Celecoxib inhibits ß-catenin-dependent survival of the human osteosarcoma MG-63 cell line.

Cyclo-oxygenase (COX)-2 inhibitors may exert antitumour effects through COX-2-independent mechanisms. This study investigated the effects of the COX-2 inhibitor celecoxib on the viability of the human osteosarcoma MG-63 cell line and its ß-catenin signalling pathway. Cell viability and apoptosis were examined in celecoxib-treated cells or after ß-catenin knockdown in vitro. Analyses were performed to detect glycogen synthase kinase (GSK)-3ß, phosphorylated GSK-3ß, ß-catenin, c-Myc and cyclin D1 proteins, and mRNA levels of ß-catenin, c-Myc and CCND1 (encoding cyclin D1). ß-Catenin was shown to be required for MG63 cell survival and celecoxib exerted an inhibitory effect on the viability of cultured MG-63 cells in a time- and dose-dependent manner. ß-Catenin protein decreased in the cytosol and nucleus following celecoxib treatment (from 6 h after initiation of treatment onwards; lowest protein levels were reached at > 72 h). Significant reductions in ß-catenin, c-Myc and CCND1 mRNA were observed. Celecoxib inhibited MG-63 cell viability, possibly by activating GSK-3ß and inhibiting ß-catenin-dependent gene transcription, suggesting a role for celecoxib in osteosarcoma treatment.

Cross-cultural adaptation, reliability and validity of the Chinese version of the Fear Avoidance Beliefs Questionnaire.

The Fear Avoidance Beliefs Questionnaire (FABQ) was translated and cross-culturally adapted for China. Its psychometric properties were then evaluated in Chinese-speaking patients with low-back pain and the scales were tested for internal consistency, reproducibility, ceiling-and-floor effects, construct validity and responsiveness. A total of 15 patients were selected for pre-testing and a further 230 patients completed the FABQ (and other scales) at baseline and 14 days later. A test-retest reliability analysis was carried out on 61 of the 230 patients. The FABQ was found to be easily understood. Explorative factor analysis by principal components analysis, yielded a two-factor model for the FABQ, relating to work and physical activity, and this was confirmed by confirmatory factor analysis using structural equation modelling. The FABQ yielded high values for internal consistency and reproducibility; no ceiling-and-floor effects were detected. Generally, the FABQ scales and baseline variables were weakly correlated. Cohen's effect size was 0.22 and responsiveness was low. It was concluded that the translation and adaptation of the FABQ into Chinese was successful; the scales had acceptable factor structure, internal consistency, test-retest reliability and construct validity.