ObjectiveTo investigate the expression of TGF ?1 and type Ⅰ receptor and their relations with intimal hyperplasia in autogenous vein grafts in rats. Methods Autogenous vein graft model was established in 48 Wistar rats. The vein grafts were harvested on day 3, 7, 14, and 28.Histomorphological methods were used to measure the thickness of intima and wall at different time points. Immunohistochemistry and Western blot were used to detect the protein expression of TGF ?1 and TGF ?RⅠ . RT PCR was used to detect their mRNA level. ResultsThe intimal thickness increased on day 7 compared with controls( P

OBJECTIVETo explore the phytoestrogenic-like effects of four kinds of Chinese medicine including Radix rehmanniae preparata, Radix Paeoniae Alba, Radix Angelicae Sinensis, Rhizoma Chuanxiong.

METHODSixty immature female SD rats weighting (70 +/- 5) g were randomly divided into six groups: normal control group, positive control group and 4 Chinese medicine groups. The rats in different groups were treated for 4 days. On the fifth day, animals were sacrificed and uteri were separated solely and weighed. The blood was collected, and serum was separated. The effect of the pharmacological serum on proliferation assay with human breast cancer cell line (MCF7) by MTT method. Cell-cycle analyses were carried out with propidium iodide staining by flow cytometer. The expressions of subtypes-estrogen receptor-alpha (ERalpha) were detected by flow cytometry.

RESULTRadix Rehmanniae Preparata, Radix Paeoniae Alba and Radix Angelicae Sinensis could increase the immature rat's uterus wet weight and the ratio of uterus to body weight (P < 0.05). The pharmacological serum of the four kinds of Chinese medicine stimulated proliferation of MCF7 cell respectively compared with normal control group (P < 0.01). The cell cycle was impulsed from G1 to S, DNA synthesizing was inhanced, and PI was also increased. The pharmacological serum of Radix Angelicae Sinensis and Rhizoma Chuanxiong could increase the expressions of (ERalpha) (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONRadix Rehmanniae Preparata, Radix Paeoniae Alba and Radix Angelicae sinensis have phytoestrogenic effects. But the data werent consistent with in vitro and in vivo assay of Rhizoma Chuanxiong.

Animals ; Cell Cycle ; drug effects ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; Estrogen Receptor alpha ; genetics ; metabolism ; Female ; Phytoestrogens ; administration & dosage ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Uterus ; cytology ; drug effects ; metabolism

Objective To investigate the clinical effects and related complications of surgical and endovascular treatments of paraclinoid aneurysms. Methods Seventy-two consecutive patients with paraclinoid aneurysm admitted to the Department of Neurosurgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University were enrolled retrospectively. They were confirmed by head and neck CT angiography and DSA examination,including 45 females and 27 males. According to the different treatment modalities, 72 patients were divided into endovascular embolization group ( n=38,stent-assisted coil embolization) and microsurgery group (n=34,including aneurysm clipping or intracranial and extracranial vascular bypass plus trapping of aneurysms). The baseline data and aneurysm diameter of both groups were recorded and analyzed. Baseline data included age,sex,cranial nerve injury,Hunt-Hess grade,etc. The new cranial nerve injury,aneurysm recurrence and Glasgow outcome scale ( GOS) scores were compared between the two groups,and the size of recurrent and non-recurrent aneurysms were analyzed. The age, aneurysm diameter,and prognostic score were compared in patients with Hunt-Hess grade Ⅲ-Ⅳ in both groups. Results (1 ) The age of patients in the endovascular embolization group was older than that in the microsurgery group (60 ±10 years vs. 54 ± 10 years,t= -2. 490),the diameter of aneurysms was smaller than that of microsurgery group (5[4,8] mm vs. 9[5,16] mm,Z=3. 026). There were significant differences between the two groups ( all P <0. 05 ) . There were no significant differences in gender, incidence of visual impairment and Hunt-Hess grading between the two groups (all P >0. 05). (2) The patients of both groups were followed up for 6 months. There were no significant differences in GOS score, improvement of postoperative visual acuity,and immediate visual impairment after surgery ( all P>0. 05). The recurrence rate of aneurysms in the endovascular embolization group was higher than that in the microsurgery group. The difference was statistically significant between the two groups (18. 4%[7/38] vs. 2. 9%[1/34], χ2=4. 350,P<0. 05). (3) In the endovascular embolization group, the diameter of aneurysm in recurrent patients was larger than that in non-recurrent patients,and the difference was statistically significant between the two groups (10[8,15] mm vs. 5[3,7] mm,Z = -2. 356, P<0. 05). (4) For aneurysm patients with Hunt-Hess grade Ⅲ-Ⅳ, the GOS score of the endovascular embolization group was lower than that of the microsurgery group,and the difference was statistically significant (4[3,4] vs. 5[4,5],Z= -2. 282,P<0. 05]. Conclusion For paraclinoid aneurysms,the recurrence rate of aneurysms with microsurgical treatment is lower than that of endovascular embolization,and is beneficial to the prognosis of patients with Hunt-Hess grade Ⅲ-Ⅳ.

OBJECTIVETo assess the association between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of calcium channel β 2 subunit (CACNB2) gene and essential hypertension (EH) in ethnic Han Chinese in Wenzhou area, and to study the influence of rs7069292 alleles on gene expression with luciferase reporter technique.

METHODSSixty hundred and thirty seven Han Chinese with EH and 600 normal controls were enrolled. Genotypes of 6 SNP within CACNB2 gene including rs2228645, rs2357928, rs7069292, rs7099380, rs10764319 and rs11014166 were determined with matrix assisted laser desorption ionization/time of flight mass spectrometer (MALDI-TOF MS). A luciferase reporter gene plasmid containing the fragment flanking rs7069292 (-2831 bp to -2460 bp) in the 5' regulatory region of CACNB2 was constructed.

RESULTSCompared with the control, CT and TT genotypes for the rs7069292 locus were significantly more common in EH group (5.20% vs. 2.17%, 2.59% vs. 1.08%, P< 0.05). CC genotype was not found. Promoter activity for allele C of the rs7069292 locus was significantly increased compared with allele T (P< 0.05). No significant difference was detected for other 5 SNPs in terms of genotypes and allele frequency.

CONCLUSIONThe rs7069292 CT polymorphism of the CACNB2 gene is associated with EH in ethnic Han Chinese from Wenzhou area. A T>C mutation may affect the expression of CACNB2.

Aged ; Alleles ; Base Sequence ; Calcium Channels, L-Type ; genetics ; Case-Control Studies ; Cell Line ; Female ; Gene Frequency ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; Genotype ; Humans ; Hypertension ; genetics ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide

Objective:To investigate the intervention effect of topical shikonin on an imiquimod-induced psoriasis-like mouse model and its effect on expression of CCAAT enhancer binding protein δ (CEBPD) .Methods:Twenty specific pathogen-free BALB/c male mice were randomly and equally divided into model group, shikonin 1 group, shikonin 2 group and blank control group by using simple random sampling. Mice in the model group, shikonin 1 group and shikonin 2 group were topically treated with 50 mg of 5% imiquimod cream every day on the shaved back to establish the psoriasis-like mouse model. After 6-hour treatment, mice in the shikonin 1 group and shikonin 2 group were treated with 0.5 ml of shikonin at concentrations of 0.576 and 5.76 g/L respectively in the modeling area for 8 consecutive days; the blank control group received no treatment. Changes in the skin lesions of these mice were observed by naked eyes every day, and evaluated by using psoriasis area severity index (PASI) ; after 8-day treatment, the mice were sacrificed by cervical dislocation, the dorsal skin tissues were resected, and immunohistochemical study and Western blot analysis were performed to determine the expression of CEBPD in the mouse epidermis. Statistical analysis was carried out with SPSS 16.0 software by using one-way analysis of variance for comparisons of observation indices among different groups, as well as least significant difference- t test for multiple comparisons. Results:On day 8, the mice in the model group presented with obvious erythema, scales, and infiltrative and thickened skin lesions; compared with the model group, the skin lesions were markedly improved in the shikonin 1 group and shikonin 2 group, and the improvement was more obvious in the shikonin 2 group. On day 8, the PASI score significantly differed among the blank control group, model group, shikonin 1 group and shikonin 2 group (0, 11.0±1.22, 8.6±0.55, 5.8±1.30 points, respectively; F=128.21, P<0.01) , and there were significant differences between any two groups (all P < 0.01) . Immunohistochemical study showed a significant difference in the expression of CEBPD ( A value) among the model group, shikonin 1 group, shikonin 2 group and blank control group (0.072±0.026, 0.177±0.036, 0.290±0.062, 0.407±0.051, respectively; F=48.895, P < 0.01) , and there were also significant differences between any two groups (all P < 0.01) . Western blot analysis showed that the CEBPD expression in the mouse epidermis was highest in the blank control group, followed in descending order by the shikonin 2 group, shikonin 1 group and model group, and significantly differed among the above 4 groups ( F=10.237, P<0.05) ; moreover, there were significant differences in the CEBPD expression between the model group and blank control group, as well as between the shikonin 1 group and blank control group (both P<0.05) , while no significant difference was observed between the shikonin 2 group and the blank control group ( P > 0.05) . Conclusion:Topical shikonin could effectively interfere with the development of imiquimod-induced psoriasis-like mouse model; CEBPD expression decreased in the psoriasis-like mouse model, and could be markedly upregulated by topical application of shikonin.

Objective To optimize the fermentation conditions for Enterococcus faecalis (E.faecalis) and Saccharomyces cerevisiae (S.cerevisiae) mixed culture.Methods The optimum fermentation conditions for E.faecalis and S.cerevisiae mixed culture were identified by investigating the influence of initial pH,inoculum size,and ventilation rate of the culture broth on mixed microbial growth.Results The optimal initial pH of mixed microbial culture was 7.0 and the inoculation amounts of E.faecalis and S.cerevisiae were 4％ and 10％ respectively,when fermented in 600-mL pilot fermentor (liquid volume 40％) at 30 ℃,with ventilation rate of 0.2 L/min,for 20 h.At the end of the fermentation,the E.faecalis and S.cerevisiae counts were approximately 3.8 × 108 CFU/mL and 2.4 × 108 CFU/mL,respectively.Ventilation for the amount difference of E.faecalis was no significant (P ＞ 0.05),and for the amount difference of S.cerevisiae was statistically significant (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion The E.faecalis and S.cerevisiae counts increased by 32.2％ and 31.5％ respectively,when the optimized conditions of fermentation culture were used.In this study,high mixed microbial counts were obtained,thus providing a reference for the preparation of large-scale production of mixed microbes.

ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of Wudan pill on the polarization of macrophages in the rat model of endometriosis （EMT） with cold congeal and blood stasis syndrome based on p38 mitogen-activated protein kinases （p38 MAPK）. MethodFemale SD rats with regular motility cycles were selected and randomly divided into sham-operated group， model group， Wudan pill high， medium， and low-dose groups （2.4， 1.2， and 0.6 g⋅kg^-1）， Chinese patent medicine group， and western medicine group by the random number table method. The method of ice water bath + autologous endometrial transplantation was used to establish the rat model of EMT with cold congeal and blood stasis， and the rats were executed after 4 weeks of continuous drug administration to collect materials. Expression levels of serum tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α）， interleukin-1β （IL-1β）， IL-4， and transforming growth factor-β （TGF-β） were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） to assess inflammation. The real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） was performed to determine the inducible nitric oxide synthase （iNOS）， TNF-α， arginase 1 （Arg1）， and human mannose receptor （CD206） transcriptional levels to evaluate macrophage polarization. Western blot （WB） and immunofluorescence （IF） assays were used to determine the protein expression levels of iNOS and Arg1 to corroborate macrophage polarization. WB and Real-time PCR were used to determine the protein expression levels of the p38 MAPK pathway. ResultAs compared with sham-operated group， the levels of serum TNF-α， IL-1β， TGF-β， and IL-4 of rats in the model group were significantly higher （P<0.05）. In the model group， the protein levels of iNOS， TNF-α， p-p38 MAPK， and phosphorylated-extracellular signal-regulated kinase （p-ERK） in endothelial tissues were significantly higher， the mRNA levels of iNOS， TNF-α， MAPK， and ERK were significantly higher， and the mRNA and protein expression levels of Arg1 and CD206 were significantly lower （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The number of iNOS positive cells in endothelial tissues was significantly increased， and the number of Arg1 positive cells in endothelial tissues in the model group was significantly decreased （P<0.05， P<0.01）. As compared with the model group， the expression of TNF-α， IL-1β， TGF-β， and IL-4 in each administration group was reduced to different degrees， which was especially significant in the Wudan pill high and medium-dose groups and the western medicine group （P<0.05）. The protein expression levels of iNOS， TNF-α， p-p38 MAPK， and p-ERK in endometrial tissues of rats in the Wudan pill high and medium-dose groups， the Chinese patent medicine group， and the western medicine group were significantly lower， the mRNA expression levels of iNOS， TNF-α， MAPK， and ERK were significantly lower， and the protein expression levels of Arg1 and CD206 were significantly higher （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The number of iNOS positive cells in endometrial tissues of rats was significantly decreased in the Wudan pill high and medium-dose groups， the Chinese patent medicine group， and the western medicine group， whereas the number of Arg1 positive cells was increased （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The low， medium， and high doses of Wudan pill were dose-dependent， and the efficacy of the Wudan pill high-dose group was similar to that of the western medicine group. ConclusionWudan pill reduces the inflammatory response in rat model of EMT with cold congeal and blood stasis syndrome and decreases expression levels of TNF-α， IL-1β， IL-4， and TGF-β， thereby prompting polarization of macrophages from M1 to M2 type. The mechanism is presumedly related to p38 MAPK signaling pathway.

For the researches relating to the biomedical fields such as preparation of drug micro-particulates and biomedical materials coating, according to the modular design concept and combing the piezoelectric micro-jetting technology with electromechanical engineering and automatic control technology, the drug micro-jetting multifunctional system was designed, which included the spraying support subsystem, - motion platform, -axis subsystem and rapid installation subsystem. The drug micro-jetting multifunctional system was run and adjusted. The versatility, rationality and feasibility of this system were validated by the experiments of amoxicillin microcapsule preparation, titanium alloy drug-loaded coating preparation and balloon electrode coating preparation. It was shown that the system can be used as basic platform in multi-disciplinary cross technology research such as biomedical engineering, pharmaceutical engineering and so on.
Alloys ; Drug Delivery Systems ; Electrodes ; Titanium

Traumatic cerebrospinal fluid leakage commonly presents in traumatic brain injury patients, and it may lead to complications such as meningitis, ventriculitis, brain abscess, subdural hematoma or tension pneumocephalus. When misdiagnosed or inappropriately treated, traumatic cerebrospinal fluid leakage may result in severe complications and may be life-threatening. Some traumatic cerebrospinal fluid leakage has concealed manifestations and is prone to misdiagnosis. Due to different sites and mechanisms of trauma and degree of cerebrospinal fluid leak, treatments for traumatic cerebrospinal fluid leakage varies greatly. Hence, the Craniocerebral Trauma Professional Group of Neurosurgery Branch of Chinese Medical Association and the Neurological Injury Professional Group of Trauma Branch of Chinese Medical Association organized relevant experts to formulate the " Chinese expert consensus on the diagnosis and treatment of traumatic cerebrospinal fluid leakage in adults ( version 2023)" based on existing clinical evidence and experience. The consensus consisted of 16 recommendations, covering the leakage diagnosis, localization, treatments, and intracranial infection prevention, so as to standardize the diagnosis and treatment of traumatic cerebrospinal fluid leakage and improve the overall prognosis of the patients.

Objective: Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) loss is seldom achieved with nucleos(t)ide analog (NA) therapy in chronic hepatitis B patients but may be enhanced by switching to finite pegylated-interferon (Peg-IFN) alfa-2a. We assessed HBsAg loss with 48- and 96-week Peg-IFN alfa-2a in chronic hepatitis B patients with partial response to a previous NA. Methods: Hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)-positive patients who achieved HBeAg loss and hepatitis B virus DNA < 200 IU/mL with previous adefovir, lamivudine or entecavir treatment were randomized 1:1 to receive Peg-IFN alfa-2a for 48 (n = 153) or 96 weeks (n = 150). The primary endpoint of this study was HBsAg loss at end of treatment. The ClinicalTrials.gov identifier is NCT01464281. Results: At the end of 48 and 96 weeks' treatment, 14.4% (22/153) and 20.7% (31/150) of patients, respectively, who switched from NA to Peg-IFN alfa-2a cleared HBsAg. Rates were similar irrespective of prior NA or baseline HBeAg seroconversion. Among those who cleared HBsAg by the end of 48 and 96 weeks' treatment, 77.8% (14/18) and 71.4% (20/28), respectively, sustained HBsAg loss for a further 48 weeks. Baseline HBsAg < 1 500 IU/mL and week 24 HBsAg < 200 IU/mL were associated with the highest rates of HBsAg loss at the end of both 48- and 96-week treatment (51.4% and 58.7%, respectively). Importantly, extending treatment from 48 to 96 weeks enabled 48.3% (14/29) more patients to achieve HBsAg loss. Conclusion Patients on long-term NA who are unlikely to meet therapeutic goals can achieve high rates of HBsAg loss by switching to Peg-IFN alfa-2a. HBsAg loss rates may be improved for some patients by extending treatment from 48 to 96 weeks, although the differences in our study cohort were not statistically significant. Baseline and on-treatment HBsAg may predict HBsAg loss with Peg-IFN alfa-2a.