BACKGROUND:Osteoarthritis is an age-related joint disease characterized by articular cartilage degeneration.
OBJECTIVE:To assess the expression of miR-140-3p in synovial fluid of knee osteoarthritis, and identify whether miR-140-3p levels in synovial fluid are correlated with disease severity.
METHODS:We col ected 10 healthy volunteers, 10 patients with gouty arthritis, 10 patients with rheumatoid arthritis, and 45 patients with knee osteoarthritis (15 cases in early stage, 15 cases in middle stage and 15 cases in the late stage). Real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR was used to detect miR-140-3p expression in synovial fluid in each group.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1) Expression of miR-140-3p was significantly down-regulated in knee osteoarthritis group. Significant differences in miR-140-3p expression were detected between non-knee osteoarthritis group and knee osteoarthritis group (P<0.05). No significant difference in miR-140-3p expression was determined among healthy control group, gouty arthritis group and rheumatoid arthritis group (P>0.05). (2) The miR-140-3p expression in the healthy control group was 11.4 times that in the knee osteoarthritis group. The expression of miR-140-3p decreased with the increase of the severity of osteoarthritis. (3) Spearman rank correlation analysis suggested that the expression of miR-140-3p was negatively correlated with osteoarthritis severity. (4) Results suggest that the expression of miR-140-3p in synovial fluid can reflect the progression of knee osteoarthritis to a certain extent.

Objective To investigate the association between polymorphisms of thyroid-stimulating hormone receptor(TSHR)gene intron 1(rs179247, rs12101261)and Graves′ disease(GD)in the China Han population from Xuzhou city, Jiangsu Province. Methods Total 1 066 GD patients and 1 107 control subjects were recruited for genotyping by Taqman probe technique on Fluidigm EP1 platform. Meanwhile, serum concentrations of thyroid hormone and TSH receptor antibodies(TRAb)were determined. Results The rs179247_A, rs12101261_T were significantly associated with GD risk(OR=1.35, 95%CI 1.19-1.54, P=5.92×10-6; OR=1.32, 95%CI 1.16-1.50, P=2.22×10-5). Logistic regression identified that rs179247 was an independent susceptibility locus of GD. Serum TRAb concentration showed a significant difference(P=0.015)among rs179247_AA, AG, and GG genotypes. Conclusion rs179247 and rs12101261 in TSHR intron 1 are both associated with GD, and rs179247 may contribute risk to GD independently. The polymorphism is associated with TRAb, but not with serum concentration of thyroid hormones, age of onset, diffused thyroid goiter, ophthalmic signs, and relapse.

Sulfur compounds in the diesel were selectively derived into methylsulfonium salts by reacting with iodomethane in the presence of silver tetrafluoroborate, and characterized by positive-ion electrospray ionization (ESI) fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance (FT-ICR MS). The conversion ratios and react selectivities of the methylation for various sulfur compounds were investigated by gas chromatograph coupled with pulse flame photometric detector (GC-PFPD). Result shows that the sulfur compounds in the diesel can react with iodomethane easily at room temperature, the most of sulfur compound derived into methylsulfonium salts;the homologue of benzothiophene get the higher conversion ratio and react selectivity than the homologue of dibenzothiophene (DBT). It is found that primarily sterically hindered alkylated DBT, for example, 4- or 4-, 6- DBT, is recalcitrant to be methylated. Other than benzothiophenes and dibenzothiophenes, one- and two-ring sulfides, as well as other sulfur compounds with a double bond equivalent (DBE) value ranged from 1 to 12 are identified in the diesel.

Objective To investigate the expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) in astrecytomas, as well as the correlation between them. Methods The expression of COX-2, EGFR and PCNA were respectively detected by immunohistochmical (S-P) method in 68 astrocytomas and 5 cases normal brain tissue. Proliferation index (PI) was calculated and the correlation of COX-2, EGFR and PI was analyzed. Results COX-2 and EGFR were negative expression in normal brain tissue. The positive expression rate of COX-2 and EGFR in high grade astrocytomas was significantly higher than that in low grade astrocytomas(73.53% vs 44. 18% ,67.65% vs 38.24%, P <0. 01 ), and the PI was significantly higher than that in low grade astrocytumas as well as normal brain tissue(46.11 ± 10. 68vs 23. 04±6. 25,4. 52±0. 95, P <0. 01 ). The PI in COX-2 positive group was higher than that in negative group( P <0. 01 ). The positive expression rate of COX-2 in the group with EGFR positive expression was higher than that in the negative group. Conclusions The expression of COX-2 and EGFR was related to pathological feature of astrocytomas. COX-2 may promote the proliferation of tumor cells. There was a static correlation between the expression of EGFR and COX-2 in astrocytomas. EGFR signal transduction probably modulated the expression of COX-2 in astrocytomas cells.

Objective To detect the gene mutation of thyroid hormone receptor β ( TRβ ) in a family with thyroid hormone resistance syndrome.Methods The genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood leukocytes of the patient and his 5 family members.The exons 1-10 ofTRβ gene were amplified by PCR.The products of PCR were sequenced directly to detect the gene mutation.Results Two members of this family were confirmed to have the C y A transition mutation at nucleotide 1642 site within exon 10 of TRβ gene,which was a missense mutation causing the substitution of Proline to Threonine (P453T).The mutation was Heterozygous.Conclusions It was confirmed that the patient has TRβ gene mutation P453T in exon 10.The mutation may lead to the occurrence of thyroid hormone resistance syndrome.

Objective To identify the disease-causing gene mutation and investigate the genotypephenotype correlation in a Chinese pedigree with familial hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.Methods In this study we collected a large multigenerational Chinese family with FHCM.Total genome DNA was extracted from 67 subjects' peripheral leucocytes.The exons and boundary introns of MYH7 gene was amplified by PCR and directly sequenced by ABI PRISM 3700 DNA sequencer.Then,the mutation was examined.Results Fourteen family members had hypertrophic cardiomyopathy,including 4 deceased 2 of whom died from sudden death at young age.Analysis by echocardiography showed all the 10 living affected individuals have a maximal leftventricular-wall thickness of at least 13 mm.Three single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) which had been reported in NCBI SNP database,were found mutated.No mutation co-seperated with the disease was identified.Conclusion FHCM of this family was not caused by MYH7 mutation.Other genes should be screened to further identify the disease-causing gene mutation in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

Objective To confirm the diagnosis and to localize the pathogenic gene of ectodermal dysplasia in a family SUffering from only hair and nail abnormalities.MethodsBlood samples were collected from 7 affected patients and 15 unafiected individuals in the family.Genomic DNA was extracted from blood samples by routine phenol-chloroform methods.The whole coding regions of candidate genes K16,K17,K6a,K6b and GJB6 were amplified by PCR followed by direct sequencing.Then,the gene mutation was further confirmed at mRNA level by RT-PCR.ResultsA heterozygous missense mutation 3 1G→A in the GJB6 gene.which leads to the substitution of glycine by arginine at codon 11(G11R)on the N-terminal of the protein,was detected in all the patients.but in none of the 15 normal individuals in this family.The mutation was also confirmed in the CDNA originating from the proband's skin biopsy.Conelusionn A missense mutation G31A.which has been shown previously to cause hidrotic ectodermal dysplasia(HED),is localized in the GJB6 gene of patients in this family.

Objective To investigate the mutations of pedocyte molecules in patients with late onset familial focal segmental glomerular sclerosis (FSGS). Methods Thirty-one pedigrees of late onset familial FSGS in Department of Nephrology, Shanghai Ruijin Hospital from Sep 1997 to Oct 2007 were enrolled in this study. The diagnosis standard of familial FSGS was as follows:(1) the age of presentation was more than 12 years old. (2) in one pedigree, two or more individuals were proven as FSGS by renal biopsy, or at least one was proven to be FSGS by renal biopsy, the others presented renal insufficiency or pmteinuria without precise causes. One hundred unrelated healthy people were screened as control group. Genomic DNA extracted from peripheral blood cells were amplified by PCR and then sequenced for mutations of NPHS2, ACTN4 and TRPC6. Results A novel missense heterozygotic mutation L316P of ACTN4 was identified inone pedigree. The mean onset age of the affected members of this pedigree was (38.7±7.4) years old and their kidney injury progress was slow. Proteinuria of the proband's brother was not improved by immunosuppressor. All 3 affected members of this family had such heterozygotic mutation. A novel missense heterozygotic mutation Q889K of TRPC6 was found in another pedigree. The mean onset age of the affected members in this pedigree was (38.0±4.2) years old. Three members presenting renal disease in this family all had such heterozygotic mutation but with different clinical manifestations. A quiescent mutation G467G of TRPC6 was also identified. Above variants were not found in healthy controls. No NPHS2 mutation was found to cause familial FSGS in these pedigrees. Conclusions A novel mutation L316P of ACTN4 and a new mutation Q889K of TRPC6 are identified in Chinese patients of late onset familial FSGS. No NPHS2 mutation is found to induce FSGS in these pedigrees.

Objective To investigate the effects of the genetic polymorphisms in osteoporosis-related genes and the gene-gene interaction on bone mineral density (BMD) and osteoporotic fractures.Methods Thirty-nine single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) sites in 23 genes that related to bone mineral density ( BMD ) and osteoporotic fractures were scanned in 683 Shanghai Han postmenopausal women.TaqMan SNP Genotyping Assay or Sequenom Mass ARRAY System were applied for genotyping analysis.The relation of these SNP sites with BMD and osteoporotic fractures were analyzed.Results Altogether,12 SNPs in 9 candidate genes ( rs7524102 and rs6696981 in ZBTB40 gene,rs9479055 in ESR1 gene,rs6993813,rs6469804,and rs11995824 in OPG gene,rs3736228 in LRP5 gene,rs1107748 in SOST gene,rs87938 in CTNNB1 gene,rs1366594 in MEF2C gene,rs7117858 in SOX6 gene,and rs10048146 in FOXL1 gene) were associated with BMD at lumbar spine(L1-L4) or total hip.In addition,rs11898505 in SPTBN1 gene was related to osteoporotic fractures ( OR 0.522,95％ CI 0.326-0.838,P =0.007 ).Gene-gene interaction involving rs1038304 in ESR1 gene,rs1366594 in MEF2C gene,and rs10048146 in FOXL1 gene was associated with osteoporotic fractures ( P =0.010 7 ).Conclusions ( 1 ) SNPs in gene ZBTB40,ESR1,OPG,LRP5,SOST,CTNNB1,MEF2C,SOX6,FOXL1,and SPTBN1 are associated with BMD of lumbar spine or total hip,as well as osteoporotic fractures.(2) Gene-gene interaction involving rs1038304,rs1366594,and rs10048146may contribute to the risk of osteoporotic fractures.

Objective To investigate the association of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the SCGB3A2(secretoglobin family 3A member 2) gene promoter with susceptibility of Graves' disease.Methods One-hundred and seventy-nine SNPs within a 3.0 Mb region surrounding marker D5s2090 were scanned in a case-control study.The size of the region(s) associated with GD was then narrowed.Results Total 179 SNPs within a 3.0 Mb region surrounding marker D5s2090 were analyzed.The most significant association signal was found at SNP rs1368408 (P =3.69 × 10-5).Subsequent association analysis was then performed and the results suggested that the SNP76 (P =4.11 × 10-8) and SNP75 (P =1.37 × 10-8) in the promoter of SCGB3A2 gene may be the causal variants of GD.Logistic regression analysis suggested these 2 SNPs in this region may contribute to GD susceptibility.Conclusion A significant association seems to exist between GD with the SCGB3A2 gene.