Objective:To compare the expression levels of absent in melanoma 2 (AIM2) inflammasome pathways in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and osteoarthritis (OA) synovial specimens.Methods:Synovial tissue samples were collected from 41 RA and 26 OA patients, respectively. Horseradish peroxidase immunohi stochemical staining was used to detect AIM2 inflammasome pathway-related proteins, including AIM2, apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a CARD(ASC), caspase-1, and interleukin-1 (IL-1β). A semi-quantitative score (H-score) was performed according to the degree of positiveness. Correlation analysis between H-score results and clinical indicators of erythrocyte sedimentation tate (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP) were performed. The H score between RA and OA was analyzed by t test and Spearman correlation analysis were utilized for correlation analysis between H score and ESR and CRP.Results:The H scores of AIM2 protein in RA synovial tissues was (132±7) and (54±8) in OA synovial tissues ( t=7.42, P<0.01). The H scores of ASC protein in RA synovial tissues was (107±9) and (74±6) in OA synovial tissues ( t=2.36, P<0.05). The H scores of caspase-1 protein in RA synovial tissues was (99±5) and (74±10) in OA synovial tissues ( t=2.15, P<0.05). The H scores of IL-1β protein in RA synovial tissues was (118±11) and (76±7) in OA synovial tissues ( t=3.30, P<0.05) . In the correlation analysis, AIM2 was positively correlated with ESR [ r=0.74, P<0.01, 95% CI(0.38, 0.9)], and ASC was positively correlated with ESR [ r=0.5, P<0.05, 95% CI(0.16, 0.74)], IL-1β was positively correlated with ESR [ r=0.62, P<0.05, 95% CI (0.31, 0.81)], and the difference was statistically significant ( P<0.05). At the same time, AIM2 was positively correlated with CRP [ r=0.65, P<0.05, 95% CI(0.25, 0.86)]; ACS was positively correlated with CRP [ r=0.42, P<0.05, 95% CI(0.05, 0.69)]. IL-1β was positively correlated with C-reactive Protein [ r=0.41, P<0.05, 95% CI(0.05, 0.67)] and positively correlated with C-reactive protein, and the difference was statistically significant ( P<0.05). Conclusion::The expression of AIM2 inflammasome pathway-related proteins in RA synovium, including AIM2, ASC, caspase-1, and IL-1β, is higher than that of OA and are positively correlated with disease activity. Activation of AIM2 inflammasome pathway may be associated with the pathogenesis of RA disease activity.

Objective To observe the effect of preoperative muscle strength training combined with postoperative BIODEX balance function training in improving the motor function of patients with total hip arthroplasty(THA).Methods A total of 110 patients with THA from January 2021 to De-cember 2022 were selected as research objects,and were divided into observation group and control group by the simple randomization method,with 55 cases in each group.The control group received conventional postoperative rehabilitation training,while the observation group was treated with muscle strength training and BIODEX balance function training.Imaging indicators(acetabular abduction an-gle,anterior inclination angle,proportion of acetabular cup in safe zone,and centering rate of femoral prosthesis)at 5 days after surgery were compared between two groups;the joint motor function(Harris score for hip joint),balance ability[Berg Balance Scale(BBS)]and daily activity ability[Activities of Daily Life Scale(ADL)]before treatment and one month after treatment were compared between the two groups.Results There were no significant differences in acetabular abduction angle,anterior inclina-tion angle,proportion of acetabular cup in safe zone and centering rate of femoral prosthesis between the two groups at 5 days after surgery(P＞0.05);after one month of treatment,the Harris score for hip joint,the BBS score and ADL score in both group increased significantly,and the scores in the observa-tion group were significantly higher than those in the control group(P＜0.05).Conclusion Preopera-tive muscle strength training combined with postoperative BIODEX balance function training shows a significant therapeutic effect,which can effectively improve the hip motor function and enhance the balance control ability in patients with THA.

Objective To observe the effect of preoperative muscle strength training combined with postoperative BIODEX balance function training in improving the motor function of patients with total hip arthroplasty(THA).Methods A total of 110 patients with THA from January 2021 to De-cember 2022 were selected as research objects,and were divided into observation group and control group by the simple randomization method,with 55 cases in each group.The control group received conventional postoperative rehabilitation training,while the observation group was treated with muscle strength training and BIODEX balance function training.Imaging indicators(acetabular abduction an-gle,anterior inclination angle,proportion of acetabular cup in safe zone,and centering rate of femoral prosthesis)at 5 days after surgery were compared between two groups;the joint motor function(Harris score for hip joint),balance ability[Berg Balance Scale(BBS)]and daily activity ability[Activities of Daily Life Scale(ADL)]before treatment and one month after treatment were compared between the two groups.Results There were no significant differences in acetabular abduction angle,anterior inclina-tion angle,proportion of acetabular cup in safe zone and centering rate of femoral prosthesis between the two groups at 5 days after surgery(P＞0.05);after one month of treatment,the Harris score for hip joint,the BBS score and ADL score in both group increased significantly,and the scores in the observa-tion group were significantly higher than those in the control group(P＜0.05).Conclusion Preopera-tive muscle strength training combined with postoperative BIODEX balance function training shows a significant therapeutic effect,which can effectively improve the hip motor function and enhance the balance control ability in patients with THA.

OBJECTIVE: Autologous blood acupoint injection has practiced for treatment of various diseases, but its therapeutic mechanism remains unknown. This study aimed to explore the histological changes in the acupoint area after blood injection. METHODS: Blood samples (0.1 mL) collected from donator mice was injected in the recipient mice at the acupoint of left Zusanli (ST- 36). At 0, 6, 12, 24, 48, 72 and 96 h after the injection (3 mice at each time point), peripheral blood and muscular tissue were collected from the injection site for blood cell classification and histological study with HE staining. RESULTS: White blood cells and lymphocytes tended to increase but platelets tended to decrease at the acupoint after blood injection, but these changes were not statistically significant. Within 24 h after blood injection, acute inflammation occurred at the acupoint, and the injected blood components were infiltrated by neutrophils; a small number of monocytes were observed at the injection site, where red blood cells gradually disappeared. From 24 to 96 h, the injected area showed chronic inflammation with infiltration by mononuclear cells, macrophages, and lymphocytes, and the number of fibroblasts increased and neutrophils decreased gradually over time; the local muscle fibers were destroyed, and proliferation of fibrous tissue could be seen. CONCLUSIONS Blood injection at the acupoints can mimic the process of hematoma absorption in the muscular tissue, and local inflammation is initiated to engulf and clear the blood components, which may be the basis for the therapeutic effects induced by acupoint stimulation.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the histopathological features of the synovium between rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and osteoarthritis (OA). METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the synovial specimens obtained after synovial surgery in 72 cases of RA and 24 cases of OA. Two independent pathologists reviewed the sections of the synovial tissues with HE staining, quantitatively scored the degree of fibroblast-like synoviocyte (FLS) hyperplasia, vascular hyperplasia, fibroplasia, and lymphocyte infiltration, and examined the presence plasma cell infiltration. The pathological morphology of the synovial tissues was evaluated in relation with the clinical data of the patients. RESULTS: Pannus formation was also detected in the synovium of OA patients, which showed a lesser degree of OA-FLS hyperplasia, fibrosis and lymphocyte infiltration and a significantly lower rate of plasma cell infiltration compared with the pannus in RA patients. Vascular proliferation was also milder in the pannus of OA patients than in RA pannus, but the difference was not statistically significant. In OA patients, the pannus could be observed under a microscope and was difficult to distinguish from that in RA patients. CONCLUSIONS Pannus formation occurs also in the synovium of OA patients but with milder FLS hyperplasia, fibrosis and lymphocyte infiltration and a lower rate of plasma cell infiltration compared with the pannus in RA patients. These differences in the pannus between OA and RA can be of potential value in the diagnosis and treatment of the patients.
Arthritis, Rheumatoid ; Cells, Cultured ; Humans ; Osteoarthritis, Knee ; Retrospective Studies ; Synovial Membrane