BACKGROUND:At present,the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis is still unclear,and there is a lack of effective means to control the disease.Research on osteoarthritis is mostly concentrated in the field of immunity,and there are few studies in the field of oxidative stress. OBJECTIVE:To explore the roles of oxidative stress and immune infiltration in osteoarthritis and to predict related miRNAs and therapeutic agents. METHODS:The GSE55235 dataset(10 samples of osteoarthritis and 10 healthy control samples)and the GSE55457 dataset(10 samples of osteoarthritis and 10 healthy control samples)were obtained from the GEO database for merging to obtain their differentially expressed genes that were combined with oxidative stress genes to get the differentially expressed genes of oxidative stress.The differentially expressed genes of oxidative stress were analyzed for KEGG and GO enrichment,and the osteoarthritis pathways and biological processes were evaluated using GSEA enrichment analysis.The protein-protein interaction network was constructed using the STRING online website and Cytoscape software,and the Degree algorithm was run to get the key genes.The GSE1919 dataset was obtained from the GEO database as a validation dataset,and the key genes were analyzed by variance analysis and receiver operating characteristic curve analysis to get the core genes.In addition,immune infiltration was evaluated by CIBERSORT and the correlation between core genes and immune cells was explored.miRNA prediction of core genes was performed using TargetScan and target drugs were predicted using the DSigDB database. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Sixty-five differentially expressed genes and five core genes(IL1B,CXCL8,MYC,NFKBIA,JUN)associated with oxidative stress were identified.Enrichment analysis showed that differentially expressed genes associated with oxidative stress were concentrated in the pathways of oxidative stress,interleukin-17,osteoclast differentiation,fluid shear stress and atherosclerosis.The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for the five core genes exceeded 0.85,indicating their excellent specificity and sensitivity in diagnosing bone and joint conditions,as well as their close association with immune cells.The predicted miRNA was has-miR-3937,and the therapeutic small-molecule drugs were metformin,ionomycin and celecoxib.To conclude,oxidative stress and immune infiltration exist in osteoarthritis,and immune infiltration is involved in activating oxidative stress.The core genes and predicted miRNAs can be used as novel markers for the diagnosis of osteoarthritis,and small molecule drugs are predicted to treat osteoarthritis.

Objective To explore the relationship between axillary artery and axillary vein by combining computed tomography angiography computed tomography angiography(CTA)and computed tomography venography(CTV),and to provide imaging data for establishing an effective blood circulation pathway for vascular injury in clinical transaxillary surgery.Methods The image data of 30 patients who underwent left upper limb and axillary CTA and CTV at the same time were collected.After three-dimensional reconstruction of the images by GE AW4.6 workstation,the course,branch type and variation of axillary artery,the course of axillary vein,the reflux of subordinate branches and the relationship between axillary artery and axillary vein were observed.The length of the whole segment,the length of segment and the inner diameter of the starting point of each segment were measured and statistically analyzed.Results According to the number of branches from the main trunk,the axillary artery was divided into 7 types.According to the variation of the number of blood vessels,the axillary vein was divided into 5 types;The unknown vein branches converge into 32 branches,of which the first segment accounted for 37.5％,the second segment accounted for 46.9％,and the third segment accounted for 15.6％.According to the absence of arterial branches,the relationship between axillary artery and axillary vein was divided into 2 types.Conclusion There are many types of branches of axillary arteries and branches of axillary veins,and the variation types are complex.The changes of branches of axillary arteries affect the distribution of branches of axillary veins.Combined with CTA and CTV images,the relationship between axillary vessels can be reflected clearly and intuitively,which can provide imaging reference for the establishment of new ways of blood supply and reflux in clinical axillary treatment.

Non-communicable diseases(NCDs),including cardiovascular diseases,cancer,metabolic diseases,and skeletal diseases,pose significant challenges to public health worldwide.The complex pathogenesis of these diseases is closely linked to oxidative stress and inflammatory damage.Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2(Nrf2),a critical transcription factor,plays an important role in regulating antioxidant and anti-inflammatory responses to protect the cells from oxidative damage and inflammation-mediated injury.Therefore,Nrf2-targeting therapies hold promise for preventing and treating NCDs.Quercetin(Que)is a widely available flavonoid that has significant antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.It modulates the Nrf2 signaling pathway to ameliorate oxidative stress and inflammation.Que modulates mitochondrial function,apoptosis,autophagy,and cell damage biomarkers to regulate oxidative stress and inflammation,highlighting its efficacy as a therapeutic agent against NCDs.Here,we discussed,for the first time,the close association between NCD pathogenesis and the Nrf2 signaling pathway,involved in neurodegenerative diseases(NDDs),cardiovascular disease,cancers,organ damage,and bone damage.Furthermore,we reviewed the availability,pharmacokinetics,pharmaceutics,and therapeutic applica-tions of Que in treating NCDs.In addition,we focused on the challenges and prospects for its clinical use.Que represents a promising candidate for the treatment of NCDs due to its Nrf2-targeting properties.

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of Shugan Tiaoshen acupuncture (acupuncture for soothing the liver and regulating the mentality) combined with western medication on depression and sleep quality in the patients with depression-insomnia comorbidity due to COVID-19 quarantine, and investigate the potential mechanism from the perspective of cortical excitability. METHODS: Sixty patients with depression-insomnia comorbidity due to COVID-19 quarantine were randomly divided into an acupuncture group and a sham-acupuncture group, 30 cases in each one. The patients of both groups were treated with oral administration of sertraline hydrochloride tablets. In the acupuncture group, Shugan Tiaoshen acupuncture was supplemented. Body acupuncture was applied to Yintang (GV 24⁺), Baihui (GV 20), Hegu (LI 4), Zhaohai (KI 6), Qihai (CV 6), etc. The intradermal needling was used at Xin (CO₁₅), Gan (CO₁₂) and Shen (CO₁₀). In the sham-acupuncture group, the sham-acupuncture was given at the same points as the acupuncture group. The compensatory treatment was provided at the end of follow-up for the patients in the sham-acupuncture group. In both groups, the treatment was given once every two days, 3 times a week, for consecutive 8 weeks. The self-rating depression scale (SDS) and insomnia severity index (ISI) scores were compared between the two groups before and after treatment and 1 month after the end of treatment (follow-up) separately. The cortical excitability indexes (resting motor threshold [rMT], motor evoked potential amplitude [MEP-A], cortical resting period [CSP]) and the level of serum 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) were measured before and after treatment in the two groups. RESULTS: After treatment and in follow-up, SDS and ISI scores were decreased in both groups compared with those before treatment (P<0.05), and the scores in the acupuncture group were lower than those in the sham-acupuncture group (P<0.05), and the decrease range in the acupuncture group after treatment was larger than that in the sham-acupuncture group (P<0.05). After treatment, rMT was reduced (P<0.05), while MEP-A and CSP were increased (P<0.05) in the acupuncture group compared with that before treatment. The levels of serum 5-HT in both groups were increased compared with those before treatment (P<0.05). The rMT in the acupuncture group was lower than that in the sham-acupuncture group, while MEP-A and CSP, as well as the level of serum 5-HT were higher in the acupuncture group in comparison with the sham-acupuncture group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION Shugan Tiaoshen acupuncture combined with western medication can relieve depression and improve sleep quality in the patients with depression-insomnia comorbidity due to COVID-19 quarantine, which is probably related to rectifying the imbalanced excitatory and inhibitory neuronal functions.
Humans ; Depression ; Quarantine ; Serotonin ; Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders ; COVID-19 ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Comorbidity

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) at back-shu points of five zang on fatigue status, quality of life and motor cortical excitability in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), so as to explore the possible mechanism of EA for CFS. METHODS: A total of 72 patients with CFS were randomized into an EA group (36 cases, 4 cases dropped off) and a sham EA group (36 cases, 3 cases dropped off). In the EA group, EA at Ganshu (BL 18), Xinshu (BL 15), Pishu (BL 20), Feishu (BL 13) and Shenshu (BL 23) was adopted, with continuous wave, 2 Hz in frequency. In the sham EA group, sham EA at non-acupoints (1.5-2.0 cm lateral to back-shu points of five zang) was applied, with shallow needling, and no current was connected. The treatment in the both groups was 20 min each time, once every other day, 2 weeks as one course, 3 courses were required. Before and after treatment, the scores of fatigue scale-14 (FS-14) and the MOS 36-item short form health survey (SF-36) were observed, and cortical excitability (the resting motor threshold [RMT], amplitude of motor-evoked potential [MEP-A] and latency of motor-evoked potential [MEP-L]) was detected in the two groups. RESULTS: After treatment, the physical fatigue score, mental fatigue score and total score of FS-14, as well as RMT of motor cortex in the EA group were decreased compared with those before treatment (P<0.01), the physical fatigue score and total score of FS-14 in the sham EA group were decreased compared with those before treatment (P<0.05); each item score and total score of FS-14 and RMT of motor cortex in the EA group were lower than those in the sham EA group (P<0.01, P<0.05). After treatment, each item score and total score of SF-36 and MEP-A of motor cortex in the EA group were increased compared with those before treatment (P<0.01), which were higher than those in the sham EA group (P<0.01, P<0.05). CONCLUSION EA at back-shu points of five zang can effectively improve the fatigue status and quality of life in patients with CFS, its mechanism may be related to the up-regulating excitability of cerebral motor cortex.
Humans ; Electroacupuncture ; Fatigue Syndrome, Chronic/therapy* ; Acupuncture Points ; Quality of Life ; Cortical Excitability

Objective:To establish an ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) method for plasma caffeine concentration detection, and to explore the clinical value of caffeine therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) in the treatment of premature infants with respiratory distress syndrome (RDS).Method:Take the plasma sample in a centrifuge tube, add the caffeine deuterated isotope internal standard, then add the protein precipitant, vortex the mixture thoroughly, and centrifuge the supernatant to enter the mass spectrometry analysis. The mobile phase were methanol and water, gradient elution; the column temperature was 45 ℃, the method was established using Shimadzu LC-30AD-CL liquid system and AB SCIEX 4500 QTRAP mass spectrometer, and the sensitivity, specificity, linearity, accuracy imprecision, matrix effect, and carry-over of the method were evaluated. Sample from 30 patients diagnosed with neonatal RSD were collected in the Department of Neonatology of Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University from February to April 2021, then detected the trough concentration of caffeine in premature infants with RDS after taking the same dose of caffeine to assess the impact of individual variation on caffeine drug concentration.Results:The detection limit of caffeine was 0.02 μg/ml, and the lowest limit of quantification was 0.05 μg/ml. It showed good linearity ( R2=0.9986, R>0.99) in the concentration range from 1.0 to 100.0 μg/ml, specificity (recovery rate of 85.52%-114.12%), accuracy (recovery rate 85.97%-114.53%), intra-day and inter-day imprecision ( CV 6.01%-11.28%), matrix effects and carryover pollution were negligible. The trough concentration of 30 preterm infants with RSD after taking the same dose of caffeine (10 mg/kg) was (25.45±11.61) μg/ml, and the coefficient of variation was 44.88%. Conclusion:This study established an accurate and reliable UPLC-MS/MS method with low sample consumption to monitor the blood concentration of caffeine; caffeine TDM has certain clinical application value, which can be used to assist RDS diagnosis and treatment and improve the efficacy of caffeine.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy of the CAMS-2005 and CAMS-2009 regimens in treating children with non-core binding factor acute myeloid leukemia (non-CBF AML) and to study the prognosis factors. METHODS: A total of 161 children who were initially diagnosed with non-CBF AML from April 2005 to December 2015 were enrolled as study subjects, and were divided into a CAMS-2005 regimen group (n=52) and a CAMS-2009 regimen group (n=109) according to the chemotherapy regimen provided. The efficacy was retrospectively compared between the two groups. RESULTS: The complete remission (CR) rate at the first course of treatment was higher in the CAMS-2009 regimen group than that in the CMAS-2005 regimen group (63.3% vs 46.2%; P<0.05). There were no significant differences between the two groups in treatment-related mortality rate (11.9% vs 17.3%), recurrence rate (27.5% vs 28.8%), and three-year overall survival (OS) rate (44%±5% vs 28%±6%) (P>0.05). Children who achieved CR at the first course of treatment had significantly higher OS and event-free survival rates than those who did not achieved CR (P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS The CAMS-2009 regimen is superior to the CAMS-2005 regimen in improving the CR rate in children with non-CBF AML after induction treatment. Whether CR is achieved at the first course of treatment can affect the OS rate of children with non-CBF AML.
Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; Child ; Humans ; Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute ; Prognosis ; Remission Induction ; Retrospective Studies

Objective To study the changes of hippocampal caspase-3 and PSD-95 expression levels in the mice exposed to ketamine 30 mg/(kg·d)for three months. Methods Forty C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into two groups,and the chronic ketamine addiction model was established by giving mice a three month course of daily intraperitoneal injections of ketamine. Immunohistochemical study and Western blot-ting were applied to observe the expression of caspase-3 and PSD-95 protein. Results There were more expression of caspase-3 and less of PSD-95 in ketamine group as detected by immuohistochemistry. Western blotting results showed caspase-3 active fragment level significantly increased com-pared to saline group,but PSD-95 protein level was decreased. Conclusion The increased level of caspase-3 protein and reduced expression of PSD-95 are observed after long-term ketamine administration. These findings may provide an evidence for the neurotoxicity in mouse hippocampus of chronic ketamine addition as a recreational drug.

OBJECTIVETo establish discriminant functions of diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-D) by studying it from quantitative diagnosis angle, hoping to reduce interference of subjective factors in diagnosing and differentially diagnosing Chinese medical syndromes of IBS-D.

METHODSA Chinese medical clinical epidemiological survey was carried out in 439 IBS-D patients using Clinical Information Collection Table of IBS. Initial syndromes were obtained by cluster analysis. They were analyzed using step-by-step discrimination by taking information of four Chinese medical diagnostic methods and serum brain-gut peptides (BGP) as variables.

RESULTSClustering results were Gan stagnation Pi deficiency syndrome (GSPDS), Pi-Wei weakness syndrome (PWWS), Gan stagnation qi stasis syndrome (GSQSS), Pi-Shen yang deficiency syndrome (PSYDS), Pi-Wei damp-heat syndrome (PWDHS), cold-damp disturbing Pi syndrome (CDDPS). Of them, GSPDS was mostly often seen with effective percentage of 34. 2%, while CDDPS was the least often seen with effective percentage of 5.5%. A total of 5 discriminant functions for GSPDS, PWWS, GSQSS, PSYDS, and PWDHS were obtained by step-by-step dis- crimination method. The retrospective misjudgment rate was 4.1% (16/390), while the cross-validation misjudgment rate was 15.4% (60/390).

CONCLUSIONThe establishment of discriminant functions is of value in objectively diagnosing and differentially diagnosing Chinese medical syndromes of IBS-D.

Alarmins ; Brain ; Cluster Analysis ; Diarrhea ; classification ; diagnosis ; Hot Temperature ; Humans ; Irritable Bowel Syndrome ; classification ; diagnosis ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Qi ; Retrospective Studies ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Yang Deficiency

Objective To compare the efficacy and safety of twice-daily tacrolimus (Tacrolimus BID; Prograf) vs once-daily prolonged release tacrolimus (Tacrolimus QD; Advagraf), combined with steroids and mycophenolate mofetil in preventing acute rejection in De Novo renal transplantation patients. Methods 241 patients from 11 centers were randomized into two groups with 3 months observation period post-transplantation. Advagraf was administered as a single oral dose in the morning (initially 0. 1-0. 15 mg/kg every day) and Prograf was administered in two equal oral doses 12h apart (initially 0. 1-0. 15 mg/kg). Study visits were scheduled for days 1, 3, 7, 14, 28, 56, 84post-transplantion. The efficacy, safety, compliance and adverse effects were compared between two groups. Results Totally 223 patients completed the study. The two groups were comparable in age,gender and primary disease. There were 12 episodes of acute rejection in each group. There was no graft loss or patient death in both groups. The incidence of drug related adverse events was 32. 1 %and 33. 3% respectively in the control and experimental groups. Dosage was decreased in both groups and there was significant difference in each group. The trough level was similar at the initiate period.Twenty-eight days post-transplantation the trough level in the Advagraf group was lower than in the Prograf group. Conclusion Advagraf has the same efficacy, safety and drug related adverse effects as Prograf. It is practical and feasible for Advagraf substitute for Prograf in clinical practice.