AIM:To investigate the relevance between metallothionein(MT) and matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) expression and activity in hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). METHODS: Fifty Kunming male mice, weighing 25 g?5 g, were randomly divided into two groups: experiment group (40 mice) and control group (10 mice). CCl4 was used to induce the hepatic fibrosis model in the experiment group. Conditioned medium of HSCs (containing MMP-2) was added at different concentrations of MT, then MMP-2 activity was detected. Liver tissue microarray was used. Collagen fibers was detected by Sirius red staining. The expressions of MMP-2 and MT proteins in liver tissues were detected by immunohistochemistry staining. Gel zymography was used to confirm the activity of MMP-2 in liver tissue homogenate and in the conditioned medium. RESULTS: The expressions of both MMP-2 and MT proteins in liver tissues increased fluctuating with the process of fibrogenesis in the model mice alternately, but the proteins showed out of phase changes. The activity of MMP-2 in the liver tissues also increased gradually and fluctuated with the development of fibrosis. Apart from individual time points, the activity of MMP-2 and MT expression were negatively correlated. The activity of MMP-2 in the conditioned medium treated by MT declined in a dose-dependent manner (r=-0.9990, P

The studies on the chemical compositions and pharmacological actions of Chaenomeles speciosa Nakai were systemized and compared with those of the other plants of Chaenomeles in this paper. The pharmacological effects of the fruit of Chaenomeles inclu-ding anti-tumor, anti-oxidation, anti-inflammation and analgesia, antibacterial, hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic action and so on were reviewed to provide scientific basis for the further studies and utilization of Chaenomeles.

The effects of Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) nursing operation in cervical spondylitis have been generally recognized. This paper reviewed the applications and improvements of the major three TCM nursing operations, cupping, Gua-Sha and acupressure. The future developments in moxibustion, auricular point sticking, fumigation and washing therapy and moisten compress therapy were also prospected.

Objective To assess the risk factors for the occurrence of hypokalemia in patients with hepatic cancer after transcatheter arterial chemoembolizaion (TACE) therapy,and to discuss the corresponding nursing countermeasures.Methods The clinical data of 214 patients with hepatic cancer,who received TACE during the period from August 2014 to February 2015,were retrospectively analyzed.The risk factors causing hypokalemia were analyzed.Results Among the 214 patients,post-TACE hypokalemia occurred in 23 (10.7％).The main risk factors that could cause hypokalemia included anorexia,hydration,vomiting,ascites drainage,sweating.After actively symptomatic treatment,the serum potassium level returned to normal in 22 patients.One patient developed hepatic encephalopathy coma complicated by hepatorenal syndrome,the patient's family members gave up treatment and,according to family members' will the patient left hospital.Conclusion anorexia,vomiting,hydration,ascites drainage,sweating are the risk factors that can cause hypokalemia in patients with hepatic cancer after TACE therapy.The use of low potassium risk scale is helpful for the formulation of nursing countermeasures.

Objective To study the impact of methionine restriction (MetR) on mucosal histopathology,permeability and tight junction composition in a dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis model,and to explore its underlying mechanism.Methods SD rats were randomly divided into 4 groups:normal rats fed by a complete amino acid (AA group) diet,normal rats fed by MetR diet (MetR group),DSS treated rats fed by a complete amino acid (DSS + AA group) and DSS treated rats fed by MetR diet (DSS + MetR group),each group had 15 rats.Abdominal aorta blood sampling was taken at day 21 after DSS model been established to analyze blood routine examination,liver and kidney function and level of electrolyte.Morphological changes in colonic mucosa were evaluated and scored by light microscopy.Myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity was measured.The effect of MetR on mucosal permeability of colon strips was detected by Ussing chamber.Claudin2,occludin,claudin3,ZO-1 expression were quantified by Western blot.Results The early clinical manifestation in the DSS treated rats were loose stool or diarrhea,hematochezia positive and bleeding,and weight losing.HE observation showed prominent colitis in distal colon with manifestations of crypt abscess and infiltration of inflammatory cells.Although MPO activity and WBC account between the DSS + MetR and DSS + AA group did not significantly changed,treatment with MetR diet significantly decreased the extent and severity of epithelial injury of DSS + MetR group (10.55 ± 3.62 vs 15.00 ± 4.89,P =0.003).There were no significant difference in PCNA immunohistochemical result between the DSS + MetR group and DSS + AA group.Compared to the rats on AA diet,transepithelial electrical resistance(TEER) in DSS + AA group was obvious lower [(28.40 ± 6.78) Ω · cm2 vs (46.53 ± 4.03)Ω · cm2,P ＜0.05],and TEER in MetR group were obviously higher[(60.64 ± 8.40)Ω · cm2 vs (46.53 ±4.03)Ω · cm2,P ＜0.05].However,short-circuit current (Isc) in DSS + MetR group was obviously higher that of DSS + AA group [(35.01 ± 2.19) μA/cm2 vs (29.61 ± 1.19) μA/cm2,P ＜0.05].Western blot suggested that colon claudin2 expression was not found in colon epithelium of normal rats,and an obviously increase expression of claudin3 protein was found in the MetR group,compared to AA group; and an significantly increase in the abundance of claudin3 was found in the DSS + MetR group,but amount of claudin2 was decreased,compared with the DSS + MetR group.Conclusion The MetR diet has obvious therapeutic effect on ulcerative colitis model rats induced by DSS,and its mechanism may not by regnlating inflammatory cell infiltration and the way of promoting intestinal cell growth to alleviate inflammatory injury,but probably by changing the structure and function of tight junction protein and improve the intestinal mucosal barrier function,and promote the repair of damaged intestinal mucosa.

Objective To evaluate the clinical value of epicardial echocardiographic examination in cardiac valve surgery.Methods Epicardial echocardiography were performed in 46 patients undergoing valvular plasty or valvular replacement surgery to estimate the function of valve and left ventricle and residual shunt during cardiac surgery.Results Twelve cases of 46(26.1％)showed abnormality during cardiac surgery.Two cases of 15 patients performed valvuloplasty were changed to valvular replacement because of remarkable regurgitation of native valves.There was 1 case of periprosthetic leakage,3 cases of left atrial appendage thrombus,1 case of patent foramen ovale and 5 cases of low ejection of left ventricle in all 31 cases of valvular replacement.Conclusions Epicardial echocardiograpyc examination is an effective examination in cardiac valve surgery with clearly image,simplicity operation and promptness.

Objective To compare the accuracy of cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT ) and periapical radiography in the diagnosis of simulated external apical root resorption (EARR) .Methods The study sample comprised 160 single-rooted premolars for simulating 4 degrees of EARR :no(intact teeth) ,mild(cavity of 1 .0 mm in diameter and depth in root surface) ,moderate(1 .0 mm root shortening) ,and severe(3 .0 mm root shortening) .Two sets of radiographic images were acquired with CBCT and periapi-cal radiography .The severity for all resorption lesions were evaluated blindly by one calibrated examiner .The percentages of correct classification of each degree of EARR were compared between the two imaging techniques using McNemar test .Results With CBCT method ,the percentages of correct classification of no ,mild ,moderate ,severe and all EARR were 95 .0% ,97 .5% ,42 .5% , 87 .5% and 80 .6% ,respectively ;with periapical radiography method ,the percentages were 85 .0% ,42 .5% ,70 .0% ,92 .5% and 72 .5% ,respectively .Significant differences were found between the two imaging techniques for evaluating mild ,moderate ,and all-EARR(P<0 .05) .Conclusion CBCT imaging is more reliable than periapical radiography for detecting EARR ,whereas it is not sensitive to moderate root shortening .In orthodontic practices ,CBCT could be applied to the early diagnosis of EARR ,in order to help make the decision on continuation and modification of orthodontic treatment .

BACKGROUND: A variety of angiogenic factors are involved in bone healing after osteonecrosis of the femoral head.
OBJECTIVE:To explore the role and mechanism of angiogenic factors in osteonecrosis of the femoral head.
METHODS: A computed-based online search of PubMed, Google and SpringerLink databases was performed using the key words of “angiogenic factors, osteonecrosis of the femoral head, vascular endothelial growth factor, angiopoietin-1, fibroblast growth factor-2, hypoxia inducible factor-1, calcitonin gene related peptide and hypoxia inducible factor-1α” for literatures published from December 1980 to May 2015.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Finaly, 68 articles were included. Bone angiogenesis which is dependent on special signaling factors in the microenvironment is closely linked with bone repair. A variety of cytokines, such as vascular endothelial growth factor, angiopoietin-1, fibroblast growth factor-2, platelet-derived growth factor, calcitonin gene-related peptide, and hypoxia inducible factor-1α, have been identifiedto control angiogenesis in different ways and be involved in the repair of necrotic femoral head.

BACKGROUND:The pathogenesis of steroid-induced osteonecrosis of the femoral head remains unclear. Femoral head reconstruction after colapse is related to the bone remodeling due to disorder of the bone formation-absorption coupling. “Removing Blood Stasis” Method has been shown to have a positive effect on the disease in clinics. However, the mechanisms by which the “Removing Blood Stasis” Method confers bone repair after osteonecrosis remain poorly understood.
OBJECTIVE:To explore the effect of “Removing Blood Stasis” Method on bone repair in rabbits with steroid-induced femoral head osteonecrosis.
METHODS: Fifty New Zealand rabbits were randomly assigned into three groups: normal control (n=10),
model (n=20) andTaohong Siwu Decoction (n=20) groups, respectively. The steroid-induced osteonecrosis of the femoral head animal models were established by intramuscular injection of endotoxin combined with methylprednisolone (MPS). Rabbits inTaohong Siwu Decoction group were intragastricaly administered with 0.3 g/kg ofTaohong Siwu Decoction suspension after the last injection of methylprednisolone. The control and model groups were administrated by equal volume of ultrapure water for 8 consecutive weeks. High-resolution MRI and pathological determinations were used to assess the successful models. Protein expression levels of ABCB1, RUNX2, OPN, RANK, RANKL, PPAR, osteoprotegerin (OPG), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in rabbit femoral heads were detected by western blot assay.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1) Hematoxylin-eosin staining showed that trabecular bone fracture, karyopyknosis, empty lacunae, necrotic bone marrow cels were seen in the model group. Empty lacunae rate in the model group was significantly different from that in the normal control group (P < 0.05). Bone formation was active and kept better trabecular morphology in theTaohong Siwu Decoction group. It suggested that “Removing Blood Stasis” Method can improve repair of necrotic area. (2) In the model group, femoral head with a wide range of low-density areas in high-resolution MRI;Taohong Siwu Decoction group showed the relatively normal shape of the femoral head with smal areas of low density. It suggested that “Removing Blood Stasis” Method can improve image changes in the necrotic area. (3) Protein expression levels of RUNX2, RANK, RANKL were significantly up-regulated but protein expression levels of ABCB1, OPG, VEGF were significantly down-regulated in the model group compared with the normal control group; whereas, they were al significantly up-regulated in theTaohong Siwu Decoction group compared with the model group, except for RANK and RANKL (P < 0.05). These results suggest that the “Removing Blood Stasis” Method can promote bone repair in steroid-induced femoral head osteonecrosis rabbits by regulating protein expressions of ABCB1, RUNX2, RANK, RANKL, OPG, and VEGF.

AIM: To investigate the dynamic alteration of cardiac collagen metabolism in mice with acute,chronic myocarditis and dilated cardiomyopathy(DCM).METHODS: BALB/c mice infected with coxsackievirus B_3 were used to establish animal models of acute,chronic myocarditis and dilated cardiomyopathy,while uninfected animals were also prepared and served as controls.After verification of models by histopathological methods and echocardiography,serum concentration of aminoterminal propeptide of type Ⅲ procollagen(PIIINP),aminoterminal propeptide of type Ⅰ procollagen(PINP) and carboxyterminal propeptide of type I procollagen(PICP) in each group of mice were detected by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA).The expression of matrix metalloproteinase 1(MMP1) and its tissue inhibitor(TIMP-1) were determined by Western blotting analysis.The MMP-1 activity was also detected.RESULTS: Marked myocardial fibrosis was observed in all groups of CVB_3-infected mice.Reparative fibrosis,promotion of synthesis and degradation of cardiac collagens were presented in heart tissue of acute myocarditis mice. Both reparative and reactive fibrosis,enhanced synthesis and lightened degradation of collagen were present in chronic myocarditis,while reactive fibrosis and excess collagen synthesis were confirmed in DCM.Expression and activity of(MMP-1) was progressively decreased.TIMP-1 showed unchanged.The ratio of MMP-1/TIMP-1 was progressively descended.CONCLUSION: Collagen metabolism was special in different phase of viral heart diseases,which may play different roles in the progression and prognosis of these kinds of disease.