This study aimed to explore the correlation of kinesin family member 2A (KIF2A) expression with disease risk, clinical characteristics, and prognosis of acute myeloid leukemia (AML), and investigate the effect of KIF2A knockdown on AML cell activities in vitro. Bone marrow samples were collected from 176 AML patients and 40 healthy donors, and KIF2A expression was measured by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Treatment response, event-free survival (EFS), and overall survival (OS) were assessed in AML patients. In vitro, KIF2A expression in AML cell lines and CD34+ cells (from healthy donors) was measured, and the effect of KIF2A knockdown on AML cell proliferation and apoptosis in HL-60 and KG-1 cells was detected. KIF2A expression was greater in AML patients compared to healthy donors, and receiver operating characteristic curve indicated that KIF2A expression predicted increased AML risk (area under curve: 0.793 (95%CI: 0.724-0.826)). In AML patients, KIF2A expression positively correlated with white blood cells, monosomal karyotype, and high risk stratification. Furthermore, no correlation of KIF2A expression with complete remission or hematopoietic stem cell transplantation was found. Kaplan-Meier curves showed that KIF2A expression was negatively correlated with EFS and OS. In vitro experiments showed that KIF2A was overexpressed in AML cell lines (KG-1, HL-60, ME-1, and HT-93) compared to CD34+ cells, moreover, cell proliferation was reduced but apoptosis was increased by KIF2A knockdown in HL-60 and KG-1 cells. In conclusion, KIF2A showed potential to be a biomarker and treatment target in AML.

Aggrecanase-2 (ADAMTS5) gene is responsible for aggrecan degradation that may contribute to cartilage destruction in a mouse osteoarthritis (OA) model. We aimed to investigate the effects of ADAMTS5 gene polymorphisms on OA risk in a Chinese population. A total of 300 OA patients and 300 controls were recruited and their genotypes for ADAMTS5 gene rs226794 and rs2830585 polymorphisms were determined using a custom-by-design 48-Plex single nucleotide polymorphism Scan™ kit. ADAMTS5-associated genes were identified by co-expression analysis and their functions were investigated by Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes analyses. Bioinformatics analysis showed that ADAMTS5 was significantly related to the components, structural constituent, and organization of the extracellular matrix. The rs2830585 polymorphism, but not rs226794 polymorphism, was significantly associated with an increased risk of knee OA. Stratified analysis further confirmed this significant association in patients at age ≥55 years. In conclusion, the ADAMTS5 rs2830585 polymorphism may be involved in the development of knee OA by destroying the extracellular matrix, but this finding should be further confirmed by larger studies.

Abstract Purpose: To investigate dynamically the X-ray appearance of cervical degenerative disease induced by unbalanced dynamic and static forces in rats. Methods: A total of 60 Sprague Dawley rats were randomized into test (n=45) and control (n=15) groups, which were randomly subdivided into the one-, three- and six-month post-operative groups. The test group included 10, 15 and 20 rats at the respective corresponding post-operative stage and the control group included five rats at each time-point. By excising cervicodorsal muscles, interspinous ligaments and supraspinous ligament of rats in the test group, the balance of dynamic and static forces on cervical vertebrae was disrupted to establish a rat model of cervical degeneration. Spinal X-ray images were acquired, and intervertebral disc space and intervertebral foramen size were measured at one, three and six months post-operation. The results were analyzed and compared among groups. Results: Cervical dynamic and static imbalance accelerated the appearance of cervical degenerative disease on X-ray. Conclusion: Cervical degenerative disease may be induced by unbalanced dynamic and static forces in rats.

A toxoplasmose é uma zoonose global causada pelo Toxoplasma gondii, o qual pode infectar animais de sangue quente e seres humanos. Este estudo foi realizado com o objetivo de investigar a soroprevalência em cavalos para T. gondii, na região de Xinjiang, no Noroeste da China. Em 2011, foram recolhidas 637 amostras de sangue em sete distritos da Prefeitura Autônoma de Changji Hui do Xinjiang, as quais foram testadas para a presença de anticorpos, utilizando-se o teste de aglutinação modificado (MAT). Foram estimados fatores de risco relacionados com a soroprevalência (idade, sexo e distrito), através de uma análise de regressão logística multivariada. Um total de 200 equinos (31,4%, 95% IC 27,79 – 35,00) foi positivo para T. gondii. Idade, sexo e região estudada não apresentaram associação com a soroprevalência (p>0,05) na análise de regressão logística. Os resultados revelam que a infecção por T. gondii tem uma prevalência generalizada em todo o território de Xinjiang, no Noroeste da China, constituindo uma séria ameaça à saúde de animais e de humanos. Consequentemente, propõe-se que sejam adotadas medidas reforçadas para o controle e prevenção da infecção de cavalos por T. gondii, no Xinjiang, Noroeste da China.

Toxoplasmosis is a worldwide zoonosis caused by Toxoplasma gondii, which can infect warm-blooded animals and humans. The present study was performed to investigate the seroprevalence of T. gondii in horses in Xinjiang, northwestern China. A total of 637 blood samples were collected from seven regions in Changji Hui Autonomous Prefecture, Xinjiang in 2011 and assayed for T. gondiiantibodies using the modified agglutination test (MAT). Risk factors (age, gender, and region) related to seroprevalence were determined by a multivariate logistic regression analysis. A total of 200 horses (31.4%, 95% CI 27.79–35.00) were seropositive for T. gondii. Age, gender, and region present no association with seroprevalence (p>0.05) in the logistic regression analysis. The results indicated that T. gondii is widely prevalent in horses in Xinjiang, northwestern China, representing a serious threat to animal and human health. Therefore, more careful measures should be performed to control and prevent T. gondii infection in horses from Xinjiang, northwestern China.