Osteoporosis is a prevalent skeletal condition characterized by reduced bone mass and strength, leading to increased fragility. Buqi-Tongluo (BQTL) decoction, a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) prescription, has yet to be fully evaluated for its potential in treating bone diseases such as osteoporosis. To investigate the mechanism by which BQTL decoction inhibits osteoclast differentiation in vitro and validate these findings through in vivo experiments. We employed MTS assays to assess the potential proliferative or toxic effects of BQTL on bone marrow macrophages (BMMs) at various concentrations. TRAcP experiments were conducted to examine BQTL's impact on osteoclast differentiation. RT-PCR and Western blot analyses were utilized to evaluate the relative expression levels of osteoclast-specific genes and proteins under BQTL stimulation. Finally, in vivo experiments were performed using an osteoporosis model to further validate the in vitro findings. This study revealed that BQTL suppressed receptor activator of NF-κB ligand (RANKL)-induced osteoclastogenesis and osteoclast resorption activity in vitro in a dose-dependent manner without observable cytotoxicity. The inhibitory effects of BQTL on osteoclast formation and function were attributed to the downregulation of NFATc1 and c-fos activity, primarily through attenuation of the MAPK, NF-κB, and Calcineurin signaling pathways. BQTL's inhibitory capacity was further examined in vivo using an ovariectomized (OVX) rat model, demonstrating a strong protective effect against bone loss. BQTL may serve as an effective therapeutic TCM for the treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis and the alleviation of bone loss induced by estrogen deficiency and related conditions.
Animals ; NFATC Transcription Factors/genetics* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology* ; Ovariectomy ; Osteoclasts/metabolism* ; Female ; Osteogenesis/drug effects* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Rats ; NF-kappa B/genetics* ; Osteoporosis/genetics* ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; Bone Resorption/genetics* ; Cell Differentiation/drug effects* ; Humans ; RANK Ligand/metabolism* ; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases/genetics* ; Transcription Factors

Objective:To explore the correlation between blastomere count variations “skip value” which extracted from by time-lapse technology (TLT) combined with artificial intelligence (AI) and morphological features of in vitro fertilization (IVF) embryo, and to test its feasibility in clinical applications.Methods:This study was a diagnostic experiment (AI reassessment of embryo transferred patients), a total of 6 545 embryos from 1 226 patients who underwent IVF at the Women and Children′s Hospital of Chongqing Medical University from December 2020 to December 2021 were retrospectively analyzed, of which 2 869 embryos were attempted to cultured to blastocyst stage by TLT. The embryo dynamic map (EDM) was drawn by Embryo Viewer, a TLT recording software, based on embryo developmental kinetics. The self-developed AI embryo evaluation software identified and recorded the number of cleavages in real time during embryonic development, and compared with the EDM, the correlation between the skip value formed by the change of cleavage sphere counts and the outcomes of the embryos was analyzed. The correlation among skip value, morphological score of embryo, implantation rate and live birth rate were performed by Spearman and step-up logistic regression. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was selected for reporting there relationship of skip value and morphology. Finally, predicting power of skip value for implantation and live birth rate were performed by ROC analysis.Results:The total skip values extracted from the blastomere count of embryos (72 hours post-fertilization) were negatively correlated with abnormal cleavage, blastocyst formation rate, day 3 (D3)-cell score, uneven size and fragmentation (the β values were -0.268, -0.116, -0.213, -0.159 and -0.222, respectively; all P<0.001); positively correlated with D3-cell number ( β=0.034; P<0.001); negatively correlated with blastocyst formation rate and implantation rate ( OR=0.97, 95% CI: 0.93-0.99, P=0.034; OR=0.96, 95% CI: 0.93-0.98, P=0.044). The power of predicting implantation were similar between the order selection of skip values and traditional morphology criteria [area under curve (AUC): 0.679 vs 0.620]. Live birth rate were negatively correlated with female age ( OR=0.91, 95% CI: 0.88-0.93; P<0.001), D3 general score ( OR=0.77, 95% CI: 0.59-0.99; P=0.045) and order selection of skip values ( OR=0.98, 95% CI: 0.96-0.99; P=0.038), while positively correlated with retrieved oocyte number and endometrial thickness in embryo transferred ( OR=1.08, 95% CI:1.05-1.11, P<0.001; OR=1.09, 95% CI:1.06-0.12, P<0.001, respectively) from multivariate regression analysis, and the power of predicting live birth was 0.666 for AUC. Conclusions:The skip value and its order form is a systematic quantification of embryo development, correlated with embryo developmental quality and clinical outcome. It could be an addition parameter for embryo culture and selection.

We here investigated the effect of MS4A6D(the membrane spanning 4-domain subfamily A(MS4A)superfamily protein 6D),one of the tetraspanins which specifically expresses on the membrane of macrophages,on carrageenan(CGN)-induced mouse foot pad swelling and its possible mechanism.Male C57BL/6 wild-type(WT)and various gene knockout(including Ms4a6d-/-,Nlrp3-/-,Casp-1-/-and IlR1-/-)mice were recruited and injected with 100 μl 1%CGN(w/v)and 20 μl CaCl2(50 mmol/L)to establish the foot pad swelling model,and then the severity of foot pad swelling in WT and gene knockout mice were compared.H&E staining was performed to investigate the pathological changes,and immunofluorescence was used to detect the infiltration of F4/80+ macrophages in the foot pad tissue.Finally,Western blot was used to determine the protein expression of NLRP3,IL-1 β,TNF-α and IL-6.Data showed that the combined injection of 100 μl 1%CGN(w/v)and 20 μl CaCl2(50 mmol/L)significantly promoted the swelling of foot pads,while the degree of foot pad swelling in Ms4a6d-/-mice was significantly lower than that in WT littermates(P<0.05);Significant tissue damage and inflammatory infiltration as well as necrotic lesions were observed in the WT foot pads,whereas,the degrees from Ms4a6d-/-foot pads showed significantly reduced;The protein levels of Caspase-1 and IL-1β in the foot pad tissue of the WT model were significantly higher than those of the Ms4a6d-/-groups;Compared with WT controls,the degree of foot pad swelling in Nlrp3-/-,Casp-1-/-,and IlR1-/-mice induced by 1%CGN(w/v)and CaCl2(50 mmol/L)were also significantly reduced(P<0.05).Taken together,MS4A6D promotes the activation of NLRP3 inflammasome in macrophages and induces IL-1β secretion,by thus deteriorates CGN-mediated swelling of mouse foot pads.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the application of surgical strategies for the treatment of cervical ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) involving the C ₂ segment. METHODS: The literature about the surgery for cervical OPLL involving C ₂ segment was reviewed, and the indications, advantages, and disadvantages of surgery were summarized. RESULTS: For cervical OPLL involving the C ₂ segments, laminectomy is suitable for patients with OPLL involving multiple segments, often combined with screw fixation, and has the advantages of adequate decompression and restoration of cervical curvature, with the disadvantages of loss of cervical fixed segmental mobility. Canal-expansive laminoplasty is suitable for patients with positive K-line and has the advantages of simple operation and preservation of cervical segmental mobility, and the disadvantages include progression of ossification, axial symptoms, and fracture of the portal axis. Dome-like laminoplasty is suitable for patients without kyphosis/cervical instability and with negative R-line, and can reduce the occurrence of axial symptoms, with the disadvantage of limited decompression. The Shelter technique is suitable for patients with single/double segments and canal encroachment >50% and allows for direct decompression, but is technically demanding and involves risk of dural tear and nerve injury. Double-dome laminoplasty is suitable for patients without kyphosis/cervical instability. Its advantages are the reduction of damage to the cervical semispinal muscles and attachment points and maintenance of cervical curvature, but there is progress in postoperative ossification. CONCLUSION OPLL involving the C ₂ segment is a complex subtype of cervical OPLL, which is mainly treated through posterior surgery. However, the degree of spinal cord floatation is limited, and with the progress of ossification, the long-term effectiveness is poor. More research is needed to address the etiology of OPLL and to establish a systematic treatment strategy for cervical OPLL involving the C ₂ segment.
Humans ; Longitudinal Ligaments/surgery* ; Ossification of Posterior Longitudinal Ligament/surgery* ; Treatment Outcome ; Osteogenesis ; Decompression, Surgical/methods* ; Cervical Vertebrae/surgery* ; Laminoplasty/methods* ; Kyphosis/surgery* ; Retrospective Studies

Objective: To investigate the clinical application value of single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) haplotype analysis in the preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) of monogenic diseases. Methods: The whole genome amplification products of biopsied trophectoderm cells were analyzed by SNP haplotype analysis and verified by Sanger sequencing. Results: A total of 205 embryos were performed SNP haplotype analysis and Sanger sequencing. Among them, Sanger sequencing failed in 14.63% (30/205) of embryos, and SNP haplotype analysis failed in 0.98% (2/205) of embryos. The failure rate of the latter was significantly lower than that of the former (P＜0.05). There were consistent results in 155 (75.61%) embryos, and inconsistent results in 18 (8.78%) embryos. Forty-five embryos in 41 cycles were performed embryo transplantation. The clinical pregnancy rate was 70.73% (29/41) and the implantation rate was 71.11% (32/45). The results of prenatal diagnosis of amniotic fluid during the second trimester of pregnancy were completely consistent with those of SNP haplotype analysis. Conclusion SNP haplotype analysis is accurate, and its failure rate is lower than that of Sanger sequencing. It can be effectively used in the PGD of clinical monogenic diseases.

The lower extremity exoskeleton robot is a wearable device designed to help people suffering from a walking disorder to regain the power of the legs and joints to achieve standing and walking functions. Compared with traditional robots that include rigid mechanisms, lower extremity exoskeleton robots with compliant characteristics can store and release energy in passive elastic elements while minimizing the reaction force due to impact, so it can improve the safety of human-robot interaction. This paper reviews the compliant characteristics of lower extremity exoskeleton robots from the aspects of compliant drive and compliant joint, and introduces the augmentation, assistive, rehabilitation lower extremity exoskeleton robots. It also prospect the future development trend of lower extremity exoskeleton robots.

Objective To explore the effective means and important significance for preventing the born of neonatal patients with severe thalassemia.Methods Among the pregnant women and spouses receiving prenatal examination in our hospital from January 2013 to December 2015 were performed the thalassemia screening and gene diagnosis,49 couples carrying the same type thalassemia were conducted the prenatal amniotic fluid thalassemia gene diagnosis and follow up after prenatal diagnosis.Results In 49 couples carrying the same type thalassemia,the main gene mutation types of α-thalassemia detected by the gene diagnosis were --SEA/aα(50.0％),-α3.7/αa (36.5％) and-α4.2/αa (11.5％),which of β-thalassemia were CD17/N(42.0％),CD41-42/N (26.0％) and IVS-Ⅱ-654/N(22.0％).The results of prenatal diagnosis showed that there were 4 cases of HbH disease,2 cases of Bart's hydrops fetus,10 cases of severe β-thalassemia,19 a-thalassemia carriers,10 β-thalassemia carriers,1 case of co-inheritance of a-and β-thalassemia,and 3 health fetuses.The follow up results were consistent with those of prenatal diagnosis.Conclusion Conducting prenatal screening and diagnosis of thalassemia in pregnant women can effectively prevent the birth of neonatal patients with severe thalassemia.

Objective To investigate the infection situation of L-form bacteria in urinary calculi from the patients with urolithia-sis in a hospital to provide a scientific basis for postoperative anti-infection and prevention of urinary stone recurrence.Methods The calculi samples in 265 cases of urinary calculi from October to December 2015 were collected and performed the culture of com-mon bacteria and L-form bacteria respectively.Culture of common bacteria and bacterial L-forms.Results Among 265 cases of uri-nary calculi ,8 cases(3% ,8/265) were L-form Bacterial combined with common bacterial infection ,only 7 cases(2.6% ,7/265) were L-form bacterial infection ,80 cases (30.0% ,80/265) were common bacterial infection.15 strains of L-form bacteria were detected and 96 strains of common bacteria were detected.The drug resistance of L-form bacteria was significantly increased compared with common bacteria.Conclusion The positive rate of L-form bacteria culture of urinary calculi is lower than other domestic reports. Adding hypertonic medium for conducting L-form bacterial isolation and culture in the patients with urinary tract infection can re-duce the false negative.

Objective To evaluate the effect of pre-emptive analgesia on pain and inflammation control in patients with severe multiple trauma.Methods Severe multiple trauma patients treated in the emergency department from September 2014 to December 2014 were prospectively included based on the inclusion criteria including injury severity score (ISS) of 16 to 25,Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) ≥ 13 and visual analogue scale (VAS) ≥ 4.The patients were assigned to pre-emptive analgesia group,traditional analgesia group and non-analgesia group,according to the random number table.Pre-emptive analgesia group had patient-controlled intravenous analgesia (PCIA) with sufentanil and tramadol on admission.Traditional analgesia group were administered intramuscular pethidine or subcutaneous morphine for temporary analgesia when the pain could not be tolerated.Non-analgesia group received no analgesia.VAS,systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) score and serum interleukin (IL)-6 concentration were compared among the groups on admission day,24,48,72,120,168 and 240 h after admission.Results Fifty-seven patients (46 males and 11 females) were included,and age was (39.61 ± 12.05)years.There were 18 patients in pre-emptive analgesia group,20 patients in traditional analgesia group,and 19 patients in non-analgesia group.Comparison between pre-emptive analgesia,traditional analgesia and non-analgesia groups showed no significant differences on admission with respect toVAS [(6.5±1.5),(6.6±1.4),(6.4 ±1.4)points],SIRS [(3.3±0.7),(3.4±0.6),(3.4±0.8) points] and IL-6 concentration [(109.2 ± 47.9),(99.9 ± 44.3),(106.3 ± 50.0) ng/L] (P ＞0.05).Compared to traditional analgesia and non-analgesia groups,VAS and SIRS score in pre-emptive analgesia group differed significantly at 24,48,72,120,168 and 240 h after admission,and IL-6 in pre-emptive analgesia group differed significantly at 48,72,120,168 and 240 h after admission (all P ＜0.05).VAS,SIRS score and IL-6 concentration declined faster in pre-emptive analgesia group than other two groups (P ＜ 0.05),while there were no significant differences between traditional analgesia and nonanalgesia groups (P ＞ 0.05).Positive correlation was noted between VAS and SIRS score,and between VAS and t IL-6 concentration (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion Pre-analgesia provides quick and effective pain relief and attenuate excessive systemic inflammation response that contributes to stabilization and recovery of the severe multiple trauma patients.

Objective To analyze the related factors of foot blisters caused by long-distance weight-bearing march and to explore the pathogenesis of foot blisters to provide a useful way for the prevention and treatment.Methods After the 300 km march,counted the number who had accomplished the march,and then recorded the number of foot blisters,location of blisters,and abrasion of sole.Collected the data of gender,age,body mass index (BMI),hand dominance,and whether had bliters before the march through questionnaire.And the data were coded for analysis with SPSS 13.0 statistical package.Results The 7 cases who complete the whole march and 17 cases who already had foot blisters before the march were ruled out of the final statistics.Among the remaining 590 cases,there were 554 cases (93.9%)suffered from foot blisters.And there were 1 282 blisters in total,among which the plantar blisters occupied 98% (1 257 cases).The analysis showed that the incidence of foot blisters had no significant correlation with gender,left/right foot,hand dominance,BMI and age.The predilection sites of blisters were the second and third metatarsals (28.2%),the hallux (21.3%),the fifth metatarsal (18.1%),and the calcaneus (15.8%)of the left foot.The predilection sites of blisters were the second and third metatarsals (33.3%),the hallux (22.4%),the fifth metatarsal (18.6%),and the calcaneus (14.5%)of the right foot.In terms of the abrasion of sole,the lateral heel was worn out the most (34.6% on the left and 34.2% on the right).Conclusion The study confirmed that the incidence of foot blisters had no significant correla-tion with gender,left/right foot,hand dominance,BMI and age,which may be affected by the particularity of this march.Most of the foot blisters occurred in the planta,and the predilection sites of blisters were in accord with sites of of the abrasion of sole and the distribution of plantar shear force,which demonstrated the shear force is the most critical factor on the pathogenesis of foot blisters.