Objective To analyze the clinical characteristics of patients with Streptococcus anginosus group(SAG)infected brain abscess and provide a reference basis for the clinical diagnosis and treatment of this disease.Methods The clinical information of 59 patients with brain abscess with SAG in Guangdong Sanjiu Brain Hospital from January 2016 to October 2023 was collected for retrospective statistical analysis.Results Among the 59 patients with brain abscess,there were 52(88.14%)male and 7(11.86%)female.Among 59 cases of SAG,there were 32(54.24%)in the Str.intermedius group,21(35.59%)in the Str.constellatus group and 6(10.17%)in the Str.anginosus group.The age of Str.intermedius group was less than that of Streptococcus constellatus group(36.75±20.06 years vs 50.43±16.17 years),and the difference was statistically significant(t=2.614,P<0.05).The common clinical symptom was headache,while the probability of fever was greater in the Str.intermedius group compared to the Str.constellatus group(t=4.174,P<0.05).Abscesses were commonly solitary and were located in the parietal and frontal lobes of the brain.Patients with Str.constellatus had a greater probability of developing mixed infections compared to patiens with Str.intermedius(57.14%vs 9.38%)with significant differences(t=14.257,P<0.05).Glycopeptide(vancomycin)plus carbapenem(meropenem)combination regimen was the most commonly used in both empiric and targeted dosing were 64.41%and 52.54%,respectively.No strains resistant to common antibiotics were identified.Conclusion The SAG causing brain abscesses are mainly Str.intermedius and Str.constellatus,and the age,symptoms and infection patterns of patients with brain abscesses caused by the two bacteria were different.SAG did not appear to be drug-resistant in the clinic,and the clinic could reasonably evaluate and adjust the anti-infection regimen based on the drug sensitivity results.

BACKGROUND:Synovitis is involved in all stages of osteoarthritis and is a key factor contributing to the development of osteoarthritis.Studies have shown that circular RNA(circRNA)plays an important role in the proliferation,apoptosis and extracellular matrix degradation of synovial cells and chondrocytes.OBJECTIVE:To observe the effects of circRNA SEC24A on the interleukin-1β-induced proliferation,apoptosis,and expression of inflammatory factors in human synovial fibroblasts.METHODS:Human synovial fibroblasts were divided into four groups,including control group,interleukin-1β group,empty vector group,and sh-circSEC24A group.Except for the control group,the other three groups were induced with 10 ng/mL interleukin-1β for 24 hours to establish inflammatory cell models;the empty vector group and sh-circSEC24A group were infected with empty vector virus and lentiviral vector knocking down circSEC24A.CCK-8 assay was used to detect cell proliferation.Flow cytometry was used to detect cell apoptosis.ELISA was used to detect the levels of matrix metalloproteinase-9,matrix metalloproteinase-13,interleukin-6,and tumor necrosis factor-α in cell supernatant.Western blot assay was used to detect the relative expression levels of Bax,Bcl-2,matrix metalloproteinase-9,matrix metalloproteinase-13,casepase3,cleaved-casepase3,casepase8,and cleaved-casepase8 proteins in cells.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)qRT-PCR results showed that compared with the normal group,the expression of circSEC24A in human synovial fibroblasts induced by interleukin 1β was significantly up-regulated.(2)The absorbance value of cells in the sh-circSEC24A group detected by CCK-8 assay was significantly higher than that of interleukin 1β group and empty vector group(P＜0.05).The apoptosis rate of sh-circSEC24A group detected by flow cytometry was significantly lower than that of interleukin 1β group and empty vector group(P＜0.05).(3)The levels of tumor necrosis factor α and interleukin 6 in the supernatant of human synovial fibroblasts in the sh-circSEC24A group detected by ELISA were significantly lower than those in the interleukin 1β group and the empty vector group(P＜0.01,P＜0.001).(4)Western blot assay results showed that compared with the interleukin 1β group and the empty vector group,the expression of the pro-apoptotic factor Bax protein in the sh-circSEC24A group significantly decreased,and the expression of the anti-apoptotic factor Bcl-2 protein increased significantly(P＜0.05);apoptosis and related activating factors cleaved-casepase3 and cleaved-casepase8 protein expressions were both reduced(P＜0.05).(5)ELISA and western blot assay results showed that compared with the interleukin 1β group and the empty vector group,the sh-circSEC24A group had lower levels of matrix metalloproteinase 9 and matrix metalloproteinase 13 protein(P＜0.05).These findings indicated that the expression of circSEC24A was abnormally increased in human synovial fibroblasts induced by interleukin 1β.Knocking down circSEC24A expression could promote the proliferation of human synovial fibroblasts and inhibit apoptosis,inflammatory factor release,and extracellular matrix degradation,suggesting that circSEC24A may be an important intervention target for early osteoarthritis.

Objective To analyze the clinical characteristics of patients with Streptococcus anginosus group(SAG)infected brain abscess and provide a reference basis for the clinical diagnosis and treatment of this disease.Methods The clinical information of 59 patients with brain abscess with SAG in Guangdong Sanjiu Brain Hospital from January 2016 to October 2023 was collected for retrospective statistical analysis.Results Among the 59 patients with brain abscess,there were 52(88.14%)male and 7(11.86%)female.Among 59 cases of SAG,there were 32(54.24%)in the Str.intermedius group,21(35.59%)in the Str.constellatus group and 6(10.17%)in the Str.anginosus group.The age of Str.intermedius group was less than that of Streptococcus constellatus group(36.75±20.06 years vs 50.43±16.17 years),and the difference was statistically significant(t=2.614,P<0.05).The common clinical symptom was headache,while the probability of fever was greater in the Str.intermedius group compared to the Str.constellatus group(t=4.174,P<0.05).Abscesses were commonly solitary and were located in the parietal and frontal lobes of the brain.Patients with Str.constellatus had a greater probability of developing mixed infections compared to patiens with Str.intermedius(57.14%vs 9.38%)with significant differences(t=14.257,P<0.05).Glycopeptide(vancomycin)plus carbapenem(meropenem)combination regimen was the most commonly used in both empiric and targeted dosing were 64.41%and 52.54%,respectively.No strains resistant to common antibiotics were identified.Conclusion The SAG causing brain abscesses are mainly Str.intermedius and Str.constellatus,and the age,symptoms and infection patterns of patients with brain abscesses caused by the two bacteria were different.SAG did not appear to be drug-resistant in the clinic,and the clinic could reasonably evaluate and adjust the anti-infection regimen based on the drug sensitivity results.

BACKGROUND:Synovitis is involved in all stages of osteoarthritis and is a key factor contributing to the development of osteoarthritis.Studies have shown that circular RNA(circRNA)plays an important role in the proliferation,apoptosis and extracellular matrix degradation of synovial cells and chondrocytes.OBJECTIVE:To observe the effects of circRNA SEC24A on the interleukin-1β-induced proliferation,apoptosis,and expression of inflammatory factors in human synovial fibroblasts.METHODS:Human synovial fibroblasts were divided into four groups,including control group,interleukin-1β group,empty vector group,and sh-circSEC24A group.Except for the control group,the other three groups were induced with 10 ng/mL interleukin-1β for 24 hours to establish inflammatory cell models;the empty vector group and sh-circSEC24A group were infected with empty vector virus and lentiviral vector knocking down circSEC24A.CCK-8 assay was used to detect cell proliferation.Flow cytometry was used to detect cell apoptosis.ELISA was used to detect the levels of matrix metalloproteinase-9,matrix metalloproteinase-13,interleukin-6,and tumor necrosis factor-α in cell supernatant.Western blot assay was used to detect the relative expression levels of Bax,Bcl-2,matrix metalloproteinase-9,matrix metalloproteinase-13,casepase3,cleaved-casepase3,casepase8,and cleaved-casepase8 proteins in cells.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)qRT-PCR results showed that compared with the normal group,the expression of circSEC24A in human synovial fibroblasts induced by interleukin 1β was significantly up-regulated.(2)The absorbance value of cells in the sh-circSEC24A group detected by CCK-8 assay was significantly higher than that of interleukin 1β group and empty vector group(P＜0.05).The apoptosis rate of sh-circSEC24A group detected by flow cytometry was significantly lower than that of interleukin 1β group and empty vector group(P＜0.05).(3)The levels of tumor necrosis factor α and interleukin 6 in the supernatant of human synovial fibroblasts in the sh-circSEC24A group detected by ELISA were significantly lower than those in the interleukin 1β group and the empty vector group(P＜0.01,P＜0.001).(4)Western blot assay results showed that compared with the interleukin 1β group and the empty vector group,the expression of the pro-apoptotic factor Bax protein in the sh-circSEC24A group significantly decreased,and the expression of the anti-apoptotic factor Bcl-2 protein increased significantly(P＜0.05);apoptosis and related activating factors cleaved-casepase3 and cleaved-casepase8 protein expressions were both reduced(P＜0.05).(5)ELISA and western blot assay results showed that compared with the interleukin 1β group and the empty vector group,the sh-circSEC24A group had lower levels of matrix metalloproteinase 9 and matrix metalloproteinase 13 protein(P＜0.05).These findings indicated that the expression of circSEC24A was abnormally increased in human synovial fibroblasts induced by interleukin 1β.Knocking down circSEC24A expression could promote the proliferation of human synovial fibroblasts and inhibit apoptosis,inflammatory factor release,and extracellular matrix degradation,suggesting that circSEC24A may be an important intervention target for early osteoarthritis.

Objective A high sodium(HS)diet is believed to affect bone metabolism processes.Clarifying its impact on osseointegration of titanium(Ti)implants holds significant implications for postoperative dietary management of implanted patients. Methods This investigation probed the impact of sodium ions(Na+)on neovascularization and osteogenesis around Ti implants in vivo,utilizing micro-computed tomography,hematoxylin and eosin staining,and immunohistochemical analyses.Concurrently,in vitro experiments assessed the effects of varied Na+concentrations and exposure durations on human umbilical vein endothelial cells(HUVECs)and MC3T3-E1 cells. Results In vivo,increased dietary sodium(0.8%-6.0%)led to a substantial decline in CD34 positive HUVECs and new bone formation around Ti implants,alongside an increase in inflammatory cells.In vitro,an increase in Na+concentration(140-150 mmol/L)adversely affected the proliferation,angiogenesis,and migration of HUVECs,especially with prolonged exposure.While MC3T3-E1 cells initially exhibited less susceptibility to high Na+concentrations compared to HUVECs during short-term exposure,prolonged exposure to a HS environment progressively diminished their proliferation,differentiation,and osteogenic capabilities. Conclusion These findings suggest that HS diet had a negative effect on the early osseointegration of Ti implants by interfering with the process of postoperative vascularized bone regeneration.

BACKGROUND:Currently,there is no drug that can completely cure osteoarthritis and its pathogenesis is still unclear.Circular RNAs(circRNAs)are differentially expressed in patients with osteoarthritis and are closely associated with various pathological processes in osteoarthritis.circRNAs play an important role in various physiological and pathological processes,such as chondrocyte homeostasis,extracellular matrix formation,and inflammatory response. OBJECTIVE:To mainly review the effects of circRNAs on pathological factors related to osteoarthritis,as well as the types and expression levels of circRNAs in osteoarthritis. METHODS:Related articles published from 1976 to August 2023 were retrieved from CNKI,WanFang,VIP,PubMed,Medline,Web of Science and Elsevier databases.The keywords were"osteoarthritis,circular RNA,non-coding RNA,synovial tissue,chondrocytes"in Chinese and English,respectively.All the relevant articles were screened,summarized,analyzed,and finally 69 papers were included in the review. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:circRNAs are non-coding RNAs widely found in eukaryotic cells,with covalently closed continuous loop structure,but with no 5'hat structure and 3'poly A tail,which are involved in multi-gene and multi-target regulatory networks and cannot be degraded by nucleic acid exonucleases(RNase R).circRNAs have a high abundance,high conservativeness and stability,and cell and tissue specificity.circRNAs have biological functions such as acting as molecular sponges for miRNAs,regulating linear RNA transcription and RNA shearing,interacting with RNA-bound proteins,and translating proteins.circRNAs regulate chondrocyte apoptosis and proliferation,degradation of cartilage extracellular matrix,and inflammation and other physiopathologic processes.circRNAs are expected to become biomarkers and potential therapeutic targets for clinical diagnosis and prognosis of osteoarthritis,and may become a new strategy for clinical treatment of osteoarthritis in the future.

Objective In this study ,we constructed a series of recombinant plasmids carriers expressing shRNA targeting hTERT and Bi‐1 gene .These recombinant plasmids carriers were transfected into CNE‐2Z cell lines using Lip and continuously in‐duced the expression of shRNAs .Furthermore ,the shRNAs caused the degradation of mRNAs homologous in sequence with the target genes ,which lead to a sequence‐specific gene silencing .Methods The CNE‐2Z cells was divided into untreated group ,pEG‐FP‐N1 group and pEGFP‐N1/Lip group .Flow cytometry(FCM ) was applied to determine the transfection efficiency .The changes of hTERT and Bi‐1 gene expression were detected by Real‐time RT‐PCR and Western blotting .Results The best transfection effi‐ciency between plasmid and Lip was 2 .5 μg plasmid and 6 .25μL Lip .Conclusion We constructed several shRNA recombinant eu‐karyotic expression plasmids successfully .The recombinant plasmid can inhibit the expression of hTERT and Bi‐1 gene specifically and effectively .

Objective To further study the clinical efficacy and safety of salvianolate injection for the treatment of angina pectoris in coronary heart disease (CHD)with heart-blood stagnation syndrome. Methods A randomized imitative-blind mutli-center clinical trials with positive control and 3 parallel tests was carried out in 480 cases. The patients were divided into three groups: the control group received salviane injection 20 mL (n=120), the treatment group 1 (n=240) and treatment group 2 (n=120) received salvianolate injection in a dosage of 200 mg and 400mg respectively . After 14-daytreatment , the clinical efficacy and safety of salvianolate were observed. Results The total angina pectoris efficacy rates were 88.085 %in treatment group 1, 89.744 %in treatment group 2 and 67.257 %in control group (P