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.

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.

Objective To evaluate the possibility and efficiency of early lung cancer screening using low-dose spiral CT,and to investigate the effects of prognosis of lung cancer. Methods 3005 routine chests check-up were carried on the low-dose prospect research of the SHIMADZU 7800 TX spiral CT. According to the result by tracing and long-term CT follow-up based on the baseline screening, biopsy or surgical excisions were recommended in "malignant change" or enlarged nodules. Two doctors separately interpreted all the images blindly.Results 29.9 rate of nodules in all of cases were detected. Smoking group was 1.3 times incidence of non-smoking. A whole incidence of lung cancer was 1.2, including 2.9 in people at high risk of lung cancer and 0.9 in common people. The sensitivity and specificity of lung cancer screening using low-dose spiral CT were 82.9 and 88.8 respectively, and the diagnostic accuracy of lung cancer screening in diameter of nodules less than 10 mm was high than in ones more than 10 mm. Histologically, 33 non-small cell lung cancers (19 stageⅠ, 10 stageⅡand 4 stageⅢ), 2 small cell lung cancers and 1 scar carcinoma were proved based on baseline screening by biopsy or surgery. By the end of 2007, the average survival for clinical stageⅠlung cancer was more than 4 years, clinical stageⅡwas 2～3 years and clinical stageⅢ was 1～2 years. Conclusion Low-dose spiral CT is of high sensitive and specificity in detecting early lung cancer. Preliminary screening study indicates that low-dose spiral CT can greatly improve the likelihood of detection for early lung cancer and situation of survival.

Objective To explore the relationship between the classification and imageology,the dynamic changes of bronchoscopy and CT features of endobronchial tuberculosis(EBTB).Methods CT findings and bronchoscopic findings in 48 cases with EBTB proved by sputum culture , bronchoscopic biopsy and surgical pathology were analyzed.The classification,dynamic changes and CT characteristics were also evaluated.Results Bronchoscopic results showed 13 of edematous-hyperemic type, 8 of caseous nocrosis type, 5 of fibrostenotic type, 2 of tumorous type, 6 of granular type, 7 of ulcerative type and 7 of mixed type. CT manifestations in different types were intersected,including thickened bronchial wall (64.6%) , bronchial stenosis (41.7%) , aerated bronchus sign ( 37.5% ) ,intra-luminal nodules ( 25% ), bronchial structure with obstructive atelectasis ( 37.5% ) and pneumonia (25% ) .The corresponding rate between bronchoscopy and CT was 83.3% in detecting diseases.19 cases were followed-up by bronchoscopy during the initial 1~5 months of treatment,and 12 cases (3 edematous-hyperemic,4 caseation,3 ulcerative,2 mixed type) were resolved or healed without sequelae,6 cases changed into the other type,4 cases changed into the fibrostenotic type, 2 cases remained in a fibrostenotic state in spite of drug therapy.28 cases were followed-up by CT during the initial 1~5 months of treatment, and 20 cases (6 edematous-hyperemic,4 caseation,3 ulcerative, 1 granular,2 fibrostegnotic 1 tumorous,3 mixed type) were improved,6 cases changed into the other type,2 cases turned into the fibrostenotic type, 2 cases did not improve despite antituberculosis chemotherapy.CT correlated well with fibrobronchoscope(88.5%) in predicting the therapeutic outcome of EBTB.Conclusion CT as a non-invasive method has high clinical value in observing the evolution , predicting the complications and evaluating the therapeutic effect of EBTB.

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 investigate the efficiency of biology function of ITIH4 gene silenced by small interfering RNA (siRNA) on ovarian cancer.Methods The four pairs ITIH4 gene siRNA interference fragments(ITIH4-546,ITIH4-795,ITIH4-917 and ITIH4-1568) were designed respectively,and transfected into HO8910pm cells with ITIH4 mRNA high expression by liposomal method transiently.Quantitative PCR method was used to detect the ITIH4 mRNA expression in HO8910pm cells transfected with interference fragment.The ITIH4 917 was selected as the best silencing effect of siRNA interference fragment and then the recombinant plasmid expression vector pGPU6/GFP/Neo-shRNA-ITIH4-917 was constructed and transfected into HO8910pm cells.The stably transfected cells-pGPU6/GFP/Neo-shRNA-ITIH4-917-HO8910pm cells was obtained by screening of aminoglycoside antibiotics (G418).The experiment was divided into three groups,namely ITIH4-917 transfection group,the HO8910pm cell group transfected with pGPU6/GFP/Neo-shRNA plasmid (empty vector group),and the HO8910pm cell group transfected with pGPU6/GFP/Neo-shRNA-ITIH4-NC the plasmid (negative control group).Fluorescence quantitative reverse transcription(RT)PCR and western blot were used to detect the ITIH4 mRNA and protein expression.The cell proliferation,the cell cycle,colony formation of cells,cells migration and invasion in vitro were determined by using methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT),flow cytometry,colony formation assay and transmembrane (transwell) small chamber method [value represented by absorbance (A)],respectively.Results The fluorescent quantitative PCR results showed that the ITIH4 mRNA expression levels in ITIH4-917 HO8910pm cells was significantly lower than that in the control cells,the relative copy number was only 0.26 ± 0.15.Also the relative copy number of ITIH4 mRNA in ITIH4-917 transfection group cells was 0.34 ±0.10,it significantly lower than that in empty vector group (1.87 ±0.12,P =0.008) and negative control group (1.58 ±0.21,P =0.032) ; Western blot results showed that the ITIH4 relative expression levels of the protein in ITIH4-917 HO8910pm group cells,empty vector group and negative control group were 0.51,1.64 and 1.74,respectively,there were statistically significant differences (0.51 vs.1.64,P =0.012; 0.51 vs.1.74,P =0.014).MTT colorimetric assay showed that the proliferation of ITIH4-917 HO8910pm group cells was significantly faster than that in the empty vector group and negative control group,and there were statistically significant differences among them (P =0.001).The S ± G2/M phase cell ratio in ITIH4-917 HO8910pm group cells was 54.2％,which was significantly higher than that in the empty vector group or negative control group (26.3％ and 31.3％,respectively,all P ＜ 0.05).The colony formation rate (55.7 ± O.7) ％ in ITIH4-917 HO8910pm group cells was also significantly higher than that in empty vector group (29.7 ±0.9) ％ (P =0.037) and negative control group (31.4 ± 0.3) ％ (P =0.043).Migration and invasion experiments showed that cell migration in ITIH4-917 HO8910pm group cells was 0.40 ± 0.18,whicht was significantly higher than that in the negative control group or empty vector (0.30 ±0.03,P =0.031 ;0.25 ±0.03,P =0.028,respectively).Although the invasive ability of ITIH4-917 HO8910pm group cells (1.31 ±0.34) was higher than that in the control cells (1.05 ±0.68) and empty vector group (1.14 ±0.08),while there were not significant difference (P ＞ 0.05).Conclusion It would be to promote the cell doubling time and increase the migration capability in HO8910pm cells that ITIH4 expression was down-regulating by ITIH4 mRNA interference.

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.