OBJECTIVETo study the effects of graphene quantum dots (GQDs) on hematopoietic system in rats.

METHODSThirty male SD rats were randomly divided into three groups (n = 10): control group, high dose group (10 mg/kg · d), low dose group (5 mg/kg · d), The rats in experimental group were intravenous injected with GQDs for 28 days and those in control group were injected with normal saline at the same volume. Routine blood and the function of liver and kidney were detected by instrument analysis. The cycle and apoptosis of bone marrow mononuclear cells (BMCs) were detected by FCM. The other three only healthy male SD rat bone marrow mononuclear cells (BMCs) were cultured by joining GQDs for 24 h, 48 h,72 h in vitro, the proliferation was assayed by CCK-8, the content of granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) from cultural supernatants were detected by ELISA.

RESULTSThe amount of red blood cell and concentration of hemoglobin from experimental group were increased significantly compared with those of control groups (P < 0.05), the concentration of triglyceride and high density lipoprotein were decreased. DNA synthesis period was prolonged (P < 0.01), there was no significant difference in apoptosis. BMCs were promoted proliferation clearly after using GQDs for 72 h (P < 0.05). The content of GM-CSF was increased (P < 0.01) .

CONCLUSIONGQDs may promote hematopoietic function in rats.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; Bone Marrow Cells ; drug effects ; Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor ; metabolism ; Graphite ; pharmacology ; Hematopoiesis ; drug effects ; Male ; Quantum Dots ; chemistry ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

Objective To study the effect of Src tyrosine kinase inhibition on subcutaneously transplanted tumor of human lung adenocarcinoma in mice and its mechanism. Methods For the subcutaneously transplanted tumor model, A549 cells or PC-9 cells were inoculated into SCID mice by subcutaneous injection. Immunohistochemistry was used to show the effect of Src tyrosine kinase inhibition on proliferation index (Ki-67 staining) and microvessel density (CD31 staining) of subcutaneously transplanted tumor of human lung adenocarcinoma in mice. Results Subcutaneously transplanted tumor of PC-9 cells was sensitive to src tyrosine kinase inhibitor. There was significant difference between treatment group and control group (P <0.01). There was significant difference between the two treatment group too (P <0.01). Stopping treatment for 1 week, the inhibition rate of tumor growth were 33.19 % and 84.79 % in 10 mg·kg-1·d-1 and 50 mg·kg-1·d-1 treatment group, respectively. The same treatment was less effective to subcutaneous tumors produced by A549 cells. Treatment with 50 mg·kg-1·d-1 Src tyrosine kinase inhibitor significantly reduced the proliferation index of subcutaneously transplanted tumor produced by PC-9 cells (P<0.01) and tended to reduce the proliferation index of subcutaneously transplanted tumor produced by A549 cells (P >0.05). Treatment with 50 mg·kg-1·d-1 Src tyrosine kinase inhibitor significantly reduced micro vascular density in both PC-9 and A549 induced subcutaneous tumors (P <0.05). Conclusion Inhibition of Src tyrosine kinase could suppress the progression of subcutaneously transplanted tumor, not only by the inhibition of cell proliferation of lung adenocarcinoma cells directly, but also by the inhibition of angiogenesis indirectly.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the contents changes of potential biomarkers of patients infected with influenza A (H1N1) virus of different Chinese medicine (CM) syndrome types.

METHODSEighty-two patients with influenza A (H1N1) virus were differentiated as three syndrome types, i. e., wind-heat invading weifen syndrome (51 cases), heat-toxicity attacking Fei syndrome (22 cases), and superficies tightened by wind cold syndrome (9 cases) according to Chinese medicine syndrome typing. According to patients' willingness and clinical conditions, they were treated by three therapeutic schedules, i. e., herbal therapy, symptomatic treatment, and antiviral therapy. The changes of potential biomarkers contents were detected in the serum of patients of various syndrome types before and after treatment. Results There was no statistical difference in the potential biomarkers contents correlated to symptoms of fever, inflammation and cough, such as PGG2, 20-COOH-LTB4, homocystein, and so on in the serum of patients of various syndrome types before treatment (P > 0.05). There was statistical difference in the potential biomarkers such as 20-OH-LTE4, LTA4, and linolenic acid, etc. between superficies tightened by wind cold syndrome and wind-heat invading weifen syndrome (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). There was statistical difference in the potential biomarkers such as PGF1alpha, prostanoic acid, and etc. between superficies tightened by wind cold syndrome and heat-toxicity attacking Fei syndrome (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). Statistical difference existed in other indices other than dUTP; 5,10-methylene-THF and PGF1alpha in wind-heat invading weifen syndrome and superficies tightened by wind cold syndrome; prostanoic acid, homocysteine, and glucose in superficies tightened by wind cold syndrome when compared with before treatment in the same group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). The changing tendency of potential biomarkers among different syndrome types was identical. Of them, the change of 6-keto-PGF1alpha content was the most obviously of all indices.

CONCLUSIONThere was difference in the contents of potential biomarkers of patients infected with influenza A (H1N1) virus of different syndrome types, and our study provided experimental data support for the objectiveness of CM syndrome differentiation from the perspective of metabolic substances.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Biomarkers ; blood ; Female ; Humans ; Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype ; Influenza, Human ; blood ; diagnosis ; virology ; Male ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Middle Aged ; Young Adult

Objective To assess the safety of early subcutaneous injection of a low-dose low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) nadroparin for prevention of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in patients with spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (sICH).Methods The patients with sICH who early using nadroparin or lower limb intermittent pneumatic compression (IPC) for prevention of DVT were enrolled.A nadroparin group continuously injected nadroparin 0.4 ml/d subcutaneously for 10 days at day 4 after admission and an IPC group used lower limb IPC.Head CT was reexamined and hematoma volume changes were evaluated at day 3,5,and 14 after admission.The hemorrhagic events during the course of treatment were documented,and the lower limb DVT was examined by color Doppler sonography.Results A total of 94 patients with acute sICH (n =41 in the nadroparin group,n =53 in the IPC group) who early use of nadroparin or IPC for prevention of DVT were enrolled.Fourteen patients had lower limb DVT,5 (12.2％) of them were in the nadroparin group and 9 (17.0％) of them were in the IPC group.However,there was no significant difference in the incidence of DVT between the two groups (x2 =0.418; P =0.518).During the treatment,no patient experienced increased intracranial hematoma and rebleeding.Conclusion Early subcutaneous injection of low-dose nadroparin for the prevention of DVT in patients with sICH is safe.

Objective To investigate the effects of Saussurea involucrata extract pretreatment on the expression of the Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)/nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) in focal cerebral ischemia/reperfusion in mice and its possible neuroprotective mechanism.Methods Seventy-two Kunming mice were randomly divided into four groups:sham operation,saline,Saussurea involucrata extract,and edaravone groups (n =18 in each group).Saussurea involucrata extract 0.8 g/kg was given intraperitoneally in the Saussurea involucrata extract group; edaravone 3 mg/kg was given in the edaravone group; and the same volume of saline was given in the saline group.A model of middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) was induced after 7 days of continuous injection.Cerebral infarct volume was determined by 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium staining.Immunohistochemical staining was used to detect TLR4-positive cells in ischemic brain tissue.Reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction was used to detect the expression of TLR4/NF-κB mRNA.Results The cerebral infarct volume in mice in the saline,Saussurea involucrata extract and edaravone groups was 131.55± 28.25 mm3,84.10 ±13.92 mm3 and 65.10 ± 6.78 mm3,respectively.There were significant difference (F =10.158,P =0.012).The infarct volume in the Saussurea involucrata extract group (P =0.020) and edaravone group (P0.005) was significantly less than that in the saline group,and there was no significantly difference between the 2 groups.The numbers of cortex and TLR4 positive cells in hippocampus area at the ischemic sides in the saline group were significantly more than those in the sham operation group (all P ＜0.001).The numbers of positive cells of cortex and TLR4 in the Saussurea involucrata extract group and the edaravone group were significantly decreased compared to the saline group (all P ＜ 0.05),and there was no significant differences between the Saussurea involucrata extract group and the edaravone group.The expressions of TLR4,p50,and p65 mRNA in the saline group were significantly up-regulated compared to the sham operation group (all P =0.000).Saussurea involucrata extract could significantly down-regulate the expressions of TLR4,p50,and p65 mRNA at 24 hours after ischemia/reperfusion (all P =0.000).Edaravone could significantly down-regulate the expressions of TLR4 and p65 mRNA (all P =0.000) and it had a down-regulated trend for the expression of p50 mRNA (P =0.053); while there was no significant difference in the expressions of TLR4 and p65 mRNA between the Saussurea involucrata extract group and the edaravone group.Conclusions Saussurea involucrata extract pretreatment may significantly reduce the cerebral infarct volume,down-regulate the expressions of TLR4 and NF-κB subunit,and play a neuroprotective effect by inhibiting inflammatory response after ischemia.

Objective Toinvestigatetheclinicalsignificanceofplasmamatrixmetalloproteinase9 (MMP-9)intheformationofdelayedcerebraledemaafterintracerebralhemorrhage.Methods The clinical data of 107 patients with spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage treated with conservative medical treatment were analyzed retrospectively. According to the clinical features and imaging changes,they were divided into either a delayed cerebral edema group (case group n=39)or a non-delayed cerebral edema group (control group n =68 ). The plasma MMP-9 level was detected with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay within 24 h after onset. The patients performed head CT scan again at day 7 and 14 after admission. The changes of hematoma and edema volume were detected. All the possible factors associated with the formation of delayed cerebral edema were firstly analyzed by the univariate analysis. Univariate analysis showed that the variables with significant differences were enrolled into multiple logistic regression analysis. Results TheplasmaMMP-9levelofthedelayedbrainedemagroupwassignificantlyhigherthanthatof the control group,they were 189 ± 51 and 118 ± 27 mg/L respectively (P<0. 01). The result of univariate analysis showed that age,history of smoking,blood glucose level,baseline hematoma volume,and National Institute of Health stroke scale (NIHSS )score on admission might be associated with the formation of delayed cerebral edema after intracerebral hemorrhage. Logistic regression analysis showed that MMP-9 level (OR,9. 745,95%CI 6. 754-15. 466,P<0. 01),baseline hematoma volume (OR,2. 411,95%CI 1. 190-2. 728,P =0. 018),blood glucose level on admission (OR,1. 327,95%CI 1. 133 -1. 850,P =0.004),and NIHSS score (OR,1. 867,95%CI 1. 272-2. 364,P=0. 020)were the independent risk factorsfortheformationofdelayedcerebraledemaafterintracerebralhemorrhage.Conclusion Theamount of bleeding,NIHSS score,and hyperglycemia are the risk factors for the formation of delayed cerebral edema in patients with spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage,while high MMP-9 level on admission indicated that the risk of the formation of delayed cerebral edema is high.

BACKGROUND: In animal experiments, ultrasound-mediated microbubbles can promote the homing of transplanted stem cells to the ischemic area, enhance angiogenesis and small arterial formation, improve local blood flow in the ischemic myocardium and restore myocardial contractility.OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of ultrasound-mediated microbubbles on intravenously transplanted bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell (BMSC) homing and the therapeutic efficiency on ischemic stroke. METHODS: A middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) model was induced by plug wire preparation. At 72 hours after MCAO, model rats were randomized into four groups: PBS group (n=15), BMSCs group (n=18), ultrasound+BMSCs group (n=18), ultrasound+microbubble+BMSCs group (n=18). Corresponding treatment was done in each group: 2 mL of PBS was injected via tail vein in the PBS group; about 3×106 BMSCs diluted by 2 mL of PBS were injected via tail vein slowly in the BMSCs group; after skull ultrasound radiation (1 MHz, 2 W/cm2) for 120 seconds, BMSCs were injected via tail vein slowly in the ultrasound+BMSCs group; the same process as the ultrasound+BMSCs group was done following intravenous injection of 0.1 mL/kg microbubbles in the ultrasound+microbubble+BMSCs group.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) Forty-eight hours after BMSCs transplantation, the BMSCs homing rate in the brain was significantly higher in the ultrasound+microbubble+BMSCs group than the other two groups (P < 0.05). (2) Twenty-eight days after MCAO, nerve damage was significantly milder in the ultrasound+microbubble+BMSCs group than the other two groups (P < 0.05). (3) Seven days after transplantation, the water content in the brain tissue was significantly lower in the ultrasound+microbubble+BMSCs group than the other two groups (P < 0.05). (4) Seven days after transplantation, the cerebral infarction volume was significantly reduced in the ultrasound+microbubble+BMSCs group compared with the other two groups (P < 0.05). To conclude, ultrasound-mediated microbubbles can enhance the homing effect of intravenously transplanted BMSCs, reduce cerebral edema and cerebral infarction volume, improve the neurological function, and increase the therapeutic effect of BMSCs transplantation on ischemic stroke.

Objective To investigate immunophenotypic characteristics of uterine natural killer (uNK)cells and helper T cell 1/helper T cell 2(Th1/Th2)immunity in third trimester decidua in preeclampsia.Methods The proportions of uNK cell subsets,expression of CD_(69)and CD_(94)on uNK cells and Th1/Th2 immunity in decidua were determined in 20 cases of preeclampsia patients and 11 cases of normal term pregnancies by flow cytometric analysis.Results The percentage of CD_(56)~(bright)CD_(16)~-uNK cell subset in preeclampsia patients and the controls was(17.3?11.1)% vs(17.9?16.8)%,that of CD_(56)~(dim) CD_(16)~+uNK cell subset was(16.3?8.7)% vs(16.2?8.8)%;that of CD_(56)~+CD_(69)~+uNK cells was(37.9 ?18.9)% vs(36.8?19.7)%,that of CD_(56)~+CD_(94)~+uNK cells was(34.9?15.2)% vs(32.7?16.2)% and the ratio of CD_(56)~+CD_(69)~+/CD_(56)~+CD_(94)~+was 1.1?0.2,1.2?0.6.No statistical difference was shown in the above values between the preeclampsia patients and controls.The percentage of cytoto xic T cell(Tc)2 cells was significantly lower in the decidua of preeclampsia patients [(3.0?1.0)% vs(4.3?0.9)%,P= 0.001 ],and the ratio of Tc1/Tc2 in preeclampsia patients was significantly higher than that of normal term pregnancies(17.8?3.4 vs 11.8?4.6;P=0.001);the ratio of Th1/Th2 was increased(15.1?2.4 vs 13.2?3.1;P=0.06).Conclusions The immunophenotypie characteristics of uNK cells do not present any significant change in preeclampsia patients.Owing to Tc2 cell decrease,the Th1/Th2 immunity shifts to Th1 type immunity in the decidua,which might contribute to the pathogenesis of preeclampsia.

Thulium fiber laser (TFL) is a new and potential laser with significant advantages in that the therapeutic range covers the entire urinary system. In the field of lithotripsy, compared with the holmium laser, which not only can dust any urinary stone composition types, but also has a higher ablation rate、smaller retropulsion、thinner fragements and fewer complications. In terms of soft tissue applications, compared with other lasers, it has efficient vaporization、precise incision、remarkable hemostatic ability and safety. Additionally the laser is small in size, high in power conversion efficiency, stable in performance, low noise during operation and ordinary power socket in power supply. Most of the current research on TFL lithotripsy and tissue vaporization is preclinical and few clinical studies. This article reviews the physical properties、advantages、ablation efficiency、vaporization and incision ability、laser safety and clinical application of TFL in order to provide more reference for future clinical applications.

Objective To evaluate the functional changes of visual cortex (V1) in patients with primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) by fMRI retinotopic mapping technology. Methods Fifteen POAG patients and 15 healthy volunteers underwent stimulations with fMRI retinotopic mapping stimulus and contrast-reversing checkerboard patterns stimulus on a Siemens Trio 3.0 T MRI whole-body scanner for functional data collection. Comparisons of V1 fMRI responses between the glaucomatous eyes and the healthy eyes of the patients were carried out using paired samples t-test, while independent samples t-test was used to compare V1 fMRI responses and activations between the healthy eyes of patients and the age-, gender- and side- matched eyes of normal people. Differences of V1 cortical functions and visual functions were analyzed by linear correlation analysis when the glaucomatous and the healthy eyes were simulated individually. Results (1) V1 fMRI responses of the individually stimulated glaucomatous eyes[(1.24±0.72)%]were weaker than those of the healthy eyes[(2.18±0.93)%](t=4.757,P<0.01). Comparisons of V1 fMRI responses between the glaucomatous eyes and matched eyes of normal people, as well as between the healthy eyes of patients and the matched eyes of normal people, were performed respectively: the responses in the glaucomatous eyes[(1.24±0.72)%]were weaker than those in the matched eyes of normal people[(2.01±0.65)%](t=-3.011,P<0.01). There was no statistical difference of the responses between the healthy eyes from patients[(2.18±0.93)%]and the matched eyes of normal people[(1.95±0.75)%](t=0.742,P＞0.05). (2) Differences of V1 cortical functions were negatively correlated with those of visual functions in the individually stimulated glaucomatous and healthy eyes (r=-0.887, P<0.01). (3) The activated area indexes of V1 cortexes in the healthy eyes from patients (0.72±0.12) were lower than those in the matched eyes of normal people (0.85±0.09) (t=-3.801, P<0.01). Conclusion Cortical function impairment was in accordance with visual function impairment in glaucoma. Located and quantified measurement with fMRI retinotopic mapping was a useful method for clinical follow-up and evaluation of functional alteration of glaucomatous visual cortex, and a potentially useful means of studying trans-synaptic degeneration of visual pathways of in vivo glaucoma.