BACKGROUND:It is wel-known that vitamin E holds antioxidant capacity, but whether other growth factors have the same effect on endplate chondrocytes has not yet been reported. OBJECTIVE:To observe the effect of different growth factors on the antioxidant ability of endplate chondrocytes in the intervertebral disc. METHODS:Endplate chondrocytes were primary cultured, and then divided into four groups, including blank control, serum deprivation, hydrogen peroxide stimulation and hydrogen peroxide stimulation combined with different growth factors groups. The 4th group was subdivided into insulin-like growth factor-1, basic fibroblast growth factor, transforming growth factorβ, forskolin and vitamin E groups. The expression levels of caspase-3, matrix metal oproteinase 13 and 3, inhibitor of metal oproteinase 1 as wel as thrombin 4 and 5 were detected by real-time PCR. Cel apoptosis was analyzed through apoptosis kit and flow cytometry. Cel synthesis and secretion were detected by western blot assay. The total antioxidant capacity and the hydrogen peroxide content were determined by kit, and then statistical y analyzed. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Different growth factors had significant differences in the endplate chondrocyte apoptosis, secretion and antioxidant capacity. To conclude, transforming growth factorβand forskolin do further damage to the cel s stimulated by hydrogen peroxide, while insulin-like growth factor-1 and vitamin E expose protective effect on the injured cel s.

Objective: To explore the clinical and anatomical characteristics of coronary slow lfow (CSF) in relevant patients.
Methods: We summarized the patients without coronary angiography (CAG) proved coronary stenosis (stenosis < 40%) while with TIMI indicated CSF in our hospital from 2013-01 to 2015-01. The patients were divided into 2 groups: CSF group, n=56 patients having at least 1 major coronary artery with TIMI frame counts > 27 and Control group,n=55 patients with normal coronary lfow. The related laboratory indexes were examined and relationship between MCV and CSF was studied by multi-logistic regression analysis.
Results: In CSF group, MCV 90.4 (87.48, 92.65) fL and RDW-CV 12.5 (12.30, 13.18) % were lower than those in Control group 92.3 (90.1, 94.3) fL and 13(12.7, 13.4) %,P<0.05; while MCHC 337 (332, 347) g/L and the number of left circumlfex distal braches involved 3 (2, 4) were higher than those in Control group 327.5 (322, 338) g/L and 2 (2, 3),P<0.05. Multi-logistic regression analysis showed that MCV was negatively related to CSF (partial regression coefficient= -0.138, P=0.015), Spearman rank correlation analysis presented that MCV was negatively related to TIMI frame counts (r= -0.201, P=0.009).
Conclusion: Deformability of red blood cells might be involved in pathogenesis of CSF in relevant patients.

Alcohol liver disease (ALD) is the most common disease resulting in liver injury in the world. Inflammatory response is an important reason for liver injury in ALD. After being absorbed into the intestines, alcohol can increase the amount of intestinal endotoxin which enters the bloodstream through enterohepatic circulation and activates Toll-like receptor 4 in liver Kupffer cells to release inflammatory factors. The inflammatory factors including tumor necrosis factor-α induce liver injury, while interleukin-6 (IL-6) and interleukin-10 (IL-10) protect the liver through regulating inflammatory response. IL-6 can increase the expression of various anti-injury genes in hepatocytes through activating signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), and IL-10 can inhibit liver inflammatory response through activating STAT3 in Kupffer cells. The processes of imbalance and rebalance between proinflammatory factors and anti-inflammatory factors are the development and prognosis of ALD. This article systematically reviews the role of inflammatory factors in the development and progression of ALD from the perspective of inflammatory response.

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of Huogu II formula compatible with different channel ushering drugs on the homing of bone marrow stem cells of osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH) induced by liquid nitrogen freezing in rabbits and discuss the mechanism for preventing and treating ONFH.

METHODThe ONFH model was established by liquid nitrogen freezing of 84 rabbits. They were randomly assigned to the model group and the Huogu II formula group and groups of Huogu II formula combining with Achyranthis Bidentatae Radix, Asari Radix et Rhizoma, Angelicae Pubescentis Radix, Platycodonis Radix. The remaining 14 rabbits were sham-operated. During the course of ONFH modeling, all of the rabbits were subcutaneously injected with recombinant human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (rhG-CSF)(30 microg x kg(-1) x d(-1), for consecutively 7 days). Meanwhile, normal saline and decoction of the formulae were orally administrated respectively. WBC was counted in peripheral blood before and after the injection of rhG-CSF. HE stainings at the 2nd and the 4th weeks after the modeling were adopted to observe histopathological changes, vascular morphology was observed by ink perfusion, BrdU and SDF-1 were determined by immunohistochemical assay in femoral heads of the left hind leg.

RESULTCompared with the sham-operated group, the Huogu II formula group showed decrease in the ratio of empty lacuna and increase in vessel area, number of BrdU positive cells and SDF-1 level. In comparison with the model group, the Achyranthis Bidentatae Radix group displayed decreasing empty lacuna ratio and increasing vessel area at the 4th week and increasing SDF-1 at the 2nd week; the Platycodonis Radix group revealed a notably increasing empty lacuna ratio and a sharp decrease in the number of BrdU positive cells at 4th week; Asari Radix et Rhizoma and Angelicae Dubescentis Radix groups showed no remarkable change.

CONCLUSIONHuogu II formula can promote the directional homing of bone marrow stem cell to the necrosis area. Channel ushering drug achyranthes can further boost above effects of Huogu II formula.

Animals ; Bone Marrow Cells ; cytology ; Bromodeoxyuridine ; metabolism ; Chemokine CXCL12 ; metabolism ; Disease Models, Animal ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Femur Head Necrosis ; blood ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; pathology ; Gene Expression Regulation ; drug effects ; Humans ; Leukocyte Count ; Male ; Rabbits ; Stem Cells ; cytology ; drug effects

Objective To observe the dynamic characteristics of protein kinase ,casein kinase II α (CK2α) ,expression during hepatic fibrogenesis in rats ;and the effects of a matrine derivative ,13-methylamino-18-thione-matrine (M ASM ) ,on CK2αexpression when it is used for anti-fibrotic treatment .Methods Hepatic fibrosis model was established in SD rats by dimethylnitrosamine (DMN) injection or by bile duct ligation (BDL) .The established fibrotic rats were given 50 mg/kg MASM or saline as a control by gavage for three weeks .The level of hepatic fibrosis was evaluated by histopathology examina-tion using hematoxylin-eosin staining ,and using the sirius red and Masson's trichrome staining for collagen determination in fi-brosis .The expressions of CK2αandα-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) in hepatic tissues were detected by immunohistochemis-ry .Results CK2α is mainly expressed in the stellate cells of fibrotic livers induced by DM N or BDL comparing the control group .Along with the development of hepatic fibrosis as evidenced by α-SMA expression ,increased CK2α-positive cells in liver were detected while injecting DMN in the rats for one to four weeks .MASM treatment significantly inhibited the hepatic fibro-sis and suppressed the expression of CK2αcomparing the model group .Conclusion The expression level of CK2α,and hepatic fibrosis formation are positively correlated .The matrine derivative ,MASM ,can significantly inhibit hepatic fibrosis and sup-press the CK2αexpression .These results suggest CK2αmay be a potential target for hepatic fibrosis therapy .

Elucidating the active components of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)is essential for understanding the mechanisms of TCM and promote its rational use as well as TCM-derived drug development.Recent studies have shown that surface plasmon resonance(SPR)technology is promising in this field.In the present study,we propose an SPR-based integrated strategy to screen and analyze the major active components of TCM.We used Radix Paeoniae Alba(RPA)as an example to identify the compounds that can account for its anti-inflammatory mechanism via tumor necrosis factor receptor type 1(TNF-R1).First,RPA extraction was analyzed using an SPR-based screening system,and the potential active in-gredients were collected,enriched,and identified as paeoniflorin and paeonol.Next,the affinity con-stants of paeoniflorin and paeonol were determined as 4.9 and 11.8 μM,respectively.Then,SPR-based competition assays and molecular docking were performed to show that the two compounds could compete with tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)while binding to the subdomain 1 site of TNF-R1.Finally,in biological assays,the two compounds suppressed cytotoxicity and apoptosis induced by TNF-α in the L929 cell line.These findings prove that SPR technology is a useful tool for determining the active in-gredients of TCM at the molecular level and can be used in various aspects of drug development.The SPR-based integrated strategy is reliable and feasible in TCM studies and will shed light on the eluci-dation of the pharmacological mechanism of TCM and facilitate its modernization.

Objective To investigate the clinical outcomes using posterior percutaneous endoscopic cervical discectomy (PECD) for single level cervical spondylotic radiculopathy (CSR).Methods From October 2015 to June 2016,33 patients (23 men,10 women,mean age 54.0 years,range from 30 to 85 years) who had single level CSR were treated by PECD,and the medical records were reviewed.All patients were followed up for an average of 13.5±4.6 months (range from 12 to 22 months).The operation related parameters (operation time,estimated blood loss,length of hospitalization,complications) and clinical parameters,including neck visual analog scale (Neck-VAS),ann visual analog scale (Arm-VAS),neck disability index (NDI) and the modified Macnab criteria were assessed at 3,6,and 12 months postoperatively and last follow-up.Disc height,shell angle,C2-C7 Cobb angle and range of motion were recorded preoperatively and at 3 months,6 months,12 months and last follow-up postoperatively.Results The mean operation time was 76.4±26.6 minutes (range from 40 to 120 minutes),the mean estimated blood loss was 30.2±15.6 ml (range from 20 to 80 ml),and the mean length of hospitalization was 3.5± 1.1 days (range from 2 to 8 days).There was significant decrease at different time points postoperatively in Neck-VAS,Arm-VAS,and NDI when compared with preoperatively (P＜ 0.05).According to the modified Macnab criteria,there was excellent concordance in 20 patients (60.6％),good in 7 patients (21.2％) and fair in 6 patients (18.2％) at the last follow-up.The disc height was significantly decreased at postoperative 3 months and 1 year compared with at preoperative (F=95.1,P＜0.01).The shell angle of index level (F=35.4.,P＜0.01),upper adjacent level (F=30.1,P＜0.01),lower adjacent level (F=1 1.7,P＜0.01) as well as spinal function units (F=22.2,P＜0.01) were increased significantly at postoperative compared with at preoperative.The range of motion of index level (F=8.1,P＜0.01) and upper adjacent level (F=64.0,P＜0.01) increased significantly at postoperative compared with at preoperative.The range of motion in lower adjacent level (F=1.5,P=0.23),spine functional unit of index level (F=2.9,P=0.06),as well as C2-C7 (F=0.6,P=0.56) had no significant difference between preoperative and postoperative 1 year (P＞0.05).One patient turned into traditional ACDF procedure because of hemorrhage limiting the vision during PECD operation.Upper extremity numbness and pain deteriorated in one case after a PECD procedure and was revised with ACDF at last.No other complications,like spinal cord injury,cervical root injury,cerebral spinal fluid leakage,infection as well as recurrence were found.Conclusion PECD,which can maintain normal cervical range of motion and intervertebral disc height,is a minimally invasive and essential procedure for CSR treatment with minor trauma,excellent outcome and quick recovery.Surgeon's experience,however,is needed in case of turning into open surgery for good outcome.

Objective:To investigate the types of non-tumor diseases in patients with cancer, and to explore the effects of those dis-eases on the diagnosis and treatment of cancer patients. Methods:We collected the medical records of cancer patients from January 2013 to December 2017 in Peking University Cancer Hospital, and screened for non-tumor diseases. The clinical records of the patients in this group were analyzed retrospectively, and the effects of those diseases on the diagnosis and treatment of tumors were dis-cussed. Results:Of the 1,323 cases of inter-hospital consultation, 1,153 cases of non-tumor disease (87.2％) were selected. There were 773 men (67.0％) and 380 women (33.0％) included. The median age was 62 (14-90) years. The primary tumor types included lung can-cer, gastric cancer, lymphoma, colorectal cancer, esophageal cancer, breast cancer, malignant melanoma, liver cancer, cholangiocarci-noma/gallbladder cancer, pancreatic cancer, and other tumors. Non-neoplastic diseases included cardiovascular disease in 356 cases (30.9％), respiratory system disease (17.0％) in 196 cases, digestive system disease in 107 cases (9.3％), skin and venereal diseases in 81 cases (7.0％), nervous system lesions (6.4％) in 74 cases, urinary system disease in 72 cases (6.2％), blood disease in 70 cases (6.1％), en-docrine and metabolic diseases in 47 cases (4.1％), autoimmune disease in 23 cases (2.0％), and other diseases (11.0％) in 127 cases. Impact on tumor diagnosis and treatment was as follows:direct, 771 cases (66.9％);no influence, 313 cases (27.1％);and uncertain, 69 cases (6.0％). Conclusions:Cardiovascular disease is a major non-tumor disease associated with cancer. Non-neoplastic diseases are important factors affecting the diagnosis and treatment plans of cancer.

Annexin A3（ANXA3）is a member of the membrane associated protein family. It has two subtypes of 36 kDa and 33 kDa. Its gene is located on the fourth chromosome of human. ANXA3, widely expressed in human bone marrow, lung, placenta, prostate and thyroid, is closely related to several biological processes such as exoplasmosis, vascular production, fat cell maturity, and white blood cell migration. Studies have found that ANXA3 is abnormally expressed in various diseases including cancer, cardiovascular disease and inflammation. It can regulate multiple signaling pathways such as JNK, NF-κB, PI3K/AKT, and may become a potential drug target for treatment of related diseases. The structure, functions, the link with diseases and related mechanisms of ANXA3 were summarized in this paper, which could provide reference for ANXA3 related research.

Objective To analyze the characteristics of pattern elements and the distribution of patterns of femoral head necrosis, hip osteoarthritis, and hip rheumatoid arthritis, in order to provide a theoretical basis for the "different diseases with the same pattern" of chronic bone diseases. Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted to select patients with femoral head necrosis Association Research Circulation Osseous Ⅰ-Ⅱ stages, hip osteoarthritis Kellgren & Lawrence Ⅰ-Ⅱ stages, and acute or subacute hip rheumatoid arthritis who visited the Minimally Invasive Arthrology Department, Traumatology Department, and Rheumatology and Immunology Department of Beijing University of Chinese Medicine Third Affiliated Hospital from June 2020 to June 2022. The " case report form - traditional Chinese medicine pattern manifestation scale" previously developed by our team was used to collect the pattern manifestations, which were included into an Excel 2020 spreadsheet to establish a database. SPSS 20.0 software was used for factor analysis and cluster analysis to extract pattern element information, such as disease nature and location, in order to summarize the characteristics of pattern elements, the distribution of patterns, and the similarities and differences of the three kinds of early hip joint diseases.Results A total of 410 patients were included, including 150 patients with femoral head necrosis, 160 patients with hip osteoarthritis, and 100 patients with hip rheumatoid arthritis. The pattern elements of the disease nature of femoral head necrosis include phlegm (dampness), blood stasis, yang deficiency, essence deficiency, and qi deficiency. The pattern types were initially divided into four categories: syndrome of meridian obstruction (43.33％), syndrome of phlegm and blood stasis blocking collaterals (38.00％), syndrome of liver and kidney deficiency (12.00％), and syndrome of kidney essence deficiency (6.67％). The pattern elements of the disease nature of hip osteoarthritis include phlegm (dampness), blood stasis, qi deficiency, essence deficiency, yang deficiency, and cold (dampness). The pattern types were preliminarily divided into five categories: syndrome of spleen and kidney deficiency (37.50％), syndrome of meridian obstruction (26.87％), syndrome of cold and dampness obstruction (18.75％), syndrome of phlegm and blood stasis obstruction (9.38％), and syndrome of liver and kidney deficiency (7.50％). The pattern elements of the disease nature of hip rheumatoid arthritis include phlegm (dampness), blood stasis, qi deficiency, yin and yang deficiency, cold (dampness), and essence deficiency. The pattern types were preliminarily divided into four categories: syndrome of phlegm and blood stasis obstruction (34.00％), syndrome of cold and dampness obstruction (28.00％), syndrome of blood stasis blocking collaterals (23.00％), and syndrome of liver and kidney deficiency (15.00％). Overall, the top five pattern manifestations of the three kinds of hip joint diseases were hip joint pain (96.59％), tenderness (93.90％), fixed pain (87.56％), heavy joints (85.37％), and sourness of lower limbs (75.37％). The pattern elements of the disease nature include phlegm (dampness), blood stasis, qi deficiency, etc. The pattern types were preliminarily divided into five categories: syndrome of phlegm stasis blocking collaterals (33.17％), syndrome of meridian obstruction (31.95％), syndrome of cold dampness obstruction (21.46％), syndrome of liver and kidney deficiency (7.32％), and syndrome of spleen and kidney deficiency (6.10％). There were 21 similar pattern manifestations in the three kinds of early hip joint diseases, with blood stasis and spleen deficiency being the main pattern.Conclusion The common pattern characteristics of three kinds of early hip joint diseases are spleen deficiency and blood stasis. In addition, femoral head necrosis is accompanied with phlegm-dampness pattern, hip osteoarthritis is accompanied with kidney deficiency and phlegm-dampness pattern, hip rheumatoid arthritis is accompanied with kidney deficiency and cold-dampness pattern.