BACKGROUND:Al oying is a convenient and effective method to alter the microstructure and control the corrosion behavior of magnesium al oy.
OBJECTIVE:To explore the in vitro and in vivo degradation of Mg-Nd-Zn-Zr al oy as a degradable medical biomaterial.
METHODS:(1) In vitro static immersion test:The immersion tests were carried out at (37.0±0.5) thermostatic bath. Six Mg-Nd-Zn-Zr al oy samples and six pure magnesium samples were immersed in the 250 mL simulated body fluid and vibrated without agitation during immersion. After 3, 7 and 30 days static immersion, the samples were taken out from the simulated body fluid. Then the in vitro corrosion properties were evaluated using scanning electron microscope and energy dispersive spectrometer analysis. (2) In vivo animal experiment:After bone tunnel was established in the left femur of adult New Zealand rabbits, the Mg-Nd-Zn-Zr al oy rods were embedded in the Mg-Nd-Zn-Zr al oy group, titanium al oy rods were embedded in the titanium al oy group, and only bone tunnel was established in the sham-operated group. At 1, 2, 4, 8 weeks after implantation, an X-ray of the implanted region was taken to determine the location and the degradation behavior℃in a of Mg-Nd-Zn-Zr al oy. At 4, 8 weeks after implantation, the corrosion product and its element composition were observed using scanning electron microscope with an energy dispersive spectroscopy system.

Breast cancer is the leading cause of malignancy-related mortality in women worldwide. The more accurate prediction of lymph node metastasis and evaluation of personalized prognosis of breast cancer patients could provide evidence and reference for individualized comprehensive treatment and clinical decision-making. Nomogram is statistical calculation model developed to generate individualized prediction of a certain clinical event through the factors associated with it. Currently breast cancer related nomogram models is most commonly used in the prediction of non-sentinel lymph node status in patients with sentinel lymph node-positive breast cancer, sentinel lymph node metastasis in clinical node-negative breast cancer and prognosis evaluation of breast cancer. This article reviewed the recent advances in breast cancer related nomograms according to the above mentioned three aspects, and evaluated respectively the predictive factors, accuracy, characteristics and clinical application potential.

AIM To establish an HPLC method for the simultaneous content determination of four constituents in Kesuting Capsules (a fast cough suppressant,containing Ephedrae Herba,Papaveris Pericarpium,Platycodonis Radix,etc.).METHODS The analysis of trichloromethane-strong ammonia extract of Kesuting Capsules was performed on a 35 ℃ thermostatic Welch Ultimate(◎) XB-C18 column (4.6 mm ×250 mm,5 μm),with the mobile phase comprising of acetonitrile-0.01 mol/L potassium dihydrogen phosphate buffer flowing at 1.0 mL/min in an isocratic elution manner,and the detection wavelength was set at 210 nm.RESULTS Morphine,ephedrine hydrochloride,pseudoephedrine hydrochloride and codeine phosphate showed good linear relationships within the ranges of 8.054-67.12 μg/mL (r =0.999 5),22.31-185.9 μg/mL (r =0.999 9),21.26-177.2 μg/mL (r =0.999 7) and 1.212-10.09 μg/mL (r =0.999 7),whose average recoveries (n =9) were 100.9％ (RSD =2.0％),101.4％ (RSD =3.6％),105.3％ (RSD =1.2％) and 106.2％ (RSD =1.2％),respectively.CONCLUSION This simple method can be used for the rapid quality control of Kesuting Capsules.

The aim of the present study is to investigate the effects of Vam3 which is one of the dihydroxystilbene compounds on expressions of ICAM-1 in the lungs of OVA-induced asthmatic mice and the mechanisms of anti-airway inflammation. Balb/c mice were challenged with OVA inhalation. Lung tissues were stained with Mayer's hematoxylin and eosin for histopathologic examination. The expression of ICAM-1 in the lungs of mice was analyzed by Western blotting and immunohistochemistry method. The NF-kappaB activities were detected by NF-kappaB-luc reporter genetic transient transfection method. The activities of MMP-9 induced by LPS, TNF-alpha and PMA in THP-1 cells were determined by gelatin zymography method. The results showed that Vam3 could inhibit the expression of ICAM-1 in the OVA-induced mouse model. In addition, Vam3 could significantly suppress the activities of NF-kappaB in A549 cells and MMP-9 in THP-1 cells induced by LPS, TNF-alpha and PMA. These results suggested that Vam3 could alleviate the asthmatic inflammation by decreasing ICAM-1 expression in asthmatic mice, down regulating NF-kappaB and MMP-9 activities. Compound Vam3 showed inhibitory effects on inflammatory signal pathways involved in asthma.

OBJECTIVETo identify the expression characteristics of the 1700001022RIK (RIKEN cDNA 1700001022) gene in mice and explore its function by bioinformatic analysis.

METHODSUsing the expression profile of gene microarray, we detected the expression of a new testis-specific gene, 1700001022RIK, in mice. We analyzed its expression characteristics in the testis tissue and their changes in different developmental stages of the testis by RT-PCR, real-time RT-PCR, Western blot, and immunohistochemistry. We performed bioinformatic analysis using a bioinformatic software.

RESULTSThe 1700001022RIK gene was specifically expressed in the mouse testis in an age-dependent manner, most highly in the adult mice. The 1700001022RIK protein was mainly expressed in the spermatogonia, spermatocytes, and round spermatids of the adult mice. Bioinformatic analysis showed that the 1700001022RIK protein amino acid sequence had a high similarity in human and mice, which indicated that this gene was highly conserved in mammals.

CONCLUSION1700001022RIK is a testis-specific gene mainly expressed in the spermatogonia, spermatocytes, and round spermatids of seminiferous tubules, which might be involved in the regulation of spermatogenesis.

Age Factors ; Animals ; Blotting, Western ; Computational Biology ; DNA, Complementary ; Gene Expression ; Genomics ; Male ; Mice ; Molecular Chaperones ; genetics ; Seminiferous Tubules ; Spermatids ; Spermatocytes ; Spermatogenesis ; genetics ; Spermatogonia ; Testis

OBJECTIVETo identify potential mutation responsible for synpolydactyly (SPD) in a large Chinese kindred and to offer genetic counseling and prenatal diagnosis for the members of the family.

METHODSAll family members were examined clinically, and blood samples were obtained for linkage analysis and mutation screening. Ultrasound examinations were conducted at 16-21 weeks. Amniotic fluid sample was obtained by ultrasound-guided amniocentesis at 18 weeks of gestation.

RESULTSA large kindred affected with SPD was identified and characterized. With two short tandem repeat (STR) markers (D2S1238 and D2S1245) flanking the HOXD13 gene, the disease was mapped to 2q31. A heterozygous 27 bp expansion within the imperfect GCN triplet-repeat of exon 1, c. 184_210dup, was identified. The mutation resulted in a gain of 9 alanine residues between the 14th and 15th alanine of the normal 15-amino-acid-long polyalanine tract. On ultrasound examination, all fingers and toes of the fetus appeared to be normal. Linkage analysis and mutation detection confirmed that the fetus did not inherit the mutant allele from his affected mother.

CONCLUSIONHOXD13 gene mutation was responsible for the SPD phenotype in this family. Accurate prenatal diagnosis of SPD was achieved with combined ultrasound and molecular analysis.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Base Sequence ; China ; DNA Mutational Analysis ; Female ; Fingers ; abnormalities ; Genetic Linkage ; Homeodomain Proteins ; genetics ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pedigree ; Pregnancy ; Syndactyly ; diagnosis ; genetics ; Toes ; abnormalities ; Transcription Factors ; genetics ; Ultrasonography, Prenatal ; Young Adult

This study was aimed to investigate whether endothelium-specific deletion of PTEN can affect hemangioblast development in the AGM region of mouse embryos. Based on Cre/loxP system, the Tie2CrePten(loxp/loxp) and Tie2CrePten(loxp/wt) mouse embryos were obtained. The genotype was identified by PCR. After treated with type I collagenase, the AGM region was dispersed into single-cell suspension, and then was cultured in blast colony-forming cell (BL-CFC) media. The number of BL-CFC was counted 4 or 5 days later. The hematopoietic capacity of BL-CFC was detected in methylcellulose culture system and the endothelial potential was assessed by tube-like structure formation on Matrigel. The results showed that the number of BL-CFC in AGM region of Tie2CrePten(loxp/loxp) mouse embryo decreased as compared with Tie2CrePten(loxp/wt) embryo. Whereas the hematopoietic capacity of mutant BL-CFC was enhanced, the endothelial potential, as evaluated by tube-like structure formation in vitro, was significantly reduced. It is concluded that the endothelial PTEN is capable of exerting regulatory functions on both the numbers and the dual potential of hemangioblast in mouse AGM region.
Animals ; Cell Differentiation ; Cells, Cultured ; Hemangioblasts ; Hematopoietic Stem Cells ; cytology ; Mice ; PTEN Phosphohydrolase ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of mRNA transcriptional and protein expressions of protein kinase Cδ (PKCδ) on the development of arsenic liver injury caused by coal-burning.

METHODSPopulation study:133 arsenic exposures were selected as arsenic exposure groups including the ward non-patient group (25 cases) , no obvious hepatopathy group (38 cases) , mild (43 cases) and moderate to severe hepatopathy group (27 cases) from the area with endemic arsenism in Guizhou province. Another 34 healthy residents were selected as the control group in non-arsenic pollution village. The urine and peripheral blood were collected from the subjects. The arsenic contents in urine and mRNA expressions of PKCδ in peripheral blood were detected. Animal experiment study:thirty wistar rats were randomly by random number table divided into control group, drinking water arsenic poisoning group and coal-burning arsenic poisoning group (i.e., low, medium and high arsenic contaminated grain group) by random number table method, including 6 rats in each group. The control group was fed normally for 3 months, drinking water arsenic poisoning group and coal-burning arsenic poisoning groups were fed respectively with 10 mg/kg As2O3 solution and different concentrations (25, 50 and 100 mg/kg) of arsenic-containing feed which was persisted 3 months. The arsenic contents in urine, mRNA expression levels of PKCδ in peripheral blood and liver tissue and the protein expression levels of phosphorylated protein kinase Cδ(pPKCδ) in liver tissue were detected.

RESULTSThe median(quartile) of arsenic contents in urine were 25.58 (18.62-40.73), 56.66 (38.93-76.77), 64.90 (39.55- 98.37) and 75.47 (41.30-109.70) µg/g Cr respectively for the non-patient group, no obvious hepatopathy group, mild and moderate to severe hepatopathy group. The levels were higher than that in the control group (23.34 (17.84-37.45) µg/g Cr) (P < 0.05), except for the ward non-patient group. The arsenic contents in rat urine were 2223.61 (472.98-3976.73), 701.16 (194.01-1300.27), 1060.94 (246.33-2585.47) and 3101.11 (1919.97-5407.07) µg/g Cr, respectively for the drinking water arsenic poisoning group, the low, medium and high dosage arsenic grain contamination groups, all higher than that in the control group (94.32 (22.65-195.25) µg/g Cr) (P < 0.05) . The protein expressions of pPKCδ in liver tissue were 324.83 ± 25.06, 278.50 ± 30.57, 308.83 ± 34.67 and 326.33 ± 35.09, which were significantly higher than that in the control group (240.17 ± 28.07) (P < 0.05) . The protein expression levels of pPKCδ in liver cell membrane were 0.49 ± 0.06,0.33 ± 0.05,0.37 ± 0.06 and 0.50 ± 0.08, which were significantly higher than that in the control group (0.28 ± 0.04) (P < 0.05) . The protein expression levels of pPKCδ in liver cell cytoplasm were 0.38 ± 0.06,0.31 ± 0.05, 0.35 ± 0.05 and 0.36 ± 0.05, which were significantly higher than that in the control group (0.24 ± 0.05) (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe arsenic may regulate protein expressions of pPKCδ and induce its membrane translocation, and cause the development of arsenic liver injury caused by coal-burning.

Animals ; Arsenic ; urine ; Arsenic Poisoning ; epidemiology ; metabolism ; Case-Control Studies ; China ; epidemiology ; Coal ; Environmental Exposure ; Female ; Humans ; Liver ; enzymology ; pathology ; Liver Diseases ; enzymology ; etiology ; Male ; Protein Kinase C-delta ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar

OBJECTIVETo discuss the changes of lymphocyte subsets in HCV children with different genotypes during treatment with pegylated interferon alfa-2b and ribavirin.

METHODSThe genotype of 45 HCV infected children were identified by real time PCR. The lymphocyte subsets were dynamically detected by BD FACSCalibur flow cytometer with four color MultiTEST IMK Kit during the treatment.

RESULTSFor the children with 1b genotype, after 24 weeks, the CD4+ T cells were higher than pre-treatment (P < 0.05). For the children with 2a genotype, after 12 weeks and after 24 weeks, the CD3+ T cells and CD4+ T cells significantly increased while the NK cells decreased than pre-treatment (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe lymphocyte subsets of HCV children with 2a genotype were different from 1b genotype during trentment with pegylated interferon alfa-2b and ribavirin.

Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Genotype ; Hepacivirus ; classification ; genetics ; Hepatitis C, Chronic ; drug therapy ; immunology ; virology ; Humans ; Lymphocyte Subsets ; immunology ; Male ; RNA, Viral ; analysis ; Retrospective Studies

OBJECTIVETo investigate the expression characteristics of the gene of coiled-coil domain-containing protein 70 (Ccdc70) in the mouse testis and its potential role in spermatogenesis.

METHODSUsing expression profile microarray, we screened the mouse testis-specific gene Ccdc70, studied its expression characteristics in the mouse testis by RT-PCR, real-time PCR, Western blot and immunohistochemistry, followed by bioinformatic analysis of the Ccdc70 protein.

RESULTSThe Ccdc70 gene was expressed highly in the testis but lowly in the epididymis of the mice. The Ccdc70 protein was expressed mainly in the spermatocytes and round spermatids of the testis and in the epithelial cells of the epididymis. Bioinformatic analysis showed a structural domain in the Ccdc70 protein, which was highly conserved in mammalian evolution.

CONCLUSIONThe Ccdc70 gene is highly expressed in the mouse testis and mainly in the spermatocytes, round spermatids, and epididymal epithelial cells, which indicates that it is involved in the regulation of spermatogenesis and epididymal sperm maturation.

Animals ; Computational Biology ; Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental ; Male ; Mice ; Proteins ; genetics ; Spermatogenesis ; genetics ; Testis ; metabolism