The structure of the hyperbaric oxygen chamber was introduced, and the application of automatic control system to the chamber was discussed from the aspects of the function and information system. The automatic control system can be used for monitoring and control of equipment condition, operation flow and performance data during hyperbaric oxygen therapy, which enhances the efficiency and safety of hyperbaric oxygen chamber.

AIM:To investigate the effect of oleuropein on interleukin-1β( IL-1β)-induced SD rat articular chondrocytes .METHODS:The SD rat articular chondrocytes were isolated by 2 step enzyme digestions .The chondrocytes were cultured in vitro.Inverted microscopic observation was performed during the culture .Alcian blue staining and type II collagen immunohistochemical staining were used to identify the chondrocytes .The effects of oleuropein on the viability of chondrocytes were determined by CCK-8 assay.The cells in 3rd passage were pretreated with oleuropein at 10, 50 or 100 μmol/L and subsequently stimulated with IL-1βat 10 μg/L for 24 h.Production of prostaglandin E 2 ( PGE2 ) and ni-tric oxide (NO) were evaluated by the Griess reaction and an enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).The mRNA expression of matrix metalloproteinase ( MMP)-1 and MMP-13 was measured by real-time PCR.The protein levels of in-ducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) were detected by Western blotting .RESULTS:The cell viability of chondrocytes was not significantly impaired by treating with oleuropein at concentration of 10, 50 or 100μmol/L for 24 h compared with control group .Pretreatment with oleuropein significantly in-hibited the production of PGE 2 and NO induced by IL-1β.Oleuropein also significantly decreased the IL-1β-stimulated MMP-1 and MMP-13 mRNA expression in articular chondrocytes .Pretreatment with oleuropein inhibited the IL-1β-media-ted activation of NF-κB by suppressing the degradation of its inhibitory protein IκBαin the cytoplasm .CONCLUSION:Oleuropein inhibits IL-1β-induced inflammatory gene expression by suppressing NF-κB activation at the transcriptional le-vel, suggesting a new mechanism for the anti-inflammatory effects of oleuropein as a novel agent on treating with osteoarthri-tis.

BACKGROUND:Many in vivo and in vitro experiments indicate that hypoxic co-cultures promote stem cells differentiate into chondrocytes.
OBJECTIVE:To evaluate the influence of hypoxia on the chondrogenic differentiation of three-dimensional co-cultured adipose-derived stem cells and articular chondrocytes.
METHODS:Adipose-derived stem cells and articular chondrocytes were mixed at the ratio of 3:1, then the mixed cells were seeded onto poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid)-gelatin scaffold at the ultimate concentration of 5.0×1010/L. The cells were cultured in normoxia (20%O 2 ) and hypoxic (5%O 2 ) conditions for 6 weeks. After culture, hematoxylin and eosin staining was performed for histological structure analysis, and alcian blue staining was used to evaluate glycosaminoglycan synthesis. Type II col agen expression was detected by immunohistochemistry staining. The content of DNA, glycosaminoglycan and hydroxyproline in the scaffold-cellcomplex was measured.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:In the hypoxia group, hematoxylin-eosin staining showed the formation of massive cells and extracellular matrix;alcian blue staining showed massive glycosaminoglycan formation;immunohistochemistry staining detected strongly positive expression of col agen type II, the content of DNA, glycosaminoglycan and hydroxyproline was higher than the normoxia group. Hypoxia promotes in vitro chondrogenic differentiation of co-cultured adipose-derived stem cells and articular chondrocytes. .

[ABSTRACT]AIM:TostudytheeffectofsmallinterferingRNA(siRNA)ontheexpressionofbeta2-microglo-bulin (β2M) in pre-differentiated bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs).METHODS: The β2M siRNA was transfected into the pre-differentiated BMSCs with Lipofectamine 2000.BMSCs were divided into transfection group , blank control group and negative control group .The expression of β2 M at mRNA and protein levels was determined by real-time qPCR, Western blotting and laser confocal microscopy .The productions of aggrecan and type II collagen in pre-differentia-ted BMSCs were determined by toluidine blue staining and type Ⅱcollagen immunofluorescence .RESULTS:The results of real-time qPCR, Western blotting and laser confocal microscopy showed that siRNA successfully inhibited the expression ofβ2 M at mRNA and protein levels in the pre-differentiated BMSCs .The results of toluidine blue and type Ⅱcollagen im-munofluorescence staining showed that siRNA does not affect the productions of aggrecan and type Ⅱ collagen in the pre-differentiated BMSCs .CONCLUSION:siRNA targeting β2 M reduces the expression of β2 M in the pre-differentiated BM-SCs and does not affect the chondrocyte characteristics of pre -differentiated BMSCs .

[ABSTRACT]AIM:Toinvestigatetheinhibitoryeffectsofresveratrolonchondrosarcomaandtherelationwith mitochondrial and PI3K/Akt pathways.METHODS:Chondrosarcoma SW1353 cells were treated with resveratrol at con-centrations of 25, 50 and 100 μmol/L for the time intervals of 24 h, 48 h and 72 h.The viability and apoptosis of the SW1353 cells in the presence or absence of resveratrol were analyzed by CCK 8 assay and Hoechst 33258 staining , respec-tively.The protein levels of Bcl-2, Bax, activated caspase-3, Akt and p-Akt were detected by Western blotting .The cell migration ability was determined by wound scratch assay .RESULTS:Exposure of the cells to resveratrol resulted in a de-crease in the cell viability in a dose-and time-dependent manner (P<0.05).visible nuclei with apoptotic characteristics in resveratrol group were observed .The protein levels of activated caspase-3 and Bax were increased , and Bcl-2 and p-Akt were decreased compared with control group .The total Akt were not significantly changed .Resveratrol also significantly re-duced the migration of tumor cells .CONCLUSION:Resveratrol induces apoptosis of chondrosarcoma , which plays a role of part through mitochondrial and PI 3K/Akt signaling pathways .

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Objective To explore the CT and MRI manifestations and clinical features of juxtaglomerular cell tumor (JGCT). Methods A retrospective analysis the data of eight JGCT patients who resected by surgery and comfirmed by histopathology. Seven cases were examined by CT before operation, five of whom underwent CT scan and dynamic enhanced scan, two of whom underwent CT scan, and all of the eight underwent MRI scan and dynamic enhanced scan. The clinical manifestations of patients were also observed, whether they have hypertension and reduced blood potassium, recorded the results of lying and standing test, and collected the segmental renal vein blood to detect the renin levels. Meanwhile, the CT and MRI manifestations were also recorded. Results (1) We found that all of the eight patients appeared hypertension, and hypokalemia were found among five cases. Seven patients proceeded the lying and standing test, six of whom the plasma renin activity (PRA) were elevate in erect position, and the levels of angiotensin Ⅱand aldosterone (ALD) were rised among all of the seven cases in erect position. Four patients were collected the segmental renal vein blood, and one of whom has positive result of the renin activity. (2) The tumors of all the eight cases were single, the border was clear, and the average size was 2.7 cm (range 1.9 to 3.8 cm). The CT scan results showed there's no calcification or pseudocapsule were detected, four cases showed homogeneous iso-density, one case with slightly high density, another one showed low density with dotty high density and one case with low density. The dynamic enhanced CT scan showed that four cases performed continuous enhancement from cortical to medullary phase, and no obvious enhancement was found in one case. The T2WI results of MRI scan showed six cases had pseudocapsule, 6 cases had heterogeneous signal (4 cases with patchy low signal and 2 cases with patchy high signal), and 2 cases had homogeneous signal (one case with iso-high signal and another with high signal). The T1WI results showed two cases performed low signal, anther two cases showed iso-signal, and four cases with heterogeneous signal. The DWI results showed all of the 8 lesions with homo-or peripheral high signal. The dynamic enhanced MRI scan results showed seven cases performed gradual enhancement, and the border of another case became clear on delay phase. Conclusions JGCT has specific clinical and imaging features, and the combination will help make a correct diagnosis.

OBJECTIVETo examine the prevalence and the sequence of the genes of new genotypes of hepatitis G virus (HGV) in Guangxi, China.

METHODSSerum samples were collected from 85 intravenous drug abusers (IVDAs), 80 patients with liver diseases (PLDs) and 50 blood donors (BDs). All sera (n=215) were tested by using EIA for HBsAg, anti-HCV and anti-HIV, and by using nested PCR for HGV RNA. In 62 subjects positive for HGV, HGV RNA was sequenced, and a phylogenetic tree was constructed for analyzing genotypes of HGV.

RESULTSHGV RNA was detected in 85 of 215 serum samples (39.53%). The positivity rates for HBsAg, anti-HCV and anti-HIV were 39.07%, 42.79% and 0, respectively. First, 11 nucleotide sequences were determined and the isolates were grouped into three clusters with HGV. 5 of 11 HGV isolates clustered in a distinct phylogenetic branch (genotype Asia) which was different from the described GBV-C and HGV sequences, suggesting the presence of a new genotype of HGV in this locality. Second, 51 nucleotide sequences were determined and analyzed for their genotypes of HGV, and showed genotype GBV-C (3.23%), genotype HGV 30-65% and new genotype (genotype Asia) 64.51%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONSThere were subgenotypes in 3 genotypes of HGV; The predominant genotypes of HGV were genotype Asia and genotype HGV among IVDAs, PLDs, and BDs patients in Guangxi, China.

Adult ; Blood Donors ; China ; epidemiology ; Female ; GB virus C ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Genotype ; Hepatitis C ; epidemiology ; Humans ; Liver Diseases ; virology ; Male ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; RNA, Viral ; genetics ; Sequence Analysis, RNA ; Substance Abuse, Intravenous ; virology

BACKGROUNDTo observe the protective effect of hepatitis E virus (HEV) ORF2 recombinant protein expressed in prokaryote cell cynomolgus macaques (cynos) against challenging with wild-type HEV.

METHODSCynos were immunized with HEV ORF2 recombinant protein and then challenged with wild-type HEV, the unimmunized cynos were used as control. Blood samples were collected and tested to see if there were dynamic changes of ALT and antibody to HEV before and after challenge with wild-type HEV.

RESULTSAll the five unimmunized cynos re-presented hepatitis 3 weeks after challenging with wild-type HEV. However, all the five immunized cynos showed no hepatitis and pathological changes.

CONCLUSIONSCynos can be efficiently protected by immunization with HEV ORF2 recombinant protein against wild-type HEV. This protein can be a promising candidate for HEV vaccine.

Animals ; Female ; Hepatitis Antibodies ; blood ; Hepatitis E ; immunology ; prevention & control ; Hepatitis E virus ; immunology ; Macaca mulatta ; Male ; Recombinant Proteins ; immunology ; Viral Proteins ; immunology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the changes of cytokines in induced sputum at different stages of silicosis patients.

METHODSA total of 200 workers from one of the Shandong Province gold mine were chosen as object of observation. Among which 40 patients at silicosis stage I and 40 patients at silicosis stage II were divided into silicosis observed object group, silicosis stage I group, silicosis stage II group, and another 80 workers exposed to silica dust without suffering from silicotic Clinical symptoms, however, were chosen as group of dust exposed, and 40 logistical workers without being exposed and history of silicosis's illness were chosen as control group. And ask their basic information by questionnaire. Then, spray-inhalation the induced sputum and apply the ELISA to assess the level of tumor necrosis factor (TNF), interleukin (IL), macrophage inflammatory protein-1 (MIP-1α), monocyte chemotactic factor-1 (MCP-1), metalloproteinases (MMP), transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), platelet derived growth factor (PDGF) in induced sputum from subjects.

RESULTSThe level of TGF-β [(901.60 ± 30.09) ng/L] in the induced sputumof patients in silicosis stage I group is lower than that in the observed object group [(913.02 ± 20.51) ng/L], and the level of MMP-9 [(212.49 ± 5.97) ng/L], MCP-1 [(129.91 ± 4.30) ng/L] has various degrees of increase than that in control group, observed object group and dust exposed group. All the differences have statistical significances (P < 0.05). The level of TNF-α [(85.76 ± 3.78) ng/L] in the induced sputum of patients in silicosis stage I group reaches the maximum, there are significant differences comparing with that level in the silica dust exposure group and the control group, whose differences are statistically significant (P < 0.05). Compared with the control group, the level of MMP-2 (427.95 ± 23.64) in the induced sputum of patients in silicosis stage I group has increased, whose differences also have statically significant (P < 0.05). Compared with the control group, silica dust exposed group, the observation group of objects, the pneumosilicosis patients of IL-16 in induced sputum IL-16 (21.40 ± 9.24) decreased, the content of PDGF [(5.96 ± 0.51) ng/L], MMP-2 [(447.86 ± 27.10) ng/L], MMP-9 [(223.91 ± 12.28) ng/L], MCP-1 [(122.87 ± 6.08) ng/L] increased, the differences are statistically significant (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONAs silicosis biomarkers, TNF-alpha, TGF-beta, IL-16, PDGF, MMP-2, MMP-9 and MCP-1 have certain significance, further suggesting that early detection rate of patients with silicosis can be improved by employing the multiple indexes discriminate equation.

Biomarkers ; metabolism ; Case-Control Studies ; Chemokine CCL2 ; metabolism ; Chemokine CCL3 ; metabolism ; Cytokines ; metabolism ; Discriminant Analysis ; Dust ; Humans ; Interleukin-16 ; metabolism ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 ; metabolism ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 ; metabolism ; Platelet-Derived Growth Factor ; metabolism ; Silicosis ; diagnosis ; Sputum ; chemistry ; Transforming Growth Factor beta ; metabolism ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; metabolism