Fidgetin-like 1 gene inhibited by basic fibroblast growth factor regulates the proliferation and differentiation of osteoblasts.

The FIGNL1 gene was proven to be a new subfamily member of ATPases associated with diverse cellular activities (AAA proteins). In this in vitro study, the AAA proteins inhibited osteoblast proliferation and stimulated osteoblast differentiation. We showed that FIGNL1 may play some regulatory role in osteoblastogenesis. INTRODUCTION: The fidgetin-like 1 (FIGNL1) gene encodes a new subfamily member of ATPases associated with diverse cellular activities (AAA proteins). Although the FIGNL1 protein localizes to both the nucleus and cytoplasm, the function of FIGNL1 remains unknown. In a previous study, we identified several genes that mediate the anabolic effects of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) on bone by using microarray data. FIGNL1 was one of the genes that downregulated >2-fold in MC3T3-E1 cells after treatment with bFGF. Therefore, this study was aimed to identify and confirm the function of FIGNL1 on osteoblastogenesis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We examined the effect of the FIGNL1 gene on proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis in mouse osteoblast cells (MC3T3-E1 and mouse primary calvarial cells) using flow cytometry, RT-PCR, cell proliferation assay, and cell death assay. MC3T3-E1 cells and mouse calvarial cells were transfected with small interfering RNA (siRNA) directed against the FIGNL1 or nontargeting control siRNA and examined by cell proliferation and cell death assays. Also, FIGNL1 was fused to enhance green fluorescent protein (EGFP), and the EGFP-fused protein was transiently expressed in MC3T3-E1 cells. RESULTS: Reduced expression of FIGNL1 by bFGF and TGF-beta1 treatment was verified by RT-PCR analysis. Overexpression of FIGNL1 reduced the proliferation of MC3T3-E1 and calvarial cells, more than the mock transfected control cells did. In contrast, siFIGNL1 transfection significantly increased the proliferation of osteoblasts, whereas overexpression of FIGNL1 did not seem to alter apoptosis in osteoblasts. Meanwhile, overexpression of FIGNL1 enhanced the mRNA expression of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and osteocalcin (OCN) in osteoblasts. In contrast, siFIGNL1 decreased the expression of ALP and OCN. A pEGFP-FIGNL1 transfected into MCT3-E1 cells had an initially ubiquitous distribution and rapidly translocated to the nucleus 1 h after bFGF treatment. CONCLUSIONS: From these results, we proposed that FIGNL1, a subfamily member of the AAA family of proteins, might play some regulatory role in osteoblast proliferation and differentiation. Further analyses of FIGNL1 will be needed to better delineate the mechanisms contributing to the inhibition of proliferation and stimulation of osteoblast differentiation.     

Association of the GNAS1 gene variant with hypertension is dependent on alcohol consumption.

The beta-adrenoceptor (beta-AR)-stimulatory guanine nucleotide-binding (Gs) protein system has been shown to play important roles in the cardiovascular system. The gene encoding the alpha-subunit of Gs proteins (GNAS1) is a candidate genetic determinant for hypertension. Because alcohol consumption is known to affect blood pressure partly through the beta-AR-Gs protein system, we examined the possible interaction between GNAS1 T393C polymorphism and drinking status in the association with hypertension in the present study. As a result, a non-significant but reasonable trend supporting the presence of an interaction was shown (p = 0.076). In line with this trend, the T393C polymorphism significantly interacted with drinking status in the association with systolic blood pressure (p = 0.028). Moreover, supporting the presence of an interaction, T allele carriers consistently had a higher probability of hypertension, higher systolic blood pressure, and higher diastolic blood pressure than CC homozygotes in non-drinkers and light drinkers. In contrast, CC homozygotes consistently had a higher probability of hypertension, higher systolic blood pressure, and higher diastolic blood pressure than T allele carriers in moderate to heavy drinkers. The present study also showed a significant interaction between the T393C polymorphism and drinking status in the association with pulse pressure (p = 0.026), reflected by a significant association between the T393C polymorphism and pulse pressure in moderate to heavy drinkers (p = 0.026). These findings may be helpful in conducting further molecular and biological studies on the relationship among the effects of alcohol, the beta-AR-Gs protein system, and hypertension.     

416例甲状腺肿瘤临床病理分析

目的了解本地区甲状腺肿瘤的发病情况，探讨甲状腺肿瘤的诊断与鉴别诊断6方法对416例甲状腺肿瘤病理资料进行回顾性分析。结果甲状腺肿瘤以良性多见，良恶性之比为8．2：1。各类型肿瘤均以女性明显多于男性，男女之比为1：5．4，好发年龄为21～50岁，肿瘤发生于甲状腺右侧多见。结论本组甲状腺肿瘤的发生率、好发年龄、性别差异、良恶之比与文献报道基本一致。乳头状腺瘤与乳头状癌的鉴别有一定难度，对可疑标本要多处取材，连续切片，仔细观察，找出其特征，提高诊断的准确性。     

Benign childhood epilepsy with centro-temporal spikes (BCECTS): early onset of seizures is associated with poorer response to initial treatment.

AIM: Benign childhood epilepsy with centro-temporal spikes (BCECTS) is the most common idiopathic partial epilepsy in children. Treatment attitudes remain a controversial issue. We examine features that could suggest refractoriness at onset. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 144 children with BCECTS diagnosed at the Division of Pediatric Neurology, Asan Medical Center, from March 1, 1995, to April 30, 2002 and treated with AEDs. The patients were subdivided into two groups according to the number of antiepileptic drugs used for effective seizure control. RESULTS: Of the 144 patients, 75 were male and 69 were female, with a mean age at seizure-onset of 7.2 +/- 2.3 years (range, 2.1-14.3 years); 119 children were taking one antiepileptic drug (AED) (Group A), and 25 were taking more than one (Group B). There were no significant group differences in female-to-male ratio, prescribed AEDs, number of seizures before the start of treatment, interval between seizure-onset and start of treatment, presence of secondarily generalized seizures, or presence of bilateral EEG abnormalities. The groups differed however, in mean age at seizure onset (7.6 +/- 2.2 years versus 5.1 +/- 1.9 years, p < 0.05) and percentage of patients with seizure-onset before 3 years (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: When treated with AEDs, children with BCECTS usually respond well. However, an earlier onset of seizures is associated with more frequent seizures and initial refractoriness to medical treatment.     

Serial CT findings of Paragonimus infested dogs and the Micro-CT findings of the worm cysts.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the serial CT findings of Paragonimus westermani infected dogs and the microscopic structures of the worm cysts using Micro-CT. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was approved by the committee on animal research at our institution. Fifteen dogs infected with P. westermani underwent serial contrast-enhanced CT scans at pre-infection, after 10 days of infection, and monthly thereafter until six months for determining the radiologic-pathologic correlation. Three dogs (one dog each time) were sacrificed at 1, 3 and 6 months, respectively. After fixation of the lungs, both multi-detector CT and Micro-CT were performed for examining the worm cysts. RESULTS: The initial findings were pleural effusion and/or subpleural ground-glass opacities or linear opacities at day 10. At day 30, subpleural and peribronchial nodules appeared with hydropneumothorax and abdominal or chest wall air bubbles. Cavitary change and bronchial dilatation began to be seen on CT scan at day 30 and this was mostly seen together with mediastinal lymphadenopathy at day 60. Thereafter, subpleural ground-glass opacities and nodules with or without cavitary changes were persistently observed until day 180. After cavitary change of the nodules, the migratory features of the subpleural or peribronchial nodules were seen on all the serial CT scans. Micro-CT showed that the cyst wall contained dilated interconnected tubular structures, which had communications with the cavity and the adjacent distal bronchus. CONCLUSION: The CT findings of paragonimiasis depend on the migratory stage of the worms. The worm cyst can have numerous interconnected tubular channels within its own wall and these channels have connections with the cavity and the adjacent distal bronchus.     

胸腰椎骨折术后内固定松动、断裂的原因及预防

目的 探讨椎弓根螺钉系统用于胸腰椎骨折术后出现松动、断裂的原因，并提出相应的预防对策。方法 12例胸腰椎骨折术后内固定失效病例，采用RF系统3例，AF系统9例。均未行植骨融合，AF系统中未按要求安装横连结3例，术后伤椎前缘高度平均恢复至正常的85．2％。结果 术后8—21个月出现棒断裂4例，螺钉断裂3例，钉帽松动5例。结论 内固定物的自身问题、术者的经验欠缺及操作不规范是胸腰椎骨折术后椎弓根螺钉系统松动、断裂的原因，但伤椎骨结构未能得到良好重建及术后椎间盘退变可能是其更重要的因素。因此重视内固定物的选择、加强规范操作，强调对损伤椎体及椎间盘的全面处理是预防内固定失效的有效措施。     

中西医联合治疗单纯疱疹性角膜炎的疗效观察

目的 :探讨单纯疱疹性角膜炎是中西医联合用药的治疗方法。方法 :本组 10 0例 ( 10 6只眼 )单纯疱疹性角膜炎患者应用抗病毒药物联合清热解毒中药的疗效观察。结果 :本组病例治疗后总有效率 82 .0 8%。结论 :中西医联合治疗措施是我们对单纯疱疹性角膜炎治疗的一项新的探讨。     

唇裂术止血减张固定器的研制和实验与临床研究

目的：为了减少唇裂修复术中出血，便于手术操作，缩短手术时间，相对地减少手术的危险性。方法：利用压迫止血及滑杆的原理，自行设计制作了唇裂术止血减张固定器，经过动物实验证实，在2h以内不会对组织有任何不可逆损伤，并成功地应用于唇裂修复术中。结果：临床应用68例，与传统止血方法比较，术中出血明显减少，便于手术操作，而且安全可靠，在2h以内不会对上唇组织有任何不可逆损伤，手术的危险性相对地减少。结论：应用唇裂术止血减张固定器进行唇裂修复术，术中出血明显减少．手术时间明显缩短，手术的危险性相对地减少，对减轻术后切口瘢痕有利，值得临床推广应用。     

基质金属蛋白酶与肺癌转移的关系

基质金属蛋白酶(matrix metalloproteinases，MMPs)是一组锌离子依赖的蛋白水解酶，在ECM降解中起着重要作用。目前研究表明，MMPs活性异常不仅能促进肿瘤血管形成，还是人类多种肿瘤侵袭和转移的必要条件。本文就与肺癌侵袭和转移有关的MMPs研究作一综述。