BACKGROUND:Mechanical, inflammatory, and biochemical factors, particularly matrix metaloproteinases and reactive oxygen lead to chondrocyte degeneration in osteoarthritis. Curcumin has been shown to be a potent antioxidant; however, its protective effects against chondrocyte degeneration in osteoarthritis remain unclear.
OBJECTIVE:To investigate the potential molecular mechanisms underlying the protective effects of curcumin on articular cartilage of osteoarthritis in rats.
METHODS:A total of 30 Sprague-Dawley rats were used and randomly divided into model group (positive control,n=15) and normal group (negative control,n=15). Rat models of traumatic osteoarthritis were established, and then cartilage cels were isolated from articular cartilage and culturedin vitro. Chondrocytes were treated with curcumin (curcumin group) or PDTC (an inhibitor of nuclear factor-kappa B) for 24 hours. The expression level of nuclear factor-kappa B P65 in nucleus and cytoplasm in chondrocytes were determined by western blot assay and immunofluorescence. Moreover, mRNA expressions of type II colagen, matrix metaloproteinase-1 and -13 were analyzed using RT-qPCR.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Nuclear factor-kappa B P65 protein was mainly expressed in nucleus, but few in cytoplasm in positive control group; the reversed results were found in the curcumin group. Nuclear translocation of nuclear factor-kappa B P65 was observed mainly in nucleus in the positive control group; however, that was observed mainly in cytoplasm in the negative control, curcumin, and PDTC groups. Matrix metaloproteinase-1 and -13 mRNA expressions were significantly decreased, while type II colagen mRNA expression was significantly increased in the curcumin group compared with the positive control group. These findings indicated that curcumin protect chondrocytes against degeneration through inhibiting the activation of nuclear factor-kappa B signaling pathway, suppressing nuclear translocation of nuclear factor-kappa B P65 and inhibiting the expressions of matrix metaloproteinase-1 and -13, which are responsible for upregulation of type II colagen expression.

BACKGROUND:Intra-articular injection of sodium hyaluronate or dexamethasone can relieve pain and increase range of motion after traumatic arthritis. OBJECTIVE:To observe the effect of dexamethasone combined with sodium hyaluronate on traumatic arthritis of rat knees. METHODS:Forty-eight Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into four groups. The anterior ligament of the left knee was resected and the medial meniscus was removed to establish models of traumatic arthritis in al the rats. After 3 weeks, the four groups were respectively injected dexamethasone+sodium hyaluronate (combined group), dexamethasone, sodium hyaluronate, and nothing (control group). After 4, 8, 12 weeks of injection, the samples were obtained for gross observation, anteroposterior and lateral X-ray films and hematoxylin-eosin staining. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:At 12 weeks after injection, X-ray films showed that there was no stenosis in the combined group, mild stenosis in the dexamethasone and sodium hyaluronate groups, and obvious stenosis in the control group (indicating severe osteoarthritis);hematoxylin-eosin staining exhibited the fibrous cartilage-like tissue grew wel in the combined group, varying degrees of proliferation of fibrous cartilage-like cells were visible in the dexamethasone and sodium hyaluronate groups, and there was a smal amount of fibrosis in the control group. These findings suggest that the combination of dexamethasone and sodium hyaluronate can improve the cartilage repair and restore the joint function.

Objective To investigate the toxic reaction,toxic organs or target tissues of protamine recombinant human insulin (Insulin NPH),and provide basis for clinical trials by single dose toxicity test in mice,repeated toxicity and immunogenicity of Beagle's dogs,and systemic active allergy in guinea pig.Methods ① Using maximum dose method,mice in single dose toxicity test were sc injected with normal saline (NS),vehicle,and Insulin NPH (2092-2488 IU/kg),the toxic reactions after injection were monitored.② In repeated toxicity study,Beagle's dogs were sc administrated with vehicle,the original (Humulin NPH,1.5 IU/kg)and different doses of Insulin NPH (0.5,1.0 and 1.5 IU/kg) for 30 d continuously,followed by a 14-d recovery.During the administration and recovery period,general observation,local irritation,body weight,anus temperature,blood glucose,and electrocardiogram (ECG) were checked,moreover,hematology,serum biochemistry and urine were detected.Also,organic weights and histopathological examination were conducted.Binding antibodies in dog serum were measured by indirect ELISA method in immunogenicity test.③ In systemic active allergy study,cavies were sc injected with low-and high-dose (4 and 12 IU/kg) Insulin NPH,normal saline and vehicle.Besides,ova as positive control was also included.After five times of sensitization test with above doses,the excitation reactions of iv injection with tripled sensitizing doses were observed.Results No obvious toxicity was observed in mice after injected with 165 times of usual clinical dose of Insulin NPH.Repeated toxicity study of Beagle's dogs revealed that 1.0 IU/kg was the no-toxic-effect dose (NOAEL) for Insulin NPH,which was equivalent to 2 times of clinical dose.No bindingantibodies were found in immunogenicity test.There was no obvious allergic symptom in the active systemic allergy study of guinea pig.Conclusion Under the experimental conditions,no serious toxicity of Insulin NPH is found.

OBJECTIVETo explore the impact of plasma homocysteinemia(Hcy) on contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients.

METHODSConsecutive 684 ACS patients undergoing first PCI in our department between January 2013 and December 2014 were prospectively enrolled.Patients were divided into 2 groups according to the pre-procedural plasma Hcy level: high-Hcy group (Hcy≥10 μmol/L, n=404) and control group (Hcy<10 μmol/L, n=280). The CIN was defined as serum creatinine ≥ 44.2 μmol/L or 25% increase compared to baseline within 48-72 h after PCI.The baseline clinical data and the ratio of CIN were compared between the 2 groups.Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to define the independent risk factors for CIN.

RESULTSCIN occurred in 133(19.4%) out of 684 enrolled patients, and the incidence of CIN was significantly higher in high Hcy group than in the control group (22.0%(89/404)vs. 15.7%(44/280), P=0.040). After adjusting the confounding factors, including age, acute myocardial infarction, co-morbidities(hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and old myocardial infarction), laboratory examination (level of cystatin C and uric acid), glomerular filtration rate, left ventricular ejection fraction, angiographic and procedural characteristics (3 diseased vessels, multiple stent implantation), treatment at admission (spironolactone, digoxin), multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that high Hcy was independently associated with the development of CIN (OR=1.70, 95%CI 1.60-2.64, P=0.021).

CONCLUSIONElevated Hcy prior PCI is an independent risk factor of CIN in ACS patients undergoing first PCI.

Acute Coronary Syndrome ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Glomerular Filtration Rate ; Humans ; Hyperhomocysteinemia ; Incidence ; Kidney Diseases ; Myocardial Infarction ; Percutaneous Coronary Intervention ; Risk Factors ; Ventricular Function, Left

Objective:To survey the application of an intelligent consultation system for common eye diseases and evaluate its applicational effectiveness on an internet hospital platform.Methods:A cross-sectional study was performed in Zhongshan Ophthalmic Centre of Sun Yat-sen University.Natural language processing technology was applied to develop the intelligent consultation system for common eye diseases.Its efficiency and quality were evaluated.The survey data were collected from February 1 to 29, 2020 to analyze the demographic information, consultation time, consultation category, consultation content, service satisfaction.This study protocal was approved by an Ethic Committee of Zhongshan Ophthalmic Centre of Sun Yat-sen University(2020KYPJ095).Results:The intelligent consultation system for common eye diseases was developed and successfully deployed in Internet Hospital of Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center.The repeatability and accuracy of the intelligent consultation system were 100.0% and 99.8%, respectively.During February 1 to 29, 2020, the intelligent consultation system served 6 462 patients, including 3 082 males(47.7%) and 3 380 females(52.3%). The average age of patients was 32.3 years old.Total of 1 135(17.6%) patients used the intelligent guidance consultation, and 5 375(82.4%) patients used the intelligent outpatient consultation.The intelligence consultation system was applied by 223 patients per day with a maximum of 74 patients per hour.The survey showed that 25.6% and 36.4% of the patients felt very satisfied and relatively satisfied with the efficiency of the intelligent consultation service, respectively; 24.3% and 37.8% of the patients were very satisfied and relatively satisfied with the quality of the intelligent consultation service, respectively.Conclusions:Intelligent consultation system for common eye diseases can meet the needs of patients because of its high repeatability and accuracy.Patients are satisfied with the service efficiency and quality of the intelligent consultation system, which avoids the risk of cross infection and releases the burden of medical staff.

Objective: To investigate the current situation of emotional and behavioral problems and analyze the influencing factors of middle school students. Methods: The general information questionnaire, the strengths and difficulties questionnaire (student version), and the illinois bullying scale were used to evaluate 680 students in two middle schools in Hunan province.Statistical analysis was performed using t test, analysis of variance, Pearson correlation analysis and stepwise multiple regression analysis. Results: (1) The detection rate of total difficulty (12.09±5.67), conduct problem (2.42±1.66), hyperactivity/attention defect (3.65±2.08), emotional (2.82±2.32), peer relationship problem (3.21±1.79) and pre-socialization behavior (7.02±2.39) were 11.2%, 11.2%, 7.7%, 6.9%, 11.0% and 14.5%.(2)The scores of total difficulties, conduct problem, hyperactivity/attention deficit and peer relationship problems of boys were higher than that of girls(t=2.79, 4.03, 2.44, 3.40, all P<0.05), while the score of pre-socialization behavior of boys was lower than that of girls (t=-5.29, P<0.05). (3) The scores of total difficulties, conduct and peer relations, pre-socialization of rural students were significantly different with those of urban students(t=-3.93, -2.55, -7.00, 5.26, all P<0.05). (4) The score of total difficulties, conduct problem, hyperactivity/attention deficit and emotional symptoms of left-behind students were higher than that of un-left-behind students (t=-3.18, -2.50, -2.67, -2.40, 2.19, all P<0.05). (5) Middle school students with different fathers' education levels showed different scores of total difficulties, peer relationship problem and pre-socialized behavior(F=3.84, 7.10, 6.20, all P<0.05), while middle school students with different mothers' education levels showed different scores of total difficulties and peer relationship problem(F=3.97, 7.38, both P<0.05). (6) The scores of total difficulties, emotional symptoms, conduct problems, and hyperactivity/attention deficit of the middle school students were significantly positively correlated with the total score of the bullying total scale, the bullish subscale, the bullying subscale, and the fighting subscale(r=0.165-0.430, P<0.05). (7) Gender, urban and rural areas, left-behind or not, maternal education level, bullying, being bullied, fighting were the influencing factors of middle school students' emotion and behavior problems(β=0.010-0.533, P<0.05). Conclusion Some middle school students in Hunan province have emotional and behavioral problems and more attention should bo paid to mental health education.