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BACKGROUND: Recently, in a cross-sectional study of 201 children in Araihazar, Bangladesh, exposure to arsenic (As) in drinking water has been shown to lower the scores on tests that measure [...]

The source of seed cells is a critical factor for tissue engineering. The goal of this study was to evaluate the chondrogenesis of Sox9-overexpressing human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (hUCMSCs) seeded onto bone matrix gelatin (BMG)/fibrin hybrid scaffolds both in vitro and in vivo. hUCMSCs were stably transfected with Sox9-expressing plasmid and grown on the three-dimensional BMG/fibrin hybrid scaffold for 8 weeks. Scanning electron microscopy and histochemistry were performed. The hUCMSC-loaded scaffolds were implanted into the subcutaneous layer of immunocompetent rats and chondrogenesis and host immune responses were monitored for 8 weeks. We found that hUCMSCs spread well and proliferated from 2 weeks after culturing. They produced abundant glycosaminoglycans and collagen II. At 8 weeks after implanting into rats, the hUCMSCs on the scaffolds formed cartilage-like tissue and displayed positive staining for toluidine blue, safranin O, Masson's trichrome, and collagen II. No significant changes in serum levels of lgG, lgA, lgM, C3, and C4 were observed after implantation of the hUCMSC-loaded scaffolds. Xenogeneic implantation of Sox9-overexpressing hUCMSCs embedded in the BMG/fibrin scaffolds promotes the formation of cartilage-like tissue without inducing evident host immune response. Therefore, Sox9-overexpressing hUCMSCs represent a promising cell candidate for cartilage tissue engineering. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 105A: 1150-1155, 2017. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives/hypothesis: To compare the different effects of bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) with diverse combinations of lidocaine, epinephrine, and dexamethasone on pediatric patients with an inhaled tracheobronchial foreign body (TFB).Study Design: Randomized controlled study.Methods: Two hundred forty cases of pediatric patients with inhaled TFB were included in this study, and were randomly divided into four groups using three kinds of drugs for BAL, namely 0.9% saline (S) group, 2% lidocaine with diluted epinephrine (LE) group, 2% lidocaine with diluted epinephrine and 0.5% dexamethasone (LED), control group (C) without BAL. The incidences of intraoperative or postoperative complications and recovery periods were compared. Meanwhile, the concentrations of interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α in BAL fluids and plasma were evaluated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.Results: The incidences of bronchospasm, hypoxemia, and postoperative fever were significantly lower in the LED group than other groups (P < .001). Fever after the TFB removal procedure appeared later in the LED group than the other groups. The improvement and healing periods in the LE and LED groups were significantly shorter than those in the C and S groups (P < .001). The concentrations of IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α in BAL fluids were significantly higher in the LE and LED groups than those in the S group (P < .001), but those in the plasma of the C and S groups were lower compared with the LE and LED groups (P < .001).Conclusions: BAL with lidocaine, epinephrine, and dexamethasone could promote recovery for TFB patients and reduce incidences of complications, possibly by regulating release of proinflammatory cytokines.Level Of Evidence: 1b. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, an interesting glycerol behavior which can lead to the formation of composite polymer membranes with uniform pores in their surface layers is reported. Specifically, when cellulose acetate (CA) solution is spin-cast on a porous substrate filled with glycerol, with the evaporation of the volatile solvent of CA, the nonvolatile glycerol in the substrate firstly diffuses up into the CA solution layer and then condenses out and arranges into uniform droplets on the coated layer. These glycerol droplets act as template for the precipitation of the CA molecules and thus result in the formation of the uniform pores in the CA layer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

PURPOSE: To explore the method of preparing immunolipo-sodium morrhuate and evaluate its effect on human hemangioma endothelial cells in vitro. METHODS: Using SPDP((N-Succinimidyl-3-(2-pyridyldithio)) propionate) as cross-linker, anti-VEGFR2/KDR monoclone antibody was combined to the liposome surface to prepare immunolipo- sodium morrhuate by extruding method, and then its effect on human hemangioma endothelial cells in vitro was observed by laser scanning confocal microscope, inverted microscope, Gimsa staining, transmission electron microscope, MTT and flow cytometry. RESULTS: The average diameter of the immunoliposome was 122.9nm, which had a very good stability when compared with normal liposome, it had stronger and faster combining ability, its potential to induce apoptosis was much more prominent, and its toxic effect on human hemangioma endothelial cells was gentle, which was similar to normal liposome. CONCLUSION: We have prepared immunolipo-sodium morrhuate successfully, which has very good specific initiative targetting ability in vitro and can induce pervasive apoptosis of human hemangioma endothelial cells. Supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No.30700954) and Science and Technology Research Project of Xi' an City (Grant No.GG05160). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous studies have shown that vagus nerve stimulation can improve patients' locomotor function. The stimulation of the auricular vagus nerve, which is the only superficial branch of the vagus nerve, may have similar effects to vagus nerve stimulation. However, the precise mechanisms remain poorly understood. In this study, rat models of cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury were established by modified Longa ligation. Twenty-four hours later, 7-day auricular vagus nerve stimulation was performed. The results showed that auricular vagus nerve stimulation promoted the secretion of acetylcholine, inhibited the secretion of interleukin-1β, interleukin-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α, and reduced connexin 43 phosphorylation in the ischemic penumbra and motor cortex, promoting locomotor function recovery in rats with cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury. These findings suggested that auricular vagus nerve stimulation promotes the recovery of locomotor function in rats with cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury by altering the secretion of acetylcholine and inflammatory factors and the phosphorylation of connexin 43. This study was approved by the Animal Use and Management Committee of Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine on November 8, 2019 (approval No. PZSHUTCM191108014)., Competing Interests: None

Objective: To observe the effects of transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) on the motor function and the expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and microtubule associated protein 2 (MAP2) in cerebral ischemic penumbra of rats with middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) and explore the mechanism of taVNS in the improvement of motor function in MCAO rats., Methods: A total of 48 male SD rats were randomized into a sham-operation group, a model group, a transcutaneous auricular non-vagus nerve stimulation (tnVNS) group and a taVNS group, with 12 rats in each group. The suture-occluded method was adopted to prepare MCAO rat model. The auricular rim was stimulated in the tnVNS group and the concha stimulated in the taVNS group, 2 mA in intensity, 10 Hz in frequency, 30 min each time, once a day, for 14 days consecutively. The nerve functional assessment was recorded in each group. The expressions of nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7nAchR) in the cerebral ischemic penumbra and the spleen were detected by using Western blot. With the immunofluorescence, the expressions of GFAP and MAP2 were detected., Results: After modeling, compared with the sham-operation group, the nerve functional score was increased in the model group, the tnVNS group and the taVNS group ( P <0.01), suggesting the success of modeling. After treatment, the score was increased in the model group ( P <0.01) as compared with the sham-operation group. Compared with the model group, the neurological deficit score was reduced in the taVNS group ( P <0.01). Compared with the sham-operation group, GFAP expression was increased and MAP2 expression was reduced remarkably in the cerebral ischemic penumbra in the model group ( P <0.05). In comparison with the model group, GFAP expression was reduced, while MAP2 expression was increased remarkably in the cerebral ischemic penumbra in the taVNS group ( P <0.05). There were no significant differences in the abovementioned indexes between the model group and tnVNS group ( P >0.05). The differences in the expression of α7nAchR in the cerebral ischemic penumbra and the spleen had no statistical significance among groups ( P >0.05)., Conclusion: TaVNS is effective on neuroprotection in MCAO rats, which may be related to its function of inhibition of GFAP expression and promotion of MAP2 expression in the ischemic penumbra.

Objective: To understand the spectrum of diseases and epidemiological characteristics of outpatients at Entric Disease Clinic, with a focus on analysis of the distribution of infectious diarrheal diseases in different populations and to explore disease control strategies on Enteric Infectious Diseases for focal groups., Methods: A census on outpatients at Entric Disease Clinics was conducted in two class Three comprehensive hospitals in Beijing from April 1 to October 31, 2009 based on a descriptive study using diarrhea-syndrome surveillance system set in the two clinics, thus to depict the spectrum of diseases and epidemiological characteristics of outpatients, and analyze the proportion of infectious diarrhea in diarrheal diseases specifically and the rate changes of infectious diarrhea in different months, age groups and occupational groups., Results: Diseases are varied at the two enteric diseases clinics among the patients and there are mainly 10 kinds of diseases, "non-infectious diarrhea" accounted for the highest percentage (77.4%), followed by "unspecified diarrhea" (11.7%), and infectious diarrhea accounted for the least proportion(8.7%)."Gastroenteritis and enteritis" are the most frequently diagnosed cases among all the diseases, was a total of 7 565 cases, accounting for 70.2%. The volume of visits reached its top during summer and autumn(July to September), and the mean volume of visits in this period is (60.78+/-16.85) cases/day. The volume of visits has an obvious seasonal trend, and visits during July and August are the most frequent (41.82% altogether). Patients with "infectious diarrhea" had a highest ratio(5.3%) in May and lowest (1.1%) in October while patients with "bacillary dysentery" accounted for a highest ratio(8.2%) in September and lowest(3.8%) in April. Outpatients are mainly from Beijing city(61.9%), in which young and middle-aged people accounted for 73.9% in total, and student is the main occupation (28.8%). The distributions of diarrheal diseases are the same in different age groups but differ from different occupational groups. Infectious diarrhea accounted for a highest proportion(9.2%) in 18-to-44-year-old age group when using age grouping, and a highest proportion(15.2%) in restaurant service personnel when using occupation grouping., Conclusion: The volume of outpatients attended at general hospitals is overwhelming especially in July and August, and the major type is "non-infectious diseases", which indicates an arduous task on prevention and control of Enteric Infectious Diseases. Infectious diarrhea took up a certain amount, but the rate is not that high, which indicates possible missing diagnosis of patients with infectious diseases.Our focal groups would be young and middle-aged people and students in the city. Therefore, the need to extend the consultation hours is urgent. Meanwhile, for the main goal of surveillance and early warning on Enteric Infectious Diseases, all aspects of construction of Enteric Disease Clinic should be strengthened, such as enhance laboratory tests on pathogens, improve diagnosis level of physicians and etc.

Objective: To study the effect of RNA interference (RNAi)-mediated aggrecanase-1 gene silencing on extracellular matrix metabolism of cultured rat costochondral chondrocytes., Methods: Rat costochondral chondrocyte monolayers were obtained by microdissection and digestion. The growth and morphological changes of the chondrocytes were observed after RNAi of aggrecanase-1 gene. The mRNA expression of aggrecanase-1 was detected by RT-PCR method, and aggrecan content was determined by Western blotting., Results: The specific inhibition of aggrecanase-1 by RNAi produced no adverse effect on the morphology and growth of the chondrocytes. The mRNA of aggrecanase-1 decreased and aggrecan content increased significantly after transfection of the chondrocytes., Conclusion: Inhibition of aggrecanase-1 decreases aggrecan degradation in cultured rat chondrocytes. RNAi technique can be a useful means for studying extracellular matrix metabolism in the cartilage.

Objective: To explore the level and feature of neonate deformity in water arsenic exposure areas, as to finding out an evidence for the study and prevention of the arsenic exposure., Methods: The birth situation of neonate was surveyed from 1998 to 2004 in water arsenic exposure areas according to cross-sectional survey. The results were classified in accordance with ICD-10 and common surveillance of china. The population of Shanyin County served as the common people and the data were analyzed by SPSS 11.5 for windows., Results: The neonates surveyed were 2467 cases. There were 49 neonates deformity found in this investigation, giving a neonate deformity rate of 198.62 per 10,000 cases, which was shown significantly higher in water arsenic exposure areas than in the normal (U = 3.23, P < 0.01), with types of nervous system deformity, limbs deformity and congenital heart disease as in system classification. There was no significant difference of deformity rate in different sex neonates (chi2 = 0.32, P > 0.05)., Conclusion: The drinking high-arsenic water over a long period of time should be a risk factor of neonate deformity. Prevention and treatment of endemic arsenic exposure should be urgently needed.

Objective: To observe the effect of aloesin, tea polyphenols, arbutin on melanocytes in the pigmented skin equivalent model., Methods: First, we constructed the pigmented skin equivalent model in vitro. And then we detected the effect of aloesin, tea polyphenols and arbutin on the cells' shape, tyrosinase activity and formation of melanin in the constructed pigmented skin equivalent., Results: Three depigmenting agents showed an inhibition effect on the tyrosinase activity of melanocytes and reduced significantly melanin content in the pigmented skin equivalent model, in which the tea polyphenols had the strongest effect, and then was the aloesin. But the tea polyphenols showed the strongest toxicity, while the aloesin and arbutin had a much lower toxicity., Conclusions: All the three depigmenting agents showed a concentration dependent suppression effect on the tyrosinase activity and formation of melanin, in which the tea polyphenols was the strongest effect( P <0.05). Aoesin has a good suppression effect on the tyrosinase activity and formation of melanin, but has a much lower toxicity, which could be used as a safe depigmenting agent.

Objective: To construct an in vitro equivalent of the pigmented skin using tissue engineering methods., Methods: Surgically removed foreskins was used as the source of keratinocytes and melanocytes harvested by routine tissue digestion. The fibroblasts were enriched by tissue block culture and seeded into the scaffold constructed using mouse tail collagens to construct the pigmented skin equivalent model. The general structure and the melanocyte distribution and growth status in this model were observed with HE staining and Fontana Masson staining. The ultrastructure of the constructed pigmented skin equivalent was observed by transmission electron microscope., Results and Conclusion: The pigmented skin equivalent model was structurally intact, and allowed optimal cell growth. Fontana Masson staining identified in the basal layer numerous melanocytes in normal growth, and the constructed model was structurally similar to normal skin tissue, suggesting successful construction of the pigmented skin equivalent model.

Objective: To find the reasons why patients always have temporomandibular disorders (TMD) after condylar fracture by analyzing the stress distribution change of the condylar surface whose subcondylar fracture ware fixed by miniplate during the whole healing process., Methods: Analyzing the stress distribution change of the condylar surface whose subcondylar fracture were fixed by miniplate during the whole healing process by three-dimension finite element method (3D FEM)., Results: During the whole healing process of the fracture, the miniplate osteosynthesis was helpful to the biomechanics environment rehabilitation of the condylar local, but it still had difference with normal after fixing 12 weeks long., Conclusion: The difference of stress distribution of condylar surface that fractured and fixed by miniplate with normal may be part of the reason of TMD after the subcondylar fracture miniplate osteosynthesis.