Caveolin-1 mediated fluid shear stress regulates proliferation and apoptosis of MC3T3-E1 osteoblasts / 中国组织工程研究

BACKGROUND:Fluid shear stress plays an important role in osteoblast proliferation and apoptosis.However,whether Caveolin-1 is involved in the process of fluid shear stress-induced proliferation and apoptosis in osteoblasts is unknown. OBJECTIVE:To explore the role of Caveolin-1 in fluid shear stress-regulated osteoblast proliferation and apoptosis. METHODS:The MC3T3-E1 osteoblasts in good growth status were selected and loaded with fluid shear stress at an intensity of 1.2 Pa for different times(0,30,60,90 minutes).The expression of Caveolin-1 protein was observed and conditions with a time of 60 minutes were screened for the experiment.MC3T3-E1 cells were divided into control group,fluid shear stress group,fluid shear stress+pcDNA 3.1 group(control),fluid shear stress+pcDNA Cav-1 group(plasmid overexpression),and intervened with fluid shear stress and overexpression of Cav-1,respectively.The expression of molecules related to proliferation and apoptosis in MC3T3-E1 cells was detected by qRT-PCR and western blot.In addition,the proliferative activity of MC3T3-E1 cells was detected by cell counting kit-8 and EdU assay;and cell apoptosis was detected by Hoechst 33258 and flow cytometry. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The expression of Caveolin-1 in MC3T3-E1 cells was significantly down-regulated after loading fluid shear stress,and the expression level was lowest after 60 minutes.Overexpression of Caveolin-1 attenuated the proliferation-promoting and apoptosis-suppressing effects of fluid shear stress in MC3T3-E1 cells.In conclusion,Caveolin-1 has a vital role in fluid shear stress-regulated osteoblast proliferation and apoptosis,which may offer a potential therapeutic strategy for osteoporosis.

The molecular mechanism of spleen-strengthening and moisture-nourishing liver prescription in treatment of acute-on-chronic liver failure based on network pharmacology and experimental verification / 中国药理学通报

To explore the mechanism of spleen- were obtained for the treatment of acute-on-chronic livstrengthening and moisture-nourishing liver prescription er failure, and 244 intersecting target genes and 7 core (JPLSYGF) in the treatment of acute-on-chronic liver target genes were screened. Molecular docking showed failure using network pharmacology and the molecular that the core target genes AKT1, SRC, VEGFA, docking. Methods Relying on TCMSP and Gene- STAT3 , EGFR, MAPK3 , HRAS had good affinity with Cards and other databases, the relevant targets of JPL- quercetin, the main active component in the JPLSYGF in the treatment of acute-on-chronic liver failure SYGF, and had strong binding activity. In addition, in were obtained. String and Cytoscape were used to con- vivo tests verified that the JPLSYGF could reduce the struct PPI networks of targets, core targets were expression of HRAS, EGFR, STAT3 , SRC, and VEGscreened out, and DAVID was used for GO function FA, to delay the progression of acute-on-chronic liver annotation and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis. failure. Conclusions JPLSYGF may act on core tar- The main active ingredients of the traditional Chinese gets such as HRAS, EGFR, STAT3, SRC, VEGFA medicine compound formula for JPLSYGF were select- and so on, to achieve the effect of treating acute-oned with a bioavailability OB value of =Э 30% and a chronic liver failure. drug-like DL

Safety evaluation of Tibetan medicine Qishiwei Zhenzhu Pills based on serum pharmacochemistry and network pharmacology / 中国中药杂志

To explore the mechanism of the active ingredients of Qishiwei Zhenzhu Pills in inhibiting the hepatorenal toxicity of the zogta component based on serum pharmacochemistry and network pharmacology, thereby providing references for the clinical safety application of Qishiwei Zhenzhu Pills. The small molecular compounds in the serum containing Qishiwei Zhenzhu Pills of mice were identified by high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry(HPLC-MS/MS). Then, by comprehensively using Traditional Chinese Medicines Systems Pharmacology(TCMSP), High-throughput Experiment-and Reference-guided Database(HERB), PubChem, GeneCards, SuperPred, and other databases, the active compounds in the serum containing Qishiwei Zhenzhu Pills were retrieved and their action targets were predicted. The predicted targets were compared with the targets of liver and kidney injury related to mercury toxicity retrieved from the database, and the action targets of Qishiwei Zhenzhu Pills to inhibit the potential mercury toxicity of zogta were screened out. Cytoscape was used to construct the active ingredient in Qishiwei Zhenzhu Pills-containing serum-action target network, and STRING database was used to construct the protein-protein interaction(PPI) network of intersection targets. The Gene Ontology(GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG) enrichment analyses were carried out on the target genes by the DAVID database. The active ingredient-target-pathway network was constructed, and the key ingredients and targets were screened out for molecular docking verification. The results showed that 44 active compounds were identified from the serum containing Qishiwei Zhenzhu Pills, including 13 possible prototype drug ingredients, and 70 potential targets for mercury toxicity in liver and kidney were identified. Through PPI network topology analysis, 12 key target genes(HSP90AA1, MAPK3, STAT3, EGFR, MAPK1, APP, MMP9, NOS3, PRKCA, TLR4, PTGS2, and PARP1) and 6 subnetworks were obtained. Through GO and KEGG analysis of 4 subnetworks containing key target genes, the interaction network diagram of active ingredient-action target-key pathway was constructed and verified by molecular docking. It was found that taurodeoxycholic acid, N-acetyl-L-leucine, D-pantothenic acid hemicalcium, and other active ingredients may regulate biological functions and pathways related to metabolism, immunity, inflammation, and oxidative stress by acting on major targets such as MAPK1, STAT3, and TLR4, so as to inhibit the potential mercury toxicity of zogta in Qishiwei Zhenzhu Pills. In conclusion, the active ingredients of Qishiwei Zhenzhu Pills may have a certain detoxification effect, thus inhibiting the potential mercury toxicity of zogta and playing a role of reducing toxicity and enhancing effect.

Application of MRI-related indicators of posterior cruciate ligament in the diagnosis of anterior cruciate ligament injury: an update / 中华创伤杂志

The main function of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is to maintain stability of the knee joint and prevent anterior displacement of the tibial plateau. ACL injury accounts for more than 50% of the knee joint injuries. If not timely handled, it will increase the risk of secondary injuries to structures such as the meniscus and cartilage, causing chronic pain and degeneration of the knee joint. Although most ACL injuries can be determined by their direct signs on MRI, the identification of complex situations and partial tears of ACL are still not satisfactory, which subsequently affects treatment strategies. After ACL injury, changes in anatomical relationship of the knee joint can also lead to morphological changes in other structures such as the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) on MRI, and these indirect signs can assist in the diagnosis of ACL injury. The authors reviewed the application of MRI-related indicators of PCL in diagnosing ACL injury, hoping to provide references and new ideas for clinical decision-making.

The molecular mechanism of Qizhu anti-cancer prescription in treatment of primary liver cancer based on network pharmacology and experimental verification / 中国药理学通报

Aim To investigate the mechanism of Qizhu anti-cancer prescription ( QZACP) inthe treatment of primary liver cancer using network pharmacology and molecular docking. Methods Drugs and primary liver cancer ( PLC) -related targets were found according to TCMSP database and disease databases such as GeneCard, the key chemical components and core targets were screened by Cytoscape 3. 9. 1 and String platform respectively, and a network relationship diagram of traditional Chinese medicine-active component-target was constructed by using Cytoscape 3.9. 1. GO functional analysis and KEGG pathway analysis were performed using DAVID platform, visualized by R 4. 1. 1 software, and finally the core clustered proteins were analyzed by CytoNCA plug-in to obtain the core action targets, and the core components and key targets were verified by using molecular docking technology and the pharmacodynamic mechanism of QZACP was further verified by animal experiments. Results The active ingredients of QZACP in the treatment of primary liver cancer may be quercetin, glycyrrhizin, Denudatin B, isoflavanone, sanguinarol, etc. ; the potential targets were STAT3, EGFR, AKT1 etc. ; the related pathways were mainly PI3K-Akt signaling pathway,MAPK signaling pathway,etc. ; molecular docking showed that the core compounds had better integrating conformation with the key targets. In addition, QZACP could inhibit the growth of tumor in nude mice and decrease the expression of STAT3, EGFR and AKT1. Conclusions Qizhu anti-cancer prescription may have some positive significance in the treatment of primary liver cancer, which may be related to the regulation of PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.

Placebo Response among Different Types of Sham Acupuncture for Low Back Pain: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials / 中国结合医学杂志

BACKGROUND@#Low back pain (LBP) is a prevalent and debilitating condition that poses a significant burden on healthcare systems. Acupuncture has been proposed as a promising intervention for LBP, but the evidence supporting its specific effect is insufficient, and the use of sham acupuncture as a control in clinical trials presents challenges due to variations in sham acupuncture techniques and the magnitude of the placebo effect.@*OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the magnitude of the placebo response of sham acupuncture in trials of acupuncture for nonspecific LBP, and to assess whether different types of sham acupuncture are associated with different responses.@*METHODS@#Four databases including PubMed, EMBASE, MEDLINE, and the Cochrane Library were searched through April 15, 2023, and randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were included if they randomized patients with LBP to receive acupuncture or sham acupuncture intervention. The main outcomes included the placebo response in pain intensity, back-specific function and quality of life. Placebo response was defined as the change in these outcome measures from baseline to the end of treatment. Random-effects models were used to synthesize the results, standardized mean differences (SMDs, Hedges'g) were applied to estimate the effect size.@*RESULTS@#A total of 18 RCTs with 3,321 patients were included. Sham acupuncture showed a noteworthy pooled placebo response in pain intensity in patients with LBP [SMD -1.43, 95% confidence interval (CI) -1.95 to -0.91, I2=89%]. A significant placebo response was also shown in back-specific functional status (SMD -0.49, 95% CI -0.70 to -0.29, I2=73%), but not in quality of life (SMD 0.34, 95% CI -0.20 to 0.88, I2=84%). Trials in which the sham acupuncture penetrated the skin or performed with regular needles had a significantly higher placebo response in pain intensity reduction, but other factors such as the location of sham acupuncture did not have a significant impact on the placebo response.@*CONCLUSIONS@#Sham acupuncture is associated with a large placebo response in pain intensity among patients with LBP. Researchers should also be aware that the types of sham acupuncture applied may potentially impact the evaluation of the efficacy of acupuncture. Nonetheless, considering the nature of placebo response, the effect of other contextual factors cannot be ruled out in this study. (PROSPERO registration No. CRD42022304416).

Placebo response of sham acupuncture in patients with primary dysmenorrhea: A meta-analysis / 中西医结合学报

BACKGROUND@#The placebo response of sham acupuncture in patients with primary dysmenorrhea is a substantial factor associated with analgesia. However, the magnitude of the placebo response is unclear.@*OBJECTIVE@#This meta-analysis assessed the effects of sham acupuncture in patients with primary dysmenorrhea and the factors contributing to these effects.@*SEARCH STRATEGY@#PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane CENTRAL databases were searched from inception up to August 20, 2022.@*INCLUSION CRITERIA@#Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) using sham acupuncture as a control for female patients of reproductive age with primary dysmenorrhea were included.@*DATA EXTRACTION AND ANALYSIS@#Pain intensity, retrospective symptom scale, and health-related quality of life were outcome measures used in these trials. Placebo response was defined as the change in the outcome of interest from baseline to endpoint. We used standardized mean difference (SMD) to estimate the effect size of the placebo response.@*RESULTS@#Thirteen RCTs were included. The pooled placebo response size for pain intensity was the largest (SMD = -0.99; 95% confidence interval [CI], -1.31 to -0.68), followed by the retrospective symptom scale (Total frequency rating score: SMD = -0.20; 95% CI, -0.80 to -0.39. Average severity score: SMD = -0.35; 95% CI, -0.90 to -0.20) and physical component of SF-36 (SMD = 0.27; 95% CI, -0.17 to 0.72). Studies using blunt-tip needles, single-center trials, studies with a low risk of bias, studies in which patients had a longer disease course, studies in which clinicians had < 5 years of experience, and trials conducted outside Asia were more likely to have a lower placebo response.@*CONCLUSION@#Strong placebo response and some relative factors were found in patients with primary dysmenorrhea. PROSPERO registration number: CRD42022304215. Please cite this article as: Sun CY, Xiong ZY, Sun CY, Ma PH, Liu XY, Sun CY, Xin ZY, Liu BY, Liu CZ, Yan SY. Placebo response of sham acupuncture in patients with primary dysmenorrhea: A meta-analysis. J Integr Med. 2023; 21(5): 455-463.

Clinical value of arterial stiffness assessment on risk prediction of vascular stiffness in the octogenarian elderly / 中华心血管病杂志

Objective: This study aimed to analyze clinical factors related to arterial stiffening and establish a risk prediction nomogram of arterial stiffening in the octogenarian(≥80 years). Methods: This study was a retrospective cross-sectional study, which enrolled the octogenarian elderly who underwent physical examination and secondary prevention intervention in the outpatient department of Chinese People's Liberation Army General Hospital from April 2022 to August 2022. Clinical data including demographics, biochemical indicators and medical history were collected. Brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) was detected during the clinical visit. Participants were divided into the control group (baPWV≤1 800 cm/s) and vascular sclerosis group (baPWV>1 800 cm/s). The risk factors of arterial stiffness were analyzed by univariate and logistic regression analysis, and the nomogram model was constructed by R programming language. The predictive effect of the nomogram model was evaluated by the receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC). Results: The median age of the 525 participants was 87.0 (82.0, 92.0) years, 504 (96.0%) were male, 82 in the control group, 443 in the vascular sclerosis group. The baPWV, age, systolic blood pressure, mean arterial pressure and diastolic blood pressure were significantly lower in the control group than those in the vascular sclerosis group (all P<0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, alanine aminotransferase and amylase were protective factors, and alkaline phosphatase and creatinine were risk factors of arterial stiffening (all P<0.05). The combined nomogram model scores including age, mean arterial pressure and the above five laboratory indicators indicated that mean arterial pressure and serum creatinine levels were strongly correlated with vascular sclerosis. The ROC curve suggested that the nomogram model had good prediction ability. Conclusions: Age, mean arterial pressure, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, amylase and creatinine are independently determinants for increased vascular stiffness. The combined prediction model in this study can provide reference for individualized clinical risk prediction of vascular sclerosis in the octogenarian elderly.

Clinical value of arterial stiffness assessment on risk prediction of vascular stiffness in the octogenarian elderly / 中华心血管病杂志

Objective: This study aimed to analyze clinical factors related to arterial stiffening and establish a risk prediction nomogram of arterial stiffening in the octogenarian(≥80 years). Methods: This study was a retrospective cross-sectional study, which enrolled the octogenarian elderly who underwent physical examination and secondary prevention intervention in the outpatient department of Chinese People's Liberation Army General Hospital from April 2022 to August 2022. Clinical data including demographics, biochemical indicators and medical history were collected. Brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) was detected during the clinical visit. Participants were divided into the control group (baPWV≤1 800 cm/s) and vascular sclerosis group (baPWV>1 800 cm/s). The risk factors of arterial stiffness were analyzed by univariate and logistic regression analysis, and the nomogram model was constructed by R programming language. The predictive effect of the nomogram model was evaluated by the receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC). Results: The median age of the 525 participants was 87.0 (82.0, 92.0) years, 504 (96.0%) were male, 82 in the control group, 443 in the vascular sclerosis group. The baPWV, age, systolic blood pressure, mean arterial pressure and diastolic blood pressure were significantly lower in the control group than those in the vascular sclerosis group (all P<0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, alanine aminotransferase and amylase were protective factors, and alkaline phosphatase and creatinine were risk factors of arterial stiffening (all P<0.05). The combined nomogram model scores including age, mean arterial pressure and the above five laboratory indicators indicated that mean arterial pressure and serum creatinine levels were strongly correlated with vascular sclerosis. The ROC curve suggested that the nomogram model had good prediction ability. Conclusions: Age, mean arterial pressure, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, amylase and creatinine are independently determinants for increased vascular stiffness. The combined prediction model in this study can provide reference for individualized clinical risk prediction of vascular sclerosis in the octogenarian elderly.

Research progress of ankle arthritis in adult Kashin-Beck disease / 中华地方病学杂志

Kashin-Beck disease is an endemic, chronic and multiple osteoarthropathy, which can involve multiple joints of the whole body, and the disability rate is very high. At present, there are few relevant studies on ankle lesions of adult Kashin-Beck disease, and there are few systematic reports. This paper reviews the clinical manifestations, imaging research, biochemical research and treatment of Kashin-Beck disease ankle arthritis, so as to provide a more systematic basis for the study of Kashin-Beck disease ankle arthritis.

Comparison of effect of medial patellofemoral ligament reconstruction using single half tunnel, double half curved tunnel and suture anchor fixation for patients with patellar dislocation / 中华创伤杂志

Objective:To compare the efficacy of medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL) reconstruction using single half tunnel, double half curved tunnel and suture anchor fixation in the treatment of patellar dislocation.Methods:A retrospective cohort study was used to analyze the clinical data of 58 patients with patellar dislocation treated in Second Hospital of Lanzhou University from June 2018 to February 2021, including 22 males and 36 females, aged 12-34 years [(19.6±5.5)years]. MPFL reconstruction was performed arthroscopically using single half tunnel fixation in 20 patients (single half tunnel group), double half curved tunnel fixation in 18 (double half curved tunnel group) and suture anchor fixation in 20 (suture anchor group). The Lysholm score, International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) score and Tegner activity score were compared among groups before operation, at 3 months after operation and at the last follow-up. The knee range of motion was compared among the three groups at 3 months after operation and at the last follow-up. The postoperative complications of the three groups were observed at the last follow-up.Results:All patients were followed up for 9-39 months [(26.5±9.1)months]. In single half tunnel group, double half curved tunnel group and suture anchor group, the Lysholm score was (78.4±12.0)points, (88.7±7.5)points and (81.1±9.8)points at 3 months after operation, and (80.4±14.2)points, (90.9±9.0)points and (83.3±9.1)points at the last follow-up. The postoperative Lysholm score in all groups was significantly increased from that preoperatively (all P<0.01). The Lysholm score in double half curved tunnel group was significantly higher than that in other two groups at 3 months after operation and at last follow-up (all P<0.05), but there was no significant difference between other groups (all P>0.05). In single half tunnel group, double half curved tunnel group and suture anchor group, the IKDC score was (76.7±12.2)points, (78.4±8.9)points and (81.0±8.1)points at 3 months after operation, and (77.6±15.8)points, (83.2±7.8)points and (82.4±12.4)points at the last follow-up. The postoperative IKDC score in all groups was significantly increased from that preoperatively (all P<0.01), but there was no significant difference among the three groups (all P>0.05). In single half tunnel group, double half curved tunnel group and suture anchor group, the Tegner score was (4.0±1.2)points, (5.4±1.7)points and (5.3±1.7)points at 3 months after operation, and (4.1±1.4)points, (5.8±1.8)points and (5.3±2.2)points at the last follow-up. The postoperative Tegner score in all groups was significantly improved from that preoperatively (all P<0.01). The Tegner score in single half tunnel group was significantly lower than that in other two groups at 3 months after operation and at last follow-up (all P<0.05), but there was no significant difference between other groups (all P>0.05). In single half tunnel group, double half curved tunnel group and suture anchor group, the knee range of motion was (122.3±6.4)°, (121.7±7.1)° and (123.3±5.7)° at the last follow-up, which were significantly increased from (117.3±8.0)°, (115.3±7.9)° and (116.8±8.3)° at 3 months after operation (all P<0.05), with no significant difference among the three groups (all P>0.05). The postoperative complication rate was 10.0% (2/20) in single half tunnel group, 5.6% (1/18) in double half curved tunnel group, and 25.0% (5/20) in suture anchor group ( P>0.05). Conclusions:For patellar dislocation, MPFL reconstruction using single half tunnel, double half curve tunnel and suture anchor fixation have achieved satisfactory improvement of knee range of motion, but knee functional recovery is much better after double half curved tunnel fixation.

Review of clinical research in acupuncture and moxibustion from 2010 to 2020 and future prospects / 中国针灸

The progress of Chinese clinical research on acupuncture and moxibustion in recent 10 years was reviewed and analyzed, and corresponding suggestions were put forward for the current problems. In the past 10 years, Chinese clinical research on acupuncture and moxibustion has made considerable progress, mainly in the following areas: a series of internationally recognized clinical research evidences have been published, a preliminary acupuncture clinical evaluation system has formed, sham/placebo acupuncture control is widely used internationally, acupuncture clinical research norms and standards have been initially established. However, the following issues still need to be paid attention to in follow-up research: focus on the overall layout and refinement of clinical research, further improvement of clinical evaluation system, developing relevant norms for sham/placebo acupuncture setting and reporting, strengthening data sharing and platform integration, building a smooth basic and two-way transformation clinical pathway, etc.

Bone proportional measurement on the chest and abdomen among 101 young females / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To examine the bone proportional measurement standard on the chest and abdomen of modern women.@*METHODS@#The height, weight and distances of bone proportional measurement chest and abdomen of 101 young females were measured. The height was divided by 75 to calculate the data of bone proportional measurement, and compared with the national standard published in 2006 and the ancient literature of Miraculous Pivot: Gudu.@*RESULTS@#The bone proportional distances between two nipples and two coracoid processes of women were 8 cun and 12 cun respectively, which were in line with the 2006 national standard. The bone proportional distance from navel to superior margin of pubic symphysis (Qugu) was 6.5 cun, which was consistent with the ancient literature of Miraculous Pivot: Gudu. The bone proportional distance from suprasternal fossa to the middle point of xiphisternal synchondrosis (Qigu) was less than 9 cun, while the bone proportional distance from Qigu to navel was more than 8 cun, resulting in the ratio less than 9︰8. The bone proportional distance from suprasternal fossa to the middle point of xiphoid process was 9 cun, corresponding to the ratio of 9︰8 when comparing with the measurement from the middle point of xiphoid process to navel.@*CONCLUSION@#The bone proportional distance measurement between two nipples and two coracoid processes of women should follow the 2006 national standard, and the bone proportional distance measurement from navel to superior margin of pubic symphysis should follow the standard of Miraculous Pivot: Gudu. The middle point of xiphisternal synchondrosis should be replaced by the middle point of xiphoid process.

Analysis on SARS‑CoV‑2 contamination in the environment exposure to the SARS‑CoV‑2 cases in Huangpu District of Shanghai in 2022 / 中国热带医学

@#Abstract: Objective　To analyze the detection of SARS‑CoV‑2 in household environment and public place environment of Huangpu District, and describe the feature of SARS‑CoV‑2 contamination in the environment exposure to the infected cases, so as to support the control strategies such as disinfection and health communication. Methods　The results of RT-PCR test for the environmental samples exposure to the cases infected by SARS‑CoV‑2 during February 1 to March 31 2022 in Huangpu District of Shanghai were collected as the research data. Pearson χ2 was used to test the significance of the differences between positive rates of SARS‑CoV‑2 contamination. Results　From February 1 to March 31, household environment samples had a higher positive rate (6.47%, 234/3 618) of SARS‑CoV‑2 contamination while the public place samples had a lower one (1.22%, 47/3 582) in Huangpu District of Shanghai (χ2=141.908, P<0.01). Among the household buildings, the lane houses of old style representing poorer living condition had the highest positive rates (8.31%, 96/1 155) of SARS‑CoV‑2 contamination while the apartments representing better living condition had the lowest (3.59%, 22/612) (F=5.25，P<0.05). Among the samples from household environment, samples regarding sewerage had the highest positive rates (13.30%,58/436) of SARS‑CoV‑2 contamination, while samples regarding the tool of cooking and sweeping had the lowest (3.10%,17/548) (F=9.84，P<0.01). Among the samples from public place environment, samples regarding entertainment tools had the highest positive rates (13.33%, 2/15) of SARS‑CoV‑2 contamination, while samples regarding the tool of cooking and sweeping had the lowest (0.62%, 4/646) (F=4.22，P<0.01). Conclusion　In the environment exposure to the SARS‑CoV‑2 infected cases, the disinfection, ventilation and cleaning should be intensified strictly. SARS‑CoV‑2's surviving in sewage environment should be evaluation dynamically. More health communication should be pushed to people of poorer living condition.

Prevalence and radiographic morphology of atlantoaxial dislocation in Kashin-Beck disease / 西安交通大学学报(医学版)

【Objective】 Until now, most clinical and basic studies on Kashin-Beck disease (KBD) have focused on the visible deformed extremities, and there is a lack of reports concerning their spinal features, especially for the atlantoaxial joint. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence and radiographic features of atlantoaxial dislocation (AAD) in KBD in adult patients. 【Methods】 The prevalence and radiographic features of AAD were determined by the basic information collected, clinical symptoms, and lateral and dynamic plain radiography in 111 KBD patient and 120 non-KBD participants. In the KBD group, AAD and non-AAD patients were compared in age, gender, height, weight, BMI, smoking history, chronic history, disease duration and grade of disease so as to identify the related factors of the occurrence of AAD. 【Results】 Symptoms at the neck or neurological manifestations were present in 17.5% (21/120) in the non-KBD population and 39.6% (44/111) patients with KBD. AAD case was not detected in the non-KBD population, while in 16.2% (18/111) of KBD patients in the endemic area. The prevalence was higher in the KBD patients than in the non-KBD population, and there was a significant difference in the detection rate of AAD between the two groups (χ2=21.10, P<0.001). Plain radiography demonstrated that there were 10 (55.6%) cases with separation of the odontoid process and the other 8 (44.4%) cases with hypoplasia of odontoid process. Anterior AAD was noted in 12 (66.7%) patients and posterior AAD in 6 (33.3%) cases based on the displacement direction, while 16 (88.9%) cases were reducible and 2 (11.1%) cases were irreducible on the basis of the reducibility. Comparing the 93 patients with non-AAD KBD patients and 18 patients with AAD patients, there was no significant difference in age, sex, BMI, history of medical disease or smoking (all P>0.05). There were significant differences in height, weight, disease duration and grade of disease between AAD and non-AAD patients (all P<0.05). 【Conclusion】 KBD can cause the occurrence of atlantoaxial dislocation by inducing separation or hypoplasia of the odontoid process. This research may provide clinical evidence for screening, earlier prevention and treatment of atlantoaxial dislocation in adult KBD patients.

Effect of ferroptosis inducer Erastin on apoptosis of colorectal cancer induced by Shikonin / 中国药理学通报

Aim To explore the effect of ferroptosis inducer Erastin combined with Shikonin on the anti-tumor activity of colorectal cancer cells and its mechanism.Methods Erastin(0,4,8,16,32,64 μmol·L-1)and Shikonin(SW-480:0, 0.5,1,2,4,8 μmol·L-1 with SW-620:(0,0.2,0.4,0.8,1.6,3.2 μmol·L-1)alone and 10 μmol·L-1 Erastin combined with various concentrations of Shikonin were used to treat colorectal cancer cells SW480 and SW620; Cell viability was detected by CCK-8 method and the apoptosis was detected by AnnexinV/PI double staining.The changes of active oxygen content in colorectal cancer cells were measured by ROS detection kit, and the changes of intracellular lactic acid content in SW480 and SW620 were measured by 10 μmol·L-1 Erastin alone or in combination with 2 μmol·L-1 and 1 μmol·L-1 Shikonin, respectively.The protein expressions of Bax, Bcl-2, PARP1, Caspase3,Caspase8,AKT and P-akt in SW480 and SW620 cells were detected by Western blot.Results The results of CCK-8 showed that the combination group could significantly inhibit the viability of colorectal cancer cells and the apoptotic rate was the highest.At the same time, lactic acid was inhibited most obviously.The content of intracellular reactive oxygen species and apoptosis-related proteins also changed significantly.Conclusions Erastin combined with Shikonin can synergistically induce the apoptosis of colorectal cancer cells.The mechanism may be inhibiting the production of lactic acid in tumor cells, increasing the content of reactive oxygen species in tumor cells, inhibiting the AKT signaling pathway, and activating pro-apoptotic proteins to induce colorectal cancer cell apoptosis.

Transcriptional Regulation between CCAT2 and AR in Prostate Cancer Cell Lines / 中国生物化学与分子生物学报

AR (androgen receptor) and CCAT2 are two prostate cancer (PCa)-related genes whereas their relationship is not yet reported. AR is the classical major functional gene in PCa progression. CCAT2, a non-coding gene, was identified based on big-data GWAS (Genome-Wide Association Studies) in the year of 2013. Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) is usually used to treat PCa in the early stage. After persistent androgen deprivation, PCa would generally lead to castration resistant prostate cancer (CRPC), whereas the mechanism is yet unclear. Here we explore the function of AR and CCAT2 in PCa progression, especially their relation in androgen sensitive and insensitive cell model LNCap and DU145. We found a loop between AR and CCAT2 transcription by over-expression and knock-down strategies. In DU145 cells, G-CCAT2 activated AR mRNA level 2. 6 times, while T-CCAT2 inhibited it to 0. 2 times (P<0. 05). In LNCaP cells, G-CCAT2 could activate AR mRNA levels 1. 5 times, and TCCAT2 had no significant effect (P<0. 05). Under overexpression of AR in DU145 cells, the expression of CCAT2 increased 2. 9 times (P < 0. 05). The abundance of CCAT2 decreased to 0. 48 (P < 0. 05) in LNCaP cells by AR knock-down. Reporter gene analysis showed that CCAT2 could function on the AR promoter. We then performed CCK8 assays and AR protein level detection as supplement for the new gene CCAT2 studies. Finally we primarily studied some target genes that are related to AR and CCAT2 . The results showed that the G-CCAT2 transcript could activate AR expression in LNCap cells while UCCAT2 had no significant effect. In DU145 cells, G-CCAT2 exhibited a more relative stronger activation effect on AR, and U-CCAT2 could inhibit AR transcription. AR activates the transcriptional activity of CCAT2 in both cell lines, suggesting a feedback regulation between them. Our data showed that there would be a feedback loop between CCAT2 and AR, which may indicate a new method for PCa treatment.

Identification of a novel mutation of MBD5 gene in a pedigree affected with autosomal dominant mental retardation type 1 / 中华医学遗传学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To explore the genetic basis for a child with mental and motor retardation, language impairment, facial dysmorphism and epilepsy.@*METHODS@#Whole exome sequencing was carried out to detect pathogenic variant in the proband, and candidate variant was selected based on his phenotype. Sanger sequencing was used to verify the variant in the proband, his parents and other family members.@*RESULTS@#The proband was found to carry a frameshifting mutation of MBD5 gene, namely c.2217delT (p.F739Lfs*6), which was inherited from his mother and unreported previously. Sanger sequencing confirmed that his brother carried the same mutation with a similar phenotype. His mother also had poor language expression when she was young, in addition with poor academic performance, though she could do some housework and had no history of convulsion.@*CONCLUSION@#A novel pathogenic variant of the MBD5 gene was discovered, which has enriched the mutational spectrum of the MBD5 gene. Above discovery has enabled genetic counseling and prenatal diagnosis for the family.

Effects of Ziziphi Spinosae Semen and Albiziae Flos on Behavior and Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress PERK/ATF4/CHOP Pathway in Depression Model Rats / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective:To investigate the effect of Ziziphi Spinosae Semen （ZSS） and Albiziae Flos （AF） on behavior and endoplasmic reticulum stress endoplasmic reticulum stress protein kinase R-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase （PERK）/activated transcription factor 4 （ATF4）/CCAAT enhancer binding protein （CHOP） pathway in depression model rats， and to explore its antidepressant mechanism. Method:The male SD rats were divided into normal group， model group， ZSS-AF high dose， middle dose and low dose groups （16， 8， 4 g·kg^-1） and Venlafaxine group （0.008 g·kg^-1）， <italic>n</italic>=15 in each group. Except the normal group， the depression model was established in the rats of other 5 groups by the method of chronic unpredictable mild stress （CUMS） combined with isolated feeding. The normal group and model group were given with distilled water by gavage when modeling， while other groups received corresponding drug by intragastric administration for 21 days. Behavior changes of rats in each group were observed by the open field test and sugar water consumption test on 1^thand 21^thday of the experiment. The protein expressions of PERK， CHOP， B-cell lymphoma-2 associated X protein （Bax） and cysteine-containing aspartate-specific proteases-3（Caspase-3） were detected by Western blot（WB）， the ultrastructural changes of the hippocampus were observed by transmission electron microscope， the apoptosis of hippocampal neurons was observed by terminal-deoxynucleoitidyl transferase mediated nick end labeling (TUNEL） method. Result:Compared with the normal group， the scores of open field test and sugar water consumption rate in model group rats decreased （<italic>P</italic><0.01）. Compared with the model group， the scores of open field test and water consumption rate increased （<italic>P</italic><0.01） in ZSS-AF groups and Venlafaxine group. Transmission electron microscope showed that the changes of neuronal damage in hippocampal were revealed in the model group， whereas those neuronal damages were relieved in ZSS-AF groups and Venlafaxine group. TUNEL method showed that the number of apoptotic neurons in hippocampal increased in the model group （<italic>P</italic><0.01）， but decreased in ZSS-AFgroups and Venlafaxine group （<italic>P</italic><0.01）. WB results showed that as compared with the normal group， protein expressions of PERK， CHOP， Bax and Caspase-3 were up-regulated significantly in the model group （<italic>P</italic><0.01）， whereas those were down-regulated in ZSS-AF groups and Venlafaxine group （<italic>P</italic><0.05， <italic>P</italic><0.01）. Conclusion:The antidepressant effect of ZSS-AF herbal pair may be correlated with the regulation of endoplasmic reticulum stress PERK/ATF4/-CHOP pathway.

Analysis of a family with asparagine synthase deficiency caused by ASNS gene mutation and literature review / 中华实用儿科临床杂志

Objective:To investigate the clinical characteristics and gene variation of asparagine synthase deficiency that is caused by ASNS gene variation. Methods:In Department of Neuroendocrine Pediatrics, Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University from October 2018 to February 2020, the clinical data of a family of asparagine synthase deficiency were analyzed retrospectively.The pathogenic mutation of the proband was screened by the full exon analysis technique.The pathogenic sites of candidate genes were determined by combining the phenotype of the proband.In the heterotopic spot of the proband, his parents and other family members were verified by Sanger sequencing.Meanwhile, the relevant literature database was consulted, and the reported ASNS mutation related cases were collected and reviewed. Results:The female with proband visited the hospital at the age of 4 months, and she had recurrent convulsions at the age of about 3 months.Physical examination showed that the child suffered from microcephaly, and mental and motor retardation.Meanwhile, video electroencephalogram examination displayed extensive moderate high amplitude spiny slow wave and sharp slow wave.Exon sequencing illustrated that the compound heterozygous variants of ASNS gene were c. 1211G>A (p.R404H) and c. 1643C>T (p.S548F), respectively.c.1211G>A was a known pathogenic variant, and c. 1643C>T was a new variant.The proband′s younger brother visited the hospital at the age of 2 months, developed convulsions at the age of 1 month, and developed mental and motor retardation.Electroencephalogram displayed that bilateral posterior head was dominant, multiple foci and extensive spike wave, and spike slow wave and fast wave were distributed.Sanger sequencing revealed the same ASNS compound heterozygous variants as the proband.Both of them died of status convulsion at the age of 7 months and 6 months, respectively. Conclusions:This study is helpful to further understand the clinical features of the disease and reveal a new pathogenic mutation of ASNS gene, so as to enrich the mutation spectrum of ASNS gene, thus providing important basis for clinical treatment and genetic counseling.