Background Corneal blindness caused by ocular surface disease is one of the main reasons for the global blinding corneal diseases.With the development and progress of tissue engineering technology,tissueengineered cornea offers a new approach to the treatment of ocular surface disease.Objective This study was to obscrve the growth and differentiation of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cclls (UC-MSCs) on thc corneal stroma of receipts and investigate the feasibility of human UC-MSCs differentiated into corneal epithelium-like cells and the reparation of injury cornea.Methods Human UC-MSCs were isolated from human umbilical cord using collagenase Ⅳ digestion and passaged in DMEM/F12 containing fetal bovine serum in vitro.The immunophenotype of cultured human UC-MSCs was evaluated by flow cytometry.The differentiated osteoblasts from the human UC-MSCs by directional induce was identified.Twenty-four New Zealand albino rabbits were randomly divided into 2 groups.The human UC-MSCs were cultured on porcine corneal matrix without corneal epithelium for 4 days and then transplanted onto the 12 left eyes of 12 New Zealand albino rabbits,and porcine corneal matrix without corneal epithelium was transplanted onto the left eyes of other 12 New Zealand albino rabbits as control group.The rabbits received keratoplasty were examined using in vivo confocal microscope through focusing(CMTF).The eyeballs were taken off after 2,4 and 8 weeks,the growth and differentiation,expression of cytokeratin 3 (CK3),CK12 and ATP-binding cassette superfamily G memben 2 (ABCG2)of human UC-MSCs were observed by histopathology and immunofluorescence staining.This use of the experimental animals complied with ARVO Statement.Results Digestive human UCMSCs formed round in shape and was large in size.The attached cells displayed long-fusiform shape like fibroblasts.The cultured human UC-MSCs phenotype was CD105+/CD29+/CD44+/CD34-/CD45-and could be induced toward osteoblast differentiation under the appropriate experimental conditions.Human UC-MSCs grew well on the porcine corneal matrix.The corneal grafts survived wcll without rejection till the experiment end in experimental eyes,but the rejection of corneal graft occurred in control eyes.Confocal microscope could observe corneal epithelium-like cells.The corneal epithelium cells showed the positive response for CK3 and CK12 and absent response for ABCG2.Conclusions Human UC-MSCs with porcine corneal matrix can survive,proliferate and differentiate into corneal epithelium-like cells after transplanting onto the corneal stroma of rabbits.This result suggests that human UC-MSCs is able to repair and reconstruct the injured corneal surfaces.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Athletes ; Boxing ; Electroencephalography ; Female ; Humans ; Physical Education and Training ; methods ; Young Adult

Objective To explore the relationship between dynamic changes in ultra-micro-structural of pulmonary arteries and endogenous hydrogen sulfide in rats with left-right shunt.Methods Rats in shunt group were subjected to an abdominal aorta-inferior vena cava shunt to create an animal model of pulmonary artery structural remodeling. After 1 day, 3 days, 1 week, 4 weeks and 8 weeks of experiment, the ultra-micro-morphologic changes of pulmonary arteries of rats were observed under electronic microscope and H_2S concentration in serum was evaluated by modified sulfide electrode method.Results The changes of ultra-micro-structure of pulmonary arteries were progressively exacerbated, endothelial cells became swollen and large in size on 3 days, smooth muscular cells increased in size as well as the change of endothelial cells in 1 week, and they changed from contractile phenotype to synthetic phenotype in 4 weeks.Conclusions Shunt exhibited changes of ultra-micro-structure of pulmonary arteries are accompanied by the changes of endogenous H_2S. It is suggested that endogenous H_2S might play a protective role in changes of ultra-micro-structure of pulmonary artery.

OBJECTIVEThe mechanism of high pulmonary blood flow-induced pulmonary hypertension remains unclear. The aim of this study was to explore the effect of proadrenomedullin N-terminal 20-peptide (PAMP) on pulmonary hypertension, through examining the alterations of pulmonary PAMP expression and plasma PAMP concentration in rats with pulmonary hypertension induced by high pulmonary blood flow.

METHODSSixteen male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into control (n=8) and shunt groups (n=8). Aortocaval shunting was produced in the shunt group. After 11 weeks of shunting, systolic pulmonary artery pressure (sPAP), diastolic pulmonary artery pressure (dPAP) and mean pulmonary artery pressure (mPAP) were evaluated by using a right cardiac catheterization procedure. The ultrastructural changes in intra-acinar pulmonary arteries were observed. The concentration of plasma PAMP was measured by radioimmunoassay. The expression of PAMP in pulmonary arteries was detected by immunohistochemical assay.

RESULTSsPAP, dPAP and mPAP were significantly increased in shunt rats compared with controls (P < 0.01). Ultrastructural changes, such as hyperplasia and swelling of endothelial cells, irregularity of internal elastic laminar, and hypertrophy and increased number of synthetic phenotype of smooth muscle cells, were found in intra-acinar pulmonary muscularized arteries in the shunt group. Plasma PAMP concentration (616 +/- 195 pg /mL vs 427 +/- 90 pg /mL) and PAMP expression in endothelial cells (0.62 +/- 0.09 vs 0.38 +/- 0.12) and in smooth muscle cells (0.24 +/- 0.07 vs 0.14 +/- 0.05) of pulmonary arteries increased significantly in the shut group compared with controls.

CONCLUSIONSThe up-regulation of pulmonary and plasm PAMP expression might be involved in the development of high pulmonary blood flow-induced pulmonary hypertension.

Adrenomedullin ; blood ; genetics ; Animals ; Hypertension, Pulmonary ; blood ; etiology ; pathology ; Male ; Pulmonary Artery ; ultrastructure ; Pulmonary Circulation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

OBJECTIVETo investigate the reduction of chlorination by-products (CBPs) precursors using the fluidized-bed biofilm reactor (FBBR).

METHODSReduction of total organic carbon (TOC), ultraviolet absorbance (UV254), trihalomethane (THM) formation potential (THMFP), haloacetic acid (HAA) formation potential (HAAFP), and ammonia in FBBR were evaluated in detail. Results The reduction of TOC or UV254 was low, on average 12.6% and 4.7%, respectively, while the reduction of THMFP and HAAFP was significant. The reduction of ammonia was 30%-40% even below 3 degrees C, however, it could quickly rise to over 50% above 3degrees C. Conclusions The FBBR effectively reduces CBPs and ammonia in drinking water even at low temperature and seems to be a very promising and competitive drinking water reactor for polluted surface source waters, especially in China.

Biofilms ; Chlorine ; Water Purification

OBJECTIVENeuroblastoma is the most common malignant solid tumor in children under 4 years. Amplification of MYCN oncogene is associated with advanced-stage disease, rapid tumor progression, resistance to treatment, and poor outcome. Matirne has the anti-tumor activity. This study was designed to investigate the effects of matrine on LA-N-5 cell line proliferation and MYCN gene mRNA expression.

METHODSNeuroblastoma LA-N-5 cells were treated by 0.25, 0.50, 0.75 or 1.00 mg/mL matrine. MTT was used to measure the levels of the proliferation of LA-N-5 cells cultured with different concentrations of matrine. MYCN gene mRNA expression in LA-N-5 cells was measured using real time RT-PCR with SYBR GREEN I fluorescence.

RESULTSThe proliferation of LA-N-5 cells was obviously inhibited by matrine in a dose- and time- dependent manner. Matrine of 1.00 mg/mL treatment for 72 hrs produced a best effect, with an inhibitory rate of LA-N-5 cell proliferation of 36.3% and an inhibitory rate of MYCN gene mRNA expression of 44.6%.

CONCLUSIONSMatrine may inhibit the growth of neuroblastoma cells and down-regulate MYCN mRNA expression. It may be promising as a new drug for treatment of neuroblastoma.

Alkaloids ; pharmacology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Humans ; N-Myc Proto-Oncogene Protein ; Neuroblastoma ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; pathology ; Nuclear Proteins ; genetics ; Oncogene Proteins ; genetics ; Quinolizines ; pharmacology ; RNA, Messenger ; analysis

Burns ; epidemiology ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; China ; epidemiology ; Female ; Hospitalization ; Humans ; Male ; Seasons

OBJECTIVETo observe the long-term effect of tissue engineering-based repair of large weight-bearing bone defect in goats, and the final outcome of the scaffold material coral hydroxyapatite (CHAP) in vivo.

METHODSFifteen Chinese goats were subjected to operations to induce a 2-cm left tibial diaphyseal defect, which was filled subsequently with CHAP and bone marrow stromal stem cells (BMSCs). The repaired defects were evaluated by ECT, X-ray and histology in the early stage and at 6, 12, 18, and 24 months postoperatively.

RESULTSECT showed good bone regeneration and revascularization within 2 months postoperatively. X-ray and histology displayed eccentric and gradual bone regeneration in the early stage, and the tissue-engineered bone graft was firmly healed with the goat tibia. X-ray and histological examination at 6, 12, 18, 24 months postoperatively revealed moulding of the new bones and medullary cavity recanalization, and the structure of CHAP disappeared and gradually integrated into the new bones.

CONCLUSIONTissue-engineered bone is capable of total repair of large bone defect in goats by forming normal functional new bones. CHAP can be eventually degraded completely and become the component of the newly generated bones.

Animals ; Bone Marrow Transplantation ; Bone Regeneration ; Bone Substitutes ; Cells, Cultured ; Goats ; Prostheses and Implants ; Tibial Fractures ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Tissue Engineering ; methods

Objective To compare the features of contrast enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) and contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT) of hepatic angiomyolipoma (HAML), and to explore their relationship with pathologic findings. Methods Thirty patients with 31 resected or punctured and pathologically proved hepatic angiomyolipomas in Southwest Hospital of Third Military Medical University from January 2006 to December 2012 were selected in this retrospective study. CEUS and CECT features were evaluated and analyzed with pathology findings in 30 patients with HAML preoperatively. The proportion of typical performance by CEUS compared with CECT in this group was analyzed with Fisher exact propability. Results Seventeen lesions were inhomogeneous hyperechoic under conventional ultrasound observation. Twenty lesions demonstrated typical imaging characteristics by CEUS, eleven lesions showed atypia CEUS imaging characteristics. There were seventeen lesions on CT indicates the presence of fat. Seven lesions demonstrated typical imaging characteristics by CECT, twenty-four lesions presented atypical CECT imaging characteristics. The proportion of showing typical imaging characteristics by CEUS was higher than by CECT (64.5%vs 22.6%, P=0.002). Among the eleven mixed type HAML lesions, seven lesions showed typical CEUS imaging characteristics and two lesions demonstrated typical CECT imaging characteristics. In the ten myomatous type HAML lesions, six lesions displayed typical CEUS imaging characteristics and two lesions revealed typical CECT imaging characteristics. Among the eight lipomatous type HAML lesions, six lesions showed typical CEUS imaging characteristics and three lesions displayed typical CECT imaging characteristics. Conclusions Conventional ultrasound combining with CEUS can demonstrate the echoic and blood perfusion characteristics of HAML in most cases. The features of CEUS and CECT were varied in different histological types.

Objective To evaluate the status of rehabilitation resource configuration and rehabilitation service of health system in Guangdong province,and to provide basis for the development of rehabilitation institutions. Methods From November to December in 2015, an online survey was conducted among rehabilitation hospitals in Health and Family Planning Commission of 21 cities in Guangdong province by using self-administered ques-tionnaire.The deadline was December 30th,2015. Results There were 38 rehabilitation hospitals in Guangdong province including 18 non-profit and 20 for-profit ones. Only one was tertiary rehabilitation hospital.There were totally 4524 open beds,hospitals with 50 to199 beds ac-counted for 68.4%. There were 37,262 rehabilitation equipments worth more than 10,000 Yuan, in which less than 500,000 Yuan was the most.There were 776 rehabilitation doctors,1051 nurses,749 therapists,and 248 oth-er staff members. The annual hospital admissions were more than 55,000, hospital bed utilization rate was 74.6%,bed turnover rates was 12.75,the working time of bed was 272.3 days,and the average length of stay in hospital was 19.5 days. Conclusion These rehabilitation institutions cannot meet the need of people in Guangdong province.Many problems ex-isted,such as low hospital scales,unbalanced geographical distribution,low rates of hospital beds utilization and turnover,inadequate hospital management and imperfect health system.The service and management capabilities of rehabilitation institutions should be strengthened.