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BACKGROUND@#Islet transplantation is currently considered the most promising method for treating insulin-dependent diabetes. The two most-studied artificial islets are alginate-encapsulated b cells or b cell spheroids. As three-dimensional (3D) models, both artificial islets have better insulin secretory functions and transplantation efficiencies than cells in twodimensional (2D) monolayer culture. However, the effects of these two methods have not been compared yet. Therefore, in this study, cells from the mouse islet b cell line Min6 were constructed as scaffold-free spheroids or alginate-encapsulated dispersed cells. @*METHODS@#MIN6 cell spheroids were prepared by using Agarose-base microwell arrays. The insulin secretion level was determined by mouse insulin ELISA kit, and the gene and protein expression status of the MIN6 were performed by Quantitative polymerase chain reaction and immunoblot, respectively. @*RESULTS@#Both 3D cultures effectively promoted the proliferation and glucose-stimulated insulin release (GSIS) of MIN6 cells compared to 2D adherent cells. Furthermore, 1% alginate-encapsulated MIN6 cells demonstrated more significant effects than the spheroids. In general, three pancreatic genes were expressed at higher levels in response to the 3D culture than to the 2D culture, and pancreatic/duodenal homeobox-1 (PDX1) expression was higher in the cells encapsulated in 1% alginate than that in the spheroids. A western blot analysis showed that 1% alginate-encapsulated MIN6 cells activated the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/serine/threonine protein kinase (AKT)/forkhead transcription factor FKHR (FoxO1) pathway more than the spheroids, 0.5% alginate-, or 2% alginate-encapsulated cells did. The 3D MIN6 culture, therefore, showed improved effects compared to the 2D culture, and the 1% alginate-encapsulated MIN6 cells exhibited better effects than the spheroids. The upregulation of PDX1 expression through the activation of the PI3K/AKT/FoxO1 pathway may mediate the improved cell proliferation and GSIS in 1% alginate-encapsulated MIN6 cells. @*CONCLUSION@#This study may contribute to the construction of in vitro culture systems for pancreatic islets to meet clinical requirements.
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Objective:To understand the X-ray, computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) imaging features of Brucella spondylitis (BS) in non-pasture areas. Methods:The medical records of 21 patients with BS diagnosed and treated in the Second Affiliated Hospital, Dalian Medical University from December 2013 to November 2020 were collected. There were 14 males and 7 females. The age was (52.4 ± 15.8) years old, ranging from 21 to 77 years old. They all came from non-pasture areas. The diagnostic criteria refered to the "Diagnosis for Brucellosis" (WS 269-2019). The results of imaging examinations (including X-ray, CT and MRI, 19, 16 and 21 cases respectively) were retrospectively analyzed.Results:In 21 patients with BS, the main lesion site was lumbar vertebrae (16 cases, 76.2%). In 19 cases of X-ray examination, 9 cases (47.4%) showed "Bird's Beak" hyperostosis, and 7 cases (36.8%) had vertebral bone destruction. Among the 16 cases of CT examination, 10 cases (62.5%) had hyperosteosclerosis and 8 cases (50.0%) had vertebral bone destruction, they had been showed the characteristic change of "Lace Like" sign. There were 7 cases (43.8%) of intervertebral disc lesions, 1 case (6.2%) of paravertebral abscess and 1 case (6.2%) of psoas major abscess. In 21 patients with MRI examination, 10 cases (47.6%) showed hyperostosis and 11 cases (52.4%) showed bone destruction; 13 cases (61.9%) had signal changes of intervertebral disc. There were 1 case (4.8%) of prevertebral abscess, 1 case (4.8%) of paravertebral abscess and 1 case (4.8%) of psoas major abscess. Sixteen patients underwent CT and MRI examinations at the same time, MRI was superior to CT in detecting intervertebral disc lesions (13 vs 7 cases, χ 2 = 4.800, P < 0.05). Conclusion:The X-ray, CT and MRI imaging features of BS patients in non-pasture areas are varied, and the lesion site mainly involves the lumbar vertebrae, and MRI is superior to CT in detecting intervertebral disc lesions.
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Sulfur fumigation is a traditional processing method in Chinese herbal medicine,with the effects of being insecti?cide and mildew proof and conducive to storage. Because of the low cost and the convenience in operation,sulfur fumigation has been abused in post harvest handling of herbs in recent years. In this paper,we discuss the effects of sulfur fumigation on the quality of Chi?nese herbal medicine,including the characteristics,chemical composition,heavy metals,trace elements and pharmacological activi?ties,and summarize the progress in several alternative technologies for sulfur fumigation,so as to provide a reliable basis for regula?tions and further research on sulfur fumigation and its alternative technologies.
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Objective To study the cryoprecipitate effect of local external treatment of anal fistula surgical wound repair.Methods A total of 95 cases of low simple anal fistula patients was chosen, and was divided into three groups according to random number table method.The cryoprecipitate group (n =32 cases) began with cryoprecipitate dressing (2 layer) even to fill in a wound, once per day.The Kangfuxin group (n =32 cases) used Kangfuxin solution.The exposed burn ointment (MEBO) group (n =31 cases) used MEBO to cover the wound.The healing time, postoperative wound healing rate, the granulation tissue growth, new epithelial coverage, and adverse reactions were observed.Results The cryoprecipitate group in 14 d and 21 d had postoperative wound healing rate (60.97 ±4.20)％ and (97.69 ± 1.79)％ ,wound healing time (21.31 ±2.08)days;it had higher healing rate and shorter healing times compared to other two groups (P ＜0.05).Wound repaired more neatly;and 14d and 21d after the operation, wound granulation tissue growth rate [(61.06 ± 13.29) ％ and (97.63 ± 2.81) ％] and new epithelial coverage [(33.03 ±4.15)％ and (94.97 ±4.36)％] were more than the control groups (P ＜0.05) with less adverse reactions relative to control groups.Conclusions The cryoprecipitate contained in the composition has a strong biological activity.It can promote the wound tissue cell growth, and promote the wound repair.
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Objective To study changes of DNA content in human spleen nuclei and seek an experimental method for estimation of the postmortem interval(PMI)using computerized image-analysis technique(CIAT).Methods Smear sections from spleen sampled were collected in 36 cadavers with known the accurate PMI respectively every hour within the first 36 hours after death,which were then fixed with cold Carony fixation.The smeared sections were stained by Feulgen-van's staining method.3 indices for spleen nucleic DNA including integral optical density(IOD),average optical density(AOD)and average gray(AG)were measured using the CIAT.Results IOD and AOD in the spleen nuclei declined regularly,whereas AG increased with the extension of PMIs in 36 hours.Conclusion There are definite relationships between the PMI and gray parameters(IOD、AOD and AG)representing the DAN content of nucleic DNA in the spleen in 36 hours after death,which may be used for estimation of PMI.