Animals ; Electric Stimulation ; Hippocampus ; physiology ; Male ; Nerve Endings ; physiology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Vagus Nerve ; physiology

In order to efficiently control the quality of the Tibetan medicine Gentianae Szechenyii Flos, the quality standard was established in this study. The tests of water content, total ash and ethanol-soluble extractives of the crude drugs were carried out based on the methods recorded in appendix of Chinese Pharmacopeia (2010 edition, volume 1). The TLC method was established by using reference drug and gentiournoside A as reference substance, and a mixture of ethyl acetate-methanol-water-formic acid (7: 1.5: 1: 0.2) as the developing solvent system on silica gel G TLC plate. The content of gentiournoside A was assayed by HPLC on a Ultimate XB-C18 (4.6 mm x 250 mm, 5 μm) column, using methanol-water (0.02% phosphoric acid) (52:48) as the mobile phase at a flow rate of 1.0 mL x min(-1). The column temperature is 25 degrees C and the detection wavelength is at 240 nm. As a result, gentiournoside A and the other constituents were separated and presented the same fluorescence light comparing with the reference substance on TLC detected under the UV light(366 nm). The methodology validation for the assay of gentiournoside A showed that it was in a good linear correlation in the range of 10.01-400.32 mg x L(-1) with the regression equation of Y = 1 539.5X - 33.339 (r = 0.999 7), and the average recovery was 99.68% (RSD 1.92%). The mass fractions of gentiournoside A, water content, ethanol-soluble extractives of 19 batches samples were varied in the ranges of 14.48-31.51 mg x g(-1), 11.25% -12.74% and 24.21% - 31.60%, respectively, and total ash was 4.64% - 6.12% detected from 10 batches samples. The recommended standards of quantitative indexes are that the mass fractions of gentiournoside A and extractives are not less than 15.0 mg x g(-1) (1.5%) and 21.0%, respectively; the water and total ash are not more than 13.0% and 6.0%, respectively.
Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Chromatography, Thin Layer ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; standards ; Flowers ; chemistry ; Gentiana ; chemistry ; Medicine, Tibetan Traditional ; Quality Control

AIMTo analyze gene expression difference between human mesenchymal stem cells and umbilical vein endothelial cells, to discuss the feasibility of inducing hMSCs to differentiate into endothelial cells through in vitro gene transfection as well as the use and prospective as a seeding cell source of vascular tissue engineering.

METHODShMSCs and hUVECs were isolated, expanded in culture, and characterized by flow-cytometry, immunocytochemistry, immunofluorescence and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Differential analysis of gene expression profiles between them was performed by Biostar H-40 cDNA microarrays. The properties of VEGF 165 transfected were also detected with RT-PCR, ELISA et al.

RESULTSNearly 86% genes were coexpressed in both cells and hMSCs expressed typical endothelial antigen marker of EC. After VEGF165 transfection, hMSCs (or committed hMSCs) were positive for CD31. To different extent, the expression of CD44 was down regulated and CD34, FVIIIAg, Flt-1 up regulated.

CONCLUSIONGeneration of functional EC or tissue engineered blood vessels from human MSCs is feasible utilizing an in vitro environment gene transfection.

Bone Marrow Cells ; cytology ; Cell Differentiation ; Cells, Cultured ; Endothelial Cells ; cytology ; Endothelium, Vascular ; cytology ; Humans ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; cytology ; Transfection ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; administration & dosage

·AIM:To present a case of late onset bilateral keratectasis after laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) for myopia with rigid gas-permeable contact lenses with a brief review of literature on this subject.·METHODS:A 27-year-old woman underwent bilateral uneventful LASIK for moderate myopia. Preoperative cycloplegic refractions were -5.50/-0.50×50° right eye (OD) and - 4.50/-1.00×15° left eye (OS).Corneal pachymetry was 526μm OD and 541μm OS, Preoperative corneal topography was normal and did not reveal any keratoconus or forme fruste keratoconus.Following the creation of flaps with 160μm plates,ablations of 102μm OD and 86μm OS were performed,estimated to leave residual stromal beds of 264μm OD and 295μm OS.·RESULTS:Twenty-nine months postoperatively,the patient developed bilateral inferior keratectasia of -12.50/-4.00×160° OD and -6.00/- 4.25×125° OS.Visual acuity was reduced in both eyes;the central cornea had steepened; and pachymetry showed central corneal thinning.Keratectasia was diagnosed,and rigid contact lenses were fitted.Three years later,the patient achieved satisfactory visual acuity and all-day lens wear with minimal complications.·CONCLUSION:Late keratectasia may follow LASIK for low to moderate myopia despite a thorough preoperative work-up.Rigid contact lenses can offer a safe,reversible option for improving visual acuity in such patients by delaying or avoiding the need for intracorneal ring segments implanting or penetrating keratoplasty.

The technique introduced in this paper is applied in the endocardial catheter operation, which describes the 3D heart model reconstruction before the operation for the endocardial navigation. After a series of CT images of the thorax are processed, an accurate 3D endocardial model can be reconstructed. At first, the series of 2D CT images are preprocessed for denoising and the enhancement,then they are constructed as the volume data. After the region growing segmentation in the 3D volume data according to the grey value of the voxel in the heart cavity, the heart surface rendering is got and the 3D model of endocardial cavity is reconstructed.
Cardiac Catheterization ; methods ; Imaging, Three-Dimensional ; Models, Cardiovascular ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; methods

OBJECTIVETo investigate clinical effects of minimally invasive fixation and bone grafting througn medial side for the treatment of Schatzker III tibial plateau fracture.

METHODSFrom April 2009 to August 2011, 18 patients with Schatzker III tibial plateau fracture were treated with minimally invasive fixation and bone grafting through medial side. There were 15 males and 3 females ranging in age from 64 to 73 years, with an average of (69.75 ± 1.22) years. Sixteen patients were caused by falling down, 2 cases were caused by traffic accident. Operative time and length of incision were be recorded. Clinical and radiological follow-up was performed after operation. Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) score and Kellgren-Lawrence score were used to evaluate clinical effects.

RESULTSThe mean operative time was (45.32 ± 1.58) min, and the mean length of incision was (5.21 ± 0.65) cm. Postoperative X-ray showed excellent reduction. Eighteen patients were followed up for 10 to 13 months with an average of (11.5 ± 1.35) months. The mean HSS score was 86.51 ± 2.71, 12 cases got excellent results,4 good and 2 fair. Three patients were developed mild osteoarthritis according to the Kellgren-Lawrence system.

CONCLUSIONMinimally invasive fixation and bone grafting through medial side, not only could reduce surgical invasive, but also guarantee early function activities. It has advantages of keeping well after reduction. So it has the favorable future in clinic.

Aged ; Bone Transplantation ; Female ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; methods ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures ; methods ; Retrospective Studies ; Tibial Fractures ; surgery

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of serotonin (5-HTIA) receptors in the hippocampal dentate gyrus (DG) on active avoidance learning in rats.

METHODSTotally 36 SD rats were randomly divided into control group, antagonist group and agonist group(n = 12). Active avoidance learning ability of rats was assessed by the shuttle box. The extracellular concentrations of 5-HT in the DG during active avoidance conditioned reflex were measured by microdialysis and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) techniques. Then the antagonist (WAY-100635) or agonist (8-OH-DPAT) of the 5-HT1A receptors were microinjected into the DG region, and the active avoidance learning was measured.

RESULTS(1) During the active avoidance learning, the concentration of 5-HT in the hippocampal DG was significantly increased in the extinction but not establishment in the conditioned reflex, which reached 164.90% ± 26.07% (P <0.05) of basal level. (2) The microinjection of WAY-100635 (an antagonist of 5-HT1A receptor) into the DG did not significantly affect the active avoidance learning. (3) The microinjection of 8-OH-DPAT(an agonist of 5-HT1A receptor) into the DG significantly facilitated the establishment process and inhibited the extinction process during active avoidance conditioned reflex.

CONCLUSIONThe data suggest that activation of 5-HT1A receptors in hipocampal DG may facilitate active avoidance learning and memory in rats.

8-Hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)tetralin ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Avoidance Learning ; Dentate Gyrus ; physiology ; Piperazines ; pharmacology ; Pyridines ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT1A ; physiology ; Serotonin ; physiology ; Serotonin Receptor Agonists ; pharmacology

Air ; analysis ; Chromatography, Gas ; methods ; Ethylene Oxide ; analysis ; Furans ; analysis ; Methylene Chloride ; analysis ; Workplace

The DNA damage response is critical for cells to maintain genome stability and survival. In this review, we discuss approaches to targeting critical elements of the DNA damage response for radiosensitization and chemosensitization. In addition, we also discuss strategies for targeting DNA damage response and DNA repair defects in cancer cells for synthetic lethality.
Antineoplastic Agents ; therapeutic use ; Cell Death ; DNA Damage ; genetics ; DNA Repair ; genetics ; Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation ; Drug Resistance, Neoplasm ; Genomic Instability ; Humans ; Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; genetics ; pathology ; radiotherapy ; Poly(ADP-ribose) Polymerase Inhibitors ; Poly(ADP-ribose) Polymerases ; pharmacology ; Radiation Dosage

AIM: To observe the changes of MMP-9 expression in rabbit retina after laser irradiation at different thresholds of 577nm.METHODS: Twenty-six pigmentation rabbits were randomly divided into normal control group(n=2), conventional photocoagulation group (n=6) and subliminal micropulse laser photocoagulation group (n=18).The conventional photocoagulation group was treated with 577nm laser photocoagulation, subcutaneous micro-pulsed laser photocoagulation at a working loading rate of 9%, 12% and 15%, respectively.Eighteen rabbits were again divided into three subgroups according different powers of subthreshold working loading rate of 9%(n=6), 12%(n=6) and 15%(n=6) that undertook, respectively.The expression of MMP-9 on the retina of rabbit eyes was detected by immunohistochemistry.RESULTS: In the conventional photocoagulation group, the expression of MMP-9 in the RPE layer and the visual cell layer was strongly positive, which was significantly higher than that in the sub-micro pulse group(P<0.05).Less MMP-9 positive expression of RPE layer and visual cell layer in the working loading rate of 9% subgroup, and more MMP-9 positive expression of RPE layer and visual cell layer in the working loading rate of 12% subgroup;little expression was also noted in the nucleus of RPE and visual cell layer.Moderate MMP-9 positive expression of RPE layer and visual cell layer was observed in the working loading rate of 15% subgroup.There were no significant differences between the three subgroups (P>0.05).CONCLUSION: The 577nm subliminal micro-pulsed photocoagulation has high selectivity to retinal pigment epithelium at working load rate of 9%, 12% and 15%, and no damage to retinal nerve fiber layer, which is safer than conventional 577nm laser photocoagulation.