AIM To investigate the chemical constituents from the leaves of Cucurbita moschata (Duch.ex Lam.) Duch.ex Poiret.METHODS The ethyl acetate and n-butanol fractions of 70％ ethanol extract from C.moschata leaves were isolated and purified by silica,Sephadex LH-20,ODS and preparative TLC,then the structures of obtained compounds were identified by physicochemical properties and spectral data.RESULTS Thirteen compounds were isolated and identified as β-amyrin (1),phytol (2),α-linolenic acid (3),α-methyl linolenate (4),palmitic acid (5),ethyl linoleate (6),ethyl palmitate (7),daucosterol (8),β-sitosterol (9),(6S,9R)-roseoside (10),soya-cerebroside Ⅰ (11),dibutyl phthalate (12),4,4'-diphenylmethane-bis (methyl) carbamates (13).CONCLUSION All the compounds are isolated from this plant for the first time.

Objective To investigate the role of induction of carbon monoxide (CO) with methylene chloride (MC) in recipients in ameliorating allograft rejection and prolonging allograft survival and to explore the possible mechanisms in a murine heart transplantation model.Methods Inbred male C57BL/6 mice were used as donors and inbred male Balb/c mice as recipients respectively to establish cervical heterotopic heart transplantation model.The experiments were divided into 3 groups.Recipients were treated with MC (100 mg/kg,per os) day 1 prior to transplantation to day 6 posttransplantation (group MC1w) or to day 13 posttransplantation (group MC2w),or treated with isovolumic olive oil day 1 prior to transplantation to cardiac arrest of allograft (group Tx).The serum TNF-α and IL-10 proteins,TNF-α and IL-10 mRNA,and Foxp3 mRNA and protein in cardiac grafts were measured respectively.The intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and Caspase-3 protein in cardiac grafts,and the histopathologic changes of cardiac grafts were also observed.Results Serum COHb levels in untreated mice were (0.85 ± 0.28)％.After MC application,serum COHb peaked within 3 h in recipients (5.24 ± 0,45)％ (P＜0.01 ).The median survival time of cardiac grafts in group MC1w(12.1 days) and group MC2w( 19.4 days) was longer than that in group Tx (6.3 days) (P ＜0.01). As compared with group Tx,induction of CO in group MC1w and group MC2w down-regulated significantly the levels of serum TNF-α (P＜0.01 ) and TNF-α mRNA (P＜0.01) of cardiac grafts and spleen in recipient mice,inhibited the protein expression of ICAM-1 (P＜0.01) and Caspase-3 (P＜0.01) of cardiac grafts,and inhibited,especially in group MC2w,the proliferation of lymphocytes and monocytes infiltration in cardiac grafts.There was no significant difference in serum IL-10 and Foxp3 mRNA and protein in cardiac grafts and spleen of recipients among the groups (P＞0.05).Conclusion Induction of CM in recipients could relieve cardiac allograft rejection and prolong cardiac allograft survival via its anti-inflammation and anti-apoptotic effects,not via up-regulation of Foxp3 in recipient mice.

Objective To examine whether the increase of carbon monoxide (CO) induced by oral methylene chloride (MC) administration in recipients before heart transplantation would protect heart grafts against isehemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury associated with transplantation and to explore the possible mechanism.Methods Inbred male Balb/c mice were used as donors and recipients to establish cervical heart transplantation model Recipients were treated with either MC (100 mg/kg or 500 mg/kg,per os)(group MC 100 mg,n=10;group MC 500 mg,n=12) or olive oil(0.15 ml,per os.group olive,n=10) 3 h prior to anesthesia.Age-matched norwlal mice served as controls (group N,n=5).The serum COHb and the CO content of myocardial tissue were measured at 0,1,3,6,12,24 h after oral MC administration.Half of recipients were killed at 3 and 24h after transplantation for senum or cardiac graft samples.The serum cTnI levels,the mRNA levels of TNF-α,IL-10,Bcl-2,Bax.the protein levels of NF-κB and the ultrastructures of myocardium were examined.Results As tompared with group olive.the serum COHb and tissue CO were increased significantly and peaked within 3 h in group MC 100 mg and group MC 500 mg.The serum cTnI levels in group MC 100 mg and group MC 500 mg were significantly decreased (P<0. 01 ), especially in group MC 500 mg. The increase of CO in recipients of group MC100 mg and group MC 500 mg significantly inhibited the proinflammatory gene expression of TNF-α mRNA and the pro-apoptotic gene expression of Bax mRNA (P<0. 01), and increased the anti-apoptotic gene expression of Bcl-2 mRNA (P<0. 01), but did not increase the anti-inflammatory gene expression of IL-10 mRNA (P>0. 05) in the heart grafts. As compared with group N, the myocardial NF-κB activation was increased significantly in group olive,group MC 100 mg and group MC 500 mg (P<0. 01 ), but there was no significant difference among the later three groups (P>0. 05). The myocardial ultrastructure was also alleviated significantly in group MC 100 mg and group MC 500 mg as compared with group N. Conclusion The increase of CO induced by MC in recipients suppresses pro-inflammatory and pro-apoptotic gene expression and efficiently ameliorates transplant-induced heart I/R injury. The possible mechanism does not seem to be associated with down-regulation of the NF-κB signaling pathway.

ObjectiveTo investigate the expression of estrogen receptor(ER)and progesterone receptor(PR)in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma(ICCA)and extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma(ECCA)comparatively.MethodsThe expression of ER and PR was detected in 24 specimens of ICCA and 34specimens of ECCA by immunohistochemistry assay.ResultsThe positive rates for ER and PR expression were 29 ％(7/24)and 46 ％(11/24)in ICCA specimens,respectively.3 cases among 9 cases of high histological grade,3 cases among 11 cases of middle histological grade and 1 case among 4 cases of low histological grade expressed ER positively,while 2 cases,7 cases and 2 cases expressed PR positively,respectively.The expression of ER and PR expressions showed no statistically significant differences between different histological grades of ICCA.ER and PR were all negative in 34 specimens of ECCA.Conclusion ER and PR show significant different expression between ICCA and ECCA,with exclusive positive expression in ICCA.ER and PR might be involved in the pathogeuesis of ICCA.

ObjectiveTo develop an EZ screw remover for screwing out the skidded screws,discuss its design features and biomechanical characteristics and verify its extracting effect by clinical applications.MethodsFresh skeleton specimens were used in the study,including the femur (n =3),tibia ( n =3 ),radius and ulna ( n =3 ).The screws were fixed to the specimens according to clinical requirements and bone cement was filled into the medullary cavity.The specimens were randomized into three biomechanical test model groups,ie,Group A (measuring the skidded screws with the biggest torsion when the screws were taken out by screwdriver),Group B (measuring the skidded screws with the biggest torsion when the screws were taken out by one handle of EZ screw remover) and Group C ( measuring the skidded screws with the biggest torsion when the screws were taken out by two handles).The fixed screws were divided into two types of φ4.5 mm and φ3.5 mm.The experimental specimens were tested on the universal testing machines to measure the maximum torque,torsion angle,power consumption value and efficiency when drawing out the screws. The experimental data were compared between groups.The skidded screws encountered in clinical were taken out with EZ screw remover to verify the extracting effect.ResultsThe pullout torque in Groups A,B and C was 2.87-3.27 N · m,3.06-4.83N · m and 4.12-8.36 N · m respectively ( P ＜ 0.05 ).The average torsion angle value in each corresponding group was 0.77°,0.28°,0.16° respectively (P ＜ 0.05 ).When the screws were screwed out,the average power consumption was 21 J,32 J and 45 J in Groups A,B and C respectively and power ( mechanical efficiency) was 0.35 J/s,0.53 J/s and 0.75J/s in Groups A,B and C respectively,with significant differences ( P ＜ 0.05 ).Seventeen pieces of the cannulated skidded screws of φ7.3 mm in seven patients were successfully taken out by using the EZ screw remover.ConclusionEZ screw removerhas enough resistance strength and rigidity to torsion as well as powerful clamping force and hence is an ideal tool for screwing out the skidded screw in orthopedics.

With the development of cell separation technique, hepatocyte transplantation becomes a hot topic; however, the application is limited by donor deficiency and immunological rejection. Microencapsulated hepatocytes contribute to the promotion and application for liver cell transplantation, for which provide a large amount of high activity and good function of liver cells, in this paper, liver cell microencapsulation technology and its progress in applications were reviewed, providing prospective way for large-scale and high-active culture in vitro and long-term cryopreservation.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the research literatures related to bioartificial liver, and to make a conclusion concerning the development of bio-artificial liver.DATA SOURCES: Using bioartificial liver, liver cell, hepatocyte culture and bioreactor as search terms, searching Ovid, Springer Link database, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Vip Information database and Wanfang Date (1990.09-2008.09). Literatures search was limited to English and Chinese languages.DATA SELECTION: Researches regarding liver cells of bioartificial liver, reactors and auxiliary equipment was included, and the studies about immune and animal infection studies of bioartificial liver were excluded.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: ①The source, quantity and culturing of bio-artificial liver hepatocytes. ②Bioreactor type, nature and type of films. ③Composition of oxygen and temperature control devices of bioartificial liver.RESULTS: Totally 3898 documents seized initially in the searching by computer, according to inclusion and exclusion criteria, 29 were analyzed. Bioartificial liver was a hybrid device in which can culture hepatocytes in vitro, when the patient's blood flows through the device, material exchange with the cultured hepatocytes through semi-permeable membrane or direct contacting can take place, which can perform the same roles of detoxification, synthesis, biological transformation and other functions as real liver cells, so as to achieve the purpose of support and treatment. Bioartificial liver can also be involved in metabolism of the three major nutritive substances, as well as secretion of hepatocyte growth promo ting substances. So it is an effective alternative to the real liver as the function of detoxification and synthesis, and can fills the essential gap between the transplantation and acute liver failure.CONCLUSION: Although the bioartificial liver research has made significant progress, it still faces the problems such as limited liver cells sources, long-term maintenance of liver cell activity and function, and further optimization of the reactor design.

Objective To discuss the clinical effect of dynamic hip screw(DHS)and microtrauma dynamic hip screw(MTDHS)in treatment of comminuted intertrochanteric femur fractures in the elderly patients.Methods From September 2006 to July 2009,42 patients with comminuted intertrochanteric femur fractures were treated by DHS and MTDHS.According to Evans classification,there were 16 patients with type Ⅲ fractures and six with type Ⅳ fractures in MTDHS group and 15 patients with type Ⅲ fractures and five with type Ⅳ fractures in DHS group.The operation time,amount of bleeding,hospital stay and postoperative hip function were evaluated.Results All patients were followed up for 9-17 months(average 13 months).Harris score was 76.4 points in 20 patients treated by DHS and 89.8 points in 22 patients treated by MTDHS,with better functional restoration,shorter operation time and less amount of bleeding in MTDHS group than DHS group.Conclusions Compared with DHS,MTDHS has advantages of minimal invasion,minor trauma,sound recovery of hip joint function and low incidence of complications and hence is a good choice for treating intertrochanteric femur fractures.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of Compound Yihe Tea on improving insulin resistance in obesity mice. Thirty-two male C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into 4 groups: the normal fat diet group(NFD group), high fat diet group(HFD group), Compound Yihe Tea low dosage group［20 mg/(kg ·d), YH-L group］ and high dosage group［40 mg/(kg ·d), YH-H group］. NFD group was given standard feed, and the remaining mice were administered with high fat diet. After 6 weeks, YH-H and YH-L groups were given Compound Yihe Tea for 6 weeks. Blood glucose was measured at week 11 and serum levels of total cholesterol(TC), serum triglyceride(TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-C)and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol(HDL-C)were measured at week 12. Liver tissues were prepared for oil red O and HE staining. Immunohistochemical analysis was used to test the protein expression of GLUT4 in liver. Protein expressions of PI3K, Akt and GLUT4 in epididymis white adipose tissue(WAT)were tested by Western blot. The results showed that Compound Yihe Tea could effectively reduce body weights and the serum levels of TC, TG and LDL-C. Furthermore Compound Yihe Tea could improve the histopathological changes of liver, up-regulate the protein expression of PI3K, Akt and GLUT4 in epididymis WAT and the protein expression of GLUT4 in liver. Compound Yihe Tea can reduce the fat accumulation in liver tissue, improve the indexes of blood glucose and lipid levels, and improve insulin resistance via PI3K-AKT-GLUT4 pathway.

Objective To investigate the damage sequence of posterior ligamentous complex (PLC) and its clinical significance in thoracolumbar fracture.Methods Data of 132 patients with spinal fracture evaluated with X-rays,CT and short-tau inversion-recovery (STIR) sequences in MRI were collected prospectively.Fracture morphology was classified using the AO classification.PLC components including interspinous ligament (ISL),supraspinous ligament (SSL),ligamentum flavum (LF) and facet capsules (FC) were assessed and classified as intact,edema,or tear.ISL edema was further subdivided depending on the extension (＞ 50％ or ≤50％).Correlation between MRI signal and AO progressive scale of morphological damage was analyzed.Results AO type A1/A2 fracture associated with only FC distraction.AO type A3 fracture showed additional ISL tear,usually less than 50％,with neither LF nor SSL tear.AO type B1 fracture showed FC distraction,ISL edema or disruption,and low rate of SSL/LF tear,but B2 fracture increased the rate of SSL/LF tear.AO type C fracture showed facet fracture or dislocation and ISL,SSL as well as LF tear.High correlation was found between AO progressive scale and MRI signal (P ＜ 0.01).Conclusions MRI study can well display the PLC damage and damage sequence.MRI correlates with AO progressive scale of morphological damage,which shows a progressive orderly rupture sequence among different PLC components as traumatic forces increase.