BACKGROUNDDermal papilla cells (DPC) are a group of mesenchyme-derived cells at the base of the hair follicle, where they regulate and control hair follicle growth through the expression and secretion of cytokines. Nevertheless, the role of DPC derived chemokines and other cytokines in the hair follicle biology remain speculative. In this study, we investigated the expression of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), endothelin-1 (ET-1) and stem cell factor (SCF) in different passages of cultured DPC and their effects on the biological behaviour of DPC.

METHODSThe expression of bFGF, ET-1 and SCF in different passages of cultured DPC and their possible effects on the biological behavior of DPC are investigated using in situ hybridization and immunochemistry. In addition, we performed transplantation of hair follicle cells into nude mice. The cultured DPC, dermal sheath cells and fibroblast of human scalp, respectively, were mixed with cells of the hair follicle epithelium in different ratios, and then were cultured in hair follicle organotypic cultures or implanted into the subcutis of nude mice.

RESULTSThe expression of ET-1 and SCF in early passages of cultured DPC became stronger, but turned weaker and even negative in late passages (> 6 passages). Hair follicle-like structures were formed after DPC combined with the cells of hair follicle epithelium cells in hair follicle organotypic cultures. When hair follicle organotypic cultures were implanted into the subcutis of nude mice, the relative intact hair follicles were formed. After the transplantation of hair follicle cells into the nude mice, the hair follicle-like structure was formed in the group that contained DPC mixed with hair follicle epithelium cells. However, no hair follicles were formed in the other two groups. It was found that the higher the expression of ET-1 and SCF in DPC, the stronger the ability of DPC to induce hair follicle regeneration.

CONCLUSIONSThe cultured DPC can induce hair follicle regeneration and sustain hair growth in vivo and in vitro. Moreover, the expression of ET-1 and SCF is correlated with the ability of DPC inducing hair follicle regeneration.

Animals ; Cells, Cultured ; Endothelin-1 ; analysis ; Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 ; analysis ; Hair Follicle ; physiology ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; In Situ Hybridization ; Mice ; Mice, Nude ; Regeneration ; Skin ; chemistry ; cytology ; Stem Cell Factor ; analysis

OBJECTIVETo determine the seasonal prevalence of genotype-IV hepatitis E virus (HEV) in swine herds in Eastern China and explore the phylogenetic relationship between swine HEV and human HEV in the situation that zoonotic features of HEV had been confirmed.

METHODSFrom September 2007 to June 2008, a total of 1200 swine bile specimens were collected from three slaughter houses located in Zhejiang, Anhui and Jiangsu, the Eastern China, and detected for HEV RNA by using nested RT-PCR. The positive PCR products were sequenced. Then the swine HEV were phylogenetically determined with human HEV isolated in Eastern China.

RESULTSThe positive rate for HEV RNA in swine herds was 4.5% totally. Significant differences of HEV detection were not observed among seasonal pattern (Sep - Oct: 6%, Dec - Jan: 4.33%, Mar - Apr: 4.33%, May - Jun: 3.33%) but in geographic distribution (Jiangsu: 6%, Anhui: 5%, Zhejiang: 2.5%). Regardless of isolation from different areas,swine and human genotype-IV HEV shared a high similarity. Phylogenetically, there were 80% - 100% and 96% - 100% identities within swine genotype-lV HEV at the nucleotide and amino acid levels respectively. Between swine HEV and human HEV, there were also similarities of 76% -99% and 95% - 100%. It was noted that some human and swine isolates were clustered with bootstrap values of > 90%.

CONCLUSIONGenotype-IV HEV is widely prevalent in swine herds in Eastern China and original common ancestor of evolution and transmission was implied. The sustaining prevalence within swine herds should have a probable influence on the epidemic situation of hepatitis E in human beings.

Animals ; China ; epidemiology ; Genotype ; Geography ; Hepatitis E ; epidemiology ; Hepatitis E virus ; classification ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Humans ; Phylogeny ; Prevalence ; Seasons ; Sequence Homology, Nucleic Acid ; Swine ; Swine Diseases ; epidemiology ; genetics ; virology

OBJECTIVETo investigate whether cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) are involved in the bradykinin-induced delayed protection.

METHODSCardiac contractility, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and infarct area were analyzed in isolated rat hearts undergoing ischemia-reperfusion injury induced by Langendorff method.

RESULTConscious rats received bradykinin (40 microg/kg), and the isolated hearts were subjected to 30 min of regional ischemia and 120 min of reperfusion 24 h later. Bradykinin pretreatment would improve post-ischemic performance, and reduced the release of LDH and infarct size. COX-2 inhibitor celecoxib (3 mg/kg) abolished bradykinin-induced protection, leading to poorer myocardial performance, release of more LDH and larger infarct sizes. Administration of HO-1 inhibitor ZnPP IX(20 microg/kg) before bradykinin partially abrogated the delayed protection. Pretreatment with the mitochondrial ATP sensitive potassium channel(mitoK(ATP) antagonist 5-HD before or 24 h after bradykinin administration also abolished the effect of protection.

CONCLUSIONThe results indicate that activation of HO-1 and COX-2 might be involved in the delayed cardioprotection evoked by bradykinin, and mitoK(ATP) channel may serve as both a trigger and a mediator in the cardioprotection.

Animals ; Bradykinin ; pharmacology ; Celecoxib ; Cyclooxygenase 2 ; metabolism ; Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors ; pharmacology ; Heme Oxygenase-1 ; metabolism ; In Vitro Techniques ; Ischemic Preconditioning, Myocardial ; methods ; Male ; Myocardial Reperfusion Injury ; enzymology ; prevention & control ; Potassium Channels ; physiology ; Pyrazoles ; pharmacology ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Sulfonamides ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the human mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) variations associated with longevity in Bama elderly population from Guangxi.

METHODSMitochondrial genome of 20 individuals over 96 years of age was sequenced, and seven target single nucleotide polymorphism (SNPs) were observed by comparing with the standard rCRS sequence, and two were tested by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method in a larger population including 208 individuals of 90-113 years old, and 586 unrelated control individuals from Guangxi.

RESULTSThe 4824G frequency of the mtDNA4824A/G locus increased with age both in the long-lived elderly and in controls. And it was significantly higher in controls than that in long-lived population (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe mtDNA4824 A/G is not only an age-related locus, its mutation is also negatively correlated with longevity.

Aged ; China ; ethnology ; DNA, Mitochondrial ; analysis ; genetics ; Genome, Mitochondrial ; genetics ; Haplotypes ; Humans ; Longevity ; genetics ; Mutation ; Myanmar ; ethnology ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; genetics ; Population Groups

OBJECTIVETo observe the skin regeneration after hair follicle bulb cells were implanted into collagen/chitosan porous scaffolds in vitro.

METHODSThe cultured dorsal hair follicle bulb cells of 4d-old C57BL/6J mice were implanted into collagen/chitosan porous scaffolds in vitro. The skin regeneration was observed.

RESULTThe skin-like structure was formed on the collagen/chitosan porous scaffolds where were cultured the hair follicle bulb cells before 4th passages.

CONCLUSIONThe skin-like structure is generated in vitro when early passages of cultured hair bulb cells are implanted into collagen/chitosan porous scaffolds.

Animals ; Chitin ; analogs & derivatives ; Chitosan ; Collagen ; Hair Follicle ; cytology ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Regeneration ; Skin ; cytology ; Tissue Engineering

OBJECTIVETo summarize clinical application of the high tibial osteatomy (HTO) with lateral closing-wedge for the treatment of pain of unicompartmental osteoarthritis of the knee.

METHODSFrom February 2000 to February 2004,9 patients (3 males and 6 females, ranging in age from 52 to 58 years, with an average of 56 years) with unicompartmental osteoarthritis of the knee treated by HTO with lateral closing-wedge. The proximal tibiofibular joint was exposed, the anterior part of the capsule was incised, and to remove a laterally based wedge with saw cuts and osteotomes. Stepped staples were used for the fixation of tibial osteotomies after closing the defect of osteotomy.

RESULTSThe operative course was uneventful. There were no complications after operation. The postoperative follow-up period ranged from 2 to 5.5 years (mean, 3.5 years). The results were evaluated with functional assessment criterion of the osteoarthritis of the knee, among the 9 cases, excellent was in 5 cases, good in 3 cases, fair in 1 case.

CONCLUSIONHTO with lateral closing-wedge is an effective operative method for the treatment of pain of unicompartmental osteoarthritis of the knee, but except for older patients over 60 years.

Female ; Humans ; Knee Joint ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Osteoarthritis, Knee ; surgery ; Osteotomy ; methods ; Tibia ; surgery ; Treatment Outcome

AIMTo study the chemical constituents of the stems and leaves of Aconitum coreanum (Lèvl.) Rapaics.

METHODSThe constituents of Aconitum coreanum were isolated by using various kinds of modern chromatographic methods. The new alkaloid was identified on the basis of spectral analysis.

RESULTSTwo compounds were isolated and identified as: 13-dehydro-1beta-acetyl-2alpha,6beta-dihydroxyhetisine (I) and Guanfu base G (II).

CONCLUSIONCompound I is a new alkaloid.

Aconitum ; chemistry ; Diterpenes ; Heterocyclic Compounds, Bridged-Ring ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Molecular Conformation ; Molecular Structure ; Plant Leaves ; chemistry ; Plant Stems ; chemistry ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry

Objective To study on thyroid bilateral gland lobe disease with endoscopic monolateral anterior chest approach. Methods Twenty patients experienced thyroid bilateral gland lobe surgery with endoscopic monolateral anterior chest approach;24 experienced conventional surgery simultaneously and were enrolled in control group. Two groups were compared at surgical style, complications, surgical time, length of stay in hospital, incision cosmetic result and incision pain etc. Criteria of patients selected for thyroid bilateral gland lobe surgery with endoscopic monolateralanterior chest approach: with no surgical history of thyroid or other neck-related diseases and no chemotherapy; diagnosed with benign tumor according to presurgery CT result and thyroid functional examination. Diameter of tumor on both sides should be smaller than 4 cm, one side smaller than 2 cm, located at lower middle part of gland lobe and near to glandsurface. Results Patients in both groups matched in age and sex; scorings on surgical style, hospital stay, postoperative drainage, and postoperative pain were not significantly distinctive. Endoscopic group had less bleeding volumm than conventional group during surgery, better cosmetic results, but longer surgical duration and higher cost of hospitalization. Both groups occurred no permanent glottic paralysis and hypocalcemia, norecurrence. Endoscopic group had one case ecchymoma; one case temporary glottic paralysis; both recoveredin one month. Complication incidence in both groups was not significantly distinctive(x~2=2.514,P=0.201).Conclusions Gasless endoscopic monolateral anterior chest approach can well treat selected thyroid bilateral gland lobe disease and with a better cosmetic result than conventional surgery.

Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized ; Arthritis, Psoriatic/drug therapy* ; China ; Humans ; Psoriasis/drug therapy* ; Severity of Illness Index ; Treatment Outcome

Objective To explore the association of TBX 5 polymorphisms and environmental exposure index with susceptibility to oral cancer. Methods A case?control study was conducted to collect 300 oral cancer patients hospitalized in the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University from September 2010 to December 2016. A total of 445 non?tumor patients were selected as the control group. Questionnaires were used to collect the information of all subjects and 5 ml peripheral blood was collected to detect single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the rs10492336 locus of TBX5 gene. According to the environmental exposure index score, subjects were divided into two groups, low risk group (0-2.31) and high risk group (2.32-11.76). To analyze the association of TBX5 gene rs10492336 SNPs, environmental exposure index and oral cancer and its interactions. Results The age of all subjects in the case group and control group were (56.19±13.10) years and (54.56± 12.48) years old. Compared with CC genotype, the OR (95%CI) values of the co?dominant genetic model AC genotype and the dominant genetic model AC+AA genotype were 0.69 (0.49-0.98) and 0.70 (0.51-0.97), respectively. Compared with the low risk group, the OR (95%CI) risk of oral cancer in the high risk group was 3.72 (2.55-5.43). The results of gene?environment interaction analysis showed that compared with the group with CC genotype and high risk of environmental exposure index, the OR (95%CI) value of oral cancer in the group with AC+AA genotype and low risk of environmental exposure index was 0.18(0.10-0.31). Furthermore there was a multiplicative interaction between rs10492336 SNPs and environmental exposure index (β=-0.405, P<0.001). Conclusion This study suggests that the TBX 5 gene rs10492336 SNPs and environmental exposure index were associated with oral cancer. And there was a multiplication interaction between rs10492336 SNPs and environmental exposure index.