Objective:To investigate the effect of astragaloside A (AS-A) on the photoreceptor degeneration induced by sodium iodate (NaIO 3) and its related mechanism. Methods:Sixty healthy male C57BL/6J mice, aged 6-8 weeks, were randomly divided into normal control (NC) group, NaIO 3 group, and ASA group, with twenty mice in each group. 30 min before modeling, AS-A group mice were intraperitoneally injected with 100 μl AS-A at a dose of 100 mg/kg body weight. 30 min later, mice in NaIO 3 group and AS-A group were intraperitoneally injected with 100 μl NaIO 3 at a dose of 30 mg/kg body weight. Subsequently, AS-A group mice were administered AS-A twice daily at 12 h intervals until the end of the experiment. On day 1 post-modeling, zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1) immunohistochemistry was performed to observe the structure of retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells; real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) was conducted to detect the mRNA expression of various retinal chemokine ligand-2 ( Ccl2), interleukin-1 beta ( Il-1β), mixed lineage kinase domain-like protein ( Mlkl), receptor-interacting protein kinase 3 ( Ripk3), and tumor necrosis factor ( Tnf). On day 3 post-modeling, immunohistochemistry was performed to observe the expression of ionized calcium binding adaptor molecule 1 (Iba1) and glial fibrillary acid protein (GFAP) in the retina; TdT-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL) assay was used to detect photoreceptor cell death in each group. On day 4 post-modeling, fundus morphology of mice in each group was observed by fundus color photography and optical coherence tomography (OCT). Hematoxylin-eosin staining (HE) was used to observe the morphological structure of the retina in each group. Inter-group comparisons between two groups were conducted using independent samples t-test, while comparisons among three groups were performed using one-way ANOVA. Results:Fundus color photography and OCT examination showed that a large number of scattered yellow-white subretinal nodular structures in the fundus of NaIO 3 group mice, and a large number of strong reflection areas in the RPE layer. The number of strong reflection areas in the RPE layer was reduced in the AS-A group. Immunohistochemical analysis of ZO-1 showed that ZO-1 was largely lost on the RPE cell membrane in that NaIO 3 group; whereas in the AS-A group, ZO-1 was evenly distributed on the RPE cell membrane. HE staining results showed circular black deposits were visible in the RPE layer of the NaIO 3 group, and the inner and outer segments of photoreceptors were severely damaged, with a significant decrease in the number of outer nuclear layer (ONL) cell nuclei; whereas in the AS-A group, the RPE layer pigments were orderly, the inner and outer segments of photoreceptors were intact, and the number of ONL cell nuclei significantly increased. The results of TUNEL staining show that numerous TUNEL-positive cell nuclei were observed in the ONL of the retina in the NaIO 3 group, while the number of TUNEL-positive cell nuclei in the ONL of the retina was significantly reduced in the AS-A group, with statistically significant differences ( t=2.66, P<0.05). The analysis of qPCR data showed that compared with the AS-A group, the relative expression levels of Mlkl, Ripk3, Ccl2, Il-1β and Tnf mRNA in the retina were significantly increased in the NaIO 3 group, with statistically significant differences ( F=39.18, 10.66, 53.51, 41.40, 24.13; P<0.001). Immunohistochemical staining results showed that compared with NC group and AS-A group, the positive expression of GFAP in retina of NaIO 3 group was significantly increased, and the difference was statistically significant ( F=9.62, P<0.05). Conclusion:AS-A antagonizes NaIO 3-induced photoreceptor degeneration in part by inhibiting photoreceptor cell death and neuroinflammation. Meanwhile, AS-A treatment protects against NaIO 3-triggered perturbation of retinal homeostasis.

The comparison between traditional Chinese medicine Jinzhen oral liquid (JZOL) and Western medicine in treating children with acute bronchitis (AB) showed encouraging outcomes. This trial evaluated the efficacy and safety of the JZOL for improving cough and expectoration in children with AB. 480 children were randomly assigned to take JZOL or ambroxol hydrochloride and clenbuterol hydrochloride oral solution for 7 days. The primary outcome was time-to-cough resolution. The median time-to-cough resolution in both groups was 5.0 days and the antitussive onset median time was only 1 day. This randomized controlled trial showed that JZOL was not inferior to cough suppressant and phlegm resolving western medicine in treating cough and sputum and could comprehensively treat respiratory and systemic discomfort symptoms. Combined with clinical trials, the mechanism of JZOL against AB was uncovered by network target analysis, it was found that the pathways in TRP channels like IL-1β/IL1R/TRPV1/TRPA1, NGF/TrkA/TRPV1/TRPA1, and PGE2/EP/PKA/TRPV1/TRPA1 might play important roles. Animal experiments further confirmed that inflammation and the immune regulatory effect of JZOL in the treatment of AB were of vital importance and TRP channels were the key mechanism of action.

Allergic disease is a systemic disease that affects multiple systems. Respiratory tract and skin are the most frequently involved organs of allergies, which include allergic rhinitis, asthma, acute and chronic urticaria, atopic dermatitis, etc.. They are closely correlated clinically. Respiratory allergies and skin allergies often occur in one patient in the form of synchronous occurrence, synchronous aggravation or mutual transfer of symptoms, and early atopic dermatitis in infants is an independent risk factor of respiratory allergy. Type Ⅰ hypersensitivity is the most common immunologic mechanism of respiratory and skin allergies, which are mediated by allergens induction, multiple immune cells and inflammatory cells involvement, and IgE medicated mast cell degranulation. This present article provides a brief review on the epidemiology, tissue origin, and pathogenesis of respiratory airway allergy and skin allergy, in order to provide new ideas and reference basis for clinical diagnosis and treatment and the development of allergic disease prevention strategies.
Infant ; Humans ; Dermatitis, Atopic ; Asthma ; Rhinitis, Allergic ; Risk Factors

Allergic disease is a systemic disease that affects multiple systems. Respiratory tract and skin are the most frequently involved organs of allergies, which include allergic rhinitis, asthma, acute and chronic urticaria, atopic dermatitis, etc.. They are closely correlated clinically. Respiratory allergies and skin allergies often occur in one patient in the form of synchronous occurrence, synchronous aggravation or mutual transfer of symptoms, and early atopic dermatitis in infants is an independent risk factor of respiratory allergy. Type Ⅰ hypersensitivity is the most common immunologic mechanism of respiratory and skin allergies, which are mediated by allergens induction, multiple immune cells and inflammatory cells involvement, and IgE medicated mast cell degranulation. This present article provides a brief review on the epidemiology, tissue origin, and pathogenesis of respiratory airway allergy and skin allergy, in order to provide new ideas and reference basis for clinical diagnosis and treatment and the development of allergic disease prevention strategies.
Infant ; Humans ; Dermatitis, Atopic ; Asthma ; Rhinitis, Allergic ; Risk Factors

Objective:To analyze the therapeutic effect of 3D printing technology combined with locking plate fixation on femoral shaft fracture in patients with femoral deformity.Methods:The clinical data of 33 patients with femoral shaft fracture with femoral deformity who met the inclusion criteria and underwent locking plate fixation in the Xi′an Honghui Hospital Affiliated to Xi′an Jiaotong University from June 2014 to December 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. The patients were divided into 3D printing group ( n=18) and control group ( n=15) according to whether 3D printing was performed before operation. The 3D printing group including 11 males and 7 females with an age of (46.78±13.76) years.The control group including 9 males and 6 females with an age of (48.20±14.27) years.The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, fracture healing time and complications of the two groups were recorded. Visual analogue scale (VAS) scores of pain were evaluated before and 6, 12, 24, 48 and 72 h after operation. According to the Harris hip score, the Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) knee score and The MOS 36-item short-from Health Survey (SF-36), the hip and knee function and quality of life of the patients before and 12 months after injury were evaluated. The measurement data were represented as mean±standard deviation( ± s), and the comparison between groups was conducted using the t-test; the comparison of count data between groups was conducted by Chi-square test or Fisher exact probability. Results:The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, and incidence of complications in the 3D printing group were (91.50±9.07) min, (191.11±16.01) mL, and 0(0/18), respectively, and those in the control group were (118.07±14.19) min, (270.27±17.59) mL, and 26.7% (4/15), the differences between the two groups were statistically significant ( P <0.05). The pain VAS scores of the 3D printing group were significantly better than those of the control group at 6, 12, 24, 48, and 72 h after operation ( P<0.05). There were no differences in fracture healing time and preoperative pain VAS between the two groups( P>0.05). There were no significant differences in hip function, knee function and quality of life scores between the two groups before injury and 12 months after injury( P>0.05). Conclusion:In the treatment of femoral shaft fractures in patients with femoral deformity with locking plate fixation, the application of 3D printing technology can be used for preoperative design and plate preshaping, which can shorten the operation time, reduce the amount of intraoperative blood loss, reduce the VAS of pain and the incidence of complications, improve the satisfaction of surgery, and provide a new option for the treatment of femoral shaft fractures in patients with femoral deformity.

【Objective】 To investigate the application of different ureteral length measurement methods in the indwelling of double-J stent. 【Methods】 Clinical data of 260 patients with double-J stent indwelling after ureteroscopic surgery during Jul.2018 and Dec.2020 were prospectively analyzed. The patients were randomly divided into height calculation group, CT measurement group, KUB group and ureteroscopic measurement group. The length of ureter was calculated accordingly and the appropriate length of double-J stent was selected. KUB was performed on the first day after operation and before extubation to determine the position of double-J stent. The patients completed the ureteral stent-related symptom questionnaire (USSQ), urinary symptom score, lower urinary tract symptom (LUTS) score, pain score, hematuria score, and quality of life score before and after double-J catheter placement. 【Results】 There were no significant differences in age, gender, height, side of stent and urinary symptom score among the four groups (P>0.05). The average lengths of the ureters measured by the four methods were (21.5±1.0) cm, (21.5±1.8) cm, (23.8±1.3) cm and (21.7±1.8) cm, respectively. There were no significant differences among the height calculation group, CT measurement group and ureteroscope group, but there was significant difference between the three groups and the KUB group. The ideal ureteral stent length indwelling ratio in the ureteroscopic group was 76.9%, which was better than that in the other three groups. Postoperative indwelling time was 7-42 d (mean 29.8 d). The USSQ score of the ureteroscopic group before extubation was (14.1±1.5), which was lower than that of the other three groups (P<0.05). The ureteroscopic group was better than the other three groups in the comparison of frequency and urgency of urination, nocturia, hematuria, quality of life score, and pain score (P<0.05). 【Conclusion】 Intraoperative ureteroscopic measurement of the ureteral length is a simple and feasible method in guiding the indwelling of double-J stent to reduce ureteral stent related symptoms.

Objective:To compare the clinical effects of acute shortening-lengthening technique with antibiotic calcium sulfate-loaded bone transport technique for the treatment of segmental tibial defects after trauma.Methods:The clinical data of 58 patients with large tibial defects treated by Ilizarov technique in Xi′an Honghui Hospital Affiliated to Xi′an Jiaotong University from May 2014 to December 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. Thirty patients were treated by acute shortening-lengthening (group A), and they were divided into those who were successful in one-time shortening during operation (group A1) and those who needed gradual shortening after operation (group A2) according to different shortening conditions. And 28 patients by antibiotic calcium sulfate-loaded bone transport (group B). The external fixation time (EFT) and external fixation index (EFI) of the two groups were compared. Bone defect healing and limb functions were evaluated according to the Association for the Study and Application of the Method of Ilizarov (ASAMI) criteria. Complications were compared by Paley classification. The measurement data of normal distribution were expressed as ± s, and t-test was used for comparison between groups; the count data were expressed as n(%), and the chi-square test, Fisher exact probability method or Mann-Whitney U test were used for comparison between groups. Results:Patients were followed for(27.5±5.1)months. There was no significant difference in EFT, EFI, bone defect healing and limb functions between the two groups( P>0.05). The incidence of Grade-Ⅱ[41.2% (7/17)], Grade-Ⅲ [47.1% (8/17)] pin-tract infection in group A1 and Grade-Ⅱ[46.2% (6/13)], Grade-Ⅲ pin-tract [53.8% (7/13)] in group A2 was significantly higher than those in group B[14.3% (4/28)], [17.9% (5/28)] ( P<0.05). The number of complications per capita in group A1 [(1.4±0.3) times/case] and in group A2 [(1.5±0.3) times/case]was significantly higher than that in group B [(1.1±0.5) times/case]. Conclusions:Patients can be cured successfully by both acute shortening-lengthening and bone transport techniques. Compared with acute shortening-lengthening group, the complication incidence in antibiotic calcium sulfate-loaded bone transport group was lower, especially, the infection-related complications. Therefore, antibiotic calcium sulfate-loaded bone transport technique has a greater application prospect in patients with large segmental bone defects caused by infection or osteomyelitis.

Objective:To analyze the therapeutic effect of sural neurocutaneous flap combined with antibiotic-impregnated calcium sulfate and autogenous iliac bone graft of chronic calcaneal osteomyelitis.Methods:A retrospective analysis was peformed in 29 patients with chronic calcaneal osteomyelitis treated with sural neurocutaneous flap combined with antibiotic-impregnated calcium sulfate and autogenous iliac bone graft in the Xi′an Honghui Hospital Affiliated to Xi′an Jiaotong University from April 2013 to January 2020. There were 19 males and 10 females, with the age of (45.38±12.85) years, ranged from 22 to 67 years. The course of disease was (16.00±6.96) months, ranged from 6 to 36 months. The skin defect area was (41.9±15.9) cm 2, ranged from 11.8 to 86.8 cm 2. The causes of injury: 18 cases of high fall, 6 cases of traffic accidents, 3 cases of heavy rolling, the remaining 2 cases were machine strangulation and sharp stab wounds. The inflammatory markers [white blood cell (WBC), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), procalcitonin (PCT), C reactive protein (CRP)] and bone healing time were recorded before operation, 2, 4, 8 weeks and 6 months after operation. During the follow-up period, the flap texture, survival were observed, and the ankle-posterior foot function recovery was evaluated by the American Association of Foot and Ankle Surgery (AOFAS) score were observed before and after the operation, and the incidence of complications were recorded. The measurement data were expressed as mean±standard deviation ( ± s), and the t-test was used for inter-group comparison; the levels of WBC, ESR, PCT and CRP at different time points before and after operation were compared by repeated measurement ANOVA, and the LSD t-test was used for pairwise comparison. Results:All the 29 patients were followed up for (14.51±6.10) months, ranged from 6 to 30 months. All the flaps survived without abrasion, ulceration, or skin protrusion, and all patients could walk normally with shoes. There were 28 cases of stage I bone healing, with an average of (5.87±2.07) months, ranged from 3 to 12 months. The inflammatory indexes was significantly decreased at different time points after operation ( P<0.05). There was no significant difference between 6 months and 8 weeks after operation ( P>0.05), while there was significant difference at other time points ( P<0.05). The ankle-posterior foot score of AOFAS at 6 months after treatment was significantly higher than that before treatment (83.44±7.93 vs 55.37±8.07), the differences was statistically significant ( P<0.05). The clinical efficacy of foot function recovery was excellent in 12 cases, good in 15 cases and fair in 2 cases among 29 patients .The excellent and good rate was 93.1% (27/29). One patient recurred 1 month after operation and was re-implanted with antibiotic-loaded calcium sulfate mixed autogenous iliac bone after debridement, no recurrence was found. The total complication rate was 31.0%, but there was no significant impact on the patient's life in the later period. All patients returned to daily life and work. Conclusion:The treatment of chronic calcaneal osteomyelitis with sural neurocutaneous flap combined with antibiotic-impregnated calcium sulfate and autogenous iliac bone graft can effectively control infection, reconstruct calcaneal and soft tissue structure, promote functional recovery of affected limb, and ultimately improve the patient′s quality of life.

BACKGROUND: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA), a chronic systemic autoimmune disease, is characterized by synovitis and progressive damage to the bone and cartilage of the joints, leading to disability and reduced quality of life. This study was a randomized clinical trial comparing the outcomes between withdrawal and dose reduction of tofacitinib in patients with RA who achieved sustained disease control. METHODS: The study was designed as a multicenter, open-label, randomized controlled trial. Eligible patients who were taking tofacitinib (5 mg twice daily) and had achieved sustained RA remission or low disease activity (disease activity score in 28 joints [DAS28] ≤3.2) for at least 3 months were enrolled at six centers in Shanghai, China. Patients were randomly assigned (1:1:1) to one of three treatment groups: continuation of tofacitinib (5 mg twice daily); reduction in tofacitinib dose (5 mg daily); and withdrawal of tofacitinib. Efficacy and safety were assessed up to 6 months. RESULTS: Overall, 122 eligible patients were enrolled, with 41 in the continuation group, 42 in the dose-reduction group, and 39 in the withdrawal group. After 6 months, the percentage of patients with a DAS28-erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) of <3.2 was significantly lower in the withdrawal group than that in the reduction and continuation groups (20.5%, 64.3%, and 95.1%, respectively; P  < 0.0001 for both comparisons). The average flare-free time was 5.8 months for the continuation group, 4.7 months for the dose reduction group, and 2.4 months for the withdrawal group. CONCLUSION: Withdrawal of tofacitinib in patients with RA with stable disease control resulted in a rapid and significant loss of efficacy, while standard or reduced doses of tofacitinib maintained a favorable state. TRIAL REGISTRATION Chictr.org, ChiCTR2000039799.
Humans ; Quality of Life ; China ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid/drug therapy* ; Piperidines/therapeutic use* ; Treatment Outcome ; Antirheumatic Agents/therapeutic use* ; Pyrroles/therapeutic use*

Objective:To investigate the clinical effects of antibiotic-loaded calcium sulfate-autologous iliac bone combined with sural neurocutaneous flap in the one-stage treatment of chronic calcaneus osteomyelitis plus skin and soft tissue defects.Methods:From January 2013 to September 2019, 48 patients were admitted to Department of Orthopedic Trauma, Xi'an Honghui Hospital Affiliated to Xi'an Jiaotong University for chronic calcaneal osteomyelitis complicated with skin and soft tissue defects. They were divided into 2 groups according to different bone grafts. In group A of 26 patients treated at one stage by antibiotic-loaded calcium sulfate-autologous iliac bone combined with sural neurocutaneous flap, there were 16 males and 10 females with an age of (45.0±11.7) years and an area of skin defect of (56.0±16.7) cm 2. In group B of 22 patients treated at one stage by simple autologous iliac bone combined with sural neurocutaneous flap, there were 13 males and 9 females with an age of (43.6±9.6) years and an area of skin defect of (53.8±16.2) cm 2. The volume of the ilium harvested, fracture healing time, infection control, donor site complications, pain score of visual analogue scale (VAS) and function recovery of the ankle were compared between the 2 groups. Results:There was no significant difference in the preoperative general data between the 2 groups, showing comparability ( P>0.05). The 48 patients were followed up for (15.3±6.0) months. Group A had a significantly smaller volume of the ilium harvested [(67.3±14.1) cm 3] than group B [(90.7±23.5) cm 3], a significantly lower rate of donor site complications [3.8% (1/26)] than group B [31.8% (7/22)], significantly lower VAS pain scores at 6, 12, 24, 48 and 72 hours than group B, and significantly lower WBC count, erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein at 2, 4, 8 weeks after operation than group B (all P<0.05). There was no statistically significant difference between the 2 groups in the infection control rate [96.2% (25/26) versus 77.3% (17/22)], the fracture healing time [(6.2±1.9) months versus (6.4±2.1) months], or the ankle-hindfoot score of AOFAS (The American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society) (83.9±7.2 versus 82.5±8.7) at 6 months after operation (all P>0.05). Conclusion:In one-stage treatment of chronic calcaneal osteomyelitis complicated with skin and soft tissue defects, compared with simple autologous iliac bone combined with sural neurocutaneous flap, antibiotic-loaded calcium sulfate-autologous iliac bone combined with sural neurocutaneous flap can reduce the volume of the ilium harvested, pain score of VAS, and incidence of donor site complications, and improve the recovery of inflammatory indicators, leading to fine clinical effects.