Fragile X Messenger Ribonucleoprotein 1(FMR1), a novel inhibitor of osteoblast/osteocyte differentiation, regulates bone formation, mass, and strength in young and aged male and female mice

Fragile X Messenger Ribonucleoprotein 1(FMR1)gene mutations lead to fragile X syndrome,cognitive disorders,and,in some individuals,scoliosis and craniofacial abnormalities.Four-month-old(mo)male mice with deletion of the FMR1 gene exhibit a mild increase in cortical and cancellous femoral bone mass.However,consequences of absence of FMR1 in bone of young/aged male/female mice and the cellular basis of the skeletal phenotype remain unknown.We found that absence of FMR1 results in improved bone properties with higher bone mineral density in both sexes and in 2-and 9-mo mice.The cancellous bone mass is higher only in females,whereas,cortical bone mass is higher in 2-and 9-mo males,but higher in 2-and lower in 9-mo female FMR1-knockout mice.Furthermore,male bones show higher biomechanical properties at 2mo,and females at both ages.Absence of FMR1 increases osteoblast/mineralization/bone formation and osteocyte dendricity/gene expression in vivo/ex vivo/in vitro,without affecting osteoclasts in vivo/ex vivo.Thus,FMR1 is a novel osteoblast/osteocyte differentiation inhibitor,and its absence leads to age-,site-and sex-dependent higher bone mass/strength.

Artificial Macrophage with Hierarchical Nanostructure for Biomimetic Reconstruction of Antitumor Immunity

Artificial cells are constructed from synthetic materials to imitate the biological functions of natural cells.By virtue of nanoengineering techniques,artificial cells with designed biomimetic functions provide alternatives to natural cells,showing vast potential for biomedical applications.Especially in cancer treatment,the deficiency of immunoactive macrophages results in tumor progression and immune resistance.To overcome the limitation,a BaSO_(4)@ZIF-8/transferrin(TRF)nanomacrophage(NMΦ)is herein constructed as an alternative to immunoactive macrophages.Alike to natural immunoactive macrophages,NMΦis stably retained in tumors through the specific affinity of TRF to tumor cells.Zn^(2+)as an“artificial cytokine”is then released from the ZIF-8 layer of NMΦunder tumor microenvironment.Similar as proinflammatory cytokines,Zn^(2+)can trigger cell anoikis to expose tumor antigens,which are selectively captured by the BaSO_(4)cavities.Therefore,the hierarchical nanostructure of NMΦs allows them to mediate immunogenic death of tumor cells and subsequent antigen capture for T cell activation to fabricate long-term antitumor immunity.As a proof-of-concept,the NMΦmimics the biological functions of macrophage,including tumor residence,cytokine release,antigen capture and immune activation,which is hopeful to provide a paradigm for the design and biomedical applications of artificial cells.

Minolta的Messenger

在积极准备新操作系统发布的过程中,微软公司为其它软件开发商们提供了大量能开发在此操作系统之上应用程序的工具。软件开发商需要可与现有的及之前平台相兼容的新工具,否则他们编写新功能无法得以实现。但是,这些工具本身就缺少了此平台的相关信息。

Messengers of Friendship

OVER 2,000 years ago,silk was the symblol of China;1,000 ago,porcelain was the symblol of China;500 years ago,tea was the symblol of China;today,with human beings’increasing awarness in ecological preservation,the giant panda has become a symblol of China.In 1869,the French naturalist Armand David discovered the giant panda in Ya’an,and since then,the flagship species of biodiversity conservation has since stepped onto the world stage.

Expression of Lung Resistance Protein （LRP） Gene in Hepatocellular Carcinoma and Its Significance

Objective: To study the multidrug resistance (MDR) mechanism of lung resistance protein (LRP) gene in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and the relations among the expression of the LRP gene and clinicopathologic features, the influence of α-fetoprotein (AFP), and prognosis of patients who received adjuvant chemotherapy after resection of HCC. Methods: The expression of the LRP gene encoding LRP and mRNA LRP was detected in tissues from 54 untreated patients with HCC, adjacent tissues from 24 patients with HCC and archival paraffin-embedded tissues from 12 patients with posthepatitic cirrhosis. The relationship between the LRP gene expression and the change of AFP level was analyzed in the 24 postoperative HCC patients whose AFP was measured after 2 weeks. All of the HCC patients were followed up. Results: The percentage of positive expression of LRP and mRNA LRP in the 3 tissues was 61.1%, 33.3%, 16.7%, and 75.9%, 37.5%, 33.3% respectively. There was significant difference between the untreated HCC tissue and other tissues (P<0.05). No difference existed between the LRP gene expression and clinicopathologic findings, age, sex, and tumor size (P>0.05), but the expression was related to the degree of differentiation of HCC (P<0.05). The effective rate of AFP in the LRP gene positive expression group or in postoperative chemotherapeutic patients was very lower than that in the negative group (P<0.05). Although the mean survival time of postoperative HCC patients in negative LRP gene expression group was longer than that of positive group, there was no difference between them (P<0.05). Conclusion: LRP gene expression is related to MDR of HCC and initiates the intrinsic MDR. Detection of LRP gene expression is of great guiding significance in accessing chemotherapeutic resistance of HCC. As an index to chemotherapy of HCC, detection of LRP expression provides evidence for making individual chemotherapeutic treatment,and reversing MDR in HCC. Although LRP gene expression correlates with the tumor differential degree (P<0.05), it perhaps does not relate with the prognosis of HCC patients.

别了,ICQ

6月27日,被誉为“聊天软件鼻祖”的ICQ正式停止服务,28年运营生涯由此画上句号。这个曾引领全球聊天程序发展的元老级产品,怎么就错过了“Z世代”线上移动社交的快车呢?ICQ是一款免费的互联网信息应用程序,由以色列公司Mirabilis于1996年推出。ICQ的名称源自“I Seek You”的连音缩写,中文译为“我找到你”。其不仅支持文字语音聊天,还支持异步离线消息、可恢复文件传输和可搜索目录,使人与人在互联网上能够快速直接交流,全盛时期用户量超过1亿,是腾讯QQ的“老大哥”。今年5月,ICQ官方正式宣布,将停止页面显示服务,程序主体也退出互联网消息应用程序市场,并建议用户改用VK Messenger和workspace。消息一出立即引爆各大网络社交平台,一众网友感叹道:“这次真是‘爷青结’了!”

Messenger的第二次水星飞越

5月1日Science杂志发布了Messenger（信使）第二次飞越水星的特别系列报告,该报告为人们提供了有关水星历史以及其现时环境的重要新见解。

MESSENGER飞船推进剂贮箱的设计与制造

基于MESSENGER飞船的需要,开展了一种新型超轻贮箱的设计、制造和试验工作,整个过程分方案论证、分析与设计以及制造与试验三个阶段。第一阶段考虑了50多种贮箱结构,反复分析后确定了一种最有效的方案;第二阶段致力于防漩器、防晃板和贮箱壳体的设计与分析,包括用缩尺模拟试验确定防晃板的数目、尺寸与安装位置、防漩器和防晃板的载荷分析与结构分析以及壳体应力与断裂力学分析;第三阶段制造了一个鉴定试验用贮箱(以下简称试验贮箱)和四个飞行贮箱(三个飞行、一个备用)。贮箱壳体、防漩器和防晃板分别采用固溶处理和时效(STA)的6AL-4V 钛合金材料、6AL-4V 钛合金板和退火6AL-4V 钛合金环。壳体由四条周向焊缝连接,其中两条焊缝具有STA 特性,另外两条经过退火处理。五个贮箱采用相同的工序和工艺。试验贮箱必须经过正弦和随机振动试验的品质检验,该检验项目还包括具有破坏性的爆破压力试验。所有飞行贮箱在清理和交货之前要经过模拟飞行试验。飞行贮箱包括附属组件在内不得超过9kg。超轻贮箱对于MESSENGER 飞船计划的成功将起到至关重要的作用。

MSN Messenger小特工

MSN Messenger(以下简称为MSN）的用户群越来越大，对干一些单位来说，如何有效地防止员工在上班时间使用MSN和网友聊天，确实成为一件令Boss们头痛的事。不过有了这位MSN Sniffer小特工后一切就都不一样了。

试利用MSN Messenger与WebQuest模式结合进行化学教学

对MSN Messenger在教学中的应用进行了初探,并以“自然界中的水”为例将MSN Messenger作为基于Internet的化学课程的学习方式WebQuest(网络探究)的实现方式进行探讨。

Norepinephrine transporter (NET) is expressed in cardiac sympathetic ganglia of adult rat

The sympathetic nervous system plays a cardinal role in regulating cardiac function through releasing the neurotransmitter norepinephrine (NE). In comparison with central nervous system, the molecular mechanism of NE uptake in myocardium is not clear. In present study, we proved that in rat the CNS type of NE transporter (NET) was also expressed in middle cervical-stellate ganglion complex (MC-SG complex) which is considered to control the activity of heart, but not expressed in myocardium. The results also showed that NET expression level in right ganglion was significantly higher than in the left, rendering the greater capacity of NE uptake in right ventricle, a fact which may contribute to the maintenance of right ventricular function under pathologic state.

Relationship between expression of CD44v6 and nm23-H1 and tumor invasion and metastasis in hepatocellular carcinoma

AIM To detect the expression of CD44v6 mRNA and nm23-H1 mRNA in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) by in situ hybridization, and to evaluate the relationship between their expression and also relationship between their expressions and tumor invasion and metastasis.METHODS CD44v6 cDNA probe was synthesized with PCR technique and the nm23-H1 cRNA probe by in vitro transcription. The expression of CD44v6 mRNA and nm23-H1 mRNA was detected by in situ hybridization.RESULTS In group with high invasion and metastasis potential, the positive rates of CD44v6 mRNA and nm23-H1 mRNA were 80% (8/10) and 40% (4/10), in group with poor invasion and metastasis potential, they were 21.7% (5/23) and 91.3% (21/23). There was a positive correlation between the expression of CD44v6 mRNA and tumor invasion and metastasis potential in HCC (P＜0.01), and a reverse correlation between the expression of nm23-H1 mRNA and tumor invasion and metastasis potential (P＜0.01) and a reverse correlation in the expression between CD44v6 mRNA and nm23-H1 mRNA in HCC (P＜0.01).CONCLUSION Detection of CD44v6 mRNA and nm23-H1 mRNA may be useful for tumor invasion and metastasis in HCC.INTRODUCTIONCD44 is a cell surface transmembrane glycoprotein. As a kind of adhesive molecule, it participates in cell-cell and cell-matrix adhesion and interactions. Many studies revealed a correlation between high-level expression of CD44, especially CD44v and tumor invasion, metastasis and prognosis. The exon 6v containing isoforms may be an independent diagnostic parameter[1,2]. Some other studies, however, had different results[3,4]. Some researches showed a reverse correlation between the expression of nm23-H1 mRNA and tumor metastasis[5,6]. In order to evaluate the relationship between the expression of CD44v6 mRNA and nm23-H1 mRNA and tumor invasive and metastatic potential in HCC and to evaluate the relationship in the expression between CD44v6 mRNA and nm23-H1 mRNA, we detected their expression in HCC by in situ hybridization.

Clinical significance of the expression of isoform 165 vascular endothelial growth factor mRNA in noncancerous liver remnants of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma

AIM: To investigate the prognostic role of isoform 165 vascular endothelial growth factor messenger RNA (VEGF165 mRNA)in noncancerous liver tissues from patients with primary hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).METHODS: Using a reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR)-based assay, VEGF mRNA was determined prospectively in noncancerous liver tissues from 60 consecutive patients with HCC undergoing curative resection. We categorized the patients with VEGF165 mRNA over 0.500 in noncancerous liver tissues as group A, and those below 0.500 as group B.RESULTS: Among the isoforms of VEGF mRNA by multivariate analysis, a higher level of VEGF165 mRNA in noncancerous liver tissue correlated significantly with a higher risk of HCC recurrence (P = 0.039) and recurrence-related mortality (P= 0.048), but VEGF121 did not. The other significant predictors of recurrence consisted of vascular permeation (P = 0.022),daughter nodules (P = 0.033), cellular dedifferentiation (P = 0.033), an absent or incomplete capsule (P = 0.037).A significant variable of recurrence-related mortality was Vascular permeation (P= 0.012). As to the clinical manifestations of 16 patients who developed recurrence,the recurrent tumor number over 2, recurrent extent over two-liver segments, and the median survival after recurrence,all significantly correlated with group A patients (P = 0.043,0.043, and 0.048, respectively). However, the presence of extrahepatic metastasis was not (P＞0.05). The difference in recurrence after treatment between the two groups had no statistical significance (P＞0.05).CONCLUSION: The higher expression of isoform VEGF165mRNA in noncancerous liver remnant of patients with HCC may be a significant biological indicator of the invasiveness of postoperative recurrence.

Codon 249 mutations of p53 gene in development of hepatocellular carcinoma

AIM To investigate the mechanisms of codon 249 mutation of p53 gene in the formation of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). METHODS Codon 249 mutation accompanied by loss of heterozygosity (LOH) and its effect on translation and transcription were studied using SSCP, IHC and RT PCR/slot hybridization. RESULTS Codon 249 mutations were detected in 32 9%, LOH detected in 68 4% among the HCC patients. Mutations of condon 249 were accompanied by LOH in 90%. The positive rates of p53 protein and mRNA were 91 3% and 95 7%, in mutational group, both were significantly higher than those in the non mutational group (91 3% vs 19 1% and 95 7% vs 40 4%, respectively, both P <0 01). The translation of p53 gene was strongly related to its transcription by correlation analysis ( r =0 8208). CONCLUSIONS LOH might play an important role in hepatocarcinogenesis of codon 249 mutation, which could increase both transcription and translation of p53 gene. The increased expression of p53 protein mainly depend on the increased transcription of p53 gene.

Identification of differentially expressed genes in normal mucosa,adenoma and adenocarcinoma of colon by SSH

AIM: To construct subtracted cDNA libraries and further identify differentially expressed genes that are related to the development of colorectal carcinoma(CRC). METHODS: Suppression subtractive hybridization(SSH) was done on cDNAs of normal mucosa, adenoma and adenocarcinoma tissues from the same patient. Three subtracted cDNA libraries were constructed and then hybridized with forward and backward subtracted probes for differential screening. Positive clones from each subtracted cDNA library were selected for sequencing and BLAST analysis. Finally, virtual Northern Blot confirmed such differential expression. RESULTS: By this way, there were about 3-4 X 10(2) clones identified in each subtracted cDNA library, in which about 85% positive clones were differentially screened. Sequencing and BLAST homology search revealed some clones containing sequences of known gene fragments and several possibly novel genes showing few or no sequence homologies with any known sequences in the database. CONCLUSION: All results confirmed the effectiveness and sensitivity of SSH. The differentially expressed genes during the development of CRC can be used to shed light on the pathogenesis of CRC and be useful genetic markers for early diagnosis and therapy.

Significance of vascular endothelial growth factor messenger RNA expression in gastric cancer

IM To study VEGF mRNA expression in gastric carcinoma and to clarify the association of its expression with the clinicopathologic features of the disease.METHODS In situ hybridization (ISH) and histochemistry were used to examine and analyze the expression of VEGF mRNA and antigen, and microvessel count (MVC) in 28 cases of gastric carcinomatous tissue in combination with clinical materials.RESULTS Ninteen of 28 gastric carcinomas were positive for VEGF mRNA. VEGF mRNA was mainly expressed in malignant cells and not in normal epithelium of gastric mucosa. Its expression was further increased in tumor cells adjacent to tumor necrosis zones, where stromal cells expressed VEGF mRNA occasionally. There was a close correlation between MVC and VEGF mRNA positivity (P<0005). High VEGF mRNA levels were significantly associated with serosal invasion, lymph node metastasis and TNM staging (P<005, respectively).CONCLUSION VEGF mRNA expression is associated with tumor invasion and metastasis by stimulating angiogenesis in gastric carcinoma.expression; endothelial growth factor.

Expression of insulin-like growth factor Ⅱ and its receptor in hepatocellular carcinogenesis

INTRODUCTIONInsulin-like growth factor Ⅱ(IGF-Ⅱ) is a mitogenic peptide of 74 kD and is mostly synthesized in fetal liver tissue .IGF-Ⅱ is believed to play an important role in fetal growth and development and is involved in cellular proliferation and differentiation[1-5]. Recently ,several researchers have reported increased expression of the IGF-Ⅱgene in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and adjacent non-cancerous liver tissues [6-10].

Effect of 5-Aza-2'-deoxycytidine on the P16 tumor suppressor gene in hepatocellular carcinoma cell line HepG2

INTRODUCTIONHepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the mostcommon human malignancies worldwide[1,2], and isclosely associated with infection of HBV and HCVand contamination of aflatoxin B1[3-6]. Althoughthe molecular mechanisms of hepatocarcinogenesisremain poorly understood, an increasing number ofgenetic abnormalities have been recognized[7-10],for example, the p16 gene[11,12] the p53gene[13-18], the E-cadherin gene[19], and the c-mycgene[20].

Overexpression of hepatic plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1 mRNA in rabbits with fatty liver

INTRODUCTIONPlasminogen activator inhibitor type 1 ( PAI-I ), an approximately Mr 50000 glycoprotein, is the major physiological inhibitor of plasminogen activators. It is not only the priming factor for atherosclerosis and coronary thrombosis[1-3] , but also participates in the genesis of chronic hepatitis and liver fibrosis[4-11] . However, there has been no available report yet about the research of hepatic PAl-1 gene expression in hyperlipidemia and fatty liver. The present study aimed to explore the change of hepatic PAl-1 mRNA and its plasma activity by means of animal model.