BACKGROUND:How to improve the stability of artificial cornea in the host and reduce the complications is the current key issues to be solved.Therefore,looking for an ideal biocompatible scaffold material is still the focus of the study.OBJECTIVE:To explore the biocompatibility of nano-hydroxyapatite (nHA)/polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) porous composite hydrogel and pure PVA hydrogel as artificial corneal materials.METHODS:Inverted microscope was used to observe cell growth of rabbit corneal stromal fibroblasts when cultured with nHA/PVA composite hydrogel extract or PVA extract for 48 hours.MTT method was used to detect the relative proliferation rate of rabbit corneal stromal fibroblasts cultured with nHA/PVA composite hydrogel extract or PVA extract.Systemic toxicity,allergies,pyrogen reaction and deaths were observed in New Zealand white rabbits at 48 hours after artificial corneal implantation.ELISA and hematoxylin-eosin staining were used to detect changes in serum inflammatory factors at 4 weeks after artificial corneal implantation.Slit-lamp examination was performed to observe corneal or conjunctival hyperemia/edema and corneal neovascularization at 1-4 weeks after corneal implantation.Corneal neovascularization time and neovascularization area were detected after the two materials were implanted.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The cells were sparse and grew slowly at 48 hours after culture in nHA/PVA composite hydrogel or PVA extract as compared with the blank control group.The cell growth in the nHA/PVA composite hydrogel group was better than that in the PVA group.The relative cell proliferation rate was significantly decreased at different time after culture in nHA/PVA composite hydrogel or PVA extract compared with the blank control group (P ＜ 0.05),and the relative cell proliferation rate in the nHA/PVA composite hydrogel group was significantly higher than that in the PVA group (P ＜ 0.05).There were two rabbits appearing to have allergic reaction,but no one presenting with pyrogen reaction and death in the nHA/PVA composite hydrogel group;and there were two rabbits appearing to have allergic reaction,and two appearing to have pyrogen reaction,but no death in the PVA group at 48 hours after implantation.The inflammatory factor levels were increased significantly in the nHA/PVA composite hydrogel group and PVA group compared with the control group (P ＜ 0.05),and inflammatory infiltration was milder in the nHA/PVA composite hydrogel group than the PVA group at 4 weeks after implantation (P ＜ 0.05).Corneal neovascularization appeared later in the nHA/PVA composite hydrogel group than the PVA group,and the neovascularization area was also smaller in the nHA/PVA composite hydrogel group than the PVA group (P ＜ 0.05).Taken together,the biocompatibility of nHA/PVA composite hydrogel is superior to that of pure PVA when they are used as artificial cornea materials,which provides a scientific basis for artificial cornea material innovation and extensive clinical application.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the association between cervical curvature and cervical sympathetic symptoms.

METHODSThe clinical data of 318 patients with cervical spondylosis who underwent surgical treatment in our department between July 2003 and December 2007 were retrospectively analyzed. All patients were divided into group without sympathetic symptoms (n = 284) and group with sympathetic symptoms (n = 34) . The curvatures of both groups on cervical lateral radiographs were measured using Borden method and statistical analysis was performed.

RESULTSThe incidence of abnormal cervical curvature in group with cervical sympathetic symptoms were 67.6% (23/34), which was significantly higher than that in group without cervical sympathetic symptoms (50.7%, 144/284) (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONCervical curvature abnormality may be an independent factor that affects the cervical sympathetic symptoms.

Adult ; Aged ; Autonomic Nervous System Diseases ; etiology ; Cervical Vertebrae ; pathology ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Spondylosis ; complications ; pathology

Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mikulicz' Disease ; Salivary Gland Diseases

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of Cangfu Congxian Decoction (CCD) on oxidative stress in granulosa cells of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) patients.

METHODSForty PCOS patients underwent in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (IVF-ET) were assigned to the treatment group and the control group 1 according to random digit table, 20 in each group. Patients in the treatment group took CCD (200 mL, once in the morning and once in the afternoon) 2 months before IVF-ET, while those in the control group 1 took no Chinese medical decoction. Recruited were another 20 patients undergoing IVF-ET for tubal factors (as the control group 2). The clinical effect of IVF-ET were observed, including oocyte retrieval number, 2 pronuclear (2PN) fertilization rate, good quality embryo rate, clinical pregnancy rate, and ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) induced transplantation cancel rate. The expression of relative oxygen species (ROS) in granulosa cells was detected using cell immunofluorescence combined with confocal microscopy and FCM.

RESULTSCompared with the control group 1, occyte retrieval number, 2PN fertilization rate, and good quality embryo rate increased in the control group 2 and the treatment group (P <0. 05). OHSS induced transplantation cancel rate decreased in the control group 2 (P < 0.05). Fluorescence intensity of ROS decreased in the treatment group and the control group 2, as compared with the control group 1 (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONCCD increased good quality embryo rate by down-regulating the expression of ROS protein in ovarian granulosa cells, and correcting in vivo oxidative stress.

Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Embryo Transfer ; Female ; Fertilization in Vitro ; Granulosa Cells ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Humans ; Oocyte Retrieval ; Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome ; prevention & control ; Oxidative Stress ; drug effects ; Polycystic Ovary Syndrome ; drug therapy ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Rate ; Reactive Oxygen Species ; metabolism

Objective To improve our understanding concerning radiographic manifestations of cryptogenic organizing pneumonia(COP).Methods The diagnosis of cryptogenie organizing pneumonia was made based on clinical and radiological features,and was verified with lung biopsy and pathological examination in 23 eases.All data were analyzed and relevant literatures were reviewed.Results CT scans revealed multi-patch shadows,patchy air-space consolidations in 15 cases,often located in predominantly subpleural and(or)both inferior lungs,with or ground-glass opacities,bronehieetasis,and cords.Lesion sites changed over time in some patients.Cortieosteroid treatment led to significant improvement in most cases.Conclusions The diagnosis of cryptogenic organizing pneumonia required the converging evidence from clinical and radilogieal manifestations as well as pathologies.It is important to appreciate CT manifestations of COP.

The changes of interstitial cells of Cajal(ICC)distribution and connexin 43(Cx43)expression in gastric muscle layers were assayed in gastroparesis models of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.The results showed that gastric emptying was significantly delayed,the contraction frequency and amplitude of gastric muscle segments were greatly decreased,Cx43 gray values were significantly increased and Cx43 distributed homogeneously with ICC immunopositivity in the model rats.These changes appear to be related to the pathogenesis of diabetic gastroparesis.

In this study, 101 strains of bacteria were isolated from arct ic water and sediment samples. The methanol extracts of the fermented broth prod uced by these strains were screened in vitro for anti-tumor activity on mou se tsFT210 cells using the method of flow cytometry, and screened for antibacter ial activity by the method of paper disk diffusion. The result showed that one strain exhibited anti-tumor activity and eight strains had antibacterial activ ity. The stability of the antibacterial components produced by strain AR084 an d its optimum medium were also studied. The research indicated that arctic bac teria had potential application in pharmaceutics.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the effect and mechanism of AngongNiuhuang Pill(AGNH) on neurological function and intestinal mucosal barrier in intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). METHODS Male CD-1 mice were randomly divided into sham, ICH, AGNH 0.1 g·kg-1, AGNH 0.2 g·kg-1, and AGNH 0.4 g·kg-1groups. The ICH mice models were prepared by intrastriatal injection with collage-nase using a stereotaxic frame.Garcia test was used to evaluate the neurological function of mice.The brain water content was measured with dry/wet weight method.The permeability of intestinal mucosa was detected by FITC-D method. H&E staining was used to observe the pathological changes of intestine. The content of endotoxin in blood and the expressions of ZO-1,occludin in intestinewere also investigated.RESULTS After AGNH administration,the neurological score of mice was increased,and the brain water content was decreased(P<0.01).AGNH attenuated the ICH-induced increase of perme-ability of intestinal mucosa(P<0.01).Treatment with AGNHnot only alleviated the pathological changes of the intestine but alsoreduced the endotoxin content in blood (P<0.01).The expressions of ZO-1, occludinin AGNH groups were significantly increased compared with that of ICH group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION AGNH improves the neurological dysfunction in ICH mice and the mechanism of action is implicated in protecting the intestinal mucosa.

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of Bushen Wenyang Huayu Recipe (BWHR) on hypoxia inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α), proline hydroxylase2 (PHD2), von Hippel Lindau disease (VHL) suppressor gene expressions in endometriosis (EM) rats with Shen yang deficiency blood stasis syndrome (SYDBSS), and to explore the pathogenesis of EM and the mechanism of BWHR for treating EM.

METHODSTotally 50 SD rats were randomly divided into five groups, i.e., the blank control group, the sham-operation group, the model group, the Chinese medicine (CM) group, and the Western medicine (WM) group, 10 in each group. Rats in the blank control group and the sham-operation group were fed routinely. Rats in the rest 3 groups received 30-day "extended refrigerator freezing and ice water immersion" and combined with " autotransplantation" to establish EM rat model with SYDBSS. One Milliliter BWHR at 3.33 g/mL was administered to rats in the CM group by gastrogavage. Gestrinone at the daily dose of 0. 5 mg/kg was administered to rats in the WM group by gastrogavage. Equal volume of normal saline was administered to rats in the model group, the blank control group, and the sham-operation group. The size and morphology of ectopic foci in rats were observed after 4 weeks of medication. Expressions of serum CA125, plasma cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP), and plasma cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) were detected by radioimmunoassay. Morphological changes of eutopic endometrium and ectopic tissue were observed under the optical microscope by HE staining. Protein expressions and contents of HIF-lα, PHD2, and VHL were detected by immunohistochemical SABC method and Western blot. mRNA expressions of HIF-1α, PHD2, and VHL were detected by RT-PCR.

RESULTSThe ectopic foci grew significantly in the model group. Their volumes were obviously contracted after treated by CM and WM. Compared with the blank control group and the sham-operation group, serum CA125 and plasma cGMP obviously increased, cAMP obviously decreased (P < 0.05); expressions and contents of HIF-1α mRNA and protein all decreased (P < 0.05); mRNA and protein expressions and contents of PHD2 and VHL all decreased in the model group (P < 0.05). Compared with model group, levels of CA125 and cGMP obviously decreased; cAMP levels obviously increased, expressions and contents of HIF-1α mRNA and protein all increased, mRNA and protein expressions and contents of PHD2 and VHL all increased in the WM group and the CM group (P < 0.05). Compared with the CM group, PHD2 protein contents were higher in the WM group (P < 0.05). HIF-1α was negatively correlated with PHD2 (r = -0.799, P = 0.00). HIF-1α was negatively correlated with VHL (r = -0. 625, P = 0.003).

CONCLUSIONSBWHR could effectively treat EM. Its mechanism might be associated with reducing contents of HIF-1α, serum CA125, and plasma cGMP, and up-regulating expressions of PHD2, VHL, and cAMP.

Animals ; Cyclic AMP ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Endometriosis ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Female ; Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit ; metabolism ; Proline ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Up-Regulation ; Yang Deficiency ; drug therapy ; metabolism

The effects of the feed attractants on Whitmania pigra were studied. The average weight of Wh. pigra were 5.0 g. Arginine was selected as feed attractants, xanthan gum was selected as feed substrate. The times of Wh. pigra going into the inducing room were recorded. The water temperature was 22-25 degrees C during the whole experiment. Arginine that had better inducing effect was chosen to carry on in the gradient experiment. The results showed that the best inducing effect was found when the added amount of arginine was 0.3%, which was close to the arginine content of the natural body fluid of Wh. Pigra and Bellamya purificata, 2.97 mg x g(-1).
Animal Feed ; analysis ; Animals ; Arginine ; analysis ; metabolism ; Body Weight ; Feeding Behavior ; Leeches ; growth & development ; physiology