Objective:To observe whether transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-?1) can improve the mechanical properties of tissue engineered heart valve (TEHV) prepared by TGF-?1 and myofibroblasts.Methods:Myofibroblasts were isolated,cultured,identified,and seeded onto the decellularized aortic valve leaflet.In the experimental group,TEHV were cultured with DMEM containing 10 ng/ml TGF-?1 for 14 days.In the control group,TEHV were cultured with DMEM only for 14 days.The contents of lysyl oxidase (LOX) and hydroxyproline,the expression of LOX and COLL-1 mRNA,and the mechanical properties of the TEHVs were analyzed in each group.Results:The contents of LOX and hydroxyproline,expression of LOX and COLL-1 mRNA,Max-load,and Max-stress were significantly higher in the experimental group than those in the control group (all P

Insulin sensitivity index (SI).glucose effectiveness (SG) and insulin secretion function were assessed by modified minimal model method (MMM) with frequently sampled intravenous glucose tolerance (FSIGT) test in the controls, in patients with impaired glucose tolerance (IGT), and type II diabetes mellitus (NIDDM). There was significant correlation between modified MMM and standard MMM in evaluating SI and SG. The results indicated that SI and SG were significantly elevated in the control than in the IGT and NTDDM groups. SI diminished much more in IGT group than in NIDDM group (P

Objective To explore the clinical prognostic value of rapid detection for plasma NT-proBNP levels on admission in patients with acute myocardial infarction.Methods 56 patients with AMI were measured plasma NT-proBNP imediately in hospital,and then they were divided into A,B and C group according to NT-proBNP levels (A group:＜ 500ng/L,B group:500-2 000ng/L,C group:＞ 2 000ng/L).The incidence of major adverse cardiac events (MACE including congestive heart failure,malignant arrhythmia,cardiogenic shock and sudden cardiac death) in subjects were observed respectively during hospitalisation and 30 days.Results The three group subjects with different NT-proBNP levels presented different incidence of MACE(A group:1,0;B group:3,1;C group:8,6) at duration of hospital stay,30days (x2 =6.705,P =0.035 ; x2 =7.957,P =0.008).With the NT-proBNP levels rising in AMI paitents,the inciedence of MACE increased.The incidence of MACE in A,B and C group were 6.6％,18.18％ and 73.69％ respectively.Conclusion In AMI patients,plasma NT-proBNP levels could predict early MACE incidence,which has an important value to evaluate the early clinical prognosis.

[ Objective ] To observe the therapeutic effect of acupoint thread-embedding therapy for chronic gastritis. [Methods] Seventy cases of chronic gastritis were randomized into group A ( n = 36, treated with acupoint thread-embedding therapy) and group B (n = 34, treated with acupuncture); the changes of electrogastrogram (ECG) and plasma contents of gastrin (Gas) and substance P (SP) were compared before and after treatment. [Results] The effective rate was 88.89% in group A and 76.47% in group B, the difference being significant ( P 0.05 ) while postprandial ECG frequency differed from that before treatment ( P 0.05). [Conclusion] Acupoint thread-embedding therapy exerts certain effect for the treatment of chronic gastritis; its therapeutic mechanism may be related to the regulation of gastrointestinal function by regulating gastrointestinal hormone levels and by increasing ECG amplitude and frequency.

Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) are a heterogeneous group of immunosuppressive cells derived from bone marrow stem cells.MDSCs can not only strongly inhibit the anti-tumor immune reactions mediated by T cells,but also directly accelerate angiogenesis,tumor progression and metastasis.Nonresolving inflammation (NRI),a major driving factor in the occurrence and development of tumor,and MDSCs are present in tumor microenvironment and become hot topics in recent years.However,the relationships between MDSCs and NRI,especially in the relevant molecular regulatory networks,have not been fully elucidated.The relationships between MDSCs and NRI,the molecular regulatory networks,the key regulatory points and the strategies for targeted treatment are reviewed in this paper based on the current literatures and the work achieved by our research team.

Objective To investigate the ultrasound imaging findings of anatomical relationship between femoral artery and vein in children of different ages.Methods Sixty-five children aged 4 months-7 years were enrolled in this study.The children were divided into 3 age groups: group Ⅰ＜ 1 yr;group Ⅱ 1-3 yr and group Ⅲ＞ 3,≤ 7 yr.A protable ultrasound machine was used.The probe was placed at the level of inguinal ligament and 2 and 4 cm below inguinal ligament.The children were placed in supine position.The legs were placed in 2 positions:(1)extended and in standard anatomical position and(2)flexed and 45° abducted and 45° laterally rotated.Results The examination showed that at the level of inguinal ligament,the femoral vein lay behind and lateral to femoral artery in 91% of children.At the level of 4 cm below inguinal ligament,the femoral vein lay posterior and lateral to the femoral artery in all children.When the leg was placed in abducted and laterally rotated,the depth of femoral vein was reduced and the vein was less overlapped by artery in all children,especially in preschool children.Conclusion At the level of 4 cm below inguinal ligament,the femoral vein lies posterior and lateral to the femoral artery in children.When the leg is placed in abducted and laterally rotated,the depth of femoral vein is reduced and the vein is less overlapped by artery.It is indicated that femoral vein puncture should be performed at the level of 4 cm below inguinal ligament with the leg flexed and abducted in all children,especially in preschool children.

The aim of this study was to fabricate biomatrix/polymer hybrid scaffolds using an electrospinning technique. Then tissue engineered heart valves were engineered by seeding mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) onto the scaffolds. The effects of the hybrid scaffolds on the proliferation of seed cells, formation of extracellular matrix and mechanical properties of tissue engineered heart valves were investigated. MSCs were obtained from rats. Porcine aortic heart valves were decellularized, coated with poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-4-hydroxybutyrate) using an electrospinning technique, and reseeded and cultured over a time period of 14 days. In control group, the decellularized valve scaffolds were reseeded and cultured over an equivalent time period. Specimens of each group were examined histologically (hematoxylin-eosin [HE] staining, immunohistostaining, and scanning electron microscopy), biochemically (DNA and 4-hydroxyproline) and mechanically. The results showed that recellularization was comparable to the specimens of hybrid scaffolds and controls. The specimens of hybrid scaffolds and controls revealed comparable amounts of cell mass and 4-hydroxyproline (P>0.05). However, the specimens of hybrid scaffolds showed a significant increase in mechanical strength, compared to the controls (P<0.05). This study demonstrated the superiority of the hybrid scaffolds to increase the mechanical strength of tissue engineered heart valves. And compared to the decellularized valve scaffolds, the hybrid scaffolds showed similar effects on the proliferation of MSCs and formation of extracellular matrix. It was believed that the hybrid scaffolds could be used for the construction of tissue engineered heart valves.

Objective To explore the clinical value of wave intensity(WI) curve of the carotid artery in patients with thyroid diseases and its value in evaluating cardiovascular function. Methods All 85 patients with thyroid diseases,including 45 hyperthyroidism and 40 hypothyroidism, were enrolled as case groups,while 270 healthy volunteers were considered as control. All the case groups and control were taken WI test under quiescent condition,and six continuous curves of the carotid artery diameter changes were recorded.Then the parameters of accelerating wave intensity (W1), decelerating wave intensity ( W2), negative area (NA) ,corrected R-W1 and W1-W2,elasticity modulus(Eρ) ,stiffness index(β) ,arterial compliance(AC) and pluse wave velocity(PWV) were calculated. Relationship between those indices and FT3 ,FT4 and TSH were analyzed by Pearson correlative analysis. Results The WI curve appeared differently among different groups,but the vessel elasticity indices did not have statistical significance. Correlation only existed between FT3 and part of the WI parameters. FT3 positively correlated with W1 ( r = 0. 951, P ＜0.01 ), NA( r =0.813, P ＜0.01) and W1-W2' ( r = 0. 887, P ＜0.01 ). And R-W1 ' negatively correlated with FT3( r =-0.878, P ＜0.01 ). Conclusions The WI curve could represent different function status of thyroid,and could be considered as a noninvasive examination for further clinical research,which may help explain the corresponding cardiovascular changes.

Objective:To investigate the effect of perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) on inflammatory factors in human placental trophoblast (HTR-8/Svneo) cells.Methods:HTR-8/Svneo cells were exposed to different concentrations of PFOS (0, 0.01, 0.1, 1.0 mg/L) for 24 h, and the cell survival rates were measured by CCK8. Secretion levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6) , tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin-10 (IL-10) were detected by ELISA. The mRNA expressions of IL-6, TNF-α and IL-10 were detected by fluorescence quantitative PCR. One-way ANOVA was used to analyse the expressions of inflammatory factors.Results:Compared with the control group, the survival rates of 0.1 and 1.0 mg/L PFOS groups were significantly decreased ( P<0.05) . Compared with the control group, the secretion levels of IL-6 were decreased in the 0.01, 0.1 and 1.0 mg/L PFOS groups ( P<0.05) , the concentrations of TNF-α were increased in the 0.01 and 1.0 mg/L PFOS groups ( P<0.05) , and the concentrations of IL-10 were increased in the 0.1 and 1.0 mg/L PFOS groups ( P<0.05) . Compared with the control group, the expressions of IL-6 mRNA were increased in the 0.1 and 1.0 mg/L PFOS groups ( P<0.05) , and the expressions of IL-10 mRNA were decreased in the 0.01 mg/L, 0.1 mg/L and 1.0 mg/L PFOS groups ( P<0.05) . Conclusion:PFOS can induce changes in the secretion levels of inflammatory cytokines in HTR-8/Svneo cells, resulting in decreased activity of placental trophoblast cells and abnomal placental function.

Objective:To compare the effects of auricular point intradermal needling with auricular point sticking on digestive symptoms and quality of life in patients undergoing platinum-based chemotherapy regimens. Methods:Ninety-six patients receiving platinum-based chemotherapy were randomly assigned to three groups using the random number table method,with 32 cases in each group.The control group received conventional nursing care plus 5-hydroxytryptamine receptor antagonist,and the other two groups received additional auricular point intradermal needling or sticking.For the three groups of participants,the acute and delayed vomiting and nausea severity,quality of life,and the additional antiemetic consumption rate were observed. Results:The three groups had no significant differences in the acute vomiting frequency and nausea severity and appetite(P>0.05)but had significant differences in the delayed vomiting frequency and nausea severity(P<0.05);the auricular point intradermal needling group won over the auricular point sticking group.The three groups showed significant differences in comparing the appetite in the delayed stage(P<0.05);both auricular point intradermal needling and sticking groups showed advantages over the control group(P<0.05),but no significant difference existed between the auricular point intradermal needling and sticking groups(P>0.05).There were significant differences in comparing the functional living index-emesis(FLIE)score in both acute and delayed stages among the three groups(P<0.05)and the result favored the auricular point intradermal needling group over the auricular point sticking group(P<0.05).The additional antiemetic consumption rate was higher in the control group than in the other groups(P<0.05). Conclusion:Based on the conventional nursing and 5-hydroxytryptamine receptor antagonist,adding either auricular point intradermal needling or auricular point sticking can lower the vomiting frequency and nausea severity in the delayed stage and improve appetite in patients receiving platinum-based chemotherapy regimen,but they have no notable impact on digestive symptoms in the acute stage;auricular point intradermal needling is superior to auricular point sticking in comparing the overall efficacy.Both auricular point intradermal needling and auricular point sticking can enhance the quality of life in patients undergoing chemotherapy and reduce their additional antiemetic consumption.