The permeability of three kinds of membranes, including imported agarose (Sigma), China-made agarose and interpenetrating polymer network (IPN) made of Chinese agarose mixed with other synthetic macromolecular compound, to four substances with different molecular weights (methyl orange, Vit B12 , insulin and lysozyme) was studied. The results revealed that the solutes with molecular weights below 6 000 dalton could permeate all kinds of membranes with similar coefficient of permeability. However, the immunoisolation of IPN for such macromolecular solute, as lysozyme (14 300 dalton) was much more effective than that of other kinds, which only had limited effect of immunoisolation. These results suggest that IPN with the characteristics of efficacious immunoisolation fulfills the requirements for transplantation. 2 000-3 000 microencapsulated islets were transplanted intraperitoneally in six diabetic rats without the use of immunosuppressive drugs. On the 4th post-operative day, blood sugar dropped significantly until the 7th day, when it was in normal range. The normal level of blood sugar had remained for 30 days. The microcapsules, made of IPN, possesses a better function of immunoisolation, which may lay a foundation of treating IDDM with encapsulated porcine islet grafting.

Objective To prepare recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2(rhBMP-2)loaded chitosan nanospheres and to evaluate their ectopic bone formation activity in vivo. Methods The rhBMP-2 loaded chitosan nanospheres were prepaid using the ionic crosslinking method with TPP as a crosslinking agent.The morphological properties and particle size distribution were evaluated by transmission electron microcopy(TEM) and particle size analyzer.An intramuscular ectopic bone formation test was carried out to compare the ectopic bone formation activity in 24 SD rabbits that were randomized into 4 even groups.rhBMP-2 loaded chitosan nanospheres (1 mg),rhBMP-2 (1 mg),chitosan nanospheres and nothing were implanted into the muscle pouch at the left thigh,respectively,in groups A,B,C and D. Results The rhBMP-2 loaded chitosan nanospheres were well distributed and spherical in shape.The average particle diameter was 230.0 nm,the entrapment efficiency was 66.87％ ± 4.58％,and the loading rate was 33.44 ± 2.29 μg/mg.The mean ALP activity was respectively 1.94 ± 0.35 kat/g,1.48 ± 0.56 kat/g,0.20 ±0.07 kat/g and 0.18 ±0.06 kat/g in groups A,B,C and D,with a significant difference between the 4 groups( F =42.959,P =0.000).The mean Ca2 + content was respectively 5.20 ± 1.42 μg/mg,3.80 ± 1.40 μg/mg,0.19 ± 0.08 μg/mgand 0.20 ± 0.08 μg/mg in groups A,B,C and D,with a significant difference between the 4 groups ( F =39.242,P =0.000).Groups A and B were obviously higher than groups C and D and group A was obviously higher than group B in terms of ALP activity and Ca2+ content. Conclusion The rhBMP-2 loaded chitosan nanospheres prepared by ionic crosslinking method show a good property and obvious ectopic bone formation activity.

Cardiovascular Diseases ; diagnosis ; therapy ; Humans ; RNA Interference

BACKGROUND:Our previous study has already manifested that Chinese medicine Xiaokening can effectively prevent and treat the early diabetic nephropathy. OBJECTIVE:To compare the effect of rhein and archen on the apoptosis of mesangial cells of rats cultured with high glucose. METHODS:Mesangial cells were stimulated by different concentrations of rhein and archen (20, 40 and 80 μmol/L). Morphology of apoptotic cells was observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining. Karyon apoptosis was examined by fluorescence staining of DAPI. cellapoptosis rate was detected by flow cytometry. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The outcome of hematoxylin-eosin staining and DAPI staining indicated that the effect of rhein was much stronger than that of archen on the apoptosis of mesangial cells in the rats cultured with high glucose. Comparison of the apoptosis rate also indicated that the rhein had a stronger effect on the earlier and the later stage apoptotic rate of mesangial cells than archen. Both rhein and archen with different concentrations can induce apoptosis of mesangial cells, but the effect of rhein is much stronger.

Objective To establish a chromogenic assay for blood-plasma collagenase Ⅳ in order to evaluation the reference range of collagenase Ⅳ in the plasma of healthy individuals.Methods The assay was based on measurement of terminal amino group with succinylated gelatin as substrates and TNBS as chromogenic reagent.The optical density of each reaction was determined at 405 nm using a Sunrise microplate reader.Chromatographic and detection conditions were optimized and performance of the methed was evaluated by recovery experiments and precision experiments.It was compared with ELISA.The levels of collagenase Ⅳ in 112 health persons'plasma were determined and the data were analyzed by SPSS statistical software.Results The whole determing time was within 1.5 h,the linear range of this method was 1.5-10.0 mg/L,and the minimum detection limit was 0.965 mg/L.They were well correlated with ELISA results (R~2=0.999 7,P＜0.01).The within-run CV was less than 3.16%and between-run CV was less than 9.81%.The 95%confidence interval of collagenase Ⅳ in healthy plasma was 33.38-49.80 mg/L.Conclusion This chromogenic assay for blood-plasma collagenase Ⅳ can be used for measurement of collagenase Ⅳ in blood-plasma and the reference range of collagenase Ⅳ in healthy plasma was established.

Connexin 43 ; genetics ; Connexins ; genetics ; Heart Defects, Congenital ; genetics ; Homeobox Protein Nkx-2.5 ; Homeodomain Proteins ; genetics ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Mutation ; genetics ; Myocardium ; metabolism ; Transcription Factors ; genetics

ObjectiveTo evaluate the efficacy of preoperative oral pregabalin for attenuating postoperative pain after laparoscopic cholecystectomy.MethodsIn this prospective,randomized controlled double-blind study,sixty ASA Ⅰ or Ⅱ patients aged 19-72 yr weighing 46-86 kg undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy were randomly divided into 2 groups ( n =30 each):control group (group C) received placebo,and pregabalin group (group P) received oral pregabalin 150 mg 1 h before surgery.Anesthesia was induced with propofol,fentanyl and rocuronium and maintained with sevoflurane inhalation and intermittent iv boluses of fentanyl and rocuronium.The patients were intubated and mechanically ventilated.BIS value was maintained at 40-50 during operation.Static and dynamic VAS score,Ramsay score and consumption of morphine were recorded at 6,12,and 24 h after surgery.Side-effects including nausea,vomiting,headache and dizziness were also recorded.ResultsStatic and dynamic VAS scores and morphine consumption were significantly lower during the first 24 h after surgery while Ramsay scores were higher at 6 h after operation in group P than in group C.There was no significant difference in the incidence of side-effects between the 2 groups.No over-sedation occurred in group P.ConclusionPreoperative oral pregabalin 150 mg is safe and effective in reducing postoperative pain after laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

·AIM: To evaluate the recurrence rate and safety of amniotic membrane transplantation (AMT) augmented with mitomycin C (MMC) compared with amniotic membrane transplantation alone during the pterygium excision.·METHODS: We took a meta-analysis on this program.Pertinentstudieswereselectedthroughextensive searches of the Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, EMBASE,CBMdisc, CNKI. Pooled estimates were carried out in RevMan software V4.2.·RESULTS: Six trials reported postoperative recurrence rate of pterygium, included 882 eyes, three trials reported the complications. The results of meta-analysis showed that recurrence rate of AMT plus MMC group was 5.41％,AMT alone group was 16.89％, relative risk (RR) was 0.32, 95％CI ranged from 0.19 to 0.56, Zwas 4.06, P< 0.001. Two trials reported early complication as punctata keratitis, the incidence rate of AMT plus MMC group and AMT alone group were 17.14％ and 0.00％, RR was 12.11,95％CI ranged from 1.62 to 90.76.·CONCLUSION: Amniotic membrane transplantation with MMC is associated with lower recurrence rate compared with amniotic membrane transplantation alone in pterygium excision,whether accompanied a higher risk with adverse events need more investigation.

Objective To investigate the differences in sex hormone levels between hypospadias and circumcision groups.Methods Fifty cases of circumcision and 137 cases of hypospadias the dihydmtestosterone (DHT) value was tested with radioimmunoassay,and testosterone was tested with lightimmunoassay.Results DHT value was (64.51 ±32.10)pg/ml in circumcision group,and (46.72 ±28.94)pg/ml in hypospadias group (P ＜0.05).DHT value in hypospadias type Ⅰ,Ⅱ,Ⅲ,and Ⅳ were (50.20 ±32.90)pg/ml,(46.63 ±25.67)pg/rnl,(51.60 ±32.16)pg/ral,and (39.02 ±26.32)pg/ml,respectively (P =0.29).The differences between circumcision and hypospadias groups were statistically significant (P =0.00).Luteinizing hormone (LH) and testosterone (T) in children with hypospadias were significantly lower than those in children in the circumcision group (P ＜ 0.05).No statistically significant difference was found between two groups in follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH),estradiol (F2),and prolactin (PRL) (P ＞ 0.05).No statistically significant differences were found in FSH among all types of hypospadias (P ＞ 0.05).Conclusions Inadequate secretion of T or activity insufficiency and functional deficiency of 5 alpha reductase (SRD5A) are likely found in children with hypospadia.Inadequate secretion and low T value might be found in LH-T shaft in children with hypospadia.The normal T value in some children with hypospadia does not show that androgens produced during pregnancy are normal.

· Application of capsular tension ring ( CTR ) in phacoemulsification has become a common method to increase the stability of the capsular bag. CTR can effectively reduce the posterior capsular opacification ( PCO) , prevent intraocular lens ( lOL ) decentration and tilt, not cause lOL degree deviation and aberration increase.ln this review, we summarized the development overview of CTR in phacoemulsification.