Effect of safflower seeds supplementation on stimulation of the proliferation, differentiation and mineralization of osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cells

Anti-bone resorption properties of the Korean herbal formulation, Gami-Honghwain (HJ), which comprises Carthamus tinctorius L. seed and hominis placenta, were investigated. We demonstrate that the production of PGE2 is inhibited by 20-100 microg/ml HJ in nontransformed osteoblastic cells (MC3T3-E1 cells), indicating that HJ inhibits PGE2 production. The effect of HJ on the proliferation and osteoblastic differentiation in MC3T3-E1 was also studied. HJ dose-dependently increased DNA synthesis (significant at 20-100 microg/ml), and increased alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and prolyl hydroxylase activities of MC3T3-E1 cells (20-100 microg/ml), while anti-estrogen tamoxifen eliminated the stimulation of proliferation and ALP activity of MC3T3-E1 which was induced by HJ. These results indicate that HJ directly stimulates cell proliferation and differentiation of osteoblasts. Also, when we assessed the effects of HJ on osteoblastic differentiation in MC3T3-E1, HJ enhanced ALP activity and mineralization in a dose- and time-dependent fashion. This stimulatory effect of the HJ was observed at relatively low doses (significant at 20-100 microg/ml and maximal at 100 microg/ml). Northern blot analysis showed that the HJ (60 microg/ml) increased in bone morphogenetic protein-2 as well as ALP mRNA concentrations in MC3T3-E1 cells. HJ (100 microg/ml) slightly increased in type I collagen mRNA abundance throughout the culture period, whereas it markedly inhibited the gene expression of collagenase-1 between days 15 and 20 of culture. These results indicate that HJ has anabolic effect on bone through the promotion of osteoblastic differentiation, suggesting that it could be used for the treatment of common metabolic bone diseases.     

Gleditsia sinensis thorns inhibit the production of NO through NF-kappaB suppression in LPS-stimulated macrophages

The thorns of Gleditsia sinensis LAM. (Leguminosae) have been used in traditional medicine for the treatment of inflammatory diseases including swelling, suppuration, carbuncle and skin diseases in China and Korea. In this study, we investigated the mechanism responsible for anti-inflammatory effects of Gleditsia sinensis thorns in RAW 264.7 macrophages. The aqueous extract of Gleditsia sinensis thorns (AEGS) inhibited LPS-induced NO secretion as well as inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression, without affecting cell viability. Furthermore, AEGS suppressed LPS-induced NF-kappaB activation, phosphorylation and degradation of IkappaB-alpha, phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK). These results suggest that AEGS has the inhibitory effects on LPS-induced NO production and iNOS expression in macrophages through blockade in the phosphorylation of MAPKs, following IkappaB-alpha degradation and NF-kappaB activation.     

宁夏智障儿童社会支持现状调查分析

目的:探讨宁夏地区智障儿童社会支持现状和相关影响因素.方法:随机抽取宁夏银川市60多名特殊儿童为研究对象,采用韦氏儿童智力量表、社会支持评定量表、儿童适应行为评定量表进行测试.结果:特殊儿童社会支持偏低,均分仅29.60分,不同家庭类型的主观支持和社会利用存在显著差异,大家庭的主观支持高于核心家庭的主观支持,核心家庭高于单亲家庭,而社会支持利用刚好相反,核心家庭的社会利用度高于大家庭(P＜0.05);父母文化程度为高中的家庭主观支持最高(P＜0.05),而社会支持利用度中本科学历利用度最高(P＜0.05);经济状况一般的家庭获得社会支持高于家庭贫困者;大家庭中智障儿童的社会适应高于核心家庭,也高于单亲家庭(P＜0.05),父母文化程度为中专的孩子社会自制力强(P＜0.05);家庭经济相对贫困的家庭的智障儿童社会适应高于家庭经济相对一般的家庭(P＜0.05).结论:特殊儿童的家庭类型、家庭经济环境、家长文化程度对智障儿童的社会适应以及社会支持具有重要的影响.     

Effect of Classroom Illuminance on the Development and Progression of Myopia in School Children

PurposeTo evaluate the effect of classroom illuminance on the development and progression of myopia in elementary school children.MethodsThe daylight factor, a ratio of inside and outside illuminance, was obtained in 50 elementary schools. The first-grade students in the school with the lowest daylight (LD) factor (LD school, 145 subjects; 0.51%) and with the highest daylight (HD) factor (HD school, 147 subjects; 13.35%) were selected. A survey was conducted to evaluate parental myopia, the amount of near-work and outdoor activities. The refractive error and axial length (AL) were measured at initial and after 6 months. The spherical equivalent, AL, and the survey results were compared between the two schools. The mean AL of the emmetropic children was obtained, and all subjects were divided into two groups, more and less than mean AL. Changes in refractive errors and AL were also compared according to AL.ResultsThe amount of change in spherical equivalent and AL after 6 months were not different between the two schools. Initial prevalence of myopia was high in the HD school. However, it became similar between the two schools after 6 months. The mean AL of 155 emmetropic children was 22.7 ± 0.63 mm. In the 185 children with AL ≥22.7 mm, there was no difference in the AL change between the two schools. However, the change in AL in 107 children with AL <22.7 mm was significantly larger in the LD school (0.19 mm) than that in the HD school (0.15 mm, p = 0.049). Parental myopia, near-work and outdoor activities were not different between the two schools.ConclusionsHigh classroom illuminance during the day reduced axial elongation in eyes of children with a shorter AL. Increase in classroom light level by permitting more sunlight can be a protective measure against the development of myopia.     

Acute Tubular Necrosis Associated with Angiotensin Receptor-neprilysin Inhibitor

Sacubitril/valsartan, an angiotensin receptor-neprilysin inhibitor (ARNI), significantly reduces mortality and morbidity in patients with chronic heart failure with a reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). However, a considerable number of patients treated with sacubitril/valsartan experience hypotension, oliguria, progressive azotemia, and renal failure as adverse events. These issues have been linked to significant gaps in the usage and dosing of guideline-directed medical therapy with ARNI in patients with HFrEF. We herein report a relevant case of pathologically proven acute tubular necrosis after the first dose of sacubitril/valsartan, highlighting the importance of optimizing the medical therapy in an outpatient with HFrEF.     

Dieckol Inhibits the Effects of Particulate Matter 10 on Sebocytes,Outer Root Sheath Cells,and Cutibacterium Acnes-Pretreated Mice

BackgroundParticulate matter (PM) is an air pollutant that can impair the human skin. Antioxidants have been tested to improve PM-induced skin inflammation.ObjectiveIn this study, we investigated the effects of dieckol on PM-induced inflammation on cultured human sebocytes, outer root sheath (ORS) cells, and mice pretreated with Cutibacterium acnes.MethodsWe cultured and treated the sebocytes and ORS cells with 5 µM of dieckol and 100 µg/ml of PM10 for 24 h. The C. acnes-pretreated mice received 5 µM of dieckol and 100 µg/ml of PM10. We measured cell viability using MTT assay. Real-time PCR and measurement of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and sebum production analyzed the effects.ResultsDieckol inhibited the upregulation of the gene expression of the inflammatory cytokines, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP), aryl hydrocarbon receptor, and nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells by PM10 in the cultured sebocytes and ORS cells and inhibited an increase in ROS production by PM10 in the cultured sebocytes. In addition, dieckol decreased the inflammatory cytokines, MMP, and sebum production in C. acnes-pretreated mice.ConclusionDieckol effectively reduced the expression of inflammatory biomarkers and the production of sebum in cultured sebocytes, ORS cells, and C. acnes-pretreated mice.     

斜视手术2100例回顾分析

目的:探讨斜视的诊断和手术治疗技巧。方法:回顾分析2100例斜视的临床特点及手术治疗,包括性别、年龄、临床特征、就诊季节、弱视治疗、手术时机、手术方式的选择和手术并发症等。结果:2100例斜视纳入研究(其中男1105例,女995例);各年龄段分别为:<10岁,684例(32.57%);11～20岁,895例(42.62%);21～40岁,432例(20.57%);>40岁,89例(4.24%);其中共同性内斜视882例(42.00%)、共同性外斜视845例(40.23%),非共同性内斜视172例(8.19%),非共同性外斜视130例(6.19%),先天性眼球震颤45例(2.14%),A-V征26例(1.24%)。共同性斜视早期采取水平直肌加强和减弱术,使患者建立同时视觉和治疗弱视;眼球震颤患者头位<30°的采用Parks法矫正,头位>30°者手术量增加40%～60%;A-V征斜视应针对病因,合理正确选择斜肌或直肌肌腱移位术式;急性眼外肌麻痹的病因诊断非常重要,Jensen联结术是有效的手术方式。结论:斜视和弱视并存的手术时机非常重要。复杂性斜视手术的成功率取决于术前的正确诊断、手术方案的制定、手术量的设计和术中的经验判断。     

Fine particulate matter and incidence of metabolic syndrome in non-CVD patients: A nationwide population-based cohort study

Background

It has been reported that particulate matter (PM) is associated with cardiovascular diseases (CVD) while metabolic syndrome is also an important risk factor for CVD. However, few studies have investigated the epidemiological association between PM and metabolic syndrome.