Characterization of Cell Subsets Associated With Prognosis of Osteosarcoma Based on Single-Cell Sequencing Data / 中国医学科学院学报

Objective To explore the cell subsets and characteristics related to the prognosis of osteosarcoma by analyzing the cellular composition of tumor tissue samples from different osteosarcoma patients.Methods The single-cell sequencing data and bulk sequencing data of different osteosarcoma patients were downloaded.We extracted the information of cell samples for dimensionality reduction,annotation,and cell function analysis,so as to identify the cell subsets and clarify the cell characteristics related to the prognosis of osteosarcoma.The development trajectory of macrophages with prognostic significance was analyzed,and the prognostic model of osteosarcoma was established based on the differentially expressed genes of macrophage differentiation.Results The cellular composition presented heterogeneity in the patients with osteosarcoma.The infiltration of mononuclear phagocytes in osteosarcoma had prognostic significance(P=0.003).Four macrophage subsets were associated with prognosis,and their signature transcription factors included RUNX3(+),ETS1(+),HOXD11(+),ZNF281(+),and PRRX1(+).Prog_Macro2 and Prog_Macro4 were located at the end of the developmental trajectory,and the prognostic ability of macrophage subsets increased with the progression of osteosarcoma.The prognostic model established based on the differentially expressed genes involved in macrophage differentiation can distinguish the survival rate of osteosarcoma patients with different risks(P<0.001).Conclusion Macrophage subsets are closely related to the prognosis of osteosarcoma and can be used as the key target cells for the immunotherapy of osteosarcoma.

Effect of quercetin on chondrocyte phenotype and extracellular matrix expression / 中国天然药物

Due to the poor repair ability of cartilage tissue, regenerative medicine still faces great challenges in the repair of large articular cartilage defects. Quercetin is widely applied as a traditional Chinese medicine in tissue regeneration including liver, bone and skin tissues. However, the evidence for its effects and internal mechanisms for cartilage regeneration are limited. In the present study, the effects of quercetin on chondrocyte function were systematically evaluated by CCK8 assay, PCR assay, cartilaginous matrix staining assays, immunofluorescence assay, and western blotting. The results showed that quercetin significantly up-regulated the expression of chondrogenesis genes and stimulated the secretion of GAG (glycosaminoglycan) through activating the ERK, P38 and AKT signalling pathways in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, in vivo experiments revealed that quercetin-loaded silk protein scaffolds dramatically stimulated the formation of new cartilage-like tissue with higher histological scores in rat femoral cartilage defects. These data suggest that quercetin can effectively stimulate chondrogenesis in vitro and in vivo, demonstrating the potential application of quercetin in the regeneration of cartilage defects.

Advances on anti-tumor mechanisms of zerumbone / 中国中药杂志

Zerumbone(ZER), one of humulane-type sesquiterpenoids, showed its unique advantage against tumor activities. The main underlying mechanisms include inhibiting the growth and proliferation of cancer cells, inducing apoptosis of cancer cells and differentiation of cancer cells, regulating immune function, inhibiting invasion and metastasis of cancer cells, and reversing multidrug resistance of cancer cells. Studies on ZER focusing its cytotoxic or anti-tumor is one of hot topic. Currently, with the increasing studies on ZER, the clarified mechanisms are getting rich. The present paper describes a summary of its anti-tumor mechanism of action and helps to provide significant reference to more in-depth research.

Advances in research on related mechanisms of immune-targeted therapy on osteosarcoma / 中国免疫学杂志

Osteosarcoma, originated from mesenchymal tissue, is one of the highest incidence of primary malignant bone tumors which were characteristic double peak distribution both in adolescents and elderly. Immune-targeted therapy could block the tumor cell signaling pathway and promote cancer cell death by apoptosis. Immune-targeted therapy is an effective treatment of anti-osteosarcoma after surgery and chemotherapy in recent years. The paper reviews the advances in latest research on the related mechanisms of the immune-targeted therapy on osteosarcoma, and hope to provide a theoretical basis for clinical treatment.

Determination of Volatile Sulfur Compounds in Seawater and Atmosphere / 分析化学

Volatile sulfur compounds ( VSCs) in the marine environment has significant implications for global climate change. In the present study, a gas chromatographic analytical method was set up to determine the concentrations of VSCs in seawater and atmosphere, and the optimized experimental conditions were established. For the analysis of VSCs in atmosphere, multistage traps and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry ( GC-MS ) were used, with the precisions of 7. 7% -15. 1% and the detection limits of 0. 23-4. 7 ng. Moreover, for the analyses of VSCs in seawater, pre-concentration and gas chromatography coupled with flame photometric detector ( GC-FPD) were utilized, with the precisions of 3. 5%-5. 3% and the detection limits of 2. 5-3. 5 ng. This method was applied to analyze the VSCs in Qingdao coastal seawater and atmosphere, and the average concentrations of carbonyl sulfide, dimethyl sulfide and carbon disulfide in the seawater were (268 ± 58 ) , ( 1264 ± 278 ) , ( 19 ± 2 ) pmol/L, and ( 543 ± 39 ) , ( 29 ± 9 ) , ( 56 ± 20 ) ( ×10-12 , V/V) in the atmosphere, respectively.

Determination of Volatile Sulfur Compounds in Seawater and Atmosphere / 分析化学

Volatile sulfur compounds ( VSCs) in the marine environment has significant implications for global climate change. In the present study, a gas chromatographic analytical method was set up to determine the concentrations of VSCs in seawater and atmosphere, and the optimized experimental conditions were established. For the analysis of VSCs in atmosphere, multistage traps and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry ( GC-MS ) were used, with the precisions of 7. 7% -15. 1% and the detection limits of 0. 23-4. 7 ng. Moreover, for the analyses of VSCs in seawater, pre-concentration and gas chromatography coupled with flame photometric detector ( GC-FPD) were utilized, with the precisions of 3. 5%-5. 3% and the detection limits of 2. 5-3. 5 ng. This method was applied to analyze the VSCs in Qingdao coastal seawater and atmosphere, and the average concentrations of carbonyl sulfide, dimethyl sulfide and carbon disulfide in the seawater were (268 ± 58 ) , ( 1264 ± 278 ) , ( 19 ± 2 ) pmol/L, and ( 543 ± 39 ) , ( 29 ± 9 ) , ( 56 ± 20 ) ( ×10-12 , V/V) in the atmosphere, respectively.

Effects of Shibao Powder on promoting the expression of b-FGF and TGF-beta 1, in the repair of soft tissue injuries / 中国骨伤

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the effects of Shibao Powder on the expression of b-FGF and TGF-beta 1 in granulation tissues of rabbit models with soft tissue injuries, so as to explore mechanism of external Chinese drugs for repairing of soft tissues in molecular levels.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The rabbit models were established by classical method of full-thickness skin wounds. After 8% sodium sulfide was used and routine disinfection completed, intra-peritoneal anaesthesia was adopted. The skin was cut to expose gastrocnemius muscle, and imcomplete sharp dissection was made near the tendon insertion. The length of the incision was 0.8 cm and the width was 0.4 cm. The rabbits in the experimental group were treated with spread of Shibao Powder at the wound; the rabbits in clean group were treated with routine dressing changes and disinfection; and the rabbits in the control group were treated with dressing changes only. The granulation tissues in different stages were collected and observed with high power microscope. The expression of Transforming Growth Factor-beta 1 (TGF-beta 1) protein and b-FGF protein in wound tissues were detected using StreptA-ridin-Biotin-Complex (SABC) method.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The results showed that the expression of b-FGF protein had significant differences among 3 groups at the 6th day after trauma (P<0.05). The TGF-beta 1 protein expression also had significant differences among 3 groups at the 10th and 14th days after trauma (P<0.05). At the same time, the growth states of granulation tissues had difference among 3 groups at the same trauma stage, and within the same group among different trauma stages.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>This experimental study shows that Shibao Powder is effective to promote the repair of soft tissues after trauma by stimulating production of endogenous growth factor from cells in wound.</p>

Sequence analysis of Orientia tsutsugamushi DNA from mites collected in the Xisa archipelago, China.

The genotype of Orientia tsutsugamushi DNA from mites in the Xisa archipelago of China were identified. A natural focus of tsutsugamushi disease in the archipelago was found. The DNA sequence that codes for the 56 kDa protein of O. tsutsugamushi was amplified by nested polymerase chain reaction (N-PCR). The purified positive products were cloned into a pGEM-T vector and sequenced. The DNA sequence was compared with various sequences on the internet for sequence homology. A 507 bp DNA fragment encoding the 56 kDa protein was amplified from the samples. The sequence homology was 85% (Karp strain), 68% (Gilliam strain), 65% (Kato strain), and 67% (Yonchon strain). Orientia tsutsugamushi is carried by the mites of the Xisa archipelago; the main genotype is the Karp strain.