Zinc finger X-chromosomal protein promotes growth and tumorigenesis in human osteosarcoma cells.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the role of Zinc finger X-chromosomal protein (ZFX) in oncogenesis of Osteosarcoma tumor. METHODS: Here, we first conducted an expression analysis of ZFX in Osteosarcoma cell lines. Then, we constructed ZFX-specific small interfering RNA (siRNA)-lentiviral vector that is capable of effectively inhibiting the expression of ZFX gene in human Osteosarcoma Saos-2 cells, and investigated systemically the impacts of ZFX silence on the growth and invasive ability of the cancer cells in vitro. Furthermore, we determined the effects of ZFX knockdown on the cell cycle distribution and apoptosis of Saos-2 cells. RESULTS: We found that ZFX inhibition resulted in significantly impaired proliferation and colony formation as well as mitigated invasiveness of Saos-2 cells. Importantly, si-ZFX infected cells exhibited a greater portion of cells at G1 phase, but a minor portion of S and G2/M phase cells. Moreover, a greater portion of sub-G1 apoptotic cells was observed in si-ZFX infected cells. CONCLUSIONS: These results strongly suggest that ZFX is a novel proliferation regulator that promotes growth of Osteosarcoma cells, and downregulation of ZFX expression induces growth suppression of Saos-2 cells via arrested G0/G1 phase cell cycle and apoptosis pathways, thereby indicating that ZFX may serve as a new molecular target for Osteosarcoma tumor therapy.

BAP1 is a good prognostic factor in advanced non-small cell lung cancer.

PURPOSE: Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the leading worldwide source of cancer-related deaths. Although some drugs targeting epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations have been developed, most advanced NSCLC is still incurable and new targets for anticancer drugs are in demand. BRCA1-associated protein-1 (BAP1) is a component of the ubiquitin proteasome system (UPS). UPS has emerged as a potential target for anticancer drugs. The aim of the present study was to investigate the expression of BAP1 protein in patients with NSCLC. METHODS: BAP1 expression was measured using Western blot analysis in 103 cases patients with advanced NSCLC. RESULTS: Results revealed 49 (47.5%) patients were classified with high expression of BAP1. Squamous cell carcinomas were more likely to be observed in BAP1 high expressers compared with adenocarcinomas (55.8% vs. 32.3%, p = 0.001). High BAP1 expression was associated with no lymph node metastasis (p = 0.002). There was also a significant association between BAP1 expression and histological type (p = 0.014), while expression of BAP1 was not correlated with other clinical or pathological characteristics. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that patients with high BAP1 expression had a longer median survival compared with patients with low BAP1 expression (23.2 vs. 14.7 months, p = 0.021). Multivariate analysis revealed that high BAP1 expression was an independent lower risk for all 103 patients (HR = 0.61, 95% CI 0.32-0.71, p = 0.003). CONCLUSIONS: BAP1 may be a useful prognostic factor of NSCLC patients and potential target for anticancer drugs.

[Research status of acetabular reconstruction in Crowe type â ¡ and â ¢ developmental dysplasia of the hip].

Developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) is a major cause of hip arthritis and ultimately total hip arthroplasty. Due to the dysplastic acetabulum, how to place the acetabular cup becomes a challenge in acetabular reconstruction for such patients. Especially in the acetabula classified as Crowe typeⅡand type Ⅲ, the dislocation of the femoral head causes bone defects above the true acetabulum, which will affect the stability of the acetabular cup when the acetabular reconstruction is performed at the true acetabulum. Many acetabular reconstruction methods such as bone grafting, the use of small acetabular cups, socket medialization technique, and high hip center technique are used to increase the host bone coverage of the cup. However, each method has its own shortcomings that can not be ignored so that there is no unified conclusion on the acetabular reconstruction methods for Crowe typeⅡand type Ⅲ hip dysplasia. This article summarized and evaluated various reconstruction methods in combination with the acetabular morphology of DDH, and put forward the research direction in the future.

[Effect of tissue factor in extravascular migration of fibrosarcoma cells].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of tissue factor (TF) in extravascular migration of fibrosarcoma cells and hematogenous metastasis. METHODS: The expression of tissue factor in fibrosarcoma HT1080 cells was analyzed by flow cytometry. The extravascular migration of fibrosarcoma cells was observed in a constructed monolayer vascular endothelial cells and extra-cellular matrix model. RESULT: Tissue factor was highly expressed in HT1080 cells. HT1080 migrated and passed through the monolayer vascular endothelial cells to the collagen gel in a time-dependent manner. Anti-TF antibody inhibited extravascular migration of fibrosarcoma cells and the inhibition was concentration-dependent (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Tissue factor may enhance hematogenous metastasis through extravascular migration of fibrosarcoma cells.

[Research progression in the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis].

Osteoarthritis(OA) is one of the most common joint diseases. As Chinese society enters the age of aging, the incidence of OA has been soar year by year, and research on its pathogenesis has been continuously valued by researchers. Studies have found that inflammatory cytokines, mainly interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), were responsible for the construction of OA inflammatory networks. It was also found that the overexpression of proteases, mainly matrix metalloproteinases(MMPs) and a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs (ADAMTS), was the direct cause of OA cartilage deficiency. What's more, signaling pathways such as stromal cell derived factor-1 (SDF-1) and Wnt, chondrocytic senescence and the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP), chondrocyte apoptosis and autophagy, and estrogen all play significant roles in OA pathogenesis. This paper extensively reviews the research literature relevant to the pathogenesis of OA in recent years, and systematically expounds the pathogenesis of OA from two aspects:molecular level and cell level. At the end of the paper, we discussed and predicted some potential directions in the future clinical diagnosis and treatment of OA.

Pedicle screw placement in the thoracic spine: a randomized comparison study of computer-assisted navigation and conventional techniques.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the accuracy of computer-assisted pedicle screw installation and its clinical benefit as compared with conventional pedicle screw installation techniques. METHODS: Total 176 thoracic pedicle screws placed in 42 thoracic fracture patients were involved in the study randomly, 20 patients under conventional fluoroscopic control (84 screws) and 22 patients had screw insertion under three dimensional (3D) computer-assisted navigation (92 screws). The 2 groups were compared for accuracy of screw placement, time for screw insertion by postoperative thin-cut CT scans and statistical analysis by X(2) test. The cortical perforations were then graded by 2-mm increments: Grade I (good, no cortical perforation), Grade II (screw outside the pedicle less than 2 mm), Grade III (screw outside the pedicle larger than 2 mm). RESULTS: In computer assisted group, 88 (95.65%) were Grade I (good), 4 (4.35%) were Grade II (less than 2mm), no Grade III (larger than 2 mm) violations. In conventional group, there were 14 cortical violations (16.67%), 70 (83.33%) were Grade I (good), 11 (13.1%) were Grade II (less than 2 mm), and 3 (3.57%) were Grade III (larger than 2 mm) violations (P less than 0.001). The number (19.57%) of upper thoracic pedicle screws ( T(1)-T(4) ) inserted under 3D computer-assisted navigation was significantly higher than that (3.57%) by conventional fluoroscopic control (P less than 0.001). Average screw insertion time in conventional group was (4.56+/-1.03) min and (2.54+/-0.63) min in computer assisted group (P less than 0.001). In the conventional group, one patient had pleura injury and one had a minor dura violation. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides further evidence that 3D computer-assisted navigation placement of pedicle screws can increase accuracy, reduce surgical time, and be performed safely and effectively at all levels of the thoracic spine, particularly upper thoracic spine.

[Mechanism of endothelial Rho/Rho kinase in extravascular migration of fibrosarcoma cell].

OBJECTIVE: To study the mechanism of endothelial Rho/Rho kinase in extravascular migration of fibrosarcoma cell. METHODS: We used an in vitro model of fibrosarcoma cell transmigration across a monolayer of human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) cultured on collagen gel to observe extravascular migration of fibrosarcoma cells, and then calculated the electrical resistance of HUVEC monolayer and endothelial myosin light chain (MLC) phosphorylation in extravascular migration of fibrosarcoma cells. RESULTS: Fibrosarcoma cells migrated through endothelial cells into collagen gel. The electrical resistance of a HUVEC monolayer reduced and endothelial MLC phosphorylation enhanced in the extravascular migration of fibrosarcoma cells. Endothelial Rho inhibitor (C3 transferase) and Rho kinase inhibitor (Y-27632) inhibited the extravascular migration of fibrosarcoma cells and inhibited the reduction of electrical resistance of a HUVEC monolayer and the enhancement of endothelial MLC phosphorylation in extravascular migration of fibrosarcoma cells. CONCLUSION: Endothelial Rho/Rho kinase may regulate fibrosarcoma cell transendothelial migration through MLC phosphorylation.

[Therapeutic effects of small interfering RNA targeting MDM2 on human osteosarcoma cells].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the inhibitory effect of the small interfering RNA targeting mdm2 gene on the growth of osteosarcoma cells. METHODS: PGCsilencerTM-mdm2 siRNA was constructed and transfected into the osteosarcoma cell line U2OS cells. The inhibitory effects on mdm2 were determined by RT-PCR and Western blot analysis. The cell growth activity was determined by MTT assay, and the cell apoptosis was examined by flow cytometry. The therapeutic effects of simdm2 was assessed on the nude mouse model of transplanted tumor. RESULTS: The simdm2 plasmid was successfully constructed. After simdm2 being transfected into the U2OS cells, the expressions of mdm2 gene and protein were significantly inhibited. The ability of cell growth activity decreased greatly and cell apoptosis occurred apparently. There was no significant difference between the negative control group and non-transfected group. The growth of xenograft tumor in simdm2 transfected nude mice was inhibited and the expressions of mdm2 gene and protein were down-regulated remarkably. CONCLUSION: siRNA targeting mdm2 gene inhibits the mdm2 expression in osteosarcoma U2OS cells and the growth of osteosarcoma in nude mice.

[Radiological study on the cup abduction angle during total hip arthroplasty].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the relationship among the parameters by measuring the relevant parameters of the anteroposterior X-ray of both hips in patients after total hip arthroplasty, to discuss the reliable anatomical markers and reference standards of acetabulum placement in total hip arthroplasty, and finally to accurately control the abduction angle of acetabulum. METHODS: From January 2016 to June 2017, 282 patients (235 hips) underwent total hip arthroplasty and 128 patients(157 hips) met the inclusion criteria. There were 91 males and 37 females, 82 cases of the left hip and 75 cases of the right hip; ranging in age from 22 to 78 years old, with a mean of 55.1 years old. The abduction angle(ß), ilium thickness (a), acetabular cup insertion depth (b), ischial thickness (c), acetabular cup insertion depth(d), acetabular abrasion and contusion depth(e) were measured on the postoperative AP X-ray of both hips, and the data were compared. RESULTS: There was a positive correlation between ß and b (r=0.424, P=0.000), a negative correlation between ß and d (r=-0.407, P=0.000), a positive correlation between ß and b/a (r=0.419, P=0.000), a negative correlation between ß and d/c (r=-0.472, P=0.000). There was a linear relationship between ß and b/a (t=5.753, P=0.000) and a linear relationship between ß and d/c (t=-6.671, P=0.000). CONCLUSIONS: The outreach angle is mainly controlled by the distance between the outer edge of the cup and the outer edge of the cup in the inferior portion(d) during the operation. The distance b from the outer edge of the cup can be used as a reference.

[Case-control study on methods of limb length control in hip arthroplasty].

OBJECTIVE: To introduce a new measuring tool for measuring postoperative limb length exactly, and to provide a convenient and effective method to control limb length after total hip replacement. METHODS: From January 2013 to September 2014, 102 patients undergoing primary unilateral hip replacement were divided into two groups: experimental group and control group. There were 51 patients in the experimental group, including 25 males and 26 females, ranging in age from 37 to 92 years old, with an average of 60.41 years old. The patients in experimental group were treated with new method to control limb length. Other 51 patients in the control group, including 27 males and 24 females, ranging in age from 35 to 87 years old, with an average of 61.00 years old. The patients in the control group were treated with normal methods such as shuck test or limb touching. All the patients were operated by the same experienced surgeon. In the experimental group,total hip arthroplasties (THA) were performed on 35 patients with avascular necrosis of the femoral head or femoral neck fracture, and 16 patients were treated with hemiarthroplasty (HA). In the control group, 38 patients received THA and 13 patients received HA. On the anterior-posterior X-ray radiograph, several indexes were measured as follows: the distance of bilateral femoral offset (a), the height from tip of great trochanter to the rotation center of the femoral head (b) and the vertical distance between the top of the minor trochanter and the two tear drops line (c). The leg length discrepancy can be assessed with three parameters as follows: d1, the absolute value of the difference between the bilateral a values; d2, the difference between the bilateral b values; d3, the difference between the bilateral c values. The SPSS 21.0 was applied for the statistical analysis. RESULTS: In the experimental and control groups, d1 were 4.49 mm and 7.32 mm (P = 0.013); d2 were 2.37 mm and 4.32 mm (P = 0.033); d3 were 3.32 mm and 6.08 mm (P = 0.031). The values of d1, d2 and d3 in the experimental group were significant smaller than those in the control group. CONCLUSION: The new measuring tool and method can be used to control the limb length and offset effectively during operation.

[Measurements and analyses of full length weight bearing X ray radiographs of bilateral lower extremities in patients with knee osteoarthritis].

OBJECTIVE: To reveal the characteristics of anatomical and mechanical axes in lower extremities by analyzing full length weight bearing X ray radiographsin patients with knee osteoarthritis(OA). METHODS: From June 2015 to May 2016, the lower extremity CTA was performed for 20 patients with vascular diseases, and these patients without OA were assigned to the normal group. There were 7 males and 13 females, ranging in age from 24 to 72 years old with an average age of 63.2 years old. The weight bearing full length X ray radiographs of the lower extremities were taken for 53 patients with knee OA, and these patients were assigned to the OA group. There were 10 males and 43 females, ranging in age from 52 to 80 years old with an average age of 64.7 years old. The osteoarthritis group were divided into two groups:varus knee group and valgus knee group. The femoral shaft double condyle angle(F), tibial shaft plateau angle(T), joint gap angle(JS), femoral tibial angle(FT), hip knee ankle angle(HKA), knee physiological valgus angle(KPV), and femoral offset were measured. The SPSS 21.0 was used to analyze the statistical data. RESULTS: The mean F were (79.9±2.3)° and (81.4±3.5)°, T were (93.8±3.7)° and (94.6±2.7)°, JS were (1.7±1.0)° and (2.1±2.5)°, FT were (175.4±4.0)° and (178.1±6.3)°, HKA were (181.4±4.1)° and (184.3±6.9)°, KPV were (6.0±1.0)° and (6.2±1.5)°, offset were (38.5±6.5) mm and (38.1±9.2) mm in the normal and OA group respectively. There was a significant difference in the KPV between varus knee and valgus knee groups(t=2.956, P=0.005), and the greater mean KPV was found in varus knee. Positive correlations were found between KPV and age(r=0.241, P=0.016), as well as between KPV and offset (r=0.946, P=0.000). CONCLUSIONS: The average KPV in patients with knee OA was 6.2° in the present study, and the KPVs were also positively correlated with the patients' ages and the femoral offsets. The average KPV in the varus knee was greater than that of the valgus knee, and the difference was about 1°. The changes of mechanical parameters of lower limb may be one of the risks for developing knee OA. Analyzing the full length weight bearing X ray radiographs of the lower extremities preoperatively will be helpful to determine a individualized osteotomy method for patients.

Cross-sectional Anatomy of Ilium for Guiding Acetabular Component Placement Using High Hip Center Technique in Asian Population.

BACKGROUND: Many clinical studies have been published involving the use of a high hip center (HHC), achieved good follow-up. However, there is a little anatomic guidance in the literature regarding the amount of bone stock available for initial implant coverage in this area of the ilium. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the thickness and width of the human ilium and related acetabular cup coverage for guiding acetabular component placement in HHC. METHODS: A total of 120 normal hips in 60 cases of adult patients from lower extremities computer tomographic angiography Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine data were chosen for the study. After importing the data to the mimics software, we chose the cross sections every 5-mm increments from the rotational center of the hip to the cephalic of the ilium according the body sagittal axis, then we measured the thickness and width of the ilium for each cross section in axial plane, calculated the cup coverage at each chosen section. RESULTS: At the acetabular dome, the mean thickness and width of the ilium were 49.71 ± 4.88 mm and 38.92 ± 3.67 mm, respectively, whereas at 1 cm above the dome, decreased to 41.35 ± 5.13 and 31.13 ± 3.37 respectively, and 2 cm above the dome, decreased to 31.25 ± 4.04 and 26.65 ± 3.43, respectively. Acetabular cup averaged coverage for 40-, 50-, and 60-mm hemispheric shells, was 100%, 89%, and 44% at the acetabular dome, 100%, 43.7%, and 27.5% for 1 cm above the dome, and 37.5%, 21.9%, and 14.2% for 2 cm above the dome. CONCLUSIONS: HHC reconstructions within 1 cm above the acetabular dome will be an acceptable and smaller diameter prosthesis would be better.

Evaluation of the effects of standard rescue procedure on severe trauma treatment in china.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of standard rescue procedure (SRP) in improving severe trauma treatments in China. METHODS: This study was conducted in 12 hospitals located in geographically and industrially different cities in China. A standard procedure on severe trauma rescue was established as a general rule for staff training and patient treatment. A regional network (system) efficiently integrating prehospital rescue, emergency room treatments, and hospital specialist treatments was built under the rule for information sharing and improving severe trauma treatments. Treatment outcomes were compared between before and 1 year after the implementation of the SRP. RESULTS: The outcomes of a total of 74,615 and 12,051 trauma cases were collected from 12 hospitals before and after the implementation of the SRP. Implementation of the SRP led to efficient cooperation and information sharing of different treatment services. The emergency response time, prehospital transit time, emergency rescue time, consultation call time, and mortality rate of patients were 24.24 ± 4.32 min, 45.69 ± 3.89 min, 6.38 ± 1.05 min, 17.53 ± 0.72 min, and 33.82% ± 3.87% (n = 441), respectively, before the implementation of the standardization and significantly reduced to 10.11 ± 3.21 min, 22.39 ± 4.32 min, 3.26 ± 0.89 min, 3.45 ± 0.45 min, and 20.49% ± 3.11%, separately (n = 495, P < 0.05) after that. CONCLUSIONS: Staff training and SRP can significantly improve the efficiency of severe trauma treatments in China.

Three-dimensional reconstruction method for measuring the knee valgus angle of the femur in northern Chinese adults.

The purpose of this study was to establish a method for measuring the knee valgus angle from the anatomical and mechanical axes on three-dimensional reconstruction imaging models, and to use this method for estimating an average knee valgus angle value for northern Chinese adults. Computed tomographic angiography data in DICOM format for 128 normal femurs from 64 adult subjects were chosen for analysis. After the femur images were subjected to three-dimensional reconstruction, the deepest point in the intercondylar notch (point A), the midpoint of the medullary cavity 20 cm above the knee-joint line (point B), and the landmark of the femoral head rotation center (point C) were identified on each three-dimensional model. The knee valgus angle was defined as the angle enclosed by the distal femoral anatomical axis (line AB) and the femoral mechanical axis (line AC). The average (mean±SD) of knee valgus angle for the 128 femurs was 6.20°±1.20° (range, 3.05° to 10.64°). Significant positive correlations were found between the knee valgus angles of the right and left sides and between the knee valgus angle and age. During total knee arthroplasty, choosing a valgus cut angle of approximately 6° may achieve a good result in reestablishing the natural mechanical alignment of the lower extremity for patients of northern Chinese ethnicity. Larger valgus cut angles should be chosen for older patients.

Treatment of multilevel degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis with spondylolisthesis using a combination of microendoscopic discectomy and minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion.

Degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis (DLSS) has become increasingly common and is characterized by multilevel disc herniation and lumbar spondylolisthesis, which are difficult to treat. The current study aimed to evaluate the short-term clinical outcomes and value of the combined use of microendoscopic discectomy (MED) and minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (MI-TLIF) for the treatment of multilevel DLSS with spondylolisthesis, and to compare the combination with traditional posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF). A total of 26 patients with multilevel DLSS and spondylolisthesis underwent combined MED and MI-TLIF surgery using a single cage and pedicle rod-screw system. These cases were compared with 27 patients who underwent traditional PLIF surgery during the same period. Data concerning incision length, surgery time, blood loss, time of bed rest and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) score prior to and following surgery were analyzed statistically. Statistical significance was reached in terms of incision length, blood loss and the time of bed rest following surgery (P<0.05), but there was no significant difference between the surgery time and ODI scores of the two groups. The combined use of MED and MI-TLIF has the advantages of reduced blood loss, less damage to the paraspinal soft tissue, shorter length of incision, shorter bed rest time, improved outcomes and shorter recovery times and has similar short-term clinical outcomes to traditional PLIF.

7,8-Dihydroxycoumarin inhibits A549 human lung adenocarcinoma cell proliferation by inducing apoptosis via suppression of Akt/NF-κB signaling.

The Akt/NF-κB pathways are involved in numerous anti-apoptotic and drug-resistance events that occur in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). In the present study, the role of 7,8-dihydroxycoumarin in the regulation of the anti-apoptotic Akt and NF-κBp65 signaling pathways was explored. A549 human lung adenocarcinoma cells were exposed to 7,8-dihydroxycoumarin with a final concentration of 25, 50 and 100 µmol/l for 48 h. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and western blotting were performed to detect mRNA and protein expression, respectively. The MTT assay was performed to detect cell proliferation. The results demonstrated that anti-apoptotic phospho-Akt1 (pAkt1), phospho-IκBα (pIκBα), NF-κBp65 and Bcl-2 were inhibited and pro-apoptotic caspase-3 was upregulated in a concentration-dependent manner. At a concentration of 100 µmol/l, the anti-apoptotic NF-κBp65 and Bcl-2 mRNA expression levels decreased 0.12 (5.82/48.5, treated/control)-fold and 0.17 (6.7/39.4, treated/control)-fold, respectively. The pro-apoptotic caspase-3 mRNA was upregulated 4.43 (39.4/8.9, treated/control)-fold. The anti-apoptotic pAkt1, pIκBα, NF-κBp65 and Bcl-2 proteins were downregulated, with blot grayscale values of 7.3 (vs. 52.4 control), 4.3 (vs. 42.2 control), 5.08 (vs. 44.5 control) and 5.92 (vs. 38.5 control), respectively. The proapoptotic caspase-3 was upregulated to a blot grayscale value of 27.8 (vs. 5.8 control). The proliferative activity of A549 cells was reduced significantly compared with that of the control cells (83.7, 27.2 and 9.5 vs. 100%, respectively; P<0.05 for each). 7,8-Dihydroxycoumarin plays an important role in the induction of apoptosis via suppression of Akt/NF-κB signaling in A549 human lung adenocarcinoma cells in a concentration-dependent manner. 7,8-Dihydroxycoumarin may be a candidate naturally-occurring drug for the treatment and prevention of lung adenocarcinoma.

Differential diagnosis of cervical radiculopathy and superior pulmonary sulcus tumor.

BACKGROUND: The result would be disastrous if the superior pulmonary sulcus tumor (Pancoast tumor) was misdiagnosed as degenerative cervical spine diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate the differential diagnosis methods of cervical radiculopathy and superior pulmonary sulcus tumor. METHODS: Clinical manifestations, physical, and radiological findings of 10 patients, whose main complaints were radiating shoulder and arm pain and later were diagnosed with superior pulmonary sulcus tumor, were reviewed and compared with those of cervical radiculopathy. RESULTS: Superior pulmonary sulcus tumor patients have shorter mean history and fewer complaints of neck pain or limitation of neck movement. Physical examination showed almost normal cervical spine range of motion. Spurling's neck compression test was negative in all patients. Anteroposterior cervical radiographs showed the lack of pulmonary air at the top of the affected lung in all cases and first rib encroachment in one case. The diagnosis of superior pulmonary sulcus tumor can be further confirmed by CT and MRI. CONCLUSIONS: By the method of combination of history, physical examination, and radiological findings, superior pulmonary sulcus tumor can be efficiently differentiated from cervical radiculopathy. Normal motion range of the cervical spine, negative Spurling's neck compression test, and the lack of pulmonary air at the top of the affected lung in anteroposterior cervical radiographs should be considered as indications for further chest radiograph examinations.

[Treatment of long unstable femoral intertrochanteric fractures with locking plate and cable rope].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate clinical effect of long unstable femoral intertrochanteric fractures with locking plate and cable rope. METHODS: From June 2004 to June 2010, twenty-six elderly patients with long unstable femoral intertrochanteric fractures were treated locking plate and cable rope fixation,included 16 males and 10 females with an average age of (58.23 +/- 4.45) years ranging from 50 to 65 years. There were 22 cases for traffic accident, 10 of them for traffic accident with other injury; 4 cases for falling injury. According to Evans classification, 21 cases were in type I,among them 8 in type Ia, 10 in type Ib,2 in type Ic, 1 in type Id; the other 5 cases were type Hrd. Hip function scores were recorded to evaluate the treatment outcomes by Harris hip function score system. RESULTS: Twenty-six cases were followed-up for 9 to 18 months (means 15 months). The operations were successful. All the patients received functional training for walking without weight loading from 7 to 14 days after operation, and walking gradually in weight loading from 6 weeks after operation,gradually fully weight loading from 12 weeks. The Harris hip function score were 77.31 +/- 13.97, involving pain 39.79 +/- 6.54, function 31.08 +/- 9.45, deformity and activity 3.85 +/- 0.46. The clinical results were excellent in 10 cases, good in 13, fair in 3. CONCLUSION: Locking plate and cable rope is suiteable for the treatment of senile long femoral intertrochanteric fractures of every Evans type, especially benefit for osteoporosis patients.

Association of sterol regulatory element binding protein 2 and insulin-like growth factor binding protein 3 genetic polymorphisms with avascular necrosis of the femoral head in the Chinese population.

BACKGROUND: Sterol regulatory element binding protein (SREBP)-2 plays a key role in lipid homeostasis by stimulating gene expression of cholesterol biosynthetic pathways. The insulin-like growth factor binding protein (IGFBP) family regulates growth and metabolism, especially bone cell metabolism, and correlates with osteonecrosis. However, association of their gene polymorphisms with risk of avascular necrosis of the femoral head (ANFH) has rarely been reported. We determined whether SREBP-2 and IGFBP-3 gene polymorphisms were associated with increased ANFH risk in the Chinese population. METHODS: Two single nucleotide polymorphisms of SREBP2 gene, rs2267439 and rs2267443, and one of IGFBP-3 gene, rs2453839, were selected and genotyped in 49 ANFH patients and 42 control individuals by direct sequencing assay. RESULTS: The frequencies of rs2267439 TT and rs2267443 GA of SREBP2 and rs2453839 TT and CT of IGFBP-3 in the ANFH group showed increased and decreased tendencies (against normal control group), respectively. Interaction analysis of genes revealed that the frequency of carrying rs2267439 TT and rs2267443 GA genotypes of SREBF-2 in ANFH patients was significantly higher than in the control group (P < 0.05). Association analysis between polymorphisms and clinical phenotype demonstrated that the disease course in ANFH patients with the rs2453839 TT genotype of IGFBP-3 was significantly shorter than that of CT + CC carriers (P < 0.01). CT + CC genotype frequency in patients with stage III/IV bilateral hip lesions was significantly higher than in those with stage III/IV unilateral lesions and stage II/III bilateral lesions (P < 0.05 - 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggested that interaction of SREBP-2 gene polymorphisms and the relationship between the polymorphisms and clinical phenotype of IGFBP-3 were closely related to increased ANFH risk in the Chinese population. The most significant finding was that the CT + CC genotype carriers of IGFBP-3 rs2453839 were highly associated with the development of ANFH.

Regulation of cofilin activity by CaMKII and calcineurin.

Cofilin promotes actin filament turnover by severing and depolymerizing actin filaments. Cofilin is inactivated by phosphorylation on Ser-3 by LIM-kinase1 (LIMK1) and is activated when protein phosphatase Slingshot-1L (SSH1L) dephosphorylates this residue. The authors have shown that Ca-induced cofilin dephosphorylation is mediated by calcineurin (Cn)-dependent activation of SSH1L. In this study, Ca/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) is shown to negatively regulate SSH1L activity and bind to SSH1L in a complex with 14-3-3. Phosphorylation of LIMK1 by CaMKII and its subsequent activation regulates the subcellular localization of SSH1L. Based on these findings, the authors suggest that CaMKII and Cn provide a switch-like mechanism that controls Ca-dependent LIMK1, SSH1L and cofilin activation, and subsequently actin cytoskeletal reorganization.