Grifolic acid causes osteosarcoma cell death in vitro and in tumor-bearing mice.

Grifolic acid is a natural compound isolated from the fungus Albatrellus confluens. In the present study, we assessed the effects of grifolic acid on human osteosarcoma cells. We found that grifolic acid dose- and time-dependently induced cell death in the U-2 OS, MG-63, Saos-2, and 143B human osteosarcoma cell lines.

Studies of pathology and VEGF expression in rabbit cerebrospinal fluid metastasis: application of dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI.

Objective: The objective was to analyze the correlation of dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI) with vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) protein expression and to assess the potential application of DCE-MRI to the rabbit cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) metastasis model.

Methods: Thirty New Zealand rabbits were divided into experimental and control groups. In the experimental group, VX2 tumor cells were injected into the subarachnoid space at the plane of cisterna magna in 24 rabbits.

[Comparison between Gd-DTPA-enhanced MRI and USPIO-enhanced MRI in diagnosing benign and metastatic cervical lymph nodes in rabbit models].

Objective: To compare the diagnostic value of gadolinium diethylenetriaminepenta-acetic acid (Gd-DTPA)-enhanced MRI with ultrasmall superparamagnetic iron oxide (USPIO)-enhanced MRI in differentiating reactive hyperplastic lymph nodes from metastatic lymph nodes in rabbit models.

Methods: Reactive hyperplastic cervical lymph node model was established in 18 rabbits as hyperplasia group, and tumor-bearing lymph node model was established in another 18 rabbits as tumor group. For Gd-DTPA-enhanced MRI, T1WI and T2WI were performed on 9 animals of each model, and T1WI was acquired 80 seconds after administration of Gd-DTPA.

Combination of vascular endothelial growth factor antisense oligonucleotide therapy and radiotherapy increases the curative effects against maxillofacial VX2 tumors in rabbits.

Purpose: To study the effects of combination of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) antisense oligonucleotide therapy and radiotherapy on maxillofacial VX2 tumors in rabbits.

Methods: We used 24 New Zealand white rabbits as a model to induce maxillofacial VX2 tumor. The rabbits were randomly divided into the following 4 groups: radiotherapy group (group A), treated with 16 Gy of radiotherapy; VEGF antisense oligonucleotide treatment group (group B), treated with an injection of 150 μg of VEGF antisense oligonucleotide into the local tumor; VEGF antisense oligonucleotide combined with radiotherapy group (group C), treated with an injection of 150 μg of VEGF antisense oligonucleotide into the local tumor immediately after 16 Gy of radiotherapy; and control group (group D), treated with an injection of 300 μl 5% aqueous glucose solution into the local tumor.

Association between TGFBR1*6A and osteosarcoma: a Chinese case-control study.

Background: TGFBR1*6A is a common hypomorphic variant of transforming growth factor beta receptor 1 (TGFBR1). TGFBR1*6A is associated with an increased cancer risk, but the association of this polymorphism with osteosarcoma remains unknown. We have measured the frequency of TGFBR1*6A variants in osteosarcoma cases and controls.

Int7G24A variant of transforming growth factor-beta receptor 1 is associated with osteosarcoma susceptibility in a Chinese population.

The TGF-beta signaling pathway is important in the development and invasion of cancers. Int7G24A is an intronic variant of TGF-beta receptor type 1 and has been shown to be associated with the occurrence of some kinds of cancers. Nevertheless, the association of this polymorphism with osteosarcoma is unknown.

[MRI monitoring of cerebral spinal fluid metastasis in rabbit model].

Objective: To establish a rabbit model of cerebral spinal flow metastasis, to analyze the growth rate of tumor, and to investigate the value of MRI in monitoring the biology of tumor compared with pathology.

Methods: Twenty-four New Zealand white rabbits were inoculated with suspension of VX(2) tumor cells in the subarachnoid space via the foramen magnum (experimental group), and 6 rabbits were inoculated with normal saline (control group). MRI examination, including non-enhanced T(1)WI, T(2)WI, and FLAIR sequences and then T(1)WI, FLAIR after dynamic contrast enhanced with Gd-DTPA were done 7 approximately 22 days after inoculation with a 3-day interval.

Ghrelin stimulates proliferation of human osteoblastic TE85 cells via NO/cGMP signaling pathway.

Ghrelin regulates bone formation and osteoblast proliferation, but the detailed signaling pathway for its action on osteoblasts remains unclear. In human osteoblastic TE85 cells, we observed the effects and intracellular signaling pathway of ghrelin on cell proliferation using BrdU incorporation method. Ghrelin, at 10(-10)-10(-8) M concentration, significantly increased BrdU incorporation into TE85 cells.

[MRI monitoring ultra-small superparamagnetic iron oxide (USPIO) particle labeling C6 rat glioma cells].

Objective: To monitor the effects of labeling C6 rat glioma cells with different concentrations of USPIO in vivo and in vitro.

Methods: C6 rat glioma cells of 1 x 10(6), 2 x 10(6) and 1 x 10(7) were labeled with 0 microg/ml, 25 microg/ml, 50 microg/ml USPIO, The signal intensity of cells were evaluated by MRI with T(1)WI, T(2)WI and GRE/30 degrees sequences in vitro. 1 x 10(6) of C6 glioma cells were labeled with 0 microg/ml, 25 microg/ml, 50 microg/ml USPIO and inoculated into the right frontal lobe of 2 rats under stereotaxis apparatus respectively (total 6 rats), Same MRI parameters were used just as above.

[Biomechanical study on the composite of allogenic decalcified bone matrix gelatin and bone cement].

Objective: To evaluate the biomechanical properties and structural characteristics of various composites of partially decalcified allogenic bone matrix gelatin and bone cement at different ratios.

Methods: According to Urist method, partially decalcified allogenic bone matrix gelatin was prepared and mixed with bone cement at different ratios of 0, 400, 500, and 600 mg/g. Then the comparisons of these composites were performed in microstructure, ultimate compression strength and ultimate bending strength properties.