Acupuncture Therapy ; Animals ; Female ; Humans ; Polycystic Ovary Syndrome ; therapy

BACKGROUND:As one of the main active ingredients in epimedium, icari n plays an important role in bone defect repair. Sustained and effective concentration of icari n in vivo is essential for bone damage repair.
OBJECTIVE:To recommend the research progress of epimedium glycoside for bone repair and to explore the pharmaco-active concentration of icari n.
METHODS:A computer-based online search of CNKI database (http://www.cnki.net/) and PubMed database (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/PubMed) from January 2000 to October 2013 was performed for related articles of the effect of icari n for bone defect repair and bone damage repair. The key words were“icari n, concentration, bone”in Chinese and English. After repeated articles were excluded, 76 related articles were screened out and 44 of them met the inclusive criteria.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The icari n-released scaffold materials can induce the osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells, promote the viability of osteoblasts and inhibit the resorption of osteoclasts, thus repairing bone tissue. It is certain that icari n promotes cellular dif erentiation, however whether it can promote cellular proliferation remains unclear. The pharmaco-active concentration of icari n ranges from10-8 to 10-5 mol/L, but clinical trial has not yet been carried out, and specific drug concentration is uncertain, which needs further exploration.

AIMTo investigate the effects of CoQlo supplementation on liver mitochondrial function and aerobic capacity in adolescent athletes.

METHODSBased on a single blinded study design, 18 male adolescent swimming athletes were randomized into two groups, supplement CoQ10 100 mg/d (Q group), or placebo (P group) for 28 days respectively.

RESULTS(1) After supplementation, the plasma CoQ10 concentration in Q group was significantly elevated and significantly higher compared to P group. (2) After supplementation, the rest plasma MDA level in Q group remained unchanged and was significantly lower compared to P group. (3) The plasma CoQ10 concentration of the 18 athletes was significantly decreased during the first constant endurance exercise. (4) The baseline plasma CoQ10 of the 18 subjects showed significantly positive correlation with VO2max measured in the first incremental exercise. (5) No significant difference of increased level of AKBR between Q group and P group. (6) No significant difference of increase level of VO2max, individual lactate threshold and exercise economy between Q and P group.

CONCLUSIONAlthough there is an increased demand for plasma CoQ10 during endurance exercise and CoQ10 supplement can depress lipid peroxidation, there is no effect of CoQ10 supplementation on liver mitochondrial function and aerobic capacity in adolescent athletes.

Adolescent ; Exercise ; Humans ; Lipid Peroxidation ; Male ; Mitochondria, Liver ; metabolism ; physiology ; Physical Endurance ; Swimming ; Ubiquinone ; administration & dosage ; analogs & derivatives

Background Most animal models of experimental autoimmune uveitis (EAU) are single attacked procedure,with a different feature from the natural course of human recurrent autoimmune uveitis.So establishing a recurrent EAU model is necessary for the clinical study on EAU.Objective This study was to establish the recurrent EAU model in rat and investigate the ocular inflammation and pathological manifestation and interleukin-17 (IL-17)expression in the eye.Methods T cells isolated from the spleen and draining lymph nodes of Lewis rats immunized with interphotoreceptor retinoid-binding protein (IRBP) 1177-1191 peptide fragments (R16) 10 days earlier were re-stimulated with R16 in vitro and injected into naive syngeneic rats to establish the recurrent EAU models,and the normal Lewis rats were used as controls.The eyes of model rats were then examined daily for clinical signs of uveitis by slit-lamp biomicroscopy and scored Caspi's criteria.The rats were sacrificed 1 month,2,3months after injection respectively,and the retinal sections were prepared for the pathological examination by hemotoxylin & eosin staining.Immunohistochemistry was performed to detect the expression of IL-17 in the retina.Results Adoptive transfer of R16-specific T cells to Lewis rats induced recurrent uveitis.The inflammatory scores on the fourth day,the sixth day,and the inflammatory response disappeared on the tenth day after injection.However,the inflammatory reaction occurred repeatedly 4 or 5 times in the 2-month duration after that,and the right and left eyes of a single recipient showed a different pattern of relapse,and the clinical manifestations of EAU was similar to the natural course to those of human autoimmune uveitis.In the retinal specimens of 1-,2-and 3-month group,the number of inflammatory cells was gradually decreased as the time lapse.Compared with the normal group,the thicknesses of the entire retina,outer nuclear layer and inner nuclear layer decreased with a significant difference among the 4 groups (F=20.46,288.40,4.43,all P=0.00).The number of RGCs in the normal group,1-,2-and 3-month group was 231.27 ± 15.36,225.36 ± 17.79,132.18 ±9.39 and 67.45 ± 11.90,respectively,showing a significant difference among them (F=68.94,P=0.00).Immunohistochemistry showed that the scores of the IL-17 expression in the rat retina were 0.64 ± 0.17,1.92 ± 0.19,1.17 ± 0.23 and 0.83 ± 0.23,showing statistically significant difference (F=64.10,P=0.00).Conclusions The stimulation of R16-specific T cells can induce recurrent EAU in Lewis rat.Th17 is involved in the disease course.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of MNNG on some of the transcription factors such as NF- kappaB, CREB, AP-1 and c-Myc.

METHODSThe activities of these transcription factors were measured by transient transfection assay of SEAP vectors.

RESULTThe expressions of AP-1, CREB and NF- kappaB driven reporter genes were elevated for about 1.3, 1.4 and 1.3 times in MNNG-treated cells, respectively, as compared to untreated controls. However, the exposure of MNNG had no effect on the activity of c-Myc.

CONCLUSIONThe activation of certain transcription factors might be involved in the process of untargeted mutation induced by low concentration of MNNG treatment.

Animals ; Cercopithecus aethiops ; Cyclic AMP Response Element-Binding Protein ; drug effects ; Methylnitronitrosoguanidine ; toxicity ; Mutation ; NF-kappa B ; drug effects ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myc ; drug effects ; Transcription Factor AP-1 ; drug effects ; Transcription Factors ; drug effects ; Vero Cells

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of Yangjing Zhongyu Decoction (YZD) on mRNA and protein expression of PCNA, StAR, and FSHR in ovarian granulose cells (GCs) cultured by excess androgen.

METHODSOvarian GCs from porcine follicles were isolated and cultured in vitro. Follicular stimulating hormone (FSH) or YZD was added in the GCs treated by excess testosterone propionate. Totally 48 h later mRNA and protein expression of PCNA, StAR, and FSHR were detected by RT-PCR and Western blot.

RESULTSExcess androgen inhibited mRNA and protein expression of PCNA, StAR, and FSHR of GCs. FSH and YZD could antagonize inhibition of excess androgens, and promote mRNA and protein expression of PCNA, StAR, and FSHR in GCs.

CONCLUSIONYZD could antagonize the inhibition of excess androgen on mRNA and protein expression of PCNA, StAR and FSHR in GCs. Thus, we inferred that YZD could improve the follicle dysplasia by promoting mRNA and protein expression of PCNA, StAR and FSHR in GCs.

Androgens ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Cells, Cultured ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Female ; Follicle Stimulating Hormone ; pharmacology ; Granulosa Cells ; cytology ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Membrane Transport Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Ovarian Follicle ; cytology ; drug effects ; Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen ; genetics ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; Receptors, FSH ; genetics ; metabolism ; Swine

Objective To explore the clinical application of percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy in gastroin- testinal nutrition among critically ill patients.Methods Twenty-two patients were undertaken percutaneous endo- scopic gastrostomy under the lead of gastroscope.The puncturatio site was located in anterior wall of stomach.Results All the procedures were performed successfully for one time.Intraoperational blood pressure was very steady.At the same time,intraoperational SpO_2 of the patients all exceeced 97%.The bleeding amount and operation time were respectively (3.8?1.9) ml and (15.5?2.3) min.Severe complications such as gastrostoma,gastrocolic fistula, pneumoperitoneum,refluxing or aspiration of gastric juice,inhalant pneumonia didn't occur after the operation.Con- clusion Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy was safe and feasible among critically ill patients who needed gastroin- testinal nutrition because of its slight injury,little bleeding and shorter operational time.

OBJECTIVETo construct an oncolytic adenovirus with the DD3 promoter regulation, expressing small hairpin RNA and targeting the SATB1 gene (SATBI-shRNA), and to evaluate its potential for inhibiting the growth of human prostatic carcinoma cells (LNCaP) in vitro.

METHODSSATB1-shRNA expression cassettes containing the H1 promoter were produced by PCR from pSilencer3. 1-SATB1 and inserted into the pZD55 vector, and the recombinant plasmid pZD55-SATB1-shRNA was constructed, pZD55SATB1-shRNA and pZXC2-DD3-E1A were digested with EcoRV and Xba I , and the obtained expression cassettes linked each other to construct the recombinant plasmid pDD3-ZD55-SATB1, which was cotransfected with the pBHGE3 packaging plasmids mixture into 293 cells by Effectence. The recombined adenoviruses DD3-ZD55-SATB1 were identified by PCR. Viruses were propagated on HEK293 cells and purified by standard techniques, and the functional PFU titers determined by plaque assay on 293 cells. The antitumor potential of DD3-ZD55-SATB1 to LNCaP was evaluated by the crystal violet dye method. The expression level of the E1A gene was detected by Western blot, and that of the SATB1 gene in the adenovirus-infected LNCaP cells by both Western blot and RT-PCR.

RESULTSAn oncolytic adenovirus expressing SATB1-shRNA with the DD3 promoter regulation, DD3-ZD55-SATB1, was constructed successfully, whose functional PFU titer was 1.2 x 10(10) PFU/ml. DD3-ZD55-SATB1 showed an obvious cytopathic effect and a selective expression of E1A in the adenovirus-infected LNCaP cells; it exhibited a high LNCaP-targetability and specific SATB1-silencing effect.

CONCLUSIONThe successful construction of the oncolytic adenovirus DD3-ZD55-SATB1 offers a new tool for researches on the gene therapy for human prostate cancer.

Adenoviridae ; genetics ; Carcinoma ; therapy ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Genetic Vectors ; Humans ; Male ; Matrix Attachment Region Binding Proteins ; genetics ; Oncolytic Virotherapy ; methods ; Oncolytic Viruses ; genetics ; Promoter Regions, Genetic ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; therapy ; RNA Interference ; RNA, Small Interfering ; genetics

OBJECTIVECord blood (CB) provides a rich source of stem cells for transplantation. CB transplantation has been used widely after myeloablative therapy. One major disadvantage of CB transplantation is delayed platelet engraftment. The aim of this study was to hasten platelet engraftment by investigating the ability of different hematopoietic growth factor combinations to generate large numbers of megakaryocyte (Mk) from CB and by evaluating the biologic characteristics and function of the expanded Mk.

METHODSCB samples were obtained at the end of normal full-term deliveries with informed consent. Mononuclear cells (MNCs) were isolated from CB using Ficoll density centrifugation. MNC population was positively selected for CD(34) expression by magnetic cell sorting (MACS). CD(34)(+) cells were cultured in serum-free and stroma-free medium containing the following two different cytokine combinations: thrombopoietin (TPO) + stem cell factor (SCF) + interleukin (IL) -3 + IL-6 and TPO + SCF. Cultures were characterized after 3, 7, 10 and 14 days by flow cytometry, colony forming unit-megakaryocyte (CFU-Mk) and maturation evaluation (Mk ploidy). The expanded Mk function was examined by the platelet activation in vitro and severe combined immunodiffiency (SCID) mice transplantation in vivo.

RESULTSDifferent results were observed with different culture conditions. With the first cytokine combination optimal expansion of CD(41)(+) cells was observed on day 10, but the optimal expansion of Mk progenitors (CD(34)(+)CD(41)(+)) was observed on day 7, with a median 121 and 44-fold increase at the starting cell dose. This result was also proven by CFU-Mk. The largest numbers of CFU-Mk were also observed on day 7. The degree of maturation of Mk cells also increased as suggested by DNA content of CD(41)(+) cells, which means that CD(34)(+) cells cultured for 3 - 7 days were richer in primitive Mks, while those cultured for 10 - 14 days had greater numbers of more differentiated Mks. For the second cytokine combination, CD(41)(+) and CD(34)(+)CD(41)(+) cells were fewer than the first one, but it produced 36 and 85-fold CD(34)(+)CD(41)(+) and CD(41)(+) respectively on day 7. Platelet activation test confirmed that the expanded Mks had normal function. Therefore, the expanded Mks could be transplanted into the SCID mice bone marrow and produce human platelet in the peripheral blood of the mice.

CONCLUSIONEx vivo expanded Mk might facilitate CB transplantation and help shorten the period of post-transplant thrombocytopenia.

Animals ; Antigens, CD34 ; Cell Culture Techniques ; methods ; Cells, Cultured ; Culture Media ; Fetal Blood ; cytology ; Humans ; Leukocytes, Mononuclear ; cytology ; Megakaryocytes ; cytology ; Mice ; Mice, SCID

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the value of valplast dentures in the temporary restoration of single missing anterior tooth.

METHODSTotally 76 patients who needed temporary restoration of single missing anterior tooth were involved and equally divided into two groups according to their own choices of procedures: group A, with valplast dentures as their temporary dentures and group B, with conventional removable partial dentures as their temporary dentures. Meanwhile,38 patients who had their single anterior teeth pulled out and did not need temporary dentures were enrolled as control group without any temporary restoration, and impressions were taken immediately before the temporary dentures were used (2 weeks after tooth extraction) and before the initiation of permanent restorations (97-100 days after tooth extraction).The heights of clinical crowns of the adjacent teeth were also recorded twice from plaster models made from the impressions.The height of labial gingiva recession was calculated as the difference between the two heights recorded.

RESULTSThe height differences of clinical crowns of the adjacent teeth was 0.5mm (range: 0.0-1.2mm) in group A, which was significantly larger than those in group B [0.0mm;(range: 0.0-0.6mm)](P<0.05) and in group C[0.0mm;(range: 0.0-0.4mm)](P<0.05).However, the difference was not significant between group B and group C (P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONApplication of valplast denture as temporary denture may cause labial gingival recession of the adjacent teeth, and therefore is not suitable for the restoration of single missing anterior tooth.

Adult ; Dental Restoration, Temporary ; instrumentation ; Dentures ; adverse effects ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Gingival Recession ; etiology ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Tooth Loss ; therapy ; Young Adult