This study is to investigate the effects of puerarin on the proliferation and differentiation of umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) into osteoblasts. Umbilical cord MSCs were cultured by tissue adherence and the third passage of cells was used in the experiment. The effect of puerarin on proliferation of umbilical cord MSCs was measured with MTT. The effects of puerarin on umbilical cord MSCs were evaluated by ALP immunohistochemisty and von kossa staining. The OD value decreased with the increase of puerarin concentration. On 7th day, ALP expression of puerarin group was higher than that of control group. On 14th day, ALP staining showed that the positive rate of puerarin group was higher than that of control group. Von kossa staining showed the quantity of calcium nodules was higher in puerarin group than that of control group. Puerarin can promote the umbilical cord MSCs to differentiate into osteoblasts and has an effect on the proliferation of umbilical cord MSCs.
Cell Differentiation ; drug effects ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Humans ; Isoflavones ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; cytology ; Osteoblasts ; cytology ; Osteogenesis ; drug effects ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Pueraria ; chemistry ; Umbilical Cord ; cytology

5 mm and ≤8 mm in 4 cases.The mean value was 4.2 mm. Four patients noticed reduction in their vision and two had diplopia.Those patients were examined by CT or MR.Direct venography was performed in each patient.After the diagnosis of OVM was confirmed, intralesional injection of BLE was performed.The efficacy of the treatment and complications were observed during the following 8 to 42 months(mean 23 months).Results The BLE were successfully injected in all the patients.All patients had resolution of proptosis and diplopia.Three patients gained improvement of visual acuity.The periorbital swelling occurred in all patients after operation and resolved within 1 week without special treatment.Other complications,such as orbital hemorrhage and periorbital scar,were not observed during following-up.Conclusion Intralesional injection with BLE is convenient,safe and efficient for the treatment of OVM.

Macrophages are involved in many important biological processes and membrane proteins are the key effector molecules for their functions. However, membrane proteins are difficult to analyze by 2-DE based method because of their intrinsic tendency to self-aggregate during the first dimension separation (IEF). To circumvent the obstacle hampering membrane protein analysis, we combined one-dimensional SDS-PAGE with capillary liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Using this technique, we identified 458 GO annotated membrane proteins with extremely high confidence, including most known markers of peritoneal macrophages (e.g., CD11b, F4/80, CD14, CD18, CD86, CD44, CD16 and Toll-like receptor). Thirteen other CD antigens and 18 Ras-related small GTPase were also identified. In addition to those known macrophage membrane proteins, a significant number of novel proteins have also been identified. This research provides a valuable data set of macrophage membrane proteins, thus allowing for more comprehensive study of membrane proteins and a better understanding of the function mechanisms of macrophages in many biological processes.

OBJECTIVETo study the correlation between Apo E gene polymorphism and patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) of phlegm-stasis syndrome (PSS).

METHODS78 CHD patients were assigned to PSS (49 cases) and non-phlegm-stasis syndrome (NPSS). Polymorphisms of Apo E gene in 78 CHD patients and 100 healthy subjects were detected by complete DNA sequencing.

RESULTSFive gene types as E3/3, E4/4, E2/ 3, E2/4, and E3/4 were detected in the two groups. The frequencies of genotype E3/3 and epsilon 3 allele were significantly lower in CHD patients than in the healthy subjects (P<0.01). But the frequencies of genotype E3/4 and epsilon 4 allele were significantly higher in CHD patients than in the healthy subjects (P<0.01). In CHD patients, the frequencies of genotype E2/4 + E3/4 + E4/4 and epsilon 4 allele were higher in PSS than in NPSS.

CONCLUSIONSApo E epsilon 4 allele was a susceptible allele to CHD, which was closely correlated to CHD PSS. It was inferred that it might be one of main susceptible alleles for CHD PSS.

Aged ; Alleles ; Apolipoproteins E ; genetics ; Base Sequence ; Case-Control Studies ; Coronary Disease ; diagnosis ; genetics ; Female ; Genotype ; Humans ; Male ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Middle Aged

A group of 19 referred hypertensive patients were diagnosed to have primary aldosteronism(PA) with inconclusive computed tomography scan results.Adrenal vein sarmpling (AVS) was performed in all patients.AVS was successful in 16 cases but failed in 3 cases.According to the results of AVS and postoperative pathology,8 cases were diagnosed as aldosterone-producing adenoma (APA) and unilateral adrenal hyperplasia (UAH),and the other 8 cases were diagnosed as idiopathic hyperaldosteronism (IHA).In conclusion,AVS is one of the most crucial methods in typing diagnosis of PA.

OBJECTIVETo study the effects of ApoE gene polymorphism on anti-inflammatory action of Xuezhikang Capsule.

METHODSOne hundred and two patients with hyperlipidemia (as the treated group) and one hundred healthy volunteers (as the control group) were enrolled in the case-control study. Total DNA of the peripheral blood was extracted and ApoE genotypes were determined by PCR sequence analysis. The serum levels of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin 6 (IL-6), and high sensitivity C reactive protein (hs-CRP)were measured in all subjects. The changes of TNF-alpha, IL-6, and hs-CRP were detected before and after 6-week Xuezhikang Capsule treatment, thus analyzing the correlation between ApoE gene polymorphism and changes of each inflammatory factor.

RESULTSThe frequency of E3/3 genotype was 86% (86/100 cases)in the control group, significantly higher than that of the treated group (62.7%, 64/102 cases). The frequency of E3/4 genotype was 6% (6/100 cases) in the control group, significantly lower than that of the treated group (21.6%, 22/102 cases; both P < 0.05). Compared with the control group, the serum levels of TNF-alpha, IL-6, and hs-CPR were higher in the treated group before treatment (P < 0.05). In hyperlipidemia patients with E3/4 + E4/4 genotype, the serum level of TNF-alpha was higher than that of E3/3 genotype (P < 0.05); the serum level of IL-6 was higher than that of E2/E2 + E2/E3 genotype (P < 0.05); the serum level of hs-CRP was higher than that of E2/E2 + E2/E3 and E3/E3 genotype (P < 0.05). But there was no statistical difference in the serum levels of TNF-alpha, IL-6, or hs-CPR between E3/3 and E2/E2 + E2/E3 genotype. After 6-week intervention of Xuezhikang Capsule, the serum levels of TNF-alpha, IL-6, and hs-CRP were lower in the treated group (P < 0.05), but the serum levels of TNF-alpha and IL-6 were still higher than those of the control group (P < 0.05). But there was no statistical difference in the decrement of TNF-alpha, IL-6, or hsCRP among E2/E2 + E2/E3, E3/E3, or E3/4 + E4/4 genotypes (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe distribution of ApoE gene polymorphism is different between the hyperlipidemia patients and the healthy people. Chronic inflammatory reactions exist in hyperlipidemia patients, especially in those with e4 allele. Xuezhikang Capsule showed anti-inflammatory effects, but ApoE gene polymorphism did not affect its effects.

Adult ; Aged ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents ; therapeutic use ; Apolipoproteins E ; genetics ; C-Reactive Protein ; metabolism ; Case-Control Studies ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Genotype ; Humans ; Hyperlipidemias ; drug therapy ; genetics ; Interleukin-6 ; blood ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Phytotherapy ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; blood

BACKGROUNDTo repair late median nerve injury, many methods have been used in the past years. The aim of this study was to review a thirteen-year experience in restoration of thumb opposition by transposing flexor pollicis brevis muscle.

METHODSFrom July 1992 to August 2005, 63 patients without thumb opposition because of late median never injury were treated by transposing the flexor pollicis brevis muscle. All the patients had received primary nerve repair after the jnjury. The interval between the injury and the second operation was (1.87 +/- 2.31) years (6 months to 4.2 years). The patients were followed up for 3 to 48 [months mean (22.93 +/- 2.31) months]. A functional evaluation system designed in 1992 were used to estimate the outcomes of the patients.

RESULTSAll the patients gained excellent functional results without complications and disabilities during follow-up.

CONCLUSIONSRestoration of thumb opposition by transposing flexsor pollicis brevis muscle has the following advantages: 1. Operative trauma is minimal; 2. It is not necessary to transpose other tendons; 3. Except for the thumb in opposition, movements of other fingers and the wrist are not restricted postoperatively.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Biomechanical Phenomena ; Female ; Forearm Injuries ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Median Nerve ; injuries ; Middle Aged ; Muscle, Skeletal ; surgery ; Tendon Transfer ; Thumb ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Wrist Injuries ; physiopathology ; surgery

Objective To compare the cognitive effects of guqin (the oldest Chinese instrument) music and piano music.Methods Behavioral and event-related potential (ERP) data in a standard two-stimulus auditory oddball task were recorded and analyzed. Results This study replicated the previous results of culture-familiar music effect on Chinese subjects: the greater P300 amplitude in frontal areas in a culture-familiar music environment. At the same time, the difference between guqin music and piano music was observed in N1 and later positive complex (LPC: including P300 and P500): a relatively higher participation of right anterior-temporal areas in Chinese subjects. Conclusion The results suggest that the special features of ERP responses to guqin music are the outcome of Chinese tonal language environments given the similarity between Guqin's tones and Mandarin lexical tones.

OBJECTIVETo observe the histological changes of juvenile porcine menisci in an in vitro organ culture system. It was hoped that the experiment can provide evidence for the study of menisci in an in vitro organ culture model.

METHODSEight juvenile swines of one month old were involves in the study. Thirty-two meniscal specimens with 8 mm in width were obtained from each meniscus in the two posterior extremities. The specimens were incubated in an in vitro organ culture model. At 0, 2, 4 and 6 weeks after culture, 8 specimens were observed. Hematoxylin eosin staining: the cell density of the inner 1/3 zone was measured. Safranin-O staining:the degree of staining in the inner zone was measured and semi-quantitative scores were obtained.

RESULTSAt 0, 2, 4 and 6 weeks, the cell density were (285.3 +/- 12.0)/HPF, (182.8 +/- 11.2)/HPF, (129.7+/- 9.9)/HPF, (92.3 +/- 9.3)/HPF respectively. Statistically significant differences were found between different time points (P < 0.05), Paired comparison showed statistical differences (P < 0.05). At 0, 2, 4 and 6 weeks, the semi-quantitative scores of Safranin-O staining were 2.0 +/- 0.0,1.5 +/- 0.5, 1.0 +/- 0.0, 0.5 +/- 0.5, statistically differences were found between different time points (P < 0.05). Paired comparison showed statistical differences (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONIn the juvenile meniscus in vitro organ culture model, the cell density and viability diminished along with the cultural time. In vitro organ culture model is suitable for the study of menisci in short-term.

Aging ; Animals ; Cell Count ; Cell Survival ; Female ; Male ; Menisci, Tibial ; cytology ; Organ Culture Techniques ; Swine

Objective To explore the effects and mechanism of gambogic acid ( GA) on lipopolysaccharide ( LPS)-induced acute lung injury ( ALI) .Methods ALI model was established by the injection of lipopolysaccharide into the tail vein of mice(4mg/kg, iv).The mice were randomly divided into control group (control), model group (model), GA group(GA), and pretreatment with GA of ALI group (GA+LPS).After six hours, the wet/dry weight ratio ( W/D) of the lung, myeloperoxidase ( MPO) activity in lung tissue , total proteins and number of white blood cells in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid ( BALF) were determined .Tumor necrosis factor-α( TNF-α) and interleukin-1β( IL-1β) were measured by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay methods .Results Compared with control group, the wet/dry weight ratio (W/D) of the lung, MPO activity in lung tissue, levels of total pro-teins and number of white blood cells in BALF of LPS group obviously increased , in addition the level of lung tissue TNF-αand IL-1βin LPS group were significantly higher (all P<0.01), while in GA pretreatment groups alleviated all the changes in ALI mice .Conclusions GA pre-treatment attenuated LPS-induced ALI , possibly by inhibiting inflammatory cytokines production so as to decrease the recruitment of neutrophils , reduce pulmonary edema .