OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of C-reactive protein (CRP) on the expressions of Notch pathway components in human peripheral blood endothelial progenitor cells (EPC) in vitro.

METHODSMononuclear cells isolated by density gradient centrifugation of human peripheral blood mixed with 6% hydroxyethyl starch (Hes) were plated on fibronectin-coated 6-well culture dishes. After 7 days, the adherent cells were cultured in the presence of 10 and 20 mg/L CRP for 48 h, and the proliferation, migration, and adhesion abilities of the cells were observed. The mRNA expressions of Notch-1 and its ligand Jagged-1 in the EPCs were measured by RT-PCR, and their protein expressions by Western blotting.

RESULTSCRP at 10 and 20 mg/L caused a significant reduction in the number of viable EPCs (61∓3 and 54∓3, respectively) as compared with PBS (71∓4, P<0.05). CRP also resulted in a significant suppression of the proliferation, migration and adhesion capacities of the EPCs. The mRNA and protein expressions of Jagged-1 and Notch-1 in the EPCs significantly increased following CRP exposure in comparison with PBS treatment.

CONCLUSIONCRP can suppress the proliferation, migration and adhesion capacities of the EPCs probably by affecting the expressions of the Notch-1 pathway components.

C-Reactive Protein ; pharmacology ; Calcium-Binding Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Cell Adhesion ; Cell Movement ; Cell Proliferation ; Cells, Cultured ; Endothelial Cells ; cytology ; metabolism ; Humans ; Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Jagged-1 Protein ; Leukocytes, Mononuclear ; cytology ; metabolism ; Membrane Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; metabolism ; Receptor, Notch1 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Serrate-Jagged Proteins ; Signal Transduction ; drug effects ; Stem Cells ; cytology ; metabolism

Objective:To observe the effect that covering the nerve suture with CSPGs-gelatin sleeve after the sciatic nerve transection in SD rats, and evaluate its effect to improve nerve regeneration in peripheral nerve transection model.Methods:Covered and protected the sciatic nerve by end-to-end suture in the SD rats with CSPGs-gelatin sleeve. From July, 2019 to September, 2019, 24 SD rats were randomly and evenly divided into 3 groups, which were direct suture group, gelatin sleeve group without CSPGs (blank group), and CSPGs-gelatin sleeve group (CSPGs group). In each group, 3 rats were used to mark fluorescent gold at 5 weeks after operation. At 6 weeks after operation, histological and electrophysiological tests were performed to evaluate the tissue regeneration in the end to end suture and the effect of peripheral nerve regeneration after transection in the other 5 rats. One-way ANOVA was used for data analysis. If the difference between groups was statistically significant, LSD method would be further used for pairwise comparison. P<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results:The escape distances in direct suture groups, blank group and CSPGs group groups were (787.19±213.77) μm, (547.17±167.71) μm and (350.60±68.58) μm, respectively; The numbers of the axons that grow into the distal basement membrane tube in 3 groups were (6 360±736.89) /mm 2, (8 040±673.05) /mm 2 and (9 000±644.20) /mm 2, respectively; The numbers of sensory nerve cells that were marked by fluorescent gold in the dorsal root ganglion were (124.35±25.88) /mm 2, (165.36±30.74) /mm 2 and (208.98±20.51) /mm 2 in 3 groups, respectively. The differences were significant compared with the CSPGs-gelatin sleeve group ( P<0.05). Thus, it led to a better nerve regeneration after transection in CSPGs-gelatin sleeve group according to the electrophysiological test and histological section observation of gastrocnemius muscles( P<0.05). Conclusion:CSPGs loaded in the gelatin sleeve can inhibit axons regeneration, and prevent the regenerated axons escaping from the end to end suture that may cause disorder axons regeneration or traumatic neuroma, and therefore improve the effective nerve regeneration after sciatic nerve injury in SD rat.

It is difficult for peripheral nerves to achieve effective and orderly regeneration after injury for there are always mismatched, curly and disorderly newborn axons. Chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan (CSPGs), a kind of widespread extracellular matrix generally considered to inhibit peripheral nerve regeneration, may play an important role in promoting orderly regeneration of axons depending on its classification, physiological characteristics and spatial and temporal distribution as well. Complementing traditional modes of regenerating axons, its flexible applications may benefit biomimetic construction of peripheral nerve grafts that purely increase the number of axons and thus promote orderly and effective regeneration after peripheral nerve lesions.

OBJECTIVE： To prepare Zingiber officinale oil microcapsules and to evaluate its quality. METHODS： Z. officinale oil microcapsules were prepared by spray drying method with sodium starch octenyl succinate as capsule material. The preparation technology was optimized by orthogonal test with mixing temperature of capsule material and capsule core， mass ratio of capsule material and capsule core， stirring speed as factors， using encapsulation efficiency as index. The drug loading， encapsulation efficiency， appearance， particle size distribution and stability of light， heat and humidity （using iodine value and peroxide value as indexes） were evaluated. RESULTS： The optimal preparation technology of Z. officinale oil microcapsules was that the mixing temperature of capsule material and core was 60 ℃； mass ratio of capsule material and capsule core was 10 ∶ 1； stirring speed was 12 000 r/min. Average drug-loading amount and encapsulation efficiency of Z. officinale oil microcapsules prepared by optimal technology were 17.97％ and 73.57％ （n＝3）. The morphology of Z. officinale oil microcapsules was round， smooth， non-sticky and uniform in size distribution. The average diameter of microcapsules was （6.30±0.27） μm. Under light， heat and humidity conditions， the iodine value and peroxide value of Z. officinale oil microcapsules changed slightly. CONCLUSIONS： The optimal preparation technology of Z. officinale oil microcapsules is simple and reproducible. The prepared microcapsules have good encapsulation efficiency， high drug loading amount and good stability.

Antimicrobial resistance is on the rise while the number of antibiotics being brought to market continues to drop. Drug-resistant genes and drug-resistant bacteria infection have seriously threatened human health. Therefore, antimicrobial resistance presents an ongoing challenge that requires multifaceted approaches including: biomedical innovation; improved surveillance of antibiotic consumption and antimicrobial resistance generated rates; prevention of health-care-associated infections and transmission of multidrug-resistant bacteria and environmental dissemination; rapid microbiological diagnosis; and curtailed clinical and veterinary misuse. Fortunately, combating antimicrobial resistance has been highly valued and supported by the government, scientists and entrepreneurs of various countries. With the continuous introduction of new technologies, new products, and new management measures, the problem of antimicrobial resistance must be controlled and alleviated.