Objective To investigate the biological activities of a conditioned medium for human dermal papilla. Methods Culture medium of the lower passage human dermal papilla cells was collected as the conditioned medium. The growth pattern and the growth curve of the higher passage human dermal papilla cells cultured with conditioned medium were observed in vitro. And the morphology of the co-culture of the higher passage human dermal papilla cells and the lower passage human dermal papilla cells was observed. Results The higher passage human dermal papilla cells, which was cultured with conditioned medium from the lower passage human dermal papilla cells, showed aggregative growth pattern. And the growth curve of the higher passage human dermal papilla cells was much better than that in the control groups (P

Objective To investigate Th1/Th2 pattern of response in psoriasis and to study the effects of CTLA4Ig on Th1/Th2 shift in psoriasis. Methods The levels of IL-2, IFN-?and IL-4 were assessed by ELISA in the supernatant of cultured peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from 33 patients with psoriasis vulgaris and 20 healthy blood donors. Cytokine synthesis was induced by activation with phytohemagglutinin (PHA) and staphylococcal enterotoxin B (SEB) with or without CTLA4Ig. Results Levels of IL-2, IFN-?and IL-4 were markedly increased by PBMCs from psoriatic patients incubated with SEB (P

Objective To screen and analyze genes differentially expressed within dermal papillae cells(DPC)with aggregative behavior.Methods Total RNA was extracted from DPC with and without ag-gregative behavior,and double-stranded cDNA were synthesized by using SMART cDNA synthesis.The cD-NA fragments of differentially expressed genes in dermal papillae cells with aggregative behavior were isolat-ed by suppression subtractive hybridization,sequencing,and then subtracted library was set up.Positive clones were screened by PCR method and verified by cDNA dot blot and then analyzed through homologous retrieving.Results A subtractive cDNA library of DPC with aggregative behavior was successfully construct-ed.The results of screening and cloning of the library showed that DPC with aggregative behavior could ex-press genes related to homologous aggregation,regnlation of growth,differentiation and development,and sig-nal transduction proliferation and cycle control,which included known genes(capping protein,paladin,vas-cular endothelial growth factor),hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells(HSPC)related genes(HSPC011and HSPC016)and a new gene.Conclusions The construction of subtractive library of DPC lays solid founda-tion for screening and cloning new and specific genes related to aggregative behavior of DPC.Several genes may cooperatively involve in homologous aggregation,and regnlation of growth of DPC.Among these genes,capping protein and palladin may be closely related to aggregative behavior of DPC,and VEGF and HSPC re-lated clones may be responsible for the status of higher proliferation of DPC.

To evaluate the inhibiting effect of Homoharringtonine (HHT) on the corneal haze after excimer laser photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) in rabbits. 18 healthy rabbits which underwent PRK were randomly divided into three groups (A, B and C). The refractive degree of ablation was - 10.0DS in each group. Group A was locally treated with a piece of filter paper soaked with 1 mg/mL HHT for 5 min, and then the entire cornea was repeatedly irrigated with balance solution; Group B was dropped with 0.1 mg/mL HHT after PRK for 3 months; Group C was the control group. Corneal haze, histopathology, response, ect. were investigated. The corneal haze was significantly less in group A, while the difference between group B and group C was insignificant. Keratocytes and fibrocytes in corneal stroma were more active up to 3 months in group B and group C. Intraoperative use of topical HHT can reduce corneal haze after PRK in rabbits.
Corneal Opacity/etiology ; Corneal Opacity/*prevention & control ; Endothelium, Corneal/pathology ; Harringtonines/*administration & dosage ; Myopia/*surgery ; Photorefractive Keratectomy/*adverse effects ; Random Allocation

Objective To investigate the location and proliferation of human hair follicle stem cells. Methods The expression of keratin 19(K19) in the human hair follicles on the occiput was detected by immunohistochemical staining, and the positive area was located. The follicle epithelium containing the K19-positive area above the hair bulb were cultured with or without mesenchymes (dermal papilla cells, DPCs) at the air-liquid interface of the collagen gel. When the proliferating colonies formed, the distance from the colony to the bottom of hair follicles was measured and the relationship between the K19-positive position and the proliferation colonies was analyzed. The ultrastructure of the proliferation colony was observed by transmission electron microscopy. Results Two portions were found positive for K19 in the outer root sheath of the human hair follicles, the upper one being at the bulge region and the lower one at the outer root sheath above the hair bulb. The proliferating colony formed only when the epithelium of the hair follicle was co-cultured with mesenchymes cells. The statistical analysis suggested the lower portion positive for K19 and the proliferation colonies in the culture were traced to locate at the same site of the human hair follicles. Under electron microscopy, juvenile cells, mature keratinocytes and apoptotic cells were found in the proliferating colonies. Conclusions The human hair follicles may contain two distinct reservoirs for stem cells, which locate in the bulge area and in the region of the outer root sheath above the hair bulb, respectively. Mesenchymes are needed for the proliferation of stem cells. New stem cells, mature keratinocytes and apoptotic cells may be three endings of the stem cells′ proliferation.

OBJECTIVETo understand the current status and trends of tuberculosis mortality rates in China.

METHODSIn 2010, 161 National Disease Surveillance Points representing all 31 mainland provinces, municipalities, and autonomous regions of China collected tuberculosis mortality surveillance data, including age, sex, region, and type of tuberculosis (all, pulmonary, and extra-pulmonary). The mortality rates of the three types of tuberculosis were compared between 2004 and 2010.

RESULTSIn 2010, the mortality rates due to all tuberculosis, pulmonary tuberculosis, and extra-pulmonary tuberculosis were 4.69 (95% CI 4.54-4.84), 4.38 (4.23-4.52), and 0.31 (0.27-0.35) per 100 000 population, respectively. Mortality rates due to all tuberculosis and pulmonary tuberculosis were higher in males, the elderly, and those living in western and rural areas. From 2004 to 2010, the mortality rates due to all tuberculosis and pulmonary tuberculosis decreased by 36.02% and 37.70%, respectively, with an average annual rate of decline of 7.20% and 7.61%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONMortality rates due to tuberculosis have declined rapidly in China. The target of reducing the 1990 mortality rate by 50% by 2015 has already been achieved. However, the tuberculosis control program should pay more attention to high-risk groups, including the elderly and those living in underdeveloped areas.

China ; epidemiology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Tuberculosis ; epidemiology ; mortality

OBJECTIVETo explore operative complications of photoselective vaporization of prostate (120 W) for treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).

METHODSThe clinical data of 186 cases who underwent photoselective vaporization of prostate (120 W) for the treatment of BPH from May 2010 to April 2012, was statistically analyzed.

RESULTSThe operative time ranged from 7 to 147 minutes, and the average time was (37.7 ± 21.5) minutes. No patient accepted intraoperative blood transfusion, and occurred transurethral resection syndrome or capsular perforation. The time of postoperative indwelling catheter ranged from 1 to 11 days, and average time was (4.3 ± 2.2) days. Surgical outcome was satisfactory. Early postoperative complications included bladder spasm (3 cases), transient dysuria (19 cases), urinary tractirritation (94 cases), secondary hemorrhage (26 cases), transient urge incontinence (19 cases), all cases were relieved after treatment. Long-term complications, including recurrence (1 case), bladder neck stenosis (2 cases) and urethral stricture (2 cases), who had required reoperation. Postoperative patients with international prostate symptom score (29.4 ± 3.4), maximum urinary flow rate ((6.0 ± 1.6) ml/s) and residual urine ((167 ± 150) ml) had improved (t = -76.0 - 61.4, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSWith less invasive, less bleeding and rapid postoperative recovery, photoselective vaporization of prostate (120 W) is a safe and effective minimally invasive treatment techniques for BPH. But there is still some complications after surgery and proper handling is required.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Humans ; Lasers, Solid-State ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Postoperative Complications ; epidemiology ; Prostate ; surgery ; Prostatic Hyperplasia ; surgery

BACKGROUNDBone morphogenetic protein (BMP)-2, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and collagen type I are known to play a critical role in the process of bone remodeling. However, the relationship between mechanical strain and the expression of BMP-2, ALP, and COL-I in osteoblasts was still unknown. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of different magnitudes of mechanical strain on osteoblast morphology and on the expression of BMP-2, ALP, and COL-I.

METHODSOsteoblast-like cells were flexed at four deformation rates (0, 6%, 12%, and 18% elongation). The expression of BMP-2 mRNA, ALP, and COL-I in osteoblast-like cells were determined by real-time quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, respectively. The results were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) using SPSS 13.0 statistical software.

RESULTSThe cells changed to fusiform and grew in the direction of the applied strain after the mechanical strain was loaded. Expression level of the BMP-2, ALP, and COL-I increased magnitude-dependently with mechanical loading in the experimental groups, and the 12% elongation group had the highest expression (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONMechanical strain can induce morphological change and a magnitude-dependent increase in the expression of BMP-2, ALP, and COL-I mRNA in osteoblast-like cells, which might influence bone remodeling in orthodontic treatment.

Alkaline Phosphatase ; metabolism ; Analysis of Variance ; Animals ; Bone Morphogenetic Protein 2 ; metabolism ; Cell Line ; Collagen ; metabolism ; Collagen Type I ; metabolism ; Mice ; Osteoblasts ; cytology ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo clone human bone morphogenetic protein-2 (hBMP2) gene and construct its eukaryotic expression vector pcDNA3.1 -hBMP2.

METHODSHuman BMP2 gene was amplified by RT-PCR method from human osteosarcoma cells and constructed into eukaryotic expression vector pcDNA3.1-hBMP2. The gene in the vector pcDNA3.1-hBMP2 was identified by PCR amplification, enzyme digestion and DNA sequencing.

RESULTSThe cloned DNA was confirmed to be hBMP-2 gene.

CONCLUSIONIn this study, hBMP2 gene is successfully cloned and its eukaryotic expression vector pcDNA3.1-hBMP2 is constructed, which provides the foundation of using BMP2 gene therapy to accelerate new bone formation in distraction osteogenesis.

Bone Morphogenetic Protein 2 ; Cloning, Organism ; Genetic Therapy ; Genetic Vectors ; Humans ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Sequence Analysis, DNA ; Transfection

Objective To investigate the hearing outcome efficiency of tympanostomy tubes and when combined with adenoidectomy for otitis media with effusion treatment. Methods A systematic literature review of tympanostomy tubes and tympanostomy tubes combined with adenoidectomy were performed using PubMed, EMBASE,the Cochrane Library,MEDLINE,all of the included studies were randomized controlled trial. The quality of included studies was evaluated according to the Risk of Bias Table of the Cochrane Handbook. Data were analyzed with Review Manager 5.02 software. Heterogeneity was examined,and forest plot was drawn. Results All of the included 4 studies were randomized controlled trials. At 6 month follow-up patients,the tym-panostomy tubes and tympanostomy tubes combined with adenoidectomy had no difference in hearing improvement (WMD = 1.06,95%CI-0.18 ~ 2.29,P = 0.09). At 12 month follow-up patients,the tympanostomy tubes com-bined with adenoidectomy were better than tympanostomy tubes alone(WMD = 3.03,95%CI 0.91 ~ 5.14,P =0.005). Conclusions The meta analysis result reveals that tympanostomy tubes combined with adenoidectomy have an advantage in long term follow up time for hearing improvement in children's otitis media with effusion treatment.