Objective To observe the effect of polyethylene terephthalates (PET) coated with 58S bioactive glass on graft-bone healing.Methods The PET coated with 58S bioactive glass was used in experimental group,and uncoated PET was used as a control.The coating solution was made of 20％ bioactive glass powder and 80％ gelatin powder (by weight).In our vitro study,4×104/ml MT3T3-E1 cells were cultured in 24-well plates with the coated or uncoated PET,and the MTT and ALP were tested at 1,3,5 days to show the proliferation and the activity of the cells.The SEM and the X-ray photoelectron spectrometer were adopted to analyze the surface characteristics of the fiber.In our vivo study,24 skeletally mature New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into two groups,the 58S-PET group and the PET group.Both groups underwent a surgical procedure to establish a tibia-articular tendon-bone healing model.Mechanical examination and histological assay were taken to verify the coating effect in vivo.Results The 58S-PET group showed significantly differences in both the MTT and ALP tests at each time point (3,5 days) compared with the PET group.In the animal experiments,the maximum load increased by time in both groups.At 6 weeks,the load-to-failure was significantly higher in the 58S-PET group [(61.70±6.95) N]than that of the PET group [(45.21±9.78) N].At 12 weeks,the load-to-failure was also significantly higher in the 58S-PET group [(89.25±9.50) N]than that of the PET group [(71.38±6.26) N].In the histological assay,it was found that there was new bone formation in the indistinct interface between the graft and the host bone in both groups at 6,12 weeks,and a stronger binding was seen in the 58S-PET group than in the PET group.Conclusion The 58S-PET could enhance the proliferation and activity of the osteoblast and therefore promote the new bone formation and subsequently leads to a positive effect on tendon-bone healing.

OBJECTIVETo explore the effect of Modified Hangqi Chifeng Decoction (MHCD) on levels of collagen type IV (Col IV), matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2), tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-2 (TIMP-2) in extracellular matrix (ECM) of glomerular mesangial cells (GMCs) in LPS induced mice.

METHODSNormal serum and telmisartan, high, medium, low dose MHCD containing serums were prepared by using serum pharmacology method. GMCs were cultured in vitro. The proliferation of mesangial cells were induced using LPS as stimulating factor. GMCs were divided into six groups, i.e., the normal group, the model group, the telmisartan group, high, medium and low dose MHCD groups. Col IV content in the supernatant of mesangial cells was detected using ELISA. Protein expressions of MMP-2 and TIMP-2 were detected using Western blot.

RESULTSCompared with the normal group, Col IV content obviously increased in the model group after 72-h LPS stimulation; protein expressions of MMP-2 and TIMP-2 were obviously up-regulated, and MMP-2/TIMP-2 ratio was down-regulated in the model group (P < 0.01). Compared with the model group, Col IV content obviously decreased in high and medium dose MHCD groups and the telmisartan group (P < 0.01); protein expressions of MMP-2 were obviously down-regulated in medium and low dose MHCD groups (P < 0.01, P < 0.05); the protein expression of TIMP-2 was obviously down-regulated in high, medium, low dose MHCD groups and the telmisartan group (P < 0.01). The pro- tein expression of TIMP-2 was obviously lower in the high dose MHCD group than in the low dose MHCD group (P < 0.01). MMP-2/TIMP-2 ratio was obviously up-regulated in the telmisartan group, high and medium dose MHCD groups (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONMHCD could regulate disordered MMP-2/TIMP-2 ratio in LPS induced ECM, inhibit excessive production of Col IV in ECM, promote the degradation of ECM, reduce the accumulation of ECM, thereby, delaying the process of glomerular sclerosis.

Animals ; Cells, Cultured ; Collagen Type IV ; metabolism ; Extracellular Matrix ; metabolism ; Kidney Glomerulus ; cytology ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 ; metabolism ; Mesangial Cells ; drug effects ; Mice ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism ; Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-2 ; metabolism

Objective To observe the effect of dexamethasone(Dex)on the proliferation and os- teogenic differentiation of human marrow stromal cells(MSCs)in vitro.Methods The primary human MSCs were isolated and cultured by Ficoll seperation culture in vitro.In subcultures,human MSCs were respectively treated with dexamethasone 10~(-9),10~(-8) and 10~(-7) mol/L.The proliferation of human MSCs was measured using MTF method;cytoplasmic alkaline phosphatase(ALP)activity was measured;the osteogenic marker osteopontin (OPN)mRNA were examined by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR).Results The op- tical density values in cultures treated with dexamethasone 10~(-8) and 10~(-7) mol/L for 8 days were significantly lower than those in the controls(P＜0.05).Treatment of cells with Dex for 12 days led to a significant increase in cytoplasmic ALP activity(P＜0.05)in a dose-dependent manner.Dex induced OPN mRNA.Conclusion Dex inhibits the proliferation of human MSCs and dexamethasone 10~(-7) mol/L leads to a strong decrease in cell number.Dex induces human MSCs differentiate to osteoblastic cells.

In 3D visualization of human skeleton, distinguishing bones from soft tissue in 2D CT slides is the first and most critical procedure. This article presents the methods for image pre-processing, segmentation and smoothing. 1733 CT images of human body from Visible Human Project provided by the American National Library of Medicine are treated in this paper. We use the technique of Chebyshev uniform approximation filtering for denoising and present a new simple adaptive threshold method in segmentation, which combines the similarity of consecutive slices with the region-growing method. In post-processing, we use the algorithms of mathematical morphology and multi-resolution filtering. The accuracy of segmentation is examined and certified by comparing the segmented images with the original one. The results also demonstrate a wide applicability of the method.
Algorithms ; Anatomy, Cross-Sectional ; Bone and Bones ; anatomy & histology ; diagnostic imaging ; Humans ; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted ; Imaging, Three-Dimensional ; Phantoms, Imaging ; Skeleton ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

To prepare the hawthorn leaves flavonoids self-microemulsifying membrane controlled-release coated drop pill, and to study its release rate in vitro and pharmacokinetics study in vivo. In order to improve the dissolution of hawthorn leaves flavonoids, self-microemulsifying technology was used to prepare the hawthorn leaves flavonoids self-microemulsion. Hawthorn leaves flavonoids self-microemulsifying drop pill was prepared with the PEG 6000. Studies were made on the in vitro release of flavonoids from hawthorn leaves self-micro-emulsifying membrane-moderated coated drop pills and the in vivo pharmacokinetic in rats. The prescription of flavonoids from hawthorn leaves self-micro-emulsifying drop pills was 0.25 g of flavonoids from hawthorn leaves, 0.25 g of iodophenyl maleimide, 0.375 g of polyethylene glycol 400, 0.375 g of cremophor RH 40 and 2 g of polyethylene glycol 6000. The optimized prescription was 4 g of ethyl cellulose 20, 0.64 g of polyethylene glycol 400, 1.8 g of diethyl phthalate, and the weight of coating materials increased by 3.5%. Flavonoids from hawthorn leaves self-micro-emulsifying membrane-moderated coated drop pills complied with the design of sustained-release in 12 h in terms of in vitro release and in vivo pharmacokinetic parameters in rats, and its bioavailability was 2.47 times of quick-release drop pills. Slightly soluble flavonoids from hawthorn leaves could be made into sustained-release preparations by the self-micro-emulsifying and coating technology.
Animals ; Chemistry, Pharmaceutical ; Crataegus ; chemistry ; Delayed-Action Preparations ; chemistry ; pharmacokinetics ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; pharmacokinetics ; Flavonoids ; chemistry ; pharmacokinetics ; Male ; Plant Leaves ; chemistry ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

Objective To study the effect of BCL-2 ?-radiation on BCL-2 gene in dogs, and its relationship and signifcane on apoptosis of proliferated smooth muscle cells of bile duct wall. Methods The ~(103)Pd (radioactivity) stent(experiment group) or ordinary stent(control group) was positioned into the target segment of bile duct. The injured bile duct segments were dissected free from the dogs, and BCL-2 gene in the (control) and r-radiation-induced apoptotic smooth mucle cells of bile duct wall was analysed by using (immuno-histochemical) technique. The number of apoptotic cells was counted, and size of lumen of bile duct in both groups was measured by a computerized imaging system.Results BCL-2 gene expression was weaker in the ~(103)Pd radioactive stent group than in the ordinary stent group. The group of dogs with low expression of BCL-2 genes showed marked apoptosis of proliferated smooth mucle cells of bile duct and there was no overt stenosis of extrahepatic bile ducts. The group that showed high expression of BCL-2 gene did not show marked apoptosisi of proliferated smooth muscle cells of bile duct, and there was marked stenosis of extrahepatic bile duct.Conclusions The expression level of BCL-2 in experimental dogs is related to the develoment of (cellular) apoptosis and to radiation sensitivity of the cells. ~(103)Pd radioactive stent can reduce the expression of BCL-2 gene, promote apoptosis of proliferated smooth muscle cells of bile duct, and suppress stricture (formation) of extrahepatic bile duct.

In vitro electrical neurophysiological and behavioural studies have shown that diabetes mellitus negatively affects hippocampal function. In this study, by using in vivo extracellular recording, the spontaneous neural activity was obtained from hippocampus of anaesthetized rats in both streptozotocin-induced diabetes group and normal control group. Temporal relationship between neuronal firing and slow oscillation (1-4 Hz) of local field potentials (LFPs) in hippocampus was analyzed using coherence and phase locking measurement. Lower coherence value (0.617+/-0.028) was observed in diabetic rats than that in control rats (0.730+/-0.024) (P=0.005). Furthermore, phase-locking measurement using von Mises fitting parameterized by a concentration parameter kappa showed a lower degree (kappa= 0.347+/-0.113) of temporal coordination between neuronal spiking and slow oscillation of LFPs in the hippocampus of diabetic rats than that of normal ones (kappa= 1.174+/-0.134) (P<0.001). Both approaches demonstrated that diabetes can indeed impair the temporal coordination between neuronal spiking and slow oscillation of population activity in hippocampus. This observed neural coordination impairment may serve as a network level mechanism for diabetes-induced memory deterioration.
Action Potentials ; Animals ; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental ; physiopathology ; Hippocampus ; physiopathology ; Memory ; Oscillometry ; Rats

OBJECTIVETo investigate the clinical manifestations, pathological characteristics, and treatments of urothelial-type mucinous adenocarcinoma of the prostate (UMAP).

METHODSWe reported a case of UMAP, reviewed relevant literature, and analyzed the clinicopaothological features, diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of the disease.

RESULTSThe patient was a 60-year-old male and underwent transurethral resection of the prostate for dysuria. Postoperative pathology indicated mucinous adenocarcinoma and sigmoidoscopy revealed no primary colon cancer. Immunohistochemical staining showed the negative expressions of PSA and P504s and positive expressions of CK7, CK34 β E12, CK20, and CDX2. Thus UMAP was confirmed and treated by intensity-modulated radiotherapy. Then the patient was followed up for 30 months, which showed desirable therapeutic result, with neither local progression nor distant metastasis.

CONCLUSIONUMAP has a bad prognosis and its diagnosis depends on pathological and immunohistocchemical examinations. It responds well to radical prostatectomy but is not sensitive to endocrine therapy. Radiotherapy can be considered for those who are not fit to receive radical prostatectomy.

Adenocarcinoma, Mucinous ; metabolism ; pathology ; therapy ; Humans ; Keratins ; metabolism ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Proteins ; metabolism ; Prognosis ; Prostatectomy ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; therapy ; Racemases and Epimerases ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo study the distribution pattern, the protein expressions, and changes of functional activities of estrogen receptor (ER) alpha and beta in the hippocampus of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) rats of Gan-qi depression syndrome (GDS), and to find out corresponding effect targets of Jingqianshu Granule (JG), thus providing clues for exploring the pathogenesis of PMS of GDS and the mechanisms of JG.

METHODSSD rats were randomly divided into three groups, i. e., the normal group, the model group, and the medication group, 7 in each. Resident intruder stress was used to establish the model in the model group and the medication group. JG was given to rats in the medication group at the dose of 10 mL/kg by gastrogavage while modeling. Equal volume of sterilized water was given to rats in the model group and the normal group, once daily, for 5 successive days. Then the location, protein levels, and ligand-binding capacities of ERalpha and ERbeta in the hippocampus of rats in three groups were detected using immunohistochemical assay, Western blot, and dextran-active carbon binding assay.

RESULTSThere was no difference in the distribution pattern of ERalpha and ERbeta in the hippocampus of the three groups. In aspects of protein levels and estrogen-binding capacities of ERalpha and ERbeta in the hippocampus, CA1 and CA3 regions, they increased more obviously in the model group than in the normal group (P < 0.05), while they decreased more significantly in the medication group than in the model group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONHigher estrogen levels and enhanced expressions and activities of ERalpha and ERbeta in the hippocampus might be important mechanisms for PMS of GDS, which might also be the effect targets for JG.

Animals ; Disease Models, Animal ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Estrogen Receptor alpha ; metabolism ; Estrogen Receptor beta ; metabolism ; Female ; Hippocampus ; metabolism ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Premenstrual Syndrome ; diagnosis ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Qi ; Rats

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the clinical effectiveness of transurethral seminal vesiculoscopy (TUSV) combined with finasteride in the treatment of recurrent hemospermia.

METHODSThis study included 32 patients with recurrent hematospermia, with the disease course of 3 months to 4 years. After administration of finasteride at 5 mg/d for 2 weeks, the patients underwent TUSV for both exploration of the causes and treatment, followed by medication with finasteride at the same dose for another 2 weeks. Postoperative follow-up was conducted for observation of the outcomes and complications.

RESULTSTUSV was successfully accomplished in all the 32 cases, which revealed 16 cases of seminal vesiculitis, 10 seminal calculi, 1 seminal vesicle cyst, 2 seminal vesicle polyps, and 3 seminal vesicle abscess. The operative time was 20 to 51 (31.0 +/- 5.2) minutes. Postoperative complications included 1 case of acute epididymitis and 3 cases of breast discomfort within the first 4 weeks. No incontinence, urethral stricture, rectal injury, retrograde ejaculation, and sexual dysfunction occurred postoperatively. All the patients but 1 were followed up for 6 months to 2 years. Twenty-nine of the cases were cured, and 2 experienced recurrence.

CONCLUSIONTransurethral seminal vesiculoscopy combined with finasteride is safe and effective for the treatment of recurrent hemospermia.

Adult ; Endoscopy ; methods ; Finasteride ; therapeutic use ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hemospermia ; therapy ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome