Objective To investigate the levels of transformation growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1),vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and insulin growth factor-Ⅰ (IGF-Ⅰ) role in the pathogenesis of serum of patients with combined pulmonary fibrosis and emphysema (CPFE).Methods Recruited 20 patients with CPFE,40 cases with idiopathic pulmonary interstitial fibrosis (IPF) and 40 cases with emphysema who were admitted to our hospital during July 2011 to February 2012.Serum levels of TGF-β1,VEGF and IGF-Ⅰ were detected by ABC-ELISA.Results Serum levels of TGF-β1 and IGF-Ⅰ were significantly higher in patients with CPFE and IPF than these in patients with emphysema (TGF-β1:(160.73 ± 40.62) ng/L vs.(167.35 ± 42.82) ng/L vs.(128.75 ±35.77) ng/L; IGF-Ⅰ:(179.65 ±60.73) ng/L vs.(192.32 ±58.75) ng/L vs.(148.73 ±49.67) ng/L,P ＜ 0.05 or P ＜ 0.01).The IPF group had significantly higher serum level of VEGF than the emphysema group ((506.12 ±82.37) ng/L vs.(437.31 ±62.58) ng/L,P ＜0.01).Serum levels of TGF-β1 and IGF-Ⅰ in CPFE and emphysema groups were positively correlated (r =0.885,0.918 respectively,P ＜ 0.01).Smokers in the CPFE group had significandy lower level of serum VEGF than those who did no smoke ((406.19 ± 66.94) ng/L vs.(482.88 ± 79.91) ng/L,t =-2.287,P =0.035).Conclusion Serum level of VEGF increased significantly in the IPF group,suggesting the participation of VEGF in pulmonary interstitial fibrosis.IGF-Ⅰ involved in the pathogenesis of pulmonary interstitial fibrosis.TGF-β1 and IGF-Ⅰ have a positive linear regressive relationship,which indicates that they may work synergistically in the process of the fibrosis.

A Review: A concept of tissue adaptation to hypoxia (i. e. hypoxic preconditioning) was developed and its corresponding animal models were reproduced in 1966s. The methods of model reproduction in rat, rabbit, and mouse in particular and the main results are briefly introduced in this review. The tolerance to hypoxia of preconditioned animals is significantly increased. Regular changes in animals' behavior, neurophysiology, respiratory and circulatory physiology, neuron morphology in vivo and function of brain and spinal cord in vitro are briefly demonstrated. The protective effects in vivo and in vitro of homogenate extract taken from the brain of preconditioned animals, neurochemicals and molecular neurobiological alterations are briefly presented. The essence and significance of tissue adaptation to hypoxia/hypoxic preconditioning are discussed in the review in terms of evolution and practical implication.
Animals ; Brain ; metabolism ; physiology ; Disease Models, Animal ; Hypoxia ; metabolism ; Mice ; Rabbits ; Rats

Aristolochia ; chemistry ; poisoning ; Aristolochic Acids ; analysis ; isolation & purification ; poisoning ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; poisoning ; Poisoning ; prevention & control

Objective To investigate the effects of macrophage inflammatory protein-1α (MIP-1α) combined with molecule 4-1BB L on the tumorigenicity of hepatocellular carcinoma cells in vivo. Methods Mouse MIP-1α (mMIP-1α) expressed Hepa 1-6 cells were transfected with m4-1BBL recombinant retrovirus, the anti-histidinol cells clones were selected and amplified. The expression of m4-1BB L was confirmed by flow cytometry. The growth curve of Hepa 1-6 cells transfected with mMIP-1α and m4-1BBL alone or together was drawn and compared. C57B/L Mice were randomly divided into 7 groups, 9 mice in each group, injected with mMIP-1α+m4-1BB L Hepa 1-6 cells, m4-1BB L Hepa 1-6 cells, mMIP-1α Hepa 1-6 cells, Hepa 1-6 cells, pLXSHD Hepa 1-6 cells or PBS respectively. The tumorigenicity of hepatocellular carcinoma cells and the mice survival rate were compared between each groups. Results Hepa 1-6 mMIP-1α+m4-1BB L cells which expressed both mMIP-1α and m4-1BB L were successfully established. The expression of mMIP-1α and m4-1BB L alone or together did not affect the growth curve of Hepa 1-6 cells. Observed for 5 weeks, no tumor developed in Hepa 1-6 mMIP-1α+m4-1BB L injected mice. The tumorigenicity of Hepa 1-6 mMIP-1α+m4-1BB L was lower than that of Hepa 1-6 mMIP-1α or Hepa 1-6 m4-1BB L in vivo. The survival rate of Hepa 1-6 mMIP-1α+m4-1BBL injected mice(9/9) was higher than that of Hepa 1-6 m4-1BB L injected mice (6/9)or Hepa 1-6 mMIP-1α injected mice (1/9). Conclusion Chemokine MIP-1α combined with costimulatory 4-1BB L lowered the tumorigenicity of hepatocellular carcinoma cells in vivo, and prolonged the mice survival period.

Objective To study the CT characteristics of coexisting pulmonary tuberculosis and lung cancer.Methods One hundred and four patients of coexisting pulmonary tuberculosis and lung cancer proved by histology,cytology or clinical underwent CT examination.All patients were divided into two groups,group Ⅰ were the patients with the lung cancer after tuberculosis or both found simultaneously (group Ⅰ a with peripheral lung cancer and group Ⅰ b with central lung cancer),group Ⅱ with tuberculosis during lung cancer chemotherapy (group Ⅱ a with peripheral lung cancer and group Ⅱ b with central lung cancer).Imaging characteristics of tuberculosis and lung cancer were compared.x2 test and t test were used for the statistical analysis.Results Of 104 patients,there were 92 patients (88.5％) in group Ⅰ and 12 patients (11.5％)in group Ⅱ.Seventy patients (76.1％) of lung cancer and tuberculosis were located in the same lobe and 22 patients (23.9％) in the different lobes in group Ⅰ.There was no significant difference in distribution of tuberculosis between group Ⅰ and group Ⅱ (x2 =4.302,P =0.507).The fibrous stripes,nodules of calcification and pleural adhesion of tuberculosis were statistically significant between the two groups (x2 =22.737,15.193,27.792,P ＜0.05).There were 33 central lung cancers and 71 peripheral lung cancers.In group Ⅰ a (64 patients of peripheral lung cancers),39 patients (60.9％) had typical manifestations and most of the lesions were ≥ 3 cm(n =49,76.6％),solid lesions showed variable enhancement.Conclusions Secondary tuberculosis during lung cancer chemotherapy has the same CT characteristics with the common active tuberculosis.The morphology,enhancement pattern of lesion and follow-up are helpful for the diagnosis of lung cancer after tuberculosis.

OBJECTIVESTo induce autologous bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cell (aMSC) into chondrocyte, and to confirm the effects of 3 dimensional (3D) dynamic inducing in vitro and their long-term animal model repairing in vivo.

METHODSaMSC were separated from rabbits bone marrow aspirates, then respectively experienced 3D dynamic inducing in alginate drops in modified rotating wall bioreactor culture or in two dimensional (2D) inducing (culture flask) for 10 d. The induced cells were harvest and then mixed with fibrin sealant (FS) to repair rabbit knee femoral trochlea cartilage defects model. After 8, 12, 24, 48 weeks animals were euthanized. Gross appearance, histological appearances were examined.

RESULTSFlask culture groups showed a little chondrocyte differentiation, 3D inducing group showed obviously chondrocyte differentiation, improved collagen II and proteoglycan production. For 3D inducing ones in vivo, the cartilage defects were smoothly repaired by white translucent hard tissue with obvious hyaline-like cartilage histological appearance after 8, 12 weeks, and the defects boundary were hard to be identified with hyaline like cartilage with sustained histological appearance and score after 24, 48 weeks. For 2D ones in vivo, the cartilage defects were smoothly repaired after 8 weeks by hyaline like cartilage which showed accelerated degeneration after 24 weeks and lose cartilage performance completely after 48 weeks.

CONCLUSIONS3D dynamic inducing may assist aMSC on differentiating into chondrocyte, improve its long-term in vivo repairing effects, and enlighten its further applications in tissue engineering cartilage.

Animals ; Bone Marrow Cells ; cytology ; Cartilage, Articular ; injuries ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Cell Culture Techniques ; Cell Differentiation ; Cells, Cultured ; Chondrocytes ; cytology ; Chondrogenesis ; Disease Models, Animal ; Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; cytology ; Rabbits ; Tissue Engineering ; methods ; Transplantation, Autologous ; Wound Healing

BACKGROUND:Biliary stricture following liver transplantation is mainly focus on biliary stoma stricture; while, balloon dilatation temporarily keeps biliary tract open but not works out a solution at all.OBJECTIVE: To discuss the diagnosis and treatment of postoperative biliary stricture after orthotopie liver transplantation by the endoscope technique.DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING: A case analysis, which was performed at Dalian Liver and Gall Surgical Institute. Ten patients hospitalized from the Department of Liver and Gall Surgery of Dalian Friendship Hospital and four patients hospitalized from the Department of Organ Transplantation of Tianjin First Central Hospital were diagnosed as biliary stricture after orthotopic liver transplantation.PARTICIPANTS: Among 14 patients, 10 males and 4 females with mean age of 46 years provided end-to-end biliary anastomose.METHODS: Fourteen cases of postoperative biliary stricture after orthotopic liver transplantation were analyzed and diagnosed by endoscope technique. And by endoscope technique, the stricture was supported with tube after balloon dilatation.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Bile duct mucous membrane under T-tube radiography and endoscope; calculary distribution and bile duct mucous membrane at stoma; healing of biliary stoma of donors and recipients; inflammatory edema and stricture; recheck of above-mentioned parameters after stricture expansion by endoscopic stone extraction technique.RESULTS: Thirteen cases of postoperative biliary stricture after orthotopic liver transplantation were analyzed and diagnosed by endoscope technique, including one was induced by calculus, and one non-stoma stricture. One case was treated with balloon dilation; biliary infection and jaundice occurred in 2 cases after endoscopic sphincterotomy (EST) + basket lithotripsy + endoscopic nasobiliary drainage (ENBD), so operations or fibrocholedochoscope treatments had to be carried out. By T tube radiography, in 1 case there was strip-like negative simulacrum or no stricture, well-healed anastomosis and good mucous membranel transition; poor or no intrahepatic visualization were found in 2 cases, so anastomosis dilation was processed after the calculi removal by fibrocholedochoscope, stricture disappeared in 3 or 4 months; in 8 cases there were blur extrahepatic or intrahepatic biliary visualization, cord-like, column or branch-like negative simulacrum in biliary ducts and sign of non-anastomosis stricture, after removal of calculi, anastomosis stricture and congestion, edema were found, all these disappeared after average 2.5 months of dilation; the other 1 case was found stricture by T the radiography, but no calculi was found with fibrocholedochoscope, finally the Ttube was removed after 2 months of stricture dilation.CONCLUSION: Endoscopy is significant to directly reflect and reliably diagnose postoperative biliary stricture and effectively treat biliary stricture by anastomosis dilation.

OBJECTIVETo compare therapeutic effects between suspine rotation and flexion manipulation for treating lumbar disc herniation.

METHODSFrom December 2008 to January 2011, 134 patients with lumbar disc herniation were treated, including 74 males and 60 females,ranging in age from 17 to 67 years,33 patients with age over 50 years old. According to diagnosis the ladder of the 9 cases bulging type, 74 hernia type, 51 cases free type. The patients were randomly divided into treatment group ( 69 cases) and control group (65 cases). All the patients were treated with the three-dimensional computer-controlled traction therapeutic apparatus,with continued traction for 20 minutes. After traction, flexion manipulation and rotat-ing manipulation were respectively adopted in treatment group and control group (on alternate days one time, 3 times as a course of treatment). The symptoms and signs (including back pain and discomfort, lower limb pain and numbness, powerless urination and defecation,numbness in perineum, straight-leg raising degree,ability of lower extremity walking,work and live) of patients were observed after treatment.

RESULTSAll patients were followed up for 0.5 to 6 months with an average of 1.1 months. After treatment, the symptoms and signs of patients have significantly improved (P < 0.01), but the symptomes of powerless urination and defecation,numbness in perineum was not improved obviously (P>0.05). Forty-two of 69 patients in treatment group got excellent result, moderate in 20, poor in 7; Twenty of 65 patients in control group got excellent result, moderate in 25,poor in 20.

CONCLUSIONThe whole effect of lumbar backwards rotation manipulation is more satisfactory than flexsion manipulation for treating lumbar intervertebral disc herniation. But spinning force and times should be noticed.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Case-Control Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Intervertebral Disc Displacement ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; physiopathology ; Male ; Manipulation, Orthopedic ; methods ; Middle Aged ; Recovery of Function ; Rotation ; Young Adult

Transplantation of the microencapsulated recombinant cells is a novel alternative approach to gene therapy of tumors. The semi-permeable membrane of microcapsule protects cells from host's immune rejection, increases the efficiency of gene transfer and reduces the need for frequent injection. Optimization of the preparation and culture is needed to acquire biological microcapsule with high cell viability and protein production. In this work, we studied the effect of different preparation and culture condition on the microencapsulated recombinant CHO cells growth and endostatin production. The result showed that the inoculum cells growth phase and seeding density potently affected the growth and endostatin production of the recombinant CHO cells in the microcapsule. The exponential growth phase recombinant CHO cells with a seeding density of 1 x 10(6) - 2 x 10(6) cells/ mL microcapsules benefited to the cells growth and endostatin production. The time of preparation was another important effect factor of cells viability, the cells viability decreased with the increase of preparation time and the time of preparation should be under 5h for maintaining the cell viability and endostain production. The highest viable cell density and endostatin production was acquired when the microcapsule percentage was 5% in the culture of the microencapsulated cells, the cell growth and endostatin production decreased with the increase of the microcapsule percentage.
Animals ; CHO Cells ; Capsules ; Cell Culture Techniques ; Cell Proliferation ; Cricetinae ; Cricetulus ; Endostatins ; metabolism ; Technology, Pharmaceutical ; instrumentation ; methods ; Time Factors

OBJECTIVETo investigate the role of heterogeneous expression of calcium handling proteins and spatial heterogeneity of APD restitution in the maintenance mechanism of ventricular fibrillation.

METHODSDuring programmed electrical simulation, APD restitution curves in the endocardium and epicardium of LV were constructed by plotting APD100 and diastolic interval. APD alternans, delayed after depolarization events were recorded simultaneously. Endocardial and epicardial myocytes were isolated from LV base and apex. Real time-PCR and Western blotting were performed to determine the relative messenger RNA and protein expression levels of calcium handling proteins.

RESULTSThe normal hearts have spatial heterogeneity of action potential restitution property and transmural heterogeneity of calcium handling proteins. The slopes of the APD restitution curve in the endocardium were significantly steeper than those in epicardium, and the slopes of APD curve at the LV apex were significantly steeper than those in LV base. However, delayed after depolarization events with larger amplitude and earlier onset consistently occurred in the endocardium of LV base. After programmed electrical simulation, the expression of messenger RNA of RyR2, SERCA2a except for Calstabin2 significantly decreased (by 57% and 41%, respectively, P < 0.05) in the endocardium of the base, while the expression of RyR2, SERCA2a, Calstabin2 significantly increased (by 90%, 78%and 64%, respectively, P < 0.05) in the epicardium of LV base. Although transmural heterogeneity of calcium handling proteins at the LV apex were also observed after rapid pacing, there is no significant differences in the transmural heterogeneity at the LV apex compared to the LV base. The base of LV has unique calcium handling properties.

CONCLUSIONSIt has been shown that Calcium cycling could modulate APD restitution property in the intact heart. The interaction between action potential and calcium dynamics instabilities is one of the most important reasons why simple criterion such as the APD restitution slope > 1 may fail to accurately predict the onset of APD alternans.

Action Potentials ; Animals ; Calcium ; metabolism ; Calmodulin ; metabolism ; Male ; Swine ; Ventricular Fibrillation ; metabolism ; physiopathology