DNA microarray generally refers to gene chips. Its basic principle is that a large number of oligonucleotide molecules were fixed on the support, and then hybridized with the labeled samples, and then the chip hybridization signal strength was scanned to determine the number of target in the samples. Gene chips can trace the nucleotide sequence in the samples for testing and analyzing. Its characteristics of high-throughput,rapid and parallel acquisition of biological information are better than that of other traditional gene detection technology. It has been widely used in various fields of medical research. This article reviews the application of DNA microarray technology in the study of orthopedics including biological characteristics, formation and development,injury and repair, degeneration and regeneration of articular cartilage.

ObjectiveTo investigate the molecular response of adult and neonate ovine articular cartilage to acute mechanical injury.MethodsAn established in vitro model was used to compare gene expression difference of ovine articular cartilage explants at different developmental stages 24 hours after mechanical injury and the gene expression was compared between these models and that of the uninjured controls by microarray analysis.Total RNA was isolated from the tissue samples,linearly amplified,and applied to a 15 208 Ovine probes cDNA microarray(Agilent).Validation for selected genes(PPARγ,GRO TNC and LDHA) was obtained by real-time polymerase chain reaction.Comparisons between groups were performed by variance analysis.ResultsThere was significant difference in gene expression in adult and neonatal ovine articular cartilage after mechanical injury.Eighty-six genes were significantly manipulated at least 2-fold following mechanical injury for neonate sheep and 83 genes for adult sheep (P＜0.05).Conclusion Our findings indicate that mechanical injury to adult and neonatal ovine articular cartilage results in the activation of a series of signaling responses.We could identify four significant genes that are up or downregulated in response to acute mechanical injury.Significant functional clusters including genes associated with wound healing,articular protection,repair integration,and energy metabolism.Of these,PPARG could be specifically identified as novel target molecules and potential chondroprotective agent involved in traumatic cartilage injury and cartilage integrated repair.

Objective To investigate the expression level of soluble Programmed cell death ligand2 (sPD-L2) in the peripheral blood of patients with Brucella infection and their correlation with helper T cells (Th) subsets. Methods Data from eighty-three patients with confirmed Brucella infection, including 37 patients with acute phase Brucella infection and 46 patients with chronic phase Brucella infection, collected from the People's Hospital of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region between January 2019 and December 2021, were analyzed. Fifty healthy individuals undergoing regular medical check-ups during the same period were included as the Healthy Control (HC) group. Flow cytometry was used to detect the percentage of Th1 and Th2 cells as CD4+ T cells in the peripheral blood of the three groups of samples. Quantitative real-time fluorescence PCR (qRT-PCR) was performed to measure the mRNA expression levels of Th1 and Th2 cell-associated transcription factors T-bet and GATA-3 in the peripheral blood of the three samples. The expression levels of cytokines sPD-L2, IFN-γ, and IL-4 in the serum of the three groups of samples were measured by the cytometric bead array (CBA) technique. Results Th1 cells in the acute phase brucellosis infection group (45.33±4.96)%, mRNA expression levels of T-bet (1.91±0.41), and IFN-γ expression levels (74.42±13.95) pg/mL were significantly higher in the acute phase Brucella disease group compared to the chronic phase group (21.78±4.42)%, (0.65±0.24), and (10.64±3.04) pg/mL, as well as the HC group (28.87±6.67)%, (1.12±0.25), and (7.48±2.92) pg/mL, respectively (P<0.05). Th2 cells (59.80±10.09)%, GATA-3 mRNA expression level (1.50±0.44), and IL-4 level (8.76±2.06) pg/mL were significantly higher in the chronic phase brucellosis infection group compared to the acute phase brucellosis patient group (40.61±9.32)%, (1.02±0.23), and (2.08±0.50) pg/mL, as well as the HC group (46.06±8.84)%, (1.18±0.28), and (2.70±0.75) pg/mL, respectively (P<0.05). Compared to the HC group (91.61±11.44) pg/mL, the sPD-L2 levels were significantly higher in the acute phase brucellosis patient group (156.77±24.69) pg/mL and slightly higher in the chronic phase brucellosis patient group (110.99±29.44) pg/mL, with a statistically significant difference between the acute and chronic phase brucellosis patient groups (P<0.05). Correlation analysis of the brucellosis patient group showed that sPD-L2 levels were positively correlated with the percentage of Th1 cells (r=0.540, P<0.01) and the levels of IFN-γ (r=0.692, P<0.01), and negatively correlated with the percentage of Th2 cells (r=-0.565, P<0.01) and the levels of IL-4 (r=-0.528, P<0.01). Conclusions In patients with acute brucellosis, sPD-L2 levels are significantly increased, which may resist brucellosis by promoting Th1 cells to secrete more pro-inflammatory factors to defend against Brucella infection. In chronic Brucella disease patients, the tilting of immune response types from Th1 to Th2 may be due to a decrease in sPD-L2 expression, which reduces the inhibitory effect of Th2, leading to incomplete clearance of Brucella and thus immune escape. Brucella may affect the conversion of Th1 to Th2 through the sPD-L2 pathway, exerting negative regulatory effects and resulting in difficulty in complete Brucella clearance, thus turning into a chronic phase.

Objective To investigate the prevalence of thyroid nodules and thyroid dysfunction in southern mountainouss areas of Ningxia.Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted among a representative sample of 10 639 adults in Jingyuan county with a population proportionate sampling method.High-resolution ultrasound was used to examine the thyroid and fasting blood specimens were collected in the morning for measurement of TSH,FT4,FT3.Chi-square test and spearman rank correlation analysis were used for statistical analysis.Results The prevalence of thyroid nodules was 29.08％,the sex-and age-adjusted rate was 27.17％.The prevalence of thyroid nodules was higher in women than in men (32.68％ vs.24.88％,x2=76.029 2,P＜0.001) and age was positively associated with thyroid nodules (r=0.272,P＜0.001).The rate of thyroid dysfunetion,subclinical hypothyroidism,subclinical hyperthyroidism,hypothyroidism,hyperthyroidism were 17.39％,13.00％,0.42％,0.96％,3.01％,respectively.The prevalence of thyroid nodules was higher in abnormal TSH group than in normal TSH group (39.44％ vs.27.24％,x2=95.624 0,P＜0.001).The level of THS,FT3,FT4 in thyroid nodules group differed fromn control group (Z=-9.144,P＜0.001;Z=-6.140,P＜0.001;Z=-1.997,P=0.046).Conclusion The prevalence of thyroid nodules and thyroid dysfunction were higher in southern mountainous areas of Ningxia.The relationship between thyroid nodules and thyroid function needs further research.We should pay attention to the early screening and diagnosis of thyroid nodules in mountainous areas.

Objective To investigate the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MS) among adults in rural areas of Ningxia Hui autonomous region.Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted in 10 639 adults enrolled with a multistage method from Jingyuan County.The MS was identified according to Chinese type 2 diabetes prevention guide (2013).Results Among all the subjects, 17.4% of them met the MS definition with the standardized prevalence of 14.7% after adjustment of sex and age.The prevalence and standardized rate of MS in men were 19.9% and 17.3%, and in women were 15.3% and 13.5%.The prevalence of MS in men was higher than that in women(P<0.001) and increased with aging in both genders.The prevalence and standardized rate of abdominal obesity,hyperglycemia,hypertension,high triglycerides,and low HDL-C were 19.5% and 16.7%, 15.0% and 12.9%, 42.0% and 37.1%, 25.8% and 23.1%, 28.5% and 27.7%,respectively.The rate of abdominal obesity was higher in women than in men (20.5% vs 18.2%, P=0.004), whereas the rate of hypertension, high triglycerides, and low HDL-C were higher in men than in women (all P<0.01).The prevalence of having one parameter of the MS was 68.4%.Conclusion The prevalence of MS is higher in rural areas of Ningxia Hui autonomous region, suggesting that a series of comprehensive prevention measures should be carried out to prevent and control the MS so as to improve the public health conditions in rural areas.

Objective:To evaluate the effects of different blood pressure control levels on left ventricular myocardial mechanics in patients with primary elderly hypertension by using two-dimensional speckle tracking imaging (2D-STI).Methods:A total of 315 elderly patients with essential hypertension diagnosed in Bethune Hospital Affiliated to Shanxi Medical University from January to June 2017 were collected and randomly divided into standard antihypertensive group and intensive antihypertensive group. The patients who were receiving antihypertensive drugs were treated with antihypertensive drugs more or less, and the patients who had not yet been treated started antihypertensive drugs therapy. The blood pressure was adjusted to the target value within 3 months (blood pressure in standard antihypertensive group was controlled at 130-150/<90 mmHg, intensive antihypertensive group was controlled at 110-130/<80 mmHg). All patients were followed up for 24 months. After 24 months of antihypertensive drugs treatment, 26 cases of lost follow-up, substandard blood pressure or poor image quality were excluded, and 289 patients were included, standard antihypertensive group ( n=148), intensive antihypertensive group ( n=141) . During the same period, 71 age-matched people without essential hypertension were selected as control group. Comprehensive echocardiography were performed in all subjects at baseline and 24 months. The longitudinal strain of the inner, middle and outer layers (GLS-endo, GLS-mid, GLS-epi) of the whole left ventricle were obtained by two-dimensional speckle tracking technique. The routine echocardiographic and left ventricular strain parameters were compared at baseline and 24 months. Results:①At baseline, the end-diastolic thickness of interventricular septum (IVSD), the end-diastolic thickness of left ventricular posterior wall (LVPWD), the end-diastolic diameter of left ventricle (LVEDD), the left ventricular mass index (LVMI), the relative wall thickness (RWT) and the ratio of early diastolic mitral flow velocity to early diastolic mitral annulus velocity(E/e′) in two antihypertensive groups were higher than those in the control group, and the levels of GLS-endo, GLS-mid and GLS-epi were lower than those in the control group(all P<0.05). There were no significant differences in routine echocardiographic parameters and strain parameters between standard antihypertensive group and intensive antihypertensive group (all P>0.05). ②After 24 months of antihypertensive drugs treatment, LVEDD and E/e′ in standard antihypertensive group and IVSD, LVPWD, LVEDD, LVMI, RWT, E/e′in intensive antihypertensive group were lower than those at baseline, and IVSD, LVMI and RWT in intensive antihypertensive group were lower than those in standard antihypertensive group (all P<0.05). ③After 24 months of antihypertensive drugs treatment, GLS-endo, GLS-mid and GLS-epi in two antihypertensive groups were higher than those at baseline, and GLS-endo, GLS-mid, GLS-epi in intensive antihypertensive group were higher than those in standard antihypertensive group(all P<0.05). Conclusions:①The left ventricular myocardial mechanics is damaged and the systolic function is decreased in elderly patients with essential hypertension; ②The myocardial mechanics is significantly improved after antihypertensive treatment, with more improvement in intensive antihypertensive treatment patients.

Objective To investigate the prevalences of the obesity and hypertension in southern mountain regions of Ningxia. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted among a representative sample of 10 639 adults using questionnaires, physical examinations, and blood pressure measurement in southern mountain areas with a population proportionate sampling method. Results The prevalences of overweight,obesity,central obesity,high percentage of body fat,and hypertension were 33.53%,10.71%,19.50%,27.69%,and 31.57% respectively, which were 30.31%,9.62%,16.70%,24.90%,and 27.61% after age-adjustment in rural areas of Ningxia,and increased with aging(Ptrend<0.05). The prevalences of overweight,obesity,and hypertension were higher in males than those in females(P<0.05),and that of central obesity was higher in females than in males(P=0.003).The prevalences of hypertension in subjects with overweight, obesity, central obesity, high percentage of body fat were 38. 14%, 53.75%,52.69%,and 48.90%,respectively. Body mass index,waist circumference,and percentage of body fat were positively correlated with systolic and diastolic blood pressure(P<0.05). The multivariable logistic model revealed that the risk of hypertension in different types of obesity increased about 1.5 times. Conclusion There is high prevalence of obesity and hypertension among the adults in southern mountain areas of Ningxia. The prevalence of hypertension in obesity,central obesity,and high percentage of body fat is closed to or more than half of the population investigated.

Objective To investigate the prevalence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and the risk factors in Jingyuan county of Ningxia Autonomous Region.Methods The population proportionate sampling method was applied to enroll a representative sample of 10 639 adults in Jingyuan county and the study was conducted using questionnaires and physical examinations.A total of 10 553 people were included in the analysis after excluding those with missing data.High-resolution ultrasound was used to examine the liver and fasting blood was collected in the morning for measurement of blood glucose,blood lipid,and uric acid.The participants were divided into two groups of those with and without nonalcoholic fatty liver disease;the difference in blood biochemical indexes between fatty liver and non-fatty liver groups was compared,and the logistic regression model was used to explore the risk factors affecting the prevalence of fatty liver.Results The prevalence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease was 7.60％.The prevalence of thyroid nodules was higher in men than in women (8.60％ vs.6.82％,x2=1 1.772,P=0.001).The prevalence rate of fatty liver increased with age (x2=57.336,P＜0.001),the prevalence rates among ≥18 years-＜29 years,≥30 years-＜39 years,≥40years-＜49 years,≥50 years-＜59 years,≥60 years-＜69 years,and above 70 years were 2.92％,6.50％,8.81％,9.59％,8.08％,and 4.77％ respectively.The detection rate of overweight,obesity,abdominal obesity,impaired fasting glucose,impaired glucose tolerance,diabetes,hypertension,hyperuricemia,and dyslipidemia were higher in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease group than in the normal group (P＜0.05).Logistic regression analysis showed that nonalcoholic fatty liver disease group had a higher risk for overweight,obesity,abdominal obesity,impaired fasting glucose,impaired glucose tolerance,diabetes,hypertension,hyperurcemia,and dyslipidemia (OR=5.41,12.45,2.99,1.85,2.05,3.30,1.41,2.23,and 1.98).Conclusion The incidence of nonalcoholic fatty liver in Jingyuan county of Ningxia Autonomous Region was higher.The groups of overweight,obesity,abdominal obesity,impaired fasting glucose,impaired glucose tolerance,diabetes,hypertension,hyperuricemia,and dyslipidemia were high risk factors for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.

Objective: To investigate the prevalence of dyslipidemia among adults in the southern mountains of Ningxia Hui Aulonomous Region. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among a representative sample of 10 639 adults in the southern mountains using a population proportionate-sampling method in 2014. Questionnaires were completed and physical and laboratory examinations were performed. A total of 10 172 subjects were included in the analysis after excluding those with missing data. Dyslipidemia was diagnosed according to "Chinese guidelines for the prevention and treatment of dyslipidemia in adults" (2007). Results: The prevalence of dyslipidemia, hypercholesterolemia, hypertriglyceridemia, decreased high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and increased low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) was 33.90%, 0.30%, 12.52%, 28.53%, and 1.14%, and the age-specific prevalence was 32.42%, 0.29%, 10.97%, 27.70%, and 1.07%, respectively. Borderline high triglycerides and borderline increased LDL-C were found in 13.09% and 6.52% of the study population, respectively. The rates of hypertriglyceridemia, decreased HDL-C, and dyslipidemia were higher in males than in females (P<0.05). The prevalence of dyslipidemia was higher in the group characterized by the risk factors of obesity, hypertension, diabetes, hyperuricemia, smoking, and drinking, compared to those without these factors (P<0.05). Conclusion The prevalence of dyslipidemia was higher in men than in women, and the differences were statistically significant. Hypertriglyceridemia and decreased HDL-C were the two major types of dyslipidemia. Obesity, hypertension, diabetes, hyperuricemia, smoking, and drinking alcohol increased the risk of dyslipidemia.