This study aimed to examine the preparation of cationic lipid microbubble (CLM), and evaluate its physical and chemical properties and toxicity, measure the gene transfection efficiency by ultrasound triggered microbobble destruction (UTMD) in combination with CLM. The CLM was prepared by the method of the thin film hydration, and its morphology was observed under the electron microscopy at 1st, 3rd, 7th, 10th, and 14th day after preparation, respectively. The size, Zeta potential and stability of CLM were tested. The acute toxicity of CLM was assessed. The green fluorescent protein gene (EGFP) transfection efficiency was evaluated. The experiment grouping was as follows: naked plasmid group (P group), ultrasonic irradiation plus naked plasmid group (P-US group), naked plasmid plus CLM group (P-CLM group), naked plasmid plus ultrasound and CLM group (UTMD group). The expression of EGFP was detected by fluorescent microscopy and flow cytometry. The results showed that CLMs were spherical in shape, with the similar size and good distribution degree under the light and electron microscopies. The size of CLMs was varied from 250.4±88.3 to 399.0±99.8 nm and the Zeta potential of CLMs from 18.80±4.97 to 20.1±3.1 mV. The EGFP expression was the strongest in the UTMD group, followed by the P-CLM group, P-US group and P group. Flow cytometry results were consistent with those of fluorescent microscopy. The transfection efficiency was substantially increased in the P-US group, P-CLM group and UTMD group as compared with that in the P group, almost 7 times, 10 times and 30 times higher than that in the P group respectively. It is suggested that CLMs prepared by the method of thin film hydration are uniform in diameter, and proved non-toxic. UTMD combined with CLM can significantly increase the transfection efficiency of EGFP to targeted cells.

ObjectiveTo investigate the histological features as well as the factors influencing liver disease progression in Chinese patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC). MethodsA total of 102 CHC patients who underwent percutaneous liver biopsy between August 2007 and May 2010 were recruited. Age, gender, body mass index (BMI) and transmission route of recruited patients were recorded. Serum levels of alanine transaminase (ALT) and aspartate transaminase (AST), HCV genotypes, HCV viral load and liver histological changes were detected. Statistical analysis was done by t test and Logistic regression. ResultsThe serum levels of ALT and AST in CHC patients with histological activity index (HAI) ≥4 were much higher, while platelet (PLT) counts were lower than those with HAI ＜4(t=2.209, 2. 298 and 2. 565, respectively; all P＜0.05). Likewise, in patients with F≥3, the serum levels of ALT and AST as well as the mean age and the duration of infection were significantly elevated compared with F ＜ 3 group ( t = 3.497, 2. 758, 2. 340 and 2. 570,respectively; all P＜0. 05), while PLT counts were much lower (t = 2. 761, P=0. 007). The unvariate predictors for HAI≥4 were female, ALT＞1 × upper limits of normal (ULN), AST level,F≥3, HCV RNA≥6 lgIU/mL and PLT counts. By mutivariate analysis, the Ishak stage score was the only independent predictor for HAI≥4 (OR 3.098, 95％CI 1.884-5. 092; P＜0.01). Finally,the univariate predictors for F≥3 were age, BMI≥24 kg/m2 , ALT＞1 × ULN, AST level, HAI≥4,PLT counts and duration of infection≥ 15 years. Multivariate analysis revealed that age (OR 1. 074,95％CI 1.006-1. 146; P=0.033), ALT level (OR 1. 035, 95％CI 1.015－1.055; P＜0.01), ASTlevel (OR 0. 969, 95％CI 0. 948－0. 990; P=0. 005), the duration of infection ≥15 years (OR 37. 215, 95％CI 5. 816－238. 127; P＜0.01) and HAI≥4 (OR 1. 939, 95％CI 1. 426－2. 636; P＜0.01) were independent predictors for F≥ 3. ConclusionAge, ALT level, AST level, duration of infection≥15 years, HAI≥4 are independent predictors for liver fibrosis.

OBJECTIVETo investigate telomerase activity in rabbit bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) during their committed differentiation in vitro along neural pathway and the effect of glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) on the expression of telomerase.

METHODSBMSCs were acquired from rabbit marrow and divided into control group, GDNF (10 ng/ml) group. Cytokine.NSCs medium (prepared by our lab, Patent No. ZL02134314. 4) supplemented with 10 percent fetal bovine serum (FBS) was used to induce BMSCs differentiation along neural pathway. Fluorescent immunocytochemistry was employed to identify the expressions of Nestin, neuron-specific endase (NSE), and gial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP). The growth curves of the cells and the status of cell cycles were analyzed, respectively. During the differentiation, telomerase activities were detected using the telomeric repeat amplification protocol-enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (TRAP-ELISA).

RESULTSBMSCs were successfully induced to differentiate along neural pathway and expressed specific markers of fetal neural epithelium, mature neuron and glial cells. Telomerase activities were undetectable in BMSCs during differentiation along neural pathway. Similar changes of cell growth curves, cell cycle status and telomerase expression were observed in the two groups.

CONCLUSIONSRabbit BMSCs do not display telomerase activity during differentiation along neural pathway. GDNF shows little impact on proliferation and telomerase activity of BMSCs.

Animals ; Bone Marrow Cells ; enzymology ; Cell Differentiation ; Glial Cell Line-Derived Neurotrophic Factor ; Immunohistochemistry ; Rabbits ; Stromal Cells ; enzymology ; Telomerase ; metabolism

[Objective] To improve the understanding of CT and MRI features of giant cell reparative granuloma of temporal bone and reduce misdiagnosis.[Methods] The CT and MR images of 4 cases of GCRG of temporal bone were analyzed,compared with their operation and pathology results.[Results] All the lesions of the 4 cases were located in the anterior and lower parts of the temporal bone with widely destruction.The CT images showed expansive destruction of bone with disruption of osseous shell,strip and punctate calcification and ossification in and around the lesion,and osteosclerosis of the adjacent bone,which consistent with the scope of the operation.The MR images showed a large patchy of low signal intensity on both T1-weighted and T2-weighted images,which showed heterogeneous enhancement after injection of contrast.Fibrous proliferation with multiple multinuclear giant cells and hemosiderin deposition were showed under microscope.[Conclusion] The morphological and pathological characteristics of recurrent intraosseous hemorrhage and parcels of granulation tissue in GCRG of the temporal bone could be reflected by CT and MR images,which has certain characteristics and is of important significance to the diagnosis of the tumor.

Objective To investigate the characteristics and distribution of human eehinococcosis in Hobukesar Mongolian Autonomous County (HMAC) in Xinjiang. Methods Using cluster sampling methods, the 2 counties (Tiebukenwusa and Narenhebuke) in HMAC were chosen as focusing areas for investigation. A survey of human echinococcosis including questionnaire, serological test and abdominal ultrasonic scan was carried out. Results The prevalence of human echinococcosis was 9.0% (64/712) by ultrasound and surgical history, including 8.7% (62/712) for cystic eehinococcosis(CE), 0.3%(2/712) for alveolar echinococcosis(AE) and 15.6%(111/712) for total of serological positives in HMAC. CE prevalence rate of different occupations, age, family slaughtering livestock and drinking water source had significant differences(P<0.05). Herdsmen as the highest risk group showed a CE prevalence of the 13.4% (27/201) in comparison with other occupations. The ages between 20 to<40 year-old were at the highest risk stage with 12.8% incidence. But CE prevalence rate of different gender, ethnic and education groups had not significant differences(P>0.05). Conclusions HMAC could be considered as a high endemic human CE region in Xinjiang. The current study reported the main risk factors may include occupations, age difference and drinking water source.

Objective To investigate the change of 14-3-3 protein in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in different types of meningoencephalitis in children and its value in judging brain injury.Methods CSF 14-3-3 protein bands were detected by means of Western blot in 22 patients with viral meningoencephalitis and 20 cases of purulent meningoencephalitis and with 15 cases of febrile seizures as the control group from Jul.2009 to Jun.2010,and in addition,the quantitative detection of 14-3-3 protein was done by way of ELISA.Correlation was analyzed between the clinical manifestations,prognosis,EEG,head CT or MRI and the changes of 14-3-3 protein.Results The positive rate of 14-3-3 protein in cases of purulent meningitis was 65.0(13/22 cases),higher than viral meningoencephalitis group(27.3％,6/22 cases),and the difference was significant.In the quantitative detection,14-3-3 protein was increased in both the purulent meningitis [(5.6 + 0.2) μg/L] and viral encephalitis groups[(3.2 + 0.3) μg/L] compared with the control group [(0.9 + 0.1) μg/L].After treatment,14-3-3 proteins were less than before in the purulent meningitis and viral meningoencephalitis groups.In the cases with severe clinical manifestations and severe injury brain suggested by imaging and EEG,the 14-3-3 protein in cerebrospinal fluid was elevated;and the prognosis of the cases with increased 14-3-3 protein was poor,as a result of epilepsy,death and so on.Conclusions 14-3-3 protein in the CSF increases with disease severity,so to a certain extent,it can be used to identify viral meningitis and purulent meningitis.

OBJECTIVETo study age and educational level and their relationship with fall-related injuries in Shanghai and to analyze the relevant costs.

METHODSMultistage cluster sampling was used for the selection of participants and standardized questionnaires were used for the information collection in 2006. Information on cases and deaths caused by fall-related injuries were obtained from 494 hospitals as well as from the mortality registry systems from 2001 till 2010.

RESULTSOf 45 857 participates, 674 suffered from fall-related injuries with the largest proportion among all injuries. The fall-related mortality increased from 10.63 per 100 000 in 2001 to 14.11 per 100 000 in 2010. The under-five mortality rate was the highest among children aged 0-14 years. Mortality increased dramatically among those aged 55 or above for the female and aged 60 or older for the male. Individuals with an educational level under the primary school were more likely to suffer fall-related injuries, accounting for 72.66% of all deaths and 49.24% of nonfatal cases respectively. The annual burden of fall-related injuries equated to 25.90% of the share of GDP for the healthcare, social security and welfare industries in 2006.

CONCLUSIONFall-related injuries were inversely related to victims' educational level. Children under the age of 5, women over 55 years old and men over 60 years old with an educational level lower than the primary school are the most risky groups of populations for intervention measures.

Accidental Falls ; mortality ; statistics & numerical data ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Age Distribution ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; China ; Educational Status ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Sex Distribution ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo observe the influence of acupoint catgut-embedding therapy on the quality of life (QOL), the reproductive endocrine and bone metabolism of postmenopausal women.

METHODSA total A total of 65 women with climacteric syndrome were enrolled and randomly assigned to two groups, thirty-three in the treatment group on whom acupoint catgut-embedding was performed with Shenshu (BL23), Sanyinjiao (SP6) and Guanyuan (CV4) as main acupoints, and thirty-two in the control group who were only medicated with Fufuchun Capsule (妇复春胶囊). The treatment course for both groups was 3 months. Before and after Before and after treatment, the clinical symptoms, the QOL score, serum follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), estradiol (E(2)), testosterone (T), osteocalcin (BGP), parathyroid hormone (PTH), calcitonin (CT) and alkaline phosphatase (AKP) were measured. In addition, another 28 women with childbearing potential and normal regular menstrual cycle were selected and the reproductive endocrine hormone were tested in the ovulatory period as controls.

RESULTSThe levels of serum FSH and LH of postmenopausal women were higher, and serum E(2) and T were lower than those of normal women (P<0.01). After treatment, the levels of serum E(2) In both groups and T in the treatment group were increased, while in the control group the serum E(2) increase was more significant than that in the treatment group (P<0.05), and serum T showed no statistical difference. The levels of serum FSH, LH, BGP, CT, PTH and AKP were reduced significantly in both groups after treatment (P<0.05). The QOL scores were Increased remarkably in both groups on physiological functioning, bodily pain, general health, vitality, and mental health after treatment (P<0.05),but the improvement of bodily pain and mental health in the treatment group were better than those in the control group (P<0.01). There was no significant difference in the therapeutic effect between the two groups after treatment (P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONSAcupoint catgut-embedding showed an obvious effect on climacteric syndrome, and enhanced the QOL in postmenopausal women. The therapy could regulate the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis to raise the serum E(2) level which may be significant in preventing and curing the osteoporosis in postmenopausal women.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; methods ; Adult ; Bone and Bones ; metabolism ; Catgut ; Endocrine System ; metabolism ; Female ; Hormones ; blood ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Postmenopause ; blood ; metabolism ; Quality of Life ; Reproduction ; physiology

OBJECTIVETo compare the effect and safety evaluation of catgut implantation at acupoint and drugs for levels of bone metabolism and free radicals in postmenopausal women.

METHODSSixty-five postmenopausal women were randomly divided into an acupoint catgut implantation group (33 cases) and a medication group (32 cases). Sanyinjiao (SP 6), Shenshu (BL 23) and Guanyuan (CV 4) were used as main points combined with adjunct points according to syndrome differentiation in the acupoint catgut implantation group, once two weeks. The medication group was treated with oral administration of 2 pills of Fu fuchun capsule, once a day. Three months constitute one course in the both groups. The scores of the symptoms and signs were evaluated, and elbow vein blood was drawn to detect the correlative index on the beginning and the ending day of the treatment respectively. The safety of catgut implantation at acupoint was evaluated after one course of treatment. Besides, the sex hormone test in ovulatory period was detected in twenty-eight normal women in reproductive age with regular menstrual cycle.

RESULTS1) The total effective rate of the acupoint catgut implantation group was 93.9% (31/33), and that of the medication group was 96.9% (31/32), there was no significant difference between the two groups (P>0.05). The contents of bone gla protein (BGP), calcitonin (CT), parathyroid hormone (PTH) and alkaline phosphatase (AKP) in the both groups had significant differences after treatment (P<0.05, P<0.01); 2) The content of estradiol (E2) in serum in the both groups was decreased more obviously than those of normal women in reproductive age (both P<0.001). The content of E2 in the both groups was obviously increased after treatment (P<0.05, P<0.01), this function in the acupoint catgut implantation group was weaker than that of the medication group (P<0.05), while the incidence rate of adverse effect in the acupoint catgut implantation group was lower than that of the medication group (P<0.05); 3) There were significant differences of the level of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA) before and after treatment in the acupoint catgut implantation group, the level of SOD was obviously increased after treatment (P<0.01), while the level of MDA decreased obviously (P<0.001).

CONCLUSIONCatgut implantation at acupoint can improve the low level of estrogen of postmenopausal women, with good safety. It can regulate the levels of bone metabolism and free radicals of postmenopausal women, so it is very meaningful to prevent and treat postmenopausal degenerative diseases including the osteoporosis and to delay the process of apolexis.

Absorbable Implants ; adverse effects ; Acupuncture Points ; Adult ; Bone and Bones ; metabolism ; Catgut ; adverse effects ; Free Radicals ; metabolism ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Postmenopause ; metabolism ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo determine optimum culture conditions for the seed embryo culture and rapid propagation of Dendrobium candidum.

METHODSeed embryos of D. candidum were incubated in the medium containing a combination of 6-benzylaminopurine (BA) and 1-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA), potato extract, banana extract and activated carbon in order to induce seed embryo germination, protocorm differentiation, plantlet propagation and plantlet rooting.

RESULT AND CONCLUSIONThe maximum embryo germination percentage was obtained in the 1/2 MS media supplemented with 20% potato extract. The 1/2 MS medium supplemented with 1.0 mg x L(-1) BA and 0.1 mg x L(-1) NAA was very beneficial to the protocorm differentiation and propagation of D. candidum. The highest protocorm propagation index was obtained from the medium containing the activated carbon. The highest root numbers and length were observed in plants growing in 1/2 MS medium containing 0.5 mg x L(-1) NAA.

Benzyl Compounds ; Carbon ; pharmacology ; Culture Media ; Dendrobium ; growth & development ; Germination ; drug effects ; Kinetin ; pharmacology ; Naphthaleneacetic Acids ; pharmacology ; Plant Growth Regulators ; pharmacology ; Plants, Medicinal ; growth & development ; Purines ; Seeds ; growth & development ; Tissue Culture Techniques ; methods