The Lipid-Bound Apolipoprotein A-I Cysteine Mutant (N74C) Inhibits the Activation of NF-κB,JNK and p38 in Endotoxemic Mice and RAW264.7 Cells

Our previous studies showed that recombinant high-density lipoprotein (rHDL) rHDL74 exhibited higher anti-inflammatory capabilities compared to wild-type rHDL (rHDLwt), while rHDL228 showed hyper-proinflammation. In this paper, we further investigated the potential mechanisms involved in their different inflammatory functions using two models: endotoxemic mice and the RAW264.7 inflammation model. Our results showed that 24 h after the injection of lipopolysaccharide (LPS), mice treated with rHDL74 had a significant decrease in plasma CRP (P<0.01 vs. rHDLwt; P<0.01 vs. LPS), MCP-1 (P<0.05 vs. rHDLwt; P<0.01 vs. LPS) and CD14 (P<0.01 vs. LPS) compared with the mice treated with rHDLwt or the controls that received LPS only. Similar to our previous study, rHDL228 increased the plasma level of CRP (P<0.05 vs. LPS) and MCP-1 (P<0.01 vs. LPS). Our immunohistochemistry and western blot analysis showed that rHDL74 inhibited the activation of NF-κB in endotoxemic mice and JNK and p38 in the RAW264.7 inflammation model, while rHDL228 exacerbated the activation of NF-κB and ERK. In summary, our data suggest that rHDL74 exhibits higher anti-inflammatory activity by decreasing inflammatory factors and inhibiting the activation of NF-κB, JNK and p38, while rHDL228 appears to be hyper-proinflammation by increasing these inflammatory factors and aggravating the activation of NF-κB and ERK.     

A family-based approach to preventing excessive weight gain

Objective: Preventing weight gain in adults and excessive weight gain in children is a high priority. We evaluated the ability of a family‐based program aimed at increasing steps and cereal consumption (for breakfast and snacks) to reduce weight gain in children and adults. Research Methods and Procedures: Families (n = 105) with at least one 8‐ to 12‐year‐old child who was at‐risk‐for‐overweight or overweight (designated as the target child) were recruited for the study. Eighty‐two families were randomly assigned to receive the family‐based intervention and 23 families to the control condition. The 13‐week intervention consisted of specific increases in daily steps (an additional 2000 steps/d) and consumption of 2 servings/d of ready‐to‐eat cereal. Results: The intervention was successful in increasing walking (steps) and cereal consumption. The intervention had positive, significant effects on percentage BMI‐for‐age and percentage body fat for target children and weight, BMI, and percentage body fat for parents. On further analysis, the positive effects of the intervention were seen largely in target girls and moms, rather than in target boys and dads. Discussion: This family‐based weight gain prevention program based on small changes holds promise for reducing excessive weight gain in families and especially in growing overweight children.     

Effects of culture conditions on osteogenic differentiation in human mesenchymal stem cells

Human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hBMMSCs) must differentiate into osteogenic cells to allow for successful bone regeneration. In this study, we investigated the effects of different combinations of three soluble osteogenic differentiation-inducing factors [L-ascorbic acid (AC), beta-glycerophosphate (betaG), and bone morphogenic protein-2 (BMP-2)] and the presence of a hydroxyapatite (HA) substrate on hBMMSC osteogenic differentiation in vitro. hBMMSCs were cultured in medium containing various combinations of the soluble factors on culture plates with or without HA coating. After 7 days of culture, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, calcium deposition, and osteoprotegerin (OPG) and osteopontin (OPN) expression were measured. The effects of individual and combined factors were evaluated using a factorial analysis method. BMP-2 predominantly affected expression of early markers of osteogenic differentiation (ALP and OPG). HA had the highest positive effect on OPN expression and calcium deposition. The interaction between AC, betaG, and HA had the second highest positive effect on ALP activity.     

螺旋CT三维重建技术在胫骨平台骨折的诊疗应用分析

目的探讨螺旋CT三维重建在胫骨平台骨折中的临床应用。方法回顾性分析2007-2008年55例胫骨平台骨折病例．手术前均常规行X线摄片,行螺旋CT三维重建并与术中所见对照。结果所有病例螺旋CT三维重建明确地显示了骨折,并在骨折的分型和关节面碎裂情况的描述上较平片优越,与手术中所见一致。结论CT多种成像后处理技术可清晰显示骨折的部位、骨折线的走行方向、骨质碎裂程度和移位的距离以及关节面塌陷情况等,对术前分型、制订手术治疗方案具有重要的参考价值。     

Difference in microchip electrophoretic mobility between partially and fully PEGylated poly(amidoamine) dendrimers

The objective of this study was to investigate the difference in electrophoretic mobility between partially and fully poly(ethylene glycol)-conjugated poly(amidoamine) dendrimers (part-PEG-PAMAM and full-PEG-PAMAM, respectively) using a microchip capillary gel electrophoresis (MCGE). While MCGE allowed size-based separation of PEG-PAMAMs prepared with monomethoxy PEG-nitrophenyl carbonate, full-PEG-PAMAMs migrated slower than part-PEG-PAMAMs that were similar in size or larger. When the measured molecular weights obtained from MCGE analysis and the calculated molecular weights were plotted, each part-PEG-PAMAM and full-PEG-PAMAM showed correlation coefficients greater than 0.98. This study indicates that MCGE would be useful for characterizing PEG-PAMAMs with different PEGylation degrees.     

秦艽体细胞胚不同发育阶段几种同工酶的特性

以秦艽（ＧｅｎｔｉａｎａｃｒａｓｓｉｃａｕｌｉｓＤｕｔｈｉｅｅｘＢｕｒｋｉｌｌ）无菌苗幼嫩茎叶为外植体,在ＭＳ培养基上诱导出胚性愈伤组织及体细胞胚。本文比较了秦荒体细胞胚发育过程中几种酶的活性及同工酶变化。过氧化物酶与细胞色素氧化酶均在球形胚阶段出现一活性高峰;酯酶同工酶在体细胞胚发育过程中伴有特征带Ｅ＿２、Ｅ＿６的出现;酸性磷酸酯酶的活性与体细胞胚发育程度呈正相关。所以认为只要综合运用这几种同工酶的实验数据,就可以灵敏检测体细胞胚的发育进程。