Objective To explore the correlation of tumor growth and endothelial progenitor cells (EPC) entering blood induced by surgical injury in tumor bearing nude mice. Methods Forty-two tumor bearing nude mice were randomly divided into seven groups (n=6): non-surgical injury groups (1 d and 30 d), anesthetic group, surgical injury groups (24 h, 48 h, 72 h and 30 d after surgery). Blood samples and xenograft tumor tissues were taken from anesthetic group 24 h after anaesthesia and surgical injury groups 24 h, 48 h, 72 h and 30 d after surgery. EPC levels in peripheral blood were measured by flow cytometry, serum VEGF levels were determined by ELISA, microvessel density (MVD) and expression of VEGF were detected by immunohistochemistry. Results The levels of EPC in 24 h post-surgery group, 48 h post-surgery group and 72 h post-surgery group were significantly higher than that in non-surgical injury 1 d group (P<0.05). The levels of VEGF in 24 h post-surgery group, 48 h post-surgery group, 72 h post-surgery group and anesthetic group were significantly higher than that in non-surgical injury 1 d group (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in MVD among groups (P>0.05). Pearson correlation analysis revealed that serum VEGF levels were related to EPC levels in peripheral blood (r=0.695 6, P<0.01), while EPC levels in peripheral blood were not related to MVD (r=0.221 4, P>0.05), and serum VEGF levels had no correlation with MVD (r=0.224 9, P>0.05). Conclusion Surgical injury has no obvious influence on xenograft tumor growth.

Using direct current-electropolishing technique, the present study investigated the function of components and effects of operating conditions on polishing quality direct current-electropolishing of 316L stainless steel stent materials. Smooth surface was obtained quickly using this technique.

ObjectiveTo assess the impact of intense pulsed light (IPL) on the dermatopathological manifestation in a Bama miniature pig model of steroid-induced dermatitis.MethodsFive female Bama miniature pigs aged two months were selected.The white skin areas with white hair at both sides of the neck served as the target area.Halometasone(0.05％) cream was applied to the right target area twice daily for 60 days to establish a model of steroid-induced dermatitis.Then,3 pigs were randomly selected and irradiated with IPL of 25 J/cm2 at the model area with an interval of 3 weeks for 9 weeks,the remaining 2 pigs receiving no treatment served as the natural recovery group.Finally,skin tissues were obtained from the left and right target areas and subjected to haematoxylin and eosin staining for the observation of histopathological changes.ResultsA significant increase was observed in the layer number of keratinocytes and thickness of dermal collagen fiber in the IPL-treated pigs compared with the pigs in natural recovery group (6.27 ± 1.26 vs.2.98 ±0.92,t =3.27,P＜ 0.01; 1.88 ± 0.19 mm vs.0.84 ± 0.15 mm,t =4.25,P＜ 0.01).Moreover,IPL irradiation resulted in the regression of telangiectasis in the dermis.ConclusionIPL may increase skin thickness,relieve flushing and improve skin elasticity efficiently.

This study was aimed to explore the possibility of reducing postoperative inflammatory response and lung injury degree by observing the effect ofTan-Re-Qing(TRQ) Injection on perioperative period of lung cancer patients complicated with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). A total of 39 lung cancer cases complicated with COPD (phlegm-heat obstructing the lung) were randomly divided into the tested group of 18 cases and the control group of 21 cases. All patients underwent small incision surgery with video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS). The control group was treated with routine western medicine. TRQ injection was added in the tested group. On the preoperative 1D (T1), 1D after operation (T2), 3D after operation (T3), 7D after operation (T4), serum samples were collected for the determination of serum concentrations of TNF-α, IL-6, IL-8 and IL-10. At T1 and T2 time, there were no significant differences on levels of TNF-α, IL-6, IL-8 and IL-10 between two groups of patients (P > 0.05). At T3 time, levels of TNF-α, IL-6, IL-8 of the tested group were lower than that of the control group with statistical significance (P < 0.05). The level of IL-10 in the tested group was higher than that of the control group with statistical significance (P < 0.05). At T4 time, the levels of TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-8 of the tested group were lower than that of the control group with statistical significance (P < 0.05). The levels of TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-8 of both groups gradually declined at T3 and T4 time, compared with T2 time level with statistical significant (P < 0.05). It was concluded that TRQ injection reduced the releasing of inflammatory cytokines during perioperative period, increased levels of anti-inflammatory cytokine, thereby reducing the degree of inflammatory reaction and relieving lung injury for the protection of lung function of lung cancer patients complicated with COPD.

Objective To assess the in vitro antimite activity of artemether against Demodex folliculorum, and to provide evidence for the use of artemether in the treatment of skin diseases caused by Demodex folliculorum infection. Methods Artemether was diluted to different concentrations(20, 10, 5 and 2.5 g/L)with peanut oil. The pH values of working solutions of artemether and peanut oil were measured. Demodex folliculorum mites were divided into several groups(32 mites in each group)to be treated with artemether(20, 10, 5 and 2.5 g/L, artemether groups) or peanut oil(control group). Results There were significant differences in the time required for killing of Demodex folliculorum among the 20?, 10?, 5?and 2.5?g/L artemether groups and control group(Median[P25-P75]:3.00[2.00-3.88]vs. 6.00[4.13- 7.25]vs. 13.00[11.63- 14.50]vs. 17.00[15.25- 20.75]vs. 34.00[23.50- 39.50]hours, H=133.954, P<0.001). Additionally, the time required for killing of Demodex folliculorum was significantly shorter in these artemether groups than in the control group(all P<0.001), and was gradually shortened with the increase of artemether concentrations, but was similar between the 10? and 20?g/L artemether groups(P > 0.05). Moreover, the pH values of working solutions of artemether and peanut oil ranged between 7.0 and 7.1, and were close to neutral. Conclusion Artemether at 20, 10, 5 and 2.5 g/L can kill Demodex folliculorum in vitro, so artemether may serve as an alternative drug for the treatment of Demodex folliculorum infection.

Objective: To understand the medication compliance of inpatients with essential hypertension, analyze the influencing factors in medication compliance of the patients and perform the targeted medication education and pharmaceutical care.Methods: Medication education and guide were conducted in 50 cases of patients with essential hypertension based on the main contents in guidelines for prevention of hypertension.Every patient completed regular follow-ups in two months after being recruited.The relevant information about the treatment and medication were collected and analyzed.Results: Through the medication education and pharmaceutical care, the patients had a better understanding on the relevant knowledge of hypertension, rational drug use and treatment.Among the 50 patients, the percentage of completely following the doctor's advice on the hypertension medication was 86%, that of quitting smoking and limiting alcohol was 82%, and that of optimized life way was 78%, and totally 82% of the patients effectively controlled blood pressure or improved markedly when compared with the situation on admission.Conclusion: Medication education and pharmaceutical care conducted by clinical pharmacists is very important for the patients with high blood pressure.It can help patients build a good lifestyle or improve the quality of life by improving the medication compliance of patients, alleviating complications and reducing adverse drug reactions.

Bone turnover is regulated by local concentrations of cytokines such as osteoprotegerin (OPG) and receptor activator of nuclear factor kappaB ligand (RANKL). To explore the in vivo biological function of Opg and the mechanism of osteoporosis due to deficiency of Opg, Opg knockout mice have been generated through homologous recombination. Opg-/- mice exhibit a sharply decrease in bone density and strength as expected. The number of osteoclasts in Opg-/- mice significantly increases. Morphologically, osteoclasts appear more cuboidal in shape in Opg-/- mice than those of wt mice, suggesting that active osteoclastogenesis occurs in the absence of Opg. In consistent with this finding, an increase of osteoblast activity was also observed with accelerated mineral accumulation rate by histomorphometric measurement and elevated serum alkaline phosphatase activity (ALP) in Opg-/- mice. Interestingly, more than 50% of 2-month-old Opg-/- mice manifest medial calcification of aorta with comparable serum concentrations of calcium and phosphorus to wt mice. In conclusion, Opg-/- mice have a high-bone-rurnover type osteoporosis. The aortic calcification in Opg-/- mice is not due to abnormality of calcium and phosphorus metabolism. The mechanism underlying aortic calcification in Opg-/- mice needs to be further investigated.

Objective To evaluate the role of recombinant human soluble Tim-3 (hTim-3-Fc) in regulating immune response.Methods Soluble hTim-3 was incubated with human macrophage cell line U 937, human T cell line Jurkat and normal human PBMC before cytokines secreted by or expressed in different immune cells were analyzed using ELISA , RT-PCR and Western-blotting, respectively.Results Soluble hTim-3 significantly promoted the activation of different immune cells.Our data showed that IL-8 secretion by U937 cells, IL-2 secretion by Jurkat cells , IL-2 and IFN-γsecretion by human PBMCs were all significantly increased .In addition , soluble hTim-3 significantly increased the IFN-α2 and IFN-β1 mRNA expression in U937, Jurkat and PBMCs and increased the phosphorylation of stat-1 in Jurkat and U937 cells.Conclusion Recombinant soluble hTim-3 can significantly promote the activation of immune cells in vitro, which shows its therapeutic potential .

Adiponectin is an adipocyte-derived secretory protein. It was found to be associated with insulin resistance, inflammation and arteriosclerosis. To further study the biological function and expression of adiponection in vivo, adipoenctin gene knock-out and LacZ gene knock-in mouse model was constructed. Gene targeting strategy was designed to replace part of exon 2 and exon 3 of adiponectin gene with full length LacZ gene in frame with remaining upstream ATG and signal peptide sequence of exon 2. The targeting vector (Adipo-LacZ-XpPNT) was constructed and verified by restriction enzyme digestion and sequencing. CJ7 ES cells were transfected with targeting vector linearized by NotⅠ digestion, selected in the medium containing both G418 and ganciclovoir. Resistant clones were screened by PCR and further confirmed by Southern blot for correct homologous recombinants. Chimera mice were obtained by routing microinjection of homologous recombined ES cells into blastocysts. After mating, mice heterozygous and further homozygous for adiponectin knockout and LacZ gene knock-in were established. Expression of both endogenous adiponectin and exogenous LacZ gene in mouse tissues and sera were detected by RT-PCR, Northern-blot, Western blot and ELISA. The results show that adiponectin was disrupted at both mRNA and protein levels. LacZ gene is expressed exclusively in adipose tissue of mutant mice. Its expression profile is identical to endogenous adiponection. Unexpectedly, LacZ activity could not be detected in both adipose tissue and serum although LacZ protein can be detected in adipose tissue but not in serum of mutant mice. In conclusion, mice homozygous for adiponectin knockout and LacZ gene knock-in have been successfully constructed. Mutant mice display LacZ expression profile identical to endogenous adiponectin albeit neither LacZ activity nor protein can be detected in serum of mutant mice.

Objective To examine whether Tim-3 plays a protective role in paraquat poisoning induced excessive immune response and tissue damage based on the critical roles of Tim-3 controlling inflammatory response.Methods A paraquat poisoning model was established in wild type and in Tim-3 transgenic C57BL/6 mice by intraperitoneal injection of paraquat (40 mg/kg) .In addition, C57BL/6 mice with paraquat poisoning were injected with Tim-3 soluble protein( sTim-3) or control protein to see the effect of Tim-3 blocking on the progression of paraquat poisoning.Samples were collected at 6 and 24 h after paraquat injection respectively and were examined for tissue damage, cytokine expression and paraquat metabolism.Results After paraquat poisoning, there was significantly attenuated tissue damage in the lungs and kidneys and decreased TNF-α,IL-6 and IL-1 beta expression in the PBMCs or in the serum from Tim-3 transgenic mice compared to wild type mice.The serum concentration of paraquat in Tim-3 transgenic mice was also significantly decreased.However, in sTim-3 treated paraquat poisoning mice, there was significantly increased cytokine expression and tissue damage compared to control protein treated mice.The in vitro data showed that Tim-3 signaling negatively regulated macrophages mediated inflammatory response.Conclusion Tim-3 plays a critical role in maintaining the homeostasis after paraquat poisoning. Further investigation on the regulatory roles of Tim-3 in inflammation will shed new light on the pathogenesis of paraquat poisoning and provide new therapeutic strategies.