BACKGROUND:Under normal physiological conditions, there is a homeostasis between the osteogenic and adipogenic differentiation of human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cel s. Osteogenic differentiation is an important process in the formation of skeleton in which differentiated and mature osteoblasts are indispensable. OBJECTIVE:To explore the role of miR-106a and its target gene, bone morphogenetic protein receptor 2 (BMPR2) in the differentiation of human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cel s into osteoblasts. METHODS:Human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cel s were induced to differentiate into osteoblasts by osteoblast-specific induction medium, and this process was detected by western blot and alkaline phosphatase staining. Overexpression of miR-106a was elicited by transfecting miR-106a mimics and the BMPR2 knockdown achieved by RNA interference. The expression levels of miR-106a and BMPR2 were detected by real-time PCR and western blot, respectively. The interaction of miR-106a and BMPR2 was verified by TargetScan software and dual luciferase report experiment assay. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The expression of miR-106a was decreased whereas the expression of BMPR2 increased with the progress of osteogenesis differentiation. When miR-106a was overexpressed, alkaline phosphatase activity was declined and the expressions of runt-related transcription factor 2 and osteocalcin, markers of osteogenesis differentiation, both decreased. The expression of BMPR2 was decreased as wel . BMPR2 was predicted to be the target gene of miR-106a by TargetScan software and this prediction proved by dual luciferase report experiments assay. Additional y, osteogenesis differentiation was inhibited by knocking down the expression of BMPR2. These results indicate that miR-106a regulates the differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cel s into osteoblasts by targeting BMPR2.

OBJECTIVE:To evaluate the status quo and the tendency of antiepileptic drugs used in6Children's Hospitals in the Yangtze Valley.METHODS:Data on drug variety,sales volume,manufacturers of antiepileptic drugs used in6Chil?dren's Hospitals in the Yangtze Valley during2002～2004were analyzed statistically.RESULTS:Sodium valproate and topi?ramate took a bigger share in the market with the proportion of both to the antiepileptic drugs in sales volume at about40%.The old variety still took the lead in the clinical drug consumption while the momentum for the consumption of new one was quite fine.CONCLUSION:There are only a few varieties of antiepileptics now yet the sales volume of which is on the rise,therefore,of which there is still prospect of development.

As an important organ of the human body,vascular endothelial cells (VECs) play a vital role in heat stressinduced tissue damage.Its integrity not only serves as a barrier for maintaining vascular permeability but also has major impact on cellular structure and function during acute phase response to heat stress.In heat stroke,a series of acute and complicated pathophysiological changes,including microcirculation change,damage VECs and thereby induce or aggravate multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS).Meanwhile,studies have shown that,during heat stroke,VECs are the major responding cells and one of the most common cells that experience morphological and functional changes.Therefore,VECs damage might be an important mechanism involved in heat stroke.This article reviews the mechanism of heat-induced damage of VECs and its effect on vital organs.

Objective To compare 2 kinds of commonly used viral vectors, adeno-associated viral (AAV) vector and lentiviral (LV) vector in the gene transfection for bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). Methods MSCs were isolated with density gradient (lymphocytes seperation) and identified with HE staining and immunocytochemistory staining for Nestin. The proliferation of BMSCs was detected with BrdU labeling. AAV mediated gene transfection was carried out through recombinant AAV-LacZ viral particles. For LV mediated gene transfection, the LV particles were used directly. The transfection efficiency was estimated with β-gal staining and green fluorescent protein under the fluorescent microscope respectively. Results MSCs was successfully isolated from the bone marrow. HE staining showed that MSCs was with big nucleus, 1-3 nucleoli, and high nucleocytoplasmic ratio. BrdU labeling suggested that MSCs were proliferating. Some MSCs expressed Nestin. The gene transfection efficiency mediated with AAV vector was 49.1%, and it was 91.4% with LV vector (P<0.01). Conclusion The LV vector is more efficient on gene transfection than AAV vector.

Liver transplantation is one of the main treatments for acute and chronic liver failure currently.In recent years,with the lack of donor liver transplantation and the in creasing number of patients,the major donator of liver transplant is brain dead patients.In brain-dead state,organ functions de cline gradually.Changes in hemodynamics and immunity could lead to inflammation and alter hormone release.Organ survival and patients'prognosis can be unpredictable.The study of the above phenomenal mechanisms is still at an early stage.This article summarized the current liver transplant treatments by explai ning the pathophysiology of donor organ damage and reviewing the prognosis.The aim of this article was to provide a perspective for future study on this topic.

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of high-dose Astragalus injection and cyclophosphamide (CTX) on infection, urine protein and immune function of the patients with lupus nephritis. METHODS: Forty-three patients diagnosed as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) complicated by kidney damage and qi-deficiency syndrome were randomly divided into trial group (n=23) and control group (n=20). Patients in both groups were treated for 3 months. Intravenous drip infusion of 0.8 g CTX was administered to all patients once a month, while intravenous drip infusion of 20 ml Astragalus injection was only administered to patients in the trial group every day for 12 days in each month. RESULTS: The decrease of active clinical symptom score after the treatment in the trial group was greater than that in the control group (P<0.05). The infection rates of the trial group and the control group were 4.35% and 25% respectively. The decrease of 24-hour urine protein and CD8, and the increase of red blood cell count and serum albumin in the trial group were greater than those in the control group, and there were significant differences between the two groups (P<0.05). White blood cell count in the trial group was decreased less than that in the control group after the treatment (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: High-dose Astragalus injection used together with CTX is more effective than CTX alone in decreasing infection rate and urine protein and improving immune function for patients with lupus nephritis.

Objective To compare the operative results of three kinds VATS on the treatment of young people with SP. Methods 108 young SP patients treated with VATS were involved in the research. 42 cases re?ceived three?port,35 cased double port and 31 cases uniport. Operation period,perioperative blood loss,time of intrathoracic drain tube,postoperative length of stay and postoperative pain were compared. Results No statistical difference was found in terms of operation duration between three?port VATS and double port VATS group (P >0.05). The postoperative pain in double port VATS and uniportal VATS lighter than uniportal VATS (P<0.05) . No statistical difference was found in terms of postoperative pain between double port VATS and uniport VATS group (P>0.05). Perioperative blood loss ,time of intrathoracic drain tube and postoperative length of stay showed no dif?ference in 3 groups (P>0.05). Conclusions Double port VATS has both the advantages of shorter operation time and lighter postoperative pain and was worth being popularized.

Objective:To investigate the relationship between the expression of CD 15 antigen and Cath-D carcinogenesis,progression and metastasis of endometral carcinoma.Methods:The expression of CD 15 and Cath-D in 40 cases of endometral adenocarcinoma was detected by SP immunohistochemical technique.Results:The positive rates of CD 15 and Cath-D were 72.5% and 67.5% respectively.CD 15 was correlated with the histologic grading and clinical staging of endometral adenocarcinoma (P

Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of low energy intracardiac cardioversion in persistent atrial fibrillation. Methods Low energy intracardiac cardioversion was performed by delivering R wave synchronized biphasic shocks in 7 patients(4 men, 3 women) with persistent atrial fibrillation. Prior to the procedure, all patients underwent transesophageal echocardiographic examinations to rule out the presence of intracardiac thrombus and received subcutaneous injection of low molecular weight heparin for 3 5 days. Two custom made 6 Fr catheters(Rhythm Technologies of Getz, USA) were used for de fibrillation shock delivery. One catheter was positioned in the lower right atrium so that the majority of the catheter electrodes had firm contact with the right atrial free wall. The second catheter was placed randomly either in coronary sinus through right internal jugular vein or in the left pulmonary artery through femoral vein. In addition, a standard diagnostic 6 F quadropolar catheter was placed at the right ventricular apex for ventricular synchronization and postshock ventricular pacing. Shocks were delivered by Implant Support Device(Model 4510, Teleceronics). After conversion, all patients were treated with intravenous amiodarone in the first 24 hours followed by oral administration. Results In all 7 patients cardioversion of atrial fibrillation to sinus rhythm was successfully obtained. A mean of 2?1 shocks per patient has been delivered with a total amount of 13 shocks. The average delivered energy was 7.8?2.2 Joules. No complication occurred. At a mean follow up of 18?9 months, 4 of the 7 patients treated successfully showed sinus rhythm there after. Atrial fibrillation recurred in 3 patients at the second, fifth day and eighth month after cardioversion. Conclusions Low energy intracardiac cardioversion is effective and safe, and can be easily performed in patients without geneal anesthesia. It offers a new option for restoring sinus rhythm in patients with persistent atrial fibrillation.

Objective: To evaluate the effect, tolerance and safety of low-dose oral amiodarone in the prevention of AF after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Methods: Between 1998 and 1999, 235 adult patients underwent CABG. They were given 0 6 g of amiodarone (80 patients) or placebo (155 patients) daily for 7 days before surgery and 0 2g of amiodarone or placebo daily for 30 days postoperatively. Results: The incidence of postoperative AF was significantly (P=0 001) lower in treatment group (10%) as compared with placebo (21 94%). Only 3 cases had pro-arrhythmic effects and no side effects in treatment group. Conclusion: 1.Perioperative low-dose oral amiodarone significantly reduced the ventricular rate and reduced occurrence and duration of atrial fibrillation after CABG. 2.Low-dose amiodarone is well tolerated and decreased the risks of severe side effects and pro-arrhythmic effects, especially for these patients with high risk factors in perioperative period.