AIM: To study whether mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) from fetal liver can differentiate into skeletal muscle-like cells. METHODS: MSCs were isolated from C57BL/6J mouse fetal liver and were induced by 5-azacytidine and amphotericin B. Myf5 and myogenin were tested by RT-PCR. Desmin and ?-actin was examined by immunocytochemistry. RESULTS: RT-PCR showed that the treated cells expressed Myf5 and myogenin orderly from 6 hours to 72 hours, while the untreated cells did not. Immunocytochemistry confirmed that these cells were positive for desmin and ?-actin and the positive rate was higher in 7 days than that in 14 days. CONCLUSION: MSCs derived from fetal liver can be induced into skeletal muscle-like cells in vitro.

Purpose:To evaluate the effect, tolerabilily and toxic-side reactions of combined carboplatin and cisplatin with etopside in advanced non-small-cell lung cancer.Methods:From Oct. 1998 to Mar. 2000, 23 cases with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer were treated by combined carboplatin [200 mg/m 2intravenously (IV) on day 1]and Cisplatin ( 30 mg/m 2 IV on day 3～5) and etopside (100mg/m 2 IV on day 1～5) . The treatment was repeated every 3～4 weeks.Results:86 cycles were completed in the whole group. Median cycles was 4. The overall response rate was 43.48%(10/23,PR), the median survival time was 8.2 months, the 1-year survival rate was 32%. Myelosuppression was the main toxicity, The overall response rate was 86.96%(20/23). Conclusions:Our results indicate that combined carboplatin and cisplatin with etopside regimen is effective for advanced non-small-cell lung cancer.

BackgroundThere are a lot of studies about the wound healing charateristics of cornea after SBK with femtosecond laser.In our study,mechanical microkeratome was preferred for corneal flap.We observed the proliferation of keratocytes by investigating the myofibroblast ( MF) activity.Objective The study was to compare the morphologic and histological changes in the cornea after sub-Bowmans keratomileusis ( SBK) with photorefractive keratectomy ( PRK) and laser in situ keratomileusis ( LASIK)by investigating the express of transforming growth factor-β( TGF-β)and α-smooth muscle actin( α-SMA)and to investigate the wound healing characteristiCs of cornea after SBK.MethodsTwenty-seven adult New Zealand white rabbits were randomly assigned into group A,B and C.SBK waa performed on the right eyes of each rabbit in group A,LASIK for group B and PRK for group C.All the left eyes were used as the normal control group.Histological examinations by light microscopy were performed on day 7,1 months,3 months after surgery.The expression of α-SMA and TGF-β and the number of activated MF were assessed by immunohistochemiatry.ResultsIn SBK group,corneal epithelium cells proliferation around the wound was seen and the numbers of active fibroblasts were increased after surgery.The expression of α-SMA or TGF-β around the corneal flap and the corneal 8troma started at day 7 postoperatively and peaked at 1 months and decreaaed around the corneal flap and the corneal 8troma started at day 7 postoperatively and peaked at 1 months and decreaaed t3mnh.TFβep( SBK:t=2.226,2.158,2.330,P＜0.05;PRK:t=4.745,6.524,6.293,P＜O.05).The numbersof activ( SBK:t=2.226,2.158,2.330,P＜O.05;PRK:t=4.745,6.524,6.293,P＜0.05).The numbersof activatedMFs were different fromLASIKstatisticallytoobetweenSBKgroupandPRKgroup ( SBK:t =4.439.5.692,4.175,P＜0.05 ; PRK:t=6.330,6.723,5.267,P＜0.05 ).Theα-SMAand TCF-βexpressionsin SBKgroupwerelessthan PRK group but more thanLASIKgroup( TCF-β:t =4.691,5.527,t =4.399,P＜0.05 ; α-SMA:t =9.637.10.282,8.197,P＜0.05).The numhers of MFs in SBK group was less than PRK group before 3 months and were same at 3 months ( t =5.188,4.529,P＜0.05 ).Conclusions ComparedwithconventionalLASIK,SBKcanup-regulatethe expression of α-SMA.TGF-β,activated MFs in the corneal flap.which enhance corneal biomechanics and promote healing.However,most of the disadvantages caused by wound healing in SBK still remain compared to PRK.

BACKGROUND: Taohong Siwu Tang is made up of Taoren, Honghua,Danggui, Chishao and Chuangxiong. Paeoniflorin is one of the major effective components in Radix Paeoniae Rubra Extracts and Taohong Siwu Tang, and it can promote blood circulation and remove blood stasis and has the effect of anti-acute myocardial ischemia.OBJECTIVE: To compare the serum concentration of paeoniflorin in mice after intragastric administration (i.g.) of Radix Paeoniae Rubra extracts and Taohong Siwu Tang.DESIGE: Rndomized controlled observation.SETTING: Department of Pharmacy and Department of Basic Medicine,Hebei North University.MATERIALS: The trial was performed in the first laboratory of Department of Pharmacy, Hebei North University during February to June 2005.Eighty involved Kunming mice of either gender and of clean grade, with body mass of 18 to 22 g, were purchased from Experimental Animal Center, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences. Taoren, Honghua, Danggui, Chishao, Shengdi and Chuanxiong 6 Chinese herbs were all purchased from Zhangjiakou Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine.METHODS: ①Blank serum was isolated from eight mice which were fasted for 12 hours. Control sample solution of paeoniflorin was added into blank serum. Acetonitrile was used to deposit protein, the solution was centrifugated and isolated ,and 20μL supernatant was taken to obtain regression equation. ② Seventy-two Kunming mice were randomized into Radix Paeoniae Rubra extracts group and Taohong Siwu Tang group, with 36 mice in each. After being fasted for 12 hours, the mice in each group were intragastric administration of Radix Paeoniae Rubra extracts and Taohong Siwu Tang, respectively and the concentration of paeoniflorin was 300 mg/kg.1 mL blood was taken respectively at 15, 30, 60, 90, 120 and 180 minutes after intragastric administration and prepared into serum sample (6 mice at each time point in each group). The time to peak and difference in peak concentration of serum paeoniflorin were compared between intragastric administration of Radix Paeoniae Rubra extracts and Taohong Siwu Tang.The concentration of paeoniflorin was measured with high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Chromatographic condition: chromatographic column YWG-C18 (250×4.6 mm,10 μm). The mobile phase was methanolKH2PO4 (0.05 mol/L) (38∶62) at a flow rate of 1.0 mL/min. The detective wavelength was set at 230 nm. The column temperature was 25 ℃.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Serum concentration of paeoniflorin after administration of Radix Paeoniae Rubra extracts and Taohong Siwu Tang in mice.RESULTS: Seventy-two mice were used for Radix Paeoniae Rubra extr acts and Taohong Siwu Tang tests, and all of them entered the stage of result analysis without deletion. ① Chromatographic isolation results: Paeoniflorin could be well isolated from other components. The linear range for detection of paeoniflorin was 5.40-646.0 μg/mL. The mean recovery rate was 93.6% and the limit of detection was determined as 1.08 mg/L. ②Comparison of concentration of serum paeoniflorin of mice between two groups: The concentration of serum paeoniflorin in the Radix Paeoniae Rubra extracts group and Taohong Siwu Tang group reached the peak at 30 and 60 minutes after intragastric administration, respectively. The peak concentration of paeoniflorin of Taohong Siwu Tang group was lower than that of Radix Paeoniae Rubraextracts group [(36.27±5.72) mg/L vs.(46.82±5.29) mg/L, P ＜ 0.01 )].CONCLUSION: The concentration of serum paeoniflorin is significantly decreased after intragastric administration. It was further confirmed the decreased concentration of the crude paeonifiorin in the mice sera might result from promotion of its metabolic conversion by other chemical components in the complex prescription. This result needs further investigation.

Objective To study action mechanism of rhamnocitrin in Oxytropis Falcata on enhance the immune function. Methods Kunming mice were randomly divided into blank control group, model group, positive control group, traditional Chinese medicine high, medium, and low dose groups. All treatment groups received gavage with relevant medicine for 10 days. From the 8th day, blank control group received intraperitoneal injection with normal saline, while other groups received intraperitoneal injection with cyclophosphamide for 3 days. Through macrophages carbon clearance test, macrophage phagocytosis of chicken erythrocytes test, and immunosuppressive mice organ index detection, effects of rhamnocitrin in Oxytropis Falcata on nonspecific immune function of immunosuppressive mice were observed. Results Compared with model group and blank control group, traditional Chinese medicine high, medium, and low dose groups could improve the phagocytic activity of immunosuppressive mice, clearance index, and phagocytic coefficient (P<0.05), and increase the organ index of the thymus and spleen. Compared with the positive control group, the efficacy of traditional Chinese medicine high, medium, and low dose groups was low. Conclusion Rhamnocitrin in Oxytropis Falcata can enhance the immune function, improve the formation of spleen cells of mice serum hemolysin of chicken red blood cell immune.

Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors concentrate on the postsynaptic membrane in the neuromuscular junction and participate in the neuromuscular transmission,which is of great importance to normal muscle function. The nicotinic acetylcholine receptor is a kind of pentamer.There are 2 types of nicotinic acetylcholine receptor due to the different subunit:fetal type ?-AChR (? 2???) and adult type ?-AChR(? 2???). This article reviews the difference of 2 types of nAChR in expression period,distribution,regulation mechanism and physiological significance.

Objective:To explore potential differentiation from antigen-1 positive stem cells (Sca-1 +cells) in murine fetal liver tissue into cardiomyocytes in vivo. Methods: Sca-1 + cells from the murine fetal liver of 14.5 d were separated by Magnetic cell sorting (MACS).The sequence of the sex determination region of the Y chromosome was determined by PCR.Sca-1 + cells (2?10 3) of male mice were transfused to female mice receiving 8-12 weeks irradiation at a lethal dose of ?-ray(10 Gy) from a 60Co source.Two months later,the mice were killed and the hearts were removed to make slices. Fluorescence in situ hybridisation (FISH) tests with a Y chromosome probe were used to detect sex of the cells.Immunohistochemistry with antibodies of desmin,Flt-1,white blood cell common antigen CD45 and macrophage F 4/80 were used to detect tissue characteristics of cardiomyocytes. Results: Cells with Y chromosome were found in the cardiomyocytes of female mice transplanted with Sca-1 + cells,and showed phenotypic characteristics of Desmin +/Flt-1-/CD45-/F- 4/80 at the same time.Conclusion: Sca-1 + cells from the murine fetal liver are mostly hematopoietic stem cells,having the potential of differentiating into cardiomyocytes.

AIM: To study the effect of acute renal failure (ARF) on the differentiated frequency of Sca-1+ cells from murine fetal liver in irradiated mice. METHODS: The Sca-1+ cells from murine fetal liver were isolated with magnetic cell sorting (MACS) technique, the sex of which was identified by PCR. The 2?104 Sca-1+ cells were transplanted into a lethally irradiated ([ 60Co], 8 Gy) inbred female mouse. After 8 weeks, these recipient mice were divided to A, B, and C groups at random (A group: irradiated; B group: ARF; C group: ARF and Sca-1+). The mice in B and C groups were induced to ARF with 50% (V/V) glycerin (11.6 mL/kg). 72 hours later, the mice in C group were injected with the fresh prepared Sca-1+ cells again. 8 weeks later, mice were sacrificed, and their kidneys were taken out, fixed and slices were prepared. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) of renal slices was performed and the pictures of them were taken and analyzed. RESULTS: The cells containing Y chromosome were found in renal slices from the mice in A, B and C groups, which located in epithelial cells of renal tubules, interstitium, glomeruli, and glomerular margin and increased gradually. The double and encircle zone of Y chromosome cells were found in the slices from the mice in B and C groups separately, which was consist of new renal tubules. The differentiation frequency of Sca-1+ cells in kidney in A, B and C groups were (1.65?0.18)%, (8.58?1.34)% and (18.13?1.91)%, respectively, which showed significant difference between former group and later group (P

Objective To investigate the changes of plasma leve of brain natriuretic peptide(BNP) in patients with various heart diseases.Methods Plasma BNP levels in 106 patients with heart disease and 65 controls were determined with ELISA.Results Plasma BNP levels in the heart disease patients were significantly higher than those in the controls.Conclusion The dynamic changes of plasma BNP levels may participate in the course of development of heart disease.The plasma BNP detection has broad practical value in clinic.

liver.Combined informational analysis showed that the presenting frequency of the cells containing Y chromosome was consistent with the irradiative sensitivity of the organ.CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that the capability of differentiation of Sca-1 positive cells from murine fetal liver was potentially connected to the extent of damage in these organs when transferred in vivo.