BACKGROUND:Osteoarthritis is a chronic degenerative disease of the joints that can lead to disability.Its main pathological features are persistent inflammation and cartilage destruction.Triptolide has been used to treat a variety of chronic joint diseases.However,the mechanism of triptolide in the treatment of osteoarthritis has not been clarifiedOBJECTIVE:To identify the effective targets of triptolide in the treatment of osteoarthritis by network pharmacology,and to investigate the therapeutic effect of triptolide on osteoarthritis in the osteoarthritis model.METHODS:Network pharmacology was used to anticipate the potential targets and signaling pathways of triptolide in the treatment of osteoarthritis,and molecular docking technology was used to validate the core targets.A rat osteoarthritis model was established by anterior cruciate ligament transection.Eight weeks after modeling,the rats were administered with triptolide and sodium hyaluronate by intra-articular injection for 6 weeks.After 6 weeks of intervention,the pathological changes in rat knee joints were observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining and safranin O-fast green staining.The levels of inflammatory factors in rat serum were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.The expression of aggrecan,type Ⅰ platelet-responsive protein-containing desmoglein metalloproteinase 5,type Ⅱ collagen and matrix metalloproteinase 13 proteins in rat articular cartilage was tested by immunohistochemical staining.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)The results of network pharmacology indicated that the target of triptolide may be related to the inhibition of the release of factors such as interleukin 6,tumor necrosis factor a,interleukin 1β,matrix metalloproteinase 9,and the over-activation of the nuclear factor-κB/JAK2-STAT3 signaling pathway.(2)Triptplide could reduce the degree of joint swelling in osteoarthritic rats;pathologically improve the articular cartilage and maintain the cartilage structure;decrease the serum levels of interleukin 6,tumor necrosis factor a,interleukin 1β,matrix metalloproteinase 9,and matrix metalloproteinase 3 in osteoarthritic rats;reduce the protein expression of matrix metalloproteinase 13 and type Ⅰ platelet-responsive protein-containing desmoglein metalloproteinase 5 in the articular cartilage;and increase the expression of type Ⅱ collagen and aggrecan in the cartilage,thereby achieving cartilage protection.

BACKGROUND:Osteoarthritis is a chronic degenerative disease of the joints that can lead to disability.Its main pathological features are persistent inflammation and cartilage destruction.Triptolide has been used to treat a variety of chronic joint diseases.However,the mechanism of triptolide in the treatment of osteoarthritis has not been clarifiedOBJECTIVE:To identify the effective targets of triptolide in the treatment of osteoarthritis by network pharmacology,and to investigate the therapeutic effect of triptolide on osteoarthritis in the osteoarthritis model.METHODS:Network pharmacology was used to anticipate the potential targets and signaling pathways of triptolide in the treatment of osteoarthritis,and molecular docking technology was used to validate the core targets.A rat osteoarthritis model was established by anterior cruciate ligament transection.Eight weeks after modeling,the rats were administered with triptolide and sodium hyaluronate by intra-articular injection for 6 weeks.After 6 weeks of intervention,the pathological changes in rat knee joints were observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining and safranin O-fast green staining.The levels of inflammatory factors in rat serum were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.The expression of aggrecan,type Ⅰ platelet-responsive protein-containing desmoglein metalloproteinase 5,type Ⅱ collagen and matrix metalloproteinase 13 proteins in rat articular cartilage was tested by immunohistochemical staining.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)The results of network pharmacology indicated that the target of triptolide may be related to the inhibition of the release of factors such as interleukin 6,tumor necrosis factor a,interleukin 1β,matrix metalloproteinase 9,and the over-activation of the nuclear factor-κB/JAK2-STAT3 signaling pathway.(2)Triptplide could reduce the degree of joint swelling in osteoarthritic rats;pathologically improve the articular cartilage and maintain the cartilage structure;decrease the serum levels of interleukin 6,tumor necrosis factor a,interleukin 1β,matrix metalloproteinase 9,and matrix metalloproteinase 3 in osteoarthritic rats;reduce the protein expression of matrix metalloproteinase 13 and type Ⅰ platelet-responsive protein-containing desmoglein metalloproteinase 5 in the articular cartilage;and increase the expression of type Ⅱ collagen and aggrecan in the cartilage,thereby achieving cartilage protection.

ObjectiveTo observe the analgesic efficacy and safety of Qihuang acupuncture theory combined with opioid analgesics in patients with moderate to severe cancer pain due to lung cancer. MethodsPatients with moderate to severe cancer pain from lung cancer were randomly divided into Qihuang acupuncture group and control group， with 33 cases in each group. The control group was treated with long-acting opioid analgesics at maintenance doses and supplementary analgesic medications as needed. In case of breakthrough pain， short-acting opioids were used for rescue. The Qihuang acupuncture group received Qihuang acupuncture treatment in addition to the treatment used in the control group， administered once every other day， with 3 sessions constituting one treatment course. The treatment duration for both groups was 5 days. The primary outcome was the change in pain intensity， measured using the numerical rating scale （NRS） before and after treatment， and the NRS change rate was calculated. Secondary endpoints included the daily NRS change rate， the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group （ECOG） Performance Status （PS） score， the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Core Questionnaire （EORTC QLQ-C30） score， and the 24-hour equivalent hydrocodone sustained-release tablet dose. Laboratory tests， including routine blood， urine， stool， liver function， and kidney function， were performed before and after treatment. Adverse events were recorded throughout the trial. ResultsAll patients completed the trial， and both groups showed a decrease in average NRS scores and PS scores after treatment， with the Qihuang acupuncture group showing lower average NRS scores and PS scores than the control group （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. After treatment， the NRS change rate in the Qihuang acupuncture group was （0.42±0.17）， significantly higher than that in the control group （0.14±0.27， P＜0.01）. The daily NRS change rate during treatment was also higher in the Qihuang acupuncture group compared to the control group （P＜0.01）. The Qihuang acupuncture group showed an increase in overall health status and functional scores in the EORTC QLQ-C30， and a decrease in symptom scores for fatigue， nausea and vomiting， pain， dyspnea， insomnia， appetite loss， constipation， and financial difficulties. In contrast， overall health status and constipation scores in the control group increased， while scores of fatigue， nausea and vomiting， pain， and appetite loss decreased （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. After treatment， the 24-hour equivalent hydrocodone sustained-release tablet dose did not show significant difference in the Qihuang acupuncture group （P＞0.05）， while the control group showed a significant increase in the 24-hour dose （P＜0.01）. No significant abnormalities were observed in laboratory tests before and after treatment in either group. During the study， the incidence of nausea and vomiting as well as constipation in the Qihuang acupuncture group was both 3.03% （1/33）， while the incidence in the control group was 27.27% （9/33） and 36.36% （12/33）， respectively， with the Qihuang acupuncture group showing significantly lower incidence （P＜0.01）. No serious adverse reactions were observed in either group. ConclusionQihuang acupuncture therapy combined with opioid analgesics is more effective than using opioids alone in relieving pain in patients with moderate to severe cancer pain due to lung cancer. It can improve the patients' physical condition and quality of life， reduce the dose of opioid analgesics， and has good safety.

Objective:To evaluate the efficacy between pedicle screws combined with vertebroplasty (PSV) and pedicle screws combined with intermediate screws (PSIS) for the treatment of osteoporotic thoracolumbar fracture (OTLF).Methods:PubMed, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, CNKI, VIP and Wanfang database were searched for all randomized controlled trial (RCT) or case-control trial (CCT) studies that comparing PSV and PSIS for the treatment of OTLF. Two reviewers independently screened the studies in the light of the inclusion and exclusion criteria, extracted data and evaluated the quality of the included studies. The Meta-analysis was performed using the RevMan 5.4 software. The subjects were divided into PSV group and PSIS group according to different treatment methods. Operation time, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative incision infection rate, postoperative short-, mid- and long-term visual analogue scale (VAS) score, postoperative short- and mid-term Oswestry disability index (ODI), hospitalization time, postoperative short-, mid- and long-term Cobb angle, postoperative short-, mid- and long-term anterior vertebral height ratio (VBH) and implant failure rate were compared between the two groups.Results:A total of 12 studies were enrolled for review, involving 870 subjects (433 in PSV group and 437 in PSIS group). The results showed insignificant difference between the two groups in operation time ( WMD=7.07, 95% CI -4.00, 18.13, P>0.05), intraoperative blood loss ( WMD=0.62, 95% CI -7.19, 8.43, P>0.05), postoperative incision infection rate ( OR=0.65, 95% CI 0.10, 4.08, P>0.05), postoperative short-term Cobb angle ( WMD=-0.19, 95% CI -0.43, 0.05, P>0.05) and postoperative short-term VBH ( WMD=0.91, 95% CI -1.30, 3.13, P>0.05). However, there was significant difference between the two groups in postoperative short-term VAS score ( WMD=-0.59, 95% CI -1.02, -0.15, P<0.05), mid-term VAS score ( WMD=-0.41, 95% CI -0.65, -0.16, P<0.05), long-term VAS score ( WMD=-0.51, 95% CI -0.59, -0.43, P<0.05), postoperative short-term ODI ( WMD=-6.26, 95% CI -9.65, -2.87, P<0.05), postoperative mid-term ODI ( WMD=-2.44, 95% CI -3.43, -1.45, P<0.05), hospitalization time ( WMD=-2.65, 95% CI -4.61, -0.68, P<0.05), postoperative mid-term Cobb angle ( WMD=-1.40, 95% CI -2.41, -0.39, P<0.05), postoperative long-term Cobb angle ( WMD=-1.06, 95% CI -1.59, -0.52, P<0.05), postoperative mid-term VBH ( WMD=3.06, 95% CI 1.31, 4.81, P<0.05), postoperative long-term VBH ( WMD=4.11, 95% CI 2.44, 5.77, P<0.05) and implant failure rate ( OR=2.06, 95% CI 0.11, 0.59, P<0.05). Conclusion:Compared with PSIS, PSV can not reduce the operation time, intraoperative blood loss and incision infection in the treatment of OTLF, but it can significantly relieve pain, improve function, decrease reduce hospitalization time, help to maintain Cobb angle and anterior vertebral height after operation, and reduce implant failure rate.

Objective:To compare the efficacy of percutaneous vertebroplasty (PVP) in the treatment of osteoporotic lumbar compression fracture (OLCF) via the approach through midpoint transverse process-transition zone of articular process and the unilateral transpedicular approach.Methods:A prospective cohort study was conducted to analyze the clinical data of 794 patients with OLCF treated in Honghui Hospital affiliated to Xi′an Jiaotong University School of Medicine from January 2017 to December 2019. The patients were divided into transitional-zone puncture group (400 patients, 400 vertebrae) and pedicle puncture group (394 patients, 394 vertebrae) according to the envelope method. The transitional-zone puncture group was treated with PVP via the approach through midpoint transverse process-transition zone of articular process, and the pedicle puncture group was treated with PVP via the unilateral transpedicular approach. The operation time and radiation dose were documented. The visual analogue score (VAS) and Oswestry dysfunction index (ODI) were evaluated before operation and at 1 day, 3 months, 1 year after operation. The cement distribution and the incidence of complications such as cement leakage, re-fracture of the injured vertebra, spinal cord nerve injury and facet joint injury were detected.Results:The patients were composed of 270 males and 524 females, at the age of 68.9-78.5 years [(73.7±4.8)years]. All patients were followed up for 12-14 months [(13.4±0.8)months]. The operation time and radiation dose in transitional-zone puncture group were reduced compared with pedicle puncture group ( P<0.01). There was no significant difference in VAS and ODI between the two groups before operation (all P>0.05). The VAS between transitional-zone puncture group [(2.1±0.9)points, (2.3±1.1)points, (2.7±1.3)points] and pedicle puncture group [(2.3±0.7)points, (2.5±0.9)points, (2.9±1.1)points] was obviously reduced from that before operation (all P<0.01), significantly different at 1 day, 3 months, 1 year after operation ( P<0.05 or 0.01). The ODI between transitional-zone puncture group (14.3±1.8, 13.6±3.4, 11.3±4.4) and pedicle puncture group (25.5±5.7, 20.7±6.3, 20.6±6.9) was significantly different at 1 day, 3 months, 1 year after operation (all P<0.01), and all were obviously reduced from that before operation (all P<0.01). With regard to the cement distribution, the number of bilaterally cemented vertebrae in transitional-zone puncture group (324) was more than that in pedicle puncture group (94) ( P<0.01). The incidence of cement leakage, re-fracture of the injured vertebra and facet joint injury was 8.25%(22/400), 0.00%(0/400) and 3.25%(13/400) in transitional-zone puncture group, significantly different from 20.81%(82/394), 2.03%(8/394) and 9.90%(39/394) in pedicle puncture group ( P<0.05 or 0.01). There was no significant difference in spinal cord nerve injury between the two groups ( P>0.05). Conclusion:For OLCF, PVP via the approach through the midpoint transverse process-transition zone of articular process and the unilateral transpedicular approach are both effective, but the former has advantages of shorter operation time, smaller radiation dose, greater dispersion of bone cement and lower incidence of cement leakage, re-fracture of the injured vertebra and facet joint injury.

Objective:To evaluate the clinical effect of high-intensity interval training and moderate continuous aerobic training on patients classified as low risk for exercise rehabilitation after a percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).Methods:A total of 43 patients considered low-risk after a PCI were randomly divided into a high-intensity interval training group (HIIT group, 22 cases) and a moderate continuous aerobic training group (MCT group, 21 cases). The HIIT group received high-intensity, but aerobic interval training involving 8 rounds of 3 minutes of high-intensity exercise with 2-minute intervals at 80% of peak power over 40 minutes, 3 times a week. The MCT group trained continuously at 60% of peak power for the same duration. After 12 weeks both groups were given an ultrasound examination and a cardiopulmonary exercise test to assess their cardiac functioning and exercise endurance. The subjects′ life quality was evaluated and compared using some items from the SF-36 scale.Results:Before the training, no significant differences were observed in the average left ventricular ejection fraction, stroke volume, peak power, peak oxygen uptake, anaerobic threshold, physiological functioning, physical pain, general health or social functioning between the two groups. After the training significant improvement in all these indicators was observed in both groups, but compared with MCT group, the average left ventricular ejection fraction, stroke volume, peak power and peak oxygen uptake of the HIIT group were significantly better.Conclusions:High-intensity, aerobic interval training is superior to moderate but continuous aerobic training for improving the cardiac functioning and exercise endurance of patients suitable for exercise rehabilitation after a PCI. But there is no significant difference in their effect on the short-term quality of life.

Objective:To analyze the incidence and epidemiological characteristics of traumatic spinal cord injury in China in 2018.Methods:Multi-stage stratified cluster sampling was used to randomly select hospitals capable of treating patients with spinal cord injury from 3 regions，9 provinces and 27 cities in China to retrospectively investigate eligible patients with traumatic spinal cord injury admitted in 2018. National and regional incidence rates were calculated. The data of cause of injury，injury level，severity of injury，segment and type of fracture，complications，death and other data were collected by medical record questionnaire，and analyzed according to geographical region，age and gender.Results:Medical records of 4，134 patients were included in this study，with a male-to-female ratio of 2.99∶1. The incidence of traumatic spinal cord injury in China in 2018 was 50.484 / 1 million （95% CI 50.122-50.846）. The highest incidence in the Eastern region was 53.791 / 1 million （95% CI 53.217-54.365）. In the whole country，the main causes of injury were high falls （29.58%），as well as in the Western region （40.68%），while the main causes of injury in the Eastern and Central regions were traffic injuries （31.22%，30.10%）. The main injury level was cervical spinal cord in the whole country （64.49%），and the proportion of cervical spinal cord injury in the Central region was the highest （74.68%），and the proportion of lumbosacral spinal cord injury in the Western region was the highest （32.30%）. The highest proportion of degree of injury was incomplete quadriplegia （55.20%），and the distribution pattern was the same in each region. A total of 65.87% of the patients were complicated with fracture or dislocation，77.95% in the Western region and only 54.77% in the Central region. In the whole country，the head was the main combined injury （37.87%），as well as in the Eastern and Central regions，while the proportion of chest combined injury in the Western region was the highest （38.57%）. A total of 32.90% of the patients were complicated with respiratory complications. There were 23 patients （0.56%） died in hospital，of which 17（73.91%） died of respiratory dysfunction. Conclusions:The Eastern region of China has a high incidence of traumatic spinal cord injury. Other epidemiological features include high fall as the main cause of injury cervical spinal cord injury as the main injury level，incomplete quadriplegia as the main degree of injury，head as the main combined injury，and respiratory complications as the main complication.

Objective:To investigate whether there is a correlation between right bundle branch block (RBBB) and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.Methods:A retrospective analysis of 226 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus who were admitted to the Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from March 2018 to July 2019 was performed. According to the results of electrocardiogram examination, they were divided into RBBB group ( n=58 patients) and non-RBBB group ( n=168 patients). The general clinical data of the two groups of patients were collected, blood lipids, liver function, renal function, coagulation function and other related indicators were measured on the fasting of the next morning. The diagnosis of NAFLD is based on ultrasound. Logistic regression analysis was performed on factors that may affect RBBB. Results:Of the 226 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, 127 (56.2%) were male and 99 (43.8%) were female. The composition of male, age, diabetes duration, hypertension, fibrinogen (FIB), serum creatinine (SCr), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and NAFLD in the RBBB group was higher than that in the non-RBBB group ( P<0.05). The levels of total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and albumin (ALB) in the RBBB group were lower than those in the non-RBBB group ( P<0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that male ( OR=2.736, 95% CI: 1.075-5.251, P=0.032), advanced age ( OR=1.049, 95% CI: 1.009-1.090, P=0.016), higher serum creatinine levels ( OR=1.045, 95% CI: 1.021-1.070, P<0.001), and NAFLD ( OR=2.834, 95% CI: 1.166-6.891, P=0.022) were independent risk factors of RBBB in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Conclusions:NAFLD may be associated with an increased risk of right bundle branch block in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Objective To analyze indications,complications and outcomes of amputation.Methods A total of 15 patients undergone amputation in field or at tent hospital were collected for analy-zing injury severity,place where amputation was done,whether open or closed amputation and stitch re-moval time. Results There were 9 males and 6 females.at an average age of 32 years(11-51years).There were 16 amputations including Gustilo IIIB in 2 patients, Gustilo IIIC in 9 and Tscheme Ⅲin 5 according to Gustiln classification or Tscheme classification.Four patients who received amputation in field or at tent hospital developed infection and had to receive amputation again at a higher level on the limb and drainage of open wounds because of a higher infection rate due to the amputation location.Ten patients received first amputation at higher levels with open wound at station hospital but only 2 manifested infected incision.High level amputation with one stage closure was done in 1 patient who was infected and suppurated after operation and even developed bacteremia. Conclusions Infection rate following am-putation 4n field and tent clinics is rather higher,so secondary open amputations should be performed at a higher level as soon as possible.One-time and high-level open amputation plays an important role in treat-ment of severe lower limb injuries following earthquake.