Early cartilage degeneration in a rat experimental model of developmental dysplasia of the hip.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a common long-term complication of developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) that is associated with a higher incidence of OA. In addition, the age of onset of OA in DDH patients is significantly younger than in the general population. In order to investigate the early degeneration in DDH cartilage, we used a rat DDH model that was established by the straight-leg swaddling position.

[Effects of extracellular matrix produced in vitro on growth and differentiation of MC3T3-E1 cells].

Extracellular matrix (ECM) keeps cell's shape, protects and nourishes cells; it plays a great role in cell proliferation and differentiation. Therefore, ECM is very important in cell and tissue engineering. In this study, after primary mouse osteoblasts and fibroblasts maintained at confluence in vitro were removed, their ECM coated on cell culture plate was prepared, and bone morphogenetic proteins 2 (BMP-2) was detected in the osteoblasts ECM.

Saturated fatty acid induction of endoplasmic reticulum stress and apoptosis in human liver cells via the PERK/ATF4/CHOP signaling pathway.

Accumulation of saturated fatty acids in the liver can cause nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). This study investigated saturated fatty acid induction of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and apoptosis in human liver cells and the underlying causal mechanism. Human liver L02 and HepG2 cell lines were exposed to the saturated fatty acid sodium palmitate.

Reduced glutathione protects human hepatocytes from palmitate-mediated injury by suppressing endoplasmic reticulum stress response.

Background/aims: The aim of this study was to investigate the protective role of reduced glutathione (GSH) in hepatocytes by suppressing palmitate-induced endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress.

Methodology: Human L02 hepatocytes were co-cultured with palmitate and reduced GSH. Cell viability and apoptosis were measured by the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay and Annexin V/ PI (propidium iodide) staining with flow cytometry, respectively.

5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine activates iron uptake and heme biosynthesis by increasing c-Myc nuclear localization and binding to the E-boxes of transferrin receptor 1 (TfR1) and ferrochelatase (Fech) genes.

The hypomethylating agent 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine (5-aza-CdR) and its derivatives have been successfully used for the treatment of myelodysplastic syndromes, and they frequently improve the anemia that usually accompanies these disorders. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying this action remain poorly understood. In this study, we used two erythroid models, murine erythroid leukemia cells and erythroid burst-forming unit-derived erythroblasts, to show that 5-aza-CdR induced erythroid differentiation and increased the expression of transferrin receptor 1 (TfR1) and ferrochelatase (Fech), thereby increasing iron uptake and heme biosynthesis.

Dual function of β-catenin in articular cartilage growth and degeneration at different stages of postnatal cartilage development.

Purpose: The objective of this study was to determine the role of β-catenin in normal postnatal articular cartilage growth and degeneration.

Methods: We investigated β-catenin gene and protein expression in hip cartilage cells of normal Wistar rats at two, four, six and eight weeks of age by using reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and immunohistochemistry. Primary articular chondrocytes from eight week old rats were cultured and treated with LiCl for activation of β-catenin.

Ferroportin1 deficiency in mouse macrophages impairs iron homeostasis and inflammatory responses.

Systemic iron requirements are met predominantly through the recycling of iron from senescent erythrocytes by macrophages, a process in which the iron exporter ferroportin (Fpn1) is considered to be essential. Yet the role of Fpn1 in macrophage iron recycling and whether it influences innate immune responses are poorly understood in vivo. We inactivated Fpn1 in macrophages by crossing Fpn1-floxed animals with macrophage-targeted LysM-Cre or F4/80-Cre transgenic mice.

Analysis of β-catenin expression and exon 3 mutations in pediatric sporadic aggressive fibromatosis.

Aggressive fibromatosis is a benign tumor with a high recurrence rate after surgical resection, particularly in children. Abnormal regulation of β-catenin in the presence or absence of a change of genotype has been identified in adult sporadic aggressive fibromatosis. However, the status of β-catenin expression and mutation remains unclear in pediatric patients.

Direct evidence for catalase and peroxidase activities of ferritin-platinum nanoparticles.

Using apoferritin (apoFt) as a nucleation substrate, we have successfully synthesized 1-2 nm platinum nanoparticles (Pt-Ft) which are highly stable. By directly measuring the products of Pt-Ft-catalyzed reactions, we showed, with no doubt, Pt-Ft possesses both catalase and peroxidase activities. With hydrogen peroxide as substrate, we observed oxygen gas bubbles were generated from hydrogen peroxide decomposed by Pt-Ft; the generation of oxygen gas strongly supports Pt-Ft reacts as catalase, other than peroxidase.

[Effect of endothelial nitric oxide synthase gene polymorphisms upon disease severity and outcome in septic patients].

Objective: To investigate the association of eNOS 894G-->T, -786T-->C gene polymorphisms with disease severity and outcome in septic patients.

Methods: A total of 117 patients with severe sepsis were randomly selected from ICUs at 9 academic hospitals in Beijing during April 2007 to May 2009. PCR-RFLP and PCR-SSCP were used to analyze the alleles and genotypes in eNOS 894G-->T and -786T--> C gene polymorphisms.

Plant-expressed recombinant mountain cedar allergen Jun a 1 is allergenic and has limited pectate lyase activity.

Background: Mountain cedar (Juniperus ashei) pollen commonly causes a winter time allergic rhinitis in the central USA. Jun a 1 is the dominant allergenic protein, but biologically active recombinant Jun a 1 has not been successfully expressed, despite numerous attempts with several expression systems.

Method: Jun a 1 cDNA was inserted into a tobacco mosaic virus vector and transferred to Agrobacterium tumefaciens.

New vanadium oxide nanostructures: controlled synthesis and their smart electrical switching properties.

Control over the different polymorphs of vanadium oxide that possess electrical switching properties is advancing rapidly as a result of the need to address energy-efficiency issues; an example of which is the intelligent regulation of infrared light demonstrated by these polymorphs. Recent advances in the development of new vanadium oxide structures as well as their promising electrical switching properties are summarized here. Theoretical analysis and experimental results suggest that the presence of infinite vanadium ion chains in the crystal structure plays a decisive role in determining the electrical properties of vanadium oxides.

Lysosomal proteolysis is the primary degradation pathway for cytosolic ferritin and cytosolic ferritin degradation is necessary for iron exit.

Cytosolic ferritins sequester and store iron, consequently protecting cells against iron-mediated free radical damage. However, the mechanisms of iron exit from the ferritin cage and reutilization are largely unknown. In a previous study, we found that mitochondrial ferritin (MtFt) expression led to a decrease in cytosolic ferritin.

New phase hollandite-type VOOH quadrangular nanorods: a new smart electrical switch material.

New phase hollandite VOOH with a novel 2 x 2 octahedral molecular sieve has been successfully achieved via an ionic liquid-assisted route. Guided by the theoretical structural analysis, the unique structural characteristics of the infinitely linear V(3+)-V(3+) chains indeed lead to smart electrical switch behaviour as expected, representing the first semiconductor-insulator transition case among the hollandite-type structures.

Neuroprotective mechanism of mitochondrial ferritin on 6-hydroxydopamine-induced dopaminergic cell damage: implication for neuroprotection in Parkinson's disease.

Neuronal iron homeostasis disruption and oxidative stress are closely related to the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease (PD). Adult iron-regulatory protein 2 knockout (Ireb2(-/-)) mice develop iron accumulation in white matter tracts and nuclei in different brain area and display severe neurodegeneration in Purkinje cells of the cerebrum. Mitochondrial ferritin (MtFt), a newly discovered ferritin, specifically expresses in high energy-consuming cells, including neurons of brain and spinal cord.

Clear cell meningioma with anaplastic features: case report and review of literature.

Clear cell meningioma (CCM) is an uncommon variant of meningioma, corresponding to WHO grade II. We present two cases of CCMs with anaplastic features in the intracranial and intraspinal region. The first case is a 65-year-old male who gradually developed changes in behavior over a period of 1 year.

Down-regulated miR-9 and miR-433 in human gastric carcinoma.

Background: MircoRNAs(miRNAs) are short, endogenously non-coding RNAs. The abnormal expression of miRNAs may be valuable for the diagnosis and treatment of tumors.

Methods: To screening the special miRNAs in gastric carcinoma, expression level of miRNAs in gastric carcinoma and normal gaster samples were detected by miRNA gene chip.

Shape evolution of new-phased lepidocrocite VOOH from single-shelled to double-shelled hollow nanospheres on the basis of programmed reaction-temperature strategy.

Solid templates have been long regarded as one of the most promising ways to achieve single-shelled hollow nanostructures; however, few effective methods for the construction of multishelled hollow objects from their solid template counterparts have been developed. We report here, for the first time, a novel and convenient route to synthesizing double-shelled hollow spheres from the solid templates via programming the reaction-temperature procedures. The programmed temperature strategy developed in this work then provides an essential and general access to multishelled hollow nanostructures based on the designed extension of single-shelled hollow objects, independent of their outside contours, such as tubes, hollow spheres, and cubes.

Cystic papillary meningioma with subarachnoid dissemination: a case report and review of the literature.

Meningiomas usually present as benign tumors corresponding to WHO grade I. The development of the papillary variant of meningiomas with cyst formation in the central nervous system is extremely rare. We report a case of cystic papillary meningioma in a young female occurring in the lateral ventricle with invasion of brain parenchyma and dissemination of subarachnoid space.

[Effect of opening of neuronal mitochondrial permeability transition pore on respiratory function after cardiopulmonary resuscitation in rats].

Objective: To investigate the effect of opening of neuronal mitochondrial permeability transition pore (MPTP) on respiratory function after cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) in rats and its possible mechanism.

Methods: Cardiac arrest (CA)/CPR rat model was reproduced by asphyxiation and ice-cold KCl followed resuscitation and restoration of spontaneous circulation (ROSC). The rats were sacrificed by decapitation at 3, 6, 12, 24, 48 and 72 hours.

[Effects of recruitment maneuver on elderly patients after major operations].

Objective: To study the effect of recruitment maneuver (RM) in preventing atelectasis and lung injury in elderly patients after major operations, and to evaluate the safety of RMs.

Methods: Forty elderly patients after major operations were admitted to intensive care unit (ICU) of Beijing Air Force General Hospital from February 2007 to February 2008 were randomized into RM group and control group. The patients were still under the effect of anesthesia and muscle relaxation when admitted.

[Study of correlation between obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome and erythropoietin].

Objective: To investigate the effect of uvulopalatopharyngoplasty on change of serum erythropoietin levels in patients with obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) treatment.

Method: Fifty-nine patients with OSAHS were treated through uvulopalatopharyngoplasty. Observing follow indexes of pre and postoperation: pharyngeal space, neck size.

Degradation of X-ray contrast media compounds by combined ozone and ultrasound.

The aqueous degradation of iodinated X-ray contrast media (ICM) by the combination of ozone and ultrasound has been studied. Experiments were conducted at a constant ultrasound frequency of 20 kHz, at five power densities up to 0.235 W/mL, and various ozone centrations.

[Analysis of 53 cases with bronchoscopically confirmed pediatric tracheobronchomalacia].

Objective: Tracheobronchomalacia is one of the common respiratory tract dysplasia in children. Its symptoms are nonspecific, and routine methods are unreliable in the assessment of tracheobronchomalacia in children. In addition, many physicians are confused about its clinical characteristics, so tracheobronchomalacia is often underdiagnosed.