AIM: To investigated the effects of Chlamydia pneumoniae (C.pneumoniae) infection on the expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) in cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). METHODS: After propagated in HEP-2 cells, C. pneumoniae organisms were infected to HUVECs. The infection was assessed by ectromicroscope and PCR. The expression of ICAM-1 on HUVECs was detected by flow cytometry before infection and 12 h, 24 h, 48 h, 72 h after infection. RT-PCR was used to detect the ICAM-1 mRNA expression. RESULTS: C.pneumoniae was able to infect cultured HUVECs. After infection, the expression of ICAM-1 on the surface of cultured HUVECs was increased,, the peak was at the time of about 24-48 h; The light quantative RT-PCR analysis demonstrated that the infection also enhanced the ICAM-1 mRNA expression. CONCLUSION: The ability of C.pneumoniae to grow in HUVECs and to stimulate the expression of ICAM-1 protein and mRNA suggests that C.pneumoniae may play a role in atheriosclerosis.

Micro Network interactive system introduced the whole process of medical morphology laboratory which creates a new teaching mode and significantly improve the teaching quality and efficiency for medical Morphology Experimental teaching, by full realization of a clear vivid images, language interaction and the sharing of information resources and diluting the discipline lines. At the same time, It put forward new demands about knowledge and ability of network knowledge, techniques, image data sources, the development and application of function to teachers.

AIM: Cross talk between oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) and angiotensin II(Ang-Ⅱ) may play an important role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that AngⅡ can induce expression of lectin-like oxidized low-density lipoprotein receptor-1 (LOX-1), a new receptor for ox-LDL, in cultured THP-1 cells. METHODS: Cultured THP-1 cells were treated with 0.1 ?mol/L PMA for 48 hours at first .Then the cells were incubated with 10 -9 -10 -5 mol/L Ang II for 24 hours, or with 10 -6 mol/L Ang II for various time up to 48 hours. LOX-1 protein expression was examined by cell enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and LOX-1 mRNA was detected by quantitative competitive reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) . RESULTS: PMA-untreated THP-1 cells didn't express LOX-1 mRNA. After 48 h of PMA treatment, THP-1 cells differentiated and LOX-1 mRNA was detected. Incubation of AngII with THP-1 cells for 24 h significantly increased LOX-1 mRNA and protein expression in a concentration-dependent manner (10 -9 -10 -5 mol/L, P

AIM: To study the effect of cocaine on caspase-3 in myocardiac cells of male rats in different age. METHODS: Three-week-old( n= 16), six-week-old( n= 16) and twelve-week-old( n= 16)male Sprague Dawley rats were all divided into control groups and experiment groups randomly, each group had eight animals, experiment groups were given cocaine hydrochloride (15 mg?kg -1 body weight) subcutaneously daily for four weeks.The ratio of heart weight to body weight (HW/BW,mg/g) were measured. DNA fragmentation of myocardia cells was determined by gel electrophoresis, and caspase-3 activity in myocardia cells was tested by flow cytometry (FCM). RESULTS: In three experiment groups, the DNA isolated from myocardial cells displayed clear ladder pattern. The HW/BW and the caspase-3 activity were increased significantly than those of control groups ( P

Objective To investigate the relationship between activation of gliacytes , mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38MAPK) and neuronal apoptosis after microinjecting aggregated Aβ25-35 into hippocampus.Methods The model was established by using stereotaxic technique to inject 10μg aggregated Aβ25-35 into dorsal hippocampus in rats .The rats were grouped as the control , vehicle and model groups .Immunohistochemistry and Western blotting were used for detection of activation of microglia(MG), atrocytes (AS) and expression of p-p38MAPK in the hippocampus.ELISA was used to evaluate the level of TNF-αand IL-1β.The survival neurons were observed by Nissl staining and the apoptotic neurons were identified by tunnel staining .Results Expression of ox-42, GFAP, p-p38MAPK were up-regulated in hippocampus, as well as TNF-α、IL-1β, which reached a highest value on the 7th day after injection of Aβ25-35.However, the number of neuron with Nissl positive decreased gradually , and the tunnel positive neurons increased highly and reached a peak value on the 7th day.There were significant differences between the control and vehicle group ( P <0.01). Conclusion Apoptosis of the neuron caused by Aβ25-35 injection may result from activation of gliacytes , p38 MAPK and increase of TNF-αand IL-1βlevel.

A series of novel biodegradable and bionic functional polymers, PLLA-PC-PLLA, were synthesized using L-lactide ring-opening polymerization by L-a-Glycerophosphorylcholine (PC) from nature source. The hydrophilicity of the polymers was investigated. The results made known that, as PC group was brought into the backbone of PLLA, PLLA-PC-PLLA gained much better hydrophilicity than did PLLA, and polar phosphatidylcholines probably transferred to the sample surface in aqueous environment. The relative growth ratios of ECV304 cells to the lixivium of all PLLA-PC-PLLA were higher than 84% in 5 d culture. The cells adhesion of ECV304 on the films of PLLA-PC-PLLA lagged as compared to that on PLLA, but they could proliferate and cover the films in total. The difference between PLLA-PC-PLLA and PLLA was due to the existence of PC group. Thus, PLLA-PC-PLLA, the same as PLLA, are not cytotoxic, and ECV304 can attach and proliferate on them. PLLA-PC-PLLA have potential applications in the fields of tissue engineering and drug delivery system.
Cell Adhesion ; physiology ; Drug Carriers ; Endothelial Cells ; cytology ; Humans ; Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions ; Lactic Acid ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Phosphorylcholine ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Polyesters ; Polymers ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Surface Properties ; Tissue Scaffolds ; Umbilical Veins ; cytology

Objective To evaluate perfusion computed tomography in the assessment of portal vein pressure changes in an experimental dog model of liver cirrhosis and portal hypertension.Methods The canine model of cirrhosis and portal hypertension was induced by portal vein stenosis with combination of systemic thioacetamide(TAA) feeding in drinking water.All of the Beagles in control group and cirrhotic group underwent hepatic perfusion on a spiral CT scanner.The parameters of hepatic perfusion were calculated by the method of deconvolution.The portal vein pressure was measured by a laparotomy surgery.Results ① In control group, the portal vein pressure was ( 14.5 ± 2.2) cm H2O, while it was (23.1 ± 2.8) cm H2O in PHT group, there was significant difference in the portal vein pressure between the two groups (P＜0.05).② The blood flow(BF) was (112 ±14) ml·100 g-1·min-1 in controls, while ( 96 ± 11) ml·100 g-1·min-1 in PHT group; the blood volume ( BV ) in control group and PHT group was (10 ±3) ml·100 g-1 and (11 ± 5) ml· 100 g-1, respectively; the mean transit time( MTT) was (7.1 ± 2.0) s and (10.4 ± 3.5) s, respectively; the hepatic arterial fraction (HAF) was ( 24 ± 5) % and ( 37 ± 6)% , respectively; the hepatic arterial perfusion (HAP) was(27 ±6) ml·100 g-1·min-1 and (35 ±5) ml·100 g-1·min-1, respectively; the portal venous perfusion (PVP) was (85 ± 13) ml·100 g-1·min-1 and (61 ±11) ml·100 g-1·min-1, respectively.There was significant difference in all parameters between the two groups except the parameter BV(P ＜ 0.05).③ In PHT group, the PVP and BF were negatively correlated with the portal vein pressure, while positively correlated with MTT and HAF.Portal vein pressure was negatively correlated with PVP, the equation, Y = 36.624 -0.219X, was deduced with linear regression analysis, by which the portal vein pressure in PHT Beagles was ( 23.2 ± 2.4) cm H2O, which was correlated with the observed by laparotomy value (23.1 ± 2.8) cm H2O (r = 0.843, P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion CT perfusion is a new non-invasive and effective method for assessment of portal vein pressure.

The properties of biomedical intelligent polymer materials can be changed obviously when there is a little physical or chemical change in external condition. They are in the forms of solids, solutions and polymers on the surface of carrier, including aqueous solution of hydrophilic polymers, cross-linking hydrophilic polymers (i.e. hydrogels) and the polymers on the surface of carrier. In this paper are reviewed the progress in researches and the application of biomedical intelligent polymer materials.
Biocompatible Materials ; chemistry ; Biotechnology ; Chemical Phenomena ; Chemistry, Physical ; Hydrogel, Polyethylene Glycol Dimethacrylate ; chemistry ; Polymers ; chemistry ; Surface Properties

Self-assembly of peptides is ubiquitous in the body of creatures. The molecules of peptides combine with each other to form proteins with different functions through self-assembly. The formation of a specific conformation of one type of protein is owing to the self-assembly of its compositive amino acids. So, researchers can design self-assembly of peptides at the molecular level and can control its formation and configuration. It has the potential for application in the preparation of new medicines and biomaterials. In recent years, self-assembling peptides have been increasingly high-lighted and used to simulate the function of natural biomolecules, to synthesize peptide-medicine, and to serve as the carriers of medicine.
Biocompatible Materials ; chemical synthesis ; Molecular Conformation ; Nanotechnology ; methods ; Peptides ; chemistry ; Protein Engineering ; methods

Background: Bovine group A rotavirus (BoRVA) is a major cause of severe gastroenteritis in newborn dairy calves. Only one study has investigated the G and P genotypes among dairy calves in a few regions of China, which were G6 and P[5]. Therefore, data on the prevalence and molecular characteristics of BoRVA in dairy calves in China remains limited. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence and molecular characteristics of BoRVA in dairy calves in China. Methods: 269 dairy calves diarrheic samples from 23 farms in six provinces in China were collected to detect BoRVA using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Results: 71% of samples were determined to be BoRVA-positive. Two G genotypes (G6, G10) and two P genotypes (P[1], P[5]) were identified, and G6P[1] BoRVA was the predominant strain. Moreover, the VP7 and VP4 gene sequences of these dairy calf BoRVA strains revealed abundant genetic diversity. Interestingly, eight out of 17 complete G6 VP7 sequences were clustered into G6 lineage VI and analysis showed the strains were closely related to Chinese yak BoRVA strains. Conclusions The results of this study show that BoRVA circulates widely among dairy calves in China, and the dominant genotype in circulation is G6P[1], first report on molecular characteristics of complete P[5] VP4 genes in chinese dairy calves. These results will help us to further understand the prevalence and genetic evolution of BoRVA among dairy calves in China and, thus, prevent the disease more effectively.