Epidermal growth factor-like domain 7 promotes endothelial cell migration and angiogenesis by activating ERK signaling pathway / 中华病理学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the effect of epidermal growth factor-like domain 7(EGFL7) on the migration and angiogenesis of endothelial cells.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>EGFL7 overexpression vectors were constructed and transfected into human microvascular endothelial cells. The expression levels of EGFL7-mRNA and EGFL7 protein were examined by real-time RT-PCR and Western blot. Cell migration was analyzed by the wound healing. The capability of cell to form capillary-like tubes in vitro was evaluated on matrigel assay. Protein expression of p-AKT, AKT, p-ERK and ERK in endothelial cells was detected by Western blot upon transfection with EGFL7 overexpression vectors and vehicle control for 0, 10, 30 and 60 min.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Migration and angiogenesis of endothelial cells were notably enhanced by EGFL7 overexpression. ERK pathway was strongly activated by EGFL7, whereas AKT remained constant in endothelial cells. Inhibition of ERK impaired EGFL7 induced ERK activation and endothelial cell migration and angiogenesis.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>EGFL7 effectively promotes migration and angiogenesis through ERK signaling pathway in endothelial cells.</p>

Mechanism of serotonin-promoted synthesis of osteoblast type I collagen / 中华病理学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the mechanism of serotonin-promoted osteoblast differentiation.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Expression levels of collagen I and lysyl oxidase (LOX) in osteoblast were measured by RT-PCR after treated by (50, 100, 200 and 400 ng/L) serotonin. LOX siRNA effect was measured by Western blot, and protein levels of collagen I were determined by ELISA after treated by serotonin. Expression levels of Smad2 and Smad3 in osteoblasts were also measured by RT-PCR after treated by serotonin.Moreover, expression levels of LOX were measured by RT-PCR after Smad3 was knockout.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Serotonin promoted collagen I and LOX expression. The expression level of collagen I was significantly decreased by LOX siRNA. Furthermore, serotonin up-regulated the expression of Smad2 and Smad3 in osteoblasts, and the expression level of LOX was inhibited by Smad3 siRNA.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Serotonin promoted collagen I expression by activating Smads signaling pathway and up-regulating the LOX expression.</p>

Correlation of the muscular strength of ankle joint and the cross-sectional area of achilles tendon with forced training in infantry soldiers / 中国组织工程研究

BACKGROUND: Tendon injury and dysfunction often occurs in military training, but the exactly epidemiological, pathological, physiological, healing and remodeling mechanisms of tendonopathy is still unclear, even the pain due to chronic tendon dysfunction should be further studied.OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of forced training on the muscular strength of ankle joint and the cross-sectional area (CSA) of achilles tendon of infantry soldiers, and look for effective training methods.DESIGN: One-sample contrasting study.SETTING: Fourth Military Medical University of Chinese PLA; InStitute of Military Training-related Medical Sciences, the 150 Hospital of Chinese PLA.PARTICIPANTS: The study was carried out in the Institute of Military Training-related Medical Sciences, the 150 Hospital of Chinese PLA from March to June 2004. Thirty male light infantry recruits and thirty one-year-trained male soldiers were regarded as recruit group and one-year soldier group. The enlisted age ranged from 17 to 18 years. Recruits did not have the history of special training and injury of ankle joints. All of them were able to undertake routinely physical training.METHODS: The recruits participated in routinely physical trainings, such as grenade throwing and 5 km cross-country race, and forced trainings, such as dorsiflexors and plantarflexors on ankle joint, twice a day for each training item for 8 successive weeks. The forced training included calf raise for 50 times and sit-ups for 50 times on 45° arched board.Moreover, one-year soldiers were undertaken routinely physical trainings. Eight weeks later, the isokinetic testing of ankle joint and CSA of achilles tendon were measured before and after trainings.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Comparisons of CSA of achilles tendon and changes of muscular strength of ankle joint between recruits before routine training and after 8-week forced training and one-year soldiers after routine training.RESULTS: All 60 soldiers were involved in the final analysis. Partial correlation was showed between CSA and body weight (r =0.446, P=0.015), and there was no difference in CSA before and after training. The relative peak torque, endurance and torque acceleration energy of plantarflexors, dorsiflexors and evertors were distinctively higher in recruit group and one-year soldier group after training than those in recruit group before training (P ＜ 0.05); however, there was no difference between recruit group and one-year soldier group after training.CONCLUSION: Forced training method can improve physical readiness in a short time. No changes of CSA of achilles tendon after training show that the improvement of ankle muscular strength may be through the rebuilding of its inner-structure rather than through the hypertrophy of the tendon.