Gouty arthritis is a type of metabolic rheumatic disease caused by autoimmune abnormalities. Currently, the use of Western medicine in the clinical treatment of gouty arthritis has been associated with a high risk of adverse reactions. Therefore, there is a growing interest in exploring therapeutic drugs from traditional Chinese medicine as a potential alternative. According to the theory of traditional Chinese medicine, gouty arthritis has been classified as damp-heat arthralgia syndrome. Shirebi granules has been found to have good clinical efficacy in treating gouty arthritis. However, its underlying pharmacological mechanisms remain unclear. To address this problem, the study first established the interaction network of candidate targets for Shirebi granules, which is used to treat damp-heat syndrome of gouty arthritis. Then, the key candidate targets of Shirebi granules for treating gouty arthritis with damp-heat syndrome were screened by calculating the topological features of the network nodes. Then, the functional mining of the key candidate targets revealed that the candidate targets of Shirebi granules may intervene in the biological process of inflammatory response and lipid metabolism through the crosstalk of Wnt/β-catenin signaling. To verify the effectiveness of Shirebi granules in treating gouty arthritis with damp-heat syndrome, a rat model was established. The results demonstrated that the granules significantly improved the severity of arthritis in rats with this condition, reduced joint inflammation, gait score, swelling index, increased mechanical pain threshold (P < 0.05), and reduced the content of serum inflammatory factors IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α in gouty arthritis rats with damp-heat syndrome (P < 0.01) gouty. It was also found that Shirebi granules effectively alleviated the symptoms of dampness heat syndrome such as local joint fever and dry mouth by reducing the temperature of the joints in acute gouty arthritis with damp-heat syndrome (AD) rats, increasing the threshold of heat pain, increasing water intake (P < 0.01), and inhibiting abnormal changes in the content of fatty acid oxidation related enzymes (P < 0.01). Western blot analysis showed that Shirebi granules increased the protein expression levels of Wnt and β-catenin (P < 0.01) while decreasing the protein expression of p65, p-p65 and PPARγ (P < 0.01) in rats with gouty arthritis and damp-heat syndrome. The results showed that Shirebi granules may reverse the "inflammation-immune" imbalance and lipid metabolism disorder by regulating the crosstalk of Wnt/β-catenin signaling, and play a role in alleviating the severity of the disease. This study provides a methodological reference for elucidating the pharmacological mechanisms of traditional Chinese medicine formulas. It also presents research ideas for the appropriate clinical use of Chinese patent medicines and the development of new clinical drugs for gouty arthritis therapy. The animal welfare and experiment procedures of this study were performed in accordance with the regulations of the Experimental Animal Ethics Committee of Experimental Research Center, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences (grant No. ERCCACMS11-2302-08).

Objective To investigate the content and mode of health education needs of patients with Type 2 diabetes in one grade 3 and first-class hospital of Chengdu city.Methods A total of 371 patients with Type 2 diabetes in out-patient department of endocrinology were investigated with self-designed questionnaires of health education needs of diabetic patients.Results The most urgent needs of health education among 371 patients included medical therapy (95.69％),blood glucose monitoring (85.44％) and diet (85.18％).The most popular teachers were medical personnel of three-level hospital (81.67％),and the most popular educational modes were interview (76.55％) and telephone (78.98％).Conclusions Health education should be performed in different modes to satisfy different patients.Besides,it is helpful of strengthening training of primary medical personnel,reinforcing propaganda on novel media and designing educational handbook on diabetic health to improve patients' ability of self-management and their quality of life.

BACKGROUNDThe aim of this research was to determine the efficacy of combination therapy using an alginate dressing and mouse epidermal growth factor (mEGF) on proliferation and differentiation of epidermal stem cells (ESCs) in patients with refractory wounds.

METHODSEighteen patients (12 males and 6 females, aged from 18 to 61 years (mean 36.4 years)) with various skin wounds, were treated by dressing changing for one month. The wounds were located in the foot (11), calf (3), thigh (2) and forearm (2). The patients were randomly divided into 3 groups: alginate dressing and mEGF (group A; n = 6), mEGF (group B; n = 6) and control (group C; n = 6). Wound closure indexes were measured at 7, 14, 21 and 28 days. Samples were harvested for pathologic examination, at 7 and 14 days following treatment. Cytokeratin 10 (CK10) and cytokeratin 15 (CK15) positive cells were evaluated using the super-sensitivity (SP) immunohistochemical staining technique.

RESULTSWound healing was promoted in groups A and B. In group A, the wound closure index was increased significantly (P < 0.05), and in one case the maximum cure area reached 102 cm(2). Pathological examination identified a thicker epidermis, active angiogenesis and enhanced granulation in group A compared with groups B and C. Using the SP immunohistochemical staining technique, we showed that ESCs in group A were bigger in size and larger in number than in groups B and C. Overall, there was a significant difference in ESCs proliferation and differentiation between group A and group B (or C).

CONCLUSIONSCombination therapy using an alginate dressing and mEGF shows increased proliferation and differentiation of ESCs in patients with refractory wounds compared with those treated with mEGF alone.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Alginates ; therapeutic use ; Animals ; Bandages ; Cell Differentiation ; drug effects ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Epidermal Growth Factor ; therapeutic use ; Epithelial Cells ; cytology ; Female ; Glucuronic Acid ; therapeutic use ; Hexuronic Acids ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Keratin-15 ; metabolism ; Male ; Mice ; Middle Aged ; Stem Cells ; cytology ; drug effects ; Wound Healing ; drug effects ; Young Adult

Insulin-like growth factor binding-protein-7 (IGFBP7) was obtained from our previous colonic adenocarcinoma (CRC) and normal mucosa suppression subtraction hybridization (SSH) cDNA libraries. By RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry, we found that IGFBP7 was overexpressed in CRC tissue compared to normal tissue. However, our in vitro experiments performed in 10 CRC cell lines showed that IGFBP7 expressed only in SW480 and Caco2 cell lines, which implied an underlying reversible regulatory mechanism. Using methylation-specific PCR (MSP) and bisulfite sodium PCR (BSP), we found that its expression was associated with DNA hypomethylation of exon1. This was further supported by the in vitro study which showed restored IGFBP7 expression after demethylation agent 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine treatment. Correlation analysis between IGFBP7 expression and prognosis indicated that overexpression of IGFBP7 in CRC tissue correlated with favourable survival. Investigation of the functional role of IGFBP7 through transfection studies showed that IGFBP7 protein could inhibit growth rate, decrease colony formation activity, and induce apoptosis in RKO and SW620 cells, suggesting it a potential tumor suppressor protein in colorectal carcinogenesis. In conclusion, our study clearly demonstrated that IGFBP7 plays a potential tumor suppressor role against colorectal carcinogenesis and its expression is associated with DNA hypomethylation of exon 1.
Adenocarcinoma ; genetics ; metabolism ; Apoptosis ; genetics ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Colorectal Neoplasms ; genetics ; metabolism ; DNA Methylation ; Exons ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; genetics ; Humans ; Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Transfection ; Tumor Suppressor Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism

Objective To evaluate the outcome of a health education program on sedentary behavior among primary and secondary school children through Transtheoretical Model. Methods Five primary schools and four middle schools were selected and students from grade 3 to 5 in primary schools and grade 1 to 2 in middle schools were selected to take part in the program, as control and intervention groups respectively. Corresponding intervention measures were provided to the intervention group, with phase, process and level of changing on sedentary behavior measured for both groups during the follow-up period. Comparison to the above items on the two groups was measured statistically. Results Behavior among the intervention group was gradually changed regarding: phase contemplation, preparation and maintenance, with the proportions in phase action and maintenance higher than the control group. After carrying out of intervention programs, the sedentary time on weekdays between the two groups did not show significant differences. However, the sedentary time on weekends of intervention group was (2.53 ± 1.62) hours, significantly lower than the hours from the baseline survey (2.84 ± 1.82) and the control group (2.78 ± 1.72) respectively.During the follow-up period, the average score of intervention group in the changing process was (2.98 ± 0.77), higher than the control group (2.80 ± 0.81 ). At the same time, the average score of intervention group in the process of changing, decisional balance (pros) and self-efficacy were 2.98 ±0.77, 3.06 ± 0.75 and 3.13 ± 0.72, respectively, all higher than data from the baseline survey. In the control group, the process of changing and the average score on self-efficacy had improved.Conclusion The corresponding intervention program seemed to have played a significant role among the school-aged children on their sedentary behavior during the weekend but no significant difference was found in the weekdays.

Insulin-like growth factor binding-protein-7 (IGFBP7) was obtained from our previous colonic adenocarcinoma (CRC)and normal mucosa suppression subtraction hybridization (SSH) cDNA libraries. By RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry, we found that IGFBP7 was overexpressed in CRC tissue compared to normal tissue. However, our in vitro experiments performed in 10 CRC cell lines showed that IGFBP7 expressed only in SW480 and Caco2 cell lines, which implied an underlying reversible regulatory mechanism. Using methylation-specific PCR (MSP) and bisulfite sodium PCR (BSP), we found that its expression was associated with DNA hypomethylation of exon 1. This was further supported by the in vitro study which showed restored IGFBP7expression after demethylation agent 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine treatment. Correlation analysis between IGFBP7 expression and prognosis indicated that overexpression of IGFBP7 in CRC tissue correlated with favourable survival. Investigation of the functional role of IGFBP7 through transfecfion studies showed that IGFBP7 protein could inhibit growth rate, decrease colony formation activity, and induce apoptosis in RKO and SW620 cells, suggesting it a potential tumor suppressor protein in colorectal carcinogenesis. In conclusion, our study clearly demonstrated that IGFBP7 plays a potential tumor suppressor role against colorectal carcinogenesis and its expression is associated with DNA hypomethylation of exon 1.

Objective In order to search the preparation process and optimazing dosage ratio of adsorbed diphtheria-tetanus-acellular pertussis and sabin inactivated poliovirus combined vaccine ( DTaPsIPV) , the neutralizing antibody titers of IPV induced by different concentration of DTaP-sIPV were investigated on rats. Methods Two batches of DTaP-sIPV were produced using different concentration of sIPV and the quality control was carried. Together with sabin-IPV and DTaP-wIPV ( boostriixTM-polio, GSK, Belgium) as control group,the DTaP-sIPV were administrated on three-dose schedule at 0,1,2 month on rats. Serum sample were collected 30 days after each dose and neutralizing antibody titers against three types poliovirus were determined using micro-neutralization test. Results Two batches of prepared DTaP-sIPV and control sIPV were according to the requirement of Chinese Pharmacopoeia ( Volume Ⅲ , 2005 edition) and showed good stability. The seropositivity rates were 100% for sabin inactivated poliovirus antigen in all groups. The GMTs( Geometric mean titers) of neutralizing antibodies against three types poliovirus increased. Conclusion The prepared DTaP-sIPV was safe, stable and effective and could induced high level neutralizing antibody against poliovirus on rats.

Objective:To investigate the role of levofloxacin combined with recombinant human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor(G-CSF)or only G-CSF supportive therapy in preventing infection in autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation(ASCT),and to analyze the length of hospital stay,hospitalization cost and post-transplant survival of the patients.Methods:A retrospective analysis was performed in the patients with hematological malignancies who accepted ASCT at our hospital from January 2012 to July 2022,the febrile neutropenia,the incidence of bacterial infection and the use rate of intravenous antibiotics in the levofloxacin+G-CSF group and only G-CSF support group during ASCT were observed.The length of hospital stay,total cost during hospitalization and survival after 90 days of transplantation between the two groups were compared.Results:A total of 102 cases were included in this study,including 57 cases of multiple myeloma,36 cases of acute leukaemia,7 cases of lymphoma,3 cases of myelodysplastic syndrome,1 case of light chain amyloidosis,and 1 case of POEMS syndrome.47 patients received levofloxacin+G-CSF antibacterial prophylaxis,and 55 patients received G-CSF supportive therapy.In the levofloxacin+G-CSF group,40 cases(85.11％)developed febrile neutropenia,and 13 cases(27.66％)were confirmed as bacterial infection.In the G-CSF group,44 cases(80.00％)developed febrile neutropenia,and 16 cases(29.09％)were bacterial infection.There was no statistically significant difference in the incidence of febrile neutropenia and bacterial infection between the two groups(x2=0.46,P=0.50;x2=0.03,P=0.87).The use rate of intravenous antibiotics in the levofloxacin+G-CSF group was 85.11％(40/47),which was not statistically different from 85.45％(47/55)in the G-CSF group(X2=0.04,P=0.84).The detection rates of levofloxacin-resistant bacteria in the levofloxacin+G-CSF group and G-CSF group were 8.57％(3/35)and 21.43％(6/28),respectively,with no statistical difference(x2=0.65,P＞0.05).The median length and median cost of hospitalization in the levofloxacin+G-CSF group and G-CSF group were 25 d vs 22 d and 78 216.24 yuan vs 80 724.38 yuan,with no statistically significant differences(t=3.00,P=0.09;t=0.94,P=0.09).Within 90 days after transplantation,two cases(4.26％)died in the levofloxacin+G-CSF group and one case(1.82％)died in the G-CSF group,with no statistically significant difference between the two groups(x2=0.53,P=0.47).Conclusion:Application of levofloxacin+G-CSF showed no significant benefit compared to G-CSF support for the prevention of bacterial infections during ASCT.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the efficacy and safety of diacerein in patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA).

METHODSA total of 223 patients satisfying the American College of Rheumatology criteria for knee OA were chosen for this 17-week, randomized, double-dummy, diclofenac sodium-controlled trial, with diacerein dosage of 100 mg/d and diclofenac sodium of 75mg/d. Efficacy and safety of both drugs were evaluated.

RESULTSTotally 106 patients in the diacerein group and 107 patients in the diclofenac group were considered qualified for the evaluation. After 12 weeks of treatment, the total effective rates of patients/physicians' overall assessment in diacerein and diclofenac groups were 65.4%/61.6% and 61.2%/61.2%, respectively (P > 0.05). The primary efficacy parameter [visual analog scale (VAS) assessment of pain on 20 metres walking] and the secondary efficacy parameters [tenderness on palpation, Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), and 36-item Short-Form (SF-36) Health Survey] significantly improved compared with baseline in both groups (P < 0.05). In the follow-up period, there were no obvious changes in above parameters in diacerein group. However, in diclofenac group, pain on 20 metres walking, tenderness on palpation, and WOMAC became aggravated after withdrawing the drug for 4 weeks (P < 0.05). Moreover, the consumption of paracetamol was significantly lower in diacerein group than in diclofenac group during follow-up (P < 0. 001). The incidences of related adverse events were 35.7% in diacerein and 45.1% in diclofenac group, respectively. Mild-to-moderate gastrointestinal disorders were the most frequent adverse events.

CONCLUSIONSDiacerein is as effective as diclofenac sodium in treating patients with knee OA. Furthermore, it has better extended effect and a good safety profile. It is generally well tolerated and has no severe adverse effect.

Adult ; Aged ; Anthraquinones ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Diclofenac ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Double-Blind Method ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Osteoarthritis, Knee ; drug therapy ; physiopathology ; Safety

Objective To analyze the stem cell re-distribution after intra-coronary infusion (ICI)into arrested and beating hearts in a swine myocardial infarction ( MI ) model using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Methods Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells were obtained from male swine and labeled with iron oxide during culture. One week after MI in female swine, the survivors were randomly divided into 4 groups. Cardiopulmonary bypass was set up to arrest the heart, and then SPIO labeled male stem cells ( 1 × 108 ) were infused through coronary of beating heart ( n = 6) and the arrested heart ( n = 6).Saline was injected in either the beating or arresting heart as respective controls. Three days later, cell distribution was assessed by T2* change with magnetic resonance imaging and Y-chromosome (SRY) was detected with quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Results The reduction of T2* values was significantly different in the hearts, spleens, livers and lung between the transplantation groups and the control groups. Only few transplanted cells were localized in the heart and T2 * values were similar between beating and arrest heart groups [ ( -7.81 ±2.03) ms vs. ( -6.56 ± 1.72)ms, P＞0.05], while T2* value reduction was more significant in the spleen and liver in arrest heart group than in beating heart group [spleen: (-16.72 ±2.83)ms vs. ( -22.18 ±3.98)ms, P＜0.01, liver: ( -2.40±0.44)ms vs.( -5.32 ± 3.40 ) ms, P ＜ 0. 05 ] . T2 * value was similar in kidney among the four groups. qRT-PCR detected SRY gene was similar in the heart, less in the spleen and liver while more in the lung in beating heart group compared to arrested heart group. In vitro Prussian blue stained positively transplanted cells were found in the above organs in transplantation group. Conclusions The majority of stem cells transplanted by ICI would be entrapped by the extracardial organs. Stem cell transplantation via ICI into the arrested heart does not favor more cells retention in the injured myocardium. Further investigation is needed to optimize the approach of stem cell delivery.