Lysostaphin is highly effective on eliminating methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). In order to achieve controlled release of lysostaphin, a biocompatible drug carrier is needed. Hydroxyapatite/chitosan (HA/CS) composites were chosen to carry lysostaphin and sample composites with different weight ratios of HA to CS, including 80/20, 70/30, 60/40, and 40/60, were prepared. Multiple analyses were performed to determine the structural and physicochemical properties of the composites, including scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. We immersed HA/CS composites loaded with 1 wt% lysostaphin to test in vitro release activity and cultured MC3T3-E1 cells to carry out biocompatibility test. The result of the release behavior of the composites revealed that the controlled release of lysostaphin from 60/40 HA/CS composites was the highest release rate of (87.4 ± 2.8)%, which lasted for 120 hours. In biocompatibility testing, MC3T3-E1 cells were able to proliferate on the surface of these composites, and the extract liquid from the composites could increase the growth of the cells. These results demonstrate the controlled release of lysostaphin from HA/CS composites and their biocompatibility, suggesting the potential application of these composites to bone injury and infection applications.
3T3 Cells ; Animals ; Biocompatible Materials ; Chitosan ; chemistry ; Delayed-Action Preparations ; Drug Carriers ; chemistry ; Durapatite ; chemistry ; Lysostaphin ; pharmacology ; Materials Testing ; Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus ; Mice ; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning ; X-Ray Diffraction

Proteomics is an emerging discipline developed on the basis of genomics.The fundamental techniques of proteomics include sample preparation,protein separation,protein identification and analysis,and its core techniques are two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and mass spectrometry.In recent years,proteomics has been used in researching the field of Mycobacterium tuberculosis(MTB).Proteomics promotes deep understanding of the pathogenesis of MTB and resistance mechanism via isolating,identifying and analyzing the whole-cell protein and secreted proteins.The development of new vaccine against MTB has showed some promising results based on proteomics.Some powerful early diagnostic markers have been discovered via analyzing the protein composition of MTB clinical isolates.Proteomics also applies to find potential new drug targets,and it has shown many valuable research productions in developing new an-ti-MTB drugs.In summary,the application of proteomics has built a solid foundation for the development of prevention,early diagnosis and treatment of tuberculosis.

OBJECTIVESTo explore the clinical application of anti-human seminal plasma phospholipase A2 (PLA2) monoclonal antibody (McAb) for male infertility.

METHODSEnzyme-linked immunoabsorbent assay (ELISA), immunocytochemistry(ICC), as well as flow cytometry (FCM) analysis were established using two strains anti-human seminal plasma PLA2 McAb prepared by our laboratory to detect the PLA2 content in human seminal plasma and the anterior head region of spermatozoa, respectively. Then the PLA2 content in male infertile patients were compared with that in normal control with fertility. The seminal routine analysis was performed by computer-assisted semen analysis (CASA).

RESULTSThe PLA2 content of infertile groups were (31.13 +/- 14.49) ng/ml in azoospermic patients, (17.71 +/- 12.45) ng/ml in oligospermic patients and (16.46 +/- 11.31) ng/ml in patients with normal sperm density, which were all higher than that of normal controls [(8.09 +/- 3.15) ng/ml, P < 0.01]; There was significantly negative correlation between PLA2 content in seminal plasma and sperm density(r = -0.602, P < 0.05), while there was insignificant correlation between PLA2 and sperm motility or percentage of motility. The PLA2 content in the anterior head region of spermatozoon of male infertile groups was significantly lower than that of normal controls by ICC and FCM(P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSPLA2 in human seminal plasma is closely related to male fertility, and the PLA2 deficiency in the head of spermatozoa may be one of the reasons causing male infertility. The methods detecting PLA2 content in seminal plasma and the head of spermatozoa can provide powerful evidences for exploring the mechanism of male infertility.

Adult ; Humans ; Infertility, Male ; enzymology ; Male ; Phospholipases A ; analysis ; Phospholipases A2 ; Semen ; enzymology

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the clinical effect of one stage anterior and posterior fusion and posterior fixation for the treatment of thoracic and lumbar spinal tuberculosis.

METHODSFrom March 2003 to December 2006, one stage anterior and posterior fusion and posterior fixation were performed to treat 23 patients who suffered thoracic and lumbar spinal tuberculosis. There were 15 males and 8 females with an average of 37.6 years (17-61 years). 4 cases' tuberculose focus were in thoracic vertebra, 8 cases in thoracolumbar, 11 cases in lumbar.

RESULTSThe average follow up period was 28.7 months (9-40 months). The symptoms of all patients had primarily relieved and the patients can ambulate at 2-3 weeks after treatment. At the 6th after operation, the X-ray showed interbody fusion. Frankel grading of 16 patients with incomplete paraplegia were improved averagely 1.62 grades. The major complications including 2 cases of temporary sinus formation, 1 case of fixtor breaking and 1 case of recurring (owing to an inadequate postoperative chemotherapy).

CONCLUSIONOne stage anterior and posterior fusion and posterior fixation can effectually resect focus, rebuild stability of spine, promote interbody fusion and recovery of incomplete paraplegia in treating thoracic and lumbar spinal tuberculosis.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Female ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; Humans ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Postoperative Complications ; Spinal Fusion ; Thoracic Vertebrae ; surgery ; Treatment Outcome ; Tuberculosis, Spinal ; surgery ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo introduce the experience of treating nonunions of humeral fractures with interlocking intramedullary nailing.

METHODSTwelve patients with humeral nonunions were treated with interlocking intramedullary nailing. The time interval between trauma and surgery was 10.5 months on average. Open reduction with anterograde approach was performed. Axial compression was specially applied to the fracture site with humeral nail holder after insertion of distal locked screws. Iliac bone grafting was added.

RESULTSThe average follow-up period was 21 months (ranging 9-51 months). All patients achieved osseous union 5.8 months after treatment on average. Eleven patients had good functions of the shoulder joints and the upper extremities. No patient experienced any permanent neurological deficit. Refracture of the original ununited region occurred in one patient after removal of the internal fixator one year later, but union was achieved after closed re-intramedullary nailing fixation.

CONCLUSIONHumeral interlocking intramedullary nailing is an effective alternative treatment for humeral nonunion.

Adult ; Aged ; Bone Nails ; Bone Transplantation ; methods ; Female ; Fracture Fixation, Intramedullary ; instrumentation ; Fractures, Ununited ; surgery ; Humans ; Humeral Fractures ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Ilium ; transplantation ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Radiography ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo investigate the alteration of expressions of beta(1)-, beta(2)-, beta(3)-adrenoceptor mRNA in human myocardial tissue and the relation between their expressions and cardiac function in patient with heart failure.

METHODSThe mRNA expressions of beta(1)-, beta(2)- and beta(3)-adrenergic receptors in myocardial tissue were analyzed by using the reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction in 24 patients with heart failure of valvular heart disease and 5 control subjects.

RESULTSBeta(1)-adrenergic receptor mRNA expressions in myocardium were significantly lower in patients with heart failure than those in control subjects, and progressively reduced with aggravation of heart function. By contrast, beta(3)-adrenoceptor mRNA expressions were significantly higher in patients with heart failure than those in controls, and progressively elevated with aggravation of cardiac function. No difference was observed in beta(2)-adrenergic receptor among all groups.

CONCLUSIONThe changes of beta-adrenergic receptor mRNA expression are associated with the severity of heart failure.

Adult ; Case-Control Studies ; Female ; Heart Failure ; genetics ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism ; Receptors, Adrenergic, beta-1 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Receptors, Adrenergic, beta-2 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Receptors, Adrenergic, beta-3 ; genetics ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo study the clinicopathological features and diagnostic criteria of Ewing's sarcoma/primitive neuroectodermal tumor (Ewing's sarcoma/PNET) in oral and maxillofacial region.

METHODSThere were 15 patients with Ewing's sarcoma/PNET in the last 35 years at our hospital, aged 1-49 years and mean 14.5 years. The most common manifestation was swelling of the affected region. The cases were analyzed and histological and immunohistochemical studies were also conducted to examine CD99 (12E7), Vimentin, NSE, S-100, Syn, CD45 (LCA), desmin.

RESULTS(1) The most common histological pattern of Ewing's sarcoma/PNET was a lobular arrangement of uniform, small, hyperchromatic cells in a fibrous background. Some of these tumors were rich in cytoplasmic glycogen. (2) Of the 7 cases, IHC was positive for CD99 (12E7) and Vimentin and negative for lymphoid (CD45), muscle (desmin) markers. S-100 was positive in 4 cases and NSE negative in 3, Syn positive in 1. NSE, S-100, Syn were all negative in 2 cases.

CONCLUSIONSEwing's sarcoma/PNET is more common in teenagers and young people. Immunohistochemistry is essential to distinguish Ewing's sarcoma/PNET from other small round cell tumors. Immunohistochemistry is useful in the diagnosis.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Facial Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Jaw Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neuroectodermal Tumors, Primitive, Peripheral ; diagnosis ; pathology ; Sarcoma, Ewing ; diagnosis ; pathology ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the in vitro and in vivo function of anti-human bladder tumor human-mouse chimeric antibody ch-BDI and its future clinical application.

METHODSWith ch-BDI in high-expression cell-line medium, affinity chromatography was used for the purification. Labeled with (99m)Tc through reduction method, its immunoreactive fraction and association constant were measured. The constant was injected into nude mice with xenografted human bladder tumor. The biodistribution of the labeled ch-BDI was studied with radioimmunoimaging.

RESULTSch-BDI showed desirable immunoreactive fraction (76%) and association constant (3.56 x 10(9) M(-1)) in vitro and a terrific specific targeting effect in vivo.

CONCLUSIONch-BDI has fairly good function against human bladder tumor both in vitro and in vivo, and is promising in clinical use.

Animals ; Antibodies, Monoclonal ; immunology ; Antibodies, Neoplasm ; immunology ; Antibody Affinity ; Humans ; In Vitro Techniques ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Mice, Nude ; Recombinant Fusion Proteins ; immunology ; Urinary Bladder Neoplasms ; immunology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of San Baoxin on myocardial injury induced by ischemia-reperfusion (MI/R) and thrombogenesis in rats in vivo and ex vivo.

METHODThe experimental model was established by ligation of left anterior descending coronary artery for 30 min followed by reperfusion for 180 min. The Chandler method was used to produced ex vivo thrombosis and an electrical stimulation of common carotid artery was adopted to form in vivo thrombosis respectively, the effect of antithrombosis induced by San Baoxin was observed.

RESULTSan Baoxin significantly decreased the content of malondialdehyde (MDA), obviously elevated the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and increased the amount of NO of the serum simultaneously. The San Baoxin at the dosage of 10 g x kg(-1) could remarkably lengthen the OT ( P < 0.05). All San Baoxin dosages could inhibit the formation of ex vivo thrombosis.

CONCLUSIONSan Baoxin protects the myocardium from injury of ischemic and reperfusion. The protective effect of San Baoxin may be due to that it can dilate vessels, increase the activity of clearance enzyme of free radical and inhibit lipid peroxidation and the formation of ex vivo and in vivo thrombosis.

Animals ; Drug Combinations ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Fibrinolytic Agents ; pharmacology ; Male ; Malondialdehyde ; blood ; Myocardial Ischemia ; blood ; pathology ; Myocardial Reperfusion Injury ; blood ; pathology ; Nitric Acid ; blood ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Superoxide Dismutase ; blood ; Thrombosis ; pathology

Objective To explore surgical treatment of gliomas involving the motor eloquent area. Methods Twelve cases of gliomas involving precentral gyrus were underwent awake surgery procedures assis- ted with neuronavigation and brain functional mapping by cortical electrical stimulation.Results Eleven ca- ses acquired accurate location of both lesions and eloquent areas by neuronavigation and direct cortical stimula- tion.7 cases of motor cortices and 2 cases of motor speech centers were confirmed during the operation.Re- section,verified by postoperative MRI,was total in 8 cases (66.7%) and subtotal in 4 patients.Histological examination revealed an infiltrative glioma in all cases (8 low grade astrocytomas,2 high grade astrocytomas and 2 glioblastoma).Four patients had no postoperative deficit,while the other 8 patients were impaired, with,in all cases except one,complete recovery in 7 days to one month.Conclusion Direct cortical elec- trical stimulations and awake surgery offer a reliable,precise and safe method,allowing functional mapping es- pecially useful in case of infiltrative cerebral tumors in eloquent areas.This technique allows improvement in the quality of tumoral resection and concurrently a minimization of the risk of definitive postoperative neurologi- cal deficit.