BACKGROUND:Increasingly studies report that the normal balance of bone metabolism may be destroyed in the case of postmenopausal osteoporosis or osteoarthritis. The concrete metabolic process of bone turnover could be revealed sensitively by measuring the bone turnover markers in the serum or urine.
OBJECTIVE:To study the bone density and bone metabolic index of knee osteoarthritis (KOA) and postmenopausal osteoporosis (PMO), and to discuss the characteristics of bone density and bone metabolic index in KOA and PMO.
METHODS:A total of 248 postmenopausal women were detected for bone mineral density and knee X-ray. Final y 180 patients were included in this study and were divided into three groups:KOA group, PMO group, and control group. The levels of bone turnover markers (bone alkaline phosphatase, bone gla protein, col agen type I cross-linked C-telopeptide, and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase 5b) in serum from the participants were measured. The correlation between bone turnover markers and the disease progression was analyzed by Logistic regression analysis.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The bone mineral density in the KOA group was higher than the control group but col agen type I cross-linked C-telopeptide was lower. The levels of bone gla protein, col agen type I cross-linked C-telopeptide, and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase 5b in serum from PMO group were higher than the control group. The decrease of col agen type I cross-linked C-telopeptide was associated with the incidence of KOA, and the increases of bone gla protein, col agen type I cross-linked C-telopeptide, and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase 5b were associated with the incidence of PMO. The lower bone absorption can be seen in postmenopausal women with KOA. PMO patients showed a higher bone turnover rate. The difference of bone metabolism between patients with KOA and PMO led to negative relationship of bone mineral density. The serum levels of bone gla protein, col agen type I cross-linked C-telopeptide, and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase 5b can assist clinical diagnose and therapeutic effect detection of both KOA and PMO.

Objective To investigate predisposing factors for early infection in patients with severe acute pancreatitis.Methods The clinical and laboratory data including age、gender、APACHE Ⅱscore on admission、hemodiastase、mechanical ventilation、blood calcium、mean arterial blood pressure、blood glucose、 alanine aminotransferase、aspartate aminotransferase、total bilirubin、necrosis of the pancreas、hypoxemia、 entero-functional disturbance、etiological factor、serum albumin、serum creatinine、urea nitrogen and haematocrit were analyzed by multiple linear regression in relation with the infection incidence in the 86 SAP patients hospitalized from Jan 2002 to Mar 2007.Results The fasting time、hiliary panereatitis、 hypoxemia、necrosis of pancreas、entero-functional disturbance、serum creatinine、urea nitrogen and haematocrit were positively correlated with the incidence of pancreatic infection(all P

Objective To evaluate the therapeutic effects of somatostatin(stilamin)and rhubarb for severe acute pancreatitis(SAP).Method A total of 42 patients with SAP received traditional treatment in combination with somatostatin(stilamin)and rhubarb,and compared with 40 SAP patients with routine treatment.The changes of acute physiology and chronic health evaluationⅡ(APACHEⅡ),serum amylas,serum creatinine,blood calcium,blood glucose,white blood cell count,the duration of abdominal pain,abdominal bulge,fast and hospital stay,complications,morlality and operation rate on the fist day,third day and fifth day were compared between two groups.Results Somatostatin and rhubarb reduced the complications,operation rate and mortality, and shortened the duration of abdominal pain,abdominal bulge,fast and hospital stay.Conclusions Combination of somatostatin and rhubarb is effective in the treatment of SAP patients.

OBJECTIVETo explore the relationship between angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) gene single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) and premature coronary heart disease (PCHD) patients with blood stasis syndrome (BSS).

METHODSrs4343, rs4293, and rs4267385 were selected at SNP from ACE gene. Allele and genotype were detected. Frequencies of allele and genotype were compared by using time-of-flight mass spectrometry technique (TOF-MS).

RESULTSCompared with the healthy control group, genotype of rs4293 and rs4267385 in ACE gene were similar, but there was statistical difference in polymorphisms and allele frequencies of rs4343 in the I and II group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). The frequency of G allele was higher in the 3 groups than in the healthy control group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). The relative risk analysis showed that the risk for PCHD occurrence in G allele carriers at rs4343 (GG +AG) was 3. 6 times the risk in non-G allele carriers (95% CI: 1.224-10.585, P = 0.02). There was also statistical difference in sex, age, TC, and TG after adjusted Logistic regression analysis (OR = 3.994, 95% CI: 1.230-12.974, P = 0.021).

CONCLUSIONThe polymorphism at rs4343 (G2350A) might be one of risk factors for PCHD occurrence, but not a predisposing factor for PCHD patients of BSS.

Alleles ; Case-Control Studies ; Coronary Artery Disease ; genetics ; Gene Frequency ; Genotype ; Humans ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A ; genetics ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Risk Factors

OBJECTIVETo explore the effects of lentivirus-mediated RNA interference silencing HMGA2 on proliferation and expressions of cyclin B2 and cyclin A2 in HL-60 cell line.

METHODSThe protein and mRNA expressions of HMGA2 in HL-60 cells transduced by recombinant lentivirus producing HMGA2 gene short hairpin (shRNA) were examined by Western-blot and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis; The effects of the lentivirus on cell proliferation inhibiting rate, the ability of cell proliferation and cell cycle were analyzed by soft agar colony formation assay and FCM, respectively; The protein and mRNA expressions of cyclin B2 and cyclin A2 were also examined by Western-blot and RT-PCR.

RESULTSRecombinant lentivirus producing HMGA2 shRNA was successfully constructed, which was identified by PCR and sequencing; Stable HMGA2-deficient HL-60 cell line was established by puromycin, its mRNA and protein expression inhibition rates were (80.66 ± 7.98)% and (76.35 ± 12.72)%, respectively. Silencing of endogenous HMGA2 resulted in efficient inhibition of the cellular proliferative activity, low and flat of the cell growth curve and the lack of typical character of exponential growth. FCM revealed significant more cell cycle G(2)/M arrest \[(30.00 ± 5.78)%\] in HL-60 cell line transfected specific shRNA than control group \[(13.90 ± 4.07)%\] (P < 0.05). The cyclin B2 mRNA and protein expression inhibition rates in stable HMGA2-deficient HL-60 cell line were (67.55 ± 7.69)% and (51.77 ± 4.81)%, respectively, while the expression of cyclin A2 had no significant change compared with control group.

CONCLUSIONRNAi silencing of HMGA2 down-regulated cyclinB2, significantly inhibited the proliferation of HL-60 cells and induced the accumulation of HL-60 cells in the G(2)/M phase. Thus, HMGA2 may be an important target for anti-leukemia therapy.

Cell Proliferation ; Cyclin A2 ; genetics ; Cyclin B2 ; genetics ; Gene Expression ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Genetic Vectors ; HL-60 Cells ; HMGA2 Protein ; genetics ; Humans ; Lentivirus ; RNA Interference ; RNA, Small Interfering ; genetics

Objective To explore the protective effects of diazoxide on injury of human renal tubular cell(HK-2)induced by serum obtained from neonates with asphyxia.Methods HK-2 cells was used as the target cel1.The attacking concentration of serum obtained from neonates with asphyxia was 200 mL/L.The experiment was designed as 3 groups.HK-2 cells were divided into control group,asphyxia group,and diazoxide group.Control group:joined nutrient fluid including 100 mL/L embryo cow blood serum.Asphyxia group:joined nutrient fluid including the isometric 200 mL/L serum obtained from neonates with asphyxia.Diazoxide group:the diazoxide was joined nutrient including the isometric 200 mL/L serum obtained from neonates with asphyxia fluid.The diazoxide density finally was 100 ?mol/L.Then the change of morphology was observed and photographed under inverted microscope,and the cell viability was measured by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium method,and the leakage rate oflactate dehydrogenase(LDH)was determined by biochemical methods.Results Under inverted microscopy,HK-2 cells in control group pastes the wall to be good,assumes the paving stone type,into flat polygon,fission many,the cell arrangement was close,connection large expanse,quantity were many.Compared with control group,the HK-2 cell to suffer injury obviously,the shape changed,become the anomalous circular or the ellipse by the model flat polygonal cell,the intercellular space crevice enlarged,the connection was loose,intercellular space obviously many cell fragmented.Living cell quantity reduced obviously,the cell vigor dropped,and the leakage rate of LDH increased significantly in asphyxia group(P

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of tricostantin A (TSA) on self-renewal of breast cancer stem cells and explore the mechanisms.

METHODSBreast cancer cell lines MDA-MB-468, MDA-MB-231, MCF-7 and SKBR3 were cultured in suspension and treated with different concentrations of TSA for 7 days, using 0.1% DMSO as the control. Secondary mammosphere formation efficiency and percentage of CD44(+)/CD24(-) sub-population in the primary mammospheres were used to evaluate the effects of TSA on self-renewal of breast cancer stem cells. The breast cancer stem cell surface marker CD44(+)/CD24(-) and the percentage of apoptosis in the primary mammospheres were assayed using flow cytometry. The mRNA expressions of Nanog, Sox2 and Oct4 in the primary mammospheres were assayed with quantitative PCR.

RESULTSTSA at both 100 and 500 nmol/L, but not at 10 nmol/L, partially inhibited the self-renewal of breast cancer stem cells from the 4 cell lines. TSA at 500 nmol/L induced cell apoptosis in the primary mammospheres. TSA down-regulated the mRNA expression of Nanog and Sox2 in the primary mammospheres.

CONCLUSIONTSA can partially inhibit the self-renewal of breast cancer stem cells through a mechanism involving the down-regulation of Nanog and Sox2 expression, indicating the value of combined treatments with low-dose TSA and other anticancer drugs to achieve maximum inhibition of breast cancer stem cell self-renewal. The core transcriptional factor of embryonic stem cells Nanog and Sox2 can be potential targets of anticancer therapy.

Antineoplastic Agents ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Breast Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; CD24 Antigen ; metabolism ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Down-Regulation ; Female ; Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Homeodomain Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Humans ; Hyaluronan Receptors ; metabolism ; Hydroxamic Acids ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Nanog Homeobox Protein ; Neoplastic Stem Cells ; metabolism ; pathology ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism ; SOXB1 Transcription Factors ; genetics ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo observe the clinical effect of tadalafil combined with testosterone undecanoate on late-onset hypogonadism (LOH) in old and middle-aged males.

METHODSA total of 125 old and middle-aged (40 to 60 years) males with LOH were randomly assigned to a treatment group (n = 65) and a control group (n = 60) to be treated with tadalafil + testosterone undecanoate and testosterone undecanoate alone, respectively. We compared the levels of total testosterone (T), IIEF scores and the patients' sexual encounter profile (SEP) diaries before and 4 weeks after medication.

RESULTSThe T level, IIEF score and SEP score were significantly improved in both groups after medication as compared with the baseline (P < 0.05), and even more so in the treatment than in the control group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONTadalafil combined with testosterone undecanoate, superior to testosterone undecanoate alone, can improve the T level, IIEF score and SEP score in old and middle-aged males with LOH and increase their sexual satisfaction and self-confidence.

Carbolines ; therapeutic use ; Erectile Dysfunction ; etiology ; Humans ; Hypogonadism ; drug therapy ; physiopathology ; psychology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Sexual Behavior ; Tadalafil ; Testosterone ; analogs & derivatives ; analysis ; therapeutic use ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo identify the type of the intermediate filament (IF) protein of Angiostrongylus cantonensis and analyze its tissue localization.

METHODSRecombinant pET-IF of antigen IF was expressed in E.coli with IPTG induction, and the expression products were purified by His.Bind column and identified for determining the type of the IF protein by Western blotting. Anti-IF antibody was prepared by multi-spot subcutaneous injection into mouse and used to detect the tissue slices of A. cantonensis by immunohistochemical analysis.

RESULTSThe antigen IF were correctly expressed and purified, and identified as a keratin located in the intestine wall and cytoplusma.

CONCLUSIONThe antigen IF is distributed in the intestine wall of A. cantonensis.

Angiostrongylus cantonensis ; cytology ; metabolism ; Animals ; Cell Nucleus ; metabolism ; Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel ; Intermediate Filament Proteins ; classification ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; metabolism ; Protein Transport

OBJECTIVETo establish the 3T3 mouse fibroblast neutral red uptake (NRU-PT) phototoxicity test method, and evaluate the practicality of the method in detecting potential phototoxicity of the cosmetic products.

METHODSFifteen phototoxic and 9 non-phototoxic chemicals were tested in our laboratories, the phototoxic potential of the test chemicals was evaluated in a prediction model in which either the photo irritation factor (PIF) or the mean photo effect (MPE) was compared with the coherence and sensitivity of the method. 20 kinds of functional cosmetics were detected and the results were analyzed by the 3T3 NRU-PT in vitro and Guinea pig skin phototoxicity test (in vivo).

RESULTSBoth PIF and MPE of the chemicals were highly reproduced, and the correlation between in vitro and in vivo data was almost perfect. All the non-phototoxic provided a negative result, while 14 of the 15 phototoxic tested chemicals gave clear positive results. For cosmetics, the correlation between in vitro and in vivo data was consistent.

CONCLUSIONThe 3T3 NRU PT test was established successfully, it should be used as a good alternative method for assessing the phototoxic potential of the chemicals and cosmetics in China.

3T3 Cells ; drug effects ; Animals ; Animals, Newborn ; Cosmetics ; toxicity ; Dermatitis, Phototoxic ; Fibroblasts ; drug effects ; Guinea Pigs ; Mice ; Toxicity Tests