BACKGROUND: Previous experiments demonstrated that low-temperature isotropic pyrolytic carbon has excellent biological features. However, the research regarding low-temperature isotropic pyrolytic carbon prosthesis in hip joints, especially the biological features following hemiarthroplasty are poorly understood. OBJECTIVE: Utilizing implantation experiment, the aim of this study was to investigate the biocompatibility, as well as the interface wear properties of carbon femoral head prosthesis, coated with low-temperature isotropic pyrolytic carbon (silicon). DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING: In vivo hemiarthroplasty, randomized controlled animal experiment. The experiment was performed at the Experimental Animal Center, the Second Military Medical University of Chinese PLA, from October 2008 to April 2009. MATERIALS: Carbon femoral head prostheses.were supplied by Jilin Central Hospital. The carbon femoral head prosthesis was coated with low-temperature isotropic pyrolytic carbon. METHODS: Carbon femoral head prostheses were implanted in 16 adult New Zealand white rabbits. The rabbits were sacrificed at weeks 6 (n=4), 11 (n=6), 21 (n=6), respectively. Rabbits in the 21-week group were induced to move from 18 weeks with 2 hours per day. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The biocompatibility and the interface wear phenomena of the prostheses were investigated by general observation, X-ray observation and tissue slice observation. RESULTS: The carbon femoral head prostheses implanted in animals produced non-toxic side effects, without significant inflammatory response or foreign body reaction. Furthermore, new cartilage tissue around carbon prosthesis was found, while there was no obvious wear debris after sports experiments. CONCLUSION: The film coating carbon materials have excellent biocompatibility and good wear resistance as femoral head prosthesis. Thus, it is a kind of promising biomaterials in prosthesis manufacturing.

Objective To investigate the therapeutic effects of Smad7 and urokinase-type plas- minogen activator(uPA)co expression on CCl_4-induced rat liver fibrosis.Methods Forty SD rats were subcutaneously injectied of 40% CCl_4 every three days for 8 weeks.The rats were then divided into model group,AdSmad7/uPA group(injected with AdSmad7/uPA via tail vein),AdSmad7 group(injec- ted with AdSmad7 via tail vein)or AdGFP group(injected with AdGFP via tail vein).Ten healthy rats were served as control.The serum levels of procollagenⅢ(PCⅢ)and laminin(LN)were determined by radioimmunoassay,and the hydroxyproline level in liver tissues were examined by alkaline hydrolysis. The expressions of Smad7 and uPA in tissue were examined by immunohistochemistry and fibrosis area was stained with Sirius red.Results The expressions of Smad7 and uPA protein were significantly higher in AdSmad7/uPA group than that in AdGFP group after 3 days.Serum levels of ALT,AST,PCⅢand LN were significantly decreased in AdSmad7/uPA group compared to Smad7 and AdGFP groups (all P value

Aim To investigate the effect of resveratrol on ROS level and PECAM-1 expression in ox-LDL-stimulated platelets. Methods The expression of PE-CAM-1 , Sirt1 and p38 MAPK phosphorylation in ox-LDL-stimulated platelets was determined by Western blot. The level of ROS was measured by immunofluo-rescence kit. Results ox-LDL induced platelet aggre-gation by 14%, whereas resveratrol inhibited platelet aggregation by 50%. Resveratrol decreased ROS level by 3 . 2 fold and completely suppressed PECAM-1 expression in ox-LDL-treated platelets. Resveratrol re-covered Sirt1 expression in ox-LDL-treated platelets. EX527 ( a Sirt1 inhibitor ) increased ROS level and PECAM-1 expression in ox-LDL-stimulated platelets. Meanwhile, resveratrol also suppressed p38MAPK phosphorylation induced by ox-LDL. Conclusion Resveratrol can inhibit platelet aggregation, decrease ROS production and PECAM-1 expression in ox-LDL-stimulated platelets. The mechanism maybe associated with recovery of Sirt1 expression. Moreover, resveratrol can decrease PECAM-1 expression, which may be linked to abolishing p38MAPK phosphorylation.

AIM: To comparatively analyze the application of laser confocal microscopy and corneal smear in the diagnosis of fungal keratitis.METHODS: Totally 77 patients (77 eyes) diagnosed as fungal keratitis were selected.Laser confocal microscopy and corneal smear examination were performed to observe the characteristics of the images, and the detection rate of fungus were compared between the two methods.RESULTS: Of the 77 patients, 66 eyes (86%) were positive and 11 eyes were negative detected by laser confocal microscopy;51 eyes (66%) were positive and 26 eyes were negative detected by corneal smear examination, the difference was statistically significant compared between two group (P<0.05).CONCLUSION: Laser corneal confocal microscopy is relatively safe and sensitive.If combined the application of laser corneal confocal microscopy and corneal smear examination in clinical, the diagnosis rate of fungal keratitis may be improved.

Objective To probe into the operative techniques and clinical outcomes of treating bi-columnar acetabular fractures. Methods From April 2001 to December 2006, 609 cases undergoing operation for aeetabular fractures were followed up. Of them, 193 eases, 147 males and 46 females with an average age of 34.4 years, were of bi-columnar type. Their complications involved the articular cartilage of the femoral head in 37, eranioeerebral trauma in 31, injury to bladder and/or urethra in 27, injury to thorax and/or abdomen in 68, injury to pelvis and/or sacroiliac joint in 59, and injury to sciatic nerve in 11. The interval between injury and surgery was within 1 week in 15 cases, within 2 weeks in 121, within 3 weeks in 34, and beyond 3 weeks in 23. A single ilioinguinal approach was adopted for 4 cases and combined ap-proaches for 189. Results The mean operating time was 238 (150 to 330) minutes, and the blood loss averaged 1453 (450 to 4400) mL. The mean follow-up period was 44.2 (14 to 84) months. All the eases were evaluated by Matta reduction criteria, X-ray manifestations and the modified Merle d'Aubingne and Postel clinical scoring. One hundred and sixty-eight patients got anatomical reduction, 17 unsatisfactory reduction, and 8 poor reduction. The X-ray manifestations were excellent in 162 patients, good in 16, fair in 8, and poor in 7. The clinic results were excellent in 152 patients, good in 27, fair in 9, and poor in 5. The Kendall coefficient correlation between reduction and clinical outcome and that between reduction and X-ray manifes-tation were 0.74 and 0.77, respectively. Ectopic ossification happened in 77 eases and transient post-operative sciatic nerve paralysis occurred in 3. Conclusions The combined approaches facilitate exposure and synergetie reduction of the bi-colunmar fractures of acetabulum. Reduction of the acetabular roof is essential to restoration of the normal contour of the acetabulum. Reduction bears a positive correlation to the clinical results as well as experience of surgeons.

Objective To evaluate the respiratory movement of the both lungs with four-dimensional CT(4DCT), and determine the optimal respiratory phase series CT images for radiation dose calculation. Methods From November 2005 to November 2006,thirty patients with lung cancer who received 4DCT scan were enrolled,including 15 left and 15 right lung cancer cases,25 men and 5 women. The media age was 55 (35-78) years old. After 4DCT scanning, the image was treated with Advantage 4D workstation,and then transmitted into Pinnacle station( Adac 7.4). The both lungs were automatically outlined using Pinnacle station with CT recognition value of-900 to-200 Hu. Then-the same physician examined the unreasonable parts and revised them. After the delineation was completed,the volume of 10 respiratory phases of lung was obtained. Results The average respiratory phase in inspiratory and expiratory phases was 78.87%±2.71% and 26.32%±3.17% in the tumor located lung,77.55%±2.81% and 24.73%±2.55% in the healthy lung. The maximum and minimum mean volume was 106.48%±3.00% and 94.23%±2.78% in the tumor located lung,107.47%±2.43% and 93.65%±2.32% in the healthy lung. The volume at the end of inspiratory and expiratory was 106.43%±3.07% and 94.63%±2.71% in the tumor located lung, 107.37%±4.62% and 93.98%±2.34% in the healthy lung. Conclusions The series CT images scan on 20% ,30% and 80% respiratory phases are reasonable for radiation dose calculation. The maximum and minimum average lung volumes are almost equal to those at the end of inspiratory and expiratory.

Objective To explore the impact of waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) in type 2 diabetic probands on the phenotype of insulin resistance and β-cell function in normoglycemic first-degree relatives. Methods One hundred and eighty-six type 2 diabetic probands and 489 normoglycemic first-degree relatives were selected from 186 type 2 diabetes core families. 115 first-degree relatives (FDR1 group) of probands with low WHR (1st quartile: <0.86 for males and <0.84 for females) and 106 first-degree relatives (FDR2 group) of probands with high WHR (4th quartile: >0.92 for males and >0.89 for females) were identified to intensively study from 489 normoglycemic first-degree relatives. The homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) was used to estimate insulin sensitivity, and β-cell function was quantified as the ratio of the incremental insulin to glucose responses over the first 30 min (△I30/△G30) during the oral glucose tolerance test. The latter measure was also adjusted for the assay of insulin sensitivity as it modulated β-cell function (△I,,30>·△G-1,30·HOMA-IR-1). Results The body mass index, the waist circumference and waist-to-height ratio in female first-degree relatives, systolic blood pressure, triglyceride and HOMA-1R were significantly higher in FDR2 group than those in FDR1 group andhigh density lipoprotein cholesterol,△I30/△G30, △I-130·HOMA-IR-1were significantly lower in FDR2 group than those in FDRI group (P < 0.05 or P < 0.O1). The waist circumference and waist-to-height ratio in relatives of probands with low and high WHR were positively correlated with the HOMA-IR. However, the least square regression analysis showed that the slope from regression in FDR2 group were significantly steeper than thatin FDR1 group(both P <0.01). Conclusion The normoglycemic first-degree relatives of the type 2 diabetic probands with high WHR had much more evident phenotype of insulin resistance and decreased β-cell function, and a slight increase in abdominal obesity had a greater impact on insulin resistance.

OBJECTIVETo observe anti-cancer effects of Jianpi Jiedu Recipe (JJR) on liver cancer (LC) rats with Pi deficiency syndrome (PDS) and its relation with the third complementary-determining region gene spectratyping of TCRVβ-chain (TCRVβCDR3).

METHODSRats were divided into 8 groups according to random digit table, i.e., the blank control group (normal), the PDS group, the LC model group, the LC-PDS group, high, middle, and low dose JJR groups (75.00, 37.50, 18.75 g/kg, respectively by gastrogavage, once per day), the thymus pentapeptide group (5 mg/kg, intramuscular injection, twice per week), 8 in each group. Rats in the normal group were administered with physiological saline by gastrogavage once per day. PDS rat model was prepared by bitter-cold purgation. LC model was prepared by orthotopic transplantation method. Twenty gene subfamilies of TCRβCDR3 in the thymus, liver, and LC tissues were detected by Gene Scan.

RESULTSHigh and middle dose JJR could postpone the growth of LC volume (P < 0.05), with equivalent liver index and thymus index to those of the normal group (P > 0.05). In thymus and liver tissue of the normal group, the number of clones (20 and 19), gene fragment number (220 and 113), Quasi-Gaussian distribution ratio of TCRVβCDR3 gene repertoire (100.0% and 42.1%), and fragment fluorescence peak area (6,539 ± 2,325 and 1,238 ± 439) were at the highest level among the 8 groups. TCRVβCDR3 expressions in thymus and liver tissue of high and middle dose JJR groups were approximate to those of the normal group. They were in the middle of the thymus pentapeptide group, the PDS group, the LC model group, and poorest in the LC-PDS group. TCRVβCDR3 in liver tissue expressed the best in the thymus pentapeptide group.

CONCLUSIONJJR might inhibit the growth of LC cells, and its mechanism might be related to enhancing TCRVβCDR3 spectratype expression.

Animals ; Complementarity Determining Regions ; genetics ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Genes, T-Cell Receptor beta ; Liver Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; genetics ; Random Allocation ; Rats

This study is to assess the efficacy of BPCBG on the decorporation of uranium (VI) and protecting human renal proximal tubular epithelial cells (HK-2) against uranium-induced damage. BPCBG at different doses was injected intramuscularly to male SD rats immediately after a single intraperitoneal injection of UO2(CH3COO)2. Twenty-four hours later uranium contents in urine, kidneys and femurs were measured by ICP-MS. After HK-2 cells were exposed to UO2(CH3COO)2 immediately or for 24 h followed by BPCBG treatment at different doses for another 24 or 48 h, the uranium contents in HK-2 cells were measured by ICP-MS, the cell survival was assayed by cell counting kit-8 assay, formation of micronuclei was determined by the cytokinesis-block (CB) micronucleus assay and the production of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) was detected by 2',7'-dichlorofluorescin diacetate (DCFH-DA) oxidation. DTPA-CaNa3 was used as control. It was found that BPCBG at dosages of 60, 120, and 600 micromol kg(-1) resulted in 37%-61% increase in 24 h-urinary uranium excretion, and significantly decreased the amount of uranium retention in kidney and bone to 41%-31% and 86%-42% of uranium-treated group, respectively. After HK-2 cells that had been pre-treated with UO2(CH3COO)2 for 24 h were treated with the chelators for another 24 h, 55%-60% of the intracellular uranium was removed by 10-250 micromol L(-1) of BPCBG. Treatment of uranium-treated HK-2 cells with BPCBG significantly enhanced the cell survival, decreased the formation of micronuclei and inhibited the production of intracellular ROS. Although DTPA-CaNa3 markedly reduced the uranium retention in kidney of rats and HK-2 cells, its efficacy of uranium removal from body was significantly lower than that of BPCBG and it could not protect uranium-induced cell damage. It can be concluded that BPCBG effectively decorporated the uranium from UO2(CH3COO)2-treated rats and HK-2 cells, which was better than DTPA-CaNa3. It could also scavenge the uranium-induced intracellular ROS and protect against the uranium-induced cell damage. BPCBG is worth further investigation.

The knowledge of endocrine metabolic diseases represented by type 2 diabetes mellitus is highly specialized, complicated, and has many clinical guidelines. In this context, team based learning teaching combined with case teaching based on evidence-based medicine was applied in the actual class teaching. The class was divided into several groups and the students were encouraged to discuss and study from each other with the guidance of teachers. Consequently, students' learning interests and spirit of team-work were greatly enhanced, the way of thinking using evidence-based medicine and their ability to solve the practical clinical problems were also improved.