BACKGROUND:Gait dysfunction is one of the significant reasons for patient dissatisfaction following total knee arthroplasty.Clinical studies have identified a relationship between the preoperative strength of the quadriceps and hamstring muscles and postoperative gait dysfunction,but the exact nature of this correlation is not yet fully understood.OBJECTIVE:To investigate the correlation between the preoperative strength of the quadriceps and hamstring muscles and postoperative gait dysfunction in total knee arthroplasty.METHODS:A retrospective analysis was conducted on longitudinal data from 70 patients who underwent unilateral primary total knee arthroplasty.Preoperative measurements included peak torque of the extensor and flexor muscles,peak torque/body weight,and total work.Six months postoperatively,the Timed Up and Go Test and gait speed were measured.Ridge regression analysis was used to identify factors influencing postoperative gait function.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Preoperative peak torque,peak torque/body weight,and total work of the extensor muscles,as well as the peak torque and total work of the flexor muscles,showed a very strong positive correlation with postoperative gait speed(P＜0.001).The preoperative flexor muscle peak torque/body weight had a strong positive correlation with postoperative gait speed(P＜0.001).Preoperative extensor and flexor muscle peak torques,peak torque/body weight,and total work showed a very strong negative correlation with results from postoperative Timed Up and Go Test(P＜0.001).(2)Ridge regression analysis indicated a 94.2％likelihood that preoperative extensor muscle peak torque,peak torque/body weight,and total work,along with flexor muscle peak torque and total work,had a positive impact on gait speed after total knee arthroplasty(P＜0.001).The preoperative flexor muscle peak torque/body weight had a negative impact on postoperative gait speed(P＜0.001).There was an 87.7％likelihood that preoperative extensor and flexor muscle peak torques,peak torque/body weight,and total work,along with flexor muscle peak torque and total work,had a negative impact on postoperative Timed Up and Go Test(P＜0.05),while the flexor muscle peak torque/body weight had no impact on the Timed Up and Go Test(P＞0.05).(3)It is indicated that the strength of the quadriceps and hamstring muscles prior to total knee arthroplasty correlates with postoperative gait speed and Timed Up and Go Test,and can predict the outcomes of postoperative gait function.Enhancing preoperative knee muscle exercises may be a way to reduce the incidence of gait dysfunction following total knee arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND:Gait dysfunction is one of the significant reasons for patient dissatisfaction following total knee arthroplasty.Clinical studies have identified a relationship between the preoperative strength of the quadriceps and hamstring muscles and postoperative gait dysfunction,but the exact nature of this correlation is not yet fully understood.OBJECTIVE:To investigate the correlation between the preoperative strength of the quadriceps and hamstring muscles and postoperative gait dysfunction in total knee arthroplasty.METHODS:A retrospective analysis was conducted on longitudinal data from 70 patients who underwent unilateral primary total knee arthroplasty.Preoperative measurements included peak torque of the extensor and flexor muscles,peak torque/body weight,and total work.Six months postoperatively,the Timed Up and Go Test and gait speed were measured.Ridge regression analysis was used to identify factors influencing postoperative gait function.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Preoperative peak torque,peak torque/body weight,and total work of the extensor muscles,as well as the peak torque and total work of the flexor muscles,showed a very strong positive correlation with postoperative gait speed(P＜0.001).The preoperative flexor muscle peak torque/body weight had a strong positive correlation with postoperative gait speed(P＜0.001).Preoperative extensor and flexor muscle peak torques,peak torque/body weight,and total work showed a very strong negative correlation with results from postoperative Timed Up and Go Test(P＜0.001).(2)Ridge regression analysis indicated a 94.2％likelihood that preoperative extensor muscle peak torque,peak torque/body weight,and total work,along with flexor muscle peak torque and total work,had a positive impact on gait speed after total knee arthroplasty(P＜0.001).The preoperative flexor muscle peak torque/body weight had a negative impact on postoperative gait speed(P＜0.001).There was an 87.7％likelihood that preoperative extensor and flexor muscle peak torques,peak torque/body weight,and total work,along with flexor muscle peak torque and total work,had a negative impact on postoperative Timed Up and Go Test(P＜0.05),while the flexor muscle peak torque/body weight had no impact on the Timed Up and Go Test(P＞0.05).(3)It is indicated that the strength of the quadriceps and hamstring muscles prior to total knee arthroplasty correlates with postoperative gait speed and Timed Up and Go Test,and can predict the outcomes of postoperative gait function.Enhancing preoperative knee muscle exercises may be a way to reduce the incidence of gait dysfunction following total knee arthroplasty.

Background: In the field of neuroscience research, executive functions (EFs) are of great significance. Patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD) often encounter the problem of EFs impairment, which severely affects their lives and health.However, currently, the methods for evaluating EFs in experimental mice are limited, and there is a lack of effective evaluation indicators for touchscreen behavioral tests in different disease model mice. This study aims to establish a paradigm process and an evaluation baseline for touchscreen behavioral analysis in PD model mice, deeply explore the mechanisms of EFs impairment in PD, and provide a crucial foundation for subsequent research and treatment. Methods: Thirty clean - grade SNCA*A53T transgenic mice and forty clean - grade C57BL/6J wild - type mice were selected. For A53T mice, genetic identification was carried out. Molecular biology techniques such as PCR were used to determine their genetic characteristics. Protein detection was conducted through methods like Western blot to clarify the expression of relevant proteins. In terms of behavioral tests, the five - choice serial reaction time task (5 - CSRT) was adopted, and various behavioral data of mice in this task were recorded. Four groups were set up: the control group, the MPTP group. Different groups of mice were given specific treatments. For example, the MPTP group of mice was injected with MPTP to construct a drug - induced PD model. Principal component analysis (PCA) and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to analyze the obtained touchscreen behavioral baseline indicators of mice, and key indicators were screened and evaluated. Results: In the 5 - CSRT, the optimal stage for wild - type C57 mice to achieve an accuracy rate of ≥ 80% was from the 11th to the 13th cycle, while for A53T mice, it was the 11th cycle. The EFs of A53T mice were impaired, with abnormalities in the accuracy rate, trace number, and number of punished times in the 5 - CSRT. When identifying drug - induced PD models, the 13th cycle of the 5 - CSRT was more effective; when identifying transgenic PD models, the 11th cycle was more suitable. Interventions could be carried out after the baseline accuracy rate reached 80%. Through the “genetic - environmental” dual - axis drive, the “chronic - acute” time - dimension complementarity, and the “mechanism - transformation” multi - level verification, the A53T and MPTP dual models were used to comprehensively cover the pathological cycle of PD EFs impairment. Conclusions This study has successfully established a paradigm process and an evaluation baseline for touchscreen behavioral analysis in PD model mice. This provides an important basis for a deep understanding of the mechanisms of EFs impairment in PD patients, has potential guiding significance for the development of intervention strategies and treatment methods for EFs impairment in PD patients, and is expected to promote new progress in PD research in the field of neuroscience.

AIM: To explore the dynamic expression of high mobility group box 1(HMGB1)in scar tissues after glaucoma drainage valve implantation, and to further reveal the role and possible mechanism of HMGB1 in scarring after glaucoma surgery.METHODS: A total of 60 New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into control group(n=20), model group(n=20, silicone implantation under conjunctival sac)and model with drug administration group(n=20, silicone implantation under conjunctival sac combined with 5-fluorouracil injection). The conjunctival tissues were collected at 4 and 8 wk after surgery. HE staining and Masson staining were used to detect the proliferation and distribution of fibroblasts and collagen fibers in conjunctival tissues. Immunohistochemistry was utilized to detect the distribution and changes of HMGB1, transforming growth factor(TGF)-β1, Smad3 and α-smooth muscle actin(SMA)in conjunctival tissues. RT-PCR and Western blot were adopted to detect the mRNA and protein expression of HMGB1, TGF-β1, Smad3 and α-SMA in conjunctival tissues.RESULTS: HE staining and Masson staining showed that the proliferation of inflammatory cells, fibroblasts and collagen fibers in the model group was significantly higher than that in the control group at both 4 and 8 wk. Meanwhile, the proliferation of fibroblasts and collagen fibers in the model with drug administration group was significantly lower than that in the model group. Immunohistochemical staining showed that the expression of HMGB1, TGF-β1, Smad3 and α-SMA protein was observed in the conjunctival tissues of the model group both 4 and 8 wk, with brown and significantly deeper staining of the model group at 8 wk. Meanwhile, the positive staining in the model with drug administration group at both 4 and 8 wk was significantly lower than that in the model group. There was positive correlations between the number of fibroblasts stained with HE and the expression of HMGB1 in the conjunctival tissue of the model group at both 4 and 8 wk(r=0.602, 0.703, all P<0.05). RT-PCR and Western blot revealed that the mRNA and protein expression levels of HMGB1, TGF-β1, Smad3 and α-SMA in the model group were significantly higher than those in the control group at both 4 and 8 wk(all P<0.05). Meanwhile, the mRNA and protein expression levels of HMGB1, TGF-β1, Smad3 and α-SMA in the model with drug administration group were significantly lower than those in the model group(all P<0.05). There was positive correlations between mRNA expressions of HMGB1 and TGF-β1, Smad3 in the model group and the model with drug administration group(all P<0.05).CONCLUSION: The expression of HMGB1 increased at a time-dependent manner after glaucoma valve implantation. HMGB1 acts an indispensable role in the initiation and progression of scar formation after glaucoma surgery, which may be involved in the regulation of TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway.

BACKGROUND:Some patients still have unsatisfactory improvement of operative limb fatigue and pain after total knee arthroplasty.Clinical findings show that Jianpi Yiqi Huoxue Formula can promote recovery after total knee arthroplasty,but the specific efficacy remains to be studied. OBJECTIVE:To observe the effect of Jianpi Yiqi Huoxue Formula on the muscle strength and pain of the operated limb after the primary unilateral total knee arthroplasty. METHODS:A total of 74 patients undergoing primary unilateral total knee arthroplasty were randomly divided into a trial group and a control group with 37 patients in each group.All patients received the same prostheses and surgical methods during the operation.Patients in the control group were treated with routine analgesics,anticoagulant drugs and functional exercise after the operation.The trial group received Jianpi Yiqi Huoxue Formula after the treatment in the control group.Both groups were treated continuously and followed up for 1 month.The changes in isokinetic muscle strength(peak torque and total work amount of extensor and flexor),visual analog scale score and the hospital for special surgery score of the two groups were analyzed. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)The trial group had better improvement in peak torque and total work amount of extensor and flexor and the hospital for special surgery score than the control group 14 days and 1 month after surgery(P<0.05).(2)In contrast to the control group,the visual analog scale score of the trial group improved better at 7 and 14 days and 1 month after surgery(P<0.05).(3)It is indicated that Jianpi Yiqi Huoxue Formula can effectively improve the muscle strength of the operated limb,enhance the degree of postoperative joint pain,and promote functional rehabilitation after total knee arthroplasty.

Interleukin (IL)-17A, a pro-inflammatory cytokine, is a fundamental function in the onset and advancement of multiple immune diseases. To uncover the primary compounds with IL-17A inhibitory activity, a large-scale screening of the library of traditional Chinese medicine constituents and microbial secondary metabolites was conducted using splenic cells from IL-17A-GFP reporter mice cultured under Th17-priming conditions. Our results indicated that some aureane-type sesquiterpene tetraketides isolated from a wetland mud-derived fungus, Myrothecium gramineum, showed remarkable IL-17A inhibitory activity. Nine new aureane-type sesquiterpene tetraketides, myrogramins A-I ( 1, 4- 11), and two known ones ( 2 and 3) were isolated and identified from the strain. Compounds 1, 3, 4, 10, and 11 exhibited significant IL-17A inhibitory activity. Among them, compound 3, with a high fermentation yield dose-dependently inhibited the generation of IL-17A and suppressed glycolysis in splenic cells under Th17-priming conditions. Strikingly, compound 3 suppressed immunopathology in both IL-17A-mediated animal models of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis and pulmonary hypertension. Our results revealed that aureane-type sesquiterpene tetraketides are a novel class of immunomodulators with IL-17A inhibitory activity, and hold great promise applications in treating IL-17A-mediated immune diseases.

Background::Ciprofol (HSK3486; Haisco Pharmaceutical Group Co., Ltd., Chengdu, China), developed as a novel 2,6-disubstituted phenol derivative showed similar tolerability and efficacy characteristics as propofol when applicated as continuous intravenous infusion for 12 h maintenance sedation in a previous phase 1 trial. The phase 2 trial was designed to investigate the safety, efficacy, and pharmacokinetic characteristics of ciprofol for sedation of patients undergoing mechanical ventilation.Methods::In this multicenter, open label, randomized, propofol positive-controlled, phase 2 trial, 39 Chinese intensive care unit patients receiving mechanical ventilation were enrolled and randomly assigned to a ciprofol or propofol group in a 2:1 ratio. The ciprofol infusion was started with a loading infusion of 0.1-0.2 mg/kg for 0.5-5.0 min, followed by an initial maintenance infusion rate of 0.30 mg·kg -1·h -1, which could be adjusted to an infusion rate of 0.06 to 0.80 mg·kg -1·h -1, whereas for propofol the loading infusion dose was 0.5-1.0 mg/kg for 0.5-5.0 min, followed by an initial maintenance infusion rate of 1.50 mg·kg -1·h -1, which could be adjusted to 0.30-4.00 mg·kg -1·h -1 to achieve -2 to +1 Richmond Agitation-Sedation Scale sedation within 6-24 h of drug administration. Results::Of the 39 enrolled patients, 36 completed the trial. The median (min, max) of the average time to sedation compliance values for ciprofol and propofol were 60.0 (52.6, 60.0) min and 60.0 (55.2, 60.0) min, with median difference of 0.00 (95% confidence interval: 0.00, 0.00). In total, 29 (74.4%) patients comprising 18 (69.2%) in the ciprofol and 11 (84.6%) in the propofol group experienced 86 treatment emergent adverse events (TEAEs), the majority being of severity grade 1 or 2. Drug- and sedation-related TEAEs were hypotension (7.7% vs. 23.1%, P = 0.310) and sinus bradycardia (3.8% vs. 7.7%, P = 1.000) in the ciprofol and propofol groups, respectively. The plasma concentration-time curves for ciprofol and propofol were similar. Conclusions::ciprofol is comparable to propofol with good tolerance and efficacy for sedation of Chinese intensive care unit patients undergoing mechanical ventilation in the present study setting.Trial registration::ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04147416.

Background: At the therapeutic doses, diclofenac sodium (DFS) has few toxic side effects on mammals. On the other hand, DFS exhibits potent toxicity against birds and the mechanisms remain ambiguous. Objectives: This paper was designed to probe the toxicity of DFS exposure on the hepatic proteome of broiler chickens. Methods: Twenty 30-day-old broiler chickens were randomized evenly into two groups (n = 10).DFS was administered orally at 10 mg/kg body weight in group A, while the chickens in group B were perfused with saline as a control. Histopathological observations, serum biochemical examinations, and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction were performed to assess the liver injury induced by DFS. Proteomics analysis of the liver samples was conducted using isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantification (iTRAQ) technology. Results: Ultimately, 201 differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) were obtained, of which 47 were up regulated, and 154 were down regulated. The Gene Ontology classification and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway analysis were conducted to screen target DEPs associated with DFS hepatotoxicity. The regulatory relationships between DEPs and signaling pathways were embodied via a protein-protein interaction network. The results showed that the DEPs enriched in multiple pathways, which might be related to the hepatotoxicity of DFS, were “protein processing in endoplasmic reticulum,” “retinol metabolism,” and “glycine, serine, and threonine metabolism.” Conclusions The hepatotoxicity of DFS on broiler chickens might be achieved by inducing the apoptosis of hepatocytes and affecting the metabolism of retinol and purine. The present study could provide molecular insights into the hepatotoxicity of DFS on broiler chickens.

Objective:To determine the expression of matrix metalloproteinase 13 (MMP13) in patients with psoriasis, and to evaluate the effect of tazarotene and narrow-band ultraviolet B (NB-UVB) on the expression of MMP13 in mice with psoriasis-like dermatitis.Methods:Lesional skin tissues and normal skin tissues were collected from 18 patients with psoriasis vulgaris and 10 healthy controls respectively, who were enrolled from General Hospital of Tianjin Medical University between May 2019 and August 2019, and serum samples were collected from all the subjects. A total of 25 specific pathogen-free (SPF) male BALB/c mice were randomly divided into control group, imiquimod group, imiquimod+NB-UVB group, imiquimod+tazarotene group and imiquimod+tazarotene+NB-UVB group. The control group received topical vaseline cream on the back once every morning; imiquimod group and imiquimod+NB-UVB group received imiquimod cream on the back once every morning; imiquimod+tazarotene group and imiquimod+tazarotene+NB-UVB group received imiquimod cream on the back once every morning, and tazarotene cream on the back once at night; imiquimod+NB-UVB group and imiquimod+tazarotene+NB-UVB group received NB-UVB irradiation on the back every other day at noon, with the dose being 300 mJ/cm 2 in the first session and increasing by 50 mJ/cm 2 in every session. The modeling lasted 7 days. After successful modeling, blood samples were obtained from the eyeballs of the mice, and skin tissues were resected from the back of the mice after being sacrificed by cervical dislocation on day 8. Changes in the epidermal thickness and pathological manifestations were observed by hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining, protein expression of MMP13 in skin tissues was determined by immunohistochemical study, and the serum level of MMP13 was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Comparisons between 2 groups were performed by using two-independent-sample t test, comparisons among several groups by using one-way analysis of variance, multiple comparisons by using least significant difference- t test, and comparisons of enumeration data by using chi-square test. Results:The skin lesions of the patients with psoriasis were strongly positive for MMP13, and the MMP13 expression levels in the epidermis and serum (84.11±17.16, 13.29±3.95 μg/L, respectively) were significantly higher in the patients with psoriasis than in the healthy controls (11.98±4.08, 7.46±1.58 μg/L, respectively, both P< 0.01) . Compared with the control group (1.26±0.04 μm, 25.40±2.34, 185.76±7.22 μg/L, respectively) , a significant increase was observed in the epidermis thickness (7.93±0.59 μm, P< 0.01) , as well as MMP13 levels in the epidermis and serum in the imiquimod group (147.14±5.53, 215.98±15.17 μg/L, respectively, both P< 0.01) . Compared with the imiquimod group, the imiquimod+tazarotene group, imiquimod+NB-UVB group, and imiquimod+tazarotene+NB-UVB group all showed significantly decreased epidermal thickness (3.56±0.37 μm, 3.83±0.39 μm, 2.14±0.34 μm, respectively, all P< 0.05) , MMP13 levels in the epidermis (120.42±3.23, 91.08±0.46, 71.12±7.11, respectively, all P< 0.05) and serum (197.39±3.92 μg/L, 196.13±11.76 μg/L, 183.21±14.99 μg/L, respectively, all P< 0.05) . Conclusions:MMP13 protein expression markedly increased in the skin lesions and sera of patients with psoriasis, and decreased in skin lesions and sera of mice with psoriasis-like dermatitis after the treatment with tazarotene and NB-UVB. MMP13 may be involved in the development of psoriasis, and tazarotene and NB-UVB may inhibit the development of psoriasis by reducing the expression of MMP13.

Krüppel-like factors (KLFs) play extremely important roles in genesis and development of tumors. Simultaneously, KLFs have been proven to affect the proliferation, differentiation and migration of hepatocellular carcinoma cells. Nine members in the KLFs family (KLF2, KLF4, KLF5, KLF6, KLF8, KLF9, KLF10, KLF14 and KLF17) are involved in the occurrence and development of hepatocellular carcinoma in various ways as an oncogene and tumor suppressor gene. Therefore, the KLFs family will hopefully become biological therapeutic targets for hepatocellular carcinoma.