Transforming growth factor-?(TGF-?) is a kind of multifunctional cytokine that regulates cell growth,differentiation,cellular senescence,apoptosis,wound healing and embryo development.As a tumor suppressor,deregulated or aberrant TGF-? signaling has been strongly implicated in human solid tumors,as well as in normal and malignant hematopoiesis.TGF? exerts an inhibitory role during the whole procedure of hematopoiesis.As a cell cycle inhibitor,it maintains cells in a quiescent state and can downregulate expression of hematopoiesis activators and oncoproteins.In malignant hematopoiesis,altered expression of coactivators or corepressors involve in TGF-?-induced transcriptional responses and loss/disruption of TGF-? target gene expression.Then malignant cells grow and differentiate abnormally.In acute promyelocytic leukemia,PML-RAR? may inhibit TGF-? signaling through inhibition of cPML and nPML.Degradation of PML-RAR? by ATRA restores this signaling pathway.

Objective To investigate the effect of serum-deprivation on the changes of [ Ca2+ ] i and the protein release of S100A13 and fibroblast growth factor 1 ( FGF-1 ) in thyroid cancer TT cell,and to reveal the role of Ca2+in the protein release of S100Al3 and FGF-1.Methods The protein expressions of FGF-1 and S100A13 in TT cells under serum-deprivation were detected by Western blot.The released FGF-1 protein from TT cells in the supernatant fluid was detected by ELISA.Realtime dynamic examinations on the change of 1 h [ Ca2+ ] i in TT cells under serum-deprivation were detected by confocal laser scanning microscopy.Then,the effect of EGTA( 2.5 mmol/ L),BAPTA-AM (2.5 μmol/L)on distributions of the fluorescence of S100AI 3 and FGF-1 in TT cells under serumdeprivation for6 h were detected by indirect immunofluorescence.Results The expressions of FGF-1 and S100A13 in TT cells after serum-deprivation for4 h and 6 h were reduced( P＜0.05 or P＜0.01 ),but the released FGF-1 protein from TT cells in the supernatant fluid was elevated ( P＜0.05 or P＜0.01).Confocal laser scanning of Ca2+ imaging indicated that [ Ca2+ ] i of serum-deprivation TT cells maintained the relative stabilization within 23 win,but the rapid rise of [ Ca2+ ] i achieved peak value 1.6 μmol/L after 30 min,and remained stable for about 17 win,and thereafter 40 win slowly dropped to a low level From 40 win to 60 win the [ Ca2+ ] i was about 0.3-0.6 μ mol/L.The average [ Ca2+ ] i was higher than that in normal group,EGTA group,and BAPTA-AM group within 1 h.The protein expressions of S100A13 and FGF-1 did not drop obviously in EGTA group and BAPTA-AM group.Conlusion The release of S100A13 and FGF-1 from TT cell under serum-deprivation is possibly related with the change of [ Ca2+ ]i.Both Ca2+-chelating agents EGTA and BA PTA-AM are able to inhibit the rise of [ Ca2+ ] i and release of S100A 13 and FGF-1 from TT cells under serum-deprivation.

BACKGROUND: In the field of intervertebral disc tissue engineering, seed cells primarily consist of nucleus pulposus cells (NPCs) and mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). NPCs have been known to have several shortcomings: limited source, inconvenient collection, poor proliferative capacity, and difficult in vitro culture.OBJECTIVE: To investigate the proliferation of MSCs after co-culture with NPCs in alginate beads-simulated three-dimensional environment.DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING: A cell observation was performed at the Laboratory of Orthopedics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College of Huazhong University of Science and Technology between December 2007 and October 2008.MATERIALS: Six healthy New Zealand rabbits of 4 months old were provided by the Laboratory Animal Center, Tongji Medical College of Huazhong University of Science and Technology and were used for the present study.METHODS: Rabbit MSCs were isolated and purified using density gradient centrifugation and adherence methods. Rabbit NPCs were isolated and purified using collagenase Ⅱ digestion and adherence methods. Following liposome-mediated green fluorescent protein tranfection and G418 screening, MSCs of passage 3 were cultured either alone (control group) or with NPCs at a ratio of 1:1 (co-culture group) in alginate beads. After 14 days of culture, alginate beads were dissolved and MSCs were collected by flow cytometry sorting.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The expression of collagen Ⅱ and aggrecan in MSCs was detected by RT-PCR and Western blot techniques.RESULTS: mRNA and protein expression of collagen Ⅱ and aggrecan was observed in the co-culture group, but not in the control group, after 14 days of culture.CONCLUSION: MSC differentiation towards nucleus pulposus-like cells can be induced by co-culture with NPCs in a three-dimensional environment.

The metabolism study of radiolabeled drugs plays an important role in the development of new drugs. It provides information on drug absorption, metabolism, tissue distribution and excretion, and plays an irreplaceable role in the metabolite safety evaluation and mass balance of new drugs. The new guidance draft on clinical trials of radiolabeled drugs recently released by the US FDA puts forward higher standards and has been widely concerned by the industry. In recent years, in the research and development of new drugs in China, ¹⁴C labeled drugs have been used to carry out clinical metabolism studies, which has overcome key technical bottlenecks and accumulated experience. This paper summarizes the above research progress, analyzes the existing problems, and preliminarily looks forward to the future technological development and application.

Objective To investigate the prognostic values of serum lactate dehydrogenase(LDH) and beta-2 microglobulin(?2-MG) levels in patients with acute myeloid leukemia(AML). Methods The associations of serum LDH and ?2-MG levels at diagnosis,remission and relapse with treatment and prognosis in 68 patients with AML were retrospectively analysed. Results There were no difference in LDH and ?2-MG between AML subtypes patients.The level of serum LDH and ?2-MG at diagnosis and relapse were much higher than those at remission.Patients with lower level of LDH and ?2-MG got higher CR rate and longer term overall survival and disease-free survival.Patients with higher level of both LDH and ?2-MG got lower CR rate,shorter term of overall survival and disease-free survival than those with higher level of LDH or ?2-MG or those with normal level of LDH and ?2-MG. Conclusion LDH and ?2-MG is a singificant prognostic indicator for AML.While combined LDH and ?2-MG are more definite for the treatment and diagnosis.

An analysis method has been established to test 27 elements (Li, Be, B, Mg, Al, Sc, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Ga, As, Sr, Mo, Cd, Sn, Sb, Ba, La, Hg, Pb, Bi) in Maca nationality's medicine with microwave digestion-ICP-MS. Sample solutions were analyzed by ICP-MS after microwave digestion, and the contents of elements were calculated according to their calibration curves, and internal standard method was adopted to reduce matrix effect and other interference effects. The experimental results showed that the linear relations of all the elements were very good; the correlation coefficient (r) was 0.9994-1.0000 (Hg was 0.9982) ; the limits of detection were 0.003-2.662 microg x L(-1); the relative standard deviations for all elements of reproducibility were lower than 5% (except the individual elements); the recovery rate were 78.5%-123.7% with RSD lower than 5% ( except the individual elements). The analytical results of standard material showed acceptable agreement with the certified values. This method was applicable to determinate the contents of multi-elements in Maca which had a high sensitivity, good specificity and good repeatability, and provide basis for the quality control of Maca.
Lepidium ; chemistry ; Mass Spectrometry ; methods ; Microwaves ; Reproducibility of Results ; Trace Elements ; chemistry ; isolation & purification

Objective To investigate the situation of prevalence,treatment and control of hypertension in patients with chronic kidney disease(CKD)by CROSS-sectional study. Methods Nine hundred out-patients with CKD in our department from November 2006 to March 2007 were enrolled in the study,including 480 male and 420 female.Among 900 CKD cases,354 patients underwent maintenance dialysis,including 228 on hemodialysis and 126 on peritoneal dialysis.Results The prevalence of hypertension in CKD patients was 80.2%(nude 83.5%vs female 76.4%,P<0.01).The prevalence of hypertension in patients on dialysis was significantly higher than that in non-dialysis patients(90.1%vs 73.8%,P<0.01),but there was no significant difference between hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis cases.Antihypertensive treatment rate was 92.4%in CKD patients with hypertension.and was significantly higher in patients on dialysis than that in non-dialysis patients(95.6%vs 89.8%.P<0.01).The control rate according to current recommendations for CKD patients (BP<130/80 mm Hg) was very low. Control of both SBP and DBP was only achieved in 20.4% of non- dialysis patients. The control rate of hypertension (BP< 125/75 mm Hg) in patients with proteinuria >1 g/24 h was 8.4%. The proportion of dialysis patients with BP<140/90 mm Hg was significantly lower than that of non-dialysis patients (45.2% vs 55.5%, P<0.01). The percentage of hemodialysis patients with BP < 140/90 mm Hg was significantly higher than that of peritoneal dialysis patients (49.8% vs 36.5%, P<0.05). The prevalence of hypertension was associated with the decrease of renal function and the increase of age. The prevalence of hypertension in diabetic nephropathy was higher than that in primary glomerular diseases. Patients received 1, 2, 3 and 4 or more kinds of antihypertensive drugs accounted for 37.2%, 37.5%, 19.3% and 5.9% respectively. The combination of calcium channel blocker (CCB) and renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) inhibitors was more frequently used in CKD patients. The CCB was the most frequently prescribed drug (74.1% ), followed by angiotensin Ⅱ receptor blockers (ARB) (48.4%), angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEI) (25.6%) and alpha, beta-blockers (24.7%). Conclusions The prevalence of hypertension in CKD patients is quite high, which is associated with the progression of renal function, increase of age, the type of underlying kidney disease, obesity and diabetes mellitus. The control of hypertension is unsatisfied in CKD patients, especially in dialysis patients and those with overt proteinuria.

Objective To develop an accurate,rapid,high throughout genotyping method based on oligonucleotide microarray for cytochrome P450 gene polymorphisms related to paclitaxel metabolism.Methods The mutant points of 2C8 * 3,3A4 * 18 and 3A5 * 3C from cytochrome P450 gene were regarded as targets.Based on the sequences in the GenBank,the wild-type and mutant-type probes were specially designed for each mutant point.PCR primers were located in the both sides of mutant point,and furthermore the fragments of PCR products were less than 200 bp.Each type of standard plasmids was constructed.Thus,all the olignucleotide probes were modified with 3'amino-group,and the reverse primers were labeled with fluorescein (Cy3).The probes were immobilized onto certain glass slides.The specific fragments of three genes were amplified and then hybridized with oligonucleotide microarray.The results were analyzed by using certain software.Finally this assay was applied to detect 50 clinical blood specimens.Results When PCR products from standard plasmids were hybridized with DNA microarray,the corresponding probes produced positive signals.Meanwhile,the non-specific hybridization signals did not appear.The results of clinical specimens showed that the mutant rate of CYP2C8 * 3 was 2%.The point of CYP3A4 * 18 for all the clinical specimens was wild-type and the mutant rate of CYP3A5 * 3C was 62%. Meanwhile,the results from detecting 50 clinical blood specimens using oligonucleotide microarray were the same as sequencing analysis.Conclusions Oligonucleotide microarray is a reliable and accurate genotyping assay for cytochrome P450 2C8 * 3.3A4 * 18 and 3A5 * 3C polymorphisms related to paclitaxel simultaneously.This genotyping assay is a high-throughout method for guiding personalized therapy and analyzing metabolism of paclitaxel in vivo.

Objective To investigate whether the release of fibroblast growth factor-1 ( FGF-1 ) was changed after inhibition of S100A13 gene (small hairpin RNA, shRNA)and serum-deprivation in human thyroid cancer cells (TT cells ). Methods The S100A13-shRNA pENTRTM/U6 entry vector was transfected into TT cells. The expression of S100A13 mRNA and protein was detected by immunoflurescence, real-time RT-PCR, and Western blot. Then TT cells were treated with S100A13 gene inhibition and serum-deprivation. The changes in release of FGF-1 were detected by indirect immunoflurescence, RT-PCR, and ELISA. Results S100A13 shRNA transfected TT cells (S100A13 RNAi cells)had a reduction of S100A13 gene and protein expression by 80%.Indirect immunofluorescence indicated FGF-1 was mostly localized in the cytoplasm and nucleus of TT cells in primary culture. When serum-deprivation stress was given to TT cells, FGF-1 in cytoplasm almost disappeared in the cells at 6 h. RT-PCR indicated that when serum-deprivation stress was given to TT cells the mRNA of FGF-1 was reduced. ELISA showed that with inhibition of S100A13, the release of FGF-1 was reduced (P＜0.05).Conclusion S100A13-shRNA pENTRTM/U6 entry vector transfected TT cells may inhibit the expression of S100A13 and reduce the release of FGF-1.

Objective To investigate the influencing factors of strain ratio(SR) value in differential diagnosis of benign and malignant thyroid nodules by using real-time tissue elastosonography (RTE).Methods One hundred and seventy-one patients with a total of 171 thyroid nodules were analyzed retrospectively.Their images,including 2D ultrasound,color Doppler flow imaging (CDFI) and RTE were reviewed and conventional ultrasonic features (including the maximum diameter,composition,shape,magin,calcification,intranodular blood flow,depth) and SR value were recorded.Receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve was employed to assess the diagnostic efficiency of SR value in differentiating malignant nodules from benign ones.Firstly,the correlation between the aforementioned factors and SR value was assessed by using malignant lesions as the research subjects.And then,the multiple linear regressions (MLR) was employed to evaluate the influence of particular features which turned out to be an important disturbing factor affecting SR value of the lesion in the first step of analysis and pathological type in all nodules (benign and malignant) on SR value.Results With a cut-off point of SR value 3.67,the sensitivity and specificity of SR value in differential diagnosis of benign and malignant thyroid nodules was 85.6％ and 81.1 ％,respectively,and the area under ROC curve was 0.891.Correlation between the maximum diameter and calcification and SR value was significant(r =0.345 and 0.261 respectively,P ＜0.05).However,there was no significant correlation between other features(5 factors) and SR value(P ≥0.05).MLR indicated that the maximum diameter,calcification and the type of pathology of the nodule were associated with SR value (P ＜ 0.05).Among them,pathological nature was the most significant impact factor with a standardized coefficient 0.494).Conclusions SR value can be used to evaluate the hardness of thyroid nodules semi-quantitatively.Its value mainly depends on the pathological nature of the nodules.The maximum diameter and calcification are also the influencing factors of SR value.However,the composition,shape,margin,intranodular blood flow and depth have no obvious effect on SR value.