Aim To investigate the mechanism by which formononetin (FN) inhibits mitochondrial dynamic-related protein 1 (DRP1) -NLRP3 axis via intervening the generation of ROS to reduce allergic airway inflammation. Methods In order to establish allergic asthma mouse model, 50 BALB/c mice aged 8 weeks were divided into the control group, model group, FN treatment group and dexamethasone group after ovalbumin (OVA) induction. Airway inflammation and collagen deposition were detected by HampE and Masson staining. Th2 cytokines and superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), malondialdehyde (MDA), and IgE levels in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were measured by ELISA, ROS in BEAS-2B cells was assessed by DCFH-DA staining, DRP1 expression in lung tissue and BEAS-2B cells was detected by immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence, and the DRP1-NLRP3 pathway was analyzed by immunoblotting. Results FN treatment could effectively ameliorate the symptoms of asthmatic mouse model, including reducing eosinophil accumulation, airway collagen deposition, decreasing Th2 cytokine and IgE levels, reducing ROS and MDA production, increasing SOD and CAT activities, and regulating DRP1-NLRP3 pathway-related protein expression, thereby relieving inflammation. Conclusion FN ameliorates airway inflammation in asthma by regulating DRP1-NLRP3 pathway.

Objective To observe the effect of berberine on the proliferation and activation of hepatic stellate cells induced by transforming growth factor β1(TGF-β1)via regulating Hedgehog signaling pathway.Methods HSC-T6 cells were cultured and divided into blank group,TGF-β1 group,berberine low-,medium-and high-dose groups,berberine high-dose+purmorphamine(Hedgehog signaling pathway activator)group.After treatment,the proliferation of HSC-T6 cells was detected by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium(MTT)assay.The apoptosis of HSC-T6 cells was detected by flow cytometry.The expressions of collagen I and α-smooth muscle actin(α-SMA)were detected by immunofluorescence staining.The mRNA expression levels of proliferating cell nuclear antigen(PCNA),Bcl-2 and Bcl-2 associated X protein(Bax)were detected by real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction(qRT-PCR).The protein expression levels of Hedgehog signaling pathway related factors Smo,Gli-1,Shh and Ptch were detected by Western Blot.Results Compared with the blank group,the proliferation rate of HSC-T6 cells,the positive protein expressions of Collagen Ⅰ and α-SMA,the mRNA expression levels of PCNA and Bcl-2,and the protein expression levels of Smo,Gli-1,Shh and Ptch in the TGF-β1 group were significantly increased,while the apoptosis rate and the mRNA expression level of Bax were significantly decreased(all P＜0.05).Compared with TGF-β1 group,the proliferation rate of HSC-T6 cells,the expression of Collagen I and α-SMA positive protein,the mRNA expression levels of PCNA and Bcl-2,and the protein expression levels of Smo,Gli-1,Shh and Ptch in berberine low-,medium-and high-dose groups were significantly decreased,while the apoptosis rate and the mRNA expression level of Bax were significantly increased(P＜0.05)in a dose-dependent manner.Compared with the high-dose berberine group,the proliferation rate of HSC-T6 cells,the positive proteins expression of Collagen Ⅰ and α-SMA,the mRNA expression levels of PCNA and Bcl-2,and the protein expression levels of Smo,Gli-1,Shh and Ptch in the high-dose berberine+purmorphamine group were significantly increased,while the apoptosis rate and the mRNA expression level of Bax were significantly decreased(all P＜0.05).Conclusion Berberine promotes TGF-β1-induced apoptosis of hepatic stellate cells and inhibits their proliferation and activation by regulating Hedgehog signaling pathway.

Humans ; Lymphohistiocytosis, Hemophagocytic/complications* ; Neoplasms

OBJECTIVE: To study the application of different puncture techniques to inject bone cement in osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures (OVCFs). METHODS: The clinical data of 282 patients with OVCFs treated from January 2017 to December 2019 were collected for a retrospective study. According to the surgical plan the patients were divided into group A and B, with 141 cases in each group. In group A, extreme lateral puncture was used to inject bone cement through unilateral puncture and bilateral puncture. In group B, bone cement was injected through unilateral pedicle puncture through pedicle approach. The operation status(operation time, radiation exposure time, bone cement injection volume, hospital stay) and complications were observed between two groups. Before operation and 6, 12 months after operation, the pain mediators such as serotonin 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), prostaglandin E2(PGE2), substance P(SP) were compared, bone mineral density, anatomical parameters of the injured vertebrae (height of the anterior edge of the vertebral body, height of the posterior edge of the vertebral body, Cobb angle), visual analogue scale (VAS) and Oswestry disability index (ODI) were evaluated between two groups. RESULTS: There were no significant difference in operation time, radiation exposure time, hospital stay between two groups (P>0.05). The amount of bone cement injected in group A was greater than that in group B (P<0.05). The serum 5-HT, SP and PGE2 levels of group A were lower than those of group B at 12 months after operation (P<0.05). The height of anterior edge and height of the posterior edge of vertebral body in group A were greater than those of group B at 12 months after operation, Cobb angle of group A was smaller than that of group B, VAS and ODI were lower than those of group B(P<0.05). There was no significant difference in bone mineral density between two groups at 6 and 12 months postoperatively(P<0.05). There was no significant difference between two groups in postoperative complications (P>0.05). CONCLUSION Compared with unilateral puncture of the pedicle approach, unilateral puncture and bilateral cement injection technique is more conducive to the recovery of the injured vertebral anatomy and function, and do not prolong operation time, radiation exposure time, hospital stay, nor do increase the risk of nerve damage and bone cement leakage, and postoperative bone metabolism and bone mineral density are improved well, which is a safe and reliable surgical method for the treatment of OVCFs.
Humans ; Spinal Fractures/surgery* ; Fractures, Compression/surgery* ; Bone Cements ; Vertebroplasty/methods* ; Retrospective Studies ; Dinoprostone ; Serotonin ; Treatment Outcome ; Osteoporotic Fractures/surgery* ; Kyphoplasty ; Punctures

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the clinical treatment outcomes and the changes of the outcomes over time in extremely preterm twins in Guangdong Province, China. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed for 269 pairs of extremely preterm twins with a gestational age of <28 weeks who were admitted to the department of neonatology in 26 grade A tertiary hospitals in Guangdong Province from January 2008 to December 2017. According to the admission time, they were divided into two groups: 2008-2012 and 2013-2017. Besides, each pair of twins was divided into the heavier infant and the lighter infant subgroups according to birth weight. The perinatal data of mothers and hospitalization data of neonates were collected. The survival rate of twins and the incidence rate of complications were compared between the 2008-2012 and 2013-2017 groups. RESULTS: Compared with the 2008-2012 group, the 2013-2017 group (both the heavier infant and lighter infant subgroups) had lower incidence rates of severe asphyxia and smaller head circumference at birth (P<0.05). The mortality rates of both of the twins, the heavier infant of the twins, and the lighter infant of the twins were lower in the 2013-2017 group compared with the 2008-2012 group (P<0.05). Compared with the 2008-2012 group, the 2013-2017 group (both the heavier infant and lighter infant subgroups) had lower incidence rates of pulmonary hemorrhage, patent ductus arteriosus (PDA), periventricular-intraventricular hemorrhage (P-IVH), and neonatal respiratory distress syndrome (NRDS) and a higher incidence rate of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS There is a significant increase in the survival rate over time in extremely preterm twins with a gestational age of <28 weeks in the 26 grade A tertiary hospitals in Guangdong Province. The incidences of severe asphyxia, pulmonary hemorrhage, PDA, P-IVH, and NRDS decrease in both the heavier and lighter infants of the twins, but the incidence of bronchopulmonary dysplasia increases. With the improvement of diagnosis and treatment, the multidisciplinary collaboration between different fields of fetal medicine including prenatal diagnosis, obstetrics, and neonatology is needed in the future to jointly develop management strategies for twin pregnancy.
Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia/epidemiology* ; Female ; Gestational Age ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Extremely Premature ; Infant, Newborn ; Pregnancy ; Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Newborn/epidemiology* ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome

Objective:To determine the epidemiological characteristics and incidence trends of sexually transmitted diseases （STD） in Mengla County of Yunnan Province， and provide evidence for future prevention and control of STD. Methods:STD case information from 2005 to 2017 was extracted from the National Notifiable Infectious Disease Report Information System. Data were collected by year and disease type，and the incidence rate， epidemic characteristics and suspicious contact history of STD were statistically analyzed. Results:A total of 1 251 STD cases were reported in Mengla county from 2005 to 2017， including 490 gonorrhea， 483 syphilis， 216 condyloma acuminatum， 16 genital chlamydial infection and 46 genital herpes. The average annual incidence of STD was 35.57/100 000. The majority of STD cases were 20-29 years old （n=541，43.25%）， married （n=603，48.20%）， Han people （n=638，50.10%）， with education of middle school （n=536，42.85%）， and occupation of farmers （n=702， 56.12%）. The 42.61% of STD cases had non-marital sexual contact history， in which the proportion was significantly higher among male （55.05%） than female （28.98%）. In addition， the proportion of non-marital sex among STD cases increased gradually by year and significantly differed. Conclusion:The epidemic status of STD in Mengla county is relatively low. However， STD incidence increased gradually by year， which warrants more and specific measures on the STD control and prevention.