Effect of Wenjing Tongluo Decoction on VEGF/VEGFR2/ERK1/2 Signaling Pathway in Mice with Knee Osteoarthritis / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective:To investigate the possible mechanism of Wenjing Tongluo decoction （WTD） in alleviating articular cartilage defect in knee osteoarthritis （KOA） and delaying joint degeneration. Method:The KOA model was established by anterior cruciate ligament transection （ACLT）. Mice were classified into sham-operated group， model group， WTD high-dose and low-dose groups， and positive control group. Four weeks after modeling， WTD groups and the positive control group were given WTD （80， 20 g·kg^-1） and glucosamine sulfate capsules （0.29 g·kg^-1）， respectively， and the sham-operated group and model group received normal saline of the equivalent volume. After continuous intervention for 4 weeks， hemoxylin-eosin （HE） staining was used to observe the morphological changes of cartilage and Mankin scoring system was employed to score the knee cartilage. Western blot was combined with Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） to detect the protein and mRNA levels of vascular endothelial growth factor <italic>α</italic> （VEGFA）， vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 （VEGFR2）， extracellular signal-related kinase 1/2 （ERK1/2） and a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs 4 （ADAMTS4）. Result:The Mankin score in the model group increased as compared with that in the sham-operated group （<italic>P</italic><0.01）. Compared with the model group， administration groups demonstrated alleviated articular cartilage defect and low Mankin score （<italic>P</italic><0.01）， but there was no statistical significance in Mankin score between the WTD groups and positive control group. The protein and mRNA levels of VEGFA， VEGFR2， ERK1/2， and ADAMTS4 in the model group were significantly higher than those in the sham-operated group （<italic>P</italic><0.01）. The protein expression of VEGFA and ERK1/2 was inhibited in each administration group as compared with that in the model group （<italic>P</italic><0.01）， and the inhibition in the positive control group was stronger than that in the WTD low-dose group （<italic>P</italic><0.05） but weaker than that in the WTD high-dose group （<italic>P</italic><0.01）. Glucosamine Sulfate capsules suppressed the expression of VEGFR2 and ADAMTS4 to the extent the same with low-dose WTD but weaker than the high-dose WTD （<italic>P</italic><0.05）. Conclusion:WTD can relieve the articular cartilage injury in KOA mice， and the mechanism may be related to VEGF/VEGFR2/ERK1/2 signaling pathway.

Status of antibiotic use in hospitalized children with community-acquired pneumonia in multiple regions of China / 中国当代儿科杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the use of antibiotics in children with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) in multiple regions of China, and to provide a reference for CAP standard treatment and rational antibiotic use in children.@*METHODS@#The medical data of 1 383 children with CAP who were hospitalized in the department of pediatrics in 10 grade A tertiary hospitals from 9 cities between April 14, 2014 and January 1, 2016 were reviewed, to analyze the status of antibiotic use in hospitalized children in North China, Northeast China, East China, and South China.@*RESULTS@#The overall rate of antibiotic use in children with CAP was 89.08%, with 88.7% in North China, 95.5% in Northeast China, 83.3% in East China, and 86.6% in South China. The main types of antibiotics used were cephalosporins, macrolides, compound preparations of β-lactam antibiotics, polyphosphoric broad-spectrum antibiotics and other β-lactam antibiotics. The selection of antibiotics was generally rational, but antibiotics were still used in some patients with viral infection alone or a combined use of ≥2 kinds of antibiotics were noted in some patients with infection caused by one kind of pathogen. Irrational antibiotic use was observed in 131 children (10.63%).@*CONCLUSIONS@#There are high rates of antibiotic use and irrational use of antibiotics among children with CAP. Standard management of antibiotic use in children with CAP should be strengthened.

Osthol effects on the proliferation and differentiation of osteoblasts based on endoplasmic reticulum stress / 中国组织工程研究

BACKGROUND: Osthol has been reported to promote osteogenesis by increasing osteoblast proliferation, but the anti-osteoporosis mechanism underlying osthol is poorly understood.OBJECTIVE:To observe the effect of osthol on the proliferation and differentiation of rat osteoblasts in vitro and to explore its mechanism of anti-osteoporosis effect. METHODS: Rat osteoblasts were isolated by secondary enzyme digestion and identified by alkaline phosphatase staining and mineralized nodule staining. There were five groups: blank control, solvent control, β-estradiol as well as low-, medium- and high-dose osthol groups. Cell proliferation was detected by cell counting kit-8 assay, and cell differentiation was evaluated by detection of alkaline phosphatase and mineralized nodule staining. The expression levels of GRP78, PDI and CHOP were detected by western blot assay. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Osthol at the concentrations of 1x10-4and 1x10-5mol/L could inhibit osteoblast proliferation. 1x10-4mol/L osthol could increase the activity of alkaline phosphatase in osteoblasts and enhance osteoblastic mineralization. Meanwhile, 1x10-4mol/L osthol was able to down-regulate the expression level of GRP78 and up-regulate the expression levels of PDI and CHOP. To conclude, osthol can promote osteoblast differentiation and inhibit osteoblast proliferation probably by endoplasmic reticulum stress.

Preparation of a controlled-release icariin/beta-tricalcium phosphate composite scaffold / 中国组织工程研究

BACKGROUND:Icariin can promote bone formation and inhibit bone resorption,but it is difficult to dissolve in water,and its bioavailability is very low in vivo.Therefore,a suitable carrier is essential to fully utilize the biological activity of icariin.OBJECTIVE:To prepare an icariin/β-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) composite scaffold and to characterize its biological characteristics.METHODS:Three-dimensional printing technology was utilized to prepare porous β-TCP scaffolds carrying nano zinc oxide,and the compressive strength of porous β-TCP scaffolds was detected before and after addition of nano zinc oxide.Water absorption and porosity of the porous β-TCP scaffolds were also measured.Ultrasonic emulsification solvent dialysis was performed to prepare icariin/poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) microspheres,followed by the detection of water absorption and porosity.The porous β-TCP scaffolds and icariin/PLGA microsphere suspension were mixed to prepare icariin/β-TCP composite scaffolds.Microstructure observation of the composite scaffolds was done by scanning electron microscope,and meanwhile,water absorption and porosity were detected.The composite scaffold was then immersed into PBS,and icariin concentration in the supematant was measured at corresponding time points,based on which Icariin cumulative release curve was drawn.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1) The porous microstructure of the porous β-TCP scaffold was regular,well distributed,and the connectivity was good.The pore spacing was about 600 μm.After addition of nano zinc oxide particles,the surface structure of the scaffold was more compact and the crystallinity was higher.(2) PLGA microspheres were spherical with a diameter of 1-4 μm,and the microspheres were uniform in size.(3) The maximum compressive strength of the porous beta tricalcium phosphate scaffold was (2.98±0.78) MPa,and increased to (8.95±0.29) MPa after addition of nano zinc oxide.(4) The water absorption rate and porosity were (25.09±0.96)％ and (66.93±2.84)％ for the porous β-TCP scaffold,(28.46±1.85)％ and (32.65±3.32)％ for the icariin/β-TCP composite scaffold,respectively.(5)The average encapsulation efficiency of the PLGA microspheres was (78.87±2.31)％,and the drug loading was (6.04±1)％.(6) The release amount of icariin could reach 52％ of the total amount at 16 days and 60％ of the total amount at 32 days.These findings indicate that the icariin/β-TCP composite scaffold has good mechanical properties and sustained-release performance.

Prevalence, awareness, treatment, and control of hypertension in the non-dialysis chronic kidney disease patients / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Data on the epidemiology of hypertension in Chinese non-dialysis chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients are limited. The aim of the present study was to investigate the prevalence, awareness, treatment, and control of hypertension in the non-dialysis CKD patients through a nationwide, multicenter study in China.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The survey was performed in 61 tertiary hospitals in 31 provinces, municipalities, and autonomous regions in China (except Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan). Trained physicians collected demographic and clinical data and measured blood pressure (BP) using a standardized protocol. Hypertension was defined as systolic BP ≥ 140 mmHg and/or diastolic BP ≥ 90 mmHg, and/or use of antihypertensive medications. BP < 140/90 mmHg and < 130/80 mmHg were used as the 2 thresholds of hypertension control. In multivariate logistic regression with adjustment for sex and age, we analyzed the association between CKD stages and uncontrolled hypertension in non-dialysis CKD patients.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The analysis included 8927 non-dialysis CKD patients. The prevalence, awareness, and treatment of hypertension in non-dialysis CKD patients were 67.3%, 85.8%, and 81.0%, respectively. Of hypertensive CKD patients, 33.1% and 14.1% had controlled BP to < 140/90 mmHg and < 130/80 mmHg, respectively. With successive CKD stages, the prevalence of hypertension in non-dialysis CKD patients increased, but the control of hypertension decreased (P < 0.001). When the threshold of BP < 130/80 mmHg was considered, the risk of uncontrolled hypertension in CKD 2, 3a, 3b, 4, and 5 stages increased 1.3, 1.4, 1.4, 2.5, and 4.0 times compared with CKD 1 stage, respectively (P < 0.05). Using the threshold of < 140/90 mmHg, the risk of uncontrolled hypertension increased in advanced stages (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The prevalence of hypertension Chinese non-dialysis CKD patients was high, and the hypertension control was suboptimal. With successive CKD stages, the risk of uncontrolled hypertension increased.</p>

Effects of prostaglandin E1 on the progression of aristolochic acid nephropathy / 中国医学科学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effects of prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) on the progression of aristolochic acid nephropathy (AAN).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Twenty-four patients diagnosed as AAN with serum creatinine (Scr) between 1.5 mg/dL and 4 mg/dL during September 2001 to August 2003 were randomly divided into 2 groups. All patients had ingested long dan xie gan wan containing aristolochic acid (0.219 mg/g) for at least 3 months. Twelve patients were injected with Alprostadil (10 microg/d for 10 days in one month, summing up to 6 months). Except for PGE1, the other therapy was same in both groups. Renal function was assessed using reciprocal serum creatinine levels (1/Scr).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The level of Scr an d serum hemoglobin (Hgb) was similar in both groups prior to therapy. During follow-up, 1/Scr levels in PGE1 group were significantly higher than control group (P < 0.01), and Hgb levels in PGE1 group were significantly increased compared with control (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>PGE1 can slow the progression of renal failure and increase Hgb level of AAN patient.</p>

Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor gene polymorphism in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus in Northern Chinese / 中华风湿病学杂志

Objective To analyze the polymorphism(s) or mutation(s) of the granulocyte colony-stim- ulating factor gene (G-CSF,Csf3) and its possible association with the susceptibility to systemic lupus erythe- matosus (SLE).Methods Polymorphism screening was carried out by the polymerase chain reaction-single strand conformation polymorphism method (PCR-SSCP),using DNA from 204 Northern Chinese patients with SLE,459 ethnically matched healthy control,78 patients with other autoimmune diseases.Results It was i- dentified that 4 polymorphisms at position 1869,1205,1931,and 394.The nucleotide sequences of the sample that showed different SSCP patterns and different distribution between SLE and healthy controls were deter- mined by direct sequencing.Only the distribution of the fifth extron of Csf3 (1931) between SLE and controls was different.The frequency of A/G genotype (60.5%) and A allele (53.2%) at position 1931 in patients with SLE was significantly higher than that in healthy controls (51.6% and 45.2%,respectively),whereas,the fre- quency of G/G genotype (16.2%) and G allele (46.8%) in patients with SLE was lower than that in healthy controls (28.9% and 54.8% respectively).Conclusion The results suggest that Csf3 (1931) is significantly associated with the susceptibility to SLE in Northern Chinese patients .Further population and functional stud- ies will be followed to establish Csf3 (1931) as one of the susceptible genes for SLE.