Inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) and iNOS/COX-2 signal transduction path-ways are closely related to occurrence and development of diseases , such as tumor, immunity, inflammation, hypoxia, ischemia, injury and so on.iNOS/COX-2 controls the physiological and pathological activities of human lower urinary tract .This article summarizes the role and mechanism of iNOS/COX-2 signal transduction pathways in related diseases .It not only provids an important target for treat-ment of disease and but provides a theoretical basis and research ideas for the development and research of new drugs .

BACKGROUND: Collagen type Ⅰ possesses low antigenicity and provides special functions of scaffold structure for cell migration, proliferation and secretion.OBJECTIVE: To observe the morphological change after combination of transformed human embryonic tendon cells and artificial materials with collagen type Ⅰ, so as to provide the experimental basis for constructing tissue-engineered muscle tendon in vitro.DESIGN: Randomized and controlled observation.SETTING: Department of Orthopaedics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University.MATERIALS: This experiment was carried out at the Department of Transplantation Immunology, West China University of Medical Sciences from July to September 1998. Human hair, carbon fiber and polyglycolic acid were combined with collagen and then set corresponding groups respectively. Simply hair, carbon fiber and polyglycolic acid control groups were set respectively. Artificial materials: Healthy adult hair (30 cm in length, 80 g in weight), carbon fiber knitted strip (Lanzhou carbon factory )and polyglyolic acid fasciculi (Johnson , American) were used in this experiment.METHODS: ①In the group of human hair combined with collagen,nine healthy adult hairs were chosen . Three hairs as one bundle were knitted into tendon with 0.8 cm in length and 0.4 cm in diameter and a knot was tied respectively at the two ends. ②In the carbon fiber combined with collagen group, the purchased carbon fiber knitted strip was separated and made into artificial materials with the same diameter and length as those of human hair tendon. Two ends of the artificial materials were packed with 5/0 silk thread. ③In the polyglycolic acid combined with collagen group, three polyglycolic acid fasciculi were weaved into bundle with the same diameter and length as those of human tendon,and two ends were packed with 5/0 silk thread. ④The process of knitting scaffold materials was the same in control groups as in the corresponding experimental groups. ⑤ Five pieces were prepared in each scaffold material. After sterilized by 60Co, the scaffold materials were put in collagen type Ⅰ solution for 0.5 hour, then taken out and dried at roomtemperature for use in the experimental groups. ⑥transformed human embryonic tendon cell, density for 3×106/mm3, was used for combined culture in each group, and cell number and morphology were observed at different time points after culture under an inverted microscope and scanning electron microscope.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: ① Observation of cell growth and adherence under an inverted microscope ② Observation of cell morphology and material adherence under scanning electron microscope RESULTS: ① Observation of cell growth and adherenceunder an inverted microscope :In each experimental group, at two hours after culture, cells gathered around the materials, and some cells adhered to materials presented round; At three days after culture, the number of cells adhered to materials began to increase, morphology changed from round to oval, and the co-existence of round and oval cells was seen;While in each control group, at two and three hours after culture, few cells adhered to the three materials. On day five after culture, in each experimental group, cell morphology turned into fusiform, the number of cells increased further and a great many fusiform cells grew among carbon fiber materials; while in the control group, most cells presented round and ellipse, and the number of cells was less as compared with the corresponding experimental group. ② Cell morphology and material adherence under scanning electron microscope: On day 5 after in vitro culture, most tendon cells on the surface of materials presented spindle-shape in each experimental group. Apophysis stretched out from the tendon cells, grew along longitudinal axon of the materials. Silk and piece-like substance appeared among the apophysis and weaved each other. While there were fewer cells adhered in control group than in corresponding experimental group, cells also presented fusiform or round, but no silk or piece-like substance was found, also no apophysis appeared.CONCLUSION: Human hair, carbon fiber and polyglycolic acid combined with collagen type Ⅰ will facilitate cell adherence. Cells increase around the materials and co-existence of round and oval cells could be seen, and cells turned into fusiform, suggesting that exogenous collagen facilitate the cells to adhere onto the materials and proliferate.

Objective To investigate the distribution and effect of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) on the zero-stress state of carotid arteries in rats at different ages.Methods Morphometry and microstructure of carotid artery in 3-month-old,6-month-old and 12-month-old Sprague-Dawley rats were studied quantitatively by histological method and computer image analysis.Immunohistochemistry and the NADPH-diaphorase reaction were used to localize the endothelial nitric oxide synthas (eNOS) in different age rats.The changes of opening angle in the zero-stress state was also observed.Results With increasing age,there was a significant reconstruction changes in morphometric parameters and microstructure parameters of the carotid arteries in rats.While the expression of eNOS protein of endothelium and vascular smooth muscle cells were decreased.Compared with 3-month-old rats,the zero-stress state.of opening angle in 6-month-old and 12-month-old group were increased.However,pre-incubation of vessel rings with L-arginine (30 mmol/L),a substrate of eNOS,attenuated the changes of the zero-stress state.Conclusions The results suggest that the carotid arterial wall in different age rats shows unequal growth and different zero-stress state eNOS may be involved in the age-related changes of zero-stress state of the carotid artery in aged rats.The results may provid an experimental base for vascular transplantation and vascular reconstruction.

Objective To observe the effect of kidney-tonifying herbal medicine (KTHM) on the changes of female rat genital system induced by Tripterygium wilfordii Hook(TWH).Methods Thirty female rats with normal oestrus cycle were randomly divided into 3 groups: control group,TWH group and TWH+KTHM group. The changes of genital system in all rats were examined after 90-day feeding. Results Compared with the TWH group,oestrus cycle was normal, estrogen and progestogen level and the weight of reproductive organs increased, the ovary was big,follicle grew well with more corpus luteum and good blood supplying, endometrium was thick with hyperplastic uterine gland,and vaginal epithelium became thick and cornificated in TWH+KTHM group. Conclusion Kidney-tonifying herbal medicine can antagonize the toxic and side effects of Tripterygium Wilfordii on the genital system of female rat.

Objective:To investigate the clinical therapeutic effect of low-dose chemotherapy in advanced gastrointestinal cancer patients with weak physical condition, and to evaluate the related factors affecting the prognosis.Methods:The clinical data of 118 advanced gastrointestinal cancer patients with weak physical condition who were admitted to Xiamen Branch, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University from March 2018 to May 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. Kaplan-Meier method was used to make survival analysis in patients stratified by different factors, and log-rank was used to test. Multiple factor analysis of prognosis was performed by using Cox regression model. The association of clinicopathological factors with the prognosis was evaluated.Results:Among 118 patients, 16 (13.6%) cases were esophageal cancer, 41 (34.7%) cases were gastric cancer, 48 (40.7%) cases were colorectal cancer, 13 (11.0%) cases were pancreatic cancer. The overall survival (OS) rates of 6 months and 1-year were 44.1% and 10.2%, respectively. Survival analysis showed that patients with hemoglobin ≥100 g/L, serum albumin > 40 g/L and normal gastrointestinal function had better OS (all P < 0.05), while patients with physical status score of 3 scores and pain had worse OS (all P < 0.05). Cox multivariate analysis showed that after adjusting age and gender, hemoglobin level ( HR = 0.314, 95% CI 0.241-0.977, P = 0.001), pain ( HR = 2.016, 95% CI 1.697-7.038, P = 0.008) and gastrointestinal function ( HR = 1.751, 95% CI 1.607-6.080, P = 0.036) were independent influencing factors of OS in advanced gastrointestinal cancer patients with weak physical condition after receiving low-dose chemotherapy. Conclusions:Low-dose chemotherapy can still benefit advanced gastrointestinal cancer patients with weak physical condition. Hemoglobin level, pain and gastrointestinal function are independent prognostic factors for these patients.

Objective To investigate the therapeutic effect of argon-helium cryoablation combined with transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) for primary hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and its influence on vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) level, and to compare it with simple TACE treatment. Methods During the period from Aug. 2013 to Aug. 2014 a total of 50 patients with primary HCC were admitted to Hunan Provincial People’s Hospital. The patients were randomly and equally divided into group A (TACE group, n=25) and group B (argon-helium cryoablation+TACE group, n=25). VEGF levels in the peripheral blood were determined before and after the treatment, and the results were statistically compared between the two groups. Results After the treatment the VEGF level in group A was significantly increased when compared with preoperative VEGF level (P<0.05). In group B, the VEGF level was decreased after the treatment, which was statistically significant lower than the preoperative VEGF level (P<0.05). The differences in VEGF level between the two groups were statistically significant (P<0.05). Conclusion The statistic analysis of VEGF levels indicates that argon-helium cryoablation combined with TACE is probably superior to simple TACE in the inhibition of tumor angiogenesis.

Objective To investigate the clinical efficacy of bronchoscopic MMC topical spraying for the treatment of tuberculous cicatricial stenosis of the central airway. Methods 45 patients with t tuberculous cicatricial stenosis of the central airway were randomly divided into a control group (14 patients), treatment group 1 (group1, 15 patients), or treatment group 2 (group 2, 16 patients), who received bronchial balloon dilatation alone, bronchial balloon dilatation combined with topical MMC spraying for one time, and for twice, respectively . The clinical efficacy was observed by using the MRC score and measuring airway diameter at the time points before treatment, end of treatment, and 3, 6, and 12 months after treatment, respectively. Results For the MRC scores at different time points, the MRC scores in group 2 (0.06 ± 0.25) and group 1 (0.33 ± 0.617) were significantly lower than those in the control group at 3 months after treatment (P < 0.05 for all comparisons);there were nosignificant differences at the other time points among the three groups. For the airway mean diameters at the different time points, the airway mean diameter was higher in group 2 than in the control group at 3 and 6 months after treatment (P < 0.01), and in group 1 at 3, 6, and 12 months (P < 0.05). No statistical differences were found in the other time points among three groups (P > 0.05). Conclusions Bronchial balloon dilatation combined with topical MMC spraying has certain short-term and long-term efficacy for improving dyspnea and maintaining the airway diameter after dilatation.

AIM: To evaluate the blood compatibility of a new bioartificial reactor membranous material (propylene-acidamide grafted poly propylene membrane, PP-g-AAm) in vitro. METHODS: Contacted PP-g-AAm membrane and PP (polypropylene) memb rane with platelet-rich plasma in a swing bed, 37 ℃, to simulate the conditions in vivo, and another group of PRP without any membranes was set as control group. ELISA was used to study the expression of ?-thromboglobulin, and flow cy tometry was used to study CD62P and CD63 expressio n of the activated blood platelets after contacting the two kinds of membranes w ith PRP. Scanning electrical microscopy was used to study the configuration and numbers of platelet cells adhered on the membranes. RESULTS: After contacting with PRP 30 min, ?-TG expression show ed marked difference between the two kinds of material groups and the control gr oup (P

[ Objective ] To investigate the mechanism of Ningxian Granule (NG), a compound prescription with lucidity-ascending and turbidity-descending actions. [ Methods ] Forty SD rats were randomized into 5 groups: A (normal), B (model), C (low-dose NG, 5 g/kg), D (high-dose NG, 10 g/kg) and E (phenobarbital, 60 mg/ kg). Except Group A, the others were epileptic rats induced by pentylennetetrazol (PTZ, 35 mg/kg). NG and phenobarbiatal were given to different groups accordingly, once a day for 4 weeks. The effects of NG on brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) protein expression was observed by using immunohistochemistry technique. [Results] The number of positive neuron increased both in the hippocampus and cerebral cortex of epileptic rat brain (P

Objective To predict the CTL epitopes of Tat exon 1 region in HIV-1 CRF07_BC strains, which were prevailing in China. Methods Total of 236 plasma samples were from the 3rd National HIV Molecular Epidemic Survey (NMES3). All the subjects were infected with HIV-1 CRF07_BC viruses. The tat exon 1 region was amplified by reverse transcription reaction and nested polymerase chain reaction (nested-PCR), then the PCR products were sequenced. The distribution of CTL epitopes of this region were predicted by on-line software BIMAS HLA Peptide Binding Predictions and statistics software. Results To-tal of 236 CRF07_BC strains were from 16 provinces, mainly in intravenous drug asers(58.9%)and then sex(25.0%). It was showed that there were 12 CTL epitopes of 236 Tat exon 1 region of CRF07_BC strains mainly located in proline-rich region, cysteine-rich region and core-region. Those epitopes were banded by 5 HLA presenting molecules in genotype(A * 2501 ,A * 2902, B * 15,B * 5301 and Cw * 1203) and 6 HLA presenting molecules in serotype (B53, B58 ,B57 ,A3 ,A68 and Cw12). The frequency of single amino acid substitution was more than 50% in 7 CTL epitopes. Conclusion The CTL epitopes in Tat exon 1 of CRF07 _BC strains were located in different functional regions, and there were some amino acid variations in them.