Objective To investigate the growth of rabbit osteoblast on the composite bioactive glass material scaffolds and to explore the experimental methods of optimized material scaffolds in bone tissue engineering. Methods The mesenchymal stem cells(MSCs) were separated and cultured from rabbit thigh marrow,and they were induced and differentiated into osteoblast by the revulsant.The change of typical appearance of the MSCs was investigated under microscope.The cytological characteristics of the MSCs were observed through cells activity and immunohistochemistry method.The osteoblast was cocultured with three various bioactive glasses respectively.The compatibility between the various bioactive glasses and osteoblast was compared by observation of the changes of the cells.Results The MSCs were successfully induced and cultured in the presence of the osteoblast revulsant.After inducement,these cells displayed osteoblast-like morphology.The bioactive glass composite scaffolds supported the attachment of cultured rabbit osteoblast.These cells proliferated faster on scaffolds with higher poriness of 90.20% and 94.50% than with lower poriness of 75.90%.Conclusion It is feasible to use bioactive glass composite scaffolds with proper poriness for bone tissue engineering.

Objective To characterize the dimerization and the antigenicity of the ORF2 polypep-tide of hepatitis E virus (HEV, genotype 4). Methods HEV ORF2 gene was cloned from the serum of a patient with hepatitis E. The genotype was determined by sequencing. Three ORF2 polypeptides differing in size and other polypeptides with point mutations were produced in E. coli. The recombinant polypeptides were purified and analyzed by SDS-PAGE and Western blot. Results The ORF2 polypeptide containing 459-607 amino acid formed homedimer even in 8 mol/L urea. The truncated polypeptides containing amino acid 472-607 or 459-594 formed monomer only. The mutations at amino acid 562 or 595 disrupted the ho-modimer, whereas the mutations at amino acid 476 or 580 did not. Anti-HEV from hepatitis E patients only reacted with the homodimer form of the polypeptide 459-607 and did not react with monomer or tnmcated pol-ypeptides. Conclusion The amino acid 459-607 of HEV ORF2 is essential for dimerization of the ORF2 polypeptide. Residues at amino acid 562 and 595 are critical for the dimerization. The antigenicity of the polypeptide 459-607 mainly depends on its homodimer form.

According to the constructivism approach, instructors have to adapt to the role of fa-cilitators but not teachers. Whereas a teacher gives a didactic lecture that covers the subject matter , a fa-cilitator helps the learner to get to his or her own understanding of the content. In the former scenario the learner plays a passive role and in the latter scenario the learner plays an active role in the learning pro-cess. Under the guidance of this theory, a multi-dimension teaching model based on classroom teaching, network platform and innovate experiments has been established in the course of basis of clinical labora-tory. It has been found that this model is conducive to raising students' interests in learning and to culti-vating student's comprehensive quality.

BACKGROUND: In lumbar spondylolisthesis patients with severe osteoporosis, screw is easily loose and pul s out during reposition, or loss of reduction and internal fixation failure easily occur after repair. Therefore, it is very important to elevate the intensity of pedicle screw fixation during repair. At present, few studies concern application of bone cement screw enhancement technology in lumbar spondylolisthesis patients with osteoporosis. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical value of augmented pedicle screw with polymethylmethacrylate for lumbar spondylolisthesis accompanied with osteoporosis. METHODS: From June 2009 to June 2011, 27 patients suffering from lumbar spondylolisthesis accompanied with osteoporosis were included in this retrospective study. These patients received augmented pedicle screw with polymethylmethacrylate. The levels of disability and pain were evaluated by Oswestry Disability Index and visual analog scale. The internal fixation and fusion were evaluated by radiological findings. Al complications were recorded. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Al cases were fol owed up for 15-37 months. Oswestry Disability Index and visual analog scale scores were significantly better in final fol ow-up than that pre-treatment (P < 0.05). Imaging results revealed that bone cement tightly connected to bone interface. The position of screw and bone cement was good. Symptomatic bone cement leakage was not found. No fixation failure was detected during final fol ow-up. Al patients achieved interbody fusion. These results suggested that polymethylmethacrylate bone cement could increase the gripping force of the pedicle screw in osteoporotic vertebral body. It is safe and effective to treat spondylolisthesis accompanied with osteoporosis with augmented pedicle screws. Satisfactory fixation stability and interbody fusion can be obtained.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of cordyceps sinensis (CS) extract and losartan (Los) on the expression of Klotho (Kl), P53, P21, and apoptosis in renal tubular epithelial cell NRK-52E induced by angiotensin II (Ang II), and to elucidate its therapeutical mechanism in Ang II induced renal tubular epithelial cell apoptosis. METHODS: NRK-52E cells were incubated with CS with or without Ang II for 24 hours. Experimental groups were divided according to the increasing concentrations of CS:0 (serving as controls), 5, 10, 20, 40, and 80 mg/L. The optimal concentration of CS was selected and cells were divided into 5 groups: controls, Ang II (1*10(-8) mol/L), Ang II (1*10(-8) mol/L)+CS (40 mg/L), Ang II (1*10(-8) mol/L)+Los (1*10(-5) mol/L), and Ang II (1*10(-8) mol/L)+CS (40 mg/L)+Los (1*10(-5) mol/L). After 24 hours, cell proliferation was evaluated by MTT assay. The mRNA and protein expression of Kl, P53 and P21 were measured by RT-PCR. Activity of caspase-3 was evaluated by caspase-3 activity assay Kit. Cell apoptosis was determined by Annexin V-FITC/PI double staining and flow cytometry. RESULTS: Certain concentrations of CS promoted the proliferation of NRK-52E cells and increased cells proliferation inhibited by Ang II (P<0.01 or P<0.05 ). Ang II significantly down-regulated the mRNA and protein expression of Kl, and up-regulated the levels of P53 and P21. Caspase-3 activity and apoptotic rates were decreased, too (all P values<0.01). CS or/and Los significantly increased the expression of Kl mRNA and protein down-regulated by Ang II, decreased P53 mRNA and protein expression, P21 mRNA and protein expression,and inhibited caspase-3 activity and apoptotic rates(all P values<0.05). No cooperative effects were observed in the two drugs (P>0.05). CONCLUSION CS can increase the expression of Kl down-regulated by Ang II, decrease P53 and P21 expression and caspase-3 activity, and reduce Ang II induced NRK-52E cell apoptosis, which may be part of its mechanism of the protective effects on hypertensive renal damage.
Angiotensin II ; pharmacology ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Caspase 3 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Cells, Cultured ; Cordyceps ; chemistry ; Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p21 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Epithelial Cells ; cytology ; metabolism ; Glucuronidase ; genetics ; metabolism ; Humans ; Kidney Tubules ; cytology ; metabolism ; Losartan ; pharmacology ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; metabolism ; Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 ; genetics ; metabolism

Aim To determine the effective compo-nents of Semen Ziziphi Spinosae for sedative-hypnotic and its mechanism. Methods The extraction of Se-men Ziziphi Spinosae and the rat brain homogenates were prepared. High concentrations of Diazepam com-petitively replaced the ligand compounds of Semen Ziz-iphi Spinosae combining BDZ receptor in brain tissue, and all the compounds with sedative and hypnotic effects were collected and identified by HPLC and LC-MS technique, as the compounds extracted from the brain tissue were administered with Semen Ziziphi Spi-nosae. The brain tissue was administered with Diaze-pam, and with Semen Ziziphi Spinosae and Diazepam. Results The HPLC chromatograms show that the peak time of BDZ receptor ligand compounds was 2. 71 min and 46. 87min, when compared with Diazepam. And the LC-MS chromatograms display the relative molecu-lar weight of the ligand compounds was 274. 28 m/z, 453. 34 m/z,496. 34 m/z and 608. 38 m/z respective-ly. According to the fingerprint of Semen Ziziphi Spi-nosae, these compounds may be fatty acid substances and lupine pill triterpene compounds. Conclusions On the basis of the principle of receptor ligand bind-ing, we established a way to quickly analyze and iden-tify the role of natural products in the same drug target compounds. The method not only can clearly define the effective components of natural products, but also clar-ify the mechanism of action of the compounds. The ac-tive ingredient of calm hypnosis in Semen Ziziphi Spi-nosae may be fatty acid substances Palmitic acid ( C16 H32 O2 ) and lupine pill triterpene compounds Alphitolic acid( C30 H48 O4 ) and Spinosin( C28 H32 O15 ) . They exert their sedative and hypnotic effects by combining with BDZ receptor, and the research has laid a theoretical foundation for the further study about mechanism of Se-men Ziziphi Spinosae.

Objectives To investigate the expression and clinical significance of BATF2 in the oral tongue squamous cell carcinoma(OTSCC).Methods Expression of BATF2 mRNA and protein in 16 paired OTSCC tissues and adjacent non-tumor mucosa were examined using quantitative PCR,western blotting analysis and immunohistochemistry assays,and the relation between BATF2 expression and clinical pathologic factor and prognosis was analyzed.Results In 16 paired tissues,expression of BATF2 mRNA in 13 OTSCC tissues and expression of BATF2 protein in 14 OTSCC tissues were significantly lower than that in adjacent non-tumor mucosa.In 202 paraffin-embedded OTSCC samples,BATF2 was not expressed in 20 cases(9.9％),low expressed in 104 cases(51.5％) and highly expressed in 78(38.6％).BATF2 expression level was significantly correlated with histological differentiation(P=0.002).Patients with low BATF2 expression had significantly poorer overall survival and disease-free survival than those with high BATF2 expression(P＜0.001).Conclusions BATF2 was low expressed in OTSCC and related to tumor differentiation and prognosis and may serve as a prognostic biomarker and potential therapeutic target for this disease.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the epidemiological characteristics of allergic rhinitis (AR) in urban and rural areas of Ningbo and Yongzhou. METHOD: Fifteen fields in the two cities from October 2006 to June 2007 were randomly selected. Cases suspected with symptoms of AR by a self-administered and interview questionnaire were recommended to special examinations for confirmed diagnosis. RESULT: 1. A total of 9969 individuals from 3803 families were surveyed, of whom 303 suffered with AR. 2. The prevalence rate was 4.10% in Ningbo and 1.65% in Yongzhou (the sex-adjusted rate was 4.10% and 1.64% respectively, and the age-adjusted rate was 4.33% and 1.58%); the population of island inhabitants had the lowest prevalence rate of 0.73%. 3. The prevalence rate in patients with asthma and that with family genetic history was 8% and 12% respectively. CONCLUSION It demonstrates that the prevalence rate is higher in Ningbo than in Yongzhou, in urban than in rural and in adolescent than in other ages. Allergic rhinitis may be associated with asthma and related to genetic factors. Allergic rhinitis may be curable.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Asthma ; epidemiology ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; China ; epidemiology ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prevalence ; Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial ; epidemiology ; Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal ; epidemiology ; Rural Population ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Urban Population ; Young Adult

Objective This study observed the clinical curative effects of aldose reductase inhibitor epalrestat in treat-ment of diabetic sensory neuropathy. Methods Thirty-four diabetic sensory neuropathy patients were selected. The nerve electrophysiological data were collected before and after treating with epalrestat. Results The ratios of nerve con-ductive velocity in peroneal nerve sensory showed slowing down than normal before and after the treatment, which were respectively 61% and 32%; The ratios of the nerve conductive velocity in tibial nerve sensory nerve segment 1 showed slowing down before and after the treatment,which were respectively 97% and 65%; The nerve conductive velocity of the peroneal sensory nerve after treatment was significantly faster than that before treatment, the nerve conductive ve-locity of the the tibial nerve sensory nerve motion segments in 1 after treatment was significantly faster than that before treatment. Conclusion Epalrestat is one of the effective methods in the treatment of diabetic peripheral neuropathy.

Microemulsions are promising drug delivery systems for the oral administration of poorly water-soluble drugs. However, the evolution of microemulsions in the gastrointestinal tract is still poorly characterized, especially the structural change of microemulsions under the effect of lipase and mucus. To better understand the fate of microemulsions in the gastrointestinal tract, we applied small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) and fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) to monitor the structural change of microemulsions under the effect of lipolysis and mucus. First, the effect of lipolysis on microemulsions was studied by SAXS, which found the generation of liquid crystalline phases. Meanwhile, FRET spectra indicated micelles with smaller particle sizes were generated during lipolysis, which could be affected by CaCl, bile salts and lecithin. Then, the effect of mucus on the structural change of lipolysed microemulsions was studied. The results of SAXS and FRET indicated that the liquid crystalline phases disappeared, and more micelles were generated. In summary, we studied the structural change of microemulsions in simulated gastrointestinal conditions by SAXS and FRET, and successfully monitored the appearance and disappearance of the liquid crystalline phases and micelles.