Humans ; Manipulation, Spinal ; methods ; Spondylosis ; surgery ; therapy

Objective: To study the effect of compatibility on pharmacokinetics of the main components of Guizhi Zhumian prescription (GZP) based on the concept of Q-marker and to provide evidences for the determination of the Q-markers of this prescription. Methods: UPLC-MS/MS method was established for the study of the pharmacokinetics behaviors of seven main components, including cinnamic acid, 4-methoxycinnamic acid, coumarin, gardenoside, genipin, geniposidic acid, and chlorogenic acid, before and after the compatibility of GZP in plasma of cynomolgus monkeys. Results: Compared with the pharmacokinetics parameters of Cinnamomum cassia and Gardenia jasminoides, the AUC and Cmax of cinnamic acid, coumarin, geniposidic acid, and chlorogenic acid in GZP were increased obviously; The t1/2 of cinnamic acid, 4-methoxycinnamic acid, and coumarin were decreased; And the tmax of 4-methoxycinnamic acid, and geniposide were prolonged. Conclusion: Compatibility of GZP could significantly change the in vivo exposure status of the main components, and the seven main compounds were determined to be the Q-markers of GZP.

It has been reported that ODB genes play an important role in homologous recombination-directed DNA repair, suggesting their potential applications in plant breeding. To analyze the expression characteristics of tobacco NtODB gene, the cDNA sequence of NtODB was obtained using in silico cloning technique. The physicochemical properties, signal peptide, and advanced structures of the predicted protein were analyzed using bioinformatics tools. The results showed that the NtODB gene has a 579-bp open reading frame which encodes a protein with 192 amino acid residues. The protein NtODB is predicted to be alkaline and hydrophilic. Real-time quantitative PCR showed that NtODB was constitutively expressed in different tissues. Subcellular localization showed that NtODB was mainly expressed in cell membrane and chloroplast. These results may help us to better understand and elucidate the roles of ODB genes in the homologous recombination-directed DNA repair.
Amino Acid Sequence ; Base Sequence ; Cloning, Molecular ; Computational Biology ; Computer Simulation ; DNA, Complementary ; Phylogeny ; Plant Breeding ; Tobacco/genetics*

BACKGROUND: Hip and knee arthroplasty is currently the fundamental measure to improve the severe joint dysfunction and pain caused by elderly hip and knee joint diseases. However, the fear of falling seriously affects the time for elderly patients to go to the ground, and it is clear that the elderly patients with hip and knee arthroplasty are afraid of falling. The occurrence factors have important guiding significance for the early clinical intervention of such patients. OBJECTIVE: To explore the factors influencing the fear of falling during the first ambulation after total knee arthroplasty and total hip arthroplasty in elderly patients. METHODS: 242 elderly patients who underwent hip and knee arthroplasty in Wuming Hospital, Guangxi Medical University from January 2015 to January 2019 were selected as the study subjects, and the incidence of fall fear was observed. The risk factors of fall fear were analyzed by single factor and multi-factor Logistic analysis. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) The incidence of fall fear was 65.6%. (2) The univariate analysis showed that there was no significant difference in gender and education level between patients with and without fear of falling (P > 0.05). There were significant differences in age, type of replacement, past fall history, pain score, anxiety, depression, types of chronic diseases and visual impairment between patients with and without fall fear (P < 0.05). (3) The multivariate Logistic analysis showed that age (≥70 years old), visual analogue scale pain score of 7-10, anxiety and past fall history were risk factors for falling fear (P < 0.05). (4) It is suggested that elderly patients have a higher incidence of fear of falling when going to the ground for the first time after hip and knee arthroplasties. Post-operative pain, anxiety, age and history of falling are risk factors affecting fear of falling. Clinical attention should be paid to these risk factors in order to alleviate fear of falling and promote early recovery.

Objective:To solve the movement mode adapting to individual differences for the trajectory planning of lower limb rehabilitation robots. Methods:After summarizing the six movement modes of the lower limb rehabilitation robot, according to the multi-rigid body theory of the human body, the exoskeleton of the lower limb rehabilitation robot was simplified into a two-bar linkage mechanism, the inverse kinematics analysis of the motion mode was performed, and the motion pattern solving system was designed based on C#. Results:The motion mode joint angle value calculated based on the C# motion mode solving system was transmitted to the upper computer, and the six motion modes were successfully applied to the lower limb rehabilitation robot. Through the inversion kinematics analysis of the motor model, the C#-designed motion mode solving system could solve the motorized joint angle values that adapted to individual of different leg lengths with lower extremity motor dysfunction. Through physical prototype experiments, the lower limb rehabilitation robot could drive the human body model for rehabilitation training according to the planned exercise mode. The actual joint angle curve and the theoretical joint angle curve were basically coincident, the joint angle error was small. Conclusion:The individual difference motion pattern solution is valid and feasible.

OBJECTIVE：To inv estigate the effects of 4-hydroxy-2（3H）-benzoxazolone on inflammatory and apoptosis signaling pathways in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease （NAFLD）model rats. METHODS ：SD rats were divided into normal control group（10 rats）and modeling group （50 rats）. Normal control group was given basic diet ，and modeling group were given high-fat diet to induce NAFLD model. After modeling ，the rats were divided into normal control group ，model group ，silibinin group （26.25 mg/kg），and 4-hydroxy-2（3H）-benzoxazolone high-dose ，medium-dose and low-dose groups （100，50，25 mg/kg），with 8 rats in each group. Normal control group and modeling group were given 0.6％ CMC-Na intragastrically ，and other groups were given relevant medicine 10 mL/kg intragastrically ，once a day ，for consecutive 4 weeks. After last medication ，the serum levels of albumin（ALB），total protein （TP），globulin（GLB），ALB/GLB and free fatty acid （FFA）were detected ；TUNEL staining was used to observe the apoptosis of rat hepatocytes. Western blot assay was used to detect the protein expression and phosphorylation level of inflammatory signaling pathway related proteins [Toll-like receptor 4（TLR4），myeloid differentiation factor 88（MyD88）， nuclear factor-κB p65（NF-κB p65），NF-κB inhibitor protein（IκBα）] in liver tissue as well as the expression of apoptosis signaling pathway related proteins [B cell lymphoma 2（Bcl-2），Bax，caspase-3]. RESULTS ：Compared with model group ，serum levels of TP （except for low-dose group ），GLB and FFA ，the protein expression of TLR 4（except for low-dose group ），MyD88 （except for medium-dose group ）and caspase- 3，the phosphorylation levels of NF-κB p65 and IκBα protein were decreased significantly（P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. The ratio of A LB/GLB in serum and the ratio of Bcl- 2/Bax in liver tissue were significantly increased（P＜0.05 or P＜0.01），and the phenomenon of hepatocyte apoptosis was improved. CONCLUSIONS ：4-hydroxy-2 （3H）-benzoxazolone can ameliorate NAFLD in rats ，and the mechanism may be associated with inhibiting the expression TLR 4/ MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathway-related proteins and apoptosis-related proteins in liver tissues.

OBJECTIVE: This research was designed to investigate the regulation of mangiferin on superoxide dismutase (SOD) isozyme expressionin rats with cigarettesmoke-induced chronic bronchitis, plus withthe protection on bronchial epithelial cellsultrastructure and anti-inflammatory action. METHODS: The rat model with chronic bronchitis was established by cigarette smoke. Real-time fluorescence RT-PCR was executed for evaluating the SOD1, SOD2 and SOD3 gene expression in lung tissue, and enzyme-linked im-muno sorbent assay (ELISA) for SOD1, SOD2 and SOD3 protein level. As well, interleukin-1 (IL-1), tumor necrosis factor-a (TNF-a) and malondialdehyde (MDA) level in lung tissue were detected by ELISA. Furthermore, the bronchial epithelial cellsultrastructure was observed under transmission electron microscopy. The histopathological images was obtained by lung tissue HE staining slides. RESULTS: The cigarette smokeresulted in a markedly down-regulation expressions of SOD1, SOD2 and SOD3 in lung tissue. The down-regulation expressions of SOD1 and SOD2 in lung tissue cannot be antagonized by mangiferin. However, mangiferin significantly inhibited the down-regulation of SOD3, and markedly decreased IL-1, TNF-a and MDA. Furthermore, the structural completeness of the bronchial epithelial cellsultrastructure was maintainedin a good attitude by mangiferin, while the greatly reduced chronic bronchitis was found. CONCLUSION: Mangiferin can obviously reduce the chronic bronchitis induced by cigarette smoke and keep the bronchial epithelial cells from damage. The protective action might not rely only on anantagonistic action on down-regulated SOD3 expression in lung tissue by mangiferin.

Objective:To investigate the effect of electroacupuncture at Jiaji (EX-B2) points and Stomach Meridian Foot-Yang Ming points on the neurological function and the expression of local Synapsin I in rats after spinal cord injury, and to explore its molecular mechanism. Methods:A total of 60 Sprague-Dawley rats were established spinal cord injury model and they were randomly divided into normal control group, Jiaji group and Yang Ming group, with 20 rats in each group. On the third day after operation, Jiaji group and Yang Ming group were treated with electroacupuncture while the normal control group was not. Their neurological function was assessed with BBB every day. Four rats in each group were sacrificed at the end of the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th week during the intervention period. HE staining was used to observe the morphology of spinal cord. Immumohistochemical staining was used to detect the expression of Synapsin I protein. Reverse transcription real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and Western blotting was used to detect the content of of Synapsin I mRNA and protein. Results:The BBB scores were higher in Jiaji group and Yang Ming group than in the normal control group at all the time points (P < 0.05), and were higher in Yang Ming group than in Jiaji group from one to three weeks (P < 0.05). The immunohistochemical scores of Synapsin I protein were higher in Jiaji group than in the normal control group in the first week (P < 0.05), and were higher in Yang Ming group than in the normal control group from one to four weeks (P < 0.05). The immunohistochemical scores of Synapsin I protein were higher in Yang Ming group than in Jiaji group from three to four weeks (P < 0.05). The expression of Synapsin I mRNA and protein first increased and then decreased in the normal control group; which was higher in Jiaji group than in the normal control group in the first week (P < 0.05) and was higher in Yang Ming group than in the normal control group from one to four weeks (P < 0.05). The Synapsin I mRNA expression in the third week and the Synapsin I protein expression from two to three weeks was higher in Yang Ming group than in Jiaji group (P < 0.05). Conclusion:Electroacupuncture at both Jiaji points and Stomach Meridian Foot-Yang Ming points promote the recovery of nerve function in rats with spinal cord injury. It may be related to the elevated level of Synapsin I in the damaged parts of the spinal cord.

Background Exposure to heavy metals has potential adverse impacts on human health, and the concentration of heavy metals in abandoned mining areas may still be higher than that in general areas, so the health risk assessment in such areas cannot be ignored. Objective To explore the health risk of heavy metal exposure and the spatial distribution characteristics of associated main metals in a typical abandoned mining area. Methods Environmental samples of irrigated soil, rice, and drinking water were collected from 13 natural villages under the jurisdiction of a township in Liuzhou, Guangxi from November to December 2019, where a typical abandoned mining was located. Finally, 13 irrigation soil samples, 11 rice samples, and 13 drinking water samples were collected. The concentrations of six metals and metalloid elements in each environmental sample were detected by inductively coupled-plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), including cadmium (Cd), arsenic (As), lead (Pb), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), and zinc (Zn). At the same time, 251 local residents were recruited for health risk assessment. Model parameters such as body weight, rice intake, and drinking water intake of local residents were obtained through field survey, and the median metal concentration of each environmental sample was taken as the risk assessment parameter of the region. The health risk of heavy metal exposure of local residents was assessed by using oral health risk assessment model of U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The spatial distribution characteristics of health risks associated with heavy metals were evaluated by empirical Bayes interpolation method using Geographic Information System (GIS) technology. Results The positive rates of Cd, As, Pb, Cr, Cu, and Zn in the irrigated soil samples were 100.00%. The positive rate of Pb was 63.64% in the rice samples, while the rates of other metals were 100.00%. The positive rates of Cd, As, Pb, Cr, Cu, and Zn in the drinking water samples were 53.85%, 76.92%, 92.31%, 15.38%, 84.62%, and 100.00%, respectively. The results of non-carcinogenic risk assessment of oral exposure to heavy metals suggested that the contribution of heavy metals causing non-carcinogenic risk from high to low was As (70.52%) > Cd (18.03%) > Zn (6.63%) > Cu (4.12%) > Pb (0.64%) > Cr (0.06%), and the corresponding estimated non-carcinogenic risk values were 3.54 × 10⁰, 9.05 × 10⁻¹, 3.33 × 10⁻¹, 2.07 × 10⁻¹, 3.23 × 10⁻², and 5.42 × 10⁻⁴, respectively. The results of carcinogenic risk assessment of oral exposure to heavy metals suggested that the contribution of studied metals from high to low was Cd (87.00%) > As (10.24%) > Cr (2.60%) > Pb (0.16%), and the estimated carcinogenic risks were 4.35× 10⁻³, 5.12 × 10⁻⁴, 1.30 × 10⁻⁴, and 3.08 × 10⁻⁷, respectively. Rice was the leading media associated with non-carcinogenic risk and carcinogenic risk (99.4% and 99.8% respectively). The spatial distribution characteristics of GIS showed no obvious regularity in the distribution of As in irrigated soil, rice, and drinking water. In rice and irrigated soil, the content of Cd in the villages adjacent to the mining area was obviously higher than that in the other villages, while in drinking water, the content in the villages far away from the mining area was higher. Conclusion As and Cd are the main heavy metals that increase the health risk of local residents in a typical abandoned mining area, and the distribution characteristics of the two heavy metals in different environmental media are not completely consistent.

BACKGROUNDEpidemiologic studies have reported inconsistent results regarding tea consumption and the risk of pancreatic cancer. This study aimed to investigate whether tea consumption is related to the risk of pancreatic cancer.

METHODSWe searched Medline, EMBASE, ISI Web of Science, and the Cochrane library for studies published up to November 2013. We used a meta-analytic approach to estimate overall odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) for the highest versus the lowest tea consumption categories.

RESULTSThe summary OR for high versus no/almost never tea drinkers was 1.04 (95% CI: 0.91-1.20), with no significant heterogeneity across studies (P = 0.751; I(2) = 0.0%). The OR was 0.99 (95% CI: 0.77-1.28) in males and 1.01 (95% CI: 0.79-1.29) in females. The OR was 1.07 (95% CI: 0.85-1.34) in Asian studies, 1.05 (95% CI: 0.84-1.31) in European studies, and 0.98 (95% CI: 0.72-1.34) in the US studies. The OR was 0.87 (95% CI: 0.69-1.10) without adjustment for a history of diabetes and 1.16 (95% CI: 0.97-0.39) after adjustment for a history of diabetes. The OR was 0.90 (95% CI: 0.72-1.12) without adjustment for alcohol drinking and 1.16 (95% CI: 0.96-1.39) after adjustment for alcohol drinking. The OR was 0.97 (95% CI: 0.76-1.25) without adjustment for BMI and 1.07 (95% CI: 0.87-1.31) after adjustment for BMI.

CONCLUSIONThis systematic meta-analysis of cohort studies dose not provide quantitative evidence that tea consumption is appreciably related to the risk of pancreatic cancer, even at high doses.