OBJECTIVE: To investigate the impact of bone mass and volume of low-density zones beneath the tibial plateau on the maximum von Mises stresses experienced by the cartilage and meniscus in the knee joint. METHODS: The study included one healthy adult volunteer, from whom CT scans were obtained, and one patient diagnosed with knee osteoarthrisis (KOA), for whom X-ray films were acquired. A static model of the knee joint featuring a low-density zone was established based on a normal knee model. In the finite element analysis, axial loads of 1 000 N and 1 800 N were applied to the weight-bearing region of the upper surface of the femoral head for model validation and subsequent finite element studies, respectively. The maximum von Mises stresses in the femoral cartilage, as well as the medial and lateral tibial cartilage and menisci, were observed, and the stress percentage of the medial and lateral components were concurrently analyzed. Additionally, HE staining, as well as alkaline magenta staining, were performed on the pathological specimens of patients with KOA in various low-density regions. RESULTS: The results of model validation indicated that the model was consistent with normal anatomical structures and correlated with previous calculations documented in the literature. Static analysis revealed that the maximum von Mises stress in the medial component of the normal knee was the lowest and increased with the advancement of the hypointensity zone. In contrast, the lateral component exhibited an opposing trend, with the maximum von Mises stress in the lateral component being the highest and decreasing as the hypointensity zone progressed. Additionally, the medial component experienced an increasing proportion of stress within the overall knee joint. HE staining demonstrated that the chondrocyte layer progressively deteriorated and may even disappear as the hypointensity zone expanded. Furthermore, alkaline magenta staining indicated that the severity of microfractures in the trabecular bone increased concurrently with the expansion of the hypointensity zone. CONCLUSION The presence of subtalar plateau low-density zone may aggravate joint degeneration. In clinical practice, it is necessary to pay attention to the changes in the subtalar plateau low-density zone and actively take effective measures to strengthen the bone status of the subtalar plateau low-density zone and restore the complete biomechanical function of the knee joint, in order to slow down or reverse the progression of osteoarthritis.
Humans ; Finite Element Analysis ; Knee Joint/physiology* ; Tibia/anatomy & histology* ; Cartilage, Articular/physiology* ; Menisci, Tibial/physiopathology* ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Osteoarthritis, Knee/diagnostic imaging* ; Weight-Bearing ; Bone Density ; Adult ; Stress, Mechanical ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Biomechanical Phenomena ; Female

Objective:To investigate the correlation between cytokeratin 19 fragment(CYFRA21-1), modified ultrasound B-line and connective tissue disease associated with interstitial lung disease (CTD-ILD).Methods:The data of 112 patients with CTD hospitalized in the Department of Rheumatology and Immunology of the Second Hospital of Fujian Medical University from September 2019 to December 2021 were retrospectively collected. Sixty patients in the CTD-ILD group and 52 patients in the connective tissue disease without interstitial lung disease (CTD-noILD) group were included. The t-test and χ2 test were used to compare the demographic characteristics and tumor-associated antigens of the two groups of patients. Modified ultrasound score and HRCT Warrick score were evaluated by Pearson correlation analysis. In addition, the relationship between CYFRA21-1, modified ultrasound score and Warrick score were evaluated, and the diagnostic efficacy of CYFRA21-1 and modified ultrasound of CTD-ILD was evaluated and analyzed by binary logistic regression analysis. Results:Patients in the CTD-ILD group had higher CYFRA21-1 concentrations than the CTD-no-ILD group[5.74(4.25, 9.79) ng/ml vs. 2.79(2.21, 3.23) ng/ml, Z=45.94, P<0.001], patients in the CTD-ILD group had higher modified ultrasound scores than the CTD-no-ILD group [44.5(36.5, 60.0) vs. 5.0 (3.2, 6.8), P<0.001]. Modified ultrasound score was positively correlated with Warrick score ( r=0.93, P<0.001) and CYRFA21-1 was positively correlated with modified ultrasound score ( r=0.39, P=0.042). The sensitivity of CYFRA21-1 in determining CTD-ILD was 81.7% and the specificity was 92.3% [ AUC (95% CI)=0.88(0.81, 0.95), P<0.001], the sensitivity of modified ultrasound B-line to determine CTD-ILD was 96.4% and the specificity was 92.9% [ AUC (95% CI)=0.99 (0.97, 1.00), P<0.001]. History of smoking[ OR(95% CI)=9.26(1.11, 77.12), P=0.040] and elevated CYFRA21-1 concentration[ OR(95% CI)=19.40(4.89, 76.95), P<0.001] were risk factors for CTD-ILD. Conclusion:CYFRA21-1 is expected to be a serum marker indicating concomitant ILD in patients with CTD. Modified ultrasound B-line to determine concomitant ILD in CTD patients has good diagnostic utility and can reflect the severity of pulmonary fibrosis in CTD-ILD patients.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the causal association between ticagrelor and risk of infection METHODS Two-sample Mendelian randomization was adopted. Genetic instrumental variables were selected based on the results of the largest genome-wide association analysis to in vivo exposure of ticagrelor and its major active metabolite AR-C124910XX. The causal associations of ticagrelor and its major active metabolite AR-C124910XX with drug indications （coronary artery disease， unstable angina pectoris， myocardial infarction， stroke and ischemic stroke）were analyzed by inverse variance weighted Mendelian randomization model as a positive control for genetic instrumental variables. The causal relationship between ticagrelor and bacterial infection， acute lower respiratory infection， bacterial pneumoniae， pneumoniae，acute upper respiratory infection and sepsis were furtheranalyzed by using this method， and the robustness of the results was assessed by using heterogeneity tests and horizontal 202002030415） pleiotropy tests. RESULTS The increase of area under the curve at steady state （AUCss） of the genetic surrogated ticagrelor significantly reduced the risk of coronary artery disease， myocardial infarction and unstable angina pectoris （P＜0.001）. AUCss genetic instrument variables of its main active metabolite AR-C124910XX failed to pass positive control. Further analysis showed that the increase of the genetic surrogated ticagrelor exposure suggestively reduced the risk of bacterial infection [OR（95%CI）＝0.80（0.65，0.99），P＝0.040] and sepsis [OR （95%CI）＝0.84（0.73， 0.98）， P＝0.023]. The results of the heterogeneity tests showed that there was no heterogeneity in the causal association of the genetic surrogated ticagrelor AUCss with bacterial infection and sepsis （P＞0.05）. The results of horizontal pleiotropy tests showed that the causal association of genetic surrogated ticagrelor AUCss with bacterial infection and sepsis had no effects on horizontal pleiotropy （P＞0.05）. CONCLUSIONS Ticagrelor has a potential role in reducing the risk of sepsis and bacterial infections.

Objective:To explore the short-term outcomes of reconstruction of tumorous critical bone defects at femoral shaft with a 3D printed ultra-short stem with a porous structure.Methods:From September 2016 to June 2018, 8 patients underwent reconstruction of critical bone defects with a 3D printed ultra-short stem with a porous structure after resection of femoral shaft malignant tumor at Department of Orthopaedics, West China Hospital. There were 4 males and 4 females, with an average age of 36.9 years (from 11 to 61 years). Their preoperative Enneking staging was stage Ⅱb in all. There were 3 osteosarcomas, 2 Ewing sarcomas, 2 chondrosarcomas and one periosteal osteosarcoma. Preoperative CT/MRI image fusion technology was used to define the surgical boundary, design the guide plate and prosthesis, and perform surgical simulation. Tomosynthesis-shimadzu Metal Artefact Reduction technology was used to evaluate osseointegration. Complications and bone oncology prognosis of the patients were documented. The lower limb function of the patients was evaluated using Musculoskeletal Tumor Society (MSTS) 1993 scoring and knee range of motion.Results:The overall follow-up time ranged from 36 to 50 months, averaging 42.8 months. During operation one patient sustained a periprosthesis fracture, the union of which was followed up after wire assisted fixation. There was no local tumor recurrence, lung metastasis or death. The last follow-up revealed good osseointegration and basically isometric lower extremities in all cases. There was no such a complication as aseptic loosening of the prosthesis, deep infection or prosthesis fracture during the follow-up period. At the last follow-up in the 8 patients, the flexion range of the knee joint was 116.2°±9.1°, significantly improved compared with that before operation (98.8°±10.9°), and the MSTS score was (26.2±2.1) points, also significantly improved compared with that before operation [(21.6±1.8) points] ( P<0.05). Conclusions:Reconstruction with a 3D printed ultra-short stem with a porous structure is an accurate operation for femoral shaft tumorous bone defects. With careful preoperative design, intraoperative manipulation and strict postoperative follow-up management, this operation can lead to fine early curative outcomes for long shaft critical bone defects.

Objective To evaluate the risk factors and sonographic findings of pregnancies complicated by placenta increta or placenta percreta. Methods Totally, 2219 cases were retrospectively analyzed from 20 tertiary hospitals in China from January 2011 to December 2015. The data were collected based on the original case records. All cases were divided into two groups, the placenta increta (PI) group (79.1％, 1755/2219) and the placenta percreta (PP) group (20.9％, 464/2219), according to the degree of placental implantation. The risk factors and sonographic findings of placenta increta or percreta were analyzed by uni-factor and logistic regression statistic methods. Results The risk factors associated with the degree of placental implantation were age, gravida, previous abortion or miscarriage, previous cesarean sections, and placenta previa (all P<0.05), especially, previous cesarean sections (χ2=157.961) and placenta previa (χ2=91.759). Sonographic findings could be used to predict the degree of placental invasion especially the boundaries between placenta and uterine serosa, the boundary between placenta and myometrium, the disruption of the placental-uterine wall interface and loss of the normal retroplacental hypoechoic zone(all P<0.01). Conclusions Previous cesarean sections and placenta previa are the main independent risk factors associated with the degree of placenta implantation. Ultrasound could be used to make a prenatal suggestive diagnosis of placenta accreta spectrum disorders.

BACKGROUND: Inert biomaterials such as metal usually hold poor biocompatibility and weak bonding force, which is against the effect of dental or bone implants. Therefore, how to improve their biocompatibility has become the research hotspot.OBJECTIVE: To prepare collagen-coated titanium alloy (Ti6Al4V), and to assess its biocompatibility.METHODS: Ti6Al4V served as the matrix, the 3-amino propyl triethoxy silane (KH550) as the crosslinking agent, and the three-dimensional printed titanium alloy coated by collagen type Ⅰ and Ⅱ was prepared,respectively. The coated materials were co-cultured with mouse preosteoblasts MC-3T3-E1 to evaluate its biocompatibility. The effect of different kinds of collagen on the cell differentiation was compared by differential recognition of surface proteins.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: When the N content on the titanium alloy surface (Φ10 cm) was 8.41%, the cladding quantity of collagen type Ⅰ and Ⅱ was 0.81 and 0.77 mg, respectively. Compared with the bare titanium alloy, the cell adhered well and distributed extensively on the coated titanium alloy,which showed strong viability and fast proliferation.The cells cultured on collagen type Ⅰ coated materials expressed the proteins associated with matrix synthesis, and those on collagen type Ⅱ coated materials expressed the proteins associated with mineralization. These results clarify that the collagen coating can improve the biocompatibility of titanium alloy, and different types of collagens act on different functional proteins.

AIM:To explore a more accurate and reliable pathological model of the chronic bronchitis , which has improved from the former single-factor modeling method of the disease .METHODS:The mice in complex group were treated with lipopolysaccharide ( LPS) by tracheal injection on the 1st day and nasal drops on the 14th day, and from the 2nd day to 30th day, the animals were given passive smoking and sulfur dioxide ( SO2 ) inhalation ( except on the 14th day).The mice in SO2 group were exposed to SO2 2 min per day, while in smoking group, the mice were exposed to smoke for about 1 h per day (4 cigarettes each time until one pack of cigarettes were burning up ).In LPS group, the mice had tracheal injection of LPS on the 1st day and nasal drops of LPS on the 14th day and 30th day.Every modeling process las-ted for 30 days.After modeling, the improvement of chronic bronchitis model was evaluated by testing the general condi-tions of the mice , analyzing leukocyte count in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid ( BALF ) , and observing the morphological changes of the bronchial and lung tissues .RESULTS:After modeling, the mice in every model group experienced symp-toms including wet nose, cough, dry and lusterless hair, arched back and curled-up body, showing inactive, and slow down in response .The mice in complex group gained the lowest weight compared to other groups .From each model group , the inflammatory cells infiltrated evidently around the bronchial walls , especially in the bronchial cavity , and the mucilage secretion in the airway increased .The total number of leukocytes in BALF increased significantly in complex group .The in-flammatory cell count in the lung tissue indicated that the mice in complex group had significantly higher levels of inflamma -tory cell infiltration.Besides, the comparison between smoke group and LPS group was statistically significant .CONCLU-SION:Smoking, SO2 inhalation and LPS injection induce bronchial lung disease in mice , and the complex chronic bron-chitis mouse model is a better model with the pathological changes of bronchus , lung tissue and BALF , and pathogenesis of chronic bronchitis .

Antithrombin III (AT III) is the most important anti-clotting substance. Recombinant human antithrombin III (rhAT III) expressed in transgenic goat milk attracts more and more attention. Develop an effective purification route for rhAT III is vital to its industrial production. An efficient purification method was developed for the rapid purification of rhAT III by isoelectric precipitation and heparin affinity chromatography. First, casein was effectively removed by isoelectric precipitation. rhAT III was further purified by heparin affinity chromatography. In the process of heparin affinity chromatography, the effects of pH and temperature on the stability of rhAT III were studied, and the effects of operating conditions, elution gradient, flow rate and sample loaded, on the purification efficiency were also studied. Under the optimized conditions, the protein recovery of rhAT III was about 90% with purity over 99%, while its activity recovery was about 50%. Such a purification process is very simple and effective, and it would provide a valuable reference for the further scaling-up of industrial production.
Animals ; Animals, Genetically Modified ; Antithrombin III ; biosynthesis ; Chromatography, Affinity ; Female ; Goats ; Heparin ; Humans ; Mammary Glands, Animal ; metabolism ; Milk ; chemistry ; Recombinant Proteins ; biosynthesis

In recent years, large numbers of non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) have been identified in C. elegans but their functions are still not well studied. In C. elegans, CEP-1 is the sole homolog of the p53 family of genes. In order to obtain transcription profiles of ncRNAs regulated by CEP-1 under normal and UV stressed conditions, we applied the 'not-so-random' hexamers priming strategy to RNA sequencing in C. elegans, This NSR-seq strategy efficiently depleted rRNA transcripts from the samples and showed high technical replicability. We identified more than 1,000 ncRNAs whose apparent expression was repressed by CEP-1, while around 200 were activated. Around 40% of the CEP-1 activated ncRNAs promoters contain a putative CEP-1-binding site. CEP-1 regulated ncRNAs were frequently clustered and concentrated on the X chromosome. These results indicate that numerous ncRNAs are involved in CEP-1 transcriptional network and that these are especially enriched on the X chromosome in C. elegans.
Animals ; Binding Sites ; Caenorhabditis elegans ; Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing ; Promoter Regions, Genetic ; RNA, Untranslated ; metabolism ; Sequence Analysis, RNA ; Transcriptome ; radiation effects ; Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Ultraviolet Rays ; X Chromosome

Objective To evaluate effectiveness of family support on foot care education in older patients with diabetes .Methods A quasi-experimental , interrupted time series with comparison group design was conducted.Finally, according to their level of family support 42 patients were assigned to the two groups .The patients in two groups received a 30 minutes education session individually , and one family member of each patient of the intervention group with high level of family support was educated at the same time .The Nottingham Assessment of Functional Foot care ( NAFF ) and The Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support ( MSPSS ) were used to evaluate the effectiveness of education and the level of family support over time . Results There was no significant difference between the two groups before the two group of patients ( P >0.05).At the three and the six month of follow-up, the median scores of the intervention group were 66.91 and 68.19.The patients in the intervention group with high level of family support demonstrated a significant improvement in NAFF (Z =-2.782, -4.997, respectively;P <0.01).The intervention group indicated significantly better performance over time in MSPSS (χ2 =41.932,P=0.001), but it did not showed in control group (Z=1.228,P =0.874).Conclusions The family support enhanced effectiveness of education and sustained health foot care behavior .The findings of this study are important for nurses and diabetes educators to improve the teaching and improve foot care of the elderly with diabetes .