Deoxypodophyllotoxin Mediates Autophagy Death through Inhibition of GRP78 in Human Osteosarcoma.

Background: Glucose-regulated protein 78 (GRP78), as a chaperone protein, can protect the endoplasmic reticulum of cells and is expressed to influence chemoresistance and prognosis in cancer. Deoxypodophyllotoxin (DPT) is a compound with antitumor effects on cancers. DPT inhibits the proliferation of osteosarcoma by inducing apoptosis, necrosis, or cell cycle arrest.

Immunological role and underlying mechanisms of B7-H6 in tumorigenesis.

B7 homolog 6 (B7-H6) has been identified as involved in tumorigenesis. Elucidating its role and potential mechanism of action is essential for understanding tumorigenesis and the potential development of an effective clinical strategy. Abnormal overexpression of B7-H6 in various types of tumors was reported to be linked with poor prognosis.

Free flap transplantation combined with skin grafting and vacuum sealing drainage for repair of circumferential or sub-circumferential soft-tissue wounds of the lower leg.

Background: This study is aimed at evaluating the operation techniques and clinical significance of free flap transplantation combined with skin grafting and vacuum sealing drainage (VSD) in repairing severe traumatic extensive circumferential or semi-circumferential soft-tissue defects of the lower leg.

Material And Methods: Thirty patients with severe lower leg injuries were treated by free flap transplantation combined with skin grafting and VSD from January 2008 to June 2011. The size of the wounds ranged from 23×8 cm to 44×28 cm and all affected more 70% of the low leg circumferential area.

Emergency surgical repair of extensive soft-tissue defects in upper limb of a child, using flap graft.

Extensive soft-tissue defects in the upper limb of a child are rare, and emergency surgical repair presents a challenge to the clinician and requires high proficiency in operating skills. The use of common regular flaps fails to completely cover the trauma. We report on a case in which the skin defect, reaching 42 x 15 cm, was repaired by the use of a scapula latissimus dorsi musculo-cutaneous flap, and the functions of the affected limb were maintained to the utmost extent.

Effects of simulated weightlessness on bone metabolism in rats at different ages.

Objective: To compare the effects of simulated weightlessness on age-related bone metabolism and on the mechanical parameters of the weight-bearing bones of rats at different ages.

Methods: Two-month-old and 6-month-old rats (8 in each group) were both subjected to tail suspension test for up to 4 weeks, with 2 groups of rats of corresponding ages (n=8) serving as control. The bone metabolism markers, biomechanical parameters of the femurs, along with the growth and mineral contents of the tibia, were respectively measured and compared with those of the controls.

Changes of serum MDA and SOD levels in ischemia-reperfusion injuries of the limbs in rats preconditioned with heat stress.

Objective: To study the effect of pretreatment with heat stress on ischemia-reperfusion injuries of the limbs in rats.

Methods: Rat models of ischemia-reperfusion injury were established with or without prior heat stress treatment, in which serum malondialdehyde (MDA) level and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities were measured by means of thiobarbituric acid and nitroblue tetrazolium respectively.

Results: Comparison between ischemia-reperfusion group and the control group revealed significantly elevated MDA levels (P<0.