Exploring the formation pathway and antioxidant properties of the sugar-smoking pigment 5-GGMF

The present study aimed to elucidate the pathway of pigment formation and identify the source of antioxidant activity during sugar smoking. Building upon previous research, this investigation replicated the sucrose cleavage process involved in sugar-smoking through model reactions to obtain distinct model reaction products. The products were analyzed using various techniques such as ultraviolet-visible spectrometry, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, high-performance liquid chromatography, and high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. The findings revealed that the pyrolysis of sucrose at 330 °C yielded glucose and fructose, with fructose pyrolysis producing significantly more 5-HMF than glucose. Moreover, the antioxidant capacity of 5-HMF was found to make a substantial contribution. The primary source of 5-HMF was identified as fructose resulting from the cleavage of sucrose at 330 °C, while the primary pathway for the formation of the sugar-smoking pigment 5-GGMF was attributed to the intermolecular dehydration of 5-HMF and glucose at 150 °C.

Unilateral biportal endoscopic spine surgery for lumbar spinal stenosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

Lumbar spinal stenosis is the most common spinal degenerative disease in patients over 60 years, and the unilateral biportal endoscopic (UBE) spine surgery treatment of lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) has achieved preliminary clinical results. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to reveal the clinical efficacy of UBE for LSS and provide evidence for clinical practice.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane databases were searched for literature. The papers selected were those published from inception till October 2021. The selected pieces of literature were graded for evidence using the Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine: Levels of Evidence (March 2009). Outcomes measures were operation time, blood loss, complication rate, admission period, Visual Analogue Scale (VAS)-back, VAS-leg, and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) score, and radiological outcomes. The mean comparisons were based on VAS and ODI scores.

RESULTS

A total of 823 patients with a single LSS segment were included from the selected nine studies. There were nine studies comparing UBE clinical outcomes and micro-endoscopic unilateral laminotomy for bilateral decompression (M-ULBD). The meta-analysis revealed that the UBE group had better VAS-leg and -back scores in the first week postoperatively [total: mean difference (MD) = -0.96, 95% confidence interval (CI): -1.19, -0.74, p < 0.00001; total: MD = -1.69, 95% CI: -1.93, -1.45, p < 0.00001], 1st month postoperatively (total: MD = -0.35, 95% CI: -0.61, -0.08, p = 0.01; total: MD = -0.40, 95% CI: -0.68, -0.12, p = 0.005), 6th month postoperatively (total: MD = -0.22, 95% CI: -0.35, -0.08, p = 0.002; total: MD = -0.24, 95% CI: -0.40, -0.07, p = 0.005), and UBE group also performed better in ODI score at 1st month postoperatively (total: MD = -3.36, 95% CI: -4.26, -2.46, p < 0.00001). There was no significant difference in VAS-leg and -back scores between both groups at the 3rd and 12th month postoperatively, and ODI scores did not significantly differ between both groups at 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively (all p > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

UBE has achieved good preliminary clinical results and may be a minimally invasive alternative surgery for patients with single segmental LSS.

[The clinical analysis of haploidentical stem cell transplantation in myelodysplastic syndrome-associated acute myeloid leukemia]

目的

探讨单倍型造血干细胞移植（haplo-HSCT）治疗伴骨髓增生异常综合征相关特征急性髓系白血病（AML-MRC）的预后。

方法

回顾性分析2009年1月至2015年7月在北京大学人民医院接受haplo-HSCT的102例第1次完全缓解期（CR₁）高危AML患者的临床资料。

结果

全部102例AML患者中，AML-MRC 17例（AML-MRC组），其他类型AML 85例（对照组）。AML-MRC组男8例，女9例，中位年龄35（17~61）岁；对照组男52例，女33例，中位年龄31（11~60）岁。AML-MRC组、对照组移植后巨细胞病毒、EB病毒、血流感染发生率及造血重建比较差异均无统计学意义（P>0.05），移植后2年总生存率分别为80.8%（95% CI 51.6%~93.4%）、72.5%（95% CI 62.8%~80.1%）（P=0.650），无病生存率分别为79.4%（95% CI 48.8%~92.9%）、65.9%（95% CI 54.3%~75.2%）（P=0.573），累积复发率分别为13.0%（95% CI 1.9%~34.7%）、13.3%（95% CI 7.0%~21.5%）（P=0.623），非复发死亡率分别为6.7%（95% CI 0.3%~27.0%）、20.0%（95% CI 12.0%~29.4%）（P=0.436）。

结论

CR₁期AML-MRC与其他类型高危AML患者haplo-HSCT的预后相似。haplo-HSCT是CR₁期AML-MRC患者的理想选择。

[Three dimensional finite element model of a modified posterior cervical single open-door laminoplasty]

Objective: To build a three-dimensional finite element models of a modified posterior cervical single open-door laminoplasty with short-segmental lateral mass screws fusion. Methods: The C(2)-C(7) segmental data were obtained from computed tomography (CT) scans of a male patient with cervical spondylotic myelopathy and spinal stenosis.Three-dimensional finite element models of a modified cervical single open-door laminoplasty (before and after surgery) were constructed by the combination of software package MIMICS, Geomagic and ABAQUS.The models were composed of bony vertebrae, articulating facets, intervertebral disc and associated ligaments.The loads of moments 1.5Nm at different directions (flexion, extension, lateral bending and axial rotation)were applied at preoperative model to calculate intersegmental ranges of motion.The results were compared with the previous studies to verify the validation of the models. Results: Three-dimensional finite element models of the modified cervical single open- door laminoplasty had 102258 elements (preoperative model) and 161 892 elements (postoperative model) respectively, including C(2-7) six bony vertebraes, C(2-3)-C(6-7) five intervertebral disc, main ligaments and lateral mass screws.The intersegmental responses at the preoperative model under the loads of moments 1.5 Nm at different directions were similar to the previous published data. Conclusion: Three-dimensional finite element models of the modified cervical single open- door laminoplasty were successfully established and had a good biological fidelity, which can be used for further study.

Identification of candidate genes in osteoporosis by integrated microarray analysis

Objectives

In order to screen the altered gene expression profile in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of patients with osteoporosis, we performed an integrated analysis of the online microarray studies of osteoporosis.

Methods

We searched the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database for microarray studies of peripheral blood mononuclear cells in patients with osteoporosis. Subsequently, we integrated gene expression data sets from multiple microarray studies to obtain differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between patients with osteoporosis and normal controls. Gene function analysis was performed to uncover the functions of identified DEGs.

Results

A total of three microarray studies were selected for integrated analysis. In all, 1125 genes were found to be significantly differentially expressed between osteoporosis patients and normal controls, with 373 upregulated and 752 downregulated genes. Positive regulation of the cellular amino metabolic process (gene ontology (GO): 0033240, false discovery rate (FDR) = 1.00E + 00) was significantly enriched under the GO category for biological processes, while for molecular functions, flavin adenine dinucleotide binding (GO: 0050660, FDR = 3.66E-01) and androgen receptor binding (GO: 0050681, FDR = 6.35E-01) were significantly enriched. DEGs were enriched in many osteoporosis-related signalling pathways, including those of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and calcium. Protein-protein interaction (PPI) network analysis showed that the significant hub proteins contained ubiquitin specific peptidase 9, X-linked (Degree = 99), ubiquitin specific peptidase 19 (Degree = 57) and ubiquitin conjugating enzyme E2 B (Degree = 57).

Conclusion

Analysis of gene function of identified differentially expressed genes may expand our understanding of fundamental mechanisms leading to osteoporosis. Moreover, significantly enriched pathways, such as MAPK and calcium, may involve in osteoporosis through osteoblastic differentiation and bone formation.

Cite this article: J. J. Li, B. Q. Wang, Q. Fei, Y. Yang, D. Li. Identification of candidate genes in osteoporosis by integrated microarray analysis. Bone Joint Res 2016;5:594–601. DOI: 10.1302/2046-3758.512.BJR-2016-0073.R1.

The AdLMP-1 transfection in two different cells; AF cells, chondrocytes as potential cell therapy candidates for disc degeneration

BACKGROUND

LMP-1 is known to increase proteoglycan production through the upregulating the BMPs and it is also known that BMP-2 acts on anulus fibrosus cells and chondrocytes to increase proteoglycan production.

METHOD

We carried out an experiment, the effect of AdLMP-1 transfection on AF cells and chondrocytes in the production of sulfated-glycosaminoglycans, mRNA expression (aggrecan, type I, II collagen, LMP-1, BMP-2, and BMP-7), and immunofluorescence staining. AF cells and chondrocytes were grown in monolayer and treated for 6 days with AdLMP1-green fluorescence protein (GFP) (10, 20, and 30 multiplicity of infection [MOI]). After 6 days, the sGAG content in the media was quantified using 1,9-dimethylmethylene blue staining. The mRNA expression was measured with real-time PCR after 20 MOI infection of AdLMP1-GFP. The each cells treated with 20 MOI infection of AdGFP was used as a control group for the mRNA expression. The each cell group was immunofluorescence stained with each antibodies in the chamber slide at 3 x 10(4) cells/chamber.

FINDINGS

1) The sGAG production was maximum in 20 MOI AdLMP1-GFP infection on the AdLMP-1 treatment for both of AF cells and chondrocytes. 2) The mRNA expression of aggrecan, type I collagen, type II collagen, LMP-1, BMP-2, and BMP-7 is increased in both AF cells and chondrocytes in 20 MOI AdLMP1-GFP infection. 3) On the immunofluorescence staining results, the positive immunofluorescence stained cell numbers are increased after 20 MOI AdLMP1-GFP infection concordant with upregulation of mRNA expression.

CONCLUSIONS

The AdLMP-1 treatments in AF cells and chondrocytes may be useful for cell transplantation therapy in disc degeneration.

The mitotic checkpoint kinase NEK2A regulates kinetochore microtubule attachment stability

Loss or gain of whole chromosome, the form of chromosome instability commonly associated with cancers is thought to arise from aberrant chromosome segregation during cell division. Chromosome segregation in mitosis is orchestrated by the interaction of kinetochores with spindle microtubules. Our studies show that NEK2A is a kinetochore-associated protein kinase essential for faithful chromosome segregation. However, it was unclear how NEK2A ensures accurate chromosome segregation in mitosis. Here we show that NEK2A-mediated Hec1 (highly expressed in cancer) phosphorylation is essential for faithful kinetochore microtubule attachments in mitosis. Using phospho-specific antibody, our studies show that NEK2A phosphorylates Hec1 at Ser165 during mitosis. Although such phosphorylation is not required for assembly of Hec1 to the kinetochore, expression of non-phosphorylatable mutant Hec1(S165) perturbed chromosome congression and resulted in a dramatic increase in microtubule attachment errors, including syntelic and monotelic attachments. Our in vitro reconstitution experiment demonstrated that Hec1 binds to microtubule in low affinity and phosphorylation by NEK2A, which prevents aberrant kinetochore-microtubule connections in vivo, increases the affinity of the Ndc80 complex for microtubules in vitro. Thus, our studies illustrate a novel regulatory mechanism in which NEK2A kinase operates a faithful chromosome attachment to spindle microtubule, which prevents chromosome instability during cell division.

Afferent arteriolar adenosine A2a receptors are coupled to KATP in in vitro perfused hydronephrotic rat kidney

Adenosine is known to exert dual actions on the afferent arteriole, eliciting vasoconstriction, by activating A1 receptors, and vasodilation at higher concentrations, by activating lower-affinity A2 receptors. We could demonstrate both of these known adenosine responses in the in vitro perfused hydronephrotic rat kidney. Thus, 1.0 microM adenosine elicited a transient vasoconstriction blocked by 8-cyclopentyl-1,3-dipropylxanthine (DPCPX), and 10-30 microM adenosine reversed KCl-induced vasoconstriction. However, when we examined the effects of adenosine on pressure-induced afferent arteriolar vasoconstriction, we observed a third action. In this setting, a high-affinity adenosine vasodilatory response was observed at concentrations of 10-300 nM. This response was blocked by both 4-(2-[7-amino-2-(2-furyl)[1,2,4]triazolo[2,3-a][1,3, 5]triazin-5-yl-amino]ethyl)phenol (ZM-241385) and glibenclamide and was mimicked by 2-phenylaminoadenosine (CV-1808) (IC50 of 100 nM), implicating adenosine A2a receptors coupled to ATP-sensitive K channels (KATP). Like adenosine, 5'-N-ethylcarboxamidoadenosine (NECA) elicited both glibenclamide-sensitive and glibenclamide-insensitive vasodilatory responses. The order of potency for the glibenclamide-sensitive component was NECA > adenosine = CV-1808. Our findings suggest that, in addition to the previously described adenosine A1 and low-affinity A2b receptors, the renal microvasculature is also capable of expressing high-affinity adenosine A2a receptors. This renal adenosine receptor elicits afferent arteriolar vasodilation at submicromolar adenosine levels by activating KATP.

[The thumb reconstruction by transferring the injured index finger with pedicles]

OBJECTIVE

In order to inquire the methods of thumb reconstruction by transferring the index finger with incomplete conditions of nerve or blood vessels.

METHODS

From April 1987 to October 1997, 6 cases were treated by 3 kinds of operative methods according to the damage type of thumb and complications injures of the rest of hand: 1. transferring the index finger with pedicle without proximal phalanx, 2. transferring the index finger with palmar nerve and blood vessels, and dorsal skin pedicle, 3. transferring the index finger with compound pedicle.

RESULTS

All 6 cases of thumb reconstruction were successful. Followed up 6 months to 2 years, the pinching and gribing functions in 6 cases were completely recovered, and the sensation were partly recovered.

CONCLUSION

The operative method of thumb reconstruction had following advantages: Simple operation, high survival rate and certain function recovery. It can enlarge the indications of thumb reconstruction.

[The detection of basement membrane and dendritic cells in laryngeal carcinoma]

The state of basement membrane(BM) and dendritic cells(DC) were observed by immunohistochemical methods with the use of anti-laminin antibody, anti-type IV collagen antibody, anti-S-100 protein antibody in 68 cases of laryngeal carcinoma and 21 cases of non-cancer laryngeal tissues. The results showed that among 68 patients with laryngeal carcinoma 39 cases had discontinuous BM. A continuous, linear BM was found mostly in normal larynx, atypia hyperplasia and papilloma, only 3 cases had discontinuous BM. 43 positive DC were detected in 68 cases of laryngeal carcinoma. There were rarely positive DC in non-cancer laryngeal tissues. The poorer the differentiation of carcinoma, the more the discontinuous BM and the lesser the number of DC. The discontinuous BM and DC(-) were seen more in advanced stages of carcinoma. The five-year survival rate in patients with continuous BM was significantly higher than that in patients with discontinuous BM, the five-year survival rate in patients with DC positive was also higher than that in patients with DC negative; the survival rate was highest in patients with continuous BM and DC positive. Our results indicated that the detection of the state of BM and dendritic cells were of value to the prognostic analysis in patients with laryngeal carcinoma.

Plasma membrane p180, which insulin receptor phosphorylates in vivo, is not a tyrosine kinase

The earliest substrates to the transmembrane insulin receptor tyrosine kinase, that would function in insulin signalling, are likely to be associated with the plasma membrane. Rat liver plasma membrane 180,000 M(r) protein (p180) is a substrate to the insulin receptor in vitro [Goren et al. (1990) Cellular Signalling 2, 537-555]. The question as to whether p180 is a substrate in vivo was addressed. Half ml 0.9% NaCl or 500 micrograms insulin was injected into rat livers. Purified plasma membrane glycoproteins from the livers were assayed for in vitro phosphorylation reaction products and endogenous tyrosine-phosphorylated proteins. Membranes from insulin-injected rat livers contained phosphorylated p180 and phosphorylated insulin receptor beta-subunit, whereas saline-injected rat liver membranes contained neither. These data suggested that p180 is an in vivo substrate to the insulin receptor. In vitro p180 is tyrosine-phosphorylated in the absence of insulin. p180, therefore, may be the epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor or another tyrosine kinase that could be part of a phosphorylation cascade initiated by insulin. Two different experiments suggested that p180 is not the EGF receptor: (i) two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (first dimension--non-equilibrium pH-gradient gel electrophoresis) indicated that p180 is a more basic glycoprotein than EGF receptor; and (ii) based on reverse-phase high pressure liquid chromatography, the tryptic-phosphopeptides of carboxymethyl-Sepharose-purified phosphorylated-p180 were different from those of A431 cell phosphorylated-EGF receptor. Similarly, two different experiments demonstrated that p180 is not a tyrosine kinase: (i) gel-permeation chromatography separated the insulin receptor from p180 and only insulin receptor was autophosphorylated in vitro; and (ii) membrane proteins not bound to immobilized ATP contained p180. Thus, p180 can associate with the insulin receptor and be phosphorylated in vitro and in vivo; however, p180 does not function in an insulin receptor-mediated phosphorylation cascade.

The realization of a pulsatile implantable impeller pump with low hemolysis

A pulsatile implantable impeller pump with low hemolysis was developed without markedly increasing the complexity of the system compared with the nonpulsatile pump. The key to the question is to design a three-dimensional impeller with twisted vanes, compacted by an axial helical spiral and a radial logarithmic spiral so as to reduce the turbulent shear in the pump as the impeller changes its rotations per minute periodically to generate a physiologic pulsatile flow. Both mathematic computation of velocity distribution in the impeller and geometric illustration of the velocity triangle at the top of the vane have demonstrated that the peripheral velocity variation of blood cells in a twisted impeller will be less than that in an untwisted impeller. Thus, the main mechanical factor of hemolysis in the impeller pump, namely, the turbulent shear, should be reduced because it is proportional to the product of velocity variations measured in two perpendicular directions. In the in vitro experiments, the pump delivered 4 L/min mean flow at 100 mm Hg mean pressure (pulsed between 80-120 mm Hg) for more than 3 h in a circulatory model containing 700 ml of fresh citrated porcine blood. Every half hour, the free hemoglobin level in the plasma was tested, and the resulting index of hemolysis was about 0.020, slightly more than that of a nonpulsatile impeller pump developed in Shanghai. To compare hemolysis, the index of hemolysis of this pump is about 1/6 of that of the self-made diaphragm pump and 1/13 of that of the Polystan Pulsatile Pump.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Haemolysis test of non-pulsatile and pulsatile impeller blood pumps

Non-pulsatile and pulsatile impeller blood pumps have been developed. The non-pulsatile pump was compared with the Shanghai and Sarns 7000 roller pumps for haemolysis. Similarly, the pulsatile pump was compared with a pneumatic diaphragm pump and the Polystan pulsatile pump. In each test, one impeller pump and the pump it was being compared with were connected to two identical circulatory systems with the same volume of fresh citrated porcine blood, delivered at the same pressure and flow for several hours. Every half hour the free haemoglobin was measured and the index of haemolysis (IH) calculated. The mean IH of the non-pulsatile impeller pump was about 18% of the Shanghai roller pump and 29% of the Sarns 7000 roller pump; the IH of the pulsatile impeller pump was 16% of the diaphragm pump and 8% of the Polystan pulsatile pump.