Objective To investigate the effect of atorvastatin on the expression and activity of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in rabbit abdominal arterial atherosclerotic plaque. Methods Eighteen male New Zealand rabbits weighing 2 kg were randomized to normal control group (n=6) and hypercholesterolemia group (n=12). The latter was given hypercholesterol diet for 2 weeks, and then catheter-induced abdominal aortic wall injury was performed. Rabbits in hypercholesterolemia and aortic injury group were randomized to model group (n=6,4 weeks of hypercholesterol diet) and atorvastatin(5 mg?kg-1?d-1 for 4 weeks)group (n=6). Finally, the levels of MMP2 and MMP9 protein and mRNA in the abdominal aortic artery were measured by immunohistochemical analysis, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), sodium dodecylsulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) zymography. Results The intimal-medial thickness[(0. 49?0. 072) mm vs (0.66?0.079) mm, P

Objective To detect the expressions of vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF) and Periostin in patients with diabetic retinopathy (DR),and to explore its chnical significance.Methods A total of 52 patients with DR (DR group),36 non-DR diabetic patients (non-DR group) and 30 healthy person (normal control group) were enrolled.The 52 cases of DR patients were divided into non-proliferative DR (PDR) group (non-PDR group,24 cases) and PDR group (28 cases).The expressions of serum VEGF and Periostin were detected with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay analysis.Results The serum expressions of VEGF and Periostin were significantly higher in non-DR group and DR group than those in normal control group [(122.63 ±28.74),(163.58 ±42.37) mg/L vs.(91.53 ± 19.58) mg/L,(110.15 ±32.62),(146.51 ± 41.74) mg/L vs.(82.26 ± 21.17) mg/L,P ＜ 0.05 or ＜ 0.01].The serum expressions of VEGF and Periostin were significantly higher in DR group than those in non-DR group (P ＜0.05).The serum expressions of VEGF and Periostin were significantly higher in PDR group than those in non-PDR group [(174.15 ±47.31) mg/L vs.(147.66 ±38.25) mag/L,(160.31 ±46.43) mg/L vs.(132.14 ±35.62)mg/L,P ＜ 0.05].The serum expression of VEGF was positively related with Periostin (r =0.415,P ＜ 0.01).Conclusion The high-expressions of VEGF and Periostin are found in DR patients,and which maybe play a key role in the early diagnosis and assessment the progression of DR patients.

Objective To explore the effect of acupoint injection of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs)on hemodynamics of rat model with acute myocardial infarction(AMI). Methods Sixty Sprague-Dawley (SD)rats were randomly divided into sham group,model group,myocardium injection BMSCs group and acupoint injection BMSCs group(each n=15). The left anterior descending coronary artery(LAD)was ligated to establish a rat model of AMI. After the rat model was successfully established for 72 hours,0.2 ml BMSCs(1×1010/L)were transplanted by a micro-quantity syringe at 6 points in equal amount in the LAD blood-supply area and its periphery in the myocardial injection group,while in the acupoint injection group,0.3 ml BMSCs(1×1010/L)was transplanted at each of the following acupoints:Xinshu,Zhiyang and Tanzhong. Four weeks after AMI,polyethylene tubing was inserted into the right carotid artery to measure the hemodynamics,at the same time animals were sacrificed,and the heart was take out to calculate the heart mass index(HMI)and left ventricular mass index(LVMI). Results One, 3,5 and 4 rats were respectively dead in the sham group,model group,myocardium injection group,and acupoint injection group during the experimental period. Compared with the sham group,the left ventricular systolic pressure (LVSP,mm Hg,1 mm Hg=0.133 kPa),the maximum rate of increase of left ventricular pressure(+dp/dt max, mm Hg/s), the maximum rate of decrease of left ventricular pressure(-dp/dt max,mm Hg/s), the maximum logarithmic change rate of left ventricular pressure〔(dp/dt)?P-1max,s-1〕,HMI(mg/g),LVMI were significantly decreased,and left ventricular end-diastolic pressure(LVEDP,mm Hg),heart rate(HR,bpm)were obviously increased in model group(all P<0.05). Compared with the model group,the LVSP,+dp/dt max,-dp/dt max, (dp/dt)?P-1max, HMI,LVMI were significantly increased in myocardial injection group and acupoint injection group〔LVSP:130.38±14.96,124.36±14.36 vs. 114.36±12.71,+dp/dt max:4707.52±394.36,4597.14±411.05 vs. 3791.43±327.29,-dp/dt max:4075.11±317.89,3938.05±373.76 vs. 3116.32±275.04,(dp/dt)?P-1max:215.26±21.29,197.39±18.96 vs. 155.93±25.14〕,and the LVEDP and HR were significantly decreased(LVEDP:5.15±2.39,5.64±1.96 vs. 10.58±2.49,HR:400.50±42.58,395.55±44.62 vs. 414.51±35.75,all P<0.05). There were no significant differences in above indexes between myocardium injection group and acupoint injection group. Conclusion Acupoint injection of BMSCs can improve the heart function of rat model with AMI.

Objective:To evaluate the safety and efficacy of dosing transdermal fentanyl patch by patient-controlled intravenous anal-gesia (PCIA) with fentanyl to treat opioid-naive patients suffering from cancer-related pain. Methods:In this open non-controlled trial, 30 patients with moderate to severe cancer pain were enrolled in the study. Titration conditions, pain score (NRS), and pain of life im-pact scores were assessed and recorded during four periods of treatment, as follows:before fentanyl-PCIA;during fentanyl-PCIA treat-ment;during Duragesic with fentanyl-PCIA treatment;and during Duragesic treatment. Adverse reactions were assessed and recorded during the two periods of treatment (the period before fentanyl-PCIA and the period after fentanyl-PCIA). Results:A total of 20 cases of titration were a success, whereas 10 cases failed. The general pain score, the most serious pain score, activity pain score, resting pain score, and the pain of life impact scores were all significantly reduced during fentanyl-PCIA treatment, during Duragesic with fen-tanyl-PCIA treatment, and during Duragesic treatment compared with the period before fentanyl-PCIA treatment (P<0.05). Nausea was the only adverse reaction that occurred during treatment. Obvious muscle rigidity, loss of consciousness, cough, respiratory depres-sion, and bradycardia were not observed. Conclusion:Dose titration of transdermal fentanyl patch with fentanyl administrated by PCIA for opioid-naive patients provides an effective and convenient method for pain relief treatment.

A Staphylococcus aureus strain, designated zfb, was isolated from a clinical bovine mastitis case of a dairy cow. Staphylococcus aureus zfb can have resistance to methicillin and no lipase contrast by ATCC 25923. The production of the capsule was assessed by the diffuse colonial morphology in serumsoft agar. A mouse infection model was used to determine the LD50 and the invasiveness of SA zfb. The LD50 of SA 25923 to experimental mice was 10-2.5/mL, and the LD50 of SA zfb to experimental mice was 10-4.33/mL. The purpose to detect characteristics of SA zfb makes it an interesting candidate for the preparation and assay of an avirulent mutants against staphylococcal infections and further investigate on pathogenic mechanism.

An autopsy case of sudden death induced by alimentary tract hemorrhage was presented, which was caused by the unexpected rupture of clinically unrecognized tuberculous abdominal aortic a-neurysm (TAAA). The initial diagnosis was made of the syndrome of coronary heart disease and hyper-tensive disease. The detailed autopsy showed that the alimentary tract hemorrhage was caused by a sud-den rupture of the mass after posture changing was ascertained as the cause of death. The diagnosis of TAAA was determined by the autopsy findings. Analysis for the medical dispute of TAAA was de-scribed, and the difficulty of the diagnosis and medico-legal implications were also discussed.

Objective:? -Hemolysin of Staphylococcus aureus,which was expressed in E.coli BL21(DE3) with recombinant pET32a+-?-HL plasmid,was purified with gel filtration chromatography(GFC),and then the engineered subunit vaccine was developed. The immunity effectiveness of this vaccine was evaluated on mouse models.Method:The purified fusion protein was analyzed in SDS-PAGE,and subjected to the evaluation of its median hemolytic dose potency(HD50) was finally analyzed with rabbit erythrocyte. Protein concentration was determined by the method of Bradford. Antibody titers were evaluated on ELISA,and then challenged to gain the immunity protect index.Results:There is an expected protein band with molecular mass of 53kDa in SDS-PAGE,and the concentration is 0.1278mg/ml. The hemolysis activity is 8012.5 HU/mg. There are specific antibodies acquired in blood-serum from mice after vaccined and the antibody titers rising until it has arrive the max,then following down.Conclusion:The purified fusion protein has good fineness and hemolysis activity,the antibody titers initiated by the protein vaccine go with regulation and the immunoprotection is satisfied.

This study was aimed to explore the relationship between the Shen-Gui-Fang(SGF) formula of different proportions and treatments for diseases with the method of bibliometrics. A total of 49 formulae of SGF from ancient books of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) were retrieved and the database was established in order to analyze the origin of herbal medicine and the relationship with the ratio of the key medicinal material, as well as the treatment for major diseases. The results showed that 49 SGF formulae were mainly used in the treatment of internal disorders for 16 times (32.65%), gynecological disorders for 17 times (34.69%) and pediatric disorders for 8 times (16.32%). Guistanded forAngelica sinensis. There were 3 types ofShen, which werePanax ginsengfor 40 times,Codonopsis pilosulafor 8 times, andSophora flavescensfor 1 time. The ratio betweenP. ginsengandA. sinensiswas less or equal to 1. The ratio betweenC. pilosulaandA. sinensiswas usually more than 1. The formulae with the highest frequency were in the treatment of internal medicine and gynecological diseases. Statistical analysis was used to find the application features and rules of the combination ofP. ginsengandA. sinensisin SGF formula, in order to provide theoretical evidences and references for clinical medication selection and new medication research.

BACKGROUND:Now, the bone marrow mesenchymal stem cel homing is thought to be mediated by adhesion molecules and chemokines, and this process involves bone marrow endothelial cel s, hematopoietic stem cel s, bone marrow microenvironment and its secreted or expressed molecules, in which, adhesion molecules may play an important role.
OBJECTIVE:To explore the migrating and chemotactic mechanism of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cel s via acupoint injection into myocardial cel s by determining the expression of vascular cel adhesion molecule-1 and very late antigen-4.
METHODS:Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cel s were cultured using adherent method, and the passage 3 cel s were used as seed cel s at a density of 1×1010/L. Sixty Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into sham group, model group, myocardial injection group, and acupoint injection group, 15 rats in each group. The left coronary arteries of rats were ligated for establishing a model of myocardial infarction. At 72 hours after myocardial infarction, 0.3 mL bone mesenchymal stem cel s were transplanted into the Xinyu, Zhiyang, Tanzhong acupoints, respectively, in the acupoint injection group;while in the myocardial injection group, secondary thoracotomy was done, and 1.2 mL bone marrow mesenchymal stem cel s were equably transplanted into six
sites in the feeding area of the left anterior descending artery and the surrounding myocardium. At 4 weeks after myocardial infarction, a multi-channel polygraph was adopted for detection of hemodynamic parameters, and the levels of serum vascular cel adhesion molecule-1 and very late antigen-4 were measured by ELISA.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The heart function of rats in the myocardial injection and acupoint injection groups were improved, and compared with the model group, the levels of serum vascular cel adhesion molecule-1 and very late antigen-4 were significantly higher in the myocardial injection and acupoint injection groups. However, there was no significant difference between the myocardial injection and acupoint injection groups. These findings suggest that vascular cel adhesion molecule-1 and very late antigen-4 may be one of the chemotactic mechanisms of bone mesenchymal stem cel s transplanted in myocardial infarction model rats by acupoint injection.

BACKGROUND: Stem cell transplantation can significantly improve heart function foUowing myocardial infarction. This is correlated with the differentiation of stem cells into cardiomyocytes and promotion effect on angiogenesis. Paracrine and ventricular reconstruction inhibition (especially extracallular collagen reconstruction) have important effects on improving heart function.OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell (BMSC) transplantation on coUagen remodeling after acute myocardial infarction in rabbits.DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING: The randomized controlled animal study was performed at the Laboratory of Acupuncture and Electrophysiology of Liaoning University of Traditional Chinese Medicine from June to August 2007.MATERIALS: A total of 57 healthy Japanese rabbits were purchased from Experimental Animal Center, Uaoning University of Traditional Chinese Medicine.METHODS: BMSCs were acquired from the bone marrow of two rabbits, and marked with BrdU before transplantation. Ten rabbits served as a normal group. Forty-five rabbits were used to establish the left ventricular infarct by ligation of the left coronary artery. Thirty success models of myocardial infarction were randomly divided into 3 groups (n=10)" model, saline and call transplantation groups. Following 7 days of myocardial infarction, rabbit models in the cell transplantation group were injected in the ear vein with 1 mL of BMSCs (2x106 cells). Rabbits in the saline group were infused with 1 mL of saline. The culture was performed for 5 weeks.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Fibrous structure of myocardial stroma was observed, and collagen volume fraction was measured by Masson Trichrome staining. The ratio of type Ⅰ and Ⅲ collagen was determined by immunohistochemistry.RESULTS: BrdU-positive BMSCs could be seen in the cell transplantation group. After myocardial infarction, a few collagen fibers was confluent in or surrounding the infarct area, arranged orderly in the cell transplantation group. Collagen fiber plaque-shaped confluence was significant, and arranged disorderly in the model and saline groups. At 5 weeks following myocardial infarction, compared with the normal group, collagen volume fraction was significantly decreased in and surrounding the infarct region (P < 0.05), and the ratio of type Ⅰ and Ⅲ collagen was increased significantly in the model group (P < 0.05).Compared with the model group, collagen volume fraction and the ratio of type Ⅰ and Ⅲ collagen were significantly decreased (P< 0.05).CONCLUSION: BMSCs could survive in infarct heart. BMSCs transplantation could reduce collage volume and improve collage ratio and had beneficial effects on collage remodeling processes after acute myocardial infarction.