Objective To explore the intrinsic relationship between imaging features of the bony structure in varus-type knee osteoarthritis(KOA).Methods A total of 99 patients diagnosed with varus-type KOA were retrospectively selected.All patients underwent standard weight-bearing full-length X-ray radiographs of both lower extremities and 3D CT scans of the knee joints.The images were observed and analyzed at the picture archiving and communication system(PACS)workstation.The hip-knee-ankle(HKA)angle and tibial medial plateau settlement value were measured,the size of osteophyte was measured and graded,and the distribution of subchondral pseudocysts was counted.Correlation analysis was performed on the above imaging indicators,and scatter plots were drawn for linear correlations.Results There was a correlation between the HKA angle and the tibial medial plateau settlement value,with a correlation coefficient(r)of-0.548.The osteophyte grades in each subregion were correlated with the HKA angle,with r of-0.324,-0.307,-0.534,-0.581,-0.468,-0.245,-0.265,-0.244,-0.706,-0.741,-0.726,-0.326,-0.712,-0.218,respectively.There was correlation between the osteophyte grades in the medial patella,medial femoral subregion,and medial tibial subregion and the tibial medial settlement value,with r of 0.227,0.263,0.295,0.242,0.297,0.361,and 0.407,respectively.No correlation was found between the osteophyte grades in other subregions and the tibial medial settlement value.There was an overall correlation between osteophyte grades and subchondral pseudocysts,with a r of 0.245,but with regional differences.No correlation was found between the medial femoral osteophyte grades and subchondral pseudocysts,while correlations were observed in other zones,with r of 0.213,0.230,0.200,and 0.147,respectively.Conclusion KOA is a disease of the entire knee joint.The imaging features of its bony structure,including the HKA angle,tibial medial plateau settlement value,osteophyte grades,and subchondral pseudocysts,have both intrinsic relationship and regional differences,which are influenced by anatomical structures.

Objective:To investigate the association between high-risk human papillomavirus (hrHPV) persistent infection and vaginal microecology.Methods:A total of 53 women were enrolled in the gynecological clinic of Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital from January 2020 to January 2021, including 7 women without HPV and 46 women with hrHPV infection. Among the hrHPV infected women, 24 woemn who did not use any drugs were classified as the observation group and the other 22 women who were given standardized interferon vaginal administration for 3 months were regarded as the treatment group. Vaginal secretions of all women were taken for Gram-stained microecological test at the time of enrollment and at the 4, 8, and 12 month follow-up. HPV turning negative was taken as the end point of follow-up.Results:(1) Women of hrHPV persistent infection in the observation and treatmnet groups had more times of abortions ( P=0.180). (2) The hrHPV negative conversion rate was 17% (4/24) in the observation group and 36% (8/22) in the treatment group, but the difference was not significant ( P=0.183). The median hrHPV negative conversion time were 11.0 months and 7.5 months in the observation and treatment groups, respectively, and the difference was statistically significant ( P=0.001). (3) Vaginal microecology was generally normal at the time of enrollment and at the end of follow-up in women with HPV natural negative conversion in the observation group. While vaginal microecological disorders were more common in women with hrHPV persistent infection in the observation and treatmnet groups, including high vaginal pH value, poor vaginal cleanliness, poor grade of Lactobacillus and increased vaginal clutter bacteria, and the vaginal microecological situation did not improve after the 12-month follow-up. (4) In the treatment group, women who turned HPV negative within six months all had normal vaginal microecology when enrollment (5/5). While those who turned negative six months later had a higher proportion of vaginal clutter bacteria (2/3), a poor grade of Lactobacillus (2/3) and a higher proportion of vaginal dysbiosis (2/3). Conclusions:(1) Interferon therapy could shorten the negative turning time of hrHPV. (2) Women with normal vaginal microecology have the ability to naturally clear hrHPV. (3) The vaginal microecological Gram-stain test has limited value in predicting hrHPV clearance, perhaps due to its inability to detect Lactobacillus subtypes.

Objective:To establish a rat model of vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) and to directly observe the histopathological and ultrastructural characteristics of vaginal mucosal barrier after Candida albicans infection and treatment with Lactobacillus crispatus.Methods:Female unmated SD rats were used to establish the VVC model and divided into three groups (normal group, VVC group, and Lactobacillus group; n=6 per group). Lactobacillus group received intravaginal administration of Lactobacillus crispatus suspension, while rats in VVC group and normal group were infused with phosphate buffered solution instead. Vaginal tissues were collected on day 4 post-treatment for HE staining and transmission electron microscopy (to observe ultrastructural pathological changes). Results:The results of HE staining revealed the disruption and desquamation of vaginal epithelium, necrotic epithelial tissues, neutrophil infiltration in Candida albicans-infected rats. Lactobacillus crispatus intervention restored the damaged vaginal mucosal structure (mucosal layers and thickness) to normal levels, mucosal layers of Lactobacillus group and normal group were 9.50±1.38 vs 10.67±1.03 ( P=0.226), mucosal thickness of Lactobacillus group and normal group were (116.50±12.14) vs (130.33±13.91) μm ( P=0.211). The results of transmission electron microscopy revealed intercellular desmosome rupture, loss of microvilli and glycocalyx on superficial cells, and mitochondrial swelling in Candida albicans-infected rats. Lactobacillus crispatus intervention restored the damaged vaginal mucosal ultrastructures (mitochondria and intercellular connections, etc.) to normal levels. Conclusions:Fungal infection severely disrupte the vaginal mucosal barrier in rats. Lactobacillus crispatus could restore the vaginal mucosal barrier and epithelial ultrastructures.

Objective:To investigate the association between high-risk human papillomavirus (hrHPV) persistent infection and vaginal microecology.Methods:A total of 53 women were enrolled in the gynecological clinic of Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital from January 2020 to January 2021, including 7 women without HPV and 46 women with hrHPV infection. Among the hrHPV infected women, 24 woemn who did not use any drugs were classified as the observation group and the other 22 women who were given standardized interferon vaginal administration for 3 months were regarded as the treatment group. Vaginal secretions of all women were taken for Gram-stained microecological test at the time of enrollment and at the 4, 8, and 12 month follow-up. HPV turning negative was taken as the end point of follow-up.Results:(1) Women of hrHPV persistent infection in the observation and treatmnet groups had more times of abortions ( P=0.180). (2) The hrHPV negative conversion rate was 17% (4/24) in the observation group and 36% (8/22) in the treatment group, but the difference was not significant ( P=0.183). The median hrHPV negative conversion time were 11.0 months and 7.5 months in the observation and treatment groups, respectively, and the difference was statistically significant ( P=0.001). (3) Vaginal microecology was generally normal at the time of enrollment and at the end of follow-up in women with HPV natural negative conversion in the observation group. While vaginal microecological disorders were more common in women with hrHPV persistent infection in the observation and treatmnet groups, including high vaginal pH value, poor vaginal cleanliness, poor grade of Lactobacillus and increased vaginal clutter bacteria, and the vaginal microecological situation did not improve after the 12-month follow-up. (4) In the treatment group, women who turned HPV negative within six months all had normal vaginal microecology when enrollment (5/5). While those who turned negative six months later had a higher proportion of vaginal clutter bacteria (2/3), a poor grade of Lactobacillus (2/3) and a higher proportion of vaginal dysbiosis (2/3). Conclusions:(1) Interferon therapy could shorten the negative turning time of hrHPV. (2) Women with normal vaginal microecology have the ability to naturally clear hrHPV. (3) The vaginal microecological Gram-stain test has limited value in predicting hrHPV clearance, perhaps due to its inability to detect Lactobacillus subtypes.

Objective:To establish a rat model of vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) and to directly observe the histopathological and ultrastructural characteristics of vaginal mucosal barrier after Candida albicans infection and treatment with Lactobacillus crispatus.Methods:Female unmated SD rats were used to establish the VVC model and divided into three groups (normal group, VVC group, and Lactobacillus group; n=6 per group). Lactobacillus group received intravaginal administration of Lactobacillus crispatus suspension, while rats in VVC group and normal group were infused with phosphate buffered solution instead. Vaginal tissues were collected on day 4 post-treatment for HE staining and transmission electron microscopy (to observe ultrastructural pathological changes). Results:The results of HE staining revealed the disruption and desquamation of vaginal epithelium, necrotic epithelial tissues, neutrophil infiltration in Candida albicans-infected rats. Lactobacillus crispatus intervention restored the damaged vaginal mucosal structure (mucosal layers and thickness) to normal levels, mucosal layers of Lactobacillus group and normal group were 9.50±1.38 vs 10.67±1.03 ( P=0.226), mucosal thickness of Lactobacillus group and normal group were (116.50±12.14) vs (130.33±13.91) μm ( P=0.211). The results of transmission electron microscopy revealed intercellular desmosome rupture, loss of microvilli and glycocalyx on superficial cells, and mitochondrial swelling in Candida albicans-infected rats. Lactobacillus crispatus intervention restored the damaged vaginal mucosal ultrastructures (mitochondria and intercellular connections, etc.) to normal levels. Conclusions:Fungal infection severely disrupte the vaginal mucosal barrier in rats. Lactobacillus crispatus could restore the vaginal mucosal barrier and epithelial ultrastructures.

Objective To explore the intrinsic relationship between imaging features of the bony structure in varus-type knee osteoarthritis(KOA).Methods A total of 99 patients diagnosed with varus-type KOA were retrospectively selected.All patients underwent standard weight-bearing full-length X-ray radiographs of both lower extremities and 3D CT scans of the knee joints.The images were observed and analyzed at the picture archiving and communication system(PACS)workstation.The hip-knee-ankle(HKA)angle and tibial medial plateau settlement value were measured,the size of osteophyte was measured and graded,and the distribution of subchondral pseudocysts was counted.Correlation analysis was performed on the above imaging indicators,and scatter plots were drawn for linear correlations.Results There was a correlation between the HKA angle and the tibial medial plateau settlement value,with a correlation coefficient(r)of-0.548.The osteophyte grades in each subregion were correlated with the HKA angle,with r of-0.324,-0.307,-0.534,-0.581,-0.468,-0.245,-0.265,-0.244,-0.706,-0.741,-0.726,-0.326,-0.712,-0.218,respectively.There was correlation between the osteophyte grades in the medial patella,medial femoral subregion,and medial tibial subregion and the tibial medial settlement value,with r of 0.227,0.263,0.295,0.242,0.297,0.361,and 0.407,respectively.No correlation was found between the osteophyte grades in other subregions and the tibial medial settlement value.There was an overall correlation between osteophyte grades and subchondral pseudocysts,with a r of 0.245,but with regional differences.No correlation was found between the medial femoral osteophyte grades and subchondral pseudocysts,while correlations were observed in other zones,with r of 0.213,0.230,0.200,and 0.147,respectively.Conclusion KOA is a disease of the entire knee joint.The imaging features of its bony structure,including the HKA angle,tibial medial plateau settlement value,osteophyte grades,and subchondral pseudocysts,have both intrinsic relationship and regional differences,which are influenced by anatomical structures.

Objective:To investigate the clinical efficacy of different administration methods for labor analgesia.Methods:This randomized controlled study was conducted on 152 parturient women who underwent vaginal delivery at the Xinxiang Central Hospital from February to June 2023. These women were divided into a control group and an observation group, with 76 women per group. Women in the control group received 3 mL of 0.1% ropivacaine hydrochloride after routine epidural catheterization, followed by 3 mL of analgesic drugs after 3 minutes. For those without any special reactions, an analgesic pump containing 9 mL of medication was used after 3 minutes until the end of labor. In the observation group, 3 mL of 0.1% ropivacaine hydrochloride was administered as a trial dose before the epidural catheter was inserted into the epidural space. After 3 minutes, the postpartum woman lay flat and was given another 3 mL of analgesic pump medication. After 3 additional minutes, an additional 9 mL of the medication was administered. The analgesic pump was connected and turned on until the catheter was removed after delivery. The epidural catheter failure rate was assessed in each group. Before epidural puncture (T 1), within 30 minutes after the onset of anesthesia (T 2), and at the time of full dilation of the cervix (T 3), Visual Analogue Scale scores, the number of patient attempts to additionally use an analgesia pump, maternal satisfaction, the number of cases requiring cesarean section conversion, the incidence of adverse reactions (such as nausea, vomiting, and fever), and Apgar scores for newborns were recorded in each group. Results:The epidural catheter failure rate in the observation group was 1.3% (1/76), which was significantly lower than 10.5% (8/76) in the control group ( χ2 = 5.79, P < 0.05). At T 2 and T 3, the Visual Analogue Scale score in the observation group was (0.89 ± 0.08) points and (2.1 ± 0.07) points, respectively, which were significantly lower than (2.55 ± 0.07) points and (3.35 ± 0.07) points in the control group ( t = 238.54, 133.17, both P < 0.001). The number of patient attempts to additionally use an analgesia pump in the observation group was (1.00 ± 0.84) counts, which was significantly less than (4.00 ± 0.65) counts in the control group ( t = 29.47, P < 0.001). Maternal satisfaction in the observation group was 100% (76/76), which was significantly higher than 92.1% (70/76) in the control group ( χ2 = 6.25, P < 0.05). The number of cases requiring cesarean section conversion in the observation group was 0 (0/76), which was significantly lower than 52.6% (4/76) in the control group ( χ2 = 4.10, P < 0.05). Conclusion:Administering a trial dose (3 mL) of 0.1% ropivacaine hydrochloride before placing the epidural catheter during labor analgesia can greatly increase the placement success rate of the catheter and enhance pain relief effectiveness. This has a certain clinical application value.

OBJECTIVE To systematically review the efficacy and safety of ticagrelor versus clopidogrel in CYP2C19 loss-of-function carriers with mild ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack(TIA). METHODS Databases such as PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Library, CNKI, and Wanfang were systematically searched, and the search period was from database establishment to June 2022. Two reviewers independently screened literature, extracted data, and evaluated the methodological quality of the included studies. Meta-analysis was performed using RevMan 5.3 software. RESULTS A total of 2 studies with 7 087 patients were included. Compared with clopidogrel, ticagrelor reduced the incidence of stroke[RR=0.78, 95%CI(0.66−0.93), I2=0%, P=0.007] and vascular event[RR=0.78, 95%CI(0.66−0.91), I2=0%, P=0.002] in patients with mild ischemic stroke or TIA carrying the CYP2C19 loss-of-function allele. The incidence of any bleeding[HR=2.18, 95%CI(1.66−2.85)] and minor bleeding[HR=2.41, 95%CI (1.81−3.20)] in the ticagrelor-aspirin group was higher than that in the clopidogrel-aspirin group, and dyspnea (1.2% vs 0.2%, P<0.001) and arrhythmias(1.7% vs 0.8%, P=0.001) were more common in the ticagrelor-aspirin group than in the clopidogrel-aspirin group. There was no significant difference in the incidence of severe bleeding between the two groups. CONCLUSION Compared with clopidogrel, ticagrelor reduces the incidence of stroke and vascular events in patients with mild ischemic stroke or TIA carrying the CYP2C19 loss-of-function allele, and did not increase the risk of severe bleeding. However, the ticagrelor group had a higher incidence of minor bleeding, dyspnea and arrhythmias.

Objective To explore the effect of ephedrine on airway remodeling and its regulation effect on transfor-ming growth factor-β1(TGF-β1)/Smads pathway in asthmatic mice.Methods All mice were randomly separated into control group,model group,dexamethasone group,ephedrine low-dose group,ephedrine high-dose group,and ephedrine high-dose+TGF-β1 activator group,with 12 mice in each group.Except for the control group,mice in other groups were intraperitoneally injected with 40 μg ovalbumin(OVA)and 2 mg 10％aluminium hydroxide sensitizer to induce asthma models.After 8 weeks,the airway hyperresponsiveness of mice in each group was detec-ted;eosinophils in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid(BALF)were counted;ELISA was applied to detect the levels of interleukin(IL)-4,IL-5,and IL-13 in BALF;hematoxylin-eosin(HE)staining and Masson staining were applied to observe the pathological changes and collagen fiber area of mouse lung tissue;immunohistochemistry was applied to detect the expression of α-smooth muscle actin(α-SMA)protein in mouse lung tissue;Western blot was applied to detect the expression of TGF-β1/Smads pathway related proteins in mouse lung tissue.Results Compared with the control group,the airway hyperreactivity at different doses of methacholine,total area of airway wall(Wat)/perimeter of the basement membrane(Pbm)ratio,collagen fiber area,eosinophil,the contents of IL-4,IL-5,IL-13,the expression of α-SMA,TGF-β1,the ratios of p-Smad2/Smad2 and p-Smad3/Smad3 in the model group in-creased(P＜0.05),the expression of Smad7 decreased(P＜0.05);compared with the model group,the airway hyperreactivity at different doses of methacholine,Wat/Pbm ratio,collagen fiber area,eosinophil,the contents of IL-4,IL-5,IL-13,the expression of α-SMA,TGF-β1,the ratios of p-Smad2/Smad2 and p-Smad3/Smad3 in the dexamethasone group,the ephedrine low-dose and high-dose groups decreased(P＜0.05),the expression of Smad7 increased(P＜0.05);compared with the ephedrine high-dose group,the airway hyperreactivity at different doses of methacholine,Wat/Pbm ratio,collagen fiber area,eosinophil,the contents of IL-4,IL-5,IL-13,the ex-pression of α-SMA,TGF-β1,the ratios of p-Smad2/Smad2 and p-Smad3/Smad3 in the ephedrine high-dose+TGF-β1 activator group increased(P＜0.05),the expression of Smad7 decreased(P＜0.05).Conclusion E-phedrine can improve airway remodeling in asthmatic mice,and its mechanism is related to the regulation of TGF-β1/Smads signaling pathway.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the mechanisms by which Pinggan Yishen Decoction(PGYSD)contributes to alleviating target organ damage in spontaneously hypertensive rats.METHODS The chemical components of PGYSD were determined by ultra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry(UPLC-Q-TOF/MS)and were analyzed by target a-nalysis and functional enrichment combined with network pharmacology methods to predict the potential mechanism of PGYSD in trea-ting hypertension and its target organ damage.Spontaneously hypertensive rats were randomly divided into the model group,low-dose PGYSD group(2 g·kg-1),high-dose PGYSD group(5 g·kg-1),and valsartan group(7.2 mg·kg-1),with 6 rats in each group.Wistar-Kyoto rats were used as the control group,and the control group and the model group were gavaged with normal saline for 8 consecutive weeks.HE and Masson staining were used to observe the pathological damage and fibrosis degree of rat heart and tho-racic aorta.Immunohistochemical staining and Western blot were used to detect the expression level of EGFR in the heart,liver and kidney of rats.Immunofluorescence staining was used to detect the co-localization of EGFR and EEA1 in the heart,liver and kidney of rats.RESULTS Twenty-six components of PGYSD were detected by UPLC-Q-TOF/MS.Network pharmacology revealed that EG-FR,PIK3R1 and EP300 may be key therapeutic targets of action of PGYSD for the treatment of hypertension and its target organ dam-age,and that the treatment of hypertension and its target organ damage by PGYSD may be closely related to EGFR tyrosine kinase in-hibitor resistance,lipids and atherosclerosis and HIF-1 signaling pathway.The high-dose group of PGYSD significantly reduced sys-tolic blood pressure and mean blood pressure in rats(P<0.05,P<0.01),attenuated pathological damage and fibrosis in the heart and thoracic aorta(P<0.01,P<0.001),significantly reduced the expression level of EGFR in the liver and kidney of rats(P<0.01),and treated fibrosis in liver and kidney,reduced the co-localization of EGFR and EEA1 in the kidney of rats(P<0.001),attenuated fibro-sis in kidney.CONCLUSION The paper integrates UPLC-Q-TOF/MS,network pharmacology and spontaneously hypertensive rat model and preliminarily explores the effect mechanism of PGYSD in the treatment of hypertension and its target organ damage,provi-ding a scientific basis for further mechanism research and clinical application of PGYSD in the treatment of hypertension.