The interaction between Mycobacterium tuberculosis and host, as well as the regulation of some signaling pathways in the host, were involved in pathogen latency in macrophages. microRNAs (miRNAs) regulate the gene expression and biological functions, indicating that miRNAs played a regulatory role in bacterial infections. However, whether the host's miRNAs were also involved in the process of Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection had not been thoroughly studied. This study infected macrophages with pathogenic Mycobacterium tuberculosis strain H37Rv and low virulence strain H37Ra to explore the functional miRNAs. By identifying the expression profile of miRNAs in host cells after infection, the expression of 17 miRNAs significantly changed (P < 0.05) in the human macrophage THP-1 infected with highly pathogenic H37Rv strain (Rv), H37Rv inactivated strain (Rv-), and non-pathogenic H37Ra (Ra) strains respectively, indicating that host miRNAs may be involved in the interaction of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and host. Meanwhile, 10 types of miRNAs showed significant differences in cells infected with pathogenic and non-pathogenic Mycobacterium tuberculosis, suggesting that host miRNAs may play an important role in the pathogenicity and intracellular survival of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Further study had found that miR-449a, miR-502-5p, and miR-708 were downregulated in cells infected with Mycobacterium marinum. Overexpression of these three miRNAs displayed the significant inhibitory effect on the growth of Mycobacterium marinum, indicating that miRNAs played a pivotal role in the interaction between the host and Mycobacterium marinum. This study provided the new insights into the pathogenesis of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and the treatment of tuberculosis.

The synergistic antibacterial strategy of peroxidase mediated chemodynamic therapy(CDT)and photothermal therapy(PTT)has been proven to effectively resist bacteria.However,the antibacterial effect against Pseudomonas aeruginosa is severely limited due to the factors such as short lifespan of reactive oxygen species(ROS)(<200 ns)and limited diffusion distance(about 20?200 nm).In this study,glucopyranose functionalized MoO3-x(P-MoO3-x)nanoenzyme was successfully synthesized using a one-pot hydrothermal method.This nanoenzyme exhibited both peroxidase-like activity and a photothermal effect.The combined antibacterial performance and biological safety of P-MoO3-x was analyzed and verified.By utilizing specific interactions with glucopyranose and lectin,P-MoO3-x nanoenzyme could target the surface of Pseudomonas aeruginosa.This targeted approach effectively shortened the range of hydroxyl radicals,significantly enhancing the antibacterial effect against Pseudomonas aeruginosa.Under photothermal action,P-MoO3-x could reach the optimal reaction effect at 70℃.Even at low concentrations of hydrogen peroxide(50 μmol/L),it released more hydroxyl radicals.In vitro antibacterial analysis experiments demonstrated that the inactivation efficiency of the P-MoO3-x antibacterial system against Pseudomonas aeruginosa(106 CFU/mL)exceeded 99%.Furthermore,in vivo experiments confirmed the significant therapeutic effects of P-MoO3-x in treating methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus(MRSA)infected wounds and promoting wound healing,without producing toxicity to cells.In conclusion,P-MoO3-x exhibited excellent antibacterial ability and good biocompatibility,making it a promising anti-infective nanoenzyme with broad application prospects.

Depression exists with high prevalence and heavy disease burden. Stress events play a key role in the occurrence of depression, but the pathological mechanism has not been fully clarified by reason of the complexity and heterogeneity. In recent years, neuroinflammation as a pathological mechanism of depression has received extensive attention. The activated microglia is regarded as the marker of neuroinflammation, which is an important link of stress-induced depression. Stress might induce microglia activation through pattern recognition receptors(PRR), intestinal flora, hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal(HPA) axis, and other pathways. Cross-talk between impaired microglia function and neurobiological factors such as inflammatory cytokines, serotonin metabolism, and neuroplasticity may lead to depression. At present, a large number of studies have proved that traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) plays an anti-depressive role by inhibiting microglia activation, which may be potential treatment strategies for depressive disorder. This paper reviewed the research progress of stress-induced microglia activation in depression and summarized the mechanism of TCM against depression with regard to microglia, hoping to provide experimental evidence and consideration for TCM against depression through microglia.
Humans ; Cytokines/metabolism* ; Depression/drug therapy* ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Microglia/metabolism* ; Neuroinflammatory Diseases

BACKGROUND: The placebo response of sham acupuncture in patients with primary dysmenorrhea is a substantial factor associated with analgesia. However, the magnitude of the placebo response is unclear. OBJECTIVE: This meta-analysis assessed the effects of sham acupuncture in patients with primary dysmenorrhea and the factors contributing to these effects. SEARCH STRATEGY: PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane CENTRAL databases were searched from inception up to August 20, 2022. INCLUSION CRITERIA: Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) using sham acupuncture as a control for female patients of reproductive age with primary dysmenorrhea were included. DATA EXTRACTION AND ANALYSIS: Pain intensity, retrospective symptom scale, and health-related quality of life were outcome measures used in these trials. Placebo response was defined as the change in the outcome of interest from baseline to endpoint. We used standardized mean difference (SMD) to estimate the effect size of the placebo response. RESULTS: Thirteen RCTs were included. The pooled placebo response size for pain intensity was the largest (SMD = -0.99; 95% confidence interval [CI], -1.31 to -0.68), followed by the retrospective symptom scale (Total frequency rating score: SMD = -0.20; 95% CI, -0.80 to -0.39. Average severity score: SMD = -0.35; 95% CI, -0.90 to -0.20) and physical component of SF-36 (SMD = 0.27; 95% CI, -0.17 to 0.72). Studies using blunt-tip needles, single-center trials, studies with a low risk of bias, studies in which patients had a longer disease course, studies in which clinicians had < 5 years of experience, and trials conducted outside Asia were more likely to have a lower placebo response. CONCLUSION Strong placebo response and some relative factors were found in patients with primary dysmenorrhea. PROSPERO registration number: CRD42022304215. Please cite this article as: Sun CY, Xiong ZY, Sun CY, Ma PH, Liu XY, Sun CY, Xin ZY, Liu BY, Liu CZ, Yan SY. Placebo response of sham acupuncture in patients with primary dysmenorrhea: A meta-analysis. J Integr Med. 2023; 21(5): 455-463.
Female ; Humans ; Dysmenorrhea/therapy* ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Pain Management ; Needles ; Placebo Effect

The incidence of depression after myocardial infarction (DAMI) is high, causing significant harm to the patients' physical and mental health, but the pathogenesis is unknown. Establishing animal models which simulate the pathogenesis of DAMI in humans is an effective way to explore the mechanism of the disease. In this paper, problems existing in the modeling process, such as animal selection, model selection, model preparation and behavioral evaluation, are summarized and considered in order to provide reference for DAMI model research.

[Abstract] Objective To study whether the regulation of mammalian target of rapamycin complex 2(mTORC2) / Akt signaling pathway has a protective effect on SH-SY5Y cell line damaged by 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA), and to clarify its molecular mechanism. Methods SH-SY5Y cells treated with retinoic acid (RA) were given 6-OHDA, mTORC2 signaling pathway inhibitor PP242 and agonist A-443654 respectively. The changes of cell number in each group were investigated by immunofluorescent staining; The total protein was extracted and the expression level and interaction of key proteins in mTORC2 signaling pathway were determined by Western blotting and co-immunoprecipitation (CoIP); The apoptosis rate of cells in each group was detected by flow cytometry. At the same time, the co-culture Parkinson’ s disease (PD) model was made using SH-SY5Y cell line and Bv-2 cell line; MTT colorimetric method was used to detect the cell viability of each group; ELISA was used to detect the content of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) in cell culture supernatant. Results The number of tyrosine hydroxylase(TH) / proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) / hochest-, TH / 5-bronmo-2’ -deoxyuridine(BrdU) -labeled positive cells in 6-OHDA-lesioned PD cell model group was significantly lower than that in the normal group; The apoptosis rate was higher; The expression of Rictor, p-Akt and regulated in DNA damage and development 1(REDD1) was increased; There was an interaction between Rictor and p-Akt or REDD1; The cell viability was significantly reduced in the co-culture model; the content of TNF-α and IL-β increased in the cell culture supernatant. With further up-regulation of the abovementioned protein expressions, the cell survival, apoptosis and pro-inflammatory cytokine levels in A-443654 group were significantly ameliorated, while PP242 group showed the opposite changes. Conclusion A-443654 activates mTORC2 signaling pathway by p-Akt, which increases the expression of Rictor and REDD1 protein. These changes contribute to the amelioration in cell survival rate, apoptosis rate, and the proliferation and differentiation and decreasion of apoptosis rate of SH-SY5Y cells. These result improved 6-OHDA-induced cell damage and inhibited the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines.

Objective: To explore the diagnosis, surgical management and outcome of jugular foramen chondrosarcoma (CSA). Methods: Fifteen patients with jugular foramen CSA hospitalized in the Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery of Chinese PLA General Hospital from December 2002 to February 2020 were retrospectively collected,of whom 2 were male and 13 were female, aging from 22 to 61 years old. The clinical symptoms and signs, imaging features, differential diagnosis, surgical approaches, function of facial nerve and cranial nerves IX to XII, and surgical outcomes were analyzed. Results: Patients with jugular foramen CSA mainly presented with facial paralysis, hearing loss, hoarseness, cough, tinnitus and local mass. Computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance (MR) could provide important information for diagnosis. CT showed irregular destruction on bone margin of the jugular foramen. MR demonstrated iso or hypointense on T1WI, hyperintense on T2WI and heterogeneous contrast-enhancement. Surgical approaches were chosen upon the sizes and scopes of the tumors. Inferior temporal fossa A approach was adopted in 12 cases, inferior temporal fossa B approach in 2 cases and mastoid combined parotid approach in 1 case. Five patients with facial nerve involved received great auricular nerve graft. The House Brackmann (H-B) grading scale was used to evaluate the facial nerve function. Preoperative facial nerve function ranked grade Ⅴ in 4 cases and grade Ⅵ in 1 case. Postoperative facial nerve function improved to grade Ⅲ in 2 cases and grade Ⅵ in 3 cases. Five patients presented with cranial nerves Ⅸ and Ⅹ palsies. Hoarseness and cough of 2 cases improved after operation, while the other 3 cases did not. All the patients were diagnosed CSA by histopathology and immunohistochemistry, with immunohistochemical staining showing vimentin and S-100 positive, but cytokeratin negative in tumor cells. All patients survived during 28 to 234 months' follow-up. Two patients suffered from tumor recurrence 7 years after surgery and received revision surgery. No complications such as cerebrospinal fluid leakage and intracranial infection occurred after operation. Conclusions: Jugular foramen CSA lacks characteristic symptoms or signs. Imaging is helpful to differential diagnosis. Surgery is the primary treatment of jugular foramen CSA. Patients with facial paralysis should receive surgery in time as to restore the facial nerve. Long-term follow-up is necessary after surgery in case of recurrence.
Humans ; Male ; Female ; Young Adult ; Adult ; Middle Aged ; Facial Paralysis/etiology* ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Jugular Foramina ; Retrospective Studies ; Cough ; Hoarseness ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local ; Chondrosarcoma/surgery*

Objective: To investigate the effects of lncRNA DRAIC on proliferation, apoptosis, migration and invasion of lung adenocarcinoma cells and its mechanism. Methods: Reverse transcription-quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) was used to detect the expression of DRAIC in lung cancer tissues and corresponding adjacent normal tissues of 40 patients with lung adenocarcinoma who underwent surgery in Tangshan People's Hospital from 2019 to 2020. Lung adenocarcinoma cells A549 and H1299 were cultured in vitro and divided into si-NC group, si-DRAIC group, miR-NC group, let-7i-5p mimics group, si-DRAIC+ inhibitor-NC group, and si-DRAIC+ let-7i-5p inhibitor group. CCK-8 method and clone formation experiment were used to detect cell proliferation. Flow cytometry was used to detect cell apoptosis. Transwell array was used to detect the cell migration and invasion. Western blot was used to detect the protein expressions of Caspase-3, Caspase-9, Bcl-2 and Bax. The double luciferase reporter gene experiment was used to verify the regulatory relationship between DRAIC and let-7i-5p. Independent sample t test was used for comparison between two groups, one-way ANOVA was used for comparison between multiple groups, and Pearson correlation analysis was used for correlation analysis. Results: Compared with adjacent tissues, the expression level of DRAIC in lung adenocarcinoma tissues increased (P<0.05), but the expression level of let-7i-5p decreased (P<0.05). The expression levels of DRAIC and let-7i-5p in lung adenocarcinoma tissues were negatively correlated (r=-0.737, P<0.05). The absorbance value of A549 and H1299 cells in the si-DRAIC group at 48, 72 and 96 hours were lower than those in the si-NC group (P<0.05), the number of clones formed [(91.00±6.08 vs. 136.67±6.51); (50.67±1.53 vs. 76.67±4.51)], the number of migration [(606.67±31.34 vs. 960.00±33.06); (483.33±45.96 vs. 741.67±29.67)], the number of invasion [(185.00±8.19 vs. 447.33±22.05); (365.00±33.87 vs. 688.00±32.97)] were lower than those in the si-NC group (P<0.05). However, the apoptosis rates of cells [(13.43±2.79)% vs. (4.53±0.42)%; (23.77±1.04)% vs. (6.60±1.42)%] were higher than those in the si-NC group (P<0.05). The protein expressions of Caspase-3, Caspase-9 and Bax in si-DRAIC group were higher than those in si-NC group, and the protein expression of Bcl-2 was lower than that in si-NC group (P<0.05). DRAIC is located in the cytoplasm. DRAIC targeted and negatively regulated the expression of let-7i-5p. The absorbance values of A549 and H1299 cells in the let-7i-5p mimics group at 48, 72 and 96 hours were lower than those in the miR-NC group (P<0.05), the number of clones formed [(131.33±14.47 vs. 171.33±6.11); (59.33±4.93 vs. 80.33±7.09)], the number of migration [(137.67±3.06 vs. 579.33±82.03); (425.00±11.14 vs. 669.33±21.13)], the number of invasion [(54.00±4.36 vs. 112.67±11.59); (80.00±4.58 vs. 333.33±16.80)] were lower than those in the miR-NC group (P<0.05). However, the apoptosis rates of cells [(14.57±1.10)% vs. (6.97±1.11)%; (23.97±0.42)% vs. (7.07±1.21)%] were higher than those in the miR-NC group (P<0.05). The protein expressions of Caspase-3, Caspase-9 and Bax in let-7i-5p mimics group were higher than those in miR-NC group, and the protein expression of Bcl-2 was lower than that in miR-NC group (P<0.05). The absorbance values of A549 and H1299 cells in the si-DRAIC+ let-7i-5p inhibitor group at 48, 72 and 96 hours were higher than those in the si-DRAIC+ inhibitor-NC group (P<0.05), the number of clones formed [(82.00±5.29 vs. 59.00±5.57); (77.67±4.93 vs. 41.33±7.57)], the number of migration [(774.33±35.81 vs. 455.67±19.04); (569.67±18.72 vs. 433.67±16.77)], the number of invasion [(670.33±17.21 vs. 451.00±17.52); (263.67±3.06 vs. 182.33±11.93)] were higher than those in the si-DRAIC+ inhibitor-NC group (P<0.05). However, the apoptosis rates of cells [(7.73±0.45)% vs. (19.13±1.50)%; (8.00±0.53)% vs. (28.40±0.53)%] were lower than those in the si-NC group (P<0.05). The protein expressions of Caspase-3, Caspase-9 and Bax in si-DRAIC+ let-7i-5p inhibitor group were higher than those in si-DRAIC+ inhibitor-NC group, and the protein expression of Bcl-2 was lower than that in si-DRAIC+ inhibitor-NC group (P<0.05). Conclusion: DRAIC is highly expressed in lung adenocarcinoma, and DRAIC promotes the proliferation, migration and invasion of lung adenocarcinoma cells and inhibits apoptosis by targeting let-7i-5p.
Humans ; Adenocarcinoma/genetics* ; Apoptosis/genetics* ; bcl-2-Associated X Protein/metabolism* ; Caspase 3/metabolism* ; Caspase 9/metabolism* ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation/genetics* ; Lung/metabolism* ; MicroRNAs/metabolism* ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2/metabolism* ; RNA, Long Noncoding/genetics*

Objective:To investigate factors affecting the care needs of community-dwelling elderly people.Methods:A cross-sectional study was conducted.A face-to-face questionnaire survey was conducted using random samples of elderly people aged 60 years and above in six communities in Beijing to analyze the prevalence of diseases and care needs of elderly people in different age groups, and factors influencing elderly people's care needs.Univariate and multivariate Logistic regression analyses were used to analyze factors influencing these individuals' care needs based on basic personal situations, physical health status, economic situations, psychological and social status.Results:A total of 546 community-dwelling elderly people were recruited, with a mean age of(77.88±9.12)years.Cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases were consistently found to be the most common diseases in all age groups(60-69 years: 57.81% or 74/128; 70-79 years: 56.49% or 87/154; 80-89 years: 76.74% or 165/215; 90 years or over: 83.67% or 41/49); Care needs for groups aged 70 year or over were higher than for the group aged between 60-69( χ2=47.209, P<0.001). Elderly people with more than 2 diseases, long-term use of more than 1 drug, occasional constipation, and feeling loneliness or holding the view that caregivers do not need basic medical knowledge had a low need for care( OR=0.172, 0.006, 0.088, 0.112, 0.005, respectively, P<0.05 for all). Those with only one child, a history of pain, willing to pay more than ￥4 000 to hire a care-giver, or with partial disability were more likely to feel the need for care( OR=548.732, 5.941, 4.265, 7.373, respectively, P<0.05 for all). Conclusions:The care needs of elderly people living at home and aged over 60 in 6 communities in Beijing are affected by multiple factors such as their family structure, physical health status, economic status and psychological status.Elderly people need to have and accept multi-dimensional care services provided by knowledgeable and skillful caregivers to improve their quality of life.

Objective:To explore our self-designed classification system of irreducible intertrochanteric fractures based on reduction stage and bone block position and to evaluate the reduction techniques guided by the classification system.Methods:A retrospective study was conducted to analyze the data of 115 patients with irreducible intertrochanteric fracture who had been admitted to Department of Orthopedics, Beijing Hospital from September 2014 to November 2022. There were 24 males and 91 females with a mean age of (80.9±11.0) years. The reduction for the fractures was divided into a diaphysis reduction stage (Phase Ⅰ) and a cortical reduction stage (Phase Ⅱ). Based on the relative positions of the intraoperative bone blocks, Phase Ⅰ was divided into an anterior and posterior interlocking type (Phase Ⅰa) and a distal bone block sinking displacement type (Phase Ⅰb) while Phase Ⅱ into a proximal lifting type (Phase Ⅱa), a posterior angulation type (Phase Ⅱb), a positive support type (Phase Ⅱc), and a negative support type (Phase Ⅱd). Depending on the difficulties encountered in different reduction stages, corresponding close reduction strategies (such as top rod support, percutaneous prying, and Joystick technique) were adopted to restore the proximal femoral neck shaft angle, anteversion angle, anterior medial cortex, and length of the affected limb before fixation with intramedullary nails. Recorded were the patient's surgical time, intraoperative bleeding, quality of postoperative reduction, fracture union time, and complications.Results:The surgical time for this group of patients was 70.0(60.0, 92.0) minutes, and the intraoperative blood loss 200.0 (170.0, 200.0) mL. According to the standards by Baumgaertner et al., the quality of postoperative reduction was evaluated as excellent in 103 cases and as good in 12 cases, with an excellent and good rate of 100.0% (115/115). Of the 115 patients, 86 were followed up for more than 6 months to reveal fracture union in all after a duration of 6.0 (4.0, 8.0) months. One patient died of an acute cardiovascular event in the hospital 5 days after surgery. Two patients lost their mobility within 3 months after surgery due to acute cerebral infarction. There was no internal fixation failure requiring secondary surgery or no incision infection.Conclusion:Guided by our self-designed classification system of irreducible intertrochanteric fractures based on the intraoperative reduction stage and the relative position of bone block, real time intraoperative fluoroscopy images can be used to effectively clarify the difficulty of fracture reduction in stages so that corresponding reduction strategies can be adopted, leading to fine clinical efficacy.