Articular cartilage repair is limited. Current treatments for cartilage defect are less satisfactory, and rarely restore full function or return the tissue to its native normal state. The rise of tissue engineering holds great promise for the generation of functional cartilage tissue substitutes. The history of cartilage tissue engineering and highlights the applications and advantages of various kinds of scaffolds in cartilage tissue engineering, such as native scaffolds, synthesis scaffolds, composite scaffolds and nanometer scaffolds had been introduced. But native scaffolds have weak strength and immunogenicity insufficiency, synthesis scaffolds degrade quickly, whose degrading products have cytotoxicity,which need further improvement. The application of superficial decoration overcomes the disadvantage of some scaffolds to an extend. Composite scaffolds possess the advantages of several scaffolds, it points out the direction of future scaffolds research. The development of Nanometer technique endows newly-synthesis scaffolds with nano-grade, thus it has some advantages and give a new way for the development of tissue engineering. At the end, the problems of these scaffolds, their trend of development and perspective studies were discussed.

BACKGROUND: Nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) is possibly related to regulation of various cell signals that are derived from aqueous uveoscleral outflow pathway.OBJECTIVE: To explore effect of travoprost on the expression of NF-κB and inhibitor-κB (I-κB) in human ciliary muscle cells cultured in vitro. DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING: A contrast study, which was performed in the Laboratory of Zhongshan Ophthalmology Center from March 2005 to November 2006.MATERIALS: Eyeballs were obtained from the youth who died due to other diseases except eye disease no more than one hour. The relatives voluntarily provided the informed consent.METHODS: Travoprost (1 μmol/L) was added in human ciliary muscle cell culture medium, and then the samples were divided into four groups according to culture time, including 0-hour (control group), 6-hour, 12-hour, and 24-hour experimental groups. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Expression of mRNA and protein of NF-κB p65 and I-κBα in the four groups by using real-time RT-PCR, immunofluorescence relative quantitative analysis and enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) techniques. RESULTS: As compared to control group, mRNA expression of NF-κB p65 in the 6-hour, 12-hour, and 24-hour experimental groups was decreased (F=17.068, P=0.001); while mRNA expression of I-κBα was not changed remarkably in the 6-hour and 12-hour experimental groups (P > 0.05), but the expression was significantly higher than that in the 24-hour experimental group (F=32.742, P=0.000). Immunofluorescence relative quantitative analysis showed that the fluorescence intensity of NF-κB p65 in the 6-hour, 12-hour, and 24-hour experimental groups were weaker than that in the 0-hour control group (F=17.216, P=0.000); additionally, as compared to 0-hour control group, fluorescence intensity of I-κBα in the 6-hour experimental group was not changed remarkably (P=0.134), that in the 12-hour experimental group was weakened (P=0.032), and that in the 24-hour experimental group was strengthened (F=17.346, P=0.001). ELISA revealed that expression of phosphorylated NF-κB p65 was decreased gradually by the time of being induced by travoprost (F=15.4, P=0.001). CONCLUSION: Travoprost can down-regulate mRNA expression of NF-κB p65, inhibit nuclear translocation, and up-regulate mRNA expression of I-κBα in human ciliary muscle cells.

Objective To investigate the effect of comprehensive intervention therapy of losing weight on leptin and blood lipid,blood glucose,insulin in adolescent girl students with simple obesity.Methods Simple obesity adolescent girl students were accepted the losing weight therapy composed of the aerobic exercise,reasonable diet,behavior modification and medical supervision for 10 months.Then the changes of blood leptin and correlated hormone were examined before test,during test and after test,respectively.Results The leptin and correlated hormone levels were significantly higher in obesity subjects than that in normal subjects,and the levels of serum leptin was positively correlated with BMI and insulin.The blood leptin and blood lipid,blood glucose,insulin were decreased obviously after experimental losing weight.Conclusion Comprehensive intervention therapy of losing weight can significantly lose weight,leptin and insulin,so it plays an important role in modifying the metabolism disorder

Objective To explore the role of miR-98 in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) in the pathogenesis and development of childhood asthma.Methods A total of 43 cases of asthmatic children and 30 cases of healthy controls were enrolled in the study.Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were isolated in both healthy subjects and asthmatic children in acute attack and remission stages.The expressions of miR-98 and interleukin-4(IL-4) and IL-13 mRNA were detected by real-time quantitative PCR.Results The miR-98 levels of asthmatic children in attack stage were significantly lower than those in remission stage and control group (P<0.01).The IL-4 and IL-13 mRNA levels of asthmatic children in attack stage were significantly higher than those in remission stage and control group (P<0.01).There was no significant difference of miR-98,IL-4 and IL-13 mRNA between asthmatic children in remission stage and the controls (P>0.05).Furthermore,a negative correlation was found between the expression of miR-98 and IL-5(r=-0.794,P<0.01) and between the expression of miR-98 and IL-13 mRNA (r=-0.804,P<0.01) in asthmatic children in attack stage.A positive correlation was also found between IL-4 and IL-13 mRNA in asthmatic children in attack stage (r=0.853,P<0.01).Conclusion The expression of miR-98 decreased in asthmatic children,and miR-98 might be involved in the pathogenesis and development of asthma.

Methods: A total of 10 specific pathogen free (SPF) grade female DBA/2J mice were randomly divided into model group and QGA II group (n = 5 for each group), while additional 5 SPF-grade female C57BL/6J mice were assigned to control group. Mice presented spontaneous high IOP and showed elevated approximately at the age of seven months. The high IOP was maintained until week 38, when gavage was initiated. Mice in control group underwent the same intragastric treatment, while those in QGA II group were gavaged with QGA II (9.67 g/kg), once a day for four weeks. Retinal morphology was examined using hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining, with the number of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) counted. The expression level of Brn3a protein, a specific marker for RGCs, was detected by immunofluorescence, with the mean optical density (OD) measured for quantitative analysis. In addition, 16S rDNA sequencing was leveraged to analyze changes in the diversity of gut microbiota, including their α-diversity (Chao1, Shannon, Pielou’s evenness, and observed species index) and β-diversity. Venn diagrams and linear discriminant analysis effect size (LEfSe) analysis was employed to investigate the number of amplicon sequence variants (ASVs), the abundance of differential gut microbiota species, and the classification of species at both the phylum and genus levels within the three groups of mice. Results: HE staining revealed that compared with control group, model group showed significant reduction in the number of RGCs (P < 0.01), with intracellular vacuolar degeneration and nuclear pyknosis. After QGA II treatment, the number of RGCs was significantly increased compared with model group (P < 0.01), with notable improvements in intracellular vacuolar degeneration. Immunofluorescence analysis showed that the mean OD of Brn3a protein was significantly decreased in model group compared with control group (P < 0.01), while QGA II treatment significantly elevated its expression level (P < 0.01). Analysis of α-diversity showed that after QGA II intervention, the Chao1, Shannon, and Pielou’s evenness indices were significantly increased (P < 0.01), and the observed species index was elevated (P < 0.05). β-Diversity analysis demonstrated distinct clustering among the three groups, indicating relatively low similarity in bacterial community structures. ASV clustering identified a total of 14 061 ASVs across all groups, with 9 514 ASVs shared between model and QGA II groups. At the phylum level, the abundance of Bacteroidetes was significantly decreased in model group compared with control group (P < 0.01), while Firmicutes and the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes (F/B) ratio were significantly increased (P < 0.01). QGA II treatment significantly reduced both Firmicutes abundance and the F/B ratio (P < 0.01). At the genus level, Lactobacillus was dominant across all groups, with its abundance significantly increased in model group (P < 0.01) and subsequently decreased following QGA II intervention (P < 0.05). Conclusion QGA II restructured the gut microbiota of DBA/2J mice with chronic high IOP, bringing changes in their diversity and abundance of components. Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, Lactobacillus, along with their associated microorganisms, are likely critical components of the gut microbiota that contribute to the optic neuroprotective effects of QGA II on chronic high IOP mice.

ObjectiveTo compare the clinical efficacies of acupuncture, auricular point sticking, and the combination of the two methods in treating primary dysmenorrhea by using randomized controlled method, for selecting the optimal treatment in treating primary dysmenorrhea, and to explore the nursing care method for primarydysmenorrhea from the perspective of Chinese medicine. MethodNinety patients with primary dysmenorrhea were randomized into an acupuncture group of 30 cases (group A), an auricular point sticking group of 30 cases (group B), and a combined group of acupuncture plus auricular point sticking of 30 cases (group C). The patients were given treatment 7 d ahead of the menstrual period, a menstrual cycle as a treatment course, totally for 3 courses. The pain score and clinical efficacies were observed and compared among the three groups for statistical analyses.Result The pain scores were significantly changed in the three groups after intervention (P<0.05), there were significant differences in comparing the pain scores among the three groups after intervention (P<0.05), group A and C were superior to group B (P<0.05), and group C was superior to group A (P<0.05). The total effective rate was 96.7% in group A, versus 93.3% in group B and 100.0%in group C, and the rank-sum test showed thatZ=7.675,P=0.022 (P<0.05).ConclusionThe three treatment methods are all effective in treating primary dysmenorrhea, while combining acupuncture and auricular point sticking can approach the optimal effect.

To establish a method for the determination of cucurbitacin in plasma samples, in order to study the in vivo pharmacokinetic characteristics of cucurbitacin in rats. Rats were intravenously injected with cucurbitacin. With diphenhydramine as the internal standard (IS), the plasma concentrations of cucurbitacin in rat plasma at different time points were determined by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). With electrospray ionization source, the positive ion detection in the multiple reaction monitoring mode was conducted to determine the ion-pairs for target compound and IS were m/z 503.2/113.1 and m/z 256.0/167.2, respectively. Agilent ZOBAX SB-C18 column (2.1 mm x 50 mm, 1.8 microm) was adopted and eluted with methanol and 0.1% formic acid (55:45), and the flow rate was 0.2 mL x min(-1). DAS 2.0 software was applied to fit the blood concentration and calculate corresponding pharmacokinetic parameters. The rats were intravenously injected with cucurbitacin at the concentration of 3.0 mg x kg(-1). The target blood quality concentration show good linear relations within the range of 10.5-3 150 microg x L(-1) (R2 = 0.996), the lower limit of the standard curve was 10.5 microg x L(-1), and the signal to noise ratio S/N = 12. Intra- and inter-day precisions RSD was less than 6.9% and 14%, respectively; The accuracy RE ranged between 0.20% and 3.7%; The extraction recoveries ranged between 92.7% and 97.1%. Regarding the pharmacokinetic parameters of tail intravenous injection of cucurbitacin, AUC (0-t) was (811.615 +/- 111.578) microg x h x L(-1), (t1/2) was (1.285 +/- 1.390) h, CL was (3.627 +/- 0.487) L x h x kg(-1), and V(d) was (6.721 +/- 7.429) L x kg(-1). In this study, researchers established a simple, accurate, sensitive and highly specific method for determining the blood concentration of cucurbitacin, and reported the in vivo pharmacokinetic characteristics of cucurbitacin in rats for the first time.
Administration, Oral ; Animals ; Cucurbitaceae ; chemistry ; Cucurbitacins ; administration & dosage ; blood ; pharmacokinetics ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; pharmacokinetics ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar

To compare the pharmacokinetics of syringin, eleutheroside E and isofraxidin after intravenous administration of each monomer and Ciwujia injection. Twenty-four Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into four groups and intravenously administrated with syringin, eleutheroside E, isofraxidin, and Ciwujia injection, respectively. The concentrations of the three components in rat plasma were determined by LC-MS/MS. DAS 2.0 software was applied to calculate the pharmacokinetic parameters while the SPSS 17.0 software was used for statistical analysis. Significant difference (P < 0.05) was found between each monomer and the injection on the main pharmacokinetic parameters such as AUC, CL and t1,/2. Compared with the injection, the group treated with the syringin has obvious decrease in AUC, and increase in CL while the group treated with eleutheroside E has obvious increase in AUC, and decrease in CL The t1/2 of isofraxidin was prolonged in Ciwujia injection. Pharmacokinetic characters of the ingredients in the injection varied greatly from the monomer. Other constituents in the injection may have an impact on the pharmacokinetic profiles of these three components.
Administration, Intravenous ; Animals ; Coumarins ; administration & dosage ; blood ; pharmacokinetics ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; pharmacokinetics ; Glucosides ; administration & dosage ; blood ; pharmacokinetics ; Lignans ; administration & dosage ; blood ; pharmacokinetics ; Male ; Phenylpropionates ; administration & dosage ; blood ; pharmacokinetics ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

To study the in situ intestinal absorption of five oligosaccharides contained in Morinda officinalis How. (sucrose, kestose, nystose, 1F-Fructofuranosyinystose and Bajijiasu). The absorption of the five oligosaccharides in small intestine (duodenum, jejunum and ileum) and colon of rats and their contents were investigated by using in situ single-pass perfusion model and HPLC-ELSD. The effects of drug concentration, pH in perfusate and P-glycoprotein inhibitor on the intestinal absorption were investigated to define the intestinal absorption mechanism of the five oligosaccharides in rats. According to the results, all of the five oligosaccharides were absorbed in the whole intestine, and their absorption rates were affected by the pH of the perfusion solution, drug concentration and intestinal segments. Verapamil Hydrochloride could significantly increase the absorptive amount of sucrose and Bajijiasu, suggesting sucrose and Bajijiasu are P-gp's substrate. The five oligosaccharides are absorbed mainly through passive diffusion in the intestinal segments, without saturated absorption. They are absorbed well in all intestines and mainly in duodenum and jejunum.
Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; pharmacokinetics ; Intestinal Absorption ; Intestine, Small ; metabolism ; Male ; Morinda ; chemistry ; Oligosaccharides ; chemistry ; pharmacokinetics ; Perfusion ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

Objective To investigate the protective effect of hydrodynamics-based injection with plasmids of IL-10, TGF-β1 and TGF-β1 + IL-10 in murine skin transplantation model. Methods Plasmids were constructed by inserting coding sequences of IL-10 and TGF-β1. In F1 mice (Balb/c×C57BL/6, H-2b/d) to Balb/c (H-2d) murine skin transplant model, 20 μg plasmid (blank or IL-10 or TGF-β1 or IL-10 + TGF-β1) was injected to donors by hydrodynamics-based method in first day and every interval 2 days for 6 times. The survival of grafts was observed after 7 days of transplantation. After C56BL/6 spleen cells transfused Balb/c accepted 5 times hydrodynamics-based injection as above,CD4+ CD25+ T regulatory cells of spleen were measured by FACS. Results The survival time of graft in each group was (13.50±1.04)days (blank group), (13.83±1.16)days (IL-10 group), (15.33±1.50) days (TGF-β1 group), and (21.33±3.20) days (IL-10 + TGF-β1 group),respectively (P<0.05). The percentage of CD4+ CD25+ cells was (6. 58±1.86)% (blank group),(10.52±1.13)% (IL-10 group),(14.44±0.42)% (TGF-β1 group),and (14.25±1.24)% (IL-10+TGF-β1 group) respectively (P<0.05). Conclusion Hydrodynamics-based transfection of IL-10 combined with TGF-β1 can synergistically enhance the percentage of CD4+ CD25+ T cells and prolong the graft survival.