Objective To evaluate the inhibitory effect of cationic Liposomes complexed to plasmids encoding endostatin and/or angiostatin on the growth and metastasis of Lewis lung cancer in mice model. Methods C57BL/6j mice were established as mice model. Cationic liposome complexed plasmids encoding angiostatin and endostatin were administrated intratumorally to inhibit the growth and metastasis of the implanted tumor. The size change of the tumor; metastasis in lung, the activity, nourishment, survival period of the mice were observed to evaluate the function of cationic liposome complexed plasmids. Results The treatment group could inhibit the growth and metastasis of the implanted tumor. Comparing with control group, they showed significance in tumor size, metastasis in lung and survival period of the mice (P

OBJECTIVE: To establish an animal model of alcoholic fatty liver (AFL) and to observe the prevention and treatment with New Qinggan Decoction (NQGD). METHODS: Female SD rats were exposed to the mixture of white spirit and corn oil continuously for up to 6 weeks via an intragastric feeding protocol. The pathologic alteration of the liver and the changes of serum lipid were observed, and the effect of NQGD for preventing and treating AFL was studied. RESULTS: Wide hepatic steatosis was induced in model group rats. Serum triglyceride (TG) and total cholesterol (TC) of the model group were higher than those of the normal group (P<0.01). Serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) of the model group were higher than those of the normal group (P<0.05). In NQGD group, hepatic steatosis was milder than that in the model group, and serum TG, TC, AST, ALT descended significantly as compared with the model group (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: AFL model of rats established by feeding the mixture of white spirit and corn oil is similar to the episode of the human AFL, and is easy to intervene with medicine. NQGD can prevent the occurrence of AFL in this model.

Objective:To study the protective and therapeutic effects of Zengshengxiao Capsules (ZSX) on atrophic gastritis in rats. Methods: The model was established by methods of active immunity and gastrogavage with bile and hot water. The method of acetic acid writhing was used. Results: (ZSX) had actions of promoting the blood flow of gastric mucosa, increasing in pH, inhibiting inflammatory cell infiltration, glandular atrophia and atypical hyperplasia. It also had action of alleviating pain. There were no toxic and side effects. Conclusion: (ZSX) had remarkably preventive and therapeutic effects on atrophic gastritis of rats.

BACKGROUND: Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) is mainly concerned with macrophage mobilizing function, as the upper stream cytokine of tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), which may have critical effect in the process of the onset of rheumatoid arthritis. OBJECTIVE: To explore the correlations between the change of serum MIF and the activity of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) disease.DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING: Non-randomized control and case study, which was carried out in the Bethune International Peace Hospital of Chinese PLA from September in 2005 to October in 2006.PARTICIPANTS: Sixty RA patients were included in this study, and other thirty healthy subjects were selected as the control group. There were significant differences in age and sex between the two groups. METHODS: Clinical data of sixty RA patients were selected by carrying out retrospective analysis, then on the basis of disease activity score (DAS) accumulated points, they were divided into active and inactive group respectively, who were contrasted with 30 health adults. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: ① Morning stiffness (in minutes), joint tenderness index, arthrocele index, semi-quantity rheumatoid factor (RF), C-reactive protein concentration (CRP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), and platelet count (PLT) were recorded; ② To compare the level of serum MIF, IL-1β and TNF-α among active group, inactive group, and control group; ③ The correlation analysis was carried out among the level of serum MIF, inflammatory index and clinical observation index.RESULTS: There was significantly increased in serum MIF of patients in the active group compared to of inactive and normal groups (P < 0.05), but there were no significantly differences between inactive and control groups (P > 0.05). There were significant correlations between the serum MIF concentration and active inflammatory index of RA disease, blood sedimentationrate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP), platelet counting (PLT), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), swell joint index (SJI) and tenderness joint, but no significant difference was observed between the serum MIF, age, disease course, morning stiffness and rheumatoid factor (RF).CONCLUSION: The serum MIF concentration is significantly increased in patients with RA, and it may be a useful parameter for monitoring disease activity of RA.

BACKGROUND: Pharmacological researches demonstrate that Chinese crude drugs of invigorating the kidney contain flavonoids such as prepared rhizome of rehmannia and kudzuvine root, they possess phytoestrogenic effect, among them, isoflavone acts as a regulator of estrogen receptor.OBJECTIVE: To approach the effects of self-planned Bushen Huoxue Fang (BSHXF) on the serum estradiol and estrogen receptor α mRNA expression in pituitary gland in rats with collagen-induced arthritis. DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING: Randomized grouping controlled animal experiment was performed in the central laboratory of Bethune Intemational Peace Hospital of Chinese PLA between May 2006 and May 2008. MATERIALS: Sixty female and healthy Wistar rats were randomly divided into sham operated group (n=10) and operation group (n=50). Operation group was reproduced collagen-induced arthritis model at 2 weeks following ovariectomy. The rats of arthritic index ≥ 5 were assigned into model group, BSHXF group, methotrexate (MTX) group, and MTX + BSHXF group, each group included 10 rats. The Chinese crude drugs were bought from LERENTANG drugstore in Shijiazhuang, including rhizoma drynariae, safflower, prepared rhizome of rehmannia, Herba Epimedii, danshen root, kudzuvine root and so on. After routine decoction, centrifugalization, rogue and condensing 1.3 kg/L decoction, the solution was sealed up, divided pack and reserved at 4℃.METHODS: Sham operated group and model group were intragastrically administered with normal saline 2 mL per day; BSHXF group with BSHXF decoction 2 mL per day; MTX group with MTX 2.6 mg/kg (2 mL) once a week, and normal saline 2 mL per day at other time points; MTX + BSHXF group with MTX 2.6 mg/kg (2 mL) once a week and BSHXF juice 2 mL per day. Each group was given 6 weeks.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: After blooding by abdominalis aorta, magnetic-split enzyme linked immunosorbent assay was applied to detect the level of serum estradiol. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction detected the expression of estrogen receptor a mRNA in rat pituitary gland.RESULTS: Compared with model group, the expression of estrogen receptor a mRNA in pituitary gland increased in the MTX group, but there was not statistically significant. BSHXF + MTX group showed a significantly increased expression (P < 0.01). The expression of estrogen receptor α mRNA in BSHXF group was higher than MTX group, but lower than BSHXF + MTX group (P < 0.05). No significant difference existed between BSHXF group, BSHXF + MTX group and sham operation group. Compared with sham operation group, there were statistically significant decrease of estradiol in the model group. Compared with model group, the estradiol levels were shown to increase in three treatment groups. Among them, MTX group had slightly slower level with no significant difference (P > 0.05), while BSHXF + MTX group had the most obvious increase, which was close to normal level (P < 0.01). There was a significantly positive correlation between estradiol and the expression of estrogen receptor o mRNA (r=0.483, P < 0.05).CONCLUSION: Serf-planned BSHXF possessing oestrogenic hormonelike role can elevate the level of serum estradiol and upregulate the expression of estrogen receptor a mRNA in pituitary gland.

Objective To observe the difference of retinal vessel oxygen saturation in glaucoma and normal eyes.Methods A cross sectional study design was performed.Fifty eyes of 30 glaucoma patients (glaucoma group) and 41 eyes of 27 age-and sex-matched healthy subjects (control group) were included.Retinal vessel oxygen saturation was measured with a spectrophotometric retinal oximeter in darkness and visual fields were obtained by Humphrey filed analyzer.The glaucoma eyes were divided into two groups:mean defect (MD) ＜6 dB (28 eyes) and MD≥6 dB (22 eyes) according to mean defect of visual field.Results Retinal arteriolar oxygen saturation values in glaucoma group and control group were (94.52 ±6.51) ％ and (93.47±6.30) ％ respectively.No statistical difference was found in retinal oxygen saturation in arterioles (H =-0.949,P =0.343).Retinal venous oxygen saturation values in glaucoma group and control group were (57.57 ± 7.96)％ and (52.60 ± 7.70) ％ respectively.The retinal venous oxygen saturation values in glaucoma group was higher than that in control group (H=-3.318,P=0.001).The retinal arteriovenous difference in glaucoma group and control group were (36.59± 4.69)％ and (42.41 ±6.73) ％ respectively.The retinal arteriovenous difference in glaucoma group was lower than that in control group (H=-4.148,P＜0.01).The retinal arteriolar oxygen saturation values in glaucoma eyes with MD＜6 dB and MD≥6 dB were (93.38 ± 6.33)％ and (95.71 ± 6.54)％ respectively,with no statistical difference (H=-1.857,P=0.063).Retinal venous oxygen saturation values in glaucoma eyes with MD＜6 dB and MD≥6 dB were (54.83 ± 6.10) ％ and (6 1.07 ± 8.79) ％ respectively.The retinal venous oxygen saturation values in MD≥ 6 dB glaucoma eyes was higher than that in MD＜ 6 dB glaucoma eyes (H =-2.599,P=0.009).The retinal arteriovenous difference in glaucoma eyes with MD＜6 dB and MD≥6 dB were (38.12± 4.34) ％ and (34.64 ± 4.49) ％ respectively.The retinal arteriovenous difference in MD≥6 dB glaucoma eyes was lower than that in MD＜6 dB glaucoma eyes (H=-2.463,P＜0.05).Conclusions Compared with healthy eyes,there is no change in the retinal arteriolar oxygen saturation,but the retinal venous oxygen saturation is higher and the retinal arteriovenous difference is lower.This feature is more obvious in MD≥6 dB glaucoma eyes.

Objective To investigate the toxicity-reducing and action-enhancing effects of total glucosides of paeony (TGP) on tripterygium glycosides (TG) in treating murine lupus nephritis (LN).Methods Chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD) murine LN model was established.Modeling mice were randomly divided into three groups:LN group,TG group (in the dose of 30 mg?kg-1?d-1),and TG+TGP group (TG in the dose of 30 mg?kg-1?d-1 and TGP in the dose of 200 mg?kg-1?d-1),6 mice in each group.Another six normal mice served as control.Medication groups received corresponding medicine according to the experimental design,and mice in the normal control group and LN group received the same volume of saline,qd,for 4 weeks.After the treatment,the levels of 24-hour urinary protein excretion (UPE),blood urea nitrogen (BUN),serum creatinine (SCr),serum alanine transferase (ALT) and aspartate transferase (AST),and contents of superoxide dismustase (SOD),malondialdehyde (MDA),and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) in liver tissue homogenate were measured.Meanwhile,the pathologic changes of kidneys in each group were detected.Results Compared with LN group,levels of UPE,BUN and SCr in TG group and TG+TGP group were decreased notablely (P

Adult stem cells from skeletal muscle cells were induced to differentiate into cardiocytes to see if stem cells from another different but histologically-comparable tissues can differentiate to the target cells. Skeletal muscles-derived stem cells (MDSCs) were isolated from adult skeleton muscle tissues by differential adhesion, and immunocytochemically identified by using Sca-1. In order to induce the proliferation but not differentiation of MDSCs, the cells were cultured in Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium/F12 (DMEM/F12) supplemented with 1:50 B27, 20 ng/mL basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), 20 ng/mL epidermal growth factor (EGF) in a suspension for 6 days. Then these stem cells were treated with 5 mumol/L 5-azacytidine for 24 h in an adherence culture. The characteristics of induced cells were examined by immunocytochemistry, quantitative real time RT-PCR and morphological observation of cell phenotype. Our results showed that the appearance of some cells gradually changed from spindle-shape into polygonal or short-column-shape. Some of these post-treated cells could contract spontaneously and rhythmically. The expression of GATA-4 and cTnT was increased 1 and 2 week(s) after the treatment. And about 16.6% of post-treated cells were cTnT-positive. Therefore, we are led to conclude that skeletal muscle-derived stem cells could differentiate into cardiocyte-like cells, which exhibited some characteristics of cardiocytes.

Objective To investigate the underlying mechnisms of Kangai-1(KAI1)gene,a tumor metastasis suppressor gene,on metastasis and prolification of pancreatic cancer cells.Methods The plasmin containing Ad-KAI1 was established and transfected into pancreatic cancer cell line PCNA Ⅰ.The PCNA Ⅰ cells were then divided into different groups according to the times induced by vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)and epidermal growth factor(EGF).The morphology and migrational ability of PANC Ⅰ cells were compared before and after transfection by microscopy and transwell method,respectively.The expressions of intercellular adhesion molecule-1(ICAM-1)and matrix metalloproteinases-9(MMP-9)in PANC Ⅰ cells were examined by immunocytochemistry before and after transfection.Results The migrational ability of PCNA Ⅰ cells transfected with Ad-KAI1 was siginificantly decreased compared with untransfected PCNA Ⅰ cells(P＜0.05).Immunocytochemistry study revealed that the expressions of ICAM-1 and MMP-9 were both positive in untransfected PCNA Ⅰcells,but were both negative in transfected PCNA Ⅰ cells.Conclusion The inhibitory mechanism of KAI1 gene on metastasis of pancreatic cancer is associated with down-regulation of ICAM-1 and MMP-9expressions.

BACKGROUND: With the increasing number of patients undergoing knee arthroplasty in China, the complications caused by the mismatch of prosthesis with anatomical parameters arouse extensive attentions.OBJECTIVE: To measure the anatomical parameters of the knee joints in healthy Zhuang ethnic group from Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China, using three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction technology, thus providing reference for the design and placement of the hip prosthesis.METHODS: Sixty-eight individuals, including 30 females and 38 males, were selected from 217 healthy people undergoing CT examination. All data were imported into Mimics 15.0 software used for 3D reconstruction, and then the knee parameters were then measured and analyzed.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: There was no significant difference in the parameters of the bilateral femur and tibia (P > 0.05). The femoral parameters had significant differences between genders (P < 0.05). The width of tibial platform, sagittal length of lateral tibial platform, distance between medial tibial plateau and fibular head, and posterior slope of tibial plateau showed no significant differences between genders (P > 0.05), while there were significant differences in the width of medial/lateral tibial platform, and sagittal length of medial tibial platform between genders (P < 0.05). The sagittal length of medial femoral condyle was negatively correlated with age, and all femoral parameters were positively correlated with height; while only the width of medial and lateral tibial platform were positively correlated with height. To conclude, 3D reconstruction technology is available for research on the morphology of the knee joint in the Zhuang ethnic group from Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, which provides references for prosthesis design and research appropriate for the Zhuang ethnic group.