Objective : To investigate the mechanism of puerarin in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis(RA) by network pharmacology and animal experiments. Methods : Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmcolog Database(TCMSP) and SwissTargetPrediction database were used to collect puerarin targets, and the targets of RA were obtained from GeneCards database and OMIM database. The PPI network was established by Cytoscape 3.7.2 software. Gene ontology(GO) function and Kyotoencyclopedia of genes(KEGG) enrichment analysis were performed through the Metascape database. RA rat-collagen-induced arthritis(CIA) model was reproduced using type Ⅱ collagen emulsion, 49 Wistar rats were randomly assigned to seven groups: control group, CIA model group, low-dose, medium-dose and high-dose puerarin group, methotrexate group, Tripterysium Glycosides Tablets group. Except for the control group, the other groups were given continuous gavage for 28 days after the CIA in rats model were prepared. The redness and swelling of the joints and ankle joint pathological changes were observed in each group. Western blot was used to detect the expression of Glycogen synthase kinase3β(GSK-3β), beta-catenin(β-catenin) proteins in the synovium. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction(qPCR) was used to detect the expression of GSK-3β, β-catenin and c-Myc mRNA in the synovium. Results : Puerarin had 134 targets genes, RA had 5 821 target genes, and there were 102 overlapping target genes of puerarin and RA. It involved 184 signaling pathways, including JAK-STAT signaling pathway, NF-κB signaling pathway, Wnt signaling pathway, et al. The results of animal experiments showed that after the intervention of M-puerarin and MTX, the symptoms of redness and swelling of the hind foot were alleviated, the inflammatory cell infiltration in the synovium of the joint was significantly reduced, and the damage of cartilage and bone tissue was reduced. Compared with CIA group, the expressions of GSK-3β, β-catenin protein and GSK-3β, β-catenin and c-Myc mRNA in synovial tissue of rats after M-puerarin intervention decreased(P<0.05). Conclusion Puerarin has the characteristic of multi-components, multi-targets and multi-pathway intervention in RA. Puerarin may alleviate synovial hyperplasia, reduce articular cartilage erosion and bone destruction in CIA in rats by inhibiting Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway.

Objective Given that the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway is associated with the progression of knee osteoarthritis(KOA),this study aims to investigate whether the polarization induction of synovial macrophages mediated by the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling axis is the cause of KOA progression.Methods The synovial fluid of KOA KL-Ⅱ and KL-Ⅲ patients and normal individuals was collected,and the percentage of M1 macrophages(CD80,CD86)and M2 macrophages(CD163,CD206)in the synovial fluid(M1/M2 ratio)was measured to e-valuate the polarization of macrophage cytokines such as IL-1,IL-6,IL-10,and tumor necrosis factor(TNF)-α,transforming growth factor(TGF)-β Expression in KOA synovial fluid,and detect and analyze of key molecules PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling axis PI3K,AKT3,mTORC1,and inducible nitric oxide synthase(iONS)in KOA synovial fluid.Results Compared with the synovial fluid of normal individuals,the percentage of M1 macrophages(CD80,CD86)in KOA patients increased(P<0.01),and the M1/M2 ratio increased(P<0.001);The ex-pression of IL-1,IL-6,and TNF-α in the synovial fluid of the KOA group was also higher than that of the control group(P<0.01),while the expression of IL-10 and TGF-β in the KOA group was significantly reduced(P<0.01);The key proteins PI3K,AKT3,mTORC1,and downstream inflammatory factor iONS in the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway in the synovial fluid of the KOA group were higher than those in the control group(P<0.01).Conclusion In KOA synovial fluid,M1 macrophage polarization plays a dominant role,and the inflam-matory response mediated by M1 macrophage polarization may be the cause of synovitis.At the same time,the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway may mediate the polarization of M1 macrophages involved in KOA inflammato-ry response.

Objective To investigate the effect of leflunomide(LEF)on the expression of associated autophagy genes in synoviocytes of rheumatoid arthritis(RA)by regulating HIF-1α signal pathway.Methods Three genera-tions of RA synovial cells were divided into blank control group,LEF group and Tripterygium wilfordii polyglyco-sides group.The blank control group was added with the same volume of DMEM culture medium.The drug group was treated with LEF(concentration 0.2 mg/ml)and Tripterygium wilfordii polyglycosides(concentration 0.03 mg/ml),the proliferation and apoptosis of synovial cells were detected by flow cytometry,the expression of IL-1 β,TNF-α,ANGPTL-4 and VEGF was detected by ELISA,the expression of HIF-1α mRNA was detected by qRT-PCR,and the expression of HIF-1 α,Beclin-1 and BNIP3 protein was detected by Western blot.Results Com-pared with Tripterygium wilfordii polyglycosides group,the expression of IL-1 α,TNF-α,ANGPTL-4 and VEGF in synovial supernatant of LEF group decreased;compared with the blank control group,the expression of HIF-1αmRNA in synovial cells of LEF group and Tripterygium wilfordii polyglycosides group decreased,and the effect of LEF group was the most obvious;compared with the blank control group,the protein expressions of HIF-1α,Bec-lin-1 and BNIP3 in synovial cells of LEF group and Tripterygium wilfordii polyglycosides group decreased,and the effect of LEF group was the most obvious.Conclusion LEF can inhibit the expression of inflammatory factors in RA synovial cells,inhibit HIF-1α signaling pathway,inhibit the expression of autophagy-related genes Beclin-1 and BNIP3,and improve the pathological state of synovitis.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the efficacy of posterior three-columns osteotomy in the treatment of severe tuberculous angular kyphosis. METHODS: Total of 33 patients with severe tuberculous angular kyphosis were treated with posterior three-columns osteotomy from January 2006 to January 2019 including 24 males and 9 females with an average age of (40.6±23.3) years old ranging from 15 to 62 years old and an average disease duration of (23.5±15.5) years ranging from 4 to 40 years. The Cobb's angle of kyphosis was (118.65±28.82)°. Interradicular bone-disc-bone osteotomy(BDBO), posterior-only vertebral column resection (PVCR) and posterior multilevel vertebral osteotomy (PMVO) were performed to correct spinal deformity individually. The visual analogue scale (VAS), Oswestry disability index (ODI), sagittal vertical axis (SVA), ASIA spinal cord functional classification and motor function score, and deformity correction rate were measured and statistically analyzed before, after and at the final follow-up. RESULTS: Total of 33 patients were followed up from 15 to 96 months with an average of (38.00±6.38) months. The last follow-up of kyphosis Cobb angle (23.88±5.45)° showed no significant loss from postoperative 12 months (20.40±9.13)°, P>0.05. The SVA, VAS, ODI and ASIA spinal cord functional classification and motor function score were significantly improved at 1 year and last follow-up after operation(P<0.01). The fusion time of the osteotomy site was (18.50±5.16) months. The ASIA classification of 15 patients with spinal cord injury were improved by at least 2 grades after operation, and their daily life and work ability were various levels of restored. Postoperative complications of spinal cord injury occurred in 3 cases. CONCLUSION Posterior three-columns osteotomy is the most effective method for the treatment of angular kyphosis of spinal tuberculosis.Careful preoperative design and individualized osteotomy can not only correct the deformity, but also a successful decompression to the spinal cord and promote the recovery of spinal cord function.
Humans ; Male ; Female ; Osteotomy/methods* ; Kyphosis/surgery* ; Adult ; Adolescent ; Middle Aged ; Young Adult ; Tuberculosis, Spinal/complications* ; Treatment Outcome

Objective: To observe the effects of the tofacitinib on interstitial lung disease( ILD) by regulating the JAK⁃STAT signaling pathway. Methods: Wistar rats were randomly divided into 4 groups:normal group , ILD group ,prednisone acetate group , and tofacitinib group. Except for the normal group , the other three groups were given 3mg/ml bleomycin solution for modeling. After 28 days of intragastric administration , the lung tissues of all rats were collected for hematoxylin⁃eosin staining ( HE) and Western blot ( WB) to detect the protein levels of JAK1 and STAT1;Enzyme⁃linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) was used to detect tumor necrosis factor in rat serum (TNF) Ⅳ α , interleukin (IL) Ⅳ6 , IL⁃10 , IL⁃1β . Results : HE staining of lung tissue in ILD ,prednisone acetate group and tofacitinib group showed alveolar tissue thickening , alveolar wall capillary congestion , bronchial luminal epithelial cells shedding, and inflammatory cell exudation. The results of WB showed that JAK1 and STAT1 significantly increased in ILD group , and decreased in different degrees compared with ILD group , tofacitinib group and prednisone acetate group (P < 0. 05) . The ELISA results showed that the expressions of serum TNF⁃α , IL⁃6 and IL⁃1β in the ILD group were significantly higher than those in the normal group (P < 0. 01) . The expression of pine group decreased (P < 0. 05) , and the expression of IL⁃10 was the opposite. Conclusion Tofacitinib reduces lung tissue damage and the inflammatory response in the treatment of ILD by inhibiting the JAK⁃STAT pathway and down⁃regulating the expression of inflammatory factors TNF⁃α , IL⁃6 , IL⁃1β and up⁃regulating the anti⁃inflammatory factor IL⁃10.

Objective:To retrospectively analyze the correlation between blood lipoprotein levels and the risk of osteoporosis (OP) development in postmenopausal patients with RA and its influencing factors.Methods:Patients hospitalized with a definite diagnosis of RA from July 2017 to May 2020 were retrospectively collected and analyzed by bone mineral density (BMD) in subgroups, using correlation analysis, di-chotomous Logistic regression to quantify independent associations between laboratory test results and out-comes, and restrictive cubic spline (RCS) to fit the relationship of OP risk occurrence.Results:Six hundred and sixty-six eligible RA patients were included according to inclusion criteria, including 253 RA-OP and 413 RA-non-OP patients. After exclusion of relevant influencing factors by comparing demographic characteristics, a significant correlation was found between blood HDL-C ( r=-0.11, P=0.006) LDL-C ( r=0.12, P=0.003) levels and RA-OP( P<0.05), and dichotomous Logistic regression showed that as BMI ( OR(95% CI)=0.81(0.77, 0.86), P<0.001], calcium [ OR(95% CI)=0.24(0.10, 0.63), P<0.001], HDL-C[ OR(95% CI)=0.38(0.22, 0.66), P<0.001] increased, the risk of developing OP in RA patients decreased. In contrast, the risk of developing OP increased with increasing age [ OR(95% CI)=1.10(1.07, 1.21), P<0.001), disease duration [ OR(95% CI)=1.00(1.00, 1.00), P=0.020], and LDL-C[ OR(95% CI)=1.71(1.38, 2.12), P<0.001]. Conclusion:Blood HDL-C and LDL-C levels are significantly correlated with the development of RA-OP, and can be used as predictors of OP development and good indicators for disease monitoring in RA patients.

Objective:To analyze the relationship between arch index and foot kinematic parameters and their characteristics in stress fracture of lower extremity.Methods:A case-control study was performed for 108 recruits selected from a certain army unit in 2019. Before training, the recruits′ foot print images were collected by the capacitive plantar pressure measurement system to calculate their arch indices. The kinematic characteristics of the foot were analyzed by the dynamic gait posture analysis system. Spearman rank correlation analysis between arch index and foot kinematic parameters including landing elevation angle, toe-off angle, landing speed, landing varus angle, valgus amplitude and landing valgus speed were performed. Throughout the training, orthopedic physicians followed up the recruits, among whom 10 were excluded due to other types of lower extremity injuries. The arch index and foot kinematic characteristics were analyzed and compared between the remained recruits with stress fracture of lower extremity (fracture group, n=10) and those without lower extremity injury (control group, n=79). Results:(1) For the recruits, the arch index was 0.21(0.12,0.25), with landing elevation angle for (17.31±4.02)°, toe-off angle for (63.90±5.63)°, landing speed for (176.85±24.39)°/s, landing varus angle for (13.64±4.44)°, valgus amplitude for (12.16±3.42)°, and landing valgus speed for 382.50(311.05,474.80)°/s. (2) The landing varus angle ( r=0.25, P<0.01) and valgus amplitude ( r=0.14, P<0.05) were positively related to the arch index. (3) The arch index, toe-off angle and landing valgus speed were 0.20(0.07,0.24), (61.59±5.51)° and 336.00(251.02,428.67)°/s in fracture group, significantly lower than 0.23(0.17,0.26), (64.79±4.79)° and 381.20(313.63,470.92)°/s in control group ( P<0.05 or 0.01). There were no significant differences in the landing elevation angle, landing speed, landing varus angle and valgus amplitude between the two groups (all P>0.05). Conclusions:The change of the arch index can affect the landing varus angle and valgus amplitude of the foot. Recruits who suffer from stress fracture of lower extremity have the characteristics of higher arch, lower toe-off angle and lower landing valgus speed.

Studies have explored the assisted reproductive technology (ART) outcomes of Y-chromosome azoospermia factor c (AZFc) microdeletions, but the effect of sperm source on intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) remains unknown. To determine the ART results of ICSI using testicular sperm and ejaculated sperm from males with AZFc microdeletions, we searched Embase, Web of Science, and PubMed to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis. The first meta-analysis results for 106 cycles in five studies showed no significant differences in the live birth rate between the testicular sperm group and the ejaculated sperm group (risk ratio: 0.97, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.73-1.28, P = 0.82). The second meta-analysis of 106 cycles in five studies showed no difference in the abortion rate between the testicular sperm group and ejaculated sperm group (risk ratio: 1.06, 95% CI: 0.54-2.06, P = 0.87). The third meta-analysis of 386 cycles in seven studies showed no significant difference in clinical pregnancy rates between the testicular sperm group and the ejaculated sperm group (risk ratio: 1.24, 95% CI: 0.66-2.34, P = 0.50). Inevitable heterogeneity weakened our results. However, our results indicated that testicular sperm and ejaculated sperm yield similar ART outcomes, representing a meaningful result for clinical treatment. More properly designed studies are needed to further confirm our conclusions.

OBJECTIVE: To explore biomechanical characteristics of minimally invasive different screw fixations in treating Sanders typeⅡcalcaneal fractures. METHODS: Dicom data of calcaneus by CT scan were input into Mimics 21.0 software and Ansys15.0 software to construct three-dimensional finite element digital model of calcaneus;this model was input into UG NX 10.0 software, and calcaneus was cut according to Sanders classification to establish Sanders typeⅡ calcaneus model with posterior articular surface collapse;then simulated minimally invasive screw internal fixation after calcaneal fracture:a screw from posterior articular surface was used to outside-in fix sustentaculum tali, other 4 screws were used to fix calcaneus by different methods through calcaneal tuberosity, and 4 different calcaneal models were obtained. Under the same conditions, 4 types of internal fixation models were loaded respectively, and nonlinear finite element analysis was performed to calculate the stress distribution of different internal fixation models. RESULTS: Under the same condition of loading, the model 3 had smaller displacement value, maximum calcaneus displacement value and maximum equivalent stress value of the screw than other three internal fixation models, and the stress was more dispersed. CONCLUSION In minimally invasive screw internal fixation of calcaneus fracture, after 1 sustentaculum tali screw fixation, 2 screws crossed fix posterior articular surface from calcaneal tuberosity, 2 screws fix parallelly calcaneocuboid joint from calcaneal tuberosity are more suitable for biomechanical requirements, and could provide basic theory for clinical treatment.
Bone Screws ; Calcaneus/surgery* ; Finite Element Analysis ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; Fractures, Bone/surgery* ; Humans ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVE: To study the clinical features of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in children aged <18 years. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed from the medical data of 23 children, aged from 3 months to 17 years and 8 months, who were diagnosed with COVID-19 in Jiangxi, China from January 21 to February 29, 2020. RESULTS: Of the 23 children with COVID-19, 17 had family aggregation. Three children (13%) had asymptomatic infection, 6 (26%) had mild type, and 14 (61%) had common type. Among these 23 children, 16 (70%) had fever, 11 (48%) had cough, 8 (35%) had fever and cough, and 8 (35%) had wet rales in the lungs. The period from disease onset or the first nucleic acid-positive detection of SARS-CoV-2 to the virus nucleic acid negative conversion was 6-24 days (median 12 days). Of the 23 children, 3 had a reduction in total leukocyte count, 2 had a reduction in lymphocytes, 2 had an increase in C-reactive protein, and 2 had an increase in D-dimer. Abnormal pulmonary CT findings were observed in 12 children, among whom 9 had patchy ground-glass opacities in both lungs. All 23 children received antiviral therapy and were recovered. CONCLUSIONS COVID-19 in children aged <18 years often occurs with family aggregation, with no specific clinical manifestation and laboratory examination results. Most of these children have mild symptoms and a good prognosis. Epidemiological history is of particular importance in the diagnosis of COVID-19 in children aged <18 years.
Adolescent ; Betacoronavirus ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; China ; Coronavirus Infections ; Humans ; Infant ; Pandemics ; Pneumonia, Viral ; Retrospective Studies