Objective To observe the therapeutic response of liver tumors by arterial embolization hyperthermia with Nano Superparamagnetic Iodized Oil(NSIO)using rabbit VX2 liver tumor model.Methods A total 24 rabbits containing experimental hepatic tumors were randomly assigned to one of four groups as follows:NSIO embolization hyperthermia group(group A),Lipidol embolization group(group B),NSIO embolization group(group C),and contronl group(group D),each groups contain 6 VX2 rabbits.Fourteen days after implantation of the experimental hepatic tumor,VX2 rabbits were treated.In group A group B and group C,the rabbits hepatic proper artery were selectively catheterized by 3 Fr microcatheters via right femoral artery under fluoroscopic guidance.10% NSIO 0.5 ml(group A and group C)or Lipidol 0.5 ml(group B)infused into proper hepatic artery.Three days after embolization,the rabbits in group A and group B were exposed to gap-type alternating magnetic field for 30 minutes,while rabbits in group C and group D have not been exposed to alternating magnetic field.The liver tumor size were measured by CT scanning before and 14 days after treatment then the animals were sacrificed,the liver,lung,heart spleen and kidney were harvested for histopathology examination,the liver tumor size were detected directly. Results All subjects experienced uneventful 14 days surivials,on the biochemical examination,there were no changes about the function of liver and renal in each group 14 days after treatment compare to pre- treatment.Fourteen days after treatment,the tumor size decreased by 8.09% in group A,but increased by 9.72% and 13.00%(P＜0.05)in group B and group C respectively,in group D,the tumor size increased by 57.50%(P＜0.01).In histopathology examination,the tumor necrosis in three treatment groups were manifest,particular in group A.Conclusion Arterial embolization hyperthermia with NSIO has obvious therapeutic response to experimental hepatic tumors,it encourages further development of this technology for the treatment of liver cancer in humans.

OBJECTIVETo establish a reliable model for drug screening and therapy by culturing rat femoral head and inducing cartilage degeneration quickly in vitro.

METHODSThe femoral heads from the same SD rats of two-month old were divided into control group and experimental group respectively. They were cultured with DMEM medium plus 10% fetal bovine serum or DMEM medium plus 10% fetal bovine serum plus 50 ng/ml IL-1β for three days. Femoral heads were fixed in 4% paraformaldehyde, decalcified, dehydrated, embedded in paraffin and cut into slices. Specimens were stained with Toluidine blue and Safranine O-Fast Green FCF. The protein expression levels of type II collagen, MMP13, Sox9 and ADAMTS5 were analyzed by immunofluorescence.

RESULTSBoth the Toluidine blue and Safranine O staining were pale in the margin of femoral heads which were stimulated with IL-1β for three days compared to that in control group. The Fast Green FCF staining was positive at the edge of the femoral head in experimental group, which indicated that cartilage became degenerated. The expression levels of both type H collagen and Sox9 were decreased significantly while the expression levels of MMP13 and ADAMTS5 were increased in experimental group.

CONCLUSIONThe model of cartilage degeneration is established by culturing and inducing the degeneration of the femoral heads quickly in vitro.

Animals ; Cartilage Diseases ; genetics ; metabolism ; Collagen Type II ; genetics ; metabolism ; Disease Models, Animal ; Femur Head ; metabolism ; Humans ; In Vitro Techniques ; Interleukin-1beta ; genetics ; metabolism ; Male ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 13 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; SOX9 Transcription Factor ; genetics ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate whole blood viscosity changes at different time points in rats model with lumbar vertebrae semidislocation, study Shi's theroy of qi and blood and "Gucuofeng and Jinchucao" [symbols: see text], also reveal pathological physiology characteristics of spinal disorder.

METHODSThirty-six SPF male rats weighted 350 to 450 g were randomly divided into rotatory fixation group (RF group), simple fixation group (SF group) and Sham group (Sham group), 12 rats in each group. Exterior vertebrae implanted through L4-L6 segments of lumbar vertebrae in RF and SF group were connected fixed device. In RF group, L5 spinous process were rotated to right, and caused L5 spinous process was non collinear with L4 and L6; in SF group, external fixed device were simple connected without rotation. At 1, 4, 8 and 12 weeks after fixation, whole blood viscosity changes were tested.

RESULTSAt 4 and 8 weeks after fixation, high (150/s), medium (60/s) and lower (10/s) shear rate in RF and SF group were higher than that of Sham group (P<0.05). At 1 and 12 weeks, there was no sigificant differences among three groups in whole blood viscosity (P>0.05).

CONCLUSION"Gucuofeng and Jinchucao" [symbols: see text] vertebrae could raise whole blood viscosity, increase degree of bloos stasis and induce or aggravate spinal disorder in further.

Animals ; Blood Viscosity ; Disease Models, Animal ; Joint Dislocations ; surgery ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; injuries ; surgery ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Time Factors

OBJECTIVETo detect the effects of lumbar vertebrae Gucuofeng on the substance P content of hypothalamus and dorsal root ganglia in rat models.

METHODSA hundred and twenty SPF level SD male rats with the weight of 350 to 450 g were randomly divided into rotary fixation group (RF group), simple fixation group (SF group) and sham-operation group (Sham group). The external link fixation system was implanted into the L4-L6 of rats in RF group and SF group; and in RF group, that the L5 spinous process was rotated to the right resulted in L4, L5, L6 spinous process not collinear; in SF group, the external link fixation system was simply implanted and not rotated. The rats of Sham group were not implanted the external link fixation system and only open and suture. The substance P content of hypothalamus and dorsal root ganglia were detected at 1, 4, 8, 12 weeks after operation.

RESULTSSubstance P content of hypothalamus in RF group and SF group was lower than Sham group at 1, 4, 8 weeks after operation (P<0.05). Substance P content of dorsal root ganglia was higher than Sham group at 1, 4, 8, 12 weeks after operation (P<0.05). There was no significant differences in the substance P content of hypothalamus among three groups at 12 weeks after operation (P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONLumbar vertebrae Gucuofeng can inhibit the analgesic activity of substance P in hypothalamus and promote the synthesis and transmission of substance P in dorsal root ganglia, so as to cause or aggravate the pain.

Animals ; Disease Models, Animal ; Ganglia, Spinal ; chemistry ; Hypothalamus ; chemistry ; Joint Dislocations ; metabolism ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; injuries ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Substance P ; analysis ; physiology

0.05),the mean FA on the left was higher than the right(t=1.912,P

OBJECTIVETo observe and compare the luciferase activities of different length segments of human dentin matrix protein 1 promoter in human dental pulp stem cells (HDPSC), osteoblasts (OC) and Hela cells.

METHODSThe differentlength desired DNA segments were obtained from 2 195 bp Dmp1 promoter cloned by PCR method. The amplified promoter segments with different length were cloned into luciferase report gene vector pGL3-Basic, the correct orientation of those inserts was verified by cutting with two different restrict enzymes. The luciferase activity was observed after different pGL3-PDmp1 vectors were transfected transiently into those three different-type cells.

RESULTS6 Dmp1 promoter segments with different-length were obtained successfully, and luciferase report gene vectors with different promoter segments were successfully constructed after identified by restriction enzymes cutting. They had different luciferase activities when they were transfected transiently into HDPSC, and the region of -505(-)-193 bp and -935(-)-505 bp could be regarded as the specific promoters of Dmp1 promoter for HDPSC and OC respectively, which could include the basic regulatory elements.

CONCLUSIONThe correct clone of the upstream of human Dmp1 promoter segments with different length had been obtained, and they had strong luciferase activities in HDPSC and OC, but very low in Hela cell. These results will make an important basis for studying mineralized tissue-specific transcriptional regulation mechanisms of Dmp1.

Dentin ; Extracellular Matrix Proteins ; Gene Expression Regulation ; Genetic Vectors ; Humans ; Phosphoproteins ; Promoter Regions, Genetic ; Transfection

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effects of Shengli capsules on the sexual ability of normal and castrated male rats.

METHODSShengli capsules were given by intragastric administration to 100 experimental male rats at different doses of 0.35, 0.70 and 1.40 g / kg. Data were collected and analyzed, including capture latency period, times of capture, sexual endurance and times of ejaculation, to assess the effects of Shengli capsules on the sexual ability of the rats. The Castrated Animal Impotence Model was employed to determine the erectile latency period and the function parameters of the preputial gland, seminal vesicle and prostate, so as to test the effects of Shengli on the development of the rats'sexual organs.

RESULTSShengli was proved to be effective in shortening copulation latency in the dose groups of 0.35, 0.70 and 1.40 g / kg (P < 0.01), increasing significantly the frequency of capture in the high- and low-dose groups of 0.35 and 1.40 g / kg (P < 0.05), reducing the latency period to erection in the low-dose group of 0.35 g / kg, and blocking the shrink of the seminal vesicle and prostate in the medium-dose group of 0.70 g / kg.

CONCLUSIONShengli is significantly effective in enhancing the sexual ability of male rats: it can boost libido, increase erection frequency and improve sexual performance. However, further studies have yet to be done on its action mechanisms.

Animals ; Capsules ; Copulation ; drug effects ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Female ; Male ; Orchiectomy ; Ovariectomy ; Penile Erection ; drug effects ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Sexual Behavior, Animal ; drug effects

OBJECTIVETo investigate regulation function of anodonta glucan HBP-A on chondrocytes through Wnt pathway in vitro.

METHODSRat chondrocytes were cultured and differentiated induced with IL-1beta (10 ng/ml) in vitro. Chondrocytes were divided into five groups:IL-13 group,IL-1beta + IWP-2 (5 microM,Wnt pathway inhibitor) group, IL-1beta + HBP-A (0.3 mg/ml) group and IL-1beta + IWP-2 + HBP-A group. Wnt-3a, beta-catenin (24 h,48 h,72 h) and MMP-13(72 h) genes expression were detected by Rt-PCR, while beta-catenin, MMP-13, Sox-9 and coll-II (48 h) protein expression were measured by Western-blot.

RESULTSAfter induction of IL-1beta, gene expression of Wnt-3a, beta-catenin and MMP-13 were increased,so were the protein expression of beta-catenin and MMP-13. In contrast,protein expression of Sox-9 and Coll-II were declined. Following addition of HBP-A, Wnt-3a, beta-catenin and MMP-13 were shown as induction of IL-1beta, but protein expression of Sox-9 and Coll-II were upgraded. Combining HBP-A with IWP-2 led to the lowest level in Wnt-3a, beta-catenin gene and beta-catenin protein expression and highest expression of Sox-9 protein.

CONCLUSIONHBP-A could not only delay the differentiation of chondrocytes through downgrading the signal expression of Wnt/beta-catenin,but also adjust the expression of Wnt-3a, beta-catenin and Sox-9 when combinated with the Wnt inhibitor.

Animals ; Anodonta ; chemistry ; Cell Differentiation ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Chondrocytes ; cytology ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Glucans ; pharmacology ; Interleukin-1beta ; metabolism ; Rats ; Wnt Signaling Pathway ; drug effects ; Wnt3A Protein ; genetics ; metabolism ; beta Catenin ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo observe the functional changes of dendritic cells (DCs) after infection by recombinant retrovirus carrying human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) gene fragment.

METHODSInterleukin-12 (IL-12) levels in DC culture supernatant was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The abilities of DCs infected with recombinant retrovirus carrying hTERT gene (hTERT-DCs) and non-infected DCs (N-DCs) to stimulate allogeneic lymphocyte proliferation were evaluated with mixed leukocytes reaction (MLR), and the surface markers of DCs including CD80, CD83, CD86 and HLA-DR were detected by flow cytometry. Cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) assay was performed with CytoTox 96 non-radioactive cytoxicity assay.

RESULTSCompared with N-DCs, hTERT-DCs showed no significant changes in IL-12 secretion and capacity to stimulate allogeneic lymphocytes reaction, but had significantly lower CD83 expression. Specific CTLs induced by hTERT-DCs resulted in higher cytotoxicity against telomerase-positive target cells than that against the negative target cells.

CONCLUSIONInfection with the recombinant retrovirus carrying hTERT fragment may jeopardize the maturation of DCs, which, however, still retain their capacity to activate and stimulate lymphocyte proliferation and to prime autologous T lymphocytes to generate specific CTL against hTERT.

Cells, Cultured ; Dendritic Cells ; cytology ; immunology ; virology ; Genetic Vectors ; Humans ; Interleukin-12 ; biosynthesis ; Recombination, Genetic ; Retroviridae ; genetics ; metabolism ; T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic ; immunology ; Telomerase ; biosynthesis ; genetics

Base Sequence ; Formaldehyde ; chemistry ; Humans ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Oncogene Proteins, Fusion ; genetics ; Paraffin Embedding ; Proto-Oncogene Protein c-fli-1 ; genetics ; RNA, Neoplasm ; genetics ; metabolism ; RNA-Binding Protein EWS ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; methods ; Rhabdomyosarcoma ; genetics ; Sarcoma, Ewing ; genetics ; Sarcoma, Synovial ; genetics ; Soft Tissue Neoplasms ; genetics ; Tissue Fixation