Gliding locomotion of manta rays, killer whales and swordfish near the water surface.

The hydrodynamic performance of the locomotive near the water surface is impacted by its geometrical shape. For marine animals, their geometrical shape is naturally selective; thus, investigating gliding locomotion of marine animal under the water surface may be able to elucidate the influence of the geometrical shape. We investigate three marine animals with specific geometries: the killer whale is fusiform shaped; the manta ray is flat and broad-winged; and the swordfish is best streamlined.

Hydrodynamic analysis of human swimming based on VOF method.

A 3-D numerical model, based on the Navier-Strokes equations and the RNG k-ε turbulence closure, for studying hydrodynamic drag on a swimmer with wave-making resistance taken into account is established. The volume of fluid method is employed to capture the undulation of the free surface. The simulation strategy is evaluated by comparison of the computed results with experimental data.

BMP-7 attenuates TGF-β1-induced fibroblast-like differentiation of rat dermal papilla cells.

Dermal papilla cells (DPCs) show phenotypic plasticity during wound healing. The multipotency of DPCs is well recognized, but the signaling pathways that regulate the differentiation of these cells into fibroblasts are poorly understood. A preliminary experiment showed that transforming growth factor beta1 (TGF-β1) can induce DPCs to differentiate into fibroblast-like cells, which suggests that DPCs may be a source of wound-healing fibroblasts.

Differentiation of rat dermal papilla cells into fibroblast-like cells induced by transforming growth factor β1.

Background: The origin of wound-healing fibroblasts is still debated. Dermal papilla cells (DPCs), which are an important population of stem cells for the regeneration of hair follicles, play a considerable role in cutaneous wound healing. Based on the plasticity of DPCs in wound healing, we hypothesized that DPCs may contribute to the fibroblast population of wound repair.

Attenuation of alpha1 collagen production with antisense ribonucleic acid in cultured hypertrophic scar fibroblasts.

Background: It has been demonstrated that hypertrophic scar fibroblasts (HSFs) overexpress collagen messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) and protein, especially alpha1 collagen. Antisense nucleic acids are effective in inhibiting harmful or uncontrolled gene expression, suggesting that antisense ribonucleic acid (RNA) can effectively downregulate the expression of alpha1 collagen gene and attenuate the scars.

Aims: This study was conducted to observe the effect of recombinant plasmid pREP9-COL1 on alpha1 collagen expression in HSFs and clarify the prospect of antisense RNA on scar treatment.

Effect of asiaticoside on hypertrophic scar in the rabbit ear model.

Background: Previous observations suggested that asiaticoside had a possible antiscaring effect. However, the precise pathological mechanism still remain unknown. We questioned whether asiaticoside might alleviate the formation of hypertrophic scar by affecting the expression of Transform growth factor beta (TGF-beta)/Smad signaling.

Basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) alleviates the scar of the rabbit ear model in wound healing.

Studies suggest a possible antiscarring effect of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) during wound healing. However, little is known about the precise pathological mechanisms of bFGF. In particular, there is only limited information available about the mechanism of exogenous administration of bFGF to scar formation.

Expression of Smad protein by normal skin fibroblasts and hypertrophic scar fibroblasts in response to transforming growth factor beta1.

Background: Smad proteins are important intracellular mediators of transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta signaling. Little has been known about the specific relationship between TGF-beta and TGF-beta/Smad signaling in hypertrophic scars.

Objective: The objective was to investigate the expression of Smads and the specific relationship between TGF-beta and TGF-beta/Smad signaling in hypertrophic scars.

Experimental study on repairing of nude mice skin defects with composite skin consisting of xenogeneic dermis and epidermal stem cells and hair follicle dermal papilla cells.

Objective: To investigate the influence of hair follicle dermal papilla cells (DPCs) on biological features of composite skin.

Methods: In the test group, xenogeneic acellular dermal matrix was employed as the frame, DPCs were seeded on the subcutaneous side, and epithelial stem cells onto the dermal papilla side of the dermal frame so as to construct a composite skin. In the control group, there was no DPC in the frame.

[Isolation and differentiation characteristics of dermal multipotent stem cells from humans of different ages cultured in vitro].

Objective: To study isolation, identification and differentiation characteristics of dermal multipotent stem cells from human of different age in vitro culture.

Methods: Skin samples( 1 cm x 1 cm) were harvested from fetus, infant, adult and elderly. The original clones were screened in stem cell medium.

[Effects of citrus reticulata blanco extract on fibroblasts from human hypertrophic scar in vitro].

Objective: To investigate the effects of citrus reticulata blanco extract on the proliferation and collagen metabolism of fibroblasts from human hypertrophic scar.

Methods: Human hypertrophic scar fibroblasts from two burn patients obtained from plastic surgery were cultured in vitro and divided into experimental group (n = 12, with basic culture medium and 2.5, 5.

[Effect of asiaticoside on the expression of transforming growth factor-beta mRNA and matrix metalloproteinases in hypertrophic scars].

Objective: To investigate the effect of asiaticoside on the expressions of transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta mRNA, matrix metalloproteinases (MMPS) and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs) in postburn hypertrophic scars.

Methods: Nine specimens of postburn (5-8 months) hypertrophic scars with asiaticoside treatment and 9 without asiaticoside treatment were collected for testing the expressions of MMPS, TIMPs, type I and III collagen and TGF-beta mRNA by immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization methods, followed by image analysis of the results.

Results: The expressions of TGF-beta mRNA and MMPS/TIMPS were all detected in the fibroblast cytoplasm.

[Protective effects of urinastatin on organ function in patients with severe burn].

Objective: To investigate the protective effects of urinastatin on organ function in severe burn.

Methods: Seventy-two cases with comparative severity in burn injury were randomly divided into urinastatin treatment group (n=36) and control group (n=36). Patients in control group received routine therapy, while those in treatment group received intravenous dripping of urinastatin twice a day for 5 to 7 days.

[Influence of aerosols on the expression of cyclin B1, cyclin C and proliferating cell nuclear antigen in wound tissue healing of burned rat models].

Objective: To investigate the influence of aerosols on the expression of cyclin B(1), cyclin C and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) in wound tissue healing of burned rat models.

Methods: Sprague Dawley (SD) rats were inflicted as the deep partial thickness burn models. Rats were randomly divided into experimental group and control group.

[Clinical study and pathological examination on the treatment of deep partial thickness burn wound with negative charge aerosol].

Objective: To investigate the effect of negative charge aerosol (NCA) on the treatment of burn wound.

Methods: Patients with superficial or deep partial thickness burn only were enrolled in the study, and they were randomly divided into trial group (T, including 180 cases of superficial thickness burn and 100 cases of deep partial thickness burn), control group (C, including 30 cases with superficial thickness burn and 30 with deep partial thickness burn), and self control group (SC, including 10 cases with superficial thickness burn and 10 with deep partial thickness burn). The patients in T and SC groups were treated with NCA for 1.

[A preliminary study on the identification and distribution of epidermal stem cells in different degrees of burn wounds in scalded rats].

Objective: To investigate the distribution of epidermal stem cells (ESCs) in different degrees of burn wounds in scalded rats.

Methods: Thirty-two Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were employed in the study. First degree (I), shallow (shallow II) and deep partial thickness (deep II) and full thickness burn wounds (III) were created on the rat skin.

[Clinical significance of the predominant bacterial strains on burn wound during early postburn stage].

Objective: To investigate the clinical significance of the predominant bacterial colonization on burn wound in our department during recent years, so as to help select optimal antibiotics in burn patients with severe infections.

Methods: This bacterial investigation was carried out in 215 cases of severely burned patients. The bacterial culture and the drug susceptibility test were carried out.