Research progress of anti-Acinetobacter baumannii drug / 药学学报

Compared with other drug-resistant strains, Acinetobacter baumannii has the characteristics of serious drug resistance, high mortality and difficulty to treat. As the phenomena of resistance to existing anti-Acinetobacter baumannii drugs continuously occurs, the development of new anti-Acinetobacter baumannii drugs is urgent. This review introduces the clinical application and research progress of anti-Acinetobacter baumannii drugs, aiming to provide help for the research and development of anti-Acinetobacter baumannii drugs.

Determination of purity of a new anti-fatty liver drug IMH by differential scanning calorimetry method and uncertainty evaluation / 药学学报

The purity of 4,4′-dimethoxy-5,6,5′,6′-bis (methylenedioxy)-2′-morpholine methylenebiphenyl-2-methyl formate methanesulfonate (IMH), a new drug for fatty liver treatment, was determined through differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Analysis of two-factor non repeatability method was performed in the investigation the effects of two factors (heating rate and sample weight) on purity determination. The DSC experimental parameters were optimized as follows: heating rate was 10 ℃·min-1, temperature range was 150-300 ℃, sample weight was 2.0-4.1 mg, and N2 flow rate was 80 mL·min-1. The linear correlation coefficient (r) of this DSC method was 0.999 8. The RSD value (n = 6) of precision was 0.03%. The standard value and uncertainty of the purity results of the multiple batches of IMH drugs were (99.74 ± 0.29)%, (99.91 ± 0.28)%, (99.90 ± 0.28)%, and (99.81 ± 0.28)% with inclusion factor (K) of 2 and confidence probability (P) of 0.95. The results were basically consistent with the results of the mass balance method. The DSC mehod is a simple, rapid and accurate method, and provides a new reference method for determining the purity of IMH drugs, improves the accuracy and reliability of purity determination.

Role of podocyte injury signaling pathway in steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome and research progress in traditional Chinese medicine intervention / 中国中药杂志

As one of the main diseases leading to end-stage renal disease, steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome(SRNS) can cause serious complications such as infection. Without effective control, this disease can further lead to the malignant development of the renal function, bringing serious social and economic burdens. As previously reported, the formation of SRNS is mostly related to the podocyte injury in the body, i.e., the injury of glomerular visceral epithelial cells. Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase(PI3K)/protein kinase B(Akt) signaling pathway, nuclear transcription factor-κB(NF-κB) signaling pathway, mammalian target of rapamycin(mTOR)/adenosine monophosphate(AMP)-activated protein kinase(AMPK), transforming growth factor(TGF)-β1/Smads, and other signaling pathways are classical signaling pathways related to podocyte injury. By regulating the expression of signaling pathways, podocyte injury can be intervened to improve the adhesion between podocyte foot processes and glomerular basement membrane and promote the function of podocytes, thereby alleviating the clinical symptoms of SRNS. Through the literature review, traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) has unique advantages and an important role in intervening in podocyte injury. In the intervention in podocyte injury, TCM, by virtue of multi-target and multi-pathway role, can regulate and intervene in podocyte injury in many ways, alleviate the clinical symptoms of SRNS, and interfere with the progress of SRNS, reflecting the unique advantages of TCM. On the other hand, TCM can directly or indirectly inhibit podocyte injury by regulating the above signaling pathways, which can not only promote the effect of hormones and immunosuppressants and shorten the course of treatment, but also reduce the toxic and side effects caused by various hormones and immunosuppressants to exert the advantages of small side effects and low price of TCM. This article reviewed TCM in the treatment of SRNS by interfering with podocyte injury-related signaling pathways and is expected to provide a reference for the in-depth study of TCM in the treatment of SRNS, as well as a theoretical basis and a new direction for the clinical application of TCM to shorten the course of treatment of SRNS and delay the progression to end-stage renal disease.

Screening of rpsL mutations in streptomycin resistance gene of 104 strains of Yersinia pestis strains in south area of Qinghai Province by TaqMan-MGB fluorescent probe / 中国热带医学

@#Abstract: Objective To investigate the current status of streptomycin resistance of Yersinia pestis caused by point mutations of rpsL gene in Qinghai, so as to provide theoretical basis for precise clinical medication and prevention of drug resistance of human plague outbreak in South area of Qinghai Province in the future. Methods A total of 104 representative strains of Yersinia pestis collected from plague patients, vector insects and intermediate hosts in South area of Qinghai Province from 1957 to 2009 were screened, isolated and cultured by Hiss agar plates. The DNA of representative Yersinia pestis was extracted by sodium dodecyl sulfate lysis and phenol-chloroform method. The primers forward primer and reverse primer and TaqMan-MGB probes probe1 [FAM] and probe2 [VIC] were designed for the rpsL gene of streptomycin resistance gene in China. Real-time PCR with TaqMan-MGB fluorescent probe was used to detect the mutations of rpsL gene in streptomycin resistance locus of 104 strains of Yersinia pestis in South area of Qinghai Province. Results The FAM test results of 104 strains in South area of Qinghai Province were positive, corresponding to the detection of rpsL (128 : A ), RFU peak >1 000,negative <200. VIC test results of all tested strains were negative, corresponding to the detection of rpsL (128:G), RFU peak <200, positive >1 000. That is, no strains with rpsL gene mutation related to streptomycin resistance were found in the 104 strains of Yersinia pestis in Qingnan Province. Conclusion This study provides basic data on the distribution of streptomycin resistance of Yersinia pestis in South area of Qinghai Province, and lays a foundation for preventing the occurrence of drug resistance and clinical treatment of Yersinia pestis in South area of Qinghai Province.

Studies on newly recognized chronic sialadenitis / 北京大学学报(医学版)

Some kinds of chronic sialadenitis were recognized during the recent years. They have specific pathogenesis, clinical and histopathologic appearances, and require specific treatment. IgG4-related sialadenitis (IgG4-RS) is one of the immune-mediated diseases, characterized by tumefactive lesions. The incidence of IgG4-RS obviously increased during the past 30 years. The study on the potential relationship between occupational exposure to chemical substances and the incidence of IgG4-RS showed that subjects with occupational exposure to agents known to cause IgG4-RD had an increased risk for IgG4-RS. Surgical excision of involved SMG could not control the disease progression, which is not recommended for treatment of IgG4-RS. The combination of glucocorticoid and steroid-sparing agents is effective for treating IgG4-RS, and restores salivary gland function. Radioiodine induced sialadenitis (RAIS) is one of the common complications of postoperative adjuvant treatment of differentiated thyroid cancer by 131I. The incidence of the disease is related to radiation dosage. Clinically, the patients suffered from swelling and tenderness in the buccal or submandibular regions, especially during the mealtime. Imaging appearances are similar to those of chronic obstructive sialadenitis. Conservative managements, such as gland massage, sialagogues, are the mainstream methods in the treatment of RAIS. Sialendoscopy is feasible for RAIS, but not as effective as conventional obstructive sialadenitis (COS). Therefore the prevention of RAIS is crucial. Eosinophilic sialodochitis (ES) is a new type of chronic inflammatory disease of the salivary gland related to allergy. It has characteristics of swelling of multiple major salivary glands, strip-like gelatinous plugs discharged from the duct orifice of the gland, elevated level of serum IgE and eosinophils in peripheral blood, infiltration of eosinophils and IgE positive plasma cells in the tissues, allergic history, increased expression of allergy-related cytokines, such as IL-4, IL-5, IL-13, and eotaxin, which suggest allergic reactions as a potential pathogenesis of the disease. The clinical, laboratory, histological, and immunohistochemical characteristics of ES are significantly different from conventional obstructive sialadenitis (COS). Therefore, it is suitable to separate ES from COS. Conservative managements, such as self-maintenance therapy and anti- allergic modality are the choices of treatment for ES. Based on the results of our comprehensive studies a new classification of chronic sialadenitis is suggested.

Progress in the pleiotropic activity of metformin / 药学学报

Metformin, as a first-line drug in the treatment of type 2 diabetes, is widely used in clinic with definite efficacy and few adverse reactions. In recent years, other effects besides hypoglycemia have been found, such as a possible therapeutic effect on mental disorders (e.g., anxiety disorder, Alzheimer's disease), cancer, and cardiovascular disease. It also has regulatory effects on intestinal microbiota. The purpose of this review is to summarize the recent investigations of metformin on mental disorders, cardiovascular diseases, cancer, and intestinal microbiota.

Advances of Lefamulin: a new pleuromutilin antibiotic / 药学学报

Lefamulin (BC-3781) is a semi-synthetic pleuromutilin antibiotic, approved for the treatment of community-acquired bacterial pneumonia (CABP) by Food and Drug Administration (USA) in August 2019, with the commodity name of Xenleta. It is the first pleuromutilin antibiotics used for systemic treatment of bacterial infections in human. Lefamulin binds to the peptidyl transferase center of the 50S ribosomal subunit to prevent peptide transfer, thus inhibits protein synthesis. Lefamulin displays expanded activity against gram-positive organisms, and also shows high activity against atypical microorganism like Mycoplasma pneumoniae. This review discusses the mechanism, bacterial spectrum of activity, preclinical and clinical data of Lefamulin.

A Thyroid Ultrasound Image-based Artificial Intelligence Model for Diagnosis of Central Compartment Lymph Node Metastasis in Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma / 中国医学科学院学报

Objective To establish an artificial intelligence model based on B-mode thyroid ultrasound images to predict central compartment lymph node metastasis(CLNM)in patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma(PTC). Methods We retrieved the clinical manifestations and ultrasound images of the tumors in 309 patients with surgical histologically confirmed PTC and treated in the First Medical Center of PLA General Hospital from January to December in 2018.The datasets were split into the training set and the test set.We established a deep learning-based computer-aided model for the diagnosis of CLNM in patients with PTC and then evaluated the diagnosis performance of this model with the test set. Result The accuracy,sensitivity,specificity,and area under receiver operating characteristic curve of our model for predicting CLNM were 80%,76%,83%,and 0.794,respectively. Conclusion Deep learning-based radiomics can be applied in predicting CLNM in patients with PTC and provide a basis for therapeutic regimen selection in clinical practice.

Epidemiological characteristics of COVID-19 cases in Xianyang, Shaanxi / 上海预防医学

Objective To analyze the epidemiological characteristics of COVID-19 cases reported in Xianyang City from January to February 2020. Methods We retrospectively studied 17 COVID-19 patients diagnosed in Xianyang Central Hospital. The patients were characterized clinically and epidemiologically. Results The 17 patients included 10 male and 7 female, with an average age of(39.59±17.31)years. The median interval of time between onset and diagnosis was four days(1-10 days), whereas the median duration of COVID-19 was 16 days(3-23 days). Of the patients, six were mild, 10 were pneumonia, and one was severe. A total of 15 patients had fever as the onset, accompanied by fatigue, sore throat, sputum, vomit, muscle soreness; the other two patients were asymptomatic. There were no complications documented in all the patients. Patients had low levels of white blood cells and lymphocytes. Chest CT scan showed diverse diffuse ground-glass shadow. Eleven patients had travel history in Wuhan before the onset, four patients had contact with people who had travel history or residence history in Wuhan, and the other two patients did not report epidemiological exposure history. In addition, four of the 17 patients were clustered cases. Conclusion General population is susceptible to COVID-19. The majority of the confirmed cases have epidemiological exposure history. Routine examination, including white blood cell, lymphocyte count and CT scan may facilitate early diagnosis.

Condensed tannins from roots of Indigofera stachyodes / 中国中药杂志

Eleven condensed tannins were isolated from the roots of Indigofera stachyodes by various column chromatography techniques including silica gel, octadecyl silica(ODS), Sephadex LH-20, and semi-preparative high performance liquid chromatography(HPLC). These compounds were identified on the basis of physicochemical properties, nuclear magnetic resonance(NMR) and mass spectrometry(MS) data as stachyotannin A(1), epicatechin-(2β→O→7,4β→8)-epiafzelechin-(4β→8)-catechin(2), cinnamtannin D1(3), cinnamtannin B1(4), epicatechin-(2β→O→7,4β→8)-epiafzelechin-(4α→8)-epicatechin(5), gambiriin C(6), proanthocyanidin A1(7), proanthocyanidin A2(8), aesculitannin B(9), proanthocyanidin A4(10), and procyanidin B5(11). Compound 1 is a new compound. Compounds 2-11 were isolated from Indigofera for the first time. Furthermore, compounds 1, 2, and 4-11 showed inhibitory effects on thrombin-induced ATP release in platelets.

Mechanism of Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma and Carthami Flos Component Compatibility on Inflammatory Factor in Brain Tissue of Rats with Ischemic Stroke / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective:This study intends to study the regulatory effect and mechanism of the effective components of Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma and Carthami Flos on inflammatory factors related to cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats through multiple levels of neuropathology， molecular neurobiology and functional behavior. Method:The 32 male rats were randomly divided into four groups： sham group， model group， Danhong components compatibility group（720 mg·kg-1）， nimodipine （0.5 mg·kg-1）groups，each group of eight male rats.Cerebral ischemia was established by middle cerebral artery occlusion （MCAO） approach. The treatment was performed immediately and at 6 hour after MCAO.Hematoxylin-eosin （HE）staining was used to check the changes of brain histopathology， immunohistochemistry and Real time polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） were used to check the expression of IL-1β and Nrf2 in brain tissue，Western blot was used to detect the protein expression of Nrf2 in brain tissue. The aim is to investigate the treatment mechanism of Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma and Carthami Flos components in a rat model of cerebral ischemic-reperfusion injury. Result:HE staining results showed， compared with sham group， the surviving neurons amount in the model group was significantly reduced（P<0.01），compared with the MCAO group，the number of surviving neurons in the brain tissue of Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma and Carthami Flos component compatibility group and nimodipine group was significantly increased（P<0.05，P<0.01）.The results of immunohistochemistry and Real-time PCR showed that，compared with normal group，IL-1β and Nrf2 expression in model group were significantly increased （P<0.01），compared with MCAO group， the expression of IL-1β and Nrf2 in Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma and Carthami Flos component compatibility group and the nimodipine group was significantly decreased （P<0.05，P<0.01）. Western blot results showed that， compared with sham group， Nrf2 positive expression in model group was much more increased （P<0.01）， compared with MCAO group， the expression of Nrf2 in Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma and Carthami Flos component compatibility group and the nimodipine group was significantly decreased （P<0.01）. Conclusion:The combination of effective components of Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma and Carthami Flos can significantly down-regulate the expression of IL-1β and Nrf2 proteins.The mechanism is to activate the protein expression of inflammatory pathways， reduce the apoptosis of nerve cells， and finally inhibit the inflammatory response in the process of ischemic stroke injury.

Analysis on applications and funded projects in physiology and integrative biology of National Natural Science Foundation of China in the past decade / 生理学报

Here we perform a review on applications and funded projects at Division of Physiology and Integrative Biology in Department of Life Sciences sponsored by National Natural Science Foundation of China in the past ten years. Based on the research fields of applications and funded projects and the funding cost, we analyzed the sub-disciplines of the funded applications, key support areas, research frontiers and trends in the subjects of physiology and integrative biology, which gives us an insight into the future applications to optimize the layout of research areas in Division of Physiology and Integrative Biology.

Air pollution network attention and its impact factors on basis of Baidu search indexes / 上海预防医学

Objective To investigate public network attention to air pollution and their desire to prevent haze. Methods Daily Air Quality Index(AQI) and PM2.5 concentration data and daily Baidu Index data were obtained in 31 provinces of China from January 1st, 2015 to December 31st, 2017.The Baidu indexes of air pollution and its protection were used to compose public′s network attention index for analysis on its spatial distribution in the 31 provinces and for linear regression research on air pollution, its protection and its network attention impact factors. Results With Baidu search index, it was noted that the network attention to air pollution was significantly higher than to air pollution protection.And a significant difference was found in the public network attention to air pollution between different provinces.It was found that education and consumption level of residents significantly affected public network attention to air pollution, while AQI and consumption level of residents significantly affected public network attention to air pollution hazards protection behaviors. Conclusions Even though the public has already paid high attention to air pollution, the awareness of air pollution hazards protection behaviors is still weak.Well-designed education campaigns are needed to enhance public awareness of air pollution and motivate the public to take actions to reduce pollution air exposure, especially in those provinces with a high AQI and PM2.5concentration.

Two new phenylpropanoid amide glycosides from whole plants of Corydalis racemosa / 中国中药杂志

Two new phenylpropanoid amide glycosides and ten analogues were isolated from the CH_2Cl_2 layer of 95% ethanol extract of the whole plants of Corydalis racemosa by using various chromatographic techniques, including silica gel, Sephadex LH-20, ODS column chromatographies, and semi-preparative HPLC. Their structures were identified on the basis of physicochemical properties, MS, NMR, and IR spectroscopic data as N-cis-sinapoyltyramine-4'-O-β-glucoside(1), N-cis-sinapoyl-3-methoxytyramine-4'-O-β-glucoside(2), N-cis-sinapoyltyramine(3), N-cis-feruloyltyramine(4), N-trans-cinnamoyltyramine(5), N-trans-feruloylphenethylamine(6), N-trans-p-methoxycinnamoyl-3-hydoxyoctopamine(7), N-cis-feruloyl-3-methoxytyramine(8), N-trans-feruloyltyramine(9), N-trans-feruloyl-3-methoxytyramine(10), N-trans-sinapoyltyramine(11), and N-trans-p-coumaroyltyramine(12). Compounds 1 and 2 are new compounds. Compounds 3-7 are obtained from the plants of Papaveraceae for the first time, and compounds 8-12 are firstly isolated from C. racemosa.

Effect of intermittent versus daily inhalation of budesonide on pulmonary function and fractional exhaled nitric oxide in children with mild persistent asthma / 中国当代儿科杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To study the effect of intermittent versus daily inhalation of budesonide on pulmonary function and fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) in children with mild persistent asthma.@*METHODS@#A total of 120 children, aged 6-14 years, with mild persistent asthma who attended the hospital from January 2016 to January 2018 were enrolled. The children were divided into an intermittent inhalation group with 60 children (inhalation of budesonide 200 μg/day for 6 weeks when symptoms of asthma appeared) and a daily inhalation group with 60 children (continuous inhalation of budesonide 200 μg/day) by stratified randomization. The children were followed up at months 3, 6, 9, and 12 of treatment. The two groups were compared in terms of baseline data, changes in FeNO and pulmonary function parameters, amount of glucocorticoid used, number of asthma attacks, and asthma control.@*RESULTS@#At the start of treatment, there were no significant differences in baseline data, FeNO, and pulmonary function between the two groups (P>0.05). Over the time of treatment, FeNO gradually decreased and pulmonary function parameters were gradually improved in both groups (P0.05). Compared with the daily inhalation group, the intermittent inhalation group had a significantly lower amount of budesonide inhaled (P<0.05) and a significantly higher number of asthma attacks (P<0.05).@*CONCLUSIONS@#Intermittent inhalation and daily inhalation of budesonide can achieve the same level of asthma control in children with mild persistent asthma and both have no influence on the increases in body height and body weight. Daily inhalation of budesonide can produce a better efficiency in reduing FeNO and increasing FEV1%pred. Although intermittent inhalation can reduce the amount of glucocorticoid used, it may lead to a higher risk of asthma attacks.

Research Advances on Combination Strategies of Demethylating Agents for Elderly Acute Myeloid Leukemia--Review / 中国实验血液学杂志

Abstract　　 Demethylating agents (HMAs) hold an important status in therapy for elderly acute myeloid leukemia, who are not eligible for intensive chemotherapy (ICT). Beyond the edge of monotherapy, domestic and foreign scholars have carried out a lot of studies on combination strategies, such as HMAs with low-intensity therapy (G-CSF, low-dose cytarabine and aclarubicin, CAG), with targeted therapy (BCL-2 inhibitor), with immunotherapy (immune checkpoint inhibitors, ICI), and with other epigenetic therapys (isocitrate dehydrogenase or histonedeacetylase inhibitor）. Some of these researches have obtained positive results and discussed the mechanisms of combination strategies besides. In this review, the combination of HMAs with other drugs are summraized briefly.

Clinicopathological characteristics and diagnosis of IgG4related sialadenitis / 北京大学学报(医学版)

Immunoglobulin G4-related sialadenitis (IgG4-RS) is a newly recognized immune-mediated disease and one of immunoglobulin G4-related diseases (IgG4-RD). Our multidisciplinary research group investigated the clinicopathological characteristics and diagnosis of IgG4-RS during the past 10 years. Clinically, it showed multiple bilateral enlargement of major salivary glands (including sublingual and accessory parotid glands) and lacrimal glands. The comorbid diseases of head and neck region including rhinosinusitis, allergic rhinitis, and lymphadenopathy were commonly seen, which could occur more early than enlargement of major salivary glands. Internal organ involvements, such as autoimmune pancreatitis, sclerosing cholangitis, and interstitial pneumonia could also be seen. Thirty-five (38.5%) patients had the symptom of xerostomia. Saliva flow at rest was lower than normal. Secretory function was reduced more severely in the submandibular glands than in the parotid glands. Serum levels of IgG4 were elevated in almost all the cases and the majority of the patients had increased IgE levels. CT, ultrasonography, and sialography showed their imaging characteristics. Histologically it showed marked lymphoplasmacytic inflammation, large irregular lymphoid follicles with expanded germinal centers, prominent cellular interlobular fibrosis, eosinophil infiltration, and obliterative phlebitis. Their immunohistological examination showed marked IgG-positive and IgG4-positive plasma cell infiltration and high IgG4/IgG ratio. The disease could be divided into three stages according to severity of glandular fibrosis. The serum IgG4 level was higher and the saliva secretion lower as glandular fibrosis increased. IgG4-RS should be differentiated from other diseases with enlargement of major salivary gland and lacrimal gland, such as primary Sjögren syndrome, chronic obstructive submandibular sialadenitis, and eosinophilic hyperplastic lymphogranuloma.

Duplex effect of CCK8 and PGE2 in CVB-attacked human peripheral blood pDC / 中国免疫学杂志

Objective:To investigate the immunomodulation of CCK8 on the Coxsackievirus B ( CVB )-attacked human peripheral blood plasmacytoid dendritic cells(pDC). Methods:Peripheral blood mononuclear cells of healthy volunteers were separated by Ficoll-Hypaque gradient density centrifugation. The pDC was separated and divided into five groups,which were the control group, CVB attacked group,the group of CCK8 treated after CVB attack,the group of PGE2 treated after CVB attack and the group of CCK8+PGE2 treated after CVB attack. 100-time TCID50 of CVB was applied for the attack on pDC. Real-time PCR and Immunofluorescence technique were employed to detect the expression of CCK1R/CCK2R mRNA and protein. Then,the expression levels of costimulatory molecules such as CD80,CD86,HLA-DR ligand,and the chemokine receptor CCR7 were evaluated by Flow Cytometry Analysis. The supernatants of pDCs were collected, and the content of IFN-α was determined by Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay. Results:CCK1R and CCK2R were co-expressed in human peripheral blood pDC,and both were significantly upregulated after CVB attack in vitro. Expression of CD80,CD86,HLA-DR and IFN-α were decreased in the CVB+CCK8 group compared with the CVB group,which suggested that CCK8 may reduce the CVB activation of pDC. Whereas expression of CD80,CD86,HLA-DR,CCR7 and IFN-α were increased in the CVB+PGE2 group compared with the CVB group,which suggested that PGE2 may increase the CVB activation of pDC in vitro. Conclusion:CCK8 repressed the CVB-attacked pDC,while PGE2 activated the CVB-attacked pDC.

Distribution of Modic changes and its relationship with cervical degeneration in patients with neck and shoulder pain / 中国组织工程研究

BACKGROUND: There are many studies on Modic changes in patients with lumbar degenerative disease and low back pain. However, few studies facus on epidemiological distribution and related factors of Modic changes in cervical spine, and its epidemiology and influencing factors remain unclear.OBJECTIVE: To study the morbidity and distribution of Modic changes in patients with cervical and shoulder pain and its correlation with gender, age and cervical degeneration. METHODS: Totally 430 patients admitted in the Second Affiliated Hospital of Inner Mongolia Medical University and undergoing cervical MRI and CT examination due to neck and shoulder pain between December 2014 and December 2016 were retrospectively analyzed, involving 197 males and 233 females, aged 19-78 years (mean age: 50.3 years). The morbidity and segmental distribution of Modic changes and its correlation with age, sex, cervical intervertebral disc degeneration and facet joint degeneration were analyzed. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) Among 2 150 disc segments of 430 patients, 348 segments (16.2%) of 67 patients (15.6%) appeared with Modic changes:73(3.4%)segments were type I,243(11.3%)were type II,and 32(1.5%)were type III.(2)By application of chi-square test, Modic changes were most common at the C5/6segment; older than 40 years and Pfirrmann disc degeneration grade III were relevant factors, while gender and facet joint degeneration were not.

MicroRNA-218 promotes osteosarcoma cell apoptosis by down-regulating oncogene B lymphoma mouse Moloney leukemia virus insertion region 1 / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the tumor-suppressing effect of microRNA-218 (miR-218) in osteosarcoma (OS) and explore its molecular mechanism.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>We examined the expression levels of miR-218 in 68 pairs of OS and adjacent tissue samples using qRT-PCR. Cultured human OS cell line Saos-2 was transfected with miR-218 mimics or anti-miR-218 mimics, and the cell apoptosis was assessed using CCK-8 assay, annexin V-FITC staining and Western blotting. We also analyzed the potential functional targets of miR-218 in Saos-2 cells using luciferase assay, qRT-PCR and Western blotting.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The expression level of miR-218 was lowered by at least 8 folds in OS tissues as compared with the adjacent tissues. In cultured Saos-2 cells, transfection with miR-218 mimics for 24, 36, and 48 h resulted in a significant reduction in the cell viability, while transfection with anti-miR-218 mimics significantly increased the cell viability. The cells transfected with miR-218 mimics showed an obviously enhanced expression of cleaved poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (C-PARP) as compared with the cells transfected with anti-miR-218 mimics and the control cells. Flow cytometry demonstrated obviously increased apoptosis of the cells following miR-218 mimics transfection. We identified the oncogene B lymphoma mouse Moloney leukemia virus insertion region 1 (BMI-1) as a specific target of miR-218 in Saos-2 cells. BMI-1 expressions at both the mRNA and protein levels were significantly reduced in Saos-2 cells overexpressing miR-218 but increased in the cells with miR-218 knockdown as compared to the control cells. Luciferase reporter assay indicated that miR-218 directly inhibited the expression of BMI-1 via binding to its 3'-UTR in OS cells.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>miR-218 can promote OS cell apoptosis and plays the role as a tumor suppressor by down-regulating BMI-1.</p>