OBJECTIVE: To investigate biological characteristics of human umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells, and to explore the possibility of hepatocyte-like cells differentiation.METHODS: The umbilical cord was provided by healthy term birth woman in Tianjin Third Central Hospital. Mesenchymal stem cells were isolated from human umbilical cord by enzyme digestion method. Cells were passaged at 80%-90% confluent. The ninth passage of cells at a density of 5×10~(10)/L were seeded in 12-well culture plate and incubated with DMEM containing hepatocyte growth factor, fibroblast growth factor-4 and oncostatin for 28 days. Cell growth activity was detected by MTT method; cell cycle was detected by flow cytometry; surface immunological marker in MSC was detected by immunocytochemical stain and flow cytometry; specific surface phenotype of hepatocyte was detected by immunocytochemical staining. Function characteristic of hepatocyte was determined by staining for glycogen.RESULTS: MSCs were isolated from human umbilical cord and presented with fibroblastic morphology. 80% of cells were at G_0/G_1 phase with good growth activity and stably passaged over 20 times. These cells were positive for CD29, CD105, and Vimentin, but negative for CD34 and CD31. MSCs were induced to hepatocyte-1 ike cells that were positive for alpha fetoprotein, CK18, CK19 at 1 week and albumin at 3 weeks. At 4 weeks, induced cells were positive for glycogen staining.CONCLUSION: MSCs isolated from human umbilical cord can be cultured in a long periods time in vitro and are able to differentiate into functional hepatocyte-like cells.

Objective To establish the long-term culture system for fetal skin fibroblast by performing long time in vitro cultivation of the cells,and study the potential of its differentiation to hepatocytes.Methods Fibroblast was isolated from human fetus skin tissue.Surface phenotypes of cells were detected by ICC and FCM,and biological characteristics were analyzed by the karyotype analysis and soft agar colony formation observation.ALB、CK18、CK19 were detected by ICC,glycogen stain by PAS,AFP and ALB mRNA by RT-PCR after P3～30cells were induced differentiation by cytokines of HGF,FGF4 and OSM.Results CD29,CD49f,HLA- Ⅰ and CD 105 were highly expressed while CD90 hardly in skin fibroblast.The rate of induced differentiation of fibroblast into hepatocyte-like cells was approximately 5％.The cells could be cultured in vitro for almost 50 passages with normal karyotype and no oncogenic and immortalized characteristics.Conclsion The skin fibroblast possesses the characteristic of mesenchymal stem cell and can be induced into hepatocyte-like cell in vitro.

A new caffeate compound, (E)-erythro-syringylglyceryl caffeate (1), was isolated from the roots and rhizomes of Nardostachys chinensis Batal., together with nine known phenolic compounds, including (+)-licarin A (2), naringenin 4', 7-dimethyl ether (3), pinoresinol-4-O-β-D-glucoside (4), caraphenol A (5), Z-miyabenol C (6), protocatechuic acid (7), caffeic acid (8), gallic acid (9) and vanillic acid (10). Their chemical structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic data and physicochemical properties. Furthermore, this is the first report of compounds 2, 5 and 6 from Nardostachys genus.
Caffeic Acids ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Flavanones ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Furans ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Glucosides ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Hydroxybenzoates ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Lignans ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Nardostachys ; chemistry ; Plant Roots ; chemistry ; Rhizome ; chemistry ; Vanillic Acid ; chemistry ; isolation & purification

Objective To develop a multiplex sequence-specific PCR assay for simultaneous screening of 5 types of JAK2 mutations and investigate its clinical application value. Methods Multiplex sequence-specific PCR assay for simultaneous screening of JAK2 V617F, K539L (include 2 types of gene mutations), N542-E543del and E543-D544del mutations were developed. 115 patients with myeloproliferative diseases (MPD) including 61 polycythemia vera (PV) cases, 43 essential thrombocythemia (ET) cases and 11 primary myelofibrosis (MF) cases were analyzed. Results The assay can screen the 5 types of JAK2 mutations efficiently. The detection sensitivity is 1% for JAK2 V617F mutation and 0.1% for the other mutations. JAK2 V617F mutation and JAK2 exon12 mutation were detected in 56 and 3 of the 61 PV samples, respectively. 27 of the 43 ET samples and 6 of the 11 MF samples were JAK2 V617F positive, but no JAK2 exon12 mutation was found in both groups. The 3 cases carrying JAK2 exon12 mutation had the clinical feature of erythrocytosis and erythropoietin-independent erythroid colony formation but without apparent leukocytosis, thrombocytosis and splenectasis. Conclusion The assay can simultaneously screen 5 types of JAK2 mutations with high sensitivity and thus lead to an increased detection rate.

Objective To establish a method for determining the contents of polyphyllin Ⅰ and polyphyllin Ⅱ in Kangkeling Mixture. Methods The contents of polyphyllin Ⅰ and Ⅱ were determined by HPLC gradient elution. Poroshell 120 Ec-C18 column (4.6 mm × 150 mm, 4 μm) was used; Acetonitrile-water (A:B) was set as the mobile phase; the flow rate was 1.0 mL/min; the detection wavelength was 210 nm; column temperature was 30 ℃. Results Polyphyllin Ⅰ showed good linear relationship in the range of 1.009–10.09 μg (r=0.999 6), and the average recovery was 97.31% (RSD=2.05%, n=6). Polyphyllin Ⅱ showed good linear relationship in the range of 0.640 5–6.405 μg (r=0.999 8), and the average recovery was 96.41% (RSD=1.67%, n=6). Conclusion The method is simple, with good repeatability and accurate results, which can be used to determine the contents of polyphyllin Ⅰ and Ⅱ in Kangkeling Mixture.

Objective To understand species, population density, and seasonality of rodents in Fangshan District of Beijing and provide the information for prevention and control of rodents and rodent-borne diseases. Methods The rodents were captured by using the trap at-night method in Mukezhai, Xianfenggu, Liushilu, Gushanzhai, Wanjingxiangou.The rodents pieces were identified and the density was calculated. Results Totally 4 665 traps were placed and 268 rodents were captured during 2016-2017.Among the seven identified species, the proportion of Apodemuspeninsulae was the highest (31.0%).The density of rodents was higher in primary forest area (7.29%) and edge area (6.10%) than in living area (2.94%)(P < 0.05).The density of rodents was 6.43% in 2016, and 4.44% in 2017(P < 0.05).The highest density (10.7%) was found in September. Conclusion The rodent species with highest density was Apodemuspeninsulae that can transmit Yersinia pestis.Comprehensive prevention measures should be taken to reduce the rodent density for controlling rodent-borne diseases.

According to the theory of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), Qi (vital energy) is regarded as a driving force of biological activities in human body, including both nutrient substances and organ functions. Qi-invigorating TCMs are widely used to treat various symptoms and disorders, such as fatigue, obesity, immunosuppression, intestinal flora imbalance, and gastrointestinal diseases, in which Qi is considered to be reduced or depleted. Interestingly, abundant clinical evidences suggest that these disorders are associated with the alternation of intestinal flora, which directly affects disease status. Herein we review the interaction between gut microbiota and Qi-invigorating TCMs under healthy and disease conditions and discuss the mechanisms of action and applications of Qi-invigorating TCMs in enhancing health status through microbial alternation. A better understanding of the role of Qi-invigorating TCMs in modulating microbial composition and the association between intestinal microbiota and diseases would help reveal the clinical consequences of microbiota alteration and explore opportunities to harness this symbiotic relationship to improve public health.
Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Gastrointestinal Microbiome ; drug effects ; Humans ; Prebiotics ; Qi

OBJECTIVETo identify radiographic predictors of residual low back pain (LBP) after laminectomy for lumbar canal stenosis (LCS).

METHODSClinical results and radiographic findings in 69 patients who underwent single level laminectomy for LCS were retrospectively reviewed. Patients who had an improvement in LBP scores evaluated by Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) scoring system during the follow-up periods were classified as the recovery group, and others were classified as the non-recovery group. Patients'clinical data and radiographic parameters like lordosis angle, range of motion and intervertebral rotational angle were analyzed using binary logistic regression analysis to detect factors significantly related with the occurrence of residual LBP.

RESULTSThe average preoperative JOA score of 14.8+/-5.05 improved to 21.59+/-5.51 at the final follow-up. Binary logistic regression analysis revealed that significant predictors of residual LBP were preoperative lumbar lordosis angle and range of motion.

CONCLUSIONSOur results suggest that patients with flat back and limited lumbar mobility before surgery tend to have poor results in terms of LBP. Therefore, these sagittal radiographic parameters should be taken into account when choosing laminectomy as the surgical option for LCS.

Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Laminectomy ; Low Back Pain ; diagnostic imaging ; Lumbosacral Region ; Male ; Prognosis ; Radiography ; Retrospective Studies ; Spinal Stenosis ; surgery ; Spine ; diagnostic imaging ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo assess the influence of different hinge positions on clinical results of expansive open-door laminoplasty (EOLP) for cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM).

METHODSA total of 102 CSM patients who underwent EOLP from February 2006 to February 2007 were enrolled in this randomized controlled trial. Using a random digits table, 57 patients with the hinge located at the inner margin of the lateral mass were classified as wide-open group, while 45 patients with the hinge positioned at the lamina margin served as narrow-open group. All patients were observed over 24 months, and the clinical and radiological results were analyzed statistically.

RESULTSThere were no significant differences in operation duration, intraoperative bleeding volume, Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) scores, cervical curvature index, range of motion and neural function recovery rate. The neural functions were satisfactorily improved after surgery in both groups, while the severity of axial symptoms was significantly lower in the narrow-open group than in the wide-open group (P equal to 0.003). The incidence of C(5) palsy in the wide-open group was higher than that in the narrow-open group (5.3% vs 0), even though the difference did not reach statistical significance (one tailed Fisher's exact test, P equal to 0.17).

CONCLUSIONSProper inward shift of the hinge can ensure effectiveness of surgical decompression, avoid an excessive backward shift of the spinal cord, decrease the incidence of C(5) palsy and alleviate the severity of axial symptoms.

Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Laminectomy ; methods ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Spondylosis ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of Shadu Cao Mixture (SDCM, traditional Chinese medicine) on immune functions of immunosuppression mice.

METHODSFifty BALB/C mice were randomly divided into blank control group, model group, SDCM low-dose, middle-dose and high-dose group. Except the blank control group, other groups were intraperitoneal injected with cyclophosphamide (40 mg/kg) to establish immunosuppression mice model. The blank control group and model group received gavage administration with nonnal saline, while the other groups received gavage administration with different doses of SDCM (10, 20, 40 m/kg for 15 days) respectively. The number of leukocytes and serum levels of interleukin-2 (IL-2), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interferon-γ (IFN-γ) in peripheral blood, spleen index, and the function of NK cells were measured.

RESULTSCompared with the model group , SDCM increased the number of leukocytes and serum concentrations of IL-2, TNF-α and IFN-γ in peripheral blood and improved the spleen index and the function of NK cells significantly (P < 0.05-0.01).

CONCLUSIONSDCM could remarkably enhance the immune functions of immunosuppression mice induced by cyclophosphamide.

Animals ; Cyclophosphamide ; Disease Models, Animal ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Immunosuppression ; Interferon-gamma ; blood ; Interleukin-2 ; blood ; Killer Cells, Natural ; immunology ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Spleen ; immunology ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; blood