Inhibitory role of Smad7 in hepatocarcinogenesis in mice and in vitro

Smad7 is a principal inhibitor of the TGFβ–Smad signalling pathway. We have investigated the functional significance of Smad7 in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Smad7 knockout (KO) and wild‐type (WT) mice were injected with diethylnitrosamine (DEN) to induce HCC. The effects of Smad7 on cellular features were examined in HCC cells, using a Smad7 over‐expression or deletion approach. Signalling pathway components modulated by Smad7 in HCC were evaluated using luciferase reporter assay and co‐immunoprecipitation. Smad7 was down‐regulated in human HCCs compared with the adjacent normal tissues (p < 0.001). Smad7 KO mice were more susceptible to DEN‐induced HCC than WT mice (78% versus 22%, p < 0.05). HCCs from KO mice displayed a greater proliferation activity (p < 0.05) and a reduced apoptotic index compared with WT littermates (p < 0.05). Deletion of Smad7 promoted cell proliferation in primary cultured HCC cells. In addition, over‐expression of Smad7 in HCC cell lines markedly suppressed cell growth (p < 0.0001) and colony formation (p < 0.01). Cell cycle analysis revealed an increase in the G₁ phase and a reduction in the S‐phase populations, accompanied by up‐regulation of p27^Kip1 and down‐regulation of cyclin D1. Smad7 increased cell apoptosis (p < 0.01) by mediating an intrinsic [caspase‐9, caspase‐3 and poly(ADP‐ribose) polymerase] apoptotic pathway. Moreover, Smad7 inhibited NF‐κB signalling by interacting with TAB2, an upstream activator of NF‐κB, and inhibited TGFβ signalling by suppressing phosphorylation of Smad3. In conclusion, loss of Smad7 enhances susceptibility to HCC. Smad7 suppresses HCC cell growth by inhibiting proliferation and G₁–S phase transition and inducing apoptosis through attenuation of NF‐κB and TGFβ signalling. Smad7 acts as a potential tumour suppressor in liver. Copyright © 2013 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Prevalence of developmental dysplasia of the hip in children with clubfoot

Purpose

The relationship between congenital talipes equinovarus (CTEV) and developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) remains uncertain. The role of routine hip screening in children with CTEV is debated. A recent study has found a high incidence of DDH in patients with CTEV. The aim of our study was to determine the true prevalence of radiographic hip dysplasia and identify the need for routine hip screening in patients treated for CTEV.

Methods

From a single centre database of 165 children consisting of 260 CTEV, a prospective radiological prevalence study of 101 children was performed over a period of 3 months. A single anterior-posterior pelvic radiograph was performed at a minimum age of 5 months. The DDH was determined by a single senior investigator based on the age-adjusted acetabular index (AI) as described by Tonnis.

Results

There were no dislocations or subluxations. According to the age-adjusted AI, 16 children had ‘light’ dysplasia and one child had ‘severe’ dysplasia. The child with severe dysplasia was known to have DDH and had already undergone treatment. The 16 children with light dysplasia did not require any form of treatment.

Conclusion

Out of one hundred and one children with CTEV, only one had DDH requiring treatment. This is consistent with the majority of the literature supporting the premise that there is no true association between CTEV and DDH. We, therefore, feel that routine hip screening for children with CTEV is not supported by current evidence and cannot be recommended.     

The existence of a layer IV in the rat motor cortex

We have reconstructed the laminar pattern of rat primary motor cortex (Fr1) using a computerized analysis system based on the so-called 'optical dissector'. Data were visualized on a graphics terminal. In contrast to current views, which state that there is no prominent layer IV in the motor cortex of the rat, our method of analysis revealed a genuine layer IV consisting of densely packed small neurons.      

顺铂壳聚糖微球的制备及特性研究

对顺铂壳聚糖微球的制备、载药量、大小及分布、形态及表面状态、体外释放及降解性进行了研究。微球用乳化-化学交联技术制备,平均粒径为74.80μm,顺铂含量为20.83%±0.36%。电镜扫描显示,微球球形圆整,表面粗糙。生理盐水中放置1h微球轻微溶胀,其体外释药符合一级方程,微球经⁶⁰Co辐射灭菌达到无菌要求。犬肝动脉栓塞后一个月,病理切片可见栓塞区仍有壳聚糖微球存在。     

Isoelectric focusing of human von Willebrand factor in urea-agarose gels

An analytical technique has been developed for the isoelectric focusing (IEF) of plasma von Willebrand factor (vWF) in agarose gels containing urea. Under these conditions, vWF freely enters the gel and focuses without artifact. The focused vWF is visualized by staining fixed gels with 125I-labeled affinity-purified heterologous antibody. Utilizing a pH gradient of 5.0-6.5, normal vWF in plasma or purified preparations focuses into at least three bands with apparent isoelectric points (pI) between pH 5.7 and 5.9. A reproducible difference in the IEF pattern of vWF has been established between normal plasmas and those of individuals with variant von Willebrand's disease (vWd) type IIA and type IIB. In type IIA, vWF has a distinctly lower pI than normal. This difference may be related to the presence of smaller vWF multimers in IIA plasma because forms of vWF of corresponding size contained in normal cryoprecipitate supernatant have a similar pI. Type IIB von Willebrand factor has a pI intermediate between normal and IIA. Neuraminidase treatment of plasma samples before IEF results in an increase in pI in normal, type IIA, and type IIB vWF. The data suggest that none of the 16 type IIA and 9 IIB plasmas studied here contain significantly decreased amounts of sialic acid.     

Depletion of white cells from platelet concentrates with a new adsorption filter

Removal of white cells (WBCs) from platelets may reduce alloimmunization to WBC antigens, prevent febrile reactions, and improve platelet increments in multiply transfused patients receiving HLA-matched platelets. A new surface-modified fibrous polyester filter was evaluated; it requires no special processing of pooled platelet concentrates and can be used at the patient's bedside. The studies were designed to measure WBC removal, platelet function, in vitro platelet recovery, and in vivo platelet survival. WBC mean removal was 99.8 percent +/- 0.56 (n = 37) when a pool similar in volume to 6 platelet concentrates was tested. The mean number of residual WBCs after filtration was 5.6 x 10(5). In vitro mean platelet recovery was 86.9 percent for a pool size of 6 units (n = 37). Clot retraction and platelet aggregation were unaffected by filtration. Survival studies of 111Indium-labeled platelets done with filtered autologous platelets showed no reduction in the normally expected survival. These studies indicated that the filter efficiently removes WBCs without substantially decreasing platelet number, survival, or function. This device offers the potential of considerably improving platelet transfusion therapy.