ObjectiveTo explore the effect of Curcumin on TGF-β1 and HGF in pulmonary fibrosis and the effect of different concentrations of Curcumin on the expression of HGF and TGF-β1 in pulmonary fibrosis.Methods90 health male SD rats were randomly divided into six groups as follows:the control group ( group A),model group ( group B),prednisolone-treated group ( group C),and groups of low ( D group),middle( group E) and high( group F) dose curcumin (50,100,and 200 mg/kg,respectively).Animal model of pulmonary fibrosis was produced in SD rats by the endotracheal bleomycin,samples were obtained on days 7,14,and 28.The expression of HGF and TGF-β1 were measured by RT-PCR and Westem blot.ResultsThe light density values (0.693 ±0.028) and gray value (0.96 ±0.10)of TGF-β1 on day 28 of group A was the lowest,while the light density values ( 1.586 ±0.020) and gray value ( 1.77 ±0.15 ) of group B was the highest,the light density values (0.881 ± 0.032) and gray value ( 1.19 ±+ 0.12 )of group F was lower than group B.But the light density value and gray value of HGF showed reverse,the light density values and gray value of HGF on day 28 of group F was the highest,there was no statistical difference between group B and group D ( P ＞ 0.05).ConclusionsThe protective effect of Cucumin against pulmonary fibrosis may be through stimulating the activity of HGF and inhibiting the activity of TGFβ1 in a dose-dependent manner.

AIM:To investigate the effect of microRNA ( miR)-193b on doxorubicin therapy in breast cancer in vitro.METHODS:miR-193b level in plasma was detected by real-time PCR in the patients with breast cancer or the healthy controls.MTT assay was performed to measure the inhibitory effect of miR-193b plus doxorubicin on the growth of MDA-MB-231 cells.Bioinformatics, real-time PCR and Western blot were performed to determine whether the expression of Mcl-1 was regulated by miR-193b.Mcl-1 expression vector was constructed , and the role of Mcl-1 vector toward miR-193b plus doxorubicin-induced cytotoxicity in MDA-MB-231 cells was observed by MTT assay .RESULTS:Down-regulation of miR-193b was found in breast cancer patients .The miR-193b plus doxorubicin group showed a higher growth inhibition than cisplation group in MDA-MB-231 cells.The expression of Mcl-1 at both mRNA and protein levels was down-regulated after miR-193b transfection.The growth inhibition of MDA-MB-231 cells treated with miR-193b plus doxorubicin was sig-nificantly decreased after the transfection of Mcl-1 expression vector.CONCLUSION: miR-193b sensitizes doxorubicin-induced cytotoxicity by targeting Mcl-1 in breast cancer .

Objective To evaluate the clinical significance of serum procalcitonin (PCT)in early diagnosis of pul-monary tuberculosis (PTB)complicated with pulmonary infection.Methods Clinical data of active PTB patients admitted to a hospital between August and December 2013 were collected,patients were divided into bacterial infec-tion group(n=104),fungal infection group(n=37)and control group (n=95)according to whether patients were associated with bacterial infection,fungal infection,and without infection,serum PCT concentrations in three groups were compared,receiver operating characteristic (ROC)curve analysis was conducted.Results The median PCT concentrations in bacterial infection and fungal infection group was 0.44ng/mL and 0.30ng/mL respectively, which was significantly higher than 0.16ng/mL of control group(Z =9.49,3.51 respectively,both P <0.001 ).The area under curve (AUC)was 0.89(0.84-0.93)and 0.69(0.61 -0.77)respectively;cut-off point was 0.31 ng/mL and 0.27 ng/mL respectively;sensitivity was 79.81%(70.57%-86.80%)and 59.46%(42.19%-74.80%)respectively;specificity was 83.16%(73.79%-89.78%)and 73.68%(63.48%-81.95%)respectively.Conclusion PCT level is a valuable predictor for early diagnosis of PTB complicated with pulmonary infection,and can provide reference for the rational use of antimicrobial agents.

Mild cognitive impairment is a transitional stage between normal aging and dementia. It is important in terms of recognizing memory loss in older people as well as identifying a group of individuals at high risk of developing dementia and who may benefit from preventive strategies. Ginkgo biloba extract has been shown to possess polyvalent properties, such as anti-oxidation, anti-apoptosis and anti-inflammation. Ginkgo biloba extract appears to have a neuroprotective effect against neurodegenerative diseases.

Objective To explore an effective method for establishing femoral head necrosis models in young dog and to evaluate osteogenesis of vascular pedicled periosteum transplanted in the repairment offemoral head necrosis of young dogs.Methods Animal models of femoral head necrosis were established by liguting and destroying femoral neck artery circles as well as freezing femoral heads with liquid nitrogen in 29 dogs.At 4 weeks, the animal models of femoral head necrosis were evaluated through X-ray, MRI, ECT,and 2 dogs were randomly executed and detectd by histology examination, then 29 dogs were divided randomly into experimental group(n = 12), control group(n = 9 )and blank group(n = 8).Dogs in the experimental group were treated with the vascular pedicled periosteum from isolateral great trochanter, dogs in the control group were treated with the vascular pedicled bone from isolateral great trochanter, and the blank group were without any treatment.4,8, 12 weeks postoperation,these femoral heads were examined morphologically, radiologieally(X-ray, MRI, ECT) and histologically.All animals were executed and detectd by histology at 12 weeks to observe the repairs of necrotic femoral heads at different periods.Results Twelve weeks postoperation, dogs femoral head figurations in the experimental group were normal, MRI signals were odds in femoral head, ECT studies shows decreased radionuclide compared with contralateral femoral head;capillary vessel and osteoblast multiplication and new traboeulacs were matured in histology examination.Dogs femoral head figurations in the contral group were irregular, MRI revealed high-low signals intermix in femoral head, ECT revealed obviously decreased radionuclide, osteoblast actived, new trabeculac and lipocyte were observed in histology examination.In blank group, femoral head figurations were distorted and sunk, while MRI signals were low, ECT showed no radionuclide uptaking.Collapsed trabeculas and many vacant bone lacuna were observed in HE staining.Dogs femoral head figurations in the blank group taken on distortion andsunk, MRI signals were low, without radionuclide revealed uptake, trabeculac collapse, many bone lacuna were vacant.At the same time, radionuclide counts of vascular pedicled periosteums/vascular pedicled bones in ECT were significantly different between experimental group and control group(P < 0.01 ).Conclusion The vascular pedicled periosteum has higher osteogenesis capability compared with the vascular pedicled bone and can effectively repair the femoral head necrosis of young dogs by this means.

Objective To test intraoperative radiotherapy with mobile photon beam using the INTRABEAM system ( Germany) , and to analyze the dosimetric characteristics of low?energy photon beam using X?ray source and spherical applicators and explore its potential limitations in clinical application. Methods A special water phantom, a parallel?plate ionization chamber, and an electrometer were used to measure the depth dose rates and isotropy of dose distribution in x/y plane of X?ray source and different spherical applicators in the INTRABEAM system. Those data were then compared with the system data. Results For the X?ray source, the deviation of observed depth dose rate and isotropy in the x/y plane from the system data were-2.16%± 1. 36% and-1.9%~ 2. 1%, respectively. For applicators with different diameters, the deviation of observed depth dose rate, transfer coefficient, and isotropy in x/y plane from the system data were-10.0%~2. 3%,-8.9%~4. 2%, and-1.6%~2. 6%, respectively. Surface dose rate and dose gradient became larger with the decrease in the diameter of the spherical applicator. The measurement of depth dose rate and isotropy of X?ray source and spherical applicators showed good repeatability. The influencing factors for measurement accuracy included the positioning error of ionization chamber, energy response, noise current, and correction factor f ’ ( R ) . Conclusions This study reveals the dosimetric characteristics of the INTRABEAM system, verifies the accuracy of the system data, and obtains the data for clinical application and routine quality assurance. However, large dose gradient and small therapeutic range may limit its wide clinical application.

AIM: To investigate the influence and mechanism of recombinant interleukin-13 (rIL-13) on fibroblasts. METHODS: 3T3 fibroblasts were divided into two groups: the treated group was treated with rIL-13 (80 ?g/L, 24 h or 48 h) and the control was without rIL-13 treatment. Transmission electron microscope and Hoechst kit were used to observe morphology of 3T3 fibroblasts in both groups. The activity of proliferation in both groups was investigated and compared by MTT means. Western blot was used to analyze the level of collagen type I induced by rIL-13 in fibroblasts. The levels of IL-6 and IL-8 in the culture supernatants were determined by radioimmunoassay. RESULTS: The more ribosomes and mitochondrions, as well as bigger nuclei were found in the treated group. The production of IL-6 and IL-8, and proliferation ratio of fibroblasts treated with rIL-13 for 24 h or 48 h were increased obviously, compared with the control (P

We investigated the development of an injectable, biodegradable hydrogel composite of poly(trimethylene carbonate)-F127-poly(trimethylene carbonate)(PTMC11-F127-PTMC11 )loaded with bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2) derived peptide P24 for ectopic bone formation in vivo and evaluated its release kinetics in vitro. Then we evaluated P24 peptide release kinetics from different concentration of PTMC11-F127-PTMC11 hydrogel in vitro using bicinchoninic acid (BCA)assay. P24/ PTMC11-F127-PTMC11 hydrogel was implanted into each rat's erector muscle of spine and ectopic bone formation of the implanted gel in vivo was detected by hematoxylin and eosin stain (HE). PTMC11-F127-PTMC11 hydrogel with concentration more than 20 percent showed sustained slow release for one month after the initial burst release. Bone trabeculae surround the P24/ PTMC11-F127-PTMC11 hydrogel was shown at the end of six weeks by hematoxylin and eosin stain. These results indicated that encapsulated bone morphogenetic protein (BMP-2) derived peptide P24 remained viable in vivo, thus suggesting the potential of PTMC11-F127-PT- MC11 composite hydrogels as part of a novel strategy for localized delivery of bioactive molecules.
Animals ; Biocompatible Materials ; chemistry ; Bone Morphogenetic Proteins ; pharmacology ; Bone and Bones ; drug effects ; Dioxanes ; chemistry ; Drug Delivery Systems ; Hydrogels ; chemistry ; Osteogenesis ; drug effects ; Peptides ; Prostheses and Implants ; Rats

Objective To detect brain structural difference between children with unexplained mental retardation and children with typically normal development. Methods The high-resolution magnetic MR imaging were obtained from 21 children with unexplained mental retardation and 30 age-matched control children without intellectual disabilities. Voxel-based morphometry analysis with an optimization of spatial segmentation and normalization procedures were applied to compare differences of gray matter volume between the two groups. The total and regional gray matter volume were compared between the two groups with independent t test. Meanwhile, correlation was conducted to analyze the relationship between the total gray matter volume and intelligence quotient (IQ) with partial correlation test. Results The total gray matter volume was significantly increased in the mental retardation children [(1. 012 ±0. 079) × 106 mm3]in relative to the controls [(0. 956 ± 0. 059) × 106 mm3, t = - 2. 80, P ＜ 0. 05]. Compared to controls,children with unexplained mental retardation showed significantly increased gray matter volume in different regions, including the bilateral thalami, the bilateral superior frontal gyri, the bilateral gyri rectus, the bilateral temporal poles, the right inferior frontal gyrus, right parahippocampal gyrus and the right cerebellum. No correlation was detected between the total gray matter volume and IQ in children with mental retardation (r = 0. 078 ,P ＞ 0. 05). Conclusions VBM would detect the gray matter abnormalities that were not founded in routine MR scanning. The increase of gray matter volume in the frontal-thalamus network might indicate the delayed maturation of the brain development. This might be one of the causations of mental retardation in children.

Objective To prepare P24/PTMC11-F127-PTMC11 hydrogel,to study the in vitro release profile and to observe ectopic bone formation in p24 peptide incorporated PTMC11-F127-PTMC11 hydrogel.Methods Corresponding weight powder of p24 peptide was infunded into tubes of PTMC11-F127-PTMC11 solution with concentrations of 16％,20％ and 25％.Release profiles of P24 peptide in different concentration PTMC11-F127-PTMC11 hydrogel were measured in vitro by BCA assay.P24/PTMC11-F127-PTMC11 hydrogel was implanted into each rat's erector muscle of spine,and the implanted gel was detected by hematoxylin and eosin stain (HE).Results PTMC11-F127-PTMC11 hydrogel showed sustained slow release for the whole process after the initial burst release.With the increase of concentration in PTMC11-F127-PTMC.hydrogel,the initial burst release was reduced significantly.Ectopic bone formation was observed by computed tomography in p24 peptide incorporated PTMC11-F127-PTMC11 hydrogel after four weeks.Bone trabeculae surround the P24/PTMC11-F127-PTMC11 hydrogel was observed at forth week by hematoxylin and eosin stain.The bone trabeculae became thicker from sixth week.Conclusion Delayed release of peptide from the hydrogel was mainly controlled by disintegration of hydrogel and a satisfactory release profile was observed.These results suggest that the p24-loaded PTMC11-F127-PTMC11 hydrogel remmns active of p24 at the implanted site,continuously induce differentiation of osteoblast precursor cells into osteoblasts,and activate osteoblasts to promote ectopic calcification.