Objective To explore the therapeutic effect of recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) on the stature of children with Turner syndrome(TS) and analyze its influencing factors in treatment.Methods Twelve children with TS were selected in the outpatient department of West China second hospital of sichuan university between Jan.2004 to Jun.2007.They were diagnosed as TS with karyotypically.The average age was 4.9-16.9(11.28?3.64)years old.Every patient must be made sure to have normal liver function,kidney funtion and MRI for hypothalamus and pituitary before enrollment.All cases were never treated with growth hormone or estrin.Not all the patients had the same manifestations:12 cases with short stature,9 cases with cubitus valgue,8 cases with broad chest,4 cases with low posterior hairline,2 cases with webbed neck,11 cases without pubes and armpit hair,none with menarche.Every patient must be made sure to have normal liver function,kidney funtion and MRI for hypothalamus and pituitary before enrollment.rhGH was used subcutaneously 3-5 cm around navel eve-ry night before sleep.Average rhGH dose was 0.16 IU/(kg?d)[0.15-0.18 IU/(kg?d)],and height standard deviation score (HtSDS) was calculated and compared before and after rhGH treatment,and adverse reactions were observed.Results The duration of treatment was different:9 cases for 12 cases months,2 cases for 15 cases months and 1 case for 18 cases months.The average height increase rat was (0.55?0.15) cm / month.Difference of HtSDS existed before and after treatment by t test(t=2.87 P

Objective To detect the serum level of tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase 5b (TRACP5b) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) before and after infliximab treatment and analyze the relevance between TRACP-5b and activity indexes of RA.The effect of different medicines on bony erosion in RA and its possible mechanism were explored.Methods Patients were divided into two groups:16 patients were treated with inffiximab for 24 weeks (group 1 ),25 patients were treated with MTX for 24 weeks (group 2).The core indicators of RA activity were evaluated.Ranked test,grouped design and matched t test was used to examine the quantity data between groups,while numerate data was analyzed with qui-square test.Correlation between data was tested by Spearmen's and Pearson's tests.RestltsThe levels of TRACP-5b in patients with X-ray stagesⅠ ,Ⅱ ,Ⅲ ,Ⅳ were elevated at the baseline.The levels of TRACP-5b in phase Ⅲ and Ⅳ were [(3.34±1.07) U/L] and[(4.05±0.25) U/L] respectively,higher (P＜0.05) than those in phase Ⅰ[(1.69±0.48) U/L].At week 0,week 12,and week 24,the serum levels of TRACP-5b in group 1 were(3.07±1.32),(2.72±1.18),(2.16±1.09) U/L respectively,while the levels in week 12,and 24 were significantly lower than those of week 0(P＜0.05).A significant decrease of serum TRACP-5b level in group 1[(2.16±1.09 ) U/L]when compared to group two[ (3.05±0.93) U/L] after 24 weeks.TRACP=5b level was positively correlated with the course of disease (r=0.313,P=0.043 ),HAQ(r=0.443,P=0.007).Conclusion Infliximab can reduce TRACP-5b level in RA and inhibit inflammatory bone loss.TRACP-5b can be used to evaluate the efficacy of biological agents in treating RA.

As a novel research tool in the field of the spinal biomechanics, the finite element method (FEM) complements and verifies the traditional research methods, which has been attached increasingly greater importance. In this paper, we briefly introduce the achievement made in the field of spinal biomechanics by FEM in the past decade, summarize the physiological and pathological behaviors of various spinal anatomical parts described by FEM, and present the basic view of using FEM to optimize the surgery instrument design.

The role of bracing for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis,which came into application in 1960's,has long been controversial.There are various brace instrument with different reported effectiveness.In this paper,we summarize the research findings and main views in the effectiveness of bracing for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis in the past ten years,and explore the possible causes leading to the different results.Besides,we are trying to point out the research trend,in hope of drawing a scientific conclusion on the effectiveness of bracing treatment in the near future.

Animals ; Antiviral Agents ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; DNA-Directed RNA Polymerases ; antagonists & inhibitors ; Drug Discovery ; Hemagglutinin Glycoproteins, Influenza Virus ; chemistry ; metabolism ; Humans ; Influenza A virus ; drug effects ; genetics ; metabolism ; Influenza, Human ; drug therapy ; Molecular Targeted Therapy ; Neuraminidase ; antagonists & inhibitors ; RNA-Binding Proteins ; antagonists & inhibitors ; Signal Transduction ; drug effects ; Viral Core Proteins ; antagonists & inhibitors ; Viral Matrix Proteins ; antagonists & inhibitors

The paper is aimed to study the difference in yield and quality at different harvest time and determine the optimum harvest of planting Gentiana in Ludian traditional harvest period. The authors analyzed the variation in fresh weight, dry weight, dry discount rate, length, diameter, volume and the content of gentiopicroside, loganin acid, alcohol-soluble extract and total ash and made a comprehensive appraisal of yield, appearance quality and intrinsic quality by gray relational distance ideal Comprehensive Evaluation method. The results showed that there is a big difference in yield and quality both 2-year-old and 3-year-old Gentiana harvested in traditional harvest period and the comprehensive evaluation more better when harvested more later. It can be seen, Gentiana harvested the later had a better yield and quality in Ludian traditional harvest period. The harvest of Gentiana can be appropriate delayed depending on the particular circumstances of production.
Agriculture ; methods ; China ; Gentiana ; anatomy & histology ; growth & development ; metabolism ; Iridoid Glucosides ; metabolism ; Organ Size ; Quality Control ; Time Factors

Folic Acid ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Neural Tube Defects ; prevention & control

ObjectiveTo investigate the feasibility of hTGF-β1 transfected bone mrrow mesenchymal stem cell (BMSCs) combined with calcium alginate gel in three dimensional condition to construct tissue engineering cartilage.MethodsRats BMSCs were obtained and cultured by whole bone marrow method,and then the third-generation cells were seeded into cell culture plate,and were divided into 3 groups:AdhTGF-β1 transfected group, Ad-EGFP transfected group and control group. The control group was added in common medium without any treatment while the other 2 groups were respectively added in serum-free medium containing Ad-hTGF-β1 or that containing Ad-EGFP.Seven days later,real-time fluorescent quantitation PCR and Western blot were employed for detecting the expression of TGF-β1.Then,the BMSCs which successfully transfected by Ad-hTGF-β1,were continually cultured in vitro.Andthe confound of cells-calcium alginate gel,the cell density was 1.0 × l07 per ml,were prepared and cultuered in constant temperature incubator.Ten days later,examine the morphous and proliferation of cell.Last,paraffin slice of the cell-gel confound was stained by HE,toluidine blue and Masson staining,while immunohistochemical for the secretion of collagen Ⅱ.ResultsSeven days after the transfection, real-time fluorescent quantitation PCR revealed that the average relative expression of TGF-β1 was:Ad-hTGF-β1 group 0.863,and Ad-EGFP group 0.183, the control group 0.180, and the expression difference of TGF-β1 was statistically diffence(P ＜0.05). Western blot proved strong TGF-β1 expression in Ad-hTGF-β1 group while it was detected a little in the other two groups. Globose cells were observed through inverted microscope in the calcium alginate gel.MTT proved the amount of cells were not statistically diffence (P ＞ 0.05) at different time point.HE staining proved amount cartilage lacuna formation in the gel, while the secretion of cartilage matrix were proved by toluidine blue and Masson,and immunohistochemical proved the expression of collagen Ⅱ.Conclusion BMSC trnsfected by hTGF-β1 could be successfully induced to chondrocyte, as the cells morphous maintained.This three dimensional condition could preferably mimicry cell growth pattern as in vivo.

BACKGROUND:In early experiments, we prepared hydroxyapatite-coated mechanical heart valve embedded with col agen using impulse laser sediment method.
OBJECTIVE:To further analyze the histocompatibility and toxicity of hydroxyapatite-coated mechanical heart valve embedded with col agen.
METHODS:After passage, canine vascular endothelial cellsuspension was inoculated onto the hydroxyapatite-coated mechanical heart valve embedded with col agen. One group was inoculated in 5%CO2, 37 ℃ incubator for 3 weeks static culture, and the other group was inoculated in 5%CO 2 , 37 ℃ incubator for 3 weeks spinner culture. Scanning electron microscope was used to observe cellattachment on the material. 3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay was used to the proliferative capacity of vascular endothelial cells cultured with the hydroxyapatite-coated mechanical heart valve embedded with col agen.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:During the spinner culture, adherent cells were found on the surface of mechanical heart valve, and the cells distributed evenly and confluent at 21 days to cover the surface of the material. The number of adherent cells in the spinner culture was higher than that in the static culture. The cells during the static culture were aggregated and distributed irregularly. The mechanical heart valve exhibited no effects on the proliferation of canine vascular endothelial cells which grew wel . These findings indicate that the hydroxyapatite-coated mechanical heart valve embedded with col agen exert no effect on proliferation of vascular endothelial cells, has no toxicity and has good biocompatibility.

BACKGROUND:Adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells are gaining widespread interest in the Achil es tendon tissue engineering and regeneration, and an enabling environment (oxygen concentration) for cellinduction and differentiation is particularly necessary.
OBJECTIVE:To co-culture adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells with primary tenocytes in standard culture condition (20%O 2 tension) and in an atmosphere of reduced oxygen (2%O 2 tension) in order to determine whether the two conditions differ in their effect on tenogenic differentiation.
METHODS:Tenocytes were isolated via serial expansion in culture from several Sprague-Dawley rats’ Achil es tendons. Adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells were purchased. After one passage, adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells were indirectly co-cultured with tenocytes in standard culture condition (20%O 2 tension) and in an atmosphere of reduced oxygen (2%O 2 tension). Col agen 1, col agen 3, Tenomodulin, Thrombospondin-4, Scleraxis levels were compared for each culture condition at 7, 14 and 21 days fol owing co-culturing. Immunofluorescence staining was performed to evaluate production of col agen 1 and Thrombospondin-4.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Fol owing indirect co-culturing, hypoxic differentiated adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells expressed higher levels of tendon-related genes and proteins than normoxic controls, which suggest that oxygen levels can significantly affect tenogenic differentiation, and hypoxia is advantageous for efficient differentiation of adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells in vitro for tendon tissue engineering.