Enhanced Light Absorption and Photo-Generated Charge Separation Efficiency for Boosting Photocatalytic H2 Evolution through TiO2 Quantum Dots with N-Doping and Concomitant Oxygen Vacancy.

Low-range light absorption and rapid recombination of photo-generated charge carriers have prevented the occurrence of effective and applicable photocatalysis for decades. Quantum dots (QDs) offer a solution due to their size-controlled photon properties and charge separation capabilities. Herein, well-dispersed interstitial nitrogen-doped TiO2 QDs with stable oxygen vacancies (N-TiO2-x-VO) are fabricated by using a low-temperature, annealing-assisted hydrothermal method. Remarkably, electrostatic repulsion prevented aggregation arising from negative charges accumulated in situ on the surface of N-TiO2-x-VO, enabling complete solar spectrum utilization (200-800 nm) with a 2.5 eV bandgap. Enhanced UV-vis photocatalytic H2 evolution rate (HER) reached 2757 µmol g-1 h-1, 41.6 times higher than commercial TiO2 (66 µmol g-1 h-1). Strikingly, under visible light, HER rate was 189 µmol g-1 h-1. Experimental and simulated studies of mechanisms reveal that VO can serve as an electron reservoir of photo-generated charge carriers on N-doped active sites, and consequently, enhance the separation rate of exciton pairs. Moreover, the negative free energy (-0.35 V) indicates more favorable thermodynamics for HER as compared with bulk TiO2 (0.66 V). This research work paves a new way of developing efficient photocatalytic strategies of HER that are applicable in the sustainable carbon-zero energy supply.

High-efficiency photoreduction of CO2 in a low vacuum.

Photoreduction of CO2 into CO, CH4 or hydrocarbons is attractive, due to environmental compatibility and economic feasibility. Optimizing the reaction engineering of CO2 reduction is an effective and general strategy that should be given special consideration. In this article, the photocatalytic CO2 reduction performances are originally investigated in a low vacuum in both dilute (10%) and pure CO2. We discover that the CH4 yield increased above one hundred times as the vacuum degree increased from barometric pressure to -80 kPa in dilute CO2. It also reveals long-term stability and good cycling performance in a low vacuum. The enhanced CO2 photoreduction performance in a low vacuum comes from better accumulation of photogenerated electrons, less intense Brownian movement of gas molecules in the environment and hindrance of the active site-blocking of gas molecules in the environment. Improved photocatalytic CO2 reduction in a low vacuum is further verified by Pt-TiO2 catalysts. This research presents a general route for producing clean fuels by photocatalytic CO2 reduction in a more effective way.

Fusion Bonding Possibility for Incompatible Polymers by the Novel Ultrasonic Welding Technology: Effect of Interfacial Compatibilization.

Fusion bonding for polymers has been successfully welded for the same and dissimilar materials. However, it is difficult to bond incompatible polymers due to poor interfacial adhesion. Usually, interfacial compatibilization can resolve this problem. According to the mechanism, an interlayer solder sheet (ISS) consisting of maleic anhydride-functionalized polypropylene (PP-g-MAH) and polyamide6 (PA6) was introduced into the ultrasonic welding (USW) device. In this way, it successfully realized the weldability between PP and PA6. The welding strength of PP-PA6 reached 22.3 MPa, about 84% welding strength for the PP body and 63% tensile strength for PP. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed the formation of PP-g-PA6 copolymer in blends. This copolymer played the role of an emulsifier, which enhanced the interfacial adhesion between PP and PA6 in two phases, leading to micron-scale homogeneity. In the USW process, the copolymer could act as a bridge between PP and PA6 molecular chains to realize the fusion bonding of incompatible polymers. Finally, we proposed the fusion bonding model for PP-PA6 interfaces.

Enhanced adsorption of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) from water by granular activated carbon supported magnetite nanoparticles.

A new composite material (Fe3O4@GAC, Fe3O4 nanoparticles loaded on a commercial granular activated carbon (GAC)) was prepared through a facile hydrothermal process at controlled Fe2+:Fe3+ molar ratios in air. Fe3O4@GAC was thoroughly characterized and tested for adsorption of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) in water. Fe3O4@GAC(2:1), prepared at an Fe2+:Fe3+ molar ratio of 2:1, showed the best PFOA removal and offered 28.8% higher adsorption capacity than the parent GAC at final pH 4.0. The enhanced adsorption of PFOA was attributed to concurrent hydrophobic, electrostatic and complexation interactions between PFOA, GAC and Fe3O4. GAC in the composite played an important role for PFOA adsorption. The presence of Ca2+ ions (10 mM) at final pH 5.0-10.0 more than doubled the PFOA equilibrium uptake of PFOA by Fe3O4@GAC(2:1) due to the calcium bridging effect between PFOA and the Si-OH or Fe-OH groups in Fe3O4@GAC(2:1), and because of the Ca2+-modification induced formation of PFOA hemi-micelles on the surface or in the relatively large pores (2.27 nm) of Fe3O4@GAC(2:1). Fe3O4@GAC(2:1) was amenable to efficient regeneration using a mixture of NaOH solution and methanol. Fe3O4@GAC holds the potential to be used as a simple and low-cost adsorbent for enhanced adsorption of PFOA, especially in waters of high hardness and alkalinity.

Characterizing the Hourly Variation of Urban Heat Islands in a Snowy Climate City during Summer.

Temporal variation of urban heat island (UHI) intensity is one of the most important themes in UHI studies. However, fine-scale temporal variability of UHI with explicit spatial information is sparse in the literature. Based on the hourly air temperature from 195 meteorological stations during August 2015 in Changchun, China, hourly spatiotemporal patterns of UHI were mapped to explore the temporal variability and the effects of land use on the thermal environment using time series analysis, air temperature profiling, and spatial analysis. The results showed that: (1) high air temperature does not indicate strong UHI intensity. The nighttime UHI intensity (1.51 °C) was much stronger than that in the daytime (0.49 °C). (2) The urban area was the hottest during most of the day except the period from late morning to around 13:00 when there was about a 40% possibility for an "inverse UHI intensity" to appear. Paddy land was the coolest in the daytime, while woodland had the lowest temperature during the nighttime. (3) The rural area had higher warming and cooling rates than the urban area after sunrise and sunset. It appeared that 23 °C was the threshold at which the thermal characteristics of different land use types changed significantly.

Agkistrodon halys venom antitumor component-I inhibits vasculogenic mimicry in triple-negative breast cancer cells in vitro by down-regulating MMP2 / 南方医科大学学报

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the inhibitory effect of agkistrodon halys venom antitumor component-I (AHVAC-I) on vasculogenic mimicry (VM) formation in triple-negative breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cells and explore its possible mechanism.@*METHODS@#CCK8 assay was used to determine the optimal concentration of AHVAC-I for cell treatment based on its halfinhibitory concentration (IC50). MDA-MB-231 cells were treated with different concentrations of AHVAC-I or 5-Fu, and the changes in vasomimetic capacity of the cells were examined using Matrigel assay. The expression levels of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP2) and MMP9 in the treated cells were detected using quantitative PCR and Western blotting.@*RESULTS@#Compared with the control treatment with culture medium, treatment with 5, 10 and 20 μg/mL AHVAC-I significantly reduced vasomimetic ability of MDA-MB-231 cells in a dose-dependent manner (P < 0.01). MMP2 supplementation obviously restored the vasomimetic ability of the cells inhibited by AHVAC-I.@*CONCLUSION@#AHVAC-I inhibits VM formation in triplenegative breast cancer cells in vitro by down-regulating MMP2 production.

Effect of down-regulation of X-box binding protein 1 gene expression on viability and apoptosis of glioma cells / 中国病理生理杂志

AIM:To investigate the effect of down-regulation of X-box binding protein 1(XBP1)expression on the viability and apoptosis of glioma cells.METHODS:The mRNA expression of XBP1 in the glioma tissues was de-tected by qPCR.Small interfering RNA(siRNA)interfering with XBP1 expression(XBP1-siRNA)was transfected into human brain glioma U251 cells.At the same time,control group(the cells without special treatment)and negative control (NC-siRNA)group(transfected with siRNA without any interference)were set up.The mRNA expression of XBP1 in the 3 groups 48 h after transfection was detected by qPCR.The protein levels of XBP1, proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA),B-cell lymphoma/leukemia-2(Bcl-2),Bcl-2-associated X protein(Bax),cyclin D1(cyclin D1), phosphati-dylinositol 3-kinase(PI3K)and phosphorylated Akt(p-Akt)were determined by Western blot.The cell viability was measured by CCK-8 assay.The cell cycle distribution and apoptosis were analyzed by flow cytometry.RESULTS:The ex-pression level of XBP1 in the glioma tissues was significantly higher than that in the tumor adjacent tissues(P<0.05). The XBP1 expression at mRNA and protein levels was significantly decreased in the cells transfected with XBP1-siRNA(P<0.05).No statistically significant difference of the cell viability, cell cycle, apoptotic rate and the protein levels of PCNA,Bcl-2,Bax,cyclin D1,PI3K and p-Akt between NC-siRNA group and control group was observed.Compared with control group,the cell viability, S-phase cells and the protein levels of PCNA, Bcl-2, cyclin D1, PI3K, and p-Akt in XBP1-siRNA group were decreased significantly, and the apoptotic rate, G0/G1-phase cells and Bax protein expression were significantly increased(P<0.05).CONCLUSION:Down-regulation of XBP1 gene expression in brain glioma cells reduces the viability of cancer cells,blocks the cells in G1phase and promote apoptosis.The mechanism is related to the inhibition of PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.

Localization of Anterosuperior Point of Transverse-sigmoid Sinus Junction Using a Reference Coordinate System on Lateral Skull Surface / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>During craniotomies using the transpetrosal-presigmoid approach, exposure of the sigmoid sinus remains an essential but hazardous step. In such procedures, accurate localization of the anterosuperior point of the transverse-sigmoid sinus junction (ASTS) is very important for reducing surgical morbidity. This study aimed to create an accurate and practical method for identifying the ASTS.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>On the lateral surfaces of 40 adult skulls (19 male skulls and 21 female skulls), a rectangular coordinate system was defined to measure the x and y coordinates of two points: the ASTS and the squamosal-parietomastoid suture junction (SP). With the coordinate system, the distribution characteristics of the ASTS were statistically analyzed and the differences between the ASTS and SP were investigated.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>For ASTS-x, significant differences were found in different sides (P = 0.020); the ASTS-x in male skulls was significantly higher on the right side (P = 0.017); there was no significant difference between the sides in female skulls. There were no significant differences in gender or interaction of gender and side for ASTS-x, and for ASTS-y, there were no significant differences in side, gender, or interaction of gender and side. For both sides combined, the mean ASTS-x was significantly higher than the mean SP-x (P = 0.003) and the mean ASTS-y was significantly higher than the mean SP-y (P = 0.011).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>This reference coordinate system may be an accurate and practical method for identifying the ASTS during presigmoid craniotomy. The SP might be difficult to find during presigmoid craniotomy and, therefore, it is not always a reliable landmark for defining the ASTS.</p>

Clinical Features of Adult/Adolescent Atopic Dermatitis and Chinese Criteria for Atopic Dermatitis / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Atopic dermatitis (AD) is an inflammatory skin disease characterized by chronic recurrent dermatitis with profound itching. Most patients have personal and/or family history of atopic diseases. Several criteria have been proposed for the diagnosis of AD. Although the clinical features of childhood AD have been widely studied, there has been less large-scale study on adult/adolescent AD. The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical features of adult/adolescent patients with chronic symmetrical eczema/AD and to propose Chinese diagnostic criteria for adult/adolescent AD.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A hospital-based study was performed. Forty-two dermatological centers participated in this study. Adult and adolescent patients (12 years and over) with chronic symmetrical eczema or AD were included in this study. Questionnaires were completed by both patients and investigators. The valid questionnaires were analyzed using EpiData 3.1 and SPSS 17.0 software.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>A total of 2662 valid questionnaires were collected (1369 male and 1293 female). Of all 2662 patients, 2062 (77.5%) patients had the disease after 12 years old, while only 600 (22.5%) patients had the disease before 12 years old, suggesting late-onset eczema/AD is common. Two thousand one hundred and thirty-nine (80.4%) patients had the disease for more than 6 months. One thousand one hundred and forty-four (43.0%) patients had a personal and/or family history of atopic diseases. One thousand five hundred and forty-eight (58.2%) patients had an elevated total serum IgE and/or eosinophilia and/or positive allergen-specific IgE. Based on these clinical and laboratory features, we proposed Chinese criteria for adult/adolescent AD. Of all 2662 patients, 60.3% were satisfied with our criteria, while only 48.2% satisfied with Hanifin Rajka criteria and 32.7% satisfied with Williams criteria, suggesting a good sensitivity of our criteria in adult/adolescent AD patients.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Late-onset of eczema or AD is common. The clinical manifestations of AD are heterogeneous. We have proposed Chinese diagnostic criteria for adolescent and adult AD, which are simple and sensitive for diagnosis of adult/adolescent AD.</p>

miR-638 is a new biomarker for outcome prediction of non-small cell lung cancer patients receiving chemotherapy

MicroRNAs (miRNAs), a class of small non-coding RNAs, mediate gene expression by either cleaving target mRNAs or inhibiting their translation. They have key roles in the tumorigenesis of several cancers, including non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical significance of miR-638 in the evaluation of NSCLC patient prognosis in response to chemotherapy. First, we detected miR-638 expression levels in vitro in the culture supernatants of the NSCLC cell line SPC-A1 treated with cisplatin, as well as the apoptosis rates of SPC-A1. Second, serum miR-638 expression levels were detected in vivo by using nude mice xenograft models bearing SPC-A1 with and without cisplatin treatment. In the clinic, the serum miR-638 levels of 200 cases of NSCLC patients before and after chemotherapy were determined by quantitative real-time PCR, and the associations of clinicopathological features with miR-638 expression patterns after chemotherapy were analyzed. Our data helped in demonstrating that cisplatin induced apoptosis of the SPC-A1 cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner accompanied by increased miR-638 expression levels in the culture supernatants. In vivo data further revealed that cisplatin induced miR-638 upregulation in the serum derived from mice xenograft models, and in NSCLC patient sera, miR-638 expression patterns after chemotherapy significantly correlated with lymph node metastasis. Moreover, survival analyses revealed that patients who had increased miR-638 levels after chemotherapy showed significantly longer survival time than those who had decreased miR-638 levels. Our findings suggest that serum miR-638 levels are associated with the survival of NSCLC patients and may be considered a potential independent predictor for NSCLC prognosis.

miR-638 is a new biomarker for outcome prediction of non-small cell lung cancer patients receiving chemotherapy

MicroRNAs (miRNAs), a class of small non-coding RNAs, mediate gene expression by either cleaving target mRNAs or inhibiting their translation. They have key roles in the tumorigenesis of several cancers, including non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical significance of miR-638 in the evaluation of NSCLC patient prognosis in response to chemotherapy. First, we detected miR-638 expression levels in vitro in the culture supernatants of the NSCLC cell line SPC-A1 treated with cisplatin, as well as the apoptosis rates of SPC-A1. Second, serum miR-638 expression levels were detected in vivo by using nude mice xenograft models bearing SPC-A1 with and without cisplatin treatment. In the clinic, the serum miR-638 levels of 200 cases of NSCLC patients before and after chemotherapy were determined by quantitative real-time PCR, and the associations of clinicopathological features with miR-638 expression patterns after chemotherapy were analyzed. Our data helped in demonstrating that cisplatin induced apoptosis of the SPC-A1 cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner accompanied by increased miR-638 expression levels in the culture supernatants. In vivo data further revealed that cisplatin induced miR-638 upregulation in the serum derived from mice xenograft models, and in NSCLC patient sera, miR-638 expression patterns after chemotherapy significantly correlated with lymph node metastasis. Moreover, survival analyses revealed that patients who had increased miR-638 levels after chemotherapy showed significantly longer survival time than those who had decreased miR-638 levels. Our findings suggest that serum miR-638 levels are associated with the survival of NSCLC patients and may be considered a potential independent predictor for NSCLC prognosis.

DAPT suppresses the proliferation of human glioma cell line SHG-44

OBJECTIVE@#To explore the suppressing effect of γ-secretase inhibitor DAPT on proliferation of human glioma cell line SHG-44 in vitro and its mechanism.@*METHODS@#The SHG-44 cell was treated by DAPT with different concentration. The proliferation of cells was detected by MTT assay; cell cycle and TSC of CD133(+) were determined by flow cytometry analysis technique; the key factor in Notch signaling pathway (Notch-1, Delta-1, Hes-1) was measured by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction and western blotting.@*RESULTS@#DAPT inhibited the growth and proliferation of SHG-44 cells significantly(P<0.05). And the inhibiting effect on SHG-44 cells produced by DAPT showed a dose-dependent manner. DAPT increased the rate of cells in G0/G1 phase of SHG-44 cells, while it decreased the rate of cells in S phase. TSC of CD133(+) was significantly reduced after DAPT treated SHG-44 cells. The expression of protein and mRNA of Notch-1, Delta-1 and Hes-1 were gradually downregulated with the increase of DAPT doses.@*CONCLUSIONS@#DAPT can downregulate these key factor in Notch signaling pathway, reduce the TSC of CD133+ and inhibit the proliferation of SHG-44 cells.

Changes in Wnt pathway inhibiting factors in nitrosamine-induced esophageal precancerosis lesions and effect of gexia zhuyu decoction / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To discuss the changes in Wnt pathway inhibiting factors in esophageal precancerosis lesions induced by methyl benzyl nitrosamine (MBNA) and the effect of Gexia Zhuyu decoction.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>Wistar rats were subcutaneously injected with MBNA (3.5 mg x kg(-1) for twice per week to establish the model. Since the 1st day after the model establishment, they were orally administered with Gexia Zhuyu decoction (16, 8 mg x kg(-1)). At the 10th week, esophageal tissues were collected to observe the pathological changes of esophageal mucosa, detect SFRP1, sFRP4, Axin1, Axin2 and GSK-3β mRNA levels.by fluorescent quantitation PCR analysis and β-catenin protein level by Western blotting.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>Being induced by MBNA, rats in the model group showed slight atypical hyperplasia in the histopathological examination. Compared with the normal group, Gexia Zhuyu decoction dose high and low groups showed no significant pathomorphological and histological changes. The model group showed lower gene transcription levels of esophageal tissues sFRP1, sFRP4, Axin1 and Axin2 (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01) and higher β-catenin protein expression level (P < 0.01) than the normal control group. The Gexia Zhuyu decoction low dose group showed higher gene transcription levels of esophageal tissues sFRP1, sFRP4, Axin1 and Axin2 (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01) and lower β-catenin protein expression level (P < 0.01) than the normal control group.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Up-regulated β-catenin protein level and down-regulated Wnt pathway could enhance Wnt pathway activity of MBNA-induced esophageal precancerous lesions. Gexia Zhuyu decoction could down-regulate the β-catenin protein level and up-regulate the transcription level of Wnt pathway inhibiting factors, but could not block MBNA-induced esophageal precancerosis lesions.</p>

Effect of ERBB2 expression on invasiveness of glioma TJ905 cells

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the influence and possible mechanism of ERBB2 expression on the invasiveness of glioma cells.@*METHODS@#Glioma TJ905 cells were separated and cultured. ERBB2 shRNA and overexpressing vectors were constructed, which were then transfected. The ERBB2 expression was up-regulated or down-regulated. Changes of invasiveness of TJ905 cells were detected by Transwell assay, and the expressions of matrix metalloprotease (MMP)-2 and MMP-9 were measured by Western blot.@*RESULTS@#ERBB2 shRNA transfection vector could effectively inhibit expression of ERBB2; while ERBB2 overexpressing vector transfection could significantly improve the expression of ERBB2 in TJ905 cells. Transwell assay showed that when ERBB2 expression was down-regulated, the invasiveness of TJ905 cells was notably decreased; when ERBB2 expression was up-regulated, the invasiveness of TJ905 cells was markedly increased. Meanwhile, Western blot indicated that down-regulating ERBB2 inhibited the expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9, while up-regulating ERBB2 enhanced their expressions.@*CONCLUSIONS@#ERBB2 expression is closely related to the invasiveness of glioma TJ905 cells.

Correlation between dissolution in vitro and absorption in vivo of chuanping sustained release tablets / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the correlation between dissolution in vitro and absorption in vivo of Chuanping sustained release tablets.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>The ephedrine, pseudoephedrine were chosen as marker components, dissolution in vitro of Chuanping sustained release tablets in the different pH were tested by the rotating basket method and HPLC; urine drug levels were determined by HPLC and absorption fractions were calculated according to Wagner-Nelson's formula and deconvolution technique.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>The linear regressive equation between the absorption percentage in vivo F and accumulative release percentage in vitro of Chuanping sustained release tablets was established as F(ephedrine) = 1.572 5f-20. 729 (R2 = 0.974 5); F(pseudoephedrine) = 1.237f-0.147 6 (R2 = 0.959 5).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The results suggested that there was fine correlation between the absorption percentage in vivo and the accumulative release percentage in vitro of Chuanping sustained release tablets.</p>

Evaluation of balanced release of complex components of Chuanping sustained tablets based on fingerprint / 中国中药杂志

To combine fingerprint and drug release rate in vitro, in order to study in vitro release of complex components of Chuanping sustained tablets, compound traditional Chinese medicine preparation. A qualitative determination of the characteristic peaks of the compound preparations were conducted by the fingerprint. The results of the dissolution rate determination under different release conditions showed that the release of three index components (methamphetamine, pseudoephedrine and scopolamine) of Chuanping sustained tablets was less affected by gastrointestinal factors, with similarity factors being more than 80 with unknown component release curves of three major characteristic peaks in the fingerprint. The qualitative determination proved that multiple components of the compound traditional Chinese medicine preparation was dissolved in vitro at similar rates, realizing the balanced release of complex components of the compound traditional Chinese medicine preparation. This study layed a theoretical and experimental basis for quality evaluation for the compound traditional Chinese medicine preparation.

Effect of melatonin on proliferation and apoptosis of fibroblasts in human hypertrophic scar / 中华烧伤杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the effect of melatonin on proliferation and apoptosis of fibroblasts in human hypertrophic scar and its mechanism.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Fibroblasts from human hypertrophic scar were isolated and cultured with DMEM medium containing 10% FBS, and then they were divided into control (C, added with ethanol), low concentration (LC, added with 1 × 10(-5) mmol/L melatonin), middle concentration (MC, added with 1 × 10(-3) mmol/L melatonin), and high concentration (HC, added with 1 mmol/L melatonin) groups according to the random number table. After being cultured for 24 hours, cell morphologic change was observed under microscope; XTT-PMS assay was used to examine cell proliferative activity; cell cycle and apoptosis were assessed with flow cytometry after double staining of FITC and PI, and the levels of cyclin E, p53, and Fas mRNA were determined with fluorescence quantitative RT-PCR. Data were processed with analysis of variance and LSD test.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>(1) Fibroblasts in C group were spindle-shaped with growth in colonies. Along with the increase in melatonin concentration, fibroblasts in LC, MC, and HC groups gradually dispersed, deformed and atrophied, with shrunk cellular membrane, and decrease in ratio of nucleus and cytoplasm. (2) Proliferative activity of fibroblasts in LC, MC, and HC groups decreased along with an increase in melatonin concentration (1.49 ± 0.15, 1.24 ± 0.20, and 0.92 ± 0.09), which were lower that in C group (1.79 ± 0.10, F = 67.61, P < 0.05). Cell ratios of S and G2/M phases in LC, MC, and HC groups decreased along with an increase in melatonin concentration, which were all lower than those in C group [(10.6 ± 1.1)%, (6.1 ± 1.2)%, (3.2 ± 0.8)% vs.(16.9 ± 1.3)%, F = 286.10, P < 0.05; (13.5 ± 1.1)%, (9.8 ± 1.0)%, (6.0 ± 0.7)% vs. (16.7 ± 1.6)%, F = 162.69, P < 0.05]. Apoptotic rates in early and late stages of LC, MC, and HC groups increased along with an increase in melatonin concentration, all higher than those in C group (with F value respectively 424.05, 236.44, P values all below 0.05). The expressions of cyclin E mRNA in LC, MC, and HC groups decreased along with an increase in melatonin concentration, which were lower than that in C group (1.58 ± 0.21, 0.90 ± 0.20, and 0.24 ± 0.12 vs. 2.90 ± 0.30, F = 266.79, P < 0.05), while the expressions of p53 mRNA and Fas mRNA showed opposite tendency (with F value respectively 10.11, 12.03, P values all below 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Melatonin can inhibit proliferation and induce apoptosis of fibroblasts in hypertrophic scar through regulating the gene expressions of cyclin E, p53, and Fas.</p>

Expression of secretions of hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis in human hypertrophic scar / 中华烧伤杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the expression and significance of secretions of hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis in human hypertrophic scar.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Hypertrophic scar tissues obtained from 12 patients with deep-partial thickness burn or full-thickness burn and normal skin tissues from the same 7 patients with hypertrophic scar were harvested for determination of gene expression of corticotrophin-releasing hormone (CRH), CRH receptor 1 (CRH-R1), pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC), melanocortin receptor 2 (MC-2R), and glucocorticoid receptor α (GR-α) by real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR. After addition of corresponding antibodies, distribution differences of CRH, CRH-R1, adrenocorticotropic hormone (ATCH), MC-2R, and GR-α were observed with immunohistochemical staining. Data were processed with t test.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The mRNA expression of CRH, CRH-R1, POMC, and GR-α in hypertrophic scar was respectively 3.1 ± 0.8, 0.05 ± 0.03, 0.020 ± 0.007, and 0.0030 ± 0.0010, which were significantly lower than those in normal skin (20.6 ± 4.7, 0.30 ± 0.12, 0.060 ± 0.020, and 0.0200 ± 0.0070, with t values from 2.10 to 4.75, P values all below 0.05). There was no statistical difference in MC-2R mRNA expression between hypertrophic scar and normal skin (t = 1.48, P = 0.15). Immunohistochemical observation showed CRH, CRH-R1, ACTH, MC-2R, and GR-α in hypertrophic scar were located in basal layer of epidermis, fibroblast of dermis, and tube wall of sweat gland. Expressions of these indexes could also be observed in sebaceous gland and hair follicle besides above-mentioned structures.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Decreasing expression of active material of HPA axis may be related to formation of hypertrophic scar.</p>

Implantation of bone plate for treating humeral intercondylar fractures in 37 cases under AO principle: A 5-year review of orthopedic department in a city hospital / 中国组织工程研究

BACKGROUND: Conservative treatment receives poor results in treating humeral intercondylar fractures,due to the over-long time fixation,and the recovery of joint function would be restricted.Early functional exercises should be based on stable internal fixation.OBJECTIVE: To explore the effectiveness of bone plate internal fixation in treating humeral intercondylar fractures under AO principle.METHODS: Totally 37 cases with humeral intercondylar fractures at the Department of Orthopaedics,Laibin People's Hospital from June 2000 to November 2005 were collected,under AO/ASIF classification,cases were assigned into three groups: type C1consisted of 11 cases,C2 consisted of 21 cases and C3 comprised 5 cases.All the cases were treated by olecranon osteotomy medial approach open reduction and then treated with dual anatomical plate internal fixation.Flexion and extension activities were done at 1 day after operation.Physical therapy was performed at 1 day after removing drainage.According to the images and clinical follow-up,slightly resistance exercise could be done at 4 weeks after operation,and gradually increased the load after8-12 weeks.RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: A total of 36 patients were included in the follow-up with 13-26 months,mean 19.5 months.All the bone fractures were recovered.Earlier operative reduction and exercise function would got better elbow joint recovery.All results demonstrated that dual anatomical plate treatment under AO principle provides firm internal fixation for patients with humeral intercondylar fractures,which is good for early exercise and functional recovery.

The expression of melatonin receptor in human hypertrophic scar / 中华整形外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the expression and its significance of melatonin receptor in human hypertrophic scarring.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The expression of melatonin receptor GPR50 was detected with immunohistochemistry and the melatonin receptors (MT1, MT2) mRNA were assessed with RT-PCR method in 10 cases of human hypertrophic scar and normal skin. The positive production was sequenced with auto sequencing instrument.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Positive signals of melatonin receptor could be found in the cell membrane and cytoplasm. The melatonin receptor GPR50 was located in the epithelial basal cells,sweat gland cells and hair follicle in both hypertrophic scar and normal skin. The melatonin receptor GPR50 was extensively expressed in fibroblasts of hypertrophic scar, but not in fibroblasts in normal skin. RT-PCR showed that the expression of melatonin receptor (MT1, MT2) mRNA in hypertrophic scar was significantly higher than that in normal skin (P < 0.05). In normal skin and hypertrophic scar group, the expression of MT1 mRNA was higher than MT2 mRNA (P < 0.05). In normal skin and hypertrophic scar group, the expression of MT1 mRNA was 0.99081 +/- 0.26485 and 1.16584 +/- 0.21829 copy number/microl cDNA, respectively; the expression of MT2 mRNA was 0.77083 +/- 0.15927 and 0.99550 +/- 0.14624 copy number/ microl cDNA, respectively. Sequencing results indicated that the positive product coincided with cDNA of human melatonin receptor in GeneBank.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Positive expression of melatonin receptor can be found in human hypertrophic scar and normal skin, but it is higher in scar. The over expression of melatonin receptor in hypertrophic scar may be related to the development of hypertrophic scar.</p>