Objective To analyse the key influential factors for research performance of medical colleges and provide evidenes for further research management. Methods A questionnaire suvery was carried out in Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine.Through stratified cluster sampling,those who assumed all ranks of projects from 2001 to 2006 in Basic Medical College and some affiliated hospitals were investigated.Two hundred and sixty questionnaires were sent out and 211(81.2%) were reclaimed.Delphi and comprehensive analysis were used to measure the research performance,and multi-Logistic regression was employed to analyze the influential factors for research performance.Results The key influential factors for research performance included research team,research investment,age of researchers,international exchanges and communications,and extra working hours for research.Conclusion To improve the research performance of medical colleges,it is most important to strengthen research team development,expand research investment,promote acedemic exchanges and communications,and initiate dedicated spirit for research work.

Objective To investigate the biocompatibility between collagen- polyglycolic acid (PGA) and bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in vitro to provide some experimental basis for further study in tendon tissue engineering. Methods MSCs were isolated, cultured and characterized. In the experimental group the MSCs were cultured in DMEM containing type-I collagen and PGA suture, and in the control group the MSCs were cultured in DMEM. The cell growth was compared between the two groups, and the cell ultramicroscopic structure of experimental group was observed. Results MSCs grew well in the collagen-PGA scaffold, and 2 weeks after incubation they still kept secretion potential and more than cell 89% vitality, which were not significantly different compared with the control group. There is no statistical difference in the MSCs count in the experimental group during 2 weeks culture, while in the control group MSCs began to proliferate at the 4th day after culture. Conclusion Collagen-PGA has a good biocompatibility with mesenchymal stem cells. It is possible to fabricate a tissue-engineered tendon in vitro using mesenchymal stem cells as seed cells and collagen-PGA as scaffold.

Objective To investigate the cellular viability and mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) production of the Müller cells under high glucose condition,and explore the protection role of the 5,6-dihydrocyclopenta-1,2-dithiole-3-thione (CPDT) on Müller cells.Methods Müller cells from Sprague Dawley rats were divided into 5 groups randomly,including 25 mmol/L normal glucose group (group A) and 65 mmol/L high glucose group (group B).High glucose group with 45,60,70 μmol/L CPDT and cultured them 72 hour was set as group C,D and E.Water soluble tetrazolium salt (WST)-8 was used to measure the cellular viability.Flow cytometry was used to measure the active oxygen and apoptosis index.The expression of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2),hemeoxygenase-1 (HO-1),Bcl-2 and Bax protein were measured by Western blot.Results Compared with group A,the WST-8 showed that the viability of Müller cells apparently decreased in group B (t=39.59,P＜0.05).Compared with the group B,the viability of Müller cells had changes in group C (t=0.97,P＞0.05),but recovered in group D and E (t=-4.17,-7.52;P＜0.05).Compared with group A,the FCM showed that the mitochondrial ROS levels was higher in group B (t=-30.99,P＜0.05).Compared with group B,the mitochondrial ROS levels were decreased in group D (t=27.68,P＜0.05).Compared with group A,Bax,Nrf2 and HO-1 increased (t=-11.03,-63.17,-11.44;P＜0.05),while the bcl-2 decreased in group B (t=7.861,P＜0.05).Compared with the group B,Nrf2,HO-1 and Bax decreased (t=15.11,26.59,6.27;P＜0.05),while the bcl-2 increased in group D (t=-6.53,P＜0.05).Conclusions Under the high glucose,CPDT may reduce the mitochondrial ROS levels and the expression of Nrf2,HO-1 and Bax protein of Müller cells.It may inhibit apoptosis through activating the Nrf2/HO-1 pathway and balancing of level of Bcl-2 protein and mitochondrial ROS.

AIM To determine the antagonistic activities of new endothelin receptor antagonist CPU0214 on the left ventricle membranes and the aorta ring contraction in normal rat and its reduction effect on the mean arterial pressure in conscious DOCA salt hypertensive rats. METHODS Left ventricle membranes of normal rat hearts achieved for competition binding assay was used to investigate the antagonistic effects of CPU0214. Aorta ring contraction induced by ET 1 in normal rat was used to investigate the antagonistic activity of CPU0214. DOCA salt hypertensive rats were induced by injection of deoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA, sc) following with 1% NaCl as drinking for 4 wk. A multiple physiological recorder was used to record the mean arterial pressure of femoral artery. The endothelin receptor change in the left ventricle membranes of DOCA salt hypertensive rat was measured by binding assays. Intraperitoneal injection of CPU0214 was used to investigate its effect on reduction of mean arterial pressure. RESULTS In the left ventricle the IC 50 of endothelin receptor antagonist CPU0214 is 16 nmol?L -1 and CPU0214 (10 ?mol?L -1 ) inhibited the ET 1 induced isolated aorta rings contraction in normal rats. Mean arterial pressure as well as B max and K d of left ventricle were increased significantly in DOCA salt hypertensive rat. CPU0214 (60 mg?kg -1 ip) significantly reduced the mean arterial pressure of conscious DOCA salt hypertensive rats especially during 60～90 min after administration. CONCLUSIONS CPU0214 has significantly antagonistic effects on the left ventricle membrane and the isolated aorta ring contraction in normal rat, which is verified by CPU0214 as a strong endothelin receptor antagonist. Furthermore its effect on the mean blood pressure reduction in conscious DOCA salt hypertensive rats, which is manifested as an abnormal endothelin system, shows its prosperity of drug development value as a new endothelin receptor antagonist.

BACKGROUND: Poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) has been widely used as medical implants and drug vehicle. Due to various factors involved in the degradation process, it is rather difficult to simulate the mass loss properties of PLGA.OBJECTIVE: To investigate the mass loss properties of PLGA films, and observe the correlation between the stimulation and the factual measurement.DESIGN: Repeated measuring experiment. SETTING: School of Materials Science and Engineering, Dalian University of Technology.MATERIALS: PLGA 50:50, 70:30 and 75:25 with weight average molecular weight (Mw) of 63 000, 115 000 and 400 000 were purchased from Shandong Key Laboratory of Medical Polymer Materials, and 1,4-dioxane (analytically pure) was purchased from Tianjin No.1 Chemical Reagent Factory and used as solvent.METHODS: The experiments were carried out in the School of Materials Science and Engineering of Dalian University of Technology from April to July in 2006.①PLGA were dissolved in 1, 4-dioxane according to the mass ratio of 50:50, 70:30 and 75:25, and the solution were cast into 10 mm×10 mm×1 mm polymer films.②PLGA films were immersed in Hank's simulated body fluid (Ph 7.4) at 37 ℃, and then taken out every week (every 5 days for PLGA 50:50). The samples were washed and dried to measure the changes of number and Mw using gel permeation chromatography. Degradation velocity was also worked out. Meanwhile the mass loss properties of PLGA films were measured using electronic balance. Furthermore, an improved Monte Carlo method was applied to carry out the correlation analysis with experiment data. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: ①degradation rates of PLGA with different ratios of lactic acid and glycolic acid.②the correlation coefficient between simulation results and experiment data.RESULTS: ①The degradation rates for PLGA at 50:50, 70:30 and 75:25 were 0.058 5, 0.016 6 and 0.010 1 /d (based on Mn), or 0.061 0, 0.017 5 and 0.008 5 /d (based on Mw), respectively.②Correlation coefficients between simulation results and experiment data for PLGA 50:50, 70:30 and 75:25 were 0.973 6, 0.987 4 and 0.990 3 correspondingly. CONCLUSION:The numerical simulation results for the mass loss properties of PLGA fit the experiment data well.

Xanthii Fructus is a traditional medicine for the treatment of nasal diseases in clinic, mainly come from the burs of Xanthium sibiricum with a worldwide distribution. By sorting and studying literature of Chinese medicine and comparing different figures recorded with the morphological description of several species from Xanthium (Asteraceae) in the Flora of China, combining the biological investigation in resource survey, the article pointed out that the burs or the whole herbs of X. mongolicum, as well as X. sibiricum, has been used by the traditional Chinese medicine in ancient time. It provides a reference for further studies in the future.
China ; Herbal Medicine ; history ; History, Ancient ; Medicine in Literature ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; history ; Xanthium ; anatomy & histology ; classification

OBJECTIVETo provide quantitative foundation for the diagnosis of atlanto-axial rotatory subluxation by analyzing the various imaging features of normal atlanto-axial joints in neutral position and rotary functional position on the MSCT images.

METHODSForty-one normal volunteers were examined by CT on the atlanto-axial joint in neutral position and rotary functional position. By the observation and measurement of atlanto-dental interval (ADI), lateral atlanta-dental space (LADS), VBLADS and rotating angle of atlas on dentate (RAAD), the imaging manifestations and anatomical characteristics were analyzed and compared. In order to compare VBLADS and RAAD and make a correlation analysis between different age groups, 51 normal volunteers were divided into two groups: age younger than 45 years old group and age older than or equal to 45 years old group.

RESULTSThe dens in neutral position deviated in an angle range of (3.22±0.89)°. The articular facets of lateral atlantoaxial joint in rotary functional position had rotatory displacement and the range of the relative rotation angle was (33.85± 2.79)°. Through the correlation analysis of matching data, it could be concluded that there was no correlation between atlantoaxial relative rotation angle and VBLADS within a certain range. There were statistically differences of atlantoaxial relative rotation angle in rotary functional position between two groups.

CONCLUSIONMSCT imaging in rotary functional position can clearly show the anatomical structure and rotation function of a normal atlanto-axial joint, so as to provide a theoretical basis for the diagnosis of atlanto axial rotatory subluxation.

Adult ; Aged ; Atlanto-Axial Joint ; diagnostic imaging ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Multidetector Computed Tomography ; methods ; Rotation

In the research field of quality control in Chinese medicinal materials, variation in active ingredients of medicinal plant is always the key and hot issues. With the development of high-throughput sequencing technologies and reducing cost, a large numbers of genes from medicinal plant were cloning and provide a solid foundation for further research of gene structure and its biological function, and also provides conditions for explore active ingredient variation and its quality control from the perspective of molecular pharmacognosy. This paper introduces the concept of homologous gene, gene duplication and classification. We prospect the function of duplicated genes in the role of molecular mechanism research about variation in active ingredients, aiming at providing a new way for medicinal materials quality control.
Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; analysis ; Gene Duplication ; Plant Proteins ; genetics ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; genetics ; Quality Control

Currently, as an important raw material of Chinese traditional patent medicines, Paridis Rhizome is in great demand, which led to its price increases. In order to protect the wild resources and satisfy market demand of Paridis rhizome, the researches in various directions were conducted, involved its chemical composition, pharmacological action, clinical application, resource investigation, artificial cultivation, etc. Herein, the chemical studies of genus Paridis Rhizome, aerial parts of Paridis Rhizome gummy and starchy Paridis Rhizome, and the studies of endophyte in Paridis Rhizome were reviewed and analyzed in order to explore the substitutes of Paridis Rhizome, and provide the reference for the enlargement of medicinal resources of Paridis Rhizome. It manifests that the steroidal saponins, the important chemical compositions in Paridis Rhizome were tested in genus Paridis Rhizome, aerial parts of Paridis Rhizome, gummy Paridis Rhizome and the endophyte in Paridis Rhizome. However, the further experimental studies and clinical verification works should be carried out to confirm the final substitute.
Animals ; Drug Therapy ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Liliaceae ; chemistry ; growth & development ; Rhizome ; chemistry ; growth & development

Objective To analyze the MR features of atypical meningiomas,so that to improve the diagnostic accuracy of this tumor pre-surgery.Methods There were 12 cases of atypical meningiomas proved by surgery and pathology.All of these patients underwent plain and contrast-enhanced MR examinations.Results Totally 12 cases,included 2 cases of multiple meningiomas,2 cases of lateral ventriclar meningiomas,2 cases of completely calcific meningiomas,3 cases of cystic meningiomas and 3 cases of malignant meningiomas.Conclusion The external cerebral signs of the tumors are the important basis for the localizing diagnosis of atypical meningiomas.Atypical MR signs of meningiomas are of complimentary value in qualitative diagnosis.