Search

Both microRNA-21-5p (miR-21) and the tumor microenvironment, including hypoxia and cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), play a vital role in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), but whether there is an interaction and the specific regulatory mechanism between them in the process of metastasis is still unclear. In this study, we aimed to elucidate the connection and regulatory mechanism of miR-21, hypoxia, and CAFs in HNSCC metastasis. The underlying mechanisms of hypoxia inducible factor 1 subunit alpha (HIF1α) regulating miR-21 transcription, promoting exosome secretion, CAFs activation, tumor invasion, and lymph node metastasis were determined through quantitative real-time PCR, immunoblotting, transwell, wound healing, immunofluorescence, ChIP, electron microscopy, nanoparticle tracking analysis, dual-luciferase reporter assay, co-culture model and xenografts experiments. MiR-21 promoted the invasion and metastasis of HNSCC in vitro and in vivo , whereas HIF1α knockdown inhibited these processes. HIF1α upregulated transcription of miR-21 and promoted the release of exosomes from HNSCC cells. Exosomes derived from hypoxic tumor cells were rich in miR-21, which induced NFs activation towards CAFs by targeting YOD1. Knockdown the expression level of miR-21 in CAFs prevented lymph node metastasis in HNSCC. Hypoxic tumor cell-derived exosomal miR-21 might be a therapeutic target to prevent or delay HNSCC invasion and metastasis. • Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma have poor prognosis due to metastasis. • microRNA-21-5p, hypoxia, and cancer associated fibroblasts may lead to metastasis. • Hypoxia promotes microRNA-21-5p levels in exosomes that transform fibroblasts. • microRNA-21-5p increases invasion and metastasis both in vivo and in vitro. • microRNA-21-5p targets YOD1 in cancer associated fibroblasts to promote metastasis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The incidence of membranous nephropathy (MN) continues to rise globally. Shenqi granule (SQ), composed of thirteen Chinese medicinal herbs, has clinical efficacy in the treatment of MN and has been used in China for decades. However, the mechanism behind this effect remains unclear. In this study, we documented the effects of SQ on cultured mouse podocytes (MPC5) cytoskeletal proteins (CD2AP, α-actinin4) and autophagic activity, and identified the mechanism underlying the ameliorating effects of SQ on MN. The main components of SQ was analysed using High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). We induced MPC5 cells with puromycin aminonucleoside (PAN) as a model of MN-like disease. Cyclosporine A (CsA) was used as a positive control drug. MPC5 cells viability was analysed using CCK-8 assays to select the PAN dose and SQ dose. CD2AP and α-actinin4 mRNA expression was examined by RT-PCR, CD2AP and α-actinin4 protein expression as well as autophagic activity (LC3, Beclin1) was examined by Western blot in MPC5 cells, and the mechanism of action of SQ granule was assessed by Western blot to detect the protein expression at the phosphorylation level of PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway. In PAN-induced MPC5 cells, mRNA and protein expression of α-actinin-4 and CD2AP were significantly reduced, and SQ granule was able to alleviate this manifestation. In contrast to the inhibition of LC3 and Beclin1 expression in the PAN model, SQ granule was able to activate cellular autophagic activity. In addition to this, our study revealed that PAN could activate the mTOR/ULK1 pathway, resulting in a significant increase in p-mTOR and p-ULK1 protein expression, while the SQ group was able to significantly inhibit the phosphorylation level of this pathway. SQ granule attenuated PAN-induced MPC5 cell damage similar to MN. The mechanism may be to upregulate the expression of α-actinin-4 and CD2AP and activate autophagy activity, which may be achieved by inhibiting the phosphorylation level of mTOR/ULK1. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The strong adaptability of Broussonetia papyrifera (L.) Vent. to low phosphorus (P) conditions can be attributed to the large amount of root-exuded organic acids and the high efficiency of P extraction. However, microelement contents are influenced by low-P stress, and their effects on the photosynthetic capability of B. papyrifera remain unknown. In this study, we investigated the effects of low-P treatment on net photosynthetic rate ( P ); chlorophyll a fluorescence (ChlF) characteristics; and Fe, Mn, Cu, and Zn contents of B. papyrifera and Morus alba L. seedlings. Results show that B. papyrifera exhibited better photosynthetic capability under moderate P deficiency (0.125, 0.063, and 0.031 mmol/L P treatments), whereas the photosynthetic capability of M. alba decreased under moderate and severe P deficiency (0.016 and 0 mmol/L P treatments). Under moderate P deficiency, the decrease in Cu and Zn contents in B. papyrifera was lower than that in M. alba. Under severe P deficiency, a considerable decrease of photosynthetic capability in B. papyrifera and M. alba was associated with low Cu and Zn contents. The P of the two Moraceae species exhibited a better correlation with Cu and Zn contents than with Fe or Mn content. P deficiency could not only decrease cyclic photophorylation and photosynthetic efficiency, but could also affect the stability of thylakoid membrane structure and electron transport efficiency by influencing the contents of Cu or Zn, thereby affecting photosynthesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Huangqi Guizhi Wuwu Decoction(HQGZWWD) is a Traditional Chinese Medicine formula from Synopsis of Golden Chamber used to treat blood arthralgia. According to the principle that the same treatment can be used for different diseases, HQGZWWD has proven effective for IgA nephropathy (IgAN) associated with spleen and kidney yang deficiency. In this study, we investigated the mechanism by which HQGZWWD alleviates proteinuria and protects renal function in rats with IgAN by regulating the AT1R/Nephrin/c-Abl pathway. Rats were randomly divided into six groups: control, IgAN model, IgAN model treated with low-dose HQGZWWD, IgAN model treated with medium-dose HQGZWWD, IgAN model treated with high-dose HQGZWWD, and IgAN model treated with valsartan. IgAN was induced using bovine γ-globulin. We evaluated the mediating effects of HQGZWWD on podocyte cytoskeletal proteins, the AT1R/Nephrin/c-Abl pathway, upstream tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and TNF-α receptor-1 (TNFR1). The IgAN rats displayed proteinuria, IgA deposition in the mesangial region, and podocyte cytoskeletal protein damage. The expression of TNF-α, TNFR1, AT1R, and c-Abl was increased in the IgAN rat kidney, whereas the expression of nephrin, podocin, ACTN4, and phosphorylated nephrin (p-nephrin) was reduced. HQGZWWD treatment significantly alleviated podocyte cytoskeletal protein damage in the IgAN rats, upregulated the expression of nephrin, podocin, and ACTN4, and the colocalized expression of F-actin and nephrin. This study demonstrates that HQGZWWD attenuates podocyte cytoskeletal protein damage by regulating the AT1R–nephrin– c-Abl pathway, upregulating the expression of p-nephrin, and downregulating the expression of AT1R and c-Abl. These results indicate that HQGZWWD attenuates podocyte cytoskeletal protein damage in IgAN rats by regulating the AT1R/Nephrin/c-Abl pathway, providing a potential therapeutic approach for IgAN. [Display omitted] • IgAN rats can be successfully constructed by oral allogeneic protein BGG combined with tail vein injection. • Huangqi Guizhi Wuwu Decoction can reduce proteinuria and protect kidney function. • Huangqi Guizhi Wuwu Decoction attenuates Podocyte Cytoskeletal Protein damage in IgA Nephropathy Rats by regulating AT1R/Nephrin/c-Abl pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The invasion-metastasis cascade in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is predominantly caused by the interaction between tumor cells and tumor microenvironment, including hypoxia as well as stromal cells. However, the mechanism of hypoxia-activated tumor-stroma crosstalk in HNSCC metastasis remains to be deciphered. Here, we demonstrated that HIF1α was upregulated in HNSCC specimens compared with adjacent normal tissues, whose overexpression was associated with lymph node metastasis and predicted unfavorable prognosis. HIF1α expression correlated positively with the levels of miR-5100 as well as α-SMA, the marker of CAFs. Hypoxia/HIF1α regulated transcriptionally miR-5100 to promote the degradation of its target gene QKI, which acts as a tumor suppressor in HNSCC. Hypoxic HNSCC-derived exosomal miR-5100 promoted the activation of CAFs by orchestrating QKI/AKT/STAT3 axis, which further facilitated HNSCC metastasis. Additionally, miR-5100 derived from plasma exosomes indicated HNSCC malignant progression. In conclusion, our findings illuminate a novel HIF1α/miR-5100/QKI pathway in HNSCC metastasis, and suggest that miR-5100 might be a potential biomarker and therapeutic target for HNSCC., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Ubiquitination is a reversible process that not only controls protein synthesis and degradation, but also is essential for protein transport, localization and biological activity. Deubiquitinating enzyme (DUB) dysfunction leads to various diseases, including cancer. In this study, we aimed to explore the functions and mechanisms of crucial DUBs in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Based on bioinformatic analysis and immunohistochemistry detection, YOD1 was identified to be significantly downregulated in HNSCC specimens compared with adjacent normal tissues. Further analysis revealed that reduced YOD1 expression was associated with the malignant progression of HNSCC and indicated poor prognosis. The results of the in vitro and in vivo experiments verified that YOD1 depletion significantly promoted growth, invasion, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition in HNSCC. Mechanistically, YOD1 inhibited the activation of the ERK/β-catenin pathway by suppressing the ubiquitination and degradation of TRIM33, leading to the constriction of HNSCC progression. Overall, our findings reveal the molecular mechanism underlying the role of YOD1 in tumor progression and provide a novel potential therapeutic target for HNSCC treatment., (© 2023. The Author(s).)

Long non-coding RNAs (LncRNAs) are implicated in malignant progression of human cancers. Metastasis-associated lung adenocarcinoma transcript 1 (MALAT1), a well-known lncRNA, has been reported to play crucial roles in multiple malignancies including head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). However, the underlying mechanisms of MALAT1 in HNSCC progression remain to be further investigated. Here, we elucidated that compared with normal squamous epithelium, MALAT1 was notably upregulated in HNSCC tissues, especially in which was poorly differentiated or with lymph nodes metastasis. Moreover, elevated MALAT1 predicted unfavorable prognosis of HNSCC patients. The results of in vitro and in vivo assays showed that targeting MALAT1 could significantly weaken the capacities of proliferation and metastasis in HNSCC. Mechanistically, MALAT1 inhibited von Hippel-Lindau tumor suppressor (VHL) by activating EZH2/STAT3/Akt axis, then promoted the stabilization and activation of β-catenin and NF-κB which could play crucial roles in HNSCC growth and metastasis. In conclusion, our findings reveal a novel mechanism for malignant progression of HNSCC and suggest that MALAT1 might be a promising therapeutic target for HNSCC treatment., (© 2023. The Author(s).)

Background: Cervical lymph node metastasis from unknown primary sites is a challenging clinical issue with a changing therapy model and unpredictable outcomes, which leads to the difficulty in selecting optimal treatments. Thus, it is valuable to analyze the clinical characteristics and outcomes of the patients who receive different management styles., Methods: All patients with cervical lymph node metastasis from unknown primary sites were reviewed and no primary lesions were found. In addition, this work was funded by the Clinical Trial Fund Project of Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital (No. C1716). Specifically, we used univariate, multiple regression analysis to evaluate the factors associated with prognosis., Results: 365 patients met the inclusion criteria, and the 2- and 5-year survival rates were 77.0% and 33.4%, respectively, with a median survival of 45 months. Gender, age, pathological type, nodal status, and necessary cervical lymph node dissection affected locoregional control. Distant metastasis was common in individuals with a pathological type of adenocarcinoma, poor differentiation, and advanced nodal status. Furthermore, patients who received induction chemotherapy had a better prognosis than those treated with postoperative chemotherapy. Multiple regression analysis showed that pathological grade, treatment models, and distant metastasis were associated with overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS). In addition, local recurrence exerted a significant influence on OS. Induction chemotherapy and postsurgical radiotherapy seemed to improve the prognosis of patients at the advanced stage compared with simple surgery and postsurgical chemotherapy., Conclusions: Pathological grade, treatment models, and distant metastasis were independent risk factors for prognosis. Induction chemotherapy or postoperative radiotherapy benefited patients at the advanced stage, and patients with adenocarcinoma, poor differentiation, and advanced nodal status should undergo induction chemotherapy in light of the increased risk of distant metastasis., (© 2023. The Author(s).)

Background: The morbidity of oropharyngeal cancer (OPC) is continuing to rise in numerous developed countries. An accurate prognostic assessment is needed to evaluate the malignant degree or risk classification to optimize treatment. Albumin (ALB) as an independent prognostic indicator of cancer survival has been established in previous studies. This study investigated the prognostic value of pre-treatment serum ALB in OPC patients., Methods: The clinicopathological data of 246 patients diagnosed with OPC from 2010 to 2019 were analyzed retrospectively. Analyze the relationship between ALB and clinicopathological characteristics of patients. The optimal cut-off values for ALB were determined via Cutoff Finder (Method for cutoff determination: Survival: significance (log-rank test)). To determine the independent prognostic factors, the Cox proportional hazards model was used to perform univariate and multivariate analyses of the serum ALB levels related to overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS)., Results: The optimal cut-off point for ALB was 39.15 g/L determined via Cutoff Finder. Serum ALB levels were significantly associated with age (P=0.047), Presence of comorbidity (P=0.009), Charlson score index (P=0.007), Hemoglobin (P<0.001), Neutrophil to Lymphocyte Ratio (P=0.002), Albumin-To-Alkaline Phosphatase Ratio (P<0.001), Alkaline phosphatase (P=0.005), T stage (P=0.016), and HPV status (P=0.002). In the univariate and multivariate analyses, ALB was found to be an independent prognostic indicator for DFS (HR =0.39, 95% CI:0.23-0.66, P=0.000) and OS (HR =0.46, 95% CI: 0.25-0.83, P=0.01) in OPC patients., Conclusions: Pre-treatment serum ALB could serve as a valuable prognostic biomarker for the prognostic stratification of OPC patients., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2022 Zhu, Li, Duan, Wu and Wang.)

Objective: We analysed the diagnostic performance of thyroglobulin in fine-needle aspiration (FNA-Tg) in the suspicious lateral cervical lymph nodes (CLNs) in patients with papillary thyroid cancer (PTC), proposed the best cutoff value and discussed the factors that may affect the diagnostic value of FNA-Tg., Methods: In the present study, a retrospective analysis of 403 patients with PTC with 448 suspected lateral CLNs metastasis from October 2019 to May 2021 was performed. The cutoff value according to the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was determined, and the Wilcoxon rank-sum test was used to evaluate the correlation between FNA-Tg and factors., Results: According to the ROC curve, the cutoff value of FNA-Tg was 3.69 ng/ml (sensitivity, 92.48%; specificity, 75.00%). Patients who underwent total thyroidectomy were excluded. Compared with US and FNAC, the diagnostic performance of FNA-Tg was the greatest, especially for small CLNs (diameter ≤ 1 cm), cystic CLNs, and patients with Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT). Moreover, FNA-Tg levels were correlated with the presence of HT ( p = 0.003), the anti-thyroglobulin antibody (Tg-Ab) ( p < 0.001), the ratio of metastatic lateral CLNs ( p = 0.004) and Tg assay kits ( p < 0.001)., Conclusions: FNA-Tg measurement is sensitive enough for diagnosing lateral CLN metastases from PTC, but its diagnostic value is compromised by a number of factors., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2022 Wang, Duan, Li, Yue, Liu, Lai, Zhou, Ye, Wu, Zhu, Chen, Jing, Wu and Wang.)

Objective: The right cervical central lymph nodes include lymph nodes anterior to the right recurrent laryngeal nerve (LN-arRLN) and lymph nodes posterior to the right recurrent laryngeal nerve (LN-prRLN), and are separated by the right recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN). LN-prRLN is a common site of nodal recurrence after the resection of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). However, the complexity in anatomical structure brings difficulties in determining the surgical scope, so it is necessary to assess the pattern and predictive factors of right cervical central lymph nodes, especially LN-prRLN metastasis in papillary thyroid carcinoma., Methods: A total of 562 diagnosed PTC patients who underwent right or total thyroidectomy were enrolled in this retrospective study. The clinicopathological features were collected, univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to determine predictive factors of the right central lymph node metastasis., Results: In this study, the metastatic rates of the right CLN, the LN-arRLN and the LN-prRLN were 59.6% (335/562), 51.8% (291/562) and 30.4% (171/562), respectively. And 22.6% (127/562) of patients had both LN-arRLN and LN-prRLN metastasis. Among patients without LN-arRLN metastasis, the rate of LN-prRLN metastasis was 16.2% (44/271), accounting for 25.7% of the LN-prRLN metastasis group. Factors associated with an increased risk of LN-arRLN metastasis include male, age below 55 years, tumor size > 1cm, extrathyroidal extension (ETE), clinical lymph nodes metastasis(cN1), lateral lymph node metastasis, and left CLN metastasis. In addition, ETE, lateral lymph node metastasis, and LN-arRLN metastasis were independent factors of LN-prRLN metastasis. The predictive factors of LN-prRLN in cN0 PTC were further explored, revealing that tumor size ≥1.5cm, ETE, and LN-arRLN metastasis were independent predictors of LN-prRLN metastasis in cN0 PTC., Conclusion: The LN-prRLN should not be ignored in surgery because of its high rate of metastasis. Our findings indicate that thorough dissection of central lymph nodes, especially LN-prRLN is crucial in clinical work., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2022 Zhou, Duan, Ye, Wang, Li, Wu, Chen, Zhu, Jing, Wu and Wang.)

Objective: To investigate the clinical effect of low molecular weight heparin sodium combined with antivenin in the treatment of severe and critical bite by Trimeresurus stejnegeri., Methods: The clinical data of 48 patients with severe or critical bite by Trimeresurus stejnegeri admitted to emergency department of Southeast Hospital Affiliated to Xiamen University from March 2017 to May 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. On the basis of early treatment of antivenom serum, internal administration and external application of Jidesheng snake tablet, and wound incision and detoxification, the patients were divided into heparin treatment group and non-heparin treatment group according to whether the low molecular heparin sodium was used or not. The patients in the two groups were compared in terms of gender, age, clinical classification, swelling degree of injured limbs, change of coagulation function index, bleeding of skin, mucous membrane or digestive tract, blood transfusion, local symptoms of bite, length of hospital stay and prognosis., Results: There was no significant difference in terms of gender, age, clinical classification or swelling degree of injured limbs between the two groups. On the 3rd day of treatment, the platelet count (PLT) in the heparin treatment group was significantly higher than that in the non-heparin treatment group [×10 9 /L: 210.0 (160.0, 252.0) vs. 136.0 (104.0, 198.5), P < 0.05]. However, there was no significant difference in the four coagulation test results between the two groups. On the 6th day of treatment, the plasma thrombin time (TT) in the heparin treatment group was significantly shorter than that on the 3rd day of treatment [s: 30.3 (20.4, 37.0) vs. 34.7 (24.0, 73.4), P < 0.05], and the fibrinogen (FIB) in the heparin treatment group was significantly higher than that in the non-heparin treatment group [g/L: 0.60 (0.31, 1.07) vs. 0.20 (0.14, 0.60), P < 0.01]. The incidence of bleeding in the heparin treatment group was significantly lower than that in the non-heparin treatment group [21.7% (5/23) vs. 64.0% (16/25), P < 0.01]; 11 patients in the heparin treatment group and 18 patients in the non-heparin treatment group received blood transfusion and prothrombin complex supplement respectively. There was no significant difference in the length of hospital stay between the heparin group and non-heparin treatment group (days: 6.91±1.92 vs. 7.48±2.27, P > 0.05). The patients in both groups were followed up for 1 week to 1 month after treatment, and no death or local necrosis of skin and soft tissue was found., Conclusions: For the patients with severe and critical bite by Trimeresurus stejnegeri, on the basis of injection of antivenom serum, internal administration and external application of Jidesheng snake tablet, and wound incision and detoxification, early application of low molecular weight heparin sodium anticoagulation and other comprehensive treatment is helpful to improve limb swelling and inflammation, reduce blood transfusion, promote the recovery of coagulation function, and shorten the length of hospitalization.

The purpose of the present study was to analyze the clinical and pathological characteristics, treatment, and prognosis of de novo metastatic breast cancer (DnMBC). Information regarding 1,890 patients treated for advanced breast cancer at the Tianjin Medical University Cancer Hospital between January 2008 to December 2017 was collected. Clinicopathological characteristics, treatments and outcomes of these patients were compared using the chi-square test, log-rank test, and Cox regression analysis. A total of 171 patients were diagnosed with DnMBC. The median age at diagnosis was 53 years (range, 23-77). The percentage of T4 staging was higher (37.4%), 69.6% of patients were estrogen receptor (ER) positive, 59.1% were progesterone receptor positive, 29.8% had positive human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) status, 68.4% had Ki-67 ≥20%, 55% had oligometastasis at the initial diagnosis, ~87.7% were treated with chemotherapy initially and 24% received palliative surgery for the primary tumor. After a median follow-up time of 26 months, the median progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) among patients with DnMBC were 11 (8.7-13.3) months and 34 (27.9-40.1) months, respectively. In the multivariable model, ER status and sites of first metastasis (oligometastasis or polymetastasis) were identified to be independent predictors of PFS (P<0.05); ER status, primary tumor stage, and surgical treatment of primary tumors were identified to be independent predictors of OS (P<0.05). In conclusion, the clinicopathological characteristics of DnMBC are greater invasiveness and a higher risk of progression. Palliative surgical treatment may improve the prognosis of HR+/HER2-patients with oligometastasis. Therefore, individualized treatment as required is particularly important., (Copyright: © Zhang et al.)

Extracellular ATP (eATP) plays an essential role in plant growth, development, and stress tolerance. Here, we report that eATP participated in Nicotiana tabacum pollen germination (PG) and pollen tube growth (PTG) by regulating K + and Ca 2+ influx. Exogenous ATP or ADP effectively promoted PG and PTG in a dose-dependent manner; weakly hydrolysable ATP analog (ATPγS) showed a similar effect. AMP, adenosine, adenine, and phosphate did not affect PG or PTG. Within a certain range, higher concentrations of K + or Ca 2+ in the medium increased the effect of ATP in promoting PG and PTG. However, in mediums containing K + or Ca 2+ concentrations above this range, the effect of ATP was reversed, resulting in PG and PTG inhibition. Ca 2+ chelators (EGTA), Ca 2+ channel blockers, and K + channel blockers suppressed ATP-promoted PG and PTG. Results from a patch clamp showed that ATP activated a K + and Ca 2+ influx in pollen protoplasts. These results suggest that, as an apoplastic signal, eATP may be involved in PG and PTG via regulating Ca 2+ and K + absorption.

Objective: To analyze the effect of the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) retaining or not on knee-joint proprioception by comparing the proprioceptive difference between PCL retaining and no PCL retaining in total knee arthroplasty (TKA)., Methods: Between June 2009 and June 2010, 38 osteoarthritis patients meeting the inclusion criteria were divided into PCL retaining group (group A, n=19) and PCL-substituting group (group B, n=19) according to the random number table. There was no significant difference in gender, age, disease duration, the range of motion of the knee between 2 groups (P > 0.05). The effectiveness and the knee-joint proprioception were separately assessed by the Western Ontario and McMaster University Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) score and the passive angle reproduction test (30, 60, and 90 degrees of knee flexion) preoperatively and 12 months postoperatively., Results: All incisons healed by first intention, without complications of infection, fracture, and deep vein thrombosis of lower limb. The patients were followed up 12-17 months (mean, 14.1 months). The knee function after operation was obviously improved when compared with preoperative one; significant differences were observed in the WOMAC scores and the results of passive angle reproduction test between at preoperation and at 12 months after operation (P < 0.05), but no significant difference was found between group A and group B (P > 0.05)., Conclusion: Whether PCL retaining or not in TKA both can improve knee-joint proprioception, and no obvious difference between them.

The role of heterotrimeric G proteins in pollen germination and tube growth was investigated using Arabidopsis thaliana plants in which the gene (GPA) encoding the G-protein a subunit (Galpha) was null or overexpressed. Pollen germination, free cytosolic calcium concentration ([Ca(2+)](cyt)) and Ca(2+) channel activity in the plasma membrane (PM) of pollen cells were investigated. Results showed that, compared with pollen grains of the wild type (ecotype Wassilewskija, ws), in vitro germinated pollen of Galpha null mutants (gpa1-1 and gpa1-2) had lower germination percentages and shorter pollen tubes, while pollen from Galpha overexpression lines (wGalpha and cGalpha) had higher germination percentages and longer pollen tubes. Compared with ws pollen cells, [Ca(2+)](cyt) was lower in gpa1-1 and gpa1-2 and higher in wGalpha and cGalpha. In whole-cell patch clamp recordings, a hyperpolarization-activated Ca(2+)-permeable conductance was identified in the PM of pollen protoplasts. The conductance was suppressed by trivalent cations but insensitive to organic blockers; its permeability to divalent cations was Ba(2+) > Ca(2+) > Mg(2+) > Sr(2+) > Mn(2+). The activity of the Ca(2+)-permeable channel conductance was down-regulated in pollen protoplasts of gpa1-1 and gpa1-2, and up-regulated in wGalpha and cGalpha. The results suggest that Galpha may participate in pollen germination through modulation of the hyperpolarization-activated Ca(2+) channel in the PM of pollen cells.