Molecular Mechanisms of Chondrocyte Proliferation and Differentiation.

Cartilage is a kind of connective tissue that buffers pressure and is essential to protect joint movement. It is difficult to self-recover once cartilage is damaged due to the lack of blood vessels, lymph, and nerve tissues. Repair of cartilage injury is mainly achieved by stimulating chondrocyte proliferation and extracellular matrix (ECM) synthesis. Cartilage homeostasis involves the regulation of multiple growth factors and the transduction of cellular signals. It is a very complicated process that has not been elucidated in detail. In this review, we summarized a variety of signaling molecules related to chondrocytes function. Especially, we described the correlation between chondrocyte-specific regulatory factors and cell signaling molecules. It has potential significance for guiding the treatment of cartilage injury.

Dispersion of metallic/ceramic matrix nanocomposite material through porous surfaces in magnetized hybrid nanofluids flow with shape and size effects.

Matrix nanocomposites are high performance materials possessing unusual features along with unique design possibilities. Due to extraordinary thermophysical characteristic contained by these matrix nanocomposites materials they are useful in several areas ranging from packaging to biomedical applications. Being an environment friendly, utilization of nanocomposites offer new technological opportunities for several sectors of aerospace, automotive, electronics and biotechnology. In this regards, current pagination is devoted to analyze thermal features of viscous fluid flow between orthogonally rotating disks with inclusion of metallic matrix nanocomposite (MMNC) and ceramic matrix nanocomposites (CMNC) materials. Morphological aspects of these nanomaterials on flow and heat transfer characteristics has been investigated on hybrid viscous fluid flow. Mathematical structuring of problem along with empirical relations for nanocomposites materials are formulated in the form of partial differential equations and later on converted into ordinary differential expressions by using suitable variables. Solution of constructed coupled differential system is found by collaboration of Runge-Kutta and shooting methods. Variation in skin friction coefficient at lower and upper walls of disks along with measurement about heat transfer rate are calculated against governing physical parameters. Impact of flow concerning variables on axial, radial components of velocity and temperature distribution are also evaluated. Contour plots are also drawn to explore heat and thermal profiles. Comparison and critical analysis of MMNc and CMNc have been presented at lower and upper porous disks. Our computed analysis indicates that hybrid nanofluids show significant influence as compared to simple nanofluids with the permutation of the different shape factors.

An assessment of the mathematical model for estimating of entropy optimized viscous fluid flow towards a rotating cone surface.

Entropy optimization in convective viscous fluids flow due to a rotating cone is explored. Heat expression with heat source/sink and dissipation is considered. Irreversibility with binary chemical reaction is also deliberated. Nonlinear system is reduced to ODEs by suitable variables. Newton built in shooting procedure is adopted for numerical solution. Salient features velocity filed, Bejan number, entropy rate, concentration and temperature are deliberated. Numerical outcomes for velocity gradient and mass and heat transfer rates are displayed through tables. Assessments between the current and previous published outcomes are in an excellent agreement. It is noted that velocity and temperature show contrasting behavior for larger variable viscosity parameter. Entropy rate and Bejan number have reverse effect against viscosity variable. For rising values of thermal conductivity variable both Bejan number and entropy optimization have similar effect.

Freeze-dried Si-Ni-San powder can ameliorate high fat diet-induced non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

BACKGROUND: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a common chronic liver disease worldwide. However, to date, there is no ideal therapy for this disease. AIM: To study the effects of Si-Ni-San freeze-dried powder on high fat diet-induced NAFLD in mice. METHODS: Twenty-four male C57BL/6 mice were randomized into three groups of eight. The control group (CON) was allowed ad libitum access to a normal chow diet. The high fat diet group (FAT) and Si-Ni-San group (SNS) were allowed ad libitum access to a high fat diet. The SNS group was intragastrically administered Si-Ni-San freeze-dried powder (5.0 g/kg) once daily, and the CON and FAT groups were intragastrically administered distilled water. After 12 wk, body weight, liver index, visceral fat index, serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), portal lipopoly-saccharide (LPS), liver tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and liver triglycerides were measured. Intestinal microbiota were analyzed using a 16S r DNA sequencing technique. RESULTS: Compared with the FAT group, the SNS group exhibited decreased body weight, liver index, visceral fat index, serum ALT, portal LPS, liver TNF-α and liver triglycerides (P < 0.05). Intestinal microbiota analysis showed that the SNS group had different bacterial composition and function compared with the FAT group. In particular, Oscillospira genus was a bacterial biomarker of SNS group samples. CONCLUSION: The beneficial effects of Si-Ni-San freeze-dried powder on high fat diet-induced NAFLD in mice may be associated with its anti-inflammatory and changing intestinal microbiota effects.

The lncRNA CRNDE promotes colorectal cancer cell proliferation and chemoresistance via miR-181a-5p-mediated regulation of Wnt/ß-catenin signaling.

BACKGROUND: With more than 600,000 mortalities each year, colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most commonly diagnosed type of cancer worldwide. Recently, mechanisms involving noncoding RNAs have been implicated in the development of CRC. METHODS: We examined expression levels of lncRNA CRNDE and miR-181a-5p in 64 cases of CRC tissues and cell lines by qRT-PCR. Gain-of-function and loss-of-function assays were performed to examine the effect of CRNDE and miR-181a-5p on proliferation and chemoresistance of CRC cells. Using fluorescence reporter and western blot assays, we also explored the possible mechanisms of CRNDE in CRC cells. RESULTS: In this study, we found that the expression levels of the CRNDE were upregulated in CRC clinical tissue samples. We identified microRNA miR-181a-5p as an inhibitory target of CRNDE. Both CRNDE knockdown and miR-181a-5p overexpression in CRC cell lines led to inhibited cell proliferation and reduced chemoresistance. We also determined that ß-catenin and TCF4 were inhibitory targets of miR-181a-5p, and that Wnt/ß-catenin signaling was inhibited by both CRNDE knockdown and miR-181a-5p overexpression. Significantly, we found that the repression of cell proliferation, the reduction of chemoresistance, and the inhibition of Wnt/ß-catenin signaling induced by CRNDE knockdown would require the increased expression of miR-181a-5p. CONCLUSIONS: Our study demonstrated that the lncRNA CRNDE could regulate the progression and chemoresistance of CRC via modulating the expression levels of miR-181a-5p and the activity of Wnt/ß-catenin signaling.

Abnormal expression of p190RhoGAP in colorectal cancer patients with poor survival.

PURPOSE: This study aims to investigate the expression and clinical significance of p190RhoGAP, a member of the RhoGAP family, in colorectal cancer (CRC). METHODS: The expression p190RhoGAP was detected by RT-PCR, western blot (WB) and immunohistochemistry (IHC) in 14 paired CRCs and matched non-cancerous mucosal tissues. The protein content of p190RhoGAP was identified in 114 CRCs by IHC. In addition, the association of the expression of p190RhoGAP with carcinogenesis, distant metastasis and prognosis was further evaluated. RESULTS: In 14 paired fresh tissues, the mRNA (P<0.0001) and protein (P = 0.003) expression levels of p190RhoGAP were significantly higher in primary CRCs than in paired non-cancerous mucosal tissues; and was consistent with WB results. The expression of p190RhoGAP increased from normal mucosa to adenoma, and became even greater in primary carcinoma (P = 0.001). The expression level of p190RhoGAP was highest in liver metastasis compared to primary carcinoma (P = 0.028). The incidence of p190RhoGAP expression-positive cases was 58.77% in 114 CRC tissues. Furthermore, the enhanced expression of p190RhoGAP was significantly associated with shorter disease-specific survival (P<0.001) and shorter disease-free survival (P<0.001). Cox regression analysis indicated that p190RhoGAP was an independent prognostic parameter for CRC. CONCLUSION: p190RhoGAP may be an independent predictive factor for the prognosis of CRC, and the abnormal expression of p190RhoGAP may play a crucial role in colorectal carcinogenesis and distant metastasis.

Predictors for Surgical Outcome of Laminoplasty for Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy.

BACKGROUND: There were no precise researches showing which parameters with regard to degree of cervical stenosis and sagittal cervical alignment are the most crucial for surgical outcomes after laminoplasty for cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM). The objectives of this study were to investigate to what extent the preoperative parameters may have a direct influence on postoperative neurologic recovery, and to determine the crucial determinants of prognosis. METHODS: A retrospective review of 83 patients with CSM after laminoplasty was conducted. Magnetic resonance imaging parameters evaluation included presence/absence of signal change on T1 and T2 and anatomic measurements, including cervical canal compromise and cervical alignment. Data analysis involved logistic regressions and Spearman rank correlation coefficients. Receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curves were computed to evaluate the contribution of the original model. RESULTS: Univariate logistic regression showed that age (odds ratio = 0.822; 95% confidence interval, 0.729-0.927; P = 0.001), baseline Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) score (odds ratio = 1.700; 95% confidence interval, 1.158-2.496; P = 0.007), cervical curvature index (Ishihara) score (CCI) (odds ratio = 1.123; 95% confidence interval, 1.030-1.225; P = 0.008), maximum canal compromise (MCC) (odds ratio = 0.940; 95% confidence interval, 0.885-0.998; P = 0.041), and signal intensity (odds ratio = 0.139; 95% confidence interval, 0.033-0.580; P = 0.007) were independent prognostic indicators after laminoplasty. A ROC curve was computed based on the probability of the five predictors, with an area under the curve of 0.929 ± 0.028. CONCLUSIONS: Age and baseline JOA scores were crucial clinical predictors of outcome after laminoplasty for patients with CSM. Regarding the predictive value, CCI, MCC, and patterns of signal intensity changes on T1-/T2-weighted images were crucial determinants of prognosis of neurologic outcome.

Prediction of incomplete decompression after cervical laminoplasty on magnetic resonance imaging: The modified K-line.

OBJECTIVES: The original K-line was developed on plain radiograph to predict incomplete indirect decompression for the patients with ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament. The current study modified the K-line on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to determine risk factors for incomplete decompression after laminoplasty and to provide a guide for predicting incomplete decompression after laminoplasty and making decisions regarding the surgical approach in patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM). PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective review of 47 patients with CSM after laminoplasty was conducted. The modified K-line was defined as a line connecting both anterior points of the spinal cord at the level of the inferior vertebrae endplates of C2 and C7 on sagittal T1-weighted MR image. Quantitative analysis of the interval between the maximal anterior compression factor and the modified K-line (IAK) was performed to investigate the efficiency and practicality of this modified K-line. Data analysis involved logistic regression and Spearman rank correlation coefficient. RESULTS: Thirteen patients (27.7%) had postoperative residual anterior compression of the spinal cord (ACS). Univariate logistic regression with backward stepwise procedure showed that only IAK (odds ratio: 0.301; 95% confidence interval: 0.134-0.673, P=0.003) was a significant risk factor for the occurrence of postoperative ACS. Incidence of ACS was 80% in patients with an IAK of less than 1.5mm and 96.2% in those whose IAK is 0mm. CONCLUSION: The modified k-line can provide a guide for predicting poor clinical outcome after laminoplasty and making decisions regarding the surgical approach in patients with CSM.

Prediction of prognosis in patients with cervical spinal cord injury without radiologic evidence of trauma using MRI.

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether pre- to postoperative changes of increased signal intensity (ISI) of the spinal cord as seen on T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) reflect the surgical outcome in patients with cervical spinal cord injury without radiologic evidence of trauma (SCIWORET). In this study, 54 patients with SCIWORET who underwent expansive laminoplasty were retrospectively analyzed. All patients underwent MRI at an average of 1.9 days (range, 1-5 days) after injury and 7.9 days (range, 6-10 days) postoperatively. The pre- and postoperative range and degree of ISI were measured on computer software using the same sagittal view on T2-weighted MRI. Then, the post-preoperative ratio of range and degree of ISI were calculated. Pre- and postoperative neurologic evaluations were performed according to the criteria proposed by the Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA). A significant negative correlation existed between the ratio of range of ISI and the recovery rate (r=-0.504, P<.01). The ratio of degree of ISI negatively correlated with the recovery rate, but this was not statistically significant. Patients were divided into 2 groups according to the ratio of degree of ISI: group A included patients with a ratio of degree of ISI of ≤1 (n=24) and group B included patients with a ratio of degree of ISI of >1 (n=30). Patients' mean recovery rate was 65.0%±6.3% in group A and 52.4%±7.4% in group B. A significant difference was found between the 2 groups (P<.001, Student's t test) when comparing recovery rate. The pre- to postoperative changes of the range and degree of ISI significantly reflected prognosis for surgical outcome in patients with SCIWORET.

[Avian diversity and bird strike risk at Fuyang Airport].

From June 2008 to January 2010, a survey of avian communities was conducted in five habitats (grassland, farmland, town, wetland, and woodland) at Fuyang Airport and its surrounding areas, with the diversity indices in different seasons and different habitats analyzed. A total of 122 avian species belonging to 15 orders and 40 families were recorded. At Fuyang Airport, the avian species number was significantly higher in summer and autumn than in winter and spring, the avian density was the highest in autumn, and the Shannon diversity index and Pielou evenness index were the highest in summer. Among the five habitats at the Airport and its surrounding areas, woodland had the greatest avian species number and density, and the woodland, wetland, and farmland had higher Shannon diversity index than grassland and town. The most dangerous avian species to the airplanes at Fuyang Airport were Passer montanus, Pycnonotus sinensis, Hirundo rustica, Columba livia f. domestica, Pica pica, Streptopelia chinensis, and Sturnus cineraceu.

[HPLC fingerprinting of total glycosides of Swertia franchetiana].

AIM: To establish a sensitive and specific HPLC method for controlling the quality of total glycosides from Swertia franchetiana H. Smith. METHODS: HPLC method was applied for quality and quantitative assessment of the pharmaceutical extracts from Swertia franchetiana H. Smith. The preparation of sample, the HPLC column, mobile phase, elution mode (isocratic or gradient) and gradient program were optimized in order to obtain HPLC profile. The HPLC system consisted of a SPD-1OAvp pump, SPD-M1OAVP photodiode-array detector (PAD), SIL-10ADVP auto injector. Data were acquired and processed with the CLASS-VP6.1 workstation. HPLC analysis was performed on a Kromasil C18 column (250 mm x 4. 6 mm ID, 5 microm) with methanol and water as mobile phase. The column temperature was set up at 40 degrees C and the flow-rate was 1 mL x min(-1). The reference solution of chemical standards and sample were injected into HPLC system, separately. RESULTS: The HPLC chromatographic fingerprinting of the total glycosides, showing 16 characteristic peaks which were partitioned into three parts: one peak in 0-10 min of retention time, nine peaks containing main 1-7 peaks in 10-15 min of retention time, 6 peaks in 15-30 min of retention time, was established from 10 lots of their products. By comparison of the retention time and the on-line UV spectra and their molecule weights of chemical standards, peak 1-7 were identified as swertiamarin (1), gentiopicroside (2), sweroside (3), isoorientin (4), swertisin (5), isoswertisin (6) and swetianolin (7), respectively. The ratios of peak area between 1-16 were in their extent. Moreover, comparison of the HPLC profiles of the total glycosides, the extracts prepared using another process and the plant indicated that they were closely related to each other. CONCLUSION: The HPLC profiles and quantitative assessment of the total glycosides from Swertia franchetiana H. Smith with high specificity can be used to control their quality and assure lot to lot consistency.

Normal-phase HPLC enantioseparation of novel chiral metal tetrahedrane-type clusters on an amylose-based chiral stationary phase.

In the present work, an amylose tris(3,5-dimethylphenylcarbamate) (ADMPC) chiral stationary phase (CSP) was prepared by coating ADMPC on small-particle silica gel. This ADMPC-CSP was for the first time successfully applied to separate a series of novel chiral metal tetrahedrane-type clusters. Furthermore, the influence of a mobile-phase modifier (various alcohols added in the mobile phase), including its concentration and structure, and the structures of the clusters on the chiral separation and retention was investigated. The results suggest that not only the structure and concentration of alcohol in the mobile phase, but also the subtle structural differences in racemate can have a pronounced effect on the enantiomeric separation and retention.

Separation of cefoperazone enantiomers using beta-cyclodextrin as chiral additive by capillary zone electrophoresis.

A capillary electrophoresis method was developed to separate the enantiomers of cefoperazone. Different cyclodextrins, including alpha-cyclodextrin (alpha-CD), beta-cyclodextrin (beta-CD), gamma-cyclodextrin (gamma-CD), 2-hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin (HP-beta-CD), and methyl-beta-cyclodextrin (Me-beta-CD), were tested as chiral additives in the running buffer. The effect of various parameters on enantioseparation such as concentration of NaH(2)PO(4), buffer pH, and CD concentration was also studied. The cefoperazone enantiomers were baseline separated under conditions of 0.04 mmol/L beta-CD, 75 mmol/L NaH(2)PO(4) buffer at pH 4.0. A fused silica capillary (40 cm effective length x 75 microm ID) was used. The applied voltage and capillary temperature were 20 kV and 25 degrees C, respectively. Under these conditions, linear calibration curves were obtained in the 5-500 microg/ml range using UV detection at 280 nm. The limit of detection for both isomers was 0.1 microg/ml. The method was used for the analysis of different pharmaceutical preparations (dose) and biological samples containing cefoperazone.

Determination of serum thyroxine enantiomers in patients by liquid chromatography with a chiral mobile phase.

A chromatographic method for the separation and determination of D- and L-thyroxine enantiomers (D-, and L-T4) in human serum with a chiral ligand ion-exchange system using a chiral mobile phase additive and a silica column was established. An aqueous eluent containing L-proline (L-pro) sufficiently complexed copper II ions and triethylamine (TEA) was used. It was monitored with a UV detector. The separation was completed in 12 min. The method has acceptable sensitivity, precision and accuracy for analysis. The limit of detection and the limit of quantitation for both D- and L-T4 were 0.1 microg/ml and 0.8 microg/ml, respectively. Calibration curves were linear within 1-100 microg/ml; the mean correlation coefficients were r(D-T4)=0.9986 for D-T4 and r(L-T4)=0.9978 for L-T4. T4 enantiomers were separated on baseline under the optimum condition. L-T4 eluted before D-T4. The concentration of D-T4 and L-T4 in 45 thyroid patients serum (hyperthyroid, hypothyroid, thyroidectomy, goitre or thyroiditis) using HPLC was determined, those results showed that D,L-T4 concentration varied in different thyroid patient. Attention should be paid to this result in treating thyroid disease in the clinic.

[Effect of the bonding amounts of chiral ligand exchange chromatographic stationary phases on the enantioseparation of amino acids].

L-proline chiral stationary phases with various bonding amounts for ligand exchange chromatography were prepared by treating silica gel with 3-glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane and bonding L-proline. The bonding amounts of L-proline chiral stationary phase were controlled effectively and characterized by IR and elemental analysis. Some DL-amino acids were separated and the influences of the bonding amounts on the efficiency of resolution of DL-amino acids by ligand exchange chromatography were briefly discussed and explained by the mechanism of the separation.