BACKGROUND:Our previous studies have shown that strontium-doped calcium polyphosphate containing low-dose strontium appears to have a significant effect on angiogenesis-related behaviors of monocultured umbilical vein endothelial cells and osteoblasts.
OBJECTIVE:To investigate the effect of strontium-doped calcium polyphosphate on angiogenesis-related behaviors of umbilical vein endothelial cells and osteoblasts co-cultured, including celladhesion, spreading, proliferation, as wel as the protein secretion of vascular endothelial growth factor and basic fibroblast growth factor from co-culture system in vitro.
METHODS:Human umbilical vein endothelial cells and osteoblastic cells (MG63) were utilized in this study. cells from passage 3 were used for preparation of the cel-scaffold constructs. After placed in 24-wel plate at a ratio of 2:1, human umbilical vein endothelial cells and MG63 cells were seeded onto strontium-doped calcium
polyphosphate, calcium polyphosphate and hydroxyapatite scaffolds and co-cultured for 7 days. The vascular endothelial growth factor and basic fibroblast growth factor protein levels were determined through a double ligand enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The colorimetric 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay was performed to quantify the effect of scaffolds on cellproliferation.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Compared with those on calcium polyphosphate and hydroxyapatite scaffolds, cells on strontium-doped calcium polyphosphate scaffolds attached and spread better with a significantly improved cellproliferation. More importantly, the vascular endothelial growth factor and basic fibroblast growth factor expressions were significantly higher in the strontium-doped calcium polyphosphate group than the other two groups (P<0.05), indicating strontium-doped calcium polyphosphate can up-regulate levels of vascular endothelial growth factor and basic fibroblast growth factor proteins.

Objective To observe the effect of ulinastatin on the expression of interleukin 15 (IL-15), connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) and malondialdehyde (MDA) in rat peritoneal mesothelial cells (RPMCs) induced by high glucose. Methods RPMCs were isolated, cultured and passaged by trypsin, then identified. The third generation of cultured RPMCs were used in the experiment. RPMCs were divided into normal control group, high glucose (1.5%, 2.5%, 4.25%) for 6 hours and 12 hours, high glucose (2.5%) for 3, 6, 12, 24 hours or ulinastatin (160, 320, 640U/ml) for 12 hours. IL-15 mRNA was detected by real-time PCR. IL-15 and CTGF protein in supernatants was detected by ELISA. MDA protein was detected by TBAS. Results Compared with the control group, the expression of IL-15, CTGF and MDA was significantly increased in the groups stimulated by high glucose (P＜0.05) in dose- and time-dependent manner. Ulinastatin could significantly decrease the expression of IL-15, CTGF and MDA induced by high glucose in dosedependent manner both in protein and gene levels (P＜0.05). Conclusions High glucose can up-regulate the expression of IL-15, CTGF and MDA in RPMCs. Ulinastatin can reverse these changes.

The individual variability should be considered in precision medicine-prevention and treatment strategies.Medical research using genomics, proteomics, metabolomics, systems analyses, and other modern tools has made big progress.In 2002, the members of the Complex-Trait Consortium proposed to develop a new mouse genetics resource called the Collaborative Cross (CC).The CC is a genetic reference panel of recombinant inbred lines of mice, designed for the dissection of complex traits and gene networks.It will provide a powerful measure for functional studies of biological networks, which will be essential to understand the intricacies of disease processes.

Objective:A method that is based on microfluidic cell chip technology was developed for the first time to analyze CD14+monocyte myeloperoxidase (MPO) expression in myelomonocytic leukemia (M4) patients. CD14+monocyte MPO expression in M4 patients was preliminarily discussed. Methods:a. The chip was prepared by using polydimethylsiloxane as the host material and by secondary foam molding. b. A total of 48 clinically diagnosed M4 patients and 52 patients with normal myelogram were included as the test and control groups, respectively. c. A method based on the microfluidic cell chip approach was established to detect CD14+mono-cytes and to determine the positive rate and degree of MPO expression in the cells. d. The microfluidic cell chip technique was used to compare CD14+monocyte MPO expression in M4 patients with that in the control. Results:a. The designed microfluidic single cell analysis chip allowed the entry of granulocytes into the corresponding microfluidic channels. Thus, blood cells were separated. Numer-ous ghost corpuscles surrounded the separated white blood cells (WBCs). WBC morphology did not show obvious changes. b. The posi-tive rate of MPO expression and the activity of CD14+monocytes in the bone marrow of M4 patients were significantly higher than those in the bone marrow of the control (P<0.05). Conclusion:A method based on microfluidic single cell technology was developed for the first time to analyze the MPO expression in CD14+monocytes. CD14+monocyte MPO activity in M4 patients was significantly higher than in the control. CD14+monocyte MPO activity can be used as an auxiliary examination marker for clinical diagnosis.

AIM:To investigate the influence of matrine (MA) on the phenotype switching of mouse mono-cytes and alveolar macrophages induced by bleomycin ( BLM) .METHODS:All mice were randomly divided into normal saline (NS) group, BLM group, BLM+NS group and BLM +MA group.The mice were administered with BLM at 2.5 mg/kg via oropharyngeal instillation .The mice in BLM+MA group were treated with MA (15 mg· kg-1 · d-1 ) by oral gavage following BLM administration .The mice were sacrificed on days 3, 7, 14, and 21.The lungs were removed for pathological analysis .The circulating monocyte subsets and polarization state of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid ( BALF)-de-rived alveolar macrophages were analyzed by flow cytometry .RESULTS:The results of HE and Masson trichrome staining in BLM and BLM+NS groups exhibited classical pathological stages of lung fibrosis , including acute inflammation phase and later fibrosis phase .Compared with BLM +NS group, MA treatment alleviated the inflammatory response and the de-gree of fibrosis induced by BLM (P<0.05).There was a rapid change of circulating Ly6Chi monocytes and its magnitude was positively associated with the pulmonary inflammatory response .An expansion of M2-like alveolar macrophages was positively correlated with the magnitude of lung fibrosis .Moreover , MA treatment partially normalized the phenotype switc-hing of monocytes and alveolar macrophages .CONCLUSION:Matrine treatment attenuates BLM-induced pulmonary injury partially via modulating the phenotype switching of monocytes and alveolar mocrophages .

Objective: To observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) at Zusanli (ST 36) on the gastrointestinal motility and the ultrastructures of pacemaker cells [the interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC)] in diabetic gastroparesis (DGP) rats and explore the mechanism of EA for DGP.Methods: A total of 50 Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into group A, group B, group C, group D and group E, with 10 rats in each group. Group A was the blank control; a single intraperitoneal injection of 2% streptozotocin (STZ) was performed in rats of group B, group C, group D and group E, with high glucose and high fat diet for 8 weeks to establish the DGP rat models. Group B was the model group and the rats did not receive any treatment; group C was EA at acupoint group and the rats received EA at Zusanli (ST 36), Liangmen (ST 21) and Sanyinjiao (SP 6); group D was EA at non-acupoint group and the rats received EA at the control points of Zusanli (ST 36), Liangmen (ST 21) and Sanyinjiao (SP 6); group E was metoclopramide group and the rats were treated by intragastric administration of metoclopramide. Blood glucose was detected using ONE TOUCH blood glucose meter; gastric emptying rate and small intestine migration rate were measured using intragastric phenol red; ultrastructures of gastric antrum ICC were detected by transmission electron microscopy.Results: The differences of blood glucose between group B, group C, group D, group E versus that of group A were statistically significant after modeling (P<0.01); after treatment, the differences of blood glucose between group D, group E versus that of group C were statistically significant (P<0.05,P<0.01); the gastric emptying rate of rats in group B was statistically significant different from that in group A (P<0.01); the gastric emptying rate of rats in group C was statistically significant different from that in group B (P<0.01). The migration rates of rats' small intestines in group B, group C, group D and group E were all statistically significant different from that in group A (P<0.01); the migration rate of rats' small intestines in group C was statistically significant different from that in group B (P<0.01). The ultrastructure of rat's ICC in group B showed apoptosis compared with that in group A; rat's ICC in group C had complete basement membrane, more cytoplasm mitochondria, Golgi and rough endoplasmic reticulum, showing clear structure, occasional mitochondria swelling and gap junctions with adjacent smooth muscle cells; there were no significant differences between group D, group E versus group B.Conclusion: EA at Zusanli (ST 36) plus other acupoints can regulate the blood glucose and promote gastrointestinal motility in DGP rats, and the mechanism may be related to repairing the damaged ICC structure.

This review made a brief summary of several pharmacokinetic methods of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM ) prescription including the methods of biological effects ,plasma concentration ,integrated Pharmacokinetics of multiple effective components of TCM prescription and integrated pharmacokinetic‐pharmacodynamic of TCM prescription .The corresponding characteristics ,advantages and disadvantages of each of these methods were analyzed .And the progresses of the pharmacokinetic methods of TCM prescription were concluded and prospected .

AIM: To establish a cell line of stable silencing of P2X7 receptor (P2X7R) expression through short hairpin RNA ( shRNA)-mediated interference in murine RAW264.7 macrophages, and to investigate the proliferation and apoptosis in the cell line.METHODS:Stable silencing of P2X7 R gene in the RAW264.7 cells was achieved by re-combinant shRNA plasmid targeting murine P2X7 R gene via liposome mediated transfection, followed by G418 selection. The efficacy of plasmid transfection and P2X7 R silencing in G418 resistant cells was verified by immunofluorescent micros-copy and real-time PCR, respectively.The proliferative activity was analyzed by CCK-8 assay and EdU cell proliferation as-say.The cell cycle distribution and apoptosis were evaluated by flow cytometry.RESULTS:The expression of P2X7 R at mRNA and protein levels was down-regulated by 80% in shP2X7 R group compared with negative control ( NC) plasmid transfection.In addition, P2X7 R-silencing cells exhibited higher proliferative activity compared with NC and wild-type RAW264.7 cells (P<0.05).Compared with NC cells, P2X7R silencing resulted in an increase in the phagocytosis of the cells ( P<0.05) .CONCLUSION:A cell line RAW264.7 of stable silencing of P2X7 R expression was successfully es-tablished.P2X7 R gene silencing stimulates the proliferation, and changes phagocytic function in murine RAW264.7 macro-phages.

Objective: To observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) on the electrogastrogram and gastric antrum ghrelin in rats with diabetic gastroparesis (DGP). Methods: Fifty Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into group A, group B, group C, group D and group E, 10 rats in each group. Group A was the blank control group without intervention. Group B, Group C, Group D and Group E were treated with single dose intraperitoneal injection of 2% streptozotocin (STZ), combined with 8-week high glucose and high fat diet to establish DGP rat models. Group B was the model group without treatment. Group C was the EA at acupoint group, was treated with EA at Zusanli (ST 36), Liangmen (ST 21) and Sanyinjiao (SP 6). Group D was the EA at non-acupoint group, was treated by EA at the control points of Zusanli (ST 36), Liangmen (ST 21) and Sanyinjiao (SP 6). Rats in the metoclopramide control group received 1.7% metoclopramide solution [10 mL/(kg·bw)] by gavage. Rat's blood glucose level was measured by blood glucose meter; gastric emptying rate was detected using phenol red as a marker; the electrogastrogram was detected by BL-420F biological function system; the protein level of ghrelin was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA); the expression of ghrelin mRNA was detected by real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Results: Compared with group A, the blood glucose of group B, C, D and E were significantly increased before and after the treatment (all P<0.01); after treatment, the gastric emptying rate of group B was significantly decreased (P<0.01), the migration rates of small intestine in group B, C, D and E were significantly lower (all P<0.01), and the protein content of ghrelin in group C was significantly decreased (P<0.01); the expressions of ghrelin mRNA were significantly increased in group B, C, D and E (all P<0.01), the mean amplitudes of electrogastrogram in group B and D were significantly decreased (both P<0.01). After treatment, compared with group B, the blood glucose of group C was significantly decreased (P<0.05), the gastric emptying rate and small intestine migration rate were significantly increased in group C and E (P<0.05, P<0.01), the small intestinal migration rate was significantly increased in group D (P<0.05), the expression of ghrelin in protein and mRNA in group C was significantly lower (P<0.01), the expression of ghrelin mRNA in group E was significantly lower (P<0.05), and the mean amplitude of electrogastrogram in group C was significantly increased (P<0.05). After treatment, compared with group D, the protein and mRNA expressions of ghrelin in group C were significantly decreased (P<0.01). After treatment, compared with group E, the protein expression of ghrelin in group C was significantly decreased (P<0.01). Conclusion: EA at Zusanli (ST 36), Liangmen (ST 21) and Sanyinjiao (SP 6) could regulate the blood glucose level of DGP model rats, enhance electrogastrogram activity, promote gastric emptying, and regulate ghrelin expression in protein and mRNA.

Objective Pneumosilicosis is characterized by pulmonary fibrosis and cannot be effectively treated at present. This study was to explore the changes of monocyte subsets in the mouse model of silicon dioxide-induced experimental pneumosilicosis and the correlation of the changes with lung inflammatory injury and pulmonary fibrosis. Methods A total of 100 male C57BL/6J mice weighing 18-22 g were equally randomized into a normal saline (NS) group and a silicon dioxide (quartz) group.The model of experimental pneumosilicosis was established by oropharyngeal aspiration of quartz suspension.At 1, 3, 7, 14, and 28 days after treat-ment, the mice were sacrificed and the proportions of different circulating monocyte subpopulations determined by flow cytometry.Dif-ferent types of inflammatory cells in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid ( BALF) were routinely counted.The inflammation score and col-lagen volume fraction ( CVF) of the lung tissue were obtained by HE and picrosirius red staining. Results At 7 days after quartz treatment, silicotic nodules were observed in the lung tissue.Compared with the NS controls, the model mice showed significantly in-creased inflammation score and CVF at 7 days (0.920 ±0.049 vs 1.400 ±0.089, P<0.01;0.525 ±0.048 vs 1.950 ±0.065, P<0.01) and 28 days (0.800 ±0.089 vs 1.520 ±0.136, P<0.01;0.850 ±0.050 sv 5.300 ±0.776, P<0.01).In comparison with the NS group, the quartz group also exhibited significant increases in the number of total cells at days 1-28 (P<0.01) and the count of neutrophils at days 1-14 (P<0.01) in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) of the model mice, as well as in the number of macrophages in the BALF at 3 days (0.980 ±0.663 vs 6.821 ±2.627, P<0.01), 7 days (1.225 ±0.601 vs 6.697 ±1.864, P<0.01), 14 days (1.492 ±0.438 vs 2.574 ±0.396, P<0.01), and 28 days (2.035 ±0.456 vs 3.249 ±0.492, P<0.01).The count of neutrophilic granulocytes in the BALF was remarkably higher in the quartz than in the NS group at 1, 3, 7, and 14 days (P<0.01) but not at 28 days (P>0.05).Compared with the NS controls, the quartz-treated mice showed markedly increased proportion of Ly6Chimonocytes at all time points, which peaked at 7 days (58.750 ±2.386 vs 78.300 ±2.517, P<0.01), with a positive corre-lation with the inflammation score (P<0.01) and CVF of the lung tissue (P<0.01) at 7 and 28 day. Conclusion The propor-tions of circulating Ly6Chi and Ly6Clo monocytes changed dynamically in the murine model of quartz-induced experimental pneumosilico-sis.The increased proportion of the Ly6Chi monocyte subpopulation might be closely related with lung inflammatory injury and pulmona-ry fibrosis in pneumosilicosis.