The endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndMT) in endothelial cells contributes to the development of cardiac fibrosis,ultimately leading to cardiac remodeling.In this study,the effects and molecular mechanisms of celastrol (CEL) on transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1)-induced EndMT in human umbilical vein endothelial (HUVEC-12) cells were investigated.The presented data demonstrated.that CEL significantly blocked the morphology change of HUVEC-12 cells induced by TGF-β1 without cell cytotoxicity.In accordance with these findings,CEL blocked TGF-β1-induced EndMT as evidenced by the inhibition of the mesenchymal markers,including collagen Ⅰ,Ⅲ,α-SMA,fibronectin mRNA expression,and the increase in the mRNA expression of endothelial cell marker CD31.These changes were also confirmed by double immunofluorescence staining of CD31 and vimentin.The in vitro scratch assay showed that CEL inhibited the migration capacity of the transitioned endothelial cells induced by TGF-β1.Further experiments showed that the beneficial effect of CEL on blocking the EndMT in HUVEC-12 cells was associated with the suppression of the TGF-β1/Smads signalling pathway,which was also confirmed by the inhibition of its downstream transcription factor snail1,twistl,twist2,ZEB1 and ZEB2.These results indicate that CEL blocks TGF-β1-induced EndMT through TGF-β1/Smads signalling pathway and suggest that it may be a feasible therapy for cardiac fibrosis diseases.

Objective To investigate the effect of human hepatocellular carcinoma HepG2 cell-derived Exosome on the differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells(MSC)into cancer-associated myofibroblasts(CAF)and the impacts of CAF on liver cancer cell proliferation,migration,and invasion. Methods The protein expression of HepG2 cell-derived Exosome was detected by Western blotting. MSCs were separated from human adipose tissue and cultured with HepG2 cell-derived Exosome(100 ng/nl)to initiate differentiation. The expressions of mesenchymal markers and several interleukins were also detected by Western blotting. HepG2 cells were co-cultured with the conditioned media(CM),in which HepG2 Exosome induced the differentiation of MSC into CAF. The expressions of epithelial and mesenchymal markers were detected by real-time polymerase chain reaction(PCR)and Western blotting. Cell proliferation was assessed using MTS assay. Transwell chambers were used in the in vitro migration and invasion assay. Results HepG2 cell-derived particles expressed CD63,70 kilodalton heat shock proteins,and 90 kilodalton heat shock proteins. With the treatment of HepG2 cell-derived Exosome,the expressions of mesenchymal marker α-smooth muscle actin,fibroblast activation protein α,interleukin(IL)-6,IL-8,and IL-1β were up-regulated,while vascular endothelial growth factor had no significant change. The conditioned media which HepG2 Exosome induced MSC differentiation CAF(CAF-CM)could significantly promote HepG2 cells proliferation(1.075±0.104),compared to BSA control(0.874±0.066,P=0.023)and MSC-CM(0.649±0.034,P=0.0005). CAF-CM could significantly enhance cell migration [(42.5±9.1) cells vs.(18.5±3.1) cells,P=0.001] and invasion [(29.0±3.5) cells vs.(13.1±3.7) cells,P=0.009] compared to its control group. Moreover the conditioned medium which HepG2 Exosome induced MSC to differentiate into CAF could also promote the expressions of mesenchyme-related genes Smad interacting protein 1(P=0.040),β-catenin(P=0.038),fibronectin(P=0.029),and Vimentin(P=0.013)and inhibit the expression of epithelial related genes zonula ocdudens-1(P=0.010).Conclusions Exosome extracted from HepG2 cells can induce human adipose-derived MSC to differentiate into cancer-associated myofibroblasts. CAF-like cells can promote the migration of the liver cancer cell line HepG2.

0.05). Conclusion Enough high-purified LECs can be isolated by collagenase digestion procedure followed by immunomagnetic beads sorting. Post-thawed endothelial cells are proved to have high vitality and growth potential in vitro without significant morphological changes. Cryopreserved LECs may serve as a cell choice for research of lymphangiogenesis and lymphatic patterning.

Objective To investigate the clinical effect of pedicle screw fixation in the treatment of fracture and dislocation of atlantoaxial spine via posterior approach .Methods 19 patients with fracture and dislocation of atlantoaxial spine in this hospital from June 2011 to December 2013 were selected and treated with open reduction and pedicle screw fixation via posterior approach . The X‐radiographs were postoperatively re‐examined at regular time for understanding the correction of fracture and dislocation and implant fusion results ,the neurological functions were evaluated according to the Japanese Orthopaedic Association(JOA) scores . Results All cases got bony fusion without the occurrence of internal fixation loosening ,broken screw or broken rod .The JOA score was improved from preoperative (7 .35 ± 2 .39) points to postoperative (13 .21 ± 2 .53) points (P<0 .05) .Conclusion The posteri‐or atlantoaxial pedicle screw fixation and fusion for treating upper cervical spine injury has satisfactory effect .

Objective To study positron yield quantitatively in different phantoms by means of PET imaging after high energy photon irradiation,and to investigate the feasibility of bio-dose verification by PET in high energy photon radiotherapy.Methods The phantoms (hydrogel,HDPE,inhomogeneous phantom) were scanned with PET 1 min later after exposure to 2,4,6,8 Gy dose with/using 25 and 50 MV photon irradiation.The positron account rates were recorded every minute in PET scanning process and then fitted to get the half-lives of yielded nuclides.Positron distribution in each phantom was compared with dose distribution to investigate the relationship between positron activity and dose delivered.Results The half-lives of nuclides yielded in hydrogel and HDPE were supposed to be 2.23 and 19.47 min,respectively by fitting results,which had negligible difference with half-lives of 11C (20.2 min) and 15O (2.08 min).The positron amounts induced by 50 MV photon in hydrogel and HDPE were 3.88 and 3.86 times that of 25 MV photon,and increased in proportion to dose delivered.Except for build-up region and cavity,activity distributions in depth and off-axis were similar to dose distribution.Conclusions The amount and distribution of positron induced by high energy photon are related to dose delivered,and it is feasible to do dose verification with PET imaging in high energy photon radiotherapy.

Objective To summarize the experience of the therapy and diagnosis of thoracictuberculosis. Methods Diagnosis and operation of 163 cases of thoracictuberculosis were analyzed.Results 163 cases of thoracic- tuberculosis were treated with focuspurge upon two weeks' anti-tuberculosis treatment.153 cases were cured upon one operation.10 cases suffered incision delayed healing and there were no recurrence cases.Conclusion Thoraeictu- berculosis was treated with focuspurge upon two weeks anti-tuberculosis treatment before operation.Complete purge of focus and postoperative compression band and residual cavity filled with music flap were important measures to prevent incision delayed healing and recurrence.

With references of historical materials and modern literature regarding acupoint characteristic, a secondary analysis on the concept, origin, related factors and research methods in present research of acupoint characteristic is performed. The acupoint characteristic should be considered as an acupoint inherent attribute that could explain physiological and pathological manifestations at the same time, including location attribute and function attribute, which is related with time and treatment method. Some re-thinking on acupoint characteristic is proposed as well as advice on further research method and direction, hoping to promote the research development of acupoint characteristic.
Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; history ; China ; History, Ancient ; Humans ; Medicine in Literature ; Meridians

Objective To assess the left atrial early function in pilots with essential hypertension by strian rate imaging (SRI). Methods Twenty-five hypertensive pilots without left ventricular hypertrophy and expansion (LVN) were selected. Twenty-ifve healthy pilots were included as control group. At the left ventricular apical four-chamber view, three-chamber view, two-chamber view, the systolic, early and late diastolic peak strain rate (SRs, SRe, SRa) curves were acquired by SRI in the basal section, the middle section and the upper section of the wall of left atrium. The average strain rate (mSRs, mSRe, mSRa) was calculated. The LA maximal, minimal and pre-systolic volume (LAVmax , LAVmin and LAVp), LA passive ejection fraction (LAPEF), LA active ejection fraction (LAAEF) , left atrial stroke volume (LASV), E/A and E/E′ were calculated. Results The LAPEF, LAAEF, LASV, E/A, E/E′were (38.96±6.43)%, (61.11±5.86)%, (14.74±5.33)mm, 1.23±0.08, 8.63±1.77 in the control group, and were (34.18±5.72)%, (63.23±6.89)%, (10.12±3.23)mm, 1.04±0.26, 7.16±0.84 in the study group. Compared with the control group, signiifcant difference was detect in LAPEF, LAAEF, LASV, E/E′(t=4.840, 2.690, 4.801, 2.950, all P<0.05). No signiifcant difference was found in E/A between the study and control group (t=-1.424, P=0.178). There was signiifcant positive correlation between SRa and E/E′(r=0.632, P<0.05). Conclusion SRI could be applied in the evaluation of early left atrial function. In pilots with essential hypertension, the changes of strain rate in left atrial wall, which is prior to the modeling geometry of left ventricular, could be detected by SRI.

Objective To investigate the diagnostic significance of endoscopic findings in Henoch-Schonlein purpura(HSP),especially when abdominal pain preceded the cutaneous lesions.Methods The clinical data and gastroscopic findings in 37 cases of children with HSP were studied and analysed retrospectively in order to detect the pathological changes in the stomach and duodenum mucosa.The biopsy was taken in the pathological changeing place,and the relationship between clinical and endoscopic findings was analyzed.Results Detection rate of the pathological changes in the stomach and duodenum mucosa was 62.2%,31.3% of which experienced only cutaneous lesions,100% of which presented the acute abdominal pain.Three patients were not checked up the pathological changes.Of them,1 had arthritis,2 had Henoch-Schonlein nephritis.Characteristically endoscopic findings in the stomach and duodenum mucosa were found.The endoscopic findings included anabrosis,hyperemia,edema and hemorrhage.Conclusions Detection rate of the pathological changes in the stomach and duodenum mucosa is higher.Endoscopy is very helpful to the early diagnosis of HSP in children,especially abdominal pain presented firstly.

OBJECTIVE:To provide reference for rational use of Chinese patent medicine. METHODS:The influencing fac-tors of rational use of Chinese patent medicine was investigated in respects of the selection of Chinese patent medicine,drug combi-nation,usage and dosage,clinical evaluation,pharmacoeconomic evaluation. RESULTS&CONCLUSIONS:Chinese patent medi-cine is a characteristic product of traditional Chinese medicine. It is a complex and important issue to use Chinese patent medicine rationally. It should be considered in many ways,not only pay attention to the principle of clinical use of Chinese patent medicine, but also need to carry out clinical evaluation of Chinese patent medicine;at the same time,the economics of Chinese patent medi-cine should be focused on.