This essay is to make brief comments on the physical characteristics, biocompatibility, corrosion resistance, clinical information, existent problems of endovascular stent biomaterials and the developing tendency in future.
Angioplasty ; instrumentation ; Biocompatible Materials ; Stents

Objective To compare the efficacies of early intensive and moderate insulin therapy on the prognosis of patients with severe acute pancreatitis (SAP).Methods The clinical data of 78 patients with SAP complicated by hyperglycemia who were admitted to the Second Hospital of Lanzhou University from January 2005 to December 2009 were retrospectively analyzed.All patients were divided into the intensive insulin therapy (IIT)group (31 patients) and moderate insulin therapy (MIT) group (47 patients).The target levels of blood glucose were 0.80-1.10 g/L(4.4-6.1 mmol/L) in the IIT group and 1.44-1.80 g/L(8.0-10.0 mmol/L) in the MIT group,respectively.The effects of the 2 therapies on the prognosis of the patients were compared.All data were analyzed by the t test or chi-square test.Results The daily intravenous insulin dosage,fasting glucose level and incidence of severe hypoglycemia were ( 35 ± 11 ) u,( 1.02 ± 0.13 ) g/L[ (5.7 ± 0.7 ) mmol/L] and 10％ (3/31 )in the IIT group,and ( 24 ± 15 ) u,( 1.58 ± 0.21 ) g/L[ ( 8.8 ± 1.2 ) mmol/L] and 2％ ( 1/47 ) in the MIT group.A significant difference was detected in the daily intravenous insulin dosage between the 2 groups( t =12.76,P ＜=0.05),but no significant difference was detected in the incidence of severe hypoglycemia between the 2 groups (x2 =0.91,P ＞ 0.05 ).The levels of albumin and prealbumin on the 14th day were ( 34 ± 6) g/L and (231 ± 31 ) mg/L in the IIT group,and (35 ± 5)g/L and (241 ± 29)mg/L in the MIT group,respectively,with no significant difference between the 2 groups( t =-1.94,-1.68,P ＞ 0.05).The incidences of abdominal infection,circulatory dysfunction,respiratory dysfunction and acquired kidney injury were 23％ (7/31),32％ (10/31),26％ (8/31)and 13％ (4/31) in the lIT group,and 26％ (12/47),36％ ( 17/47),30％ (14/47) and 23％ (11/47) in the MIT group,with no significant difference between the 2 groups(x2 =0.09,0.13,0.15,1.33,P ＞ 0.05).The scores of APPACHE Ⅱ on the 14th day were 9 ± 4 in the IIT group and 9 ± 3 in the MIT group,respectively,with no significant difference between the 2 groups ( t =- 0.60,P ＞ 0.05 ).There were 4 ( 13％ ) patients in the IIT group and 7( 15％ ) patients in the MIT group died of multi-organ dysfunction syndrome,including 2 patients in the IIT group and 6 patients in the MIT group complicated with sepsis.There was no significant difference in the mortality between the 2 groups ( x2 =0,P ＞ 0.05 ).Conclusions Compared with MIT,early IIT could not improve the prognosis of the patients with SAP.MIT is appropriate for SAP patients complicated with hyperglycemia.

Objective To investigate the effects of different doses of alcohol on the synthesis of testosterone and the expression of androgen binding protein(ABP)mRNA in rat testis.Methods Forty male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 4 groups(10 rats each group)and received either distilled water(control group)or alcohol(alcohol-fed groups)for 5 months.Alcohol was administered by garage with a single daily dose : 5 g/kg(large dose group),2.5 g/kg(middle dose group)and 0.5 g/kg(small dose group).Testosterone content was measured by ELISA.mRNA levels of peripheral-type benzodiazepine receptors(PBR),PPARct and ABP were assayed by RT-PCR.Results Compared with control group:(1)ethanol feeding with daily doses of 5 g/kg,2.5 g/kg and 0.5 g/kg significantly decreased testosterone levels by 31.13%(P0.05)respectively,indicating that ethanol might impair testosterone synthesis;(2) mRNA levels of PBR were decreased in all three ethanol-treated groups(all P

This study focused on the intestinal absorption of traditional Chinese medicines (TCM) to reveal the scientific connotation of the compatibility of TCM pairs. The single pass intestinal perfusion (SPIP) was used in rats to compare the absorption of single extracts from Puerariae Lobatae Radix, single extracts from Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma, combined extracts from Puerariae Lobatae Radix and Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma and Puerariae Lobatae Radix and Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma mixture in rats. The content of puerarin, ginsenoside Rg1, ginsenoside Re and ginsenoside Rb1 in liquid were tested by HPLC. The speed constant (Ka) and apparent permeability coefficients (Papp) were calculated and compared. Specifically, the order of puerarin Ka and Papp values from high to low was Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma and Puerariae Lobatae Radix mixture > single extracts from Puerariae Lobatae Radix > combined extracts from Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma and Puerariae Lobatae Radix; the order of ginsenosides Ka and Papp values from high to low was Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma and Puerariae Lobatae Radix mixture > single extracts from Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma > combined extracts from Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma and Puerariae Lobatae Radix. The combined administration of Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma and Puerariae Lobatae Radix may improve the absorption in the intestinal tract.
Animals ; Ginsenosides ; pharmacokinetics ; Intestinal Absorption ; Isoflavones ; pharmacokinetics ; Male ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Panax ; chemistry ; Plant Extracts ; pharmacokinetics ; Pueraria ; chemistry ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Rhizome

Objective To investigate the possible function of integrin-linked kinase (ILK)/protein kinase B (PKB/Akt) signaling in repair of neonatal rat hypoxia-ischemia brain damage (HIBD). Methods Postnatal day 10 SD rats were randomly divided into hypoxia ischemia (HI) group and sham control group. Rat brains were collected at 0 h, 4 h, 6 h, 12 h, 24 h, 48 h and 72 h after hypoxia ischemia damage. Immunolfuorescence staining was used to observe the distribution and expression of ILK. Western blot was used to detect the expression of ILK, Akt, phosphorylated Akt (p-Akt) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Lentiviral vectors expressing ILK shRNA were constructed to inhibit the expression of ILK in neonatal rats. After intracerebroventricular injections of LV-ILK shRNA lentivirus and LV-control respectively, HIBD model was established. Rat brains were collected at 4 h and 24 h after HIBD. Western blot was used to detect the expression of ILK, p-Akt, and VEGF. TdT-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end labeling (TUNEL) staining was used to detect cell apoptosis. Results Immunolfuorescence staining showed that ILK was widely distributed in cortex and hippocampus both in HI group and sham control group. ILK located at cell membrane and cytoplasm. Western blot results demonstrated that ILK protein increased after HI, with a peak at 24 h, and maintained higher level than those in sham control group. The p-Akt protein signiifcantly increased at 4 h after HI, and signiifcantly decreased in the following 24 h, and then increased again, with a peak at 48 h, but the level of p-Akt protein was higher than that of sham control group. The VEGF protein increased at 4 h after HI, with a peak at 12 h, higher than that of sham control group. The expression of Akt protein showed no signiifcant difference between HI group and sham control group. Lentiviral vectors containing RNAi targeting ILK was applied successfully in vivo. At 4 h and 24 h after HIBD model, the expression of ILK, p-Akt, and VEGF proteins in right side brain received LV-ILK shRNA signiifcantly decreased compared with those of right side brain received LV-control at the same time point. And cell apoptosis signiifcantly increased in LV-ILK shRNA group. Conclusions The expression of ILK, p-Akt, VEGF proteins increased after HI. By inhibiting the expression of ILK, the expression of p-Akt and VEGF proteins can be reduced, and cell apoptosis could increase in newborn rats after HIBD. The results suggest that ILK may induce the expression of VEGF through activating the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway, and promote cell survival and angiogenesis after HIBD.

OBJECTIVEA method for 3D-data acquisition of partially edentulous cast was introduced to lay the foundation for reconstructing 3D digital model of a partially edentulous cast and studying computer aided design (CAD) to a removable partial denture framework.

METHODSUsing projection system controlled by a computer, four frames of sinusoidal fringe pattern at pi/2 intervals were projected onto the surface of partially edentulous cast consecutively within 0.4 second. Deformed fringe patterns modulated by the surface height of the cast were recorded by a digital camera. The phase value with the height information was demodulated with phase-shifting method. The transition from the unwrapped phase to the height of the points on the cast was performed with triangulation method. The multiview 3D data was integrated automatically to obtain the complete 3D profile data and the 3D digital model of the partially edentulous cast was reconstructed.

RESULTSDense and complete points-cloud data was achieved without scanning blind zone basically. The anatomic structure of reconstructed 3D digital model was sharp and clear.

CONCLUSIONAs an alternative for acquiring 3D data of partially edentulous cast, this method presented here with high precision and high speed meets the need for the subsequent 3D design to removable partial denture framework.

Computer-Aided Design ; Denture, Partial, Removable

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the accuracy of four dominant methods of three-dimensional multisource data registration.

METHODSLaser-scanned dental model and maxillofacial cone-bean CT rebuilt model were collected for one orthodontic patient before treatment. Registration process was done based on locating spheres' center, anatomic landmarks, partial characteristic region and global data separately. The registration errors were detected by the function of Geomagic Studio 12.0 software. A comparison of the registration accuracy among these four methods was done by analyzing mean error and standard deviation.

RESULTSThe mean errors and standard deviations of methods of locating spheres' center, anatomic landmarks, partial characteristic region and global data were -(0.082 ± 0.221), -(0.104 ± 0.218), -(0.047 ± 0.138) and -(0.025 ± 0.129) mm respectively.

CONCLUSIONSICP registration methods had better reliability than landmark methods. The global registration was more accurate than partial characteristic region registration and the locating spheres' center method was better than anatomic landmarks method.

Computer-Aided Design ; Cone-Beam Computed Tomography ; methods ; Dental Models ; Humans ; Imaging, Three-Dimensional ; methods ; Malocclusion, Angle Class I ; diagnostic imaging

OBJECTIVETo analyze the changes in facial feature region during posed smile three dimensionally.

METHODSThe three-dimensional facial images during posed smiles and resting position in 44 volunteers (18 men, 26 women, 26.7 ± 2.6 years old) were acquired by using FaceScan optical three-dimensional sensor. These scanned three-dimensional images were processed and superimposed with commercially-available reverse modeling software. Quantitative and qualitative three dimensional analyses of changes in facial feature region during posed smile were done by using color maps.

RESULTSThe changing area accounted for (29.65 ± 8.40)% during posed smile, and the difference of the left and right half face was 6.69% (2.07%, 13.11%). Displacements in cheilion, zygomatic area, lower lip were detected in every subject during posed smile. Women [(4.49 ± 1.51) mm] gained more changes than men [(3.25 ± 1.75) mm] did in nasolabial fold.

CONCLUSIONSPosed smile was asymmetric. Displacement variation and ratio are different at facial feature regions.Women shows greater changes around lips during posed smile.

Adult ; Esthetics, Dental ; Face ; anatomy & histology ; Female ; Humans ; Imaging, Three-Dimensional ; Lip ; anatomy & histology ; Male ; Sex Factors ; Smiling

AIM To prepare Scutellariae Radix total flavonoids-loaded liposomes and to evaluate their in vitro anti-tumor activity.METHODS Liposomes were prepared by reverse evaporating method.Taking phospholipid concentration,ratio of phospholipid to cholesterol,ratio of organic phase to aqueous phase and total flavonoids concentration as influencing factors,together with encapsulation efficiency as an evaluation index,Box-Behnken design was applied to optimizing the preparation,after which MTT was employed to detect the obtained liposomes' inhibitory effect on human hepatocellular carcinoma cells HepG2.RESULTS The optimal conditions were determined to be 30 mg/mL for phospholipid concentration,3 ∶ 1 for ratio of phospholipid to cholesterol,2 ∶ 1 for ratio of organic phase to aqueous phase,and 5 mg/mL for total flavonoids concentration.The obtained round and uniform liposomes demonstrated an average particle size of (160.7 ± 12.0) nm,Zeta potential of (-41.4 ±2.3) mV,encapsulation efficiency of (86.19 ±0.44)％,drug loading of (5.32 ± 0.04)％,and accumulative release rate of (80.77 ± 2.53) ％ at 24 h.Compared with total flavonoids,liposomes exhibited stronger inhibitory effect on HepG2 cells with the IC50 of 48.853 μg/mL at 48 h in a time-and dose-dependent manner.CONCLUSION Scutellariae Radix total flavonoids-loaded liposomes stored at low temperature (4 ℃) display sustained-release effect and in vitro anti-tumor activity.

BACKGROUNDResolvin D1 (RvD1) is a newly found anti-inflammatory bioactive compound derived from polyunsaturated fatty acids. The current study aimed to explore the protective effect of RvD1 on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced acute kidney injury (AKI) and its possible mechanism.

METHODSBoth in vivo and in vitro studies were conducted. Male BALB/c mice were randomly divided into control group (saline), LPS group (LPS 5 mg/kg), RvD1 group (RvD1 5 μg/kg + LPS 5 mg/kg), and blockage group (Boc-MLP 5 μg/kg + RvD1 5 μg/kg + LPS 5 mg/kg). Boc-MLP is a RvD1 receptor blocker. The mice were intraperitoneally injected with these drugs and recorded for general condition for 48 h, while the blood and kidneys were harvested at 2, 6, 12, 24, and 48 h time points, respectively (n = 6 in each group at each time point). Human proximal tubule epithelial cells (HK-2) were randomly divided into control group (medium only), LPS group (LPS 5 μg/ml), RvD1 group (RvD1 10 ng/ml + LPS 5 μg/ml), and blockage group (Boc-MLP 10 ng/ml + RvD1 10 ng/ml + LPS 5 μg/ml). The cells were harvested for RNA at 2, 4, 6, 12, and 24 h time points, respectively (n = 6 in each group at each time point). Blood creatinine was tested by using an Abbott i-STAT portable blood gas analyzer. Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) level was detected by ELISA. Kidney pathology was observed under hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining and transmission electron microscope (TEM). We hired immune-histological staining, Western blotting, and fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction to detect the expression of RvD1 receptor ALX, nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) signaling pathway as well as caspase-3. Kidney apoptosis was evaluated by TUNEL staining.

RESULTSRvD1 receptor ALX was detected on renal tubular epithelials. Kaplan-Meier analysis indicated that RvD1 improved 48 h animal survival (80%) compared with LPS group (40%) and RvD1 blockage group (60%), while RvD1 also ameliorated kidney pathological injury in HE staining and TEM scan. After LPS stimulation, the mRNA expression of toll-like receptor 4, myeloid differentiation factor 88, and TNF-α in both mice kidneys and HK-2 cells were all up-regulated, while RvD1 substantially inhibited the up-regulation of these genes. Western blotting showed that the phosphorylated-IκB/IκB ratio in LPS group was significantly higher than that in the control group, which was inhibited in the RvD1 group. RvD1 could inhibit the up-regulation of cleaved-caspase-3 protein stimulated by LPS, which was prohibited in RvD1 blockage group. RvD1 group also had a lower proportion of apoptotic nuclei in mice kidney by TUNEL staining compared with LPS group.

CONCLUSIONIn LPS-induced AKI, RvD1 could decrease TNF-α level, ameliorate kidney pathological injury, protect kidney function, and improve animal survival by down-regulating NF-κB inflammatory signal as well as inhibiting renal cell apoptosis.

Acute Kidney Injury ; chemically induced ; prevention & control ; Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing ; analysis ; Animals ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Docosahexaenoic Acids ; pharmacology ; Down-Regulation ; Kidney ; drug effects ; pathology ; Lipopolysaccharides ; pharmacology ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; NF-kappa B ; antagonists & inhibitors ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; analysis