Objective To construct the eukaryotic expression plasmid of pEGFPC1uPAR gene and explore the effect on the proliferation and invasion ability of Pam 212 cells. Methods The human uPAR cDNA was cloned by PCR, and inserted into the eukaryotic expression plasmid pEGFPC1. After identification of sequencing, the reconstructive plasmid was transformed transiently into Pam 212 cells, then the cell growth and the invasion ability were evaluated. Results The reconstructive plasmid of pEGFPC1uPAR was validated by sequencing. The reconstructive plasmid can promote the growth of Pam 212 cells and enhance the invasion ability. Conclusion The pEGFPC1uPAR plasmid was constructed successfully and uPAR was confirmed to promote the growth and the invasion ability of Pam 212 cells, which lay the foundation for further studies of uPAR in vivo.

Objective: To clone the MADS-box gene denoted AGL15 from total RNA of Lonicera macranthoides based on previous transcriptome sequencing data and analyze the bioinformatics and expression of the gene. Methods: The gene containing intact open reading frame (ORF) was cloned by reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR) and rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE). The similarity comparison and homology analysis on the sequence were carried out using bioinformatic method, the coding protein was predicted and the physicochemical properties were analyzed. The expression of the gene in different locations of L. macranthoides was determined by semiquantitative PCR using gene-specific primers. Results: The Lm-AGL15 gene, containing a 795 bp ORF that encoded 264 amino acids, was cloned. The deduced protein sequence had the most similarity to the AGL15 in Vitis vinifera and exhibited two conserved motifs (MADS and K-BOX). Without transmembrane domain, Lm-AGL15 was located in cytoplasm and expressed only in each part. Conclusion: For the first time from L. macranthoides cloning could prolong the period of bud of gene, analysis of the gene expression in different parts of L. macranthoides which would provide a reference for the study of prolonging L. macranthoides bud stage.

Objective To evaluate the nutritional status of vitamin A among urban residents. Methods Using stratified random sampling method,a total of 400 residents from two cities in Zhejiang were selected. They were interviewed by questionnaire,also, the dietary survey, physical measurement and blood sample testing were used. According to Recommended Nutrient Intake( RNI)of vitamin A,to evaluate the intake of Vitamin A and analysis the nutritional status and influenc factors. Results The median of vitamin A concentration was 0. 463( inter-quartile range is 0. 213)μg/mL, and the percentage of severe vitamin A deficiency( VAD ),VAD,insufficiency and adequate serum vitamin A were 0. 25%,0. 50%,6. 75% and 92. 50% respectively. Among 299 individuals who participated in the dietary survey,the median of daily vitamin A intake was 350. 5( inter-quartile range was 351. 5)μgRE. Only 25. 42% of participants' dietary intake of vitamin A met the level of 80% RNI,while 61. 87% of peoples' daily intake of vitamin A under 60%RNI. Male, from the bigger city,older age,high level of triglyceride and more intake of cholesterol may contribute to a higher level of serum vitamin A. Conclusion The majority of urban residents had adequate vitamin A . But the intake of dietary vitamin A still should be paid more attention. Serum vitamin A was associated with age,gender and district.

Background A fatal complication after liver transplantation is anastomotic embolization of the hepatic artery. In order to solve this problem, the portal venous arterialization (PVA) is used to reconstruct the hepatic arterial blood flow. The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of PVA on rats with acute occlusion of hepatic artery.Methods Rat PVA models were established and then randomly divided into Group 1 (control group), Group 2 (jaundice group), Group 3 (bile duct recanalization group), and Group 4 (portal vein arterilization group). Recanalization of the common bile duct and PVA were performed 5 days after bile duct ligation in the rats. The influence of the PVA on general conditions, hepatic changes of structure and function, portal vein pressure and hepatic micrangium were observed for one month.Results Five days after common bile duct ligation the serum bilirubin, transaminase and alkaline phosphatase levels were significantly increased. Compared with group 1, there was a statistically significant difference (P<0.01). These rats then underwent bile duct recanalization and PVA. After a month, the liver functions and microscopic structures completely returned to normal and, compared with group 1, there was no statistically significant difference in portal vein pressure (P >0.05). Vascular casting samples showed that hepatic sinusoids were slightly thicker and more filled than normal ones and although they had some deformations, the hepatic sinusoids were still distributed around the central vein in radial form.Conclusion Within a month after operation, bile duct recanaiization and PVA do not show obvious adverse effects on liver hemodynamics and hepatic micrangium, and the liver function and microscopic structure can return to normal.

OBJECTIVETo analyze the treatment of 42 patients with acute methanol poisoning because of drinking alcohol containing methanol.

METHODSClinical data of 42 cases of methanol poisoning were collected and analyzed. Methanol concentration in drinking alcohol and blood was determined by gas chromatography (GC). National standard for occupational medicine (GBZ53-2002) was used to diagnose the cases.

RESULTSThe methanol concentration in the alcohol was 16% approximately 46%. 42 Patients (40 males, 2 females), at age of 46.1 (22 approximately 80), took 588.1 ml (50 approximately 2,000 ml) of the alcohol. The average methanol concentration in blood was 1.61 mmol/L (0.03 approximately 23.60 mmol/L). According to clinical diagnosis, there were 17 observed cases, 9 mild acute toxication, and 16 severe acute toxication. Among them, 35 (83.3%) patients were recovered, 2 (4.8%) blind, 4 (9.5%) with neuropsychic sequela and 1 (2.4%) dead after adopting 8 cure measures.

CONCLUSIONTo start using emergency plan for public health events suddenly happened, designate a special treatment hospital, clear blood methanol as soon as possible, correct acidosis, adequately administer folacin and hormone, protect optic nerve and retina, and take comprehensive symptomatic treatment as well as strict monitoring are the keys of clinical cure.

Acute Disease ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Methanol ; poisoning ; Middle Aged ; Poisoning ; therapy ; Public Health Practice

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the efficiency of navigation system for orbital wall reconstruction in unilateral orbital fractures.

METHODSFifteen patients (7 male and 8 female) with unilateral orbital fracture underwent orbital reconstruction with the help of intraoperative navigation system. The average age was 34.3 ± 9.5 years. All patients underwent spiral CT scanning preoperatively, and the CT data was imported to the BrainLab navigation system (Germany, BrainLab company). The orbit of the intact side was mirrored to the opposite side as the reference for pre-operative planning. The titanium mesh was mounted on the resin template made by rapid prototyping machine based on the mirrored CT data. When the injury was limited, the hydroxyapatite sheet was used for the orbital wall reconstruction. During the operation, the real-time navigation helped to ensure precise placement. The re-establishing result was assessed based on the postoperative CT data with the following four variables: the volumetric difference between the bilateral orbit, the volume of the herniated soft tissue, the global projection and the discrepancy between the simulated and the achieved position of the reconstructed orbital wall. The reconstructive discrepancy was measured only in the titanium plate grafting cases.

RESULTSThere were no serious complications such as infection, graft rejection and optic nerve injury in any case. Preoperatively, the average degree of enophthalmos was (3.5 ± 1.6) mm, the average volumetric difference between the injured and the unaffected orbit was (4.5 ± 1.8) ml, and the average volume of the herniated orbital soft tissue was (2.1 ± 0.7) ml. Postoperatively, the three values were respectively reduced to (1.3 ± 0.6) mm, (1.8 ± 0.9) ml and (0.7 ± 0.3) ml. The discrepancy of the medial and inferior wall were (2.5 ± 0.6) mm and (2.1 ± 0.4) mm.

CONCLUSIONSThe intraoperative use of navigation system for the orbital wall reconstruction in unilateral orbital fractures can provide reliable accuracy and achieve satisfactory results.

Adult ; Computer Simulation ; Enophthalmos ; diagnostic imaging ; etiology ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Orbit ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Orbital Fractures ; complications ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures ; methods ; Surgery, Computer-Assisted ; Surgical Mesh ; Titanium ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

OBJECTIVETo construct a single-chain human anti-EGFR antibody (scFv) and truncated protamine (tP) fusion protein, ScFv/tP, carrying small interfering (si)RNA directed against the heat shock protein Hsp47, a collagen-binding glycoprotein, in order to evaluate the role Hsp47 in apoptosis of hepatic stellate cells.

METHODSA single chain of the human variable fragment was obtained by phage display and fused with the tP gene and with or without (negative control) the Hsp47 siRNA sequences. Following expression and purification of the scFv/tP fusion protein and the scFv/tPHsp47 siRNA fusion protein, internalization capabilities were tested in isolated human hepatic stellate cells and the QSG-7701 human hepatocyte cells with visualization by immunofluorescent staining. The DNA binding ability of the fusion proteins were verified by gel shift assay.Following ScFv/tP-Hsp47 siRNA fusion protein transfection into the human hepatic stellate cells, the levels of Hsp47 mRNA and protein expression were tested by RT-PCR and Western blotting; in addition, effects of siRNA-mediated silencing of Hsp47 on cell proliferation and apoptosis were analyzed by the cell counting kit (CCK)-8, flow cytometry and Western blot detection of the apoptosis marker poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP).

RESULTSIndirect immunofluorescence revealed that the ScFv/tP fusion proteins were internalized into human hepatic stellate cells but not into the QSG-7701 cells.The ScFv/tP-Hsp47 siRNA fusion protein caused reduced expression of Hsp47 mRNA and protein expression in the human hepatic stellate cells, as well as increased the cells' apoptosis remarkably.

CONCLUSIONThe ScFv/tP fusion protein can be used as a transfection reagent to deliver Hsp47 siRNA into hepatic stellate cells and to mediate apoptosis via blockade of Hsp47 expression.

Apoptosis ; Cell Proliferation ; HSP47 Heat-Shock Proteins ; genetics ; Hepatic Stellate Cells ; cytology ; Humans ; Protamines ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; RNA, Small Interfering ; Receptor, Epidermal Growth Factor ; immunology ; Single-Chain Antibodies ; Transfection

OBJECTIVETo investigate the therapeutic efficacy of standard antiviral therapy applied after interferon (IFN) treatment failure in patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC).

METHODSCHC patients who completed a 48-week course of IFN therapy (pegylated (Peg)-IFNa-2a at 180 mug, qw, ih with or without ribavirin (RBV) at 15 mg/kg/w) in our hospital between January 2009 and June 2012 but who showed no response (at week 48) or who relapsed (at week 72) were enrolled in the study. Prior to initiating the 48-week course of retreatment therapy (Peg-IFNa-2a plus RBV as above), the hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype was detected and the viral load measured (baseline) by PCR of HCV RNA. Each patient's response to therapy was classified as follows: baseline vs. week 4 (rapid virological response, RVR), vs. weeks 12 and 24 (early virological response, EVR), vs. week 48 (end of treatment virological response, ETVR) and vs. week 72 (sustained virological response, SVR).

RESULTSOf the total 235 cases administered retreatment therapy, 60.0% (n = 140) achieved RVR, 77.4% (n = 182) achieved EVR, 83.8% (n = 197) achieved ETVR, 68.0% (n = 68%) achieved SVR, and 15.7% (n = 37) relapsed. Stratification analysis of recurrence (n = 158) and non-responsive (n = 77) sub-groups showed that the recurrence group experienced significantly higher rates of RVR, EVR, ETVR and SVR, but a significantly lower rate of relapse. Stratification analysis of genotype 1b carrier (n = 206) and non-1b carrier (n = 29) sub-groups showed that the 1b carriers had significantly lower rates of RVR, EVR, ETVR and SVR, but a significantly higher rate of relapse. Finally, the patients who achieved RVR (vs. non RVR, n = 95) and EVR (vs. non-EVR, n = 53) showed higher rates of SVR and ETVR.

CONCLUSIONCHC patients who fail to respond to the initial course of standard IFN-based therapy may achieve SVR upon retreatment, especially those infected with the HCV genotype 1b.

Adult ; Antiviral Agents ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Genotype ; Hepacivirus ; genetics ; Hepatitis C, Chronic ; drug therapy ; Humans ; Interferon-alpha ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Interferons ; therapeutic use ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Polyethylene Glycols ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Recombinant Proteins ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Retreatment ; Ribavirin ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Treatment Failure

BACKGROUND: The thermo-sensitive composite hydrogels have gained increasing interest in bone regeneration domain due to their biomimetic extracellular matrix (ECM) structure, good biocompatibility, minimal invasive performance and in situ molding. OBJECTIVE:To prepare a thermo-sensitive injectable alginate/α-tricalcium phosphate (α-TCP)/collagen I (Alg/TCP/Col) composite hydrogel and explore its characterization. METHODS:Ca-carrying interdigitation-fusion vesicles (Ca-IFVs) were prepared. The liposomes carrying the optimal concentration of calcium ions were selected for the following experiments by investigating their encapsulation efficiency and drug loading rate. Alg/TCP/Col precursor solution (Alg or Alg/TCP precursor solution) was mixed with Ca-IFVs at 37℃ in different proportions (5, 10, 15, 20) to prepare thermosensitive hydrogels. The structure, rheology behavior, volume swelling ratio, and mechanical properties of the composite hydrogel were observed. MC3T3-E1 cells were co-cultured with Alg/TCP/Col, Alg, and Alg/TCP hydrogels, respectively. Then, morphology of the cells was observed by confocal microscopy at 1, 3, 7 days after co-culture. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1) The pore size of the freeze-dried hydrogel was 50-100 μm, and TCP particles uniformly adhered to the surface of the Alg/TCP hydrogel surface. The Alg/TCP/Col hydrogel was a dense aggregate with collagen fibers in contrast to the Alg/TCP hydrogel. (2) The Alg/TCP/Col hydrogel exhibited a suitable phase transition temperature (Tm) between 35-39℃. (3) The volume swelling ratio of the hydrogel was increased with the increase of Ca-IFVs size. When the α-TCP complex was added into the Alg/TCP hydrogel, the swelling ratio decreased slightly. Alg/TCP/Col hydrogel exhibited a higher swelling ratio than the Alg/TCP hydrogel. (4) When the mixture ratio of precursor solution to liposome was 10, the compressive modulus of Alg/TCP/Col hydrogel and Alg/TCP hydrogel was significantly higher than that of the Alg hydrogel (P<0.05). (5) When the mixture ratio of precursor solution to liposome was 10, round MC3T3-E1 cells were observed on the Alg hydrogel; the cells on the surface of the Alg/TCP hydrogel were scattered and tended to extend; the cells on the surface of the Alg/TCP/Col hydrogel had a stress-extended morphology, and grew into the hydrogel, and meanwhile, the cell number increased significantly. To conclude, the liposome-mediated Alg/TCP/Col has good mechanical properties and cytocompatibility.

Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of intravesical instillation of sodium hya- luronate in relieving the symptoms of refractory non-bacterial cystitis.Methods Totally,20 patients(1 man and 19 women;mean age,47 years;age range,22-68 years)with refractory non-bacterial cystitis were included.Their disease course ranged from 1 month to 30 years.Of them,16 patients had the disease for more than 1 year.Instillation of sodium hyaluronate(50 ml solution of 40 mg HA)was performed intravesically in them for a total of 12 weeks(once a week for the first 4 weeks and once every 4 weeks for the succeeding 8 weeks).Follow-up visit ended at 16 weeks,when the patients filled in the symptom assessment scores(VAS on pain,frequency and urgency)according to the subjective evaluation.Therapeutic results were classified as(1)total response:symptom disappearance or relief by at least 90% of the symptom scores;(2)partial response:symptom relief by 50%-89%;(3)mild response:symptom relief by 49% or less;(4)no re- sponse:no improvement in symptom scores.Results Nineteen patients completed the 16-week follow-up with only 1 withdrawing.The average general symptom score decreased from 22.32?5.53 to 9.47?5.88 (P＜0.001);frequency score from 8.21?1.75 to 3.89v2.31(P＜0.001);urgency score from 7.47?2.14 to 3.37?2.14(P＜0.001);pain score from 6.63?3.47 to 2.21?2.74(P＜0.001).After 16 weeks,overall positive response rate(total+partial response)was 53%(10/19).No serious adverse effect occurred except for urethral irritation(25%,5/20),worsening of distending pain of the bladder(5%,1/20) and vertigo(15%,3/20)caused by the procedure itself.Conclusions For patients suffering from refrac- tory non-bacterial cystitis,intravesical instillations of sodium hyaluronate can significantly relieve the symp- toms and is safe and of good patient compliance.