Audiology ; China ; Congresses as Topic ; Humans ; Vestibular Diseases

This study was purposed to investigate the angiogenesis-promoting activities of human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) modified by hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and the underlying mechanisms. The hMSCs were transfected by recombinant adenoviral vector carrying human HGF gene and seeded onto the chicken chorioallantoic membrane. Three days later, the number of blood vessels was counted and their angiogenic response was compared with those of hMSCs of same generation, recombinant basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) and alpha-MEM as control. The expression levels of bFGF, VEGF, angiopoietin-1 and angiopoietin-2 were evaluated by RT-PCR assay. The results showed that gene-modified hMSCs exhibited greatest activity to promote angiogenesis while the angiogenic response was nearly same between groups treated by hMSCs and bFGF, all of which were significantly higher than that observed in control (p < 0.01). RT-PCR analysis revealed that hMSCs constitutively expressed multiple angiogenesis-associated growth factors and their levels seemed up-regulated by HGF gene transfer. It is concluded that HGF gene-modified hMSCs show a potent angiogenesis-promoting function and may be useful in the treatment of ischemic disorders.
Animals ; Cells, Cultured ; Chick Embryo ; Chickens ; Hepatocyte Growth Factor ; genetics ; Humans ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; Neovascularization, Physiologic ; genetics ; Transfection

Animals ; Insecticides ; toxicity ; Nitric Oxide ; blood ; Organophosphorus Compounds ; Rabbits ; Superoxide Dismutase ; blood ; Vitamin E ; blood

OBJECTIVETo examine the levels of nerve growth factor (NGF) and interleukin-4 (IL-4) in the induced sputum of children with cough variant asthma (CVA), with the aim of studying the roles of NGF and IL-4 in childhood CVA.

METHODSThirty-four children with CVA were enrolled in this study. Twenty healthy children were used as a normal control group. The induced sputum was separated into supernatant and cells. Hematoxylin and eosin staining was used to count differential cells. The expression of NGF and IL-4 in supernatant was measured using ELISA. The mRNA expression of NGF and IL-4 in cells was determined by Real-time PCR analysis.

RESULTSThe percentage of eosinophils in the CVA group was significantly higher than in the control group [(13.4±3.6)% vs (2.6±1.7)%; P<0.01]. The expression of NGF and IL-4 protein and mRNA in induced sputum was significantly higher in the CVA group than in the control group (P<0.05). The expression of NGF and IL-4 protein and mRNA was positively correlated with the percentage of eosinophils (P<0.01). The expression of NGF and IL-4 protein and mRNA in induced sputum was significantly reduced in the CVA group after treatment (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSEosinophils infiltration and increased expression of NGF and IL-4 play key roles in the development of childhood CVA, suggesting that they may be useful in the diagnosis and treatment of childhood CVA.

Asthma ; complications ; metabolism ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Cough ; etiology ; Eosinophils ; physiology ; Female ; Humans ; Interleukin-4 ; analysis ; genetics ; physiology ; Male ; Nerve Growth Factor ; analysis ; genetics ; physiology ; Sputum ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the cytogenetic and molecular genetic features of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) in Chinese.

METHODSA total of 1193 CML patients were retrospectively studied. Chromosome preparation of bone marrow cells was made using direct and short-term culture. Karyotype and bcr-abl fusion genes were analyzed by R-banding, RT-PCR, respectively.

RESULTSIn the 1193 cases, 98.07% was Ph chromosome positive (Ph+) and 1.93% negative (Ph-). In the Ph+ patients, 95.64% was classical Ph and 4.36% variant rearrangements. Additional genetic changes were demonstrated in 11.88% of classical Ph cases. Cytogenetic clonal evolution was found in 7.94% of patients in chronic phase (CP), 27.78% in accelerated phase (AP), and 49. 04% in blast crisis (BC). Among the classical Ph cases, +Ph, +8, -21 were found in 14.62%, 10.77% and 7.69% of them respectively. In patients in BC and AP, the most common additional chromosome changes were + Ph (28.57%), +8 (16.67%) and +19 (7.14%), while in CP, -21 (10.26%), +Ph (8.97%), and +8 (8.97%). The combination of +Ph and +8 (3.60%) was the most frequent of combination pattern. 524 cases were investigated for bcr-abl fusion gene, and 54.01% was b3a2 (+) and 27.67% b2a2 (+).

CONCLUSIONIn Chinese CML patients seem to have their unique features in terms of cytogenetic clonal evaluation.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Fusion Proteins, bcr-abl ; genetics ; Humans ; Karyotyping ; Leukemia, Myelogenous, Chronic, BCR-ABL Positive ; genetics ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies

The aim of the study is to evaluate the effects of the single and mixed decoction of Thallus laminariae (kelp) and Glycyrrhiza glabra (licorice) on the metabolism and their difference. The mixed decoction of kelp and licorice and the single decoction were made and intragastrically administered to the SD rats. The effect on system metabolism, the toxicity of liver and kidney were assessed by GC-MS profiling of the endogenous molecules in serum, routine biochemical assays and histographic inspection of tissues from SD rats, separately. The mixed decoction of kelp and licorice induced more obvious pathological abnormalities in SD rats than a single decoction of kelp, while the extracts of licorice did not show any pathological change. Neither the mixed, nor the single decoction showed abnormal histopathology. After intragastric administration of extracts for 5 days, the mixed decoction induced a decrease of ALT (no significant change in the groups of single decoction) and an increase of BUN (so did the single decoction of kelp). Metabolomic profile of the molecules in serum revealed that the metabolic patterns were all obviously affected for the three groups, i.e., the mixed and single decoction of kelp and licorice. The rats given with the single decoction of kelp showed a similar pattern to that of the mixed decoction, indicating that the kelp primarily contributed the perturbation of metabolism for the mixed decoction. All three groups induced a decrease of branched chain amino acids, TCA cycle intermediates and glycolysis intermediates (e.g., pyruvic acid and lactic acid) and an increase of 3-hydroxybutyric acid. Kelp decoction showed stronger potential in reducing TCA cycle intermediates and glycolysis intermediates than the other two groups, while the levels of branched chain amino acids were the lowest after licorice extracts were given. These results suggested that the effect of the mixed decoction on metabolism was closely associated with both kelp and licorice. The continuous administration of single decoction of kelp and the mixed decoction of licorice and kelp resulted in pathological abnormalities in kidney of SD rats. The mixed decoction of kelp and licorice distinctly perturbed sera molecules and hence system metabolism, which showed associated with those of kelp and licorice. Although the metabolic effect was associated with both kelp and licorice, the results suggested kelp contributed to it primarily.
Animals ; Glycyrrhiza ; chemistry ; Kelp ; chemistry ; Kidney ; drug effects ; Liver ; drug effects ; Metabolomics ; Plant Preparations ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

BACKGROUNDThe results of clinical trials of rapamycin-eluting stents reduce restenosis have been quite promising. The main purpose of this study was to characterize the in vivo pharmacokinetics of high dose rapamycin (Rapa)-eluting stents in a miniswine coronary model.

METHODSTen miniswines underwent placement of 18 high dose Rapa-eluting stents in the left anterior descending and right coronary arteries. At the planned times of the 1.5th, 12th, 24th hour, 3th, 7th and 28th day, the animals (n = 1, 1, 2, 2, 2, and 2, respectively) were euthanized after completion of coronary angiography. Blood samples were obtained at 0, 10, 20, 30 minutes; 1, 2, 6, 24 hours; and 3, 7, 28 days to determine systemic Rapa levels. Rapa levels in whole blood, arterial wall, heart, renal and liver tissues were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography/mass spectroscopy.

RESULTSPeak whole blood concentration (Cmax), time to peak concentration (tmax), elimination half-life (t1/2beta), area under the curve (AUC), and apparent systemic clearance (Cl/F) were (10.91 +/- 1.28) ng/ml, (2.0 +/- 0.2) hours, (7.25 +/- 0.63) hours, (1.15 +/- 0.11) ng x h x ml(-1), and (180 +/- 12) ml x h(-1) x kg(-1), respectively. More than 95% Rapa detected is localized in the coronary artery surrounding the stent and heart.

CONCLUSIONStent-based delivery of Rapa via a copolymer stent is feasible and safe. This strategy holds promise for the prevention of stent restenosis.

Animals ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Coronary Restenosis ; prevention & control ; Male ; Mass Spectrometry ; Sirolimus ; administration & dosage ; pharmacokinetics ; Stents ; Swine ; Swine, Miniature ; Tissue Distribution

OBJECTIVETo study the hypoglycemic effect of the extract of B. polyandra (SHG).

METHODThe diabetic mice were induced by alloxan in ICR mice. The blood glucose concentration was measured by glucose oxidase method. The serum insulin level was determined by 125I-insulin radioimmunoassay kit. The hypoglycemic effect was evaluated by the levels of both fasting and no-fasting blood glucose. The effect on serum insulin level was estimated by the values of the blood insulin and the changes of the blood glucose induced by the glucose intraperitoneal injection. The effect on the glucose absorption was investigated by the oral sucrose or starch tolerance test.

RESULTBoth of the fasting and no-fasting blood glucose levels were decreased significantly by the treatment of 20 or 30 g raw materials crude drug x kg (-1) SHG orally for 7-10 d in ICR mice or in alloxan diabetic mice. In the oral sucrose tolerance test or oral starch tolerance test, the administration of SHG reduced significantly the peak value of the blood glucose and the area under the blood glucose-time curve (AUC) in normal or alloxan diabetic mice, respectively. These effects of SHG were similar to those of acarbose, a kind of alpha-glucosidase inhibitors. In the oral glucose tolerance test in normal and alloxan diabetic mice, SHG decreased both the blood glucose peak and the AUC induced by the glucose loading. But in the intraperitoneal injection glucose tolerance test the levels of insulin in both SHG and control mice were similar, however, the changes of the blood glucose level after the glucose-loading for 30 min in SHG mice was much lower than that in control mice.

CONCLUSIONWith the treatment of SHG, the fasting and no-fasting blood glucose concentrations were decreased and the glucose tolerance improved significantly in both normal and alloxan diabetic mice, and the inhibition of a-glucosidase might be one of its major mechanisms.

Administration, Oral ; Alloxan ; Animals ; Area Under Curve ; Blood Glucose ; analysis ; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental ; blood ; chemically induced ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Glucose ; administration & dosage ; pharmacokinetics ; Glucose Tolerance Test ; Hypoglycemic Agents ; administration & dosage ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Injections, Intraperitoneal ; Insulin ; blood ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred ICR ; Phytotherapy ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Random Allocation ; alpha-Glucosidases ; metabolism

Bone marrow cells in cultures were divided into four groups and cultured with various cytokines in vitro. These four groups are: control, IL-2 group, CD3-AK group, and CIK group. The morphological (cell volume, nucleus/plasm) changes of bone marrow cells in culture were observed. Immunophenotype analysis (CD34, CD38, CD3, CD56) were done before and after culture in all groups. Cytotoxicity against fresh acute leukemia cells were detected by modified MTT methods. The cell volume became larger with increased nucleus/plasm ratio in IL-2 group, CD3-AK group and CIK group. The plasm filled with PAS positive granules in most of cells in CD3-AK group and CIK group. The positive ratio of CD3, CD56, CD38 in CD3-AK or CIK group increased markedly after culture (P < 0.05), but no significant difference between the two groups. The CD56(+) cell increased in IL-2 group. CD34(+) cells decreased in all groups and there were no significant differences among those four groups. The cytotoxicity to fresh leukemia cells: CD3-AK group and CIK group > IL-2 group > control group. There was no significant difference between CD3-AK group and CIK group. This experiment showed different effect on bone marrow cells by different cytokine combination. The cytokine combination of CD3-AK group or CIK group can make immunocytes of bone marrow proliferating and retained certain amount of stem/progenitor cells.

OBJECTIVETo explore a method for combining Fluoro-Jade B (FJB) staining with immunofluorescent staining in rats with focal cortical infarction.

METHODPermanent distal middle cerebral artery occlusion (dMCAO) was induced in rats by electrocoagulation. The rat models were randomized into two groups, and frozen sections of the brain tissues from each group were stained with FJB followed by immunofluorescent staining or in the reverse order.

RESULTSFJB staining followed by immunofluorescence staining clearly visualized both FJB-positive and immunofluorescence-positive cells in the frozen sections, but the staining protocol in the reverse sequence failed to clearly show the immunofluorescence-positive cells.

CONCLUSIONFJB staining prior to immunofluorescence staining does not affect the staining effect of protein immunofluorescent staining and better visualizes the positive cells.

Animals ; Brain ; pathology ; Fluoresceins ; chemistry ; Fluorescent Antibody Technique ; methods ; Fluorescent Dyes ; chemistry ; Infarction, Middle Cerebral Artery ; Rats ; Staining and Labeling ; methods