Advances in the efficacy and safety of scleral collagen cross-linking in the prevention and treatment of pathologic myopia / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

In 2004, it was the first time that Wollensak and Spoerl had applied physical and chemical cross-linking methods to scleral tissue. They found that the biomechanical strength of cross-linked sclera, induced by riboflavin/ultraviolet A, glyceraldehyde and glutaraldehyde, could be improved and proposed that scleral collagen cross-linking is expected to be a new method for the treatment of pathologic myopia. In recent years, a series of explorations have been made on the effectiveness and adverse reactions of physical and chemical cross-linking in the prevention and treatment of pathologic myopia, including the establishment of various animal models and different myopia modeling methods, the improvement of cross-linking methods, the amelioration of the measurement of biomechanical strength of scleral tissue and the attention of biological parameters such as the thickness of retinal nerve fiber layer and the amplitude of electroretinogram in vivo. Genipin-crosslinking of the scleral collagen combined with posterior scleral contraction/reinforcement has been applied to clinical research. This review summarizes physical cross-linking and the genipin-crosslinking of scleral collagen to explore the effectiveness and safety of the methods in the prevention and treatment of the pathologic myopia.

Effect of Shengmai Yin on Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Radioresistant Cells / 中国结合医学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the mechanism by which Chinese medicine Shengmai Yin (SMY) reverses epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) through lipocalin-2 (LCN2) in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) cells CNE-2R.@*METHODS@#Morphological changes in EMT in CNE-2R cells were observed under a microscope, and the expressions of EMT markers were detected using quantitative real-time PCR (RT-qPCR) and Western blot assays. Through the Gene Expression Omnibus dataset and text mining, LCN2 was found to be highly related to radiation resistance and EMT in NPC. The expressions of LCN2 and EMT markers following SMY treatment (50 and 100 µ g/mL) were detected by RT-qPCR and Western blot assays in vitro. Cell proliferation, migration, and invasion abilities were measured using colony formation, wound healing, and transwell invasion assays, respectively. The inhibitory effect of SMY in vivo was determined by observing a zebrafish xenograft model with a fluorescent label.@*RESULTS@#The CNE-2R cells showed EMT transition and high expression of LCN2, and the use of SMY (5, 10 and 20 µ g/mL) reduced the expression of LCN2 and reversed the EMT in the CNE-2R cells. Compared to that of the CNE-2R group, the proliferation, migration, and invasion abilities of SMY high-concentration group were weakened (P<0.05). Moreover, SMY mediated tumor growth and metastasis in a dose-dependent manner in a zebrafish xenograft model, which was consistent with the in vitro results.@*CONCLUSIONS@#SMY can reverse the EMT process of CNE-2R cells, which may be related to its inhibition of LCN2 expression. Therefore, LCN2 may be a potential diagnostic marker and therapeutic target in patients with NPC.

Comparison of vesselplasty and percutanous kyphoplasty in the treatment of Kümmell disease / 中国骨伤

OBJECTIVE@#To compare the efficacy between vesselplasty and percutanous kyphoplasty (PKP) in the treatment of Kümmell disease.@*METHODS@#The clinical data of patients with Kümmell disease from July 2018 to December 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. According to the different therapeutic methods, the patients were divided into vesselplasty group and PKP group. There were 20 patients in vesselplasty group, including 2 males and 18 females, aged from 54 to 83 years with an average of (67.40±7.44)years, 1 case of T10 fracture, 3 cases of T12 fracture, 9 cases of L1 fractures, 5 cases of L2 fractures and 2 cases of L3 fractures. There were 20 patients in PKP group, including 3 males and 17 females, aged from 56 to 81 with an average of(67.20±7.01) years, 2 cases of T10 fracture, 1 case of T11 fracture, 6 cases of T12 fracture, 10 cases of L1 fracture and 1 case of L3 fracture. Visual analogue scale(VAS), Cobb angle, anterior vertebral height were recorded before operation, 1 day after operation and 1 year after operation. Oswestry Disability Index(ODI) was recorded before operation, 1 month after operation and 1 year after operation. And bone cement leakage rate was compared between two groups after operation.@*RESULTS@#All the patient were followed up for more than 1 year. In vesselplasty group, VAS score was 1.20±0.41, ODI was(13.50±3.10)%, Cobb angle was(17.20±3.12)° and anterior vertebral height was(20.20±1.35) mm at 1 year after operation. In PKP group, VAS score was 1.15±0.40, ODI was (13.20±3.00)%, Cobb angle was (17.10±3.19)° and anterior vertebral height was (20.10±1.37) mm at 1 year after operation. These index was significantly better than pre-operation through intra-group comparison(P<0.05), and there was no statistically difference between the two groups(P>0.05). There were 20 cases (20 vertebrae) in vesselplasty group, of which 1 case had bone cement leakage at the upper endplate, with a leakage rate of 5%(1/20). In PKP group, there were 20 cases (20 vertebrae), 3 cases of upward endplate leakage(3/7), 1 case of downward endplate leakage(1/7), 1 case of leakage to the front of the vertebral body(1/7), 2 cases of leakage to the side of the vertebral body(2/7), with a leakage rate of 35% (7/20). The difference between two groups was statistically significant(P<0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#Vesselplasty in the treatment of Kümmell disease can better reduce leakage rate of bone cement and reduce complications.

Analysis on disease burden of occupational coal workers′ pneumoconiosis in Anhui Province / 中国职业医学

@# Objective To analyze the disease burden caused by occupational coal workers' pneumoconiosis (CWP) in Anhui Methods Province. A total of 1 649 patients with occupational CWP diagnosed in Anhui Province from 1950 to 2019 were selected as the study subjects using a retrospective study method. Age, gender, survival time, location, working age of disease onset, age of death, stage and date of diagnosis of CWP, comorbidities at the time of investigation, hospitalization and outpatient expenses in the past year, cost of absence from work, cost of absence from work of caregivers, and cost of nutrition and transportation were investigated. The years of life lost, years lived with disability (YLDs), disability adjusted life years (DALYs) Results and economic losses were calculated. Among these patients, 1 405 cases survived and 244 cases died. In the age range - - - of 20.0 70.0 years, the YLDs of surviving patients were 2.12 22.20 (8.19±3.59) person years. The YLDs of patients with disease vs - P complications was higher than that of patients without complications [(8.55±3.95) (7.87±3.21) person years, <0.01]. The total - - DALYs of the patients was 14 031.59 person years, and the average per capita DALYs was 8.51 person years. Its YLDs accounted for 82.0 % of the total DALYs. The total economic loss caused by CWP in the 1 405 surviving patients was 354.903 0 Conclusion million yuan, and the average per capita economic loss was 252 600 yuan. The disease burden caused by CWP is relatively high in Anhui Province. In addition to early detection, diagnosis and treatment, it is necessary to focus on prevention and treatment of CWP complications to reduce the disease burden.

Modulation of Wnt/ß-catenin signaling in IL-17A-mediated macrophage polarization of RAW264. 7 cells

Macrophages play pivotal roles in host defense and immune homeostasis, which have two major functional polarization states, the classically activated M1 and the alternatively activated M2. Interleukin (IL)-17A is an immune modulator able to shape macrophage phenotypes. Wnt/β-catenin is a developmental signaling pathway that plays crucial roles in morphogenesis and tissue homeostasis, which has also been recently demonstrated playing roles in immune regulation. A growing amount of evidence suggests that both Wnt and IL-17A signaling are involved in macrophage polarization. However, their interaction in macrophage polarization remains elusive. The aim of present study was to explore impacts of Wnt/β-catenin on IL-17A-mediated macrophage M1/M2 polarization in murine monocyte/macrophage-like cell line RAW264.7. Results revealed that IL-17A activated Wnt/β-catenin signaling and induced macrophage M1 polarization, but inhibited M2 polarization. In contrast, the activation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling led to the inhibition of M1 macrophage polarization but the promotion of M2 polarization. Importantly, the activation of Wnt/β-catenin also showed abilities to inhibit the IL-17A-induced M1 macrophage polarization while diminishing the IL-17A-inhibited M2 polarization. Molecular analysis further uncovered that the JAK/STAT signaling pathway was involved in the interaction of Wnt/β-catenin and IL-17A in the modulation of macrophage polarization. These results suggested that the Wnt/β-catenin signaling modulated IL-17A-altered macrophage polarization in part by regulating the JAK/STAT signaling pathway. This study thus revealed a novel function of Wnt/β-catenin signaling in regulating IL-17A-altered macrophage polarization.

Discussion on the Application of Supercritical Carbon Dioxide Technology for Sterilization of Medical Devices / 中国医疗器械杂志

Traditional medical device sterilization processes are mature, but there are constraints when using on medical devices by new materials. With increasing environmental concerns, using of ethylene oxide sterilization has been limited by global environmental protection administrations. Exploring new sterilization methods for medical devices is urgently needed. This paper reviews the supercritical carbon dioxide sterilization technology by arranging the exploratory work of industry researchers. In the paper, we introduce the theory of supercritical carbon dioxide sterilization technology, microbial inactivation ability, material influence research and sterilization equipment. Then we discuss the concerns and possibilities of the technology applied to the medical device industry basing on the good manufacturing practices.

Studies on the metabolism of a triptolide derivative (5R)-5-hydroxytriptolide in vitro / 药学学报

The purpose of current study is to investigate the metabolic profile of a triptolide derivative (5R)-5-hydroxytriptolide in vitro. (5R)-5-Hydroxytriptolide was incubated with the hepatocytes of human, monkey, dog, rat or mouse, respectively. Compared with inactivated hepatocytes, four metabolites were identified in hepatocytes from all five species: oxidative ring-opening metabolite (M1), glutathione-conjugating metabolite (M2), and monooxidative combined with glutathione-conjugating metabolites (M3-1 and M3-2), respectively. In human or rat liver microsomes, seven metabolites of (5R)-5-hydroxytriptolide were found, dehydrogenated metabolite (M4) and monooxidative metabolites (M5-1–M5-6), respectively. Reference standards for the metabolites were obtained either through chemical semisynthesis or biotransformation through rat primary hepatocytes. The structures of five metabolites were confirmed, which were 12,13-epoxy ring-opening metabolite M1, 12-glutathione-conjugating metabolite M2, (16S)-, (2R)- and (19R)-monohydroxylated metabolites M5-1, M5-4, and M5-5, respectively. In vitro activity assay revealed that only (2R)-hydroxylated metabolite exhibited weak immunosuppressive activity with less than one-tenth the activity of its parent drug, and a significant decrease in toxicity was observed. It is suggested that (5R)-5-hydroxytriptolide might undergo metabolic inactivation and detoxification in vivo.

Biomechanical changes of sheep cervical spine after unilateral hemilaminectomy and different degrees of facetectomy / 北京大学学报(医学版)

OBJECTIVE@#To establish animal models and investigate the impact of unilateral hemilaminectomy (ULHL) and different degrees of facetectomy (FT) on the cervical spinal biomechanics.@*METHODS@#Twenty sheep were randomly and evenly divided into 4 groups. No operation was performed for group A, right C4-C6 ULHL was performed for group B, right C4-C6 ULHL and 50% ipsilateral C4-C5 FT was performed for group C, right C4-C6 ULHL and 100% ipsilateral C4-C5 FT was performed for group D. Animals of group A, B, C and D were sacrificed 24 weeks after operating and fresh cervical spine specimens were acquired, biomechanically tested and these data were compared to determine whether ULHL and different degrees of FT led to long-term differences in range of motion.@*RESULTS@#(1) Changes of the total range of motion of cervical spine 24 weeks after surgery: the total range of motion of group D (60.2°±8.6°) was significantly greater than group A (40.7°±6.4°) and group B (41.2°±13.1°) under flexion-extension station, the total range of motion of group D (81.5°±15.7°) was significantly greater than that of group A (56.7°±12.2°) and group B (57.7°±12.8°) under lateral bending station, and the total range of motion of group D (38.5°±17.5°) had no obvious increase compared with group A (26.4°±9.9°) and group B (27.1°±10.9°) under axial rotation station. The total range of motion of group C had no obvious increase compared with group A and group B under flexion-extension station (44.1°±11.7°), lateral bending station (73.6°±11.4°) and axial rotation station (31.3°±11.5°). (2) Changes of the intersegmental motion 24 weeks after surgery: the intersegmental motion of group D (20.3°±4.6°) at C4-C5 was significantly greater than that of group A (11.7°±3.4°) and group B (11.9°±2.1°) under flexion-extension station, the intersegmental motion of group D (26.8°±3.5°) at C4-C5 was significantly greater than that of group A (15.2°±3.1°) and group B (16.2°±3.2°) under lateral bending station, the intersegmental motion of group D (15.2°±3.5°) at C4-C5 was significantly greater than that of group A (6.6°±2.3°) and group B (7.1°±1.9°) under axial rotation station. The intersegmental motion of group C (21.2°±4.1°) at C4-C5 was significantly greater than that of group A and group B under lateral bending station, the intersegmental motion of group C at C4-C5 had no obvious increase compared with group A and group B under flexion-extension station (15.7°±3.7°) and axial rotation station (10.3°±3.1°).@*CONCLUSION@#ULHL does not affect cervical stability, ULHL and 50% ipsilateral FT does not affect the long-term cervical stability, ULHL and 100% ipsilateral FT can lead to long-term instability under lateral bending and flexion-extension station.

An anti-passivation ink for the preparation of electrodes for use in electrochemical immunoassays / 浙江大学学报（英文版）（B辑：生物医学和生物技术）

p-Nitrophenylphosphate (PNPP) is usually employed as the substrate for enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. p-Nitrophenol (PNP), the product of PNPP, with the catalyst alkaline phosphatase (ALP), will passivate an electrode, which limits applications in electrochemical analysis. A novel anti-passivation ink used in the preparation of a graphene/ionic liquid/chitosan composited (rGO/IL/Chi) electrode is proposed to solve the problem. The anti-passivation electrode was fabricated by directly writing the graphene-ionic liquid-chitosan composite on a single-side conductive gold strip. A glassy carbon electrode, a screen-printed electrode, and a graphene-chitosan composite-modified screen-printed electrode were investigated for comparison. Scanning electron microscopy was used to characterize the surface structure of the four different electrodes and cyclic voltammetry was carried out to compare their performance. The results showed that the rGO/IL/Chi electrode had the best performance according to its low peak potential and large peak current. Amperometric responses of the different electrodes to PNP proved that only the rGO/IL/Chi electrode was capable of anti-passivation. The detection of cardiac troponin I was used as a test example for electrochemical immunoassay. Differential pulse voltammetry was performed to detect cardiac troponin I and obtain a calibration curve. The limit of detection was 0.05 ng/ml.

Herbs protect against osteoporosis through anti-inflammation action / 中国组织工程研究

BACKGROUND: The occurrence and development of osteoporosis are shown to be directly related to the inflammatory response induced by immune dysfunction. OBJECTIVE: To summarize the mechanisms of osteoclast differentiation and formation at cellular and molecular levels, as well as the underlying mechanisms of several kinds of medical herbs against osteoporosis, thus paving ways for finding more effective and safe herbs for anti-osteoporosis.METHODS: PubMed database was retrieved using the English keywords of (osteoporosis OR bone loss) AND lipopolysaccharide AND bone resorption", and WanFang database was searched with the Chinese keywords of "osteoarthritis, receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand, lipopolysaccharide,Dendrobium moniliforme,Portulaca oleracea,Ampelopsis sinica,Schizonepeta".The literatures addressing osteoporosis, inflammation and herbal medicine were screened, and those using lipopolysaccharide-induced mouse models were included. Finally, four eligible literatures were enrolled for review. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:In vivo experiments,CT images and pathological sections of the cancellous bone in the mouse distal femur show that Dendrobium moniliforme,Purslane oleracea,Ampelopsis sinica,and Schizonepeta exert inhibitory effects on lipopolysaccharide-induced osteoporosis.In vitro experiments reveal that these four kinds of herbs fight against osteoporosis by inhibiting osteoclast differentiation and further reducing bone resorption.

Effect of miR-125b on dermal papilla cells of goat secondary hair follicle

Background: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are endogenous noncoding RNAs that regulate various biological processes. miR-125b is a miRNA that has been reported to be critical for hair follicle (HF) morphogenesis and development. We identified that the expression of miR-125b varies during an individual hair cycle (anagen, catagen, and telogen) in the skin of cashmere goats. We constructed a gain model (by overexpressing miR-125b) and a loss model (by inhibiting endogenous miR-125b) based on dermal papilla cells (DPCs) to further investigate the role of miR-125b in HF cycle. In addition, we used a dual-luciferase system to highlight the predicated target genes of miR-125b. Results: We found that miR-125b affects the expression of FGF5, IGF-1, SHH, TNF-α, MSX2, LEF-1, FGF7, NOGGIN, BMP2, BMP4, TGF-ß1, and ß-catenin. The dual-luciferase assay further validated a direct interaction between miR-125b and FGF5 and TNF-α. Conclusion: miR-125b affects the expression levels of genes related to hair cycle and may also play a critical role in regulating the periodic development of HF.

Individualized pharmaceutical care in one patient with aplastic anemia / 中国药学杂志

OBJECTIVE: To explore the application of pharmacogenomics, drug interaction analysis, and therapeutic drug monitoring in the pharmaceutical care of patients with aplastic anemia. METHODS: Clinical pharmacists provided pharmaceutical care to one patient with aplastic anemia including estimation of cyclosporine (CsA) dose using pharmacogenomic test result, increasing the blood CsA concentrations by taking advantage of drug interactions, blood concentration monitoring, medication education and so on. RESULTS: Clinical pharmacists made rational suggestions, and satisfactory therapeutic effect was finally achieved. CONCLUSION: Clinical pharmacists can play an active role in clinical treatment by joining clinical teams and providing individualized pharmaceutical care.

Dosage-toxicity-efficacy relationship of Kansui Radix in malignant pleural effusion models based on Walker 256 analysis / 中国中药杂志

To investigate the dosage-toxicity-efficacy relationship of Kansui Radix, explore its regularity of the toxicity and efficacy change, and provide scientific basis for its clinical rational application, the malignant pleural effusion models were used to observe the effect of Kansui Radix with larger dose range (0.045-1.620 g•kg•d⁻¹ for Kansui Radix) on biochemical indexes and hydrothorax volume in experimental animals. Factor analysis method was also used to comprehensively assess the dosage-toxicity-efficacy relationship of Kansui Radix. The results showed that the rats in model group had larger hydrothorax volume, and ALT, AST, LDH, HBDH, IFN-γ, IL-2 and TNF-α levels were significantly increased (P<0.05), while TP and ALB levels were decreased (P<0.05) as compared with the blank group. After drug administration, various treatment groups decreased hydrothorax volume, IFN-γ, IL-2, TNF-α and increased TP and ALB levels as compared with model group, indicating certain therapeutic effect; and increased ALT, AST, LDH and HBDH levels, indicating certain liver and cardiac toxicity. In the factor analysis, two common factors were extracted from nine indexes, explaining 89.1% of the information. The analysis results suggested that there was no obvious toxicity in case of independent use of Kansui Radix within the dosage range set in pharmacopeia, while it would produce liver toxicity and cardiac toxicity upon 3 times of the dosage set in pharmacopeia, and the toxicity was increased with the increase of dose. At the same time, Kansui Radix can decrease the hydrothorax volume in malignant pleural effusion models and improve relevant physical indexes in a dose-dependent manner. Comprehensive analysis results of its toxic effect characteristics indicated that the upper-limit dose of Kansui Radix in pharmacopeia shall be regarded as the relatively optimal therapeutic dose.

Changes of HPAA in Different Rat Models of Gan Stagnation, Pi Deficiency, Gan Stagnation Pi Defi- ciency and Interventional Effect of Chaishu Sijun Decoction / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To compare changes of hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPAA) in different rat models of Gan stagnation (GS), Pi deficiency (PD), Gan stagnation Pi deficiency (GSPD) syndromes, and to observe interventional effect of Chaishu Sijun Decoction (CSD, capable of soothing Gan-qi invigorating Pi) on them.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Seventy Wistar rats were divided into the normal control group (group 1), the GS group (group 2), the PD group (group 3), the GSPD group (group 4), the GS intervention group (group 5), the PD intervention group (group 6), and the GSPD intervention group (group 7) according to random digit table, 10 in each group. Rats in group 1 received no treatment. Rats in group 2 and 5 were modeled by chronic restraint method. Rats in group 3 and 6 were modeled by excess fatigue plus alimentary abstinence method. Rats in group 4 and 7 were modeled by chronic restraint, excess fatigue, and alimentary abstinence method. At the 2nd weekend of modeling, CSD at 2.86 g/kg was fed to rats in group 5, 6, and 7 by gastrogavage for 2 successive weeks. Equal volume of distilled water was given to rats in the rest 4 groups. On the 29th day, rats were killed, adrenal weight weighed, and adrenal index calculated. Levels of plasma and hypothalamus corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH), plasma and pituitary adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH), and plasma corticosterone (CORT) were determined using radioimmunity.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with group 1, adrenal index significantly decreased in group 2, 3, and 4 (P < 0.05). Of them, plasma and hypothalamus CRH, plasma CORT increased significantly in group 2 and 4 (P < 0.05). Besides, plasma and pituitary ACTH increased in group 4 (P < 0.05). Plasma and pituitary ACTH, as well as plasma CORT decreased significantly in group 3 (P < 0.05). Compared with group 2, 3, and 4, adrenal index increased significantly in group 5, 6, and 7 (P < 0.05). Compared with group 2, plasma CORT, hypothalamus CRH, and pituitary ACTH decreased significantly in group 5 (P < 0.05). Compared with group 3, plasma ACTH and CORT increased significantly in group 6 (P < 0.05). Compared with group 4, plasma CRH, ACTH, CORT, hypothalamus CRH, and pituitary ACTH decreased in group 7 (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The function of HPA .axis was damaged to varying degrees in rats of the three models in this experiment. Hyperactivity of HPA axis existed in GS syndrome and GSPD syndrome. Impairment of feedback regulation in hypothalamus and pituitary was accompanied in GSPD syndrome. Hypofunction of HPA axis existed in PDS. CSD, capable of soothing Gan-qi invigorating'Pi, showed improvement on disarranged HPAA, but with optimal effect on GSPD syndrome. CSD had higher correlation with GSPD syndrome.</p>

Relationship between mineral density and elastic modulus of human cancellous bone / 医用生物力学

Objective To measure the cancellous bone mineral density and axial elastic modulus from multiple anatomic sites, then build the constitutive equation between them, so as to provide specific data for finite element modeling of Chinese people. Methods Ten fresh adult cadavers were taken as sample sources. In every fresh cadaver, 5 different anatomic sites were selected: proximal tibia, greater trochanter, femoral neck, humeral head and lumbar vertebra. The raw samples were processed into standard specimens, which were approximately 6 mm in diameter and 30 mm or 40 mm in length. Both the size and volume for the cancellous bone specimens were measured, and their mineral densities were obtained with computed tomography. The mechanical properties of such specimens were tested with biomechanical testing machine for analyzing the elastic modulus of the cancellous bone at different anatomic sites. The linear and power regression between mineral density and axial elastic modulus were analyzed on SPSS 18.0. Results A total of 169 cancellous bone specimens which were availably tested were collected, including 52 proximal tibia, 31 greater trochanter, 15 femoral neck, 17 humeral head and 54 lumbar vertebrae. The analysis on measurement results showed that the mineral density and axial elastic modulus in cancellous bones from 5 anatomic sites were different, and had a solid linear relationship (0.850>r2>0.785), with 3 sites (proximal tibia, greater trochanter, lumbar vertebra) showing a solid power correlation (0.871>r2>0.825), and the other 2 sites (humeral head and femoral neck) showing relatively weak power correlation (0.671>r2>0.643). Conclusions There are solid linear and power relationship between mineral density and axial elastic modulus, while no significant difference is proved between the r2 values of the two regressions in this research. This discovery can be applied to detect patients’ bone quality in vitro and identify the precise position of bone loss, and further to predict fracture risk with the help of finite element modeling.

Correlation of genomic DNA methylation level with unexplained early spontaneous abortion / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the correlation of genomic DNA methylation level with unexplained early spontaneous abortion and analyze the role of DNMT1, DNMT3A and DNMT3B.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Forty-five villus samples from spontaneous abortion cases (with 33 maternal peripheral blood samples) and 44 villus samples from induced abortion (with 34 maternal peripheral blood samples) were examined with high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) to measure the overall methylation level of the genomic DNA. The expressions of DNMT mRNAs were detected using fluorescence quantitative-PCR in the villus samples from 33 induced abortion cases and 30 spontaneous abortion cases.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Genomic DNA methylation level was significantly lower in the villus in spontaneous abortion group than in induced abortion group (P<0.01), but similar in the maternal blood samples between the two groups (P>0.05). The mean mRNA expression levels of DNMT1 and DNMT3A in the villus were significantly lower in spontaneous abortion group than in induced abortion group (P<0.05), but DNMT3B expression showed no significant difference between them (P>0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Insufficient genomic DNA methylation in the villus does exist in human early spontaneous abortion, and this insufficiency is probably associated with down-regulated expressions of DNMT1 and DNMT3A.</p>

Effect of chaishu sijun decoction on the gonad axis of gan-qi stagnation, Pi deficiency, and gan-qi stagnation pi deficiency model rats / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe changes of gonad functions of Gan-qi stagnation (GS), Pi deficiency (PD), Gan-qi stagnation Pi deficiency (GSPD) model rats, and the effect of Chaishu Sijun Decoction (CSD) on them.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Rats were randomly divided into 7 groups according to romdom digit table, i.e., the normal control group, the GS model group, the GS medication group, the PD model group, the PD medication group, the GSPD model group,and the GSPD medication group, 10 in each group. Rats in the GS model group, the PD model group, and the GSPD model group were treated with chronic restraint, improper diet +excessive fatigue, chronic restraint +improper diet +excessive fatigue. The model was established for 4 successive weeks. Starting from the 15th day of modeling, CSD at the daily dose of 3.57 g/kg was given by gastrogavage to them for 14 successive days. Equal volume of distilled water was given by gastrogavage to rats in each model group and the normal control group for 14 successive days. The blood contents of gonadotrophin releasing hormone (GnRH), follicular stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), estradiol (E2), and testosterone (T) were detected in rats of each group.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with the normal control group, there was statistical difference in GnRH, T, E,, and FSH in the GS, PD, and GSPD model groups (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). The content of LH was elevated in the GS model group (P < 0.05) and declined in the GSPD model group (P < 0.01). Compared with the GS model group, the contents of FSH, LH, and T decreased and E2 increased in the PD model group (all P < 0.05); the contents of FSH and LH also declined in the GSPD model group (P < 0.05). Compared with the PD model group, the T content increased and FSH decreased in the GSPD model group (all P < 0.05). Compared with each corresponding model group, the FSH content decreased (P < 0.01) and LH increased in the GS medication group; the T content increased, E2 and LH decreased (P < 0.05, P < 0.01) in the PD medication group; the T content decreased (P < 0.01), GnRH, E2, FSH, and LH increased (P < 0. 05, P < 0.01) in the GSPD medication group.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>There exist different degrees of abnormal function of the gonad axis in the GS, PD, and GSPD models. CSD had certain regulatory effect on the 3 syndromes. Of them, it showed a more comprehensive role in improving the gonad function axis. Results of this experiment had provided the experimental evidence for higher correlation between CSD and GSPD syndrome.</p>

Biomechanical advantages of medial support screws in locking plate for treating proximal humerus fractures / 医用生物力学

Objective To evaluate the biomechanical advantages of medial support screws (MSSs) in locking proximal humeral plate for treating proximal humerus fractures. Methods Thirty synthetic left humeri were randomly divided into 3 groups to establish the fracture models. Group A was fixed with a locking proximal humerus plate with medial cortical support, but without MSSs; group B was fixed with 3 MSSs, but without medial cortical support; group C was fixed with neither medial cortical support nor MSSs. Axial compression, torsion, shear stiffness and failure tests were applied on the specimens of the three groups. Results For axial compression tests, the maximum load of group A, B, C was (240.88±19.13), (169.04±19.26), (128.58±17.53) N, respectively; the axial stiffness of group A, B, C was (424.4±101.2), (230.7±40.54), (147.0±29.2) N/mm, respectively, showing significant differences (P0.05). For shear stiffness tests, the maximum load of group A, B, C was (444.71±20.87), (228.79±28.95), (188.73±26.15) N, respectively; the shear stiffness of group A, B, C was (70.0± 54.4), (183.89±29.64), (140.2±32.1) N/mm, respectively, showing significant differences (P0.05). Conclusions Using three MSSs in locking plate for proximal humerus fractures shows optimal biomechanical properties, as compared to the situation without restoration of the medial column support. The reconstruction of the medial cortical support or MSSs for proximal humerus fractures helps to enhance the mechanical stability of the humeral head and prevent failure after internal fixation.

Reinforcement property of collagen fibril in articular cartilage / 医用生物力学

Objective To evaluate and compare the differences in COSMOL articular cartilage (AC) simulation due to the application of collagen fibril reinforcement property. Methods Collagen fiber stress was modeled independently according to its orientation in AC and written into the original poro-elastic AC model. Function call was used to avoid quadric strain term. The iteration of solver was increased for better convergence. Results The initial superficial Y displacement of the reinforced model was 15 μm, which was 17.6% of the non-reinforced model. X normal strain of the reinforced model was 10% of that in the non-reinforced model, but the superficial X normal stress of the reinforced model was 10 times higher than that of the non-reinforced model. Conclusions The application of collagen fibril reinforcement property in COMSOL AC simulation is achieved, which provided the computational model and theoretical analysis for collagen fibril lesion. Lateral reinforcement of collagen fiber can constrain the vertical strain, by which enlarge AC load capacity and improve AC mechanical properties.

Urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor as a predictor of poor outcome in patients with systemic inflammatory response syndrome / 世界急诊医学杂志（英文）

BACKGROUND:Urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA) and urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR) are known as important factors, which mediate a variety of functions in terms of vascular homeostasis, inflammation and tissue repair. However, their role in systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) has been less well studied. This study aimed to test the hypothesis that the abnormalities of fibrinolysis and degradation of extracellular matrix mediated by uPA and uPAR are directly related to the patients with SIRS. We therefore analyzed their role and clinicopathological significance in patients with SIRS.METHODS:A case-control study was conducted with 85 patients who were divided into two groups according to the diagnostic criteria of SIRS:SIRS group (n=50) and non-SIRS group (n=35). The SIRS group was divided into MODS group (n=26) and non-MODS group (n=24) by their severity, and survival group (n=35) and non-survival group (n=15) by their prognosis. Another 30 healthy adults served as normal controls. uPA and uPAR in plasma were detected by commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits.RESULTS:The plasma level of uPA was lower in the SIRS group than in the non-SIRS group and controls (P<0.001 andP<0.001). It was lower in sepsis patients and the MODS group than in the non-sepsis patients and the non-MODS patients (allP<0.05). However, there was no difference in uPA level between survivors and non-survivors (P>0.05). The plasma level of uPAR increased in the SIRS group compared with the non-SIRS group and controls (P<0.001 andP<0.001). There was a significant elevation of uPAR in sepsis patients, MODS patients and non-survivors as compared with non-sepsis patients, non-MODS patients and survivors respectively (allP<0.05). Plasma uPAR levels were positively correlated with APACHE II score (r=0.575,P<0.001) and SOFA score (r=0.349,P=0.013). AUCs for the prediction of SIRS mortality were 0.67 and 0.51, respectively, for uPA and uPAR.CONCLUSION:uPAR could be a predictor of poor outcome in patients with SIRS.