[Relationship between accumulation of autotoxins and soil fertility factors under long-term continuous cropping of cucumber in solar greenhouse].

In this study, we investigated the effects of long-term continuous cucumber cropping on phenolic acids in rhizosphere soil, as well as their link to soil chemical characteristics, enzyme activities, and microbiological activities, using rhizosphere soil from the 2nd, 6th, 10th, 14th, 18th, 20th, 24th, and 26th round of cucumber cultivation in solar greenhouse. The results showed that contents of phenolic acids increased significantly with increasing continuous cropping rounds. The increase amount per round of total phenolic acid was significantly higher in the early stage (0-2 rounds) and late stage (20-26 rounds) than middle stage (10-14 rounds) of continuous cropping.

BMP-7 accelerates the differentiation of rabbit mesenchymal stem cells into cartilage through the Wnt/β-catenin pathway.

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are able to differentiate into adipocytes, chondroblasts or cartilage under different stimulation conditions. Identifying a mechanism that triggers the differentiation of MSCs into cartilage may help the development of novel therapeutic approaches for heterotopic ossification, the pathological formation of lamellar bone in soft tissue outside the skeleton that may lead to debilitating immobility. Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs), including BMP-7, are the most potent growth factors for enhancing bone formation.

Decreased local and systematic matrix Gla protein (MGP) expression and its link to radiographic progression in ankylosing spondylitis patients.

Background: Decreased serum levels of uncarboxylated matrix Gla-protein (ucMGP) have been detected in Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS) patients. The current study was to investigate the expression of MGP in AS tissues as well as the relationship between serum ucMGP (an inactive form of MGP) levels and radiographic severity in AS patients.

Methods: Local MGP expression were assessed by Western blot and RT-PCR in hip synovial tissues from patients with AS and control subjects.