OBJECTIVE: To obtain three-dimensional intraosseous artery of the hamate and to provide the vascular anatomy basis of hamate fracture fixation. METHODS: PbO (lead monoxide, Sinopharm Chemical Reagent Beijing Co. Ltd) was ground into particles less than 40 μm and suspended in turpentine oil (Chemical Reagent Beijing Co. Ltd) at ratios of 1 g : 1.5 mL, 1 g : 1 mL and 1 g : 0.5 mL. Three specimens were investigated. Brachial arteries were cannulated and perfused with lead-based contrast agent. Hamates were harvested and scanned using micro-computed tomography (microCT). The acquisition protocols were as follows: CT scan setup: total rotation [Degrees], 360; rotation steps, 360; X-ray detector setup: transaxial, 2048; axial, 2048; exposure time, 1 500 ms, Binning, 1; system magnification: high-med. X-ray tube setup: 80 kV, 500 mA current. The down-sampling factor used in the reconstruction was 2. The effective voxel size of the final image was 27.30 μm. The three-dimensional model of the hamate was generated and the distribution and pattern of vessels were evaluated. RESULTS: There were abundant extraosseous vessels around the hamate. They were mainly running in the tendons and ligaments around the hamate. Four vascular zones were identified on the hamate surface. They were on the palmar platform of the hamate body, on the dorsal side, on the ulnar side and on the tip of hamulus, namely. There were anastomoses among 4 vascular zones. We did not observe any vessels penetrating through the articular cartilage. The extraosseous vessels of the vascular zones gave a number of intraosseous branches into the hamate. The hamate body received intraosseous blood supply from the dorsal, palmar and ulnar while the hamulus from the palmar, ulnar and hamulus tip. There were some intraosseous branches anastomosing with each other. CONCLUSION The extraosseous and intraosseous vessels of the hamate were more than what used to be considered. The hamate body and hamulus received blood supply from multiple directions and arteries anastomosed extensively both outside and inside the hamate, making it possible that the intraosseous perfusion survived after fracture. It is likely that the nonunion after the hamate fracture is not caused by the vascular damage but the malalignment of the fragments.
Beijing ; Brachial Artery ; Fluoroscopy ; Fractures, Bone/diagnostic imaging* ; Hamate Bone/injuries* ; Humans ; Ulna ; Wrist Injuries/diagnostic imaging* ; X-Ray Microtomography

Network pharmacology method was adopted in this study to explore the active compounds and mechanism of Tongsaimai tablets for atherosclerosis. In molecular docking and molecular-target protein network analysis, 97 molecules in Tongsaimai tablets showed good interaction with the atherosclerosis-related target protein (docking score ≥ 7), and 37 molecules of them could act on more than 2 targets (≥ 2) with higher betweenness, suggesting that these 37 molecules might be the main active compounds group in Tongsaimai tablets for atherosclerosis treatment. Furthermore, the predicted active compounds contained more flavonoids and saponins, reminding more attention should be paid on flavonoids and saponins in study of effective compounds and quality standards of Tongsaimai tablets. Targets network analysis showed that, the active compounds of Tongsaimai tablets could regulate inflammation, stabilize plaque, protect vascular endothelial cell, regulate blood lipid and inhibit blood coagulation through acting on the main 22 target proteins, such as Toll-like receptors (TLR1, TLR2), matrix metalloproteinase (MMP1, MMP2, MMP3, MMP9), angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE), leukotriene A4 hydrolase (LTA4-H), 5-lipoxidase (5-LOX), peroxisome proliferators-activated receptors (PPARα, PPARγ). These active compounds can participate in regulating different pathologic stages of atherosclerosis and thus treat atherosclerosis finally. This study revealed the main active compounds and possible mechanism of Tongsaimai tablets for treatment of atherosclerosis and meanwhile, verified the characteristics of multi-components, multi-targets and integral regulation for Tongsaimai tablets, providing theoretical references for the following systematic laboratory experiments on effective compounds and action mechanism of Tongsaimai Tablet.

Prostaglandin (PG) E2 is an active substance in pathological and physiological mechanisms, such as inflammation and pain. The in vitro high-throughput assay for screening the inhibitors of reducing PEG2 production is a useful method for finding out antiphlogistic and analgesic candidates. The assay was based on LPS-induced PGE2 production model using a homogeneous time-resolved fluorescence(HTRF) PGE2 testing kit combined with liquid handling automation and detection instruments. The critical steps, including the cell density optimization and IC50 values determination of a positive compound, were taken to verify the stability and sensibility of the assay. Low intra-plate, inter-plate and day-to-day variability were observed in this 384-well, high-throughput format assay. Totally 5 121 samples were selected from the company's traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) material base library and used to screen PGE2 inhibitors. In this model, the cell plating density was 2 000 cells for each well; the average IC₅₀ value for positive compounds was (7.3±0.1) μmol; the Z' factor for test plates was more than 0.5 and averaged at 0.7. Among the 5 121 samples, 228 components exhibited a PGE2 production prohibition rate of more than 50%, and 23 components exhibited more than 80%. This model reached the expected standards in data stability and accuracy, indicating the reliability and authenticity of the screening results. The automated screening system was introduced to make the model fast and efficient, with a average daily screening amount exceeding 14 000 data points and provide a new model for discovering new anti-inflammatory and analgesic drug and quickly screening effective constituents of TCM in the early stage.

The present study sought to investigate the anti-inflammation and immunoloregulation effect of 17 Guizhi Fuling capsule ingredients. The anti-inflammatory ingredients on LPS-induced RAW264. 7 cell injury were assessed with ELISA and immunofluorescence. The release of IL-1β, TNF-α, PGE2 were detected with ELISA and the expression of COX-2 was detected with immunofluorescence. The effects of them on promoting splenic lymphocyte proliferation were assessed with MTT and Hoechst 33342 staining method. The results showed that 15 ingredients had obviously anti-inflammatory activity on LPS- induced injury and play the immunoloregulation roles. This study suggested that the 15 ingredients may be the active ingredients on pelvic infection.
Animals ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents ; pharmacology ; Capsules ; pharmacology ; Cyclooxygenase 2 ; immunology ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; Immunologic Factors ; pharmacology ; Inflammation ; drug therapy ; Interleukin-1beta ; immunology ; Macrophages ; drug effects ; enzymology ; immunology ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Spleen ; cytology ; drug effects ; immunology ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; immunology

BACKGROUNDData on the epidemiology of hypertension in Chinese non-dialysis chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients are limited. The aim of the present study was to investigate the prevalence, awareness, treatment, and control of hypertension in the non-dialysis CKD patients through a nationwide, multicenter study in China.

METHODSThe survey was performed in 61 tertiary hospitals in 31 provinces, municipalities, and autonomous regions in China (except Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan). Trained physicians collected demographic and clinical data and measured blood pressure (BP) using a standardized protocol. Hypertension was defined as systolic BP ≥ 140 mmHg and/or diastolic BP ≥ 90 mmHg, and/or use of antihypertensive medications. BP < 140/90 mmHg and < 130/80 mmHg were used as the 2 thresholds of hypertension control. In multivariate logistic regression with adjustment for sex and age, we analyzed the association between CKD stages and uncontrolled hypertension in non-dialysis CKD patients.

RESULTSThe analysis included 8927 non-dialysis CKD patients. The prevalence, awareness, and treatment of hypertension in non-dialysis CKD patients were 67.3%, 85.8%, and 81.0%, respectively. Of hypertensive CKD patients, 33.1% and 14.1% had controlled BP to < 140/90 mmHg and < 130/80 mmHg, respectively. With successive CKD stages, the prevalence of hypertension in non-dialysis CKD patients increased, but the control of hypertension decreased (P < 0.001). When the threshold of BP < 130/80 mmHg was considered, the risk of uncontrolled hypertension in CKD 2, 3a, 3b, 4, and 5 stages increased 1.3, 1.4, 1.4, 2.5, and 4.0 times compared with CKD 1 stage, respectively (P < 0.05). Using the threshold of < 140/90 mmHg, the risk of uncontrolled hypertension increased in advanced stages (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe prevalence of hypertension Chinese non-dialysis CKD patients was high, and the hypertension control was suboptimal. With successive CKD stages, the risk of uncontrolled hypertension increased.

Adult ; Aged ; Awareness ; Female ; Humans ; Hypertension ; complications ; epidemiology ; therapy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prevalence ; Renal Insufficiency, Chronic ; complications

Objective Familial left ventricular noncompaction( LVNC ) is quite rare.We screened for the presence of LVNC and related clinical characteristics in a 5-generation Chinese family.Methods Comprehensive medical history was obtained from 40 members in a 5-generation Chinese family.Systemic clinical investigations including echocardiography (UCG),routine and ambulatory electrocardiogram (ECG),X-rays were performed in 33 family members.Cardiovascular magnetic resonance image (MRI) was carried out in 2 family members.Results Sudden cardiac death (including 1 occurred while following-up)was reported in 7 family mcmbers( 17.5％,7/40 ).LVNC was diagnosed in 10 out of the 33 family members (30.3％ )and heart enlargement was evidenced in 3,heart failure in 2,complete left branch conductive block in 3,serious sick sinus syndrome (SSS) treated with permanent pacemaker implantation in 1 and paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia treated with radiofrequency ablation procedure in 1 out of these 10 LVNC patients.Primary pedigree analysis revealed that offspring from female patients were at the highest risk to be affected by LVNC ( 15/18,83.3％ ) while LVNC was absent in offspring of male LVNC patients (0/8).Moreover,clinical heart failure symptoms and arrhythmias were more severe in female LVNC patients than in male LVNC patients.Conclusion Primary familial investigation reveals the matrilineal inheritauce of familial LVNC in this 5-generation Chinese family,further investigations are warranted to explore the potential mutations in the mitochondrial genome responsible for LVNC in this family.

Obiective: To compare the tissue biocompatibility of domestically manufactured NiTi alloy before and after thermal surface oxidation under 3 different temperatures. Methods: Domestically manufactured NiTi alloy was oxidized in air (group A) and subjected to 30 min heat treatment at 400°C (group B),500°C, (group C),and 600°C (group D) to form different protective oxide surface layers in presence of argon (607.95 kPa). Wire samples from A, B, C and D groups were subcutaneously implanted in guinea pigs. Guinea pigs received 317L stainless steel transplantation(group E) and sham-operation group (F) were taken as control. The order of inflammatory cell infiltration and tissue hyperplasia around implanted materials were observed 1, 2, 4, and 8 weeks after implantation. Results: The peak time of inflammatory cell infiltration and fibrous hyperplasia were at the first and fourth week after implantation. The inflammatory cell infiltration and fibrous hyperplasia were both slight and all met the GB/T 16886. 6-1997 in vivo implantation standard. The order of inflammatory cell infiltration and thickness of capsule walls from low to high was F

Objective To investigate the effects of Rac1 gene silencing on cell cycle and apoptosis of Daoy cell line in medulloblastoma. Methods Daoy cells were divided into Rac1-shRNA group and empty plasmid control group; Daoy cells in the former group were transfected by using Rac1-shRNA plasmid (Rac1-shRNA). RT-PCR, Western blotting and flow cytometry were used to observe the changes of cycle and apoptosis of Daoy cells after Rac1 gene silencing. Results Rac1 mRNA and protein in medulloblastoma Daoy cell lines were highly expressed; cell cycle of Daoy cells with Rac1 gene silencing were blocked at G0-G1 phases and cell percentage of G0-G1 phases significantly increased to 80.9%±4.9%; however, the proportion of cells in the S phase reduced to 11.8%± 2.3%. The apoptosis rate of Rac1-shRNA plasmid group (36.7%±3.9%) was significantly different as compared with that of empty plasmid control group (8.5% ±0.9%) (P<0.05). Conclusion RNA-interfered Rac1 gene silencing can inhibit the proliferation of Daoy cells and promote their apoptosis, indicating that Rac1 may become a new target being able to inhibit the cell proliferation and promote the apoptosis of Daoy cells in medulloblastoma.

Objective To investigate the expressions of interleukin-8 (IL-8) mRNA and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) protein in astrocytic tumors and their correlation with the tumor cell apoptosis. Methods The expressions of IL-8 mRNA in 64 cases of astrocytic tumor and 10 normal brain tissues were detected using RT-PCR. The expression of PCNA protein in the tumors was assayed with immunohistochemistry, and the apoptosis index (AI) of the tumor cells determined using TUNEL assay. Results The expression ofIL-8 mRNA in the astrocytic tumors was strongly correlated to the malignancy of the tumors, and both the PCNA expression and the apoptosis index increased in tumors of greater malignancies. IL-8 mRNA expression was positively correlated to the expression of PCNA (r=0.938, P<0.01) and AI (r=0.907, P<0.01) in these tumors. Conclusion IL-8 mRNA expression is positively correlated to the histological grade of the astrocytic tumors, whose proliferation is mediated by inhibition of cell apoptosis and upregulation of IL-8 transcription.

It is well known that cytoskeleton system is the sensor of gravity in cells. Under microgravity condition, cytoskeleton is associated with the changes of cell shape, function, signaling and so on; but the relationship between cytoskeleton and gene expression is not fully understood. In present study, we discussed the effects of cell microfilament on the activity of collagen type I alpha 1 chain gene (COL1A1) promoter under microgravity simulated by clinostat and/or cytochalasin B as microfilament depolymerizer in the established EGFP-ROS cell line using the method of fluorescence semi-quantitative analysis and the fluorescent stain of microfilament. Compared with the normal control, the microfilament of ROS17/2.8 cell tended to disassemble, marginal distribution of fiber stress, and showed reducing stress fibers after spaceflight in Photon-M1 or clinorotation simulated microgravity, which suggested that microgravity destroyed the well-order cell cytoskeleton and induced a rearrangement. Treatment with suitable concentration of cytochalasin B in normal gravity induced disruption of microfilament, increased the activity of COL1A1 promoter and resulted in a dose-dependent increase of EGFP fluorescence. Therefore, a certain extent disruption of the microfilament system was associated with increased activity of the COL1A1 promoter. All above demonstrate that microfilament cytoskeleton system takes part in the regulation of COL1A1 promoter activity and plays an important role in the signaling of microgravity.
Actin Cytoskeleton ; pathology ; physiology ; Animals ; Bone Neoplasms ; pathology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Collagen Type I ; genetics ; Cytoskeleton ; pathology ; physiology ; Green Fluorescent Proteins ; genetics ; Osteosarcoma ; pathology ; Promoter Regions, Genetic ; Rats ; Transfection ; Weightlessness Simulation