Some types of bacteria swim through rotating their flagella. The swimming mechanism of bacteria during flagella bundling and tumble process is analyzed. The effects of body rotation and flagellum′s polymorphic transitions on bundling processes and the wall effect phenomenon are also discussed. Finally, based on dynamics similarity, a new microrobot module is put forward to further studying the flagella swimming phenomena. The research would be very helpful for constructing the bionic swimming robots under the low Reynolds number.

Objective To observe the role of baicalin on the expression of phosphorylated protein of signal transduc-ers and activators of transcription signaling proteins (STATs) during the process that neural stem cells (NSCs) differentiating into neurons. Methods NSCs were isolated from the embryonic cerebral cortex of the 14-15-day pregnant SD rats, which were cultured and passaged in vitro. The 3rd generation of NSCs was used in the experiment. NSCs were randomized into nat-ural differentiation control group, three different doses of baicalin groups (7.5μmol/L, 15μmol/L and 30μmol/L), leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF)+basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) group and baicalin+LIF+bFGF group. After 6 d culture in vi-tro, the immunohistochemical method was used to observe the expressions of microtubule-associated protein 2(MAP-2) and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) in different groups. The expression levels of phosphorylation protein of STAT 3 in NSCs were detected by Western blotting method after 2 h and 6 d of culture. Results The expression of MAP-2 in NSCs was in-creased by baicalin, but the expression of GFAP in NSCs decreased. The expression of GFAP in NSCs was enhanced in LIF+bFGF group, which was inhibited by baicalin+LIF+bFGF. The phosphorylation level of STAT3 in NSCs was downregulat-ed by baicalin, but the phosphorylation level of STAT3 was upregulated in LIF+bFGF group. The upregulated phosphoryla-tion level of STAT3 was inhibited in baicalin+LIF+bFGF group(P＜0.05). Conclusion Baicalin can induce NSCs to dif-ferentiate into neurons, which may be caused by the downregulation of the phosphorylation level of STAT3 in NSCs.

Objective To report a case presented with atypical clinical and radiological appearance in the early stage and finally pathologically confirmed as chronic lymphocytic inflammation with pontine perivascular enhancement responsive to steroids ( CLIPPERS) , aiming to improve the understanding of the disorder. Methods The clinical, imaging, laboratory and pathological features as well as treatment and prognosis of a pathologically confirmed CLIPPERS patient with repeated relapsing-remitting course and stepwise progression in nine years were retrospectively analyzed. Results There were five relapsing-remitting processes in total clinical course of nine years. The clinical and radiological appearance was atypical in the early stage. At the first attack, the patient presented with fever, headache, altered consciousness and epileptic seizure. In the following courses, the patient presented with ataxia, blurred vision and limb weakness. Brain MRI (2006-2009) showed multiple abnormal signals including supratentorial white matter, pons and cerebellum with patchy gadolinium enhancement. Treatment with steroids resulted in a favorable clinical and radiological improvement. The symptoms of this attack included limb weakness, blurred vision, dysdipsia and dysarthria. Physical examination showed cognitive dysfunction, multiple cranial nerves injuries and bilateral pyramidal signs. Brain MRI showed multiple abnormal signals involved pons and cerebellum predominantly as well as supratentorial white matter with punctate gadolinium enhancement peppering the pons and cerebellum. A characteristic predominantly T lymphocytic perivascular infiltration was seen on brain biopsy. Both the imaging and histological findings were consistent with the CLIPPERS features. High-dose steroids treatment was given and obvious clinical and radiological improvements were observed. After discharge, steroids were reduced slowly combined with the use of immunosuppressant to avoid relapse of the disorder. Conclusions There is heterogeneity in clinical manifestations of CLIPPERS with repeated relapsing-remitting course and imaging presentations are sometimes atypical in the early stage, which leads to the misdiagonsis and missed diagnosis. Distinctive pathology is the “gold standard” for definite diagnosis. The nosological position of CLIPPERS is still unclear. Repeated relapse-remitting leads to secondary cerebral atrophy and degeneration, with the risk of progressing to primary central nervous system lymphoma. Early and vigorous steroids treatment with continuing maintenance immunotherapy results in the decreased relapse and best long-term prognosis. The neurologist should strengthen the understanding of CLIPPERS for early correct diagnosis and treatment aiming to reduce the functional disability.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the efficacy and safety of the combination therapy of Xipayimaizipizi Capsules and Tamsulo- sin in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).

METHODSWe randomly assigned 60 BPH patients to a control and a combination group of equal number, the former aged 62.03 ± 10.19 years with a disease course of 3.24 ± 2.18 years and the latter aged 64.77 ± 10.33 years with a disease course of 4.09 ± 2.63 years. We treated the patients in the control group with Tamsulosin at 0.2 mg qd and those in the combination group with Tamsulosin at 0.2 mg qd plus Xipayimaizipizi at 0.5 g tid, respectively, both for 4 weeks. Then, we obtained the mean frequency of nocturnal urination, maximal urinary flow rate (Qmax), residual urine volume, International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) , and quality of life scores (QOL) of the patients, and recorded their adverse reactions.

RESULTSBefore treatment, the nocturnal urination frequency, Qmax, IPSS, and QOL were 3.60 ± 1.81, (10.40 ± 3.53) ml/min, 22.47 ± 8.58, and 4.43 ± 1.50 in the control group, as compared with 3.43 ± 1.61, (10.14 ± 3.43) ml/min, 21.93 ± 8.79, and 4.73 ± 1.31 in the combination group. After 4 weeks of medication, the combination group showed more significant improvement than the control in the nocturnal urination frequency (1.30 ± 1.18 vs 2.27 ± 1.60), Qmax ([13.85 ± 3.15] vs [14.36 ± 3.03] ml/min), IPSS (13.00 ± 1.53 vs 17.20 ± 8.43), and QOL (2.57 ± 1.61 vs 2.93 ± 1.68), all significantly better than the baseline (P < 0.05). The combination therapy achieved remarkable improvement as compared with the control in the nocturnal urination frequency (- [2.13 ± 1.11] vs -[1.73 ± 1.07]), IPSS (- [8.93 ?6.01] vs -[4.80 ± 3.87]), and QOL (- [2.17 ± 1.12] vs -[1.50 ± 1.01]) (P < 0.05), but exhibited no significant differences from the latter in Qmax ([3.72 ± 2.281 vs [3.95 ± 2.53] ml/min) and residual urine volume (- [34.30 ± 37.43] vs - [26.43 ± 30.49] ml) (P > 0.05). Adverse reactions were found in 5 cases in the combination group (16.67%) and 3 cases in the control (10%) , with no remarkable differences between the two groups (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe combination therapy of Xipayimaizipizi Capsules and Tamsulosin can improve the symptoms of BPH and the patients quality of life of.

Aged ; Capsules ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prostatic Hyperplasia ; drug therapy ; Quality of Life ; Sulfonamides ; therapeutic use

Objective To evaluate mortality associated with simultaneous bilateral or staged bilateral TKA, and better understand the risks involved in the simultaneous versus staged bilateral procedures.Methods A systematic review was conducted, following an a priori protocol, according to the methods recommended by the Cochrane Musculoskeletal Group in the Cochrane Collaboration. Eligible studies were identified in PubMed (1990-2010), OVID MEDLINE (1990-2010), and the Cochrane library, concerning postoperative complications of bilateral or staged bilateral total knee arthroplasty. All of the English-language abstracts were obtained, and retrieval words including bilateral total knee arthroplasty, staged total knee arthroplasty, and total knee arthroplasty, etc. An extensive analysis was then performed to identify articles fulfilling the inclusion criteria for the study. The details of the reported data were extracted and evaluated by two reviewers independently. Data analyses were conducted with Stata 10.0. Results Six studies met our inclusion criteria for review. The combined results showed that the prevalence of mortality[OR=2.925, 95% CI (2.352, 3.638)], mortality 30 days postoperatively[OR=5.078, 95% CI (2.192, 1 1.763)]and mortality in 70 years or older patients[OR=4.087, 95% CI (1.947, 8.582)]were statistically higher in the population that had undergone simultaneous TKA compared with staged TKA. Conclusion Compared with staged bilateral TKA, simultaneous bilateral TKA might carries a higher potential risk of postoperative mortality. Patients should be aware of this information when deciding whether to proceed with simultaneous bilateral TKA. Further well-designed and large-scale randomized controlled trials are required to confirm these findings.

Objective To distinguish choriocarcinoma from gestational or non-gestational choriocarcinoma and also identify the causative pregnancy of gestational choriocarcinoma by the genetic origin through molecular genetic analysis. Methods Twelve patients with choriocarcinoma, who had experienced surgery prior to chemotherapy were enrolled in this study. All 12 cases were diagnosed pathologically as choriocarcinoma. Peripheral venous blood samples and formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded blocks of choriocarcinoma tissue microdissected from haematoxylin and eosin-stained sections of tissue by microdissection method were available from the patient and (or) her husband. DNA was then prepared from the couples' blood samples and choriocarcinoma tissue by using standard techniques. PCR amplification and fluorescent microsatellite genotyping were performed by using DNA from the couples and captured choriocarcinoma tissues. The genetic contributions to the choriocarcinoma tissue were determined by comparing the fragments of genes from the choriocarcinoma tissue to those from blood samples of the couples. Results The primary lesion was ovary in 7 cases, but only 4 of them had the maternal contribution, indicating a non-gestational origin; the other three were gestational choriocarcinoma. The primary lesion was uterus in 5 cases, which were all gestational choriocarcinoma confirmed by genetic analyses. The causative pregnancies of the 8 cases with gestational choriocarcinoma were identified as androgenetic complete hydatidiform mole (AnCHM) in six cases and normal pregnancies in two cases, respectively. Conclusion Microsatellite polymorphism analysis is a molecular approach for distinguishing the non-gestational choriocarcinoma from the gestational one, and also be used to identify the causative pregnancy of gestational choriocarcinoma.

BACKGROUND:Recently, electrospun materials have been extensively applied in the drug delivery system. OBJECTIVE:To overview the application prospect of electrospun materials in drug delivery systems. METHODS:A computer-based search of PubMed and NCBI databases was performed for literatures about the research progress of electrospinning in tissue engineering and chemotherapy published within the past 10 years using the keywords of“electrospinning, drug delivery system, nanofibers, electrospun materials”.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Compared with traditional materials, electrospun stents hold good versatility and control able parameters, thus granting its unique advantage under various physiological conditions. Current drug-loaded materials composed of natural products, synthetic polymers and blended materials;as to drugs, there are antibiotics, chemotherapy medication, DNA and protein. Electrospun materials have been used in tissue engineering, cancer chemotherapy and wound healing. We focus on not only the application progress of electrospun materials in traditional treatments, but also its usage, condition-control ed drug release and living-cel carrying. Electrospun materials combined with various drug-loaded present a broad prospect.

Objective:To investigate the efficiency of carbon nanotube(CNT)-PAMAM mediated entrance of anti-survivin oligonucleotide into HepG2 cells,and its effects on the proliferation of HepG2 cells.Methods:CNT-PAMAM-anti-survivin oligonucleotide compounds were prepared and characterized by AFM and 1% agarose gel electrophoresis analysis.TEM was used to observe the distribution of CNT-PAMAM-ASODN compounds in HepG2 cells.CNT-PAMAM-ASODN compounds were added into the medium and co-cultured with HepG2 cells for 24 h,48 h,72 h,and 96 h at 37℃,5% CO_2.MTT method was used to detect the effects of ASODN and CNT-PAMAM-ASODN on the proliferation of HepG2 cells.Results:CNT-PAMAM-ASODN compounds were successfully synthesized via AFM and agarose gel electrophoresis.TEM showed that the compounds were located in the cytoplasm.When CNT-PAMAM-ASODN(1.0 ?mol/L)and ASODN(1.0 ?mol/L)were used for a 48 h culture,the inhibitory rates of HepG2 cells were(45.97?4.28)% for CNT-PAMAM-ASODN compounds group,(9.33?0.85)% for ASODN group,and(6.37?0.69)% for CNT-PAMAM group.CNT-PAMAM-ASODN compounds at 1.5 ?mol/L inhibited HepG2 cells by(70.22?7.25)%,and the inhibitory effects were in a time-and concentration-dependent manner.There was statistical difference between experiment group and control group(P

Objective To investigate the effects of integrin β1 gene expression inhibited by short hairpin RNA (shRNA) on invasion of pancreatic carcinoma PANC1 cells in vitro,and investigate the mechanism.Methods The eukaryotic expression plasmid of shRNA targeting integrin β1 gene ( integrin β1 shRNA) and control eukaryotic expression plasmid shRNA (c-shRNA) was constructed and was transfected into PANC1 cells.The cells without plasmid transfection were used as control.The expressions of integrinβ1,MMP 2,MMP 9 mRNA and protein were detected by real-time PCR and Western blotting.The invasive ability of PANC1 cells was observed with Transwell cell culture chamber.Results Integrinβ1 mRNA expressions in integrinβ1 shRNA group,c-shRNA group and control group were 0.0029 ± 0.0004,0.0131 ± 0.0009,0.0138 ± 0.0005 ; the expressions of integrinβ1 protein were 0.0159 ± 0.0062,0.3215 ± 0.0126,0.3107 ±0.0094; the inhibitory rate of integrinβ1 mRNA and protein expression in integrinβ1 shRNA group was (78.6 ±7.2 ) ％ and (92.9 ± 3.2) ％ ( P ＜ 0.01 ).But there was no difference between the c-shRNA group and control group (P =0.2999).Number of penetrating cells in integrinβ1 shRNA group decreased from 52 ±5 to 21 ±4( P ＜ 0.01 ) ; the expression of MMP 2 and MMP 9 mRNA decreased from 0.592 ± 0.073,0.847 ± 0.069 to 0.102 ± 0.034,0.273 ± 0.071 ; the expression of M MP2 and MMP 9 protein decreased from 0.225 ± 0.046,0.416 ±0.081 to 0.059 ±0.013,0.106 ±0.022(P ＜0.05).Conclusions Recombinant integrinβ1 shRNA expression plasmid can effectively inhibit the expression of integrinβ1 gene and suppress the invasion of PANC1 cells in vitro by down-regulating MMP 2 and MMP 9 gene expression.

Objective To investigate the clinical significance of myasthenia gravis (MG) associated autoantibodies.Methods Titin,ryanodine receptor (RyR)and acetylcholine receptor (AChR) antibodies were examined in the sera of 74 myasthenia gravies patients by ELISA.Results AChR,Titin, RyR antibodies were detected in 77.0% (57/74),39.2% (29/74) and 32.4% (24/74) of the MG patients,respectively.For thymoma MG,AChR,Titin and RyR antibodies were detected in 76.2% (16/21),71.4% (15/21) and 52.4% (11/21) respectively.For late onset MG,Titin and RyR antibodies were detected in 77.3% (17/22) and 50.0% (11/22) respectively.With respect to the modified Osserman classification,the positve rate for Titin and RyR antibodies is much higher in more severe patients (X~2= 16.094,P=0.001;X~2=11.226,P=0.011).Titin antibodies was significantly related with RyR antibodies (r=0.380,P=0.001).Conclusions Titin and RyR antibodies show high sensitivity for thymoma MG,and the combination of serological and radiological testing can increase both sensitivity and specificity in diagnosis of thymoma MG.The levels of the two antibodies may serve as important prognosis markers in MG.The induction of the immune response against Titin and RyR and the possible pathogenic effects of the two antibodies will be further studied.