OBJECTIVETo assess the efficacy of tendons of minimally invasive therapy (TMIT) combined drug therapy by comparing it with treatment by drug therapy alone on patients with knee osteoarthritis (KOA).

METHODSTotally 60 KOA patients were assigned to the treatment group and the control group according to random digit table, 30 in each group. Patients in the control group took Hydrochloric Acid Glucosamine Capsule and Celecoxib Capsule. Patients in the treatment group additionally received TMIT. The treatment course for all was 4 weeks. Scores for visual analogue scale (VAS) and the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities (WOMAC) Osteoarthritis Index were observed and recorded at week 1 and 4 after treatment by acupotomology mirror.

RESULTSCompared with before treatment, improvement was shown in VAS score, pain and stiffness degrees, activities and functions, and WOMAC scores at week 1 and 4 after treatment in all patients with statistical difference (P < 0.05). Besides, better effect was shown in the treatment group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSTMIT combined drug therapy could relieve KOA patients' pain, stiffness and joint activities, elevate the overall efficacy. TMIT was easily operated with less injury.

Celecoxib ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; methods ; Humans ; Knee Joint ; Osteoarthritis, Knee ; drug therapy ; Pain ; Pain Measurement ; Tendons ; Treatment Outcome

Objective To determine whether stroke volume variation (SVV) in relation to volume loading in mechanically ventilated patients with septic shock.Methods Data of thirty-two mechanically ventilated patients with septic shock admitted from Dec 2009 to May 2012 were prospectively analyzed.Cardiac index (CI),stroke volume (SV),systemic vascular resistance index (SVRI) and stroke volume variation (SVV) were measured by FloTrac/Vigileo before and after fluid resuscitation (250 mL saline in 10 min).Patients with an increase in SV (△SV) ≥ 10％ and ＜ 10％ after fluid volume loading were classified as responders and non-responders,respectively.The comparisons between these two sorts of patients were assessed by using two sample Student' s t-test,and comparisons between changes before and after fluid challenge were assessed by using a paired Student' s t-test.A Pearson' s correlation analysis was employed for evaluate the correlation between △SV and other haemodynamic variables.The roles of SVV,central venous pressure (CVP),mean artery pressure (MAP) and the changes of CVP (△CVP),MAP (△MAP) after fluid administration in predicting volume responsiveness were evaluated by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve.Results Thirty-two patients with septic shock were included in this study.There were 54 instances of fluid challenge performed,among which 35 instances were defined as response group.Significantly increased SV induced by fluid challenge was assigned into response group (83.6 ± 15.6) mL vs.(68.5 ± 14.2) mL,P ＜0.01,while in non-response group,there were no significant change in SV (P ＞0.05).SVV was significantly correlated with SV before fluid loading (r =0.522,P ＜ 0.01).The area under the ROC curve (AUC) for stroke volume variation (SVV) was 0.898 (95％ CI:0.796-1.000).Using SVV ≥ 11.5％ as the threshold to predict fluid responsiveness,the sensitivity was 94％ and specificity was 84％.Conclusions SVV can be used to predict fluid responsiveness in patients with septic shock.

Objective To explore the correlation of CT perfusion imaging with microvessel density (MVD) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in hepatic alveolar echinococcosis (HAE).Methods Multi-slice spiral CT perfusion imaging was performed in 27 patients with HAE.Time-density curves(TDC) of the HAE peripheral area was drawn from the region of interest (ROI) with perfusion functional software.CT perfusion parameters including blood flow ( BF ),blood volume ( BV ),mean transit time(MTT) and permeability surface area product (PS) were calculated.MVD and VEGF expression of pathological specimens were examined by immunohistochemical staining with anti-CD34,anti-VEGF monoclonal antibody.The CT perfusion parameters,MVD and VEGF were compared in different types of TDC with t test.The correlation of CT perfusion parameters with MVD and VEGF were analyzed with Spearman test.Results In this group,21 cases which TDC lower than that of the liver were classified as type Ⅰ,the others 6 cases TDC higher than the liver were of type Ⅱ TDC.TDC perfusion parameters of the two types were as follows,BF:( 111.7 + 27.6),( 158.9 + 39.5 ) ml · 100 g- 1 · min - 1,BV:( 15.1 + 6.2),(26.8+8.4) ml/100 g,MTT:(7.0+4.4),(7.7+3.1) s,PS:(51.7 +17.3),(51.0+20.5) ml·100 g-1 · min-1.The significant differences of BF,BV and MVD[ (20.5 +5.4)/HP,(37.2 ±7.5)/HP,respectively ] were found between two types ( t =- 7.897,- 18.783,- 5.223,P ＜ 0.05,respectively).There were no significant differences in MTT,PS and VEGF expression(2.1 ± 1.0,3.2 ± 1.0,respectively)between two types of TDC(P ＞0.05).The correlation was found between the MVD and BF and BV in the type Ⅱ TDC group( r =0.789 and 0.878,respectively) and no correlation was found between MVD and each CT perfusion parameters in the type Ⅰ TDC group ( P ＞ 0.05 ).There was no correlation between the VEGF expression and CT perfusion parameters in two types of TDC ( P ＞ 0.05 ).Conclusion CT perfusion imaging with different type of TDC reflected different situation of angiogenesis in HAE peripheral area,which could be a potential technique to illustrate the microcirculation of this disease.

Objective To investigate the effect of fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) in increasing the accuracy and detection rate of chromosome aneuploid from spontaneous abortion specimens.Methods Chromosome 13,21,16 and 22 single sequence probes and centromere probes of 18,X and Y chromosome probes were used to detect 100 cases of spontaneous abortion villi samples.The results were compared with conventional karyotype analysis.Results (1) Karyotype analysis:Among 89 successfully cultured villi samples,51 abnormal karyotypes (57.3％) were found,including 37 cases of autosomal aneuploidies,four sex chromosome aneuploidies,two triploids,one tetraploid,one 68,XX and six chromosome structural aberrations.(2) FISH:The detection rate of abnormal karyotype was 38.0％ (38/100),among which 25 cases were autosomal aneuploidies,five sex chromosome aneuploidies,three triploids,four XX chimeras and one triploid in chromosome 13,16,18 and 21.(3) Comparison of the two methods:Among the 11 samples which failed by conventional method,FISH found two abnormal samples.In specimens of 46,XY,three cases showed mosaicism by FISH.In specimens of 46,XX,two cases showed chromosomal abnormalities by FISH.FISH detected overall 65.5％ (38/58) of the chromosomal abnormalities.Conclusions FISH combined with conventional chromosome analysis could improve the accuracy and detection rate of abnormal karyotypes in spontaneous abortion specimens.

Background Research demonstrated that alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid GluR2 (AMPA-GluR2) is associated with amblyopia.It has been shown that levodopa and cytidine diphosphate choline can improve visual function of amblyopic children,but the mechanism is unclear.Objective This study was to explore the possible effects of levodopa and cytidine diphosphate choline on amblyopia.Methods Monocular deprivation (MD) animal models were created in 60 2-week-old SD rats by monolateral eyelid suturing and observed for 31 days and reared in natural light together with 15 other matched normal healthy SD rats.The models were randomly divided into the MD group,levodopa group,cytidine diphosphate choline group and normal saline control group,with 15 rats for each group.40 mg/kg of levodopa,80 mg/kg of cytidine diphosphate choline,I ml normal saline were given to the rats,respectively,for 28 consecutive days.Expressions of the AMPA-CluR2 protein and AMPA-CluR2 mRNA in the rat visual cortex were detected by immunohistochemistry,Western blot and real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR.Use of the animals followed the Regulations for the Administration of Affairs Concerning Experimental Animals by State Science and Technology Commission.Results The expression values of the AMPA-GluR2 protein (AMPA-GluR2/β-actin) and AMPA-GluR2 mRNA (2-△△Ct) were significantly lower in the MD group than those of the normal control group (protein:0.32 ± 0.02 vs.0.64 ± 0.05,t =13.287,P＜0.05 ;mRNA:0.30±0.01 vs.0.84±0.03,t=38.184,P＜0.05).Those in the levodopa group were significantly increased in comparison with the normal saline solution group (protein:0.59 ±0.04 vs.0.33 ±0.03,t =11.628,P＜0.05 ; mRNA:0.71±0.06 vs.0.33 ±0.02,t =13.435,P＜0.05).The expression values of the AMPA-GluR2 protein and AMPA-GluR2 mRNA were significantly increased in the cytidine diphosphate choline group compared with the normal saline solution group (protein:0.52 ± 0.04 vs.0.33 ± 0.03,t =8.497,P ＜ 0.05 ; mRNA:0.48± 0.04 vs.0.33 ± 0.02,t =7.500,P＜0.05).Conclusions AMPA-GluR2 is associated with the plasticity of visual development.Levodopa and cytidine diphosphate choline may improve visual function by down-regulating the expression of AMPA-GluR2 in the visual cortex.

Objective:To investigate the clinical efficacy, safety and tolerance of different enteral nutritional therapy in the treatment of moderately severe acute pancreatitis (MSAP).Methods:From January 2018 to January 2019, 65 patients with MSAP who were hospitalized in Beijing Chao-Yang Hospital, Capital Medical University were prospectively enrolled. According to random number table, the patients were divided into the nasogastric tube enteral nutrition (NGEN) group (35 cases) and the nasojejunal tube enteral nutrition (NJEN) group (30 cases). All the patients received enteral nutrition solution through continuously pumping at a constant speed for 24 h. The two groups were compared in the relief time of abdominal pain, time from admission to receiving enteral nutrition treatment, time to resume oral feeding, computed tomography severity index (CTSI) score 1 week after enteral nutrition, nutrition status, infection parameters, hospitalization time, hospitalization expenses and complications. Independent sample t test and rank sum test of two independent samples were used for statistical analysis. Results:There were no significant differences in age, gender, body mass index (BMI), CTSI score and Ranson score at admission, relief time of abdominal pain, time from admission to receiving enteral nutrition treatment, time to resume oral feeding, CTSI score one week after enteral nutrition or hospitalization time between NGEN group and NJEN group (all P>0.05), and there was no death in both groups. The cost of hospitalization, catheterization time, cost of catheterization of NGEN group were all lower than those of NJEN group ((40.0±10.0) thousand yuan vs. (40.4±9.0) thousand yuan; 2.00 min (1.50 min, 2.50 min) vs. 11.50 min (9.50 min, 12.75 min); 135.42 yuan (135.42 yuan, 135.42 yuan) vs. 1 313.30 yuan (1231.20 yuan, 1 823.72 yuan)), and the differences were statistically significant ( t=2.342, Z=6.737 and 7.687, all P<0.01). The albumin levels of MSAP patients of the NGEN group at admission and 1 week after enteral nutrition were both higher than those of NJEN group ((43.5±5.1) g/L vs. (41.0±4.0) g/L, (42.1±4.1) g/L vs. (39.5±4.4) g/L), and the differences were statistically significant ( t=2.135 and 2.486, P=0.04 and 0.02), however there was no statistically significant difference in the decrease of albumin level between the two groups ( P>0.05). There were no statistically significant differences in the incidence of nutrition-related complications (abdominal distension, diarrhea, gastric retention and lumen obstruction) or the incidence of severe complications (transient organ failure and pancreatic necrosis complicated with infection) between NGEN group and NJEN group (all P>0.05). Conclusions:The efficacy and safety of NGEN are equivalent to NJEN in MSAP. Moreover, it can reduce the medical expenses of patients, and it is convenient to carry out in primary hospitals because of its easy operation.

Background Quartz dust cannot be degraded in the lungs, and inhalation of a large amount of quartz dust in the occupational production process will lead to the occurrence of pulmonary fibrosis, and then develop into silicosis. In recent years, studies have found that exosomes may be involved in the pathogenesis of fibrotic diseases by carrying microribonucleic acid (miRNA), but the mechanism of their actions in silicosis still needs to be studied. Objective To investigate the role of exosome-derived miRNA-21-5p/mothers against decapentaplegic homolog 7 (Smad7) in quartz dust-induced pulmonary fibrosis in rats. Methods Twenty-four healthy male SD rats were randomly divided into four groups (six rats in each group): control 4-week group, control 16-week group, quartz 4-week group, and quartz 16-week group. At the beginning of the experiment, 1 mL of quartz suspension (50 mg·mL⁻¹) and 1 mL of normal saline were injected into the trachea of rats in the quartz group and the control group, respectively, by means of one-time non-exposure intratracheal dust staining. Alveolar lavage was performed at the 4th and 16th weeks after dust staining, the exosomes in lavage solution were extracted by polyethylene glycol (PEG) precipitation, morphological identification was conducted by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), particle size of exosomes was detected by nano-tracking analysis (NTA), and the marker proteins CD9 and CD63 of exosomes were detected by Western blotting (WB). The expression of miRNA-21-5p in exosomes was determined by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The degree of lung tissue injury and fibrosis was observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining (HE) and Masson staining. The collagen content of lung tissue was detected by hydroxyproline (HYP) method. The expression of Smad7 protein in lung tissue was detected by WB. Results The results of pathological staining showed that compared with the control group, lung inflammatory cell infiltration, alveolar wall thickening, and collagen increase were observed after 4 weeks of dusting, and collagen deposition and silicon nodules appeared after 16 weeks of dusting. Compared with the control group, the expression level of HYP in the lung tissue of the quartz group was increased after 4 weeks and 16 weeks of dust staining (P<0.05). Transmission electron microscopy showed that exosomes were saucer-shaped, and the average particle size of exosomes was 95.8 nm by NTA. Positive expression of exosome marker proteins CD9 and CD81 was found by WB. Compared with the control group, the expression of exosome-derived miRNA-21-5p in alveolar lavage fluid in the quartz group increased in the 4th week and the 16th week (P<0.05), and the expression of Smad7 protein in lung tissue decreased (P<0.05). Conclusion Exosome-derived miRNA-21-5p and Smad7 may be involved in the mechanism of quartz dust-induced pulmonary fibrosis in rats.

Objective: To explore the effects of subchronic aluminum exposure on the level of N6-methyladenosine (m6A) methylation and the expression of N6-methyladenosine RNA binding protein 1 (YTHDF1) in the hippocampus of rats. Methods: Twenty-four healthy male SD rats were randomly divided into the control group (normal saline), the low dose group [10 μmol/kg Al(mal)3], the medium dose group [20 μmol/kg Al(mal)3] and the high dose group [40 μmol/kg Al(mal)3], with 6 rats in each group. The Al(mal)3 solution was administered via intraperitoneal injection on alternate days for 90 days. Escape latency, target quadrant dwell time and platform crossing times were tested to evaluate the learning and memory ability of the rats by the Morris water maze test after exposure. The brain tissue was weighted and the brain-to-body weight ratio was calculated after euthanasia. The level of m6A methylation and the expression of YTHDF1 were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and western blot assay, respectively. Results: All rats survived during aluminum exposure period. The brain-to-body weight ratios of the control group and the low, medium and high dose groups were (0.46±0.06)%, (0.44±0.04)%, (0.49±0.06)% and (0.51±0.07)%, respectively, with no statistically significant differences (P>0.05). The escape latency of rats in the high dose group was longer than that in control and low group during the third to fifth day (both P>0.05). The escape latency of rats in all groups was shortened with the increase of training days (P<0.05). The target quadrant dwell time of rats in low, medium and high dose groups were lower than that in control group, and the platform crossing times of rats in high dose group were lower than that in control group (all P<0.05). The methylation level of m6A and expression level of YTHDF1 in hippocampus of rats in medium and high dose groups was higher than that in control group (both P<0.05). Conclusion The learning and memory impairment caused by subchronic aluminum exposure may be related to the increase of m6A methylation level and the decrease of YTHDF1 expression.

With the widespread clinical application of neoadjuvant chemotherapy, it has become an essential part of combination therapy for patients with breast cancer. However, a rapid, accurate, and effective approach for assessing the therapeutic efficacy of neoadjuvant chemotherapy is unavailable. Routine physical examinations cannot provide effective clinical evaluation. Although imaging techniques play an important role in evaluating the therapeutic effect of neoadjuvant chemotherapy, this is limited because it only detects morphologic changes. Blood oxygen detection for breast diseases is an emerging diagnostic technique that has distinctive merit in assessing the efficacy of chemotherapy. Biologic markers are becoming more important in assessing the effect of neoadjuvant chemotherapy for patients with breast cancer. This review summarizes the principles and the current applied practice of these approaches to evaluate the effect of neoadjuvant chemotherapy for patients with breast cancer.