Objective We used the DNA methylation microarrays to investigate the differential methylation genes and loci sites in Kashin-Beck disease (KBD),to study the relationship between DNA methylation and KBD pathogenesis.Methods Totally 12 KBD adults and 12 healthy adults were selected and peripheral blood samples were collected and DNA was extracted.Illumina 450K bead-chip was applied to detect methylation status in KBD and healthy controls.Aberrant hyper-methylated sites were filtrated according to the P value after correction and methylation differences,together with GenomeStudio soft.Screened genes were validated using bisulfite sequencing polymerase chain reaction (BSP) technology.Results A total of 484 948 loci sites were analyzed and compared,93 differential methylated loci were found by comparing KBD and normal people,including 34 hypermethylated sites and 59 hypomethylated sites.There were 50 genes corresponding to the loci,43 genes not reported in literature.According to gene ontology analysis,the genes were involved in the immune response,antigen processing,phosphate and phosphoric acid metabolism and phosphorylation and the process of metal ions in combination.However,in the verification test using BSP method,there was no significant difference in methylation rate in human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-DRB1 between the case and the control group (48％ vs 70％,x2 =3.688,P ＞ 0.05).Conclusions The high and low differentially methylated sites in peripheral blood DNA of KBD patients are significantly different from those of the health control.HLA-DRB1 locus is not significantly different between the BSP verification test and methylation chip.

Transforming growth factor-β is an important cytokine with various bioactivities, including embryonic development, wound healing, chemotaxis and cell cycle regulation. Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is the main pathway of tumor cell to obtain the ability of invasion and metastasis. The TGF-β is the key factor known to induce EMT in cancer cells and plays an important role in the process. In recent years, some progress has been obtained. Some TGF-β inhibitors have approved in the market or in clinical trials. TGF-β inhibitors can play an important role on the treatment of tumors, glaucoma, liver and kidney fibrosis disease and scar repair. Novel TGF-β inhibitors reported in recent years were reviewed in this article.
Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition ; Humans ; Neoplasms ; Transforming Growth Factor beta ; antagonists & inhibitors ; Wound Healing

BACKGROUND: It has reported that nicotinamide is capable of protecting intervertebral disc (IVD) against interleukin-1β (IL-1β) or tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) induced degeneration. However, the protective mechanism of nicotinamide on IVD cells apoptosis and proliferation remains unclear.OBJECTIVE: To investigate regulatory effects of nicotinamide on rabbit nucleus pulposus cell apoptosis and proliferation in vitro.DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING: Randomized control grouping design, which was carried out in the Laboratory of Orthopaedics and Stem Cell Center, Union Hospital Affiliated to Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology from April to October 2007.MATERIALS: Ten Japanese white rabbits (aged 2-3 months weighing 1.5-2.0 kg) were used in this study. Furthermore, nucleus pulposus cells obtained from L1-6 lumbar spine were harvested and cultured for further experiments.METHODS: The NP cells were divided into 6 groups, including control group (without any drug as control), nicotinamide group (0.5 g/L nicotinamide), IL-1β group (10 μg/L IL-1β), IL-1β + caspase group (10 μg/L IL-1β and non-specific caspase inhibitor Z-VAD-FMK), IL-1β + small-dose nicotinamide group (10 μg/L IL-1β and 0.05 g/L nicotinamide), and IL-1β + large-dose nicotinamide group (10 μg/L IL-1β and 0.5 g/L nicotinamide). After 3 days of culture, the cells were examined with Annexin V-PI staining, caspase-3, 8 and 9 activity staining and MTT assay.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The apoptotic rates, the positive rates of caspase-3, 8 and 9 activity staining and the absorbance of MTT assay of each group.RESULTS: ① As compared to IL-1β group, the apoptotic rates were decreased in the IL-1β + caspase group and IL-1β + large-dose nicotinamide group (P < 0.01). ②As compared to IL-1β group, the positive rates of caspase-3, 8 and 9 activity staining were decreased in the IL-1β + caspase group, IL-1β + large-dose and small-dose nicotinamide groups (P < 0.01 or P < 0.01). ③As compared to IL-1β group, the absorbance was increased in the IL-1β + caspase group and IL-1β + large-dose nicotinamide group (P < 0.01).CONCLUSION: Nicotinamide is capable of promoting cell proliferation and inhibiting IL-1β induced apoptosis of nucleus pulposus cells in vitro. The inhibition of apoptosis mainly acts via inhibition of the mitochondrial pathway.

Objective To explore the effect of exogenous adrenomedullin(ADM) on expressions of glutathion in plasma and brain tissue inneonatal rats with hypoxic-ischemia reperfusion brain damage(HIRBD) and the mechanism of action.Methods Fifty-six cases of 7 d SD rats were randomly divided into 4 groups including normal control group(without any treatment),HIRBD group(the model with hypoxia for 2 h and ischemia for 1 h),primed group(abdomen infusion of ADM at 0.5 h before making model,the other was same to the HIRBD group)and treatment group(abdomen infusion of ADM at onces after making model,the other was same to the HIRBD group).The neonatal rats in 4 groups were derived blood and brain tissue after decapitation at either 4 h or 24 h after reperfusion.The levels of gtutathion(GSH) in plasma and brain tissue were determined by using chromatometry.Results In HIRBD group,the affection areas at 24 h after reperfusion enlarged compared with those at 4 h after reperfusion.Meanwhile,the affection of punctiform degeneration or necrosis at 4 h after reperfusion transformed into the affection of lamellar or diffuse degeneration or necrosis at 24 h after reperfusion.The levels of GSH in plasma and brain tissue in HIRBD group at either 4 h or 24 h after reperfusion were significantly lower than that in normal control group(Pa0.05).Meanwhile the pathology score of brain section in primed group and treatment group were significantly lower than that in HIRBD group at either 4 h or 24 h after reperfusion(Pa0.05).Conclusion Exogenous ADM can induce the neuroprotection in HIRBD by adjusting the expression of GSH.

OBJECTIVE:To optimize the formulation of Methotrexate thermosensitive hydrogels,and to study the in vitro re-lease property of it. METHODS:Taking PLGA-PEG-PLGA as matrix and mannitol as viscosity modifiers,Methotrexate thermosen-sitive hydrogels were prepared. Using the absolute value of the deviation of gelation temperature between 35 ℃,its formulation was optimized by orthogonal test using the concentrations of PLGA-PEG-PLGA,methotrexate and mannitol as factors. The dialysis bag method was used to investigate accumulative release rate of Methotrexate thermosensitive hydrogels and methotrexate solution within 336 h in vitro. RESULTS:The optimal formulation was as PLGA-PEG-PLGA of 20%,methotrexate of 0.10% and mannitol of 0.10%;gelation temperature were 35.1,35.0,35.0℃. The average drug-loading rate was more than 90%. 12 d accumulative re-lease rate was more than 90%(r=3). Methotrexate solution has been substantially completely relased within 240 h. CONCLU-SIONS:Methotrexate thermosensitive hydrogels with sustained-release are prepared successfully,and the preparation technology is simple and practical.

Objective:To investigate the radiosensitizing effect of three flavonoids on ovarian cancer SKOV3 cells under hypoxia. Methods:The SKOV3 cells were divided into normoxic group and hypoxic group. The hypoxic SKOV3 cellular model in vitro was es-tablished and tested by measuring the expression profile of HIF-1αprotein in SKOV3 cells. Colony-forming assay was used to detect the radiosensitivity of normoxic and hypoxic SKOV3 cells. The cytotoxicity and radiosensitizing effects of flavonoids were evaluated on the basis of cell death and MTT assay. Results:The Western blot results showed that the gray intensity ratio of HIF-1α/β-Actin in hypoxia group was significantly higher than that in normoxia group (1. 068>0. 117). Radiosensitivity of hypoxic SKOV3 cells in hypoxia group was significantly lower than that in normoxia group. The survival rate of SKOV3 cells was decreased with the increase of concentration. When the concentration was increased, D0 and Dqin chrysin group and quercetin group were significantly decreased (P<0. 01), and SER was increased (P<0. 05). SER showed no significant difference in breviscapine group (P>0. 05). The overall radiobiological parameters of hypoxia group were higher than those of normoxia group. Conclusion: Hypoxia can induce the expression of HIF-1α in SKOV3 cells, which results in the decrease of radiosensitivity. Chrysin and quercetin can enhance the radiosensitivity of SKOV3 cells, and the enhancement is significant under hypoxia, while breviscapine is without such effect. The radiosensitizing effect may be achieved by the level decrease of HIF-1α in SKOV3 cells and inhibition of DNA damage repair.

Objective To prepare triamcinolone acetonide acetate(TAA)thermosensitive hydrogel for intra-articular injection,and to investigate its release in vitro. Methods TAA suspending thermosensitive hydrogel was prepared by using poly lactic-co-glycolic acid(PLGA)-polyethylene glycol(PEG)-PLGA as gel matrices,xanthan gum as suspending agent and NaCl as flocculant. It was evaluated preliminarily by determining its contents and its in vitro release. Results The best compositions for preparation of TAA suspending thermosensitive hydrogel were 25% PLGA-PEG-PLGA,0.05% xanthan gum, 0.9% NaCl and 4 mg·mL-1 TAA.The gelation temperature was 35.3 ℃ .The average recovery was(98.98±0.31)%. By the method of membraneless dissolution,the accumulative drug release was up to 83. 31% at 16 days. The drug release followed Ritger-Peppas methematical model. Conclusion The TAA thermosensitive hydrogel with obviously sustained release is expected to become a new drug delivery system for intra-articular injection.

BACKGROUND: Studies have reported that Niacinamide is capable of promoting the proliferation of intervertebral cell and protecting intervertebral disc (IVD) against interleukin-1 β-induced degeneration. However,the mechanism of Niacinamide underlying protecting IVD degeneration remains uncertain. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the regulatory effect of Niacinamide on interleukin-1 β-induced cell apoptosis and energy metabolism related gene in IVD in vitro. DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING: Experiments were performed in the Central Laboratory of Union Hospital Affiliated to Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology from November 2007 to May 2008. MATERIALS: Fifty-six IVDs from L16 lumbar spine often Japanese white rabbits,aged 3-4 months and weighing 1.5-2.0 kg,were harvested and cultured in alginate gel for further experiments. METHODS: IVD cultured models were randomly divided into 4 groups: normal control group (with the absence of drags), Niacinamide group (administrating 0.5 g/L Niacinamide), degeneration group (administrating 10 μg/L interlenkin-1β),treatment group (administrating 10 μg/L interleukin-1β and 0.5 g/L Niacinamide).After 2 weeks of culture,TUNEL staining and immunohistochcmical staining for FAS,Bcl-2, Caspase-3, hypoxia induced factor 1a, glucose transporter-1 and vascular endothelial cell growth factor were used to detect alternated cell apoptosis and expression of energy metabolism related genes. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The positive cell rates of TUNEL staining and immunohistochemical staining in each group. RESULTS: The rate of TUNEL positive-staining cells of degeneration group was higher than normal control group (P=0.001). The rate of FAS positive-staining cells of degeneration group was obviously higher than normal control group (P＜0.01). The rate of Bcl-2 positive-staining cells of Niacinamide group was higher than normal control group (P=0.004). The rate of Caspase-3 positive-staining cells of treatment group was lower than degeneration group significantly (P=0,024).The rate of hypoxia induced factor- 1α positive-staining cells of Niacinamide group was lower than normal control group (P＜0.01),and the rate of degeneration group was higher than normal control group (P＜0.01 ). The rate of glucose transporter-1 positive-staining cells of treatment group was higher than normal control group(P＜0.01). CONCLUSION: Niacinamide can inhibit interleukin-1β-induced IVD cell apoptosis and alleviates interleukin-1β induced disturbance of energy metabolism.

Objective To explore the relationship of the ratio of plasma adrenomedullin(AM)and endothelin-1(ET-1)with serum concentration of neuron-specific enolase(NSE)in full-term neonates with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy(HIE).Methods Plasma concentrations of AM,ET-1 and serum NSE from 32 full-term neonates with HIE were detected by radioimmunoassay(RIA)on the 1,3 and 7 d after parturition,30 neonates in the corresponding periods in our hospital were employed as controls.The infants with HIE were divided into mild,moderate or severe group in terms of diagnostic standard of HIE.Results 1.Plasma concentrations of AM and ET-1 in newborns with mild,moderate or severe HIE were significantly higher than that of control group at 1 d after life with a decline from 3-7 d(Pa

Objective To explore the clinical value of MRI in diagnosing and treating cesarean scar pregnancy (CSP).Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical manifestations of 54 patients diagnosed with CSP between January 2009 to January 2013 in Peking University Third Hospital.Based on the patients' MRI image and other clinical datas,we did transvaginal operation on patients with CSP1,and transvaginal combined with abdominal operations on patients with CSP2.The intraoperative blood loss,operation time,postoperative hospital stay,and the length of time required for of serum hCG dropping to normal of the patients were analyzed.Results The average age of the 54 patients was (34±5) years and the average duration of gestation was (56± 16) days,all patients' vital sign were stable,the hCG level was 23-142 962 U/L before treatment.Twelve patients were diagnosed with CSP1 by MRI,and 5 of them had focus of 1-2 cm in diameter,the 5 patients' serum hCG level was 436-1 159 U/L and 23-32 days after drug administration,their hCG level returned to normal; the other 7 patients had focus of 2.0-4.4 cm in diameter,and their hCG level was 2 218-63 446 U/L,lesion resection was done on the 7 patients by hysteroscope or under B-uhrasound monitor.Forty-two patients were diagnosed with CSP2,and their focus were 1.0-7.1 cm in diameter,and serum hCG level were 23-142 962 U/L.We did bilateral uterine artery occlusion by laparoscope or laparotomy during operation for 22 patients or bilateral uterine artery embolization (UAE) before operation for 20 patients,then we did lesion resections.The blood loss during operation of CSP1 or CSP 2 was 50.1,267.2 ml; operation time was 30,128 minutes; postoperative hospital stay was 4.6,6.7 days;their serum hCG returned to normal 13-30 days after the surgery.All the 54 patients' uterus were preserved,and the patients undergoing operations were all cured without the second operation.Conclusion MRI is an effective method to conduct clinical treatment in CSP.