Ultrasonic microbubbles were used to open blood-brain barriers (BBB) with a reversed and limited behavior feature in the study, which could improve the brain-targeted delivery of anti-tumor drugs. The glioma rat model was prepared. Low-frequency ultrasound was combined with microbubbles to affect the permeability of BBB compared with the permeability of independently administered Evans blue (EB) crossing BBB. Time point and length of ultrasound were investigated whether they affect the permeability of BBB and the damage of brain tissue. The effect of the growth time of glioma on BBB permeability was explored. Only glioma had a very little impact on BBB permeability. However, ultrasonic microbubbles opened the BBB with the features of temporary, limited and reversed behavior and improved EB and magnetic resonance imaging contrast agent penetrating BBB. A length of 30 s ultrasound is appropriate for opening BBB and no damage of brain tissue. Drugs should be injected before ultrasound so that they enter into brain as BBB opening. Ultrasonic microbubbles can open BBB effectively and safely, which improve drugs penetrating BBB under proper time point and length.
Animals ; Blood-Brain Barrier ; Contrast Media ; Drug Delivery Systems ; Glioma ; drug therapy ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Microbubbles ; Permeability ; Rats ; Ultrasonics

To prepare PLGA fiber scaffolds by electrospinning process and investigate the influence of preparation parameters on the structure of the scaffolds. With the compound of THF and DMF as the solvent, the PLGA fiber scaffolds with different surface morphology were fabricated via altering PLGA solution concentration, flowing rate and applied electric field strength. The morphology and diameter of the fibers were observed using a scanning electron microscope (SEM). The biocompatibility of cell-scaffold complex was also evaluated by seeding human dermal fibroblasts onto the PLGA fiber scaffolds, including cell adhesion and proliferation. The results show that the diameter of fibers and the bound of distributing increase with the increase in the concentration of PLGA solution. As the flowing rate increases, the diameter of fibers increases. However, with the increase in the applied electric field strength, no significant difference in the diameter of the fiber can be observed. Furthermore, both the increase in the concentration of PLGA solution and applied electric field strength in the volume range of current investigation can lead to the reduction in the beads formation within the scaffold. The results of in vitro cell culture on the PLGA scaffolds also confirm that the PLGA fiber can support the adhesion and proliferation of huaman dermal fibroblasts.

OBJECTIVETo observe the temperature change of traditional silver needle in the human body during the burning of moxa ball.

METHODSThirty-six healthy volunteers were randomly divided into a single-needle group and a multi-needle group, 18 cases in each group. For both groups, one silver needle (18 cm in length, 1.1 mm in diameter), which was adopted in this research to measure the temperature change, was punctured in the insertion point of the volunteer (inside the top of the left buttock, 7 cm under the edge of the highest point of the iliac crest, 7 cm lateral to the dorsomedian line), then another four silver needles were punctured 2 cm respectively anterior, posterior and lateral to the insertion point in the multi-needle group, and all the silver needles were inserted with 6 cm depth. Afterigniting the 1.3 g moxa ball on the needle tail, the temperature of the measuring points that were 3 mm, 33 mm, and 63 mm above the silver needle tip were recorded separately by digital temperature measuring instrument.

RESULTSThe peak temperature of the three measuring points in the single-needle group was all around 41 degrees C, while those in the multi-needle group were around 43 degrees C, which had significant differences (all P < 0.05), but no significant differences among the highest temperature of the measuring points in the same group could be found (all P > 0.05). The highest temperature of moxa ball in the single needle group was (611.16 +/- 6.91) degrees C, while that of the central moxa ball in the multi-needle group was (628.94 +/- 8.99) degrees C, the difference of which was significant difference (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONThe temperature conductivity of the silver needle is very well, so the heat of the moxa ball could pass from the tail of needle to the tip during the warming treatment. The peak temperature on the body, tip of the silver needle in the multi-needle group is higher than those in the single needle group. Also, the peak temperature of multi-moxa ball is higher than that of single moxa ball.

Acupuncture Therapy ; instrumentation ; Adult ; Female ; Hot Temperature ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Needles ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVE: To determine the associated mutations in myosin-binding protein C3 (MYBPC3) in Chinese patients with family hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (FHCM) and to analyze the genotype and phenotype correlation. METHODS: One family with 27 family members affected with FHCM was chosen for the study. The full encoding exons of MYBPC3 were amplified with PCR and the products were sequenced. The clinical data and echocardiography were collected. RESULTS: Two missense mutations in the family were identified: one was C.2526C>G mutation which caused a tyrosine (Tyr) to terminator exchange at amino acid residue 842 and the other was C.2971G>A mutation which resulted in a valine (Val) to methionine (Met) exchange at amino acid residue 991. Four patients in the family suffered from HCM with asymmetric interventricular septal hypertrophy. The left ventricular diastolic function was significantly reduced. Signs of regional diastolic abnormalities occurred in some mutation carriers. CONCLUSION Severe hypertrophy and diastolic dysfunction of the disease are compatible with the presence of double mutations in MYBPC3. Signs of regional diastolic abnormalities suggest a primary response to the mutations of MYBPC3 expression.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Base Sequence ; Cardiomyopathy, Hypertrophic, Familial ; diagnostic imaging ; genetics ; Carrier Proteins ; genetics ; China ; ethnology ; Echocardiography, Doppler ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Mutation, Missense ; Pedigree ; Young Adult

Objective To investigate the diagnostic value of internal septation for differentiating benign from malignant breast lesions.Methods A total of 26 patients were included in the study,in which 12 patients had 20 lesions of breast carcinoma and 14 patients had 25 lesions of fibroadenoma diagnosed either pathologically or clinically.The differential diagnoistic value of the hypointensive internal septation was analyzed.Results The signal intensity of fibroadenomas and malignant lesions on T_2-weighted fat- suppressed images could be classified as iso- to hyper- intensity,hypointensity and mixed intensity. According to the signal intensity classification,there were 5,11 and 4 cases in patients with breast carcinoma respectively,while 11,10,4 cases in patients with fibroadenoma respectively.There was no statistical difference in the distribution between the two patient groups(?~2=1.764,P=0.414).The shape of fibroadenomas and malignant lesions could be classified as irregular、roundish or lobulated.According to the morphological classification,there were 12,7 and 1 case in patients with breast carcinoma respectively, while 1,7,17 cases in patients with fibroadenoma respectively.There was statistical difference in the distribution between the two patient groups(?~2=23.262,P=0.000).The typical features of fibroadenomas were as follows:lobulated shape,hypointensive internal septations on T_2-weighted or postcontrast images. The diagnostic sensitivity of the three imaging features for fibroadenoma was 68%(17/25),52%(13/25), and 72%(18/25)respectively;and the diagnostic specificity was 95%(19/20),90%(18/20),95% (19/20)respectively.Conclusion The internal septation is a rather specific sign for diagnosis of fibroadenomas.

OBJECTIVETo study the prevalent status of CRF01_AE strains of recombinant HIV-1 in Shenzhen and their source of infection in order to predict the epidemic trend and evolution.

METHODSA total of 489 samples of HIV-1 positive plasma were collected from 1992 to 2008 in Shenzhen. HIV-1 Env genes were amplified by nested-PCR from RNA. Subtype analysis were performed on the nucleotide sequence data. CRF01_AE sequences were analyzed by phylogenetic methods and characterized by calculating the genetic distance.

RESULTSA total of 300 CRF01_AE strain sequences were amplified, accounting for 64.5% of all genotyped samples of all the 465 samples. The CRF01_AE strains of recombinant in 1992 - 1999, 2000 - 2005 and 2006 - 2008 accounted for 56.8% (21/37), 68.4% (78/114) and 64.0% (201/314) of genotyped samples, respectively. And in these three periods of times, 52.4% (11/21), 43.6% (34/78) and 45.8% (92/201) were heterosexually acquired adults; 4.8% (1/21), 0.0% (0/78) and 22.4% (45/201) were homosexually acquired adults; 19.0% (4/21), 51.3% (40/78), 30.8% (62/210) were intravenous drug users, respectively.Phylogenetic tree analysis revealed that HIV samples from different period of time showed distinct aggregation in time and transmission as well as cross infection. The gene divergence rate of CRF01_AE strains in the three different periods of time were (8.783 ± 4.717)%, (11.054 ± 7.141)%, and (13.218 ± 4.080)%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONCRF01_AE is the major epidemic strains in Shenzhen, which is transmitted through heterosexual contact, MSM and intravenous drug users. The gene variation increased gradually as time goes by.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome ; epidemiology ; virology ; China ; epidemiology ; Evolution, Molecular ; Female ; Genotype ; HIV-1 ; classification ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Humans ; Male ; Molecular Epidemiology ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Recombination, Genetic

Objective:To explore the protective effect of rapamycin and the role of autophagy on podocyte injury induced by pu-romycin amino nucleoside.Methods:The mice podocytes cell 5(MPC5)were randomly divided into four groups:Control group,PAN group(50 μg/ml PAN);rapamycin group(RAP group,100 ng/ml,200 ng/ml,300 ng/ml rapamycin)and PAN+rapamycin group (PAN+RAP group,treated with rapamycin before PAN).The apoptosis of podocytes were detected by Annexin V/PI.Transmission electronic microscopy was used to observe the formation of autophagosome.The expression of autophagic markers,LC3,p62,and 4EBP1,P70S6K,mTOR were detected by Western blot.Results: The podocyte apoptotic rate was significantly decreased when the podocytes were treated with rapamycin compared with PAN group.Further,more autophagosomes appeared in cytoplasm of podocytes in RAP and PAN+RAP group compared with PAN group.And the expression of LC3Ⅱ was significantly increased in rapamycin treated podocytes,whereas the expression of p62 was decreased markedly.Phosphorylation of mTOR,4EBP1 and P70S6K was decreased rapamycin treated groups.Conclusion: Podocyte autophagy was inhibited by PAN, and the apoptosis of podocytes was promoted.Rapamycin protect puromycin amino nucleoside induced podocyte injury by upregulating autophagy and it may be concerned with mTOR 4EBP1 and P70S6K signaling pathway.

Objective Though analyzing the epidemiological trend of human Brucellosis in Qinghai Province in 2012, to provide a advice for Brucellosis prevention and control. Methods Brucellosis investigation was carried out on key populations aged 7-60 years who were keeping in touch with livestock in Ping’an County, Haiyan County, Tianjun County, Dari County, Jiuzhi County, Henan County, and three or four towns were selected as investigation sites in each county; then serological test was done with the methods of the rose bengal plate agglutination test(RBPT), standard tube agglutination test(SAT) and Coombs; diagnosis was based on “Diagnostic Criteria for Brucellosis”( WS 269-2007 ) . Results A total of 4 253 people in the 6 counties were investigated;the positive rate of RBPT was 2.92%(124/4 253); the positive rate of SAT was 0.85%(36/4 253), while the Coombs was 0.05%(2/4 253), totally infected people was 124, the infection rate was 2.92%(124/4 253); the number of patients was 71, the prevalence rate was 1.67%(71/4 253); and new cases were 68. Conclusions Prevalence of human Brucellosis in Qinghai Province is active in some local areas. We should strengthen health education of occupational population, improve people’s ability of prevention and control, and control prevalence of Human epidemic situation.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of tMfn2 gene transfer on promoting the apoptosis of vascular smooth-muscle cells (VSMCs).

METHODSVSMCs were infected by adenovirus-mediated tMfn2 (Adv-tMfn2) or adenovirus-mediated Mfn2 (Adv-Mfn2). FACS analysis, cell death ELISA and TUNEL staining were used to investigate the role of tMfn2 and Adv-Mfn2 gene transfer on VSMCs apoptosis. Western blot was used to analyze the protein expression of p-Akt, Bcl-2, Bax and cleaved caspase-9.

RESULTSFACS and ELISA results showed that tMfn2 was superior to Mfn2 in promoting VSMCs apoptosis and tMfn2 gene transfer induced VSMCs apoptosis in a time-dependent manner (P < 0.01). TUNEL staining evidenced that there were more positive-apoptotic VSMCs in tMfn2 group than that in Mfn2 group (P < 0.01). The protein expressions of phosphorylated Akt and Bcl-2 were significantly decreased, whereas Bax and cleaved caspase-9 protein expressions were significantly upregulated in tMfn2-transfected VSMCs.

CONCLUSIONStMfn2 transfer promoted apoptosis of VSMCs in a time dependent manner via the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway and mitochondrial apoptotic pathway.

Adenoviridae ; Animals ; Apoptosis ; Caspase 9 ; metabolism ; Cells, Cultured ; Membrane Proteins ; genetics ; Mitochondria ; metabolism ; Mitochondrial Membranes ; metabolism ; Mitochondrial Proteins ; genetics ; Muscle, Smooth, Vascular ; cytology ; metabolism ; Myocytes, Smooth Muscle ; metabolism ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt ; metabolism ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 ; metabolism ; Rats ; Transfection ; bcl-2-Associated X Protein ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo clone a novel gene expressed specifically in human embryonic stem cell and to analyze its characteristics.

METHODSBased on an expression sequence tags(EST) CF948547 which expressed specifically in human embryonic stem cell, the full-length cDNA sequence of a novel gene was cloned by using bioinformatic and molecular biological technique. Its expression profile was analyzed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR), and subcellular location was determined by enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) eukaryotic expression system.

RESULTSA novel gene HPESCRG1(homo sapiens pluripotent embryonic stem cell-related gene) was cloned successfully. Its GenBank accession number was AY283672. Its cDNA length was 1395 bp. It comprised 9 exons and 8 introns, and its opening reading frame was 250-1146 bp. Its chromosomal mapping was located in 3q13.13, and the putative protein contained 297 amino acids. The theoretical molecular weight of the putative protein was 33 784 and the isoelectric point was 9.35. The protein primary structure of this gene contained a SAP motif and it was subcellularly located in nuclei. Expression analysis showed that this gene was expressed specifically in human ES cells, but not expressed in the adult human tissues, the multiple tissues of embryo aborted in over 5 months' pregnancy, the differentiated cells of HESC-1, and the human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) and human embryonic fibrocytes (hEFCs).

CONCLUSIONHPESCRG1 was found to be a novel gene expressed specifically in human ES cell, which might be related to self-renewal of human ES cell and maintaining its undifferentiated state.

Amino Acid Sequence ; Base Sequence ; Cell Line ; Cloning, Molecular ; DNA, Complementary ; analysis ; Embryo, Mammalian ; Exons ; Expressed Sequence Tags ; Gene Expression ; Humans ; Introns ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Molecular Weight ; Nuclear Proteins ; Open Reading Frames ; genetics ; Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Stem Cells ; cytology ; metabolism