OBJECTIVE To investigate the effects of galangin （GLA） on autophagy and apoptosis of chondrocytes in knee osteoarthritis （KOA） rats by regulating the adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase （AMPK）/mammalian target of rapamycin （mTOR）/UNC-51-like kinase 1 （ULK1） signaling pathway. METHODS KOA rat model was constructed and separated into model group， L-GLA， M-GLA， H-GLA groups [subcutaneous injection of 100， 200， 400 μg/kg GLA]， GLA+Compound C group [subcutaneous injection of 400 μg/kg GLA+0.2 mg/kg AMPK inhibitor Compound C]， with 10 rats in each group. Additionally， 10 normally fed rats were selected as the sham operation group. After the last medication， the degree of knee joint swelling of rats in each group was detected； the pathology of knee joints in KOA rats was observed. The serum expressions of matrix metalloproteinase 13 （MMP-13） and interleukin-1β （IL-1β） in KOA rats were detected； the autophagy of chondrocytes in KOA rats was observed； the chondrocyte apoptosis in KOA rats was detected； the phosphorylation of AMPK/mTOR/ULK1 pathway-related proteins in cartilage tissue of knee joint were detected in rats. RESULTS Compared with the sham operation group， the arrangement of articular chondrocytes in the model group was disordered， with nuclear pyknosis and severe fibrosis of the articular cartilage layer， accompanied by a large amount of inflammatory cell infiltration； the degree of joint swelling， the number of autophagic vacuoles and apoptosis rate of chondrocytes， serum levels of MMP-13 and IL-1β， and the phosphorylation of mTOR protein in cartilage tissue of knee joint were all increased significantly （P＜0.05）， while the phosphorylation of AMPK and ULK1 protein were all decreased significantly in cartilage tissue of knee joint （P＜0.05）. Compared with the model group， L- GLA， M-GLA， H-GLA groups showed significant improvement in joint cartilage injury and reduced infiltration of inflammatory cells in rats. The above quantitative indicators were significantly reversed in a dose-dependent manner，except the number of autophagic vacuoles increased significantly （P＜0.05）. Compared with the H-GLA group， the GLA+ Compound C group showed aggravated cartilage tissue of joint cartilage injury and inflammatory cell infiltration in rats， and the above quantitative indicators were reversed significantly （P＜0.05）. CONCLUSIONS GLA can promote autophagy and inhibit apoptosis of chondrocytes in KOA rats， the mechanism of which may be associated with activating AMPK/mTOR/ULK1 signaling pathway.

With the rapid development and expansion of the scale of the industry of Chinese materia medica,a large number of by-products in the process industrialization of Chinese materia medica have been produced,among which,the solid by-products of Chinese materia medica have been favoured by researchers due to the fact that they are rich in a large number of proteins,cellulose,hemicellulose,lignin,etc.,which can be used in the preparation of high value-added products.Therefore,the authors elaborated on the research on biochemical conversion,thermochemical conversion,resource oriented chemical components,preparation of biomass fuel,new composite materials and high-efficiency adsorbent of solid by-products in the process of industrialization of Chinese materia medica in recent years,aiming to provide theoretical basis for the comprehensive and high-value utilization of the solid by-products of Chinese materia medica and extension of the industrial chain.

Objective:To explore the mechanism of Jianpi Qingchang Decoction in the treatment of UC by integrating network pharmacology, bioinformatics, molecular docking and experimental verification.Methods:The effective components and targets of Jianpi Qingchang Decoction were obtained from TCMSP database, and UC data sets GSE16879, GSE48958 and GSE75214 were obtained from GEO database, and differentially expressed genes were screened; intersection targets were obtained through Venn diagram, and GO function and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis was performed. An intersection target PPI network was constructed using STRING database and topology analysis was performed; hub genes were screened through lasso regression and the expression consistency of core targets in the dataset was verified through logistic regression. A UC mouse model was established and hub genes were validated.Results:A total of 213 drug targets of Jianpi Qingchang Decoction were obtained, and 499 common intersection targets of GSE16879, GSE48958 and GSE75214 were obtained by differential gene expression analysis. Thirty intersection targets of Jianpi Qingchang Decoction and UC were obtained, mainly acting on IL-17 signaling pathway, TNF signaling pathway, AGE-RAGE signaling pathway in diabetic complications, etc. PPI network topology analysis obtained 7 common intersection targets, including PTGS2, IL-1B, IL-6, MMP9, CXCL8, CCL2 and MMP2. IL-6 and MMP2 were selected as hub genes by lasso regression. Logistics regression analysis showed that IL-6 and MMP2 were risk factors for the disease. Compared with the model group, the expressions of IL-6 and MMP2 mRNA and protein in the colon tissue of the TCM group decreased ( P<0.05), and the morphology of colon tissue was improved compared with the model group. Conclusion:IL-6 and MMP2 are risk factors for UC, the therapeutic effect of Jianpi Qingchang Decoction is to mediate Il-17 signal pathway, TNF signal pathway and AGE-RAGE signal pathway in diabetic complications through the targets of IL-6, and MMP2, thereby treating UC.

Recurrent spontaneous abortion(RSA)is one of the most common complications in early pregnancy,affecting about 2%～5%of women of childbearing age,and its incidence is increasing year by year,which not only affects women's physical and mental health,but also causes a heavy economic burden to the society and the family.Mesenchymal stem cells(MSCs)are a class of non-hematopoietic adult multipotent stem cells derived from mesodermal mesenchymal cells of a variety of tissues.They have the characteristics of multi-directional differentiation and self-renewal,and can improve the fertility outcome of RSA patients,which has become a research hotspot in recent years.Therefore,this paper explores the roles and mechanisms of MSCs from different sources in improving pregnancy outcomes in RSA patients,and analyzes their research status and existing problems.

Excessive N-acetyl-p-benzoquinone imine(NAPQI)formation is a starting event that triggers oxidative stress and subsequent hepatocyte necrosis in acetaminophen(APAP)overdose caused acute liver failure(ALF).S-glutathionylation is a reversible redox post-translational modification and a prospective mechanism of APAP hepatotoxicity.Glutaredoxin-1(Glrx1),a glutathione-specific thioltransferase,is a primary enzyme to catalyze deglutathionylation.The objective of this study was to explored whether and how Glrx1 is associated with the development of ALF induced by APAP.The Glrx1 knockout mice(Glrx1-/-)and liver-specific overexpression of Glrx1(AAV8-Glrx1)mice were produced and underwent APAP-induced ALF.Pirfenidone(PFD),a potential inducer of Glrx1,was administrated preceding APAP to assess its protective effects.Our results revealed that the hepatic total protein S-glutathionylation(PSSG)increased and the Glrx1 level reduced in mice after APAP toxicity.Glrx1-/- mice were more sensitive to APAP overdose,with higher oxidative stress and more toxic metabolites of APAP.This was attributed to Glrx1 deficiency increasing the total hepatic PSSG and the S-glutathionylation of cytochrome p450 3a 11(Cyp3a11),which likely increased the activity of Cyp3a11.Conversely,AAV8-Glrx1 mice were defended against liver damage caused by APAP overdose by inhibiting the S-glutathionylation and activity of Cyp3a11,which reduced the toxic metabolites of APAP and oxidative stress.PFD precede administration upregulated Glrx1 expression and alleviated APAP-induced ALF by decreasing oxidative stress.We have identified the function of Glrx1 mediated PSSG in liver injury caused by APAP overdose.Increasing Glrx1 expression may be investigated for the medical treatment of APAP-caused hepatic injury.

Objective:To explore the effect of pediatric massage combined with nerve growth factor treatment on the neurological function of children with acute ischemic hypoxic encephalopathy (HIS).Methods:A total of 96 children with HIS who were treated in Hubei Maternal and Child Health Hospital affiliated to Tongji Medical College of Huazhong University of Science and Technology from February 2017 to October 2019 were selected for the study. The children were divided into 2 groups using a random number table method, with 48 cases in each group. The control group was treated with nerve growth factor on the basis of conventional treatment, and the observation group was treated with pediatric massage on the basis of the control group. The clinical efficacy, neurobehavior, intelligence index, EEG index, cerebral blood flow and hematology index were compared between the two groups.Results:The total effective rate of the observation group was 95.84%, which was higher than 81.25% of the control group, and the difference between the two groups was statistically significant ( χ2=5.03, P=0.025). The 28-day NBNA score ( t=-2.55, P=0.012) and three-month MDI and PDI of the observation group were significantly higher than those of the control group ( t values were -3.43, -2.65, all Ps<0.01). After treatment, the EEG spike wave amplitude of the two groups of children decreased significantly, and the decrease was greater in the observation group[(35.02 ± 4.16) mV vs. (46.92±5.81)mV, t=11.54]. After treatment, the cerebral blood flow of the two groups of children increased significantly, and the increase was more significant in the observation group [(179.36 ± 22.25) ml/(100 g?min) vs. (158.30±14.92) ml/(100 g?min), t=-5.45]. After treatment, the levels of MBP, NSE and VEGF in the two groups of children decreased significantly, but the decrease in the observation group was greater ( t values were 3.29, 4.07, 8.17, all Ps<0.01). Conclusion:Pediatric massage combined with nerve growth factor alone can improve the curative effect of children with HIS, improve neurobehavioral and intelligent indicators, increase cerebral blood flow, and reduce EEG spike wave amplitude and MBP, NSE and VEGF levels.

Objective:To compare the clinical effects of discectomy combined with transpedicular dynamic stabilization and transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) in treating single-level lumbar disc herniation.Methods:From November 2012 to November 2015, a total of 96 patients with single-level lumbar disc herniation (disc height decreased more than 1/3, the width of the basilar part of the herniated disc >6 mm, massive disc herniation or Modic type I endplate changes) treated by discectomy combined with Dynesys dynamic stabilization (Dynesys group, n=48) or TLIF (fusion group, n=48) were enrolled. Clinical assessments included operation duration, intraoperative blood loss, MacNab score, visual analogue scale (VAS), Oswestry disability index (ODI) and rate of complications. Radiographs were evaluated for lumbar mobility, intervertebral height, etc. Results:A total of 86 patients were included in the final analysis (44 in Dynesys group and 42 in fusion group) and were evaluated after 5 years follow-up. The operation duration of Dynesys group (159.61±37.29 min) was less than that of the fusion group (177.42±39.90 min) significantly ( t=2.140, P=0.035). Intraoperative blood loss in Dynesys group (151.78±50.88 ml) was less than that in fusion group (197.74±76.55 ml) with significant difference ( t=3.293, P=0.001). At 5 years follow-up, there were 2 cases with screw loosening and 5 cases with adjacent segmental degeneration in Dynesys group without symptom. In fusion group, there were 12 cases with adjacent segmental degeneration and two of them with symptom. There were significant differences in the incidence of adjacent segment degeneration between the two groups ( χ2=4.012, P=0.045). According to the MacNab criteria, excellent or good cases accounted for 95% in Dynesys group and 93% in fusion group without significant differences ( Z=0.425, P=0.671). VAS back, VAS leg and ODI scores were improved significantly in both groups after 2 years and 5 years ( P<0.05). However, there were no significant differences between the two groups ( P<0.05). The activity of the surgical segment was 4.59°±0.48° in Dynesys group and 1.00°±0.42° in fusion group at 5 years after surgery. The height of intervertebral space in Dynesys group decreased from 11.19±2.07 mm before surgery to 9.98±2.02 mm at 2 years after surgery and to 9.86±1.64 mm at 5 years after surgery ( F=6.462, P=0.002). However, there was no statistically significant difference between the 2 and 5 years follow-up ( q=0.415, P>0.05). At 5 years after surgery, the activity of the first proximal segment in the two groups was 9.74°±3.29° and 11.69°±3.89°, respectively ( t=2.514, P=0.014). Conclusion:Both discectomy combined with dynamic stabilization and TLIF can achieve satisfied clinical effects in treating single-level lumbar disc herniation. Dynamic stabilization preserves the intervertebral activity of surgical segments and results in a lower incidence of adjacent segment degeneration compared with that in fusion surgery. Furthermore, discectomy combined with dynamic stabilization is a less invasive intervention with shorter operation duration and less blood loss compared with TLIF.

Background: Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) strategies in COVID-19 patients differ from those in patients suffering from cardiogenic cardiac arrest. During CPR, both healthcare and non-healthcare workers who provide resuscitation are at risk of infection. The Working Group for Expert Consensus on Prevention and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation for Cardiac Arrest in COVID-19 has developed this Chinese Expert Consensus to guide clinical practice of CPR in COVID-19 patients. Main recommendations: 1) A medical team should be assigned to evaluate severe and critical COVID-19 for early monitoring of cardiac-arrest warning signs. 2) Psychological counseling and treatment are highly recommended, since sympathetic and vagal abnormalities induced by psychological stress from the COVID-19 pandemic can induce cardiac arrest. 3) Healthcare workers should wear personal protective equipment (PPE). 4) Mouth-to-mouth ventilation should be avoided on patients suspected of having or diagnosed with COVID-19. 5) Hands-only chest compression and mechanical chest compression are recommended. 6) Tracheal-intubation procedures should be optimized and tracheal-intubation strategies should be implemented early. 7) CPR should be provided for 20-30 min. 8) Various factors should be taken into consideration such as the interests of patients and family members, ethics, transmission risks, and laws and regulations governing infectious disease control. Changes in management: The following changes or modifications to CPR strategy in COVID-19 patients are proposed: 1) Healthcare workers should wear PPE. 2) Hands-only chest compression and mechanical chest compression can be implemented to reduce or avoid the spread of viruses by aerosols. 3) Both the benefits to patients and the risk of infection should be considered. 4) Hhealthcare workers should be fully aware of and trained in CPR strategies and procedures specifically for patients with COVID-19.

In order to overcome the difficulty in lung parenchymal segmentation due to the factors such as lung disease and bronchial interference, a segmentation algorithm for three-dimensional lung parenchymal is presented based on the integration of surfacelet transform and pulse coupled neural network (PCNN). First, the three-dimensional computed tomography of lungs is decomposed into surfacelet transform domain to obtain multi-scale and multi-directional sub-band information. The edge features are then enhanced by filtering sub-band coefficients using local modified Laplacian operator. Second, surfacelet inverse transform is implemented and the reconstructed image is fed back to the input of PCNN. Finally, iteration process of the PCNN is carried out to obtain final segmentation result. The proposed algorithm is validated on the samples of public dataset. The experimental results demonstrate that the proposed algorithm has superior performance over that of the three-dimensional surfacelet transform edge detection algorithm, the three-dimensional region growing algorithm, and the three-dimensional U-NET algorithm. It can effectively suppress the interference coming from lung lesions and bronchial, and obtain a complete structure of lung parenchyma.
Algorithms ; Neural Networks, Computer ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Objective: To compare the mutation status of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) between different lesions and clini-cal characteristics of synchronous multiple ground-glass nodules (SMGGNs). Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted using clinical data from 35 patients with SMGGNs who were admitted to and received surgery at The Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical Uni-versity Hospital from January 2017 to December 2018. Next generation sequencing (NGS) was performed for all surgical specimens to detect the mutation status of exons 18, 19, 20, and 21 of the EGFR gene to analyze the relationship between the EGFR mutation sta-tus of the lesions and patient gender, age, lesion location, imaging manifestation of nodules, and adenocarcinoma pathological type . Results: The EGFR mutation rate was 65.7% (23/35 patients). Non-smoking patients and females had higher EGFR mutation rates (P=0.015, P<0.001). The EGFR mutation rate of invasive adenocarcinoma nodules was higher than those of atypical adenomatous hyper-plasia, adenocarcinoma in situ, and minimally invasive adenocarcinoma ( P<0.001). Exon 19 deletion and L858R mutation were the most common mutations of the EGFR gene. There was no significant difference between the pathological subtypes of adenocarcino-ma and the EGFR mutant subtype (P=0.707). Among the 27 patients with multiple nodules with detectable EGFR mutations, the EGFR mutation rate was 85.2% (23/27 patients). Conclusions: The EGFR gene mutation status is different in patients with multiple pulmo-nary ground-glass nodules, suggesting that the occurrence and development of each nodule are independent events. EGFR gene muta-tion is closely related to the development of ground-glass nodules, especially in the invasion of tumors.