The metastasis in which the cancer cells degrade the extracellular matrix (ECM) and invade to the sur-rounding and far tissues of the body is the leading cause of mortality in cancer patients. With a lot of advancement in the field, yet the biological cause of metastasis are poorly understood. The microfluidic system provides advanced technology to reconstruct a variety of in vivo-like environment for studying the interactions between tumor cells (TCs) and endothelial cells (ECs). This review gives a brief account of both two-dimensional models and three-dimensional microfluidic systems for the analysis of TCs-ECs co-culture as well as their applications to anti-cancer drug screening. Furthermore, the advanced methods for analyzing cell-to-cell interactions at single-cell level were also discussed.

OBJECTIVETo construct the eukaryotic expression recombinant pSG. SS. C3d3. YL-Fbeta and analyze the expression of mouse fertilin beta subunit in HEK293 cells.

METHODSThe cDNA fragment expressing the disintegrin domain of mouse fertilin beta was obtained by PCR, and then inserted into the eukaryotic plasmid pSG. SS. C3d3. YL to get recombinant plasmid pSG. SS. C3d3. YL-Fbeta, which was transfected into the HEK293 cell line to express the target protein Fbeta after identified by restriction enzyme digestion. And then Fbeta was detected by indirect immunofluorescence through confocal laser scanning microscopy, Western blot, immunohistochemistry staining and flow cytometry assay.

RESULTSThe recombinant vector pSG.SS.C3d3. YL-Fbeta could express Fbeta in HEK293 cells.

CONCLUSIONThe expression of Fbeta in eukaryotic cells provides a foundation for further researches on the effect of high F, expression on fertilization process.

ADAM Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Animals ; Blotting, Western ; Cells, Cultured ; Eukaryotic Cells ; metabolism ; Fertilins ; Gene Expression ; Genetic Vectors ; Humans ; Male ; Membrane Glycoproteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Mice ; Plasmids ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Recombinant Proteins ; biosynthesis ; Transfection

BACKGROUNDThe failure of endocrine treatment for advanced prostate cancer might be related to aberrant activation of androgen receptor (AR). Prostate cancer cell line LNCaP contains AR that can be activated by androgen, estrogen and progesterone. This study was set to investigate the effects of antisense AR RNA on growth of LNCaP cultured in medium containing varied concentrations of R1881, 17beta-estradiol, and progesterone, respectively.

METHODSLNCaP cells transfected with antisense AR RNA retroviral vector pL-AR-SN were designated as LNCaPas-AR. LNCaP cells containing empty vector pLXSN served as LNCaPNeo. LNCaP and LNCaPNeo were taken as controls. In vitro cell growth assay, proliferative cells of LNCaP and tranfected LNCaPs were counted by typan staining when they cultured with synthetic androgen R1881, 17beta-estradiol, and progesterone, respectively.

RESULTSGrowth of LNCaPas-AR was inhibited significantly (P < 0.05) compared with that of LNCaP and LNCaPNeo at 1 nmol/L R1881, 10 nmol/L 17beta-estradiol, and 1 nmol/L progesterone, respectively. No difference was seen between LNCaP and LNCaPNeo (P > 0.05). Microscopic observation showed that LNCaP and LNCaPNeo cells grew well, but only few LNCaPas-AR cells were alive.

CONCLUSIONSOur observations indicate that antisense AR RNA retroviral vector pL-AR-SN could change androgen-independent characteristics of LNCaP cells, which might shed some novel insights into the treatment of androgen-independent prostate cancer.

Androgen Receptor Antagonists ; Cell Division ; drug effects ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Estradiol ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Male ; Metribolone ; antagonists & inhibitors ; pharmacology ; Progesterone ; antagonists & inhibitors ; pharmacology ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; pathology ; therapy ; RNA, Antisense ; therapeutic use ; Receptors, Androgen ; genetics

Adult ; Chyle ; Female ; Filariasis ; complications ; Humans ; Laparoscopy ; Lymphatic System ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retroperitoneal Space ; Urine ; Urologic Surgical Procedures ; methods

Objective To compare the clinical efficacy and biomechanical property between unilateral fixator (UF) and Taylor fixator (TF) for treating Gustilo Ⅱ tibiofibula fracture. Methods In this retrospective study ,86 patients with open tibiofibula fracture admitted from January 2012 to August 2015 were divided into an UF group (n= 49) or a TF group (n= 37) according to fixing method ,and their clinical efficacy and biomechanical property were compared. Providing the finite element model was fully proved effective ,the axial stiffness ,bending stiffness and torsional stiffness of UF and TF were tested by this model.Additionally ,the torsional stiffness was measured at every 10° revolving around the model. Results The operation time was shorter in UF group (43.2 ± 11.7) min than in TF group (63.6 ± 9.8) min (P=0.027) ,and blood loss was less in the UF group (32.1 ± 13.8) ml than in TF group (57.6 ± 23.1) ml (P<0.001).All the patients were followed up for 8-31 months (mean:13.8 months). The healing time was shorter in the UF group (4.6 ± 1.7) months thanintheTFgroup(5.7 ±2.1)months(P=0.039).Thecomplicationrateswere4.5％ (9/201)in the UF group ,which was significantly less than that in the TF group (12.0％ ,14/117) (P<0.05) .For biomechanical property ,the axial ,bending and torsional stiffnesses were higher in the UF group [(341.47 N/m ,80 Nm/deg ,and (210-430) N/m ,respectively]than in the TF group[226.83 N/m ,72 Nm/deg ,and (242-287 ) N/m ,respectively ]. Conclusions In the treatment of open tibiofibula fracture ,UF is easier to operate and has better agreement with the biomechanical property and better ability to resist a rotation and a compression ,which is obviously superior to TF.Besides ,UF is better than TF for fracture recovery.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effect of testis homotransplantation in the treatment of androgen deficiency and infertility.

METHODSWe retrospectively analyzed 12 cases of testis homotransplantation.

RESULTSSurgical success was achieved in 11 cases, all with a significantly increased level of serum testosterone, and markedly improved secondary sex characteristics and sexual function.

CONCLUSIONTestis homotransplantation is highly effective for the treatment of androgen deficiency in males, but has little effect on spermatogenesis.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Humans ; Living Donors ; Male ; Retrospective Studies ; Testis ; transplantation ; Testosterone ; blood ; deficiency ; Transplantation, Homologous ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo study the effect and the mechanism of Xuesaitong drop pills (total saponins in Radix Notoginseng; XDP) on experimental thrombosis, thrombolysis and blood theology.

METHODFirst, the rats were randomly divided into five groups: control, XDP (90, 30, 10 mg x kg(-1)), Xuesaitong tablet (XP) 30 mg x kg(-1). Then the effect of the drugs on thrombus and thrombosis was studied after the ratsthrombosis was induced by the arteriovenous shunt. Second, the rats were randomly divided into seven groups: model, XDP (90, 30, 10 mg x kg(-1)), XT (90, 30 mg x kg(-1)), lumbrukinase capsule. Then the effect of the drugs on thrombus and thrombosis was studied after the rats'thrombosis was induced by the electrical stimulation of common carotid artery. Third, the rats were randomly divided into six groups: control, model, XDP (80, 40 mg x kg(-1)), XT (40, 20 mg x kg(-1)). Then the effect of the drugs on blood circulation promoting was observed after the rats'acute blood stasis induced by adrenalin and icy water.

RESULTXDP 90, 30 mg x kg(-1) could notably lighten the wet-weight and dry-weight of thrombus in the arteriovenous shunt model in rats in a dose-dependent manner (P < 0.01). XDP 90 mg x kg(-1) with intragastric administration for 3 days had the satisfactory effect on thrombolysis after the rat's thrombosis was induced by the electrical stimulation of common carotid artery (P < 0.01). XDP 80, 40 , 20 mg x kg(-1) reduced significantly erythrocyte aggregation (P < 0.01) and decreased the whole blood viscosity at low shear rate (P < 0.05). XDP 80, 40 mg x kg(-1) reduced the whole blood viscosity at high shear rate and plasma viscosity (P < 0.05). XDP 80 mg x kg(-1) decreased the whole blood viscosity at high shear rate (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONXDP can significantly inhibit the thrombosis and has the satisfactory effect on thrombolysis. One kind of the mechanism is related to the effect on blood rheology.

Animals ; Blood Viscosity ; drug effects ; Carotid Artery Thrombosis ; blood ; drug therapy ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Erythrocyte Aggregation ; drug effects ; Erythrocyte Deformability ; drug effects ; Female ; Fibrinolytic Agents ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Male ; Panax notoginseng ; chemistry ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Saponins ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Thrombolytic Therapy

Objective To understand epidemiological characteristics of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD)in people aged over 40 years in a rural area of Tianjin.Methods Using cluster sampling,1 508 subjects over 40 years old at five villages in Xinkaikou Township,Baodi District,Tianjin were investigated with respiratory questionnaire,lung function test and physical examination.Confirmed patients with COPD were examined by chest roentgenography and electrocardiography.Results One hundred and forty-two subjects in that area suffered from COPD,with prevalence of 9.4%,24 of them (16.9%)were diagnosed as cor pulmonale.Prevalence of COPD increased with age,higher in men (13.5%)than that in women(6.2%),higher in smokers(12.2%)than that in non-smokers(7.2%), higher in those with family history(21.4%)than that in those without it(8.45%),and higher in those with coughing history during their childhood(75.0%)than that in those without it(9.2%),all with a P-value of less than 0.01.Univariate analysis showed that out-door air pollution,cooking,time length of burning firewood during cooking,smoking,coughing history during childhood,gender,age,family history all were predisposing factors for COPD.Multivariate analysis with logistic regression model showed that gender,age, family history were independently predisposing factors for COPD.Quality of life was better in non-COPD subjects than in those with COPD,with statistically significant difference.Conclusions Prevalence of COPD was relatively higher in people of rural Tianjin,with gender,age,family history and outdoor air pollution as main risk factors.

BACKGROUND: Total hip arthroplasty has been widely used in clinical practice, and achieved good clinical efficacy. However, with the yearly increased number of patients receiving primary arthroplasty, the number of revision hip arthroplasty patients has increased. However, hip arthroplasty is one of the most difficult hip surgery, and it is challenging. OBJECTIVE: To review the causes of femoral revision of the hip arthroplasty, the classification of the femoral bone defect, and the type of prosthesis available in the clinical revision, and the clinical effect of the different prosthesis, so as to provide reference for femoral revision. METHODS: CNKI, Web of Science, and PubMed were searched for the literatures published between January 1975 and August 2017 with the key words of "Revision total hip arthroplasty, Femur revision, Cemented femoral revision, Cemenless femoral revision Reoperation, Porous-coated stems, Modular, tapered stem, Wagner SL revision Stem". RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) A total of 1 041 articles were retrieved. After reading the abstract, unrelated and repeated studies were excluded. Finally, 109 studies were included. Of them, there were 106 English studies and 3 Chinese studies. Femoral revision was analyzed and summarized. (2) Femoral revision of the hip is still the future challenges facing the joint surgeon. We continue to strive to overcome the direction. Although the current material science and surgical technology are now rapidly developed, only the analysis of the reasons for the revision of the femoral side, identifying the femoral side bone defect classification, mastering the treatment of different defects and the application of the principle of prosthesis type, making reasonable femoral revision program is the key to success according to the patient's age and activity.

OBJECTIVEThe culture of human spermatogonial stem cells (SSC) has not been studied in detail yet. Here we tried to explore the optimized culture method of human SSC by using several different co-culture systems.

METHODSThe alpha6 +Thy-1 +c-kit- cells acquired by the immunomagnetic beads sorting technique were cultured in different co-culture systems. Their morphological, biological characteristics and survival rates were intensively observed by microscopic or immunocytochemical assay. The long-term survival rate of human SSC during culture period was evaluated by germ cell transplantation technique.

RESULTSThe alpha6 +Thy-1 +c-kit- cells could stably survive in the DMEM and DMEM/F12 mediums with fetal bovine serum (FBS) on feeder layer. The survival rates within 1 week were more than 90%. The long-time culture showed the cells were gradually attached on the surface of Sertoli cells by the manner of scattered single cell or accumulated masses. Part of the SSC became more tightly attachment with Sertoli cells or mounted among the Sertoli cells. They could survive or even proliferate for more than 3 months in vitro. Germ cells transplantation study showed that some alpha6 +Thy-1 +c-kit- cells labeled by PKH26 could resided on the basal membrane of seminiferous tubule of nude mice, appearing as single or coupled cells 2 months later after transplantation. The function evaluation of the cultured cells by counting the fluorescent cells in the seminiferous tubule showed 54.9% and 9.2% of SSC in the alpha6 +Thy-1 +c-kit- cells were still remained after cultured for 2 and 4 weeks, respectively.

CONCLUSIONHuman SSC could maintain survival in vitro for more than 3 months, but it was still need to seek for a more optimized and successful culture system for its efficient expansion and proliferation. Thus it will open up a wide prospect for the understanding of the biology of human SSC and the treatment of male sterility.

Adult ; Cell Culture Techniques ; Cell Survival ; Cells, Cultured ; Coculture Techniques ; Humans ; Male ; Sertoli Cells ; cytology ; Spermatogonia ; cytology ; physiology ; Stem Cell Transplantation ; Stem Cells ; cytology