bjective: To study the expression of Slit protein and vascular endothelial cell growth factor(VEGF) in carcinogenesis of human oral mucosa and to investigate the relationship between the Slit and angiogenesis.Methods: The expression of Slit protein and VEGF was detected using immunohistochemical method,microvessel density (MVD) was counted following immunostaining with anti-vWF antibody in 40 cases of human oral squamous cell carcinoma(OSCC),18 cases of simple hyperplasia,20 cases of dysplasia,20 cases of carcinoma in situ and 19 cases of normal oral mucosa(NOM).Results The positive expression of Slit was detected in 34 cases of OSCC,4 of simple hyperplasia,7 of dysplasia,9 of carcinoma in situ and 1 of NOM(P

Objective To explore the relationship of Helicobacter pylori (Hp) infection and carotid plaques in patients with coronary heart disease and analyze the related factors of carotid plaques.Methods This study enrolled 209 patients.13C-urea breath test (13C-UBT) was used to assess Hp infection.Based on the results of 13C-UBT,patients were divided into infection-positive group (101 patients) and infection-negative group (108 patients).The incidence of carotid plaques was detected by color Doppler,and plasma homocysteine (Hcy),total cholesterol (TC),low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C),fibrinogen (Fbg),high sensitivity C reactive protein (hs-CRP) were measured and compared.Results The incidence of carotid plaques in infection-positive group(69.31％,70/101) was higher than that in infection-negative group (55.56％,60/108),and there was significant difference (P =0.040).There was significant difference in hs-CRP between infection-positive group and infection-negative group [(3.91 ± 1.91) mg/L vs.(2.65 ± 1.15)mg/L] (P =0.041).There were no significant difference in Hcy,TC,LDL-C,Fbg between infection-positive group and infection-negative group (P ＞ 0.05).Logistic regression analysis showed that Hp infection was correlated with carotid plaques in patients with coronary heart disease.The severity of Hp infection had no significant effect on the incidence of carotid plaques.Conclusions Hp infection-positive patients with coronary heart disease may have a higher incidence of carotid plaque,regardless of Hcy,LDL-C,Fbg and TC level.This study shows that Hp is correlated with carotid plaque.The severity of Hp infection has no significant effect on the incidence of carotid plaque.

AIMTo examine the liver mechanism with which clenbuterol (CL) is explained how to affect growth metabolism.

METHODSThe technique of chronic poly catheter was used to study the effects of CL (0.8 mg/kg b w) on the hepatic flux of nitrogen, VFA and glucose in 4 sheep.

RESULTSThe urea-nitrogen flux in CL-treated period always was lower than that in control during 24 h. The average flux of urea-nitrogen in hepatic and portal vein were decreased by 16.86% (P < 0.01) and 15.51% (P < 0.05), respectively, compared with that of control. The peptide level in hepatic vein was decreased with the treatment of CL, average flux of peptide was decreased by 38.71% (P < 0.01). But the peptide level of portal vein in CL treatment period was similar to control. Moreover, VFA level in the portal vein was enhanced by CL, the average flux of acetate in portal vein was increased by 19.49% (P < 0.01). No difference of VFA level in hepatic vein was noted between CL-treated period and control. In addition, the glucose flux in hepatic vein was obviously increased with CL treatment, the average flux of glucose was increased by 25.96% (P < 0.01). And glucose flux in portal vein was also elevated during CL-treated period.

CONCLUSIONCL can affect growth metabolism of animal with increasing nitrogen deposition, improving absorption and utilization of VFA and enhancing glucose synthesis in sheep liver.

Animals ; Clenbuterol ; pharmacology ; Fatty Acids, Volatile ; metabolism ; Glucose ; metabolism ; Liver ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Sheep

Many varieties of pulsatile blood pumps exist in the fields of artificial hearts and ventricular assist devices. Effective sorts can be achieved with the differences in power source and transmission mechanism. Horizontal comparison across different pulsatile blood pumps, together with evolution of similar species is studied to find the commonness and evolution laws for pulsatile blood pumps. After a review of typical pulsatile blood pumps from the angle of power source and transmission mechanism, much analysis is focus on a pulsatile drive structure with flexible electro-hydraulic transmission, and importance of hydraulic transmission to improve the implantation property of pulsatile blood pumps is discussed. Finally new application of electro-hydraulic pulsatile blood pumps in the future, such as the application in Direct Mechanical Ventricular Assistant Device (DMVAD) is given.
Equipment Design ; Heart, Artificial ; Heart-Assist Devices ; Pacemaker, Artificial ; Pulsatile Flow

Random amplified microsatellite polymorphism (RAMP) markers were used to access the genetic diversity among 112 samples of nine populations of Dendrobium officinale Kimura et Migo. Using 16 informative primers, 123 bands were amplified and 86 (69.92%) were polymorphic. The polymorphic bands from three to eight could be detected for each RAMP primer, with a mean of 5, indicating abundant genetic diversity among populations. Genetic similarity coefficients ranged from 0.250 to 0.813. UPGMA dendrogram illustrated 9 populations clustered into 3 groups, and the cluster pattern showed correlation with the locations of the D. officinale populations. These results were supported by the previous conclusions that were achieved by other molecular markers, and RAMP is proved to be effective for evaluating the genetic diversity of wild populations of Dendrobium officinale.

BACKGROUND:Currently, the research about effect of non-dextran coated superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles on cellproliferation and cytotoxicity is relatively much less. OBJECTIVE:To evaluate the effects of 0, 25, 50, 75, 100 mg/L non-dextran coated superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles on the proliferation and cytotoxicity of rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cels. METHODS:Culture media containing 0, 25, 50, 75, 100 mg/L non-dextran coated superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles were prepared for culture of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cels. After 24 hours of culture, the cels were confirmed using Prussian blue staining, and cellcounting was detected using cellcounting kit-8. Meanwhile, lactate dehydrogenase activity in the supernatant and intracelular superoxide dismutase activity were detected. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Loading of non-dextran coated superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles in BMSCs was confirmed by Prussian blue staining. The percentage of cels labeled with non-dextran coated superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles was up to 100% when the cels were incubated with a non-dextran coated superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticle solution of 50 mg/L and above, but 25 mg/L was insufficient to label al of the cels. Furthermore, as the concentration of non-dextran coated superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles decreased, the cellproliferation rate decreased gradualy. The 25 mg/L group had a minimum cellproliferation rate, but the 25 and 50 mg/L groups showed no statisticaly significant difference (P > 0.05). Therefore, 50 mg/L is considered as the appropriate concentration of non-dextran coated superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles, under which, the labeling efficiency is higher and the cytotoxicity is lower.

OBJECTIVETo study the role of Slit-Robo signaling in the proliferation of human mucoepidermoid carcinoma Mc3 cells.

METHODSWe measured the expressions of Slit2 and Robo1 proteins in human mucoepidermoid carcinoma Mc3 cells using immunohistochemistry and flow cytometry. To test the role of Slit-Robo signaling in the proliferation of the cells, we treated the cells with the monoclonal antibody R5 against Robo1 receptor extracellular domain and observed the changes in the cell proliferation by cell counting and colonogenic assay; the expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) in the cells following the treatment was measured with flow cytometry.

RESULTSTreatment of Mc3 cells with the monoclonal antibody R5 caused significantly suppressed cell growth and proliferation and obviously lowered the expression of PCNA.

CONCLUSIONSlit-Robo signaling can suppress the proliferation of Mc3 cells possibly by up-regulating the expression of PCNA.

Carcinoma, Mucoepidermoid ; pathology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; Humans ; Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins ; metabolism ; Nerve Tissue Proteins ; metabolism ; Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen ; metabolism ; Receptors, Immunologic ; metabolism ; Salivary Gland Neoplasms ; pathology ; Signal Transduction

OBJECTIVETo investigate the antitumor effect of recombinant IFN-alpha-2b-BCG on mouse bladder cancer MB49 cells in vitro, and to explore its antitumor mechanisms.

METHODSMB49 cells were co-cultured with recombinant BCG or wild BCG, and than were examined by light and transmission electron microscopy. The cell growth was assessed by MTT assay, and apoptosis rate and MHC-I of the MB49 cells was detected by flow cytometry using AO and Hoechst33258 fluorescence immunostaining.

RESULTSThe hIFN-alpha-2b-BCG-treated tumor cells showed slow growth, detachment of some cells, and various degree of degeneration. Light microscopy revealed organelle disorganization, chromatin aggregation, nuclear pyknosis, and cytolysis in some cells. Cellular membrane bulged and some bubbles were seen under fluorescence microscope using AO staining. Hoechst33258 assay also depicted frequent apoptosis in the tumor cells. The MTT assay showed that rBCG more actively than the wild BCG inhibited the proliferation of MB49 cells. The apoptosis rate of the recombinant BCG group was 19.7% and 46.6% at the time point of 24 h and 48 h, respectively, significantly higher than 10.8% and 20.9%, respectively, in the wild BCG group. The results of flow cytometry indicated that both types of BCG enhanced the expression of MHC-I in the MB49 cells, but more effective in the recombinant BCG group.

CONCLUSIONThe recombinant hIFN-alpha-2b-BCG has more strong immuno-modulatory properties, anti-tumor effect on MB49 cells and induces apparent cytotoxicity in the bladder cancer cells in vitro.

Adjuvants, Immunologic ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Antineoplastic Agents ; pharmacology ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; BCG Vaccine ; pharmacology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Cytotoxicity, Immunologic ; Histocompatibility Antigens Class I ; metabolism ; Interferon-alpha ; pharmacology ; Mice ; Recombinant Proteins ; pharmacology ; Urinary Bladder Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology

OBJECTIVETo observe the effects of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) alpha agonist Fenofibrate (FF) on energy metabolism and histology in isoproterenol (Iso) induced acute myocardial ischemic injury model.

METHODSMale Wistar rats were randomly divided into control group, Iso group (5 mg/kg, i.p.) and FF group (80 mgxkg(-1)xd(-1) per gavage for 7 days, then Iso 5 mg/kg, i.p. n = 30 each). Twenty-four hours post Iso, heart weight/body weight ratio, myocardial histopathological changes (HE staining), serum and myocardial free fatty acids (FFA) levels, the myocardial protein expression of PPARalpha (Western blot) were determined.

RESULTCompared with the control group, pathological myocardial injuries were observed under light microscope in Iso treated hearts and FF pretreatment could significantly attenuate these changes [necrotic area: 0 vs (10.00 +/- 3.00)% vs (7.36 +/- 2.60)%], the heart weight/body weight ratio, FFA in serum (501.17 +/- 43.69 vs 939.53 +/- 69.51 vs 736.53 +/- 70.30 micromol/L) and myocardium (62.01 +/- 9.19 vs 140.59 +/- 19.34 vs 116.28 +/- 14.03 micromol/L) were significantly increased while myocardial protein expressions of PPARalpha (251.57 +/- 10.95 vs 191.97 +/- 10.74 vs 215.08 +/- 9.61) was significantly downregulated in the Iso group and FF pretreatment could significantly attenuate these changes (all P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONOur data suggested that the FFA utilization was decreased in Iso induced acute myocardial ischemic injury and FF could attenuate Iso induced myocardial damage via activating PPARalpha signaling pathway.

Animals ; Disease Models, Animal ; Energy Metabolism ; Fenofibrate ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Isoproterenol ; Male ; Myocardial Ischemia ; chemically induced ; metabolism ; prevention & control ; Myocardial Reperfusion Injury ; chemically induced ; metabolism ; prevention & control ; Myocardium ; metabolism ; PPAR alpha ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar

AIMTo examine the liver mechanism with which clenbuterol is explained how to affect growth metabolism.

METHODSTwenty-four adult SD rats were randomly divided into three groups, a control and two treatment groups. The technique of isolated perfused rat liver in vitro was used to study the effects of clenbuterol on urea nitrogen concentration of perfused medium, GPT activity and synthesis and secretion of IGF-I in isolated perfused rat liver.

RESULTSUrea-nitrogen concentration of perfused medium was significantly affected by clenbuterol in a dose-dependent and time-dependent manner. The urea-nitrogen level was decreased by 15.02% (P > 0.05),17.97% (P > 0.05), 26.76% (P < 0.05) and 30.08% (P < 0.01) for 1 h, 2 h, 3 h, 4 h after administering clenbuterol at the dose of 1 x 10(-6) mol/L, respectively, compared to that of control. 1 x 10(-8) mol/L CL had the similar effect on urea-nitrogen level. GTP activity of isolated perfused rat liver was inhibited by clenbuterol. The enzyme activity was decreased by 24.65% (P < 0.05) at the dose of 1 10(-6) mol/L CL in clenbuterol-treated 4h. The production and secretion of IGF-I were also influenced by clenbuterol in isolated perfused rat liver. IGF-I concentration of rat liver was increased by 19.77% (P < 0.05) in 4 h clenbuterol treatment (1 x 10(-6) mol/L). Meanwhile, IGF-I concentration of perfusion medium was also elevated though the difference was not significant compared with control.

CONCLUSIONIt is suggested that clenbuterol may improve growth metabolism by means of increasing nitrogen retention and enhancing IGF-I production and secretion of rat liver.

Animals ; Clenbuterol ; pharmacology ; In Vitro Techniques ; Insulin-Like Growth Factor I ; metabolism ; Liver ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Nitrogen ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley