Objective To investigate the effect of nerve growth factor (NGF) on the bone induction of recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 (rhBMP-2) through local application of NGF in the osteoinductive process of BMP. Methods Thirty-six ICR mice were divided into the experimental group and control group at random, and rhBMP-2/collagen composite was implanted into the right thigh muscle pouch of each group. NGF or vehicle was daily injected into the implanted sites of BMP, respectively, for 7 days starting from the third day after surgery. At d10, d20 and d30 after implantation, new bone formation was measured radiographically, biochemically and histologically to compare the osteogenetic capacity of the two groups. Results In both groups, new bone formation was found at d10. However, there was significantly more new bone in the experimental group according to histological and radiographic examinations. At d10 and d20, alkaline phosphatase activity of the local tissue in the experimental group was significantly greater than that in the control group, and calcium and phosphonium contents of samples were also greater in the experimental group. Arrangement of collagen fibers became more regular in the experimental group than that in the control group. Conclusion NGF possesses synergistic effect on ectopic bone formation induced by rhBMP-2.

Objective:To explore the clinical features and risk factors of systemic lupus erythematosus(SLE) concomitant with interstitial lung disease(ILD) in children.Methods:A retrospective analysis was performed.A total of 111 hospitalized children diagnosed with SLE in the Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Children′s Hospital of Soochow University from February 2016 to November 2018 were selected as the research subjects and divided into the SLE-ILD group(18 cases) and the SLE-non-ILD group(93 cases)according to the lung high-resolution CT manifestations. T-test and Wilcoxon rank sum test were used to compare and analyze the general situation, clinical manifestations and laboratory results.Multivariate Logistic regression was used to analyze the risk factors of SLE-ILD. Results:The prevalence of SLE-ILD was 16.2%(18/111 cases). There were significant differences between the SLE-ILD group and the SLE-non-ILD group in the course of disease [14.00 (12.00-24.25) months vs.1.00(1.00-2.00) months], the incidence of serositis [55.6%(10/18 cases) vs.8.6%(8/93 cases)], post-activity shortness of breath [83.3%(15/18 cases) vs.25.8%(24/93 cases)], nervous system damage [27.8%(5/18 cases) vs.6.5%(6/93 cases)], cardiovascular system damage [38.9%(7/18 cases) vs.9.7%(9/93 cases)], the occu-rrence of increased erythrocyte sedimentation rate [66.7%(12/18 cases) vs.31.2%(29/93 cases)], the decreased C 3[88.9%(16/18 cases) vs.62.4%(58/93 cases)], positive anti neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA) [88.9%(16/18 cases) vs.18.3%(17/93 cases)], positive anti-Sm antibody [61.1%(11/18 cases) vs.15.1%(14/93 cases)] and anti ribonucleoprotein antibody (anti RNP antibody)[66.7%(12/18 cases) vs.16.1%(15/93 cases)](all P<0.05). Logistic regression analysis demonstrated that serositis( OR=30.535, 95% CI: 2.167-430.336, P=0.011), shortness of breath after exercise( OR=55.115, 95% CI: 1.117-2 579.852, P=0.041), positive ANCA( OR=65.090, 95% CI: 4.488-944.071, P=0.002) and positive anti-RNP antibody( OR=10.007, 95% CI: 1.362-73.500, P=0.024) were risk factors for SLE-ILD. Conclusions:The longer the course of SLE, the higher the incidence of ILD; serositis, shortness of breath after exercise, positive ANCA and positive anti RNP antibody may be risk factors for SLE-ILD.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the relationship between 8 endocrine-disrupting chemicals in the serum and insulin resistance in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

METHODSThis study was conducted among 60 patients with PCOS, including 23 with insulin resistance (PCOS-IR) and 37 without insulin resistance (PCOS-NIR), and 29 non-PCOS women seeking medical attention for infertility or menstrual disorder (control group). The serum levels of 6 phthalic acid esters (PEAs), bisphenol A (BPA) and octylphenol (OP) were measured in all the subjects.

RESULTSThe levels of PAEs, BPA and OP showed no significant differences between PCOS patients and the control group (P>0.05). The serum level of OP was significantly lower in patients PCOS-IR than in those with PCOS-NIR (47.89 ng/ml vs 60.24 ng/ml, P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONPEAs and BPA do not produce obvious effect on the pathogenesis of PCOS or contribute to insulin resistance, but OP may play a role in insulin resistance in PCOS patients.

Adult ; Benzhydryl Compounds ; adverse effects ; blood ; Case-Control Studies ; Endocrine Disruptors ; adverse effects ; blood ; Environmental Pollutants ; adverse effects ; blood ; Female ; Humans ; Insulin Resistance ; Phenols ; adverse effects ; blood ; Phthalic Acids ; adverse effects ; blood ; Polycystic Ovary Syndrome ; blood ; physiopathology ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo provide epidemiological data of the distribution characteristics and drug resistance of the pathogens isolated from burn patients in recent years for guiding rational use of antibiotics in clinic.

METHODSTotally 2748 strains of pathogens were isolated from 1977 specimens (blood, catheter, wound excretion, etc.) collected from 478 patients hospitalized in Institute of Burn Research of Southwest Hospital from March 2003 to June 2011. After being identified by API strips, drug resistance of the 2748 isolated pathogens to 55 commonly-used antibiotics including gentamicin, tobramycin, piperacillin, amikacin, etc. was tested by K-B paper disk diffusion method. The WHONET 5.3 software was used to analyze the following subjects: the distribution of the pathogens with different types and different sources each year, the changes in drug-resistant rates of Gram negative bacilli, Gram positive cocci, and fungi to several antibiotics, and the changes in sensitive rates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA), Staphylococcus aureus (SA), Acinetobacter baumannii (AB), Candida albicans (CA) to several antibiotics.

RESULTSAmong 2748 strains of pathogens, 1879 strains of Gram negative bacilli accounted for 68.38%, 628 strains of Gram positive cocci accounted for 22.85%, and 241 strains of fungi accounted for 8.77%. The isolation rate of strains from wound excretion ranked the first (1022 strains accounted for 37.19%), followed by those from respiratory tract (995 strains accounted for 36.21%) and blood (421 strains accounted for 15.32%). Strains isolated from other types of specimens were rare. Isolation rate of PA ranked the first (996 strains accounted for 36.24%), followed by SA (495 strains accounted for 18.01%) and AB (395 strains accounted for 14.37%). Isolation rate of AB showed a trend of increase year by year, but that of SA presented the opposite trend. Isolation rate of PA was quite stable. There were 484 strains of methicillin resistant SA among Staphylococci, accounting for 17.61%. Resistant rates of PA and AB to polymyxin B and polymyxin E were below 30.00%, and those of PA and AB to other antibiotics, such as the third generation cephalosporins, β-lactams, aminoglycosides, and quinolones, were from 57.91% to 100.00%. Resistant rate of AB to minocycline was 39.68%. From 2004 to 2011, sensitive rate of PA to quinolone antibiotics showed an increasing trend year by year, but that of AB to minocycline, netilmicin, imipenem, meropenem, tobramycin, and cefoperazone/sulbactam presented the opposite trend. Resistant rates of Enterococcus faecalis, Enterococcus faecium, and SA to teicoplanin and linezolid were less than 10.00%. Resistant rate of SA, Staphylococcus epidermidis and Enterococcus faecium to vancomycin was 0. Resistant rates of SA to quinupristin/dalfopristin, minocycline, fusidic acid, and compound sulfamethoxazole were low, respectively 0.82%, 9.35%, 2.21%, and 31.85%. Sensitive rates of SA to erythromycin, clindamycin, compound sulfamethoxazole, tetracycline, and minocycline showed an increasing trend year by year. Both infection rate and resistant rate of fungi were low. The resistant rates of CA to 5 kinds of antibiotics were less than 15.00%. The sensitive rate of CA to 5-flucytosine declined slightly, and those of CA to the other 4 antibiotics showed an increasing trend year by year.

CONCLUSIONSThe three dominant pathogens that cause infection in burn patients hospitalized in Institute of Burn Research of Southwest Hospital in recent years are PA, SA, and AB in order. PA and AB are outstandingly multidrug-resistant among the isolated strains. AB might replace PA as the main pathogenic bacterium that cause the death of burn patients with infection.

Acinetobacter baumannii ; drug effects ; isolation & purification ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; pharmacology ; Burns ; microbiology ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Cross Infection ; microbiology ; Drug Resistance, Bacterial ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Microbial Sensitivity Tests ; Middle Aged ; Pseudomonas aeruginosa ; drug effects ; isolation & purification ; Staphylococcus aureus ; drug effects ; isolation & purification ; Young Adult

Objective To explore the development and implementation of International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) (International Chinese Version) in China. Methods A total of 332 research papers in ICF had been selected from CNKI from 2001 to 2017 and analyzed using Citespace III. The time, authors and institutions distributions had been explored. Results There was a sus-tainable increase of ICF publications in Chinese from 2001. The core authors of ICF are QIU Zhuo-ying and his research team. Chinese Journal of Rehabilitation Theory and Practice has published most researches in ICF in China. ICF Chinese version has been widely imple-mented in the areas of disability statistics at population level, clinical and services, management and service information, and social policy. With the guidance and coordination of WHO Family of International Classifications Collaborating Center (WHO-FIC CC) and cooperation with WHO-FIC CCs Germany, Australia, and Italy, and cooperation with WHO CC Rehabilitation in China, remarkable achievements has been made in the fields of ICF research and implementation. Conclusion It is a promising new research area to research and implement ICF in China. New ideologies and tools has been developed and significant influences have been made from ICF research and implementation in the fields of health care, rehabilitation, education, social security and employment, social services, disability studies, and informatics.

Background/Aims: Direct‐acting antivirals (DAAs) have been approved for hepatitis C virus (HCV) treatment in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) on hemodialysis. Nevertheless, the complicated comedications and their potential drug-drug interactions (DDIs) with DAAs might limit clinical practice in this special population. Methods: The number, class, and characteristics of comedications and their potential DDIs with five DAA regimens were analyzed among HCV-viremic patients from 23 hemodialysis centers in Taiwan. Results: Of 2,015 hemodialysis patients screened in 2019, 169 patients seropositive for HCV RNA were enrolled (mean age, 65.6 years; median duration of hemodialysis, 5.8 years). All patients received at least one comedication (median number, 6; mean class number, 3.4). The most common comedication classes were ESRD-associated medications (94.1%), cardiovascular drugs (69.8%) and antidiabetic drugs (43.2%). ESRD-associated medications were excluded from DDI analysis. Sofosbuvir/velpatasvir/voxilaprevir had the highest frequency of potential contraindicated DDIs (red, 5.6%), followed by glecaprevir/pibrentasvir (4.0%), sofosbuvir/ledipasvir (1.3%), sofosbuvir/velpatasvir (1.3%), and elbasvir/grazoprevir (0.3%). For potentially significant DDIs (orange, requiring close monitoring or dose adjustments), sofosbuvir/velpatasvir/voxilaprevir had the highest frequency (19.9%), followed by sofosbuvir/ledipasvir (18.2%), glecaprevir/pibrentasvir (12.6%), sofosbuvir/velpatasvir (12.6%), and elbasvir/grazoprevir (7.3%). Overall, lipid-lowering agents were the most common comedication class with red-category DDIs to all DAA regimens (n=62), followed by cardiovascular agents (n=15), and central nervous system agents (n=10). Conclusions HCV-viremic patients on hemodialysis had a very high prevalence of comedications with a broad spectrum, which had varied DDIs with currently available DAA regimens. Elbasvir/grazoprevir had the fewest potential DDIs, and sofosbuvir/velpatasvir/voxilaprevir had the most potential DDIs.

"Assessing the quality by distinguishing features of traditional Chinese medicinal materials" is a characteristic quality evaluation system of traditional Chinese medicine, and it is also the basis of "Rating according to characters and setting the price by the grade" on the market. Astragali Radix was regarded as a famous traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), and this paper has carried out herbal textual research on the development and formation of the concept, "assessing the quality by distinguishing features of traditional Chinese medicinal materials", of Astragali Radix. The authentic medicine producing areas of Astragalus in China have experienced a great change, Gansu , Sichuan and adjacent areas before the Tang Dynasty; Shanxi during the Tang and Song Dynasty. The concept, "assessing the quality by distinguishing features of traditional Chinese medicinal materials", of Astragali Radix was formed in the Song and Ming Dynasty and still used today, which described as that the shape is "straight as an arrow"; the texture is "soft as cotton"; the section looks like" gold well and jade hurdle"; it was sweet in taste and has beany flavor. The system, "assessing the quality by distinguishing features of traditional Chinese medicinal materials", of Astragali Radix has undergone the adjustments from "true or false" to "good or bad", advance with the times, pick out the advantages from others and absorb the experience of traditional identification actively. Besides, it always returns to laconism from erudition and was summarized highly. Assessing the quality by distinguishing features of traditional Chinese medicinal materials and commodity specifications have the same root, so the former has reference meaning to revise the latter.

Taking cytosine, an unique natural product alkaloid as the lead, we designed thirty cytisinic derivatives with different types of 12N-substituents, which were synthesized and evaluated for their activity in the regulation of glucose metabolism in vitro. The compounds 3d, 3g and 6h exhibited the potential hypoglycemic activity and compound 3d had a good pharmacokinetics profile. In terms of mechanism of glucose consumption, the compounds 3d and 6h increased cellular glucose consumption. which might be associated with up-regulation of glucose transporter Glut4 expression and activation of AMPK. The results revealed important roles of these new skeleton compounds as potential new drug candidates for control of blood glucose.

Objective To evaluate the effect of the prevention and control technique training of human important parasitic diseases for basic professional and technical personnel in Jiangsu Province in 2017. Methods A workshop including theory courses and practical operations was carried out for the basic professional and technical personnel. At the end of the workshop , the effects were evaluated through the theoretical and microscopic examinations. Results There were 132 trainees from 13 cit-ies,and all of them took part in the final examinations. The average score of total was 118.36. There were significant differences among different regions(χ2 =13.38,P<0.01). The pass rate of the theory test was 92.4%with the average score of 79.05. There were significant differences of theory scores among different regions(χ2=14.51,P<0.01). The theory score of Northern Jiangsu Province was significantly higher than the scores of Southern and Central Jiangsu Province(P<0.001,P=0.009). The pass rate of microscopic examinations was 89.4%with the average score of 39.32. There was no significant difference of micro-scopic examination scores among different regions(F=2.37,P=0.09). Among the total 7 species,the detection rate of Para-gonimus westermani was the highest(75%)and the rates of Schistosoma japonicum and Fasciolopsis buski were only 51.5%and 54.5%respectively. The detection rates of eggs of Trichuris trichiura,unfertilized Ascaris lumbricoides,Clonorchis sinensis and Taenia solium were 71.2%,65.9%,72.7%and 72.0%respectively. Conclusions The training course has promoted the capa-bility of prevention and control of parasitic diseases for basic technical personnel. Also it provides the technical supports for para-sitic disease monitoring,control and risk assessment in the next step.

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of acupuncture on the Notch signaling pathway in rats with traumatic brain injury and to explore the pathogenesis of acupuncture intervention on traumatic brain injury.

METHODSFeeney's freefall epidural impact method was used to establish a traumatic brain injury model in rats; the rats were randomly divided into a normal group, sham operation group, model group and acupuncture group. Acupuncture was performed in the Baihui (DU 20), Shuigou (DU 26), Fengfu (DU 16), Yamen (DU 15) and Hegu (LI 4) acupoints in the rat, and Yamen was punctured via Fengfu. Then, the rats in each group were randomly divided into three subgroups, namely the day 3 subgroup, day 7 subgroup and day 14 subgroup according to treatment duration. The modified neurological severity scores (mNss) method was used to perform neurobehavioral scoring for evaluating the degree of injury in the rats. The hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining method was used to observe the pathological change in the brain tissue of rats in each group. Real-time fluorescent quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Q-PCR) technology was used to detect changes in the Notch1, Hes1 and Hes5 gene expression levels in the cortex on the injured side. Western blot was used to detect the protein expression changes.

RESULTSOne day after modeling, the mNss scores in the model group and in the acupuncture group were significantly higher than those in the normal and sham operation groups (P<0.01) ; there was no statistically significant difference between the normal group and the sham operation group. The scores decreased with increased treatment time, and the scores in the acupuncture group decreased more significantly than those in the model group (P<0.01). The pathological examination by the HE staining method demonstrated that the brain tissue of the rats in the acupuncture and model groups relatively significantly changed. The Notch1 gene expression level in the acupuncture group was significantly higher than the level in all of the other groups (P<0.01) ; the Hes1 and Hes5 gene expression levels were also higher in the acupuncture group. The expression changes of the Notch1 and Hes1 protein were consistent with that of mRNA. In each experimental group, the mNss score and the pathological results by the HE staining method were consistent with the mRNA results.

CONCLUSIONAcupuncture could significantly promote high expression levels of Notch1, Hes1 and Hes5 in the brain tissue of traumatic brain injury rats. Therefore, acupuncture might be an important intervention for inducing endogenous stem cell proliferation and for promoting nerve repair.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Animals ; Brain Injuries ; genetics ; pathology ; therapy ; Brain Ischemia ; pathology ; therapy ; Male ; Nerve Regeneration ; genetics ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Receptors, Notch ; genetics ; metabolism ; Reperfusion Injury ; genetics ; therapy ; Signal Transduction ; genetics