Objective To construct an immortalized rat astrocyte strain expressing enkephalin which can be regulated by doxycycline.Methods pRevTet-On and recombinant plasmid pRevTRE/hPPE were transfected into packaging cell PT67 respectively by standard lipofectamine methods.The supernatant containing RevTet-On virus was used to infect immortalized rat astrocyte strain(IAST)and RevTRE/hPPE virus was used to infect the IAST/Tet-On cell.Immortalized rat astrocyte strain that stably expressed Tet-regulated enkephalin was established. hPPE gene expression level of IAST/Tet-On/hPPE cell strain was detected by real time-PCR,immuno- cytochemistry and radio-immunoassay.Results Real time-PCR,immuno-cytochemistry and radio-immunoassay confirmed the level of enkephalin expression was regulated by doxycycline in a dose-dependent manner.Conclusion An immortalized rat astrocyte strain which secrets enkephalin as controlled by doxycycline has been constructed successfully.

The purpose of this study is to explore depression metabolic markers in rat hippocampus and to investigate the anti-depressant effect of genipin and its mechanisms using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) metabonomics. Chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) procedure was conducted to establish the depressive rat model. At the beginning of the third week, genipin low dose (25 mg x kg(-1)), middle dose (50 mg x kg(-1)), high dose (100 mg x kg(-1)), and venlafaxine (50 mg x kg(-1)) were given to the CUMS rats separately once daily for two weeks except control and model groups. Rat hippocampus was analyzed by 1H NMR based metabonomics after drug administration for 2 weeks. Significant differences in the metabolic profile of rat hippocampus of the CUMS treated group and the control group were observed with metabolic effects of CUMS including decreasing in glycine and N-acetylaspartate, increasing in inositol, glutamate, lactate, glutamine, taurine and alanine. Genipin showed ideal antidepressive effects at a dose of 50 mg x kg(-1) in rats, decrease of inositol, glutamate, lactate, alanine were observed, while glycine and N-acetylaspartate were increased. Important influence has been found on normal nervous system function of these significant changed metabolites, which suggests that the antidepressant effect of genipin may be played by enhancing the activity of neurons in hippocampus, repairing and improving the function of the neuron. The metabonomics approach is an effective tool for the investigation of the anti-depressant effect and pharmacologic mechanisms of genipin.
Alanine ; metabolism ; Animals ; Antidepressive Agents ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Aspartic Acid ; analogs & derivatives ; metabolism ; Behavior, Animal ; drug effects ; Chronic Disease ; Depression ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Gardenia ; chemistry ; Glutamic Acid ; metabolism ; Glycine ; metabolism ; Hippocampus ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Inositol ; metabolism ; Iridoids ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Lactic Acid ; metabolism ; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy ; Male ; Metabolomics ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

Aim To investigate the changes of cerebral blood flow in rats with diabetic cognitive impairment by two-channel laser Doppler flowmeter,and to explore the changes of cerebral blood flow in diabetic rats with cognitive impairment and to investigate the changes of cerebral blood flow lesions and the central nervous system function changes in the study to provide pre-foundation.Methods Thirty-four male Wistar rats were randomly divided into two groups:blank control group and diabetic model group.The rats in the model group were treated with streptozotocin (STZ) 60 mg · kg-1,and the glucose oxidase method was used to determine fasting blood glucose ≥ 16.7 mmol · L-1 as the standard of the model.The Water maze was used to observe the behavioral changes of diabetic rats.Dual-channel laser doppler flowmeter was used to measure cerebral blood flow in diabetic rats with cognitive impairment.Another 34 male Wistar rats were randomly divided into two groups:control group and diabetic model group.Dual-channel laser doppler flowmeter was used to dynamically monitor cerebral blood flow on 0 d,7 d,14 d,21 d,28 d,35 d,42 d,56 d and 75 d.ELISA was applied to detect the concentration of iNOS,eNOS and ET-1 in cerebrospinal fluid.Results Morris water maze test showed that the time of the platform (latency) was significantly longer than that of the blank control group(P ＜0.05).The cerebral blood flow/100 g of diabetic rats with cognitive impairment was significantly lower than that of the control group (P ＜ O.05),and the blood flow in the model group was significantly lower than that in the model group (P ＜ 0.05).Compared with control group,iNOS and eNOS concentrations were markedly elevated,while ET-1 concentration obviously decreased.Conclusions The decrease of blood flow in the frontal cortex of diabetic rats with cognitive impairment suggests that it may be one of the factors leading to cognitive impairment in diabetes mellitus.Cerebral blood flow reduction occurs in the early stages of diabetes,followed by no significant deterioration.Cerebral blood flow may not be related to the changes of NO and ET-1,but the trend of cerebral blood flow may be related to the change of the two.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the early clinical and radiographic outcome of scaphoid non-unions treated with Acutrak headless compression screw.

METHODSFrom January 2008 to July 2011,21 patients with scaphoid non-union were treated in our department. There were 18 males and 3 females with a mean age of (23.6 +/- 4.6) years; 12 cases were on right hand and 9 were on left. According to Herbert-Fisher classification, there were 10 cases with type D1, 7 cases with type D2, 3 cases with type D3, and 1 case with type D4. The mean time from injury to operation was (12.4 +/- 2.7) months. All patients were treated with Acutrak headless compression screw fixation (6 cases received 2 screws fixation, 15 cases received 1 screw fixation, and Matti-Russe bone grafting was applied in 7 cases). The carpal height, the scaphoid index and changes of the scapholunate angle were assessed before and after the operation. Range of motion and grip strength were recorded and the wrist function was assessed according to the Patient-Rated Wrist Evaluation (PRWE).

RESULTSAverage duration of follow-up was (21.3 +/- 3.6) months. All the patients attained radiological union in a mean time of (13.3 +/- 2.4) weeks following the operation. No obvious complications were recorded. The surgical treatment allowed the preoperative mean scaphoid index of 0.61 +/- 0.13 and the preoperative mean scapholunate angle of (59.4 +/- 6.8) degree to be improved to 0.69 +/- 0.10 and (44.3 +/- 8.2)degree postoperatively, respectively. There was a substantial improvement in grip strength and pain amelioration after surgery. The preoperative mean PRWE score of 45.2 +/- 4.7 was improved to 76.1 +/- 5.2 postoperatively. All patients returned back to the original work,the average time from surgery to work was (6.0 +/- 1.1) months.

CONCLUSIONFor scaphoid non-unions, Acutrak headless compression screw fixation can provide anatomical reduction, provide satisfactory results with a high union rate, well return of function and minimal complications in the early stage.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Bone Screws ; Female ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; Fractures, Ununited ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Range of Motion, Articular ; Scaphoid Bone ; injuries ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Treatment Outcome ; Wrist Injuries ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Wrist Joint ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo provide a sound cell source for further ex-vivo gene therapy for chronic pain, we attempt to develop an immortalized rat astrocyte cell line that expresses enkephalin regulated by doxycycline.

METHODSRetrovirus infection method was employed to develop an immortalized rat astrocyte cell line that could express enkephalin regulated by doxycycline. The hPPE gene expression level of immoralized astroyte cells (IAC)/ hPPE was detected by RT-PCR, indirect immunofluorescence staining and radioimmunoassay.

RESULTSIAC carrying Tet-on system transfected with preproenkephalin gene could secrete enkephalin that was regulated by doxycycline in a dose-dependent manner and hPPE gene activation could be repeated in on-off-on cycles through administration or removal of doxycycline.

CONCLUSIONAn immortalized rat astrocyte cell line that secrete enkephalin under the control of doxycycline is established successfully, which provides a research basis for transgenic cell transplantation for analgesia.

Animals ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; pharmacology ; Astrocytes ; Cell Line, Transformed ; Chronic Disease ; Doxycycline ; pharmacology ; Enkephalins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Genetic Therapy ; methods ; Genetic Vectors ; Neurotransmitter Agents ; genetics ; metabolism ; Pain Management ; Protein Precursors ; genetics ; metabolism ; Rats ; Retroviridae ; genetics

The aim of study was to set up a suitable method of isolation, culture and identification of endothelial progenitor cells (EPC) derived from rabbit bone marrow. Density gradient centrifugation was used to isolate mononuclear cells from bone marrow, the isolated mononuclear cells were cultured with specific culture medium for EPCs. EPCs were identified by cellular morphologic observation, immunohistochemistry testing, flow cytometry and the function test of taking up Dil-ac-LDL and FITC-UEA-1. The results indicated that the newly isolated bone marrow-derived mononuclear cells exhibited a round appearance, following culture for 48 hours, adherent cells grew in colony cluster, presenting with round or irregular appearance, and nuclear division was obvious. On day 7, flaky cell colonies mutually connected together, presenting with spindle-shaped cells. Immunohistochemistry testing in the EPCs showed CD133(+), CD34(+), VIII factor(++), KDR(++); flow cytometry testing showed that the positive rate of CD133 was (18.23+/-7.12)%, the positive rate of CD34 was 47.71+/-14.85%, the positive rate of CD31 was (71.61+/-13.51)%, the positive rate of KDR was (87.24+/-11.40)%. And more than 80% EPC could take up both Dil-acLDL and FITC-UEA-1. It is concluded that the mononuclear cells isolated from bone marrow by density gradient centrifugation can differentiate into EPCs under special culture situation.
Animals ; Bone Marrow Cells ; cytology ; Cell Culture Techniques ; methods ; Cell Differentiation ; Cells, Cultured ; Endothelial Cells ; cytology ; Rabbits ; Stem Cells ; cytology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the seroprevalence of hepatitis D virus in Foshan of Guangdong province, to provide the data for the study about it in China.

METHODSELISA kits from two different companies were used for detecting anti-HDV IgG of all the serum samples, and then RT-PCR was carried out about the selected serum to ensure the results. All the serum samples were collected in 2011 in The First People's Hospital of Foshan.

RESULTSThe results from two ELISA kits and RT-PCR were identical. Eight samples were positive.

CONCLUSIONSThe seroprevalence rate of HDV in Foshan is higher than that in China. It has no statistically significant difference between female and male. Morever, the older with HBsAg are susceptible to HDV.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; China ; epidemiology ; Coinfection ; epidemiology ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Female ; Hepatitis B ; epidemiology ; Hepatitis B Surface Antigens ; blood ; Hepatitis D ; epidemiology ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction

OBJECTIVETo develop a set of new markers for forensic application, the authors have chosen 6 short tandem repeat(STR) loci to study the allele frequencies and species specificity in Chinese Han population in Chengdu.

METHODSOne hundred and ten EDTA-blood samples were collected from the unrelated individuals in Chengdu city, Sichuan province. DNA was extracted by Chelex-100 and amplified by the polymerase chain reaction(PCR). Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) and silver staining were used to analyze the PCR products.

RESULTSThe polymorphisms of all 6 STR loci have been obtained in Chinese Han population in Chengdu, the alleles of D4S2366, D4S2367, D6S474, D6S1281, D2S1396 and D20S601 being 7, 7, 6, 7, 5, 7, the observed heterozygosity of them being 0.802, 0.708, 0.770, 0.627, 0.542, 0.672, the discrimination power of them being 0.887, 0.828, 0.849, 0.848, 0.794, 0.865; and the power of exclusion of them being 0.602, 0.441, 0.544, 0.325, 0.227, 0.386. Evaluated by comparison with the data from 14 different animals as controls, the 6 STR loci contain good specificity of human beings.

CONCLUSIONThe 6 STR loci are highly polymorphic and can play a key role in species identification. They are new candidate markers for forensic personal identification and paternity testing.

Animals ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; genetics ; China ; ethnology ; Forensic Medicine ; Gene Frequency ; Genotype ; Heterozygote ; Humans ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Species Specificity ; Tandem Repeat Sequences ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the significance of gastric acid reflux in children with reflux esophagitis (RE).

METHODSTwenty-four-hour esophageal pH monitoring and gastroscopy were performed in 180 children suffered from vomiting. The relationship between RE, non-esophagitis (NE), non-erosive reflux disease (NERD) and gastroesophageal reflux (GER) was analyzed.

RESULTSSixty-five of the 180 patients were confirmed as having RE by endoscopy. Among them, the number of cases with grades I, II and III RE according to the diagnostic criteria by endoscopy was 37, 19 and 9 cases, respectively, while the other 115 cases were diagnosed as NE. The positive rate of acid reflux in RE group was 58.5% (38/65), while it was 42.6% (49/115) in NE group (chi(2) = 4.179, P < 0.05). All parameters of acid reflux in RE group except for the episode of reflux and the number of reflux longer than 5 min were significantly higher than those in NE group. None of the parameters of acid reflux except for Boix-Ochoa score in grade III RE patients was significantly higher than that in both grade II and grade I RE cases. However, the difference in acid reflux parameter between grade I and grade II RE patients had not reached statistical significance. The results also showed that the positive rate of pathological acid reflux was 48.3% (87/180). Among them, 38 cases were RE, while other 49 cases were NERD. The difference in acid reflux between these two groups was not significant.

CONCLUSIONSGastric acid reflux may play a major role in the development of RE in children, but may not be a sole pathogenic factor. The degree of acid reflux is not closely correspondent to the severity of RE. Acid reflux may not completely contribute to RE. Gastroscopy is very important for patients with reflux symptom.

Adolescent ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; China ; Esophageal pH Monitoring ; Esophagitis, Peptic ; diagnosis ; etiology ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Esophagoscopy ; Female ; Gastric Acid ; secretion ; Gastroesophageal Reflux ; complications ; Humans ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Infant ; Male ; Severity of Illness Index

OBJECTIVETo fabricate biomimetic biphasic calcium phosphate BCP ceramic scaffolds using three-dimensional (3D) gel-lamination technology and evaluated their structure with 3D parameters and related method.

METHODSSeries two-dimensional images of femoral head's specimen of dogs were obtained by micro-computed tomography (Micro-CT). According to these images, porous biomimetic biphasic calcium phosphate (BCP) ceramic scaffolds with oriented trabecular structure were fabricated by three-dimensional (3D) gel-lamination technology. And then, the three-dimensional structure of the scaffolds were reconstructed by computer according to Micro-CT images of these scaffolds and evaluated by three-dimensional parameters. These parameters included bone volume fraction (BVF, BV/TV), bone surface/bone volume (BS/BV) ratio, trabecular thickness (Tb.Th), trabecular number (Tb.N), trabecular spacing (Tb.Sp) and structure model index (SMI). The biomechanical properties and biocompatibility of these scaffolds were also evaluated in the study. Six scaffolds, which were combined with BMCs (bone mesenchymal cells, BMCs), were planted into the bone defect of six dogs' femoral head respectively.

RESULTSThere was no significant difference between trabecular samples and BCP scaffolds in BV/TV, Tb.Th, Tb.N, and Tb.Pf (P > 0.05). The trabecular system of the scaffold, which had some orientation, represented plate-like model. With a micro-porous porosity of 62%, the average compressive modulus and ultimate strength along the axis of the scaffolds reached (464.0 +/- 36.0) MPa and (5.6 +/- 0.8) MPa respectively. The results of animal test indicated that the trabeculae of these scaffolds were covered by a layer of new bone after 10 weeks of operation.

CONCLUSIONPorous BCP scaffolds have been produced with oriented microarchitectural features designed to facilitate vascular invasion and cellular attachment and with initial mechanical properties comparable to those of trabecular bone.

Animals ; Biomimetics ; methods ; Bone Substitutes ; chemistry ; Calcium Phosphates ; chemistry ; Dogs ; Female ; Male ; Materials Testing ; Prosthesis Implantation ; Structure-Activity Relationship ; Tissue Engineering