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.     

国人上矢状窦窦腔内结构的内镜解剖

目的观察国人上矢状窦窦腔内结构，特别是纤维索和蛛网膜颗粒的完整解剖形态。方法成人头颅标本5具，去除颅盖，应用内镜观察研究上矢状窦窦腔内纤维索及蛛网膜颗粒的原始结构特征；并纵行剖开管腔，显微镜下观察纤维索、蛛网膜颗粒。结果内镜下观察上矢状窦管腔内纤维索大致分3种类型：瓣膜状（47．1％）、小梁状（30．6％）、板层状（22．3％）。蛛网膜颗粒多集中于上矢状窦中段侧壁及静脉隐窝处呈指状突起突入窦腔。结论内镜较常规解剖手段可以更直观地观察上矢状窦窦腔内结构的完整形态特征。     

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.     

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。     

嗜铬细胞瘤患者围手术期处理的改进

目的：探讨提高嗜铬细胞瘤患者围手术期安全性的措施。方法：对15例嗜铬细胞瘤患者、术前采用选择性α1受体阻滞剂多沙唑嗪控释片(可多华)控制高血压；11例患者采用3D DCEMRA进行肿瘤定位；术中均采用联合高容量血液稀释(AHH)和术中患者自体血回输纠正血容量。结果：除1例持续性高血压患者需联合钙离子拮抗剂和ACEI药物降压外．其余患者血压控制均为满意；根据3D DCEMRA定位选择手术径路者均顺利完成手术；AHH联合术中自体血回输使14例患者避免了异体输血。结论：本文围手术期处理改进．可多华可明显减少药物的不良反应；采用3D DCEMRA进行肿瘤定位，可增加手术安全性；AHH联合术中自体血回输可减少医疗成本和异体输血，以及由此而引起的并发症。     

Inhibitory effect of glycyrrhiza uralensis fish and chelidonium majus L on gastrocarcinogenesis induced by N-methyl-N′-nitron-N-nitrosoguanidine

In order to investigate the antagonistic effect of Glycyrrhiza Uralensis Fish (GUF) and Chelidonium maJus L (CML) on gastrccarcinogenesis induced by MNNG in Wastar rats, we treated the rats with MNNG alone (group 1) and with MNNG plus GUF and CML (group 2 and 3) respectively. The incidence of infiltrating adenocarcinoma of the glandular stomach and duodenum in group 2 was significantly lower than that in group 1 (26.7% vs. 67.8%). The differentiation and aggressivenees of carcinomas occured in group 2 were much better and mild than those in group 1. Present study also demonstrated that the inhibitory effect of CML on proliferation of human stomach carcinoma cell line MGC-803 was very remarkable; in addition, GUF and CML were able to antagonise the mutagenic activation of MNNG. These results suggest that GUF and CML may be empoyed in prevention of gastric carcinoma.     

New posture equilibrometer for the diagnosis of vestibular disease

Summary The vestibulospinal level of vestibular function is commonly neglected in the evaluation of vertiginous patients. We have now developed a new posture equilibrometer. A transducer is placed on the head of the subject being tested. With this meter we can record body swaying, X (left-right) and Y (fore-aft) components of angular displacement, angular velocity, and angular acceleration. A detailed analysis of the data can be made by having patients keep their eyes either open or closed during the Romberg test. The head is turned left or right in this test, while the eyes are opened and closed in the Mann test. The posture equilibrometer has enabled us to evaluate more precisely vestibulospinal function and sensory interactions. Offprint request to: N. C. Zhong