BACKGROUND:The effects and molecular mechanism of simvastatin on the proliferation and differentiation of osteoblasts remain unclear. Especial y, we do not know much about the effects of connexin 43.
OBJECTIVE:To evaluate the effects of simvastatin on the proliferation and differentiation of osteoblasts and the regulatory effect of simvastatin on the expression of osteogenic genes and connexin 43.
METHODS:Newborn Sprague-Dawley rats were chosen and the cranium digestion method was used to culture osteoblasts. The different concentrations of simvastatin (0.062 5, 0.125, 0.25, 0.5 and 1.0μmol/L) were used to deal with osteoblasts. The proliferative effect of simvastatin on osteoblasts was measured with 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide. The effect of simvastatin on osteoblast differentiation was measured with alkaline phosphatase activities. The mRNA and protein expression of osteogenic genes and connexin 43 were measured by real time quantitative RT-PCR and western blot assay.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:There were no significant differences in absorbance values of simvastatin groups at 3 days (P>0.05). However, at 4 and 5 days, absorbance values were lower in the simvastatin groups than those in the control group (P<0.05). Compared with the control group, alkaline phosphatase activities of osteoblasts were greater in the simvastatin groups (P<0.05). Moreover, the effects of 0.25μmol/L simvastatin on alkaline phosphatase activities of osteoblasts were most significant. Osteocalcin, alkaline phosphatase activities, type I col agen and connexin 43 mRNA and protein expressions were increased after treatment with 0.25μmol/L simvastatin (P<0.05). These results indicated that simvastatin may inhibit the proliferation and improve the differentiation of osteoblasts by upregulating the mRNA and protein expression of osteogenic genes and connexin 43. These data may provide the new intervention target for osteoporosis treated with statins.

Objective: To investigate the clinicopathological features and immunophenotype of inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor (IMT) and their relationship with IMT diagnosis and prognosis. Methods:A total of 11 IMT cases with follow-up were analyzed morpho-logically and immunohistochemically. Results:The patients included 6 men and 5 women aged 13-66 years. The tumors were found in various anatomical sites, including lung, mediastinum, liver, intra-abdominal, and bladder. Histologically, the majority of the cases com-prised spindled fibroblastic and myofibrobalstic cells accompanied by chronic inflammatory cells in a myxoid or hyalinized stroma;the rest were individual cases of abscess formation. Prognosis mala was indicated for cases with features including atypia tumor cells with two cases demonstrating epithelioid morphology and nucleoli. Immunohistochemical study showed that vimentin, ALK, SMA, S-100, CD117, and CD34 were expressed in 91%(10/11), 55%(6/11), 100%(11/11), 27%(3/11), 18%(2/11), and 9%(1/11) of IMT, respective-ly. Ki-67 was expressed from 3%-40%respectively. CK, H-caldesmon, and DOG1 were negative in all cases. Follow-up data were avail-able for 11 patients and ranged from 4 to 22 months. Data showed that 7 patients were alive with no evidence of disease;4 patients were alive with tumor, whereas 3 showed aggressive biological behavior. Conclusion:IMTs had intermediate behavior or malignant po-tential. Most IMTs with aggressive behavior showed a minority of tumor cells with atypia, epithelioid morphology, and nucleoli. High proliferation index expression, ALK, SMA, and H-caldesmon can aid in IMT diagnosis.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the frequency of USP6 gene rearrangement in nodular fasciitis (NF) and to evaluate its clinical application.

METHODSTwenty nine cases of previously diagnosed NF were screened for the presence of the USP6 gene rearrangement by interphase fluorescence-in-situ hybridization (FISH) on formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue. Fifteen of these cases, which had available tissue, were also analysed for MYH9-USP6 fusion transcripts by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).

RESULTSTwenty four of the 29 cases (83%) were positive for the USP6 gene rearrangement by interphase FISH. The 15 cases with RT-PCR showed the following results: 11 positive, one deletion and three negative for USP6 gene rearrangement. Of these 15 cases, eight (8/15) showed MYH9-USP6 fusion transcript by RT-PCR. Of these eight cases, seven were positive for USP6 gene rearrangement and one showed USP6 deletion by FISH.

CONCLUSIONSUSP6 gene rearrangement is a recurrent genetic event in NF. It is a valuable ancillary tool for the pathological diagnosis of these lesions.

Fasciitis ; genetics ; Gene Rearrangement ; Humans ; In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence ; Interphase ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins ; genetics ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Translocation, Genetic ; Ubiquitin Thiolesterase ; genetics

s] Objective To evaluate the effect of comprehensive schistosomiasis control measures with focus on total removal of cattle and sheep in Junshan District,Yueyang City. Methods The retrospective review and field survey were implemented in the pilot villages in Junshan District. The data of Schistosoma japonicum infection status of human,cattle,sheep and Oncome-lania hupensis snails,and density of snails were gathered and modeled in the period of 2006 to 2016. Results The prevalence of schistosome infection in residents in the pilot villages decreased from 3.44％ in 2006 to 0.59％ in 2012(F = 14.501,P =0.013). After removal of all the cattle and sheep in 2013,the prevalence of schistosome infection in the residents decreased to zero in 2016(F=14.148,P=0.033). The density of living snails decreased from 0.8833/0.1 m2 in 2006 to 0.3088/0.1 m2 in 2012(F=76.250,P=0.005). Conclusion The comprehensive schistosomiasis control strategy with focus on cattle and sheep removal is remarkably effective.

Objective: As solitary fibrous tumor (SFT) and hemangiopericytoma (HPC) share the same molecular genetics features, the 2016 WHO classification of central nervous system (CNS) tumors had created the combined term SFT/HPC and assigns three grades. This study aims to investigate the clinicopathologic characteristics, diagnosis, differential diagnosis and prognosis of CNS SFT/HPC. Methods: Seventy-one cases of CNS SFT and HPC were retrospectively reclassified and studied. Histopathological, immunohistochemical and imaging features were analyzed. The follow-up data were analyzed. Results: There were 37 male and 34 female patients. The median age was 48 years (range, 3-77 years). Twelve cases (17%) were WHO grade Ⅰ, 26 (37%) were WHO grade Ⅱ and 33 (46%) were WHO grade Ⅲ. Microscopically the tumor could show traditional SFT phenotype, HPC phenotype or mixed phenotype. Immunochemically, 97%(69/71) were positive for STAT6, with 96%(66/69)showing diffuse strong staining. Approximately 90% were diffusely positive for bcl-2, CD99 and vimentin. The expression rate of CD34 decreased with increasing tumor grade, and the mean expression rate was 78%. SSTR2a was variably expressed in 10% (7/71) of cases including one case showing strong cytoplasmic staining. A few cases expressed EMA, CD57 and S-100 focally. The Ki-67 index ranged from 1% to 50%. Thirty four patients were followed up for 8-130 months; 12 patients(35%)had recurrences, and two (6%) had liver metastases. Conclusions CNS SFT/HPC is relatively uncommon. There was significant morphological overlap or transition between different grades. STAT6 is a specific marker for the diagnosis of this tumor. Surgical resection is the preferred treatment. WHO grade Ⅱ and Ⅲ SFT/HPC show rates of local recurrence and systemic metastasis, with liver being the most common site of extracranial metastasis.