On the basis of ARMT core processor, a biological signal acquisition system with USB2.0 interface is presented in this paper. It is self-developed and Lab VIEW7 is taken as a host communicating software platform for the entire data communication system. The study is mainly focused on the firmware programming for USB chip, the development of USB WDM Driver, and the method for the calling of DLL from Lab VIEW7 to communicate with self-made hardware device.

AIM: To study the role of protein kinase B (PKB) in tryptase-induced gene expression on ECV304 cells. METHODS: The expression of PKB, transcript factor AP-1 and NF-?B P65, IL-8, JNK, p38MAPK, and the activity of PKB were measured using RT-PCR and Western blotting. RESULTS: Tryptase at concentration of 1 ?g/L increased the activity of PKB by promoting PKB phosphorylation, promoted the expression of PKB, chemokine IL-8, transcription factor AP-1 and NF-?B P65, however, no changes of JNK and p38MAPK was observed. PI3K specific inhibitor (LY294002) abolished the augment of PKB, NF-?B P65 and IL-8 expression. Antisense PKB cDNA transfection also abolished the augment of PKB, AP-1, NF-?B P65 and IL-8 expression. Though PAR2 antibody did not inhibit PKB expression, it did inhibit the phosphorylation by tryptase in ECV304 cells. CONCLUSION: These results indicate that tryptase can activate PKB through PAR2 receptor and subsequently NF-?B, AP1, IL-8 and PKB expression.

[ABSTRACT]AIM:Toexploretheeffectoftheelasticmodulusandsizesofliquidcrystal(LC)phasesonosteo-genic differentiation based on OPC/PU composite substrate by mimicking the microenvironment in rat bone mesenchymal stem cells (rBMSCs).METHODS: A series of composite substrates with different elastic modulus were constructed via modulation of LC content in the composites .The surface phase structure was observed by polarized microscopy , and the mechanical property was measured by a universal material testing machine .Furthermore, the laser confocal microscope was employed to observe the spreading , polarization and the cytoskeleton arrangement of the rBMSCs .The proliferation of rBM-SCs was evaluated by CCK-8 assay.The specific mRNA expression of osteogenic differentiation such as collagen Ⅰ, and osteopontin on the composite membranes was detected by real-time PCR.RESULTS:The size and number of LC phase in-creased and the elastic modulus of the composite substrates decreased with the increase of the LC content .The rBMSCs ex-hibited better characteristics of initial adhesion , spreading and proliferation on the OPC 10-PU and OPC30-PU in the early and medium culturing .The rBMSCs displayed higher expression of collagen Ⅰ and osteopontin on the OPC10-PU in the early and medium osteogenic induction , while the high expression of these osteogenic genes occured on the OPC 30-PU and OPC50-PU in later osteogenic induction .The emphasis of genetic expression was switched from collagen Ⅰin the early and medium osteogenic induction to osteopontin in the later stage .CONCLUSION:When the content of LC remained low in the composite substrates , rBMSCs mainly responded to the mechanical stimuli induced by substrate stiffness and exhibited distinguished cellular behaviors;with the increase in the LC content , rBMSCs had strong interactions with LC by sensing the viscoelasticity of LC , probably resulted from the contribution of both substrate stiffness and the viscoelasticity of LC phase .

AIM: To study the effect and the mechanism of crenulatin, an effective constituent of Chinese traditional medicine, on apoptosis of cerebral microvascular endothelial cells. METHODS: The following terminal concentrations of crenulatin were used in the study: 25 mg/L and 100 mg/L. Apoptosis of mouse cerebral microvascular endothelial cells (bEnd. 3 cell line) was evaluated by flow cytometer, immunocytochemical assay (Fas, Bcl - 2) and Western blotting (caspase - 3) after culture for 24 h. RESULTS: Compared with control group, apoptosis of bEnd. 3 cells in 25 mg/L group was significantly inhibited ( P ＜0.05), but apoptosis in the 100 mg/L group was significantly increased (P ＜ 0.05). In apoptosis inhibited group, the Fas immunocytochemical staining was weaker, the positive cells were significantly decreased ( P ＜ 0.05) and caspase - 3 expression was decreased compared with control group; however, the Bcl - 2 staining was stronger and the positive cells were significantly increased ( P ＜ 0.05). On the other hand, in apoptosis increased group ( 100 mg/L group), the changes were just opposite. CONCLUSIONS: The effect of crenulatin on apoptosis of mouse cerebral microvascular endothelial cells possesses a dual - direction change, inhibitive effect in 25 mg/L and stimulative effect in 100 mg/L group, respectively. The mechanism is related to the alterations of Fas/Bcl - 2 expression and caspase - 3 activity.

Objective To explore the changes and significance of serum visfatin (VF) levels in patients with preeclampsia (PE). Methods Eighty-one cases of PE were served as observed group, 39 cases of mild PE (mild PE group) and 42 cases of severe PE(severe PE group), 45 cases of normal pregnant women as control group. Fasting plasma glucose (FPG), fasting insulin (FINS), total cholesterol (TC) and triglyceride (TG) were measured and the homeostasis model assessment insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) were evaluated in these cases. The levels of serum VF were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results There were no significant difference in the levels of FPG, FINS, HOMA-IR among three groups (P > 0.05). The levels of TG, TC were significantly increased in severe PE group compared with mild PE group or control group (P < 0.05). The level of serum VF in severe PE group [(22.45 ± 4.18) μ g/L]was significantly higher than that in control group [(14.52 ± 3.25) μg/L]and mild PE group [(18.75 ± 3.96) μ g/L](P < 0.05). The level of serum VF had no relationship with the levels of FPG, FINS (r = 0.21,0.24, P > 0.05), the positively correlation was found between the level of serum VF and HOMA-IR, TC, TG (r = 0.42,0.36,0.41, P < 0.05) in patients with PE. Conclusion VF elevates in the patients with preeclampsia and closely relates with the severity of PE, insulin resistance and lipid metabolism.

] AIM: To study the effect and the mechanism of crenulatin, an effective constituent of Chinese traditional medicine, on apoptosis of cerebral microvascular endothelial cells. METHODS: The following terminal concentrations of crenulatin were used in the study: 25 mg/L and 100 mg/L. Apoptosis of mouse cerebral microvascular endothelial cells (bEnd.3 cell line) was evaluated by flow cytometer, immunocytochemical assay (Fas, Bcl-2) and Western blotting (caspase-3) after culture for 24 h. RESULTS: Compared with control group, apoptosis of bEnd.3 cells in 25 mg/L group was significantly inhibited (P

Background and purpose: Pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PanIN) is thought to be a precursor lesion of infiltrating pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. The mutation of the phenotypic impact of K-ras G12D alone, silencing of p53 and p16 could promote this process. The role of Smad4 in this progression was poorly understood. In the present study, we investigated the role of Smad4 in the development of pancreatic tumor, based on PanIN cell line from mice with K-ras G12D mutation in order to investigate the effect of Smad4 silencing on PanIN cells in the development and malignant transformation in nude mice. Methods: Smad4 knock-down PanIN cells (PanIN-S) were established by stable transfeetion with lentiviral-mediated Smad4 RNA interference (RNAi). In xenograft model experiments, BALB/c nude mice were randomly divided into 2 groups (5 mice per group) implanted with PanIN or PanlN-S cells subcutaneously. Two weeks after tumor cells inoculation, tumor volume and weight were estimated. PCNA staining was used to evaluate cell proliferation and CD31 polyclonal antibody was used to assess micro-vessel density (MVD) in tumors. Results: Effect of siRNA of Smad4 gene in PanlN cells was confirmed by RT-PCR and Western blot. Compared with PanlN groups, there was a dramatic increase in tumor volume and weight in PanIN-S groups (P<0.05). Furthermore, immunohistochemical analysis of the harvested tumors suggested that Smad4 silencing was associated with 'increased tumor cell proliferation (PCNA reactivity) and angiogenesis (micro-vessel density, MVD). The percentage of PCNA-positive cells in the PanlN-S groups were significantly increased than PanIN groups (P<0.05). CD31 staining revealed a significant increase in the PanlN-S groups compared to the PanlN groups (P<0.05). Conclusion: Silencing of Smad4 in PanlN cells with endogenous expression of K-ras G12D, enhanced progression to invasive adenocarcinomas. Cell proliferation and vascularization may be its important mechanisms.

Objective To investigate the value of dynamic three-dimensional contrast-enhanced ultrasound (3D-CEUS) in evaluating therapeutic response of hepatoma treated with radiofrequency ablation (RFA).Methods Totally 48 cases of patients with hepatic carcinoma (48 lesions) admitted in Xiangya Hospital of Central South University from September 2012 to January 2014 were selected.All patients underwent radiofrequency ablation,of which 30 patients were diagnosed by pathology after surgery,18 patients by clinical diagnosis.All patients underwent two-dimensional contrast-enhanced ultrasound (2D-CEUS) and 3D-CEUS 1 month and 3 months after RFA treatment to evaluate the therapeutic response,and the results of contrast-enhanced ultrasound and enhanced computed tomography (CT) [or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)] were compared.The final diagnostic results of pathologic biopsy or more than two imaging examinations [ultrasonography,CT,MRI,positron emission tomography (PET)],tumor markers,and more than 3 months follow-up of patients were used as the gold standard.The sensitivity,specificity and accuracy of dynamic 3D-CEUS,2D-CEUS,enhanced CT (or MRI) in the diagnosis of tumor inactivation were calculated respectively.Results After radiofrequency ablation,dynamic 3D-CEUS could provide more valuable information in 75.0％ (36/48) lesions,which contribute to assess the efficacy of radiofrequency ablation.While compared with 2D-CEUS,3D-CEUS did not change the diagnosis or clinical management in 12 (25.0％) lesions.40 of 48 lesions were found no-enhancement in entire CEUS procedure suggesting that the tumor completely inactivated,while 8 lesions showed local enhancement on the edge of lesion suggesting that part of the tumors were active.39 of 48 lesions showed no-enhancement and other 9 with irregular enhancement on enhanced CT (or MRI).The sensitivity,specificity and accuracy of CEUS and enhanced CT (or MRI) in detection of residual tumor after radiofrequency ablation were 80.0％,100％,95.8％ and 80.0％,97.4％,93.8％,respectively.Conclusions There was no statistical significance among 3D-CEUS,2D-CEUS and enhanced CT or MRI in evaluating therapeutic response of hepatoma treated with radiofrequency ablation.But 3D-CEUS can provide more valuable information,3D-CEUS has potential usefulness in the evaluation of percutaneous radiofrequency ablation of hepatic tumors.

Objective To explore the effects of cranioplasty onneurological functionin patients based on the cerebral CT perfusion technique. Methods Twenty cases of patients receiving cranioplasty were rerecorded during the study period,and they wererespectively scanned by CT perfusion within 72 hours before and 2 weeks after the cranioplasty. Meanwhile,the neurological function was evaluated by neurological function scale. Results The difference of cerebral blood flow before and after cranioplasty was statistically significant(P<0.05), whereas the difference of cerebral blood volume,transit time to the peak and mean transit time was not statistically significant(P>0.05).Correlation analysis showed that the preoperativedifference ratio of thecerebral blood infusio-nis not correlated with the neurological function score(P > 0.05). The changes of preoperative and postoperative difference rateof the cerebral blood infusionwas correlated with the functional independence measure(P < 0.05), whereas not with mini-mental state examination(P > 0.05). Conclusions The neurological function of the patients after cranioplasty may be improved.This improvement may benefit from the improvement of cerebral blood flow after cranioplasty.

Endometriosis is a common chronic gynecological disease with endometrial cell implantation outside the uterus.Angiogenesis is a major pathophysiology in endometriosis.Our previous studies have demon-strated that the prodrug of epigallocatechin gallate(ProEGCG)exhibits superior anti-endometriotic and anti-angiogenic effects compared to epigallocatechin gallate(EGCG).However,their direct binding targets and underlying mechanisms for the differential effects remain unknown.In this study,we demonstrated that oral ProEGCG can be effective in preventing and treating endometriosis.Additionally,1D and 2D Proteome Integral Solubility Alteration assay-based chemical proteomics identified metadherin(MTDH)and PX domain containing serine/threonine kinase-like(PXK)as novel binding targets of EGCG and ProEGCG,respectively.Computational simulation and BioLayer interferometry were used to confirm their binding affinity.Our results showed that MTDH-EGCG inhibited protein kinase B(Akt)-mediated angiogenesis,while PXK-ProEGCG inhibited epidermal growth factor(EGF)-mediated angiogenesis via the EGF/hypoxia-inducible factor(HIF-1a)/vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)pathway.In vitro and in vivo knockdown assays and microvascular network imaging further confirmed the involvement of these signaling pathways.Moreover,our study demonstrated that ProEGCG has superior therapeutic effects than EGCG by targeting distinct signal transduction pathways and may act as a novel anti-angiogenic therapy for endometriosis.