Efficacy of JOINS on Cartilage Protection in Knee Osteoarthritis: Prospective Randomized Controlled Trial

PURPOSE: In this study, we compared the clinical efficacy of JOINS (SKI306X, SK Chemicals) with placebo on cartilage protection using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty-nine patients were randomized to the JOINS group (200 mg, three times daily for 1 year; n=33) or the placebo group (n=36). Changes in cartilage volume and thickness were measured using MRI. Changes in the delayed gadolinium-enhanced MRI of cartilage (dGEMRIC) index, subchondral bone marrow abnormality scores, and clinical scores including knee pain visual analog scale (VAS) score and Korean Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (K-WOMAC) were also evaluated. RESULTS: Changes in cartilage thickness and volume and subarticular bone marrow abnormality scores were not different between groups. Changes in the dGEMRIC index in the lateral tibial plateau were greater in the JOINS group than in the placebo group (19.64±114.33 msec vs. −57.77±123.30 msec; p=0.011). Significantly greater changes in VAS were observed in the JOINS group than in the placebo group (−26.00±12.25 vs. −12.47±21.54; p=0.002) and K-WOMAC (−15.42 ± 7.73 vs. −8.15±13.71; p=0.003). CONCLUSIONS: Compared with placebo, JOINS had superior clinical efficacy in regard to cartilage protection.

Mutations at embB306 codon and their association with multidrug resistant M. tuberculosis clinical isolates.

Purpose: The presence of embB306 mutation in ethambutol (EMB)‑susceptible (EMBs) clinical isolates questions the significance of these mutations in conferring resistance to EMB. The present study was carried out to determine the occurrence of embB306 mutation in EMB‑resistant (EMBr) and EMBs strains of M. tuberculosis. One hundred and four multidrug‑resistant tuberculosis (MDR‑TB) strains were also included to establish the relevance of excessive use of rifampicin (RIF) and isoniazid (INH) in occurrence of embB306 mutations in EMBs M. tuberculosis isolates. Materials and Methods: Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) from M. tuberculosis clinical strains was isolated by cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) method. Phenotypic and genotypic drug susceptibility testing (DST) was performed on 354 M. tuberculosis isolates by using standard proportion method and multiplex‑allele‑specific polymerase chain reaction assay, respectively. Results: The overall frequency of embB306 mutations in EMBr isolates was found to be five times higher than its occurrence in EMB‑susceptible isolates (50% vs 10%). Further, the association between embB306 mutation and EMB‑resistance was observed to be statistically significant (P = 0.000). Conclusion: The embB306 is not only the main causative mutation of EMB resistance, but is a sensitive applicant marker for EMB‑resistance study.

SKI306X inhibition of glycosaminoglycan degradation in human cartilage involves down-regulation of cytokine-induced catabolic genes

BACKGROUND/AIMS: SKI306X, a mixed extract of three herbs, Clematis mandshurica (CM), Prunella vulgaris (PV), and Trichosanthes kirilowii (TK), is chondroprotective in animal models of osteoarthritis (OA). The objectives of this study were to investigate its effect on interleukin (IL)-1beta-induced degradation of glycosaminoglycan (GAG) and the basis of its action in human OA cartilage, as well as to screen for the presence of inhibitors of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-13 and a disintegrin and metalloprotease with thrombospondin motifs (ADAMTS)-4 in SKI306X and its component herbs, as well as in fractions from SKI306X. METHODS: Human OA chondrocytes and cartilage explants were obtained during total knee replacements and incubated with IL-1beta +/- oncostatin M with or without SKI306X or its component herb extracts. GAG degradation was assayed in cartilage explants using a commercial kit. Expression of genes involved in cartilage destruction was measured by real-time polymerase chain reaction using chondrocyte RNA. SKI306X was fractionated by preparative liquid chromatography to test for the presence of inhibitors of MMP-13 and ADAMTS-4. RESULTS: SKI306X and PV inhibited IL-1beta-induced GAG release from cartilage explants, and SKI306X, CM, PV, and TK inhibited IL-1beta-induced MMP gene expression. Unexpectedly, SKI306X greatly stimulated IL-1beta + oncostatin M-induced ADAMTS-4 gene expression, probably due to its TK component. Some fractions of SKI306X also inhibited ADAMTS-4 activity. CONCLUSIONS: SKI306X and its herbal components inhibit GAG degradation and catabolic gene expression in human OA chondrocytes and cartilage explants. SKI306X likely also contains one or more ADAMTS-4 inhibitor.

Development of a quantitative ELISA kit for human secreted CD306/LAIR-2 and its application / 中国天然药物

AIM@#A quantitative ELISA kit for the detection of human secreted CD306/LAIR-2 was developed using monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies which were raised against a highly purified recombinant human secreted CD306/LAIR-2.@*METHODS@#Anti-human secreted CD306/LAIR-2 monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies were raised by immunizing mouse or rabbit with recombinant human secreted CD306/LAIR-2. The monoclonal antibody was purified by protein G affinity, whereas the polyclonal antibody was purified by protein A affinity. The best match pair of antibodies were found and used to develop a double antibody sandwich ELISA kit for the detection of human secreted CD306/LAIR-2 in human samples.@*RESULTS@#A human secreted CD306/LAIR-2 ELISA kit was formulated with highly purified recombinant human secreted CD306/LAIR-2, highly specific monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies. This kit realized the quantitative measurement of recombinant human CD306/LAIR-2 and natural CD306/LAIR-2 in human serum samples.@*CONCLUSIONS@#The developed human secreted CD306/LAIR-2 ELISA kit is a reliable quantitation immunoassay kit.

Eficacia da descontaminacao de residuos biologicos infectantes de laboratorios de microbiologia apos tratamento termico por autoclavacao / Efficacy of the decontamination of biological infectious waste after thermal treatment by autoclaving

A pesquisa foi realizada no Laboratório Central de Saúde Pública de Minas Gerais com o objetivo de validar o processo de descontaminação de resíduos infectantes do subgrupo A1 e identificar possíveis falhas no procedimento preliminar à sua disposição final. Foram avaliados tanto a descontaminação dos resíduos totalmente descartáveis acondicionados em sacos plásticos termorresistentes quanto o processo de descontaminação dos resíduos reutilizáveis provenientes do Laboratório de Tuberculose, acondicionados em caixas metálicas. Enquanto os resultados obtidos no primeiro estudo indicaram uma deficiência considerável no tratamento dos resíduos, no segundo caso a eficácia foi comprovada. Medidas preventivas e corretivas foram propostas e adotadas como consequência deste trabalho, e são aqui descritas.

Laboratory studies were performed at the Central Laboratory of Public Health of Minas Gerais in order to validate the process of infectious waste decontamination (subgroup A1) from the public health service and identify possible flaws in the procedure preliminary to its final disposal. We evaluated both the decontamination of disposable waste packed in thermo-resistant plastic bags as well and the decontamination process of reusable waste from the Tuberculosis Laboratory packed in metallic boxes. The results of the first study indicated a significant deficiency in waste treatment, while in the second case efficacy was demonstrated. Preventive and corrective measures were proposed and adopted as a result of this work and are described herein.

Classificação dos resíduos de serviços de saúde de um hospital veterinário / Classification of health services waste from a veterinary hospital

O trabalho avalia aspectos referentes à classificação e segregação dos resíduos gerados no Hospital Veterinário da Ulbra (RS), a partir de estudos realizados para a elaboração do Plano de Gerenciamento dos Resíduos de Serviço de Saúde (PGRSS), para a instituição. O plano foi baseado na resolução RDC nº 306/2004 da ANVISA (Brasil, 2004), que define as diretrizes para o manejo dos resíduos de instituições de saúde, incluindo a segregação, coleta, armazenamento, transporte interno e externo, tratamento e disposição final. A partir da caracterização, classificação e do diagnóstico das atividades de manejo dos resíduos do hospital, foi possível avaliar a importância da segregação, no local de origem, para a redução de resíduos que necessitam de tratamentos especiais, bem como para a redução de riscos de propagação de doenças.

This work evaluates some referring aspects to the residues classification and segregation generated in Ulbra's Veterinary Hospital (RS), starting from studies accomplished in the elaboration of a Residues Health Service Management Plan (PGRSS), for the institution. The plan was based on RDC nº 306/2004 ANVISA's Resolution (Brasil, 2004), that defines the guidelines for handling the health institutions residues, including the segregation, collection, storage, internal and external transportation, treatment and final disposition. From the characterization, classification and the diagnostic handling activities of hospital residues, it was possible to evaluate the segregation importance, in the origin location, for the residues reduction that need special treatments, as well as for the risks reduction of diseases propagation.

Expression and significance of soluble LAIR in sera of renal transplantation recipients with cytomegalovirus pneumonitis / 中华泌尿外科杂志

Objective To study the relationship of soluble LAIR (sCD305 and CD3060) expression in recipient serum with cytomegalovirus (CMV) pneumonitis after renal transplantation. Methods Nineteen serum specimens from recipients were divided into CMV pneumonitis group (n=10) and control group (n=9). Then the concentrations of sCD305 and CD3060 were quantitated with sandwich ELISA. The data were analyzed by using student t test. Results sCD305 was skewness distributed in both 2 groups, was 0.000-3.039 μg/L in CMV pneumonitis group and 0.000-8.375 μg/L in con-trol group. CD3060 was skewness distributed in CMV pneumonitis group and the concentration was 0.000-0.017μg/L. CD3060 was mormally distributed in control group and the concentration was 0.046±0.035 μg/L. There was significant difference of CD3060 (P=0.000) concentrations and no sig-nificant difference of sCD305(P=0.316) concentrations in 2 groups, respectively. Conclusions The concentration of CD3060 is low in CMV pneumonitis patients. The combination of CMV PP65 antigen detection and CD3060 detection is helpful for the early and precise diagnosis of CMV pneumonitis in renal transplantation patients.

Is attempted suicide an offence.

Life is a stage with one entrance but many exits. Among those, suicide is one exit having a long ancestry. In 1968, the World Health Organization defined suicidal act as “the injury with varying degree of lethal intent” and that suicide may be defined as “a suicidal act with fatal outcome”. World Health Organization labeled, suicidal acts with non-fatal outcome as “attempted suicide.” Suicide has been an act of condemnation as well as commendation through the ages. The act of suicide is forbidden by all the religions. In recent times, attempted suicide, though a failed act has gained more importance (than the suicide, a successful act) since it is considered as an offence and is punishable under Section 309, IPC. A lot of conflicting opinions have generated on the desirability of retaining or deleting Section 309 of Indian Penal Code because of some contrasting judgments given by our Courts. Article 21 of the Constitution of India is a provision guaranteeing protection of life and personal liberty and by no stretch of the imagination can extinction of life be read to be included in protection of life.

Is attempted suicide an offence.

Life is a stage with one entrance but many exits. Among those, suicide is one exit having a long ancestry. In 1968,the World Health Organisation defined suicidal act as "the injury with varying degree of lethal intent" and that suicide may be defined as "a suicidal act with fatal outcome". Suicidal acts with non fatal outcome are labeled by World Health Organisation as "attempted suicide." Suicide has been an act of condemnation as well as commendation through the ages. The act of suicide is forbidden in Khoran and the Holy Bible. The common belief among Hindus is that a person who commits suicide will not attain "Moksha" and his Soul will wander around, haunting and tormenting people. In recent times, attempted suicide, though a failed act has gained more importance (than the suicide, a successful act) since it is considered as an offence and is punishable under Section 309 of Indian Penal Code. A lot of conflicting opinions have generated on the desirability of retaining or deleting Section 309 of Indian Penal Code because of some contrasting judgments given by our Courts. Article 21 of the Constitution of India is a provision guaranteeing protection of life and personal liberty and by no stretch of the imagination can extinction of life be read to be included in protection of life. By declaring an attempt to commit suicide a crime, the Indian Penal Code upholds the dignity of human life, because human life is as precious to the State as it is, to its holder and the State can not turn a blind eye to a person in attempting to kill himself. Another set of people are of the opinion that the Section 309 of Indian Penal Code is cruel and irrational because it provides double punishment for a troubled individual whose deep unhappiness had caused him to try and end his life. It is cruel to inflict additional legal punishment on a person who has already suffered agony and ignominy in his failure to commit suicide. And also, what is the legal status of individuals who, by virtue of their religion refuse food and fast unto death? In India there are innumerable cases wherein religious ascetics fast to death without State intervening and are not punished though such acts amount to attempt to suicide.

The competitive inhibitory effects of HLA-DRB1-binding peptide on T cell activation / 中国免疫学杂志

Objective:To evaluate the impact of altered collagen Ⅱ(CⅡ) peptide(S268-270) on T cell activation.Methods:Altered CⅡ263-272 with G268,P269 and K270 consecutively substitution with A or G were synthesized using solid phase various concentrations were added to HLADR1 transfected APC.Expression of FITC stainning was analyzed by fluorescence-activated cell sorting,and the binding of altered CⅡ peptide to HLA-DR1 molecule on cell membrane was evaluated.Irridiated HLA-DR1 expressing APC was incubated with CⅡ263-272 or hemagglutinin(HA)306-318 and altered CⅡ peptides at various concentrations for 2 hours before T cells(3.19) were added.Supernatant was harvested and then added to IL-2 dependent CTLL cell.The cell proliferation was examined by methotetrazolium(MTT) method.Results:The altered CⅡ peptide and wild type of CⅡ263-272 were able to competitively bind to HLA-DR1 molecule expressed on cell membrane of transfected APC.CⅡ or HA induced T cell activation was significantly inhibited by the altered peptide S268-270.Conclusion:Altered CⅡ263-272 with G268,P269 and K270 consecutively substitutions with A or G inhibited CⅡ263-272 and HA306-318 induced T cell activation through competitively binding to HLA-DR1,suggesting a new approach in inhibition of T cell activation in RA.

The study on detecting mutation site of 306 codon in Ethambutol resistant embB gene of Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacterium by hair clamp probe / 重庆医科大学学报

Objective:To design hair clamp probe and the probes with single extending arm detecting embB306codon of Ethambutol resis-tant Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacterium(MTB),meanwhile,to design fair clamp probe chip and detecting fluorescence signal from hy-bridization between the amplified product and probe by fluorescence microscope.Methods:The software,Beacon designer,was used to de-sign fair clamp probe and the probes with single extending arm detecting embB303codon and detecting fluorescence signal from hybridiza-tion between the amplified product and probe,and confer to the sequencing results.Results:The difference between PCR products from standard strain and ethambutol resistant one was obvious in detecting the fluorescent light with fluorescence microscope.We detected fluo-rescent light signal between the 33 ethambutol resistant strains and 10 H37RV standard strains.The rate of resistant ethambutol detected with hair clamp probe was about 66%,and the rate of sequencing was about 69%.Conclusions:The mutation site of embB306codon of MTB is the main reason of ethambutol resistant MTB.The technology of fair clamp DNA probe chip can effectively detect mutation of single base site.Fluorescence microscope can sensitivily detect the site of hybridization on fluorescence chip.