This study was aimed to observe the effects of Gui Curcuma extract on proliferation, collagen production, and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) expression by hepatic stellate cells (HSC-LX2). HSC-LX2 were cultured in DMEM broth (10% FBS), then treated with Gui Curcuma extract (with the concentration of 0, 22.5, 45, 90 μmol·L-1) for 24 h. The proliferation of HSC-LX2 was measured by MTT assay; injury in HSC-LX2 was indicated with LDH re-lease; collagen I production was detected by ELISA; and MMP-l expression was determined by Western blot. The re-sults showed that Gui Curcuma extract (with the concentration of 22.5, 45, 90 μmol·L-1) dose-dependently inhibited proliferation of HSC-LX2 by 16.2%, 43.9%, 59.4% in MTT assay, respectively. The IC50 was 59.1 μmol·L-1. There was no significant impact on LDH release. The Gui Curcuma extract (with the concentration of 45, 90 μmol·L-1) can significantly reduce the expression of collagen I level (P< 0.01), whereas MMP-1 expression was significantly uplift-ed (P< 0.05) by Gui Curcuma extract (with the concentration of 45, 90 μmol·L-1) in Western blot. It was concluded that Gui Curcuma extract had the potential to prevent hepatic fibrosis, through inhibiting proliferation and collagen I production, and increasing MMP-1 protein expression.

BACKGROUND:Acel ular tracheal matrix is similar to the native trachea with structure and biological performance preserved after decel ularization, and it is an important aim in tissue engineering to find an effective method of decel ularization.
OBJECTIVE:To select the optimal decel ularization method through comparing chemical extraction method with detergent-enzymatic method for preparing rabbit tissue engineering trachea matrix.
METHODS:Thirty tracheas from New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divide into three groups. Twenty of rabbit tracheas were subjected to decel ularization using 2%TritonX-100 combined with deoxyribonuclease I and ribonuclease (chemical extraction method group), and sodium deoxycholate combined with deoxyribonuclease I (detergent-enzymatic group), respectively. The other ten were given no intervention as controls. Samples were col ected and observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining, Masson-trichrome staining, safranin O staining, DAPI staining and scanning electronic microscope.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Hematoxylin-eosin staining demonstrated that compared with the control group, almost al cel ular components of the mucosal epithelium were removed in the detergent-enzymatic and chemical extraction groups, and there were few remnant chondrocytes. Masson-trichrome staining indicated that compared with the control group, components of the mucosal layer chondrocytes in the chemical extraction and detergent-enzymatic groups were completely removed, with only part of remained chondrocytes in the cartilage zone. Glycosaminoglycan was slightly decreased both in the chemical extraction and detergent-enzymatic groups shown by Safranin O staining, but more reduction was found in the chemical extraction group. DAPI staining reveled that only a smal amount of cartilage cel s remained in the dense layer of cartilage and lacuna both in this two methods. Scanning electronic microscope showed that using the detergent-enzymatic method there were the hierarchical structures of native trachea, but slight disruption using the chemical extraction method. In conclusion, decel ularized rabbit trachea matrix obtained by detergent-enzymatic method is better, with little disruption to the matrix.

Objective To observe the levels of serum 25‐hydroxy(25OH) vitamin D and bone mineral density(BMD) in appar‐ently healthy middle‐aged and elderly people in Zhongshan area and investigate the correlation between each other .Methods The BMD of 200 participants was measured by ultrasound BMD detector ,the participants were divided into 3 groups according BMD re‐sults .Simultaneously ,their serum 25OH vitamin D levels were measured by ECLIA .Results Among 200 participants ,the preva‐lence of vitamin D severe deficiency ,deficiency ,insufficiency and sufficiency w ere 7 cases (3 .5% ) ,35 cases (17 .5% ) ,102 cases (51 .0% )and 56 cases(28 .0% ) ,respectively .There was no significant difference in the BMD values among subgroups of different vitamin D levels(P>0 .05) .The prevalence of low BMD and osteoporosis were 60 cases(30% ) and 10 cases(5% ) ,the levels of ser‐um 25OH vitamin D in normal BMD ,low BMD and osteoporosis group were (67 .31 ± 18 .28) ,(65 .62 ± 15 .41) and (64 .95 ± 19 .86)nmol/L ,respectively .There was no significant difference in the levels of serum 25OH vitamin D among BMD subgroups (P>0 .05) .Serum 25OH vitamin D levels were not directly correlated with BMD(P>0 .05) .Conclusion Vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency are quite serious problems in apparently healthy adults in Zhongshan area .There is no evidence that the status of ser‐um 25OH vitamin D is correlate with BMD ,for laboratory diagnosis of osteoporosis ,more sensitive laboratory markers are needed .

Objective To investigate the application value of procalcitonin (PCT ) ,C-reactive protein (CRP) ,prealbumi (PA ) and white blood cell count (WBC))in children with hand-foot-and-mouth disease (HFMD) .Methods A total of 209 children with HFMD were classified into ordinary group (171 patients) and severe group (38 patients) according to the condition of disease ,an-other 30 healthy children were selected as the control group .The levels of PCT ,CRP ,PA and WBC in the three groups were meas-ured and compared .Results The levels of PCT ,CRP ,PA and WBC of ordinary group were 0 .16(0 .08 - 0 .34)μg/L ,11 .7(5 .0 -19 .0)mg/L ,(142 .6 ± 38 .4)mg /L and (11 .3 ± 4 .6) × 129 /L respectively ,and those of severe group were 0 .26(0 .14 - 0 .92)μg /L , 18 .4(5 .3 - 41 .4) mg /L ,(125 .5 ± 32 .9)mg/L and (13 .0 ± 5 .6) × 129 /L respectively .The PCT ,CRP ,PA and WBC in ordinary group and severe group were significantly different with those in the control group (P < 0 .05) .The PCT ,CRP and PA in severe group had statistical differences compared with those in the ordinary group (P< 0 .05) .Conclusion PCT ,CRP ,PA and WBC could be used as reference indexes of inflammation in HFMD ,and could be used in the diagnosis of HFMD in children ,PCT and PA could be used to evaluate the severity of disease .

Objective ToestimatetheprevalenceofPanton-Valentineleukocidin (PVL)genes and antimicrobial resistance in methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA)isolateds from outpatients with skin and soft-tissue infections (SSTIs)in Wuhan city. Methods A total of 182 MSSA isolates were collected from outpatients with SSTIs in 5 different hospitals in Wuhan city between 2011 and 2013. The Kirby-Bauer′s disk diffusion method was used to evaluate antimicrobial susceptibility of the MSSA isolates, and multiplex PCR was performed to detect mecA and PVL genes in these isolates. Results Of the 182 MSSA isolates, 65 (35.71%)carried PVL genes. The positive rate of PVL genes was significantly different among patients with different diseases (χ2 = 49.76, P = 0.00), and relatively higher in patients with furuncles/carbuncles(7/7), folliculitis(3/3), abscesses(55.53%, 30/57)or impetigo(2/4). The age of patients with PVL-positive MSSA infection was significantly younger than that with PVL-negative MSSA infection (35.40 ± 19.31 years vs. 43.21 ± 20.75 years,t = 2.50, P = 0.01). Among 65 PVL-positive MSSA isolates, the rate of resistance to clindamycin was highest (87.69%), followed by that to penicillin(53.85%)and erythromycin(41.54%). The frequency of resistance to clindamycin was highest in 117 PVL-negative MSSA isolates, followed by that to penicillin (20.51%)and ampicillin (12.82%). Furthermore, there was a significant increase in the rate of resistance to penicillin(χ2 = 21.19), ampicillin(χ2 = 97.97), doxycycline(χ2 =11.61), ciprofloxacin(χ 2 = 8.07), erythromycin(χ 2 = 25.04)and gentamicin(χ 2 = 10.86)in PVL-positive MSSA isolates compared with PVL-negative MSSA isolates (all P < 0.05). Conclusions MSSA isolates from outpatients with SSTIs in Wuhan city are resistant to most β-lactam antibiotics. Flucloxacillin, compound sulfamethoxazole tablets or doxycycline is recommended for empirical treatment of PVL-positive MSSA infections.

This study was aimed to develop an HPLC method for the determination of hesperidin,magnolol,honoki-oland liquiritin in Soft Capsule Jia-Wei Huo-Xiang Zheng-Qi (JWHXZQ). AKromasil C18 column (250 mmí4.6 mm, 5 μm) was used with water-methanol as mobile phasegradient elution. The flow rate was 1.0 mL·min-1, and the de-tecting wavelength was at 287 nm. The results showed that the linearity ranges ofhesperidin,magnolol,honokioland liquiritinwere 4.47-178.70 μg·mL-1, 3.42-136.96 μg·mL-1, 3.49-139.48 μg·mL-1, 3.92-157.20 μg·mL-1, respec-tively (r>0.999). The average recoveries of them were 99.48%, 99.05%, 99.57% and 99.79%, respectively. It was concluded that the method was accurate, sensitive and specific for quality control of Soft Capsule JWHXZQ.

Objective:To investigate the association between glutathione S-transferase pi (GSTP1) gene polymorphism and toxici-ties related to high-dose methotrexate (HD-MTX) in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Methods:GSTP1 genotypes and allelic frequencies in 51 children with ALL were determined by Nest PCR, denaturing gel gradient electrophoresis (DGGE), and DNA sequencing. HD-MTX adverse reactions were analyzed using the National Cancer Institute Common Toxicity Criteria (NCICTC). Results:We identified three SNPs of GSTP1, including rs1695 (A313G), rs1138272 (G439T), and rs4891 (T555C). The wild types, het-erozygous types, and homozygous types of GSTP1 rs1695/rs4891 polymorphisms were detected in 32 cases (62.7%), 16 cases (31.4%), and 3 cases (5.9%), respectively. GSTP1 rs1695/rs4891 polymorphisms included only one heterozygous type and one homozygous type. The allele frequencies of the three SNPs were 21.6%, 2.9%, and 21.6%. The AG+GG/TC+CC genotype of GSTP1 rs1695/rs4891 was associated with decrease in the odds of peripheral hemoglobin (OR=0.25, 95%CI=0.06-1.00, P=0.049). The AG+GG/TC+CC genotype of GSTP1 rs1695/rs4891 in standard and intermediate-risk ALL children was significantly correlated with higher odds of gastrointesti-nal toxicity (OR=0.125, 95%CI=0.02-0.78, P=0.026). Conclusion:GSTP1 rs1695 (A313G)/rs4891 (T555C) gene polymorphism is as-sociated with the reduction of peripheral hemoglobin in ALL children and with the odds of gastrointestinal toxicity in standard and inter-mediate-risk ALL children who receive high-dose methotrexate.

Objective To study the advantages and disadvantages of the application of complete endoscopic and endoscope assisted small incision in thyroid surgery. Methods From September 2010 to September 2013,279 patients with thyroid diseases in our hospital were selected as the research object. Among them,239 cases of thyroid surgery were grouped according to the surgical method,the complete endo-scopic group with 95 cases,endoscope assisted small incision surgery group with 144 cases. The other 40 cases of parathyroid surgery were grouped according to the surgical method,the complete endoscopic group with 5 cases,endoscope assisted small incision group with 35 cases. The results and indicators related to the surgery with the complete endoscopic and endoscope assisted small incision for the thyroid disease and parathyroid gland were compared. Results About thyroid disease,the proportion of women in the complete endoscopic group,the adeno-ma or unilateral gland leaf proportion,thyroid volume,the tumor nodules longest diameter,adenoma or glandular lobe resection time,double leaf full cut or full cutting time and intraoperative blood loss were significantly higher than that of endoscope assisted small incision group,and the age,double leaf time full cut or full cut rate were significantly lower than that of endoscope assisted small incision group,the differences were statistically significant (P<0. 05). About thyroid disease,proportion of chest discomfort,VAS pain score,length of hospital stay and postoperative cosmetic effect of satisfaction scores in complete endoscopic group were significantly higher than that of endoscopy assisted small incision group,the differences were statistically significant (P<0. 05). About parathyroid disease,the age of patients in the complete endo-scopic group was significantly lower than that in endoscopy assisted small incision group,but the operation time and hospital stay were signifi-cantly higher than that of endoscopy assisted small incision group,the differences were statistically significant (P<0. 05). Conclusion The thyroid surgery with complete endoscopic and endoscopy assisted small incision has certain advantages and disadvantages,which should be considered for patients demands,so as to make the best operation program.

Objective To evaluate the endothelium-dependent vasodilation in children after repair for coarctation of aota (CoA). Methods A group of 20 children having undergone CoA repair between January 2010 and October 2010 in Guangzhou Women and Children′s Medical Center were include in the study , including 12 infants aged less than 6 months and 8 ones aged more than 6 months. Another 20 healthy children were enrolled during the same period as controls. All the subjects underwent monitoring of resting blood pressure and flow-mediated dilation (FMD) of the brachial artery in 4-year follow-up. Results There were no resting hypertension in all subjects , but FMD in the CoA group was higher than in the control group and so it was with the early surgery group and non early surgery group. Conclusion The surgical repair for coarctation of aorta could not cure the vascular function impairment satisfactorily , neither is the early surgery effective in alleviating the injuries in vascular endothelia.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of exendin-4 on the expression of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) and fibronectin (FN) in rat glomerular mesangial cells in vitro.

METHODSRat glomerular mesangial cells were divided into 5 groups, namely control group, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) group (10 ng/ml), TNF-α (10 ng/ml)+E1 (1 nmol/L exendin-4) group, TNF-α (10 ng/ml)+E5 (5 nmol/L exendin-4) group, and TNF-α (10 ng/ml)+E10 (10 nmol/L exendin-4) group. After cultured 24 h or 48 h, RNA were extracted to determine the expression of MCP-1 with real-time PCR, the supernatant were collected to determine the expression of MCP-1 and FN with ELISA.

RESULTSCompared with control group, the cells treated with TNF-α for 24 h showed significantly increase the expression of MCP-1 and FN (P<0.01), exendin-4 significantly reduced the expression of MCP-1 and FN in TNF-α+E5 group and TNF-α+E10 group (P<0.05). After 48h incubation, the expression of MCP-1 and FN increased significantly in TNF-α group (P<0.01), which was lowered by exendin-4 in TNF-α+E1,TNF-α+E5 and TNF-α+E10 groups (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONExendin-4 has an intrinsic capability to concentration- and time-dependently inhibit TNF-α-induced expression of MCP-1 and FN in rat mesangial cells, suggesting the beneficial effect of exendin-4 in preventing and treating diabetic nephropathy.

Animals ; Cells, Cultured ; Chemokine CCL2 ; metabolism ; Diabetic Nephropathies ; metabolism ; Glomerular Mesangium ; cytology ; Mesangial Cells ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Peptides ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; pharmacology ; Venoms ; pharmacology