Objective:Constructing a rat model of knee osteoarthritis,to explore effects of shikonin on inflammatory response,NF-κB/extracellular regulated protein kinase(ERK)pathway in knee osteoarthritis rats,and the possibility of NF-κB/ERK signaling pathway as a new target for shikonin.Methods:Seventy-two male SD rats were collected,and randomly separated into sham operation group,arthritis group,nimesulide group,shikonin group,shikonin+ERK activation group and shikonin+NF-κB activation group,with 12 rats per group.A rat model of knee osteoarthritis was constructed,and the arthritis indexes of rats in each group were evaluated to judge the model construction;safranin fast green staining and HE staining were performed to observe the pathology of knee cartilage of rats in each group;ELISA was performed to measure levels of IL-1β,IL-6 and TNF-α in serum and cartilage tissue of rats in each group;Western blot was performed to measure NF-κB p65,ERK,p-NF-κB p65 and p-ERK protein expressions in cartilage tissue.Results:Cartilage tissue of rats in sham operation group had no obvious protrusions,and the safranine staining was completely stained;compared with sham operation group,cartilage of arthritis group showed protrusions,and the staining was completely lost,the arthritis index,serum and cartilage tissue TNF-α,IL-6,IL-1β contents,cartilage tissue NF-κB p65,ERK protein phosphoryla-tion degrees were increased significantly(P<0.05);compared with arthritis group,cartilage tissue of nimesulide group and shikonin group gradually recovered,the safranine staining was increased,the arthritis index,serum and cartilage tissue TNF-α,IL-6,IL-1β contents,cartilage tissue NF-κB p65,ERK protein phosphorylation degrees were reduced significantly(P<0.05);compared with shi-konin group,shikonin+ERK activation group and shikonin+NF-κB activation group showed a slower recovery of cartilage tissue and se-rious loss of safranine staining,the arthritis index,serum and cartilage tissue TNF-α,IL-6,IL-1β contents,cartilage tissue NF-κB p65,ERK protein phosphorylation degrees were increased significantly(P<0.05);there was no significant difference of each index be-tween shikonin group and nimesulide group(P>0.05).Conclusion:Shikonin can relieve knee osteoarthritis by regulating the NF-κB/ERK pathway and inhibiting the activation of related proteins.

Objective:To summarize the clinical characteristics of patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infected with Delta variant, so as to provide further references for clinical diagnosis and treatment.Methods:A real-world study was conducted to analyze the characteristics of 166 COVID-19 patients infected with Delta variant at Guangzhou Eighth People’s Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University.Results:The study enrolled 5 asymptomatic cases, 123 non-severe cases (mild and moderate type), and 38 severe cases (severe and critical type). Among these patients, 69 (41.6%) were male and 97 (58.4%) were female, with a mean age of 47.0±23.5 years. Thirty-nine cases (23.5%) had received 1 or 2 doses of inactivated vaccine. The incidence of severe COVID-19 cases was 7.7% in 2-doses vaccinated patients, which was lower than that of 11.5% in 1-dose and 26.8% in unvaccinated patients. The proportion of severe cases in 2 dose-vaccinated patients was 7.7%, which was lower than that of 11.5% in 1-dose vaccinated patients and 26.8% in unvaccinated patients, but the difference was not significant ( P>0.05). The most common clinical symptom was fever (134 cases, 83.2%), and 39.1% of cases presented with high-grade fever (≥39 °C); other symptoms were cough, sputum, fatigue, and xerostomia. The proportion of fever in severe cases was significantly higher than that of non-severe cases (97.4% vs. 76.4%, P<0.01). Similarly, the proportion of severe cases with high peak temperature (≥39 ℃) () was also higher than that of non-severe cases (65.8% vs. 30.9%, P<0.01). The median minimal Cycle threshold (Ct) values of viral nucleic acid N gene and ORFlab gene were 20.3 and 21.5, respectively, and the minimum Ct values were 11.9 and 13.5, respectively. Within 48 h of admission, 9.0% of cases presented with decreased white blood cell counts, and 52.4% with decreased lymphocyte counts. The proportions of increased C-reactive protein, serum amyloid A, interleukin 6, and interleukin 10 were 32.5%, 57.4%, 65.3%, and 35.7%, respectively. The proportions of elevated C-reactive protein, serum amyloid A and interleukin-6 in severe cases were significantly higher than those in non-severe cases ( P<0.01). Logistic regression analysis showed that older age and higher peak temperature were associated with a higher likelihood of severe cases ( OR>3, 95% CI: 2-7, P<0.01). In terms of treatment, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) was used in 97.6% of non-severe cases and 100% in severe cases. Other treatments included respiratory and nutritional support, immunotherapy (such as neutralizing antibodies and plasma of recovered patients). The median times from admission to progression to severe cases, of fever clearance, and of nucleic acid conversion were 5 days, 6 days and 19 days, respectively. No deaths were reported within 28 days. Conclusions:The symptoms of Delta variant infection in Guangzhou are characterized by a high proportion of fever, high peak temperature, long duration of fever, high viral load, a long time to nucleic acid conversion, and a high incidence of severe cases. The severe cases exhibit a higher percentage of elderly patients, a longer duration of fever and have a higher fever rate and a higher hyperthermia rate than non-severe cases. Age and hyperthermia are independent risk factors for progression to severe disease. The combination of TCM and Western medicine can control the progression of the disease effectively.

Ureteral artery fistula (UAF) is a rare complication after long-term indwelling of ureteral stent. In this study, two cases were presented. Both of them underwent pelvic tumor surgery and radiotherapy, and had a history of cutaneous terminal ureterostomy and long-term indwelling of ureteral stents. The first case, a 52-year-old female, was admitted to hospital because of intermittent bleeding from ureteral dermostomy for 1 week on April 2, 2020. CT examination revealed hematocele in the left upper urinary tract, and left nephrectomy was performed.However, bleeding still presented and the distal ureteral resection was performed at the same time, and partial ureteral was ligated. Postoperative diagnostic was ureteral artery fistula. After 8 months of follow-up, no recurrent bleeding presented. Another case, a 82-year-old male, was admitted to hospital because of bleeding at the ureteral dermostomy for an hour on June 15, 2020. Contrast enhanced CT examination revealed intersecting of the left ureter and common iliac artery, and interventional surgery was performed, by which UAF was diagnosed. Embolization of left internal iliac artery and stent implantation of common iliac artery and external iliac artery were performed intraoperatively. The bleeding stopped immediately after the operation, and there was no further bleeding during follow-up of 6 months.

Objective To investigate the clinical features of skin cancer.Methods Clinical data of skin cancer and precancerous skin lesions confirmed pathologically from 2005 to 2008 in Peking University First Hospital were retrospectively analyzed by using statistical methods.Results A total of 632 cases of skin cancer and precancerous skin lesions were studied.The most common skin cancer was basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma (invasive and in situ) which accounted for 29.3%and 24.2%,respectively.The average age at onset was older than 60 years in 55.4%of the patients,between 35 and 59 years in 34.3%,younger than 35 years in 10.3%.The concordance between clinical and pathological diagnosis reached nearly 90.O%for Paget's disease,70.0% for other common skin cancer and precancerous skin lesions.Conclusions Skin cancer and precancerous skin lesions have a predilection for scalp and face.Patients aged from 35 to 59 years account for a significant proportion not only in cutaneous lymphoma but also in melanoma and epithelium-derived nonmelanoma skin cancer.

Objective To investigate the effect of hydrogen peroxide (H_2O_2) on apoptosis and calcium ion concentration of skeletal muscle satellite cells (SMSCs) in rats, and to explore the protective effect of erythropoietin (EPO).Methods The cultured SMSCs were divided into five groups: control group,H_2O_2 group, 10, 20 and 40 U/ml EPO intervention groups.Apoptosis rates and calcium ion concentration of SMSCs were analyzed by flow cytometry, and the morphology of apoptotic cells was observed by Hoechst33258 staining.Results The apoptosis rates showed significant differences (all P<0.05) among (1.93±0.57)% in control group, (22.13±1.79)% in H_2O_2 group, (16.47±2.53)%, (4.97±0.55)% and (2.93±0.47)% in 10, 20 and 40 U/ml EPO intervention groups, respectively.And calcium ion concentrations in SMSCs were 12.67 ±0.32, 27.90±0.06 and 44.53±0.93 in 10, 20 and 40 U/ml EPO intervention groups, respectively.There was significant difference in calcium ion concentration between H_2O_2 group and control group (9.70±0.09 vs.51.37± 0.64, P< 0.05).Morphology of apoptosis was observed by Hoeehst33258 dye stains in 10, 20 U/ml EPO intervention group and H_2O_2 group, while there were less apoptotic bodies in 40 U/ml EPO intervention group and control group.Conclusions EPO might have protective effects on SMSCs injured by H_2O_2 through inhibiting apoptosis and calcium ion releasing from SMSCs.

Objective To evaluate the efficacy and toxicity for the protocol of low-dose harringtonine and cytarabine(HA regimen)in combination with granulocyte colony-stimulating factor(G-CSF)in elderly patients with acute myelogenous leukemia(AML).Methods Thirty-five AML patients were treated with HAG including low-dose chieved PR.The overall response rate was 83%.5 of 35(14%)was non-remiasion.Two patients died in the duration of treatment.The main complication of chemotherapy is myelosuppresion.Conclusion Low-dose HA regimen in combination with G-CSF is effective and safe in elderly patients with AML.

ObjectiveTo study the effect the chitosan tube combined with the bio active carrier system on inducing nerve axon regeneration of rats with spinal cord injury.Methods50 female Wister rats were characterized by the right spinal cord hemisections at the seventh and eighth thoracic segment to make the model of spinal cord hemisection. The chitosan tube serving as a regenerative loculus was implanted in the defect location of the experimental models.In the experimental group,the bio active carrier system was injected into the chitosan tube,while in control group injected nothing.The drua was sutured to restore cerebrospinal fluid circulation.Results6 months and 12 months after operation,the regenerative nerve axon had passed the defect area of spinal cord in the experiment group. According to WGA-HRP anterograde axonal tracing study, some TMB-positive axons were observed in the distal graft host interface,and came into the host environment. TEM-ultrastructure indicate some neonate synapse, myelinated nerve fibers.In the control group,few regenerative axon could be seen, there was no regenerative axon pass the middle of the tube.ConclusionsThe chitosan tube in which the bio active carrier system was injected can induce the spinal cord nerve axon regeneration.

ObjectiveTo explore the possibility of repairing sciatic nerve gap of rats with artifical nerve graft.MethodsA novel artifical nerve guide was developed and used to suture the 15 milimeter long right sciatic nerve gap of 10 rats, other 7 rats were the control with the right sciatic nerve gap alone.2 and 4 monthes after operation, immunohistochemistry, Osmium staining, Bodian staining,motor end plate staining,WGA-HRP stain tracing have been done to observe the effect of repairing.Results2 months after operations, the sciatic nerve gap were repaired by the regeneration nerve.There was not evident inflammation in the defects.ConclusionsThe artifical nerve graft can induce the nerve to regenerate.

Fourteen adult and immature rabbits were used for the study of laminar scheme of the gray matter in the spinal cord. The spinal sections were cut transversally or sagitally into 80 ?m, 60 ?m, 15?m, and 2?m-thick sections. The sections were stained with toluidine blue or crecyl fast violet for cell body and with Luxol fast blue for myelin sheath. 2?m-thick sections were only stained with pphenylenediamine. In addition, the spinal sections from 2 cases of the animals were treated histochemically for demonstrating AChE activity. According to the Rexed's principle lamination for the cat, we have found that the cytoarchitectonic organization of the rabbit spinal cord was found to be basically similar to that of the cat except for some differences about the extension and structures of the laminae.