AIM:To explore the relationship and molecular mechanism between microRNA-21(miR-21) and Schwann cells ( SC) following peripheral nerve injury.METHODS: The mRNA expression of miR-21 and phosphatase and tensin homologue deleted on chromosome ten ( PTEN) in animal model were detected by real-time PCR.The over-ex-pression of miR-21 and inhibition of miR-21 expression in the Schwann cells according to transfection of lentiviral vectors were performed, the nonspecific miRNA was used as a negative control ( NC) .The cell apoptosis was measured by flow cy-tometry.The mRNA expression of miR-21 and PTEN in the cells was detected by real-time PCR.The protein expression of PTEN and cleaved caspase-3 was determined by Western blot.RESULTS: The level of miR-21 was significantly higher and the mRNA level of PTEN was significantly lower in the model of nerve injury than those in control group.miR-21 over-expression decreased the number of apoptotic Schwann cells compared with NC-SC.The mRNA expression of PTEN was down-regulated by over-expression of miR-21.The protein expression of PTEN and cleaved caspase-3 was down-regulated by over-expression of miR-21 (P<0.05).CONCLUSION: miR-21 may play an important role in the peripheral nerve injury through inhibiting apoptosis of Schwann cells by down-regulating the expression of PTEN.

AIM: To investigate the molecular mechanism of microRNA-21 (miR-21) in the regulation of Schwann cell proliferation following nerve injury.METHODS:The expression of miR-2l was detected by real-time PCR. Synthetic miR-21 mimic and its control were transfected into rat Schwann cells.CCK-8 assay was performed to evaluate the influence of miR-21 on the proliferation of Schwann cells.The cell cycle distribution was determined by flow cytometry. The expression of transforming growth factorβ-induced protein ( TGFBI) and cyclin D1 were detected by Western blotting. RESULTS:The expression of miR-21 in model group was 7.87 ±0.75 and 7.75 ±0.80 times higher than that in sham operation group and blank group respectively.After transfected with miR-21 mimic, the expression of miR-21 in experimen-tal group was 2.21 ±0.14 and 2.29 ±0.21 times higher than that in negative control group and blank group respectively. Moreover, the A450 value of CCK-8 assay in experimental group at 48 h was higher than that in negative control group and blank group.The proliferation index in experimental group was higher than that in negative control group and blank group. At the same time, the expression of TGFBI obviously decreased and the cyclin D1 increased in the Schwann cells 48 h after transfection with miR-21.CONCLUSION:miR-21 promotes the proliferation activity of Schwann cells by down-regulating TGFBI expression.

OBJECTIVE:To prepare aspirin-β-cyclodextrin-PLGA microspheres,and control its quality. METHODS:Aspirin-β-cy-clodextrin inclusion complexes were firstly prepared,and then aspirin-β-cyclodextrin-PLGA microspheres were prepared by emul-sion-solvent evaporation method. The morphology and particle size of microspheres were detected,and entrapment efficiency and accu-mulative release rate were calculated. With entrapment efficiency as index,orthogonal test was adopted to optimize stirring speed,PVA concentration,PVA volume and feed ratio. RESULTS:The optimal formulation was as follows as stirring speed of 4 000 r/min,PVA concentration of 3%(g/100 ml),PVA volume of 30 ml,feed ratio of 1∶10. Prepared microspheres were round and smooth in appear-ance. Entrapment efficiency of the microspheres was (41.79 ± 1.09)%. The diameter were regular and ranged 0.5-127.5 μm. As drug-loaded microspheres degraded,the release of aspirin was slow and its accumulative release rate was 83%within 600 h. CONCLU-SIONS:Aspirin-β-cyclodextrin-PLGA microspheres are prepared successfully with regular morphology and good sustained-release.

Objective To explore the feasibility and safety ofventricular peritoneal shunt (VPS) in treating patients with intracranial hypertension combined with cryptococcal meningitis.Methods Twelve patients with cryptococcal meningitis,admitted to our hospital from January 2012 to January 2014 and underwent VPS for intracranial hypertension,were chosen in our study; the clinical manifestations and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) results before and after operation,and mannitol dosage before and after operation were compared; follow up for 2-25 months was performed.Results Except 1 patient had no improvement of consciousness,the other 11 patients had disappeared or mitigated headache,disappeared vomiting symptoms,and improved vision and hearing; two patients with disturbance of consciousness got improvement; one patient with eyes abduction got recovery; one patient had abnormal tongue and mouth did not achieve improvement.Different degrees of fever were noted in 10 patients after operation,9 recovered after treatment.The mannitol dosage for all patients were significantly reduced or discontinued.Postoperative cerebrospinal fluid pressure,amount of cryptococcus neoformans in 11 patients were decreased significantly (P＜0.05).Conclusion Early aggressive VPS on cryptococcal meningitis patients with intracranial hypertension is effective and safe.