BACKGROUND:Morinda has been reported to promote the proliferation, the secretion of alkaline phosphatase and osteocalcin, and mRNA expression of transforming growth factor of osteoblasts. However, little information is available addressing the effects of Morinda on receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB expression in osteoclasts in rats with osteoporosis. OBJECTIVE:To study the effects of Morinda on receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB expression in osteoclastsofosteoporosis rats. METHODS:Thirty Sprague-Dawley rats were equaly and randomly divided into Morinda and 17β-estradiol groups. Rat models of osteoporosis were established by bilateral ovariectomy, and then 5 mL of Morinda decocta(1.0mmol/L)and 17β-estradiol (1×10-6mmol/L) were administered intragastricaly to rats in Morinda and 17β-estradiol groups for 3 consecutive months, respectively. Primary osteoclasts were isolated from rats in both groups, andthen cultured for 3, 6 and 9 days folowed by TRAP staining andcelcounting. Bone mineral density of the proximal and distal femur, urine and serum levels of Ca2+and progesterone, and receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB expression in osteoclasts ofrats in both groups were determined. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Osteoclast fusion was reduced in Morinda group. In contrast, number of osteoclastswas increased andcels becamemore maturein the17β-estradiol group. Bone mineral density of the proximal and distal femur bilateraly, urine and serum levels of Ca2+and progesterone were significantly increased, while receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB expression was significantly decreased in osteoclasts in Morinda group compared with 17β-estradiol group (P< 0.05). These results indicate that Morinda reduces receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB expression in osteoclasts in osteoporosis rats, thereby inhibiting the development and progression of osteoporosis.

0.05).Phlebitis occurred in 3 cases(4.2%) in PICC group,pneumothorax happened in 2 cases in CVC group.Calhelerization failure in CVC group was 7 cases who then received PICC successfully.No deep vein thrombosis occurred in either group. Conclusions:PICC has no possible severe complications of central venous access such as pneumothorax.The new method provides a safe,reliable and effective venous access for mid and long term usage in old patients.

A secretive expression vector of Pichia pastoris system which can be used for the direct cloning of PCR products was constructed,and was verified through the expression of recombinant cellobiohydrolase II in Pichia pastoris.A randomly selected fragment was amplified with properly designed primers by PCR.The XhoI and Eam1105Ⅰ restriction sites were included in the 5'end of the fragment,and the Eam1105Ⅰ and XbaI restriction sites were included in its 3'end.The PCR amplified product was inserted into the P.pastoris expression plasmid pPICZ?A through XhoI and XbaI restriction sites and the resultant plasmid was digested with Eam1105Ⅰ,and lastly the big fragment was recovered,generating the P.pastoris expressive Tvector pPICZ?T.Then the cellobiohydrolase II of T.reesei was successfully expressed in P.pastoris with this expressive Tvector.Such results indicated that the constructed expression Tvector was convenient for PCR product cloning,and was effective for heterologous protein expression in P.pastoris.On the other hand,the application of the expression Tvector avoided the introduction of additional amino acids at the Nterminus of the expressed protein,which generally occurred when normal expression vectors were used in secretive expression system.

ObjectiveTo explore the effects of Shenlongjiannao capsule on the learning and memory of the cerebral ischaemia model rat as well as reactive nitrogen intermediates in the cerebral cortex.MethodsThe cerebral ischaemia animal model was established by two-vessel occlusion. 50 rats were randomly divided into 5 groups: control group with sham operation, model group, positive control group with pisacetam, Shenlongjiannao capsule groups (low and high dosage). After four weeks, the learning and memory function was tested with Morris water maze, and the contents of nitric oxide(NO) and inducible nitric-oxide synthsae(iNOS) in cerebral cortex were measured.ResultsAfter treatment, the learning and memory ability improved significently and the contents of NO and iNOS in cerebral cortex decreased in Shenlongjiannao capsule groups.ConclusionShenlonjiannao capsule can improve the learning and memory of rats with cerebral ischaemia by lowering the activity of NO and iNOS in the cerebral cortex.

Objective To establish a three-dimensional (3D) finite element model of a swine mandible, simulate the dynamic procedure of bullet damaging the swine mandible and explore a finite ele-ment analysis method on maxiilofacial gunshot wound. Methods The digital imaging and communica-tions in medicine (DICOM) data obtained from CT scanning of a swine mandible were remerged into a 3D finite element model of the original specimen through Mimics and ANSA software, then a simulation of 3D finite element model penetrated by a 7.62 mm bullet was carried out through LS-DYNA software. The simulation data were compared with those from animal experiment in laboratory to test the feasibility of 3D finite element model and the simulation method. Results A 3D finite element model of a swine mandi-ble was established, with highly identical geometric size with the specimen. In the meantime, the dynam-ic process of a 7.62 mm bullet damage to the model was successfully simulated. Data from the simulation and those from animal experiment showed a high level of consistency. Conclusion 3D finite element method is prosperous in application in basic research on maxillofacial gunshot wound.

Pancreas and islet transplantation is the only treatment that can cure type 1 diabetes mellitus. Less invasive and more targeted surgical and immunosuppressive regimens make islet transplantation a more attractive treatment for type 1 diabetes. Current methods of islet isolation and purification cause hypoxic stress to which β cells are extremely vulnerable. Transplanted islets need to re-establish their vascular system in order to obtain sufficient oxygen and nutrient supply for stable engraftment. However, this process takes at least 7- 14 days to complete. Massive (＞50%) β cells are dead before revascularization due to hypoxia, especially the core of the islets. Therefore, the obvious critical problem is the circulatory deficit to which the islets are susceptible in the immediate post-transplant period.In the current study, we reviewed various hypoxic-related insults to islets before complete engraftment, and feasible strategies to reduce hypoxic-induced apoptosis based on our experimental experiences together with that of others and investigated the possibility of revascularization in islet transplantation.

Objective To study role of MDC/CCI22-CCR4 axis in mouse milky spots with peritoneal carcinomatosis of gastric cancer. Methods We examined the expression of CCR4 in 615 Mouse gastric cancer cell (MFC) lines by RT-PCR and Western-blot; Peritoneal metastasis model on the 615mouse was established by intraperitoneal injection of 0.2 ml MFC cells(1×104 cells). Dil fluorescence was used to observe the transfer process and section of MFC. Immunohistochemistry was conducted to detect the expression of CCR4 and CCL22 in omental milky spot; the structure of Milky spot was observed by scanning electron microscopy. Mice were randomly divided into 2 groups, namely, the saline control group (received saline) and MFC group. The concentration of CCL22 in ascitic fluid was measured in the 615 mice injected MFC after 6,8,10 days and in the saline group. Results MFC first metastasizes to the milky spot on the omentum, the expression of CCR4 and CCL22 were observered in the milky spot. The surface layer cells in milky spot consisted of discontinuous mesothelial cells and mainly macrophages and lymphocytes. The average value of CCL22 was 43 pg/ml and 364 pg/ml respectively in saline control group and MFC group.Conclusions MDC/CCL22-CCR4 axis plays an important role in the development of peritoneal carcinomatosis in mouse gastric cancer.

The effects of tetrandrine (Tet) on blood pressure, plasma renin activity (PRA) and the contractility of the papillary mascle and portal vein were studied in rats. After 4 d administration of Tet 30 mg/kg, 2/d, ig, blood pressure was decreased markedly in anesthetized male SD rats, but there were no effects on heart rate and PRA. A single dose of Tet 15 mg/kg iv reduced blood pressure and heart rate significantly, while did not change PRA. This single dose produced similar hypotensive effect in rats with and without pretreatment of Tet 30 mg/kg, 2/d, 4d, indicating the absence of tolerance. Tet inhibited the paced papillary muscle contractility and the spontaneous portal vein contractility, and the EC50 were 5.33?10-6mol/L and 4.25?10-5 mol/L, respectively. So the vascular selectivity of Tet is 0.12.

ObjectiveTo investigate the dosage of protamine to counteract heparin in patients with different pH values of after - surgery plasma of congenital heart defect.MethodsThe clinical data of 108 patients during March 2011 to April 2011 with congenital heart diseases who underwent cardiopulmonary bypass(CPB) surgery were reviewed.The volumes of chest tube drainage were analyzed to investigate the dosage of protamine in patients with different pH values in plasma.ResultsThe dosages of protamine and the volumes of chest tube drainage[ ( 136.8 ± 22.8 ) ml] in patients with an acidic environmental plasma were higher than the patients in another group [ ( 112.6 ± 22.7 ) ml ] ( P＜ 0.01 ).In patients with non-acidic environments,the mean ratio of dosage of protamine to heparin was 1.23:1 ; meanwhile in patients with pH＜7.30 or base excess (BE) ＜ -6,the mean ratio was 1.86:1.It suggested the dosage of protamine increased significantly in patients with an acidic environmental plasma.ConclusionsDifferent plasma pH values could change the dosage of protamine after cardiopulmonary bypass,and the acidic environment would increase the dosage of protamine and increase the volume of chest tube drainage after surgery.When pH ＜ 7.30 or BE ＜ - 6 at the end of CPB,to correct acid-base balance first and then calculate the dose of protamine was recommended.

Objective To accurately extract pulmonary vessels on medical images. Methods An efficient vessel segmentation framework is presented, which includes a smoothing method and a extraction algorithm. The smoothing method is based on an improved coherence diffusion approach that integrates the second-order directional differential information. It can analyze weak edges such as narrow peak or ridge-like structures. Meanwhile, an improved extraction algorithm is proposed. It is based on a fast marching algorithm where a sorted sequence array and multi-initialization technique are applied. Results The improved coherence diffusion approach can precisely preserve important oriented patterns and remove noises on the images. Experimental results on several images show that the proposed method can effectively find the location of pulmonary vessels. Conclusion The segmentation method is accurate and fast that can be a useful tool for medical imaging applications.