Background: The lateral pillar of the femoral head is an important site for disease development such as osteonecrosis of the femoral head. The femoral head consists of medial, central, and lateral pillars. This study aimed to determine the biomechanical effects of early osteonecrosis in pillars of the femoral head via a finite element (FE) analysis. Methods: A three?dimensional FE model of the intact hip joint was constructed from the image data of a healthy control. Further, a set of six early osteonecrosis models was developed based on the three?pillar classification. The von Mises stress and surface displacements were calculated for all models. Results: The peak values of von Mises stress in the cortical and cancellous bones of normal model were 6.41 MPa and 0.49 MPa, respectively. In models with necrotic lesions in the cortical and cancellous bones, the von Mises stress and displacement of lateral pillar showed significant variability: the stress of cortical bone decreased from 6.41 MPa to 1.51 MPa (76.0% reduction), while cancellous bone showed an increase from 0.49 MPa to 1.28 MPa (159.0% increase); surface displacements of cortical and cancellous bones increased from 52.4 μm and 52.1 μm to 67.9 μm (29.5%) and 61.9 μm (18.8%), respectively. In addition, osteonecrosis affected not only pillars but also adjacent structures in terms of the von Mises stress and surface displacement levels. Conclusions: This study suggested that the early?stage necrosis in the femoral head could increase the risk of collapse, especially in lateral pillar. On the other hand, the cortical part of lateral pillar was found to be the main biomechanical support of femoral head.

OBJECTIVETo understand whether pigs play a role in human infection with avian influenza A H9N2 viruses.

METHODSThe target gene was amplified by RT-PCR, and the PCR product was linked to PGEM-T Vector (Promega, USA) at 4 degrees C, the recombined plasmid was transferred into dH5a bacteria, and the positive colonies were selected and identified with restriction endonuclease. Afterwards, they were sent to Liu He Tong Company in Beijing for nucleotide sequencing. Finally, phylogenetic analysis of the sequencing data was performed with MegAlign (Version 1.03) and Editseq (Version 3.69) software.

RESULTSThe genomic characterizations of A/Swine/Shandong /5/2002(H9N2) and A/Swine/Shandong/10/2002(H9N2) viruses were different from those of H9N2 viruses which were isolated either from men or from chickens. The genomic characteristics of H9N2 viruses isolated from humans in China mainland were similar to those of H9N2 viruses isolated from chickens. Whereas, the genomes of H9N2 viruses isolated from men in Hong Kong, China were closely related to those of H9N2 viruses isolated from quails. Avian influenza A H9N2 viruses not only have wide range of host, but their genomes are also diverse.

CONCLUSIONAvian influenza A H9N2 viruses can directly infect human. Avian influenza A H9N2 viruses did not require to pass through the pigs as mixing vessels prior to infecting man.

Animals ; Base Sequence ; Chick Embryo ; Chickens ; virology ; China ; Columbidae ; virology ; Hemagglutinins, Viral ; genetics ; Humans ; Influenza A Virus, H9N2 Subtype ; classification ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Influenza in Birds ; virology ; Influenza, Human ; virology ; Orthomyxoviridae Infections ; virology ; Phylogeny ; RNA, Viral ; isolation & purification ; RNA-Binding Proteins ; genetics ; Swine ; virology ; Viral Core Proteins ; genetics ; Viral Matrix Proteins ; genetics ; Viral Nonstructural Proteins ; genetics

BACKGROUNDCathepsin B plays an important role in cell cycle, extracellular matrix changes and cutaneous tumorigenesis: whether it plays a role in photoaged skin remains unknown. This study aimed to investigate the role of cathepsin B in skin photoaging in vivo and in vitro.

METHODSThe expressions of cathepsin B were compared with immunohistochemical methods in solar exposed skin and solar protected skin of six healthy Chinese volunteers. The mRNA and protein expression of cathepsin B in ultraviolet light A (UVA) induced premature senescence fibroblasts in vitro were detected by real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blotting technique.

RESULTSDecreased expression of cathepsin B was observed in photoaged skin compared with that of the solar protected skin. In the UVA induced, premature senescence fibroblasts, a lower expression of cathepsin B was detected by Western blotting and a decreased synthesis of cathepsin B mRNA in the same cells was revealed by real-time RT-PCR.

CONCLUSIONSThe results demonstrated a significant negative correlation between skin photoaging and cathepsin B in vitro and in vivo. We propose that cathepsin B, besides matrix metalloproteinases and antioxidant enzymes, is involved in the process of skin photoaging in that it contributes to extracellular matrix remodelling and is a dominant protease in cellular apoptosis and senescence.

Blotting, Western ; Cathepsin B ; analysis ; genetics ; physiology ; Female ; Fibroblasts ; radiation effects ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Skin ; radiation effects ; Skin Aging ; Ultraviolet Rays ; beta-Galactosidase ; analysis

OBJECTIVETo compare the protective activity of liver injury induced by D-galactosamine (GalN) between Huangqin-Tang and their metabolites by human intestinal bacteria(HIB).

METHODThe liver injuries in conventional and pseudo-germfree mice were induced by GalN. After oral administration of Huangqin-Tang and their metabolites mixtures by HIB, the serum transaminase (ALT and AST) activities were detected.

RESULTIn conventional mice, large and medium doses (20 and 10 g.kg-1) of Huangqin-Tang decoction significantly reduced the increase of serum ALT activity after 18 h GalN treatment. In pseudo-germfree mice, metabolites significantly reduced the ALT levels. However, Huangqing-Tang didn't affect the ALT levels in this kind of mice. To all of the animals, AST levels remained the same after oral Huangqin-tang or their metabolites.

CONCLUSIONThe metabolism by intestinal bacteria plays a role in pharmacological effects of constituents of Chinese herbal medicine. The metabolites of the constituents by intestinal bacteria were the real active components in vivo.

Administration, Oral ; Alanine Transaminase ; blood ; Animals ; Aspartate Aminotransferases ; blood ; Bacteria ; metabolism ; Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; isolation & purification ; metabolism ; pharmacology ; Galactosamine ; Intestines ; microbiology ; Liver Diseases ; metabolism ; Male ; Mice ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Protective Agents ; metabolism ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo assess the value of preoperative serum albumin level in predicting the survival of patients with non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) undergoing transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TURBT).

METHODSTwo hundred and sixteen newly diagnosed patients with NMIBC who underwent TURBT between January, 2007 and April, 2012 were retrospectively analyzed. The patients were categorized into low albumin (<40 g/L) and normal albumin (≥40 g/L) groups. The patient survival was estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method, and univariate and multivariate Cox proportional analyses were used to determine the hazard ratios (HRs) for the overall survival (OS).

RESULTSOf the patients with available data, 82 (39%) and 127 (61%) patients were classified into low albumin (<40 g/L) and normal albumin (≥40 g/L) groups, respectively. Kaplan-Meier analysis showed a significantly worse 5-year OS in low albumin group than in normal albumin group (P=0.017). In the multivariate Cox regression analysis, after adjusting for confounding variables, the preoperative albumin level remained as an independent predictor for 5-year OS (HR: 3.102, 95%CI: 1.200-8.020, P=0.020).

CONCLUSIONA low preoperative albumin level predicts a poor 5-year OS in patients with NMIBC who underwent TURBT. Preoperative serum albumin can be a good prognostic factor for predicting survival of the patients with NMIBC treated with TURBT.

Objective To explore the role of Rho-kinase in glioma cell proliferation induced by connective tissue growth factor ( CTGF ) and effects of triptolide/tripterine.Methods A subculture growth of glioma cells were got to take the experiment, the normal control group was not give any drug intervention .CTGF group was given CTGF 2.5 μg? L-1 and incubation for 24 h.Triptolide group was given CTGF 2.5 μg? L-1 and triptolide 0.5 ng? mL-1 and incubation for 24 h.Tripterine group were given CTGF 2.5 μg? L-1 and tripterine 0.5 ng? mL-1 and incuba-tion for 24 h.Y27632 ( group specificity of Rho kinase inhibitor ) cells after 30 min to give CTGF 2.5 μg? L -1 and Y27632 1 μmol? L-1 pre-treatment.The expressions of Rho -kinase protein were detected by ELISA.Glioma cell proliferation was measured by 3 H -TdR assay. Results CTGF could induce the proliferation of glioma cell .Triptolide, tripterine and Y27632 ( Rho kinase inhibitor ) could significantly reverse these effects ( P<0.05 ).In addition, CTGF could induce the activation of Rho-kinase ( P<0.01 ) , while triptolide and tripterine could significantly reverse these effects ( P<0.05 ) , indica-ting the activation of Rho -kinase pathway participates in glioma cell proliferation induced by CTGF . Conclusion CTGF could induce the proliferation of glioma cell , while triptolide , tripterine and Y27632 could significantly reverse these effects.Rho-kinase pathway participates in glioma cell proliferation induced by CTGF .

Objective To explore the role of Rho kinase in vascular smooth muscle cell ( VSMC) proliferation induced by aldosterone ( ALD) and the effect of mineralcocorticoid receptor (MR).Methods The ex-pressions of Rho -kinase protein were detected by Western blot .VSMC proliferation was measured by [ 3 H] Thymidine incorporation.Results ALD could up-regulate the expressions of Rho -kinase protein in dose-and time-dependent manner , peak at 20 min and 100 nmol · L-1 . Eplerenone , mineralcocorticoid receptor antagonist , could significantly reverse these effects , indicating the activation of Rho -kinase pathway induced by ALD in VSMC was mediated by MR .ALD could significantly induce VSMC proliferation , which could be inhibited by eplerenone and Y-276329 ( Rho-kinase inhibitor ) , indicating the VSMC proliferation induced by ALD was mediated by MR and the activation of Rho -kinase pathway.Conclusion Rho-kinase pathway and MR play an important role in VSMC proliferation induced by ALD .

Objective To explore the changes in gut microbiota and levels of short-chain fatty acids(SCFA)in infants with cow's milk protein allergy(CMPA),and to clarify their role in CMPA.Methods A total of 25 infants diagnosed with CMPA at Children's Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University from August 2019 to August 2020 were enrolled as the CMPA group,and 25 healthy infants were selected as the control group.Fecal samples(200 mg)were collected from both groups and subjected to 16S rDNA high-throughput sequencing technology and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry to analyze the changes in gut microbial composition and metabolites.Microbial diversity was analyzed in conjunction with metabolites.Results Compared to the control group,the CMPA group showed altered gut microbial structure and significantly increased α-diversity(P＜0.001).The abundance of Firmicutes,Clostridiales and Bacteroidetes was significantly decreased,while the abundance of Sphingomonadaceae,Clostridiaceae_l and Mycoplasmataceae was significantly increased in the CMPA group compared to the control group(P＜0.001).Metabolomic analysis revealed reduced levels of acetic acid,butyric acid,and isovaleric acid in the CMPA group compared to the control group,and the levels of the metabolites were positively correlated with the abundance of SCFA-producing bacteria such as Faecalibacterium and Roseburia(P＜0.05).Conclusions CMPA infants have alterations in gut microbial structure,increased microbial diversity,and decreased levels of SCFA,which may contribute to increased intestinal inflammation.[Chinese Journal of Contemporary Pediatrics,2024,26(3):236-243]

A new flu caused by a novel influenza A(H1N1) virus has spread over the United States, Mexico and more than 40 other countries. And because of the immediate global concern, WHO has announced that the current level of influenza pandemic alert is raised to phase 5, indicating approaching of an influenza pandemic. As patients suffering from the influenza A (H1N1) have the similar symptoms as patients with seasonal influenza, differential detection and identification of the influenza virus have to depend on specific laboratory tests. We have successfully developed a RT-PCR based method for detection of the influenza A (H1N1) virus, and had applied the method to detection of clinical samples.
Humans ; Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Influenza, Human ; virology ; RNA, Viral ; genetics ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; methods

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the effects of dexmedetomidine (Dex) on injury of A549 cells induced by hypoxia/reoxygenation(H/R)and the influence of C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP) expression. METHODS: Logarithmic growth phase A549 cells(it originated from alveolar type Ⅱ epithelial cell line) were randomly divided into 4 groups (=10):normoxic control group (N), Dex group (D), hypoxia/reoxygenation group (H), hypoxia/reoxygenation + Dex group(HD). At the beginning of modeling, 1 nmol/L Dex was puted into D and HD groups. N and D groups were cultured in the normoxic incubator for 30 h. H and HD group were incubated in the anoxic cultivation for 6 h, fo llowed by normoxic culture for 24 h. Then A549 cells were observed under the inverted microscope to observe the morphological changes. Cell activity was detected by cell counting Kit-8(CCK-8) and the apoptosis index(AI) was detected by in situ end labeling (TUNEL) method. The expression of CHOP、glucose-regulated protein of molecular weight 78 kDa (Grp78)、cysteinyl aspirate-specificprotease-3 (caspase-3) protein and CHOP、Grp78 mRNA were detected by Western blot and RT-PCR. RESULTS: Compared with N group, the number of adherent cells in H group decreased significantly, and cell morphology changed. The absorbance value in H group decreased obviously (<0. 01). The AI value and expression of CHOP, Grp78, caspase-3 proteins and CHOP, Grp78 mRNA were significantly increased (<0.01). Compared with H group, the cell damage in HD group was decreased, the absorbance value increased (<0.01), the number of apoptosis cells decreased relatively (<0.01), the expression of CHOP, caspase-3 protein and CHOP mRNA decreased (<0. 01). CONCLUSIONS Dex has notable effects against H/R injury, which may be related to effective inhibition of apoptosis mediated by the CHOP's signal path.
A549 Cells ; Apoptosis ; Cell Hypoxia ; Dexmedetomidine ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Transcription Factor CHOP ; physiology