BACKGROUND:Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cels play an osteogenic role under the assistance of scaffold materials. The scaffold cannot only deliver the cels to the bone defect area, but also act as a new bone growth framework. Colagen-chitosan composite is one of ideal scaffold materials in bone tissue engineering, which has osteoinductive ability and better osteogenic ability than conventional scaffolds. Bone transport technology has been widely used in the clinical repair of long bone defects, but it has some deficiencies, such as slow osteogenesis, long time for external fixation and nonunion. How to further accelerate bone formation and reduce complications has become the current problem to be solved. Here, it is hypothesized that bone marrow mesenchymal stem cels/ colagen/chitosan composite scaffold can increase the therapeutic effect of bone transport in the repair of tibial bone defects.
METHODS/DESIGN:This study is a randomized controled animal experiment, includingin vitro andin vivo tests.In vitro test: Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cels are isolated from the bone marrow of New Zealand rabbits aged 1-2 months, and passaged to the third generation. Then, cel suspension is added onto the colagen-chitosan scaffold to construct the bone marrow mesenchymal stem cels/colagen/chitosan composite scaffold.In vivo test: Twenty-four New Zealand rabbits at 3-4 months are selected and randomly assigned to receive bone transport, scaffold implantation, bone transport+scaffold implantation, respectively. The primary outcome measures are the growth of implant materials and bone defect interface, X-ray detection of bone defect repair, hematoxylin-eosin staining and scanning electron microscope observation of bone formation in the bone defect region, immunohistochemical detection of type I colage expression in the osteogenic region, scanning electron microscope observation of interface bonding between implant materials and host bone, ultrastructure and bone formation.
DISCUSSION:The results from this animal experiment wil help to determine the feasibility of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cels/colagen/chitosan composite scaffold to accelerate bone repair during bone defect repair using bone transport technology.

Methods for studying the population diversity of microorganism in activated sludge usually require enrichment of bacterial genome.The efficient information on microbial species composition provided and shifted in diversity revealed are dependent on the effective DNA recovery technique.The method was based on washing by alkaline phosphate buffer and digestion with extended heating of the activated sludge suspension in the presence of lysozyme and freeze-thawing in high-salt-SDS buffer.The extraction was tested for four activated sludge differing in places and dates.The DNA fragment from all sludge was integrity.DNA yields ranged from 105 to 823 ?g/g sludge and were of sufficient purity for PCR-based 16S ribosomal DNA analysis and restriction digested.In general,all methods produced DNA pure were not enough for PCR amplification and libraries construction.As basis of experimental goals,the study provides an appropriate extraction method of microbial DNA in sludge.

Accidental Falls ; Adult ; Brain Injuries ; diagnosis ; Female ; Glasgow Coma Scale ; Head Injuries, Closed ; diagnosis ; etiology ; Hematoma, Subdural ; diagnosis ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged

[Objective] To observe the effect of fluoride foam on dental caries increment in primary teeth, and provide the basis for prevention and control of children's dental caries. [ Methods] Three hundred and thirty-five children were included randomly from junior classes of 4 kindergartens as experi-mental group , and another 268 children from junior classes of another 4 kindergartens as control group .The experimental group used 1.23%fluoride foam twice a year , and the control group did not have any inter-ventions.The two groups of children were followed up for 3 years, and examined for the situation of their caries detection rate and average risk of caries , and for evaluation of the effect of fluoride foam in prevention of children's dental caries . [ Results] Caries detection rate in the two groups increased with age .After 3 years, caries detection rate in control group increased by 34.05%and in experimental group increased by 22. 19%.The use of fluoride foam reduced 10.89%caries disease for experimental group .Caries detection rates were 55.62%in experimental group and 66.51%in control group .The difference in detection rate was sig-nificant between experimental group and control group (P<0.05).Average caries in experimental group was 3.4 ±4.38 after 3 years, and 4.7 ±4.80 in control group.There was a significant difference in average caries between the two groups (P<0.05). [Conclusion] Application of 1.23%fluoride foam was effective in reducing the increment of dental caries in primary teeth , and it is worth promoting in the kindergartens .

OBJECTIVE: To examine the repeatability and the reproducibility of a new evaluation system for seated postural control. METHOD: A total of 30 healthy volunteers (12 male, 18 female, mean age 25.1+/-3.4) participated in this study: 15 for repeatability and 15 for reproducibility study. We invented a new device for the assessment of seated postural control. The device was consisted of unstable platform, force plate, frame, safety harness, monitor and computer. Force plate on unstable platform measured the center of pressure (COP) of subject. COP maintaining time, COP moving time and COP sine curve trace were recorded. Each subject was tested three times with an interval of 3 days between the test sessions. The intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) were calculated. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between male and female in each parameter. There were no significant differences in COP maintaining time, COP moving time and COP sine curve trace when tested repetitively. ICC for both the repeatability and the reproducibility showed good to excellent reliability for all variables (ICC, 0.60~0.99) except posterior and right-posterior moving time. CONCLUSION: This newly designed system for seated postural control using unstable platform proved to be a reliable tool. It may be a useful method to assess the seated postural control.
Female ; Healthy Volunteers ; Humans ; Male ; Postural Balance

BACKGROUND: Alopecia areata usually has a complete recovery rate in most patients, but others eventually develop the severe chronic form. Unfortunately, its course and response rates are variable and unpredictable. OBJECTIVE: To identify patient and treatment factors predictive of therapeutic success and to develop a practical model for predicting patient response. METHODS: The medical records of 189 patients with alopecia areata from 1998 to 2001 at the Department of Dermatology, Chungnam National university hospital were reviewed. Most patients were treated by corticosteroids (topical, intralesional, and systemic). RESULTS: Variables independently associated with clinically significant regrowth were the duration between initiation of therapy, baseline extent of alopecia areata. 1. Both partial response and no response (PR+NR): long duration between initiation of therapy (>3month; especially >12 months), baseline extent of alopecia areata (>25%; especially 100%- alopecia totalis and universalis) and male patients. 2. Duration between initiation of therapy: Cosmetically acceptable hair regrowth was obtained in 6% of patients over 12 months, 57% with 4 to 12 months and 97% 0 to 3 months. So, it is better to start treating within 3 months; and at least within 12 months. 3. Baseline extent of alopecia areata: Cosmetically acceptable hair regrowth was obtained in 27% of patients with alopecia totalis/universalis, 64% with 26 to 99%, and 94% with below 25% alopecia areata. So, it showed a good response when below 25 %, but a poor response at above 25%, specially for 100%. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that when the duration between initiation of therapy (>12 months) and the baseline extent of alopecia areata increases, the therapeutic effect decreases. A predictive model (decision tree) has been developed to assist with patient prognostication and counseling.
Male ; Humans ; Predictive Value of Tests

Skin is the outermost organ and acts as a barrier between the organism and environment. Skin protects the organism from environmental insults, such as chemicals, pathogens, and UV light. Much of the protective function of skin is dependent on the epidermis, a multi-layered epithelium that is composed of various cell types such as keratinocytes and melanocytes. Keratinocytes produce protective components through a sophisticated differentiation process. Disturbance of keratinocyte differentiation is related to several skin diseases such as psoriasis and atopic dermatitis. In this study, we prepared extract of combined medicinal plants (ECMP) consisting of Taraxacum platycarpum H. Dahlstedt, Heartleaf Houttuynia, Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fischer, and root bark of Ulmus davidiana. We demonstrated that ECMP enhanced keratinocyte differentiation and barrier functionality using an in vitro cell culture system and in vivo animal test. Treatment of cultured keratinocytes with ECMP resulted in induction of keratinocyte differentiation, as evidenced by increased differentiation markers such as involucrin, loricrin, and filaggrin. In line with these results, ECMP decreased proliferation of keratinocytes cultured in vitro. ECMP applied topically to tape-stripped mouse skins accelerated reduction of transepidermal water loss (TEWL), indicating fast recovery of barrier function. Immunohistochemistry showed that ECMP increased the filaggrin level in tape-stripped mouse skins. These results suggest that ECMP may be applicable for keratinocyte differentiation-related skin diseases.
Animals ; Antigens, Differentiation ; Cell Culture Techniques ; Dermatitis, Atopic ; Epidermis ; Epithelium ; Glycyrrhiza uralensis ; Houttuynia ; Immunohistochemistry ; Keratinocytes* ; Melanocytes ; Mice ; Plants, Medicinal* ; Psoriasis ; Skin ; Skin Diseases ; Taraxacum ; Ulmus ; Ultraviolet Rays

Transglutaminase is an calcium depedent enzyme involved in various biological events such as cell growth and proliferation, apoptosis, fertilization, embryogenesis, and carcinogenesis. Biochemically it can be detected in many organs but no systemic in situ localization has been carried out so far. Here we report the immunohistochemical localization of TG1 in rat tissue using newly purificated polyclonal anti-goat traglutaminase 1 antibody. The presence of TG 1 can be demonstrated in the kidney, liver, spleen, lung, esophagus, trachea, small intestine, testis, cerebellum of the rat. The strong immunoreactivity can be demonstrated in proximal convoluted tubule and collecting duct of the kidney, central vein of the liver, esophagus of the lamina propria, epithelium and cartilage of the trachea., submucosa and Paneth cell of the small intestine, Purkinje cell of the cerebellum. Among organs, there was no relationship between the immunoreactivity and histologic similarity. The functional implications of these findings are presently unknown. However, based on its wide distribution of the tissue certain essential role of this enzyme in survival of organism may be suggested.
Animals ; Apoptosis ; Calcium ; Carcinogenesis ; Cartilage ; Cerebellum ; Embryonic Development ; Epithelium ; Esophagus ; Female ; Fertilization ; Intestine, Small ; Kidney ; Liver ; Lung ; Mucous Membrane ; Pregnancy ; Rats* ; Spleen ; Testis ; Trachea ; Veins

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.

Purpose: To evaluate the anti-inflammatory and antioxidative effects of extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) on prostatitis and explore the mechanism of alleviating pain. Materials and Methods: For in vitro testing, RWPE-1 cells were randomly divided into 5 groups: (1) RWPE-1 group (normal control), (2) LPS group (lipopolysaccharide inducing inflammation), (3) 0.1ESWT group (treated by 0.1 mJ/mm2 energy level), (4) 0.2ESWT group (treated by 0.2 mJ/mm2 energy level), and (5) 0.3ESWT group (treated by 0.3 mJ/mm2 energy level). After ESWT was administered, cells and supernatant were collected for ELISA and western blot. For in vivo testing, Sprague-Dawley male rats were randomly divided into 3 groups: (1) normal group, (2) prostatitis group, and (3) ESWT group (n=12 for each). Prostatitis was induced by 17 beta-estradiol and dihydrotestosterone (DHT) administration. Four weeks after ESWT, the pain index was assessed for all groups and prostate tissues were collected for immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence, apoptosis analysis and, western blot. Results: Our in vitro studies showed that the optimal energy flux density of ESWT was 0.2 mJ/mm2. In vivo, ESWT ameliorated discomfort in rats with prostatitis and inflammation symptoms were improved. Compared to normal rats, overexpressed NLRP3 inflammasomes triggered apoptosis in rats with prostatitis and this was improved by ESWT. TLR4-NFκB pathway was overactive after experimental prostatitis, compared to normal and ESWT groups, and prostatitis induced alterations in BAX/BAK pathway were inhibited by ESWT. Conclusions ESWT improved CP/CPPS by reducing NLRP3 inflammasome and ameliorated apoptosis via inhibiting BAX/BAK pathway in a rat model. TLR4 may play a key role in bonding NLRP3 inflammasome and BAX/BAK pathways. ESWT might be a promising approach for the treatment of CP/CPPS.