In view of the difficulties in the practice of innovation education,Harbin Medical University identified the education objective,cultivated innovative education concept and implemented this concept by launching innovative ability training projects for college students,establishing innovation base and emphasizing on information technology and network based innovative education practice.satisfactory education effect was achieved.

ObjectiveTo approach the taxonomy of polymer hydrogels prepared with composite material science methods.MethodsThe research results which have been obtained were synthesized and analysed in the light of multiscale design viewpoint,and the hydrogel composite materials were classified by the composite ways and its structural levels.Results and ConclusionA kind of taxonomy system was advanced in which new concepts of intermolecular composite,textural composite etc.were induced.Apply-ing these concepts and methods will be helpful to research on composite biomaterials.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effect of human hair keratin (HHK) in peripheral nerve repair and explore the mechanism of sciatic nerve regeneration.

METHODSRat models of sciatic nerve damage was established by creating a 10-mm gap in the sciatic nerve, which was bridged with a HHK implant. Histological examinations of the nerve tissues were performed at different time points after the surgery.

RESULTSDuring the period from 2 days to 2 weeks following HHK implantation, Schwann cells were found to undergo dedifferentiation and proliferate along the HHK implant. Three weeks after HHK implantation, numerous macrophages and megakaryocytes occurred around the HHK, and a large quantity of regenerated Schwann cells aligned in orderly fashion was seen between the fine filaments of partially degraded HHK, where axons and capillaries were also observed. Six weeks later, massive nerve fibers and capillaries developed around the HHK, and at 9 weeks, the HHK implant was substantially degraded and numerous regenerated nerve fibers occurred characterized by obvious epineurium and perineurium. Till 12 weeks after HHK implantation, HHK was almost completely degraded and replaced by the newly regenerated nerve fibers that had grown across the nerve defect.

CONCLUSIONSHHK is an ideal material for nerve injury repair. Apocytosis plays a key role in the differentiation process of highly differentiated Schwann cells into immature Schwann cells following nerve injury. As a protective mechanism, the axons undergo enclosure and dissociation following injuries, and the intact axons give rise to growth cones that extend fibers of growing buds to competitively bind the one or more Schwann cells, but only one such but finally develops into a complete axon. The nerve fiber barrier membrane is derived from the capillary menchymal stem cells and the outmost vascular barrier membrane. The regeneration of the Schwann cells, axons and the nerve membrane is the result of self-organization through a well synchronized and coordinated mechanism.

Animals ; Female ; Hair ; chemistry ; Humans ; Keratins ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Male ; Nerve Regeneration ; drug effects ; physiology ; Prostheses and Implants ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Sciatic Nerve ; injuries ; physiopathology

OBJECTIVETo culture interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta)-activated Schwann cells (SCs) with human hair keratins (HHKs) for artificial nerve bridge construction.

METHODSSCs purified by primary culture with or without IL-1beta activation were cultured with HHKs decorated by extracellular matrix (ECM), and the artificial nerve bridge was implanted into the defect of rat sciatic nerve. The morphology of the SCs cultured with HHKs was monitored by inverted microscope, scanning electron microscope and evaluated by immunocytochemical staining, and the expression of nerve growth factor (NGF) in the sciatic nerve was observed by in situ hybridization.

RESULTSActivated SCs showed better ability to adhere to the HHKs and grew well. The HHKs component in the artificial nerve bridge underwent degradation in the sciatic nerve defect after 3 to 4 weeks, and IL-1beta activation resulted in enhanced NGF expression in the SCs.

CONCLUSIONThe constructed artificial nerve bridge by three-dimensional culture of IL-1beta-activiated SCs with HHKs decorated by ECM promotes the repair of sciatic nerve defects and accelerates sciatic nerve regeneration.

Animals ; Animals, Newborn ; Axons ; physiology ; Cell Culture Techniques ; Cell Movement ; physiology ; Cells, Cultured ; Hair ; chemistry ; Humans ; Interleukin-1beta ; pharmacology ; Keratins ; pharmacology ; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning ; Nerve Growth Factor ; biosynthesis ; Nerve Regeneration ; drug effects ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Schwann Cells ; drug effects ; metabolism ; ultrastructure ; Sciatic Nerve ; injuries ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Tissue Engineering ; methods

OBJECTIVETo measure the energy expenditure of reading and watching TV for young women.

METHODSAll 30 girls in the college were selected according to questionnaire, medical examination, blood test, liver function and thyroid gland level. Energy expenditure of reading and watching TV was measured respectively by the Cosmid K4b2 portable gas analysis system from Italy. Basic metabolic rate (BMR) and resting metabolic rate (RMR) were measured as to analyzing results conveniently.

RESULTSThe energy expenditure in reading was (226.35 +/- 56.07) kJ/h and the heart rate was (69 +/- 5) bmp. For watching TV it was (220.79 +/- 65.69) kJ/h and the heart rate was (68 +/- 5) bmp. BMR was (178.53 +/- 53.51) kJ/h and the heart rate was (62 +/- 6) bmp. RMR was (214.76 +/- 44.56) kJ/h and the heart rate was (65 +/- 6) bpm.

CONCLUSIONSThe energy expenditure in reading should be higher than that of watching TV, however, the difference was not obvious. The expenditure rates might get closer to those of RMR. It might be regarded as an expenditure of very light physical active in Chinese.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Basal Metabolism ; Female ; Humans ; Reading ; Rest ; physiology ; Television

Background/Aims: Accumulating evidence indicates that L-carnitine (LC) protects against multiorgan damage through its antioxidant properties and preservation of the mitochondria. Little information is available about the effects of LC on renal fibrosis. This study examined whether LC treatment would provide renoprotection in a rat model of unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) and in vitro. Methods: Sprague-Dawley rats that underwent UUO were treated daily with LC for 7 or 14 days. The influence of LC on renal injury caused by UUO was evaluated by histopathology, and analysis of gene expression, oxidative stress, mitochondrial function, programmed cell death, and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/ AKT/forkhead box protein O 1a (FoxO1a) signaling. In addition, H2O2-exposed human kidney cells (HK-2) were treated with LC. Results: LC treatment inhibited expression of proinflammatory and profibrotic cytokines, and was followed by a significant attenuation of tubulointerstitial inflammation and fibrosis. The increased oxidative stress caused by UUO was associated with mitochondrial dysfunction and excessive apoptosis and autophagy via PI3K/AKT/FoxO1a-dependent signaling, and this was abrogated by administration of LC. In H2O2-exposed HK-2 cells, LC decreased intracellular production of reactive oxygen species, and suppressed expression of profibrotic cytokines and reduced the number of apoptotic cells. Conclusions LC protects against the progression of tubulointerstitial fibrosis in an obstructed kidney.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to identify the clinical characteristics and potential mechanisms relevant to pathological proteins in Parkinson's disease (PD) patients who experience fatigue. METHODS: PD patients (n=102) were evaluated using a fatigue severity scale and scales for motor and nonmotor symptoms. The levels of three pathological proteins-α-synuclein oligomer, β-amyloid (Aβ)(1-42), and tau-were measured in 102 cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples from these PD patients. Linear regression analyses were performed between fatigue score and the CSF levels of the above-listed pathological proteins in PD patients. RESULTS: The frequency of fatigue in the PD patients was 62.75%. The fatigue group had worse motor symptoms and anxiety, depression, and autonomic dysfunction. The CSF level of α-synuclein oligomer was higher and that of Aβ1-42 was lower in the fatigue group than in the non-fatigue group. In multiple linear regression analyses, fatigue severity was significantly and positively correlated with the α-synuclein oligomer level in the CSF of PD patients, after adjusting for confounders. CONCLUSIONS: PD patients experience a high frequency of fatigue. PD patients with fatigue have worse motor and part nonmotor symptoms. Fatigue in PD patients is associated with an increased α-synuclein oligomer level in the CSF.
Anxiety ; Cerebrospinal Fluid ; Depression ; Fatigue* ; Humans ; Linear Models ; Parkinson Disease* ; Weights and Measures

Background/Aims: Cigarette smoking is an important modifiable risk factor in kidney disease progression. However, the underlying mechanisms for this are lacking. This study aimed to assess whether nicotine (NIC), a major toxic component of cigarette smoking, would exacerbates tacrolimus (TAC)-induced renal injury. Methods: Sprague-Dawley rats were treated daily with NIC, TAC, or both drugs for 4 weeks. The influence of NIC on TAC-caused renal injury was examined via renal function, histopathology, oxidative stress, mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, and programmed cell death (apoptosis and autophagy). Results: Both NIC and TAC significantly impaired renal function and histopathology, while combined NIC and TAC treatment aggravated these parameters beyond the effects of either alone. Increased oxidative stress, ER stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, proinf lammatory and profibrotic cytokine expressions, and programmed cell death from either NIC or TAC were also aggravated by the two combined. Conclusions Our observations suggest that NIC exacerbates chronic TAC nephrotoxicity, implying that smoking cessation may be beneficial for transplant smokers taking TAC.