Apoptosis ; Blood Platelets ; cytology ; Humans

Objective To investigate the effect of nerve growth factor (NGF) on the bone induction of recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 (rhBMP-2) through local application of NGF in the osteoinductive process of BMP. Methods Thirty-six ICR mice were divided into the experimental group and control group at random, and rhBMP-2/collagen composite was implanted into the right thigh muscle pouch of each group. NGF or vehicle was daily injected into the implanted sites of BMP, respectively, for 7 days starting from the third day after surgery. At d10, d20 and d30 after implantation, new bone formation was measured radiographically, biochemically and histologically to compare the osteogenetic capacity of the two groups. Results In both groups, new bone formation was found at d10. However, there was significantly more new bone in the experimental group according to histological and radiographic examinations. At d10 and d20, alkaline phosphatase activity of the local tissue in the experimental group was significantly greater than that in the control group, and calcium and phosphonium contents of samples were also greater in the experimental group. Arrangement of collagen fibers became more regular in the experimental group than that in the control group. Conclusion NGF possesses synergistic effect on ectopic bone formation induced by rhBMP-2.

Objective To explore the sonographic characteristics and to evaluate its diagnostic value of hepatic lymphoma (HL). Methods The clinical data and abdominal sonographic ifndings of 18 consecutive patients with histological proven diagnosis of lymphoma with liver involvement were reviewed, including contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) images. Results The liver sonographic features of 18 HL were differentiated as three types including nodular, diffuse and mixed type. Nodular type showed well-deifned hypoecho lesions in 6 cases with penetrating vascular lfow signals in 2 cases and no vascular lfow signals in 6 cases by color Doppler imaging. In 3 cases by CEUS, all the hepatic focal nodulars showed variable arterial enhancement but wash-out in the portal venous and late phases. For diffuse type cases, hepatomegaly without nodule was showed in 11 cases. Vasular in liver showed normal in 8 cases and abnormal in 3 cases. For mixed type cases, hepatomegaly and multiple ill-deifned hypoechoic lesions with normal vascular in liver were showed in 1 case. Hepatosplenomegaly and abdominal lymphoadenopathies were identiifed in 11 cases. Conclusions The characteristics and the types of sonographic ifndings may be helpful in differentiating HL from other liver lesions.

OBJECTIVETo explore the regulatory role of protein kinase A (PKA) in platelet surface glycoprotein (GP) I balpha expression.

METHODSWashed platelets from healthy volunteers were incubated with PKA inhibitor. The N-terminal fragment of GP I balpha (glycocalicin, GC) in the supernatant of platelet suspensions was detected by Western blot and GP I balpha surface expression by flow cytometry. Calpain activity was determined by cytoskeletal proteins proteolysis and calpain surface expression by flow cytometry. The effect of PKA inhibitor on ristocetin-induced platelet aggregation was measured by platelet aggregometer.

RESULTSAfter PKA was inhibited in washed platelets, GP I balpha was cleaved and released to the supernatant, which significantly decreased the surface expression of GP I balpha (P < 0.05). The event was suppressed by pre-treatment with various calpain inhibitors, indicating that PKA inhibitor-mediated shedding was calpain dependent. The actin-binding protein (ABP) and talin proteolysis demonstrated that calpain was activated by PKA inhibitor and expressed on the platelet membrane. Ristocetin-induced aggregation was inhibited by PKA inhibitor.

CONCLUSIONPKA inhibition results in calpain-dependent GP I balpha shedding, which thus reduces GP I balpha surface expression and GP I balpha-dependent platelet aggregation. These results might provide a view to develop new drugs for thrombotic diseases.

Blood Platelets ; drug effects ; Calpain ; metabolism ; Cyclic AMP-Dependent Protein Kinases ; antagonists & inhibitors ; Flow Cytometry ; Humans ; Platelet Aggregation ; drug effects ; Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors ; pharmacology ; Platelet Glycoprotein GPIb-IX Complex ; biosynthesis

OBJECTIVETo explore the role of the amino acids between 551 and 565 in the cytoplasmic domain of glycoprotein (GP) I b alpha in the VWF binding to GP I b alpha.

METHODSThe VWF binding to GP I b alpha induced by ristocetin was analyzed by flow cytometry, in three GP I b-IX-expressing Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cell lines 1b9, delta 565 and delta 551, adhesion of above cells on VWF by flow chamber analysis at shear rate of 200 s(-1). The spread of GP I b-IX-expressing cells were stimulated with botrocetin on VWF-coated coverslips by confocal microscope.

RESULTSThe VWF binding to GP I b alpha was higher in delta 565 cells stimulated by ristocetin than in delta 551 or 1b9 cells. The number of delta 565 cells adhered on the VWF-coated-chamber was more than that of controls at shear rate of 200 s(-1). Moreover, the surface spreading areas of delta 565 cells were greater than that of the controls on VWF-coated coverslips.

CONCLUSIONSThe amino acids between 551 and 565 in the cytoplasmic domain of GP I b alpha regulates the VWF binding to GP I b alpha.

Amino Acid Sequence ; Animals ; CHO Cells ; Cricetinae ; Cricetulus ; Female ; Platelet Adhesiveness ; Platelet Glycoprotein GPIb-IX Complex ; genetics ; metabolism ; von Willebrand Factor ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of early escharectomy on resting energy expenditure (REE) in severely burned patients dynamically with the metabolic monitoring and diagnostic system.

METHODSFifty-six adult male patients with severe burns were divided into early escharectomy (group A, n = 39, escharectomy within 5 PBDs) and non-early escharectomy (group B, n = 17, escharectomy after 5 PBDs) groups. The wounds of full thickness and deep partial thickness burn in the two groups were all excised and covered with allogeneic skin and autologous micro-skin in the first operation. The changes in REE were observed dynamically at the bedside of the patients with the metabolic monitoring and diagnostic system. The plasma contents of IL-6, IL-8, TNF-alpha and LPS from 9 patients in group A and 7 in group B were also determined dynamically.

RESULTSAll patients survived. The REE in both groups was elevated markedly, but REE in group A was lower compared with group B before and after escharectomy within 14 days. (P < 0.05). The plasma level of IL-6, IL-8, TNF-alpha and LPS in group A were obviously lower than those in group B (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe hypermetabolic response of burn patients with severe burns could be lowered by early escharectomy, and it seemed to be related to the decrease of the release of proinflammatory mediators.

Adult ; Basal Metabolism ; Burns ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Humans ; Interleukin-6 ; blood ; Interleukin-8 ; blood ; Lipopolysaccharides ; blood ; Male ; Postoperative Care ; Time Factors ; Treatment Outcome ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; metabolism

Objective To investigate the clinical and pathological features of pediatric CNS atypical teratoid/rhabdoid tumor(AT/RT)and evaluate the role of INI1 antibody on the differential diagnosis and prognosis of AT/RT.Methods The clinical data and pathological features of 12-year-old boy with AT/RT were concluded.The protein expression of INI1 was detected by immunohistochemistry;follow-up was performed and relative documents of that disease were compared;the above data were retrospectively analyzed.Results Mioroanatomy showed typical teratoid cells and primitive mesenchymal cells in the tumor.Both of these 2 tumor components displayed positive reactions of vimentin and CD99.The SMA and EMA positive expressions were noted in the teratoid cells.Immunohistochemical staining demonstrated that INI1 antibody was nuclear negative in tumor cells,but positive within endothelial cells of the blood.Follow-up information showed the patient was dead 2 months after the operation.Conclusions CNS atypical AT/RT is highly aggressive tumor.The appearance of rhabdoid cells is its important morphologic features and its main differential diagnosis evidence.Mesenchymal components and the various results of immunohistochemical staining indicate that AT/RT tumor cells,having the character of the embryonal tumors,have various differentiation potential.The expression of INI1 antibody suggests that a mutation or deletion in the INI1 gene occurs in the tumor,which has important value in diagnosing and differentiating the tumor.

The aim of this study was to construct Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO) cell models expressing recombinant wild-type GPIb-IX and mutant GPIb-IX complex, so as to provide the platform to study the related physiologic functions of GPIb-IX. The plasmids were extracted from E.coli expressing wild-type or deletion mutant GPIbalpha and were identified by digestion with EcoR I. Three plasmids containing GPIbalpha, GPIbbeta, and GPIX genes were co-transfected into CHO cells, and then the expression of GPIb-IX complex was detected by immune coprecipitation, Western blot and flow cytometry. The results showed that the expression of GPIb-IX complex could be detected in the lysate and on the surface of CHO cells at 48 hours after transfection. In conclusion, CHO cell models expressing recombinant wild-type or mutation GPIb-IX complex has been successfully constructed.
Animals ; CHO Cells ; Cricetinae ; Cricetulus ; Mutation ; Plasmids ; Platelet Glycoprotein GPIb-IX Complex ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Recombinant Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics

BACKGROUNDA number of studies have examined the association between estrogen receptor alpha (ESR-α) gene polymorphisms and bone mineral density (BMD), but previous studies of ESR-α gene XbaI (rs9340799) and PvuII (rs2234693) polymorphisms have been hampered by small sample size, regional restrictions and inconclusive results. Thus a meta-analysis is needed to assess their pooled effects.

METHODSThis study reviewed all published articles indexed in Pubmed using the keywords in the title or abstract. All data were extracted independently by two reviewers using a standard form, the studies were meta-analyzed and minor discrepancies were resolved by authors' discussion.

RESULTSTwenty seven eligible studies involving 8467 women and 2032 men were identified. The XbaI and PvuII polymorphisms were significantly associated with BMD of the lumbar spine. XX and PP homozygotes had a protective effect in comparison with carriers of the x and p alleles, the effects were more significant in premenopausal women or Western women. At the femoral neck, the results were different. XX served as a protective factor in postmenopausal women, Western women, Western postmenopausal women, and men, while PP was likely to serve as a risk factor in Eastern women, Eastern postmenopausal women, and men.

CONCLUSIONSThe XbaI polymorphism is correlated to BMD at diverse skeletal sites. PP had a protective role for the lumbar spine but might be a risk factor for the femoral neck.

Bone Density ; genetics ; Estrogen Receptor alpha ; genetics ; Female ; Femur Neck ; pathology ; Gene Frequency ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; Humans ; Male ; Osteoporosis, Postmenopausal ; genetics ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; genetics

OBJECTIVESKnee osteoarthritis (OA) is a major cause of pain and functional limitation. Short-term Baduanjin () exercise had been testified to be beneficial to the disease. This study conducted an initial assessment of the one-year Baduanjin exercise on knee OA.

METHODSThe recruited patients practiced Baduanjin at the community recreational center. Sessions were held for 30 min five times a week for one year. Knee pain, stiffness, physical disability, general health, knee extensors and flexors strength, and aerobic ability were measured using the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form-36 (SF-36), the 6-Minute Walk Test (6-MWT), and the Isokinetic Strength of the Knee Extensors and Flexors (ISKEF). Body mass index (BMI) was also calculated before and after the study period for comparison.

RESULTSTwenty-eight patients signed the informed consent. Six patients withdrew from the trial. Twenty-two patients (29 knees) completed the one-year study. After one-year Baduanjin exercise, WOMAC pain (132.0±69.6 vs. 56.2±67.6, P=0.000), stiffness (64.7±54.8 vs. 22.3±34.6, P=0.000), and physical function subscales (386.1±275.8 vs. 182.0±235.7, P=0.003); SF-36 body pain (45.7±20.0 vs. 57.4±17.9, P=0.005), general health (50.5±20.0 vs. 62.1±16.1, P=0.004), role emotional (64.4±26.1 vs. 73.5±21.3, P=0.047), and health transition (3.3±1.0 vs. 2.6±1.0, P=0.008); BMI (25.0±2.9 vs. 24.4±2.9, P=0.032); 6-MWT (565.7±94.6 vs. 610.5±66.7, P=0.036); and ISKEF Peak Torque (the Knee Extensors: 60.5±25.5 vs. 76.8±31, P=0.000; the Knee Flexors: 29.3±15.9 vs. 37.1±15.8, P=0.001) were significantly improved. No adverse effects resulted from the exercise.

CONCLUSIONSIt suggested that the long-term Baduanjin could be a feasible and safe exercise option for knee OA.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Exercise Therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Osteoarthritis, Knee ; therapy