Objective To discuss the value of video-assisted thoracoscopic repair in the treatment of pectus excavatum in children.Methods Thoracoscopic sternum elevation with an internal steel bar(Nuss procedure) was performed in 45 children with pectus excavatum.Preoperatively,a curved steel bar was prepared and the site of incision and the lowest part of the depression were labeled with methylene blue.Under right-sided thoracoscopic vision,the bar was inserted into the retrosternal tunnel thereby correcting deformity. Results The steel bar was placed safely in all the 45 patients.The operation time was 35~80 min(mean,60 min).The intraoperative blood loss was less than 5 ml.The length of postoperative hospital stay was 4~10 days(mean,7 days).Forty children were followed for 3~30 months(mean,16.5 months).Short-term complications included pneumothorax in 1 patient and pneumonia in 1 patient.Long-term complications included bar shift after 1 year in 1 patient and persistent sternal pain in 2 patients(which had been cured by oral and local analgetic administration).The bar had been removed in 10 children,all of whom had good cosmetic results.Conclusions Video-assisted thoracoscopic Nuss procedure is safe and effective in the management of pectus excavatum in children,with advantages of short operation time,simple performance,satisfactory cosmetic results,and fewer complications.

Objectives: To investigate the effects of adhesion and proliferation of bone mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) in the surface of lactic acid/glycolic acid/asparagic acid-co-polyethylene glycol PLGA-[ASP-PEG] tri-block polymer scaffolds, try to find a new biomaterial to induce seed cells in vitro for bone tissue engineering. Methods: Modified PLGA with polyethylene glycol (PEG) and asparagic acid (ASP) that has many ligands, and synthesis PLGA-[ASP-PEG] polymer material. BMSCs were cultured in PLGA-[ASP-PEG] polymer material and PLGA used as control group. Through precipitation method, MTT assay and total cellular protein detection to test the adhersion and proliferation of BMSCs. Scanning electron microscope is used to observe cells appearance. Results: BMSCs on the surface of PLGA-[ASP-PEG] polymer scaffolds are adherention to the culture flask, the number of cells is much higher than PLGA’s. The precipitation method suggest that adhesion and proliferation of BMSCs on the surface of PLGA-[ASP-PEG] is much higher than the control group(P

Objective To observe the effect of exposure of emphysema with intermittent hypoxia on oxidative stress injury of myocardial cells in rats. Methods Sixty male Wistar rats were divided randomly into four experimental groups(each n=15). The normal control group was bred normally. The emphysema group was exposed to cigarette smoke twice a day(once 30 minutes). The intermittent hypoxia(IH)group was exposed to intermittent hypoxia circumstance 8 hours/day,and the emphysema with IH group was exposed to cigarette smoke twice a day (once 30 minutes)and intermittent hypoxia circumstance 8 hours/day. Each group was exposed for 8 weeks. At the beginning of 9 weeks,the blood gas analysis was performed in 5 rats selected randomly from each group,and the rest rats were sacrificed and their hearts and lungs were taken. Under light microscope,the lung tissues stained with hematoxylin-eosin(HE)were examined. The lung pathology and the results of blood gas analysis showed that the emphysema with IH rat model was established successfully. The levels of malonaldehyde(MDA)and superoxide dismutase(SOD)in rat myocardium were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA),and the subunit p22phox mRNA expressions of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate(NADPH)-oxidase were detected by real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR). Results Compared with the normal group, the MDA levels and p22phox mRNA expressions were increased obviously in emphysema group, IH group and emphysema with IH group〔MDA(μmol/g):2.93±0.54, 3.58±0.63, 4.51±0.72 vs. 1.75±0.56, p22phox mRNA:0.043±0.004,0.067±0.015,0.123±0.016 vs. 0.018±0.002,all P<0.05〕,but the activities of SOD were decreased significantly(U/mg:36.07±4.79,33.51±7.12,24.29±5.36 vs. 46.08±5.12,all P<0.05). In emphysema with IH group,the increase of MDA levels and p22phox mRNA expressions and decrease of SOD levels were more remarkable compared with those in emphysema group and IH group(all P<0.05). The expression of p22phox mRNA was positively correlated with MDA level(r=0.734,P<0.001). Conclusion The myocardial tissue oxidative stress injury in rats induced by emphysema with intermittent hypoxia exposure is more serious than that induced by exposure of either emphysema or intermittent hypoxia alone,NADPH oxidase possibly being the important medium of myocardial cell response to oxidative stress.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the impact of nicotine- and tar-free cigarette smoke extract (fCSE) on the serum testosterone (T) level and erectile function of male rats.

METHODSWe randomized 30 male SD rats to three groups of equal number to receive subcutaneous injection of PBS (1.0 ml / 300 g body weight per day), fCSE (1.0 ml/300 g body weight per day), and reduced glutathione hormone (GSH, 200 mg per kg body weight per day) in addition to fCSE (fCSE + GSH), respectively, all for 8 weeks. Then we evaluated the erectile function of the rats by measuring the maximal intracavernous pressure (MICP), mean arterial pressure (MAP), ICP/MAP ratio, time of stimulation to MICP (Tmax), and cavernosal filling fate (CFR). We determined the serum T level, the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) , malondialdehyde (MDA), and nitric oxide synthase (NOS) in the cavernosal tissue, and also observed the morphological changes of the corpus cavernosum.

RESULTSCompared with the controls, the rats of the fCSE group showed obvious decreases in the levels of serum T ([5.37 ± 1.43] vs [3.22 ± 1.11] μg/L), NOS ([2.90 ± 0.27] vs [1.67 ± 0.18] U/mg) , and SOD ([18.41 ± 1.09] vs [13.36 ± 1.18] U/mg prot) and erectile function-related indexes MICP ([85.92 ± 6.36] vs [58.99 ± 10.76] mmHg), MICP/MAP (0.86 ± 0.09 vs [0.56 ± 0.08]), and CFR (2.14 ± 0.44 vs 0.89 ± 0.44), but markedly increased Tmax ([29.90 ± 5.78] vs [42.90 ± 8.56]s), with a positive correlation between the serum T level and CFR (r = 0. 364, P < 0.05). Masson staining revealed a lower ratio of the corpus cavernosum smooth muscle tissue to collagen fiber in the fCSE group (0.27 ± 0.04) than in the control (0.98 ± 0.12). Compared with the fCSE group, the fCSE + GSH group exhibited significantly improved MICP ([58.99 ± 10.76 ] vs [77.95 ± 7.71] mmHg), MICP/MAP (0.56 ± 0.08 vs 0.77 ± 0.09), and CFR (0.89 ± 0.44] vs 1.76 ± 0.42) and shortened Tmax ([42.90 ± 8.56 ] vs [32.10 ± 5.84 ] s). The ratio of the corpus cavernosum smooth muscle tissue to collagen fiber was higher in the fCSE + GSH than in the fCSE group (0.77 ± 0.09 vs 0.27 ± 0.04) but still lower than in the control (0.98 ± 0.12).

CONCLUSIONNicotine- and tar-free cigarette smoke extract reduces the serum T level and erectile function of rats, which is related to oxidative stress. Antioxidant therapy can improve erectile function but has a limited value for morphological protection of the penile tissue.

Animals ; Erectile Dysfunction ; chemically induced ; Male ; Malondialdehyde ; metabolism ; Muscle, Smooth ; pathology ; Nicotine ; Nitric Oxide Synthase ; metabolism ; Penile Erection ; drug effects ; Penis ; pathology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Smoke ; adverse effects ; Superoxide Dismutase ; metabolism ; Tars ; Tobacco ; adverse effects

In this study, we explored the mechanism of Huganning tablet (HGNP) in the treatment of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) based on network pharmacology and computer-aided drug design. Firstly, the potential ingredients and targets of HGNP were identified from TCMSP database, Swiss Target Prediction database, Chinese pharmacopoeia (2015) and literatures, and then the targets of HGNP intersected with NAFLD disease targets that obtained in GeneCards database to acquired potential targets. The bioconductor bioinformatics package of R software was used for gene ontology (GO) enrichment and Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes (KEGG) enrichment analysis. The network of “potential ingredient-key target-pathway” was formed in Cytoscape software to study the interactions between potential ingredients of HGNP, key targets, pathways and NAFLD. Based on the results of network pharmacology, the molecular docking analysis of the key targets and potential active ingredients in HGNP tablets with top degree in the network was conducted using Discovery Studio 2020 software, followed by molecular dynamics simulations, binding free energy calculation, drug-likeness properties analysis and ADMET (absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion and toxicity) properties prediction. In vitro, HepG2 cells were used to establish steatosis model, and the effects of five key compounds on hepatocyte steatosis were analyzed by oil red O staining and triglyceride (TG) content determination. The results showed that 141 ingredients and 151 potential targets were obtained. A total of 2 526 items and 151 pathways were identified by GO and KEGG enrichment analysis. The molecular docking suggested that five components, isorhamnetin, salvianolic acid B, emodin, resveratrol and rhein, exhibited strong binding ability with key targets [retinoic acid receptor RXR-alpha (RXRA), tumor necrosis factor (TNF), glycogen synthase kinase-3 beta (GSK3B), serine/threonine-protein kinase 1 (AKT1)]. It was further verified that isorhamnetin and salvianolic acid B bind to key targets with good structural stability and binding affinity based on molecular dynamics simulations and binding free energy calculations. The drug-likeness properties, pharmacokinetic properties and toxicity of five key compounds were more comprehensively analyzed through drug-likeness properties analysis and ADMET properties prediction. In vitro, all five compounds, isorhamnetin, salvianolic acid B, emodin, resveratrol, and rhein, improved hepatocyte steatosis of HepG2 cells, confirming the reliability of the present study. In conclusion, based on network pharmacology, computer-aided drug design and in vitro validation, this study investigated the mechanism of HGNP for the treatment of NAFLD at multiple levels and provided a basis for its clinical application.

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of a slow-release recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 (rhBMP-2) formulation on the expressions of receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand (RANKL) and osteoprotegerin (OPG) in a murine air pouch model of bone implantation.

METHODSA cranial bone allograft was implanted in the air pouch induced on the back of the recipients. The rat models were then randomized into 5 groups, including a blank control group, chromium particle group, and 3 rhBMP-2 groups receiving 50, 100 or 200 µg/L slow-release rhBMP-2 in addition to chromium particles. Three weeks later, the expressions of RANKL and OPG in the air pouch was detected using Western blotting and RT-PCR, and the positively stained area for osteoclasts in the bone graft was determined with TRAP staining for drug effect assessment.

RESULTSRANKL and OPG expressions were found in the air pouches in all the 5 groups. RANKL and OPG protein and mRNA expressions, RANKL/OPG ratio and osteoclast staining area in the bone graft were the highest in chromium particle group (P<0.05), but were significantly decreased by treatment with the slow-release rhBMP-2 formulation (P<0.05); the measurements showed no significant differences between the blank control group and 200 µg/L rhBMP-2 group (P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONChromium particles can cause osteolysis by increasing the RANKL/OPG ratio in rats, and intervention with slow-release rhBMP-2 can significantly promote bone formation and suppress bone resorption by decreasing RANKL/OPG ratio.

Animals ; Arthroplasty, Replacement ; adverse effects ; Bone Morphogenetic Protein 2 ; pharmacology ; Bone Resorption ; prevention & control ; Bone Transplantation ; Chromium ; adverse effects ; chemistry ; Delayed-Action Preparations ; Disease Models, Animal ; Female ; Male ; Osteolysis ; etiology ; prevention & control ; Particle Size ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Recombinant Proteins ; pharmacology ; Skull ; Transforming Growth Factor beta ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVEIt laid the foundation of the large sample data mining for a comprehensive summary concerning four properties theory of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), and also provided theory clues on determination of four properties for the new resource development of TCM and the clinical use of Chinese medicine.

METHODFour properties data of 8 980 Chinese medicines from "Chinese herbal medicine (CHM)" and associated function index data were chose as data sets. Then, the IBM SPSS Clementine 14.1 data mining platform and Apriori model were adopted to mining classification-association rules, setting the minimum support threshold of rule antecedent and the minimum confidence threshold as 0.5% and 60%.

RESULT11 classification-association rules involved in warm, cold and mild natures were found.

CONCLUSIONIt was discovered that the TCM with functions of "dispelling wind-cold, warming the middle, stopping pain and expelling wind-removing dampness, tonifying kidney yang, unblocking meridians and expelling wind-removing dampness, dispelling cold to stop pain, strengthening sinews-bones and expelling wind-removing dampness" was likely warm-natured, with functions of "tonifying the lung" was likely mild-natured, and with functions of " clearing heat and drying dampness, clearing heat and purging fire, eliminating restlessness" was likely cold-natured.

Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Phytotherapy

OBJECTIVEIn order to provide theoretical clues and data support for the use of Chinese medicine clinical drug, experimental study of Chinese materia medica and development of new resources of Chinese materia medica, the four properties as the core, the relationships of property, flavor, channel tropism and toxicity in nature data of Chinese materia medica were analyzed.

METHODThe spearman rank correlation method was employed to analyze 8 356 Chinese drugs with characteristic of four properties from " Chinese Herbal Medicine" based on data level coding.

RESULTIt was discovered that four properties showed significant positive correlations with tastes of "pungent and sweet" , channels of "spleen" , "stomach" , "kidney" and "toxicity" , but also showed significant negative correlations with tastes of "bitter" and "light" and six channels such as "large intestine" , "heart", "bladder" , "gallbladder" , "small intestine" and "lung" (in descending order of correlation ) (P <0. 01).

CONCLUSIONIt was indicated that the more hot the Chinese medicine nature, the more possible it contained "toxicity" , tastes of "pungent" and "sweet" , and the more possible it was belong to channels of "spleen" , "stomach" and "kidney". As well, the more cold the Chinese medicine nature, the more possible it contained tastes of "bitter" and "light", and the more possible it was belong to six channels such as "large intestine", etc.

Herbal Medicine ; methods ; Materia Medica ; standards ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; methods ; standards

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Decompression, Surgical ; Female ; Fractures, Bone ; complications ; surgery ; Humans ; Leg Injuries ; complications ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged

AIM:To explore the effect of sex on the formation of chronic pancreatitis(CP)by comparing the differences in L-arginine-induced CP model between male and female mice.METHODS:Male(n=42)and female(n=42)Kunming mice were randomly divided into 4 groups:female control group, female CP group, male control group and male CP group(n=18 in each control group, n =6 at each time point; n=24 in each CP group, n=8 at each time point).The mice in CP groups were intraperitoneally injected with 20%L-arginine(3 g/kg,twice/d,1 d/week).After modeling for 2 weeks,4 weeks and 6 weeks,the mice were anesthetized and sacrificed.The morphological changes and the degree of fibrosis in the pancreas were observed by HE and Masson staining.The positive expression rate of F4/80 in the pancreatic tissues was observed by the method of immunohistochemistry.The mRNA expression of interleukin-6(IL-6), α-smooth muscle actin(α-SMA)and fibronectin(FN)in the pancreas were detected by real-time PCR.The protein of pancreas was extracted to detect the expression of α-SMA and FN by Western blot.RESULTS:At 2 weeks,4 weeks and 6 weeks after intraperitoneal injection of L-arginine, the pancreatic tissues were obviously injured and exhibited different degrees of fibrosis in female and male CP groups.At the same time,there were significant differences in the degree of pan-creatic injury between male and female mice,and the degree of pancreatic lesion in the male mice was significantly more severe.The positive rate of F4/80 in the pancreas of male CP mice was significantly higher than that in female CP group at the same time point after modeling.At every time point, the mRNA expression of IL-6 in the pancreas was increased in both female and male CP groups,but that in male CP group was higher(P<0.05).The fibrosis indexes,α-SMA and FN, were both highly expressed at mRNA and protein levels after modeling, but compared with the female group, the time of positive expression in male mice was earlier and the expression level was higher(P<0.05).CONCLUSION: The CP model is successfully established by intraperitoneal injection of 20%L-arginine,and a difference in the degree of pathologic alteration in pancreas between male and female mice exists.CP is more effectively induced by L-arginine in male mice,and the degree of fibrosis is more pronounced.The reason may be related to the sensitivity of male mice to L-arginine,causing more serious inflammatory response.Therefore,male mice are more suitable for establishing CP animal model.