Objective: To develop a novel fast auto blood viscosity analyzer based on the relation between flow rate and Casson viscosity of non-Newton fluid such as blood. Methods: Different from the tradition friction method of measuring blood viscosi-ty, the instrument was developed based on the Casson flow equation for blood in round tube and Stokes equation, using virtual instrument technique to calculate the Casson viscosity and stress, and pressure sensor and peristaltic pump to perform a setup. Results: Controlled by the data acquisition system, the blood Casson viscosity and stress were measured quickly and simply. Conclusions: Compared with the similar instruments used in clinic, this analyzer is faster in measurement and has high preci-sion, can determine the apparent viscosity and other Casson parameters of blood at any shear rate, and gives more clinic informa-tion for patients.

BACKGROUND: Up to date, studies concerning capspase 3 inhibitor mainly focus on peptide/non-peptide compounds synthesis and detection. Few reports addressing inhibits chondrocytes apoptosis using silenced caspase 3 gene. OBJECTIVE: To inhibit apoptosis of chondrocytes by blocking the apoptotic cascade reaction, gene silencing of caspase 3, and transduction of caspase 3 siRNA into chondrocytes with lentivirus vector.DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING: A single sample observation was performed at the Institute of Traumatic Surgery, Guangzhou Red Cross Hospital, Medical College of Jinan University from June 2008 to June 2009.MATERIALS: Chondrocytes were harvested from SD rats, and caspase 3 shRNA plasimid was constructed by our laboratory.METHODS: Rattus caspase 3 siRNA was synthesized and cloned into pSIH1-H1-copGFP plasmid. pSIH1-H1-copGFP-caspase 3 siRNA lentivirus was generated in 293TN cells by pPACKH1~(TM) Lentivector Packaging Kit and transducted into chondrocytes of rats.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: After the lentivirus was transducted into chondrocytes, the caspase 3 mRNA was tested by RT-PCR and the caspase 3 protein was tested by Western blot. Both the transducted cells and untransducted cells were induced apoptosis by tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α). Cell apoptosis was assessed by flow cytometry, Annevin V/PI.RESULTS: The transduction rate of caspase 3 siRNA was about 90% by lentivirus vector. The expression of caspase 3 mRNA and caspase 3 protein in transducted chondrocytes was lower than the normal chondrocytes (P < 0.01). When the cells induced apoptosis by TNF-α, the apoptosis rate of the negative siRNA- chondrocytes was 7 times higher than that of caspase 3 siRNA-chondrocytes.CONCLUSION: The caspase 3 siRNA could inhibit caspase 3 expression and decrease drug-induced apoptosis of the chondrocytes.

BACKGROUND: The application of apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC)value to the diffusion-weighted image in the diagnosis of cerebral ischemic diseases is confirmed in clinic. The influence of different diffuse gradient direction in different lesions of human brain on diffusion-weighted image has become one of the focus researches of neuroradiology.OBJECTIVE: To explore the changing characters of the ADC value on diffusion weighted imaging with different diffuse gradient directions of human corpora striatum, parietal cortex and corona radiata.DESIGN: A sample survey.SETTING: Medical Imaging Center, the First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University; Institute of Biomedical Engineering, School of Life Science and Technology, Jinan Univeristy.PARTICIPANTS: Sixty healthy volunteers (37 males and 23 females)aged 18-65 years were selected from the Huaqiao Hospital affiliated to Jinan University between March 2000 and March 2001.METHODS: The 60 volunteers received brain diffusion-weighted MR imaging in different directions (left-right, anterior-posterior, upper-down),and the ADC values of corpus striatum, parietal cortex and corona radiata were measured.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The ADC values of corpus striatum,parietal cortex and corona radiata were measured in the 60 healthy volunteers.RESULTS: All the 60 healthy volunteers entered the analysis of results.There were no significant differences between the ADC value of corpus striatum and that of parietal cortex in different directions; the mean ADC values of corona radiata in left-right, anterior-posterior, upper-down axial were (5.0±0.5), (4.2±0.6), (15.2±1.4)×104 mrn2/s, and there were significant differences between the former two and the latter (P ＜ 0.01).CONCLUSION: Diffuse gradient directions do not affect the ADC values of corpus striatum and parietal cortex, but the ADC value of corona radiata is different. We should delineate the diffusion direction if we want to do quantitative studies on the diffusion of corona radiata.

Objective To study the roles of isotropic diffusion weighted imaging and apparent diffusion coefficients (ADC) mapping in diagnosing cerebral infarction, monitoring the development of cerebral infarction and defining the infarction stages.Methods 86 work-ups in 70 patients with cerebral infarction (8 hyperacute, 13 acute, 32 subacute, 11 steady, and 22 chronic) were imaged with both conventional MRI and single-shot echo-planar isotropic diffusion weighted imaging.The change of the infarct lesion in DWI and T_2WI was also analyzed.The average ADC, relative ADC (rADC), and the ADC from center to periphery of the lesion were calculated.Results 8 hyperacute cerebral ischemic regions were revealed at DWI and ADC mapping.Hyperacute and acute infarcts appeared as areas of hyperintensity on DWI, and their average ADC was significantly depressed compared with that of homologous contralateral tissue [(0.698?0.104) ?10 -3 mm 2/s versus (0.990?0.161)?10 -3 mm 2/s; t=-14.372, P

BACKGROUND: Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) displays limitation to cell adsorbability. Can collagen improve the adsorbability of PVA to cells?OBJECTIVE: To develop a novel type composite of PVA and collagen, and explore the feasibility to serve as soft tissue substitute.DESIGN: Single sample observation.SETTING: Guangzhou Red Cross Hospital, Jinan University Medical College, Guangzhou Institute of Traumatic Surgery.MATERIALS: Fifteen New Zealand rabbits of 2.0-3.0 kg, either male or female, were provided by Medical Experimental Animal Center of Guangdong Province. The experiment was carried out in the Laboratory of Guangzhou Institute of Traumatic Surgery, and the experimental procedure was accorded with the animal ethical standards. Bovine typeI collagen was purchased from Guangzhou Trauer Biotechnology Co., Ltd. and PVA-124 from Guangzhou Chemical Reagent and Instrumentation Co., Ltd.METHODS: The experiment was performed in Guangzhou Red Cross Hospital, Jinan University Medical College between July 2003 and December 2006. ①Preparation of PVA-collagen material: 5 g/L bovine type I collagen was mixed with 5% PVA-124 at a ratio of 1 : 1. The mixture was freeze-dried at vacuum until becoming gelatinous. The internal structure was observed under the use of scanning electron microscope. ②Cytotoxicity test: PVA-collagen composite was cut into pieces of 10 mm×5 mm× 1 mm, put into 48-well culture plate after sterilized by Y ray, cultured with 1×104 3T3 cells in each well. Cell growth was observed under scanning electron microscope and laser scanning confocal microscope. ③Embedding test in vivo: Two longitudinal incisions were cut at the two sides of spine. The subcutaneous tissue was separated bluntly to form subcutaneous lacuna. Four pieces of PVA-collagen material were implanted in the lacuna and fixed. Nine specimens and the surrounding tissues were harvested from three rabbits each at one, four, eight and sixteen weeks postoperatively for pathological observation.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The internal structure of gel film under scanning electron microscope, cytotoxicity test and embedding test in vivo results.RESULTS: ①Internal structure of PVA-collagen material:PVA-collagen material showed white gel shape after freeze-drying at vacuum. Penetrating three-dimensional pores were observed in the surface and inner section under scanning electron microscope. ②Cytotoxicity test results showed that 3T3 cells grew normally on the PVA-collagen material. ? Embedding test in vivo results suggested that one week after PVA-collagen implantation, foreign body reaction occurred, and the interface between material and tissue was clear. Four weeks later, only rare lymphocyte infiltration was observed, and a great amount of fibroblast hyperplasia formed collagen fibrils and false simple cuboidal epithelium coating material. In 8 weeks, no lymphocyte infiltration, neutrophilic granulocyte infiltration or foreign body giant cell were found; dense capsule wall and capsule coating material generated from a great amount of fibroblasts were observed. In 16 weeks, extending collagen fibrils were found arranged regularly with shrank nucleus, showing long ovoid or long fusiform in shape; no new formation small vessels, lymphocyte, neutrophilic granulocyte infiltration or foreign body giant cell infiltration were observed. The capsule wall was stable and thinned. CONCLUSION: PVA-collagen composite has good cell compatibility and tissue compatibility but no toxic or adverse effect. It can serve as in vivo implant.

AIM: To study the instant effect of circumstance temperature on mechanical properties of single living intact human red blood cell. METHODS: The shape, size, membrane bending elastic modulus and shear elastic modulus of single living intact red blood cell was determined with non-invasive, in situ, real time by employing a static micro-image analyzing and a dynamic micro-image analyzing system. RESULTS: The contact area and diameter of red blood cells were decreased as the temperature increased from 35 ℃ to 43 ℃. The membrane bending elastic modulus and shear elastic modulus of single living intact red blood cell were the least at physiological temperature 37 ℃. CONCLUSION: Red blood cells are easy to carry out their physiological functions such as carrying oxygen to all of the body with the best shape and mechanical deformation at 37 ℃.

Objective To investigate the cellular fragments and particle image changes of inventory aleucocytic suspending RBC produced by the storage time extension ,RBC damage or hemolysis in order to provide the revelatory experimental basis for the transfusion safety .Methods The supernatant was prepared from different stored days (3 ,7 ,14 ,21 d) of stock aleukocytic suspen‐ding RBC .The particles in supernatant were observed and morphologically analyzed by using the microscopic static image analytic technology .Results There were a small amounts of visible particles in the sample supernatant preserved for 3 ,7 d and the parti‐cles′sizes are similar to cells′;the number of particles began to significantly increase from 14 d and the diameter became smaller . The particles filled the entire field until 21 d ,showing fragmentary status .Conclusion The cellular fragments and particles in the supernatants of stock aleukocytic suspending RBC with the storage period exceeding 14 d are significantly increased and have signif‐icant difference compared with those stored for less than 14 d .These exogenous fragments and particles may become antigens and induce the body immune response ,lead to transfusion adverse reactions .It is recommended that the patients should be transfused with stock aleukocytic suspending RBC within a storage period of 14 d .

Mechanical properties and biological evaluation of buffalo horn material were examined in this study. The effects of sampling position of buffalo horn on mechanical properties were investigated with uniaxial tension and micron indentation tests. Meanwhile, the variation of element contents in different parts of buffalo horn was determined with elemental analysis, and the microstructure of the horn was measured with scanning electron microscopy. In addition, biological evaluation of buffalo horn was studied with hemolytic test, erythrocyte morphology, platelet and erythrocyte count, and implantation into mouse. Results showed that the buffalo horn had good mechanical properties and mechanical characteristic values of it gradually increased along with the growth direction of the horn, which may be closely related to its microstructure and element content of C, N, and S in different parts of the buffalo horn. On the other hand, because the buffalo horn does not have toxicity, it therefore does not cause hemolysis of erythrocyte and has a good affinity with it. Buffalo horn has good histocompatibility but meanwhile it may induce the platelet adhesion and aggregation. Even so, it does not continue to rise to induce a large number of platelet to aggregate with resulting blood clotting. Therefore, the buffalo horn material has been proved to possess good blood compatibility according to the preliminary evaluation.
Animals ; Biocompatible Materials ; Biomechanical Phenomena ; Buffaloes ; Erythrocytes ; Horns ; chemistry ; ultrastructure ; Mice ; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning

BACKGROUND:There is a great difference of grade size of macrobead in various joint diseases; therefore, it can be used to determine state of joint diseases initially.OBJECTTVE : To explore the physical properties of synovial fluid nano-particles and their correlations with the occurrence of knee osteoarthritis (KOA).DESIGN: Controlled experimental study based on synovial fluid samples.PARTICIPANTS: A total of 99 synovial fluid samples were collected from normal subjects and KOA patients with various KOA severities. Among them, 41 were normal synovial fluids, 58 were KOA.METHODS: Synovial fluid samples from individuals with and without KOA were obtained. Using the technology of quasi-elastic laser scattering, nano-particle size and its distribution were estimated, and the dynamic/static light scattering spectrometric analyzer allowed the measurement of particles Zeta potentials. A correlation analysis between the particle size, Zeta potentials and the onset of KOA was attempted.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:① Grade size and distribution of microsome in synovial fluid;② Zeta potentials and distribution of microsome in synovial fluid; ③ grade size and clinical correlation of microsome in synovial fluid.RESULTS: ① The mean nano-particle diameter in the synovial fluid of KOA patients were significantly greater than those of normal joints [(297±84), (63±23) nm, P ＜ 0.001]. The distribution curve of KOA synovial fluid nano-particle size was normal knee and (-15.84 ±3.34) mV of KOA patients, and there was a significant difference (P ＜ 0.001). This suggestedthat the Zeta potentials in the synovial fluid of KOA patients were significantly greater than those of normal joints. ③ The average particle size and Zeta potential of synovial fluid strongly correlated with the integrity of the joint of KOA (rp =0.797 2,0.631 9, P＜ 0.01).CONCLUSION: The nano-particle size and Zeta potential of synovial fluid are significantly correlated with the development of KOA, and this can reflect the severity of KOA.

The aim of the study was to investigate the population ecology of medical shellfish and the infection of An-giostrongylus cantonensis in Longhai ,Fujian Province ,China .Aquatic and terrestrial shellfish were collected in survey points according to different types of breeding grounds .Then ,lung-microscopy method was involved in the detection of the lung tis-sue in Ampullaria gigas .Other shellfishes were mashed to detect the third-stage larvae of Angiostrongylus cantonensis .Hom-ogenization and lung microscopy were compared in the detection of the larvae of A .cantonensis in Achatina snails .Factors re-lated to the environment and influence of shellfish hosts were also included .Results showed that 8 species of molluscans were found ,including Pila gigas ,Bellamya aeruginosa ,Bellamya lithophaga ,Melanoides tuberculata ,Achatina fulica ,Vag-inulus alte ,Philomycus bilineatus ,and Bradybaenasimilaris with 1 673 specimens in 27 survey points from 9 townships .The infectionratewas19.78% inaverage.TheinfectionrateinV.altewas56.63% (47/83);theinfectionratesforA.fulicaand P .gigas were 39 .32% (92/234) and 27 .14% (130/234) ,respectively .The infection rate of each survey point was closely re-lated to the distances from the residents living area .Morever ,A .cantonensis larvae were detected in M .tuberculata .Lung mi-croscopy and homogenization method detection rate was 87 .1%and 100 .0% ,respectively .The difference was statistically sig-nificant .In conclusion ,V .alte ,A . fulica and P .gigas were A . cantonensist infection dominant population . The infection rate was closely related to micro-ecological environment for all kinds of shellfish .M .tuberculata was the new host of A .can-tonensis .Lung microscopy method should not be used in the qualitative screening detection of A . f ulica infected with A .can-tonensist .