BACKGROUNO:Some experiments have proved that some traditional Chinese medicines (TCM) have good biocompatibility when they touch and interact with human body tissues, body fluid or blood.Therefore,the physicochemical properties and functions of biomaterials can be improved by compounding it with some TCM.OBJECTIVE:To evaluate the biocompatibility of gelatin-bletilla porous material carrying TCM.DESIGN:Single sample experiment.SETTING:Department of Acupuncture & Moxibustion and Orthopaedics.Hubei College of Traditional Chinese Medicine. MATERIALS:This experiment was carried out in the Department of Orthopaedics,Tongji Medical College,Huazhong University of Science and Technology between February and April 2005.Twelve mice,male and female in half,weighing 18-24 g, and 6 Japanese big-eared rabbits,weighing 2.8 to 3.0 kg,were chosen for this experiment.They were raised at (18±1)℃ in separate cages.METHODS: Spongy gelatin-bletilla porous materials carrying extract of Coptidis and Radix Salviac Militiorrhizae was prepared by freeze-drying method.The acute systemic toxicity test:The 12 mice were divided into experimental group and control group. Mice in the two groups were intraperitoneally injected with leaching liquor and normal saline,respectively (the dose was 50 mL/Kg),then the general state and body mass of mice were recorded at the 4th,24th,48th and 72nd hours after injection, respectively.The porous materials were implanted in dorsal muscle of rabbits.Two rabbits were sacrificed at the 1st, 2nd and 6th weeks after operation seperately,and tissue reaction of biomaterial in vivo was assessed by gross observation and histological examination. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Gross observation and histological examination of tissue reaction of biomaterials in vivo.RESULTS: Twelve mice and six big-eared rabbits were involved in final analysis.The acute systemic toxicity test:Mice of two groups had good status,normal activity and appetite,stable respiration:and no abdominal irritation,exhaustion, cyanosis or death was found.Body mass of mice of two groups presented tendency of increase at the 24th,48th and 72nd hours after injection,and there were no significant differences between two groups (P＞0.05).The implantation test:①Gross observation:The samples were tightly bounded with muscular fibrous tissues at postoperative 1 week.They were connected with muscular fibrous tissues and could not be easily separated at postoperative 4 weeks.Gelatin-bletilla porous materials carrying TCM could hardly been seen at postoperative 8 weeks.②Histological observation:There were a lot of infiammatory cells and mesenchymal stem cells around the samples at 1 week after the implantation of gelatin-bletilla porous materials carrying TCM; Some materials were degraded and infiammatory cell infiltration was reduced around the implanted materials at 4 weeks; The inflammatory cells were further reduced and the materials were absorbed and replaced by muscular tissues at 12 weeks.CONCLUSION:Gelatin-bletilla porous materials carrying TCM is safe and reliable for application in wound healing,skin and muscle tendon tissue engineering.

In order to investigate the influence of angiotensin II on hematopoietic system, CD34+ cells in cord blood were purified, and the effects of angiotensin II in combination with various cytokines on their growth and differentiation were studied by cell culture in vitro. It was found that angiotensin II in suspending medium could stimulate both BFU-E and CFU-GM expansion. The number of BFU-E and CFU-GM was increased with the increases of angiotensin II concentrations during a certain range. In addition, the expansion fold of CFU-GM was increased from 2.3 +/- 0.8 times to 7.8 +/- 2.3 times when angiotensin II was added in the presence of SCF+G-CSF+GM-CSF+IL3 cytokines mixture. Similarly, the expansion fold of BFU-E was increased from 3.1 +/- 1.8 times to 9. 2 +/- 2.3 times with angiotensin II in the presence of SCF+EPO+TPO+IL-3. In the semi-solid medium, angiotensin II could stimulate CFU-GM expansion but had no effect on the growth of BFU-E. In conclusion, angiotensin II had some stimulating effects on cord blood hematopoietic progenitors expansion in vitro in the presence of other cytokines.
Angiotensin II/*pharmacology ; Antigens, CD34/*metabolism ; Cells, Cultured ; Colony-Forming Units Assay ; Fetal Blood/*cytology ; Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor ; Hematopoietic Stem Cells/*cytology

The safety of Chuangyuling (CYL) dressing-a multifunctional medicine carrying biomaterial was evaluated in order to provide foundation for the application of CYL as material used in the wound healing. The traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) extract solution was compounded with scaffolds (gelatin and Bletilla hyacinthine gum), and then frozen and dried to form spongy and porous material CYL. According to the standard of biological evaluation of medical devices that was instituted by the ministry of health of China, the biological evaluation of CYL dressing was conducted. The results showed that all the contents of biological evaluation test consisting of acute toxicity, skin irritation, sensitization and cytotoxicity met the requirement of standards. It was concluded that the biomaterial carrying TCM (CYL dressing) is safe for application of wound healing.
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/*administration & dosage ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/toxicity ; Gelatin ; Occlusive Dressings ; Phytotherapy ; Salvia miltiorrhiza ; Wound Healing/*drug effects

Objective To identify the metabolic levels in prefrontal lobe in patients with post-concussion syndrome by proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-MRS), and to explore the relationship between metabolic levels and executive function. Methods The study was conducted in 40 patients with post-concussion syndrome and 20 normal controls. 1H-MRS on prefrontal lobe was performed in patients and controls, the NAA, Cho and Cr were measured and the ratios of NAA/Cr, Cho/Cr and NAA/(Cho + Cr) were determined. They were also evaluated executive functions by verbal fluency test (animal), Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WSCT) and Tower of Hanoi (TOH). Results Compared with normal controls, the patients with post-concussion syndrome were significantly lower NAA/Cr and NAA/(Cho+Cr) ratios in left prefrontal lobe (P < 0.05). The NAA/Cr ratio in left prefrontal was significantly positive correlated with total scores of verbal fluency (r = 0.66, P < 0.05), categories of WSCT (r = 0.54,P < 0.05) and total score of TOH(r = 0.58, P < 0.05). The NAA/Cr ratio was significantly negative correlated with total errors (r = -0.53, P < 0.05) and persistent errors (r = -0.47, P < 0.05) of WSCT and mean executive time of TOH(r = -0.67, P < 0.05). Conclusions The metabolic levels of NAA in left prefrontal lobe in patients with post-concussion syndrome is significantly decreased , it is one cause of impaired executive functions.

Objective To clone the gene encoding protein of EspA and Stx2B from EHEC OI57:H7 by DNA recombinant technology, construct prokaryotic expression vector pET-28a ( + )-espAstx2B, express fusion protein of EspA-Stx2B and to analyze the biological and immunological characteristics of the fusion protein. Methods the sequence encoding the protein of EspA and Stx2B was amplified by PCR from the enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli strain. The amplified products were connected with linker by recombinant technology and cloned into pET-28a( + ) vector. The vector was then transferred to the host cells E. Coli BL21 strain (DE3). Following, the protein expression was induced by IPTG. The expression quantities and style of fusion protein was then determined by SDS-PAGE. Its immunoreactivity was analyzed by Western blot. Finally, BALB/c mice were injected with the preliminarily purified recombination protein EspA-Stx2B, then oral challenged these mice with EHEC O157-SMR2 and counteracted toxic substances with O157 ultrasonic supernatant. Results The determination of the sequence encoding of the espA-stx2B fusion gene has 100% of consistency with the sequence from GenBank Sakai strain and contrivable linker. This fusion protein EspA-Stx2B was expressed as inclusion body formation and the percentage is approximately 40%. Western blot suggested the fusion protein has excellent immunoreactivity. Titer of antiserum of the mice to EspA-Stx2B increased evidently. EspA-Stx2B could not decrease bacterial number attached to the intestinal tract of mice based on fecal shedding of Oi57 in mice. In the test of death of BAI,B/c causing by conteracting toxic substances with O157 ultrasonic supernatant, immunoprotection of EspA-Stx2B rate was 66.7%. Conclusion A recombinant plasmid that has high performance on expression of EspA-Stx2B prorein was successfully constructed in present study, and the fusion protein has excellent immunoreactivity and immunogenicity. EspA-Stx2B could not decrease bacteria] number attached to the intestinal tract of mice based on fecal shedding of O157 in mice, but evidently decrease the mortality rate of the mice. The antiEspA and anti-Stx2B had immunoprotection effect by different means. These results may provide the foundation for the further development on EHEC O157:H7 double subunit vaccine.

The association of urinary cytokine concentration with the incidence of urinary tract infection in patients with diabetes mellitus was explored. Urinary interleakin-6 (IL-6) level in 156 female type 2 diabetes mellitus patients was tested and followed up for 6 months. The incidence of urinary tract infection between the top quartile of baseline urinary cytokine concentration with the bottom quartile was compared. The incidence of top quartile of urinary IL-6 concentration at baseline was significantly lower than that of bottom quartile ( 13.5% vs 37.8%, P＜0.05 ). Abnormality of urinary IL-6 concentration may be involved in the mechanism leading to higher prevalence of urinary tract infection in patients with diabetes mellitus.

BACKGROUND:Stroke is the leading cause of death and long-term disability. This study was undertaken to investigate the factors influencing daily activities of patients with cerebral infarction so as to take interventional measures earlier to improve their daily activities. METHODS:A total of 149 patients with first-episode cerebral infarction were recruited into this prospective study. They were admitted to the Encephalopathy Center, Department of Neurology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical College in Zhejiang Province from August 2008 to December 2008. The baseline characteristics of the patients and cerebral infarction risk factors on the first day of admission were recorded. White blood cell (WBC) count, plasma glucose (PG), and many others of laboratory targets were col ected in the next morning. Barthel index (BI) was calculated at 2 weeks and 3 months respectively after onset of the disease at the outpatient clinic or by telephone cal . Lung infection, urinary tract infection and atrial fibrillation if any were recorded on admission. The National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) scores and the GCS scores were recorded within 24 hours on and after admission, at the second week, and at the third month after the onset of cerebral infarction respectively. RESULTS:The factors of BI at 2 weeks and 3 months after onset were the initial PG level, WBC count and initial NIHSS scores. Besides, urinary tract infection on admission was also the factor for BI at 3 months. CONCLUSION:Active measures should be taken to control these factors to improve the daily activities of patients with cerebral infarction.

AIMTo investigate the pharmacokinetics of doxorubicin alginate microspheres (DOX-AM) in vivo after hepatic arterial embolization.

METHODSChina miniature pigs were chosen as the experimental animals. Transcatheter hepatic arterial chemoembolization (TACE) with DOX-AM (experimental group), lipiodol and DOX (DOX-lipiodol, control group 1), and infusion with DOX (control group 2) were performed after angiography and superselection of an intrahepatic branch of hepatic artery. After chemoembolization or infusion, the blood was collected at different time intervals. Drug concentration in plasma was measured by HLPC and the parameters of pharmacokinetics were calculated.

RESULTSThe values of T1/2, AUC, Cmax, and MRT of the DOX-AM were significantly different from those of control group 1 and control group 2. After embolization, the DOX-AM embolized in the vessel and still retained there at 8 weeks. The digital subtraction arteriography (DSA) and computerized tomography (CT) showed the reliable embolization results. The histological examination indicated that the liver damnifications were changed transitorily in all groups (P < 0.05) and were recovered within two weeks. The liver damnifications increased in following order: DOX < DOX-AM < DOX-lipiodol.

CONCLUSIONDOX-AM showed definite property of delayed release of drug in liver, and increased the retention time and concentration of DOX after embolization in vivo.

Alginates ; chemistry ; Angiography, Digital Subtraction ; Animals ; Antibiotics, Antineoplastic ; administration & dosage ; pharmacokinetics ; Area Under Curve ; Chemoembolization, Therapeutic ; Doxorubicin ; administration & dosage ; blood ; pharmacokinetics ; Drug Carriers ; Female ; Hepatic Artery ; diagnostic imaging ; metabolism ; Iodized Oil ; chemistry ; Liver ; blood supply ; diagnostic imaging ; metabolism ; Male ; Microspheres ; Particle Size ; Swine ; Swine, Miniature ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Objective To explore the disparity of severity of cardiac dysfunction and recovery among different glycometabolic patients in the early phase of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) . Methods Consecutive 111 AMI patients without known diabetes underwent continuous glucose monitoring. Patients with different glycometabolic status were compared in terms of cadiac dysfunction and recovery at admission and 3month follow up. Results Compared to patients with normglycemia and transient hyperglycemia, patitents with persistent hyperglycemia were more likely to grade Killip Ⅱ or above,which were 13.3% (4/30) ,33. 3% ( 12/36) ,55. 6% (25/45), 20. 0% ( 6/30), 41.7% ( 15/36 ) and 93.3% (42/45) ( Ps ＜ 0. 01 ). In-hospital left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), mitral valve protodiastolic E peak velocities (E) and its ratio to late diastolic (E/A) decreased significantly ( LVEF :0. 52 ± 0. 02,0. 48 ± 0. 01 and 0. 37 ± 0. 02; E: [0. 65 ± 0. 41]m/s,[0.55 ± 0.02] m/s and [0.39 ±0. 12]m/s;E/A:1. 15 ±0.08,1.02 ±0.06 and 0.61 ±0.02,respectively) ( Ps ＜ 0. 01 ), whereas LVESV and WMSI increased significantly ( LVESV: [25.83 ± 0. 51] ml,[31.26 ± 1.23] ml, [37, 72 ± 1.01] ml; WMSI: 1.5 ± 0. 3,1.8 ± 0. 2 and 2. 6 ± 0. 4, respectively) ( Ps ＜ 0. 01 )There months after AMI,patitents with persistent hyperglycemia were more likely to grade NYHA Ⅱ or above compared to patients with normglycemia and transient hyperglycemia [67.5% (27/40), 10.0% (3/30) and 11.8% (4/34),respectively] (P ＜0. 01 ). Echocardiographic recovery was observed in each group,but less in persistent hyperglycemia patients. Conclusion Cardiac function of patients with persistent hyperglycemia suffered more severely from AMI and difficult to recover.

In order to investigate the influence of angiotensin Ⅱ on hematopoietic system, CD34+cells in cord blood were purified, and the effects of angiotensin Ⅱ in combination with various cytokines on their growth and differentiation were studied by cell culture in vitro. It was found that angiotensin Ⅱ in suspending medium could stimulate both BFU-E and CFU-GM expansion. The number of BFU-E and CFU-GM was increased with the increases of angiotensin Ⅱ concentrations during a certain range. In addition, the expansion fold of CFU-GM was increased from 2.3±0.8 times to 7.8±2.3 times when angiotensin Ⅱ was added in the presence of SCF+G-CSF+GM-CSF+IL-3 cytokines mixture. Similarly, the expansion fold of BFU-E was increased from 3.1 ±1.8 times to 9.2±2.3 times with angiotensin Ⅱ in the presence of SCF+EPO+TPO+IL-3. In the semi-solid medium, angiotensin Ⅱ could stimulate CFU-GM expansion but had no effect on the growth of BFU-E. In conclusion, angiotensin Ⅱ had some stimulating effects on cord blood hematopoietic progenitors expansion in vitro in the presence of other cytokines.