Discovery of serum protein biomarkers in rheumatoid arthritis using MALDI-TOF-MS combined with magnetic beads

The aim of this study was to discover potential biomarkers for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) using Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry combined with magnetic beads. Proteomic fingerprint technology combining magnetic beads with MALDI-TOF-MS was used to profile and compare the proteomes in serum samples from 60 patients with RA, 35 patients with osteoarthritis and 36 healthy controls. The proteomic pattern associated with RA was identified by Biomarker Patterns Software. Model of biomarkers was constructed and evaluated through the Biomarker Patterns Software. A total of 33 discriminative peaks were identified to be related with RA, in which the 5 peaks with the mass-charge ratio (m/z) peaks at 15,715.5, 7,771.4, 8,959.4, 8,469.8 and 8,710.8 Da were used to construct a model for the diagnosis of RA by pattern recognition software. The blind testing data indicated a sensitivity of 86.7% and a specificity of 90.0% in RA diagnosis. These results demonstrated that potential protein biomarkers for RA could be discovered in serum by MALDI-TOF-MS combined with WCX magnetic beads. The diagnosis mode tree based on the five candidate biomarkers could provide a powerful and reliable diagnostic method for RA with high sensitivity and specificity.

Quantitative evaluation of common polymorphism (rs1801282) in the PPARγ2 gene and hypertension susceptibility

The peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ2 (PPARγ2) gene has been implicated in the etiology of hypertension. However, the results have been inconsistent. In this study, a meta-analysis was performed to assess the association of PPARγ2 rs1801282 polymorphism with hypertension risk. Published literature from PubMed, Embase databases, CNKI and Wanfang Data were retrieved. Pooled odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) was calculated using fixed- or random-effects model. Eight studies (1865 cases and 1416 controls) for rs1801282 polymorphism were identified. The results suggested that rs1801282 polymorphism Ala allele might be protective for hypertension among East Asians (Ala/Ala+Pro/Ala vs. Pro/Pro: OR=0.63, 95%CI 0.46-0.86) but not among Caucasians (Ala/Ala+Pro/Ala vs. Pro/Pro: OR=0.72, 95%CI 0.38-1.38). The results indicated the significant association of PPARγ2 rs1801282 polymorphism with hypertension susceptibility among East Asians.

Discrimination analysis of mass spectrometry proteomics for cervical cancer detection

To study the serum protein fingerprint of patients with cervical cancer and to screen for protein molecules closely related to cervical cancer during the onset and progression of the disease using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS). Serum samples from 85 patients with cervical cancer and 80 healthy volunteers. Weak cation exchange (WCX) magnetic beads and PBSII-C protein chips reader (Ciphergen Biosystems Ins.) were used.The protein fingerprint expression of all the serum samples and the resulting profiles between cancer and normal were analyzed with Biomarker Wizard system. A group of proteomic peaks were detected. Three differently expressed potential biomarkers were identified with the relative molecular weights of 3974 Da, 4175 Da, 5906 Da. This diagnostic model can distinguish cervical cancer from healthy controls with a sensitivity of 93.3% and a specificity of 95%. Blind test data indicated a sensitivity of 87.5% and a specificity of 90%. MALDI technology can be used to screen significant proteins of differential expression in the serum of cervical cancer patients. These different proteins could be specific biomarkers of the patients with cervical cancer in the serum and have the potential value of further investigation.

SELDI-TOF MS combined with magnetic beads for detecting serum protein biomarkers and establishment of a boosting decision tree model for diagnosis of pancreatic cancer

AIM

New technologies for the early detection of pancreatic cancer (PC) are urgently needed. The aim of the present study was to screen for the potential protein biomarkers in serum using proteomic fingerprint technology.

METHODS

Magnetic beads combined with surface-enhanced laser desorption/ionization (SELDI) TOF MS were used to profile and compare the protein spectra of serum samples from 85 patients with pancreatic cancer, 50 patients with acute-on-chronic pancreatitis and 98 healthy blood donors. Proteomic patterns associated with pancreatic cancer were identified with Biomarker Patterns Software.

RESULTS

A total of 37 differential m/z peaks were identified that were related to PC (P<0.01). A tree model of biomarkers was constructed with the software based on the three biomarkers (7762 Da, 8560 Da, 11654 Da), this showing excellent separation between pancreatic cancer and non-cancer., with a sensitivity of 93.3% and a specificity of 95.6%. Blind test data showed a sensitivity of 88% and a specificity of 91.4%.

CONCLUSIONS

The results suggested that serum biomarkers for pancreatic cancer can be detected using SELDI-TOF-MS combined with magnetic beads. Application of combined biomarkers may provide a powerful and reliable diagnostic method for pancreatic cancer with a high sensitivity and specificity.

Roles of virulence genes (PsaA and CpsA) on the invasion of Streptococcus pneumoniae into blood system

BACKGROUND

Streptococcus pneumoniae (SP) is the major cause of childhood mortality worldwide, we need to understand virulence genes of SP so can better target the treatment.We investigated the expression of virulence genes PsaA and CpsA in different strains of SP interacting with monocyte cell line (THP-1) or pneumocyte cell line (A549) and the possible mechanism of SP invasion of the blood system.

METHODS

A total of 23 strains of SP were collected from hospitalized patients (blood-derived and sputum-derived) in the Second Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical College. The strains and ATCC 49619 were cultured, and RNAs were extracted. THP-1 and A549 cells were stimulated by different SP and ATCC 49619 for 4 h and 8 h, respectively. Quantitative real-time PCR was used to analyze the mRNA expression of PsaA and CpsA. The data were analyzed by SPSS 17.0.

RESULTS

The mRNA level of PsaA and CpsA were all significantly increased in clinical SP strains when compared to ATCC49619 after tedTHP-1 and A549 cells were stimulated. Clinical SPs showed higher virulence compared with ATCC49619.

CONCLUSIONS

The expression of CpsA is the basis of the pathogenicity of SP. The expression of virulence gene PsaA may be helpful to the invasion of SP to the blood system.

The interaction between smoking and GSTM1 variant on lung cancer in the Chinese population

Smoking and the deletion of GSTM1 variant are two risk factors of lung cancer. This meta-analysis was performed to examine the GSTM1-smoking interaction on lung cancer in the Chinese population. PubMed, Web of Science, and other Chinese databases were searched to include all the related studies. The number of subjects with two GSTM1 genotypes across different smoking status was extracted. The pooled odds ratios (ORs) with 95 % confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using fixed- or random-effect model. A total of 4,345 cases and 5,031 controls from 30 studies were included in the meta-analysis. Compared with nonsmokers having power GSTM1, the pooled ORs with 95 % CIs for lung cancer in smokers with power GSTM1, in nonsmokers with null GSTM1, and in smokers with null GSTM1 were 2.24 (1.82-2.76), 1.48 (1.23-1.79), and 4.18 (3.38-5.16), respectively. This meta-analysis showed that there was an interaction between the GSTM1 and smoking on the risk of lung cancer in the Chinese. Further studies are needed to examine the interactions between other environmental factors and GSTM1 on the risk of lung cancer.

Pituitary adenoma biomarkers identified using proteomic fingerprint technology

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether pituitary adenomas can be diagnosed by identifying protein biomarkers in the serum.

METHODS

We compared serum proteins from 65 pituitary adenoma patients and 90 healthy donors using proteomic fingerprint technology combining magnetic beads with matrix assisted laser desorption ionization time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS).

RESULTS

A total of 42 M/Z peaks were identified as related to pituitary adenoma (P<0.01). A diagnostic model established based on three biomarkers (3382.0, 4601.9, 9191.2) showed that the sensitivity of diagnosing pituitary adenoma was 90.0% and the specificity was 88.3%. The model was further tested by blind analysis showing that the sensitivity was 88.0% and the specificity was 83.3%.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that proteomic fingerprint technology can be used to identify pituitary adenoma biomarkers and the model based on three biomarkers (3382.0, 4601.9, 9191.2) provides a powerful and reliable method for diagnosing pituitary adenoma.

The -344C/T polymorphism in the CYP11B2 gene is associated with essential hypertension in the Chinese

BACKGROUND

It has been suggested that the -344C/T polymorphism in the CYP11B2 gene is involved in the development of hypertension. However, the results have been inconsistent. In this study, a meta-analysis was performed to clarify the association of -344C/T polymorphism in the CYP11B2 gene with hypertension risk in the Chinese population.

METHODS

Published literature from PubMed, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) and Wan Fang data were retrieved. Pooled odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using a fixed or random effects model.

RESULTS

A total of 29 studies (8482 cases/8560 controls) were included in the final meta-analysis. Overall, there was a significant association between -344T/C polymorphism in the CYP11B2 gene and hypertension in the Chinese (heterogeneous co-dominant model: OR=1.10, 95% CI=1.03-1.17, I (2)=12.7%, p for heterogeneity=0.271; dominant model: OR=1.11, 95% CI=1.02-1.20, I (2)=32.1%, p for heterogeneity=0.051; allelic model: OR=1.08, 95% CI 1.01-1.16, p for heterogeneity=0.006). In the stratified analysis, the effect size was significant only in the Han Chinese (heterogeneous co-dominant model: OR=1.11, 95% CI=1.03-1.20, I (2)=0.0%, p for heterogeneity=0.745; dominant model: OR=1.11, 95% CI=1.02-1.21, I (2)=18.1%, p for heterogeneity=0.299; allelic model: OR=1.09, 95% CI 1.00-1.18, p=0.028), but not in the minority Chinese.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study suggested that the -344T/C polymorphism in the CYP11B2 gene was significantly associated with hypertension in the Chinese population, especially in the Han Chinese.

Glutathione S-transferase P1 Ile105Val polymorphism and oral cancer risk: a meta-analysis

Objective The glutathione S-transferase P1 (GSTP1) gene has been suggested to play an important role in the pathogenesis of oral cancer. However, the results have been inconsistent. In this study, we performed a meta-analysis to clarify the association of GSTP1 Ile105Val polymorphisms with oral cancer risk. Methods Published literature from PubMed and EMBASE were retrieved. Pooled odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) was calculated using fixed- or random-effects model. Results 13 studies (1803 oral cancer cases and 2998 controls) for GSTP1 Ile105Val polymorphism were included in the meta-analysis. The results indicated that there was no significant association between GSTP1 Ile105Val polymorphism and oral cancer in the overall population (OR=1.30, 95%CI=0.92-1.38, I(2)=48.0%, p for heterogeneity=0.027). Further subgroup analysis by ethnicity suggested that GSTP1 Ile105Val polymorphism was significantly associated with oral cancer only in East Asians (OR=1.64, 95%CI=1.16-2.31, I(2)=0.0%, p for heterogeneity=0.525), but not in Caucasians (OR=1.16, 95%CI=0.73-1.82, I(2)=7.5%, p for heterogeneity=0.299), Africans (OR=1.10, 95%CI=0.37-3.28), South Asians (OR=1.20, 95%CI=0.69-2.08, I(2)=74.3%, p for heterogeneity=0.021) and mixed population (OR=0.91, 95%CI=0.70-1.20, I(2)=39.7%, p for heterogeneity=0.174). Conclusions The present meta-analysis has limited evidence to support the association of GSTP1 Ile105Val polymorphism with HCC risk in the overall population. However, GSTP1 Ile105Val polymorphism might be associated with risk of oral cancer in East Asians.

5-aza-CdR induces the demethylation of Syk promoter in nasopharyngeal carcinoma cell

The present study employed 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine (5-aza-CdR) to treat nasopharyngeal carcinoma cell line CNE-1, CNE-2 and non-cancerous human nasopharyngeal epithelial cell line NP-69 to understand the effects on spleen tyrosine kinase (Syk) gene promoter methylation. The results showed that the methylation level of Syk gene is negatively associated with the differentiation level of the cell lines, and the 5-aza-CdR treatment decreased the methylation level in nasopharyngeal carcinoma cell lines. Additionally, the drug sensitivity of low-differentiated cell line was significantly higher than the high-differentiated cell line. In conclusion, the Syk gene promoter methylation reflects the cell differentiation status, and 5-aza-CdR treatment could induce the demethylation of Syk gene promoter.

Anti-tumour effects of polysaccharides isolated from Artemisia annua L by inducing cell apoptosis and immunomodulatory anti-hepatoma effects of polysaccharides

BACKGROUND

It is well known that various polysaccharides present anti-tumour effects by inducing cell apoptosis and immunomodulation. However, it is still unclear about the roles of polysaccharides isolated from Artemisia apiacea (HQG) to hepatoma and its underlying mechanism. The objective of the study was to examine the anti-hepatoma effects of HQG and its related mechanism.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

HQG was prepared in house and the quality and purity were confirmed by infra-red spectrum and gel permeation chromatography (GPC). Tumour-bearing mice induced by injection of mouse hepatoma H22 cells were used to evaluate the tumour growth inhibition by HQG administration. Cell immunostaining, JC1 staining and flow cytometer were performed to examine the cell apoptosis, mitochondrial membrane potential change and immunomodulation in response to HQG treatment.

RESULTS

HQG treatment inhibited hepatoma growth in tumour-bearing mice. Cell apoptosis rate of human hepatoma 7402 cells and of the cells from ascites in tumour-bearing mice was increased after HQG treatment. Mitochondrial membrane potential in human hepatoma 7402 cells was decreased after HQG treatment. CD4+ and CD8+ T-lymphocytes subpopulation was increased while the ratio of CD4+/ CD8+ decreased in tumour-bearing mice after HQG administration. IFN-γ and IL-4 secretion was increased in spleen lymphocytes in tumour-bearing mice after HQG administration.

CONCLUSION

The study concluded that polysaccharides isolated from Artemisia apiacea (HQG) can inhibit hepatoma cell growths by facilitating cell apoptosis and immuno-defence.

XRCC3 T241M polymorphism is associated risk of hepatocellular carcinoma in the Chinese

The X-ray repair cross-complementing group 3 (XRCC3) gene has been suggested to play an important role in the pathogenesis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, the results have been inconsistent. In this study, we performed a meta-analysis to clarify the association of XRCC3 Thr241Met variant with HCC. The published literature from PubMed, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure, and Wan Fang data was retrieved. Pooled odds ratio (OR) with 95 % confidence interval (CI) was calculated using fixed or random effects model. A total of five studies (1,531 HCC cancer cases and 1,952 controls) for XRCC3 Thr241Met variant were included in the meta-analysis. The meta-analysis showed that XRCC3 Thr241Met variant was associated with HCC risk under homogeneous codominant model (OR = 3.99, 95 % CI = 1.74-9.13) and recessive model (OR = 5.22, 95 % CI = 3.65-7.48), but not under heterogeneous codominant model (OR = 1.18, 95 % CI = 0.68-2.05) and dominant model (OR = 1.37, 95 % CI = 0.73-2.57). Subgroup analysis by ethnicity suggested that XRCC3 Thr241Met variant was associated with HCC risk in Chinese population, but not in Pakistani population. The present meta-analysis supported the positive association of XRCC3 Thr241Met variant with HCC in the Chinese. Further large-scale studies with the consideration for gene-gene/gene-environment interactions should be conducted to investigate the association.

AGT M235T variant is not associated with risk of cancer

OBJECTIVE

The angiotensinogen (AGT) gene has been considered to be implicated in the development of cancer. However, the results have been inconsistent. In this study, we performed a meta-analysis to clarify the association of AGT M235T variant with cancer risk.

METHODS

Published literature from PubMed and Embase were retrieved. Pooled odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) was calculated using a fixed- or random-effects model.

RESULTS

A total of seven articles including eight studies (3639 cancer cases and 6684 controls) for AGT M235T variant were included. The present meta-analysis showed that AGT M235T variant was marginally associated with cancer risk under dominant model (OR=1.12, 95% CI=1.02-1.24). However, the positive association was not stable after sensitivity analysis. Further subgroup analysis by cancer type did not suggest any association of AGT M235T variant with various cancers (all p>0.05).

CONCLUSION

The present meta-analysis demonstrated that AGT M235T variant was not associated with risk of all cancer or various cancers. Further well-designed studies with large sample size should be conducted to confirm or refute the non-significant association.

Effect of surface-enhanced laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry on identifying biomarkers of laryngeal carcinoma

The aim is to study the serum protein fingerprint of patients with laryngeal carcinoma (LC) and to screen for protein molecules closely related to LC during the onset and progression of the disease with surface-enhanced laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (SELDI-TOF-MS). Serum samples from 68 patients with LC and 117 non-cancer control samples (75 healthy volunteers and 42 Vocal fold polyps). Q10 protein chips and PBSII-C protein chips reader (Ciphergen Biosystems Inc.) were used. The protein fingerprint expression of all the Serum samples and the resulting profiles between cancer and non-cancer groups were analyzed with Biomarker Wizard system. A group of proteomic peaks were detected. Three differently expressed potential biomarkers were identified with the relative molecular weights of 5,915, 6,440 and 9,190 Da. Among the three peaks, the one with m/z 6,440 was down-regulated, and the other two peaks with m/z 5,915 and 9,190 were up-regulated in LC. This diagnostic model could distinguish LC patients from controls with a sensitivity of 92.1% and a specificity of 91.9%. Moreover, blind test data showed a sensitivity of 86.7% and a specificity of 89.1%. The data suggested that SELDI technology could be used to screen proteins with altered expression levels in the serum of LC patients. These protein peaks were considered as specific serum biomarkers of LC and have the potential value for further investigation.

The promoter methylation of the Syk gene in nasopharyngeal carcinoma cell lines

The aim of this study was to investigate the mRNA and protein expression levels of the Syk gene as well as its promoter methylation in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) cell lines. The CNE-1 (highly differentiated), CNE-2 (poorly differentiated) and NP69 (non-cancerous human immortalized nasopharyngeal epithelial cells) cell lines were used in the present study. The MS-PCR, Q-RT-PCR and western blotting methods were used to examine the Syk gene promoter methylation levels and mRNA and protein expression in the three cell lines. The promoter methylation levels in CNE-1, CNE-2 and NP69 cells were 36%, 62% and 0, respectively. The mRNA levels in CNE-1 and CNE-2 cells were 42±3.5 and 28±2% of that in NP69, respectively; the protein levels in CNE-1 and CNE-2 cells were 36±4.5 and 16±2.5 of that in NP69, respectively; the statistical differences between groups were significant. The lower differentiation levels of the NPC cell lines correlate with lower levels of mRNA and protein expression of the Syk gene, as well as higher promoter methylation levels.

Effects of clinical isolates of Streptococcus pneumoniae on THP-1 human monocytic cells

Twenty‑three clinical Streptococcus pneumoniae (SP) strains were isolated from blood and sputum specimens from the Second Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical College in 2009. These strains and the ATCC 49619 standard strain were cultured and suspended in normal saline (at a turbidity of 1.0 McFarland). The production of interleukin (IL)‑8, intracellular adhesion molecule‑1 (ICAM‑1) and IL‑10 in THP‑1 cells following stimulation with the SP suspension was analyzed by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The concentrations of IL‑8, ICAM‑1 and IL‑10 from the THP‑1 monocytes were greater than those of the blank control following stimulation with the SP suspension. No significant difference was identified in the levels of IL‑8, ICAM‑1 and IL‑10 secretion between THP‑1 monocytes stimulated by blood‑borne SP (bb‑SP) and sputum‑borne SP (sb‑SP).

Diagnosis of gallbladder cancer using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight profiling

Proteomic fingerprint technology combining magnetic beads with matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry was used to profile and compare the serum proteins from 45 patients with gallbladder cancer and 50 healthy blood donors. The proteomic patterns were identified; the tree model of biomarkers was constructed and evaluated using the Biomarker Patterns Software. The model tree was constructed based on the 3 biomarkers (5913 Da, 6181 Da and 13,752 Da), which generated excellent separation between the gallbladder cancer and control groups. The sensitivity was 86.7% and the specificity was 93.3%. The blind test data showed a sensitivity of 80% and a specificity of 90%. Taken together, our studies suggested that biomarkers for gallbladder cancer could be discovered in serum by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry combined with the use of magnetic beads. The pattern of combined markers would provide a powerful and reliable diagnostic method for gallbladder cancer with high sensitivity and specificity.

Diagnostic roles of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio, platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio, C-reactive protein, and cancer antigen 125 for ovarian cancer

OBJECTIVE

To compare the diagnostic value of the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio (MLR), C-reactive protein (CRP) level, and cancer antigen 125 (CA125) level for ovarian cancer (OC).

METHODS

Data of 72 patients with OC, 50 patients with benign ovarian disease, and 46 healthy controls were retrospectively analyzed, and receiver operating characteristic analysis was performed.

RESULTS

The platelet count was higher in patients with a tumor diameter of ≥10 vs. <10 cm. The absolute lymphocyte count was significantly higher in patients with stage I/II OC than in those with multiple and stage III/IV OC. The absolute monocyte count, NLR, MLR, and CA125 were significantly higher in patients with multiple and stage III/IV OC than in those with single and stage I/II OC. The NLR, PLR, MLR, fibrinogen, D-dimer, CRP, and CA125 were useful for distinguishing between the OC and healthy control groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Our analysis showed that the following combinations have practical diagnostic value in OC: NLR + PLR + MLR + CA125, NLR + PLR + MLR + CA125 + CRP, NLR + MLR +PLR + CA125 + CRP + fibrinogen, and NLR + MLR + PLR + CA125 + CRP + fibrinogen + D-dimer.

Clustering of cardio-metabolic risk factors and pre-diabetes among U.S. adolescents

Few studies have assessed the association between clustering of cardio-metabolic risk factors (CMRFs) and pre-diabetes in children or adolescents. We aimed to examine the association between clustering of CMRFs and pre-diabetes among U.S. adolescents. Data were available for 5,633 U.S. adolescents aged 12-19 years from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys 1999-2014. Pre-diabetes was defined as impaired fasting glucose (IFG) (fasting plasma glucose 100-125 mg/dL), impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) (2-h plasma glucose 140-199 mg/dL) or elevated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) (HbA1c 5.7-6.4%). The individual CMRFs considered in the present study were as follows: waist-to-height ratio, blood pressure, triglycerides, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. CMRFs were defined based on the modified National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) criteria or the modified International Diabetes Federation (IDF) criteria. Logistic regression analysis was used to examine the association between clustering of CMRFs and pre-diabetes with adjustment for potential covariates. Among 5633 adolescents, 11.4% had IFG, 4.7% had IGT, 4.5% had elevated HbA1c and 16.1% had pre-diabetes. Compared with adolescents with no CMRFs, the odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for pre-diabetes across the clustering of CMRFs (i.e., 1, 2, 3, and 4) were 1.32 (1.03-1.68), 2.07 (1.55-2.76), 2.52 (1.69-3.76), and 5.41 (3.14-9.32), respectively, based on the modified NCEP criteria. The corresponding ORs with 95% CIs were 1.16 (0.89-1.51), 1.78 (1.35-2.36), 3.07 (1.89-4.98) and 12.20 (3.93-37.89), respectively, based on the modified IDF criteria. The present study suggests that the clustering of CMRFs is associated with increased pre-diabetes among U.S. adolescents. It might be necessary for effective strategies and measures targeting adolescents with clustering of CMRFs, including those with less than 3 risk factors.

Alginic acid sodium hydrogel co-transplantation with Schwann cells for rat spinal cord repair

INTRODUCTION

The aim of the study was investigating the influence of Schwann cells-alginic acid sodium hydrogel co-transplantation on a rat model of spinal cord injury.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly assigned to 4 groups: control, injury, injury with Schwann cell transplantation, and injury with Schwann cells-alginic acid sodium hydrogel co-transplantation. Gelatin sponge blocks containing a Schwann cell suspension were transplanted into the injury site in the Schwann cell group; Schwann cells seeded in alginic acid sodium hydrogel were transplanted into the injury site in the Schwann cells-alginic acid sodium hydrogel group. At 12 h, 1, 3, 7, and 21 days after surgery, animals were assessed on the Basso, Beattie and Bresnahan (BBB) locomotor rating scale and then were sacrificed.

RESULTS

In the injury group, Bcl-2 immunoreactive cells peaked at 3 days after surgery, and the expression level returned to normal level at 14 days. In the co-transplantation group, Bcl-2 immunoreactive cells in the spinal cord-transected segments were significantly increased until 7 days (p < 0.05) and remained at this level for more than 14 days. In the injury group, the number of apoptotic cells was the highest, as compared with the other 3 groups, and peaked at 1 and 7 days following spinal cord injury, and they were mostly distributed in the white matter. The BBB scores were significantly higher in the Schwann cells-alginic acid sodium hydrogel transplantation group than in the simple injury and Schwann cell groups (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Schwann cells-alginic acid sodium hydrogel co-transplantation could inhibit cellular apoptosis and enhance Bcl-2 expression in the spinal cord-transected segments, and thereby promote the recovery of locomotor function after spinal cord injury, although it did not reach full rehabilitation.

[MALDI-TOF-MS combined with WCX technique in diagnosing pituitary adenoma]

OBJECTIVE

Application of matrix assisted laser desorption ionization time of flight mass spectrometry enhancement (MALDI-TOF-MS) combined with WCX nanometer magnetic bead technique, screening of the serum biomarkers in pituitary adenoma, to establish a serum protein fingerprint classification decision tree.

METHODS

Analyse the serum samples of 40 cases of pituitary adenoma and 60 cases of healthy adult and find the different protein peaks, then to establish the diagnosis model and the classification decision tree of pituitary adenomas.

RESULTS

A total of 42 differences in protein peaks were identified in the experimental and control group (P < 0.01). The diagnosis model of pituitary adenomas was established by three protein peaks (3382.0, 4601.9, 9191.2). The model could screen the pituitary adenoma out of the normal population. The sensitivity was 90.00% and the specificity was 88.30%. By the double blind experimental validation, the model could diagnose the pituitary adenoma and the sensitivity was 88%, the specificity was 83.30%.

CONCLUSION

Significantly different protein peaks can be screened out between pituitary adenoma cases and healthy controls using MALDI-TOF-MS combined with WCX technique, and these protein peaks may be used as a pituitary adenoma detection, follow-up indicator.