Functional characterization of polyol/monosaccharide transporter 1 in Lotus japonicus.

Polyol/Monosaccharide Transporters (PLTs/PMTs) localized in the plasma membrane have previously been identified in plants. The physiological role and the functional properties of these proteins in legume plants are, however, unclear. Here we describe the functional analysis of LjPLT1, a plasma membrane-localized PLT protein from Lotus japonicus. The LjPLT1 gene was strongly expressed in the vascular tissue of roots, stems and leaves. Expression of the LjPLT1 cDNAs in yeast revealed that the protein functions as a broad-spectrum H+ -symporter for both linear polyols of sorbitol and mannitol, and cyclic polyol myo-inositol. It also catalyzes the transport of different hexoses, including fructose, glucose, galactose and mannose. Overexpression of LjPLT1 (OELjPLT1) results in inhibition of plant growth and a decrease in nodule nitrogenase activity in L. japonicus. The soluble sugars were increased in newly expanded leaves, roots and nodules but decreased in mature leaves in OELjPLT1 plants. In addition, the OELjPLT1 seedlings displayed an increased sensitivity to high content mannitol and boron toxicity, but neither drought nor salinity stresses. Taken together, the present study indicates that the LjPLT1 protein may participate in the translocation of hexoses/polyols to regulate multiple physiological and growth processes in L. japonicus.

An MSC bone-homing compound, Rab001, increases bone mass and reduces the incidence of osteonecrosis in a glucocorticoid-induced osteonecrosis mouse model.

Currently, there are no effective medications to either prevent or slow the progression of atraumatic osteonecrosis (ON). The objective of this study is to determine the effects of bone-targeted delivery of mesenchymal stem cells on the prevalence of ON in a glucocorticoid (GC)-induced mouse model. Eight-week-old male BALB/c mice were randomized into groups that received placebo (PL), prednisolone (GC), or concurrent treatments with GC + mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs), Rab001 or GC + Rab001 + MSCs. Human parathyroid hormone (hPTH) was used as a positive control for bone anabolism. Mice were killed after 30 days, and quantitative measurements of bone mass, bone strength, prevalent ON at the distal femoral epiphysis (DFE) were performed. Angiogenesis was accessed by RNA-Seq, the circulating angiogenic markers, as well as by immunohistochemical staining. We have showed that a novel agent, Rab001 that can noncovalently bind to mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) and direct them to the bone, prevents the incidence of glucocorticoid-induced osteonecrosis in the mouse. In contrast, PTH, a bone anabolic treatment, preserves bone mass but sustains higher ON incidence than Rab001+/- MSC-treated mice. The results of these experiments reveal that glucocorticoids increase the prevalence of ON, and agents that prevent loss of bone vascularity appear to prevent the development of ON. This intervention might be useful in patients with early stages of atraumatic ON.

In vivo study of effects of artesunate nanoliposomes on human hepatocellular carcinoma xenografts in nude mice.

To investigate the effect of artesunate nanoliposomes on cultured cells in vitro and hepatocellular carcinoma xenografts in BALB/c-nu mice. Fluorescence polarization was applied for measurement of mitochondrial membrane fluidities; inhibition test of tumor cell proliferation in vitro was performed and nude mice xenograft model from human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) was established. Cytotoxicity of these compounds was evaluated by MTT assay on hepatocellular carcinoma xenografts in nude mice. Anisotropy (r-value) of blank nanoliposomes didn't change, it had no statistically significance between the blank nanoliposomes group and the control group, it indicated that artesunate had no obvious effect on L-O2 human normal liver cells. IC50 values of artesunate nanoliposomes and artesunate API (active pharmaceutical ingredient) against HepG-2 cells were 15.997 and 19.706 µg/ml; IC50 values of the same drugs against L-O2 normal human liver cells were 100.23 and 105.54 µg/ml, respectively. Tumor growth inhibitory effect of artesunate nanoliposomes was 32.7%, and artesunate API was 20.5%, respectively. HepG-2 cells treated with artesunate nanoliposomes showed dose-dependent apoptosis. The antitumor effect of artesunate nanoliposomes on human hepatoma HepG2 cells were stronger than that of artesunate API at the same concentration.

[Instant and fatigue stability analysis of anterior lumbar interbody fusion with stand-alone cage].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the spinal segment instant and fatigue stability of anterior lumbar interbody fusion with stand-alone cage. METHODS: The vertebrae L4 and S1 of 6 human lumbar specimens (L3 - S1) were embedded with dental base acrylic resin powder and fixed on mechanical machine, and the L4/L5 and L5/S1 disk spaces were left active. The 6 specimens underwent mechanical test as control group first, and then used as experimental group with a cage implanted in L5/S1. Instant instability was tested in three directions: flexion, extension, and lateral bend. The relative movement of L4/L5 and L5/S1 was recorded. Fatigue instability was tested after 50 000 times of flexion-extension movement, and the relative displacement between the cage and S1 was recorded. RESULT: In the three directions of flexion, extension, and lateral bend, the relative movements of L5/S1 in the experimental group were 0. 83 +/- 0.26 degrees, 1.60 +/- 0.19 degrees, and 0.72 +/- 0.20 degrees respectively, all significantly decreased than those of the control group (3.60 +/- 0.30 degrees, 4.82 +/- 0.34 degrees, and 3.80 +/- 0.28 degrees respectively, all P < 0.01). The relative movement of L4/L5 of the experimental group were 5.82 +/- 0.36 degrees, 5.38 +/- 0.30 degrees, and 4.96 +/- 0.29 degrees in the three directions respectively, all significantly higher than those of the control group (4.16 +/- 0.33 degrees, 4.02 +/- 0.30 degrees, and 3.48 +/- 0.34 degrees respectively, all P <0.01). After 50 000 times of flexion-extension fatigue movement, the relative displacement between the cage and S1 was zero. CONCLUSION: Anterior lumbar interbody fusion with a stand-alone cage has excellent instant and fatigue stability, which can provide enough stability for clinical bone fusion without other internal fixation.