Selecting key genes associated with osteosarcoma based on a differential expression network

Despite recent advances in osteosarcoma diagnosis and therapy, much remains unclear about the molecular mechanisms involved in the disorder, and the discovery of novel drug-targeted genes is essential. We explored the potential molecular mechanisms and target genes involved in the development and progression of osteosarcoma. First, we identified the differentially expressed genes in osteosarcoma patients and matching normal controls. We then constructed a differential expression network based on differential and non-differential interactions. Pathway-enrichment analysis was performed based on the nodes contained in the main differential expression network. Centrality analysis was used to select hub genes that may play vital roles in the progression of human osteosarcoma. Our research revealed a total of 176 differentially expressed genes including 82 upregulated and 94 downregulated genes. A differential expression network was constructed that included 992 gene pairs (1043 nodes). Pathway-enrichment analysis indicated that the nodes in the differential expression network were mainly enriched in several pathways such as those involved in cancer, cell cycle, ubiquitin-mediated proteolysis, DNA replication, ribosomes, T-cell receptor signaling, spliceosomes, neurotrophin signaling, oxidative phosphorylation, and tight junctions. Six hub genes (APP, UBC, CAND1, RPA, YWHAG, and NEDD8) were discovered; of these, two genes (UBC and RPA) were also found to be disease genes. Our study predicted that UBC and RPA had potential as target genes for the diagnosis and treatment of osteosarcoma.

Liver involvement in epidemic haemorrhagic fever: in situ hybridization, immunohistochemical and pathological studies

In the present study, liver biopsy specimens from 37 patients with epidemic haemorrhagic fever (EHF) were investigated by using light and electron microscopy, immunohistochemistry for the EHF virus envelope protein G2 and in situ hybridization (ISH) for EHF viral RNA. Immunostaining and in situ hybridization were both positive, and a few of the aetiological agents, the EHF virus (EHFV) particles, were found individually within the dilated Golgi cisternae and vesicles, and the dilated rough endoplasmic reticulum of the hepatocyte. The pathological alterations of the liver cells infected with EHFV were: hepatocellular degeneration, cytoplasmic vacuolation, and spotty necrosis; moreover, zonal necrosis was present and adjacent to the narrowed and occluded sinusoids. In degenerated and spotty necrotic cells, the positive signals from of ISH for EHFV RNA and those from immunostaining for the virus protein were both stronger than those in the zonal liver cell necrosis area. The results showed that hepatocellular degeneration and spotty necrosis might be directly related to the virus and its duplication inside the liver cells, while the zonal necrosis was ischaemic and thought to be caused by microcirculation dysfunction.

Ultrastructural observation on macrophage-lymphocyte interactions in semen from Tripterygium wilfordii Hook.f. takers

Sixty-nine specimens from Tripterygium Wilfordii Hook.f. (TWH) users were investigated by electron microscopy. No macrophages were demonstrated in the 21 specimens collected prior to the administration of TWH. However, it was found in 23 out of the 48 semen specimens obtained following the TWH administration. The macrophages were functionally active as shown by the presence of a large number of cytoplasmic processes and pseudopodia on the surface, and primary and secondary lysosomes in the cytoplasm. The macrophages phagocytized sperm debris and degenerated or dead spermatids with formation of specific phagosomes. Around those macrophages, lymphocytes were commonly noted. The cytoplasmic processes of the two cell types could come into contact or even fuse with each other, leading to tight junction-like structure; in some of the contacts, the plasma membranes were found dissolved so as to form direct cytoplasmic linkage.