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 Both right and left ventricular function should be taken into account in the assessment of anthracycline (ATC)-induced cardiotoxicity.The aim of this study was to assess the subclinical dysfunction of right cardiac system in patients with newly diagnosed lymphoma who received ATC treatment by echocardiography.Methods A total of 74 patients with lymphoma who received ATC treatment were enrolled.Each patient underwent transthoracic echocardiographic examination before chemotherapy as well as after two,four and six cycles of ATC remedy.Right atrial (RA) and right ventricular (RV) end-diastolic area (EDA) and end-systolic area (ESA) were calculated.RV end-diastolic volume (EDV) and end-systolic volume (ESV),as well as RV ejection fraction (EF) were measured simultaneously.Tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) measurements of systolic and early or late diastolic myocardial velocities of RV free wall at tricuspid annuals were also analyzed.Two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography (2DSTE) was conducted to evaluate RV free wall strain along with strain rate.Results None of the echocardiographic parameters showed significant alteration after two and four cycles of chemotherapy compared with those at baseline (P＞0.05).At the end of the therapy (i.e.after six cycles of ATC treatment),there was still no statistical difference on TDI data aswell as 2DSTE measurements (P＞0.05).An unexpected finding was that the RAEDA((6.6±1.9) cm2 vs (7.7±2.4) cm2) and RAESA ((8.8±2.5) cm2 vs (10.8±2.8) cm2) revealed obvious dilatation after six cures of the regimen compared with those at baseline (P＜0.01).Similar morphologic characteristics displayed on the RVEDA ((14.1 ±3.4) cm2 vs (16.2±3.7) cm2) and RVESA ((7.9±1.9) cm2 vs (9.0±2.2) cm2) (P＜0.01)simultaneously.Furthermore,RVEDV ((29.8±10.5) ml vs (37.0±12.7) ml) and RVESV ((12.7±4.4) ml vs (15.0±5.2) ml),as well as RVEF ((59.4±5.8)％ vs (56.4±5.8)％),in patients with lymphoma presented statistically significant difference between basic state and the level after six cycles of chemotherapy (P＜0.01).Meanwhile,no marked change was detected on left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF) throughout the follow-up period (P＞0.05).Conclusions Echocardiography can be used easily and noninvasively to assess right cardiac system subclinical dysfunction.ATC-induced cardiotoxicity of right cardiac system is firstly manifested as morphological changes than the measurements with novel echocardiographic techniques.In addition,RVEF expresses as a valuable parameter for assessing subtle RV impaired performance in patients with lymphoma received ATC therapy.

ObjectiveTo evaluate the effects on serum homocysteine(Hcy) level,vascular function and carotid intima-media thickness(IMT) in metformin-treated diabetic patients with or without supplementation with folate and Vitamin B12.MethodsA total of 100 newly diagnosed diabetic type 2patients were divided into two groups by random digits table with 50 cases each,90 patients completed study.Forty-seven participants (control group) received a 6-month course of metformin treatment,43 patients (treatment group) received mefformin,folate and Vitamin B12 treatment.The levels of serum Hcy,endothelin-1 (ET-1),carotid IMT,large or small arterial elasticity index (C1,C2),flow-mediated dilatation (FMD) of the brachial artery were evaluated before and after treatment.ResultsThe level of serum Hcy in control group significantly increased compared with before treatment[ (13.4 ± 2.7)μ mol/L vs.(11.1 ± 1.9)μ mol/L],hut the level of serum Hcy in treatment group significantly decreased compared with before treatment [ (9.2 ± 1.8 ) μ mol/L vs. ( 11.3 ± 2.0) μ mol/L ],there was significant difference(P ＜ 0.05 ).A beneficial effect was observed in the serum ET-1,FMD,carotid IMT and C2 in treatment group[ (20.0 ± 6.2)ng/L,( 15.8 ± 7.6)％,(0.8 ± 0.2) mm,(4.1 ± 2.1 ) ml/mm Hg ( 1 mm Hg =0.133 kPa) × 100 vs. (31.3 ±10.1 ) ng/L,(9.7 ± 4.5)％,( 1.1 ± 0.4) mm,(2.3 ± 1.0) ml/mm Hg × 100 ] (P ＜ 0.05).The levels of ET-1,FMD,carotid IMT and C2 after treatment in control group [ (24.8 ± 6.8) ng/L,( 12.9 ± 6.3 )％,(0.9 ± 0.3)mm,(3.0 ± 1.4) ml/mm Hg × 100] had significant difference compared with before treatment [ (30.6 ± 8.7)ng/L,(9.8 ± 4.6)％,( 1.0 ± 0.3) mm,(2.2 ± 0.9) ml/mm Hg × 100](P＜ 0.05).However,the results were improved significantly in treatment group than those in control group (P ＜0.05).In treatment group,significant correlation were detected between changes of Hcy and ET- 1 (r =0.43,P ＜ 0.05 ),carotid IMT(r =0.56,P ＜ 0.05),FMD (r =-0.54,P ＜ 0.05 ),C2 (r =-0.37,P ＜ 0.05 ).ConclusionsAdministration of folate and Vitamin B12 can reduce the levels of serum Hcy and ET-1 in metformin-treated type 2 diabetic patients,which exert beneficial effect on carotid IMT,FMD and C2.

To evaluate the effects of ginseng aqueous extract on learning and memory abilities and neurochemicals in diabetic encephalopathy rat brain. Diabetes mellitus model was established. Cognitive abilities were evaluated with Morris water maze test by the indexes of escape latency time ( ELT) , times of passing through the target area and the percent of swimming track in goal quadrant. We applied online MD-LC-MS/MS method to determine eight neurochemicals in rat hippocampus among different groups in MRM mode. Venusil C18 column was used for separation. Treatment with ginseng aqueous extract significantly improved the cognitive abilities of diabetic rats (p<0. 05). The method had excellent linearity (R2>0. 99). The accuracy and precision could meet the analysis requirement. Comparing with the model group, the concentrations of taurine and acetylcholine were significantly increased ( p<0 . 01 ) after treated with ginseng aqueous extract, but the glutamic acid, aspartic acid,γ-aminobutyric acid, serine, dopamine and serotonine decreased dramatically. Ginseng aqueous extract can efficiently regulate the levels of eight neurochemials in diabetic rat brain to normal.

Objective To explore the reliability of relevant electrocardiogram(ECG) indexes in evaluating isoprenaline(ISO)-induced rat acute ischemic myocardial injury and provide reference for future scientific applications of these models. Methods Seventy male Wistar rats were randomly equally assigned to ten groups according to their body weight: 5,10,20,40,80,160,320,640, 1280 and 2560 μg/kg dose groups. All rats were tail intravenously given corresponding doses of saline diluted isoprenaline according to their body weight. Standard limb Ⅰ , Ⅱ, Ⅲ-lead ECG of all rats were recorded before, immediately after and 1,24,and 72 hour after injection, respectively.Changes of heart rate, T-wave amplitude of Ⅱ -lead and Q-T interval were measured. Results Significant differences were found in heart rates, T-wave amplitudes and Q-T intervals at different time points(F = 15.03,11.28,13.64, all P ＜ 0.01 ), while differences among the ten ISO-dose groups were statistically insignificant (F= 1.45, 1.17,1.09, all P ＞ 0.05). No interaction between observation time and ISO dose was observed on heart rates, T-wave amplitudes and Q-T intervals(F= 0.79,0.82,0.59, all P ＞ 0.05). Immediately after injection of ISO, the heart rates were significantly increased compared with that of pre-injection in all groups(all P ＜ 0.05), of which 320 and 640μg/kg dose groups increased most significantly [(550 ± 47), (521 ± 43)times/min]. T-waves decreased significantly compared with that of pre-injection (all P ＜ 0.01 ), and 20 μg/kg dose and above groups decreased particularly evident, and partly inverted. Q-T intervals of rats in each group were significantly shorter than that of pre-injection(all P ＜ 0.01 ), and 320, 640, 1280 μg/kg groups shortened more pronounced[(0.070 ± 0.006),(0.072 ± 0.005), (0.068 ± 0.005)ms]. One hour after injection, the heart rate of rats in each group decreased,except 320 and 640 μg/kg dose groups[(518 ± 43), (487 ± 36)times/min], which were still higher than that of pre-treatment[(450 ± 40), (448 ± 51 )times/min, all P ＜ 0.05], the rest groups no longer had significant differences (all P ＞ 0.05). ECG T-wave in each group was significantly recovered compared with that of instantly medication (all P＜0.05), and 40 μg/kg dose and above groups recovered more than a big margin, but there were still differences compared with that of pre-treatment (P ＜0.05), while T-waves of 40 μg/kg dose and below groups had returned to the level of pre-treatment. Q-T interval in each group had varying degrees of recovery, except 1280 and 2560 μg/kg dose groups[(0.080 ± 0.004), (0.076 ± 0.011 )ms]which were still less than that of pre-treatment[(0.086 ± 0.007),(0.085 ± 0.006)ms, all P ＜ 0.05], other groups had no significant difference compared with that of pre-treatment (all P ＞ 0.05). Twenty-four hours after injection of ISO, the heart rates of 1280 and 2560 μg/kg dose groups [(389 ± 31 ), (398 ± 23)times/min]decreased significantly compared with that of pre-treatment[(427 ± 43), (438 ±26)times/min, all P ＜ 0.05], while other groups had returned to the level of pre-treatment. Seventy-two hours after injection of ISO, the heart rates, T-wave amplitudes and Q-T intervals of all doses groups had returned to the level of pre-treatment (all P ＞ 0.05). Conclusions There has no significant ST segment in the electrocardiogram of rat.Isoprenaline has an exact effect on shortening Q-T interval. T-wave amplitude and Q-T interval can be used as reliable indexes of ECG for assessment of this animal model.

Objective To evaluate the subclinical dysfunction of left ventricle (LV) induced by anthracycline(ATC) in patients with newly diagnosed diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) by two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography (2DSTE) as well as real-time three-dimensional echocardiography (RT3DE).Methods Traditional echocardiography images and RT3DE images were acquired from 59 patients with DLBCL before,after the completion of two cures(100 mg∕m 2)and four cures of the regimen(200 mg∕m 2).LV global longitudinal strain(GLS),global circumferential strain(GCS),LV apical rotation and basal rotation,LV end-diastolic volume (EDV),end-systolic volume (ESV),stroke volume(SV) and ejection fraction(EF)were calculated simultaneously.Results Compared with baseline, LV apical rotation and basal rotation reduced significantly after two cures and four cures of therapy [LV apical rotation:(5.34±1 .80)°vs (3.80±1 .45)°vs (2.96±1 .1 8)°;LV basal rotation:(-3.32±1 .14)°vs (-2.65±1 .12)°vs (-2.56±1 .19)°;both P <0.01].LV GLS and GCS decreased significantly till four cures of treatment compared with those at baseline[GLS:(-21 .62±2.5 1)% vs(-20.1 7±2.74)%;GCS:(-26.34±4.76)% vs (-23.27 ±4.73)%;both P <0.01].The alternation on EDV,ESV,SV and EF manifested no visible degradation during the whole procedure (P > 0.05 for all). Conclusions Cardiotoxicity during the early phase of anthracycline treatment can be detected via 2DSTE prior to the traditional echocardiographic expression of ventricular systolic function.The left ventricular rotation index seems to be more sensitive than strain parameters for the estimation of early cardiac injury in patients with ATC chemotherapy.There is no safe dose for anthracycline in all patients with DLBCL treated with anthracycline even at lower doses.

Objective: To analyze the epidemiological characteristics of influenza clusters in Hangzhou from 2018 to 2019, so as to provide references for the prevention and control of influenza. Methods: The data came from the epidemic investigation reports of influenza clusters in Hangzhou from the 27th week of 2018 and the 26th week of 2019. The time distribution, school types, population distribution and etiology of influenza were analyzed. Multivariate logistic regression model was employed to analyze the influencing factors for the attack rate of influenza clusters. Results: During the surveillance season, a total of 231 school influenza clusters involving 4 233 cases were reported. The median of the attack rate was 21.74%. The peak of the clusters was in March 2019, with 89 events and 1 476 cases ( 34.87% ). The clusters occurred mainly in primary schools ( 188 events, 81.39% ) and were mainly caused by Victoria-like strains of influenza B virus ( 84 events, 36.36% ). The multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that infection of teachers increased the risk of high attack rate ( OR=3.133, 95%CI: 1.180-8.320 ), and kindergartens had higher risk of high attack rate than primary schools ( OR=4.123, 95%CI: 1.579-10.763 ). Conclusions The influenza clusters in Hangzhou from 2018 to 2019 is mainly caused by Victoria-like strains of influenza B virus. Kindergartens and teachers are the key points for the prevention and control of influenza clusters.

Objective To investigate the current condition of Keshan disease(KD), and inner and outer environmental selenium (Se) levels in Shandong Province, in order to provide scientific evidence for the research, prevention and control work. Methods Inhabitants from 20 villages of 8 counties in KD endemic areas were selected as subjects undergoing general physical examination and electrocardiogram (ECG). Suspicious cases were followed up by chest X-ray radiographs. Meanwhile the Se contents in hair, wheat, corn and sweet potato were measured. Results Ninety one patients with KD, including 82 with latent KD and 9 with chronic KD, were screened out of 2613 inhabitants. The total incidence of KD was 3.48% (91/2613), while the incidence of latent and chronic KD was 3.14%(82/2613) and 0.34%(9/2613) respectively. No new cases of acute or sub-acute KD were found. A total of 368 abnormal ECCs were discovered and the rate of abnormal ECG detected among surveyed population was 14.08% (368/2613). Out of 113 suspects who took X-ray, 57 cases had cardiomagaly. In 217 samples of hair, 228 samples of wheat, 214 samples of corn and 190 samples of sweet potato that were collected, the Se contents were determined by fluorescence. The average Se content in hair, wheat,corn and sweet potato were (0.406±0.090), (0.026±0.009), (0.023±0.010), (0.024±0.006)mg/kg respectively. Conclusions Current condition of KD in Shandong Province remains relatively stable. Se content was increased in the hair, nearly achieving the level in normal areas, but remains low in food.

To discuss the effect of puerarin (Pue) on the proliferation of hypoxia-induced pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (PASMCs) and discuss whether the extracellular signal PI3K/AKT pathway was involved in the Pue-induced PASMC apoptosis. With the serum starvation group (SD group) as the control group, the MTT colorimetry method, Annexin V-FITC apoptosis detection kit and Western blot were used to detect Pue's effect on apoptosis of rat PASMCs. The protein immunoblot assay was used to detect whether PI3K/AKT pathway was involved in the inhibition of hypoxia-induced PASMC apoptosis process. The results show that under normoxic conditions, Pue had no effect on PASMC apoptosis; Under hypoxia conditions, Pue can inhibit PASMC apoptosis; Under normoxic and hypoxic conditions, Pue had no effect on TNF-α expression. Pue can reverse hypoxia-induced Bcl-2 (P <0.01), up-regulate it and down-regulated Bax (P <0.01). Under normoxic conditions, Pue had no effect on P-AKT expression. Both LY294002 and Pue can inhibit hypoxia-induced Bcl-2, up-regulation of P-AKT expression and down-regulation of Bax expression. Compared with the hypoxia + Pue group or the hypoxia + LY294002 group, the hypoxia + Pue + LY294002 group showed more significantly changes in Bcl-2, Bax, P-AKT expressions. The results show that, Pue can inhibit the hypoxic-induced PASMC apoptosis, which may be regulated through PI3K/AKT pathway.
Animals ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Chromones ; pharmacology ; Isoflavones ; pharmacology ; Morpholines ; pharmacology ; Myocytes, Smooth Muscle ; drug effects ; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases ; physiology ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt ; physiology ; Pulmonary Artery ; cytology ; drug effects ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Signal Transduction ; drug effects

To discuss the effect of puerarin (Pue) on the proliferation of hypoxia-induced pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (PASMCs) and discuss whether its mechanism is achieved by regulating reactive oxygen. PASMCs of primarily cultured rats (2-5 generations) were selected in the experiment. MTT, Western blot, FCM and DCFH-DA were used to observe Pue's effect the proliferation of PASMCs. The Western blot was adopted to detect whether ROS participated in Pue's effect in inhibiting PASMC proliferation. The PASMCs were divided into five groups: the normoxia group, the hypoxia group, the hypoxia + Pue group, the hypoxia + Pue + Rotenone group and the hypoxia + Rotenone group, with Rotenone as the ROS blocker. According to the results, under the conditions of normoxia, Pue had no effect on the PASMC proliferation; But, under the conditions of hypoxia, it could inhibit the PASMC proliferation; Under the conditions of normoxia and hypoxia, Pue had no effect on the expression of the tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) among PASMCs, could down-regulate the expression of hypoxia-induced cell cycle protein Cyclin A and proliferative nuclear antigen (PCNA). DCFH-DA proved Pue could reverse ROS rise caused by hypoxia. Both Rotenone and Pue could inhibit the up-regulated expressions of HIF-1α, Cyclin A, PCNA caused by anoxia, with a synergistic effect. The results suggested that Pue could inhibit the hypoxia-induced PASMC proliferation. Its mechanism may be achieved by regulating ROS.
Animals ; Cell Cycle ; drug effects ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Hypoxia ; pathology ; Isoflavones ; pharmacology ; Male ; Myocytes, Smooth Muscle ; drug effects ; physiology ; Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen ; analysis ; Pulmonary Artery ; cytology ; drug effects ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Reactive Oxygen Species ; metabolism