Objective To compare the clinical efficacy between bone cement-augmented pedicle screw fixation and bone filling vertebroplasty for stable osteoporotic thoracolumbar burst fracture (TBF).Methods From August 2014 to August 2017,48 patients with stable osteoporotic TBF but no neurological symptoms were treated at Department of Orthopedics,The First Affiliated Hospital to Chongqing Medical University.Those undergoing bone cement-augmented pedicle screw fixation were assigned into Group A while those undergoing bone filling vertebroplasty into Group B.The clinical efficacy was evaluated by comparing visual analogue scale (VAS) for pain assessment,Oswestry disability index (ODI),compression ratio of anterior vertebral height,and cobb kyphotic angle between preoperation and postoperation.The 2 groups were compared in terms of operation time,bone cement consumption,blood loss,hospital stay and relative medical costs.Results Of the 48 patients included in this study,27 were in Group A and 21 in Group B.The 2 groups were comparable as their baseline characteristics were insignificantly different (P ＞ 0.05).At 3 days after operation,the VAS (2.8 ± 1.0) and ODI (26.0 ±3.5) scores for group B were significantly lower than those for group A (4.6 ± 1.3 and 34.3 ± 2.9) (P ＜ 0.05).In group A at 3 months after operation and final follow-up,the VAS (2.9 ±0.9 and 2.3 ±0.7) and ODI (24.7 ±3.1 and 23.1 ±4.6) scores were significantly lower than those at 3 days after operation (4.6 ± 1.3 and 34.3 ± 2.9) (P ＜ 0.05).In group B at 3 months after operation and final follow-up,the VAS (2.8 ±0.9 and 2.3 ± 1.0) and ODI (23.8 ±3.7 and 22.8 ± 5.6) scores were insignificantly better than those at 3 days after operation (2.8 ± 1.0 and 26.0 ± 3.5) (P ＞ 0.05).At 3 days and 3 months after operation and final follow-up,group B had significantly smaller compression ratios of anterior vertebral height (81.1％ ± 3.7％,81.1％ ± 3.4％ and 75.6％ ± 5.8％) than group A did (91.4％ ±4.4％,90.1％ ±2.9％ and 83.5％ ±4.4％) but significantly larger cobb kyphotic angles (17.0° ± 4.0°,18.0° ± 3.5 ° and 22.1 ° ± 3.6°) than group A (14.0° ± 3.2°,14.3° ± 5.5° and 19.2° ± 3.2°) (P ＜ 0.05).The compression ratio of anterior vertebral height and cobb kyphotic angle at the final follow-up in all the patients were significantly improved compared with those at 3 days and 3 months after operation (P ＜ 0.05).Group B had significantly less operation time (51.5 ±7.3 min),blood loss (16.0 ± 8.2 mL),hospital stay (3.4 ±0.9 d) and medical costs per person (34,000 ±4,000 RMB yuan) than group A (91.5 ± 9.8 min,77.4 ± 16.5 mL,8.7 ± 2.2 d and 55,000 ± 9,000 RMB yuan),but significantly larger bone cement consumption (5.1 ± 0.7 mL) than group A (1.9 ± 0.7 mL) (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion For patients with stable osteoporotic TBF,both bone cement-augmented pedicle screw fixation and bone filling vertebroplasty can lead to similar clinical outcomes,but the latter may have advantages of less invasion,faster recovery and lower medical costs.

BACKGROUND:Overactive osteoclasts disrupt bone homeostasis and play a bad role in the pathological mechanisms of related skeletal diseases,such as osteoporosis,fragility fractures,and osteoarthritis.Studies have confirmed that ellagic acid and ellagtannin have the potential to inhibit osteoclast differentiation.As their natural metabolites,urolithin A has antioxidant,anti-inflammatory,anti-proliferative and anti-cancer effects,but its effect on osteoclast differentiation and its underlying molecular mechanisms remain unclear. OBJECTIVE:To explore the effect of urolithin A on osteoclast differentiation induced by receptor activator for nuclear factor-κB ligand and its mechanism. METHODS:Mouse mononuclear macrophage leukemia cells(RAW264.7)that grew stably were cultured in vitro.Toxicity of urolithin A(0,0.1,0.5,1.5,2.5 μmol/L)to RAW264.7 cells were detected by cytotoxic MTS assay to screen out the safe concentration.Different concentrations of urolithin A were used again to intervene with receptor activator for nuclear factor-κB ligand-induced differentiation of RAW264.7 cells in vitro.Then,tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase staining and F-actin ring and nucleus staining were performed to observe its effect on the formation and function of osteoclasts.Finally,the expressions of urolithin A on upstream and downstream genes and proteins in the MAPK signaling pathway were observed by western blot and RT-qPCR assays. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Urolithin A inhibited osteoclast differentiation and F-actin ring formation in a concentration-dependent manner and 2.5 μmol/L had the strongest inhibitory effect.Urolithin A inhibited the mRNA expression of Nfatc1,Ctsk,Mmp9 and Atp6v0d2 and the protein synthesis of Nfatc1 and Ctsk,related to osteoclast formation and bone resorption.Urolithin A inhibited the activity of osteoclasts by downregulating the phosphorylation of p38 protein to inhibit the mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathway.

Background: The occurrence of gastrointestinal symptoms in cirrhotic patients with gastroesophageal varices (GOV) after endoscopic treatment is obvious, and the role of gastric myoelectrical activity (GMA) and autonomic nerve function imbalance in the development of gastrointestinal symptoms has not been clarified. Aims: To investigate the changes of GMA and autonomic nerve function in cirrhotic patients with GOV after endoscopic treatment. Methods: Twenty-five cirrhotic patients with GOV from May 2019 to October 2019 at the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University were enrolled, and 10 patients with gastric polyp were served as controls. Electrogastrogram (EGG) and heart rate variability (HRV) were detected before the operation, 1 day after the operation and 5 days after the operation in GOV group. For the gastric polyp group, EGG and HRV were detected before the operation and 1 day after the operation. Changes of GMA and autonomic nerve function were compared between the two groups. Results: No significant differences in GMA and autonomic nerve function were found between GOV group and gastric polyp group before and 1 day after the operation (P>0.05). LF, LF/HF were significantly increased 1 day after the operation in GOV group (P<0.05), while HF was significantly decreased (P<0.01), and the percentage of bradygastria was significantly increased (P<0.01). There were no significant differences in GMA and autonomic nerve function between pre-operation and 5 days after the operation in GOV group (P>0.05). There were no significant differences in GMA and autonomic nerve function 1 day after the operation compared with pre-operation in gastric polyp group (P>0.05). Compared with Child-Pugh A group, Child-Pugh B group had more obvious GMA abnormalities, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). Conclusions: In cirrhotic patients with GOV, the percentage of bradygastria and the sympathetic activity increased, and the vagal activity decreased 1 day after the operation. These results suggest that GMA and autonomic nerve dysfunction may be related to the gastrointestinal symptoms after endoscopic treatment.

【Objective】 Diabetic mice could show learning and memory dysfunction, and we aimed to investigate the effect of Sigma-1 receptor agonist, PRE-084, on neurons and cognitive impairment in mice with type 1 diabetes (T1DM). 【Methods】 Twenty mice with T1DM induced by streptozocin, aged 8-10 weeks, and 20 control mice (CON) were randomly divided into four groups (CON+Vehicle, CON+PRE-084, T1DM+Vehicle and T1DM+PRE-084). Mouse primary neurons were cultured in high glucose medium with PRE-084 and control solvent, respectively. The body weight, food and water intake, and fasting blood glucose level of mice in each group were detected and recorded. The learning and memory abilities of mice were detected by new object recognition experiment. The mitochondria-associated endoplasmic reticulum membrane (MAM) structure of neurons in hippocampal CA1 area of mice was detected by transmission electron microscope. And the expression levels of ATP and reactive oxygen species (ROS) in hippocampus of mice were detected by biochemical kit. Cell viability and ROS level of primary neurons were detected by CCK8 and cellular ROS kit. 【Results】 PRE-084 reduced the increase of body weight, food and water intake, and blood glucose caused by diabetes. PRE-084 significantly ameliorated the learning and memory impairment of the mice with T1DM, improved the changes of MAM structure in neurons of hippocampal CA1 area of diabetic mice, increased the level of ATP in hippocampus of diabetic mice, and decreased the increase of ROS expression in diabetic hippocampus and neurons under high glucose conditions. 【Conclusion】 Sigma-1 receptor agonist, PRE-084, could improve learning and memory impairment in the mice with T1DM, which might be related to the structural changes of MAM, the increase of ATP production, and the decrease of ROS production in hippocampal neurons.

ObjectiveTo compare the differences in resistance and structure of skin between acupoints and non-acupoints， and to study the difference in skin permeability characteristics of Corydalis Rhizoma total alkaloid patches （CTTP） after administration at Shenque acupoint and non-acupoint， so as to provide experimental support for its clinical acupoint application to prevent and treat chronic pain. MethodTaking corydaline （CD）， tetrahydropalmatine （THP） and corydalis L （CDL） as evaluation indexes， and the quantitative analysis was carried out by high performance liquid chromatography （HPLC）. The mobile phase was methanol-0.04 mol·L^-1 phosphoric acid aqueous solution （70∶30， pH 6.0 adjusted with triethylamine）， the detection wavelength was 281 nm. In vitro transdermal test in Franz diffusion cell and in vivo transdermal test were used to study the skin permeability characteristics of CTTP through Shenque acupoint and non-acupoint administration. At the same time， the skin resistance between Shenque acupoint and non-acupoint was measured before and after the administration， and the distribution of the drug in each layer of the skin was compared by freezing sectioning， and visual verification was performed with fluorescence inverted microscope. ResultAfter 24 h of administration， the results of in vivo and in vitro experiments showed that the cumulative permeation and retention of CD， THP and CDL at Shenque acupoint skin were higher than those at non-acupoint skin （P<0.05， P<0.01）， the skin resistance of Shenque acupoint was lower than that of non-acupoint at all time points. The fluorescence microscopic observation results showed that the drug content of each layer of the skin was all Shenque acupoint>non-acupoint， indicating that the skin of Shenque acupoint had better effect on drug penetration and storage than non-acupoint. ConclusionThe 24 h cumulative permeation and retention of CTTP in Shenque acupoint skin are higher than those in non-acupoint skin， and the mechanism may be related to the thin skin， low electrical resistance and large number of hair follicle bodies at Shenque acupoint.

【Objective】 To explore the effect of high-fat and high-fructose diet on mouse intestinal barrier function, as well as the role of ketohexokinase (KHK), the key enzyme in fructose metabolism, in intestinal barrier impairment. 【Methods】 Eight-week-old male control C57BL/6J mice and Khk^-/- mice were randomly divided into control + normal diet (ND), control + high-fat and high-fructose diet (HFHFD), Khk^-/-+ normal diet (ND+Khk^-/-), and Khk^-/-+ high-fat and high-fructose diet (HFHFD+Khk^-/-) groups, with eight mice in each group. During the high-fat and high-fructose diet and normal diet, the body weight changes of mice in different groups were recorded. After the intervention, the blood glucose and insulin levels of mice in each group were detected. The intestinal barrier function and inflammation level of mice were evaluated by detecting intestinal water content, permeability, tight junction protein expression, serum and intestinal inflammatory factor levels. 【Results】 Compared with ND group, HFHFD group significantly increased the body weight, blood glucose and insulin levels of mice, increased the intestinal water content and permeability, decreased the expression of tight junction proteins, and increased inflammatory factors of the serum and intestines. In the two groups fed with high-fat and high-fructose diet, the body weight, blood glucose and insulin levels of the HFHFD+Khk^-/- group were significantly lower than those of HFHFD group, and the intestinal barrier dysfunction and inflammation were significantly improved. 【Conclusion】 KHK, a key enzyme in fructose metabolism, is involved in the impairment of intestinal barrier caused by high-fat and high-fructose diet. Knockout of Khk gene significantly improved intestinal barrier dysfunction and the inflammation level.