Platelet RNA enables accurate detection of ovarian cancer: an intercontinental, biomarker identification study

Platelets are reprogrammed by cancer via a process called education, which favors cancer development. The transcriptional profile of tumor-educated platelets (TEPs) is skewed and therefore practicable for cancer detection. This intercontinental, hospital-based, diagnostic study included 761 treatment-naïve inpatients with histologically confirmed adnexal masses and 167 healthy controls from nine medical centers (China, n = 3; Netherlands, n = 5; Poland, n = 1) between September 2016 and May 2019. The main outcomes were the performance of TEPs and their combination with CA125 in two Chinese (VC1 and VC2) and the European (VC3) validation cohorts collectively and independently. Exploratory outcome was the value of TEPs in public pan-cancer platelet transcriptome datasets. The AUCs for TEPs in the combined validation cohort, VC1, VC2, and VC3 were 0.918 (95% CI 0.889-0.948), 0.923 (0.855-0.990), 0.918 (0.872-0.963), and 0.887 (0.813-0.960), respectively. Combination of TEPs and CA125 demonstrated an AUC of 0.922 (0.889-0.955) in the combined validation cohort; 0.955 (0.912-0.997) in VC1; 0.939 (0.901-0.977) in VC2; 0.917 (0.824-1.000) in VC3. For subgroup analysis, TEPs exhibited an AUC of 0.858, 0.859, and 0.920 to detect early-stage, borderline, non-epithelial diseases and 0.899 to discriminate ovarian cancer from endometriosis. TEPs had robustness, compatibility, and universality for preoperative diagnosis of ovarian cancer since it withstood validations in populations of different ethnicities, heterogeneous histological subtypes, and early-stage ovarian cancer. However, these observations warrant prospective validations in a larger population before clinical utilities.

Clinical effect of Traditional Chinese Medicine combined with pressure therapy in the treatment of eczema / 国际中医中药杂志

Objective:To observe the clinical effect of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) collapsibility combined with pressure therapy in the treatment of eczema.Methods:From January 2021 to August 2021, 60 patients with lower extremity venous ulcers who were treated in Wangjing Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences were selected and randomly divided into the control group (30 patients) and observation group (30 patients). The control group was treated by the routine pressure therapy, and the observation group was by the TCM nursing intervention on the basis of the control group. Both groups were treated for 2 weeks. The visual analogy scale (VAS),chronic Venous Insufficiency Questionnaire (CIVIQ), Self-rating Anxiety Acale (SAS), and Self-rating Depression Scale (SDS) were measured and evaluated at baseline and after treatment.Results:The total response rate was 100.0% (30/30) in the observation group and 86.7% (26/30) in the control group, and the difference was statistically significant ( χ2=4.29, P=0.038). The VAS (2.47±0.68 vs. 2.97±0.14, t=3.95), SAS (40.31±11.93 vs. 55.87±4.53, t=4.73), SDS (44.30±5.38 vs. 47.61±5.33, t=2.39) scores were significantly lower than those in the control group ( P<0.05), CIVIQ score (86.63±2.74 vs. 84.67±3.23, t=2.54) was significantly higher than that of the control group ( P<0.05). Conclusion:TCM combined with pressure therapy can promote the healing of ulcers in patients with eczema, relieve pain, and improve the quality of life of patients.

Clinical significance of SIRT1 expression in invasion and metastasis of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma / 天津医药

Objective To observe the expression of silent information regulator 1(SIRT1)in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma,and its relationship with invasion and metastasis of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma and its effect on survival and prognosis.Methods The clinical and pathological data of 104 patients with esophageal cancer who underwent radical esophagectomy at the Affiliated Tumor Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University from January to December 2009 were retrospectively reviewed. Immunohistochemical method (EnVision method) was used to detect the expression of SIRT1 in cancer tissues and adjacent tissues. The clinicopathological features of different SIRT1 expressions were compared. The factors affecting the prognosis of the patients with esophageal cancer were analyzed.Results The positive expression rate of SIRT1 protein was significantly higher in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma tissues than that in adjacent tissues(61.54% vs. 29.81%, χ2=21.100, P<0.05). The expression of SIRT1 in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma was significantly correlated with vascular infiltration(VI),infiltration depth(pT),lymph node metastasis(pN)and clinical stage(pTNM)(P<0.05).Univariate survival analysis showed that the overall survival time(OS)was significantly lower in patients with SIRT1 positive expression than that of patients with negative expression(Log-rank χ2=10.065,P<0.05).SIRT1 positive expression, lymph node metastasis,deep tumor infiltration,late clinical stage and vascular infiltration showed poor prognosis(P<0.05). Cox multivariate regression analysis showed that SIRT1 positive expression, lymph node metastasis, depth of invasion and clinical stage were independent prognostic factors for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. The prognosis of patients with deep tumor invasion, lymph node metastasis, late clinical stage and high expression of SIRT1 was worse. Conclusion SIRT1 is highly expressed in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, and which is closely related to the invasion and metastasis of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma and has an effect on the prognosis of patients.

Structural Modulation of Gut Microbiota in Rats with Allergic Bronchial Asthma Treated with Recuperating Lung Decoction / 生物医学与环境科学（英文）

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate whether recuperating lung decoction (RLD) can modulate the composition of gut microbiota in rats during asthma treatment.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Fifteen Sprague-Dawley rats were divided randomly and equally into control group, model group, dexamethasone (DEX) group, RLD medium-dose group, and RLD high-dose group. The asthma model was established in all groups, except for the control group. The rats in the DEX and RLD groups were treated orally with DEX and RLD, respectively. The rats in the control and model groups were treated orally with 0.9% saline. The intestinal bacterial communities were compared among groups using 16S rRNA gene amplification and 454 pyrosequencing.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The microbial flora differed between the control and model groups, but the flora in the RLD groups was similar to that in the control group. No significant differences were observed between the RLD high-dose and medium-dose groups. RLD treatment resulted in an increase in the level beneficial bacteria in the gut, such as Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium spp.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Oral administration of RLD increased the number of intestinal lactic acid-producing bacteria, such as Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium, in asthma model rats.</p>

Effect of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells transplantation on nerve fibers of a rat model of endometriosis

Endometriosis is a common, benign, oestrogen-dependent, chronic gynaecological disorder associated with pelvic pain and infertility. Some researchers have identified nerve fibers in endometriotic lesions in women with endometriosis. Mesenchymal stem cells [MSCs] have attracted interest for their possible use for both cell and gene therapies because of their capacity for self-renewal and multipotentiality of differentiation. We investigated how human umbilical cord-MSCs [hUC-MSCs] could affect nerve fibers density in endometriosis. In this experimental study, hUC-MSCs were isolated from fresh human umbilical cord, characterized by flow cytometry, and then transplanted into surgically induced endometriosis in a rat model. Ectopic endometrial implants were collected four weeks later. The specimens were sectioned and stained immunohistochemically with antibodies against neurofilament [NF], nerve growth factor [NGF], NGF receptor p75 [NGFRp75], tyrosine kinase receptor-A [Trk-A], calcitonin gene-related peptide [CGRP] and substance P [SP] to compare the presence of different types of nerve fibers between the treatment group with the transplantation of hUC-MSCs and the control group without the transplantation of hUC-MSCs. There were significantly less nerve fibers stained with specific markers we used in the treatment group than in the control group [p<0.05]. MSC from human umbilical cord reduced nerve fiber density in the treatment group with the transplantation of hUC-MSCs

Determination of imipenem, meropenem, panipenem, faropenem concentrations in human plasma by HPLC / 中国药学杂志

OBJECTIVE: To establish a reversed phase HPLC method for the determination of imipenem, meropenem, panipenem, faropenem concentrations in human plasma.

Hepatitis B e antigen from chronic hepatitis B patients induces Th1/Th2 cytokine imbalance in vitro / 中华肝脏病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the immunoregulatory effect of hepatitis B virus (HBV) e antigen (HBeAg) on peripheral blood monocytes (PBMCs).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>PBMCs were isolated from patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB; both HBeAg- and HBeAg+) and healthy controls, and cultured with recombinant HBeAg. The HBeAg-induced changes in expression of PD-1/PD-L1 were measured by flow cytometry of the cells and in secreted cytokines were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay of the supernatants. Comparisons between two groups were made by the independent-samples t-test; the relationship between PD-1/B7-H1 level and HBV DNA copy number was evaluated by Spearman's correlation analysis.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Exposure to HBeAg led to a significant decrease in CD3+CD4+ T lymphocyte-specific expression of IFNa for both the CHB patients' and healthy controls' samples (t = 2.382 and -4.190 respectively, P less than 0.01). For the HBeAg- CHB patients' and healthy controls' samples, the HBeAg exposure led to increased levels of secreted cytokines IL-6, IL-10 and TNFa (t = 2.504, 3.583 and 4.324, P less than 0.01 and t = 3.542, 6.246 and 5.273, P less than 0.01 respectively) and of CD14+ PBMC-specific expression of PD-L1 (t = 4.815 and 3.454, P less than 0.05 respectively). Compared to the HBeAg-negative CHB patients' and healthy controls' samples, the HBeAg+ CHB patients' samples had significantly lower CD3+CD4+ T cell-specific expression of IFNa (t = -3.177 and -4.541, P less than 0.01 respectively), but significantly higher levels of secreted IL-4 (t = 3.382 and 4.393, P less than 0.01 respectively), of CD3+ T cells-specific expression of PD-1/PD-L1 (t = 4.755, 2.942 and 4.518, 4.595, P less than 0.01 respectively), and of CD14+ T cells-specific expression of PD-L1 (t = 5.092 and 5.473, P less than 0.01 respectively). The CD3+ T cells-specific expression of PD-L1 was significantly higher in the samples from HBeAg- CHB patients than from the healthy controls (t = 3.214, P less than 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>HBeAg was able to down-regulate the production of Th1-type cytokines (IFNgamma), and up-regulate the secretion of Th2-type cytokines (IL-6, IL-10) and the expression of PD-1/PD-L1on monocytes. These changes are conducive to the formation of immune tolerance to HBV. Therefore, HBeAg may play an important role in immune tolerance to chronic HBV infection.</p>

Epidemiological status and risk factors of hyperuricemia in rural area of the Three Gorges / 中华心血管病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the epidemiological status and risk factors of hyperuricemia in rural area of the Three Gorges.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A cross-sectional survey was carried out in rural area of Yiling District, Yichang City, which was located north-west bank of Xiling Gorge in 2007. A standard structure questionnaire was used to collect demographic data, social-economic status and life-style features. Fasting venous blood was collected and serum uric acid (SUA) was determined. Hyperuricemia was defined as SUA levels ≥ 417 µ mol/L (70 mg/L) in men and ≥ 357 µmol/L (60 mg/L) in women. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to analysed the risk factors of hyperuricemia.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>A total of 9354 participants aged 35 and above were included, 19.9% (1866/9354) participants were the Three Gorges migrants. Serum uric acid level in men was significantly higher than that in women [(285.1 ± 80.2) µmol/L vs. (210.3 ± 65.0) µmol/L,P < 0.01].Serum uric acid level increased significantly in both genders in proportion to increase of age, and was higher in men than in women in all age groups (all P < 0.01). The age-adjusted prevalence was significantly higher in men than in women (5.6% vs. 3.3%, P < 0.01), and was also higher in men aged 35-44 and aged 45-54 than in women (both P < 0.01). There was no significance in prevalence of hyperuricemia in both men and women aged 55-64 and aged ≥ 65. After adjusting age, gender, educational level, migration and occupation, the multiple logistic regression analysis showed that the prevalence of hyperuricemia was higher in alcohol drinking participants than that of non-alcohol drinking participants (OR = 2.06, 95%CI:1.59-2.67, P < 0.01), and in participants used to consume less green vegetables and fruits than in participants consuming more green vegetables and fruits (OR = 1.77, 95% CI:1.27-2.47, P < 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The prevalence of hyperuricemia is relatively low in rural area of the Three Gorges.Alcohol drinking and low intake of green vegetables and fruits are the risk factors of hyperuricemia in this population.</p>

Epidemiological characteristics of influenza virus and respiratory syncytial virus among children in Wuhan area from 2008 to 2012 / 中华预防医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the infection status and epidemiological characteristics of influenza virus and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in influenza-like illness (ILI) of children ( ≤ 14 years) in Wuhan area from 2008 to 2012.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 2854 cases of ILI patients ( ≤ 14 years) in a hospital of Wuhan were recruited in the study from July 2008 to June 2012. The sample of pharyngeal swab was collected from each patient, to extract the virus nucleic acids. Real-time fluorescent quantitation reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR) method was applied to detect the subtypes of influenza virus and RSV, and then analyzed the time and age characteristics.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Out of the 2854 cases, 758 (26.6%) were positive for influenza virus,including 547 (19.2%) influenza A virus positive samples and 211 (7.4%) influenza B virus positive samples. Usually, there were two peaks present in the annual curve of influenza virus, namely summer peak and winter/spring peak. The positive rate of influenza virus in 6-14 years old children (48.0%, 275/573) was significantly higher than that in 3-5 years old children (26.6%, 213/801) and that under 3 years old children (18.3%, 270/1480). The difference showed statistical significance (χ(2) = 187.432, P < 0.01). A total of 219 (7.7%) cases were positive for RSV,including 108 RSV-A positive samples and 112 RSV-B positive samples (1 co-infection). The epidemic of RSV showed an obvious seasonal pattern with peaks in autumn,winter and spring,which accounted for 96.8% (212/219) of all the cases; however, the annual incidence of RSV fluctuated greatly. The predominant subtype shifted every 2 years. RSV-B predominated during September 2008 and May 2009, December 2009 and March 2010, accounting for 76.6% (36/47) and 96.9% (62/64) respectively. RSV-A predominated during November 2010 and March 2011, September 2011 and April 2012, accounting for 92.5% (37/40) and 100.0% (48/48) respectively. With the increase of the age, the positive rate of RSV-A and RSV-B decreased gradually (RSV-A: χ(2) = 36.223, P < 0.01; RSV-B: χ(2) = 36.281, P < 0.01). The positive rates of RSV-A in children < 1,1,2,3,4,5-9 and 10-14 years old were 7.0% (26/373), 5.9% (39/662), 4.0% (18/445), 3.2% (13/406), 1.3% (3/236), 1.4% (7/517) and 0.9% (2/215) respectively; while, the positive rates of RSV-B in each age group were 6.4% (24/373), 6.0% (40/662), 4.5% (20/445), 4.4% (18/406), 1.3% (3/236), 1.0% (5/517) and 0.9% (2/215) respectively. The children aged 0-3 years old were more susceptible for RSV infection,accounting for 90.0% (197/219) of the total positive samples. During the outbreak of influenza A H1N1 in November 2009, the positive rate of RSW was 3.0% (3/100), lower than that in the same month of 2008, 2010 and 2011,which were separately 18.2% (6/33), 10.8% (10/93) and 10.0% (4/40). The difference showed statistical significance (χ(2) = 8.450, P < 0.05). During the outbreak of influenza A (H1N1) in January 2011,the positive rate of RSV was 5.7% (3/53), lower than those in the same month of 2009, 2010 and 2012, which was separately 21.7% (5/23), 28.6% (22/77) and 16.0% (8/50). The difference showed statistical significance (χ(2) = 11.233,P < 0.05). During the period of less influenza happened in September 2011, the RSV positive rate was 25.0% (10/40), higher than those in the same month of 2008, 2009 and 2010, which was separately 11.4% (4/35), 1.7% (2/118) and 0.0% (0/109). The difference showed statistical significance (χ(2) = 32.521, P < 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Both influenza virus and RSV were important etiological agents of ILI of children in Wuhan. The characteristics of seasonal and age distributions of the two viruses were notably different; meanwhile, a certain inhibitional effect of influenza virus on RSV could be observed.</p>

Origin of ovarian epithelial inclusions and its relationship with the development of low-grade serous carcinoma / 中华妇产科杂志

Objective To investigate the possible origin of ovarian epithelial inclusions and its relationship with the low-grade ovarian serous carcinoma.Methods By comparatively evaluating the morphologic (secretory and ciliated cell distribution ) and immunophenotypic [using paired box gene 8 (PAX8),tubulin,calretinin,and Ki-67 as first antibodies] attributes of ovarian epithelial inclusions,the normal tubal epithelium,and the ovarian tumors,all adnexal tissues from a total of 198 patients were studied,including 116 adnexae removed for non-neoplastic indications,53 serous cystadenomas,44 serous borderline tumors,and 41 low-grade serous carcinomas,which were collected from Qilu Hospital of Shandong University and University of Arizona in USA.Immunohistochemical single staining was used to detect the expressions of PAX8,tubulin,calretinin,and Ki-67 in the two groups,while immunohistochemical double staining of PAX8/calretinin was used to figure out the immunophenotype of various ovarian epithelial inclusions in a more intuitive way.Results With immunohistochemical single staining of PAX8 and calretinin,the vast majority (90％,54/60) of ovarian surface epithelia displayed a mesothelial phenotype [calretinin(+),PAX8 (-)],whereas 10％ (6/60)of the cases displayed foci with tubal phenotype [calretinin(-),PAX8 (+)].In contrast,most (79％,728/921 ) of the ovarian epithelial inclusions displayed a tubal phenotype,though 21％ (193/921) of the ovarian epithelial inclusions showed a mesothelial phenotype.It was further proved by immunohistochemical double staining of PAX8/ calretinin.Secretory and ciliated cells were found in the ovarian epithelial inclusions with tubal phenotype.There was a progressive increase in the secretory/ciliated cells ratio and proliferative index,from ovarian epithelial inclusions/cystadenomas to borderline tumors to low-grade serous carcinoma,according to the expression of tubulin and Ki-67.Conclusions The findings make a strong argument that the ovarian epithelial inclusions displaying a tubal phenotype with PAX8 (+),calretinin (-) is likely derived from fallopian tube rather than through Mullerian metaplasia from ovarian surface epithelium.The increasing trend of secretory/ciliated cells ratio and proliferative index from ovarian epithelial inclusions/cystadenomas to borderline tumors to low-grade serous carcinoma indicates that the latter is a clonal expansion of secretory cells.Genetic and molecular studies are needed to further confirm these findings.

Study on the effect of the five pre-triage for infectious diseases in general hospitals / 中华医院管理杂志

Objective To investigate effective methodology for preventing infectious diseases from spreading within general hospitals at all levels. Methods Six hospitals at three levels in the city were made into two groups and investigated for their treatment of infectious diseases. The group of A1, A2 and A3 hospitals employs the five pre-triage, while the group of B2, B2 and B3 employs the routine pretriage. Results Comparison of undetected infectious cases between group A1, A2, A3 and group B1,B2,B3 identified significant difference with x2 testing, P＜0. 005. Conclusion Five pre-triage method can screen, identify and pinpoint confirmed or suspected infectious disease patients from all outpatients in the first time, thus preventing and controlling the nosocornial transmission of epidemic or even an outbreak of nosocomial infection effectively.

Investigation on the distribution of avian influenza virus in external environment and the level of H5N1 antibody in poultry-exposed population in Wuhan / 中华预防医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To survey the distribution of influenza A subtypes in external environment and investigate the infectious status of highly pathogenic avian influenza (H5N1) in poultry-exposed population in Wuhan.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Seventy-eight external environmental samples (water, cage surface and fecal samples) were collected from 3 habitats of wild migratory birds and 5 urban live-poultry markets in 2010. In 13 avian influenza monitoring points, 249 serum samples were collected from people living around habitats of wild migratory birds or working in live poultry markets. Real-time RT-PCR method was adopted to detect influenza A virus from external environmental samples; and multiple RT-PCR method and specific H3, H5, H7 and H9 primers were then applied to analyze the subtypes of the positive samples. The levels of H5N1 antibody in poultry-exposed population were tested by horse hemagglutination inhibition test and two avian influenza inactivated antigens: A/Hubei/1/10 and A/Anhui/1/05.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Of the 50 external environmental samples collected from live poultry markets, 17 samples were determined to be influenza A virus positive (positive rate 34.0%), including specific subtypes as follows: 4 samples of H5 single-positive subtype, 3 samples of H9 single-positive subtype, 4 samples of H3 and H5 mixed-positive subtype, 2 samples of H3 and H9 mixed-positive subtype, 2 samples of H5 and H9 mixed-positive subtype, 2 samples of H3, H5 and H9 mixed-positive subtype, but no H7 positive subtype was found. The 28 external environmental samples collected from habitats of wild migratory birds were all influenza A virus negative. Considering different types of external environmental samples, the influenza A virus positive rates in water, cage surface and fecal samples were 37.5% (6/16), 16.7% (5/30) and 18.8% (6/32), respectively. There were total 100 samples of serum whose A/Hubei/1/10 antigen inhibiting titers ≥ 40, accounting for 40.2%; while 36 samples of serum (14.5%) whose A/Anhui/1/05 antigen inhibiting titers ≥ 40 were found. The difference had statistical significance (χ(2) = 41.433, P < 0.05). Among the 249 serum samples collected from poultry-exposed population, 5 samples were H5N1 antibody positive against A/Hubei/1/10 antigen (inhibition titer ≥ 160), which came from 4 different live poultry markets, however, no positive serum sample against A/Anhui/1/05 antigen was found.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Multiple subtypes of avian influenza virus simultaneously prevailed in Wuhan urban poultry markets. Moreover, results from the distribution of avian influenza virus in external environment were consistent with the level of H5N1 antibody in poultry-exposed population.</p>

Prevalence and associated factors of school physical violence behaviors among middle school students in Beijing / 中华流行病学杂志

Objective To described the prevalence of school physical violence behaviors and to explore its associated factors among middle school students in Beijing. Methods In 2009, a randomly selected cross- sectional survey was conducted among 5718 students in grades 7 to 12 in Beijing. A self-report anonymous questionnaire involving physical violence at school and sociodemographic variables, such as sex, grades, family economic status and family structure, peer relationships, and communication with their parents etc. were completed by students themselves.Logistic regression was used to estimate the association between physical violence and sociodemographic variables. Results Among the students, 14.3% reported that they had had physical violence behavior in school during the past 12 months. Male students had been more likely to have physical violence behaviors than female students (Male 25.2%, Female 5.1% ). For both male and female students, poor school cohesion were the risk factors of physical violence behaviors (Male OR=1.060, Female OR=1.065). For male students, factors as father' s lower education level (OR=1.653 ), remarried/single-parent families ( OR = 1.834 ), low-grade ( grade 7 OR = 5.291; grade 11 OR =1.526) , poor school performance (OR=1.470) etc were the risk factors of physical violence behaviors; while better-off family economic status (OR=0.546), good peer relationships (OR=0.618) , and easy to communicate with the father (OR=0.756) were the protective factors of physical violence behaviors. For female students, easy to communicate with her mother (OR = 0.358)were the protective factors of physical violence behaviors. Conclusion For male and female students, the prevalence of school physical violence and its related factors were different. Actions on prevention against physical violence behaviors should be fully considered, including factors as gender, personal characteristics, family, school and peers etc.

Optimization of preparation parameters for gentamicin-loaded PLLA nanoparticles and the drug release behavior in vitro / 生物医学工程学杂志

It has been one of important issues in nanomedicine research field to prepare drug-loaded nanoparticles. Optimization of the preparation parameters plays a key role in obtaining drug-loaded nanoparticles with homogeneous particle size and controlled drug release property. In this paper, gentamicin-loaded PLLA nanoparticles was prepared by means of double emulsion and solvent evaporation technique. Statistical software SPSS was employed to deal with the orthogonal design for optimizing the parameters of the formulation. The in vitro release of gentamicin from nanoparticles was determined by ultra-violet spectroscopy. Analysis of the experimental data based on orthogonal design demonstrated that the concentration of PLLA solution and the molecular weight of PLLA had significant influence on the size of nanoparticles, and the ratio of oil phase to water phase exhibited determined role in the gentamicin release property. Gentamicin-loaded PLLA nanoparticles prepared with the optimized parameters showed homogeneous particle size of 277 nm and sustained release property, which displayed a promising potential of clinical applications.

Achievement and progress of dynamic culture conditions on the construction of engineered blood vessel substitutes / 生物医学工程学杂志

Dynamic culture conditions serve as a critical factor in constructing physiologically functional blood vessel substitutes. With the development of tissue engineering, many experiments have verified the hypothesis that proper dynamic conditions are important for cells' behaving ways such as attachment, proliferation, differentiation and the remodeling of the extracellular matrix. By means of simulating the physiological dynamic conditions, one can enhance cell growth and extracellular matrix remodeling, and further improve the function of engineered vessel. In this paper is reviewed the current state of dynamic culture conditions provided for tissue engineering vessel graft, including the effects of different dynamic culture conditions on the proliferation of vascular cells and the remodeling of extracellular matrix. The use of bioreactor in constructing tissue engineering blood vessels and the effects of dynamic culture environments are also discussed with respect to the biological properties of vascular grafts.

Expression of BAFF in the trophoblast and decidua of normal early pregnant women and patients with recurrent spontaneous miscarriage / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>BAFF, the B cell activation factor, is a member of the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) ligand family that binds to BCMA, TACI, and BAFF-R. Previous studies have shown that members of the TNF family are detected in human placental trophoblast cells, but the expression patterns of BAFF involved in human decidua and the differential expression of BAFF between normal pregnancy and miscarriage are still incompletely documented or unknown. This study was designed to investigate the expression of BAFF and BAFF-R in the trophoblast and decidua of normal early pregnant women and recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA) patients.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Forty-five patients with RSA and 45 normal pregnant women were included in this study. By reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), Western blotting and immunohistochemical experiments, we explored the expression of BAFF and BAFF-R in the maternal-fetal interface of normal early pregnant women and RSA patients.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Analysis by RT-PCR and Western blotting revealed that BAFF was detected in both trophoblast and decidua of all the samples, and the expression level was higher in the tissues of normal early pregnant women (P<0.05) than that of recurrent spontaneous abortion patients under the same gestational weeks. Messages for BAFF-R were absent. Immunohistochemical experiments showed that expression of BAFF was cell-specific which was localized to villous cytotrophoblast and syncytiotrophoblast cells in trophoblast and to stromal cells in decidua. Whereas BAFF was prominent on the trophoblast and decidua of normal early pregnant women, it was decreased in the tissues of RSA patients.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>BAFF might steer maternal leukocytes away from a harmful immune response and toward a favorable one and play a potentially vital role for successful pregnancy.</p>

Treatment of intraperitoneal implanted human ovarian carcinoma of nude mice by angiostatin gene and chemotherapy in vivo / 中国医学科学院学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the effects of angiostatin gene combined with chemotherapy on implanted human ovarian carcinoma of nude mouse.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The mice were randomly divided into four groups after 7 days of the intraperitoneal injection of tumor cells (4 x 10(6)), and injected respectively with empty plasmid pcDNA3.0, angiostatin plasmid, cisplatin, and angiostatin plasmid + cisplatin. For combinational treatment, reagents were delivered in a timed fashion, where angiostatin plasmid was injected first, followed by cisplatin 24h later. The tumor samples were prepared to be used in the examinations of the expression of angiostatin with immunohistochemistry, of MVD in the tumor with immunohistochemistry, and of cell apoptosis with TUNEL staining.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Tumor growth and ascites formation were inhibited in all 3 groups except for the control group. The therapeutic effectiveness in the combined group was more significant than in the other two groups. In this group, MVD (32.5 +/- 4.3) was the lowest and apoptosis index (5.12 +/- 0.63) was the highest (P < 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Angiostatin gene therapy combined with chemotherapy has a synergistic effect on the inhibition of ovarian cancer angiogenesis and ascites formation. Combining multiple therapies to treat ovarian cancer is an effective strategy.</p>

The influence of hepatitis B e antigen on the expression of toll-like receptor 2 on peripheral monocytes / 中华肝脏病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVES</b>In order to investigate the relationship among the toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2), hepatitis B e antigen and HBV DNA, the expression levels of TLR2 on peripheral blood monocytes of chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients as well as on their monocytes stimulated by ligand of TLR2 (Pam3CSK4) and HBeAg were analyzed.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Sixty-eight adults with CHB were enrolled, including 37 HBeAg-positive patients, 17 HBeAg-negative and HBV DNA negative patients, and 14 HBeAg-negative and HBV DNA positive patients. Sixteen healthy volunteers were also studied as controls. TLR2 expression levels on their peripheral blood monocytes stimulated with Pam3CSK4 or not stimulated were analyzed by FACS Caliber. The relationship of the expression levels of TLR2, HBeAg and HBV DNA were also analyzed. The level of TLR2 on peripheral blood monocytes of healthy volunteers and HBeAg-negative CHB patients stimulated by HBeAg was examined for six hours.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The TLR2 expression levels on CD14+ cells were significantly reduced in HBeAg-positive patients (47.57%+/-21.40 %) compared to both healthy volunteers (76.51%+/-7.46%) and HBeAg-negative patients (HBV DNA positive group 73.2%+/-14.2%, HBV DNA negative group 75.2%+/-11.3%); but there was no difference between those of the HBeAg-negative patients and the healthy volunteers. Expression levels of TLR2 on monocytes stimulated by TLR2 ligand in HBeAg-positive patients were obviously increased, and reached the basic levels of the healthy volunteers and the HBeAg-negative patients. The expression levels of TLR2 on monocytes stimulated by HBeAg of the healthy volunteers and the HBeAg-negative patients were markedly reduced.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>In the presence of HBeAg, HBV down-regulates the expressions of TLR2 on CD14+ cells from peripheral blood, and there is no correlation between HBV-DNA and TLR2. Pam3CSK4 can boost the TLR2 expression in HBeAg-positive patients. The proposed interaction between HBV and TLR2 may provide an important clue to explain the reasons of the establishment of persistent HBV infection.</p>

The expression profile of Toll-like receptor on monocyte-derived dendritic cells in patients with chronic hepatitis B virus infection / 中华传染病杂志

Objective To evaluate the expression of Toll-like receptor(TLR)on the monocyte- derived dendritic cells(DC)from chronic hepatitis B(CHB)patients and to analyze the expression pro- file and significance of the TLR such as TLR3,TLR4,TLR?,TLR8 and TLRg,which are associat- ed with immune response to viral infection.Methods Peripheral blood mononuclear cell(PBMC) centrifugated by the hydroxyethyl starch(HES)centrifugation were cultured and induced into DC by granulocyte-maerophage colony stimulating factor(GM-CSF)and interleukin-4(IL-4),and their mor- phology and phenotype were detected by the inverted microscope and flow cytometry respectively. Monocyte-derived DC were obtained from 10 chronically hepatitis B virus(HBV)-infected patients and 15 healthy volunteers.TLR3,TLR4,TLR7,TLRS,TLR9 expression on immature and mature DC were analyzed by FACS Calibur.DC was pulsed with HBcAg on day 3 and 5,then DC maturation and ability to process HBcAg and to stimulate autogeneic T cells were evaluated.Results Monocyte- derived DC developed different TLR expression patterns as they went through different maturation stages.TLR7,TLR8 expressions on immature DC and TLR3,TLR7 expressions on mature DC were lower in CHB than in control(for TLR7,TLR8 expression on immature DC:75.9%,1.0%vs 98.4%,15.4%,P

Study of the adsorption behaviors of plasma proteins on the single-walled carbon nanotubes nonwoven / 生物医学工程学杂志

Single walled carbon nanotubes (SWNT) have attracted increasing research interests for the purpose of biomedical application because they provide not only nanostructured topography, but also chemical composition of pure carbon atoms, as well as ultra high strength and excellent flexibility. Regarding the interactions of nanomaterials to biological systems, non-specific adsorption of plasma proteins is one of the most important issues to be concerned, which plays a crucial role that would determine how biological systems response to the biomaterials. Motivated by application of SWNT materials in biomedical fields, in this study, the adsorption behaviors of plasma proteins on the surface of SWNT nonwoven, prepared directly by floating chemical vapor observation and energy deposition method were investigated by means of scanning electron microscope (SEM), dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis and ELISA. Results indicated the SWNT non-woven showed a clear adsorption preference of fibrinogen over albumin. There was no human serum albumin detected using above analysis methods on the SWNT nonwoven even incubated in the albumin solution of 4 mg/ml. While more than 0.15 microg of human fibrinogen was detected by ELISA on the SWNT nonwoven with area of 40 mm x 40 mm incubated in the fibrinogen solution of 5 microg/ml. In addition, IgG of sheep-anti-human serum fibrinogen exhibited strong nonspecific adsorption on the surface of SWNT nonwoven. The adsorption behaviors are different significantly from those of other carbon materials and conventional biomaterials. The unique interaction of SWNT nonwoven to plasma proteins is of significance to further studies of blood cells responses.