Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), multipotent stem cells, can replicate as undifferentiated cells and have the potential to differentiate into different lineages of mesenchymal tissues, including bone, cartilage,endothelial, neural, smooth muscle, skeletal myoblasts, and cardiac myocyte cells. The ischemia-induced death of cardiomyocytes results in scar formation and reduced contractility of the ventricle. Several preclinical and clinical studies have supported the notion that MSCs therapy may be used for cardiac regeneration.When transplanted into the infracted heart, MSCs prevent deleterious remodeling and improve recovery, but the mechanism is not clear. In this work,we review evidence and new prospects that support the use of MSCs in cardiomyoplasty.

Objective: To observe the effects of acupoint thread-embedding therapy on serum apelin and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients with obesity due to dampness-heat encumbering spleen.Methods: Sixty-six patients were randomly divided into a control group and an observation group according to the random number table method, with 33 cases in each group. Patients in the control group were treated with exenatide and metformin, while patients in the observation group were treated with additional acupoint thread-embedding. After 12-week treatment, the obesity-related indicators, including body mass index (BMI), waist circumference and body fat rate, the glycometabolism indicators, including fasting blood glucose, 2 h postprandial blood glucose and glycosylated hemoglobin, and the lipid metabolism indicators, including total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), as well as serum apelin and GLP-1 levels were observed in patients of the two groups. Results: After treatment, the BMI, waist circumference and body fat rate of patients in the two groups were all reduced (all P<0.05), and were lower in the observation group than in the control group (all P<0.05); the fasting blood glucose, 2 h postprandial blood glucose and glycosylated hemoglobin levels of patients in both groups were all decreased (all P<0.05), and were significantly lower in the observation group than in the control group (all P<0.05); the TC level was decreased (P<0.05), while the TG and LDL-C levels did not change significantly in the control group (both P>0.05); the TC, TG and LDL-C levels were all significantly reduced in the observation group (all P<0.05), lower than those in the control group (all P<0.05); the serum apelin level was decreased (P<0.05) and the serum GLP-1 level was increased (P<0.05) in the observation group, statistically different from those in the control group (both P<0.05). Conclusion: Combined with the conventional medication, acupoint thread-embedding therapy can significantly improve the obesity-related indicators, glycometabolism and lipid metabolism in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients with obesity due to dampness-heat encumbering spleen. This may be achieved by regulating the serum apelin and GLP-1 levels.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of antibiotic-PMMA (polymethyl-methacrylate) beads combined with external fixator in treatment of infected fracture nonunion.

METHODSTwenty-two cases of infected fracture-nonunions were reviewed involving 20 male and 2 female with an average age of 34.68 years (ranging 21 to 74 years). The data consisted of 9 cases of tibial fractures, 2 distal fractures of the femur, 6 femoral shaft fractures, 3 intertrochanteric fracture of the femur and 2 humeral shaft fractures. The procedure included thorough debridement to wipe out dead bone and granulation tissue, then antibiotic-PMMA bead chains imbedded into the dead space. One week later, secondary debridement was performed, antibiotic-PMMA bead chains were changed according to result of bacterial culture and susceptibility test, and fractures were stabilized with external fixator. Three months after debridement, antibiotic-PMMA bead chains were taken out and bone graft with autogenous iliac cancellous bone chips was performed.

RESULTSThe mean follow-up period was 19.98 months (ranging 15 to 28 months). Infection was controlled in 20 cases. One tibial fracture and 1 intertrochanteric fracture of the femur needed repeated debridement 2 and 3 months after bone grafting respectively,because of infection recurrence and sinus formation. All 22 cases achieved bony union averaged 15.09 weeks after bone grafting with a range of 8 to 24 weeks.

CONCLUSIONThorough debridement, imbedding antibiotic-PMMA bead chains combined with external fixator and staged bone grafting has proven to be effective and simple for treatment of infected fracture nonunion. The antibiotic bead delivers high tissue levels,obliterates dead space, aids bone repair.

Adult ; Aged ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; therapeutic use ; Bone Diseases, Infectious ; drug therapy ; microbiology ; surgery ; Bone Transplantation ; External Fixators ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Fractures, Bone ; complications ; drug therapy ; surgery ; Fractures, Ununited ; complications ; drug therapy ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Polymethyl Methacrylate ; chemistry ; Young Adult

Adenocarcinoma ; blood supply ; physiopathology ; Capillaries ; metabolism ; ultrastructure ; Cell Separation ; Cells, Cultured ; Endothelial Cells ; cytology ; metabolism ; ultrastructure ; Humans ; Microcirculation ; Stomach Neoplasms ; blood supply ; physiopathology

The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility of the human cord blood adult stem cells (ASCs) to differentiate into hepatocytes in vitro induced by combined stimulation with hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), stem cell factor (SCF) and leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF). The adult stem cells were obtained through density gradient centrifugation and magnetic activated cell sorting (MACS). The adult stem cells were cultured in DMEM with HGF (10 ng/ml)+SCF (10 ng/ml)+LIF (10 ng/ml) in induced group I. In induced group II the enriched cells were cultured in DMEM with SCF (10 ng/ml)+LIF (10 ng/ml) and the undifferentiated cells acted as the control group without the factors. The morphology of cells was observed by the inverted phase contrast microscopy; the expression of albumin (Alb), human hepatocyte cytokeratin (CK18) and alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) were detected by immunofluorescence, immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR assay in the 21-day culture. Alb secreted by hepatocytes in the medium was determined by radioimmunoassay (RIA) at day 7, 14, 21, 23 and 25. The results showed that the shapes of ASCs changed and their sizes and number increased in the course of culture in group I. After being induced for three weeks, the cells turned round and resembled hepatocyte-like cells. The mRNA for Alb could be detected by RT-PCR in the differentiated adult stem cells in group I, and the mRNA for AFP was poorly detected by RT-PCR at day 21. Alb and CK18 were positive through immunofluorescence and immunohistochemistry at day 21, compared with group II and the control group. In group I, Alb in the medium significantly increased, compared with control group, and reached the highest level at day 21, then decreased at day 23. It is concluded that under some definite inducing conditions, human cord blood adult stem cells can differentiate into hepatocyte-like cells and HGF plays a critical role during the course.
Adult Stem Cells ; cytology ; Cell Differentiation ; physiology ; Cells, Cultured ; Fetal Blood ; cytology ; Hepatocyte Growth Factor ; pharmacology ; Hepatocytes ; cytology ; Humans ; Leukemia Inhibitory Factor ; pharmacology

Curcumin has a wide spectrum of pharmaceutical properties such as antitumor, antioxidant, antiamyloid, and anti-inflammatory activity. However, poor aqueous solubility and low bioavailability of curcumin are major challenge in its development as a useful drug. To overcome many of these problems, curcumin-loaded long-circulating liposomes (Cur-LCL) were prepared by the ethanol injection method. Morphology of Cur-LCL was observed by transmission electron microscope, mean particle size and Zeta potential were detected by laser particle size analyzer, entrapment efficiency and drug loading were evaluated by ultracentrifugation. The drug release behavior in vitro and pharmacokinetic behavior in rats of Cur-LCL were investigated with curcumin (Cur) and curcumin liposomes (Cur-Lips) as control. The results showed that the mean diameter of Cur-LCL was 110 nm, the Zeta potential was -5.8 mV. The entrapment efficiency and drug loading of Cur-LCL was 80.25%, 2.06%, respectively. The release behavior in vitro studied by dialysis in PBS buffer showed significant sustained release profile that 48.95% Cur were released from Cur-LCL in 7 h, 88.92% in 24 h. The pharmacokinetic parameters showed that compared with Cur and Cur-Lips, the t(1/2beta) of Cur-LCL was extended to 13 and 1.8-fold, respectively. Besides, the AUC values was significantly increased (P < 0.01), and the clearance was evidently decreased (P < 0.01). These results from in vitro and in vivo indicated that Cur-LCL were able to realize controlled drug release and increase circulation time.
Animals ; Curcumin ; chemistry ; pharmacokinetics ; Delayed-Action Preparations ; chemistry ; pharmacokinetics ; Drug Carriers ; chemistry ; Female ; Humans ; Liposomes ; chemistry ; Male ; Particle Size ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Solubility

Authors raised that staging based strategies and practice of integrative medicine (IM) by combining syndrome typing and disease identification, and choosing suitable measures in accordance with different persons and seasonal conditions after more than ten years' clinical practice and researches. Radical operation as prior (as evil eliminating) and strengthening vital qi in perioerative period are best strategy for promoting rapid rehabilitation of early stage prostate cancer patients. Strengthening body resistance to eliminate evil was used in treating advanced prostate cancer patients. For example, a comprehensive treatment program for hormone-dependent patients was combined with endocrinotherapy and Chinese herbs for synergisic efficacy-enhancing actions. In this way, these patients' quality of life (QOL) were improved and time to castration resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) was delayed, even some patients were clinically cured. There are lack of effective medicines and methods for CRPC patients. Greatly tonifying original qi is mainly used for improving their clinical symptoms and prolonging survivals. Practice has proved staging based strategies and practice of IM has favorable advantages in treating prostate cancer, especially showing prospect in prolonging survival and postponing progression of advanced prostate cancer patients. Besides, it also could provide beneficial considerations and inspiration for combination of syndrome typing and disease identification.
Disease Progression ; Humans ; Male ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Neoplasm Staging ; Prostatic Neoplasms, Castration-Resistant ; diagnosis ; Quality of Life

OBJECTIVETo study the compatibility of composite herbal medicines of the Ling Gui Zhu Gan Decoction.

METHODEthanol extract test solutions of the different combinations were prepared according to the orthogonal layout L16(4(5)). Pharmacologic experiments, such as the time of surviving of mice in shortage of oxygen in regular air pressure, the antagonizing effect on arrhythmia induced by chloroform and diuresis were carried out with the solutions. Variance analysis, canonical correlation and stepwise regression analysis were applied to interrelate the amount of each drug and the pharmacologic data.

RESULTThe results confirmed that Fuling and Guizhi are the basis, while Baizhuand Gancao are the adjuvans, which is conformed to the theory of TCM.

CONCLUSIONThis study provides a significant try for studying the compatibility of composite herbal medicines.

Animals ; Anti-Arrhythmia Agents ; therapeutic use ; Diuretics ; pharmacology ; Drug Combinations ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; isolation & purification ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Hypoxia ; drug therapy ; Male ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Mice ; Phytotherapy ; Plant Extracts ; isolation & purification ; therapeutic use ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Ventricular Fibrillation ; drug therapy

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of lymphadenectomy adjacent to inferior mesenteric artery root on the prognosis of rectal cancer.

METHODSClinicopathological data of 260 cases with rectal cancer undergone radical operation were analyzed retrospectively. The patients were divided into two groups. Group D(2): the lymph nodes adjacent to mesenteric artery root were not excised (n=188). Group D(3): the lymph nodes adjacent to mesenteric artery root were excised (n=72). Prognosis of two groups was compared during the follow-up period.

RESULTSIn group D(2), the 1-, 3-, 5-year total survival rates (TS) were 97.3%, 87.2% and 77.1%, and tumor-free survival rates (TFS) were 93.1%, 83.0% and 76.8% respectively. In group D(3 ), the 1-, 3-, 5-year total survival rates (TS) were 94.4%, 79.2% and 73.6%, and tumor-free survival rates (TFS) were 86.1%, 76.4% and 71.0% respectively. The differences of TS and TFS between two groups were not significant according to Kaplan-Meier analysis (P>0.05). Multivariate analysis revealed that the excision of lymph nodes adjacent to mesenteric artery root was not statistically correlated with the recurrence, metastasis and survival time after radical operation of rectal cancer.

CONCLUSIONExcision of lymph nodes adjacent to inferior mesenteric artery root has no significant impact on prognosis and it is unnecessary in the radical operation of rectal cancer.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Female ; Humans ; Lymph Node Excision ; methods ; mortality ; Lymph Nodes ; surgery ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Male ; Mesenteric Artery, Inferior ; surgery ; Middle Aged ; Prognosis ; Rectal Neoplasms ; mortality ; pathology ; surgery ; Survival Rate ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo establish a simple, sensitive, specific and less-costly method for detecting genotypes of TT virus (TTV).

METHODSTTV DNA was tested by nested polymerase chain reaction (nPCR) in sera from 180 patients with different types of viral hepatitis and 96 normal individuals in Beijing. TTV genotypes were determined in 40 sera collected from TTV DNA positive patients by heteroduplex mobility assay (HMA) and through sequencing.

RESULTSThe positive rates of TTV DNA in viral hepatitis patients and normal individuals were 22.2% (40/180) and 19.8% (19/96), respectively (chi(2) = 0.220, P = 0.639). TTV DNA positive rates of patients with hepatitis A, B, C, E and non-A to E were 20.0% (6/30), 16.7% (5/30), 23.3% (7/30), 36.7% (11/30) and 18.3% (11/60), respectively. Of 40 TTV DNA positive patients, 20 (50.0%) were TTV G1, 7 (17.5%) TTV G2, 10 (25.0%) coinfected with different genotypes of TTV, and 3 untyped by HMA. Twenty G1 and 7 G2 detected by HMA were confirmed by sequence analysis. Of 10 patients coinfected with different genotypes of TTV, 5 were G1 and G2, 2 G1 and G3, 1 G1 and G4, 1 G1 and G3, and 1 with G1, G2 and G3 coinfections.

CONCLUSIONHMA was recognized as simple, sensitive, specific and less-costly, thus could be used for genotyping of TTV.

DNA, Viral ; analysis ; Genotype ; Hepatitis, Viral, Human ; virology ; Heteroduplex Analysis ; methods ; Humans ; Phylogeny ; Torque teno virus ; classification ; genetics