[A survey on the current situation of serum vitamin A and vitamin D levels among children aged 2-<7 years of 20 cities in China].

Objective: To investigate serum vitamin A and vitamin D status in children aged 2-<7 years in 20 cities in China. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted. A total of 2 924 healthy children aged 2-<7 years were recruited from September 2018 to September 2019 from 20 cities in China, categorized by age groups of 2-<3 years, 3-<5 years, and 5-<7 years. The demographic and economic characteristics and health-related information of the enrolled children were investigated. Body weight and height were measured by professional staff members. The serum vitamin A and vitamin D levels were detected by high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Chi-square test and Logistic regression were applied to analyze the association between vitamin A and vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency as well as their underlying impact factors. Results: The age of the 2 924 enrolled children was 4.33 (3.42, 5.17) years. There were 1 726 males (59.03%) and 1 198 females (40.97%). The prevalences of vitamin A and vitamin D deficiency in enrolled children were 2.19% (64/2 924) and 3.52% (103/2 924), respectively, and the insufficiency rates were 29.27% (856/2 924) and 22.20% (649/2 924), respectively. Children with both vitamin A and vitamin D deficiencies or insufficiencies were found in 10.50% (307/2 924) of cases. Both vitamin A (χ2=7.91 and 8.06, both P=0.005) and vitamin D (χ2=71.35 and 115.10, both P<0.001) insufficiency rates were higher in children aged 3-<5 and 5-<7 years than those in children aged 2-<3 years. Vitamin A and vitamin D supplementation in the last 3 months was a protective factor for vitamin A and D deficiency and insufficiency, respectively (OR=0.68 and 0.22, 95%CI 0.49-0.95 and 0.13-0.40, both P<0.05). The rates of vitamin A and D insufficiency was higher in children with annual household incomes <60 000 RMB than in those with annual household incomes ≥60 000 RMB (χ2=34.11 and 10.43, both P<0.01). Northwest and Southwest had the highest rates of vitamin A and vitamin D insufficiency in children aged 2-<7 yeas, respectively (χ2=93.22 and 202.54, both P<0.001). Conclusions: Among 20 cities in China, children aged 2-<7 years experience high rates of vitamin A and vitamin D insufficiency, which are affected by age, family economic level, vitamin A and vitamin D supplementation, and regional economic level. The current results suggest that high level of attention should be paid to vitamin A and vitamin D nutritional status of preschool children.

Effects of soyhulls with different particle size on the growth performance, blood indices and gut microbiota of yellow feather broilers.

1. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of soyhulls with different particle sizes on the growth performance, blood indices and gut microbiota of yellow feather broilers.2. Total of 240 healthy, one-day-old, yellow feather broilers were randomly divided into four groups, with six pen replicates within each group and ten birds per pen. The control group birds were fed the basal diet (Control). For the treatment groups, 5% soyhulls with different particle sizes were included in the basal diet. The particle size geometric mean diameters (dgw) of the soyhulls in the three treatment groups were 299.69 µm (LowPS), 489.85 µm (MediumPS) and 734.83 µm (HighPS) with geometric standard deviation (Sgw) 1.75 µm, 1.62 µm and 1.67 µm, respectively.3. Results showed that the growth performance variables and organ indices were not different among the four groups. The MediumPS group had increased TG, T-CHO, ALT, HDL-C, and GSH-PX levels and decreased T-AOC levels, whereas LowPS and HighPS groups had increased HDL-C and GSH-PX levels (p < 0.05). Microbial diversity analysis showed that the intestinal microbiota of yellow feather broilers mainly included Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes. Inclusion of 5% soyhulls with different particle size had no effect on alpha diversity indices of caecal microbiota. The HighPS group had significantly higher relative abundance of Firmicutes spp. and lower Bacteroidetes spp. compared with the LowPS and MediumPS group but this was not different from the Control group. The relative abundance of Cyanobacteria spp. was significantly higher in the HighPS group than the other three groups. LEfSe analysis showed that there were more enriched biomarker taxa in the groups with soyhulls than the control group.4. Overall, the inclusion of soyhulls with different particle sizes had limited effects on growth performance, blood indices and caecal microbiota composition of yellow feather broilers.

Effects of Beta-Hydroxy-Beta-Methylbutyrate Supplementation on Older Adults with Sarcopenia: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study.

OBJECTIVES: Sarcopenia is recognized as a major public health concern because of its association with several adverse health events. Beta-hydroxy-beta-methylbutyrate (HMB) supplementation reportedly delays the loss of muscle mass and function; however, the effect of HMB on sarcopenia remains inconclusive. We aimed to evaluate the impact of HMB intervention on muscle strength, physical performance, body compositions, and inflammatory factors in older adults with sarcopenia. DESIGN: Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: This study included subjects aged ≥60 years with sarcopenia which were assigned to the HMB group (HMBG, n=18) and the placebo group (PG, n=16). INTERVENTION: The HMBG and PG were supplied with HMB and placebo products twice daily for 12 weeks, and both received resistance exercise training twice a week in 12 weeks. MEASUREMENTS: Hand grip strength was selected as the primary outcome; gait speed, five-time chair stand test, body composition and inflammatory indicators were selected as the secondary outcomes. The differences in changes from baseline between the two groups were analyzed using the analysis of covariance(ANCOVA). RESULTS: After the 12-week intervention, the HMBG demonstrated significantly greater improvements in handgrip strength (4.61(95%CI:2.93,6.28) kg, P<0.001), gait speed (0.11(95%CI:0.02,0.20)m/s, P=0.014), five-time chair stand test (-3.65 (95%CI:-5.72, -1.58)s, P=0.001), muscle quality (2.47(95%CI:1.15,3.80),kg.kg-1 P=0.001) and tumor necrosis factor-like weak inducer of apoptosis (-15.23(95%CI:-29.80,-0.66)pmol/mL, P=0.041) compared with the PG; no significant differences in skeletal muscle mass, skeletal muscle index, and other body composition parameters were found between the two groups. CONCLUSION: In older adults with sarcopenia, HMB significantly enhance the effect of resistance exercise training on muscle strength, physical performance, muscle quality, and reduced inflammatory factors. Therefore, HMB supplementation could be an effective treatment for sarcorpenia. The trial protocol was registered at http://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.aspx?proj=47571 as ChiCTR2000028778.

Preventive intraperitoneal hyperthermic perfusion chemotherapy for patients with T4 stage colon adenocarcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) has been shown to be an effective treatment for peritoneal tumors; whether preventive HIPEC after radical resection for T4 stage colon adenocarcinoma could decrease peritoneal recurrence remains unknown. The aim of the present study was to compare peritoneal recurrence and short-term survival in patients with T4 stage colon adenocarcinoma undergoing HIPEC plus adjuvant chemotherapy or adjuvant chemotherapy alone following surgery. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed T4 stage colon adenocarcinoma patients who had radical tumor resection at our institution between January 2014 and January 2019. Clinical data were extracted from the database at our institution, and patient survival and long-term complications were assessed through repeated outpatient examinations and telephone interviews. RESULTS: A total of 352 patients were included in this study; 157 patients received postoperative HIPEC plus adjuvant chemotherapy (HIPEC group), 195 patients received adjuvant chemotherapy alone (conventional chemotherapy group). Forty-one (26.1%) patients in the HIPEC group had a peritoneal recurrence and the peritoneum was the first site of tumor recurrence in 6 (14.6%) of them. However, 73 (37.4%) patients experienced peritoneal recurrence in the conventional group, and the peritoneum was the first site of tumor recurrence in 25 (34.2%) (p = 0.019). Disease-free survival in the HIPEC group at 1 and 3 years was 93.3% and 61.1%, respectively, versus 89.3% and 51.7% in the conventional chemotherapy group (p = 0.038). Overall survival in the HIPEC group at 1 and 3 years was 100.0% and 82.7%, respectively, versus 100.0% and 76.9% in the conventional chemotherapy group (p = 0.420). The two groups did not differ with respect to severe complications. CONCLUSIONS: Preventive HIPEC after radical surgery may decrease peritoneal recurrence and promote disease-free survival for T4 stage colon adenocarcinoma. Large-scale randomized controlled studies are needed to confirm the results of our study.

Multidisciplinary collaborative integrated management of increasingly prominent HIV complications in the post-cART era.

OBJECTIVES: With the prolonged survival time of AIDS patients, complications of various systems and organs of HIV infection are increasingly prominent. These diseases have become the major factors influencing the quality of life and prognosis of HIV-infected persons, and multidisciplinary cooperation treatment is urgently needed. METHODS: The Chinese HIV/AIDS Clinical Trial Network has conducted a series of multicentre clinical cohort studies over the past 16 years, in which studies related to people living with HIV systemic complications. Based on the results of previous studies, this review establishes the complications of Chinese people living with HIV after long-term cART. RESULTS: HIV's direct damage to human cells, chronic abnormal inflammatory activation after HIV infection, long-term drug side effects caused by cART and persistent reservoirs cause systemic complications in people living with HIV. We summarised the clinical characteristics of the complications of HIV infection in China from the aspects of the liver, cardiovascular, the nervous system, the kidney, bone metabolism, blood glucose, and lipid metabolism. CONCLUSIONS: The management of the complications of HIV infection is a major link in improving the survival treatment and prognosis of patients in the future. The joint participation of doctors from different departments of general hospitals in the management of comorbidities is the main theme for future improvement of quality of life and prognosis for people living with HIV.

Antibacterial Effects of Schisandra chinensis Extract on Escherichia coli and its Applications in Cosmetic.

Schisandra chinensis (Turcz.) Baill (S. chinensis), an edible traditional medicine herb, has a strong constitution, which extract has good antibacterial activity. The study investigated its antibacterial properties on E. coli, to find a candidate for the development as new preservative. In vitro antibacterial assay showed that S. chinensis extract (SCE) effectively inhibited the growth of test bacteria with MBC of 18 mg/mL. In model cosmetic system of O/W emulsions, SCE possessed a great antibacterial capacity. The growth curves of E. coli treated with SCE exhibited an extended lag phase and restricted log phase. Scanning electron microscopy showed that the treated E. coli cells exhibited wrinkled and withered surfaces, and disappearing outmost layer, suggesting S. chinensis extract can damage S. aureus cell member and wall, in addition, the leakage of periplasm enzyme AKPase and the increased activities of Na+/K+-ATPase and Ca++-ATPase in cell membrane were also consistent with the microscopy results. Moreover, the S. chinensis extract can decrease the activities of dehydrogenase and total ATPase and the content of intracellular proteins, and bind with S. aureus DNA by electrostatic and groove binding. The results indicated that SCE might be a candidate cosmetic preservative for its good antibacterial activity and multiple targets on E. coli.

Effect of short-term nutritional supplementation on hormone concentrations in ovarian follicular fluid and steroid regulating gene mRNA abundances in granulosa cells of ewes.

This study was conducted to investigate effects of short-term nutritional supplementation on concentrations of reproductive hormones in follicular fluid and on mRNA abundance in granulosa cells (GCs) during the luteal phase of ewes. Eighteen ewes were randomly assigned to treatment or control groups (n = 9, each group). All the ewes were subjected to estrous synchronization using a Controlled Intravaginal Releasing Device (CIDR). From the second to the eleventh day of estrous synchronization, ewes were fed a diet with a relatively greater (treatment group) or a maintenance (control group) energy content. Samples of follicular fluid and GCs were collected from antral follicles of estrous ewes after CIDR removal. The results indicate mean FSH concentration of fluid in small follicles and mean LH concentrations of fluid in large follicles of the ewes in the treatment group were greater (P < 0.05) than that of ewes in the control group. Follicular fluid E2 concentrations were directly related (P < 0.05) to follicular diameter. The ewes of the treatment group had greater (P < 0.05), compared with the control group, abundances of Follicle Stimulating Hormone Receptor (FSHR) in small and medium follicles, and (P<0.05) Luteinizing Hormone Receptor (LHR), Steroid Acute Regulatory Protein (STAR), cytochrome P450 (CYP17A1, CYP19A1) enzyme and Estrogen Receptor (ESR1) in large follicles. The results of this study provide evidence for a potential mechanism by which short-term nutritional supplementation improves follicular development possibly because of increased expression of steroid synthesis-regulating genes in large follicles.

[Study on the state of Chinese medicine practitioner in the middle and lower classes of Shanghai in the Republic of China: the case of Yao Xinyuan].

During the period of the Republic of China, Shanghai, with its multicultural communities and a chaos medical market, gathered many traditional Chinese medicine practitioners from all over the country. In addition to a few numbers of famous Chinese medicine practitioners, there were a large number of middle and lower class Chinese medicine practitioners who were not famous in the communities at that time, Yao Xinyuan was most representative one. Although the history of their life is hard to find out in detail, we can dig out some fragments of their medical activities, relying on the many publications from that time's Shanghai. After studying the literatures, we found some characteristics. Although they are faced with fierce medical competition, and it was hard to for them in the long-term survival of Shanghai, they still cherish the ambition to make contribution to the country, and strive to carry the traditional Chinese medicine forward by studying the ancient and seeking the new, integrating Chinese and Western medicine.

[Study on the application of oral magnesium sulfate solution in split doses as bowel preparation for colonoscopy in elderly patients].

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of oral magnesium sulfate solution in split doses as bowel preparation in elderly patients undergoing colonoscopy. Methods: A total of 368 elderly patients undergoing colonoscopy were enrolled at PLA General Hospital. The patients were randomly divided into magnesium sulfate solution orally in split doses group (group A, n=178) and single dose group (group B, n=190). Parameters including general information, defecation frequency, Boston bowel preparation score (BBPS), detection rate of lesions and adverse reactions. Results: The frequency of defecations in group A was (7.6±1.4), more than that in group B (6.6±1.5) with statistical significance (P<0.05). The duration of bowel preparation in group A was (128.6±25.3) min, shorter than that of group B (165.4±29.7) min (P<0.05). The BBPS in group A was (8.09±0.67), better than that of group B (7.34±0.58) (P<0.05). The detection rates of intestinal polyps and micropolyps (diameter<0.5 cm) in group A were 73/178 (41.0%) and 51/178 (28.7%) respectively, compared with 58/190 (30.5%) and 37/190 (19.5%) in group B (both P<0.05). In group A, 8 patients reported adverse reactions as abdominal distension and discomfort. One patient had ST-T abnormality of electrocardiogram (ECG). No nausea or vomiting occurred, yet 2 cases needed enema for inadequate bowel preparation. Twenty-one cases in group B reported adverse events including 7 with nausea and vomiting. There were 13 patients treated with enema. Abnormal ECG was found in 4 patients in group B. The satisfaction rate of group A was 97.8%, higher than that of group B (91.6%) (P<0.05). Conclusions: The effect of bowel preparation of elderly patients with magnesium sulfate solution in split dose has a better tolerance, good cleaning effect and low incidence of adverse reactions. It is an ideal choice for the elderly to prepare colonoscopy.

CO2 storage and release in the deep Southern Ocean on millennial to centennial timescales.

The cause of changes in atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) during the recent ice ages is yet to be fully explained. Most mechanisms for glacial-interglacial CO2 change have centred on carbon exchange with the deep ocean, owing to its large size and relatively rapid exchange with the atmosphere1. The Southern Ocean is thought to have a key role in this exchange, as much of the deep ocean is ventilated to the atmosphere in this region2. However, it is difficult to reconstruct changes in deep Southern Ocean carbon storage, so few direct tests of this hypothesis have been carried out. Here we present deep-sea coral boron isotope data that track the pH-and thus the CO2 chemistry-of the deep Southern Ocean over the past forty thousand years. At sites closest to the Antarctic continental margin, and most influenced by the deep southern waters that form the ocean's lower overturning cell, we find a close relationship between ocean pH and atmospheric CO2: during intervals of low CO2, ocean pH is low, reflecting enhanced ocean carbon storage; and during intervals of rising CO2, ocean pH rises, reflecting loss of carbon from the ocean to the atmosphere. Correspondingly, at shallower sites we find rapid (millennial- to centennial-scale) decreases in pH during abrupt increases in CO2, reflecting the rapid transfer of carbon from the deep ocean to the upper ocean and atmosphere. Our findings confirm the importance of the deep Southern Ocean in ice-age CO2 change, and show that deep-ocean CO2 release can occur as a dynamic feedback to rapid climate change on centennial timescales.

[Prognostic value of pretreatment (18)F-FDG PET-CT for patients with advanced diffuse large B-cell lymphoma].

Objective: To investigate the prognostic value of the maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax), metabolic tumor volume (MTV) and total lesion glycolysis (TLG) measured by pretreatment (18)F-FDG PET-CT in patients with stage Ⅲ~Ⅳ diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). Methods: Clinical data of 72 DLBCL patients with stage Ⅲ~Ⅳ disease undergoing a pretreatment PET-CT scan were retrospectively analyzed. SUVmax, MTV and TLG values of whole-body tumor were calculated from PET-CT images with a threshold of SUVmax 40% of tumor tissues. The optimal cutoff lines of SUVmax, MTV and TLG were obtained by ROC curve analysis. The Kaplan-Meier method and Log-rank test were used to perform univariate survival analysis, while Cox proportional hazards model was done for multivariate analysis. Results: The SUVmax, MTV and TLG of 72 patients were 21.64, 139.48 cm(3) and 1 413.77, respectively. The areas under the ROC curve (AUC) of SUVmax, MTV and TLG were 0.411 (95%CI=0.279~0.544, P=0.195), 0.688 (95%CI=0.566~0.811, P=0.006) and 0.526 (95%CI= 0.469~0.672, P=0.123), respectively. The median SUVmax (21.64) and TLG(1 413.77) were used as the cutoff lines due to smaller AUC. The cutoff point of MTV was 69.71 cm(3). For DLBCL patients of stage Ⅲ~Ⅳ disease, univariate analysis showed that SUVmax and TLG were not associated with the progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) (P>0.05 for all). Multivariate analysis showed that National Comprehensive Cancer Network International Prognostic Index (NCCN-IPI) but not MTV was the independent prognostic predictor of PFS and OS (P<0.05 for all). And MTV was not the independent prognostic factor of PFS and OS for stage Ⅲ DLBCL (P>0.05 for all). Conclusions: For DLBCL patients with stage Ⅲ~Ⅳ disease, the prognostic value of SUVmax, MTV and TLG before treatment initiation are undetermined, and these indices cannot be used to predict the prognosis.

Immunomodulatory effect of Artemisia argyi polysaccharide on peripheral blood leucocyte of broiler chickens.

This study was conducted to investigate the immunomodulatory effect of a water-soluble polysaccharide extracted from Artemisia argyi (AAP) in vitro. The effect was assessed in peripheral blood leucocytes (PBLs) of broilers, which were incubated with different AAP concentrations (0, 25, 50, 100, and 200 µg/ml) for 24 hr at 37°C in a 5% CO2 incubator. The results showed that, compared with the control group, immunoglobulin M (IgM) concentration was increased in the supernatant of the 100 µg/ml AAP-treated group (p < .05), and immunoglobulin G (IgG) concentration was increased in the supernatant of the 200 µg/ml of AAP group (p < .05). In terms of cytokine production, production of interleukin-1beta (IL-1ß), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) in the supernatant was enhanced in the AAP group in a dose-dependent function, as well as enhanced mRNA expressions were showed in the cells (p < .05). The highest concentration of these three cytokines was observed in different AAP groups (IL-1ß for 25 µg/ml of AAP, IL-6 for 100, and 200 µg/ml of AAP, and TNF-α for 100 µg/ml of AAP respectively). The concentration of nitric oxide (NO) was increased when using AAP at the concentration of 100 µg/ml (p < .05) as compared to the control group. No significant effects on inducible nitric oxide synthase, Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), myeloid differentiation factor 88 and nuclear factor Kappa B (NF-κB) mRNA level were observed at each concentration of AAP. In conclusion, we found that AAP can specifically promote the production of immunoglobulins (IgM and IgG), cytokines (IL-1ß, IL-6 and TNF-α), as well as the NO concentration in vitro, but not through the activation of the TLR4/NF-κB signalling pathway.

Acute effect of multiple ozone metrics on mortality by season in 34 Chinese counties in 2013-2015.

BACKGROUND: Although numerous multicentre studies have estimated the association between ozone exposure and mortality, there are currently no nationally representative multicentre studies of the ozone-mortality relationship in China. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect on total (nonaccidental) and cause-specific mortality of short-term exposure to ambient ozone, and examine different exposure metrics. METHODS: The effects of short-term exposure to ozone were analysed using various metrics (daily 1-h maximum, daily 8-h maximum and daily average) on total (nonaccidental) and cause-specific (circulatory and respiratory) mortality from 2013 to 2015 in 34 counties in 10 cities across China. We used distributed lag nonlinear models for estimating county-specific relative risk of mortality and combined the county-specific relative rates by conducting a random-effects meta-analysis. RESULTS: In all-year analyses, a 10 µg m-3 increase in daily average, daily 1-h maximum and daily 8-h maximum ozone at lag02 corresponded to an increase of 0.6% (95% CI: 0.33, 0.88), 0.26% (95% CI: 0.12, 0.39) and 0.37% (95% CI: 0.2, 0.55) in total (nonaccidental) mortality, 0.66% (95% CI: 0.28, 1.04), 0.31% (95% CI: 0.11, 0.51) and 0.39% (95% CI: 0.16, 0.62) in circulatory mortality, and 0.57% (95% CI: -0.09, 1.23), 0.11% (95% CI: -0.22, 0.44) and 0.22% (95% CI: -0.28, 0.72) in respiratory mortality, respectively. These estimates had a different seasonal pattern by cause of death. In general, the seasonal patterns were consistent with the times of year when ozone concentrations are highest. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that in China, the acute effects of ozone are more closely related to daily average exposure than any other metric.

Significant improvement of intestinal microbiota of gibel carp (Carassius auratus gibelio) after traditional Chinese medicine feeding.

AIMS: Increasing attention has been attracted to intestinal microbiota, due to interactions with nutrition, metabolism and immune defence of the host. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) feed additives have been applied in aquaculture to improve fish health, but the interaction with fish gut microbiota is still poorly understood. This study aimed to explore the effect of adding TCM in feed on the intestinal microbiota of gibel carp (Carassius auratus gibelio). METHODS AND RESULTS: Bacterial communities of 16 fish intestinal contents and one water sample were characterized by high-throughput sequencing and analysis of the V4-V5 region of the 16S rRNA gene. The results showed that the composition and structure of the bacterial community were significantly altered by the TCM feeding. Some phyla increased markedly (Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, Acidobacteria, etc.), while Fusobacteria were significantly reduced. Concurrently, the richness and diversity of the taxonomic units increased, and the microbiota composition of TCM-treated fish was more homogeneous among individuals. At the genus level, the addition of TCM tended to reduce the incidence of potential pathogens (Aeromonas, Acinetobacter and Shewanella), while stimulating the emergence of some potential probiotics (Lactobacillus, Lactococcus, Bacillus and Pseudomonas). CONCLUSIONS: These data suggested that the feed additive could regulate the fish intestinal microbiota by reinforcing the microbial balance. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: This study may provide useful information for further application of TCM for diseases prevention and stress management in aquaculture.

Quantitative analysis of multiple elements in healthy and remodeled epithelium from human upper airway mucosa using nuclear microscopy.

Elements are vital in airway mucosal physiology and pathology, but their distribution and levels in the mucosa remain unclear. This study uses the state-of-the-art nuclear microscopy facility to map and quantify multiple elements in the histology sections of nasal mucosa from patients with nasal polyps or inverted papilloma. Our results demonstrate that P and Ca are the most abundant elements in mucosa and their distinct difference between epithelial and subepithelial regions; more importantly, our results reveal decreased amounts of Cu and Zn in the remodeled epithelium as compared to the normal epithelium. These findings suggest that Cu and Zn may be beneficial targets to regulate aberrant epithelial remodeling in airway inflammation.

Exosomes secreted by mice adipose-derived stem cells after low-level laser irradiation treatment reduce apoptosis of osteocyte induced by hypoxia.

OBJECTIVE: Kienböck's disease is a commonly seen posttraumatic avascular necrosis characterized by avascular necrosis of the lunate bone of the wrist which involves the dominant hand. In our study, we aimed to present midterm outcomes of 12 cases treated with radial metaphyseal core decompression. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In our clinic, 12 patients who applied to our outpatient clinic with intractable pain despite at least six weeks of conservative treatment were previously diagnosed and evaluated as Kienböck's disease between the years 2006 and 2014. Patients at early stage received radial metaphyseal core decompression. RESULTS: The patients were evaluated as postoperative grip strength, flexion-extension gap, ulnar-radial deviation gap, VAS, Quick DASH and MAYO wrist scoring and patient satisfaction. CONCLUSIONS: We determined that interventions performed for Kienböck's disease cannot halt radiological progression. We are of the opinion that radial metaphyseal core decompression, aiming at increasing blood perfusion, improve early diagnosis and treatment of Kienböck's disease, increasing the patient satisfaction.

Beneficial effects of low-level laser irradiation on senile osteoporosis in rats.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of low-level laser irradiation (LLLI) on bone mineral density (BMD), bone structures, bone biomechanical properties and bone metabolism in senile osteoporosis, and to explore a relatively more secure and effective way to prevent and treat osteoporosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sprague-Dawley (SD) male rats at different age stages (4 months old, 12 months old and 20 months old) were selected and randomly divided into six groups. The rats in the treatment group were treated with LLLI for 12 weeks, and then the microstructure of bones was analyzed by micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) scanning. The biomechanical indexes of the femur were detected by the three-point bending test. Levels of the blood calcium (Ca)2+, blood phosphorus (P)3+, urine Ca, urine P and urine creatinine (CREA) were detected using an automatic biochemical analyzer. The contents of serum osteocalcin (OCN) and bone alkaline phosphatase (BAP) were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The bone formation rate (BFR) was analyzed by double fluorescent labeling with calcein and tetracycline. Hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining and toluidine blue staining were used to analyze the number of bone marrow osteoblasts and adipocytes. RESULTS: Micro-CT results showed that compared with those in the young group, the bone mineral density (BMD) in the old group was significantly decreased, and the trabecular microstructure was seriously damaged. LLLI could significantly enhance the BMD and improve the damage to the trabecular microstructure; the three-point bending test revealed that LLLI could significantly improve the biomechanical properties and enhance the mechanical strength of the femur in the old group; the biochemical analysis showed that LLLI could significantly reduce Ca and P losses and elevate the levels of serum BAP and OCN; the bone histomorphology analysis results indicated that LLLI could increase BFR and mineral apposition rate (MAR), increase the number of osteoblasts and decrease the number of adipocytes in the bone marrow in the old group. CONCLUSIONS: LLLI can effectively improve osteoporosis, increase BMD, improve bone structure and improve bone biomechanical properties in old rats; at the same time, it increases the levels of serum BAP and OCN and the number of osteoblasts in the bone marrow, suggesting that the osteogenesis function of osteoblasts is enhanced.

α-Mangostin, A Natural Xanthone, Induces Apoptosis and ROS Accumulation in Human Rheumatoid Fibroblast-Like Synoviocyte MH7A Cells.

BACKGROUND: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a complicated and heterogeneous chronic disease with the characteristic of progressive joint destruction, deformity and disability. It is associated with not only genetic but also environmental factors. Many studies suggest that RA-derived fibroblast-like synoviocyte (RA-FLS) is involved in the pathogenic process of RA. The apoptosis and proliferation of RA-FLS is of great importance in the development and progression in RA. Nowadays, more and more traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) or natural products are studied in the treatment of RA. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of several natural products and the apoptosisinduced effect of α-mangostin and its underlying mechanisms in RA-FLS MH7A cells. METHODS: The effects of natural products on MH7A cells were detected by MTT assay. Annexin V-FITC/PI double labeling and DAPI staining were adopted to observe the apoptosis induced by α-mangostin. The apoptosis related proteins were measured with western blotting analysis. ROS accumulation was determined by DHE staining. RESULTS: Xantones, including Garcinone C, α-mangostin and γ-mangostin, significantly inhibited the MH7A cell viability. And α-mangostin induces apoptosis in MH7A cells. Further study showed that α-mangostin increased the ratio of Bax/Bcl-2 and increased the ROS generation in MH7A cells. CONCLUSION: α-Mangostin induces the apoptosis of MH7A cells through increasing ROS accumulation and the ratio of Bax/Bcl-2, suggesting that α-mangostin should be benefit to the therapy of RA.

Effects of fish oil-derived fatty acids on suboptimal cardiovascular health: A multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Suboptimal health and metabolic disorders are common in the general population. Both are related to cardiovascular disease. Suboptimal cardiovascular health is defined by the presence of both suboptimal health and metabolic disorders. The aim of the study was to investigate the potential benefit of n-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFA) in participants with suboptimal cardiovascular health. METHODS AND RESULTS: A total of 422 participants with suboptimal cardiovascular health, from two clinics in China, were enrolled from September 2014 to April 2015. All the enrolled participants were randomly assigned to receive 4 g/d of fish oil or placebo for three months. Suboptimal health was defined using an accepted questionnaire. Metabolic disorders were defined as one or more abnormalities in blood pressure, fasting plasma glucose, blood lipids, and body mass index (BMI). After treatment, the mean BMI fell significantly more in the n-3 LCPUFA group than in the placebo group (-0.29 ± 0.06 kg/m2 vs. -0.02 ± 0.06 kg/m2, P = 0.003). Similar results were found in the changes of suboptimal health status and suboptimal cardiovascular health status (P < 0.05 for all). In a multivariate analysis, the n-3 LCPUFA group was 5.44 (1.15, 25.67) times more likely to have optimal cardiovascular health status after treatment. CONCLUSIONS: n-3 LCPUFA intake improved suboptimal cardiovascular health in this placebo-controlled, randomized, double-blind trial. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This study is registered at www.clinicaltrials.govNCT02103517.