BACKGROUND:Studies have found that Wudi Dan can suppress local inflammatory response of the lesioned joints to protect the articular cartilage. OBJECTIVE:To verify the effect of Wudi Dan on chondrocyte viability and apoptosis as wel as the therapeutic effect on osteoarthritis. METHODS:Rat chondrocytes were cultured in serum medium containing Wudi Dan, and the effects of Wudi Dan on cel viability and apoptosis were observed by comparison with the control group. Rabbit model of knee osteoarthritis was constructed using modified Hulth method. Rabbit models were divided into two groups:Wudi Dan group treated with Wudi Dan and control group treated with normal saline, twice a day, consecutively for 4 weeks. Therapeutic effect of Wudi Dan on knee osteoarthritis was observed;cel viability and apoptosis were observed under microscope;the levels of interleukin-1 and matrix metal oproteinase-3 were determined using immunohistochemical method. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The apoptotic rate of chondrocytes was significantly lower in the Wudi Dan group than the control group. Pathological findings of the rabbit knee joints showed that the control group had more severe damage to the articular cartilage than the Wudi Dan group. Immunohistochemical staining revealed that in the Wudi Dan group, the cytoplasm and extracel ular matrix were colored light and there were a smal number of positive cel s as wel as low expression of interleukin-1 and matrix metal oproteinase-3. The results suggest that Wudi Dan can effectively protect against articular cartilage lesions, reduce inflammation, and have a good therapeutic effect on osteoarthritis. Its mechanism may be related to inhibition of chondrocyte apoptosis, reduction of cytokine production and inhibition of protein expression of matrix metal oproteinase.

Odontoid fractures constitute the most common cervical spine fracture in the population aged. The optimal management strategy for odontoid fractures remains controversial, especially in the elderly, because of the high morbidity and mortality with both conservative and operative intervention. This review discusses the management of odontoid fractures among the elderly, with a focus on the various treatment options and their outcomes.

Objective To explore the application of nucleic acid test in the diagnosis of HIV western blotting (WB) indeterminate and negative samples. Methods A total of 2 518 HIV samples to be confirmed were collected from the Hubei HIV Confirmation Center Laboratory from 2014 to 2022. The results of follow-up antibody test and nucleic acid test of WB indeterminate and negative samples were analyzed, and the diagnostic rate, sensitivity, specificity and coincidence rate of the two detection strategies were compared. Results There were totally 133 indeterminate or negative samples by WB test. Of the 99 indeterminate samples , 76 (76.77%) had nucleic acid test results >5000 copies/mL. 40 cases were followed up, of which 33 cases (82.50%) turned positive and 7 (17.50%) were still uncertain. Of the 7 samples with 20~5000 copies /mL (7.07%), 2 cases were followed up and both turned positive during the follow-up. 1 case (1.01%) with nucleic acid <20 copies/mL turned positive during follow-up. Among the 34 WB negative samples, 15 cases (45.45%) were > 5 000 copies/mL, 9 of which were seroconversion. The diagnostic rates of ^“antibody confirmation^” and ^“nucleic acid test^” were 96.78% (2 437/2 518) and 99.60% (2 508/2 518), respectively. The sensitivities were 98.02% (2 430/2 479) and 99.88% (2476/2 479), and the specificities were 78.13% (25/32) and 100.00 % (32/32), respectively. The coincidence rates were 97.77% (2 455/2 511) and 99.88% (2 508/2 511), respectively. Conclusion Nucleic acid supplemental test strategy has high diagnostic rate, sensitivity, specificity and coincidence rate. WB indeterminate and negative samples can be diagnosed as early as possible through nucleic acid supplemental testing.