Objective: To investigate the mechanism of action of Prim-O-glucosylcimifugin (POG) to improve cholesterol metabolism in osteoarthritic (OA) chondrocytes based on the long noncoding RNA nuclear-enriched transcript 1 (lncRNA NEAT1)/microRNA-128-3p (miR-128-3p) pathway. Methods: For in vivo experiments, 60 mice were divided into the normal, sham operation, model, and POG groups using the random number table method, with 15 mice per group. The osteoarthritis mouse model was constructed using the modified Hulth method in the model and POG groups. Mice in the POG group were administered 30 mg/(kg·d)POG by gavage. The other groups were administered an equal amount of normal saline for 8 weeks. The cartilage tissue structure of mice in each group was observed using hematoxylin and eosin staining. Real-time PCR was used to detect changes in the lncRNA NEAT1 and miR-128-3p mRNA expression levels in the cartilage tissues of mice. Western blotting was used to detect the protein expressions of ATP-binding cassette transporter A1 (ABCA1), liver X receptor β (LXRβ), matrix metalloprotein-3 (MMP-3), and B-lymphoblastoma-2-associated X protein (Bax) in articular cartilage of mice. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to measure the tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) content in the synovial fluid of mice. A biochemical microplate assay was used to measure the total cholesterol level in the synovial fluid of mice. The in vitro experiments were divided into the negative control, interleukin-1β(IL-1β), IL-1β+ POG, IL-1β+ oe-lncRNA NEAT1, IL-1β+ oe-lncRNA NEAT1 + POG, IL-1β + miR-128-3p inhibition, and IL-1β+ miR-128-3p inhibition+ POG groups. An OA model was established by inducing chondrocytes with IL-1β for 24 h, and 90 mg/L of POG and miR-128-3p inhibitor(50 nmol/L) were administered for 48 h as an intervention. lncRNA NEAT1 expression in chondrocytes was detected using fluorescence in situ hybridization. A dual luciferase assay was used to detect the targeting relationship between lncRNA NEAT1 and miR-128-3p. Lentiviral plasmids overexpressing lncRNA NEAT1 were used to transfect mouse chondrocytes. Real-time PCR was used to detect the effect of lncRNA NEAT1 overexpression on the mRNA level of miR-128-3p in chondrocytes. Western blotting was used to detect ABCA1, LXRβ, MMP-3, and Bax protein expression in chondrocytes after lncRNA NEAT1 overexpression and miR-128-3p inhibition. Results: POG significantly reduced OA cartilage tissue damage. Compared with the model group, the lncRNA NEAT1 mRNA level decreased, whereas the miR-128-3p mRNA level increased in the cartilage tissue of the POG group (P<0.05). Compared with the model group, ABCA1 and LXRβ protein expression increased in the POG group, whereas MMP-3 and Bax protein expression decreased (P<0.05). The TNF-α levels decreased in the POG group compared to the model group (P<0.05). Compared with the model group, the total cholesterol level in the synovial fluid of the joint of mice in the POG group decreased (P<0.05). The mean fluorescence intensity of lncRNA NEAT1 in the IL-1β+ POG group decreased compared with the IL-1β group (P<0.05). The relative luciferase activity in the miR-128-3p mimics group bound to the lncRNA NEAT1-WT plasmid decreased compared with the miR-128-3p negative control group (P<0.05). The lncRNA NEAT1 mRNA levels decreased, whereas the miR-128-3p mRNA levels increased in the IL-1β+ oe-lncRNA NEAT1 + POG group compared with the IL-1β+ oe-lncRNA NEAT1 group (P<0.05). Compared with the IL-1β+ POG group, ABCA1 and LXRβ protein expression decreased, whereas MMP-3 and Bax protein expression increased (P<0.05). Conclusion POG mediates lncRNA NEAT1/miR-128-3p to improve cholesterol metabolism in OA chondrocytes.

Objective To establish a genetic monitoring method for laboratory quails.Methods Quail microsatellite loci were searched in the literature,and microsatellite DNA loci suitable for quails were screened by an interspecific transfer method in closely related species,namely chickens and ducks.Quail liver DNA was extracted as a template,and the corresponding loci were screened by PCR amplification and agarose gel electrophoresis.On the basis of amplification of the selected microsatellite loci,the number of alleles,polymorphisms,and microsatellite loci combinations for quail genetic quality detection were selected and detection method were developed.Results We preliminary determined 23 microsatellite loci for genetic monitoring of closed-colony laboratory quails.Conclusions A genetic monitoring method for laboratory quails was preliminary developed.

Objective To investigate the mechanism by which Tougu Xiaotong Capsule(TGXTC)alleviates chondrocyte degeneration in knee osteoarthritis(KOA).Methods Thirty 2-month-old C57BL/6 mouse models of KOA established using the Hulth method were randomized into model group,TGXTC group,and diclofenac sodium group and received treatment with saline,TGXTC(368 mg/kg),and diclofenac sodium(10 mg/kg)by gavage,respectively,with another 10 untreated mice as the blank control group.All interventions were administered 6 times a week for 4 weeks.After the treatments,structural changes in the cartilage tissue were observed with morphological staining,and Nav1.7 mRNA expression and the protein expression levels of Nav1.7,MMP-3,ADAMTS-5,and COX-2 were detected using RT-qPCR and Western blotting.Fluorescence in situ hybridization(FISH)was used to detect Nav1.7 expression in the chondrocytes.In cultured KOA chondrocytes,the effect of TGXTC and lentivirus-mediated Nav1.7 knockdown on MMP-3,MMP-13,ADAMTS-4,ADAMTS-5,and COX-2 protein expressions were assessed with Western blotting.Results In KOA mice treatments with TGXTC and diclofenac sodium both significantly alleviated structural damage of the cartilage layer,reduced Nav1.7 protein and mRNA expressions and lowered the expressions of MMP-3,ADAMTS-5,and COX-2 proteins in the cartilage tissues.FISH results indicated that TGXTC treatment significantly reduced IL-1β-induced Nav1.7 expression in the chondrocytes.In Nav1.7 knockdown experiment,Nav1.7 levels were significantly lower in IL-1β+sh-Nav1.7 group than in IL-1β group,and also lower in IL-1β+TGXTC group than in IL-1β+sh-Nav1.7+TGXTC group.TGXTC treatment significantly inhibited IL-1β-induced elevation of MMP-3,MMP-13,ADAMTS-4,ADAMTS-5 and COX-2 protein expressions in the chondrocytes,but its effects were strongly weakened by Nav1.7 knockdown.Conclusion TGXTC alleviates extracellular matrix metabolic disorder in KOA chondrocytes by regulating Nav1.7,thereby mitigating chondrocyte degeneration in KOA mice.

Objective To investigate the mechanism by which Tougu Xiaotong Capsule(TGXTC)alleviates chondrocyte degeneration in knee osteoarthritis(KOA).Methods Thirty 2-month-old C57BL/6 mouse models of KOA established using the Hulth method were randomized into model group,TGXTC group,and diclofenac sodium group and received treatment with saline,TGXTC(368 mg/kg),and diclofenac sodium(10 mg/kg)by gavage,respectively,with another 10 untreated mice as the blank control group.All interventions were administered 6 times a week for 4 weeks.After the treatments,structural changes in the cartilage tissue were observed with morphological staining,and Nav1.7 mRNA expression and the protein expression levels of Nav1.7,MMP-3,ADAMTS-5,and COX-2 were detected using RT-qPCR and Western blotting.Fluorescence in situ hybridization(FISH)was used to detect Nav1.7 expression in the chondrocytes.In cultured KOA chondrocytes,the effect of TGXTC and lentivirus-mediated Nav1.7 knockdown on MMP-3,MMP-13,ADAMTS-4,ADAMTS-5,and COX-2 protein expressions were assessed with Western blotting.Results In KOA mice treatments with TGXTC and diclofenac sodium both significantly alleviated structural damage of the cartilage layer,reduced Nav1.7 protein and mRNA expressions and lowered the expressions of MMP-3,ADAMTS-5,and COX-2 proteins in the cartilage tissues.FISH results indicated that TGXTC treatment significantly reduced IL-1β-induced Nav1.7 expression in the chondrocytes.In Nav1.7 knockdown experiment,Nav1.7 levels were significantly lower in IL-1β+sh-Nav1.7 group than in IL-1β group,and also lower in IL-1β+TGXTC group than in IL-1β+sh-Nav1.7+TGXTC group.TGXTC treatment significantly inhibited IL-1β-induced elevation of MMP-3,MMP-13,ADAMTS-4,ADAMTS-5 and COX-2 protein expressions in the chondrocytes,but its effects were strongly weakened by Nav1.7 knockdown.Conclusion TGXTC alleviates extracellular matrix metabolic disorder in KOA chondrocytes by regulating Nav1.7,thereby mitigating chondrocyte degeneration in KOA mice.

Intestinal flora can mediate intestinal inflammation to the joint site through the"gut-joint axis",activate local or systemic immune response,and cause joint inflammation and injury.Traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)has unique advantages in the treatment of autoimmune diseases.Recent studies have shown that the interaction between TCM and intestinal flora in the mucosal immune system is closely related to the occurrence and development of autoimmune diseases.Therefore,the possible therapeutic mechanism of the interaction of TCM and intestinal flora in autoimmune arthritis is discussed in this paper,with the view of"gut-joint axis",in order to bring new ideas for clinical prevention and treatment.

Gastric cancer with hemorrhage and cerebral infarction is a serious complica-tion with poor prognosis in clinic. Although the incidence rate is extremely low, the fatality and disability rates are very high. In addition, the opposition in treatment between the two complica-tions increases the difficulty of clinical diagnosis and treatment. The authors report the diagnosis and treatment of a gastric cancer patient with hemorrhage and new cerebral infarction, in order to to provide reference for related treatments.

Objective To investigate the effect of improving immunity in the treatment of chronic brucellosis,and to analyze and evaluate its clinical curative effect.Methods A patient with chronic brucellosis was treated with Mongolian medicine combined with chemical drugs to enhance immunity.The clinical symptoms,serological antibodies,Brucella DNA and immune function were compared before and after treatment.The specific antibody against Brucella in serum was detected by tube agglutination test (SAT) and tiger red plate agglutination test (RBPT).Brucella DNA in serum and blood cells was detected by PCR,and the peripheral blood lymphocyte subsets were detected by flow cytometry.Immuno-luminescence technique was used to detect serum immunoglobulin and complement components.Results After treatment,the clinical symptoms such as cold back,fatigue,and joint pain disappeared completely,and the results of serum specific antibodies against Brucella were SAT 1 ∶ 50 (++)and RBPT (+) with no changes before and after treatment,and the results of cells and serum were both negative after treatment though the results of DNA detection of Brucella were cell positive and seronegative before treatment.The results of immunological function test showed that γδT cells decreased to 9.50％ after treatment compared to 14.00％ before treatment,and the percentage of monocytes and Treg cells were 5.59％ and 7.33％ after treatment,which were higher than 3.35％ and 4.72％ of before treatment,and the level of complement C3 was 0.79 g/L before treatment and 0.91 g/L after treatment that was returned to normal reference range (0.88 ～ 2.01 g/L).Conclusion The patients with chronic brucellosis can improve their clinical treatment by improving immunity.

This article systematically reviewed the clinical research of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) combined with Vacuum Sealing Drainage (VSD) in the treatment of refractory wounds. The results showed that TCM combined with VSD for refractory wounds was characterized by abundent treatment and effectiveness. Treatments such as oral administration of TCM decoction, injection and lavage administration of TCM decoction, and external application of TCM ointment can reduce the level of inflammation in the wound, improve local microcirculation, promote granulation tissue growth and wound healing, and improve clinical efficacy. This paper summarized the clinical researches on the treatment of refractory wounds by TCM and VSD, and provide a useful reference for clinical treatment of refractory wounds.

Objective To investigate the clinical efficacy of low-frequency transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) on post-stroke upper limb spasticity and its mechanism. Methods From September, 2015 to December, 2017, 23 patients with post-stroke upper limb paralysis were randomly divided into control group (n=13) and experimental group (n=10). Both groups received routine rehabilitation, and the experimental group received 1 Hz rTMS at primary motor area (M1) for eight weeks. They were assessed with modified Ashworth Scale (MAS), modified Barthel Index (MBI) and Fugl-Meyer Assessment-Upper Extremities (FMA-UE) before and after treatment, while the activation under fMRI in the task state was observed and the laterality index (LI) was calculated. Results The scores of MAS, FMA-UE and MBI improved after treatment in both groups (Z>2.121, t=6.248, P<0.05), and improved more in the experimental group than in the control group (Z>2.084, t=-2.095, P<0.05). The ipsilateral M1, ipsilateral sensory motor cortex and bilateral supplementary motor area were activated more in the control group than in the experimental group during the movement of affected hand. LI in the M1 increased after treatment in both groups (Z>2.366, P<0.05), and was more in the experimental group than in the control group (Z=-2.430, P<0.05). There was a positive correlation between the change of LI in the M1 and the improvement of the MAS and FMA-UE (r>0.612, P<0.05). Conclusion Low-frequency rTMS may improve the motor function and spasticity of upper limb after stroke by promoting reorganization of the cortex and inducing normalization of cortical function.

Objective To analyze the genetic quality of 24 domestic inbred strains mice using microsatellite loci panel.Methods Previously selected 30 microsatellite loci of mouse with high polymorphism and more allele numbers were used to synthesize corresponding fluorescently-labeled primers.Then the genomic DNA samples of each mouse were amplified by PCR and the products were analyzed by STR scanning to genotype the inbred strains of mice.Results Out of the 24 inbred strains, 15 inbred strains showed the same genotype within one strain at 30 loci.Among different strains, microsatellite loci indicated polymorphism which could be used to distinguish different strains.However, the rest 9 strains demonstrated polymorphism within strains.Conclusions Our stuoly provides a useful microsatellite panel to detect genetic quality of inbred mice and distinguish different strains with the optimized microsatellite loci.