Objective To study the effect of mechanical tension on collagen arrangement and illustrate the relationship between tissue architecture and tension properties. Methods Cell morphologies, orientation and collagen arrangement of fibroblasts cultured in three different types of collagen gels with variation of mechanical tension were observed by phase contrast photomicrographs, light microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. Expression and distribution of a-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) were investigated by immunohistochemistry. Results Phase contrast photomicrographs, light microscopy and transmission electron microscopy showed high level of tension distributed anisotropically in the monolayer gels and the anchored collagen gels, with bipolar shape of the fibroblasts, obvious polarity, arrangement of exogenous collagen fibres parallel to the long axis of the fibroblasts, especially prominent in monolayer gels. Low level of tension distributed isotropically was observed in floating collagen gels, with stellate morphology and arrangement of exogenous collagen fibres in a reticular array. Immunofluorescence showed that fibroblasts expressed high level of α-SMA protein distributed along the long axis of fibroblasts in the monolayer gels and the anchored collagen gels, especially in former ones. In contrast, few expression of α-SMA protein was found in floating collagen gels. Cell morphologies and orientation, expression and distribution of α-SMA as well as collagen arrangement of fibroblasts in the monolayer gels and the anchored collagen gels were similar to those in granulation tissue, whereas floating collagen gels resembled normal dermis or remodelled tissues. Conclusions Tissue architecture or morphology of the dermis are corresponding to tension proporties. Different tissue architectures are closely correlated with particular tension proporties.

Objective To detect the histological characteristics of collagen nodules from hypertrophic scars (HS) and investigate the origin of collagen nodules.Methods The scar tissues were collected from patients with plastic operation.Morphological characteristics of collagen nodules were observed by light microscopy of HE-stained sections; expressions of type Ⅰ /Ⅲ collagens were observed by polarized light microscopy of sirius red-stained sections; expression and distribution of myofibroblasts (MFb)-specific protein (α-smooth muscle actin,α-SMA) were observed by immunostaining in order to observe level of local tissue tension.Results Collagen nodules varied in shape,not only sphereshaped,and in size.Moreover,abundant fibroblasts (Fb) with large and light-stained nuclei were seen in the nodules compared to non-nodule area,indicating that the cells located in the modules were active.Some collagen nodules were composed largely of collagen type Ⅲ (green),but some mainly contained collagen type Ⅰ (red or yellow),indicating the difference in the time of nodule formation.α-SMA was expressed mainly in the deep dermis equivalent to the level of reticular layer of the new scar tissues (2 months after injury) ; α-SMA was expressed mainly in the nodules of the old scar tissues (2-10 years after injury),but almost not in non-nodule areas except for a strongly positive staining in the vessels.Moreover,α-SMA presented a heterogeneous distribution in the collagen nodules,with stronger expression in the epidermal end than in the subcutaneous tissue end and stronger expression in the superficial dermis than that in the deeper part.It was suggested that there existed massive amount of MFb and high tension in the nodules arid that the tension distribution was not uniform in or between the nodules.Conclusions Collagen nodules are of varying shape and size and collagen types are associated with the time of nodule formation.Moreover,Formation of the collagen nodules may be closely related to the distribution and evolution of the local tissue tension.

The investigation on the herbal of Euphorbia humifusa Wild. was carried out to find its anti-HBV constituents. The isolation and purification were performed by chromatography such as macroporous resin, polyamide, Sephadex LH-20, MCI GEL CHP 20P and so on. Based on the spectral analysis, seven phenols were identified as brevifolin (1), brevifolin carboxylic acid (2), methyl brevifolincarboxylate (3), phyllanthussin E methyl ester (4), sanguisorbic acid dilactone (5), 3,3'-2-di-O-methyl ellagic acid (6), ellagic acid (7). Among them, Compounds 2-6 were isolated from this plant for the first time.
Euphorbia ; chemistry ; Phenols ; chemistry ; isolation & purification

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the value of damage control surgery(DCS) for severe abdominal trauma.

METHODSForty-six patients with severe abdominal trauma were treated according to DCS principles and 58 patients were not. Clinical data of the two groups were analyzed retrospectively. DCS included simple surgery, resuscitation, and definitive operation.

RESULTSPerioperative morality was 15.2%(7/46) in the DCS group and 34.5%(20/58) in the non-DCS group, and the difference was statistically significant(χ²=4.954, P=0.026). The perioperative complication rate was 37.0%(17/46) in the DCS group and 67.2%(39/58) in the non-DCS group, and the difference was statistically significant(χ²=9.468, P=0.002).

CONCLUSIONDamage control surgery can reduce perioperative morbidity and mortality in patients with severe abdominal trauma, and its efficacy is satisfactory.

Abdominal Injuries ; surgery ; Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome

Objective:To investigate the effect and mechanism of Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) on cognitive function in obese mice.Methods:Male C57BL/6J and TLR2 knockout mice were divided into control group, obesity group, TLR2 knockout group, and TLR2 knockout obesity group according to standard diet or high-fat diet. After 16 weeks, water maze experiments were performed to test the learning and memory ability of mice in each group. The body weight and blood lipid biochemical indexes of the mice in each group were measured. Immunohistochemical analys was used to detect amyloid-β (Aβ) protein expression in the hippocampus. Western blotting was used to detect the expression of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) p65, phosphorylated (p-) NF-κB p65, low density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 1 (LRP1), and Aβ protein.Results:Compared with the standard control group, the expressions of TLR2, NF-κB p65, p-NF-κB p65, and Aβ protein in obesity group were significantly increased, LRP1 protein expression level was reduced, and the learning and memory ability of mice was significantly reduced. Compared with the obese group, the expression levels of NF-κB p65, p-NF-κB p65, and Aβ protein in the TLR2 gene knockout obesity group decreased, while the expression level of LRP1 protein increased. The memory and learning ability of these mice was significantly improved.Conclusion:TLR2 deficiency may improve the cognitive function of obese mice by inhibiting the TLR2/NF-κB pathway. The mechanism may be related to the up-regulation of LRP1 protein expression.

Objective: To investigate the effects of denatured collagen type Ⅰ on differentiation of human fibroblasts into myofibroblasts. Methods: A small amount of normal skin donated by burn patients undergoing scar surgery was collected. Human fibroblasts were obtained by method of explant culture and then sub-cultured. The fourth passage of cells were used in the following experiments. (1) Fibroblasts were divided into normal collagen group and denatured collagen group according to the random number table, with 10 wells in each group. Fibroblasts in normal collagen group were cultured on normal collagen type Ⅰ coated coverslips. Fibroblasts in denatured collagen group were cultured on denatured type Ⅰ collagen coated coverslips. Expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) was detected by immunohistochemical method, and the percentage of PCNA positive cells was calculated. (2) Another batch of fibroblasts were grouped and treated as in (1), with 12 wells in each group. Proliferation activity of cells was determined with methyl-thiazolyl-tetrazolium colorimetry method. (3) Another batch of fibroblasts were grouped and treated as in (1), and the microfilament morphology of cells was observed by rhodamine-phalloidin staining. (4) Another batch of fibroblasts were grouped and treated as in (1). Expression of α smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) of cells was detected by immunohistochemical method, and expression of OB-cadherin of cells was detected by immunofluorescence method. (5) Another batch of fibroblasts were divided into normal collagen, denatured collagen, and common coverslips groups according to the random number table, with 6 wells in each group. Fibroblasts in normal collagen and denatured collagen groups were treated as in (1), while fibroblasts in common coverslips group were cultured on coverslips without collagen coating. Expressions of α-SMA and OB-cadherin of cells were determined with Western blotting. (6) Another batch of fibroblasts were grouped and treated as in (5), and then the mRNA expressions of collagen type Ⅰ, collagen type Ⅲ, and α-SMA of cells were determined with real-time fluorescent quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Data were processed with t test, one way analysis of variance, and least-significant difference test. Results: (1) The percentage of PCNA positive cells in denatured collagen group was (83±9)%, significantly higher than (29±9)% in normal collagen group (t=13.53, P<0.01). (2) The proliferation activity of fibroblasts in denatured collagen group was 0.32±0.06, significantly higher than 0.25±0.05 in normal collagen group (t=3.06, P<0.01). (3) The microfilament of fibroblasts in normal collagen group was arranged vertically and in parallel way, paralleling the long axis of cells. The microfilament of fibroblasts in denatured collagen group was denser and thicker. (4) Most fibroblasts in normal collagen group showed long shuttle-like shape typically. Morphology of fibroblasts in denatured collagen group changed, and cells were obviously spreading. Expressions of α-SMA and OB-cadherin of fibroblasts in denatured collagen group were stronger than those in normal collagen group. (5) Expressions of α-SMA of fibroblasts in denatured collagen, normal collagen, and common coverslips groups were respectively 1.69±0.41, 0.89±0.27, and 1.46±0.42. Expression of α-SMA of fibroblasts in denatured collagen group was significantly higher than that in normal collagen group (P<0.01). Expressions of OB-cadherin of fibroblasts in denatured collagen, normal collagen, and common coverslips groups were respectively 5.17±0.28, 2.21±0.10, and 4.01±0.56. Expression of OB-cadherin of fibroblasts in denatured group was significantly higher than that in normal collagen group (P<0.01). (6) There was no significant difference in mRNA expression of collagen type Ⅰ of fibroblasts in denatured collagen, normal collagen, and common coverslips groups (F=2.71, P>0.05). The mRNA expressions of collagen type Ⅲ and α-SMA of fibroblasts in normal collagen group were significantly lower than those in denatured collagen group (P<0.01). Conclusions Denatured collagen type Ⅰ may influence the activity of fibroblasts, thus inducing fibroblasts differentiating into myofibroblasts.

Background: The occurrence of gastrointestinal symptoms in cirrhotic patients with gastroesophageal varices (GOV) after endoscopic treatment is obvious, and the role of gastric myoelectrical activity (GMA) and autonomic nerve function imbalance in the development of gastrointestinal symptoms has not been clarified. Aims: To investigate the changes of GMA and autonomic nerve function in cirrhotic patients with GOV after endoscopic treatment. Methods: Twenty-five cirrhotic patients with GOV from May 2019 to October 2019 at the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University were enrolled, and 10 patients with gastric polyp were served as controls. Electrogastrogram (EGG) and heart rate variability (HRV) were detected before the operation, 1 day after the operation and 5 days after the operation in GOV group. For the gastric polyp group, EGG and HRV were detected before the operation and 1 day after the operation. Changes of GMA and autonomic nerve function were compared between the two groups. Results: No significant differences in GMA and autonomic nerve function were found between GOV group and gastric polyp group before and 1 day after the operation (P>0.05). LF, LF/HF were significantly increased 1 day after the operation in GOV group (P<0.05), while HF was significantly decreased (P<0.01), and the percentage of bradygastria was significantly increased (P<0.01). There were no significant differences in GMA and autonomic nerve function between pre-operation and 5 days after the operation in GOV group (P>0.05). There were no significant differences in GMA and autonomic nerve function 1 day after the operation compared with pre-operation in gastric polyp group (P>0.05). Compared with Child-Pugh A group, Child-Pugh B group had more obvious GMA abnormalities, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). Conclusions: In cirrhotic patients with GOV, the percentage of bradygastria and the sympathetic activity increased, and the vagal activity decreased 1 day after the operation. These results suggest that GMA and autonomic nerve dysfunction may be related to the gastrointestinal symptoms after endoscopic treatment.