BACKGROUND:The repair of temporomandibular joint disc is stil a great clinical chal enge. Pluripotent adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells bring a hope for fibrocartilage tissue repair. Up to now, there are few studies concerning transforming growth factor-β3 to induce differentiation of adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells into fibrochondrocytes.
OBJECTIVE:To observe the growth and morphology of adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells under the induction of transforming growth factor-β3.
METHODS:We observed the morphology of fibrochondrocytes differentiated from adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells under the induction of transforming growth factor-β3. Histological and immunofluorescence staining were employed to detect the expression of extracellular matrix Ⅰ, Ⅱ col agens and proteoglycansthe produced by adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells. We also evaluated the feasibility of adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells as seed cells for fibrocartilage tissue engineering.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Under the inverted fluorescence microscope, induced cells showed obvious aggregation growth, polygonal shape, and increased secretion of extracellular matrix. Alcian blue staining results showed that under the induction of transforming growth factor-β3, adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells exhibited the distinctly deep blue, indicating a large number of glycosaminoglycan was synthesized. Immunostaining results showed that under the induction of transforming growth factorβ3, adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells synthesized extracellular matrix Ⅰ, Ⅱ col agen. These findings suggest that transforming growth factorβ3 can induce adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells to differentiate into fibrouscartilage-like cells, and that adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells can serve as seed cells for fibrocartilage tissue engineering.

The aim of this study was to obtain the alginate gels which could have proper compressive strength and excellent permeability for cell proliferation and could have more promising potentials in the application of tissue engineering. Through the reaction of the carboxyl of the alginate and the amino of methacrylic acid, methylacrylic was generated into alginate long chain which could be enhanced by the polymerization of double bond under thermal reaction condition. And then alginate gel beads were prepared using the mixture of calcium chloride and barium chloride solution as cationic crosslinker, and the compressive modulus and permeability of the prepared alginate gel beads were investigated. When the ratio of barium ions to calcium ions was 5:5, the compression modulus was 189.7 kPa, and it showed the best permeability for trypsin with molecular weight of 24 kDa and entrapment effect for bovine serum albumin with molecular weight of 67 kDa. Compared to compositions of other ratios, the alginate gel beads made in 5:5 mixture indicated excellent compressive modulus and permeability. These results indicated that the alginate hydrogel beads with the ratio of barium ions to calcium ions being 5:5 have a potential application in tissue engineering as a support material and encapsulating materials in cell culture.
Alginates ; chemistry ; Barium Compounds ; chemistry ; Calcium Chloride ; chemistry ; Cations ; Cell Culture Techniques ; Cell Proliferation ; Chlorides ; chemistry ; Cross-Linking Reagents ; chemistry ; Gels ; chemistry ; Metals ; Polymethacrylic Acids ; chemistry ; Tissue Engineering

PTH-related protein (PTHrP) is an abundant factor in bone which shows paracrine,endocrine,autocrine functions combined with PTHrP receptor and plays an important role in bone metabolism.Rencent years have witnessed that PTHrP plays a significant therapeutic effect on osteoporosis and exhibits some new functions.

Objective:To ascertain the levels of individual doses to radiation workers arising from occupationally external exposure in China in 2017, with an aim to provide basic data and scientific basis for prevention and control of occupational radiation sickness.Methods:Data on individual doses to monitored workers engaged in medical and industrial applications of radiation sources were collected through National Individual Dose Registry, with statistical analysis being carried out using Kruskal-Wallis H test, Mann-Whitney U test and Bonferroni method. Results:A total of 361 727 radiation workers were investigated in 2017, of which 81.6% was from medical application and 18.4% from industrial application, respectively. The average annual effective dose from medical and industrial applications were 0.353 and 0.270 mSv, respectively, with the former significantly higher than the latter ( Z=48.547, P<0.05). Furthermore, a statistically significant difference was seen in the average annual effective dose for each occupational category of medical application ( H=1 136.217, P<0.05), suggesting that the dose values for the monitored workers in nuclear medicine and interventional radiology were significantly higher than for other four medical categories ( Z=2.877-26.967, P<0.05). These dose values for the radiation workers was 0.361 mSv in tertiary hospitals, 0.397 mSv in secondary hospitals, and 0.308 mSv in primary and unrated hospitals, respectively. The dose values for the monitored workers in industrial radiography and well logging were significantly higher than for other five industrial categories of industrial applications ( Z=4.172-36.908, P<0.05). Conclusions:The average annual effective doses to the of monitored workers meet the relevant national standards. The exposure doses to the workers in nuclear medicine, interventional radiology, industrial radiography and well logging are relatively high. The necessary measures and devices for radiation protection should be further strengthened to reduce occupational exposure of workers.

Objective:To investigate the levels of dose to eye lens of interventional radiology workers in China from 2017 to 2019.Methods:The monitoring data on eye lens doses to the interventional radiology workers in 28 provinces across the country were collected from National Individual Dose Registry. Monitoring was carried out using TLDs on their left eyes and evaluated in terms of the personal dose equivalent Hp(3). By using Mann-Whitney U test and Kruskal-Wallis H test, statistical analyses were made of the average annual lens doses to interventional radiology workers in the hospitals of different types at different levels for different years. Results:From 2017 to 2019, the data on eye lens doses to 2 981 interventional radiology workers were collected, with doses ranging from below the minimum detectable level (MDL) to 64.48 mSv, the average annual eye dose of 1.38 mSv, and the annual doses incurred by 0.97% monitored workers exceeding the recently recommended dose limits, 20 mSv per year. The average annual lens dose monitored in general hospitals and in cancer hospitals were 1.33 and 1.77 mSv, respectively, without statistically significant difference ( P>0.05). The average annual lens dose in tertiary hospitals was 1.39 mSv, significantly higher than that in secondary hospitals where the value was 1.16 mSv ( Z=2.894, P<0.05). Conclusions:The estimated annual eye lens doses to the interventional radiology workers during 2017-2019 were in accordance with the current national standard GB 18871-2002, but with a few exceptions exceeding the current international standards. This means that there exists, to a certain degree, a potential risk for the eye lens in this work category to exceed the international limits. It is suggested to continue in effort to enhance the monitoring of eye lens dose for these workers and to increase risk awareness, and take effective protective measures so as to lower the level of eye lens doses.

Objective:To understand and analyze the levels of individual dose to medical radiation workers from occupational external exposure in Inner Mongolia autonomous region from 2015 to 2019, with a view to provide basic scientific data for workers′ health protection and radiation protection management.Methods:By using National Individual Dose Registry, the individual dose monitoring result and other related data for medical workers were collected and analyzed.Results:The average annual individual doses to medical radiation workers in a time order from 2015 to 2019 were 0.72, 0.87, 0.88, 0.71 and 0.64 mSv, respectively. There were significant differences in the annual effective dose distribution in diagnostic radiology, dental radiology, nuclear medicine, radiotherapy, interventional radiology and other applications ( H=466.56, P<0.05). The average annual effective doses to workers in interventional radiology and nuclear medicine had not shown significant difference ( P>0.05), but significantly higher than those in other occupational categories ( Z=19.95, 9.87, 10.10, 12.76, P<0.05). Conclusions:The average annual effective dose to medical radiation workers is in accordance with the relevant national standards. The dose values for the radiation workers involved in interventional radiology and nuclear medicine are relatively high, especially for interventional radiology workers and radioactive drug operators. The protection measures should be further improved in radiation protection workplace.

Objective To explore the value of abnormal imaging findings on susceptibility weighted imaging (SWI) in delayed graft function (DGF). Methods The conventional MRI and SWI images of 26 cases with DGF and 20 cases with normal renal function of transplanted kidneys were retrospectively analyzed. Patients with cysts and angiomyolipomas were excluded. Normal structures of transplanted kidney were identified. If lesions of abnormal signal intensity were found in the transplanted kidney, the location, border and signal intensity compared to renal cortex would be analyzed. The differences in signal intensity between the abnormal signal lesions and normal renal cortex in the same SWI layer of DGF were compared by using independent-sample t test. The differences in positive detection rate of discovering the abnormal signal lesions in DGF between conventional MRI and SWI were compared by using McNemar test. Results Of the 26 cases with DGF, one case was found to exhibit abnormally low signal lesions with fuzzy boundary located at junctional zone between cortex and medulla on both conventional MRI and SWI images. Ten cases were found to exhibit abnormally low signal lesions with fuzzy boundary located at junctional zone between cortex and medulla on SWI images only. Fifteen cases exhibited no abnormal signal lesions on both conventional MRI and SWI images. Twenty cases with normal renal function of transplanted kidney, no abnormal signal lesions were found on both conventional MRI and SWI images. The differences in signal intensity between the abnormally low signal lesions (130±20) and normal renal cortex (177±25) in the same SWI layer of 11 cases with DGF were statistically significant (t=-4.582,P<0.01). The differences in positive detection rate of discovering the abnormally low signal lesions in DGF between conventional MRI [3.8%(1/26)] and SWI [42.3% (11/26)] were statistically significant (χ2=8.100,P=0.002). Conclusions Abnormally low signal lesions with fuzzy boundary located at junctional zone between cortex and medulla on SWI images suggest the presence of DGF. Compared with conventional MRI, SWI appears to be superior in detecting the abnormally low signal lesions.

Based on the Donabedian structure-process-outcome model, we summarized and analyzed the relevant research on midwifery quality index construction from three dimensions of structure, process and result. Then by comparing the differences between domestic and foreign midwifery quality indexes, we pointed out the shortcomings of existing researches and put forward prospects. This study provides a reference for establishing a standardized and unified midwifery quality index system in the future.

Objective To investigate the effect of berberine on proliferation of neural stem cells(NSCs)induced by hydrogen peroxide(H2O2). Methods NSCs from Sprague-Dawley rats were isolated and purified by suspension culture. Cells were divided into a control group,H2O2group(NSCs exposed to H2O2injury),berberine group(NSCs were incubated with berberine concentrations ranging from 0.5 to 20 μmol/L and exposed to H2O2), and DAPT(a blocker of the Notch signaling pathway)group. Cell viability was evaluated using the Cell Counting Kit-8 assay. Proliferation of NSCs was evaluated by a neurosphere formation assay and Ki67 protein expression. Expression of key proteins in the Notch signaling pathway(including notch1 and hes1)in response to berberine treatment or DAPT(a Notch inhibitor)was determined by Western blotting. Results Cell viability of NSCs was significantly increased by berberine compared with the H2O2group. The neurosphere growth assay showed that 5 or 10 μmol/L berberine increased NSC proliferation. The ratio of Ki67 +/DAPI cells and notch1 and hes1 protein expression increased significantly compared with the H2O2group. Conclusions Berberine treatment upregulates Notch signaling in NSCs,whereas DAPT attenuates these effects. Berberine is a drug that promotes NSC proliferation and exerts a protective effect on NSCs via the Notch signaling pathway.

Acupoint sticking therapy is a comprehensive Traditional Chinese Medicine treatment method combining meridian, acupoint and Chinese herbal medicine. It is widely used in the treatment of chemotherapy-related gastrointestinal reaction, cancer pain, tumor related intestinal obstruction, cancer-related fatigue, etc. It is oftenuse in conventional treatment and nursingprocess, or usedalone, or combined with oraladministration of Chinese and Western Medicine and acupoint massage. This therapy could avoid the gastrointestinal irritation caused by oral administration. The advantages are as follow: the operationis simple with obvious effect, and low price andtheacceptance is high.