The AC impedance of human hepatoma SMMC-7721 cells were measured in our laboratory by Agilent 4294A impedance analyzer in the frequency range of 0.01-100 MHz. And then the effect of hematocrit on electrical impedance characteristics of hepatoma cells was observed by electrical impedance spectroscopy, Bode diagram, Nyquist diagram and Nichols diagram. The results showed that firstly, there is a frequency dependence, i.e., the increment of real part and the imaginary part of complex electrical impedance (δZ', δZ"), the increment of the amplitude modulus of complex electrical impedance (δ[Z *]) and phase angle (δθ) were all changed with the increasing frequency. Secondly, it showed cell volume fraction (CVF) dependence, i. e. , the increment of low-frequency limit (δZ'0, δ[Z*] 0), peak (δZ"(p), δθ(p)), area and radius (Nyquist diagram, Nichols diagram) were all increased along with the electric field frequency. Thirdly, there was the presence of two characteristic frequencies: the first characteristic frequency (f(c1)) and the second characteristic frequency (f(c2)), which were originated respectively in the polarization effects of two interfaces that the cell membrane and extracellular fluid, cell membrane and cytoplasm. A conclusion can be drawn that the electrical impedance spectroscopy is able to be used to observe the electrical characteristics of human hepatoma cells, and therefore this method can be used to investigate the electrophysiological mechanisms of liver cancer cells, and provide research tools and observation parameters, and it also has important theoretical value and potential applications for screening anticancer drugs.
Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Membrane ; Cytoplasm ; Electric Impedance ; Electrophysiological Phenomena ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; Membrane Potentials

BACKGROUND: Polylactic acid copolymer bone scaffold has excellent biodegradability, and it is easy to be shaped and can promote the formation and growth of bone tissue and blood vessel.OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of adipose-derived stem cells(ADSCs)/poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) complex on the biomechanical properties after fracture healing in osteoporotic bone.METHODS: Sixty Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into four groups: blank control group received no treatment; the bilateral tibial fracture model was made after 3 months of bilateral ovarian resection in model group; the bilateral tibial fracture model was made and ADSCs were implanted into the bone after 3 months of bilateral ovarian resection in cell therapy group; the bilateral tibial fracture model was made and the PLGA/ADSCs complex was implanted after 3 months of bilateral ovarian resection in combined treatment group.The bone mineral density, callus thickness, biomechanical parameters and the microstructure of the trabecular bone were detected.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) The bone density: The bone density of the model group was significantly lower than that of the blank control group (P < 0.05); the bone mineral density of the cell therapy group and the combined treatment group was higher than that of the model group (P < 0.05), but lower than that of the control group (P < 0.05); and the bone mineral density of the combination treatment group was higher than that of the cell therapy group (P < 0.05). (2)Thickness of the callus: The thickness of the callus in the cell therapy group and combined treatment group was higher than that of the model group and blank control group (P < 0.05); moreover, the thickness of the callus in the combined treatment group was higher than that of the cell therapy group (P < 0.05). (3) Biomechanical test: The failure load, stress and shear strength, elastic modulus were decreased in the model group compared with the blank control group (P < 0.05), while the shear strain increased (P < 0.05). Compared with the model group, the failure load, ultimate stress, shear strength, elastic modulus were increased in the cell therapy group and combined treatment group (P < 0.05), and the shear strain was decreased (P < 0.05). Moreover, the combined treatment group showed more changes in these biomechanical parameters (P < 0.05). (4) The trabecular bone microstructure: The model group presented with trabecular derangement, spacing increases, and even fracture and lacuna. After ADSCs or ADSCs/PLGA transplantation,the trabecular bones increased in number, thickness, and spacing, and the number of lacunae reduced. In conclusion,ADSCs combined with PLGA in the treatment of osteoporotic fracture can significantly improve the biomechanical parameters of bone tissue after healing.

Head and Neck Neoplasms

BACKGROUND: SSh as a Hedgehog signal protein can promote bone development, growth and remodeling.OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) combined with Shh modified nano-hydroxyapatite/collagen (nHAC) in the repair of femoral defects in rats.METHODS: Forty-eight Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into four groups, and the model of femoral defects was established in these rats. At 14 days after modeling, experimental group was implanted with the BMSCs/Shh modified nHAC, scaffold group was implanted with simple nHAC, cell scaffold group was implanted with BMSCs/nHAC,and blank control group was without any implantation. At 3, 6, 9, 12 weeks after repair, X-ray examination, bone density measurement and bone biopsy in bone defect area were performed.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) X-ray examination: The Lane-Sandhu X-ray score and bone mineral density value in the experimental group at different time points after operation were significantly higher than those in the other three groups (P < 0.05). (2) Hematoxylin-eosin staining: 12 weeks after repair, a small amount of bone tissues but no bone marrow formed in the scaffold group; a small amount of bone tissues with absence of bone marrow formed in the cell scaffold group, and the residual scaffold was visible; in the experimental group, the scaffold was completely absorbed,and mature bone and medullary cavity formed with presence of bone marrow. (3) Scanning electron microscope observation: 12 weeks after repair, irregular arrangement of bone fibers and a large number of bone fossae were observed in the scaffold group; the cell scaffold group showed a large number of osteoblasts, but bone fibers still arranged irregularly; in the presence of the Haversian system, a large number of regularly arranged bone trabeculae were detective in the experimental group. These results elucidate that the Shh modified nHAC/BMSCs complex can promote the repair of bone defects.

Objective Through the analysis of cases,to improve the cognition of clinicians on extracranial vas-cular embolism diseases(VED)in children.Methods The clinical information included incidence trend,thrombophi-lia,clinical features,treatment and prognosis of 29 children with VED,who were admitted from January 201 1 to Decem-ber 201 5 in Nanjing Children′s Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing Medical University,and retrospectively analyzed.Results The annual rate of VED increased from 0 to 1 .49 per 1 0 000 hospital admissions from January 201 1 to December 201 5.In 29 cases,there were 20 male and 9 female,with an average age of 6.03 years old (2 h -1 3.83 years old).In-fants accounted for >20%(6 /29 cases).The average age of the female,non infected group,rheumatic disease group and venous thrombosis group was higher than that of the male,the infection group,the non rheumatic disease group and the arterial embolization group,but there was no significant difference(all P >0.05).Thrombophilia were as follows:in-fection disease,heart disease,kidney disease syndrome,rheumatoid disease,tumor,and twins embolization syndrome. Risk factors included central venous line,immobility,dehydration,glucocorticoids use,etc.Heart disease was the leading cause of non thrombotic embolism,while other thrombophilic diseases resulted in thrombotic embolism.Pulmonary em-bolism was mainly seen in patients with severe pneumonia,especially mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia (MPP ).The older the age,the more typical clinical manifestations,and significantly elevated D dimer,fibrin/fibrinogen degradation products tips VED.Treatment depends on the degree of risk.Thirty -seven point five percent(3 /8 cases)of children with arterial embolism were less than 1 year old,and the mortality 25.00% (2 /8 cases)was significantly higher than that of venous thrombosis 1 7.65%(3 /1 7 cases)and 1 1 .76% (2 /1 7 cases).Conclusion Heart disease mainly cause arterial embolism and infection,while nephritic syndrome and rheumatic disease mainly cause venous embolism.Pulmona-ry embolism is mainly seen in children with severe pneumonia,especially MPP.The risk of arterial embolization is higher than that of venous embolism.

OBJECTIVETo explore the mechanisms of Qianjing Decoction in the treatment of oligoasthenospermia (OAS).

METHODSWe randomly divided 100 SPF male rats into five groups of equal number: normal, model, Huangjingzanyu, levocarnitine, and Qiangjing. OAS models were established in the animals followed by intragastrical administration of normal saline, ornidazole, Huangjingzanyu Capsules (200 mg per kg body weight per day), levocarnitine (100 mg per kg body weight per day), and Qianjing Decoction (10 g per kg body weight per day), respectively, qd, for 4 successive weeks. Then, we detected the concentration and motility of the epididymal sperm, obtained the contents of superoxide dismutase (SOD), malonaldehyde (MDA), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), α-glucosidase, and fructose in the epididymis, and determined the mRNA expressions of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) in the epididymal tissue of the rats by real-time PCR.

RESULTSThe concentration and motility of the epididymal sperm in the model, Huangjingzanyu, levocarnitine, and Qianging groups were (35.34 ± 4.22) x 10(6)/ml and (40.04 ± 7.05)%, (48.12 ± 5.56) x 10(6)/ml and (62.46 ± 7.12)%, (47.14 ± 4.87) x 10(6)/ml and (63.23 ± 6.34)%, and (50.25 ± 5.08) x 10(6)/ml and (66.34 ± 7.58)%, respectively, all significantly lower than in the normal group ([53.05 ± 4.55] x 10(6)/ml and [70.20 ± 8.54]%) (P < 0.05), but remarkably higher in the Huangjingzanyu, levocarnitine, and Qiangjing groups than in the model rats (P < 0.05). Compared with the thinned epididymal lumen walls, decreased sperm count, and disorderly and loose arrangement of the lumens in the OAS models, the rats in the Huangjingzanyu, levocarnitine, and Qiangjing groups showed evidently thicker epididymal lumen walls, with the lumens full of sperm cells and arranged regularly and compactly, similar to those of the normal rats. The levels of SOD and GSH-Px were significantly lower but that of MDA markedly higher in the model rats ([84.12 ± 23.25], [10.56 ± 3.02], and [14.04 ± 2.06] nmol/mg) than in the normal group ([110.04 ± 19.56], [17.25 ± 3.56], and [8.87 ± 1.35] nmol/mg) (P < 0.05), while the former two indexes remarkably higher and the latter one significantly lower in the animals treated with Qiangjing Decoction ([120.56 ± 23.68], [16.34 ± 3.12], and [8.45 ± 1.56] nmol/mg), Huangjingzanyu Capsules ([115.34 ± 21.35], [15.23 ± 3.67], and [8.33 ± 1.54] nmol/mg), and levocarnitine ([116.67 ± 22.67], [15.35 ± 3.45], and [8.05 ± 1.78] nmol/mg) than in the models (P < 0.05). The levels of fructose, LDH and α-glucosidase were decreased markedly in the OAS models ([100.22 ± 12.12] mg/[ ml x g], [322 ± 46.13] U/[ ml x g], and [10.48 ± 2.33] U/[ml x g]) as compared with the normal rats ([128.12 ± 13.45] mg/[ml x g], [428 ± 35.12] U/[ml x g], and [15.34 ± 3.12] U/[ ml x g]) (P < 0.05), remarkably higher in the rats treated with Qiangjing ([130.23 ± 13.67] mg/[ml x g] [455 ± 51.50] U/[ml x g], and [18.56 ± 4.67] U/[ml x g]), Huangjingzanyu ([124.16 ± 14.02] mg/[ml x g], [ 419 ± 43.14] U/[ml x g], and [17.64 ± 4.08] U/[ml x g]), and levocarnitine ([123.34 ± 14.02] mg/[ml x g], [430 ± 31.80] U/ [ml x g], and [16.85 ± 5.55] U/[ml x g]) than in the models (P < 0.05). The Nrf2 mRNA expression was significantly reduced in the models as compared with the normal rats (P < 0.05) but remarkably increased in the Huangingzanyu, Qiangjing and levocarnitine groups as compared with the model and normal animals (P < 0.05). The SDH mRNA expression was significantly lower in the model than in the normal rats (P < 0.05) but markedly elevated in the Huangjingzanyu, Qiangjing and levocarnitine groups as compared with the model and normal animals (P < 0.05), remarkably higher in the Qiangjing than in the Huangjingzanyu group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONOrnidazole induces OAS in rats, which is closely associated with excessive oxidation and energy metabolism dysfunction. Qiangjing Decoction can improve and even reverse ornidazole-induced OAS in rats as well as improve the ultrastructure of their testicular and epididymal tissues. Antioxidation and improvement of energy metabolism are probably the action mechanisms of Qiangjing Decoction in the treatment of OAS.

Animals ; Antioxidants ; Asthenozoospermia ; chemically induced ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Carnitine ; pharmacology ; Disease Models, Animal ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Energy Metabolism ; drug effects ; Epididymis ; metabolism ; Glutathione Peroxidase ; metabolism ; L-Lactate Dehydrogenase ; metabolism ; Male ; Malondialdehyde ; metabolism ; Oligospermia ; chemically induced ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Ornidazole ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Sperm Count ; Sperm Motility ; Spermatozoa ; drug effects ; physiology ; Succinate Dehydrogenase ; metabolism ; Superoxide Dismutase ; metabolism ; alpha-Glucosidases ; metabolism

Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; genetics ; pathology ; Gene Expression Profiling ; Genomics ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; genetics ; pathology ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; genetics ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local ; genetics

Objective To explore the relationship of plasma NT-proBNP level and severity of chronic congestive heart failure (CHF) and investigate the curative effect and security of meglumine adenosine cyclophosphate (MAC) combined with perindopril on patients with CHF.Methods From June 2011 to June 2013,126 inpatients with chronic congestive heart failure were randomly divided into A group (42 cases,routine therapy),B group (41 cases,routine therapy and perindopril) and C group (43 cases,routine therapy and perindopril plus MAC),all cases treated for 14 days.The left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVEDD) by echocardiography and plasma NT-proBNP levels were evaluated before and after 14 days therapy.Results The plasma NT-proBNP levels in NYHA Ⅱ ～ Ⅳ classes were significantly difference compared each other between any two classes (P ＜0.05) and the levels was positively correlated with NYHA cardiac function class and LVEDD (r =0.617,P ＜ 0.01 ; r =0.412,P ＜ 0.01),negatively correlated with LVEF (r =-0.372,P ＜ 0.01).After 14 days therapy,compared with A group,the LVEF and LVEDD significantly improved (P ＜ 0.05) and NT-proBNP level significantly decreased (P ＜ 0.05) in B,C groups; Compared with B group,C group had lower NT-proBNP level (P ＜ 0.05) although no further improvement in cardiac function.Conclusions The plasma NT-proBNP level is correlated closely with the severity of CHF and it is a good examination of diagnose,therapy and evaluating prognosis of CHF.Perindopril may significantly decline plasma NT-proBNP level and improve cardiac function of CHF patients,combined with MAC may further decline plasma NT-proBNP level although not further improved LVEF.Giving MAC and perindopril to patients with CHF was secure and patients tolerated it well.

Objective To establish binomial equation Cole-Cole mathematical modeling methods and the parameters in rat erythrocyte impedance spectra,as well as to discuss the sources of the ? and the ? dispersion.Methods The impedance of erythrocyte suspension was measured with Agilent 4294A impedance analyzer within the frequency range of 0.01~100 MHz.The residual error of the fitting curve was determined with non-linear numerical calculation of Cole-Cole equation.Then the Cole-Cole mathematical model parameters of rat erythrocyte were established with the Bode and the Nyquist plots.Results The Cole-Cole mathematical model parameters of rat erythrocyte impedance spectrum: the high-frequency limit of impedance R∞=63/?cm,the 1st relaxation impedance increment ?R1=59/?cm,the 1st characteristic frequency fC1 =2.4 MHz,the 1st relaxation dispersion angle ?1=0.07,the 2nd relaxation impedance increment ?R2=48/?cm,the 2nd characteristic frequency fC2 =370 MHz,the 2nd relaxation dispersion angle ?2=0.22.Conclusion The ? and ? relaxation behavior of rat erythrocyte impedance spectrum can be expressed with the two-type Cole-Cole mathematical model.The ? dispersion is formed from the capacitive response of cell membrane and the ? dispersion from frequency response of intracellular hemoglobin.

Objective To explore the diagnostic value of 18F-FDG PET-CT in lymphoma associated hemophagocytic syndrome (HSP).Methods Retrospective analysis of 30 patients with HPS who underwent 18F-FDG PET-CT detection,and was also compared to pathologically confirmed lymphoma associated HPS to evaluate its diagnostic sensitivity,specificity,positive predictive value and negative predictive value,and to analyze the characteristics of PET-CT imaging in lymphoma associated HPS.Results In the 30 patients,the sensitivity,specificity,positive predictive value and negative predictive value in detecting lymphoma associated HPS by 18F-FDG PET-CT were 85.71％ (12/14),93.75 ％ (15/16),92.31％ (12/13) and 88.24 ％(15/17),respectively.The sensitivities of PET-CT between T-cell and B-cell lymphoma related HPS had no significant difference (P =0.066).In superficial lymph nodes,supraclavicular lymph nodes were the most commonly involved.In deeper tissues and organs,spleen was the most commonly involved site,followed by liver,abdominal retroperitoneal lymph nodes and bone marrow.Conclusion 18F-FDG PET-CT has a high sensitivity and specificity in the detection of lymphoma associated HPS,and may provide valuable information for diagnosis and treatment.