Effect of stem cell conditional medium-loading adhesive hydrogel on TGF-ß1-induced endometrial stromal cell fibrosis.

Introduction: Uterine adhesion (IUA) is a severe complication that results from uterine operations or uterine infections. Hysteroscopy is considered the gold standard for the diagnosis and treatment of uterine adhesions. Yet, this invasive procedure leads to re-adhesions after hysteroscopic treatment. Hydrogels loading functional additives (e.g., placental mesenchymal stem cells (PC-MSCs)) that can act as physical barriers and promote endometrium regeneration are a good solution. However, traditional hydrogels lack tissue adhesion which makes them unstable under a rapid turnover of the uterus, and PC-MSCs have biosafety risks when used as functional additives. Methods: In this study, we coupled an adhesive hydrogel with a PC-MSCs conditioned medium (CM) to form a hybrid of gel and functional additives (CM/Gel-MA). Results and Discussion: Our experiments show that CM/Gel-MA enhances the activity of endometrial stromal cells (ESCs), promotes cell proliferation, and reduces the expression of α-SMA, collagen I, CTGF, E-cadherin, and IL-6, which helps to reduce the inflammatory response and inhibit fibrosis. We conclude that CM/Gel-MA can more potentially prevent IUA by combining the physical barriers from adhesive hydrogel and functional promotion from CM.

[Study on influence of Three Gorges Project construction on Oncomelania growth condition in Chongqing section].

OBJECTIVE: To understand the effects of the change of climate, vegetation, flooding led by the construction of Three Gorges Project to the growth of Oncomelania snail. METHODS: The spatial analysis function of ArcGIS combined with meteorological data, 1:50 000 and the 1:10 000 digital elevation model were employed to analyzed the climate, flooding and other conditions of the reservoir area, and the field survey was used to investigated the vegetation in this area. RESULTS: The flood time, climate precipitation, sunshine duration, vegetation types and coverage of Three Gorges reservior area can meet the growth needs of Oncomelania snail. However, the characteristic of water impounding winter and disembogueing in summer were not agreed with the life circle of Oncomelania snail. CONCLUSIONS: The environment of flooding in winter and drought in summer in the Three Gorges reservior areas is not suitable for the growth of Oncomelania snail. If the transfusion of snais from other endemic areas can be prevented, the area can be avoid to become snail area.

[Effect of FGF-2 on survivin and subcellular location of Smac in human small cell lung cancer cell NCI-H446].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of basic fibroblast growth factor (FGF-2)on survivin and subcellular location of Smac in human small cell lung cancer (SCLC) cell NCI-H446. METHODS: Western blot was used to detect the expression of survivin protein induced by FGF-2. The release of Smac from mitochondria to cytoplasm affected by FGF-2 was observed by Western blot and immunofluorescence. Apoptosis of NCI-H446 cells was detected with flow cytometry and Hoechst 33258 staining. RESULTS: The expression of survivin could be up-regulated in response to FGF-2 treatment in NCI-H446 cells, and the level of survivin expression is related to the concentration and time of FGF-2 treatment. FGF-2 could inhibit the release of Smac from the mitochondria to cytoplasm induced by serum starving. FGF-2 could inhibit the apoptosis induced by serum starving. CONCLUSION: FGF-2 up-regulates the expression of survivin protein in NCI-H446 cells, and blocks the release of Smac from mitochondria cytoplasm. Survivin and Smac might play important roles in the apoptosis inhibited by FGF-2.

[Expression and significance of Notch1, Jagged1 and VEGF in human non-small cell lung cancer].

OBJECTIVE: To determine the expressions of Notch1, Jagged1 and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in human non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and to explore its clinical pathological significance. METHODS: Immunohistochemical SP method was used to detect the expressions of Notch1, Jagged1 and VEGF in 65 patients with NSCLC and 15 normal epithelial tissues of the lung, and the relationship between them and clinic-pathological parameters were analyzed. RESULTS: The positive rates of Notch1, Jagged1 and VEGF in NSCLC were 81.5%, 83.1% and 93.8%, respectively, higher than those in normal epithelial tissues of the lung (P<0.05). The positive expression levels of Notch1 and VEGF were closely associated with the tumor stage and the lymph node metastasis (P<0.05). The positive expression levels of Jagged1 was positively correlated with the pathological type and lymph node metastasis. There was a positive correlation between Notch1, Jagged1 and VEGF. CONCLUSION: Notch1, Jagged1 and VEGF protein may play an important role in the pathway of carcinogenesis and progression of NSCLC. The up-regulation of Notch1, Jagged1 and VEGF protein expression probably predict NSCLC carrying relatively strong permeation and metastasis.

[Re-osseointegration of peri-implantitis bone defects: an experimental study in dogs].

PURPOSE: To investigate the treatment methods of experimentally induced peri-implantitis bone defects, and evaluate bone regeneration and re-osseointegration around implants histologically. METHODS: 30 Brinemark standard implants were placed in 5 Beagle dogs' mandibles to establish peri-implantitis bone defect model, then bone defects were randomly treated with: (1) debridement alone; (2) debridement plus guided bone regeneration using non-absorbable membrane; (3) debridement plus non-absorbable membrane associated with bone graft; (4) debridement plus non-absorbable membrane associated with biological activity glass. Peri-implant bone augmentation was observed and detected by radiography, fluorescence light micrography, un-decalcified bones ground section and direct measurement on operation. SPSS 12.0 software package was used for ANOVA, Kruskal-Wallis test and Mann-Whiteney test. RESULTS: There were significant differences between four groups in peri-implant bone augmentation, bone contact level and bone mineralization apposition rate, P < 0.05. The group using debridement plus non-absorbable membrane associated with bone graft resulted in a greater amount of regeneration than the other treatments. CONCLUSION: Inflammation induced peri-implant bone defects can regenerate by appropriate treatment. Supported by Shanghai Municipal Science and Technology Enhancement Award (Grant No.024119072).

[Detection and measurement of interleukin-8 in peri-implant crevicular fluid].

OBJECTIVE: Gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) analysis of various inflammatory mediators has been investigated as a means of providing objective criteria of peri-implant tissue health. In this report, the crevicular fluid levels of interleukin-8 (IL-8), GCF volume and clinical parameters were studied. METHODS: GCF was sampled from 35 healthy and 35 inflamed sites of implantation patients. IL-8 levels were analysed using ABC-ELISA. Clinical parameters were measured, and data analysis was performed using the software package SPSS10.0. RESULTS: Significant difference was observed between healthy implant sites and peri-implantitis sites. GCF volume was positively correlated with PD, PI, GI and MOB. The total amount of IL-8 was positively correlated with PD and GI. CONCLUSION: This investigation suggested that GCF volume and IL-8 cytokine may be of value as a diagnostic and prognostic marker for peri-implantitis.