Abstract. Compared to basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), a widely distributed, broad spectrum mitogen and mesoderm inducer, acidic fibroblast growth factor (aFGF) is reported to have an essentially neural distribution and to be undetectable in the early embryo . In the present investigation, we used immunoblotting and immunochemistry to assess the cellular and tissue distributions of aFGF and bFGF in 11-20-d rat embryos.Immunoblotting of crude and heparin-bound embryo extracts revealed faint bands at the expected 17-18-kD and predominant bands at an apparent molecular mass of 26 to 28-kD (despite reducing conditions) using multiple specific antibodies for aFGF and bFGF. Pretreatment with 8 M urea yielded 18-20413 aFGF and bFGF and some 24-26-kD bFGF Immunoreactivity for both aFGF and bFGF was positive and similar in B ASIC fibroblast growth factor (bFGF)' and acidic fibroblast growth factor (aFGF, also known as heparinbinding growth factor 1) are closely related polypeptides that have a widespread distribution in tissues and have been extremely well conserved throughout evolution, a feature that suggests physiological importance (1-3, 5, 8, 26) . However, the precise biological functions ofbFGF and aFGF in vivo remain largely unknown . In vitro studies have shown thatthese two peptides have regulatory effects on many cellular functions, such as proliferation, differentiation, matrix formation, and cell movement (3,5,26,36) . Because each of these functions is ofcritical importance during embryonic development, these growth factors could play a major role in embryogenesis . Using biochemical and immunological methods, bFGF and its messenger RNA have been identified in amphibian oocytes and embryos and its mesoderm-inducing effect has been demonstrated (35-37, 55, 56) . Limited immunohistochemical studies in chicken and rat embryos have shown that the presence ofbFGF is associated with developmental events such as angiogenesis and early muscle morphogenesis (25,34,52) . For aFGF, no embryonic distribution has been reported (9, 25, 30, 34) .1. Abbreviations used in this paper: aFGF, acidic fibroblast growth factor ; bFGF, basic fibroblast growth factor.

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BackgroundThe expression of Src and phospho-Src (p-Src) is closely related to tumor invasion and metastasis. The aim of the present study was to investigate the expression of these molecules in osteosarcoma and their relationship with each other, to provide a theoretical basis to understand the prognosis of osteosarcoma.Material/MethodsWe selected surgically resected osteosarcoma specimens from 116 patients of Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University and Hubei Cancer Hospital, Hubei, China, between January 2000 and January 2010 with detailed follow-up data. Twenty osteochondroma specimens from the corresponding period were used as controls. Expression of Src and p-Src was detected in osteosarcoma and osteochondroma by immunohistochemistry. We analyzed the relationship of the 2 proteins and osteosarcoma patient prognosis.ResultsThe expression of Src and p-Src in osteosarcoma was significantly higher than the expression level in osteochondroma (P<0.05). The expression levels of the 2 proteins, clinical stage, and tumor metastasis were significantly associated with survival time (P<0.05), but there was no correlation between age or sex and survival time. The expression of Src and p-Src in osteosarcoma was positively correlated.ConclusionsSrc and p-Src can be used as an auxiliary indicator to determine a malignant phenotype of bone tumors, and the combined detection of Src and p-Src may indicate the prognosis of osteosarcoma.