ObjectiveTo observe the microstructure and ultrastructure of platelet-rich plasma gel. MethodsPRP gel samples were obtained by two-step centrifugation. The platelets were counted before and after centrifugation. TGF-β1, PDGF-AB were measured in the PRP gel and the whole blood using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. PRP gel samples were observed with macroscopic observation, HE staining, transmission (TEM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). ResultsThe platelet concentration of PRP was 458% of whole blood. TGF-β1, PDGF-AB were found in high concentrations in PRP gel samples. Both SEM and TEM showed that PRP gel mainly contained fibrillar material with striated band similar to fibrin filaments, and platelet. ConclusionPRP gel may be an ideal injectable scaffold material for constructing tissue engineering nucleus pulposus.

DNA damage repair gene mutations are prevalent in advanced prostate cancer. Among these, mutations in homologous recombination repair genes could impair the ability of cell to restore the DNA double-strand break, which can be exploited by Poly-ADP-ribose polymerase (PARP) inhibitors through synthetic lethality and result in cell death. The phase Ⅲ study " PROfound" showed that the PAPR inhibitor Olaparib could significantly improve the survival of patients with homologous recombination repair gene mutations compared with novel hormone agents, starting the era of targeted, precise and individualized treatment based on genetic profile detection for prostate cancer treatment.

50Gy gave better survivals.Conclusion Age,tumor histology,ex- tent of resection,interval time of postoperative radiotherapy and the dosage of target were related to survival.

Objective To study the iodine nutritional status of population living in Tibetan pastoral areas,in order to provide a scientific basis for prevention and control of iodine deficiency disorders.Methods Drinking water samples were collected to test iodine content in agricultural town(Kajiaman) and pastoral area(Zuogaiduoma town) of Hezuo in Gannan Tibetan autonomous prefecture.Thirty of child-bearing age,pregnant and breastfeeding women were selected,respectively,and 90 male adults aged 20-50 from these families(1 from each family) and 90 children aged 8-10 (30 people in each age group) from local schools were randomly sampled at the same time,and urinary iodine (UI) was measured randomly.Edible salt and main food samples were collected to test iodine content from the 10 families of the three types of women,respectively,and they were asked to recall its family intake of food species in the past 24 h excluding spices.The water iodine was determined using arseniccerium redox method (GB/T 5750.1-2006) ; UI with ammonium persulfate digestion-arsenic cerium catalytic spectrophotometric method (WS/T 107-2006) ; salt iodine used direct determination method(GB/T 13025.7-1999); and food iodine with alkali the gray arsenic cerium contact colorimetry.All these work were done in May,2011.Results The average of water iodine was (1.63 ± 0.14)μg/L in agricultural areas and (2.08 ±1.90)μg/Lin pastoral areas of the 10 water samples tested,respectively.The median urinary iodine(MUI) among women of pregnant,lactating and child-bearing age,male adults and children was 141.99,126.65,253.33,258.07,191.0μg/L,respectively,in agricultural areas and 137.26,97.36,126.16,159.48,285.07 μg/L,respectively,in pastoral areas.The difference of MUI in lactating,male adults and children between pastoral and agricultural areas was statistically significant.The proportion of UI ＜ 50 μg/L was less than 20％,and ＜ 100 μg/L was less than 50％ among all population except lactating woman and pregnant women in pastoral areas.The iodized salt coverage rate was 100％(30/30) in agricultural areas and 90％(27/30) in pastoral areas,and the salt iodine was (32.1 ± 7.8)mg/kg in agricultural areas and (32.3 ± 6.0)mg/kg in pastoral areas,respectively.The food structure in agricultural areas was mainly potato,naked oat fruit,cabbage and so on,the average dietary iodine content was 285.7 μg/kg,and in pastoral areas was mainly chow mein,wheat flour,ghee,yogurt,barley and so on,the average dietary iodine content was 51.1 μg/kg.Conclusions There is no iodine deficiency in general in the population in Tibetan areas with low water iodine.However,iodine nutrition of pregnant women can not be guaranteed.It is recommended that classified guidance measures be taken to ensure the sustainable elimination of iodine deficiency disorders in the Tibetan minority areas.

OBJECTIVETo explore the mechanism of Astragalus polysaccharides (APS) for improving the cardiac function of Sjogren's syndrome (SS) model rats based on Keapl-Nrf2/ARE signaling pathway.

METHODSTotally 48 male Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups by random digit table, i.e., the blank control group,the model control group,the APS group, and the hydroxychloroquine group, 12 in each group. Except those in the blank control group, 0. 1 mL mixed antigen protein of sufficiently emulsified Freund's complete adjuvant and submandibular gland protein was injected from two feet plantar to induce SS model. The intervention was started from 19th day after inflammation induction. Equal volume of normal saline was given to rats in the blank control group (1 mL/100 g), APS was administered to those in the APS group (1 mg/100 g), and hydroxychloroquine (0.03 125 g/kg) was administered to those in the hydroxychloroquine group. All rats were intervened once per day for 30 consecutive days. Changes of rats' body mass and drinking water quantity, submandibular gland index, spleen index, histological changes of glands were observed. Changes of the heart function were monitored using invasive hemodynamics. Serum reactive oxygen species (ROS), malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), and interleukin-35 (IL-35)were detected using ELISA method. The pathological changes were observed using HE staining. The protein expression of ROS, reactive nitrogen species (RNS), glutathione (GSH), and thioredoxin (TRX) were observed by immunohistochemical staining. The mRNA expression of Keap1, Nrf2, and ARE was detected using real time fluorescent quantitative PCR. The protein expression levels of gamma-glutamic acid and a half long glycine synthetase (gamma-GCS) and heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1) in the myocardial tissue were determined by Western blot method. Results Compared with the blank control group, the quantity of drinking water, submandibular gland index, spleen index, heart rate (HR), cardiac index (HI), left ventricular systolic pressure (LVSP), left ventricular diastolic pressure (LVEDP), MDA, ROS, TNF-alpha, ROS protein expression, RNS protein expression, Keap 1 mRNA expression, Maf mRNA expression, Nfr2 mRNA expression, and HO-1 protein expression, and gamma-GCS protein expression significantly increased (P <0.01); body mass, +/-dp/dtmax, SOD, TAC, IL-35, GSH, and TRX significantly decreased (P <0.01) in the model group. Compared with the model group, the quantity of drinking water, submandibular gland index, spleen index, LVEDP, MDA, ROS, TNF-alpha, ROS protein expression, RNS protein expression, Keap1 mRNA expression, Maf mRNA expression, Nfr2 mRNA expression, and HO-1 protein expression, and gamma-GCS protein expression significantly decreased (P<0.05); body mass, +/-dp/dtmax, SOD, TAC, IL-35, GSH protein expression, and TRX protein expression significantly increased (P < 0.05, P <0.01) in the AR group and the hydroxychloroquine group. In the hydroxychloroquine group HR increased (P <0.05). In the AR group HR and LVSP decreased (P <0. 05, P <0. 01). Compared with the hydroxychloroquine group, HR, LVEDP, - dp/dtmax, y-GCS protein expression significantly decreased (P <0. 05, P <0. 01); SOD, TAC, GSH, TRX, HO-1 protein expression increased (P <0.01 )in the AR group. HI was positively correlated with ROS (P <0. 05). LVSP and LVEDP were positively correlated with Keap1 -Nrf2/ARE signaling pathways (P <0. 01) , and negatively correlated with TAC (P <0. 05, P <0. 01 ). +/-dp/dtmax was negatively correlated with Keap1-Nrf2/ARE signaling pathways(P <0.05), and positively correlated with TNF alpha (P <0. 05).

CONCLUSIONSDeclined heart function exists in SS rats. The mechamechanism of APS for improving the heart function might be closely correlated with activating Keap1-Nrf2/ARE signaling pathway.

Animals ; Astragalus Plant ; Blotting, Western ; Carboxylic Ester Hydrolases ; metabolism ; Heme Oxygenase-1 ; metabolism ; Hydroxychloroquine ; Male ; Malondialdehyde ; metabolism ; Myocardium ; enzymology ; NF-E2-Related Factor 2 ; metabolism ; Plant Extracts ; therapeutic use ; Polysaccharides ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Reactive Oxygen Species ; metabolism ; Signal Transduction ; Sjogren's Syndrome ; Submandibular Gland ; Superoxide Dismutase ; metabolism ; Thioredoxins ; metabolism ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; metabolism

Small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) can efficiently inhibit gene expression by sequence-specific RNA interference (RNAi). A common 5' leader sequence exists in the genomic RNA and all subgenomic RNAs of SARS-CoV, and is well conserved among various SARS-CoV strains, thus providing a preferable target for RNAi of SARS-CoV replication. Here efficient depletion of the SARS-CoV mRNAs by either a synthetic siRNA or DNA vector-derived short hairpin RNAs (shRNAs) targeting the leader sequence in mammalian cell lines were reported. The siRNA or shRNAs efficiently suppressed the expression of an EGFP reporter gene which contains the leader sequence at the 5' end. Both the siRNA and shRNAs efficiently knocked down the levels of leader-containing transcripts of three SARS-CoV genes encoding the spike protein, membrane protein and nucleocapsid protein were demonstrated. The results suggest that RNAi targeting the leader sequence is a potential efficient strategy for anti-SARS-CoV therapy.

Objective: To study the influence of negative electrets on apoptosis of fibroblast cells and to probe its mechanism. Methods: Fibroblast cell were treated with -300, -500 and -1 000V PTFE electrets for 24, 48 and 72 h, respectively, and the influence of negative electrets on cell apoptosis was studied by means of flow cytometry and transmission electron microscope. Results: Compared with control group, apoptosis cells increased from 0.5% to 10% (some even to 15%) after 24，48 and 72 h action of -300, -500 and -1 000 V electrets. After action of -500 V PTFE electrets for 48-72 h, fibroblast cells showed characteristic morphological features of apoptosis. These features included chromatin aggregation, nuclear and cytoplasmic condensation and partition of cytoplasm and nucleus into membrane bound-vesicles (apoptotic bodies). The effect of negative electrets on apoptosis was in proportion to the time and electric field intensity. Conclusion: Negative electrets can enhance apoptosis of fibroblast cells.

Objective To observe the effects of transplantation of autologous adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) on osteoporosis (OP) in a rabbit ovariectomy (OVX) model.Methods A total of fifteen 6-month-old female New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into two groups:ovariectomy group (group A,n =12) and sham operation group (group B,n =3).All rabbits were subjected to bilateral ovariectomy in the group A.Six months later,bone mineral density (BMD) of group A and group B were measured by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) to check the result of OVX-OP.ASCs harvested from adipose of OP rabbits were cultured to be expanded and differentiated in osteogenic medium in vitro.Osteogenesis was evaluated by alizarin red staining,alkaline phosphatase (ALP) staining and quantitative assays of osteocalcin (OCN).Autologous osteo-induced ASCs were mixed in calcium alginate hydrogel (CAH) and then transplanted in the left distal femurs,while CAH was transplanted in the right distal femurs of OP rabbits.At 12 weeks after implantation,BMD,micro-CT and histomorphological analyses were performed on these rabbits.Results The BMD of femurs in group A rabbits were obviously lower than that of group B rabbits (P ＜ 0.05) at 6 months after OVX.Compared with control group,ASCs cultured in osteo-induction medium had similar proliferation rate as the non-induced cells,but displayed positive ALP and alizarin red staining and OCN contents.At 12 weeks after implantation,the cell-treated femurs displayed higher BMD,bone trabecula number,trabecula thickness and separation than those of control group,while the structure model index and porosity were lower (P ＜ 0.05).Histological examination indicated that the trabecular thickness increased with complete CAH resorption in cell-treated group,while CAH remained in control group.Conclusions Transplantation of autologous ASCs can help strengthen osteoporotic bone in OVX-OP rabbits,providing a novel approach to OP treatment.

Objective To study the relationship among apoptosis,NF-KB activation and uPA expres- sion in human colon carcinoma cell line HCTll6 induced by 5-fluorouracil,and to observe the effect of in- hibiting activity of NF-KB by PDTC on apoptosis as well as expression of uPA.Methods Cell apoptosis was analysed by Annexin V-FITC.Fluctuation of NF-KB and uPA was detected by semi-quantitative immuno- histochemistry.Results 5-fluorouracil could induce apoptosis and activate NF-KB.PDTC could significantly increase the apoptosis and suppress the activation of NF-KB induced by 5-fluorouracil.There was a positive correlation between the changes of uPA and NF-KB.Conclusion 5-fluorouracil could induce apoptosis,ac- tivate NF-KB and up-regulate expression of uPA of HCT116 cells.The mechanism of enhanced apoptosis by PDTC may be related to suppressing activation of NF-?B and down-regulating expression of uPA.

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of Xinfeng Capsule (XFC) on ankylosing spondylitis (AS) patients' symptoms and signs, serum immunoglobulin levels, peripheral blood lymphocyte autophagy protein, autophagy gene, and to explore its mechanism.

METHODSTotally 59 AS patients were assigned to the treatment group (39 cases) and the control group (20 cases) according to random digit table. Patients in the treatment group received XFC, 0.5 g each pill, three pills each time, 3 times per day, while those in the control group received sulfasalazine (SASP), 0.25 g per tablet, 4 tablets each time, twice per day. Three months consisted of one therapeutic course. Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI) and Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index (BASFI) were statistically calculated. Serum immunoglobulins (IgG1, IgG2, IgG3, IgG4, IgA , SIgA, and IgM) were detected using ELISA. Changes of Beclin1, LC3-II, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K), Akt, the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) were detected using Western blot. Serum autophagy related genes such as Atg1, Atg5, Atg12, Atg13, and Atg17 were detected using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The correlation between immunoglobulin subtypes and autophagy gene in AS patients using Spearman correlation.

RESULTSCompared with before treatment, BASDAI, IgG1, lgG3, and IgA decreased (P < 0.01); PI3K, Akt, and mTOR protein expressions decreased (P < 0.01); ATG1, ATG12, ATG13, and ATG17 mRNA expressions decreased, ATG5 mRNA expression increased (P < 0.01) in the treatment group. But BASDAI, IgG1, and IgA levels decreased (P < 0.05, P < 0.01); PI3K, Akt, and mTOR protein expressions decreased (P < 0.05); ATG1 and ATG13 mRNA expressions decreased (P < 0.05, P < 0.01) in the control group. Compared with the control group, BASDAI, IgG1, and IgA levels decreased (P < 0.05); PI3K, Akt, mTOR protein expressions decreased (P < 0.01); ATG12 and ATG17 mRNA expression decreased, ATG5 mRNA expression increased (P < 0.01) in the XFC group. Correlation analysis showed AS patients' IgG1, IgG2, IgG3, IgA, SIgA, IgM had negative correlation with ATG17; IgG4 and ATG17 were positively correlated (P < 0.05, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONXFC could elevate clinical efficacy of AS patients and enhance their autophagy, which might be achieved by acting on PI3K/Akt/mTOR signal, affecting autophagy gene and autophagy protein expression, taking part in the regulation of proliferation and differentiation of lymphocyte B, and strengthen humoral immunity.

Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins ; metabolism ; Autophagy ; drug effects ; Beclin-1 ; Capsules ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin A ; blood ; Immunoglobulin G ; blood ; Immunoglobulin M ; blood ; Lymphocytes ; drug effects ; Membrane Proteins ; metabolism ; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases ; metabolism ; Spondylitis, Ankylosing ; drug therapy ; Sulfasalazine ; therapeutic use ; TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases ; metabolism