Vascular bypass grafting is the most common procedure for ischemic heart disease and peripheral vascular disease. Although synthetic grafts have been developed, replacement of vessels with purely synthetic polymeric conduits often leads to the failure of such graft, especially in the grafts less than 6 mm in diameter, mainly due to the early formation of thrombosis, infection and so on. Tissue engineering is a relatively new discipline that offers the potential to create vascular grafts from autologous cells and biodegradable polymer scaffolds. It has become a promising approach for generating a biocompatible vessel graft and contributing to the long-term patency rate of small-caliber grafts. This review describes the major progress in the tissue engineering vascular grafts, including the seeding cell sources, the biodegradable scaffolds, the construction technologies of tissue-engineered vessels, as well as nanotechnology.

Objective To compare the biological characteristics of adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ADAS) and bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs).Methods The adipose and bone marrow-derived sources of mesenchymal stem cells were separated,and their phenotype,cell doubling time and the secretion of factors were compared.They were also used to detect T-cell cycle,activation,and proliferation inhibition.Results BMSCs and ADAS were similar on the cell phenotype and the differences only existed in the expression of only CD106.For the proliferation rate,ADAS grew faster than BMSCs (doubling time 28 h vs.39 h,P＜0.05); ADAS and BMSCs also had the same ability to inhibit T cell proliferation,and dose-dependent effects existed in mitogen-stimulated Tcell proliferation and MLR: there was a strong inhibitory effect in 1:2,but this effect disappeared at 1: 100.Both ADAS and BMSCs could arrest most T cells in the G0/G1 phase,but the role of ADAS was weaker than that of the BMSCs.ADAS could not inhibit apoptosis of T cells.ADAS and BMSCs played the same roles in inhibiting the differentiation of TH0 to TH1 or TH2: mainly inhibiting differentiation of TH 0 to TH1 cells (IL-2-and IFN-γ-producing cells),but having no significant effect on TH2 cells (IL-4-and IL 10-producing cells).Conclusion ADAS and BMSC have a similar role in immune regulation.In the same volume,fat tissue has the number of more than 10 times of stem cell precursor cells than that of bone marrow,so adipose tissue is a more promising stem cells transplant source.

AIM: To investigate the effect of silymarin on homocysteine-induced cell viability and apoptosis in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). METHODS: Cell viability was analyzed by using MTT and LDH assay. Apoptotic cells were detected by using DNA fragmentation and flow cytometric analysis. The level of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the potential of mitochondrial membrane were determined by flow cytometric assay. The activity of caspase-3, -6 and -9 were measured with microplate spectrofluorometer. Protein levels were examined by Western blotting. RESULTS: Treatment of cultured HUVECs with HCY for 48 h induced a significant decrease in cell viability, and the percentage of apoptosis increased to 76.8%. The level of intracellular ROS and activity of caspase-3, -6 and -9 enhanced, and the red/green ratios of mitochondrial membrane decreased. However, simultaneous treatment with silymarin exhibited cytoprotective effects, reduced formation of the DNA ladder, prevented the levels of Bax and Bcl-2 proteins and the accumulation of ROS as well as caspase-3, -6 and -9 activation, reconverted the potential of mitochondrial membrane, and the percentage of apoptosis/necrosis was significantly decreased to 12.7% in a dose-dependent manner. CONCLUSION: These results demonstrate that silymarin has the protective capacity to antagonize HCY-induced apoptosis in HUVECs. The antiapoptotic action of silymarin may be partially dependent on an anti-oxidative stress effects, inhibition of caspases activity, and maintenance of mitochondria function.

With more and more attention and investment on acupuncture scientific researches, considerable outcomes and achievements has been acquired, but the shortcoming of low transformation rate of acupuncture research achievements is gradually exposed. Nowadays there is no related report on this problem, so based on achievement translational research in other areas and practical situation of acupuncture, the existing problems and solutions are analyzed. As a result, the existing problems include (1) the research content is mainly basic research and clinical research but less acupuncture device research, leading to limited transformation efficiency; (2) the evaluation system and transformation pattern are still needed to be perfect. The solutions are (1) to properly evaluate the research achievements of acupuncture, (2) to advocate the concept and method of translational medicine, (3) to reform the policy and system, and (4) to establish valid platforms covering research, outcomes and transformation.
Acupuncture ; economics ; legislation & jurisprudence ; manpower ; Biomedical Research ; Biotechnology ; economics ; legislation & jurisprudence ; manpower ; China ; Humans ; Technology Transfer

AIM:To investigate the effects of grasp seed procyanidins(GSP) on homocysteine-induced proliferation and migration in vascular smooth muscle cells(VSMC) and related molecular mechanisms.METHODS: Cell count and -TdR assay were used for detecting cell proliferation and DNA synthesis,ELISA assay was used for detecting inflammatory response,DCFH-DA assay for examining the levels of reactive oxygen species(ROS),Western blotting for detecting protein expression.RESULTS: Homocysteine(0.1-1 mmol/L) increased VSMC proliferation and migration,and the levels of ROS were in a dose-dependent manner.The results of Western blotting showed that homocysteine significantly increased the expression of MCP-1,IL-6 and TNF-?.However,Compared with control group,in GSP(5-20 g/L) group,the increased VSMC proliferation,migration and the production of ROS and the expression of MCP-1,IL-6 and TNF-? mediated by homocysteine were markedly suppressed.EMSA showed that in GSP treatment group,the NF-?B activation was also almost completely inhibited.CONCLUSION: GSP inhibits homocysteine-induced VSMC proliferation,migration and inflammatory response through interfering with ROS dependent on NF-?B signal pathway.

OBJECTIVETo identify hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC) families based on the germline mutations of MLH1 and MSH2 mRNA.

METHODSRNA was extracted from the peripheral blood of the 14 members from 12 different families fulfilling Amsterdam Criteria II. The germline mutations of MLH1 and MSH2 mRNA were detected by cDNA sequencing analysis following reverse transcription-PCR(RT-PCR) with special primers, heat-resistance reverse transcriptase, and expand long template PCR. DNA was extracted from the peripheral blood of the 14 members, the corresponding exons, in which mutations were found using the above method, were amplified with Taq enzyme, sequencing analysis was followed.

RESULTSSix germline mutations were detected and identified from the 6 different families based on mRNA, 4 of them to be in MLH1, the other 2 in MSH2. The MLH1 mutations distribute in the exon 8, 12, 16, and 19. The MSH2 mutations distribute in exons 1 and 2. The 6 mutations were identified from the corresponding exons respectively in genomic DNA sequencing analysis. The mutation types involve in 4 missense, 1 silent, and 1 non-coding area mutations. Five out of the 6 mutations have not been reported previously. Five out of the 6 mutations were pathological, involving in 5 different families. The five families were identified to HNPCC families.

CONCLUSIONHNPCC family can be identified with RNA-based sequencing of MLH1 and MSH2 from peripheral blood, which has the advantages of both cost, time saving and high sensitivity.

Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing ; Biomarkers, Tumor ; genetics ; Carrier Proteins ; genetics ; Colorectal Neoplasms, Hereditary Nonpolyposis ; diagnosis ; genetics ; Female ; Germ-Line Mutation ; Humans ; Male ; MutL Protein Homolog 1 ; MutS Homolog 2 Protein ; genetics ; Mutation ; Neoplasm Proteins ; genetics ; Nuclear Proteins ; genetics ; RNA, Messenger ; analysis

OBJECTIVETo explore the clinicopathologic characteristics, treatment and prognosis of differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC) in adolescents.

METHODSThe data of 46 patients with DTC under the age of 18 years were retrospectively reviewed.

RESULTSTwenty patients were misdiagnosed in this group (43.5%). All patients received operation, including 39 unilateral neck dissection and 6 bilateral neck dissection, followed by postoperative thyrotropin suppressive therapy. There were 42 cases of papillary carcinoma (91.3%) and 4 cases of follicular carcinoma (8.7%). Cervical lymph node metastasis was found in 39 cases (84.8%). In the follow-up period of 1 to 25 years (mean 10 years), no death of thyroid carcinoma occurred.

CONCLUSIONSThe most common DTC in adolescents is papillary carcinoma with better prognosis regardless of the higher incidence of cervical lymph node metastasis. The optimal extent of primary thyroidectomy and neck dissection followed by postoperative thyrotropin suppressive therapy in adolescents with DTC may improve the quality of life and decrease the incidence of complications.

Adenocarcinoma, Follicular ; diagnosis ; therapy ; Adolescent ; Carcinoma, Papillary ; diagnosis ; therapy ; Child ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Male ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Thyroid Gland ; pathology ; Thyroid Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; therapy

OBJECTIVETo study the identification method of Pterocephalus hookeri.

METHODThe microscopical, Physicochemical and TLC methods were used.

RESULT AND CONCLUSIONThe convenient and effective identification methods for P. hookeri were established, which provide basis for its quality standard and development.

Chromatography, Thin Layer ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; analysis ; Magnoliopsida ; anatomy & histology ; chemistry ; Pharmacognosy ; Plant Leaves ; anatomy & histology ; chemistry ; Plant Roots ; anatomy & histology ; chemistry ; Plants, Medicinal ; anatomy & histology ; chemistry ; Quality Control

OBJECTIVETo detect beta-catenin mRNA levels in sporadic colorectal cancers (SCRC) and adjacent normal colorectal mucosa, and to investigate the association between the beta-catenin mRNA level and its aberrant expression and clinicopathological parameters.

METHODSThe concentration of beta-catenin mRNA in 81 SCRCs and 28 adjacent normal colorectal mucosa specimens was determined by TaqMan real-time quantitative RT-PCR. The ratio of beta-catenin cDNA copies/GAPDH cDNA copies was used to represent the mRNA expression level in different tissues. The beta-catenin protein expression was determined by the EnVision two-step immunohistochemical method.

RESULTSbeta-catenin mRNA levels in SCRCs (2.527 +/- 2.284) were lower than those in the adjacent normal colorectal mucosa (5.003 +/- 3.326), P < 0.05. In addition, beta-catenin mRNA levels in lymph node-positive cases and tumors with ulcerative and infiltrating growth types were significantly lower (1.827 +/- 1.288, 2.202 +/- 2.035) than those in lymph node-negative cases and polypoid growth type tumors (3.359 +/- 2.881, 3.108 +/- 2.610), P < 0.05. No significant difference of beta-catenin mRNA level was found between cases with aberrant beta-catenin cytoplasm or nuclear expression and those without.

CONCLUSIONSSCRCs express lower levels of beta-catenin mRNA than normal colorectal mucosa. Such lower level expression is associated with lymph node metastasis and tumors with ulcerative and infiltrative growth pattern. Aberrant cytoplasmic and nuclear expression of beta-catenin appears unrelated to the lower mRNA levels. Quantitative detection of beta-catenin mRNA may be a useful approach to monitor the biological behavior of SCRCs.

Adenocarcinoma ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Colorectal Neoplasms ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Female ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Intestinal Mucosa ; metabolism ; pathology ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Male ; Middle Aged ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; metabolism ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; methods ; beta Catenin ; biosynthesis ; genetics

UNLABELLEDTo screen and analyze the apoptosis- and proliferation-related genes in human nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC).

METHODSAccording to gene ontology classification, the abnormal expressions of the genes related to cell apoptosis and proliferation were identified in the NPC gene chip data. The cell apoptosis- and proliferation-related genes expressed in each of the 3 stages, as defined by the tree model for the pathogenesis and progression of NPC, were screened, and with literature review, their distribution in the tree model were analyzed.

RESULTSNineteen genes related to cell apoptosis were found in NPC, among which 9 were down-regulated (such as DNASE1L3) and located in the chromosome deletion regions, and 10 were up-regulated (such as DEDD) in the chromosome amplification regions. Twenty-one cell proliferation-related genes were identified, including 8 down-regulated genes (such as TUSC2) in the chromosome deletion regions and 13 up-regulated ones (such as EMP1) in the chromosome amplification regions. In the chromosome deletion regions, the down-regulated cell apoptosis-related genes participated mostly in inducing and regulating cell apoptosis, and the up-regulated cell proliferation-related genes in the chromosome amplification regions were mostly associated with the positive regulation of cell proliferation.

CONCLUSIONNPC occurs possibly through two pathways by inhibiting cell apoptosis or by promoting excessive cell proliferation.

Apoptosis ; genetics ; Cell Proliferation ; Chromosome Deletion ; Down-Regulation ; Gene Expression Profiling ; Humans ; Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms ; genetics ; pathology ; Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis ; Up-Regulation