[Imaging assessing symptomatic vertebral compression fracture to be treated by vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty in osteoporosis patients]

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the values of radiology, computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in assessing symptomatic osteoporosis vertebral compression fractures in vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty.

METHODS

Retrospective reviews were conducted for 41 osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures patients with preoperative CT (with 3D reconstruction)/MRI (with fat saturation sequence) and preoperative and postoperative radiological imaging data. All patients underwent percutaneous vertebroplasty (PVP) or balloon kyphoplasty (BKP) when conservative treatment failed to offer pain relief.

RESULTS

CT scan showed 52 vertebral fractures while MRI detected a total of 70 lesions of vertebral body, including 44 new fractures, 8 old fractures and 18 bone bruises. Eight old fractures and 2 mild bone bruises were treated conservatively. In conjunctions with MRI, especially fat saturation sequence, 60 therapeutic vertebral bodies were visualized. It was superior to CT. As demonstrated by preoperative and postoperative radiology, vertebral body height improved and Cobb Angle slightly decreased for 60 lesions.

CONCLUSION

For vertebral compression fractures in osteoporosis patients, preoperative CT and MRI examinations have important clinical significance in providing treatment guidance and assessing postoperative outcomes.

Characterization of a novel variant allele, HLA-C*04:03:02, identified in a Chinese Han individual

HLA-C*04:03:02 differs from the closest allele C*04:03:01 at 218T>C in exon 2 and is synonymous.

[Effects of different transfusion on intraoperative blood loss and postoperative drainage volume in posterior lumbar spinal surgery]

OBJECTIVE

To explore the effects of autotransfusion on intraoperative blood loss and postoperative drainage volume in posterior lumbar spinal surgery.

METHODS

From June 2010 to January 2012, a total of 183 patients with lumbar disease were enrolled. There were 74 males and 109 females with an average age of 56.6 (31-81) years. There were lumbar disc herniation (n = 80), lumbar stenosis (n = 69), lumbar spondylolisthesis (n = 32) and discogenic pain (n = 2). And one-level (n = 83) and two-level (n = 100) operations were performed. The treatments were non-transfusion (n = 34), auto-blood (n = 109) and allogeneic blood (n = 20) and both (n = 20).Operative duration, operative level, intraoperative autologous blood transfusion, intraoperative allogeneic blood transfusion, intraoperative blood loss, immediate drainage volume, duration of drainage tube and final drainage volume were recorded.

RESULTS

The mean intraoperative blood loss was (369.4 ± 284.0) ml and (568.8 ± 398.7) ml for two-level operation, there were significant differences between them(t = 3.94, P < 0.001). The final drainage volume was (186.3 ± 135.6) ml for one-level patients and (301.4 ± 286.8) ml for two-level patients, there were significant differences between them (t = 3.56, P < 0.05). The total intraoperative blood loss was (478.3 ± 364.3) ml and total final drainage volume was (249.2 ± 237.4) ml, there were significant differences between them(P < 0.001). There were significant differences in blood loss between autologous blood transfusion for non-transfusion groups (P < 0.001) .However, there was no difference for immediate drainage and final drainage comparing with other blood transfusion methods (P > 0.05) .

CONCLUSION

Using autologous blood transfusion alone during operation has significant difference for inoperative blood loss compared with non-transfusion. Yet there is no effect on immediate or final drainage volume.

Identification of a novel HLA-C*04 allele, HLA-C*04:162

HLA-C*04:162 differs from the closely matching allele C*04:01:01:01 by one nucleotide substitution in exon 4 at position 883 A/G.

Atmospheric organic nitrogen deposition: analysis of nationwide data and a case study in Northeast China

The origin of atmospheric dissolved organic nitrogen (DON) deposition is not very clear at present. Across China, the DON deposition was substantially larger than that of world and Europe, and we found significant positive correlation between contribution of DON and the deposition flux with pristine site data lying in outlier, possibly reflecting the acute air quality problems in China. For a case study in Northeast China, we revealed the deposited DON was mainly derived from intensive agricultural activities rather than the natural sources by analyzing the compiled dataset across China and correlating DON flux with NH4(+)-N and NO3(-)-N. Crop pollens and combustion of fossil fuels for heating probably contributed to summer and autumn DON flux respectively. Overall, in Northeast China, DON deposition could exert important roles in agro-ecosystem nutrient management and carbon sequestration of natural ecosystems; nationally, it was suggested to found rational network for monitoring DON deposition.

S100A9 promotes human lung fibroblast cells activation through receptor for advanced glycation end-product-mediated extracellular-regulated kinase 1/2, mitogen-activated protein-kinase and nuclear factor-κB-dependent pathways

S100A9 belongs to the S100 family of calcium-binding proteins and plays a key role in many inflammatory conditions. Recent studies have found that S100A9 was elevated significantly in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis patients, and might be a biomarker for fibrotic interstitial lung diseases. However, the exact function of S100A9 in pulmonary fibrosis needs further studies. We performed this study to investigate the effect of S100A9 on human embryo lung fibroblast (HLF) proliferation and production of cytokines and collagen, providing new insights into the possible mechanism. S100A9 promoted proliferation of fibroblasts and up-regulated expression of both proinflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, IL-1β and collagen type III. S100A9 also induced HLF cells to produce α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and receptor for advanced glycation end-product (RAGE). In addition, S100A9 caused a significant increase in extracellular-regulated kinase (ERK)1/2 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) phosphorylation, while the status of p38 and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) phosphorylation remained unchanged. Treatment of cells with S100A9 also enhanced nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) activation. RAGE blocking antibody pretreatment inhibited the S100A9-induced cell proliferation, cytokine production and pathway phosphorylation. S100A9-mediated cell activation was suppressed significantly by ERK1/2 MAPK inhibitor and NF-κB inhibitor. In conclusion, S100A9 promoted HLF cell growth and induced cells to secret proinflammatory cytokines and collagen through RAGE signalling and activation of ERK1/2 MAPK and NF-κB pathways.

Association between copy number variations of HLA-DQA1 and ankylosing spondylitis in the Chinese Han population

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a chronic inflammatory disease with complex genetic traits. Multiple sequence variations have been associated with AS, but explained only a proportion of heritability. The studies herein aimed to explore potential associations between genomic copy number variation (CNV) and AS of Han Chinese. Five AS patients were examined with the high-density comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) microarrays in the first screen test for AS associated CNVs. A total of 533 AS patients and 792 unrelated controls were examined in confirmation studies with the AccuCopy assays. A significant association was observed between the CNV of the HLA-DQA1 and AS. Comparing with controls, AS patients showed an aberrant copy number (CN), and significantly increased number of patients had more than 2 copies of the HLA-DQA1. Therefore, CNV of the HLA-DQA1 may play an important role in susceptibility to AS in Han Chinese population.

Intense nanosecond pulsed electric fields promote cancer cell apoptosis through centrosome-dependent pathway involving reduced level of PLK1

BACKGROUND

Intense nanosecond pulsed electric fields (nsPEFs) have been known to promote apoptosis without physically changing membrane structure or damaging morphology of tumor cells. To determine the contribution of centrosome to the progression of apoptosis by nsPEFs, HeLa cells were exposed to high intensity (6 kV/cm) nsPEFs (8-32 ns) in normal culture condition and cell biology and molecular parameters of cells were investigated.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Apoptotic cell death was identified by TUNEL assay after being exposed to the nsPEFs with various pulse durations, while immunofluorescent staining was performed to detect the number and distribution of centrosomes. To clarify whether nsPEFs-induced centrosome over-duplication is the consequence of DNA damage, we used comet assay to detect simultaneous DNA damage. And additionally Western Blot was used to detect PLK1 protein level to explore the correlation between apoptotic cell death and nsPEFs-induced centrosome over-duplication. Correlation between nsPEFs and molecular parameters was statistically analyzed.

RESULTS

NsPEFs induced a clear apoptosis reaching a maximum at 24ns, 24h after exposure (p < 0.05), where DNA fragmentation and over-duplicated centrosomes were observed. This apoptosis may be promoted in a time- and pulse duration-dependent manner. Polo-like kinase (PLK1) protein levels were significantly decreased by such nsPEFs (p < 0.05). Control treatment without the nsPEFs did not cause any damage to the cultured HeLa cells.

CONCLUSIONS

Intense nsPEFs promote cell apoptosis through a centrosome-mediated pathway involving a reduction in the level of PLK1, which may provide new therapeutic targets for human cancer treatment.

Human papillomavirus type 16 infection may be involved in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma carcinogenesis in Chinese Kazakh patients

The aim of this study was to investigate human papillomavirus type 16 (HPV16) prevalence in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) in Xinjiang Kazakh patients and its role in ESCC carcinogenesis. One hundred and fifty cases of ESCC and 150 cases of corresponding normal esophageal mucosa (CNGM) samples were collected from north Xinjiang where the Kazakh ethnic group has lived since ancient times. HPV16 infection in ESCC and CNGM was detected by genotype-specific polymerase chain reaction. HPV16 DNA was detected in 55 of 150 ESCC samples (36.7%) and 24 of 150 corresponding normal esophageal mucosa samples (16%) with significant differences (P < 0.001, odds ratio = 3.039, 95% confidence interval: 1.756-5.260). No statistically significant correlations were found between HPV16 infection and the age or gender of patients, tumor site, tumor cell differentiation, or lymph node metastasis (P > 0.05). HPV16 infection is common in cases of ESCC in the Kazakh ethnic group in Xinjiang and may be involved in ESCC carcinogenesis.

A novel HLA-A allele detected by sequence-based typing: A*11:01:18

HLA-A*11:01:18 shows one nucleotide difference at genomic nt 331 G>A (codon 43 CAG>CAA) in exon 2.

Sox2 targets cyclinE, p27 and survivin to regulate androgen-independent human prostate cancer cell proliferation and apoptosis

OBJECTIVES

Sox2 is a major transcription factor and the transforming growth factor-α (TGF-α)/EGFR autocrine loop is a hallmark of prostate cancer progression. In this study, we have evaluated the effects and potential mechanisms of Sox2 on cell proliferation and apoptosis, and investigated effects of TGF-α on expression of Sox2 on androgen-independent human prostate cancer cells.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Expression of Sox2 has been determined by RT-PCR, western blot analysis and immunocytochemistry, using RNAi and over-expression strategy to study functions of Sox2 in DU145 and PC-3 cells. Changes in level of proliferation, cell cycle and apoptosis profiles were measured by MTT, colony-forming, bromodeoxyuridine incorporation assays, cell cycle and annexin V analysis.

RESULTS

Sox2 was expressed in six human prostate cancer cell lines, and its inhibition reduced cell proliferation and induced apoptosis in DU145 cells. We have shown that knock-down of Sox2 inhibited G(1) to S phase transition concomitantly with down-regulation of cyclin E and up-regulation of p27 proteins. Conversely, over-expression of Sox2 led to the opposite effect in PC-3 cells but its inhibition induced apoptosis by down-regulation of survivin in DU145 cells. We also found that TGF-α up-regulated Sox2 and survivin protein expression via the EGFR/PI3K/AKT pathway.

CONCLUSIONS

Sox2 expression is necessary for cell proliferation and evasion of apoptosis in prostate cancer cells and TGF-α could regulate Sox2 and survivin expression by activating the EGFR/PI3K/AKT pathway.

Cholesterol level influences opioid signaling in cell models and analgesia in mice and humans

Cholesterol regulates the signaling of µ-opioid receptor in cell models, but it has not been demonstrated in mice or humans. Whether cholesterol regulates the signaling by mechanisms other than supporting the entirety of lipid raft microdomains is still unknown. By modulating cholesterol-enriched lipid raft microdomains and/or total cellular cholesterol contents in human embryonic kidney cells stably expressing µ-opioid receptor, we concluded that cholesterol stabilized opioid signaling both by supporting the lipid raft's entirety and by facilitating G protein coupling. Similar phenomena were observed in the primary rat hippocampal neurons. In addition, reducing the brain cholesterol level with simvastatin impaired the analgesic effect of opioids in mice, whereas the opioid analgesic effect was enhanced in mice fed a high-cholesterol diet. Furthermore, when the records of patients were analyzed, an inverse correlation between cholesterol levels and fentanyl doses used for anesthesia was identified, which suggested the mechanisms above could also be applicable to humans. Our results identified the interaction between opioids and cholesterol, which should be considered in clinics as a probable route for drug-drug interaction. Our studies also suggested that a low cholesterol level could lead to clinical issues, such as the observed impairment in opioid functions.

Virologic factors associated with failure to passive-active immunoprophylaxis in infants born to HBsAg-positive mothers

In infants born to hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)-positive mothers, failure after passive-active immunization still occurs. The role of maternal hepatitis B DNA level and other risk factors in this setting remains unclear. This study retrospectively evaluated virologic and other risk factors associated with immunoprophylaxis failure in infants born to HBsAg-positive mothers. Between January 2007 and March 2010, we reviewed the clinical and virologic tests in 869 mother-infant pairs. All infants received the identical passive-active immunization schedule after birth. The failure infants (HBsAg positive at 7-12 months of age) were compared to infants who were HBsAg negative when tested during this time period. Among 869 infants, 27 (3.1%) infants were immunoprophylaxis failures and the other 842 (96.9%) infants remained HBsAg negative. When mothers' pre-delivery HBV DNA levels were stratified to <6, 6-6.99, 7-7.99 and ≥ 8 log(10) copies/mL, the corresponding rates of immunoprophylaxis failure were 0%, 3.2% (3/95), 6.7% (19/282) and 7.6% (5/66), respectively (P < 0.001 for the trend). All failure infants were born to hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)-positive mothers. Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified maternal HBV DNA levels [odds ratio (OR) = 1.88, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.07-3.30] and detectable HBV DNA in the cord blood (OR = 39.67, 95% CI: 14.22-110.64) as independent risk factors for immunoprophylaxis failure. All failure infants were born to HBeAg-positive mothers with HBV DNA levels ≥ 6 log(10) copies/mL. The presence of HBV DNA in cord blood predicted failure to passive-active immunization.

Upregulation of Ras/Raf/ERK1/2 signaling and ERK5 in the brain of autistic subjects

Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by impairments in social interaction, verbal communication and repetitive behaviors. A number of studies have shown that the Ras/Raf/ERK1/2 (extracellular signal-regulated kinase) signaling pathway plays important roles in the genesis of neural progenitors, learning and memory. Ras/Raf/ERK1/2 and ERK5 have also been shown to have death-promoting apoptotic roles in neural cells. Recent studies have shown a possible association between neural cell death and autism. In addition, two recent studies reported that a deletion of a locus on chromosome 16, which included the mitogen-activated protein kinase 3 (MAPK3) gene that encodes ERK1, is associated with autism. Most recently, our laboratory detected that Ras/Raf/ERK1/2 signaling activities were significantly enhanced in the brain of BTBR mice that model autism, as they exhibit many autism-like behaviors. We thus hypothesized that Ras/Raf/ERK1/2 signaling and ERK5 could be abnormally regulated in the brain of autistic subjects. In this study, we show that the expression of Ras protein was significantly elevated in the frontal cortex of autistic subjects. C-Raf phosphorylation was increased in the frontal cortex, while both C-Raf and A-Raf activities were enhanced in the cerebellum of autistic subjects. We also detected that both the protein expression and activities of ERK1/2 were significantly upregulated in the frontal cortex of autistic subjects, but not in the cerebellum. Furthermore, we showed that ERK5 protein expression is upregulated in both frontal cortex and cerebellum of autistic subjects. These results suggest that the upregulation of Ras/Raf/ERK1/2 signaling and ERK5 activities mainly found in the frontal cortex of autistic subjects may be critically involved in the pathogenesis of autism.

Characterization and polymorphic analysis of 4.5 kb genomic full-length HLA-C in the Chinese Han population

This study used long-range polymerase chain reaction to sequence 4.5 or 4.3 kb of genomic DNA covering human leukocyte antigen C (HLA-C) and its flanks in 45 Chinese Han subjects to better characterize variation in the gene in a single population. Sequences of 35 HLA-C alleles were obtained from the population, including major alleles of 13 lineages of HLA-C. Four novel alleles, C*03:04:01:02, C*04:01:01:03, C*08:22, and C*17:01:01:02, were identified, and complete full-length sequences of 18 HLA-C alleles were obtained for the first time. All sequences herein reported also represent extensions through the promoter region and the 3'-untranslated region. Fourteen 5'-nucleotide sequences and 14 3'-nucleotide sequences were detected outside the coding region. In total, 316 single-nucleotide polymorphisms unequally distributed in HLA-C subregions were observed. In addition to exons 2 and 3, nucleotide variability was found to be particularly high in exon 5, which encodes the transmembrane region. The differentiation of the C*07 and C*17 lineages in this region accounts for the high variability. The congruence of phylogeny across most regions of the gene suggests that gene conversion or recombination has not markedly influenced divergence between lineages in the evolution of HLA-C.