LIM domain only 1: an oncogenic transcription cofactor contributing to the tumorigenesis of multiple cancer types / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

The LIM domain only 1 (LMO1) gene belongs to the LMO family of genes that encodes a group of transcriptional cofactors. This group of transcriptional cofactors regulates gene transcription by acting as a key "connector" or "scaffold" in transcription complexes. All LMOs, including LMO1, are important players in the process of tumorigenesis. Unique biological features of LMO1 distinct from other LMO members, such as its tissue-specific expression patterns, interacting proteins, and transcriptional targets, have been increasingly recognized. Studies indicated that LMO1 plays a critical oncogenic role in various types of cancers, including T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia, neuroblastoma, gastric cancer, lung cancer, and prostate cancer. The molecular mechanisms underlying such functions of LMO1 have also been investigated, but they are currently far from being fully elucidated. Here, we focus on reviewing the current findings on the role of LMO1 in tumorigenesis, the mechanisms of its oncogenic action, and the mechanisms that drive its aberrant activation in cancers. We also briefly review its roles in the development process and non-cancer diseases. Finally, we discuss the remaining questions and future investigations required for promoting the translation of laboratory findings to clinical applications, including cancer diagnosis and treatment.

Taurochenodeoxycholic acid mediates cAMP-PKA-CREB signaling pathway / 中国天然药物

Taurochenodeoxycholic acid (TCDCA) is one of the main effective components of bile acid, playing critical roles in apoptosis and immune responses through the TGR5 receptor. In this study, we reveal the interaction between TCDCA and TGR5 receptor in TGR5-knockdown H1299 cells and the regulation of inflammation via the cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP)-protein kinase A (PKA)-cAMP response element binding (CREB) signal pathway in NR8383 macrophages. In TGR5-knockdown H1299 cells, TCDCA significantly activated cAMP level via TGR5 receptor, indicating TCDCA can bind to TGR5; in NR8383 macrophages TCDCA increased cAMP content compared to treatment with the adenylate cyclase (AC) inhibitor SQ22536. Moreover, activated cAMP can significantly enhance gene expression and protein levels of its downstream proteins PKA and CREB compared with groups of inhibitors. Additionally, TCDCA decreased tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), IL-6, IL-8 and IL-12 through nuclear factor kappa light chain enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB) activity. PKA and CREB are primary regulators of anti-inflammatory and immune response. Our results thus demonstrate TCDCA plays an essential anti-inflammatory role via the signaling pathway of cAMP-PKA-CREB induced by TGR5 receptor.

Research progress of signaling transduction pathway mediated by tgr5 / 中国药理学通报

GPCBAR1, also known as TGR5 receptor, is one member of the GPCRs family. TGR5, a pattern recognition receptor located on cell membrane, is widely expressed in human beings and animals, playing numerous significant roles in anti-inflammation and immune regulation, energy metabolism, glucose metabolism and anti-cancer. Many signaling pathways are induced by TGR5 upon activated. AKT, NF-kB, ERK, STAT3, cAMP signaling pathways, methods and results of TGR5-mediated signaling pathways and t(ie development of new drugs via TGR5-mediated signaling pathways were reviewed in this paper.

In vitro degradation rate of concentrated growth factors in simulated body fluid and simulated saliva fluid / 中国组织工程研究

BACKGROUND: Bioabsorbable biomaterials are of crucial importance in tissue engineering applications, and various factors affect their degradation. OBJECTIVE: To compare the degradation characteristics of concentrated growth factor (CGF) clot and CGF membrane in simulated body fluid (SBF) and simulated saliva fluid (SSF). METHODS: Fifteen volunteers were selected, and human blood samples were collected for the preparation of CGF clot or CGF membrane. All specimens from each subject were averagely divided into four groups: group A, CGF clot in SBF; group B, CGF clot in SSF; group C, CGF membrane in SBF; group D, CGF membrane in SSF. The specimens were subjected to the immersion test. The average daily rate of degradation of each group was calculated after the samples were thoroughly degraded, and weight loss ratio per unit time was also determined. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) The mean degradation time in groups A-D were (14.0±0.7), (9.7±0.9), (9.9±1.2) and (7.2±0.7) days, respectively. (2) By comparing CGF membrane with CGF clot in the same simulated fluid, the average daily degradation rate of CGF clot (groups A, B) was statistically significantly lower than counterparts of CGF membrane (groups C, D) (P < 0.05). By comparison between SBF and SSF, the average daily degradation rate in the SBF (groups A, B) was significantly lower than counterparts in the SSF (groups C, D) (P <0.05). Overall, the degradation rate of CGF membrane is higher than that of CGF clot under the same degradation environment; for CGF membrane or CGF clot, the degradation rate in SSF is higher than that in SBF.

A retrospective study on mandibular coracoid fractures / 华西口腔医学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#This study aimed to analyze the treatment for mandibular coracoid fractures retrospectively.@*METHODS@#A retrospective study on 37 patients with mandibular coracoid fractures treated at Department of Traumatic and Plastic Surgery, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University from January 2010 to December 2015 was conducted. Eleven patients were treated conservatively, and 26 patients underwent surgical restoration and internal fixation. Mouth opening and pain degree were used as indicators to analyze treatment results.@*RESULTS@#The 37 cases of coracoid fractures accounted for 3.18% of the total mandibular fractures. The average age of patients was 38.05 years. Satisfactory results were obtained in both treatments. A considerable change in the degree of mouth opening before and after 6 months was found in the two groups. The pain degree before treatment and 1 day after operation, 1 day and 4 weeks after operation, and 4 weeks and 6 months after operation indicated that the two groups did not significantly differ. However, substantial changes between the two groups were found before treatment and 6 months after operation.@*CONCLUSIONS@#Conservative treatment is recommended for patients with linear, temporalis muscle-located, and non-displaced coracoid fractures. Surgical treatment is recommended for patients with large fractures and those with accompanying zygomatic arch and mandible fractures.

Invasive intracranial aspergillosis spread by the pterygopalatine fossa in an immunocompetent patient

Aspergillosis of the central nervous system (CNS) is an uncommon infection, mainly found in immunocompromised patients but rarely seen among immunocompetent patients. Herein we describe a 57 year-old immunocompetent man who suffered intracranial aspergillosis spread by the pterygopalatine fossa (PPF) following a tooth extraction. Based on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) characteristics, in this report we focus on the spreading routes of CNS aspergillosis via communicative structures of the PPF, the relationship between clinical manifestations and the locations of the lesion, and propose a therapeutic strategy to improve the prognosis.

Surgical management of traumatic intracranial pseudoaneurysms: A report of 12 cases.

Aims: To investigate the characteristics and surgical treatment of traumatic intracranial pseudoaneurysms. Materials and Methods: Twelve patients with traumatic intracranial pseudoaneurysms were operated on in our hospital between 2000 and 2006. Their clinical characteristics, radiological features and surgical techniques were analyzed retrospectively. Four traumatic cavernous segment pseudoaneurysms underwent trapping of the internal carotid artery and others underwent "neck reinforcement and clipping" or "crevasse clipping". Results: Nine patients were excellent or good and two patients were poor when they discharged. One patient died of postoperative cerebral infarction. Nine patients underwent follow-up (three months to seven years) and rebleeding was not seen in them. Conclusions: The surgical treatment of traumatic intracranial pseudoaneurysms is risky and difficult and individualized surgical option is necessary. Understanding the compensation of intracranial blood circulation, preoperative "Matas test" if it is necessary, perioperative hemodynamics testing and the application of revascularization techniques, will help reduce surgical risk and achieve a good surgical outcome.

A study on repairing mandibular defect by means of tissue-engineering and human bone morphogenetic protein-2 gene transfection in osteoporotic rats / 中华口腔医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the feasibility of repairing bone defect with methods of tissue-engineering and human bone morphogenetic protein-2 (hBMP-2) gene transfection in osteoporotic rats.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Twenty-four 6-month-old female Sprague-Dawley rats underwent ovariectomy, while 8 rats received sham-operations. Three months later, bone mesenchymal stem cells (BMSC) harvested from osteoporotic rats were divided into two groups randomly. Experimental group were transfected by recombinant plasmid carrying hBMP-2 gene, and control group left untreated. All BMSC were seeded into coralhydroxyapatite scaffolds. Then the cell/scaffold constructs were implanted into the defect site created in the ramus of mandible of osteoporotic rats respectively.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Positive results were confirmed by immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization in experimental group. New bone formation was found at the margin of the defect treated with the BMSC modified by hBMP-2 gene transfer at 4 weeks after implantation and appeared mature 8 weeks after the treatment. However, the amount of newly formed bone was much less and there was some adipose tissue at defect margins 8 weeks after implantation in control group.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The results of this experiment indicate that BMSC-mediated rhBMP-2 gene therapy in conjunction with bone tissue engineering may allow for successful treatment of large bone defects in osteoporosis rats.</p>

Continuous ethanol fermentation using self-flocculating yeast strain and bioreactor system composed of multi-stage tanks in series / 生物工程学报

A continuous ethanol fermentation system composed of four-stage tank fermentors in series and with a total working volume of 4000 mL was established. The first fermentor was designated as the seed fermentor and the others for ethanol fermentation. A self-flocculating yeast strain developed by protoplast fusion of Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Schizosaccharomyces pombe was applied. Two-stage corn powder enzymatic hydrolyzate containing reducing sugar 100 g/L, together with 2.0 g/L (NH4)2HPO4 and KH2PO4, was used as yeast seed culture medium and fed into the seed fermentor at the dilution rate of 0.017h (-1). Meanwhile, the hydrolyzate containing reducing sugar 220 g/L, added with 1.5 g/L (NH4)2HPO4 and 2.5 g/L KH2PO4, was used as ethanol fermentation substrate and fed into the second fermentor at the dilution rates of 0.017, 0.025, 0.033, 0.040 and 0.050 h(-1) (based on the total working volume of the three fermentors), respectively. The chemostat states on which all of the monitoring parameters, including residual sugar, ethanol and yeast cell biomass concentrations, were maintained relatively constant were observed for seed cultivation and ethanol fermentations when the fermentation system was operated at the dilution rates of 0.017, 0.025, 0.033 and 0.050 h(-1). Yeast cells were observed being partly immobilized because significant yeast cell biomass concentration differences between the broth out of and inside the fermentors were detected. Moreover, the oscillations of residual sugar, ethanol and yeast cell biomass concentrations were observed when the fermentation system was operated at the dilution rate of 0.040 h(-1). The broth containing more than 12% (V/V) ethanol and less than 0.11% (W/V) residual reducing sugar and 0.35% (W/V) residual total sugar was produced when the dilution rate was controlled at no more than 0.033 h(-1). The ethanol productivity was calculated to be 3.32(g x L(-1) x h(-1)) for the dilution rate of 0.033 h(-1), which increased nearly 100% compared with that for conventional ethanol fermentation technologies using freely suspended yeast cells.

Cultivation and induced differentiation of bone marrow stromal cells of SD rats with type I osteoporosis in vitro / 华西口腔医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the biological features and osteoblast/adipocyte phenotypes of bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) of Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats with Type I osteoporosis by induced culture.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Six-month-old SD rats were used in this study. 16 female rats were randomly divided into two groups. Eight rats were ovariectomied as experimental group to establish the modle of Type I osteoporosis, while other rats received sham-operation. Three month later BMSCs of 16 rats were isolated by discontinueous gradient centrifugation and then plated in alpha-MEM medium as primary culture. Secondary harvested cells were cultured for 14 days in alpha-MEM medium supplemented with dexamethasone, ascorbic acid, vitamin D3, beta-glycerophosphate or dexamethasone, 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine, insuline, and indomethine. The cells were screened by inverted microscope each day and cell growth was studied with cell counting. The osteoblast and adipocyte phenotypes were verified by cytochemistry staining, counted the percentage of positive stained cells.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The weight and bone mineral density of rats were statistically different between experimental group and control group. Gomori and Von Kossa's staining demonstrated positive osteoblast phenotypes of alkaline phosphatase and mineralized nods by osteogenic inducer, while Oil Red O staining identified BMSCs treated with adipogenic medium resulted in adipocyte formation and there was no significant difference in the percentage of positive stained cells between two groups.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The model of Type I osteoporosis has been established successfully. BMSCs from SD rats with osteoporosis maintain their differentiation potential.</p>

A study on myogenic differentiation of human adipose tissue-derived stromal cells / 华西口腔医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To isolate human adipose tissue-derived stromal cells and study the potential of osteogenic differentiation after inductive culture.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Liposuction human adipose tissues were minced and digested with collagenase type I. The obtained stromal cells were plated in BGJb medium as primary culture for ten days. The second passage cells were harvested and plated in DMEM/F12 medium supplemented with 10% FBS, 5% horse serum and 50 micromol/L hydrocortisone for myogenic induction culture. The cell-anchored slips were removed and fixed in 4% formaldehydam polymerisatum. Toluidine blue, Mallory's phosphotungstic hematoxylin staining and monoclonal antibody to human skeletal muscle myosin heavy chain immunocytochemical methods were used to assay the differentiation of cells.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>It was observed that the size and shape of induced cells were much different from those of non-induced cells. Toluidine blue, Mallory's phosphotungstic hematoxylin staining demonstrated there were many basophilic striations within cytoplasm and multinucleated myotubes were formed. Immunocytochemical stain indicated that characterastic skeletal myosin heavy chain was positive in myogenic induced cells.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>It seems that human adipose tissue represents an abundant reservoir of adult stem cells that have multi-germline potential to differentiate into myoblasts. Adipose tissue derived stromal cells will be another alternative source for cell-based tissue engineering in skeletal muscle reconstruction.</p>