Downregulation of miR-223 and miR-19a induces differentiation and promotes recruitment of osteoclast cells in giant-cell tumor of the bone via the Runx2/TWIST-RANK/RANKL pathway.

Giant-cell tumor (GCT) of the bone is an invasiveness and high recurrent bone tumor that is considered borderline or potentially malignant. To explore the molecular mechanism leading to bone destruction and identify novel targets for treatment, we conducted silencing of miR-223 and miR-19a in stromal giant cells and identified TWIST and Runx2 as their target genes. We investigated the impact of these microRNAs and their target genes on stromal giant cells that promote the differentiation of monocyte/macrophages into osteoclast cells and recruitment to the bone microenvironment, which in turn enhances the bone destruction capacity of GCT.

Carbonic anhydrase III is insufficient in muscles of myasthenia gravis patients.

Myasthenia gravis (MG) is considered as an autoimmune disease mainly mediated by antibodies against acetylcholine receptor. In recent years, other targets related to MG have been the subject of interest. Our previous research found that protein P25 was lower in muscles of MG patients using two-dimensional electrophoresis.

[Inhibitory effect of CVB3-VP1 siRNA on CVB3 replication].

Aim: To inhibit the expression of CVB3 VP1 protein and the replication of CVB3 with synthesized siRNAs.

Methods: According to the sequence and secondary structure of CVB3 VP1 protein, four pieces of siRNAs were designed following the requirement from Journal of Nature Cell Biology were synthesized in Shanghai GeneChem Company. Then they were transfected into HeLa cells by liposome (Lipofectamine 2000), but the non-transfected cells and non-specific siRNAs were taken as control.

Impact of pathogen burden on in-stent restenosis in patients after coronary stent implantation.

Background: Although some certain infectious pathogens could be detected in the patients with coronary artery disease, the roles of these infectious factors in the development of coronary artery diseases remain largely unknown. Since the number of infectious pathogens has been argued to be relative to the coronary artery diseases, we therefore examined whether there is a link between the number of infections and the incidence of in-stent restenosis after stent implantation.

Methods: One hundred and eighty-one patients were enrolled in this study.

[Relationship between infection burden and atherosclerosis and plaque feature].

Objective: To evaluate the relationship between infection burden and coronary atherosclerosis and the plaque feature.

Methods: One hundred and eighty two patients underwent coronary angiography in Zhongshan Hospital from 2002 - 2003. Atherosclerosis and vulnerable plaque were determined by intravascular ultrasound (IVUS).

Hepatitis B virus infection and coronary atherosclerosis: results from a population with relatively high prevalence of hepatitis B virus.

Aim: To investigate the possible association between hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and angiographically proven coronary artery disease (CAD) in a population with relatively high prevalence of HBV.

Methods: Sera from 434 patients who underwent coronary angiography were tested for HBV antigens (HBsAg, HBeAg) and antibodies (Anti-HBs, Anti-HBc and Anti-HBe) by ELISA.

Results: Seventy-seven percent (224/291) of the patients with CAD and 73.

[Protective immunoresponse to CVB3 induced by gene immunization with pcDNA3-VP1].

Aim: To induce Coxsackie virus B type 3 (CVB3)-specific immune response by using a DNA vaccine containing CVB3-VP1 and to observe its protection against CVB3 challenge.

Methods: The gene coding for VP1 was obtained by RT-PCR and then was cloned into plasmid pcDNA3 to construct pcDNA3-VP1. In-vitro expression of VP1 was performed by transfection of pcDNA3-VP1 into Hela cells.