transfected with Adv-HO-1,or Adv-GFP in vitro before transplantation.At 1 hours after left coronary artery ligation,Adv-HO-1-MSCs or Adv-GFP-MSCs marked with DAPI were directly injected into the horder of cardiac infarction in rats.At 4 days after transplantation,western blot analysis was used to measure HO-1 protein expression in the the horder of cardiac infarction.The levels of VEGF,bFGF,HGF protein expression were measured by ELISA,and the levels of TNF-α,IL-1β,IL-6,IL-10 mRNA expression were measured by RT-PCR.The rat heart function was measured by echocardiography.At 4 weeks after transplantation,ventricular remodeling and pathological changes were measured by HE and Masson staining.Results The Adv-HO-1-MSCa treated group showed marked increase of HO-1 rotein (P<0.05),and displayed significant increase of montioned cytokines above,P <0.05,compared with other groups.The Adv-HO-1-MSCs treated group displayed significant reduction of mRNAs expreesion of TNF-α,IL-1β,IL-6,and significant increase in IL-10 mRNA expression,with P<0.05,compared with others.Conclusions HO-1-MSCs could secrete multiple cytokines in infarction hearts,and had beneficial effects on inflammatory cytokines,remodeling processes and cardiac function.

The present study is aimed to investigate the early clinical effects of nano-hydroxyapatite/polyamide 66 intervertebral fusion cage (n-HA/PA66 cage) for the treatment of lumbar degenerative diseases. We selected 27 patients with lumbar degenerative diseases who were managed by posterior decompression or reset operation combined with n-HA/PA66 cage intervertebral fusion and internal fixation from August 2010 to January 2012. The oswestry disability index (ODI), low back and leg pain visual analogue score (VAS), and intervertebral height (IH) were evaluated at preoperation, 1 week postoperation and the last follow-up period, respectively. Intervertebral bony fusion was evaluated at the last follow-up time. The patients were followed up for 12-24 months (averaged 19 months). The ODI, VAS and IH were significantly improved at 1 week postoperation and the last follow-up time compared with those at preoperative period (P < 0.05). But there was no significant difference between 1 week postoperative and the last follow-up time (P < 0.05). Brantigan's standard was used to evaluate fusion at the last follow-up time. There were 19 patients with grade 5 fusion, 8 with grade 4 fusion, with a fusion rate of 100%, and none with grade 1-3 fusions. There was no cage translocation and internal fixation breakage. These results suggested that n-HA/PA66 cage was an ideal biological material in the posterior lumbar interbody fusion and internal fixation operation for treatment of lumbar degenerative diseases. It can effectively maintain the intervertebral height and keep a high rate of bony fusion. The early clinical effect has been satisfactory.
Back ; Decompression, Surgical ; Durapatite ; Follow-Up Studies ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; Humans ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; Nanostructures ; Nylons ; Spinal Fusion ; Treatment Outcome

BACKGROUND:Development of new coronary thrombolytic agents is hot in the market. A new drug, mutated recombinant tissue-type plasminogen activator (rtPAm), is the product of mutation of tPA by changing binding loci with plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI)-1 to reduce the degradation. In vitro test has demonstrated that the activity of rtPAm is much higher than rtPA in the absence of PAI. The present study is to observe the efficacy of mutated recombinant tissue-type plasminogen activator (rtPAm) in coronary thrombolytic therapy. METHODS:A total of 30 adult beagles were equally divided into 5 groups after thrombi:vehicle group, urokinase group, rtPAm low-dose group, rtPAm medium-dose group, and rtPAm high-dose group. Thrombolytic effect and myocardial infarction were observed after thrombolytic therapy. RESULTS:In the urokinase group, time to reperfusion was (15.8±3.8) minutes. TIMI 2 flow was demonstrated in 4 beagles, TIMI 3 flow in 2, and re-occlusion in 4 after 90 minutes respectively. In the low-dose rtPAm group, time to reperfusion was (15±4.5) minutes; TIMI 2 flow was demonstrated in 2 beagles, TIMI 3 flow in 4, and re-occlusion in 2 after 90 minutes. In the high-dose rtPAm group, time to reperfusion was (7.5±2.6) minutes. None of the beagles showed re-occlusion after 90 minutes. The infarction areas were (2.1+0.9)％ in the medium-dose rtPAm group and (0.7+0.4)％ in the high-dose rtPAm group, which decreased significantly than those in the low-dose rtPAm group. The aggregation rate in the medium-dose and high-dose rtPAm groups decreased significantly than that in the urokinase group. CONCLUSION:rtPAm may serve as a thrombolytic agent with platelet-targeted fibrinolysis and antiplatelet aggregation activities.