[Effect of basic fibroblast growth factor treatment on efficacy of adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells in liver cirrhosis].

Objective: To observe the effect of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) treatment on efficacy of adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ADSCs) in cirrhotic rats. Methods: A rat model of liver cirrhosis was established via intraperitoneal injection of carbon tetrachloride (CCl(4)) for 10 weeks. Thirty SD rats were randomly divided into 3 groups (n = 10): control group served as group A, and 0.5ml of phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) was transfused into the tail vein; ADSCs single-dose transplantation group served as group B, and 1×10(6) ADSCs were transplanted into the tail vein; bFGF-treated ADSCs treatment group served as group C, and 1×10(6) bFGF-treated ADSCs were transplanted through tail vein. Liver function, pathological and cytokine changes, and the in vivo survival transformation condition of the transplanted cells were measured at one week after transplantation. F test and an independent sample t test were used. Results: bFGF treatment had significantly promoted the proliferation, differentiation and overexpression of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) in ADSCs [ADSCs single: (2 137.16 ± 261.52) pg/ml vs. ADSCs (bFGF): (4 776.23 ± 532.44) pg/ml, P < 0.05]. The bFGF-treated ADSCs treatment group had statistically significant differences in promoting the recovery of liver function [alanine aminotransferase (ALT): ADSCs single (190.8 ± 34.98) vs. ADSCs (bFGF): (117.8 ± 35.81) pg/ml; aspartate aminotransferase (AST): ADSCs single (295.2 ± 33.71) U/L vs. ADSCs (bFGF): (183.8 ± 41.29) U/L, P ​​< 0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in serum albumin levels between the control group, ADSCs single group, and ADSCs (bFGF) group. Compared with the control group, the serum albumin level of ADSCs (bFGF) group was increased significantly (P < 0.05), and the difference between the control group and the ADSCs single transplantation group in improving liver regeneration and reducing liver damage was statistically significant (P < 0.05). Masson trichrome staining showed that the percentage of the liver fibrosis area in the bFGF-treated ADSCs treatment group was 6.78% ± 0.56%, which was significantly higher than that of the control and ADSCs single dose transplantation group (7.96% ± 0.64%) (P < 0.05). Western blot analysis showed that the expression of HGF protein in the bFGF-treated ADSCs treatment group was significantly up-regulated, while the expression of α-smooth muscle actin was significantly down-regulated, and the difference was significant in the ADSCs single transplantation group. A double fluorescent staining method showed that the numbers of stem cells implanted in the liver tissue of the bFGF-treated ADSCs treatment group were higher than that of the ADSCs single transplantation group. In-vitro cell experiments confirmed that bFGF had significantly promoted the overexpression of HGF in ADSCs. Conclusion: bFGF-treated ADSCs transplantation can significantly improve liver function and fibrosis as compared with ADSCs single-dose transplantation in cirrhotic rats.

[Effect of adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cell transplantation in treatment of liver fibrosis and possible mechanism].

Objective: To investigate the effect of adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cell (ADSC) transplantation in the treatment of liver fibrosis rats and possible mechanism. Methods: Subcutaneous adipose tissue in the inguinal region of rats was collected to isolate ADSCs. The rats with liver fibrosis induced by intraperitoneally injected carbon tetrachloride were divided into cell transplantation group and phosphate buffer saline (PBS) injection group, and the rats which were fed normally were enrolled as negative control group. The rats in the cell transplantation group were given tail vein injection of ADSCs, and those in the PBS injection group were given injection of 0.5 ml PBS. At 7 days after transplantation, blood samples were collected from the inferior vena cava to evaluate liver function; liver tissue was collected to measure the protein expression of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA); Masson trichrome staining was used to evaluate intrahepatic collagen deposition. Hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) were collected from the rats with liver fibrosis, and indirect co-culture of HSCs and ADSCs was performed in vitro to analyze the influence of ADSCs on the proliferation and apoptosis of HSCs. The independent samples t-test was used for comparison between groups, and an analysis of variance was used for comparison of means between multiple samples. Results: ADSCs were found in liver tissue in the transplantation group, and compared with the PBS injection group, the transplantation group had significant alleviation in hepatocyte necrosis, vacuolization, and area of fibrosis and significant reductions in the serum levels of aminotransferases, while there was no significant difference in the level of albumin between the two groups. Compared with the PBS injection group, the transplantation group had significant upregulation in the protein expression of HGF and significant downregulation in the protein expression of α-SMA (both P < 0.05). In vitro co-culture for 72 hours showed that ADSCs inhibited the proliferation of HSCs, and there was a significant difference between the co-culture group and the control group with HSCs cultured alone. Caspase-3 immunostaining showed that after co-culture for 72 hours, there was a significant difference in the apoptosis rate of HSCs between the co-culture group and the control group with HSCs cultured alone (23.42% ± 3.02% vs 14.82% ± 3.93%). Conclusion: ADSC transplantation can upregulate the expression of HGF in the liver, promote the apoptosis of HSCs, and thus alleviate liver fibrosis.

Uptake of breast screening and associated factors among Hong Kong women aged ≥50 years: a population-based survey.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the uptake of breast screening and its associated factors among Hong Kong Chinese women aged ≥50 years. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional population-based survey. METHODS: A sample of Hong Kong Chinese women was recruited through telephone random-digit dialling. The survey consisted of six sections: perceived health status, use of complementary medicine, uptake of breast screening, perceived susceptibility to cancer, family history of cancer and demographic data. The factors associated with uptake of breast screening were analysed using logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: In total, 1002 women completed the (anonymous) telephone survey. The mean age was 63.5 (standard deviation 10.6) years. The uptake rate of breast screening among Hong Kong Chinese women aged ≥50 years was 34%. The primary reasons for undertaking breast screening were as part of a regular medical check-up (74%), prompted by local signs and symptoms (11%) and a physician's recommendation (7%). Higher educational level, married or cohabiting, family history of cancer, frequent use of complementary therapies, regular visits to a doctor or Chinese herbalist, and the recommendation of a health professional were all independently and significantly associated with increased odds of having had a mammogram. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides community-based evidence of the need for public health policy to promote broader use of mammography services among this target population, with emphasis on the active involvement of health care professionals, through the development and implementation of appropriate evidence-based and resource-sensitive strategies.

An objective measurement of locomotion behavior for hemiparkinsonian cynomolgus monkeys.

Both clinical rating scales and objective locomotion measurement are critical evaluation for primate models of Parkinson's disease. Video image analysis system which has been widely used for objective measurement of locomotion behavior for systemic models has rarely been applied to hemiparkinsonian primate model. In this study, a video image analysis system provided by Vigie Primates software was used to assess the locomotion behavior of MPTP hemi-lesioned parkinsonian cynomolgus monkeys by intracarotid infusion. Regardless the presence of only hemilateral abnormal movement, this video image analysis system was sensitive enough to demonstrate a significant difference between normal and MPTP hemi-lesioned animal on several aspects of motor behavior depicted by this software, including quantity of movement, duration spent in activity and count of burst activity. Specifically, a newly introduced ratio of duration/count for every type of movements was a sensitive parameter to objectively measure the changes of locomotion behavior in MPTP hemi-lesioned parkinsonian primates. As a result, the ratio of duration/count for the middle activity was decreased and the ratio of duration/count for the freezing activity was increased in MPTP hemi-lesioned animals, which correlated well with clinical rating scores. Our results support that video image analysis system would be a sensitive objective measurement of locomotion behavior for hemi-lesioned parkinsonian monkeys.

[Cardiovascular response to high sustained +Gz stress in dogs].

Objective. To investigate features of electrocardiography (ECG) and arterial pressure in dog during and after +Gz stress. Method. Six anesthetized dogs were catheterized for the measurement of ascending aortic pressure (AP) and common iliac arterial pressure (CIAP). A lead of ECG was monitored continuously. Then, dogs were placed supine in rotatable platform on one arm of an 1.7 m radius centrifuge. The animals were exposed serially to acceleration profiles of up to +7 Gz, consisting of a slow onset to peak acceleration, 90 s peak G, and a rapid decline back to control. A recovery time of at least 20 min was allowed after each acceleration profile. Result. (1) The amplitude of P-wave was influenced by the magnitude of the acceleration (2.3 +/- 0.2 mV at rest vs. 4.5 +/- 0.5 mV at +3 Gz, 4.8 +/- 0.3 mV at +5 Gz and 5.3 +/- 0.7 mV at +7 Gz, respectively P<0.05). (2) It appeared that arterial mean pressure increased and pulse pressure decreased in CIAP during high +Gz stress. (3) AP increased greatly after +Gz stress (17.29 +/- 5.59/11.31 +/- 3.86 kPa at rest vs. 27.53 +/- 6.12/20.62 +/- 1.86 kPa 30s after +7 Gz P<0.01). Conclusion. (1) The change of the amplitude of P-wave reflected the atrial displacement which may be the reason of arrhythmia. (2) The perfusion pressure is an important physiological parameter to the cardiovascular dysfunction during high +Gz stress. (3) Greatly higher AP after +Gz stress could be a feature of vascular exhaustion.

A kinetic study of phosphate adsorption by boehmite.

Rates of phosphate adsorption to PT-A (a new type of aluminium oxide hydroxide) and ALG (aluminum hydroxide gel) from a pH 3 phosphate solution were measured by a batch method. Phosphate uptake progressed mainly by the adsorption mechanism for PT-A, but dissolution of aluminum and precipitation of aluminum phosphate took place in addition to phosphate adsorption for ALG. The intraparticle diffusivities (Dp'S) of phosphate were evaluated from the time courses of adsorption using the model of pore diffusion with a Freundlich-type adsorption isotherm. The Dp values were approximately 7 x 10(-7) cm2 S-1 for PT-A and 1 x 10(-6) cm2 s(-1) for ALG. The tortuosity factors calculated from a model of parallel plate pore were 5.1 for PT-A and 6.7 for ALG; these values resembled those for porous inorganic ion exchangers. The adsorption rates are high enough for each of the samples to be utilized as a phosphate adsorbent to prevent hyperphosphatemia in patients on chronic dialysis. PT-A is favored as a phosphate adsorbent because of its high chemical stability against acid.

Morphological analysis of lymph vessels and capillaries in gastric carcinoma.

AIM: To investigate the morphology of lymph vessel capillaries in both human gastric carcinomas and their peritumoral tissues, as well as the relation of this morphology to lymphatic metastasis. METHODS: The morphology and fine distribution of both lymph vessels and capillaries in and around the primary foci of gastric carcinoma were studied using the 5'Nase Alpase double staining method. The total amount of opened vessels and the opening rate of lymph vessels and capillaries were counted using a light microscope (100 × magnification), and the maximal luminal area, perimeter and diameter were measured using an image analysis technique. RESULTS: Lymph vessels and capillaries displayed strong 5'Nase-positive staining (brown and dark brown), while blood vessels and capillaries revealed significant Alpase activity (blue). There were many lymph vessels, capillaries and solid strip-like tissues found in the gastric carcinoma samples analyzed. The total amount of lymphatics in the metastatic group (gastric carcinoma vs peritumoral tissue) and non-metastatic group was 26.9 ± 14.2 vs 10.4 ± 4.0, 11.4 ± 3.4 and 9.7 ± 3.2, P < 0.01, respectively. Their opening rates were 21.2 vs 47.5 and 40.4 vs 46.0, P < 0.01, respectively. Their maximal luminal areas were 1502.98 ± 1236.91 vs 5526.80 ± 4853.42; 1918.14 ± 2299.24 vs 3836.16 ± 3549.16; 5526.80 ± 4853.42 vs 3836.16 ± 3549.16, P < 0.05, their perimeters were 220.33 ± 130.25 vs 441.43 ± 276.51; 241.79 ± 171.13 vs 333.80 ± 199.66; 441.43 ± 276.51 vs 333.80 ± 199.60, P < 0.05, and their diameters were 28.80 ± 14.98 vs 59.39 ± 28.53; 25.37 ± 15.79 vs 46.22 ± 20.85; 59.39 ± 28.53 vs 46.22 ± 20.85, P < 0.05, respectively. In summary, the lymphatics found in gastric carcinoma samples from the metastatic group were significantly lower than those of the other groups. CONCLUSION: There are newly formed lymph capillaries found in gastric carcinoma. Dilation of lymph capillaries may be related to edema found in peritumoral connective tissues. The observed lymph node metastases from gastric carcinoma occur through mature lymph capillaries that invade in and around primary gastric carcinoma foci.

Effects of monoclonal antibody anti-EGF receptor on human nasopharyngeal carcinoma cell and other tumor cells.

Three anti-EGF receptor MoAbs were used in these studies. Administration of MoAbs 3 and 176 inhibited tumor formation in nude mice by CNE-2, a poorly differentiated nasopharyngeal carcinoma cell line and A431, an epidermoid carcinoma cell line. When the same MoAbs were used in treatment against HeLa, a cervical carcinoma, tumor growth was not affected. The number of EGF receptors and apparent dissociation constants for 125I-EGF on CNE-2 and A431 was 1.3 x 10(5)/cell (Kd 7.7 x 10(-8) mol/L) and 1.4 x 10(6)/cell (Kd 2.4 x 10(-9) mol/L), respectively. Both MoAbs 3 and 176, capable of competing with EGF for receptor binding, showed significant tumor growth inhibition. MoAb 101 was incapable of blocking the binding of EGF to its receptor, and not as effective as MoAbs 3 and 176 in tumor growth inhibition. Our observation is that the MoAb anti-EGF receptor is cytostatic rather than cytocidal, in vitro against CNE-2 and A431.

Growth inhibition of human nasopharyngeal carcinoma in athymic mice by anti-epidermal growth factor receptor monoclonal antibodies.

Monoclonal antibodies (MoAbs) were developed against epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor on the human epidermoid carcinoma cell line A431. The A431 antigen recognized by the MoAbs has an apparent molecular weight of approximately 170,000, with the same molecular weight as the CNE-2 cell line (poorly differentiated nasopharyngeal carcinoma). Administration of anti-EGF receptor MoAbs inhibited tumor formation, caused by the CNE-2 and A431 cell lines, in athymic mice. When the same MoAbs were used in therapy against Tca8113 (a human tongue carcinoma) and HeLa cells (a human cervical carcinoma), tumor growth was not affected. The number of EGF receptors and the apparent dissociation constants for 125I-EGF on CNE-2 and A431 were 1.3 x 10(5)/cell (Kd 7.7 x 10(-8) M) and 1.4 x 10(6)/cell (Kd 2.4 x 10(-9) M), respectively. Three anti-EGF receptor MoAbs were used in these studies. MoAbs 3 and 176, capable of competing with EGF for receptor binding, showed significant tumor growth inhibition. MoAb 101 was incapable of blocking the binding of EGF to its receptor and was not as effective as MoAbs 3 and 176 in tumor growth inhibition. Our observation is that in vitro, MoAb anti-EGF receptor is cytostatic, rather than cytocidal, against CNE-2 and A431.

Wikstroemia indica promotes development of nasopharyngeal carcinoma in rats initiated by dinitrosopiperazine.

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma was induced in an initiation/promotion model in rats by s.c. injection of dinitrosopiperazine in the nasopharyngeal cavity. This was followed by repeated 10-cal administration of an extract of roots of the Chinese medicinal herb WI (botanical family: Thymelaeaceae). Three groups of rats were used: group-1 received DNP followed by repeated WI; group-2 received DNP once; group-3 received WI repeatedly. At 180-205 days after DNP + WI administration 26% of the rats in that group exhibited NPC (two were carcinomas in situ and four were early infiltrating carcinomas). In the other two groups no carcinomas were found. In the group which received DNP followed by WI, other pathological changes, such as hyperplasia of nasopharyngeal epithelium, squamous metaplasia, and papillary hyperplasia, were also more frequent than that in the other two groups.