AIM: To investigate the effect of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) on ?_3 integrin gene expression and the role of ?_3 integrin on adhesion, migration and proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) induced by PDGF. METHODS: ?_3 integrin gene expression was detected by RT-PCR. After ?_3 integrin extracellular domain was blocked, VSMC adhesion, migration and proliferation were measured by adhesion assay, a wound-culture model and [~3H]-TdR incorporation, respectively. RESULTS: After the interaction between ?_3 integrin and extracellular matrix was blocked, VSMC proliferation was inhibited in some degree and the rate of [~3H]-TdR incorporation into VSMC decreased 39%. The cell adhesion and migration were significantly inhibited when 10 mg/L anti-?_3 integrin antibody was added (P

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of a integrative medical regimen (IMR), i.e. combined use of Jiangya Capsule (JYC) and Nimodipine (ND), on blood pressure, TCM clinical symptoms, and blood levels of vascular endothelial function and hypersensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) in elderly patients with isolated systolic hypertension (EISH).

METHODSAdopting randomized, double-blinded and controlled principle, a trial was conducted on 135 patients with EISH by randomized them into three groups, they were administered IMR (Group A), JYC plus ND simulator (Group B) and ND plus JYC simulator (Group C) respectively, for 4 weeks. Changes of blood pressure and TCM symptoms, as well as the levels of serum nitric oxide (NO), plasma endothelin-1 (ET-1), 6-keto-prostaglandin 1alpha (6-keto-PGF(1alpha)), thromboxane B2 (TXB2) and hs-CRP were observed before and after treatment.

RESULTSAfter treatment the systolic blood pressure reduced and clinical symptoms improved, with serum NO and 6-keto-PGF(1alpha) lelels elevated, plasma ET-1, TXB2 and serum hs-CRP decreased in all the three groups (P<0.05 or P<0.01). But the inter-group comparisons showed that the effect in Group A was superior to the other two groups in decreasing systolic pressure, and superior to Group C in improving clinical symptoms, elevating serum NO and decreasing plasma TXB2 (P <0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe integrative medical regimen of combined use JYC and ND has markedly effect in lowering blood pressure, it could obviously improve the symptoms and vascular endothelial function, and inhibit the level of inflammatory factor in patients with EISH.

Aged ; C-Reactive Protein ; metabolism ; Double-Blind Method ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Endothelin-1 ; blood ; Female ; Humans ; Hypertension ; drug therapy ; Integrative Medicine ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nimodipine ; therapeutic use ; Nitric Oxide ; blood ; Phytotherapy ; Thromboxane B2 ; blood

Objective Gambogic acid ( GA) can suppress the growth of multiple tumor cells , including gastric carcinoma , hepatoma , hematologic neoplasms and breast carcinoma , but there have been few reports about its effect on urologic neoplasms .This study was to investigate the possible mechanisms of GA inducing bladder cancer cell apoptosis and cell cycle arrest . Methods We cultured human bladder cancer BIU8-7 cell lines in vitor and treated the cells in the logarithmic growth phase with isotonic saline solu-tion (negative control)or GA at the concentrations of 1.0, 2.0, and 3.0μmol/L, respectively.We determined the expression of the Caspase-3 protein in the tumor tissue using the immunohistochemical S-P method and detected GA-induced apoptosis of the bladder cancer cells and cell cycle changes by flow cytometry . Results The expressions of the Caspase-3 protein were 4.28 ±1.86, 5.03 ± 0.78, and 6.47 ±1.31 in the 1.0, 2.0, and 3.0μmol/L GA groups, respectively, significantly higher than 2.13 ±1.27 in the nega-tive control (P<0.05).Flow cytometry showed a gradual decrease of the cells in the G 0/G1 phase and a gradual increase in the G2/M phase , but no obvious change in the S phase . Conclusion Gambogic acid can promote the apoptosis , arrest the cell cycle , and in-hibit the proliferation of bladder cancer cells by increasing the expression of the Caspase -3 protein.

Objective To correlate between the IQQA(R)-Liver system in planning liver resection and the actual operation performed by surgeons.Methods The data on 65 patients were retrospectively studied.Their preoperative enhanced CT images were analyzed by the IQQA(R)-Liver system to determine the operative plan (Group Q) including the operative technique,the major vessels which required to be transected and the virtual liver resection volume.The above results and the corresponding data collected from the actual operation (Group S) were statistically analyzed to find out whether there was any correlation between them,thus determining the clinical significance of the IQQA(R)-Liver system in preoperative evaluation.Results Group Q and Group S had good correlation in the operative techniques (O) and in the major vessels that required to be transected (A) (uO =0.835,uA =0.893) with no statistical difference between the 2 groups (PO =0.494,PA =0.331).The virtual liver resection volume was 633.96 ± 512.06 (78.30 ～2 559.38)cm3.Conclusion Preoperative evaluation by the IQQA(R)-Liver system had significance in planning partial hepatectomy.

?AlM: To investigate the outcome and safety of Ahmed glaucoma valve implantation treatment in uncontrolled primary congenital glaucoma ( PCG) .
? METHODS: Twenty - two eyes in 22 children with uncontrolled PCG were reviewed retrospectively and underwent Ahmed glaucoma valve implantation treatment from January 2011 to December 2014. Main checking index included intraocular pressure ( lOP ) before and after operation, corneal diameter and complications.
?RESULTS: Preoperative mean age was 3. 74±2. 24y, and 2. 59 ± 1. 78y apart from the last operation. Postoperative average lOP was 35. 22 ± 6. 36mmHg. Average corneal diameter was 12. 79 ± 0. 75mm. Mitomycin C ( 0. 3 - 0. 5mg/mL ) was used in all operations for 3-5min. Glaucoma valves were implanted in the temporal or nose above the equator sclera. Postoperative lOP was 11. 4±4. 45mmHg at 1wk, and 16. 73± 7. 23mmHg after 12mo. As lOP< 21mmHg for success criteria, lOP of 16 eyes ( 73%) were controlled after 12mo. Preoperative 6 cases had shallow anterior chamber, recovered spontaneously. No serious complication was recorded, such as rejection of glaucoma valve, endoophthalmitis and corneal decompensation.
?CONCLUSlON:Ahmed glaucoma valve implantation in uncontrolled PCG is a safe and viable treatment.

BACKGROUND:The therapeutic effectiveness on tendon injury is closely related to the material of tendon suture.
OBJECTIVE: To review the progress of tendon suture materials and tendon biomechnics in recent years.
METHODS:A computer-based search of CNKI (January 1999 to December 2014), and PubMed (January 1950 to December 2014) was performed for relevant articles using the keywords of “tendon, suture materials,
biomechanics” in Chinese and English, respectively.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Ideal tendon repair refers to the restoration of the continuity of its anatomical structure, tensile strength and sliding function in physiology, which is influenced by many factors. Suture technique and choice of suture materials are two steps that cannot be ignored. With the development of surgical tendon suture technique, in order to improve the quality of tendon healing, ideal tendon suture is first to have sufficient strength to avoid an early tensile fracture; secondly, the elasticity cannot be too large that can cause a gap between suturing ends and affect tendon healing, and time for protecting the tendon strength is as long as possible. Therefore, the optimal choice of tendon suture materials should be based on suture methods and biomechanical characteristics of suture lines, thereby to promote tendon healing.

OBJECTIVETo analyze the pharmacokinetics of intraperitoneal chemotherapy with mitomycin C (MMC) bound to activated carbon particles.

METHODSA nude mouse model with transplanted human gastric cancer was established. The mice were given MMC by i.v. or intraperitoneal (i.p.) injections, or given i.p. MMC bound to activated carbon particles (MMC-CH). Pharmacokinetic assays were carried out at different time points (0.5, 1, 2, 3, 6, 12 and 24 h) in 7 mice per each time point, to compare the MMC concentrations revealed by the above mentioned methods.

RESULTSThe MMC concentration in peritoneal exudate, omentum and lymph nodes of MMC-CH group was significantly higher than that of MMC solution i.p. group and MMC i.v. group (P < 0.001). On the other hand, the MMC level in serum was significantly lower than that in two control groups (P < 0.001). High MMC level was maintained longer than 24 hours in the MMC-CH group. Intraperitoneal chemotherapy with MMC solution resulted in a low MMC concentration in serum, peritoneal exudates and lymph nodes, and only a transient high level of MMC in the omentum. After i.v. administration, a significantly higher level of MMC concentration occurred in the serum, but only a shortly increased concentration of MMC in the omentum, and lower concentration in peritoneal exudate and lymph nodes as compared with those in the other two groups (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONHigh concentration of MMC in peritoneal exudate, omentum and lymph nodes maintained longer than 24 hours and a significantly lower MMC serum concentration can be achieved by administration of intraperitoneal administration of MMC bound to activated carbon particles.

Animals ; Antibiotics, Antineoplastic ; administration & dosage ; pharmacokinetics ; Charcoal ; administration & dosage ; pharmacokinetics ; Female ; Humans ; Injections, Intraperitoneal ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Mice, Nude ; Mitomycin ; administration & dosage ; pharmacokinetics ; Neoplasm Transplantation ; Stomach Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; pathology

OBJECTIVETo prepare and characterize monoclonal antibodies (mAb) and polyclonal antibodies against nucleocapsid (N) protein of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS)-associated coronavirus (SARS-CoV) and to establish antibodies-based sandwich ELISA for detecting N protein of SARS-CoV, which might apply to early diagnosis of patients with SARS-CoV infection.

METHODSBALB/c mice were immunized with purified recombinant N protein of SARS-CoV for producing mAbs, and New Zealand white rabbits were immunized for producing polyclonal antibodies. The identification of antibodies was performed using indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), indirect fluorescent-antibody assay (IFA), and Western immunoblotting. Capturing and detecting antibodies were selected by pairing the mAbs and polyclonal antibodies one by one and an antibodies-based sandwich antigen capture ELISA was used for detecting N antigen of SARS-CoV.

RESULTSNine mAbs and hyperimmune rabbit polyclonal antibodies, specifically against SARS-CoV nucleocapsid protein were obtained. Using paired ELISA assay, three mAbs N1E8, N8E1 and N10E4 were selected as capturing antibody and rabbit polyclonal antibodies as detecting antibody then triple antibodies-based sandwich ELISA was established following horseradish peroxidase (HRP)-conjugated goat anti-rabbit immunoglobulin G. The recombinant N protein was used as a standard to establish a detection sensitivity of approximated 50 pg/ml with this assay. When tested with 420 serum specimens from serologically confirmed SARS patients, the positive rates of serum N protein were 90.1%, 23% and 0%, in which sera collected from 1 to 10 days, 11 to 20 days and beyond 21 days respectively after the onset of symptoms. The specificity of the assay was 99.86% in 715 control serum specimens. There was no cross-reaction with other respiratory viruses and coronaviruses.

CONCLUSIONSpecific and high affinity mAbs and rabbit polyclonal antibodies were obtained. By paired and optimized sandwich ELISA, a sensitive and specific antigen capture ELISA was established for detecting N antigen of SARS-CoV, which might apply to early diagnosis, source tracing and epidemiological studies of SARS.

Animals ; Antibodies, Monoclonal ; biosynthesis ; Antibodies, Viral ; blood ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Humans ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Nucleocapsid ; immunology ; Rabbits ; SARS Virus ; immunology ; isolation & purification ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ; virology

AIMTo study the relation between Respiratory Syncytial Virus infection and asthma development by measuring airway responsiveness (AR) and M2R function.

METHODSGuinea pigs (n = 34) were randomly divided into 4 groups: Hep-2/NS group (group A, n = 9), RSV/NS group (group B, n =9), Hep-2/OVA group (group C, n = 8) and RSV/OVA group(group D, n = 8). On day 21 after infection we tested AR and M2R. Then counted eosinophils in BALF and observed pathological change.

RESULTSIntraairway pressure(IP mmH20) of group B had no significant difference with group A(P > 0.01), and the extent of IP decrease also had no difference between groups A and B (P > 0. 05), but IP of C group were much higher than group A (P<0.05), with extent of IP decrease lower than group A (P < 0.05). And IP of group D were higher than group C (P < 0.01), with the extent of IP decrease much lower than group C (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONRSV infection could enhance OVA-induced M2R dysfunction, then develop AHR.

Animals ; Asthma ; immunology ; physiopathology ; virology ; Bronchial Hyperreactivity ; immunology ; physiopathology ; virology ; Female ; Guinea Pigs ; Male ; Ovalbumin ; immunology ; Random Allocation ; Receptor, Muscarinic M2 ; physiology ; Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections ; immunology ; Respiratory Syncytial Viruses ; immunology

AIMTo explore the physiopathological mechanisms of airway injury and the effect on the airway responsiveness of rat by inhaled sulfur dioxide(SO2).

METHODSSixteen SD male rats were divided randomly into 2 groups (n = 8): the control group and SO2 group. The control group was exposed o pure air. SO2 group was exposed to SO2 of the content 1.0 mg/(m(3) x h) 6h daily for consecutive 3 d. At 4th day, we determined the airway responsiveness, collected the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), plasma and lung tissue. Then we counted the total cellular score in BALF, measured the plasma SP content and made the immunohistochemistry staining on the lung tissue (HE and SP methods).

RESULTSCompared with the control group, the total cellular score in BALF and plasma SP content in SO2 group's increased significantly ( P < 0.01). HE staining showed there were a great deal of inflammatory cells infiltration under the tunica mucosa bronchiorum; and SP immunohistochemistry staining indicated there were significant changes in numbers of SP-IR positive fibers of SO2group.

CONCLUSIONExposure to low concentration of SO2 would injure healthy rat's airway, and induce airway hyperresponsiveness, neurogenic inflammation is one of its critical pathophysiological mechanisms.

Air Pollutants ; adverse effects ; Animals ; Asthma ; chemically induced ; Bronchi ; drug effects ; innervation ; physiopathology ; Bronchial Hyperreactivity ; chemically induced ; physiopathology ; Bronchitis ; chemically induced ; Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid ; cytology ; Male ; Nerve Fibers ; drug effects ; physiology ; Neurogenic Inflammation ; chemically induced ; physiopathology ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Substance P ; blood ; Sulfur Dioxide ; adverse effects