BACKGROUND: Osteoarthritis (OA) is a prevalent joint disorder that significantly impairs quality of life among elderly individuals because of chronic pain and physical disability. As the global burden of OA continues to rise, novel therapeutic strategies are urgently needed. Kaempferide (KA), a flavonoid derived from traditional Chinese herbal medicine, is known for its anti-inflammatory properties. However, the effect of KA on the progression of OA has not been well investigated. This study aimed to explore the therapeutic potential of KA in an OA model and investigate the underlying mechanisms via transcriptomic sequencing. METHODS: An in vitro OA model was established using SW1353 cells treated with interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) and different concentrations of KA (30, 60, or 90 μmol/L) for 24 h. The anti-inflammatory effects of KA were assessed using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and Western blotting. In vivo , a papain-induced OA rat model was used to evaluate the therapeutic effects of KA through histological and behavioral analyses. Transcriptomic sequencing was performed to explore the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and related signaling pathways. Statistical analysis was conducted using one-way analysis of variance. RESULTS: KA significantly increased cell viability in the OA chondrocyte model and downregulated the expression of inflammatory cytokines and cartilage degradation markers, with the greatest reduction observed at 90 μmol/L. In vivo , KA treatment mitigated cartilage degradation and improved gait behavior in OA rats. Transcriptomic analysis revealed substantial modulation of DEGs, implicating the hypoxia-inducible factor-1 (HIF-1) signaling pathway as a key mechanism. Further blocking and rescue experiments revealed that KA regulated key molecules within the HIF-1 pathway, specifically interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) and hypoxia-inducible factor 1-alpha (HIF-1α), confirming their critical roles in mediating the therapeutic effects of KA. CONCLUSION KA inhibited the progression of OA by targeting the HIF-1 signaling pathway, reducing inflammation, and cartilage degradation.
Animals ; Osteoarthritis/metabolism* ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Humans ; Male ; Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1/metabolism* ; Interleukin-1beta

Pan-vascular diseases encompass a range of systemic conditions characterized by sharing a common pathologic basis of vascular deterioration. Due to the complexity of these diseases, a thorough understanding on their similarities and differences is essential for optimizing diagnosis and treatment strategies. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), as one of the commonly used medical imaging techniques, has been widely applied in the diagnosis of pan-vascular diseases. Particularly, the integration of MRI with contrast agents and multi-parameter imaging techniques significantly enhances diagnostic accuracy, reducing the likelihood of missed or incorrect diagnoses. Recently, a variety of nano-magnetic resonance contrast agents have been developed and applied to the magnetic resonance imaging diagnosis of diseases. These nanotechnology-based contrast agents provide multiple advantages, ensuring more precise and forward-looking imaging of pan-vascular conditions. In this review, the diverse application strategies of nanomaterials-enhanced MRI techniques in the diagnosis of pan-vascular diseases were systematically summarized, by classifying them into the commonly used MRI sequences in clinical practice. Additionally, the potential advantages and challenges associated with the clinical translation of nanomaterial-enhanced MRI were also discussed. This review not only offers a novel perspective on the precise diagnosis of pan-vascular diseases, but also serves as a valuable reference for future clinical practice and research in the field.
Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging/methods* ; Contrast Media ; Vascular Diseases/diagnostic imaging* ; Nanostructures

Objective:To analyze the syndrome differentiation medication law of TCM in treating overactive bladder (OAB) based on data mining techniques.Methods:The articles about the treatment of OAB with TCM were collected from China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang database, Chongqing VIP database and SinoMed. A prescription database for OAB was established. Methods such as frequency statistics, association rule analysis, clustering analysis, and factor analysis were used to analyze the medication law of the prescriptions.Results:The results showed that a total of 91 prescriptions were included, involving 134 kinds of Chinese materia medica. Five drugs were with a usage frequency of >30%. The top 4 categories with medication frequency were herbs for tonifying deficiency, herbs for inducing diuresis and draining dampness, herbs for relieving exterior syndrome and herbs for regulating qi. The properties of the included herbs were characterized by mild and warm, and the tastes were mainly sweet, pungent and bitter. The majority of meridian tropism was kidney meridian, supplemented by spleen, liver and lung meridians. The association rule analysis showed eight high-relevance medicine pairs, and four new candidate prescriptions were summarized after the clustering analysis, and six common factors were extracted by factor analysis.Conclusions:The location of the lesion of overactive bladder is mainly about the kidney, related to the spleen, liver and lung. And the pathogenesis is based on the kidney deficiency, which also due to the adverse qi transformation in triple energizer. Clinical medication is mainly about the herbs for tonifying deficiency and the herbs for inducing diuresis and draining dampness; at the same time those herbs for regulating qi and relieving exterior syndrome should be paid attention to, which are able to smooth and regulate the qi of the whole body.

Objective: The study aimed to investigate the diurnal variation in cervical disc hydration and its relationship with cervical degeneration. Materials and Methods: C3–C7 discs of 86 prospectively enrolled participants (37 males, 49 females; mean age ± standard deviation, 23.5 ± 2.5 years) were assessed using T2 mapping in the morning and evening. All discs were stratified by Miyazaki grade or C2–C7 Cobb angle and T2 values (T2). The degree of diurnal T2 variation (T2-DDV), defined as (morning T2 – evening T2)/morning T2 x 100%, was measured for the entire disc, annulus fibrosus (AF), nucleus pulposus (NP), and endplate zones. Results: T2 of the entire disc decreased significantly after the daytime load (p < 0.001), with a T2-DDV of 13.3% for all discs and 16.0%, 12.2%, and 13.0% for healthy (grade I), mild degenerative (grade II), and advanced degenerative (grade III/IV) discs, respectively. T2 of regional NPs and AFs decreased significantly from morning to evening (p ≤ 0.049) except in the healthy anterior inner AF (p = 0.092). Compared with healthy discs, mild degenerative discs displayed lower T2 and T2-DDV in regional NPs (p < 0.001). Advanced degenerative discs showed higher T2-DDV in the anterior inner AF compared with healthy discs (p = 0.050). Significant diurnal T2 changes in the endplate zones were observed only in healthy discs (p = 0.013). Cervical discs in the low Cobb angle group showed higher T2-DDV in the anterior AFs and anterior NP and lower T2-DDV in the posterior AF than those in the high Cobb angle group (p ≤ 0.041). Conclusion This study characterized the diurnal variation in hydration of the cervical discs as assessed using T2 mapping and revealed early chemo-mechanical coupling dysfunction in degenerating discs. Cervical sagittal alignment on MRI can affect the diurnal stress patterns of the cervical discs. T2 mapping is sensitive to disc biomechanical dysfunction and offers translational potential from biomechanical research to clinical application.

Objective To investigate a creative breast augmentation of autologus fat in combination with implant in reconstruction of normal breast and prevention of implant related contracture.Methods The autologous fat was harvested and purified for use.A 3.0 to 4.0 cm long incision was made in the axillary crease.The implant placement cavity was created underlying the pectoralis major after subcutaneous blunt dissection through the incision.The properly selected silicone breast implant of certain type and volume was inserted into the previously created cavity through the subcutaneous tunnel.The autologous fat was transplanted overlying the pectoralis major in multiple planes and the fat was located over the implant in an umbrella form.Results A total of 12 cases obtained obvious breast increase,reconstruction of breast,fullness of breast and softness of breast without obvious contracture after the autologous fat in combination with implant in reconstruction of normal breast.The result was satisfactory during a follow-up between 6 months and 3 years.Conclusions The transplanted fat overlying the silicone implant can augment the breast,increase breast,promote regeneration of breast,reduce or resist immune response of silicone breast implant,and then prevent breast implant related contracture.The newly built breast is soft and natural.The procedure is safe and effective.

Objective To investigate the value and effects of lipoinjection into the subperiosteal and overlying multiple planes for correction of facial depression.Methods The lateral and posterolateral areas of the thigh and infragluteal areas were selected as donor sites of autologous fat.The fat was rinsed and purified after liposuction.The collected fat was injected into the subperiosteal and overlying multiple planes to correct facial depression.Results 96 patients received lipoinjection of volume between 0.5 to 22 ml for each unilateral depression each time.Secondary injection was performed after 4 to 8 months after operation if necessary.The depression was corrected,the skin texture was improved,the wrinkles were also improved after fat transplantation.The follow-up period was between 6 and 24 months.3 patients had sclerosis after lipoinjection.The sclerosis disappeared after 6 months through local massage,hot compress,and traditional medicine treatment in two of them.The sclerosis was resolved by excision in the rest one.There were no complications of hematoma,infection,liquefaction,and calcification.Conclusions Lipoinjection into the subperiosteal and overlying multiple planes can correct facial depression with fat.Fat survival rate is high.The method is suitable for correction of facial depression in aesthetic plastic surgery.

Objective To observe the effect of acupoint magnetic therapy on coronary heart disease.Methods 80 patients with coronary heart disease were divided into treatment group( n =40) and control group( n =40).The treatment group was treated with acupoint magnetic therapy on the basis of conventional treatment,and the control group with conventional treatment.Clinical therapeutic effect,the scores of traditional Chinese medicine symptom were observed.Results There was significant difference between the two groups in the total effective rate and the scores of traditional Chinese medicine symptom[90.0％ vs 72.5％,(13.25 ± 3.68 ) vs (15.18 ± 4.16),all P ＜0.05].Conclusion Acupoint magnetic therapy for treatment of coronary heart disease has an obvious therapeutic effect.