ObjectiveTo determine the serum MDA5 levels and their clinical associations in patients with polymyositis/dermatomyositis (PM/DM).MethodsSerum anti-MDA5 antibody was detected by ELISA in 119 adult PM/DM patients,30 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus(SLE),30 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA),15 patients with primary Sj(O)gren's syndrome (SS),21 patients with pulmonary infection and 50 healthy controls.t-test,Mann-Whitney U test or chi-square test or Fisher exact test as well as Logistic multivariate regression analysis were carried out to compare the results of this study.ResultsSerum antiMDA5 antibody positive rate in DM patients(22.6％) were significantly higher compared with that of patients with PM (0,P＜0.01),patients with SLE (3.3％,X2=5.68,P＜0.05),RA (3.3％,X2=5.68,P＜0.05),pSS (0,P＜0.05) and pulmonary infection(0,P＜0.05) and healthy controls (0,P＜0.01).In the DM subgroup,CADM patients presented a higher positive anti-MDA5 antibody rate than classic DM patients.The incidence of arthritis,fever,vrash raised CEA and CA153 level,and serum concentration of GGT and ferritin were significantly higher in the anti-MDA5 positive DM group than anti-MDA5 negative DM group (X2=4.08,8.06,6.357,32.4,4.867; Z=-2.86,-2.44; P value of all these tests were less than 0.05 ),while the rate of serum positive ANA,serum level of CK and T,NK cell counts in the peripheral blood were much lower than those in anti-MDA5 negative DM group(X2=4.08; Z=-2.072,-2.013,-2.907; all P＜0.05).Moreover,the incidence of acute/subacute interstitial pneumonia(A/SIP) was significantly higher in anti-MDA5 positive DM patients than anti-MDA5 negative DM patients.The sensitivity and specificity of anti-MDA5 antibody for diagnosing A/SIP in DM patients were 88.2％ and 94％ respectively.Additionally,logistic multivariate analysis showed that anti-MDA5 was an independent risk factor for death of interstitial lung diseases (ILD) in DM (OR=8.46,95％CI 1.77～40.36,P＜0.01).ConclusionIn Chinese PM/DM patients,serum anti-MDA5 antibody is mainly present in DM patients and is a strong predictor for poor prognosis diagnosis of DM with A/SIP and is an independent risk factor for death of ILD in DM.

Iron is one of the necessary elements for cell growth, proliferation and functional activities. Iron uptake of the vast majority cells, including tumor cells, is primarily mediated by transferrin receptor (TfR). Studies showed that transferrin receptor expressed on tumor cell surface at a high level, thus can be used in the treatment for malignant tumor combined with many kinds of materials. In this article, recent progress of study on transferrin receptor used in treating hematological malignant tumor are reviewed from aspects of transferrin receptor combined with drugs including artemisinin, doxorubicin, gambogic acid and so on, genes, antibodies, polyethylene glycol and nanoparticles.
Hematologic Neoplasms ; metabolism ; therapy ; Humans ; Receptors, Transferrin ; metabolism ; therapeutic use

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of AEG-1 gene silencing on the chemoresistance of human breast cancer cell line MCF-7/ADM and its possible mechanism. MCF-7/ADM cells were incubated in the medium containing adriamycin (ADM). The recombinant pLKO.1-shAEG-1 plasmid was constructed to silence AEG-1 expression in human breast cancer MCF-7/ADM cells. MTT assay was employed to detect the anti-tumor effect of ADM on MCF-7/ADM cells, and IC50 value of ADM was calculated according to MTT. Flow cytometry was used to determine the apoptosis. Western blot was used to analyze the expression levels of AEG-1, p-Akt, p-MDM2, p-Bad, p53 and MDR1. The result showed MCF-7/ADM had a significantly higher expression level of AEG-1 compared with that of MCF-7 (P < 0.05), however, the expression of AEG-1 was decreased after AEG-1 gene silencing. The IC50 value of ADM in shAEG-1 group was significantly lower than that in shcontrol group. AEG-1 gene silencing induced cell apoptosis and enhanced the pro-apoptotic effect of ADM on MCF-7/ADM cells. After AEG-1 gene silencing, the phosphorylation of Akt, MDM2 and Bad was inhibited (P < 0.05), the protein levels of p53 and MDR1 were up-regulated (P < 0.05) and down-regulated (P < 0.05) respectively, compared with control. In conclusion, the results suggest that AEG-1 gene silencing can reverse the ADM resistance in human breast cancer cell line MCF-7/ADM by means of inducing apoptosis and down-regulating the protein level of MDR1.
Apoptosis ; Breast Neoplasms ; genetics ; metabolism ; Cell Adhesion Molecules ; genetics ; metabolism ; Doxorubicin ; pharmacology ; Drug Resistance, Neoplasm ; genetics ; Gene Silencing ; Humans ; MCF-7 Cells

OBJECTIVETo observe the effects of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs)on cranial suture under mechanical strain in growing goats.

METHODS10 growing goats were used in this study. A customized distractor was used for distraction of the coronal suture at a rate of 0.4 mm/day for 8 days. The experimental group(5 goats) was injected with autologous MSCs into the distracted region, whereas the control group (5 goats) with injection of physiological saline. All animals were killed at 4 weeks after the end of distraction. Scanning electron microscopy and histological analysis were taken to observe the samples.

RESULTS4 weeks after the end of distraction, the cranial sutures in all animals were separated successfully. The new bone formation at the edge of suture in the experimental group was superior to that in the control group.

CONCLUSIONAutologous MSCs transplantation may promote the cranial suture distraction osteogenesis in the growing goats.

Animals ; Cranial Sutures ; Goats ; Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; Osteogenesis, Distraction ; Skull

Extracellular matrix hydrogel has been widely used in three-dimensional cell culture, organoid construction, tissue defect repair, biological three-dimensional printing and tissue engineering due to its excellent bioactivity, biocompatibility, bioinducibility, biodegradability and minimally invasive injection. Adipose tissue has the advantages of sufficient sources, easy access, and rich content of extracellular matrix components. It has become a research hotspot in the field of tissue repair and regenerative medicine in recent years. This article reviews its preparation, detection and application, in order to provide a reference for relevant researchers.

Objective To analyze clinical characteristics in young and aged patients with coronary artery disease (CAD).Methods The clinical and coronary angiographic data were compared between young (PCAD, male <55 years old, n =74, female <65 years old, n =71 ) and aged (CAD, male >55 years old, n = 106, female > 65 years old, n = 111 ) patients.Seventy-one patients excluded with CAD by angiography served as controls (non-CAD).The traditional risk factors (including age, smoking, blood pressure, lipid profile, blood glucose, BMI, family history), coronary angiographic changes were analyzed and compared among various groups.Results (1) Compared with CAD group, PCAD patients had significantly higher rate of smoking ( 50.3% vs.38.0%, P < 0.05 ), significantly higher positive CAD family history rate (29.7% vs.19.9% ,P <0.05) and significantly higher TG level [ (2.13 ± 1.89) mmol/L vs.( 1.78 ± 1.14) mmol/L, P < 0.05 ], while had significantly fewer traditional risk factors (2.50 ± 1.28 vs.2.76 ± 1.43, P < 0.05 ) and lower hypertension rate (59.3% vs.73.3%, P < 0.05 ).There were significantly more PCAD patients with acute coronary syndrome ( 66.2% vs.42.6%, P < 0.05), more PCAD patients had single vessel lesion (51.0% vs.30.4% ,P <0.05), lower average lesion score (4.86±2.30 vs.5.92±2.66,P <0.05).(2) The logistic regression results showed that positive CAD family history ( P = 0.029, OR = 1.766,95% CI 1.060-2.940 ) and smoking ( P = 0.066, OR = 1.561,95% CI 0.971-2.510) are important independent risk factors for the development of PCAD.Conclusions Smoking, positive family history and the increased TG might contribute to the pathogenesis of PCAD.

Extracellular matrix hydrogel has been widely used in three-dimensional cell culture, organoid construction, tissue defect repair, biological three-dimensional printing and tissue engineering due to its excellent bioactivity, biocompatibility, bioinducibility, biodegradability and minimally invasive injection. Adipose tissue has the advantages of sufficient sources, easy access, and rich content of extracellular matrix components. It has become a research hotspot in the field of tissue repair and regenerative medicine in recent years. This article reviews its preparation, detection and application, in order to provide a reference for relevant researchers.

Adult ; Aged ; Angina, Unstable ; blood ; diagnostic imaging ; Antigens, CD ; blood ; Coronary Artery Disease ; diagnostic imaging ; Endoglin ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Receptors, Cell Surface ; blood ; Ultrasonography, Interventional

BACKGROUNDImbalance of the sympathetic nervous system was involved in the pathogenesis of idiopathic ventricular outflow-tract tachycardia (IVOT). We aimed to investigate whether the major genetic variants in β(1)- and β(2)-adrenoceptors and GNB3 C825T were associated with IVOT and verapamil sensitive idiopathic left ventricular tachycardia (ILVT).

METHODSPatients with IVOT and ILVT from December 2005 to December 2007 were consecutively enrolled into this study. Controls were randomly selected from the community-based inhabitants. Five genetic variants, Ser49Gly and Gly389Arg in the β(1)-adrenoceptor, Arg16Gly and Gln27Glu in the β(2)-adrenoceptor and GNB3 C825T, were genotyped by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis.

RESULTSA total of 227 patients with IVOT and 110 patients with ILVT were included. Genotyping revealed that the 16Gly allele of Arg16Gly variant of β(2)-adrenoceptor was associated with a higher risk of IVOT (OR: 1.40, 95%CI: 1.12 - 1.75, P = 0.003 in the addictive model and OR: 1.62, 95%CI: 1.14 - 2.31, P = 0.007 in the dominant model). Patients with Gly16Gln27 haplotype also had a higher risk of IVOT (OR: 1.38, 95%CI: 1.11 - 1.73, P = 0.012). Other four variants, including Ser49Gly and Arg389Gly in β(1)-adrenoceptor, Gln27Glu in β(2)-adrenoceptor and GNB3 C825T, did not differ between patients with IVOT and controls. In patients with ILVT, no significant difference was found in these five variants compared with controls.

CONCLUSIONSArg16Gly in β(2)-adrenoceptor is significantly associated with IVOT in Chinese Han population. Major genetic variants in β(1)- and β(2)-adrenoceptor and GNB3 C825T may not be associated with ILVT. These data suggest a different arrhythmogenic mechanism in IVOT and ILVT.

Adult ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; Genetic Variation ; Genotype ; Haplotypes ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Receptors, Adrenergic, beta-1 ; genetics ; Receptors, Adrenergic, beta-2 ; genetics ; Sex Characteristics ; Tachycardia, Ventricular ; genetics ; Ventricular Function

Objective To study the epidemic tendency of emerging influenza A (H1N1) in mainland China, and to explore the different patterns of spread on the disease under the following contexts: (1) To stop the temperature screening program at the border areas of the country; (2)To stop measures of prevention and control on those identified cases and their close contacts; (3) To strengthen programs for the foreign immigrants on 'home quarantine'. Methods Under relevant parameters and information on the transmission link from different reference data, the patterns of influenza spread were simulated by Monte Carlo method. Results The temperature screening on border could inhibit the transmission of influenza A (H1N1) to some extent, so that after 3 months the cumulative number of cases will be reduced by 21.5% (1718 cases) and transmission speed of influenza A (H1N1) in mainland China will be delayed by about 4 days. Furthermore, taking positive measures of prevention and control could efficiently slow down the epidemic, so that after 3 months the cumulative number of cases will be reduced by 93.4%(about 90 thousand cases) and it would be delayed by about 15 days if influenza A (H1N1) spreads to the whole country. In addition, if the immigrants were able to practise quarantine measures consciously by themselves at home the effect of prevention and control against influenza A(H1N1) would be more significant. If 30%, 60% and 90% of immigrants would take quarantine measures home consciously, after 3 months the cumulative number of cases will be reduced by about 15% (about 940 cases), 34% (about 2230 cases) and 64% (about 4180 cases), respectively. Also, influenza A (H1N1) spreads to the whole country will be delayed by about 4 days, 10 days and 25 days, respectively. It is difficult to curb fully the development of the epidemic by taking existing control measures, and influenza A (H1N1) may spread to almost all provinces after about 3 months. Conclusion The effects of existing prevention and control measures were objectively assessed and the results showed the necessity and effectiveness of these measures against the transmission of influenza A (H1N1) , in the mainland of China.