BACKGROUNDThe quality of the lateral compartment cartilage is important to preoperative evaluation and prognostic prediction of unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA). Delayed gadolinium-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging of cartilage (dGEMRIC) enables noninvasive assessment of glycosaminoglycan (GAG) content in cartilage. This study aimed to determine the GAG content of the lateral compartment cartilage in knees scheduled to undergo Oxford medial UKA.

METHODSFrom December 2016 to May 2017, twenty patients (20 osteoarthritic knees) conforming to the indications for Oxford medial UKA were included as the osteoarthritis (OA) group, and 20 healthy volunteers (20 knees) paired by sex, knee side, age (±3 years), and body mass index (BMI) (±3 kg/m2) were included as the control group. The GAG contents of the weight-bearing femoral cartilage (wbFC), the posterior non-weight-bearing femoral cartilage (pFC), the lateral femoral cartilage (FC), and tibial cartilage (TC) were detected using dGEMRIC. The dGEMRIC indices (T1Gd) were calculated in the middle three consecutive slices of the lateral compartment. Paired t-tests were used to compare the T1Gd in each region of interest between the OA group and control group.

RESULTSThe average age and BMI in the two groups were similar. In the OA group, T1Gd of FC and TC was 386.7 ± 50.7 ms and 429.6 ± 59.9 ms, respectively. In the control group, T1Gd of FC and TC was 397.5 ± 52.3 ms and 448.6 ± 62.5 ms, respectively. The respective T1Gd of wbFC and pFC was 380.0 ± 47.8 ms and 391.0 ± 66.3 ms in the OA group and 400.3 ± 51.5 ms and 393.6 ± 57.9 ms in the control group. Although the T1Gd of wbFC and TC tended to be lower in the OA group than the control group, there was no significant difference between groups in the T1Gd in any of the analyzed cartilage regions (P value of wbFC, pFC, FC, and TC was 0.236, 0.857, 0.465, and 0.324, respectively).

CONCLUSIONSThe GAG content of the lateral compartment cartilage in knees conforming to indications for Oxford medial UKA is similar with those of age- and BMI-matched participants without OA.

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of Choudongning (CDN)capsule in children with Tourette's syndrome of spleen deficiency and phlegm accumulation through a randomized double-blind three-arm controlled phase Ⅲ study in 588 patients from 8 hospitals. The included patients were randomly divided into test group, positive control group and placebo group at the ratio of 3∶1∶1. Patients in the test group orally took CDN capsules and simulated Tiapridal tablets; the patients in positive control group took Tiapridal tablets and simulated CDN capsules; whereas the patients in placebo group orally took the simulated agents of the above two drugs. The treatment course was 6 weeks for three groups. The global grading rates, YGTSS scores and its factor scores, the degree of social function damage, as well as traditional Chinese medicine syndrome efficacy were evaluated as the outcome measures on efficacy. The AEs/ADRs, vital signs and laboratory testing were observed as outcome measures on safety. The total effective rate of YGTSS was 75.92% in the test group, 72.65% in the positive control group, and 37.29% in the placebo group. Non inferiority test stands between the test group and the positive control group, and they were superior to placebo group in efficacy with statistical difference. Significant difference had also been found among the 3 groups in YGTSS tics score, motor tics score, vocal tics, degree of social function damage and traditional Chinese medicine syndrome efficacy. During the study, there were 5 (1.42%)ADRs in the test group, 10 (8.55%)in the positive control group and 3 (2.54%)in the placebo group. The incidence of ADRs in the test group was lower than that in the positive control group, with statistical difference. It is clear to say that CDN capsule can effectively treat the Tourette's syndrome of spleen deficiency and phlegm accumulation. Its efficacy is not inferior to the commonly used Tiapridal tablets, with even less adverse reactions, so it has clinical application value.

Fifteen pediatric cases of suspected Japanese encephalitis (JE) were reported in Beijing Children's Hospital during the late summer of 2013. The clinical manifestations in most cases included high fever, seizures, and abnormal magnetic resonance imaging findings. Twelve of 15 cases were laboratory-confirmed as JE cases by pathogen identification. Epidemiological investigations showed that five of the 12 laboratory-confirmed patients had an incomplete JE vaccination history. Follow-up investigations after discharge indicated that seven laboratory-confirmed JE patients without JE vaccinations had relatively poor prognoses, with an average Modified Rankin Scale (MRS) score of 2.6 when compared with the other five laboratory-confirmed, JE-vaccinated patients with an average MRS score of 0.5. The observation of pediatric JE cases among those with a history of JE vaccination warrants further attention.
Beijing ; epidemiology ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Encephalitis Virus, Japanese ; physiology ; Encephalitis, Japanese ; diagnosis ; epidemiology ; virology ; Female ; Humans ; Japanese Encephalitis Vaccines ; administration & dosage ; Male ; Prognosis

OBJECTIVETo investgate the effects of rapamycin(RPM)and RPM-loaded poly(lactic-co-glycolic)acid(PLGA)nanoparticles(NPs)on the apoptosis of human umbilical arterial vascular smooth muscle cells(HUASMCs)in vitro and expression of bcl-2 and p27(kip1) protein.

METHODSHUASMCs were cultured in vitro and divided to RPM and RPM-PLGA-NPs groups treated at 3 different concentration by 12 and 24 hours,with M231-smooth muscle growth supplements medium and null-PLGA-NPs treated groups as controlled. The apoptosis of HUASMCs was determined by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate nick end labeling staining and flow cytometry. The expressions of bcl-2 and p27(kip1) were detected by streptacidin/peroxidase immunohistochemical method. The effect on cellular proliferation was assessed by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromidecolorimetry.

RESULTSThe proliferation of HUASMCs was inhibited by RPM and RPM-PLGA-NPs in a dose-dependent manner. DNA electrophoresis showed DNA ladder in RPM and RPM-PLGA-NPs groups and classical scalar strips in control groups. The apoptotic indexes of RPM 100 ng/ml group and RPM-PLGA-NPs 500 ng/ml group detected by flow cytometry were(45.45<2.36)% and(35.04<5.64)%,respectively,which were significantly higher than that of M231-smooth muscle growth supplements control group [(2.60<0.95)%,all P<0.01]. The apoptotic indexes of groups incubated with RPM and RPM-PLGA-NPs for 24 hours were significantly higher than those of groups which incubated for 12 hours(P<0.05,P<0.01). The positive expression indexes(PEI)of p27(kip1) and bcl-2 protein were higher in RPM and RPM-PLGA-NPs groups than that of control groups. The Spearman's rank correlation coefficient test showed that there was no significant correlation between the PEI of p27(kip1) and the apoptotic indexes in the RPM group and RPM-PLGA-NPs group(P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONSRapamycin-loaded PLGA nanoparticles and rapamycin have similar effects in inhibiting proliferation and inducing apoptosis;meanwhile,they upregulate the expression of p27(kip1) protein without downregulating the expression of bcl-2 protein in HUASMCs in vitro. RPM-PLGA-NPs has more potent pro-apoptotic effect than equivalent dose of RPM but is not linearly correlated with the p27(kip1) expression level.

Apoptosis ; Cell Proliferation ; Cells, Cultured ; Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p27 ; Humans ; In Situ Nick-End Labeling ; Lactic Acid ; Muscle, Smooth, Vascular ; Myocytes, Smooth Muscle ; Nanoparticles ; Polyglycolic Acid ; Sirolimus ; Umbilical Arteries

To observe the serum samples and the anti-inflammatory effect of Tripterygium wilfordii in treating RA by using the pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic model, make a correlation analysis on concentration-time and effect-time curves, and explore RORγt, IL-17, STAT3, IL-6 mRNA transcriptional levels in rats by PCR. Methotrexate, tripterine and high-dose T. wilfordii could down-regulate RORγt, IL-17, STAT3, IL-6 mRNA transcriptional levels in AA rat lymph nodes. The study on PK-PD model showed correlations between inflammatory factors and blood concentration of T. wilfordii. T. wilfordii and its main active constituent tripterine could show the inflammatory effect and treat RA by inhibiting IL-17 cytokine.
Animals ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid ; drug therapy ; immunology ; Biomarkers ; Female ; Interleukin-17 ; antagonists & inhibitors ; genetics ; Interleukin-6 ; genetics ; Phytotherapy ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Tripterygium ; Triterpenes ; pharmacokinetics ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo study soft tissue changes observed through musculoskeletal ultrasound (MSUS) in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis with needle-knife, so as to provide MSUS basis for needle-knife in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis.

METHODSForty patients with knee osteoarthritis treated in the Third Affiliated Hospital of Beijing University of Chinese Medicine from December 2011 to December 2012 were selected according to inclusion and exclusion criteria. All the patients were treated with needle-knife release method. The VAS scores and knee joint circumference were recorded before treatment and 2 weeks after treatment. The changes of knee joint hydrops articuli and joint synovial thickness were measured through MSUS.

RESULTSThe knee pain index was 6.850 +/- 1.417 before treatment and 2.790 +/- 1.299 after treatment;the index after treatment was lower than that of before treatment. The knee joint circumference was 407.320 +/- 45.151 mm before treatment and 391.240 +/- 41.129 mm after treatment; the knee joint circumference decreased after treatment. The amount of hydrops articuli observed by musculoskeletal ultrasound showed that 47 knees were cured, 19 knees improved and 2 knees failed. The synovial membrane thickness: 43 knees cured, 17 knees improved and 8 knees failed.

CONCLUSIONThe hydrops articuli and synovial thickness of knee joint of patients with knee osteoarthritis observed under the MSUS is consistent with the main symptoms and signs, which suggests that MSUS observation on soft tissue changes before and after needle knife in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis with high reliability.

Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Knee Joint ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Needles ; Osteoarthritis, Knee ; complications ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; surgery ; Pain ; complications ; Synovial Membrane ; pathology ; Treatment Outcome ; Ultrasonography

Objective To construct a multi-gene recombinant pcDNA3-HBsAg-p30-ROP2 expression vector and identify it preliminarily. Methods According to recombinant pcDNA3-p30-ROP2 restriction sites,HBV HBsAg gene sequences of primers were designed and synthesized to amplify target fragment,and then cloned into pcDNA3-HbsAg-p30-ROP2 expression vector. Af-ter sequencing,it was identified finally by restriction enzyme digestion and other molecular biology techniques. Results HBV HBsAg gene segment was amplified by PCR and the multi-gene recombinant pcDNA3-HBsAg-p30-ROP2 expression vector was constructed and identified to be correct as theoretical values. The PCR and restriction enzyme digestion results showed that HBsAg and p30-ROP2 gene in recombinant plasmid were confirmed by DNA sequencing. Conclusion The multi-gene recombinant pcD-NA3-HBsAg-p30-ROP2 expression vector is successfully constructed.

BACKGROUNDData on the epidemiology of hypertension in Chinese non-dialysis chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients are limited. The aim of the present study was to investigate the prevalence, awareness, treatment, and control of hypertension in the non-dialysis CKD patients through a nationwide, multicenter study in China.

METHODSThe survey was performed in 61 tertiary hospitals in 31 provinces, municipalities, and autonomous regions in China (except Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan). Trained physicians collected demographic and clinical data and measured blood pressure (BP) using a standardized protocol. Hypertension was defined as systolic BP ≥ 140 mmHg and/or diastolic BP ≥ 90 mmHg, and/or use of antihypertensive medications. BP < 140/90 mmHg and < 130/80 mmHg were used as the 2 thresholds of hypertension control. In multivariate logistic regression with adjustment for sex and age, we analyzed the association between CKD stages and uncontrolled hypertension in non-dialysis CKD patients.

RESULTSThe analysis included 8927 non-dialysis CKD patients. The prevalence, awareness, and treatment of hypertension in non-dialysis CKD patients were 67.3%, 85.8%, and 81.0%, respectively. Of hypertensive CKD patients, 33.1% and 14.1% had controlled BP to < 140/90 mmHg and < 130/80 mmHg, respectively. With successive CKD stages, the prevalence of hypertension in non-dialysis CKD patients increased, but the control of hypertension decreased (P < 0.001). When the threshold of BP < 130/80 mmHg was considered, the risk of uncontrolled hypertension in CKD 2, 3a, 3b, 4, and 5 stages increased 1.3, 1.4, 1.4, 2.5, and 4.0 times compared with CKD 1 stage, respectively (P < 0.05). Using the threshold of < 140/90 mmHg, the risk of uncontrolled hypertension increased in advanced stages (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe prevalence of hypertension Chinese non-dialysis CKD patients was high, and the hypertension control was suboptimal. With successive CKD stages, the risk of uncontrolled hypertension increased.

Adult ; Aged ; Awareness ; Female ; Humans ; Hypertension ; complications ; epidemiology ; therapy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prevalence ; Renal Insufficiency, Chronic ; complications

OBJECTIVETo assess the relationship of high altitude de-adaptation response (HADAR) with acute high altitude response (AHAR) and cardiac function.

METHODSNinety-six military personnel of rapid entering into high altitude (3 700 to 4 800 m) with strong physical work were analyzed, all subjects were male, aged 18 - 35 years. According to the symptomatic scores of AHAR were divided into 3 groups: sever AHAR (group A, 24), mild to moderate AHAR (group B, 47) and non-AHAR (group C, 25) at high altitude. According to the symptomatic scores of HADAR were divided into 3 groups: severe HADAR (group E, 19), mild to moderate HADAR (group F, 40) and non-HADAR (group G, 37) after return to lower altitude (1 500 m). Mean pulmonary arterial pressure (mPAP), right ventricular internal dimension (RVID), outflow tract of right ventricle (RVOT), left ventricular internal dimension (LVID), left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), cardiac muscle work index (Tei index), creatine kinase isoenzymes-MB (CK-MB), lactic dehydrogenase isoenzyme-1 (LDH-1) were measured at high altitude stayed 50 days and after return to lower altitude 12 h, 15 d, and 30 d. Fifty healthy volunteers (group D) at 1 500 m altitude served as control.

RESULTSLevel of mPAP, RVID, RVOT, RVID/LVID ratio, Tei index, CK-MB,and LDH-1 were higher, and LVEF was lower in group A than those in group B, C and D, there were significant differences between group B and C, C and D (all P < 0.01). AHAR scores were positively correlated with HADAR scores (r = 0.863, P < 0.01). Twelve hours after return to lower altitude, level of mPAP, RVID, RVOT, RVI/LVID ratio, Tei index, CK-MB, and LDH-1 were higher, and LVEF was lower in group E than those in group F, G and D, there were significant differences between group F and G, G and D (all P < 0.01). Fifteen days after return to lower altitude, level of mPAP, RVID, RVOT, RVID/LVID ratio were higher in group E than those in group F, G, and D, there were significant differences between group F and G, and D (P < 0.01 or P < 0.05), there were no significant differences between group G and D (all P > 0.05), LVEF, Tei index, CK-MB, LDH-1 showed no significant differences among groups (all P > 0.05). Thirty days after return to lower altitude, these parameters in group E, F, and G showed no significantly differences compared with those of group D (all P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe severity of HADAR is associated with severity of AHAR and cardiac injury, the more serious of AHAR and cardiac injury at high altitude, the more serious of HADAR and cardiac injury after return to lower altitude, the more long of restore of right cardiac morphologic injury.

Adaptation, Physiological ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Altitude ; Altitude Sickness ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Case-Control Studies ; Heart ; physiopathology ; Heart Function Tests ; Humans ; Male ; Myocardium ; enzymology ; Young Adult

The study aimed to investigate the age-related changes and drug reactions of transient outward potassium current (Ito) of ventricular myocytes. Twenty-eight Sprague Dawley rats were divided into young (3-5 months), adult (13-15 months) and aged (22-24 months) groups, and Ito currents of isolated myocytes from each group were recorded respectively by patch-clamp. The perfusion of 2.0 mmol/L 4-AP or 1.0 μmol/L isoproterenol was added respectively in each group, and the changes of Ito were observed. In comparison with young and adult groups, Ito densities of ventricular myocytes in aged group was significantly increased, the curve of steady-state activation of Ito shifted to the left, the close-state inactivation rate significantly decreased, and recovery rate from the steady-state inactivation became quicker. However, no significant changes could be detected for the Ito steady-state inactivation of ventricular myocytes in aged group. The similar responsiveness to 4-AP was observed in all three groups, but the responsiveness to isoproterenol was weaker in the aged group (55.9%) than in the other two groups (127.5% and 125.8%). In conclusion, the results show that Ito of rat ventricular myocyte of aging heart has increased current density and decreased response to isoproterenol.
4-Aminopyridine ; pharmacology ; Aging ; Animals ; Cells, Cultured ; Heart Ventricles ; cytology ; Isoproterenol ; pharmacology ; Myocytes, Cardiac ; physiology ; Potassium Channels ; physiology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley