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

Injection fear is widespread in the population, which can cause patients to tolerate or avoid injection, reduce treatment compliance, and increase the burden of healthcare. Choosing appropriate injection fear assessment tools in clinical practice is helpful to understand the degree, psychological characteristics and influencing factors of individual injection fear. In this paper, the contents, characteristics and application methods of fear of injection assessment tools at home and abroad are reviewed, in order to provide reference for the application and development of fear of injection assessment tools for medical staff.

【Objective】 To investigate the predictive value of nutritional risk index (NRI), systemic immune inflammatory index (SⅡ) and triglyceride glucose (TyG) index on the condition and prognosis of patients with acute pancreatitis (AP). 【Methods】 A total of 173 AP patients were divided into mild acute pancreatitis (MAP) group (n=79), moderate acute pancreatitis (MSAP) group (n=44), and severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) group (n=50) according to their severity. All the 50 SAP patients were divided into death group (19 cases) and survival group (31 cases) according to the death situation. The NRI, SⅡ and TyG indexes of each group were recorded and compared. The values of NRI, SⅡ and TyG index in predicting the occurrence and death of SAP were analyzed with ROC curve. Pearson correlation analysis of the correlation between NRI, SⅡ, and TyG index in SAP patients was made. 【Results】 NRI was significantly lower in SAP group (89.25±4.50) than in MSAP group (93.40±6.25) and MAP group (97.62±8.60), while SⅡand TyG index in SAP group (2 706.30±1 052.74, 7.84±1.21) were significantly higher than those in MSAP group (1 937.24±983.48, 6.52±1.05) and MAP group (1 280.58±717.36, 4.65±0.58) (P<0.001). NRI in death group (86.40±3.70) was significantly lower than that in survival group (91.46±5.28), while SⅡ and TyG index in death group (3 085.73±1 192.48, 9.05±1.37) were significantly higher than those in survival group (2 270.26±994.53, 6.70±1.10) (P<0.001). The ROC curve showed that the AUC of NRI, SⅡ and TyG index jointly predicting SAP occurrence and death was 0.850 (95% CI: 0.792-0.908) and 0.905 (95% CI: 0.843-0.966), respectively. Correlation analysis showed that NRI was negatively correlated with SⅡ and TyG index in SAP patients (r=-0.761, P<0.001, r=-0.813, P<0.001), while SⅡ was positively correlated with TyG index (r=0.842, P<0.001). 【Conclusion】 NRI, SⅡ and TyG index are related to the severity and death of AP patients, and the combination of the three indexes has good value in predicting the occurrence and prognosis of SAP.

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

ObjectiveTo explore the intervention effect and mechanism of Buzhong Yiqiwan （BZYQ） on colitis mice. MethodSixty-four C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into 2 weeks blank group， 2 weeks model group， 2 weeks high-dose BZYQ （12 g·kg^-1） group， 2 weeks low-dose BZYQ （6 g·kg^-1） group， 4 weeks blank group， 4 weeks model group， 4 weeks high-dose BZYQ （12 g·kg^-1） group， and 4 weeks low-dose BZYQ （6 g·kg^-1） group. The colitis model was induced in mice by feeding 3% dextran sodium sulfate （DSS） for 7 days. The mice received BZYQ （12 and 6 g·kg^-1） by gavage on the 8^th day after modeling， once per day， and sacrificed on the 2^nd and 4^th weeks， correspondingly. The colon length and weight of mice in each group were measured. Hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining was used for pathological observation and colonic mucosal inflammation was scored. The mRNA and protein expression of NOD-like receptor thermoprotein domain 3 （NLRP3）， apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a CARD （ASC）， and cysteinyl aspartate-specific protease-1 （Caspase-1） was detected by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） and Western blot， respectively. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） was used to detect the content of inflammatory cytokines， such as interleukin （IL）-1β， IL-18， and IL-33 in colonic tissues. ResultCompared with the 2 weeks blank group， the 2 weeks model group showed shortened colon length， increased colon weight （P<0.05）， loss of epithelial cells， destruction of gland structure， infiltration of a large number of inflammatory cells in mucosa and submucosa， local crypt abscess， and increase in mucosal inflammation score （P<0.01） as revealed by light microscopy， elevated levels of IL-1β， IL-18， and IL-33 in colonic tissues （P<0.05）， and increased mRNA and protein expression of NLRP3， ASC， and Caspase-1 （P<0.05）. The intervention of BZYQ （12 g·kg^-1） restored colon length， alleviated mucosal injury （P<0.05）， down-regulated the content of IL-18 （P<0.05）， reduced the mRNA expression of NLRP3 and ASC as well as the protein expression of ASC and Caspase-1 compared with the conditions in the 2 weeks model group. Compared with the 4 weeks blank group， the 4 weeks model group showed decreased colon length， increased colon weight （P<0.05）， decreased glands in the mucosal layer， expansion of glandular cavity， atrophy of crypt， local connective tissue hyperplasia and lymphocyte infiltration， increased inflammation score （P<0.01） as revealed by the light microscopy， increased expression of IL-1β， IL-18， and IL-33 （P<0.05）， and elevated mRNA and expression of NLRP3 inflammasome complex （P<0.05）. Compared with the conditions in the 4 weeks model group， the intervention of BZYQ （12 and 6 g·kg^-1） could improve colon length and weight （P<0.05）， and the intervention of BZYQ （12 g·kg^-1） could also improve the inflammation score of the colon （P<0.05）. Different from the acute stage， the intervention of BZYQ （12 and 6 g·kg^-1） increased the content of IL-33 in the intestinal mucosa and up-regulated the mRNA and protein expression of NLRP3 inflammasome complexes ASC and Caspase-1 （P<0.05）. ConclusionBZYQ can relieve the injury of colitis induced by DSS in mice. The mechanism is related to the regulation of intestinal immune response mediated by NLRP3 inflammasome， and it has different regulatory effects in acute and chronic inflammation stages.

Recently, accumulating evidence suggests that high bilirubin level is involved in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. High bilirubin level during early childhood may increase the risk of being suffered from schizophrenia after adulthood, and schizophrenia patients with high bilirubin level have aggravated psychiatric symptoms. As compared with other psychiatric patients and general population, schizophrenia patients usually have relatively higher bilirubin level; high bilirubin level is associated with acute psychotic states, positive symptoms, and poor prognosis in patients with schizophrenia. This article reviews the relation between bilirubin and schizophrenia and its potential pathophysiological mechanism in order to provide a new direction for the study of schizophrenia pathogenesis and auxiliary diagnosis.

Objective: To evaluate the value of non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) in pregnancies with anomaly in prenatal screening. Methods: This was a retrospective study of 2 837 singleton pregnancies who performed NIPT indicated by isolated anomaly in prenatal screening at Guangdong Women and Children Hospital between November 2014 and August 2016. All pregnancies were divided into 3 groups by single indication: advanced maternal age ( AMA, ≥35), abnormal multiples of the median (MoM) in standard screening, increased nuchal translucency thickness (NT, 2.5-3.0 mm). High risk results were verified by prenatal diagnosis. Low risk cases were followed by a 22-26 week anatomical ultrasound examination. All of the cases were followed up and the performance of NIPT for every single indication was evaluated. Results: There were total of 2 837 pregnant women who underwent NIPT. Twenty-five of 2 448 pregnancies indicated by AMA had high risk results, among which 17 were confirmed by invasive genetic testing, except 1 case rejecting prenatal diagnosis. In 351 pregnant women with abnormal MoM, NIPT found 3 cases of sex chromosome aneuploidies (SCA) and 2 of them were validated by invasive prenatal diagnosis. Increased NT group included 38 cases, NIPT found 1 case of trisomy 21 which was consistent with karyotype analysis. For common aneuploidies and SCA, the performance of NIPT in the pregnant women who indicated by AMA, abnormal MoM and increased NT were as the follows: the sensitivity were 17/17, 2/2 and 1/1 respectively, the specificity were 99.7% (2 423/2 431), 99.7% (348/349) and 100%(37/37), the positive predictive value were 68% (17/25), 2/3 and 1/1, the negative predictive value were 100% (2 423/2 423), 100% (348/348) and 100% (38/38), respectively. By follow-up survey, a total of 8 cases of abnormal fetus were recorded in NIPT low-risk women, including 5 cases of termination of pregnancy due to abnormal ultrasound findings, 2 cases of abortion as a result of severe obstetric complications and 1 case of stillbirth. Conclusions To the pregnant women who indicated by advanced maternal age, abnormal MoM and increased NT (2.5-3.0 mm), NIPT had satisfactory performance for common aneuploidies, and also had potential value for SCA, resulting in a significant reduction in diagnostic procedures. However, for NIPT low-risk pregnancies, routine antenatal examination and anatomical ultrasound detection would be highly necessary to avoid missing abnormal fetuses.(Chin J Lab Med, 2018, 41: 509-513)

Objective To evaluate the influence of renal insufficiency (RI) on long-term major adverse cardiac events (MACE) of patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) plus metabolic syndrome (MetS) and received percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Methods This was a retrospective study. From February, 2011 to Octorber, 2013 , we consecutivly enrolled 223 AMI patients with MetS in the First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University. There were 88 patients with RI in group A, and 135 patients as the control group (group B). Patients were followed up for major adverse cardiac events (MACE) for 1 year. Results Compared with group B, the incidence of 1-year MACE of patients in group A was increased (36.4% vs. 18.5%, P= 0.003). Result of Cox proportional hazard regression analysis showed that RI was a predictive factor for 1-year MACE (HR = 3.56,95%CI 1.004 ~ 4.170, P = 0.002). Conclusion The incidence of 1-year MACE for AMI patients with RI and MetS post-PCI was high. RI was a risk factor for poor prognosis of AMI patients with MetS.

Objective: To explore the influencing factors of slow blood flow phenomenon after emergency percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Methods: Clinical and PCI angiographic data of 488 patients, who were diagnosed as AMI and received primary PCI in our hospital from Jan 2010 to Jun 2011, were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were divided into slow blood flow group (n=51, TIMI flow ≤ grade 2) and normal flow group (n=437, TIMI flow= grade 3). Their clinical characteristics between two groups were compared. Results: Compared with normal flow group, there were significant reductions in percentages of thrombus aspiration (75.3% vs. 60.8%) and application of platelet glycoprotein IIb/IIIa receptor antagonist (81.7% vs. 68.6%) during PCI, and significant rise in total length of implanted stents [(31.8±12.2) mm vs. (35.7±12.0) mm] in slow blood flow group, P<0.05 all. Multi-factor Logistic regression analysis indicated that percentages of thrombus aspiration during PCI and total length of stents were independent influencing factors for slow blood flow (P<0.05 both). Conclusion: Percentages of thrombus aspiration and total length of stents during PCI are independent influencing factors for slow blood flow.

OBJECTIVE Congenital aural atresia repair is difficult owing to unpredictable anatomy. Benefits may be gained from image-guided surgery(IGS) . its exact role and surgery indication were def ined. METHODS From 2001 to 2004,36 ears with bony type C(Schuknecht classification) congenital atresia were performed. In the IGS group(n=18) ,repair surgery was performed with IGS,while in the control group(Non-IGS,n=18) ,similar intervention was applied without IGS. IGS group:aged from 12-29 years,follow-up from 6 months to 1 year. Non-IGS group:aged from 10-27 years,follow-up from 6 months to 3 years. Intra-and post-operative clinical and audiometric findings were compared. RESULTS All of the patients had congenital bony aural atresia,ossicles malformation,tympanic cavity hypoplasia and facial nerve malformation. IGS revealed a malformed horizontal semicircular canal hidden in the bony atresia plate during the operation while computed tomography(CT) did not show preoperatively. IGS computed tomography images correlated well with intra-operative findings,gave the surgeon more securityand reduced operative time(2 hours and 24 minutes) by 25 minutes. The prepare time increased 20 minutes(15-30 minutes) ,but total time decreased 5 minutes in IGS group. The registration accuracy was 0.6-1.3 mm,average 0.84 mm,which was suitable for the otologic surgery. There were 1 case in IGS group and 3 cases in Non-IGS group happened local aural restenosis after operation. But there were no facial nerve paralysis and hearing injury happened in both groups,and all of the patients got the satisfactory hearing after the hearing reconstruction(the air-bone gap with an average of IGS is 31.8dB,Non-IGS is 30.5dB) . CONCLUSION In our estimation,IGS is valuable for type C congenital aural atresia repair. It serves as an educational tool and a guide both for the experienced and inexperienced surgeons in critical situations where anatomical landmarks are distorted and approach is limited. There is no statistically significant between two groups on hearing improvement after operation.