Expression of calreticulin and its relationship with autoantibodies and inflammatory cytokines in early rheumatoid arthritis / 天津医药

Objective To investigate the expression of calreticulin and its correlation with autoantibodies and inflammatory cytokines in patients with early rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Methods Serum samples were obtained from 106 patients with early active RA, 95 patients with stable RA, 85 osteoarthritis (OA) and 80 healthy controls (HC). Serum levels of calreticulin, anti- cyclic peptide antibody (CCP), interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α were measured by enzyme-linked immnuosorbent assay (ELISA). The serum level of rheumatoid factor (RF) was detected by immunoturbidimetry. The correlations between serum calreticulin and inflammatory cytokines were evaluated using Spearman's rank correlation test. Results Serum levels of calreticulin were significantly higher in patients with early active RA [(5.84±2.62)μg/L] than those in patients with stable RA [(4.26±1.42)μg/L], patients with OA [(3.92±1.10)μg/L] and HC [(3.86 ± 0.91)μg/L] (P<0.001). There were no statistical differences in serum levels of calreticulin between stable RA, OA and HC groups (P>0.05). Serum levels of calreticulin were significantly higher in RF-positive RA patients than those of RF-negative RA patients [(6.12±2.87)μg/L vs. (4.92±1.22)μg/L, P=0.045]. Serum calreticulin levels were also significantly higher in anti-CCP-positive RA patients than those of anti-CCP-negative RA patients [(6.39±2.93)μg/L vs. (4.69±1.17)μg/L, P=0.002]. The serum level of calreticulin was positively correlated with IL-1β (rs=0.386, P=0.009), IL-6 (rs=0.405, P=0.006) and TNF-α(rs=0.428, P=0.003) in early active RA patients. Conclusion The elevated serum level of calreticulin is related to autoantibodies and inflammatory cytokines in early RA patients, suggesting that calreticulin can be used as a potential biomarker for early diagnosis and prognosis of RA.

Modification of a percutaneous transpedical interbody bone grafting apparatus and its application in cadaveric operation / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To modify a percutaneous transpedical interbody bone grafting apparatus for better surgical performance in transpedical interbody bone grafting.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The puncture needle, guide pin and expander were removed from the original design of interbody bone grafting apparatus, with also modification of the bone grafting funnel, obturator, wick and bone harvesting device. Percutaneous puncture and transpedical interbody bone grafting were performed using the modified apparatus on two cadavers, and the operative procedures, bone grafting scope and surgical trauma were observed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>This modified apparatus allowed increased bone grafting scope with shortened operative time, simplified operation procedures, and reduced surgical trauma.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Percutaneous puncture and transpedical interbody bone grafting can be easily and safely performed with the modified apparatus.</p>

Application of SCAR molecular marker technology in identification of Monascus strains / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To establish an effective way for rapid identification of Monascus strains based on DNA molecular marker.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>A random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) marker named F421 in genomic DNA of Monascus F strain was observed during a comparison of DNA fingerprints derived from 10 cultivated strains of Monascus. F421 was cloned and sequenced. Comparing the sequence of F421 (GenBank accession number EF063107) with other relative sequences in the GenBank databases, no distinct comparability was found. A pair of sequence characterized amplified region (SCAR) primers were designed based on the sequence of the cloned fragment and tested for the specific detection of Monascus F.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>The results of polymerase chain reaction showed that only a 421bp segment of Monascus F strain was amplified compared with other 9 cultivated strains of Monascus. And the acquired SCAR marker of strain F could be used as a specific DNA fingerprint to identify Monascus strain F within one day.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>SCAR molecular marker technology is an effective new way to identify Monascus strains more rapidly. And also is an assistant tool to identify Monascus strains more accurately when disagreements come out using traditional classification. It could be applied widely to the protection of germ plasm resources, classification and identification distinguishing false strains of pharmaceutical fungi.</p>

Transfer RNAs inhibit the growth of L929 cells in vitro / 中国应用生理学杂志

<p><b>AIM</b>To explore the effects of tRNA on the growth of mammalian cells.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>L929, NIH3T3, MCF-7 and PC12 cells were seeded in 96 well culture plate individually, and incubated at 37 degrees C in 5% CO2 for 4 h, the tRNAs from different species were added to the culture media individually. After certain time of incubation, the viability of the cells was evaluated by the MTT methods. Sub-confluent L929 cells were incubated with 200 microg/ml ytRNA for different times, then the cells were pooled and analyzed with flow cytometry assay.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>tRNA specifically inhibited the growth of L929 cells in a dose-dependent manner. The sizes of tRNA-treated cells showed larger sizes and longer processes than those of untreated cells. Flow cytometric analysis further showed that most of tRNA-treated cells were arrested in S phase of the cell cycle.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The cell growth inhibitory effects of tRNAs were caused mainly by their degraded fragments. The results suggested that tRNA or its degraded fragments might play important roles in regulation of cell proliferation.</p>

Surgery simulation with a percutaneous and transpedical interbody bone grafting apparatus / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To develop a percutaneous and transpedical interbody bone grafting apparatus for vertebral bone defect reconstruction in thoracolumbar fracture correction via minimally invasive operation.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The percutaneous and transpedical interbody bone grafting apparatus was designed with CAD software, and the reduction effect, range of bone grafting and surgical complications of the apparatus were investigated in adult cadaveric thoracolumbar body and with computerized surgical simulation.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The self-designed apparatus was convenient for percutaneous and transpedical interbody bone grafting that did not give rise to complications. CT showed large bone grafting area with increased density in the vertebral body corrected with this apparatus.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The designed apparatus allows easy manipulation and efficient bone grafting and repositioning. Minimally invasive interbody bone grafting in thoracolumbar fracture can be easily performed with proper application of the apparatus.</p>