Progress in Clinical Diagnosis and Management of Hypermobility Spectrum Disorders / 罕见病研究

@#Joint hypermobility (JH) refers to the ability of joints to move beyond the 'normal' limits, which can be either physiologic or pathologic. Hypermobility spectrum disorders (HSDs) are a group of joint hypermobility-related clinical conditions. HSDs primarily affects the musculoskeletal system, predisposing the joints to subluxations or dislocations, and chronic pain. HSDs, however, may also manifest with symptoms such as fatigue, gastrointestinal disorders, and autonomic nervous system dysfunction, indicating multisystemic involvement that may impact psychological well-being. Although HSDs is usually not life-threatening, it is associated with poor quality of life. Currently, the molecular basis of HSDs remains unclear. The diagnosis of HSDs requires comprehensive medical evaluation and assessment. The main differential conditions/diagnoses include asymptomatic joint hypermobility, hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (hEDS), and various musculoskeletal inflammatory or degenerative diseases. Asymptomatic joint hypermobility, HSDs, and hEDS are now viewed as a continuous spectrum. Due to limited awareness of the condition, individuals with asymptomatic joint hypermobility may experience overdiagnosis and overtreatment, while patients with HSDs may encounter prolonged misdiagnoses or underdiagnoses. Furthermore, individuals presenting with psychological symptoms may have all their somatic complaints erroneously attributed to psychological factors. These factors collectively impose unnecessary psychological and economic burdens on patients and their families. The multi-systemic and heterogeneous nature of HSDs necessitates a multi-disciplinary team (MDT) approach with a case manager in both the diagnosis and management processes. Additionally, patient education and self-management play pivotal roles in optimizing chronic disease management. This review aims to summarize the current state of diagnosis and management of HSDs and raise awareness of HSDs, providing a basis for the establishment and refinement of a multi-disciplinary diagnostic and management framework for HSDs in China.

The Role of Deep Phenotyping of Precision Medicine for Rare Bone Diseases / 罕见病研究

Deep phenotyping is a precise and comprehensive approach used for the precise analysis and comprehensive assessment of multi-system phenotypes of the patients. The approach uses symptoms, signs, various medical examination and laboratory results, and other relevant medical information. In the clinical diagnosis and medical research of rare bone diseases, deep phenotyping plays a pivotal role. The realization of precision medicine primarily comprises three key dimensions: deep phenotyping, stratified medicine, and targeted therapy. The deep phenotyping is the basis for the latter two. Deep phenotyping not only facilitates fine subtyping of diseases, but also allows for the in-depth understanding of genetic data. The use of deep phenotyping requires stand- ardized terminology and specific procedures. Moreover, deep phenotyping shows substantial potential using the application of artificial intelligence technology particularly when combining with multi-omics techniques.

Study on the mental health status and its influencing factors among middle school students in Yi nationality areas： a case study of Xide County， Liangshan Prefecture， Sichuan Province / 四川精神卫生

ObjectiveTo explore the mental health status and its influencing factors among middle school students in Xide County， Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture， and to provide references for mental health interventions for local middle school students. MethodsUsing a cross-sectional study design， one junior middle school and one senior middle school in Xide County， Liangshan Prefecture， Sichuan Province， were randomly selected on September 16， 2021， and two classes per grade in each school involving 288 students were recruited. Subjects were assessed using Patients' Health Questionnaire Depression Scale-9 item （PHQ-9）， Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale-7 item （GAD-7）， PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 （PCL-5）， Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support （MSPSS） and UCLA Loneliness Scale （ULS-3）. Then the scores of above scales were compared among middle school students with different demographic characteristics， and binary Logistic regression analysis was conducted to screen the influencing factors of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD） symptoms. ResultsAmong the respondents， 17.71% （95% CI： 0.133~0.221）， 8.68% （95% CI： 0.054~0.120）， 2.78% （95% CI： 0.009~0.047） and 45.83% （95% CI： 0.400~0.516） were reported to have symptoms of depression， anxiety， PTSD and loneliness， respectively. Students in senior middle school scored lower on PCL-5 and ULS-3 than those in junior middle school ［（6.46±8.91） vs. （8.87±9.42）， t=2.202， P<0.05； （4.67±1.65） vs. （5.60±1.88）， t=4.431， P<0.01］. Regression analysis denoted that depressive symptoms （OR=7.630， P<0.05） and anxiety symptoms （OR=3.789， P<0.01） were risk factors for PTSD symptoms among middle school students. ConclusionThe middle school students in Xide County， Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture suffer a high prevalence rate of depressive symptoms and loneliness， and those in junior middle school are more likely to feel a sense of strong loneliness， furthermore， depressive symptoms and anxiety symptoms are risk factors for PTSD symptoms.

Effect of painting group counseling on problem behaviors and parent child relationships quality in pupils / 中国学校卫生

Objective@#To explore the effectiveness of painting group counseling intervention on problem behavior and the quality of parent child relationship in primary school students.@*Methods@#The problem behaviors of grade fouth primary school students were screened and compared with the norm. Two classes were randomly selected as the intervention group and control group, respectively. Intervention group received for an 8 week painting group counseling experiment. Conners Child Behavior Rating Scale, Problem Solving Scale and Parental Acceptance Questionnaire were used as the evaluation tools.@*Results@#There was no significant difference in the detection rate of problem behavior between the experimental and the control group before intervention(27.59%, 15.38 %, Z=1.10, P >0.05). After intervention, the detection rate of problem behavior in the experimental group was significantly lower than that in the control group(17.24%, 3.85%, Z=3.71, P <0.01). There was no difference in the scores of problem solving and parental acceptance between the two groups before the intervention( t=0.63, 0.38, P >0.05). After the intervention, the score of problem solving in the experimental group was lower than that in the control group( t=-2.28, P <0.05), and the score of parental acceptance was higher than that in the control group( t=2.57, P <0.05). For the intervention group, problem behavior and problem solving decreased significantly( t=2.56, 2.44, P <0.05), while the scores of parental acceptance increased significantly( t=-2.26, P <0.05)after the intervention. The scores of these three variables in the control group showed no significant changes before and after the intervention( P >0.05). The results of repeated measurement variance showed that the main effect of problem behavior and the interactive effect of problem solving and parental acceptance( F=8.63, 8.01, 4.62, P <0.05) were significant.@*Conclusion@#Painting group counseling can reduce the problem behaviors of primary school students and improve the quality of parent child relationship. It can be applied in primary school mental health education and plays a positive role in promoting the healthy development of primary school students.

Early enteral nutrition in patients with severe traumatic brain injury requiring exploratory abdominal surgery / 中国医师杂志

Objective:To investigate the effect of early enteral nutrition in patients with severe traumatic brain injury requiring exploratory abdominal surgery.Methods:The clinical data of 104 patients with severe traumatic brain injury requiring exploratory abdominal surgery treated in the PLA Army 72th Group Military Hospital from January 2016 to December 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. Among them, 47 patients were given early enteral nutrition (24-48 hr) as the observation group, and 57 patients were given delayed enteral nutrition (>48 hr), as the control group. The levels of hemoglobin, albumin, prealbumin, total bilirubin, alanine transaminase, C-reactive protein, white blood cells, postoperative infectious complications and clinical outcomes were compared between the two groups on the 1st, 7th and 14th days after surgery.Results:On the 14th day after operation, the prealbumin level of the observation group was higher than that of the control group, and the leukocyte level of the observation group was lower than that of the control group, with statistical significance ( P=0.020, P=0.013). The hospital stay and hospitalization costs of the observation group were lower than those of the control group ( P=0.017, P=0.032). The incidence of pulmonary infection in the observation group was 10.6%, which was lower than 29.8% in the control group ( P=0.017). Conclusions:Early postoperative enteral nutrition in patients with severe traumatic brain injury requiring exploratory abdominal surgery can significantly improve the nutritional status of patients, reduce the incidence of pulmonary infection, the hospital stay and the hospitalization cost.

Analysis of clinical features and prognostic risk factors of duodenal lateral fistula / 中国医师杂志

Objective:To investigate the clinical features and prognosis of duodenal lateral fistula (DLF), and to explore the high-risk factors affecting its prognosis, so as to improve its treatment outcome.Methods:The regression study was conducted based on the database of the Registration System of Chinese Gastrointestinal Fistula and Intra-Abdominal Infections. DLF patients who were hospitalized from January 1, 2018 to December 31, 2018 and had complete clinical data in the database were selected as the research object. The clinical data included patient gender, age, length of hospital stay, hospitalization costs, intensive care unit (ICU) admission, underlying diseases, primary diseases, direct causes of DLF, complications, treatment and outcomes.Results:A total of 142 patients with DLF were enrolled, including 97 males and 45 females, with a median age of 54 years. The top three primary diseases of DLF were gastrointestinal ulcers and perforations in 33 cases (23.2%), biliary tract disease in 27 cases (19.0%), and trauma in 24 cases (16.9%). There were 117 cases (82.4%) with single DLF, and 25 cases (17.6%) were combined with other fistula. Among the 142 patients, 127 were healed (49 by surgery and 78 self-healing) and 15 (10.6%) died. 14 cases (9.9%) underwent percutaneous catheter drainage, and 18 cases underwent laparotomy drainage. Univariate prognostic analysis showed that advanced age (≥60 years old) (χ 2=6.891, P=0.009), primary diseases as gastrointestinal ulcers/perforations (χ 2=8.515, P=0.004), combined with other fistula (χ 2=5.798, P=0.016), malnutrition (χ 2=5.595, P=0.018), pulmonary infection (χ 2=12.449, P<0.001), hemorrhage (χ 2=6.466, P=0.011), multiple organ dysfunction syndrome(MODS ) (χ 2=37.258, P<0.001), underwent laparotomy drainage (χ 2=6.466, P=0.011) were associated with mortality. Multivariate prognostic analysis confirmed that age ≥60 years old ( OR=44.375, 95% CI: 2.676-735.822, P=0.008), combined with other fistula ( OR=16.54, 95% CI: 1.744-156.913, P=0.015) and MODS ( OR=238.447, 95% CI: 9.496-5 987.78, P=0.001) were independent risk factors of the death for DLF patients. Conclusions:The mortality rate of DLF is still relatively high. Iatrogenic duodenal injury (surgical operation, endoscopic treatment) is the main direct cause of fistula. Advanced age, combined with other fistula and MODS significantly increases the risk of death of patients.

Risk factors of malignant glaucoma for primary angle closure glaucoma patients after surgery / 军事医学

Objective To analyze the risk factors of malignant glaucoma for primary angle-closure glaucoma(PACG) patients after surgery.Methods Clinical data of elderly patients with PACG who had received surgical treatment at our hospital between 2013 and 2016 were retrospectively analyzed.Patients were divided into two groups according to whether they suffered (Group A) or not (Group B) from malignant glaucoma after surgery.Results A total of 238 patients (315 eyes) were retrospectively analyzed: 17 cases (22 eyes) in Group A and 221 cases (293 eyes)in Group B.The index of axial length, chamber depth and crystal thickness was lower in Group A than in Group B,and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).Univariate analysis showed that age under 50, continuous high intraocular pressure, axial length below 22 mm, chamber depth below 2 mm, crystal thickness below 4.5 mm, completely closed anterior chamber angle and chronic angle-closure type were the possible risk factors for malignant glaucoma after surgery (P<0.05).The logistic regression analysis showed that age under 50 and axial length below 22 mm were independent risk factors for malignant glaucoma for PACG patients after surgery.Conclusion PACG patients,especially those who are young or with short axial length,are more vulnerable to malignant glaucoma.

Study progress on clinical characteristics of high myopia with primary open-angle glaucoma / 眼科新进展

Many studies have shown that high myopia is strongly hnked with glaucoma.Besides,due to its own characteristics of longer axial length,deeper anterior chamber depth and wider chamber angle width,high myopia is often more likely to develop a complication of primary open-angle glaucoma.However,the early fundus changes induced by glaucoma might be concealed by the fundus changes induced by high degree myopia because the latter itself could also induce a series of fundus changes.As a consequence,a deep understanding of the clinical features and diagnosis of high myopia with primary open-angle glaucoma is particularly essential in making early diagnosis as well as reducing missed diagnosis and misdiagnosis.This article summarizes the clinical features of high myopia with primary open-angle glaucoma to enhance understanding of such diseases and provide a basis for the early diagnosis of the diseases.

Advances in congenital vertebral malformation caused by genomic copy number variation / 中华外科杂志

Congenital vertebral malformation (CVM) is a congenital vertebral structural deformity caused by abnormal somitogenesis during embryonic development, of which the reason lies in gene mutation or abnormal regulation of the genes that coordinate somitogenesis during embryonic period. ICVAS had proposed a new classification algorithm for CVM, which facilitated exploration for its genetic etiology. Genomic Copy Number Variation (CNV) is a kind of DNA mutation, which is important for human evolution, phenotype polymorphism and diseases. Series of advances have been made on genetic causes of CVM, especially on CVM caused by CNV. CNVs of chromosome 16p11.2, 10q24.31, 17p11.2, 20p11, 22q11.2 and a few other regions are associated with CVM, indicating that gene dosage may play important roles in the development of the spinal cord.

Effects of simulated weightlessness on biomechanics of motion unit of rhesus monkey lumbar vertebra / 中国组织工程研究

BACKGROUND:It is generaly believed that the spine wil be extended, and vertebral muscle atrophy, bone loss of vertebral body, increased height and area of intervertebral disc, changes of composition of intervertebral disc wil occur in the condition of weightlessness. These are likely to be the cause of high incidence of low back pain. OBJECTIVE:To observe changes in lumbar spine bone microstructure analysis of simulated weightlessness on rhesus lumbar spine biomechanics. METHODS:Fourteen young rhesus monkeys were randomly divided into two groups: control group (n=7;free activities in the cage during the experiment), and experimental group (n=7; the use of head-down-10° on a special bed by bundle lying to simulate weightlessness). RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1) The results of Micro-CT examination: in the experimental group, structure model index in trabecular bone of increased. Trabecular bone changed from plate-like to the rod-like change. The intersection number of bone tissue in unit length to non-bone tissue declined. The average width of the canal between the trabecular bone increased, suggesting that there have been signs of osteoporosis in the experimental group. (2) Under an optical microscope, in the experimental group, bone hyperplasia line was disordered and irregular. Thick endplate trabecularbone became smal, shalow, and arranged substantialy perpendicular to the direction of trabecular bone and cartilage endplate. The closer the endplate surface, the smaler trabecular bone was. Compared with the control group, these smal trabecular bones were thin and curved. Bone marrow cavity was oval. The degree of the connection between the trabecular bones is poor, reflecting the structural characteristics of significant osteoporosis. (3) It is indicated that weightlessness affected the biomechanical properties of rhesus lumbar motion unit.

Curcumin-loaded chitosan liposomes for the treatment of rabbit corneal alkali burns / 国际药学研究杂志

Objective To investigate the effect of the novel curcumin-loaded chitosan liposomes on rabbit alkaline burns. Methods Curcumin-loaded chitosan liposomes were prepared with a film method. The particle sizes,zeta potentials and encapsula?tion efficiencies of liposomes were determined. Rabbits were randomly divided into four groups:the physiological saline group,the blank chitosan coated liposomes group,the dexamethasone group,and the curcumin-loaded chitosan liposomes group. The rabbit cor?neal alkaline burn models were built and respectively processed with the above medicines. The corneal neovascularization(CNV)and proportion of corneal epithelium healing were analyzed with the slit-lamp microscope and digital photographs. The expression of vascu?lar endothelial growth factor(VEGF)was examined with an immunohistochemical method. Results The curcumin-loaded chitosan li?posomes had the particle size of 96.6 ± 14.7 nm,with the average zeta potential of 58.8 ± 2.3 mV,and the encapsulation efficiency of 51.41±1.1%. The CNV was effectively inhibited and the expression of VEGF decreased due to the curcumin-loaded chitosan liposomes and dexamethasone. Furthermore,the curcumin-loaded chitosan liposomes improved epithelial healing of corneal more effectively than dexamethasone. Conclusion The encapsulation efficiency of the curcumin-loaded chitosan liposomes was high. The effects of the cur?cumin-loaded chitosan liposomes on inhibition of CNV and improvement of healing of cornea epithelium were obvious. Curcumin-load?ed chitosan liposomes are novel ophthalmic delivery formulations for the treatment of corneal alkaline burns.

The application of optical coherence tomography to measure the thickness of rabbit knee joint cartilage / 实用放射学杂志

Objective To study the feasibility of the measurement of the thickness of rabbit knee joint cartilage by comparing the optical coherence tomography (OCT)and the undecalcified frozen section method on respectively measure the thickness of New Zeal-and white rabbit’s knee cartilage.Methods 50 standardized cultivation,adult and male New Zealand white rabbits (100 knees) were selected in this study.The measurement point was at the knee weight-bearing area of the medial femoral condyle with a 2 milli-meter diameter trephine,and the cartilage thickness data at the same center point and ±0.5 mm from the center were obtained.OCT and freeze-sectioning method were adopted at each site,respectively.The difference between OCT and histological method was com-pared and Bland-Altman plot was constructed.Results The thickness results of the center,+0.5 mm,-0.5 mm points were (296.5± 1.6)μm,(302.6± 3.5)μm,(287.9±5.6)μm by OCT,(278.4±1.9)μm,(290.3±5.9)μm,(280.3±4.6)μm by freeze-sectio-ning method,respectively.In Bland-Altman diagram,mean difference and 95% confidence interval were 18.1 1 (1 6.65,1 9.56)μm, 12.4 (5.5,1 9.2)μm,7.4 (2.8,12.0)μm.Intra-class correlation coefficients(ICC)for resemblance between the 2 techniques were 0.93(95%CI:0.89-0.95,P <0.000 1),0.84(95%CI:0.77-0.89,P <0.000 1),0.91(95%CI:0.87 -0.94,P <0.000 1),respec-tively.Conclusion As compared with the measurement of undecalcified frozen section,OCT for the rabbits’knee joint cartilage thickness measurement is feasible with the advantages of noninvasiveness,good repeatability.OCT can provide data reference in ani-mal experiments of cartilage tissue engineering for articular cartilage defect repair.

Continuous infiltration of Lidocaine in joint arthroplasty surgery: a randomized study / 中华骨科杂志

Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of continuous infiltration of Lidocaine in joint replacement surgery.Methods From May 2013 to October 2013,patients scheduled to undergo total hip or total knee arthroplasty were randomized into two groups:the local infiltration analgesia group received continuous infiltration of Lidocaine while the other group received PCIA filled with fentanyl after surgery.The equipments were removed 48 hours after the surgery.The visual analogue scale score at five points (immediate postoperative,24 hours after the surgery while resting,24 hours after the surgery while exercising,48 hours after the surgery while resting,48 hours after the surgery while exercising) were recorded and if the score was higher than 4,analgesics wound be given to the patients.The vital sign,blood test,ECG,the circumference of lower limbs,the range of motion of the joint,the rehabilitation and complications were also recorded.Results 42 patients were included,11 male and 31 female.There were 25 patients and 36 total knee arthroplasties.17 patients underwent a total of 19 hip arthroplasties.The demographic data,the diagnosis and the surgery type were comparable between two groups.The VAS scores at immediate postoperative,24 hours and 48 hours after the surgery while resting,the average dose of analgesics and the complication rate were statistically different be tween two groups.However,the VAS scores at 24 hours after the surgery and 48 hours after the surgery while exercising,the change of the circumferences of the lower limb,the range of motion of the joint,the rehabilitation satisfactory rate and length of stay were comparable between two groups,while no significant difference was observed.One patient in the PCIA group suffered from incision fat liquefaction and healed after three weeks.There were no infection and subcutaneous hydrocele in both groups.Conclusion Continuous infiltration of Lidocaine is more effective than the PCIA while resting after joint replacement surgery and no inferior to it while exercising.It can decrease the amount of Opioid.

Clinical efficacy of interventional treatment in blunt liver trauma (in 32 cases report) / 国际外科学杂志

Objective Compared with surgical operation,to investigate the clinical efficacy and advantages of interventional treatment in blunt liver traum.Methods 32 patients from July 2010 to October 2012,who were diagnosed as blunt liver trauma,received super selective hepatic artery embolization in Chinese People's Liberation Army in 98th Hospital.Another 27 ones received operation at the same time in Peolies's Liberation Army 98th (AAST grade Ⅱ to Ⅳ).Retrospective analysis of related cases was presented.The results were analyzed by t test.Results All of 32 patients that received super selective hepatic artery embolization were stanched bleeding successfully.All patients were followed up for 3 to 18 months,the mean follow-up time was 10 months,with no severe complications occurred or no lost cases.Conclusions Compared with surgical operation,interventional treatment had advantage that included eliable hemostasis,less operation time,minimally invasive and less hospitalization time.Interventional treatment had good effects on blunt liver trauma which were AAST grade Ⅱ to Ⅲ.

Effect of early rehabilitation intervention on acute cerebral infarction / 现代临床护理

Objective To investigate the effect of early rehabilitation intervention on acute cerebral infarction.Methods 132 patients with acute cerebral infarction were evenly divided into the observation group and the control group: the former received early rehabilitation intervention and the latter routine nursing intervention.The two groups were assessed and compared with Fugl-Meyer Assessment(FMA),Bathel Index(BI)and Self-rating Depression Scale(SDS).Results The scores on FMA and BI in the observation group were higher than those in the control group(P<0.05),while the scores on depression in the observation group were lower than those in the control group(P<0.05).Conclusion The early rehabilitation intervene may improve the motor function and activities of daily living and reduce the degree of depression.

Effects of cholesterol overload on visfatin secretion from adipocytes and the mechanism / 中华内分泌代谢杂志

3T3-L1 adipocytes were cultured and differentiated into mature adipocytes in vitro. The adipocytes were intervened by ACAT inhibitor( 2 μg/ml) and ox-LDL with various concentrations (0,25,50,75,and 100 μg/ml)for 48 h,ACAT inhibitor( 2 μg/ml) and ox-LDL( 50 μg/ml) at the 0,6,18,36,and 48 h,or ACAT inhibitor( 2 μg/ml),ox-LDL( 50 μg/ml),and TUDCA with various concentrations(0,100,200,and 400 μ mol/L)for 48 h,respectively.The levels of visfatin in supernatant were examined by ELISA and the expressions of protein GRP78 and CHOP in adipocytes were detected by Western blot.After the adipocytes were treated with ACAT inhibitor and ox-LDL at different concentrations for 48 h,the cholesterol concentration and the expressions of GRP78 and CHOP protein in adipocytes and the visfatin levels in the supernatant fluid were increased with the increase of the ox-LDL concentration.The differences had statistical significance in the experimental groups compared with blank control group( all P＜0.05 ).After the intervention with ACAT inhibitor and ox-LDL for different durations,the expressions of GRP78 and CHOP protein in adipocytes and the visfatin levels in the supernatant fluid were up-regulated in a timedependent manner.The differences between experimental groups and blank control had statistical significance( all P＜0.05 ).After the intervention with ACAT inhibitor,ox-LDL,and different concentrations of TUDCA for 48 hours,the expressions of GRP78 and CHOP protein in adipocytes and visfatin levels in the supernatant fluid were down-regulated in a dose-dependent manner and as compared with blank control group the difference were statistically significant( all P＜ 0.05 ).The increase of cholesterol load in adipocyte may promote the visfatin secretion,denoting that the mechanism might be due to the enhancement of endoplasmic reticulum stress in aidpocytes.

Observation of laparoscopic choledochoduodenstomy in hepatobiliary surgery / 国际外科学杂志

ObjectiveTo explore the clinical application of laparoscopic choledochoduodenstomy in Hepatobiliary Surgery Department.MethodsTwenty-six patients of laparoscopic choledochoduodenstomy were retrospectively analyzed between January 2007 and September 2011 in Hepatobiliary Surgery Department of PLA General Hospital,including 8 cases of choledochalcyst,11 cases of bile duct stone and 7 cases of bile duct cancer.ResultsAll of patients were successfully performed operation of total laparoscopic choledochal cyst excision.The operation time was 60 to 110 minutes.And the time of hospital stay was 3 to 7 days.One patient was found anastomotic stoma stricture,the other cases had no post-operative complication.There was no patient dead.ConclusionLaparoscopic choledochoduodenstomy needs mastering the indication of operation and laparoscopic anastomosis technique.Under this condition,the operation will be safe and feasible.

Non-thermal plasma suppresses bacterial colonization on skin wound and promotes wound healing in mice / 华中科技大学学报（医学）（英德文版）

The present study evaluated the effect of non-thermal plasma on skin wound healing in BalB/c mice. Two 6-mm wounds along the both sides of the spine were created on the back of each mouse (n=80) by using a punch biopsy. The mice were assigned randomly into two groups, with 40 animals in each group: a non-thermal plasma group in which the mice were treated with the non-thermal plasma; a control group in which the mice were left to heal naturally. Wound healing was evaluated on postoperative days (POD) 4, 7, 10 and 14 (n=5 per group in each POD) by percentage of wound closure. The mice was euthanized on POD 1, 4, 7, 10, 14, 21, 28 and 35 (n=1 in each POD). The wounds were removed, routinely fixed, paraffin-embedded, sectioned and HE-stained. A modified scoring system was used to evaluate the wounds. The results showed that acute inflammation peaked on POD 4 in non-thermal plasma group, earlier than in control group in which acute inflammation reached a peak on POD 7, and the acute inflammation scores were much lower in non-thermal group than in control group on POD 7 (P10(12) CFU/mL on the POD 7) (P<0.05). It was suggested that the non-thermal plasma facilitates the wound healing by suppressing bacterial colonization.

Effects of progesterone on PMN-mediated inflammatory responses to gonococcal infection / 中华皮肤科杂志

Objective To evaluate the effects of progesterone on polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMN)-mediated inflammatory responses to gonococcal infection. Methods Peripheral neutrophils were isolated from heparinized peripheral blood obtained from normal individuals, then divided into 4 groups: progesterone group (pretreated with progesterone only), gonococcus group (stimulated with gonococcal suspension), intervention group (pretreated with progesterone followed by stimuation with gonococcal suspension), and control group (receiving no pretreatment or stimulation). Real-time RT-PCR was conducted to detect the mRNA expression levels of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β)in neutrophils from all groups at 0, 3, 8, 12 and 24 hours after the last treatment, and iNOS protein levels were measured by Western-blot in gonococcus group and intervention group. Results Real-time RT-PCR indicated that the expression levels of iNOS, TNF-α and IL-1β mRNA increased in gonococcus group and intervention group, and reached their peak at 8 hours in gonococcus group, while no significant changes were noted in the above parameters in progesterone group or control group. Also, the level of iNOS, TNF-α and IL-1β mRNA was lower in intervention group than that in the gonococcus group (P ＜ 0.05). Western blot showed an elevation in iNOS protein expression in both gonococcus group and intervention group, and the former group was higher than the latter group in the parameter (P ＜ 0.05). Conclusions Progesterone can downregulate the expressions of iNOS, TNF-α and IL-1 β by PMNs, inhibit the PMN-induced inflammatory responses induced by gonococcal infection, which is likely to be associated with the asymptomatic gonococcal infection in women.

Effect of high-density lipoprotein on interleukin-8 secretion in 3T3-L1 adipocytes / 中华内分泌代谢杂志

3T3-L1 adipocytes were cultured with various concentrations of high-density lipoprotein ( HDL, 0, 10, 50, and 100 μg/ml ) for 16 h and with lipopolysaccharide ( LPS, 100 ng/ml ) for another 6 h. Interleukin-8 in the medium was determined by ELISA, and PPAR-γ mRNA expression by reverse transacription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Interleukin-8 levels were increased in LPS-treated cells ( P＜0.05 ), but decreased in HDL-treated cells in the dose-dependent manner. PPARγ mRNA expressions were increased in HDL-treated groups than those treated only with LPS. These results suggested HDL may decrease interleukin-8 secretion via up-regulating PPARγ expression in adipocytes.