Objective To study the influences on the production of major inflammatory cytokines after co-culturing macrophages with human umbilical vein endothelial cells ( HUVECs) that were infected with dengue virus type 2 (DENV-2). Methods Density gradient centrifugation was used to isolate periph-eral blood mononuclear cells ( PBMC) from concentrated human leukocytes. Adherent monocytes in culture flasks were obtained and stimulated with macrophage colony-stimulating factor ( M-CSF) to prepare macro-phages. The purity of CD14+CD11b+ cells was measured by flow cytometry. Changes in the expression of NS1 at mRNA level in HUVECs were detected by real-time PCR following DENV-2 infection. DENV-2-in-fected HUVECs were co-culture with macrophages in Transwell chambers. A control group was set up by pre-treating HUVECs with sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) type 1 (S1P1)-specific receptor agonist CYM-5442 for 24 h to remove the drug before infection and then co-culturing the infected cells with macrophages. Real-time PCR was used to detect the expression at mRNA level of IL-6 and IL-8 in HUVECs and IL-6, IL-8, TNF-α and IL-1β in macrophages. A double-antibody sandwich ELISA was used to detect the expression of above cytokines in culture supernatants. Results After HUVECs were infected with DENV-2, expression of NS1 gene at mRNA level gradually increased to the peak at 24 h (2. 66±0. 53, P<0. 05) and then de-creased. The purity of macrophages detected by flow cytometry was (89. 16±2. 07) ％. Expression of IL-6 and IL-8 at mRNA level in DENV-2-infected HUVECs was up-regulated. The peak values reached at 24 h of IL-6 and IL-8 expression were 16. 10±0. 17 and 29. 76±0. 58, while the expression levels at 24 h in the un-infected group were 1. 46±0. 67 and 1. 60±0. 54, respectively. Expression of IL-6, IL-8, TNF-αand IL-1βat mRNA level in DENV-2-infected macrophages was increased significantly. The levels of IL-6, IL-8, TNF-αand IL-1β expression at 24 h were 45. 82±3. 72, 52. 34±1. 69 (12 h), 8. 94±1. 75 and 30. 96±1. 44 in the infected macrophages, and 1. 16±0. 22, 1. 15±0. 21, 1. 11±0. 09 and 1. 47±0. 31 in the uninfected group. Expression of these cytokines was decreased at every time points after co-culturing of DENV-2-infec-ted HUVECs with macrophages, but still significantly higher than that in the uninfected group. In the co-cul-ture group with DENV-2 infection, CYM-5442 pretreatment significantly decreased the expression at mRNA level of IL-6 and IL-8 in HUVECs (P<0. 01) and that of IL-6, IL-8, TNF-αand IL-1βin macrophages (P<0. 01). Conclusions DENV-2 could infect primary HUVECs, and then activate macrophages to promote the secretion of large amounts of IL-6, IL-8, TNF-αand IL-1β. Moreover, the activated macrophages could reduce the production of inflammatory cytokines in HUVECs to a certain extent.

Objective To investigate the influences on major inflammatory cytokines after co-cul-turing regulatory T cells (Treg) with human umbilical vein endothelial cells ( HUVECs) that were infected with dengue virus type 2 (DENV-2). Methods Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were extrac-ted from concentrated human leukocytes by density gradient centrifugation. Treg cells were sorted by immu-nomagnetic beads. Expression of CD4,CD25 and CD127 molecules on the membrane of Treg cells was detec-ted by flow cytometry to identify the purity of Treg cells. HUVECs pretreated with or without sphingosine-1-phosphate S1P type 1 (S1P1)-specific receptor agonist CYM-5442 for 24 h were first infected with DENV-2 and then co-cultured with Treg cells. Expression of IL-6,IL-8,TNF-α,IL-10 and TGF-β at mRNA level was detected by real-time RT-PCR. Levels of IL-6,IL-8,IL-10 and TGF-β in the culture supernatants were detec-ted by a double-antibody sandwich ELISA. Results The purity of Treg cells was (84. 3±0. 5)%. Expression of NS1 at mRNA level in DENV-2-infected HUVECs first gradually increased and then decreased after reac-hing the peak at 24 h (3. 03±0. 26, P<0. 01). Enhanced expression of IL-6,IL-8 and TNF-α at mRNA level in HUVECs was observed after DENV-2 infection ( P<0. 01). Expression of these cytokines at every time point was decreased after co-culturing DENV-2-infected HUVECs with Treg cells ( P<0. 05),but was still higher than that before infection. CYM-5442 pretreatment decreased the expression of IL-6,IL-8 and TNF-α at mRNA level in DENV-2-infected HUVECs and inhibited the secretion of IL-10 and TGF-β by Treg cells that were co-cultured with DENV-2-infected HUVECs. Conclusion Primary HUVECs infected by DENV-2 can enhance the secretion of IL-10 and TGF-β by Treg cells,and the suppressive cytokines produced by Treg cells can reduce the production of inflammatory cytokines by DENV-2-infected HUVECs.

Objective:To investigate the clinical effect of Ilizarov bone transport technique with assisted guiding pin in medullary cavity for treatment of posttraumatic bone defect of tibia.Methods:A retrospective case series study was conducted to analyze the clinical data of 17 patients with post-traumatic bone defect of tibia admitted to Third Hospital of Hebei Medical University form November 2014 to March 2018.There were 13 males and 4 females, aged 19-60 years [(37.2±13.4)years]. The bone defect length was 4.6-14.0 cm [(8.6±2.8)cm] after debridement. All patients underwent treatment with Ilizarov bone transport technique. The alignment of transport bone segment was controlled by a guiding pin in medullary cavity of tibia. Bone grafts were performed to accelerate fracture healing of docking point. The wound healing, bone healing, external fixation time, external fixation index (EFI), alignment recovery were recorded. Bone healing and functional results were evaluated according to the criteria given by Association for the Study and Application of the Method of Ilizarov (ASAMI). The complication was recorded according to Paley's criteria. The physical component summary score (PCS) and mental component summary score (MCS) ware recorded according to the MOS 36-item Short-form Health Survey (SF-36) questionnaire and compared with the national norm to evaluate the quality of life.Results:After removal of the apparatus, follow-up period was 12-37 months [(29.9±4.4)months]. Wound healing was achieved without flap transfer. At the latest follow-up, all patients achieved bone healing without recurrent infection. External fixation time was 242-801 days [(436.5±154.6)days] and external fixation index was 35.7-60.5 d/cm [(50.6±6.2)d/cm]. The affected extremity alignment was restored in all patients except for residual angular deformity in one patient. According to ASAMI, the excellent and good rate of bony results and functional results were 88% and 94%. According to Paley's criteria, complications included 12 problems, 7 obstacles and 1 sequelae. The PCS and MCS in SF-36 questionnaire were (85.8±11.6)points and (69.6±11.1)points. Compared with the national norm [PCS: (87.6±16.8)points, MCS: (78.8±15.4)points], PCS showed no statistical difference ( P>0.05), but MCS showed statistical difference ( P<0.05). Conclusions:Ilizarov bone transport combined with intramedullary guiding pin can accelerate wound and fracture healing, control infection and restore lower limb alignment. The physical function of the affected extremity can be restored in spite of some complications and psychological effects. The technique is an effective treatment for posttraumatic bone defect of tibia.

Objective To explore the underlying mechanism of β2 adrenergic receptor(ADRB2)in fibrogenesis during wound healing.Methods Non-specific ADRB2 gene knockdown adeno-associated virus(AAV-ADRB2 group,6 mice)and control virus(AAV-NC group,6 mice)was injected randomly into the back skin of 12 mice for 21 days,a full-thickness skin defected wound healing murine model was established.Wound healing rates were recorded at the 1st,3rd,5th,and 7th day after operation.Histological examinations by H-E staining,Masson staining,and immunohistochemistry were conducted to observe wounded skin tissue structure,fibrosis,and α-SMA protein expression;quantitative PCR was employed to analyze ADRB2 and matrix metalloproteinase(MMP)mRNA levels;Western blotting was utilized to assess the protein expression levels of COL1A1,COL3A1,TGF-β1,and Smad3.Results On postoperative day 5 and 7,the wound healing rate of the AAV-ADRB2 group significantly decreased(P＜0.05),accompanied by a series pathological changes,including thickened epidermis,exaggerated inflammation,reduced fibroblast count,and inhibited collagen deposition;the α-SMA expression showed a significant decrease(P＜0.05),and the ratio of COL1A1 to COL3A1 decreased(P＜0.05);ADRB2 mRNA levels significantly decreased(P＜0.01),while MMP-1 and MMP-8 mRNA levels increased(P＜0.01);the protein levels of TGF-β1 and Smad3 exhibited a significant decrease(P＜0.05).Conclusions ADRB2 knockdown reduced fibrosis during wound healing and degenerated connective tissue content around the wound bed by inhibiting the TGF-β1/Smad3 signaling pathway,which leads to an increase in MMP mRNA levels and a decrease in the ratio of type Ⅰ to type Ⅲ collagen.

Objective:To study the effect of trefoil factor family (TFF) 3 on the expression of tight junctions (TJs) in the nasal mucosa epithelium of eosinophilic chronic rhinosinusitis (eCRS) and its mechanism.Methods:From September to December 2020, eligible patients from the Department of Otorhinolaryngology of the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University were recruited, including 11 control patients and 37 patients with chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP), from whom nasal mucosa and nasal polyp tissue samples were collected. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was used to detect the localization and expression intensity of TFFs (TFF1, TFF2 and TFF3) and TJs (occudin, claudin-1 and ZO-1) in nasal mucosa. Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and western blot (WB) were used to detect the mRNA and protein expression. A cell model of tight junction injury in human nasal epithelial cells (HNECs) through stimulation with interleukin (IL)-13 was also established. The optimal modeling concentration and time for HNECs were determined, which were subsequently treated with TFF3 and/or a phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)-specific inhibitor (LY294002). Finally, RT-qPCR and WB were used to assess the effects of TFF3 on tight junctions and the PI3K/serine/threonine kinase (Akt) signaling pathway. Data were analyzed statistically using GraphPad Prism 7 software.Results:IHC results showed that the expression of TFF1 and TFF3 in nasal mucosa of eCRS group was significantly higher than that of control group ( t=4.62, P=0.002; t=5.89, P<0.001), respectively, mainly expressed in goblet cell. The expression of occludin, claudin-1 and ZO-1 in the nasal mucosa of the eCRS group was lower than that of the control group (occludin t=3.98, P=0.019; claudin-1 t=5.15, P=0.002; ZO-1 t=5.42, P=0.001), respectively. WB results showed that the expression of TFF3 in non-eosinophilic chronic sinusitis (Non-eCRS) group and eCRS group was higher than that in the control group ( t=3.62, P=0.036; t=5.93, P<0.001). The expression of occludin, claudin-1 and ZO-1 in eCRS group was lower than that in the control group (occludin t=5.14, P=0.002; claudin-1 t=6.35, P<0.001; ZO-1 t=6.64, P<0.001), respectively. The RT-qPCR results showed that compared with the control group, the levels of TFF1 and TFF3 mRNA were increased in the nasal mucosal epithelium of the Non-eCRS and eCRS groups (TFF1 t=3.98, P=0.046, t=4.89, P=0.002; TFF3 t=3.50, P=0.044, t=6.78, P<0.001). There was no statistically significant difference in TFF2 mRNA levels between the Non-eCRS and eCRS groups ( t=1.34, P=0.061; t=3.37, P=0.055). Compared with the control group, Non-eCRS and eCRS groups showed a decrease in the mRNA levels of occludin, claudin-1 and ZO-1 (occludin t=4.27, P=0.011, t=5.61, P=0.007; claudin-1 t=3.62, P=0.036, t=6.80, P<0.001; ZO-1 t=3.47, P=0.047, t=7.86, P<0.001). The mRNA levels of TFF3 and TJs in eCRS nasal mucosa tissue showed a moderate positive correlation (occludin r=0.661, claudin-1 r=0.614, ZO-1 r=0.548, all P<0.001); TFF1 showed a low degree of positive correlation with the expression of occludin, claudin-1 and ZO-1 (occludin r=0.467, P=0.040; claudin-1 r=0.362, P=0.012; ZO-1 r=0.425, P=0.025). The establishment of cell models showed that compared with normal HNECs, the mRNA expression of TFF3 was most significantly increased at a concentration of 50 ng/ml stimulated by IL-13 ( t=3.72, P=0.013); The mRNA expression of occludin, claudin-1 and ZO-1 decreased (occludin t=3.18, P=0.031; claudin-1 t=3.86, P=0.010; ZO-1 t=5.16, P=0.002). The expression of TFF3 mRNA increased most significantly after 15 hours of IL-13 stimulation ( t=3.14, P=0.034); The mRNA expression of occludin, claudin-1 and ZO-1 decreased (occludin t=3.97, P=0.010; claudin-1 t=4.78, P=0.004; ZO-1 t=5.16, P=0.004). TJs damage model could be established by treating HNECs with 50 ng/ml IL-13 for 15 hours. Intervention experiments showed that compared with the IL-13 group, the IL-13+TFF3 group showed an increase in TJs mRNA expression (occludin t=6.10, P=0.009; claudin-1 t=5.90, P=0.013; ZO-1 t=9.44, P=0.007). Compared with the IL-13 group, the expression of TJs protein in the IL-13+TFF3 group increased (occludin t=3.23, P=0.013; claudin-1 t=9.40, P=0.017; ZO-1 t=2.23, P=0.032); The expression of TJs protein decreased in the IL-13+TFF3+LY294002 group (occludin t=4.73, claudin-1 t=8.77, ZO-1 t=3.51, all P<0.001). Compared with the IL-13+TFF3 group, the IL-3+TFF3+LY294002 group showed a decrease in PI3K and p-Akt/Akt protein expression (PI3K t=13.29, p-Akt/Akt t=10.30, all P<0.001). The increased mRNA and protein expression of occludin, claudin-1 and ZO-1 induced by TFF3 were also inhibited by LY294002. Conclusion:TFF3 can up-regulate the expression of occludin, claudin-1, and ZO-1 through PI3K/Akt pathway, and has a certain protective effect on the nasal mucosal epithelial barrier, providing a new idea for treating eCRS.

Objective:To compare the clinical effect of buttress plate fixation and cannulated screw fixation of Regan-Morrey type II ulnar coronoid fractures.Methods:A retrospective case control study was made on 53 patients with Regan-Morrey type II ulnar coronoid fractures admitted to Wuxi No.9 People 's Hospital from April 2015 to January 2018，including 36 males and 17 females，aged from 21 to 63 years［（36.3±7.1）years］. Among them，24 patients were treated using buttress plates（plate group），and 29 patients using cannulated screws（screw group）. The operation time and fracture healing time were documented. The visual analogue score（VAS），range of motion of elbow flexion and extension and forearm rotation and Mayo elbow performance score（MEPS）were assessed at postoperative 1，3，6 months and at the last follow-up. The incidence of complications was observed as well. Results:All patients were followed up for 15-18 months［（15.9±1.3）months］. The operation time in plate group［（150.6±24.2）minutes］was longer than that in screw group［（126.8±18.3）minutes］（ P<0.05）. There was no significant difference in fracture healing time or VAS between the two groups（ P>0.05）. After 1，3，6 months and during the last follow-up，the range of motion of elbow joint flexion and extension in plate group［（87.2±5.8）°，（109.2±7.1）°，（121.3±6.2）°，（127.3±5.4）°］was higher than that in screw group［（70.5±9.1）°，（90.2±4.5）°，（108.3±5.1）°，（116.2±4.6）°］，the range of motion of forearm rotation in plate group［（78.3±9.1）°，（98.7±8.6）°，（130.2±7.1）°，（139.2±6.7）°］was higher than that in screw group［（60.1±5.1）°，（80.6±8.7）°，（116.1±5.5）°，（127.3±4.1）°］，and the MEPS in plate group［（30.6±7.6）points，（68.1±6.1）points，（90.2±4.3）points，（95.2±2.1）points］was higher than that in screw group［（27.2±8.1）points，（54.1±7.1）points，（82.1±5.3）points，（88.2±5.2）points］（all P<0.05）. In plate group，one patient sustained superficial wound infection at postoperative 1 week，which was healed uneventfully after surgical debridement and antibiotic therapy；two patients had heterotopic ossification without addition surgery. In screw group，three patients presented screw loosening and fracture redisplacement during early movement，which was healed by reducing the intensity of elbow functional exercise and prolonging the protection time of brace；four patients had heterotopic ossification，among which one combined with elbow stiffness showed improved range of motion of the elbow after elbow release at postoperative 12 months. The incidence of complications in plate group［13%（3/24）］was lower than that in screw group［26%（7/29）］（ P<0.05）. Conclusion:For Regan-Morrey type II ulnar coronoid fractures，the buttress plate fixation is superior to the cannulated screw fixation in fixation strength，recovery of elbow function and incidence of complications in regardless of longer operation time.

Renal interstitial fibrosis (RIF) is the crucial pathway in chronic kidney disease (CKD) leading to the end-stage renal failure. However, the underlying mechanism of Shen Qi Wan (SQW) on RIF is not fully understood. In the current study, we investigated the role of Aquaporin 1 (AQP1) in SQW on tubular epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT). A RIF mouse model induced by adenine and a TGF-β1-stimulated HK-2 cell model were etablished to explore the involvement of AQP 1 in the protective effect of SQW on EMT in vitro and in vivo. Subsequently, the molecular mechanism of SQW on EMT was explored in HK-2 cells with AQP1 knockdown. The results indicated that SQW alleviated kidney injury and renal collagen deposition in the kidneys of mice induced by adenine, increased the protein expression of E-cadherin and AQP1 expression, and decreased the expression of vimentin and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA). Similarly, treatmement with SQW-containing serum significantly halted EMT process in TGF-β1 stimulated HK-2 cells. The expression of snail and slug was significantly upregulated in HK-2 cells after knockdown of AQP1. AQP1 knockdown also increased the mRNA expression of vimentin and α-SMA, and decreased the expression of E-cadherin. The protein expression of vimentin increased, while the expression of E-cadherin and CK-18 significantly decreased after AQP1 knockdown in HK-2 cells. These results revealed that AQP1 knockdown promoted EMT. Furthermore, AQP1 knockdown abolished the protective effect of SQW-containing serum on EMT in HK-2 cells. In sum, SQW attentuates EMT process in RIF through upregulation of the expression of AQP1.
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology* ; Humans ; Animals ; Mice ; Male ; Cell Line ; Rats ; Kidney/physiology* ; Fibrosis/drug therapy* ; Renal Insufficiency, Chronic/drug therapy* ; Adenine ; Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition ; Aquaporin 1/metabolism*