In recent years, there has been a growing emphasis on use of human adipose-derived stem cells (hADSCs) for cartilage tissue engineering owing to their ability to differentiate into chondrocytes, which is mainly induced by growth factors (GFs). In general, GFs for chondrogenic induction come from the transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta) superfamily. To date, the most commonly used GFs for chondrogenes is TGF-beta1/3. However, the response of hADSCs to GFs may differ significantly from that of human bone marrow stem cells (hBMSCs). It has been reported that bone morphogenetic protein-6 (BMP-6) treatment induced TGF-beta receptor-I expression of hADSCs. It seems that these two cell populations varied strongly in their potency to undergo chondrogenesis in the same medium conditions. Here, we provide a concise review on various GFs used in chondrogenic differentiation of hADSCs in vitro.
Adipocytes ; cytology ; Cartilage ; Cell Differentiation ; Chondrocytes ; cytology ; Chondrogenesis ; Humans ; Stem Cells ; cytology ; TGF-beta Superfamily Proteins ; Tissue Engineering

Objective To study the image findings and clinical characteristics ofmultislice helical CT (MSCT) in intrahepatic mass-forming cholangiocarcinomas.Methods Fifteen patients of pathologically confirmed intrahepatic mass-forming cholangiocarcinomas were studied retrospectively.The image findings of MSCT and clinical manifestations,laboratory tests of each case were recorded respectively.Results All patients image findings of MSCT:density was uneven,moderately low congestion densities was 14 patients.High and low congestion densities was 1 patient,pathologically confirmed bleeding.Obscure boundary and atrophy of liver lobe was 10 patients,adjacent liver capsule retraction was 11 patients,combined with ductal dilatation was 11 patients,intrabepatic calculi was 5 patients,ductal wall thickening with or without narrowed bile duct was 9 patients,satellite nodules was 10 patients.Enhancement scanning showed:peripheral enhancement was 11 patients,arterial phase border enhancement was 11 patients,all had delayed enhancement,honeycomb-like enhancement was 3 patients,obliteration or invasion of portal vein was 11 patients.Conclusion There are some clinical characteristics of MSCT findings in intrahepatic mass-forming cholangiocarcinomas.

0.05). Conclusion Isthmus is an essential structure to determine the size of femoral component. The dimension of isthmus correlates fairly well with the size of femoral stem. As a measurement to choose the appropriate femoral implant in total hip arthroplasty, the isthmus-method has the similar accuracy as the common templating.

ObjectiveTo investigate the significance of hearing screening combined with gene screening for neonates with high-risk of hearing impairment.MethodsNeonates admitted to the Neonatal Department of Guangdong Women and Children Hospital between July 2013 and June 2014 were enrolled in this study. They were divided into high-risk group (with high-risk for hearing impairment) (n=3 129), and control group (n=5 106). Neonate hearing screening was carried out using otoacoustic emission and automated auditory brainstem response. Blood samples were collected using a standard protocol for detecting the mutations of four common deafness genes, includingGJB2,GJB3,SLC26A4 and mitochondrial 12s rRNA.Chi-square test was used to compare the differences of the pass rate of hearing screening and positive rate of gene mutations between the two groups.ResultsThe rates of failure on otoacoustic emission, automated auditory brainstem response or both in the high-risk group were 11.92% (373/3 129), 10.32% (323/3 129) and 4.83% (151/3 129), respectively, higher than those in the control group [5.03%(257/5 106), 6.56%(335/5 106) and 2.02% (103/5 106)] (χ2=130.265, 37.354 and 51.196, allP=0.000). In the high-risk group, the overall positive rate of gene mutations was 5.63% (176/3 129), and theGJB2 andSLC26A4 gene mutation rates were 3.04% (95/3 129) and 2.40% (75/3 129)], all higher than the control group [3.15% (161/5 106), 2.04% (104/5 106) and 1.06% (54/5106)] (χ2=30.301, 8.216 and 22.517, allP<0.01). But the mitochondria 12S rRNA gene andGJB3 gene mutation rates were the same in high-risk group and control group [0.19% (6/3 129) vs 0.06% (3/5 106); 0.03% (1/3 129) vs 0.00%(0/5 106), bothP>0.05]. The rates of failure on otoacoustic emission and automated auditory brainstem response of the neonates with deafness gene mutations were 9.50% (32/337) and 10.39% (35/337), respectively, higher than the neonates without [1.14% (90/7 898) and 1.29% (102/7 898)] (χ2=154.621 and 163.399, both P=0.000).ConclusionCombined hearing screening is of clinical significance for neonates with high-risk of hearing impairment.

Objective To observe the effect of early enteral nutrition combined with probiotics for acute severe stroke patients. Methods EiGhty-seven patients with acute severe stroke were randomly divided into control Group(47cases)and research Group(40 cases). Within 48 -72 h,both Groups were Given enternal nutrition,and research Group added probiotics on the basis of enternal nutrition. HemoGlobin( Hb ),serum albumin(ALB)and prealbumin(PLB)were detected on the lst,7th,2lth day after hospitalization. Infection incidence and the incidence of the Gastrointestinal adverse reaction were observed on the 7th,2lth day. GlasGow coma scale( GTS)and NeuroloGic impairment sccore( NIHSS)were assessed on the lst,2lth day. Results There were no satistical siGnificant differences between two Groups in terms of ALB,PLB and Hb on the first day after hospitalization(P>0. 05). The indicators of the two Groups occurred downward trend on the 7th day and control Group declined siGnificantly( The two Groups respectively:ALB:( 3l. 27 ±2. 42 ) G/L and( 27. 2l ±2. 69)G/L,P<0. 00l;PLB:(0. l78 ±0. 0ll)G/L and(0. l65 ±0. 023)G/L,P <0. 00l;Hb:(ll2. 4l ±2. 3l)G/L and(97. l3±l. 79)G/L,P<0. 00l). The two Groups occurred upward trend on the 2lth day and research Group rose siGnificantly( The two Groups respectively:ALB:( 35. 89±2. 98 )G/L and( 30. 24±2. ll ) G/L,P<0. 00l;PLB:(0. 208±0. 022)G/L and(0. l98±0. 029)G/L,P<0. 00l;Hb:(ll9. ll±3. 42)G/L and(l08. 36±2. 63)G/L,P<0. 00l). There were no statistical siGnificant differences between the two Group in terms of infection incidence and the Gastrointestinal adverse reaction on the 7th day. The incidence of control Group were hiGher than research Group on the 2lth day(The two Groups respectively:pneumonia:7(l4. 8%)and l4(35. 0%),χ2 =4. 467,P =0. 035;enteric infection:2(4. 2%)and 8(20. 0%),χ2 =5. 06l,P =0. 024;vomit:0 and 2(5%),χ2 =6. 077,P=0. 0l4;abdominal distension:5(l0. 6%)and ll(27. 5),χ2 =3. 859,P=0. 049;diarrhoea:4(8. 5%)and l0(25. 0%),χ2 =4. l27,P=0. 042;flora imbalance:4(8. 5l%)and 9 (22. 5%),χ2 =4. l53,P=0. 046). On the 2lth day,the GTS and NIHSS were hiGher than the first day,but there were no statistical sinificant differences between two Groups( P>0. 05). Conclusion Enteral nutrition add probiotics is superior to enteral nutrition on the aspects of enhancinG body nutrition situation,relievinG the infection and the Gastrointestinal adverse reaction.

Objective To discuss the surgical techniques and efficacy of a new method of breast treatment of hypermastia. Methods From January 2009 to February 2011, a series of 15 patients underwent a new technique for reduction mammaplasty. This technique involved a superomedial pedicle nipple-areolar complex (NAC). Results In our series, the resection weight per breast was (522. 9±218.3) g and the new nipple-to-sternal-notch distance was (21.7± 1.74) cm postoperatively. Mean nipple elevation was 8. 5cm (range, 4-16 cm). There were no hematoma and partial or complete NAC necroses occurred in our series. Minimal wound dehiscence occurred in one case ( 6.7 % ). Thirteen patients were followed up for 6 to 18 months. NAC sensibilities were comparable before and after operation, and good breast shapes were produced in all cases. Conclusion The superomedial pedicle technique provides good results with respect to NAC viability and sensibility, breast contour and last superomedial fullness.

Objective To investigate the association of serum adiponectin and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) with endothelial damages in metabolic syndrome (MS) patients. Methods One-hundred and five patients diagnosed as MS were recruited as cases and 37 subjects without characteristics of MS were recruited as controls. The cases were divided into two groups according to the level of serum von Willebrand factor (vWF) :normal endo-thelial functional MS group (57 patients) and abnormal endothelial functional MS group (48 patients). Serum adi-ponectin concentration was measured by enzyme-linked immanosorbont assay (ELISA). Serum TNF-α concentration was measured by radioimmunoassay (RIA). Results The concentration of serum adiponectin in normal subjects (10.5 mg/L [SD:3.2]) was significantly higher than both that of normal endothelial functional MS group (7.9 mg/L [SD :2.2]) and abnormal endothelial functional MS group (6.5 μg/L [SD :2.5]) (P < 0.05). The concen-tration of serum TNF-α in normal subjects(0.17 μg/L [SD :0.04]) were significantly lower than that of normal en-dothelial functional MS group (0.19 μg/L [SD:0.05]) and abnormal endothelial functional MS group (0.23 ng/mi [SD: 0.06]) (P< 0.05). The level of serum adiponectin were negatively correlated with TNF-α(r=- 0.555, P < 0.01). Logistic regression analysis results showed that high level of TNF-α was a risk factor of endo-thelial damages (OR = 20.649, P = 0.035), whereas high level of serum adiponectin protected against endothelial damages (OR = 0.340,P=0.006). Conclusions Low level of serum adiponectin and high level of serum TNF-α may correlate with endothelial damages in MS patients.

Objective To explore the plasma levels and clinical significance of osteoprotegerin(OPG)and receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa B ligand(RANKL)in patients with chronic heart failure(CHF).Methods In 110 patients with CHF and 80 normal controls,the plasma levels of OPG and RANKL were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbentassay method.Results The plasma level of OPG in patients with CHF[(135.91±41.83)ng/L]was significantly higher than that in normal controls[(90.13±29.09)ng/L](P＜0.05).The plasma level of RANKL in patients with CHF[(90.82±32.14)ng/L]was significantly higher than that in normal controls[(59.78±20.11)ng/L](P＜0.05).The plasma levels of OPG and RANKL increased with the augment of NYHA functional ranking(P＜0.05).The plasma levels of OPG and RANKL had negative relationship with left ventricular ejection fraction(r=-0.33 and-0.36,P＜0.05).Conclusions The plasma levels of OPG and RANKL in patients with CHF are elevated and related with heart function.OPG and RANKL may participate in the occurrence and development of CHF.

Tumor multidrug resistance (MDR) is the leading cause of clinical chemotherapy failure and death.Researches show that the occurrence of MDR is related to P-glycoprotein,multidrug resistance-associated proteins,breast cancer resistance-associated proteins,lung resistance-related proteins and other factors.Now the reversal strategies of MDR include chemical drugs reversal,gene reversal,immune reversal,traditional Chinese medicine reversal and drug-loaded nano-system reversal,which make some progress and help to improve the effect of cancer chemotherapy.

Objective To screen microsatellite DNA markers from genome of guinea pigs for further genetic quality control and gene-mapping of this species .Methods Microsatellite sequences were obtained by magnetic bead enrichment and genome database screening , and candidate loci were chosen to design primers .Thereafter , genomic DNA of 5 different guinea pig strains were employed to select polymorphic microsatellite DNA markers based on PCR amplification results .Re-sults A total of 304 microsatellite sequences were analyzed by magnetic bead enrichment and 125 primers were designed . One polymorphic microsatellite DNA marker and 17 specific sites ( no polymorphic was found ) were determined .By gene-mapping , 292 microsatellite sequences were obtained and 178 primers were analyzed , totally 25 polymorphic microsatellite DNA markers and 28 specific sites ( without polymorphics ) were discovered .Conclusions We obtained 26 polymorphic microsatellite DNA markers and 45 potential markers in guinea pigs , and these may lay a foundation for application of mic-rosatellite DNA markers in genetic quality control and gene-mapping of guinea pigs .