BACKGROUND:To prepare glucose-responsive microcapsules which can control insulin release as changing the glucose concentration in the medium is of great significance to control the occurrence and development of diabetes mel itus. OBJECTIVE:To study the performance of glucose-responsive alginate/modified-chitosan/alginate microcapsules carryingβ-TC3 cells. METHODS:Glucose-responsive alginate/modified-chitosan/alginate microcapsules were prepared by layer-by-layer self-assembly method to evaluate the performance. And the glucose-responsive microcapsules carryingβ-TC3 cells were prepared to observe the cel proliferation within the microcapsules. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The integrity rate of glucose-responsive alginate/modified-chitosan/alginate microcapsules could be 95%after 48 hours oscil ation, and the hardness of microcapsules lowered, but the elasticity increased. The permeability test showed that microcapsules intercepted macromolecular substances such as bovine serum albumin and immuno-globulin G. The microcapsules could release more insulin with the increase of glucose concentration. As described above, the glucose-responsive alginate/modified-chitosan/alginate microcapsules had good mechanical strength, immunoisolation effect and glucose sensitivity. Theβ-TC3 cells entrapped in the glucose-responsive microcapsules could grow wel and the peak of cel proliferation lagged behind as compared with non-microencapsulated cells, indicating the glucose-responsive microcapsules had good biocompatibility.

Objective To investigate the effect of fusidic acid cream on inflammatory reaction caused by skin barrier damage.Methods Eight male SKH-1 hairless mice were included in this study.The back of each of these mice were equally divided into six regions measuring 1 cm × 2 cm in size,which were then assigned into six groups:blank control group remaining untreated,barrier-impaired group,barrier-impaired and fusidic acid-treated group,barrier-impaired and vehicle-treated group,barrier-unimpaired and fusidic acid-treated group,barrierunimpaired and vehicle-treated group.Stratum corneum was removed by adhesive tape stripping to establish an animal model of acute skin barrier damage in the corresponding skin regions of these mice,and fusidic acid cream or vehicle was topically applied to the corresponding regions once.Twelve hours later,skin surface swab samples were collected from the back of these mice followed by bacterial culture and colony counting.Mice were then sacrificed,and skin tissue specimens were resected from these mice,and subjected to real-time fluorescence-based quantitative PCR for the measurement of the mRNA expressions of myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88),interleukin-1α (IL-1α),IL-6,epidermal antibacterial peptides S100a8 and S100a9.Statistical analysis was carried out by repeated-measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) and least significant difference (LSD) test.Results The mRNA expressions of MyD88,IL-1α,IL-6,S100a8 and S100a9 were all significantly higher in the barrier-impaired group than in the blank control group (all P ＜ 0.05).Specifically,the mRNA expression level of MyD88 in the barrier-impaired group was 8 times that in the blank control group (8.3 ± 3.0 vs.0.8 ± 0.4).Compared with the barrier-impaired group,the barrier-impaired and fusidic acid-treated group showed a significant decrease in the mRNA expressions of IL-1α (2.8 ± 0.3 vs.20.1 ± 10.0,F =47.11,P ＜ 0.01),IL-6 (1.6 ± 2.3 vs.9.4 ± 4.0,F =16.18,P＜ 0.01),S100a8 (1.5 ± 1.4 vs.5.0 ± 1.6,F=59.71,P＜ 0.05) and S100a9 (1.2 ± 0.7 vs.3.4 ± 1.6,F=21.94,P ＜ 0.05).Conlusions Fusidic acid cream could attenuate the inflammatory reaction caused by acute skin barrier damage,which might partly explain its action mechanism in the treatment of inflammatory skin diseases.

Objective To evaluate the inhibitory effect of butyl flufenamate (BT) on ultraviolet (UV)-induced acute skin phototoxic reaction,and to investigate its possible mechanisms.Methods Eight SKH-1 hairless mice were included in this study.The back of each SKH-1 hairless mouse was divided into six regions,which were then randomly classified into six groups:blank group receiving no treatment,UV group receiving UV radiation only,BT + UV group and vehicle + UV group topically treated with BT ointment and vehicle respectively followed by UV radiation,UV + BT group and UV + vehicle group topically treated with BT ointment and vehicle respectively after UV radiation.Skin samples were obtained from these mice at 24 hours after treatment.Subsequently,hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was performed,real-time PCR was carried out to detect mRNA expressions of caspase-3,p53,COX-2,PGER1,interleukin (IL)-1β,IL-6,and an immunofluorescence assay was conducted to observe the expression of caspase-3.Statistical analysis was carried out by repeated-measures analysis of variance (ANOVA).Results Compared with the UV group,both BT + UV group and UV + BT group showed a decrease in the degree of skin edema and number of apoptotic cells at 24 hours after UV radiation.Real-time PCR showed that the mRNA expressions of caspase-3,p53,COX-2,PGER1,IL-l β and IL-6 were significantly higher in the UV group than in the blank group (all P ＜ 0.05),but significantly lower in the BT + UV group than in the UV group (all P ＜ 0.05),and only the expressions of caspase-3 and p53 mRNAs were significantly decreased in the UV + BT group compared with the UV group (both P ＜ 0.05).The immunofluorescence assay revealed that the expression of caspase-3 increased in the UV group compared with the blank group,but decreased in both BT + UV group and UV + BT group compared with the UV group.Conclusion BT could partially inhibit UV-induced acute skin phototoxicity in SKH-1 hairless mice.

Objective To establish a Loop-mediated Isothermal Amplification (LAMP) for Pseudomonas aeruginosa rapid detection. Method 152 P. aeruginosa strains isolated from nasal swabs and 30 reference strains were applied. P. aeruginosa ATCC15442 was used to develop LAMP amplification and evaluate sensitivity and specificity. Results Sensitivity of LAMP was 103 times higher than PCR, with DNA amount as 132 fg. When LAMP was applied to 30 reference strains and 152 P. aeruginosa strains , the specification was 100% while iden-tification rate reached 94.7%. Conclusion The establishment LAMP showed a promising prospect in P. aerugi-nosa rapid detection.

This study demonstrates that nerve growth factor (NGF) plays a protective role in myocardial infarction and early reperfusion by reducing the myocardial cell apoptosis and by improving ventricular remodeling and seeks to assess the effects and mechanisms of NGF on late reperfusion after myocardial infarction. The models of late reperfusion were established by ligating the left main coronary artery and then cutting the suture 2 hours after coronary artery ligation. The rats in NGF treatment group were injected 10 µL Ad-NGF (by constructing the adenovirus vector Ad-NGF containing NGF gene) at four locations around infarction. The rats in adenoviral vector (Adv) group were injected 10 µL adenoviral cector as the NGF group. The late reperfusion group and the sham group were given normal saline as above, and the sham group underwent thracotomy without coronary ligation. On the 3rd, 7th, 14th and 28th day after operation, we investigated the role of NGF on late reperfusion by recording cardiac structure and function with echocardiography, by examining the expression of NGF and VIII factor with immunohistochemical method, and by evaluating the myocardial cell apoptosis with terminal dUTP nick end-labeling method (TUNEL). We found that the NGF group had higher expression of NGF protein (P < 0.01) and lower apoptosis index (AI) (P < 0.01 or P < 0.05) compared to the late reperfusion group and Adv group on all time points. The NGF group had remarkably higher level of neovascularization compared to the late reperfusion group on the 14th day (P < 0.01) and the 28th day (P < 0.05). The NGF group also had higher LVEF and FS levels compared to the late reperfusion group on the 14th day (P = 0.006, P = 0.006) and on the 28th day (P = 0.000, P = 0.000). Whereas the NGF group had lower LVEDD, LVESD (P = 0.038, P = 0.000) and lower LVEDV, LVESV (P = 0.001, P = 0.000) on the 28th day compared to late reperfusion group. In this experiment, the NGF gene carried by adenovirus vector had been transfected and obviously increased the expression of NGF protein in NGF group. NGF may help postpone the myocardial remodeling and improve the heart function by promoting the myocardial neovascularization and inhibiting myocardial apoptosis.
Adenoviridae ; Animals ; Apoptosis ; Disease Models, Animal ; Echocardiography ; Genetic Therapy ; Myocardial Infarction ; therapy ; Myocardium ; pathology ; Myocytes, Cardiac ; cytology ; Nerve Growth Factor ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Reperfusion Injury ; therapy

Objective To explore the action mechanism of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) on vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR).Methods Ts were obtained from SHR and SD rats.The aortic VSMCs were cultured in vitro by tissue explant method.VSMCs were treated with different concentration of exogenous bFGF (0 ng/ml,20 ng/ml,40 ng/ml,60 ng/ml,80 ng/ml,100 ng/ml) for 48 h,then cell proliferation was detected by 3 (4,5 dimethylthiazol)2,5 diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) colorimetric assay.VSMCs from SHR in control group were treated with bFGF (100 ng/ml) for 48h.VSMCs from SHR in treatment group were treated with bFGF (100 ng/ml) plus Proteinkinase C(PKC) inhibitor (staurosporine) for 48 h.Results After treatment with different concentration (0 ng/ml,20 ng/ml,40 ng/ml,60 ng/ml,80 ng/ml,100 ng/ml) of bFGF for 48 h,the values measured by MTT colorimetric method were 0.402 ± 0.103,0.605 ±0.090,0.696 ± 0.131,0.812 ± 0.080,0.901 ± 0.065,1.056±0.078 respectively in aortic VSMCs from SD rats,and 0.404±0.065,0.507±0.078,0.608±0.057,0.704 ± 0.107,0.812 ± 0.097,0.908 ± 0.032 respectively in aortic VSMCs from SHR.Compared with control group,the values measured by MTT colorimetric method were decreased in treatment group (P＜0.05).The proliferative effect of bFGF in aortic VSMCs from SHR was attenuated after administration of PKC inhibitor staurosporine.Conclusions Exogenous bFGF administration promotes VSMCs proliferation in SHR and SD rats in a concentration-dependent manner.PKC plays an important role in the signal transduction mechanism in VSMCs proliferation by exogenous bFGF.

Objective To evaluate the relationship between myocardial perfusion and diastolic function with velocity vector imaging (VVI) combined with myocardial contrast echocardiography (MCE) in dog models of coronary artery stenosis at rest and stress. Methods Different stenoses in anterior descending branch were made in 8 dogs. Before and after coronary artery stenosis, VVI evaluation was made on short axis image, then MCE were performed in the left ventricular mastoid muscle section at rest and in the peak dose of dobutamine. The myocardial blood flow A·β value and peak diastolic strain rate (SR_(dia)) on the direction of the circumference of the short view were measured, and the relationship between them was analyzed. Results At rest, no significant difference of A·β value nor SR_(dia) was found between the stenotic bed and normal bed when coronary stenosis was mild or moderate. However, A·β value and SR_(dia) of the stenotic bed were smaller than those in the normal bed when coronary stenosis was severe (P<0.05). At dobutamine stress, A·β value and SR_(dia) of the stenotic bed were already less than those in the normal bed when coronary stenosis was mild or moderate. A·β values and SR_(dia) of the stenotic bed decreased further compared to the normal bed (P<0.05) when coronary artery was severe. At both rest and stress, the standard A·β value was strongly correlated with SR_(dia) (r_(rest)=0.57,r_(stress)=0.72,P<0.01). Conclusion VVI can not only evaluate the diastolic function of myocardial segments on the short axis view, but also reflect changes of myocardial perfusion to a certain extent.

Objective To investigated the protective ways of intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT)for submandibular gland function in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma.Methods From March 2010 to November 2012,101 patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma were enrolled into study.They were treated with IMRT and evaluated by face to face dry mouth questionnaire during the follow-up of 3,6,12,18,24 and more than 24 months,meanwhile,their dose volume histogram of submandibular gland were taken into consideration.Results The average contralateral median dose and that of ipsilateral submandibular gland were (45.69±7.22) Gy and (51.64±8.20) Gy,respectively,and the V35,V40,V45,V50 were 95.82 ％,69.99 ％,46.90 ％,25.50 ％,and 100 ％,96.50 ％,82.24 ％,60.98 ％,respectively.There were positive relationship between the xerostomia grading of 3,6,and 12 months after radiotherapy and the average dose of submandibular gland or the V35,V40,V45,V50.After 6 month,the xerostomia in 77.2 ％ (78/101) was significantly improved,and after 12 months,less than 5 ％ of patient complained about G3 or more grade of xerostomia.Conclusions When using IMRT in nasopharyngeal carcinoma,it' s necessary to reduce the irradiated volume and the dose of submandibular gland.It is confined that the median dose of contralateral submandibular gland should be less than 40-45 Gy,and V40 or V45 ≤66.7 ％ or ≤50 ％,which can effectively protect the function of salivary gland.

Objective To investigate the value of induction chemotherapy in the treatment of stage N2.3M0 nasopharyngeal carcinoma with plasma Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) DNA＞4000 copies/ml.Methods A retrospective study was performed on clinical data from 210 patients with stage N2-3M0 nasopharyngeal carcinoma and plasma EBV DNA＞4000 copies/ml who were admitted to our hospital from 2009 to 2013.In the 210 patients,101 received induction chemotherapy plus concurrent chemoradiotherapy (NCRT) and 109 concurrent chemoradiotherapy alone (CCRT).The survival rates were calculated by the Kaplan-Meier method.The log-rank test was used for the analysis of survival rates and univariate analysis of the impacts of the changes in the plasma EBV DNA level after induction chemotherapy on the prognosis.Results The 3-year sample size was 154.The NCRT group had significantly higher 3-year disease-free survival (DFS) and distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS) rates than the CCRT group (80.1％ vs.70.6％,P =0.029;87.1％ vs.76.0％,P=O.036),while there was no significant difference in 3-year overall survival (OS) rate between the two groups (88.0％ vs.80.4％,P =0.210).Patients with stage N2 disease in the NCRT group had significantly higher 3-year DFS and DMFS rates than those in the CCRT group (P=O.031,O.014).Patients with stage N3 disease in the NCRT group had significantly higher 3-year OS,DFS,and DMFS rates than those in the CCRT group (P=0.029,0.012,0.019).In all the patients,the 3-year OS and DMFS rates were improved with the increase in the cycle number of induction chemotherapy (P =0.020,0.021).In the NCRT group,patients treated with 2,3,and 4 cycles of induction chemotherapy before radiotherapy had plasma EBV-DNA clearance rates of 51.85％,76.92％,and 88.57％,respectively (P=0.004).Using the complete clearance of plasma EBV-DNA as a predictor of progression,the sensitivity for the above three groups was 62.50％,66.67％ and 75.00 (P=0.910),respectively,and the specificity was 57.89％,90.00％ and 96.77％ (P=0.000),respectively.Conclusions In the treatment of nasopharyngealcarcinoma with plasma EBV DNA ＞ 4 000 copies/m1,induction chemotherapy improves DFS and DMFS inpatients with stage N2-3 M0 disease and OS in patients with stage N3 disease;induction chemotherapy dose not improve recurrence-free survival rate.The prognosis and plasma EBV DNA clearance rate are improved with the increase in the cycle number of induction chemotherapy.Using the complete clearance of plasma EBV DNA as a predictor of progression,the sensitivity and specificity in patients treated with 4 cycles of chemotherapy are superior over those in patients treated with 2 or 3 cycles of chemotherapy.

Objective To investigate the relationship between different topographic locations and neurological deteriorations (ND) in patients with acute new isolated pontine infarction.Methods One hundred sixty-eight patients with acute new isolated pontine infarction during arch 2012 to March 2016 were identified by diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) for retrospective review.Patients were divided into two groups according to their clinical symptoms:patients with ND and patients without ND.According to neuroimaging of DWI,the topographic location of pontine infarction was divided into three types:The upper,middle,and lower ones,and the correlations of ND with risk factors,laboratory examination results,clinical manifestations and different topographic locations were explored by statistical tests.Results Of 168 patients,26.8％ (45/168) were diagnosed with ND,and 73.2％ (123/168) were diagnosed without ND.Univariate analysis showed that there were differences in female ratio [62.2％ (28/45) vs 41.5％ (51/ 123)],smoking ratio [13.3％ (6/45) vs 26.0％ (32/123)],mean length of hospital stay [(22.83 ± 7.12)d vs (19.31 ± 7.65)d],ratio of worse short-term clinical outcomes [77.8％ (35/45) vs 33.3％ (41/123)],and ratio of lower pontine infarction [55.6％ (25/45) vs 26.0％ (32/123)] between two groups (P ＜ 0.05).Logistic regression analysis showed that lower pontine infarction was the independent risk factor of ND (OR =1.953,95％ CI:1.092-3.535,P =0.029).Conclusions Topographic location of lower pons lesions may be reliable predictor of ND in acute new isolated pontine infarction.