OBJECTIVEThis study aims to test the accuracy and precision of iWitness photogrammetry for measuring the facial tissues of mannequin head.

METHODSUnder ideal circumstances, the 3D landmark coordinates were repeatedly obtained from a mannequin head using iWitness photogrammetric system with different parameters, to examine the precision of this system. The differences between the 3D data and their true distance values of mannequin head were computed.

RESULTSOperator error of 3D system in non-zoom and zoom status were 0.20 mm and 0.09 mm, and the difference was significant (P 0.05). Image captured error of 3D system was 0.283 mm, and there was no significant difference compared with the same group of images (P>0.05). Error of 3D systen with recalibration was 0.251 mm, and the difference was not statistically significant compared with image captured error (P>0.05). Good congruence was observed between means derived from the 3D photos and direct anthropometry, with difference ranging from -0.4 mm to +0.4 mm.

CONCLUSIONThis study provides further evidence of the high reliability of iWitness photogrammetry for several craniofacial measurements, including landmarks and inter-landmark distances. The evaluated system can be recommended for the evaluation and documentation of the facial surface.

Anthropometry ; Cephalometry ; Face ; Humans ; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted ; Imaging, Three-Dimensional ; Manikins ; Photogrammetry ; Reproducibility of Results

To investigate the effect of naringenin on ovariectomy-induced postmenopausal osteoporosis comprehensively and systemically, thirty-two virgin Sprague-Dawley rats about 3-month-old were used and randomly divided into 4 groups: sham control group (Sham), OVX control group (OVX), naringenin treatment group and 17β-estradiol (E2) treatment group. After 12 weeks treatment with different drugs, 24 h urine were collected, organs were weighed and the organ indies were computed. Uterine pathological changes were observed by making paraffin section. Biochemical parameters and bone turnover markers: serum osteocalcin (BGP) and urine deoxypyridinoline (DPD) were analyzed with automatic biochemical analyzer or ELISA assay. Bone mineral density (BMD) and bone mineral content (BMC) were analyzed by DEXA, bone biomechanical properties was measured by three point bending test and the trabecular bone microarchitecture was evaluated by Micro CT. From the results, we can see that: the gaining of weight and the increasing of bone turnover markers such as serum BGP and urinary DPD could be inhibited by naringenin. The treatment could also enhance the bone strength and prevent the deterioration of trabecular microarchitecture, increase the bone volume, trabecular number and thickness, and decrease the trabecular space. The effects mentioned above were not accompanied with stimulating effects on uterus. Long-term using of naringenin had no obvious influence on other organs and the liver and kidney functions. The study suggests that naringenin had obvious antiosteoporotic effect on ovariectomized rats and it had the potential value for the treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis.
Amino Acids ; urine ; Animals ; Bone Density ; Disease Models, Animal ; Estradiol ; pharmacology ; Estrogen Antagonists ; pharmacology ; Female ; Flavanones ; pharmacology ; Osteocalcin ; blood ; Osteoporosis ; drug therapy ; Ovariectomy ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Uterus ; pathology

Objective To discuss the effects of abnormal nutritional supply during pregnancy on the adult insulin and leptin resistance in rats.Methods We established the pregnant rat models given either low protein or high nutrition diet,and normal diet group served as control.There were 12 pregnant rats in each group.After vaginal delivery,the pups birth weight were measured.The randomly selected small for gestational age(SGA)from low protein diet group,large for gestational age(LGA)pups from high nutrition diet group and normal birth weight pups from control group were studied at both 4 weeks and 12 weeks after being born.Each group contained 36 rats.The insulin and leptin level were measured by the method of ELISA,and insulin sensitive index were calculated respectively.Results The pups of mothers served with low protein showed obviously lower birth weight than those mothers with normal diet(P0.05),while the weight of fat around kidney,the ratio of fat and body weight(FW/BW)were(0.36?0.14)g,6.5?0.3,which were higher than those of control (0.19?0.13)g,3.4+O.3(P

The Chinese Pharmacopoeia 2020 edition was reviewed and approved by the National Medical Products Administration and the National Health Commission of the People's Republic of China in July 2020.The current edition was officially implemented on December 30,2020.The general chapters of the Chinese Pharmacopoeia discuss the general testing methods and guidelines,which are the common re-quirements and basis for the implementation of drug standards in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia.Owing to adherence to the principles of scientificity,versatility,operability,and sustainable development,there is an improvement in the general chapters of the 2020 edition over those of the previous editions.Further,the application of advanced and mature analytical techniques has expanded,the development of testing methods for exogenous pollutants in traditional Chinese medicines has been strengthened,and technical requirements are now better harmonized with international standards.The updated edition provides technical and methodological support to ensure safety,effectiveness,and control of pharmaceuticals in China and will play an important and active role in encouraging the application of advanced technolo-gies,improving the quality control of medicines,and strengthening the means of drug regulation in China.This review provides a comprehensive introduction of the main features of and changes to the general chapters in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia 2020 edition and aims to provide reference for its correct understanding and accurate implementation.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of Shenshao Decoction on the inflammatory status: in the aorta in a rat model of atherosclerosis.

METHODSForty Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into: five groups, 8 rats in each group: control untreated group, atherosclerosis group, atherosclerosis with Shenshao Decoction (low dose) group, atherosclerosis with Shenshao Decoction (high dose) group, atherosclerosis with simvastatin group. To stimulate atherosclerosis, the rats were fed vitamin D3 and a high-cholesterol diet. Four weeks later, treatments were maintained for eight weeks. Morphology changes were investigated by hematoxylin and eosin staining. Serum levels of total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) were obtained by enzymatic assays with use of an automated biochemical analyzer. The expression of malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX) were detected by enzyme-enzymelinked immunosorbent assay. The expression levels of interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-17A, and IL-23 were detected by linked immunoblotting.

RESULTSShenshao Decoction treatment decreased TC, TG, LDL-C and MDA and increased: GSH-PX levels (P<0.01). Compared with the control group, IL-1β, IL-17A, and IL-23 were lower in the high and

CONCLUSIONShenshao Decoction: could attenuate the progression of aortal atherosclerotic plaques by inhibiting the inflammatory response in a rat atherosclerotic model.

Animals ; Aorta, Thoracic ; drug effects ; pathology ; Atherosclerosis ; blood ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Cholesterol ; blood ; Cholesterol, LDL ; blood ; Disease Models, Animal ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Glutathione Peroxidase ; blood ; Immunohistochemistry ; Inflammation ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Interleukin-17 ; metabolism ; Interleukin-1beta ; metabolism ; Interleukin-23 ; metabolism ; Male ; Malondialdehyde ; blood ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Triglycerides ; blood

BACKGROUNDTissue-engineered heart valves have the potential to overcome the limitations of present heart valve replacements. This study was designed to develop a tissue engineering heart valve by using human umbilical cord blood-derived endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) and decellularized valve scaffolds.

METHODSDecellularized valve scaffolds were prepared from fresh porcine heart valves. EPCs were isolated from fresh human umbilical cord blood by density gradient centrifugation, cultured for 3 weeks in EGM-2-MV medium, by which time the resultant cell population became endothelial in nature, as assessed by immunofluorescent staining. EPC-derived endothelial cells were seeded onto the decellularized scaffold at 3 x 10(6) cells/cm(2) and cultured under static conditions for 7 days. Proliferation of the seeded cells on the scaffolds was detected using the MTT assay. Tissue-engineered heart valves were analyzed by HE staining, immunofluorescent staining and scanning electron microscopy. The anti-thrombogenic function of the endothelium on the engineered heart valves was evaluated by platelet adhesion experiments and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis for the expression of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) and tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA).

RESULTSEPC-derived endothelial cells showed a histolytic cobblestone morphology, expressed specific markers of the endothelial cell lineage including von Willebrand factor (vWF) and CD31, bound a human endothelial cell-specific lectin, Ulex Europaeus agglutinin-1 (UEA-1), and took up Dil-labeled low density lipoprotein (Dil-Ac-LDL). After seeding on the decellularized scaffold, the cells showed excellent metabolic activity and proliferation. The cells formed confluent endothelial monolayers atop the decellularized matrix, as assessed by HE staining and immunostaining for vWF and CD31. Scanning electron microscopy demonstrated the occurrence of tight junctions between cells forming the confluent monolayer. Platelets adhesion experiments suggested that the neo-endothelium was non-thrombogenic. The expression levels of eNOS and t-PA genes in the neo-endothelium were quite similar to those in human umbilical vein endothelial cells.

CONCLUSIONSEPCs isolated from the human umbilical cord blood can differentiate into endothelial cells in vitro and form a functional endothelium atop decellularized heart valve scaffolds. Thus, EPCs may be a promising cell source for constructing tissue-engineered heart valves.

Animals ; Cell Proliferation ; Endothelial Cells ; cytology ; metabolism ; Heart Valve Prosthesis ; Heart Valves ; cytology ; metabolism ; ultrastructure ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning ; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III ; genetics ; metabolism ; Platelet Aggregation ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Stem Cells ; cytology ; metabolism ; Swine ; Tissue Engineering ; methods ; Tissue Plasminogen Activator ; genetics ; metabolism ; Umbilical Cord ; cytology

BACKGROUNDY-27632 is a specific inhibitor of Rho-associated coiled kinase (ROCK) and has been shown to promote the survival and induce the differentiation of a variety of cells types. However, the effects of Y-27632 on adult human adipose tissue-derived stem cells (ADSCs) are unclear. This study aimed to investigate the effects of Y-27632 on the neuronal-like differentiation of ADSCs.

METHODSADSCs were isolated from women undergoing plastic surgery and cultured. ADSCs were treated with different doses of Y-27632 and observed morphological changes under microscope. The expression of nestin, neuron specific enolase (NSE) and microtubule-associated protein-2 (MAP-2) in ADSCs treated with Y-27632 was detected by immunocytochemistry and Western blotting analysis.

RESULTSY-27632 had the potency to induce neuronal-like differentiation in ADSCs in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, the differentiation induced by Y-27632 was recovered upon drug withdraw. ADSCs treated with Y-27632 expressed neuronal markers such as NSE, MAP-2 and nestin while untreated ADSCs did not express these markers.

CONCLUSIONSelective ROCK inhibitor Y-27632 could potentiate the neuronal-like differentiation of ADSCs, suggesting that Y-27632 could be utilized to induce the differentiation of ADSCs to neurons and facilitate the clinical application of ADSCs in tissue engineering.

Adipose Tissue ; cytology ; Adult ; Amides ; pharmacology ; Cell Differentiation ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Female ; Humans ; Neurons ; cytology ; Pyridines ; pharmacology ; Stem Cells ; cytology ; drug effects

Objective: To investigate the predictive value of serum E2 in early diagnosis of pregnancy through IVF-ET(in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer). Methods: Sixty-two patients (75 cycles involved) undergoing IVF-ET cycles, whose infertility was attributed to uterine tube or male factors, were enrolled. Luteal phase serum E2 was detected every other day after extraction of oocytes with micro-particle enzyme immunoassay. Results: The level of serum E2 declined progressively after extraction of oocytes in both pregnant and non-pregnant cycles, while it showed no significant difference on 2, 4, 6, 8 days after extraction of oocytes. In pregnant cycles following IVF-ET, serum E2 achieved the nadir on day 10 and then increased gradually. The differences of serum E2 levels in pregnant and non-pregnant cycles were detectable from day 10 after extraction of oocytes (816.4+ 537.6 vs. 189.5±69.3 pg/ml) (P＜0.05). In non-pregnant cycles, E2 on day 10 was significantly lower than that on day 8 ( 189.5+ 69.3 vs. 989.2+581.5 pg/ml) (P＜0.05). Conclusions: We concluded that the level of E2 on day 8 and 10 consecutively after extraction of oocytes may have predictive value in diagnosing early pregnancy. Ascension of serum E2 level of pregnant patients on day 10 forebodes the success of pregnancy, or else the failure of pregnancy.

Objective To investigate the changes of the expressions of ATP-binding cassette transporter A1(ABCA1)and the retinoid X receptor(RXR?in human carotid atherosclerotic plaques and to explore the possible mechanisms by which ABCA1 affects the formation of carotid atherosclerosis(CAS). Methods 24 carotid atherosclerotic plaque and 10 intestinal artery specimens were respectively collected to compared the expression levels of ABCA1 mRNA.RXR?mRNA and those protein,ABCA1 and RXR?gene expressions were determined by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR)in the specimens,meanwhile the presence of ABCAI and RXRcprotein was assessed by Western blot.Results ABCA1(0.79?0.04)and RXR?(0.73?0.04)gene expression were significantly elevated in carotid atherosclerotic plaques(P

The pediatric reference intervals in clinical laboratory play an important role in diagnosis of illness,therapeutic monitoring,prediction of prognosis and health evaluation.Compared with establishing reference interval for adults,there are more challenges to establish pediatric reference intervals.Therefore,the procedure and key technologies of direct method and indirect method are stated based on the characteristics of children population and pediatric,by which to define,transfer and validate pediatric reference intervals.This study will provide systematically methodological ideas for clinical laboratories to establish pediatric reference intervals.