3cm than in the patients with the largerest dominant diameter≤3cm.Embolization with combination of PLE and GSP had improved the percentage of reduc- tion in myomas volume.Conclusion The factors affecting results include tumor size and location,using of GSP,and performing of bilateral embolization.

OBJECTIVETo study the effectiveness of pie-crusting technique in improving the stiff knee.

METHODSFrom February 2012 to December 2013, 13 patients with stiff knee were reviewed retrospectively. There were 6 males and 7 females, ranging in age from 39 to 70 years old (averaged, 55.6 years old). Of the 13 cases, 8 patients had stiffness following fracture (comminuted tibial plateau fracture in 4, femoral supracondylar fracture in 3 and patellar fracture in 1), 5 patients had TKA-related stiffness.

RESULTSA follow-up lasted 8 to 12 months (mean 10 months)in 13 cases. The mean maximum flexion increased from (37 ± 6)° preoperatively to (52 ± 7)° after arthrolysis, and (108 ± 7)° after pie-crusting. At the final follow-up, mean maximum flexion was (105 ± 6)°. According to Judet evaluation system, 10 patients got an excellent result and 3 good. No major complications, such as extensor lag, skin necrosis, deep infection, dislocation of the patella or recurrent stiffness were found.

CONCLUSIONThe percutaneous technique of pie-crusting is a simple, minimally invasive and effective treatment for knee stiffness.

Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Joint Diseases ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Knee Joint ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Range of Motion, Articular ; Treatment Outcome

This study aimed to investigate the drug susceptibility of wild-type and mutant avian influenza A (H7N9) virus neuraminidase (NA) to oseltamivir and zanamivir. Codon optimized DNA of H7N9 (A/ Hangzhou/1/2013) NA was synthesized and constructed into the pcDNA3.1/His vector (NA(H7N9-WT)). Mutant NA(H7N9-H274Y) and NA(H7N9-R292K) plasmids were constructed by directed mutagenesis PCR using NA(H7N9-WT) plasmid as the template followed by sequencing. NA plasmids were transfected into 293T cells and cell lysates containing NAs were collected 48 h post-transfection. Wild-type and mutant NAs were analyzed by Western blotting and their activities were tested by the 4-MUNANA-based assay. All three NAs were expressed and enzymatic activities were confirmed. The effects of oseltamivir and zanamivir on all three NAs were then tested. It showed that the half maximal inhibitory concentrations (IC50s) of oseltamivir carboxylate on NA(H7N9-WT), NA(H7N9-H274Y) and NA(H7N9-R292K) were 1.6 nM, 15.1 nM, and > 1 000 nM with fold changes of 9 and > 625, respectively. The IC50 values of zanamivir on NA(H7N9-WT), NA(H7N9-H274Y), and NA(H7N9-R292K) were 1.1 nM, 1.4 nM, and 38.0 nM with fold changes of 1.3 and 34, respectively. These results indicated that oseltamivir and zanamivir could significantly inhibit NA(H7N9-WT). NA(H7N9-R292K) showed high-level resistance to both drugs (34-fold and 625-fold) and NA(H7N9-H274Y) was sensitive to both (1.3-fold and 9-fold). These results indicated that both oseltamivir and zanamivir could be used for patients infected with the H7N9 virus. However, when patients carried the H7N9 virus with a NA R292K mutation, other medications would be preferred over oseltamivir or zanamivir.
Antiviral Agents ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Influenza A Virus, H7N9 Subtype ; drug effects ; enzymology ; genetics ; Influenza, Human ; virology ; Microbial Sensitivity Tests ; Mutation ; Neuraminidase ; antagonists & inhibitors ; genetics ; metabolism ; Oseltamivir ; pharmacology ; Viral Proteins ; antagonists & inhibitors ; genetics ; metabolism ; Zanamivir ; pharmacology

BACKGROUND: The application of mesenchymal stem cells derived from umbilical cord cultured in serum-containing medium has some obstacles. OBJECTIVE: To establish serum free medium system for primary culture of umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells. METHODS: Wharton’s Jel y was isolated from umbilical cord, minced, 1-3 mm3, and subsequently incubated in either serum containing medium or serum free medium. Some cells were harvested on days 11, 14 and 17 for some detection. Based on the minimal criteria established by the International Society for Cel ular Therapy in 2006, mesenchymal stem cells were assayed with colony forming unit-fibroblast. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The mesenchymal stem cells grew rapidly in serum free medium condition compared with serum containing medium. On day 11, the number of colonies was larger in serum free medium condition than that in serum containing medium. Thus, serum free medium could maintain properties of mesenchymal stem cells and provide possibility a credible alternative to serum containing medium for primary culture of umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells.

Due to their biological and physiological importance, flavonoids received considerable attention in the literature. This review discusses the widely used analytical method i.e. capillary electrophoresis (CE) including the chiral flavonoids separation and the hyphenation of CE and MS. Techniques used for enhancement of sensitivity such as stacking, sweeping, isotachophoresis etc. were also discussed.

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

Objective To explore the effect of Yiqi-jianpi-jiedu recipe decoction containing serum on Oxaliplatin-induced HepG2 Human hepatoma cell survivin, caspase-3, caspase-9 expression. Methods The serum pharmacological method was used to prepare nourishing Qi and invigorating spleen decoction containing serum of rat. The HepG2 human hepatoma cells were divided into Chinese herb containing serum group, chemotherapy with Oxaliplatin (OXA) group and the combination group (medicine containing serum and OXA), and the blank group without drugs. Apply MTT assay, Western Blotting method and RT-PCR method to detect the cell inhibition rate and survivin, caspase-3, caspase-9 protein and gene expression changes. Results Compared with the blank group, the inhibition rate of HepG2 Human hepatoma cell was significantly higher in Chinese herb containing serum group, chemotherapy group and the combination group (P < 0.05). Compared with thechemotherapy group and Chinese herb containing serum group, the Survivin (0.151 ± 0.054 vs. 0.288 ± 0.089, 0.375 ± 0.063) and the expression of Survivin mRNA (0.205 ± 0.091 vs. 0.487 ± 0.073, 0.725 ± 0.092) of the conbination group downgraded significantly lower (P < 0.05 or P< 0.01). Compared with chemotherapy group and Chinese herb containing serum group, the caspase-3 (0.821 ± 0.079 vs. 0.634 ± 0.098, 0.487 ± 0.102), caspase-9 (0.901 ± 0.047 vs. 0.709 ± 0.054, 0.402 ± 0.012) expression, caspase-3 mRNA (1.928 ± 0.226 vs. 1.564 ± 0.195, 1.287 ± 0.312) and caspase-9 mRNA (2.063 ± 0.517 vs. 1.536 ± 0.084, 1.019 ± 0.182) expression of the conbination group upgraded significantly higher (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). Conclusions Nourishing-Qi and invigorating spleen decoction containing serum may affect Oxaliplatin-induced HepG2 apoptosis mechanism through increasing the suppression on Survivin and promoting the expression of caspase-3 and caspase-9 protein and genes. This research provided important experimental basis for clinical application of traditional Chinese medicine treating liver cancer.

Objective: To study the quality and transdermal properties of matrine microemulsion-based hydrogel (MBH) to provide basis for the development of the preparation.Methods: The stability of MBH was observed at 4 ℃ for 3 months and the changes of particle appearance, viscosity, pH and matrine content were observed.The transdermal permeation of MBH was investigated by a dual chamber permeation and diffusion device with excised mouse skin as the barrier.Taking rabbits as the experimental subjects, the irritation of MBH to the normal skin and damaged skin was investigated.Results: The appearance, viscosity, pH and matrine content of MBH at 4 ℃ in 3 months did not change significantly.In vitro transdermal test showed that MBH had a good penetration rate on mouse skin, and no skin irritation occurred after single or multiple administrations.Conclusion: MBH has good stability and high rate of transdermal penetration without skin irritation, which is a promising drug delivery system of matrine with good application prospects.

Objective Isolating and purifying the major allergens from Metapenaeus ensis and identifying its immunoreactivity for diagnostic application. Methods The proteins extracted from Metapenaeus ensis were purified by DEAE-52 ion-exchange chromatography and Sephadex G-100 gel filtration. The eluted peaks were detected by dot-ELISA,and the immunoreactivity of the purified allergens was detected by ELISA with the sera from patients allergic to shrimp. The molecular weights of the purified allergic proteins were detected by SDS-PAGE. Results Two major allergic proteins which have highly immunoreactivity in ELISA detection were purified from Metapenaeus ensis. The molecular weights of which were 36 and 68kDa,respectively. Conclusion The major allergens of Metapenaeus ensis purified by ion-exchange chromatography and gel filtration have effective immunoreactivity and can be used as specific antigen in ELISA reagent.