Association between Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin and Platelet Distribution Width Ratio and Knee Osteoarthritis Severity.

BACKGROUND: The goal was to simply and efficiently predict the indicators of disease severity in knee osteoarthritis (KOA) patients. METHODS: One hundred eighty-four patients with KOA and 126 healthy subjects were included. WOMAC (Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index) was used as a reference index for disease severity in KOA patients, in which WOMAC < 80 was classified as mild and WOMAC ≥ 80 as moderate and severe. Blood routine parameters of the KOA and the healthy groups were analyzed by the Mann Whitney U test. Receiver operating characteristic curves were used to analyze the sensitivity and specificity of mean corpuscular hemoglobin and platelet distribution width ratio (MPR) and monocyte and hemoglobin ratio (MHR) indicators. The correlation between MPR and MHR and disease severity of KOA was determined by bivariate regression analysis. Independent predictors of disease severity in patients with KOA were assessed by multivariate regression analysis. RESULTS: MPR, MHR, and WOMAC were significantly higher in the KOA group. The ROC curve indicated that the cutoff values of MPR and MHR were 2.09 and 0.0030, respectively, with sensitivity of 86.4% and 68.5% and specificity of 99.2% and 79.4%. Bivariate regression analysis found that MPR was better correlated with disease severity than MHR. The results of multivariate regression analysis demonstrated that the MPR values of moderate and severe patients were more than 19 times that of mild patients, and the OR values were 21.695 and 19.558, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: MPR and MHR demonstrated a good correlation with disease severity in patients with KOA. MPR is a potential independent predictor of disease severity in patients with KOA.

IGF-1 from adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells promotes radioresistance of breast cancer cells.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to investigate effects of adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (AMSCs) on radioresistance of breast cancer cells. MATERIALS AND METHODS: MTT assays were used to detect any influence of AMSC supernatants on proliferation of breast cancer cells; cell migration assays were used to determine the effect of breast cancer cells on the recruitment of AMSCs; the cell survival fraction post-irradiation was assessed by clonogenic survival assay; γ-H2AX foci number post-irradiation was determined via fluorescence microscopy; and expression of IGF-1R was detected by Western blotting. RESULTS: AMSC supernatants promoted proliferation and radioresistance of breast cancer cells. Breast cancer cells could recruit AMSCs, especially after irradiation. IGF-1 derived from AMSCs might be responsible for the radioresistance of breast cancer cells. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that AMSCs in the tumor microenvironment may affect the outcome of radiotherapy for breast cancer in vitro.

The Visible Human Projects in Korea and China with improved images and diverse applications.

PURPOSE: The Visible Human Projects, which were launched in the United States, have also been developed in Korea and China during the past decade. This article includes the new trials to promote a variety of their applications. METHODS: In a Korean laboratory, whole bodies of two cadavers were serially sectioned (Visible Korean), while two Chinese institutes have sectioned nine cadavers (Chinese Visible Human and Virtual Chinese Human). For acquiring sectioned images and stereoscopic models of better quality, appropriate cadavers were chosen; equipments and techniques for embedding, sectioning, photography, and computer processing were continuously improved in the two countries. To facilitate the research, Korean and Chinese scientists have visited each other. RESULTS: The sectioned images with thinner intervals (0.2 mm or less) and higher resolution were obtained. From the advanced data, the segmented images of comprehensive structures were prepared to construct three-dimensional models. Then, cross-sectional images and models were offered for medical education and clinical practice such as electronic anatomy atlas and virtual lumbar puncture. CONCLUSION: Every project has its strengths and weaknesses with regard to the image data; users in the world can choose the project that best suits their needs.

[Effect of allogenic adipose-derived stem cell grafting on serum biochemical indicators and sporting ability of endurance trained rats].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of transplantation of allogeneic adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) on serum biochemical indicators and sporting ability in highly endurance-trained rats from a fasciological perspective. METHODS: The ADSCs were cultured in vitro. Forty male Wistar rats were randomized into 4 equal groups, namely the blank control group, overtraining (model) group, transplantation without training group and overtraining plus transplantation group. The rats in the two overtraining groups were subjected to exhaustive swimming for 1 week, and in the two transplantation groups, cultured allogeneic ADSCs (2×10(6)/ml) were injected via the tail vein. The exhaustion time in swimming and the serum levels of BUN, LDH, BLa, and Hb of the rats were recorded after the treatments. RESULTS: The rats in the model group showed significantly increased serum BUN, LDH and BLa levels and decreased Hb level with a extended exhaustion time as compared with those in the blank control group (P<0.01). The BUN, LDH and BLa was significantly lower, Hb level higher and the exhaustion time significantly longer in the overtraining plus transplantation group than those in the model group (P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: ADSCs can effectively prolong the exhaustion time of rats during exhaustive swimming and enhance their sporting ability.

Correlations between fasciology and yin yang doctrine.

The aim of this study is to explore the correlations between fasciology and yin yang doctrine. Professor Yuan developed fasciology by three-dimensional reconstruction of connective tissue (fascia) in the trunk and limbs of the human body and tracing back to tissue origins in light of biological evolution and developmental biology. Fasciology states that the human body can be divided into two systems: the supporting-storing system and the functional system. This article elaborates on the roles of the two systems and their mutual relationship. The two systems are used to analyze the yin, the yang, and their relationship. The two systems are promoted but also restricted in different contexts. The supporting-storing system is formed by undifferentiated connective tissue and provides undifferentiated cells and nutrients for differentiated cells of the functional system. Thus, the supporting-storing system could be classified as quiet, similar to yin. The functional system continuously maintains the various functional activities of the human body. Thus, the functional system could be classified as active, similar to yang. In interpreting the yin yang doctrine from the point of view of fasciology, yin can be compared with the supporting-storing system and yang can be compared with the functional system.

[Effect of allogenic adipose-derived stem cell transplantation on bone mass in rats with glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of systemic transplantation of allogenic adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs), the main undifferentiated cells in the supporting-storing system based on the fasciology hypothesis, on the bone mineral density (BMD) and histomorphometry in rats with glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis (GIOP) rats, and explore a new therapeutic approach for osteoporosis. METHODS: Forty female adult Wistar rats were randomized equally into blank control group (A), model group (B), control treatment group (C) and treatment group (D). In groups B, C, and D, osteoporosis was induced by injection of prednisolone (8 mg/kg) via the tail vein 3 times a week for 12 consecutive weeks. After successful establishment of osteoporosis, allogenic ADSCs (3×10(6)/ml) were transplanted via the tail vein. The BMD at the L3-L5 levels and of the right femurs were detected, and the histomorphometry of the right tibias was analyzed in all the rats. RESULTS: After prednisolone injection, the BMD of L3-L5 vertebrae and the right femurs, the percent trabecular area, trabecular thickness and trabecular number of the right tibias were all obviously lowered while the trabecular separation and osteoclast number increased in group B as compared to those in group A (P<0.05). Four weeks after ADSC transplantation, all these indices were significantly improved in group D, showing significant differences from those in group B (P<0.05) and also group C. CONCLUSION: Transplantation of allogenic ADSCs can restore the BMD and bone histomorphometric properties of rats with GIOP, and may serve as a potential treatment for GIOP. These results also provide partial experimental evidence supporting the hypothesis of fasciaology.

[Gene expression profiles of K562 cells treated with total saponin of Panax ginseng].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of the total saponin of Panax ginseng (TSPG) on gene expression profile of K562 cells using microarray technique. METHODS: The total RNA were extracted and purified from K562 cells treated by 200 microg/ml TSPG for 3 days, and untreated K562 cells cultured in parallel served as the control. cRNAs were synthesized and labeled with Cy3 and Cy5 respectively. The labeled cRNA fragments were hybridized with Agilent human 1B 60 mer oligonucleotide microarray, which was then scanned to reveal the changes of gene expression profile in relation to TSPG treatment. RESULTS: Totally 362 differentially expressed genes were identified in TSPG-treated K562 cells, including 20 up-regulated ones (consisting of metabolism-associated genes, signal transduction-associated genes and cell receptor-associated genes etc) and 342 down-regulated ones (consisting of immunity and defense-associated genes, DNA-binding and transcription genes, metabolism-associated genes and cell cycle-associated genes etc). Changes in expressions of FOSL1, E2F2, CCNE2 and ODZ1 were confirmed by semi-quantitative RT-PCR. CONCLUSIONS: TSPG may induce changes in the gene expression profile in k562 cells possibly relevant to the anti-tumor mechanism of TSPG.