Current status of public health system in Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and improvement suggestion / 中华流行病学杂志

Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) has three public health systems under different systems, which plays an important role in the construction of the public health system in China. Further strengthening the construction of the public health system in the GBA will play an important reference role in the optimization and upgrade of China's public health system in the future. Based on the key consulting project of "research on the strategy of the modern public health system and capacity building in China" by Chinese Academy of Engineering, this paper deeply analyzes the current status and existing problems of public health system construction in GBA and suggests to improve and innovate the mechanisms of collaborative prevention and control of public health risks, resource coordination and joint research and result sharing, information sharing and exchange, personnel training and team building in order to comprehensively improve the capacity of public health system in GBA, and promote the construction of Healthy China.

Puerarin pretreatment attenuates cardiomyocyte apoptosis induced by coronary microembolization in rats by activating the PI3K/Akt/GSK-3β signaling pathway

Coronary microembolization (CME) is associated with cardiomyocyte apoptosis and cardiac dysfunction. Puerarin confers protection against multiple cardiovascular diseases, but its effects and specific mechanisms on CME are not fully known. Hence, our study investigated whether puerarin pretreatment could alleviate cardiomyocyte apoptosis and improve cardiac function following CME. The molecular mechanism associated was also explored. A total of 48 Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into CME, CME + Puerarin (CME + Pue), sham, and sham + Puerarin (sham + Pue) groups (with 12 rats per group). A CME model was established in CME and CME + Pue groups by injecting 42 μm microspheres into the left ventricle of rats. Rats in the CME + Pue and sham + Pue groups were intraperitoneally injected with puerarin at 120 mg/kg daily for 7 days before operation. Cardiac function, myocardial histopathology, and cardiomyocyte apoptosis index were determined via cardiac ultrasound, hematoxylin-eosin (H&E) and hematoxylin-basic fuchsin-picric acid (HBFP) stainings, and TdT-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL) staining, respectively. Western blotting was used to measure protein expression related to the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt)/glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK-3β) pathway. We found that, puerarin significantly ameliorated cardiac dysfunction after CME, attenuated myocardial infarct size, and reduced myocardial apoptotic index. Besides, puerarin inhibited cardiomyocyte apoptosis, as revealed by decreased Bax and cleaved caspase-3, and up-regulated Bcl-2 and PI3K/Akt/GSK-3β pathway related proteins. Collectively, puerarin can inhibit cardiomyocyte apoptosis and thus attenuate myocardial injury caused by CME. Mechanistically, these effects may be achieved through activation of the PI3K/Akt/GSK-3β pathway.

Puerarin pretreatment attenuates cardiomyocyte apoptosis induced by coronary microembolization in rats by activating the PI3K/Akt/GSK-3β signaling pathway

Coronary microembolization (CME) is associated with cardiomyocyte apoptosis and cardiac dysfunction. Puerarin confers protection against multiple cardiovascular diseases, but its effects and specific mechanisms on CME are not fully known. Hence, our study investigated whether puerarin pretreatment could alleviate cardiomyocyte apoptosis and improve cardiac function following CME. The molecular mechanism associated was also explored. A total of 48 Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into CME, CME + Puerarin (CME + Pue), sham, and sham + Puerarin (sham + Pue) groups (with 12 rats per group). A CME model was established in CME and CME + Pue groups by injecting 42 μm microspheres into the left ventricle of rats. Rats in the CME + Pue and sham + Pue groups were intraperitoneally injected with puerarin at 120 mg/kg daily for 7 days before operation. Cardiac function, myocardial histopathology, and cardiomyocyte apoptosis index were determined via cardiac ultrasound, hematoxylin-eosin (H&E) and hematoxylin-basic fuchsin-picric acid (HBFP) stainings, and TdT-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL) staining, respectively. Western blotting was used to measure protein expression related to the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt)/glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK-3β) pathway. We found that, puerarin significantly ameliorated cardiac dysfunction after CME, attenuated myocardial infarct size, and reduced myocardial apoptotic index. Besides, puerarin inhibited cardiomyocyte apoptosis, as revealed by decreased Bax and cleaved caspase-3, and up-regulated Bcl-2 and PI3K/Akt/GSK-3β pathway related proteins. Collectively, puerarin can inhibit cardiomyocyte apoptosis and thus attenuate myocardial injury caused by CME. Mechanistically, these effects may be achieved through activation of the PI3K/Akt/GSK-3β pathway.

Posterior short-segment pedicle screw fixation combined with vertebroplasty for the treatment of thoracolumbar burst fractures / 中国骨伤

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the clinical efficacy of posterior short-segment pedicle screw fixation combined reduction of central end-plate by end-plate expand clamp and vertebroplasty with calcium phosphate cement for the treatment of thoracolumbar burst fractures.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Thirty patients with thoracolumbar burst fractures were treated with posterior pedicle screw fixation combined reduction of central end-plate by end-plate expand clamp and vertebroplasty with calcium phosphate cement. There were 22 males and 8 females with an average of 47 years (range from 25 to 71 years). Segment of fracture had 1 case in T11, 5 in T12, 14 in L1, 8 in L2, 2 in L3, 1 in L4, 1 in L5. According to Denis typing, 4 cases were type A, 25 type B, 1 type C, 1 type D, 1 type E. The relative anterior height of vertebral body and the vertebral angle were measured before and after operation and during the follow-up period (8 months after operation) through X-ray, the failure of internal fixation and recurrent kyphosis were evaluated during the follow-up period. Vertebral intracorporeal gap was measured by CT images after operation and the central end-plate fracture and reduction were observed by the reconstructed CT images (sagittal and coronary) before and after operation.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>All patients were followed up from 8 to 15 months with an average of 12 months. Relative anterior height of vertebral body and vertebral angle were well restored after operation, and there was no significant change between after operation and 8 months after operation. Preoperative,postoperative and 8 months after operation, relative anterior height of vertebral body respectively was 40.1%, 98.2%, 97.8%, vertebral angle respectively was 18.30, 2.70, 3.20. No failure of internal fixation and recurrent kyphosis were found during the follow-up period. The vertebral intracorporeal gap was about 3.1% and reduction of central endplate fracture was satisfactory.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Posterior short-segment pedicle screw fixation combined with vertebroplasty with calcium phosphate cement can provide excellent reduction of post-traumatic segmental kyphosis and restore vertebral body height in the fracture level, prevent the failure of internal fixation which is an ideal method for the treatment of thoracolumbar burst fractures.</p>

Effects of Kangquan Recipe on sex steroids and cell proliferation in rats with benign prostatic hyperplasia / 中国结合医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effects of Kangquan Recipe (KQR) on sex steroids and cell proliferation in an experimental benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) model in rats.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Seventy-two SD rats were randomly divided into six groups: the normal group, the model group, the finasteride group, and the low-, middle-, and high-dose KQR groups, 12 in each group. Except those in the normal group, the rats were injected with testosterone after castration for the establishment of BPH model and then given respectively with normal saline, finasteride, and low-, middle-, and high-dose of KQR for 30 days. The levels of plasma testosterone (T) and estradiol (E(2)) were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and the mRNA expression ) of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) in prostate tissue was detected by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) after administration.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with the model group, the prostate weight, the plasma T, and the mRNA expression of PCNA were significantly lower, and the plasma E(2) and the ratio of E(2)/T were higher in the three KQR groups (P<0.05 or P<0.01). There was no significant difference in the prostate weight, plasma T and E(2), and ratio of E(2)/T among the finasteride group and the three KQR groups (P>0.05). The mRNA expressions of PCNA were significantly higher in the middle- and low-dose of KQR groups than those in the finasteride group (P<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>KQR shows multitarget effects on experimental BPH rats, and the mechanism might be related with regulating the balance of plasma T and E(2) and decreasing the PCNAmRNA expression in prostate tissue to restrain cell proliferation in a dose-dependent manner.</p>

Manufacture and cytotoxicity of a lead-free piezoelectric ceramic as a bone substitute-consolidation of porous lithium sodium potassium niobate by cold isostatic pressing / 国际口腔科学杂志·英文版

<p><b>AIM</b>The piezoelectric properties and cytotoxicity of a porous lead-free piezoelectric ceramic for use as a direct bone substitute were investigated.</p><p><b>METHODOLOGY</b>Cold isostatic pressing (CIP) was applied to fabricate porous lithium sodium potassium niobate (Li0.06Na0.5K0.44) NbO3 specimens using a pore-forming method. The morphologies of the CIP-processed specimens were characterized and compared to those of specimens made by from conventional pressing procedures. The effects of the ceramic on the attachment and proliferation of osteoblasts isolated from the cranium of 1-day-old Sprague-Dawley rats were examined by a scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and methylthiazol tetrazolium (MTT) assay.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The results showed that CIP enhanced piezoelectricity and biological performance of the niobate specimen, and also promoted an extracellular matrix-like topography of it. In vitro studies showed that the CIP-enhanced material had positive effects on the attachment and proliferation of osteoblasts.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Niobate ceramic generated by CIP shows a promise for being a piezoelectric composite bone substitute.</p>

Preparation and cytocompatibility of apatite-porous fibers composite / 华西口腔医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>The purpose of this article was to prepare apatite-porous fibers composite through biominetic synthesis and to investigate its cytocompatibility.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Phosphate groups were incorporated into the surface of natural porous fiber-corncob by chemical modification. After precalcification, corncob was immersed into simulated body fluid. The surface of composite was observed through scanning electron microscope (SEM) and X-ray diffraction. Infant rat calvarias osteoblasts were isolated and expanded in vitro and the cells were seeded onto composite. Osteoblasts growth, proliferation and differentiation were assessed through SEM, MTT and alkaline phosphatase (ALP).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Apatite crystal was formed on the surface of corncob after reaction. Cell adhered and spread well on the surface of the composite, having high abilities of proliferation and synthesis of ALP.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>There is good compatibility between the osteoblast and apatite-porous fibers composite. This composite may serve as a potential biomaterial used in bone repair and regeneration.</p>

Biocompatibility of a novel biological piezoelectric ceramic to the rat periosteum derived osteoblast / 华西口腔医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>A novel biological piezoelectric ceramic was made by beta-tricalcium phosphate (beta-TCP) and lithium sodium potassium niobate (LNK) piezoelectric ceramics. To study its biocompatibility to osteoblast isolated from the cranium of 1-day-old Sprague-Dawley mice.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The biological piezoelectric ceramic TCPLNK1/10, TCPLNK5/5 respectively mixed by beta-TCP and LNK piezoelectric ceramic at the ratio of 1/10 and 5/5. Then osteoblasts were used and seeded respectively on the negative and positive surfaces of TCPLNK1/10 and TCPLNK5/5. Growth and proliferation of the osteoblasts on TCPLNK1/10 and TCPLNK5/5 surfaces were evaluated in vitro by means of scanning electron microscopy (SEM) examination, fluorescence dyeing of osteoblast skeleton protein and MTT assay.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Cell morphology of osteoblast on positive and negative surfaces of TCPLNK1/10 and TCPLNK5/5 was normal, and both adhesion and growth characteristics showed better than control group. The growing osteoblasts on the TCPLNK1/10 negative surface were significantly higher than others. The negative surface of TCPLNK1/10 possessed better osteogenesis potential than others in vitro.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The surface of TCPLNK may permit the imitation piezoelectric effect of natural bone for bone regeneration.</p>

Preparation and characteristics of non-woven silk fibroin/nano-hydroxyapatite scaffolds / 华西口腔医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>The aim of the present study was to design and fabricate a three dimensional (3D) porous structure of silk fibroin/apatite used as a potential scaffold in bone tissue engineering.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>With the combining use of non-woven silk fibroin net and biomimetic method, porous non-woven silk fibroin/nano-hydroxyapatite net (NSF/nHAP) was prepared and characterized with X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM) and fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The porosity and swelling ratio of the 3D scaffold were also measured. Besides, the osteoblasts from the cranium of new born SD rat were cultured on the pre-fabricated scaffold to evaluate the biological reaction of the scaffold.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The nano-sized hydroxyapatite crystals were needle-like with the length of 100-300 nm and the diameter of 20-60 nm. The scaffold fabricated in the present study exhibited the porous microstructure with open porosity around 70%-78%. Its average pore size was about (163.4 +/- 42.6) microm. The swelling ratio and water uptaking were 4.56% and 81.93%, respectively, which revealed that the 3D porous scaffold had an excellent hydrophilicity. The rod-shaped apatite crystals could rapidly form on the surface of fibroin fibers throughout the network by immersing the net into calcium and phosphate solutions alternatively.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>A 3D porous NSF/nHAP scaffold can be fabricated by biomimetic mineralization and none-woven silk fibroin method. The novel NSF/nHAP scaffold has an excellent cytocompatibility for the growth of osteoblasts. Porous NSF/nHAP scaffold may be a hopeful biomaterial used in bone tissue engineering.</p>

Study of adherence of normal oral bacteria on polymethyl methyacrylate containing silver-supported silicate inorganic antibacteria / 华西口腔医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the oral normal bacteria adherence on polymethyl methyacrylate (PMMA) containing silver-supported silicate inorganic antibacterial, and the growth inhibitory concentration of silver-supported silicate inorganic antibacterial to normal oral bacteria were also investigated.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A certain volume of normal oral bacteria was inoculated on the RHI plate containing different dilution of silver-supported silicate inorganic antibacterial, then the growth of the bacteria was investigated by light microscope and biochemical methods; the oral bacteria plaque model in vitro was used to evaluate the adherence of 4 species normal oral bacteria mixture on the surface of PMMA which containing silver-supported silicate inorganic antibacterial in the proportion of 5% or 10%.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The growth of normal oral bacteria was inhibited effectively by silver-supported silicate inorganic antibacterial within the concentration of 8%, and the growth of Porphyromonas gingivalis and Conclida albicans were inhibited at concentration from 1.25% to 2.50%, but the PMMA containing silver-supported inorganic antibacterial could not prevent the adherence of bacteria within a period of 16 days.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Silver-supported silicate inorganic antibacterial has effectiveness on inhibiting the growth of normal oral bacteria, but could not prevent the adherence of oral normal bacteria mixture.</p>

Adenoma of nonpigmented epithelium in ciliary body: literature review and case report / 浙江大学学报（英文版）（B辑：生物医学和生物技术）

Adenomas of the nonpigmented ciliary epithelium (NPCE) are often clinically indistinguishable from amelanotic malignant melanomas of the ciliary body or metastatic carcinomas. This paper reports a case study of a distinctive variant of adenoma of the NPCE, which clinically appears as epiretinal membrane in the macular region. Histopathologic studies have revealed this is an adenoma of the NPCE. Identification of this clinic feature is important because it will miss the diagnosis of the adenoma of the NPCE. In this case study, B-scan ultrasonography as well as computerized tomography (CT) has been used to provide help in diagnosing the ciliary body tumor. Because of their anterior location in the ciliary body, partial lamellar sclerouvectomy is an effective method of treatment.

Cytocompatibility of nanophase hydroxyapatite ceramics / 华西口腔医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the cytocompatibility of nanophase hydroxyapatite ceramics in vitro.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Hydroxyapatite (HA) was prepared via wet method. The grain size of the hydroxyapatite in the study was determined by scanning electron microscope and atomic force microscope with image analysis software. Primary osteoblast culture was established from rat calvaria. Cell adherence and proliferation on nanophase hydroxyapatite ceramics and conventional hydroxyapatite ceramics were examined at 1, 3, 5, 7 days. Morphology of the cells was observed by microscope.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The average grain size of the nanophase and conventional HA was 55 nm and 780 nm, respectively. Throughout 7 days period, osteoblast proliferation on the HA was similar to that on tissue culture borosilicate glass controls, osteoblasts could attach, spread and proliferate on HA. However, compared to conventional ceramics, osteoblast proliferation on nanophase HA was significantly better after 1, 3, 5 and 7 days.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Cytocompatibility of nanophase HA was significantly better than conventional ceramics.</p>