Using IV-Tubing "Bridge" from Splenic Artery to Superior Mesentery Artery to Create a Single Arterial Cannulation for Normothermic Machine Perfusion When Donor Liver Has Replaced Right Hepatic Artery.

BACKGROUND The presence of anatomical variations of the hepatic artery poses a challenge for normothermic machine perfusion (NMP). Here, we describe our experience of creating a single arterial cannulation for NMP in 3 donor livers with replaced right hepatic artery. CASE REPORT Three donor livers with replaced right hepatic artery were perfused using NMP (OrganOx® metra®) for liver transplantation. To maintain hepatic artery integrity and establish an intact arterial vascular inflow for NMP, a single vasculature was created to allow single arterial cannulation for NMP. A piece of intravenous-line tubing was used as a bridge from the splenic artery to the superior mesenteric artery during the back-table preparation. After 1 h of NMP, the lactate of 2 livers decreased from >10.0 to about 1.0 mmol/L, and the lactate of 1 liver decreased from >4.0 to <0.4 mmol/L. Three livers made >100 mL of bile after 4 h of NMP and were successfully implanted after >10 h of NMP. The recipients spent 2, 3, and 4 days in the Intensive Care Unit and were discharged home at 6, 7, and 9 days, respectively. None of the patients experienced early allograft dysfunction or any early technical complication or non-anastomotic biliary stricture. CONCLUSIONS Creating an intravenous-line tubing bridge from the splenic artery to the superior mesenteric artery prior to NMP of liver grafts associated with replaced right hepatic artery could reduce the cold ischemia time associated with vessel reconstruction and reduce bleeding risk during NMP. This is feasible, safe, and effective.

OC-STAMP Overexpression Drives Lung Alveolar Epithelial Cell Type II Senescence in Silicosis.

Cellular senescence has been considered an important driver of many chronic lung diseases. However, the specific mechanism of cellular senescence in silicosis is still unknown. In the present study, silicotic rats and osteoclast stimulatory transmembrane protein (Ocstamp) overexpression of MLE-12 cells were used to explore the mechanism of OC-STAMP in cellular senescence in alveolar epithelial cell type II (AEC2). We found an increasing level of OC-STAMP in AEC2 of silicotic rats. Overexpression of Ocstamp in MLE-12 cells promoted epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, and cellular senescence. Myosin heavy chain 9 (MYH9) was a potential interacting protein of OC-STAMP. Knockdown of Ocstamp or Myh9 inhibited cellular senescence in MLE-12 cells transfected with pcmv6-Ocstamp. Treatment with 4-phenylbutyrate (4-PBA) to inhibit ER stress also attenuated cellular senescence in vitro or in vivo. In conclusion, OC-STAMP promotes cellular senescence in AEC2 in silicosis.

Complete chloroplast genome of Salvia plebeia: organization, specific barcode and phylogenetic analysis.

Salvia plebeia has been in use as traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for more than 500 years. In this study, the complete chloroplast (cp) genome of S. plebeia was sequenced, assembled and compared to those of other five published Salvia cp genomes. It was found that the cp genome structure of S. plebeia was well conserved and had a total size of 151 062 bp. Four parameters were used to display the usage conditions of the codons of the amino acids in Salvia genus. Although the number of protein-coding genes in each species was the same, the total number of codons was different. Except for amino acids Trp and Met whose Relative Synonymous Codon Usage (RSCU) value of one condon was equal to 1, the remaining 19 amino acids had 1-3 preferred codons. The preferred codon names of each amino acid were coincident. The period size for the tandem repeats of six species ranged from 9 to 410 bp. Salvia cp genomes mainly possessed tandem repeats with a copy number less than or equal to 3. The sequence length of tandem repeats of the six species ranged from 25 to 824 bp. Highly viarable regions including four intergenic spacers and six partial genes were discovered as potential specific barcodes for Salvia species through cp genome-wide comparison. Finally, we performed phylogenetic analyses based on the complete cp genome and coding sequences respectively. These results provide information to help construct the cp genome library for Salvia, which may support studies of phylogenetics, DNA barcoding, population and transplastomics.

Differences in leaf physiological and morphological traits between Camellia japonica and Camellia reticulata.

Plants of the genus Camellia are widely cultivated throughout the world as ornamentals because of their bright and large flowers. The widely cultivated varieties are mainly derived from the mutant lines and hybrid progenies of Camellia japonica Linn. and Camellia reticulata Lindl. While their geographical distributions and environmental adaptabilities are significantly different, no systematic comparison has been conducted between these two species. To investigate differences in how these plants have adapted to their environments, we measured photosynthesis and 20 leaf functional traits of C. japonica and C. reticulata grown under the same conditions. Compared with C. japonica, C. reticulata showed higher values for light saturation point, light-saturated photosynthetic rate, leaf dry mass per unit area and stomatal area, but lower values for apparent quantum efficiency, leaf size, stomatal density and leaf nitrogen content per unit mass. Stomatal area was positively correlated with light-saturated photosynthetic rate and light saturation point, but negatively correlated with stomatal density. The differences between C. reticulata and C. japonica were mainly reflected in their adaptations to light intensity and leaf morphological traits. C. reticulata is better adapted to high light intensity than C. japonica. This difference is related to the two species' differing life forms. Thus, leaf morphological traits have played an important role in the light adaptation of C. reticulata and C. japonica, and might be first noticed and selected during the breeding process. These findings will contribute to the cultivation of camellia plants.

Correction to: Arsenic concentration, speciation, and risk assessment in sediments of the Xijiang River basin, China.

In the original paper, there was an error in the communication unit 1. The communication unit was "Liaoning Engineering Research Center for Treatment and Recycling of Industrially Discharged Heavy Metals, Shenyang University of Chemical Technology, Shenyang 110142, People's Republic of China".

Arsenic concentration, speciation, and risk assessment in sediments of the Xijiang River basin, China.

In order to acquire the spatial distribution, speciation, and risk assessment of arsenic (As), 18 sediment samples were collected in the middle and upper reaches (Nanpan River, Beipan River, Hongshui River, Diaojiang River, and Duliu River) of the Xijiang River basin, China. The chemical fractions of As in the collected sediments were mainly dominated by the residual fraction and the Fe (Mn, Al) oxide/oxyhydroxides fractions. The correlation analysis results showed that the chemical fraction of As in sediments had close correlations with Mn, good correlations with Fe and organic matter (OM), while weak correlations with Al and carbonate. In addition, it also showed that Diaojiang River basin was found to have an extremely high As pollution status and suffered from high ecological risk. Duliu River and Nanpan River had moderately polluted levels of As and showed a low ecological risk. The other sample sites of Xijiang River basin were uncontaminated of As. The assessment results from this study indicated that the different types of species present based on the chemical fractionation of As from the Xijiang River basin showed different risks. Graphical abstract.

Micro-implanted-anchorage safety: cortical bone thickness in the maxillary posterior region of skeletal class II malocclusion / Seguridad en el micro-implante de anclaje: espesor del hueso cortical en la región posterior del maxilar en maloclusión de clase esquelética tipo II

Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) measurement of cortical bone thickness and implantation angle in the maxillary posterior region was used to provide reference for the safety of Micro-Implanted-Anchorage (MIA) implantation in skeletal class II malocclusion. Twenty samples of CBCT images were collected from orthodontics patients (ages, 12-40 years) in Shanxi Medical University Stomatological Hospital, the thickness of cortical bone was measured at 45°, 60° and 90° from the alveolar crest, being at 4 mm, 6 mm and 8 mm, respectively. SPSS17.0 statistical software was used to analyze the data, and the one-way ANOVA and LSD method were compared. There was a significant difference in the thickness of the cortical bone obtained by implanting MIA at the same height of different angle (P≤0.05). The greater the inclination angle of the implanted MIA, the thicker the cortical bone. Also, the higher the implant site, the thicker the cortical bone thickness. Finally, the greater the thickness of the cortical bone in the maxillary posterior region of skeletal class II malocclusion, the greater the thickness of the cortical bone. At the same implantation height, implanted MIA with a tilt angle of 45º to 60º, 90º to obtain the best cortical bone thickness.

La medición del grosor del hueso cortical y del ángulo de implantación en la región posterior del maxilar por tomografía computarizada de haz cónico (TCHC) se utilizó para proporcionar una referencia para la implantación y el anclaje seguros de un Micro-Implante de Anclaje (MIA) en la maloclusión de clase esquelética tipo II. Veinte muestras de imágenes de TCHC fueron obtenidas de pacientes de ortodoncia (12-40 años) en el Hospital Estomatológico de la Universidad Médica de Shanxi. Se midió el grosor del hueso cortical a 45°, 60° y 90° de la cresta alveolar, encontrándose a 4 mm, 6 mm y 8 mm, respectivamente. Se utilizó el software estadístico SPSS 17.0 para analizar los datos, y se compararon con los métodos ANOVA y LSD de un factor. Hubo una diferencia significativa en el grosor del hueso cortical obtenido al implantar el MIA a la misma altura en diferentes ángulos (P <0,05). Cuanto mayor es el ángulo de inclinación del MIA implantado, más grueso es el hueso cortical. También, cuanto más alto es el sitio del implante, más grueso es el grosor del hueso cortical. Finalmente, cuanto mayor sea el grosor del hueso cortical en la región posterior del maxilar, en la maloclusión de clase esquelética tipo II, mayor será el grosor del hueso cortical.

Influence of the interaction between Ac­SDKP and Ang II on the pathogenesis and development of silicotic fibrosis.

N­acetyl­seryl­aspartyl­lysyl­proline (Ac­SDKP) is a natural tetrapeptide that is released from thymosin ß4 by prolyl oligopeptides. It is hydrolyzed by the key enzyme of the renin­angiotensin system, angiotensin­converting enzyme (ACE). The aim of the present study was to investigate the alterations in Ac­SDKP and the ACE/angiotensin II (Ang II)/angiotensin II type 1 (AT1) receptor axis and its impact on the pathogenesis and development of silicotic fibrosis. For in vivo studies, a HOPE MED 8050 exposure control apparatus was used to establish different stages of silicosis in a rat model treated with Ac­SDKP. For in vitro studies, cultured primary lung fibroblasts were induced to differentiate into myofibroblasts by Ang II, and were pretreated with Ac­SDKP and valsartan. The results of the present study revealed that, during silicosis development, ACE/Ang II/AT1 expression in local lung tissues increased, whereas that of Ac­SDKP decreased. Ac­SDKP and the ACE/AT1/Ang II axis were inversely altered in the development of silicotic fibrosis. Ac­SDKP treatment had an anti­fibrotic effect in vivo. Compared with the silicosis group, the expression of α­smooth muscle actin (α­SMA), Collagen (Col) I, Fibronectin (Fn) and AT1 were significantly downregulated, whereas matrix metalloproteinase­1 (MMP­1) expression and the MMP­1/tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases­1 (TIMP­1) ratio was increased in the Ac­SDKP treatment group. In vitro, pre­treatment with Ac­SDKP or valsartan attenuated the expression of α­SMA, Col I, Fn and AT1 in Ang II­induced fibroblasts. In addition, MMP­1 expression and the MMP­1/TIMP­1 ratio were significantly higher in Ac­SDKP and valsartan pre­treatment groups compared with the Ang II group. In conclusion, the results of the present study suggest that an imbalance between Ac­SDKP and ACE/Ang II/AT1 molecules promotes the development of silicosis and that Ac­SDKP protects against silicotic fibrosis by inhibiting Ang II­induced myofibroblast differentiation and extracellular matrix production.

Morphological characteristics of soft tissue profile of Angle's class II division i malocclusion before and after orthodontic treatment / Características morfológicas del perfil de tejido blando de la clase II de la división I de maloclusión de ángulo antes y después del tratamiento de ortodoncia

SUMMARY: By analysing cephalometrics before and after the treatment of Angle's class II division 1 malocclusion, soft tissue profile changes were observed, and to explore whether there was a correlation between the change of posterior occlusal plane (OP-P) and soft tissue profile. The study aimed to provide a theoretical reference in the clinical diagnosis and orthodontic treatment of early permanent dentition of Angle class II division 1 malocclusion patients. We randomly selected 20 cases of orthodontics in Shanxi Medical University orthodontics patients (aged 12-18 years) of the lateral cephalograms, Winceph 8.0 software was used to measure the posterior occlusal plane (OP-P), TUL-EP, TLL-EP, nasolabial angle, upper lip base thickness, upper lip tension, lower lip H line distance, chin soft tissue thickness and Z angle. And SPSS 22.0 software was used to analyze the correlation between OP-P and other measurement indexes. The change of posterior occlusal plane was positively related to the distance from upper lip to the esthetic plane, the distance from lower lip to the esthetic plane, the tension of the upper lip and distance from lower lip to H line, and the change of posterior occlusal plane was negatively related to nasolabial angle and Z angle. The change of posterior occlusal plane had no significant correlation with upper lip base thickness and soft tissue chin thickness. The change of posterior occlusal plane has an important guiding significance for orthodontic treatment,by focusing on the change of the posterior occlusal plane to achieve the purpose of changing the soft tissue profile.

RESUMEN: Se realizó un estudio cefalométrico antes y después del tratamiento de ortodoncia en pacientes portadores de maloclusión clase II división 1 de Angle. Se observaron cambios en el perfil de los tejidos blandos y se exploró si había una correlación entre el cambio del plano oclusal posterior (OP-P) y el perfil de los tejidos blandos. El objetivo de este estudio fue otorgar una referencia teórica en el diagnóstico clínico y el tratamiento de ortodoncia de los pacientes con dentición permanente temprana con maloclusión clase II división 1 de Angle. Seleccionamos al azar 20 casos cefalometrías de pacientes de ortodoncia de la Universidad Médica de Shanxi (entre 12 y18 años). Para ello, se utilizó el software Winceph 8.0 para medir el plano oclusal posterior (OP-P), TUL-EP, TLL-EP, ángulo nasolabial, grosor de la base del labio superior, tensión del labio superior, distancia entre líneas del labio inferior H, grosor del tejido blando del mentón y ángulo Z. Se utilizó el software SPSS 22.0 para analizar la correlación entre OP-P y otros índices. El cambio del plano oclusal posterior tuvo una correlación positiva con la distancia desde el labio superior al plano estético, la distancia desde el labio inferior hasta el plano estético, la tensión del labio superior y distancia del labio inferior a la línea H. El cambio del plano oclusal posterior tuvo una correlación negativa con el ángulo nasolabial y el ángulo Z. El cambio del plano oclusal posterior no tuvo una correlación significativa con el grosor de la base del labio superior y la barbilla de tejido blando. El cambio del plano oclusal posterior tiene un importante significado de orientación para el tratamiento de ortodoncia, de tal manera que al cambiar el plano oclusal posterior se podrá lograr el propósito de cambiar el perfil del tejido blando.

Clinical efficacy of utilizing Ultrapulse CO2 combined with fractional CO2 laser for the treatment of hypertrophic scars in Asians-A prospective clinical evaluation.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Hypertrophic scarring is seen regularly. Tissue penetration of laser energy into hypertrophic scars using computer defaults from some lasers may be insufficient and penetration not enough. We have developed a treatment with an interrupted laser "drilling" by the Ultrapulse CO2 (Manual Fractional Technology, MFT) and, a second pass, with fractional CO2 . The MFT with fractional CO2 lasers to treat hypertrophic scars is evaluated. STUDY DESIGN/MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 158 patients with hypertrophic scars had three sessions of MFT with fractional CO2 laser at 3-month intervals. Evaluations made before and 6 months after the 3rd treatment: (1) the Vancouver Scar Scale (VSS), (2) the University of North Carolina (UNC) Scar Scale, and (3) a survey of patient satisfaction. RESULTS: All data were analyzed using a t-test before and after treatment. The VSS score decreased from 9.35 to 3.12 (P<.0001), and the UNC Scar Scale score decreased from 8.03 to 1.62 (P<.0001). The overall satisfaction rate was 92%. No long-term complications occurred in the clinical trial. CONCLUSION: The interrupted laser drilling by MFT and a fractional CO2 laser had profound effects on the hypertrophic scars treated. It works by increasing the penetration depth of the CO2 laser in the scar tissue, exerting more precise effects on the hypertrophic scars. MFT combined with fractional CO2 laser has the potential to be a major advance in the treatment of hypertrophic scars.

Removal of hexavalent chromium from aqueous solution by calcined Zn/Al-LDHs.

In this study, Zn/Al-layered double hydroxides (Zn/Al-LDHs) were synthesized by a co-precipitation method and characterized with X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy. Then the hexavalent chromium Cr(VI) adsorption experiments on calcined Zn/Al-LDHs were carried out to analyze the effects of pH, temperature, adsorption time, initial Cr(VI) concentration and adsorbent dosage on the removal of Cr(VI) from aqueous solutions. The maximum adsorption capacity for Cr(VI) on calcined Zn/Al-LDHs under optimal conditions was found to be over 120 mg/g. The kinetic and isotherm of Cr(VI) adsorption on calcined Zn/Al-LDHs can be described with the pseudo-second-order kinetic model and Langmuir isotherm, respectively.

[Prescription screening of total coumarins of Angelica dahurica var. formosana extended action tablets based on artificial neural network].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the screening of prescription for the total coumarins of Angelica dahurica var. formosana sustained release tablets, and to preliminarily discuss the releasing mechanism. METHODS: On the basis of orthogonal test data, the prescriptions were screened and optimized by adopting the artificial neural network technology and by taking the in vitro release rate at the setting time as the evaluation indicator. RESULTS: The in vitro release performance of sustained release tablets prepared by the screened optimal technology was good, and the drugs released continuously for 12 h. The drug release process was fitted by adopting the Ritger-Peppas equation. The release of these tablets in artificial gastric juice could be described as the combined action of diffusion and skeleton dissolution. CONCLUSIONS: Artificial neural network technology can be used to design the pharmacy prescription, optimize the process, solve nonlinear problems with multiple factors and multiple levels, and reduce the experimental workload. So it has broad application prospect.

How do leaf anatomies and photosynthesis of three Rhododendron species relate to their natural environments?

BACKGROUND: Rhododendron is one of the most well-known alpine flowers. In order to identify performances relating to Rhododendron's natural habitats we investigated the leaf anatomical structures and photosynthetic characteristics of R. yunnanense, R. irroratum and R. delavayi, which showed different responses after being transplanted into a common environment. RESULTS: When compared with R. irroratum and R. delavayi, R. yunnanense had lower leaf dry mass per unit area (LMA) and larger stomata, but smaller stomatal density (SD) and total stomata apparatus area percent (At), lower stomatal conductance (Gs), transpiration rate (Tr), light compensation point (LCP), light saturation point (LSP), light-saturated photosynthetic rate (Amax) and leaf nitrogen content per unit area (Na). LMA was positively correlated with Amax and maximum rates of carboxylation (Vcmax). However, leaf N content was not significantly correlated with Amax. Thus, the variation in leaf photosynthesis among species was regulated largely by changes in LMA, rather than the concent of nitrogen in leaf tissue. CONCLUSIONS: R. yunnanense plants are vulnerable to moisture and light stress, while R. irroratum and R. delavayi are better suited to dry and high radiation environments. The present results contribute to our understanding physiological trait divergence in Rhododendron, as well benefit introduction and domestication efforts for the three species of Rhododendron studied in this work.

Liver transplantation for hepatocellular carcinoma: indications, bridge therapy and adjuvant therapy.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a major cause of cancer mortality worldwide, and its incidence is increasing in the United and States. Liver transplantation has the potential to improve survival for patients with HCC. Unfortunately, not enough donor livers are available to meet demand for liver transplantation. The Milan Criteria were established to provide candidate selection guidelines for liver transplantation in patients with HCC. Well-established oncologic therapy for HCC ("bridge therapy") has the capacity to suspend tumor progression and to allow HCC patients to maintain active candidacy as long as necessary to obtain a liver. Several techniques are utilized as bridge therapies for HCC patients awaiting liver transplantation. Adjuvant therapies after liver transplantation may reduce HCC recurrence, and may be required for patients with tumors having high-risk biologic or histologic features. Selection criteria, adjunctive techniques, and outcomes in liver transplantation for HCC patients are described.

[Comparison research on two-stage sequencing batch MBR and one-stage MBR].

Aiming at resolving problems in MBR operation, like low nitrogen and phosphorous removal efficiency, severe membrane fouling and etc, comparison research on two-stage sequencing batch MBR (TSBMBR) and one-stage aerobic MBR has been done in this paper. The results indicated that TSBMBR owned advantages of SBR in removing nitrogen and phosphorous, which could make up the deficiency of traditional one-stage aerobic MBR in nitrogen and phosphorous removal. During steady operation period, effluent average NH4(+) -N, TN and TP concentration is 2.83, 12.20, 0.42 mg/L, which could reach domestic scenic environment use. From membrane fouling control point of view, TSBMBR has lower SMP in supernatant, specific trans-membrane flux deduction rate, membrane fouling resistant than one-stage aerobic MBR. The sedimentation and gel layer resistant of TSBMBR was only 6.5% and 33.12% of one-stage aerobic MBR. Besides high efficiency in removing nitrogen and phosphorous, TSBMBR could effectively reduce sedimentation and gel layer pollution on membrane surface. Comparing with one-stage MBR, TSBMBR could operate with higher trans-membrane flux, lower membrane fouling rate and better pollutants removal effects.

Time-specific blockade of PDGFR with Imatinib (Glivec®) causes cataract and disruption of lens fiber cells in neonatal mice.

This study aimed at investigating the response of lens epithelial cells in postnatal mice to Imatinib (Glivec®, a potent inhibitor of platelet-derived growth factor receptor (PDGFR)) treatment. Mouse eyes were sampled 10 days after administration of Imatinib (0.5 mg·g(-1)·day(-1)) for 3 days, at either 7, 14, or 21 days postpartum. Structural changes of lens were revealed by routine H.E. staining. Levels of proliferation and apoptosis were revealed by BrdU incorporation and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay, respectively, and immunofluorescent staining with anti-PDGFRα antibody was carried out on the sections of eyeball. PDGFRα and p-PDGFRαprotein levels were evaluated by Western blot. Our results indicated that administration of Imatinib led to blockade of PDGFR signaling. Formation of cataracts was found only in those mice where treatment started from 7 days postpartum (P7), but was not observed in those samples from P14 nor P21. Fiber cells were disorganized in cataract lens core as observed histologically, and migration of epithelial cells was also inhibited. No apoptosis was detected with the TUNEL method. Our results indicated blockade of PDGFR at the neonatal stage (P7) would lead to cataracts and lens fiber cells disorganization, suggesting that PDGFR signaling plays a time-specific and crucial role in the postnatal development of lens in the mouse, and also may provide a new approach to produce a congenital cataract animal model.

Giant cell tumor of the pancreas: a pathological diagnosis with poor prognosis.

BACKGROUND: Giant cell tumors are rare and highly malignant tumors of the pancreas. Based on two distinct cell populations, they have been divided into two subtypes corresponding to the osteoclast-like giant cell tumor and the pleomorphic giant cell carcinoma of the pancreas. Distinctive imaging features of the tumors remain uncharacterized. Surgical removal is the only appropriate treatment for them, but responses to chemotherapy or radiotherapy remain undocumented. METHODS: Clinical, radiological, histopathologic, and immunohistochemical features of two cases of giant cell tumor of the pancreas are presented along with a brief review of the literature. RESULTS: En-bloc resection was done successfully in both cases. The patient with an osteoclast-like giant cell tumor remained disease-free with no clinical or radiological evidence of recurrence at 6 months after surgery. However, the patient with the pleomorphic type died 4 months later due to diffuse pulmonary metastasis. CONCLUSIONS: En-bloc surgical resection is the only appropriate treatment for giant cell tumors. The overall prognosis of these tumors is poorer than that of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, especially the pleomorphic type. More studies are required to document the management and outcomes of the tumors.

A hepatic metastasis from pleomorphic adenoma of salivary gland: an unusual presentation.

Metastasizing pleomorphic adenoma (PA) is a rare condition displaying benign histological features as of PA in the metastatic lesion. The present study report a case of 46 years old male presented with space occupying lesion in the right lobe of liver. Patient underwent extended right hepatectomy for space occupying lesion in liver and the histological features were suggestive of metastatic benign pleomorphic adenoma. Surgical resection is the treatment of choice for both primary and metastatic lesion.

Bleomycin induces upregulation of lysyl oxidase in cultured human fetal lung fibroblasts.

AIM: To investigate the mechanism of bleomycin (BLM)-induced pulmonary fibrosis. METHODS: Cultured human fetal lung fibroblast (HLF) cells were exposed to bleomycin (BLM) at 0-30 microg/mL for 24 h. Western blot analysis was used to detect lysyl oxidase (LO) protein expression. Real-time RT-PCR was used to detect LO mRNA level. LO catalytic activity was measured using diaminopentane as a substrate and Amplex red as a hydrogen peroxide probe. Copper (Cu) concentration was detected by flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry. RESULTS: Exposure of HLF cells to BLM at 10 microg/mL and 30 microg/mL increased LO catalytic activity to 130% and 158% of the control in the conditioned media. The expression of LO mRNA was increased to 5.5-fold of the control in HLF cells exposure to BLM at 3 microg/mL. BLM at 3 microg/mL also increased the expression of 46 kDa preproLO, 50 kDa proLO and 32 kDa mature LO to 219%, 130%, and 135% of the control, respectively. The Cu concentrations in conditioned media of cultured HLF cells exposed to BLM (10 and 30 microg/mL) were increased significantly to 1.48 and 2.46-fold of the control, respectively. CONCLUSION: Bleomycin induces upregulation of LO in cultured human fetal lung fibroblasts, which may be the mechanism of bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis.