Bufalin induces apoptosis and autophagy via the Ca2+/CaMKKß/AMPK/Beclin1 signaling pathway in osteosarcoma cells.

Bufalin, a major cardiotonic compound of the traditional Chinese medicine Chanshu has been used for cancer treatment for several years. However, the molecular mechanisms of Bufalin-induced autophagy in osteosarcoma (OS) is not fully understood. In the present study, it was shown that Bufalin induced crosstalk between apoptosis and autophagy, which resulted in OS cell death. Mechanistically, Bufalin induced autophagy by increased the ratio of microtubule-associated protein 1A/1B-light chain 3 (LC3)-II/LC3-I, and inducing apoptosis via the caspase-dependent pathway. Inhibition of autophagy promoted Bufalin-induced cell death. In contrast, suppression of apoptosis enhanced Bufalin-induced autophagy. In addition, it was found that Bufalin activated the Ca2+ /calmodulin-dependent protein kinase ß/AMPK/Beclin1 pathway, which resulted in induction of autophagy. These findings provide a mechanistic understanding of the means by which Bufalin mediates autophagy and apoptosis in OS cells.

Value of ultrasonography for observation of early healing of humeral shaft fractures.

PURPOSE: Explore the value of ultrasonography for observation of early healing of humeral shaft fractures. METHODS: Sixty-five humeral shaft fracture patients were recruited. They were examined sonographically with color Doppler ultrasonography (CDU) and/or power Doppler ultrasonography (PDU) during the 1st week, 2nd week, 3rd week, 4th week, 9th week, and 15th week after the initial surgical procedure of internal fixation. Formation of callus consolidation and the resistance indexes (RI) of blood flow in different durations were compared between the good healing group and bad healing (delayed fracture healing or nonunion) group. RESULTS: Ultrasound showed that 59 patients had good fracture healing. Within the 2nd and 4th week after surgery, the RI decreased over time (P < 0.05) and color Doppler flow imaging (CDFI/PDU) grading ranged from II to III. Six patients had bad fracture healing (delayed healing or nonunion). Insufficient or absent blood flow signals demonstrated that no callus was found in and/or around the fracture sites. CDFI grading ranged from 0 to I. There was significant difference compared with the good healing group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: CDFI/PDU is an easy, painless, and effective method for predicting the prognosis of humeral shaft fractures by estimating early healing.

[Treatment of intra-articular calcaneal fractures by minimally invasive through the sinus tarsi approach and external fixation with calcaneal locking plates].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical results and the superiority of minimally invasive sinus tarsi approach andABSTRACT Objective :To investigate the clinical results and the superiority of minimally invasive sinus tarsi approach and external fixation with calcaneal locking plates for the treatment of the intra-articular calcaneal fracture. METHODS: From July 2011 to August 2012, 12 cases (13 feet) were treated by sinus tarsi approach and external fixation with calcaneal locking plates. There were 10 males and 2 females, aged from 25 to 48 years old (means 35 years old). According to Sanders classifi- cation system, there were 7 feet with type II, 6 feet with type III. The Böhler angle and Gissane angle were compared before and after operation. The clinical results were evaluated with the Maryland foot score system. RESULTS: All 12 cases were followed up from 6 to 14 months (means 10 months). There were no incision complications. Fracture healing time was from 3 to 6 months (means 4 months). The Böhler angle increased from preoperative (11.19 +/- 5.69) degrees to postoperative (30.13 +/- 7.52) degrees; The Gissane angle increased from preoperative (108.31 +/- 10.35) degrees to postoperative (118.99 +/- 8.94) degrees. According to Maryland foot score system, 8 feet got an excellent result, 3 good, 2 fair. CONCLUSION: Open reduction by sinus tarsi approach and external fixation with calcaneal locking plates is an effective method for treatment of Sanders II, III calcaneal fracture. It can obtain good reduction and stable fixation with minimal invasion and lower complications.

In vivo and in vitro expression of the RASAL1 gene in human gastric adenocarcinoma and its clinicopathological significance.

Recent studies have suggested that the RAS protein activator like-1 (RASAL1) is a potential tumor suppressor, which is found to be reduced in certain human cancers. Its downregulation is involved in the progression of malignancies. However, whether or not RASAL1 plays a role in the development of gastric cancer remains to be determined. Our study aimed to clarify the role of RASAL1 in the progression of gastric adenocarcinoma. The expression of RASAL1 in primary gastric adenocarcinoma tissue specimens was determined by immunohistochemistry. The expression of RASAL1 mRNA and protein was detected by RT-PCR and western blotting in gastric adenocarcinoma cell lines with varying differentiation statuses, including well-differentiated MKN-28, moderately differentiated SGC-7901 and poorly differentiated BGC-823, respectively. A normal gastric epithelial cell line, GES-l, was used as the control line. The immunohistochemical results revealed that the expression of the RASAL1 protein was mainly observed in the cytoplasm. Among 50 cases of gastric adenocarcinoma tissues, 12 cases were identified as (-), 23 cases (+), 13 cases (++) and 2 cases (+++). Among 50 cases of normal gastric tissues, 16 cases were (++) and 34 cases (+++). The expression of the RASAL1 protein was found to be decreased in the gastric adenocarcinoma tissue compared with normal gastric tissue (p<0.01). Moreover, in the gastric carcinoma tissues, the expression of RASAL1 was correlated with carcinoma diameter, differentiation grades, invasive depth, lymph node metastasis and TNM. Additionally, the RASAL1 mRNA and proteins were decreased in the three gastric adenocarcinoma cell lines compared with the normal gastric epithelial cell line GES-l. In addition, the downregulation of RASAL1 correlated with the differentiation status of cancer cell lines. Based on the above investigation, we conclude that expression of the RASAL1 gene is decreased in gastric carcinoma tissues and cell lines. The results indicate that RASAL1 may be important in the tumorigenesis and development of gastric carcinoma.