OBJECTIVE: To characterize morphology and drug release kinetics of protein-loaded poly(?-caprolactone)/poly(ethylene glycol)/poly(?-caprolactone) amphiphilic block copolymeric (PCE) microspheres, and elucidate the mechanistic details regarding protein release. METHODS: BSA-loaded PCE microspheres were prepared using a water-in-oil-in-water, followed by solvent evaporation. Morphology of the polymer microspheres was observed using scanning electron microscopy. Protein loading capacity and encapsulation efficiency were determined by extracting the proteins from the microspheres and measured using MicroBCA method. Protein release kinetics was characterized by cumulative release against the date of release incubation. RESULTS: The protein-loaded PCE microspheres were spherical and possess smooth surface under SEM. Protein loading capacity and encapsulation efficiency in the microspheres were independent of PCE molecular weight. However, the kinetic features of the protein release varied significantly with PCE molecular weight, suggesting a diffusion-degradation combined release mechanism. For the microspheres made of larger molecular weight PCE 4000, the portion of protein release attributed to diffusion from the polymer matrix was remarkably less than that from microspheres of small molecular weight PCE. In vitro release profile can be simulated using a diffusion-degradation model(Q=k1t1/2+k2t+k3t2+k4t3)(r=0.997). CONCLUSION: PCE microsphere formulation can offer sustainedrelease of proteins with initial burst and incomplete release reduced to acceptable level.

Professor LI Zhi-dao, according to acupoint selection of syndrome differentiation in TCM basic theory, concluded a new therapy, namely "tonifying three qi" that is mainly based on three acupoints in the Conception Vessel. This method is consisted of Danzhong (CV 17), Zhongwan (CV 12) and Qihai (CV 6) in the Conception Vessel, which could successively nourish clear qi, stomach qi and original qi. In clinic, according to the severity of symptoms of three qi, the acupoints are selected flexibly, which could respectively treat deficiency of heart-lung qi, deficiency of stomach-spleen qi and deficiency of original qi. Some examples are also given in the article.
Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; history ; methods ; China ; History, 20th Century ; History, 21st Century ; Humans ; Qi

Objective To evaluate the effect of community management of diabetic patients with hypertension in Beijing Cuigezhuang community in last three years.Methods A community diabetic management program was started from 2007 in Beijing Cuigezhuang community.Three hundred and seventy six patients who participated in the program for more than 3 years were enrolled in the study, including 196 with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) only (DM group) and 180 with T2DM and hypertension (DMH). The control rate of blood glucose, blood pressure, lipids and the comprehensive control rate were compared between two groups after 3-year intervention.Results There were no significant differences in age, gender ratio, course of diabetes, education background, monthly income and the history of stoke between two groups;while prevalence of dyslipidemia in DMH group was significantly higher than that in DM group [41.7%(75/180) vs.24.5%(48 196),χ2 =11.938,P=0.001].Compared with the baseline data, the types of antidiabetic drugs used were not significantly changed in two groups after 3-year intervention ( DM group:1.32 ±0.81 vs.1.31 ±0.93, t=-0.155, P=0.877, DMH group:1.43 ±0.72 vs.1.48 ±0.82, t=0,831, P =0.407) .The types of antihypertensive drug in DMH group were significantly decrease. (1.12 ±0.77 vs.1.25 ±0.45, t=2.484, P=0.014), while the rate of statins usage in DM group was significantly increased [13.3%(26/196) vs.5.1%(10/196),χ2 =7.830, P=0.005].The hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels in DM group was decreased [(7.4 ±1.5)% vs.(7.8 ±2.1)%, t=2.586, P=0.011].The systolic pressure [(129 ±12) mmHg (1 mmHg=0.133 kPa) vs.(133 ±16) mmHg, t=3.503, P=0.001] and the diastolic pressure [(80 ±8) mmHg ratio (82 ±10) mmHg, t=2.436, P=0.016] in DMH group were significantly declined. The average LDL-C level [ DM group: ( 3.0 ± 0.9) mmol/L vs.(3.2 ±1.0) mmol/L, t =2.165, P=0.032; DMH group (2.9 ±1.0) mmol/L vs. (3.2 ±1.1) mmol/L, t=3.210, P=0.002] were also significantly decrease.Compared with the baseline, the comprehensive control rates of blood glucose, blood pressure and lipid level were increased in both groups [DM group:9.7% (19/196) vs.6.1%(12/196),χ2 =1.716, P=0.190, DMH group 13.9%(25/180) vs.5.0%(9/180),χ2 =8.315, P =0.004] .Conclusions The community management program is effective for improvement of comprehensive control rates of blood glucose, blood pressure and blood lipids in diabetic patients with hypertension in Beijing Cuigezhuang community.

OBJECTIVE The aim of this study is to investigate the correlation between the spontaneous otoacoustic emission(SOAE)and transient evoked otoacoustic emission(TEOAE)in neonate. METHODS The subjects were 224 ears of 112 newborns(59 females, 53 males). The age of subjects ranged from 2 to 4 days (mean?SD: 2.68?0.74 day years). SOAE and TEOAE were measured with ILO96. RESULTS The correlation between SOAE number and TEOAE level were found (r=0.43, P

Objective To evaluate the effect of Diver CE aspiration thrombus catheter used in patients during the recovery of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Methods A total of 50 AMI patients were enrolled from January 2010 to December 2011. Twenty-ifve patients received PCI and used the Diver CE aspiration thrombus catheter (aspiration group);and the other 25 patients received routine PCI (routine PCI group). The basic characteristics, PCI characteristics, myocardial perfusion indexes and clinical data were compared and analyzed. Results There was no statistically difference between two groups in basic characteristics. Compared with the routine PCI group, higher rate of myocardial blush grade 3 but lower thrombus scores were found in the aspiration group. The incidence of no-lfow or slow-lfow were also lower in aspiration group (all P<0.05). The LVEF after 6 and 12 months were higher in the aspiration group (both P<0.05), no difference in MACE between the two groups. Conclusions Using the Diver CE thrombus aspiration in PCI is a simple and safe by method for treatment of acute myocardial infarction with high thrombosis burden. It can improve reperfusion decrease the rates of no-relfow on slow-relfow and can improve the long-term left ventricular function.

Isolated alkaloids from Coptis chinensis Franch. The compounds were identified as berberine, columbamine, groenlandicine, jatrorrhizine, magnoflorine, corydaldine and ferulic acid methylester. Then measured their bitter degree based on the electronic tongue and evaluated the antibacterial. The results based on the Electronic Tongue showed that berberine, columbamine, groenlandicine and jatrorrhizine have higher bitter degree than magnoflorine and corydaldine. And they also appeared better antibacterial activity on E. coli and S. aureus. The correlation coefficients between bitter degree and the two bacteria antibacterial activity were 0.983 and 0.911. So there was close relationship between the bitter degree and antibacterial activity of bitter components. Thus, it is confirmed further that bitter components are the material foundation of medicinal effectiveness of bitter herbs.
Aporphines ; analysis ; Berberine ; analogs & derivatives ; analysis ; Berberine Alkaloids ; analysis ; Biomedical Research ; instrumentation ; methods ; Coptis ; chemistry ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; analysis ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Electronics ; instrumentation ; methods ; Escherichia coli ; drug effects ; growth & development ; Microbial Sensitivity Tests ; Reproducibility of Results ; Staphylococcus aureus ; drug effects ; growth & development ; Taste

BACKGROUND: Inflammatory microenvironment of nucleus pulposus cells is an important factor to promote nucleus pulposus degeneration. Inflammatory factors amplify the cascade of inflammation by activating the nuclear factor-κB signaling pathway to form a vicious cycle and accelerate the process of nucleus pulposus degeneration. It could delay the progression of intervertebral disc degeneration by inhibiting the activity of nuclear factor-κB signaling pathway. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the mechanism of Pheretima extract on nucleus pulposus cell degeneration. METHODS: Pheretima active ingredients were extracted by cold dipping. The cell counting kit-8 method was used to detect the effects of 0, 25, 50, 100, 200, 400 mg/L Pheretima extract on rat nucleus pulposus cell activity, and then suitable drug concentrations were chosen for following research. Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) was used to stimulate nucleus pulposus cells to induce the nucleus pulposus cell degeneration model. Pheretima extracts (50, 100, 200 mg/L) were used to treat the cell model. Western blot was used to detect the expression of Aggrecan, Collagen II, TNF-α and interleukin-6. RT-qPCR was used to detect mRNA expression of TNF-α and interleukin-6. Immunofluorescence was used to detect the nuclear expression of P65 in the nucleus pulposus cells. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Compared with the blank group (0 mg/L), 400 mg/L Pheretima extract inhibited the activity of nucleus pulposus cells, and 50, 100, 200 mg/L extracts of Pheretima were used for subsequent experimental research. Compared with the normal group, the expression of Aggrecan and Collagen II in the model group was reduced, the protein and mRNA expression levels of TNF-α and interleukin-6 were up-regulated, and P65 expression increased in the nucleus. Compared with the model group, Pheretima extract could increase the expression of Aggrecan and Collagen II, down-regulate the protein and mRNA levels of TNF-α and interleukin-6, and reduce P65 expression in the nucleus. To conclude, Pheretima extract can reduce the expression of inflammatory factors, increase the synthesis of extracellular matrix and inhibit nuclear factor-κB pathway activity. Pheretima extract may ameliorate nucleus pulposus cell degeneration in the intervertebral disc via the nuclear factor-κB signaling pathway.

Emerging evidence has indicated that circular RNAs (circRNAs) play pivotal roles in the regulation of cellular processes and are found to be aberrantly expressed in a variety of tumors.However,the clinical role of circRNAs in bladder cancer (BC) and the molecular mechanisms have yet to be fully understood.In this study,the clinical specimens were obtained and the expression level of a circRNA BCRC4 was detected by real-time PCR in both BC tissues and cell line.The circular RNA over-expression plasmid was constructed and transfected into BC cells and related cell line.The cell cycles and apoptosis were observed using inverted microscope and flow cytometry.Western blotting was used to compare the relative protein expression of groups with different treatments.It was found that circRNA BCRC4 expression was lower in BC tissues than in adjacent normal tissues.Furthermore,consequences of fomed-expression of BCRC4 promoted apoptosis and inhibited viability of T24T and UMUC3 cells,and up-regulated BCRC4-inereased miR-101 level,which suppressed EZH2 expression in both RNA and protein levels.In addition,gambogic acid (GA) is a promising natural anticancer compound for BC therapy,and GA treatment increased the BCRC4 expression in T24T and UMUC3 cells in a dose-dependent manner.Altogether,our findings suggest that BCRC4 functions as a tumor suppressor in BC,and mediates anticancer function,at least in part,by up-regulating the expression of miR-101.Targeting this newly identified circRNA may help us develop a novel strategy for treating human BC.

OBJECTIVETo isolate and culture human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and explore their biological features and ultrastructure.

METHODSAfter isolating MSCs from the human umbilical cord, the proliferation, cycle, and apoptosis were observed. The cell ultrastructure was observed under transmission electron microscope. The cytokines including vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) were detected using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

RESULTSHuman umbilical cord MSCs had fibroblast-like morphology and increased proliferation capability. Ultrastructural analysis showed that the MSCs had active cellular metabolism and strong migration and differentiation capabilities. Meanwhile, they could secrete anti-apoptotic cytokines such as VEGF, IGF-1, and HGF.

CONCLUSIONHuman umbilical cord MSCs can secrete many anti-apoptotic cytokine and have good biological features.

Apoptosis ; Cell Cycle ; Cell Proliferation ; Cells, Cultured ; Hepatocyte Growth Factor ; metabolism ; Humans ; Insulin-Like Growth Factor I ; metabolism ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; cytology ; metabolism ; ultrastructure ; Umbilical Cord ; cytology ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the efficient transfection of green fluorescent protein gene (GFP) mediated by recombinant adenovirus vector(Ad-GFP) to rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in vitro.

METHODSWistar rat bone marrow-derived MSCs were separated and purified in vitro by Percoll density gradient centrifugation combined with adherent cell culture followed by identification with flow cytometry. MSCs infected by Ad-GFP were observed and the transfection efficiency was assessed by fluorescence microscope. The proliferative ability of these cells was tested by CCK-8.

RESULTSThe transfection efficiency was as high as 90.0%. Expression of GFP gene of infected MSCs was stable for 1 month after infection. There was no statistically difference in proliferative ability between the infected MSCs and non-infected ones (P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe infected MSCs with Ad-GFP expressed GFP with high efficiency and retain the ability of proliferation as non-infected MSCs. Transgection with Ad-GFP is a highly effective method for labeling MSCs.

Adenoviridae ; genetics ; metabolism ; Animals ; Bone Marrow Cells ; cytology ; metabolism ; virology ; Cell Proliferation ; Cells, Cultured ; Female ; Genetic Vectors ; genetics ; metabolism ; Green Fluorescent Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Male ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; cytology ; metabolism ; virology ; Mice ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Transduction, Genetic ; methods