OBJECTIVETo prepare a novel apatite-wollastonite bioactive glass-ceramic-calcium sulphate hemihydrate(AW-BGC-CSH) composite, to study its biocompatibility, and to provide experimental support for its further clinical application.

METHODSSamples of AW-BGC-CSH composite were prepared with different AW-BGC granules-CSH ratios (50%, 40%, 30%, 20%). Surface morphology, microstructure and mechanical features of the composite were measured. Osteoblasts were cultivated in vitro on the composite. Cell morphology, proliferation, and the alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity of osteoblasts were examined to determine the biocompatibility of the composite.

RESULTSThe composite showed a three-dimensional pored structure with communicated micropores under scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The plasticity of the composite could be maintained within 3 - 5 min. Its top solidification temperature was 36.4°C and the maximum compressive strength was 9.3 MPa. The osteoblasts adhered to the composite and grew well. At 1, 3, 5, 7 d after cultivated, the microprotein contents of the composite were (251 ± 12), (296 ± 31), (580 ± 13) and (571 ± 15) mg/L, and the ALP activity of the composite were (4.50 ± 0.68), (6.90 ± 0.27), (12.05 ± 0.28) and (11.86 ± 0.63) U/mg. The results of the ALP activity and microprotein contents in the experiment group were significantly higher than those in the control group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe prepared AW-BGC-CSH composite has a three-dimensional pored structure, favourable plasticity, mechanical property and good biocompatibility.

Apatites ; chemistry ; Biocompatible Materials ; chemistry ; Calcium Compounds ; chemistry ; Calcium Sulfate ; chemistry ; Cells, Cultured ; Ceramics ; chemistry ; Materials Testing ; Osteoblasts ; cytology ; Silicates ; chemistry

Animal models with kidney disease are generally divided into two types. One belongs to the models which imitate human kidney disease by the artificial operations, such as anti-glomerular basement membrane antibody nephritis, Heymann nephritis, anti-Thyl. 1 antibody nephritis, BSA nephritis and puromycin nephropathy. The other one pertains to the models which make themselves kidney disease, and appear the pathological characteristics naturally as like as human, such as HIGA mice with IgA nephropathy and NZB/WF1 and MRL/1pr mice with lupus nephritis. In addition,the transgenic animal models with kidney disease can also be established by the modern molecular biologic techniques including gene knockout and siRNA transfection. As for the studies related with kidney disease in pharmacodynamics and pharmacology of Chinese herbal medicine (CHM), it is important to understand deeply the features of each animal model with kidney disease, and select accurately the proper models according to the different experimental objectives, and then, build the special models provided with the combination of disease with syndrome in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Therefore,it is the developmental direction for the further study to establish animal models with kidney disease, which should possess the characteristics of syndrome in TCM.
Animals ; Diabetic Nephropathies ; etiology ; Disease Models, Animal ; Humans ; Kidney Diseases ; etiology ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Mice ; Streptozocin

?AlM: To analyze and study the changes of intraocular pressure ( lOP) , visual field and P-ERG on patients with big cup/disk (C/D) in 24h.
?METHODS: A total of 120 cases ( 240 eyes ) diagnosed with big C/D (C/D>0. 3) were divided into group A (C/D<0. 6, 67 cases, 114 eyes ) and group B ( C/D≥0. 6, 73 cases, 126 eyes). Forty cases (80 eyes) with small C/D (C/D≤0. 3) were chosen as control group. All cases underwent 24h lOP examination, vision examination of 30-2 SlTA - standard static threshold and pattern electroretinogram ( P-ERG) examination. The differences between the examination indexes of the three groups were analyzed.
?RESULTS:There was no significant statistical difference in the 24h average lOP (P>0. 05) among the three groups, while the amplitudes had significant statistical differences (P<0. 05). Compared with the control group, the lOP amplitudes of group B were obviously higher, and the difference was of statistical significance (P<0. 05). ln terms of static threshold visual fields, the mean deviations (MD) and pattern standard deviations (PSD) of the three groups had significant statistical differences ( P < 0. 05 ). Comparison between every two groups:compared with the control group, the MD and the PSD were significantly increased in group B, and the difference was of statistical significance (P<0. 05); while there was no significant statistical difference in group A (P>0. 05);Compared with group A, the MD and the PSD were significantly higher in group B, and the difference was of statistical significance (P<0. 05). ln terms of P-ERG examination, there was no significant statistical difference in P50’s latent periods among the three groups (P>0. 05), but there were significant statistical differences in amplitudes (P<0. 05). Comparison between every two groups: compared with the control group, the P50’s amplitude was significantly decreased in group B, and the difference was of statistical significance (P<0. 05), while there was no significant statistical difference in group A (P>0. 05); Compared with group A, the P50’s amplitude of group B was significantly lower, and the difference was of statistical significance (P<0. 05).
?CONCLUSlON: When the patients’ C/D is no less than 0. 6, there are obvious changes of 24h lOP, static threshold visual field and P-ERG’s P50 wave. For patients with big C/D, a single lOP examination is far from sufficient, so an in-depth visual function examination should be performed. Meanwhile, it’s feasible to regard C/D 0. 6 as a screening criterion for suspected glaucoma.

Mongolian folk medicine, the important part of Mongolian medicine, is the main means, method and weapon of disease prevention, treatment and health care. Mongolian materia medicas are the important literatures of guiding the healthy development of the modern Mongolian medicine with a long and dazzling history. Since the founding of new China, a new history chapter of Mongolian folk medicine was opened under the attention and support from all levels of party and government. This paper intends to provide comprehensive insight into the rapid development of Mongolian folk medicine. The resources, phytochemistry, quality standard, pharmacology, dosage forms reform and production were reviewed to expound the process that Mongolian folk medicine was developed from traditional practices to scientific development
Medicine, Mongolian Traditional ; standards ; Science

OBJECTIVETo study the expression of miRNA-106a gene in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) and its association with clinicopathological features and prognosis of ESCC patients.

METHODSReal-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay was used to determine the expression of miRNA-106a gene in esophageal cancer tissue and corresponding normal mucosa of 81 cases. Immunohistochemical technique was applied to detect the expression of p53, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER-2), DNA topoisomerase II (Topo II) and multidrug resistance-associated protein (MRP). The association of miRNA-106a expression with clinicopathological features, expression of related proteins, and prognosis of the patients was analyzed.

RESULTSAmong the 81 cases, under-expression of miRNA-106a gene was found in 48 cases (59.3%), normal expression in 22 cases (27.2%), and overexpression in 11 cases (13.6%). The expression of miRNA-106 gene was significantly associated with lymph node metastasis, pathological stage, and nerve invasion (all P < 0.05), significantly associated with expression of p53 (P = 0.006), and not significantly associated with expressions of HER-2, Topo II and MRP proteins (all P > 0.05). The expression of miRNA-106a gene was also significantly associated with progression-free survival (PFS, P = 0.032), but not significantly with overall survival (OS, P = 0.486). The results of Cox multivariate regression analysis showed that the PFS of ESCC patients was significantly correlated with lymph node metastasis (P = 0.029), but not correlated with the age, gender, tumor length, T stage, degree of differentiation, nerve invasion, and miRNA-106a expression (all P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSIn esophageal squamous cell carcinomas, the miRNA-106a gene is under-expressed, with tumor suppressor function, and may be regarded as a biological marker to assess the prognosis in patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

Adult ; Aged ; Biomarkers, Tumor ; metabolism ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; DNA Topoisomerases, Type II ; metabolism ; Disease-Free Survival ; Esophageal Neoplasms ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Male ; MicroRNAs ; metabolism ; Middle Aged ; Multidrug Resistance-Associated Proteins ; metabolism ; Neoplasm Invasiveness ; Neoplasm Staging ; Proportional Hazards Models ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Receptor, ErbB-2 ; metabolism ; Survival Rate ; Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the application of side-to-side anastomosis of the lesser curvature of stomach and jejunum in laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGB).

METHODSClinical data of 29 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) undergoing side to side anastomosis of the lesser curvature of stomach and jejunum in LRYGB from May 2012 to November 2012 in Department of General Surgery, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University were analyzed retrospectively.

RESULTSAll the procedures were successfully completed without conversion to laparotomy. The side-to-side anastomosis of the lesser curvature of stomach and jejunum avoided the laparoscopic suture. No gastrojejunostomy anastomotic bleeding, fistula, obstruction and other complications occurred after operation and no complications of gastrojejunostomy anastomosis were found during a follow up of 1 to 7 months.

CONCLUSIONSSide-to-side anastomosis of the lesser curvature of stomach and jejunum in LRYGB can manipulate the size of anastomosis accurately and avoid the laparoscopic suturing. It is simple and easy to learn.

Adult ; Aged ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; surgery ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Gastric Bypass ; methods ; Humans ; Jejunum ; surgery ; Laparoscopy ; methods ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Stomach ; surgery ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of Sol-Gel coating on the corrosion resistance of nickel-chronium alloys in vitro.

METHODSThe bond strength of coating-substrate interface sintered at different temperatures (300, 400, 500, 600 degrees C) was tested by scratching method. The Sol-Gel coating was analyzed by scanning electron microscope (SEM), and its corrosion resistance was assessed by a static immersion method.

RESULTSThe bond strength of coating-substrate interface reaches the peak at 400 degrees C. The Sol -Gel coating can apparently inhibit the release of metal ions and improve the corrosion resistance of nickel-chromium alloy.

CONCLUSIONSol-Gel coating can evidently improve corrosion resistance of the nickel-chromium alloy, which has great potential in prospective clinical practice.

Alloys ; Chromium Alloys ; Corrosion ; Dental Alloys ; Humans ; Nickel ; Polymethyl Methacrylate ; Prospective Studies

OBJECTIVETo demonstrate the effects and mechanisms of Huangkui capsule (HKC) on renal fibrosis in rats with diabetic nephropathy (DN).

METHODRats were randomly divided into 5 groups, the sham-operated group (Sham group, n = 5), the vehicle-given group (Vehicle group, n = 7), the low dose of HKC-treated group (L-HKC group, n = 7), the high dose of HKC-treated group (H-HKC group, n = 7) and the lipoic acid (LA)-treated group (LA group, n = 7). DN models were induced by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (STZ,35 mg x kg(-1)) twice and unilateral nephrectomy. After models were successfully established, the rats in HKC and LA groups were daily administrated with HKC suspensions (0.75, 2 g x kg(-1)) or LA suspensions (60 mg x kg(-1)) respectively, and at the same time, the rats in Vehicle group were daily administrated with distilled water (2 mL) for 8 weeks. All rats were sacrificed at the end of week 8 to collect blood and renal tissues. UAlb, renal function, renal fibrotic morphologic characteristics, as well as oxidative stress (OS)-related markers, the protein expressions of the key signaling molecules in p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38MAPK) signaling pathway, fibrogenic cytokines and inflammatory factors were examined respectively.

RESULTHKC, similar to LA, improved the general state of health, body weight, UAlb, BUN, UA and Alb in DN model rats. Of note, renal fibrosis was ameliorated in HKC groups,especially in H-HKC group which was better than that in LA group. In addition, HKC not only improved the main indexes of OS in the kidney like LA, but also down-regulated the protein expressions of phosphorylated-p38MAPK (p-p38MAPK), transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 and tumor necrosis factor(TNF)-α in the kidney, whereas, LA only decreased the protein expression of TNF-α in the kidney in DN model rats.

CONCLUSIONHKC, similar to LA, has the actions of anti-OS in vivo. Moreover, HKC could attenuate renal fibrosis by suppressing the activation of p38MAPK signaling pathway and the protein expressions of fibrogenic cytokines and inflammatory factors in the kidney in DN model rats, which is different from LA.

Abelmoschus ; chemistry ; Animals ; Capsules ; Diabetic Nephropathies ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; pathology ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Fibrosis ; Kidney ; drug effects ; pathology ; MAP Kinase Signaling System ; drug effects ; Male ; Oxidative Stress ; drug effects ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases ; antagonists & inhibitors

OBJECTIVETo explore the effects and mechanisms of multi-glycoside of Tripterygium wilfordii (GTW) on improving glomerular inflammatory lesion in rats with diabetic nephropathy (DN).

METHODDN model was induced by unilateral nephrectomy and intraperitoneal injection of STZ (35 mg x kg(-1)) twice. The rats were randomly divided into 3 groups, the sham-operated group (Sham group, n = 5), the vehicle-given group (Vehicle group, n = 5 ) and GTW-treated group (GTW group, n = 5). After the model was successfully established, the rats in GTW group were daily oral administrated with GTW suspension (50 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1)), meanwhile, the rats in Vehicle group were daily oral administrated with distilled water (2 mL) for 8 weeks. From the beginning of the administration, all rats were killed 8 weeks later. Blood and renal tissues were collected,and then UAlb, renal function, glomerular morphology characteristics and glomerular macrophages (ED1 + cells) infiltration, as well as the protein expressions of inflammatory cytokines including tumor necrosis factor(TNF)-α and interleukin(IL)-lβ, and the key molecules in p38MAPK signaling pathway including p38 mitogenactivated protein kinase (MAPK), phosphorylated p38 (p-p38MAPK) and transforming growth factor(TGF)-β1 were investigated respectively.

RESULTGTW not only ameliorated the general state of health and body weight,but also attenuated UAlb, glomerulosclerosis, the infiltration of glomerular ED1 + cells and the protein expressions of TNF-α, IL-1β, p-p38MAPK and TGF-β1 in the kidney in DN model rats.

CONCLUSIONBy means of DN model rats, we demonstrated that GTW has the protective effect on renal inflammatory damage in vivo via inhibiting inflammatory cells infiltration and inflammatory cytokines expression. Furthermore, GTW could improve renal inflammatory lesion through down-regulating the expressions of the key signaling molecules in p38MAPK pathway such as p-p38MAPK and TGF-β1 ,and inhibiting the activation of p38MAPK signaling in the kidney.

Animals ; Diabetic Nephropathies ; drug therapy ; Disease Models, Animal ; Glomerulonephritis ; drug therapy ; Glycosides ; pharmacology ; MAP Kinase Signaling System ; drug effects ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; analysis ; Tripterygium ; chemistry ; p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases ; physiology

In the development of diabetic nephropathy (DN), reactive oxygen specie (ROS) over much in vivo leads to oxidative stress(OS)-related renal injuries, which are characterized by the structural and functional changes in glomerular and renal tubular cells in morphology. The regulative approaches of OS involve the several signaling pathways, in which, both p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway and adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) signaling pathway play the important roles as the target of anti-oxidants. The interventional actions of Chinese herbal compound prescriptions and the extracts of single Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) on OS in the kidney in DN include regulating the balance between ROS and antioxidants, reducing the production of AGEs, inhibiting the expression of growth factors and intervening the activity of signaling pathways.
Animals ; Diabetic Nephropathies ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; Humans ; Kidney ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Oxidative Stress ; drug effects ; Signal Transduction ; drug effects ; Treatment Outcome