Synthesis and intracellular transportation of type I procollagen during functional differentiation of odontoblasts

The expression of type I collagen, the most component of dentin extracellular matrix proteins (ECMs) in odontoblast is correlated with the activity of dentin formation. Since odontoblast possesses a distinct cellular process for protein transport into the dentinal tubule, it is important to examine the intracellular protein localization. However, a study focusing on odontoblast processes has not been performed. Type I collagen is synthesized as procollagen, which is immediately converted to collagen upon secretion. After characterization of antiserum to rat type I procollagen, we investigated the intracellular localization of type I procollagen in odontoblasts during and after dentinogenesis, using immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization. The level of mRNA expression decreased during dentinogenesis, whereas the intracellular localization of type I procollagen in odontoblast processes become more distinct. The percentage of dentinal tubules with type I procollagen increased significantly with aging. Odontoblasts in pulp horn, in particular, showed moderate expression of type I procollagen after dentinogenesis. Since loss of occlusion also caused a significant decrease in type I procollagen, we concluded that occlusal stimulation activated type I procollagen synthesis in odontoblasts. We also suggest that analysis of intracellular transport of type I procollagen via odontoblast processes may be a new approach to evaluation of odontoblast function.     

Exogenous non-crosslinked collagen enhances granulation tissue formation in dermal excision wounds in guinea pigs

Based on previous observations indicating a role for collagen peptides in eliciting a positive feedback for collagen biosynthesis, this study was initiated to elucidate the effect of non-crosslinked collagen on granulation tissue formation in dermal excision wounds. The wounds were treated with either non-crosslinked or crosslinked native collagen, or left untreated as controls. Granulation tissue was analyzed for collagen type I mRNA, for levels of interstitial collagen and for the number of blood vessels. The results indicated significant increases in procollagen type I mRNA, in interstitial collagen, in the number of blood vessels and in epithelial advance in the non-crosslinked collagen-treated wounds relative to the untreated controls. It is assumed that the presence of non-crosslinked collagen in a healing wound enhances both procollagen type I biosynthesis and the repair process of dermal wounds, due to the more readily released collagen peptides derived from this exogenous collagen dressing.     

Phenotypic effects of continuous or discontinuous treatment with dexamethasone and/or calcitriol on osteoblasts differentiated from rat bone marrow stromal cells

Osteoblasts are target cells for glucocorticoids and calcitriol, and their phenotype is greatly modified by these hormones. We investigated the effect of continuous or discontinuous hormonal exposure to osteoblasts derived from rat bone marrow stromal cells in long-term subcultures. Stromal cells were grown in primoculture in presence of dexamethasone (dex), but in following subcultures, dex and/or calcitriol were added just after seeding or after a 7-day hormone-free period. Cell proliferation, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) histochemical staining, and enzymatic bioactivity measurement, osteocalcin (OC), ALP and bone sialoprotein (BSP) mRNA expression were used to study the differential effect on osteoblastic phenotype of various conditions of treatment by dex and calcitriol. In primoculture, the osteoblastic differentiation was confirmed by the formation of calcified nodules and by strong expression of ALP, OC, and BSP mRNAs. In subcultures, proliferation of stromal cells was stimulated by dex and inhibited by calcitriol and by both hormones. Cell proliferation was not modified by hormonal lack during 7 days. Continuous hormonal treatment by dex strongly enhanced OC and BSP mRNAs, but apparently did not modified ALP mRNAs expression. Continuous treatment by calcitriol decreased ALP and the dex-induced BSP expression and stimulated the OC mRNAs level, strongly when associated with dex. The population of ALP+ cells and ALP bioactivity were strongly increased by dex, whereas calcitriol or both hormones decreased them. When the subcultures were undergone without hormonal treatment during 7 days, all osteogenic mRNAs strongly decreased even after hormonal recovery. Dex, calcitriol, and both hormones inhibited ALP mRNAs. OC messengers were only weakly detectable with both hormones. ALP+ cell population and ALP bioactivity were decreased after 14 days of hormonal treatment recovery. These results support that continuous presence of glucocorticoids appears as a major key for the permanent expression of the osteoblastic phenotype that is inhibited by calcitriol, in the rat bone marrow.     

HBV感染者肝纤维化四项指标检测值与Fibroscan检测值的相关性分析

目的 分析HBV感染者四项肝纤维化血清学指标检测值与Fibroscan检测值之间的相关性。方法 选择大连市第六人民医院211例HBV感染者,按肝影像学Fibroscan检测值将患者分为肝硬化组和非肝硬化组,非肝硬化组患者再根据Fibroscan分期分为无肝纤维化组、轻度肝纤维化组、中度肝纤维化组和重度肝纤维化组。所有患者均采集其相近时间内Fibroscan及Ⅲ型前胶原（PCⅢ）、Ⅳ型胶原（C-Ⅳ）、血清透明质酸（HA）、层黏连蛋白（LN）检测数据。结果运用SPSS 17.0软件进行统计学分析。结果 PCⅢ、C-Ⅳ、HA、LN检测值与Fibroscan检测值之间均具有良好的相关性（r=0.404、0.445、0.557、0.470,P<0.01）,其中以HA检测值与Fibroscan检测值之间的相关性最高（r=0.557,P<0.01）。结论 肝纤维化四项指标检测值与Fibroscan检测值之间相关性显著。肝纤维化四项指标检测在肝纤维化程度较重时的准确性更高。     

Proliferation and differentiation of osteoblasts and adipocytes in rat bone marrow stromal cell cultures: effects of dexamethasone and calcitriol

During bone loss, osteoblast population can be replaced by adipose tissue. This apparent reciprocal relationship between decreased bone density and increased fat formation can be explained by an imbalance in the production of bone-forming and fat-forming cells in the marrow cavity. Thus, osteoblast and adipocyte pathways seem more closely and inversely related. In the present study, we investigated the effects of dexamethasone (dex) and calcitriol [1,25(OH)(2)D(3)] on proliferation and differentiation of osteoblasts and adipocytes in rat bone marrow stromal cell cultures. Stromal cells were grown in primoculture in presence of dex and subcultivated in presence of dex and/or 1,25(OH)(2)D(3). Total cell proliferation, osteoblast and adipocyte-cells number, and -mRNA specific markers were used to study the effects of hormonal treatment on stromal cells. Total cell proliferation was stimulated by dex and inhibited by 1,25(OH)(2)D(3). Dex increased osteoblast and adipocyte cell population whereas calcitriol decreased bone-forming cell number and increased fat cell population. The presence of both hormones led to a strong decrease in osteoblastic cells and to a strong increase in adipocytic cell number. Dex induced mRNA osteoblastic markers expression like bone sialoprotein (BSP) and osteocalcin (OC) and an adipocyte marker expression, the fatty acid binding protein aP2. Calcitriol decreased the dex-induced BSP expression but stimulated slightly OC and aP2 mRNA. The effects of both hormones was to increase strongly OC and aP2 mRNA. These results support that, in rat bone marrow, adipocyte proliferation and differentiation are stimulated by glucocorticoids and calcitriol which act synergically, whereas osteoblastic cell proliferation and differentiation are increased by dex and inhibited by 1,25(OH)(2)D(3).     

Species-divergent regulation of human and mouse osteocalcin genes by calciotropic hormones

Although osteocalcin is the most abundant noncollagenous protein in bone, its role remains undefined. Recent studies have reported diametrically opposing responses in the vitamin D regulation of the mouse vs the human and rat osteocalcin genes. The aim of this study was to increase the understanding of these differences and further elucidate the physiological function and regulation of osteocalcin. Direct comparison of the regulation of both the endogenous mouse osteocalcin gene (mOC) and a human osteocalcin promoter-chloramphenicol acetyl transferase (hOC-CAT) reporter as integrated templates was undertaken in primary osteoblastic cultures from OSCAT transgenic mice. Expression of both genes was up-regulated with the onset of mineralization. Long-term chronic 1, 25-dihydroxyvitamin D(3) (1,25-(OH)(2)D(3)) treatment and acute (2 day) PTH treatment inhibited both mOC and hOC-CAT expression. At all stages of osteoblastic development studied, hOC-CAT was up-regulated by acute 1,25-(OH)(2)D(3), whereas mOC was unaffected or inhibited. Mouse osteopontin was strongly up-regulated by acute 1, 25-(OH)(2)D(3) treatment. Thus, the divergence of the osteocalcin responses to 1,25-(OH)(2)D(3) is specific for the osteocalcin gene and for an acute 1,25-(OH)(2)D(3) treatment regime. Elucidation of this unique aspect of bone physiology will provide valuable insights into the still incompletely understood roles of osteocalcin and 1, 25-(OH)(2)D(3) in bone.     

细胞程序性死亡通路的研究进展

细胞程序性死亡(programmed cell death,PCD)一直被看做是细胞凋亡(apoptosis).随着细胞生物学研究的深入,新的细胞死亡途径逐渐被揭示出来,如胀亡、自噬、副凋亡等.这些通路有些是caspase依赖的,有些不依赖于caspase途径.在细胞程序性死亡过程中,各种通路不是单独起作用的,而是相互交联的,有彼此重叠的机制出现.目前,Clarke形态学分类法是得到大多数学者认可的细胞程序性死亡的分类方式.按照该分类法,可将PCD分为3大类,即:Ⅰ型细胞程序性死亡、Ⅱ型细胞程序性死亡和Ⅲ型细胞程序性死亡.     

Isolation and characterization of marine methanotrophs

Four new methane-oxidizing bacteria have been isolated from marine samples taken at the Hyperion sewage outfall, near Los Angeles, CA. These bacteria require NaCl for growth. All exhibit characteristics typical of Type I methanotrophs, except they contain enzyme activities of both the ribulose monophosphate pathway and the serine cycle. All four strains are characterized by rapid growth in liquid culture and on agar plates, and all have temperature optima above 35° C. One strain, chosen for further study, has been shown to maintain broadhost range cloning vectors and is currently being used for genetic studies.     

Stabilization of RNA strands in protein synthesis by type I procollagen C-proteinase enhancer protein, a potential RNA-binding protein, in hepatic stellate cells.

Type I procollagen C-proteinase enhancer (PCPE) exists in hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) which can produce collagen. The deduced amino acid sequence of PCPE contains motifs specific for RNA-binding proteins. The effect of PCPE on the syntheses of collagen and noncollagenous protein was studied using an HSC clone derived from cirrhotic rat liver. When the cells were cultured in the presence of an antisense oligonucleotide (AS) against PCPE mRNA, the synthesis of noncollagenous protein as well as collagen was reduced compared to the cells cultured with addition of a nonsense oligonucleotide (NS). The extent of the reduction was similar in both syntheses. The total RNA content of the AS-treated cells and NS-treated cells did not differ. In the presence of actinomycin D, however, such total RNA content was decreased more rapidly in the AS-treated cells than in the NS-treated cells. PCPE may be involved in stabilization of RNA strands in noncollagenous protein synthesis as well as collagen synthesis.     

Proto-oncogene homologous sequences in the sea urchin genome

Using probes specific for several oncogenes/proto-oncogenes we have performed gel blot hybridization analyses of genomic DNA isolated from the sea urchinStrongylocentrotus droebachiensis. Probes prepared from v-erbB, v-myc, c-myb and v-fps were found to hybridize with discrete fragments of HindIII digested genomic DNA. In contrast, probes prepared from v-abl, v-fos, v-sis, v-src, and v-mos either hybridized with multiple fragments, indicating non-specific binding, or failed to hybridize at all above background levels. These results clearly demonstrate the presence of proto-oncogene homologous sequences in the sea urchin genome.     

绝经后骨质疏松患者血清I型胶原氨基末端、I型胶原羧基末端及骨钙素的表达变化及临床意义

摘要 目的：探讨绝经后骨质疏松患者血清I型胶原氨基末端（NTx）、I型胶原羧基末端（CTX）及骨钙素（BGP）的表达变化及临床意义。方法：选取我院2017年8月-2022年8月收治的60例绝经后骨质疏松患者作为研究对象,将其分为观察组,另选取同期来我院体检的60名绝经后健康志愿者作为对照组。对比两组患者NTx、CTX、BGP表达水平,并建立受试者特征工作（ROC）曲线分析NTx、CTX、BGP对绝经后骨质疏松的诊断效能。3个月后对所有患者进行门诊复查随访,将症状明显明显减轻,X线检查明显改善,骨密度值明显增加的35例绝经后骨质疏松患者分为预后良好组,将其余25例未达到上述标准的患者分为预后不良组,对比两组患者临床一般情况,并应用Logistic回归分析NTx、CTX、BGP对绝经后骨质疏松的预后预测价值。结果：两组受检者NTx、CTX、BGP表达水平对比差异显著,观察组NTx、CTX高于对照组,BGP低于对照组（P＜0.05）; NTx、CTX、BGP三者联合对绝经后骨质疏松的诊断效能优于单一检测（P＜0.05）;预后良好组与预后不良组患者年龄、BMI、合并基础疾病、病程、Ca表达水平对比无明显差异（P＞0.05）,预后良好组与预后不良组患者病情严重程度、骨密度T值、雌二醇、血清NTx、CTX、BGP表达水平对比差异显著（P＜0.05）;logistic回归分析结果表明：CTX、BGP为绝经后骨质疏松的预后不良的独立影响因素（P＜0.05）。结论：绝经后骨质疏松患者血清I型胶原氨基末端、I型胶原羧基末端表达水平高于非骨质疏松群体,骨钙素低于非骨质疏松群体,三者联合可提升绝经后骨质疏松的诊断效能。另外,CTX、BGP作为绝经后骨质疏松的预后不良的独立影响因素,CTX水平越高、BGP水平越低可能预示患者预后不良,因此临床需针对此类患者及时改良治疗措施,提升其预后水平。     

Values,Errors, and Precautions

In the environmental health literature, errors in interpreting studies or data are not infrequent. Many are of the Type II variety. Common solecisms of this type are: treating the criterion of p < 0.05 as a sacrament; demanding complete confounder control; arguing for the existence of phantom confounders; arguing that the effect size is trivial; building nonveridical models; arguing for no effect from inadequate sample size; demanding causal proof; arguing that causality is reversed; conducting a ballot of published studies. These are examined in this paper.