Ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) is common clinical spinal disorders often occurring in the cervical spine, with the main symptom being nerve compression. The specific mechanism of OPLL remains unclear, but genetic factors, single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), mechanical stimulation, metabolism abnormality might be involved in the etiology of the disease. Multiple genetic and environmental factors may contribute to the development of OPLL. OPLL has prominent genetic characteristic, and it is associated with SNPs of several genes. Here we review the SNPs of several genes (COL11A2, BMP-2, TGF-β1, TGF-β3, NPPS, COL6A1 and Runx2) which contribute to the development of OPLL, hoping to lay a foundation for future study.

Because of the aggressive threaten of heat stroke and a lack of understanding of the mechanism of action, mammal animal models for experimental heat stroke were well developed. During the past 5 decades, anesthetized mouse, rat, rabbit, dog, baboon and monkey were used as animal model for experimental heat stroke. However, anesthetized mammals models have some limitations, such as neuroprotective effect of anesthetic agents, possible disturbance on injury and recovery of stroke animals by anesthetic agents, difficulty of discussing animal behavior before and after heat stroke, it was also difficult for the models to evaluate cognitive function of animal under hot environment. Considering humanitarian, only awaked and unrestrained mouse heat stroke model was accepted so far. Therefore, we also developed an awaked and unrestrained rat heat stroke model, and found it was helpful to evaluate drug effectiveness for animal behavior and cognitive function under hot environment.
Animals ; Cognition ; Disease Models, Animal ; Heat Stroke ; physiopathology ; Mice ; Rats

Objective To investigate the significance of anti-mutated citrullinated vimentin(MCV)an- tibody in rheumatoid arthritis(RA)and study the correlation among anti-CCP,other antoantibodies and clinical manifestations of RA.Methods Anti-MCV antibody was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)in 166 serum samples including 74 from RA(18 cases with early RA and 56 cases with late RA),50 from non-RA rheumatic diseases and 42 cases of healthy blood donors.At the same time,other antuoantibod- ies were detected by different techniques,and their clinical meaning was investigated with the corresponding clinical data.Results Anti-MCV was found in 78%(58/74)of RA.The sensitivity and specificity of Anti- MCV in RA were 78% and 95%.The positive and negative predictive value was 97% and 71%.The average cut off concentration of Anti-MCV was(552?380)U/ml in RA,(162?63)U/ml in non-RA and(63?46)U/ml in healthy control.Anti-MCV was strongly correlated to anti-CCP(r=0.502,P=0.000),then AKA(r=0.408)anti APF(r=0.369).No differences was found between Anti-MCV and other clinical/laboratory parameters(P＞0.05). Conclusion Anti-MCV antibody may be a valuable diagnostic parameter for RA.Anti-MCV is more strongly correlated to anti-CCP than APE and AKA.It may not relate to disease activity and/or severity.

Objective To investigate the effects of an electromagnetic field on the extra-cellularly regulated kinase(ERK)signalling pathway and to determine the impact of electromagnetic activation on osteogenic proliferation and differentiation in rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells.Methods Rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells were isolated and cultured in vitro.The third-passage cells were divided into 4 groups(Control,PD98059,EMF and EMF+PD98059).Western blotting Was used to detect the activation of the ERK signal pathway after exposure to an electromagnetic field.MTT assay Was used to determine the activation of proliferation in the celb in the different groups.The cells' alkaline phosphatase activities were also detected. Results (1)The ERK signal pathway in these rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells was activated after exposure to a 15 Hz.1 mT,sine wave form electromagnetic field for 5 min.Activation remained high for at least 1 h.PD98059 can effectively block the activation of the ERK signal pathway.(2)Cell proliferation was promoted after exposure to the electromagnetic field,and this effect could be significantly inhibited by PD98059.(3)Alkaline phosphatase was significantly elevated in these bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells after exposure to the electromagnetic field.The activation in the EMF+PD98059 group Was slightly greater than in the EMF group.Conclusion Electromagnetic fields of 15 Hz and 1 mT can activate the ERK signal pathway and alter proliferation and osteogenic differentiation in the bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells of rats.

Objective To screen the differential expression genes of bone marrow MSCs stimulated by electromagnetic field(EMF)with osteogenesis microarray analysis,and to study the underlying mechanism that EMF promotes the differentiation of bone marrow MSCs. Methods The Sprague-Dawley rat bone marrow MSCs were isolated and cultured in vitro.The third-passage cells who were stimulated by EMF and served as the stimulated group,and those who were not stimulated by the EMF served as the controls.Total RNA was extracted and purified,then it was used to synthesize cDNA and cRNA.The eRNA of stimulated group and the control group was hybridized with the rat oligo osteogenesis microarray,respectively.The hybridization signals were acquired by using X-ray film after chemiluminescent detection and the obtained data were analyzed using the web-based completely integrated GEArray Expression Analysis Suite.RT-PCR was used to identify the chosen genes BMP1,VDR and EGF. Results Nineteen differential expression genes were found between the stimulated group and the control group.There were 6 upregulated and 13 downregulated genes in the stimulated group.Semi-quantitative RT-PCR confirmed that the expression levels of BMP1,VDR mRNA in the stimulated group were upregulated and EGF downregulated. Conclusion The gene expression profiles about osteogenesis of the bone marrow MSCs were changed after EMF intervention(1 5 Hz,1 mT).These genes are involved in the difierentiation of bone marrow MSCs into osteoblast.These results provide deeper insight into the mechanism that EMF exposure facilitates the in vitro differentiation of bone marrow MSCs.

A series of novel 4-substituted-3-nitrobenzamide derivatives were designed and synthesized. The structures of the target compounds were confirmed with 1H NMR, 13C NMR, MS and element analysis. Anti-tumor activities against HCT-116, MDA-MB435 and HL-60 cell lines in vitro were evaluated by SRB assay. The results indicated most of the target compounds exhibited potent anti-tumor activity. Compound 4a showed the most potent inhibitory activities against three cancer cell lines with the GI50 values of 1.904-2.111 micromol x L(-1). Compounds 4g, 41-4n exhibited more potent inhibitory activities against MDA-MB435 and HL-60 cell lines with the GI50 values of 1.008-3.586 micromol x L(-1) and 1.993-3.778 micromol x L(-1), respectively. The structure-activity relationship of these compounds is discussed preliminarily.
Antineoplastic Agents ; chemical synthesis ; pharmacology ; Benzamides ; chemical synthesis ; pharmacology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; Drug Design ; HL-60 Cells ; Humans ; Inhibitory Concentration 50 ; Structure-Activity Relationship

The purpose of this study is to prepare galactosyl modified lipid bilayer-coated mesoporous silica nanoparticles (GPEM) to enhance the antitumor efficacy against hepatocellular carcinoma cells. The irinotecan (CPT-11) loaded mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) was coated with the Gal-P123 modified functional lipid bilayer by thin-film dispersion method. Nanoparticles were characterized with particle size, zeta potential, morphology and drug release in vitro. Afterwards, the cell uptake, intracellular concentration of CPT-11, cell apoptosis rate and cytotoxicity were evaluated on human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line Huh-7. The results showed that MSNs were coated with intact lipid bilayers and the nanoparticles had clear core-shell structure. GPEM is stable with the mean particle size of (78.01 +/- 2.04) nm. The low leakage rate in normal physiological conditions in vitro is contributed to the protection of stable lipid bilayer, and the fast drug release in acid environment due to the destruction of the lipid bilayer. On the cell level, the vector could improve the intracellular CPT-11 concentration by 4 times because of the functional lipid bilayer. The high CPT-11 concentration led to the increasement of apoptosis rate by 48.6%, and the reduction of half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) values of CPT-11 by 2 times, indicating stronger cell cytotoxicity.
Antineoplastic Agents ; chemistry ; pharmacokinetics ; Apoptosis ; Camptothecin ; analogs & derivatives ; chemistry ; pharmacokinetics ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Drug Carriers ; chemistry ; Drug Delivery Systems ; methods ; Humans ; Lipid Bilayers ; chemistry ; Liver Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Nanoparticles ; chemistry ; Particle Size ; Silicon Dioxide ; chemistry

Objective To study the effects of electromagnetic field (EMF) exposure on osteoporosis in ovariectomized mice. Methods Sixty 8-week-old female Kunming mice were divided into four groups at random: a sham operation group (group A), an ovariectomized group (group B), an EMF and ovariectomized group (group C) and a nilestriol and ovariectomized group (group D). Bilateral ovariectomies were performed on all mice except those in group A. The mice of group C were exposured to a 15 Hz, 1.0 mT electromagnetic field. The mice of group D were given at nilestriol 1.5 mg/kg/week. The bone mineral density (BMD) of the lumbar vertebrae was measured before the mice were sacrificed at the 12th week. Blood specimens were collected every two weeks to measure the ac-tivity of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and the concentration of bone gamma-carboxyglutamic-acid-containing proteins (BGP), calcium and estradiol in the serum. Histological sections were taken to examine and analyze the changes in bone trabeculae in the lumbar vertebrae after 6 and 12 weeks. Results EMF at 15 Hz and 1.0 mT intensity signifi-cantly increased the activity of ALP and the concentrations of BGP and calcium in the serum. In addition, the absorp-tion of bone trabeculae in the lumbar vertebrae was significantly restrained. Conclusions EMF at 15 Hz and 1.0 mT can restrain the development of osteoporosis in ovariectomized mice.

Objective To study the effects of an electromagnetic field (EMF) on the expression of fibro-blast growth factor (FGF-2) and it' s receptor (FGFR-2) mRNA in rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) in vitro. Methods Rat BMSCs were isolated and cultured in vitro. The subcultured cells were divided into different groups to be EMF stimulated at 1.0 mT. The expression of FGF-2 and FGFR-2 mRNA were detected by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Results Different frequencies and durations of 1.0 mT EMF exposure induced FGF-2 and FGFR-2 mRNA expression in comparison to blank controls. The expression of FGF-2 mRNA reached a peak after stimulation at 15 Hz for 10 min, 50 Hz for 60 min and 75 Hz for 30 min. And the expression of FGFR-2 mRNA reached a peak after 30 minutes at all frequencies. At 1.0 mT with 30 min exposure, the expression of FGF-2 mRNA peaked after 50 Hz stimulation, and the expression of FGFR-2 mRNA peaked after stimulation at 75 Hz. Conclusions Moderate EMF stimulation can significantly increase the expression of FGF-2 and FGFR-2 mRNA in rat BMSCs in vitro.

In order to clarify the chemical constituents of Cistanche deserticola cultured in Tarim desert, a systematically phytochemical investigation was carried out. The chemical constituents were isolated by column chromatography, such as silica gel, Sephadex LH- 20, MCI gel, ODS and semi-preparative HPLC, and their structures were determined on the basis of MS, NMR spectroscopic analysis and/or comparison with literature data. Eleven lignans were isolated from the 85% ethanol extract of the stems of C. deserticola cultured in Tarim desert. Their structures were identified as (+)-syringaresinol-4'-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (1), (+)-isoeucommin A (2), eucommin A (3), (+)-pinoresinol monomethylether β-D-glucoside (4), lariciresinol 4'-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (5), lariciresinol 4-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (6), conicaoside (7), dehydrodiconiferyl alcohol 4-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (8), dehydrodiconiferyl alcohol γ'-O-β-D-glucoside (9), citrusin A (10), and alaschanioside A (11). Compounds 1, 3-7, 10 and 11 were isolated from this genus for the first time, and compounds 2, 8 and 9 were obtained from this species for the first time.
Cistanche ; chemistry ; growth & development ; Lignans ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Plant Stems ; chemistry