An actinomycetes which produced soluble blue pigment was isolated from the soil sample in Nanjing,China.Based on its cell chemical characteristics and 16S rDNA sequence we found that its cell wall contained L-diaminopimelic acid and glycine,the whole cell hydrolysates contained glucose and ribose,whole cell contained fatty acid from C14 to C17 with 12-methyltetradecanoic(anteiso-15) and 14-methylpentadentadecanoic acid(iso-16) as the major components.The results shown that,it belongs to the genus Streptomyces.Phylogenetic tree of 16S rDNA sequences indicated that all strains were clustered into 9 branches.All strains that could produce blue pigment were clustered into 2 branches,they were S.coelicolor、S.cyaneus.The isolate closely related to Streptomyces indigocolor with a similarity of 99.4% fell into S.cyaneus branch.

BACKGROUNDMyocardial apoptosis is involved in the pathogenesis of sepsis-related myocardial depression. However, the underlying mechanism remains unknown. This study investigated the role of mitochondrial damage and mitochondria-induced oxidative stress during cardiac apoptosis in septic rats.

METHODSSeventy-two Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into a control group and septic group receiving lipopolysaccharide injection. Heart tissue was removed and changes in cardiac morphology were observed by light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. In situ apoptosis was examined using terminal transferase-mediated dUTP nick end-labeling assay and nuclear factor-kappa B activation in myocardium by Western blotting to estimate myocardial apoptosis. Appearance of mitochondrial cristae and activation of cytochrome C oxidase were used to evaluate mitochondrial damage. Oxidative stress was assessed by mitochondrial lipid and protein oxidation, and antioxidant defense was assessed by mitochondrial superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase activity.

RESULTSSepsis-induced inflammatory cell infiltration, myocardium degeneration and dropsy were time-dependent. Expanded capillaries were observed in the hearts of infected rats 24 hours post-challenge. Compared with sham-treated rats, the percentage of cell apoptosis increased in a time-dependent manner in hearts from septic rats at 6 hours, 12 hours and 24 hours post-injection (P < 0.05). The expression of nuclear factor-kappa B p65 decreased gradually in the cytosol and increased in the nucleus during sepsis, indicating that septic challenge provoked the progressive activation of nuclear factor-kappa B. Mitochondrial cristae and activation of cytochrome C oxidase increased in a time-dependent manner. Both superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase activities decreased, while mitochondrial lipid and protein oxidation increased between 6 and 24 hours after lipopolysaccharide challenge.

CONCLUSIONSSeptic challenge induced myocardial apoptosis and mitochondrial damage. Furthermore, mitochondrial damage via alteration of defenses against reactive oxygen species might play an important role in myocardial apoptosis during sepsis.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; physiology ; Male ; Mitochondria, Heart ; metabolism ; pathology ; Myocardium ; metabolism ; pathology ; Oxidative Stress ; physiology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Sepsis ; metabolism ; physiopathology

OBJECTIVETo examine the expression of activin A (ACT A) and transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-beta 1) during mandibular lengthening and elucidate the difference between the role of ACT A and TGF-beta 1 during mandibular distraction osteogenesis.

METHODSkeletally mature white new zealand rabbits were established right mandibular distraction osteogenesis model. The regenerating tissue of animals' lengthened mandibes were harvested at different time points to have immunohistochemistric research of ACT A, TGF-beta 1 protein and analysis ACT A, TGF-beta 1 mRNA by using RT-PCR semiquantitative mean.

RESULTSAT the end of latency period day, positive stain of ACT A were found in the osteoblasts while positive stain of TGF-beta 1 was found in mesenchymal cells. At the end of distraction phase, fibrosis tissue had no stain of ACT A, but had strong stain of TGF-beta 1. At the period of fixation days of 20 days, both cytoplasm of osteoblasts and extracellular matrix in primary mineralization front were strongly stained of ACT A. The osteoblasts, osteoid and osteocytes in peripheral new bone zone were moderately stained of ACT A. TGF-beta 1 had strongly positive stained in fibrosis zone and weekly positive stained in primary mineralization front and peripheral new bone zone. There were also broad activin A stains in cytoplasm of osteoblasts, osteoid and cytoplasm of ACT A, TGF-beta 1 in osteocytes after distraction for 30 days. Activin A mRNA began to express at the end of latency period. Expression for activin A mRNA increased gradually along with the beginning of distraction and at the peak in distraction of 10 days and 20 days, while TGF beta 1 mRNA increased at the peak at the end of latency period.

CONCLUSIONACT A and TGF beta 1 have different role during rabbit mandibular distraction osteogenesis.

Activins ; analysis ; physiology ; Animals ; Female ; Immunohistochemistry ; Inhibin-beta Subunits ; analysis ; physiology ; Mandible ; surgery ; Osteogenesis, Distraction ; Rabbits ; Transforming Growth Factor beta ; analysis ; physiology ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1

OBJECTIVEDespite the causes for melanin increase, the increased gene expression of TYR is a common pathological process. Based on this viewpoint, antisense-S-Oligo of TYR was designed and synthesized to regulate synthesis of melanin in order to explore the treatment for skin pigmentation.

METHODSThe cultured melanocytes were divided into 3 groups. The group 1 was treated with endothelin, group 2 treated with ultraviolet ray and group 3 was used as the control. In each group, the 5' antisense-S-Oligo, the 3' antisense-S-Oligo, the mixed antisense-S-Oligo of TYR or Dotap only was added. The melanin content and TYR gene expressions were examined.

RESULTSThe 5' antisense-S-Oligo, the 3' antisense-S-Oligo and the mixed antisense-S-Oligo significantly inhibited the increase of melanin content and TYR gene expression, which were caused by endothelin or ultraviolet ray treatment. Of the three treatments, the 3' antisense-S-Oligo showed the strongest effect.

CONCLUSIONAntisense-S-Oligo has significant regulating effects on TYR gene expression and melanin content. The 3' antisense-S-Oligo is more effective than the 5' antisense-S-Oligo.

3' Flanking Region ; genetics ; 5' Flanking Region ; genetics ; Endothelins ; pharmacology ; Gene Expression ; Melanins ; biosynthesis ; Melanocytes ; drug effects ; metabolism ; radiation effects ; Oligodeoxyribonucleotides, Antisense ; genetics ; pharmacology ; Tyrosine ; genetics ; metabolism ; Ultraviolet Rays

OBJECTIVETo repair the whole auricular defects with implant-plasty and prosthesis technique. The indications, complications and implant sites of this method were discussed.

METHODSIn reconstruction of the whole auricular defect, the self-developed pure titanium implants, specialized for plastic surgery, were used for intra-osseous fixation for retaining the artificial ear. 10 cases were treated with this method.

RESULTSFollow-up of three years demonstrated that this implant system, with stable function, could generate osseointegration and be used as an abutment of intra-osseous fixation to retain the auricular prosthesis for a long time.

CONCLUSIONThe operation is simple and convenient with little trauma and short-term of treatment. The artificial ear has lifelike appearance, proper color and satisfactory effects. This technique has wide indications and is worth popularization.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Ear ; abnormalities ; surgery ; Ear Deformities, Acquired ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Prostheses and Implants ; Surgery, Plastic ; methods ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo investigate a novel method to differentiate hemangioma from vascular malformation, to stage hemangiomas and to monitor the efficacy of management for hemangioma.

METHODSThe urinary basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) concentration of 144 cases (including 69 cases of proliferating hemangiomas, 41 cases of involuting hemangiomas, 23 cases of vascular malformations and 11 negative controls) was examined using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

RESULTSThe differences of urinary bFGF concentration among proliferating hemangiomas, involuting hemangiomas, vascular malformations and negative control were all significant, while the differences between the latter three groups were not significant.

CONCLUSIONSOur findings suggest that examination of urinary bFGF concentration using ELISA technique is helpful in differentiating hemangioma from vascular malformation, staging hemangiomas and dynamically monitoring the efficacy of treatment for hemangiomas. Our results probably shed new light on the potential pathogenesis of hemangiomas and vascular malformation.

Arteriovenous Malformations ; diagnosis ; urine ; Child, Preschool ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 ; urine ; Hemangioma ; diagnosis ; urine ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn

OBJECTIVEA reversed superficial temporal artery auricular flap was presented to explore a new method for reconstructing the defects of the distal nose by microsurgical techniques.

METHODSA reversed superficial temporal artery auricular flap had been used on fifteen patients with nasal defects, including thirteen patients with alar defects and two patients with nasal tip defects. The reversed superficial temporal vessels of the flap were anastomosed with the recipient facial vessels. The size of the flap was 2.5 cm x 2. 0 cm - 4.0 cm x 2.5 cm, the length of the vascular pedicle was 5 - 8 cm, average 6.5 cm

RESULTSThe flap survived uneventfully in all fifteen patients.

RESULTSdemonstrated satisfactory symmetry between the reconstructed ala and the contralateral side as well as an excellent tip projection. The donor-site defect was minimal.

CONCLUSIONSThe reversed superficial temporal artery auricular flap offers an adequate length of vascular pedicle of the flap, it delivers a good solution to the problem of the vascular pedicle shortage of the proximal superficial artery auricular flap. This technique may become the top choice in the microvascular auricular transfer.

Adult ; Ear, External ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nose ; surgery ; Nose Deformities, Acquired ; surgery ; Rhinoplasty ; methods ; Surgical Flaps ; blood supply ; Temporal Arteries ; surgery ; Tissue Transplantation ; Young Adult

BACKGROUND: The application of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in the treatment of cartilage damage has become a hot spot of research. Further studies on the distribution of MSCs in the body after injection and on the underlying mechanism of action are needed. OBJECTIVE: To observe the migration of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) after injection into the region of osteochondral defect. METHODS: Thirty Sprague-Dawley rats were randomized into two groups (n=15 per group). In the control group, the femoral tochlear was exposed but an osteochondral defect was not made; and after the suture, PKH26-labeled BMSCs were directly injected into the articular cavity of rats. In the experimental group, a cartilage defect of 1 mm in diameter and 1 mm in depth was made in the rat femoral trochlea, and 5×106PKH26-labeled BMSCs were injected into the defect after operation. At 1, 3 and 7 days after injection, the femoral condyle was taken to make frozen sections followed by DAPI staining. The distribution of BMSCs was observed under laser scanning confocal microscope. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: In the control group, PKH26-labeled BMSCs were not transferred to the subchondral bone. In the experimental group, BMSCs were detected in the subchondral bone area at 1, 3 days after injection of PKH26-BMSCs in the bone cartilage defect area, and the BMSCs were also found in the bone marrow cavity at 7 days after injection. In conclusion, BMSCs in the articular cavity cannot migrate into the subchondral bone and bone marrow cavity unless the cartilage of the femoral condyle is damaged.

BACKGROUND: Preparing a scaffold with cartilage derived components and good initial mechanical strength is the direction of tissue engineering cartilage research. OBJECTIVE: To prepare porous acellular osteochondral scaffolds, and to explore their mechanical properties and cell compatibility. METHODS: Osteochondral bone from the porcine knee joint was taken, and then porous osteochondral scaffolds were made by laser microporation technology. Subsequently, the scaffolds were decellularized chemical methods. Scaffold structure was observed by scanning electron microscopy, and the compression modulus of the scaffolds was determined. Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells were cultured in L-DMEM containing 10% fetal bovine serum (control group) and cultured in the medium extract of porous acellular osteochondral scaffolds (experimental group), respectively. Cell proliferation was detected by cell counting kit-8 method within 5 days of culture. Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells were seeded on the porous acellular osteochondral scaffolds, and within 28 days of co-culture, cell growth was observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining and toluidine blue staining. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) Observation under scanning electron microscopy: The porous acellular osteochondral scaffolds had the smooth surface with evenly distributed pores. The pores of the scaffold extended longitudinally into the subchondral bone. (2) Mechanical properties: The average compressive modulus of porous acellular osteochondral scaffolds was 0.77 MPa, which was close to the compression modulus of the normal cartilage (1.15 MPa). (3) Cell counting kit-8 test: There were no differences in cell proliferation between the control and experimental groups at 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 days of culture. (4) Cell-scaffold co-culture: A large amount of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells were observed to be adherent to the scaffold after 1 day of culture through hematoxylin-eosin and toluidine blue staining. However, as time went on, a few cells adhered to the pore wall or grew into the pores at 7 and 21 days of culture. There were also some adherent cells but a large amount of cell masses formed in the pores at 28 days of culture. To conclude, the porous acellular osteochondral scaffold has good mechanical properties and cell compatibility.

Objective Make use of image dentate nucleus and the veins around it on susceptibility weighted images (SWI), explore the correlation between the location of hilum of dentate nucleus and the venous variation of dentate nucleus. Methods Selecting 51 healthy adults (24 men, 27 women) at the age between 18 and 30 years old to get the original images on 3. 0T MR. Process the original images by minimum intensity projections (mIP) observed and analyzed the morphology of dentate nucleus and veins around it on original and processed images. Results The length of dentate nucleus was (16. 64±0. 20)mm, and the width was (8. 36±0. 14)mm. There was no significant difference between bilateral dentate nucleus. The median angle of the long axis of the dentate nucleus was 26. 80° (interquartile distance was 34. 58°). The venous network of dentate nucleus was formed in 2 groups of veins: the lateral group, drained by the vein of the horizontal fissure and nuclear vein; the medial group, drained by vermian vein and central vein of dentate nucleus. These two groups had been further typing as follows: the lateral anterior group drained by the nuclear vein, finally opening to superior petrosal sinus; the lateral median group had plenty of small veins of lateral dentate nucleus converge into the vein of the horizontal fissure; the lateral posterior group drained by a lot of very small veins converging to vermian veins or medullary veins; the medial anterior group that the central vein of dentate nucleus and the paravermian vein were jointed at hilum of dentate nucleus, opening into straight sinus; the medial posterior group usually converged into tributaries of vermian vein, or converged with paravermian vein into tributaries of vermian vein. Totally 75. 49% of hilums of dentate nucleus were located at upper inner quadrant, the other 24. 51% of them were located at lower inner quadrant. Conclusion Dentate nucleus and its veins are clearly visible on the susceptibility weighted images, and the location of the hilum of dentate nucleus may be related to the abouchement of paravermian vein.