BACKGROUND:Previous studies of the research group have found that icariin-containing serum can delay the progression of knee osteoarthritis,promote chondrocyte proliferation and stem cell cartilage differentiation in rats,but there is still a lack of sufficient basis for clinical application.OBJECTIVE:To investigate the repair effect of icariin-containing serum on lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammatory damage of human chondrocytes.METHODS:The effect of icariin-containing serum on chondrocyte viability was detected by cell counting kit-8 method,and the optimal volume fraction and time of icariin-containing serum were screened.The cells were then divided into blank group,lipopolysaccharide group,icariin-containing serum group and lipopolysaccharide+icariin-containing serum group.After grouping,immunofluorescence was used to detect the secretion of type Ⅱ collagen in chondrocytes in each group.Real-time PCR was used to detect the expression of related genes.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Icariin-containing serum showed good biosafety characteristics for human chondrocytes,and the cell viability reached the highest level after 48 hours of intervention when the icariin-containing serum volume fraction was 15％,and the follow-up experiments were carried out according to the conditions.(2)Compared with the blank group,lipopolysaccharide significantly inhibited the expression of type Ⅱ collagen in chondrocytes,while icariin-containing serum showed a positive mobilization effect,which could effectively promote the secretion of type Ⅱ collagen in chondrocytes under normal and inflammatory conditions.(3)The mRNA expression of type Ⅱ collagen and Aggrecan in chondrocytes decreased significantly under lipopolysaccharide stimulation,and the mRNA expression levels of matrix metalloproteinase 13 and a disintegrin-like and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs-5 increased significantly.Icariin-containing serum promoted the mRNA expression of type Ⅱ collagen in human chondrocytes under inflammatory conditions and reduced the mRNA expression of matrix metalloproteinase 13 and a disintegrin-like and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs-5 in chondrocytes after lipopolysaccharide intervention.Therefore,these findings indicate that the icariin-containing serum has good safety for human chondrocytes and plays an important role in maintaining the normal physiological functions of chondrocytes,promoting the synthesis of extracellular matrix,and inhibiting the secretion of inflammatory factors.

BACKGROUND:Previous studies of the research group have found that icariin-containing serum can delay the progression of knee osteoarthritis,promote chondrocyte proliferation and stem cell cartilage differentiation in rats,but there is still a lack of sufficient basis for clinical application.OBJECTIVE:To investigate the repair effect of icariin-containing serum on lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammatory damage of human chondrocytes.METHODS:The effect of icariin-containing serum on chondrocyte viability was detected by cell counting kit-8 method,and the optimal volume fraction and time of icariin-containing serum were screened.The cells were then divided into blank group,lipopolysaccharide group,icariin-containing serum group and lipopolysaccharide+icariin-containing serum group.After grouping,immunofluorescence was used to detect the secretion of type Ⅱ collagen in chondrocytes in each group.Real-time PCR was used to detect the expression of related genes.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Icariin-containing serum showed good biosafety characteristics for human chondrocytes,and the cell viability reached the highest level after 48 hours of intervention when the icariin-containing serum volume fraction was 15％,and the follow-up experiments were carried out according to the conditions.(2)Compared with the blank group,lipopolysaccharide significantly inhibited the expression of type Ⅱ collagen in chondrocytes,while icariin-containing serum showed a positive mobilization effect,which could effectively promote the secretion of type Ⅱ collagen in chondrocytes under normal and inflammatory conditions.(3)The mRNA expression of type Ⅱ collagen and Aggrecan in chondrocytes decreased significantly under lipopolysaccharide stimulation,and the mRNA expression levels of matrix metalloproteinase 13 and a disintegrin-like and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs-5 increased significantly.Icariin-containing serum promoted the mRNA expression of type Ⅱ collagen in human chondrocytes under inflammatory conditions and reduced the mRNA expression of matrix metalloproteinase 13 and a disintegrin-like and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs-5 in chondrocytes after lipopolysaccharide intervention.Therefore,these findings indicate that the icariin-containing serum has good safety for human chondrocytes and plays an important role in maintaining the normal physiological functions of chondrocytes,promoting the synthesis of extracellular matrix,and inhibiting the secretion of inflammatory factors.

BACKGROUND:The capability of repairing articular cartilage damage is very limited,and tissue engineering technology provides new therapeutic options for repairing damaged cartilage,in which the interaction and induction between chondrocytes,bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells,and synovial mesenchymal stem cells is the basis of autologous healing of cartilage damage. OBJECTIVE:To construct the chondrocyte-bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell-synovial mesenchymal stem cell co-culture system to simulate the in vitro microenvironment of chondrocytes,and to explore the optimal cell inoculation ratio,meanwhile to observe the effects of icariin-containing serum on the proliferation of chondrocytes and the chondrogenic differentiation of stem cells in the system. METHODS:Rat knee chondrocytes,bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells and synovial mesenchymal stem cells were extracted,cultured and identified,and a chondrocyte-bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell-synovial mesenchymal stem cell non-contact co-culture system was constructed according to different cell inoculation ratios.After 72 hours of co-culturing,the chondrocyte proliferative activity and phenotypic ability were observed,and the co-culture system with the best overall effect was selected.New Zealand white rabbits were gavaged with icariin solution(0.25 mg/mL)to prepare icariin-containing serum,and cultured in conventional complete medium(high sugar DMEM culture medium containing 10%fetal bovine serum and 1%double antibody by volume)as the control group,while the experimental group was intervened by adding 10%icariin-containing serum by volume on the basis of above.The proliferative activity of chondrocytes and the expression of collagen type II were tested for the two groups after 24 and 48 hours.The differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells and synovial mesenchymal stem cells into chondrocytes in the co-culture system was tested by immunofluorescence staining after 14 days. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)The three kinds of cells grew normally adherently to the wall in different ratios of co-culture,where chondrocytes showed the best proliferative activity and phenotypic ability in the co-culture system when chondrocytes:bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells:synovial mesenchymal stem cells=2:1:1.(2)Compared with the control group,the proliferative activity and type II collagen expression of chondrocytes in the experimental group were significantly increased after 24 hours(P<0.01),and the two groups still had difference after 48 hours(P<0.05).The two groups showed obvious chondrogenic differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells and synovial mesenchymal stem cells after 14 days(P<0.01),and some of the cells appeared round or oval,and the cytoplasmic type II collagen immunofluorescence staining was positive.The fluorescence intensity of the experimental group was significantly higher than that of the control group(P<0.01).(3)The results showed that the chondrocyte-bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell-synovial mesenchymal stem cell co-culture system could be successfully established by the non-contact co-culture method,and the best chondrocyte proliferative activity and phenotypic ability could be obtained when the cell ratio was 2:1:1.Icariin-containing serum had the promoting effect on chondrocyte proliferation,and chondrogenic differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells and synovial mesenchymal stem cells in the system.

BACKGROUND:Kidney deficiency and blood stasis syndrome are common traditional Chinese medicine syndromes observed in knee osteoarthritis,which serve as fundamental pathogenesis factors.There exists a significant connection between the two.Previous studies have demonstrated that kidney deficiency and blood stasis syndrome effectively contribute to knee joint cartilage degeneration and the progression of knee osteoarthritis.However,the mechanisms underlying the promotion of knee joint cartilage damage remain unclear and require further investigation. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the influence of kidney deficiency and blood stasis syndrome on the progression of knee osteoarthritis in Sprague-Dawley rats. METHODS:Sixteen Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into two groups:a model observation group and a control group,with eight rats in each group.Animal models of kidney deficiency were induced by ovary removal in the model observation group,while the control group was given a sham procedure for ovarian removal.Two months after modeling,both groups underwent modified HULTH surgery to induce knee osteoarthritis.One week after modified HULTH surgery,the model observation group was subcutaneously given adrenaline hydrochloride to make blood stasis models,while the control group was subcutaneously given normal saline.At the 5th week after modified HULTH surgery,blood rheology,coagulation parameters,triiodothyronine,tetraiodothyronine,and estradiol levels were measured.Knee joint X-ray images were taken,and knee joint sections were stained with safranin O-fast green,hematoxylin-eosin,and immunohistochemistry. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Compared with the control group,the model observation group exhibited significant increases in whole blood viscosity at low,medium,and high shear rates,as well as increased plasma viscosity.Fibronectin levels in the coagulation parameters were significantly increased,while prothrombin time and activated partial thromboplastin time were significantly decreased.Triiodothyronine,tetraiodothyronine,and estradiol levels were all significantly decreased.Radiographic results showed that the model observation group exhibited more severe degree of knee joint space narrowing and surface roughness,with the appearance of high-density shadows.Hematoxylin-eosin and safranin O-fast green staining demonstrated more severe cartilage damage in the model observation group,with significantly higher OARSI and Mankin scores compared with the control group.Compared with the control group,immunohistochemistry results showed a significant reduction in the expression of extracellular matrix type II collagen and aggrecan protein in the cartilage of the model observation group rats.Moreover,there was a significant increase in the expression of matrix metalloproteinase 13 and aggrecanase 5,which are inflammatory factors.These results indicate that the Sprague-Dawley rat model of knee osteoarthritis with kidney deficiency and blood stasis was successfully established.Kidney deficiency and blood stasis syndrome further aggravate cartilage extracellular matrix degradation and cartilage degeneration by promoting the expression of inflammatory factors,thereby promoting the progression of knee osteoarthritis in rats.

Objective:To investigate the correlation between TNFAIP3 gene polymorphism and osteoporotic fractures in the elderly and bone metabolism indexes.Methods:A total of 115 patients with senile osteoporotic fractures admitted to Peace Hospital Affiliated to Shanxi Changzhi Medical College from Jan. 2019 to Jun. 2021 were enrolled as the observation group, and 120 patients with senile osteoporotic fractures matched with gender, age and body mass index of the observation group were selected as the control group. The levels of blood calcium, blood phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase, 25-hydroxyvitamin D and other bone metabolism indexes of all subjects were recorded. The genotypes of rs10499194 and rs13207033 in TNFAIP3 gene were analyzed by capillary electrophoresis and fragment analysis (SNaPshot) . The mRNA relative expression level of TNFAIP3 gene in peripheral blood of all subjects was determined by quantitative real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction.Results:There were statistically significant differences in genotype distribution and gene frequency of RS10499194 and RS13207033 between the observation group and the control group ( P<0.05) . For rs10499194, CT genotype carriers had a significantly higher risk of fracture than wild-type CC genotype carriers [OR=3.253 (1.223-8.652) , P=0.014]. The dominant model was also statistically significant ( P=0.003) . For rs13207033, GA carriers had a significantly higher risk of fracture than wild-type GG carriers [OR=3.775 (1.192-11.952) , P= 0.016]. The dominant model was statistically significant ( P=0.009) . The blood calcium level in AA+GA group was significantly higher than that in GG group at rs13207033 site ( P=0.006) . The mRNA expression level of TNFAIP3 gene in the observation group was 1.41±0.09, which was significantly lower than that in the observation group (2.07±0.12, t=6.69, P<0.001) . TNFAIP3 mRNA expression level of rs10499194 site TT+CT group was 1.35±0.11, significantly lower than CC group 1.43±0.13 ( t=2.82, P=0.007) . Conclusion:The polymorphism of TN-FAIP3 gene is related to the occurrence of osteoporotic fractures and bone metabolism, and may affect the gene expression level.

Liposomes have made remarkable achievements as drug delivery vehicles in the clinic. Liposomal products mostly benefited from remote drug loading techniques that succeeded in amphipathic and/or ionizable drugs, but seemed impracticable for nonionizable and poorly water-soluble therapeutic agents, thereby impeding extensive promising drugs to hitchhike liposomal vehicles for disease therapy. In this study, a series of weak acid drug derivatives were designed by a simplistic one step synthesis, which could be remotely loaded into liposomes by pH gradient method. Cabazitaxel (CTX) weak acid derivatives were selected to evaluate regarding its safety profiles, pharmacodynamics, and pharmacokinetics. CTX weak acid derivative liposomes were superior to Jevtana® in terms of safety profiles, including systemic toxicity, hematological toxicity, and potential central nerve toxicity. Specifically, it was demonstrated that liposomes had capacity to weaken potential toxicity of CTX on cortex and hippocampus neurons. Significant advantages of CTX weak acid derivative-loaded liposomes were achieved in prostate cancer and metastatic cancer therapy resulting from higher safety and elevated tolerated doses.

Objective:To investigate the protective effect of asiatic acid (AA) on blood-retinal barrier (BRB) in diabetic rats and its possible mechanism.Methods:Ninety-six healthy 8-week-old male SD rats were randomly divided into normal control group, diabetes group, low-dose AA group and high-dose AA group, with 24 rats in each group.Intraperitoneal injection of streptozocin (STZ) was used to establish diabetes model.One month after the establishment of the model, the low-dose AA group and the high-dose AA group were given intragastrical administration of 37.5 mg/kg AA and 75.0 mg/kg AA, respectively, once a day according to grouping.The normal control group and the diabetes group were administrated with the same amount of 0.5% sodium carboxymethyl cellulose.The body weight of the rats were weighted at week 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 after intragastrical administration.Blood was taken from the tail vein and the blood glucose level was measured.The retina was obtained one month following the administration.Pathological changes of the rats retina were detected by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining.Evan's blue quantitative method was used to detect the damage of blood-retinal barrier (BRB). Immunofluorescence staining was performed to detect the distribution of Occludin, Notch1, Jagged canonical Notch ligand 1 (JAG1) and Delta like canonical Notch ligand 4 (DLL4) in retina.The mRNA and protein expressive levels of Occludin, Notch1, JAG1 and DLL4 were detected by Real-time PCR and Western blot.The study protocol was approved by a Scientific Research and Clinical Trial Ethics Committee of The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University (No.2020-KY-228). The use and care of animals complied with the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals of National Institutes of Health and the 3R rules.Results:At 4 weeks after intragastrical administration, the body weight of the high-dose AA group was significantly higher than that of the diabetes group, and the blood glucose values were significantly lower in the high-dose AA group and the low-dose AA group in comparison with the diabetes group (all at P<0.05). The cells were arranged orderly with clear layered structure in the normal control group.In the diabetes group, the retina was thicker than that of the normal control group, with a thicker outer nuclear layer, disordered cell arrangement and unclear layered structure.Compared with the diabetes group, the total retinal thickness and structure were obviously improved in the low-dose AA group and the high-dose AA group.Evan's blue leakage in retina was (3.07±1.30), (13.73±3.88), (9.57±2.69) and (6.55±1.61)ng/mg in the normal control group, the diabetes group, the low-dose AA group and the high-dose AA group, respectively.There was a significant difference in leakage of Evan's blue among the four groups ( F=18.50, P<0.01), among which the leakage of Evan's blue dye in the high-dose AA group was significantly lower than that of the diabetes group ( P<0.01). Compared with the diabetes group, there was significantly higher relative expression level of Occludin protein and significantly lower relative expression levels of Notch1, JAG1 and DLL4 proteins in the other three groups (all at P<0.05). The relative expression level of Occludin protein was significantly higher and the relative expression levels of Notch1, JAG1 and DLL4 proteins were significantly lower in the high-dose AA group than those in the low-dose AA group (all at P<0.05). Compared with the normal control group, the Occludin mRNA expression level was significantly decreased and the expression levels of Notch1, JAG1 and DLL4 mRNA were significantly increased in the diabetes group and low-dose AA group (all at P<0.01). The Occludin mRNA expression level was higher and the Notch1 mRNA expression level was lower in the high-dose AA group than those in the diabetes group and the low-dose AA group, and the expression levels of JAG1 and DLL4 mRNA were lower in the high-dose AA group in comparison with the diabetes group, and the differences were statistically significant (all at P<0.05). Conclusions:Asiatic acid might play a protective role on BRB in diabetic rats by inhibiting Notch1 signaling pathway.

Objective To explore the effects of health education based on survey findings of health needs in nursing among osteoporosis patients induced by endocrine dyscrasia. Methods From August 2015 to August 2017, we selected osteoporosis patients induced by endocrine dyscrasia as subjects by convenience sampling in Heping Hospital, Affiliated to Changzhi Medical College. All of the patients were divided into observation group and control group with the random number table, 51 cases in each group. Control group received routine nursing. Observation group carried out investigation on health needs before intervention and health education based on the findings of investigation. The Osteoporosis Knowledge Tests (OKT), Chinese Osteoporosis-Targeted Quality of Life Short Questionnaire (COQOL) were used to compare the level of disease knowledge and quality of life of patients before and after intervention. Results Before intervention, there was no statistical difference in the score of OKT and COQOL in two groups (P＞0.05). One month after intervention, the score of OKT and COQOL patients in observation group was (20.89±4.42) and (65.44±9.13) respectively higher than those in control group with significant differences (t=6.217, 4.639;P＜0.05). Conclusions Health education based on survey findings of health needs can increase osteoporosis patients' disease knowledge levels and improve their quality of life.

Objective To investigate the features and treatments of teardrop fracture of the axis.Methods Of the 17 consecutive patients with teardrop fracture of the axis who had been managed between January 2008 and January 2016 at our trauma center,13 were included in this study according to our research criteria.On their lateral X-ray films of the skull base,the height,width,lateral displacement and rotation of the fracture fragments were measured.Continuity of the anterior longitudinal ligament and instability of C2-3 and posterior ligamentous complex were evaluated on their cervical MRI images.Seven patients were immobilized for 3 months with the Philadelphia collar or Halo-vest device and 6 ones underwent anterior C2-3 cervical surgery.Results For patients receiving conservative and operative treatments,at the sagittal view,the height,width,lateral displacement,anterior rotation and posterior displacement of the fracture fragments averaged 12.0 mm versus 14.8 mm,6.85 mm versus 8.33 mm,7.07 mm versus 8.50 mm,20.0° versus 30.1°,and 1.71 mm versus 3.0 mm,respectively.One patient suffered C2 disc injury and 6 ones C3 disc injury.All the patients were followed up for an average of 26.4 months (from 12 to 36 months).Complications included uncomfortable swallowing in 3 cases and mild residual neck pain in one.There was no delayed union,nonunion,or vertebral instability.At last follow-ups,the mean visual analogue score for pain was 1.7 and the Japanese Orthopaedic Association scores were 17 in 11 patients and 16 in 2 patients.Conclusions Most teardrop fractures can be treated conservatively because their small fracture fragments and minor displacements can be reduced after traction.However,those with large fragments and C2-3 vertebral injury and instability should be treated by anterior cervical discectomy and fusion.

OBJECTIVETo identify potential disease-causing mutation in the COL2A1 gene in a Chinese family affected with autosomal dominant spondyloepiphyseal dysplasia congenita (SEDC; OMIM 183900) and to analyze the phenotype-genotype correlation.

METHODSComplete physical, and radiographic examinations of 4 affected individuals from the family were conducted. Genomic DNA was isolated from peripheral blood leukocytes. Whole-exome sequencing was performed using a HiSeq2000 sequencer. All 54 exons and exon-intron boundaries of the COL2A1 gene were amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and bidirectionally sequenced.

RESULTSAll of the 4 individuals were found to carry a novel missense mutation of c.2224G>A (p.Gly687Ser) in the COL2A1 gene, while the same mutation was not found in the normal members of the family and 50 healthy controls. Protein prediction of missense mutation by Polyphen-2 and SIFT software indicated severe damage to the function.

CONCLUSIONThe mutation c.2224G>A (p.Gly687Ser) of the COL2A1 gene is responsible for this family. There are heterozygous of phenotype for the mutation.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; genetics ; Base Sequence ; China ; Collagen Type II ; genetics ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Mutation, Missense ; Osteochondrodysplasias ; congenital ; genetics ; Pedigree ; Point Mutation ; Young Adult