The global state of research in pain management of osteoarthritis (2000–2019): A 20-year visualized analysis

There has been a highly active area in the pain management of osteoarthritis (OA) over the past 2 decades. The study aims to unmask the global status and trends in this field.Publications on pain management of OA from 2000 to 2019 were retrieved from the Web of Science (WOS) database. The data were analyzed using bibliometric statistical methodology. The software VOS viewer was used for bibliographic coupling, co-authorship, co-citation, co-occurrence analysis and to investigate the publication trends in pain management of OA.A total of 8207 researches in amount were included. The relative research interests and number of publications indicated a rising trend. The USA made the greatest contribution to this field, with the most publications, total citations and the highest H-index, while Sweden had the highest average citation per publication. The most contributive organization was Boston University. The journal OA and Cartilage published the most relative articles. Researches could be grouped into 5 clusters based on co-occurrence network map: Health and Epidemiology; Sport Medicine; Clinical Study; Mechanism Research and Medical Technology and Science. Medical Technology and Science was predicted as the next research topic in this field.The number of publications about pain management of OA would be increasing based on current global trends. The USA made the largest contribution to this field. The development of Medical Technology and Science may be the next popular topics in the pain management of OA research.     

DREADD: A Chemogenetic GPCR Signaling Platform

Recently, we created a family of engineered G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) called DREADD (designer receptors exclusively activated by designer drugs) which can precisely control three major GPCR signaling pathways (Gq, Gi, and Gs). DREADD technology has been successfully applied in a variety of in vivo studies to control GPCR signaling, and here we describe recent advances of DREADD technology and discuss its potential application in drug discovery, gene therapy, and tissue engineering.     

Mutation analysis of the TNFAIP3 in A20 haploinsufficiency: A case report

Introduction:Haploinsufficiency of A20 (HA20) is a novel genetic disease presented by Zhou et al in 2016. A20 is a protein encoded by TNFAIP3. Loss-of-function mutation in TNFAIP3 will trigger a new autoinflammatory disease: HA20. HA20-affected patients may develop a wide range of clinical manifestations, such as Behcet disease, rheumatoid arthritis, rheumatic fever, juvenile idiopathic arthritis, and systemic lupus erythematosus. HA20 is rarely reported, thus remaining far from thoroughly understood. Sixty-one cases of HA20 have been reported worldwide, among which 29 cases were diagnosed with Behcet disease ultimately. Moreover, 3 cases have been reported in China, which was the first report of HA20 characterized by Behcet disease. A comprehensive understanding of the pathogenic genes of HA20 could help us apply targeted therapy as soon as possible to improve patients’ survival rates.Patient concerns:A 2-year-old 3-month-old child was presented to our hospital with recurrent infectious enteritis and stomatitis.Diagnosis:Genetic mutations were detected immediately, and a novel pathogenic mutation was found in TNFAIP3. A heterozygous mutation (c.436-437deTC) located at TNFAIP3 was confirmed. The present research indicated that the TNFAIP3 mutation of c.436-437deTC (p.L147Qfs^∗7) accounted for familial Behcet-like autoinflammatory syndrome in the child suffering from HA20, while no variation in this locus was found in her parents.Interventions:Symptomatic treatments including oral administration of prednisone (12.5 mg/d) and iron supplement were performed, and repeated infection was no longer observed in the child. Pain and activity limitation was found in the knee joints. The treatment regimen was adjusted to oral prednisone (12.5 mg/dose, 2 doses/d) and subcutaneous injection of rhTNFR:Fc (12.5 mg/week).Outcomes: At the last follow-up, the limbs’ activities were normal, the inflammatory indicators were reduced or within the normal range. The prednisone dose was reduced to 7.5 mg/d, while the dose of rhTNFR:Fc was not changed.Conclusion:We have identified a novel pathogenic HA20 mutation. In this article, 1 case was analyzed in-depth in terms of clinical manifestations of the patient and new sources of such a novel disease, which might improve our understanding of this disease.     

IL-37b gene transfer enhances the therapeutic efficacy of mesenchumal stromal cells in DSS-induced colitis mice

Aim:

To investigate whether the transfer of the IL-37b gene, a newly identified inhibitor of both innate and adaptive immunity, could improve the therapeutic efficacy of mesenchumal stromal cells (MSCs) in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

Methods:

The expression of IL-37 in biopsied specimens of the patients with active ulcerative colitis (UC) was detected using RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry. Mice were treated with 3% dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) for 8 days to induce colitis. Before DSS treatment, the mice were injected with MSCs, MSC-eGFP or MSC-IL37b. Their body weight was measured each day, and the colons and spleens were harvested on d 10 for pathological and biochemical analyses.

Results:

In biopsied specimens of the patients with active UC, the expression of IL-37 was dramatically elevated in inflamed mucosa, mainly in epithelial cells and infiltrating immune cells. Compared to MSC-eGFP or MSCs, MSC-IL37b administration significantly attenuated the body weight and colon length reduction, and decreased the histological score in DSS-induced colitis mice. Furthermore, MSC-IL37b administration increased the percentage of myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) among total splenic mononuclear cells as well as the percentage of regulatory T cells (Tregs) among splenic CD4+ T cells in the mice. Moreover, MSC-IL37b administration increased the IL-2+ cells and decreased the IFN-γ+ cells among splenic CD4+ T cells.

Conclusion:

IL-37 is involved in the pathophysiology of UC. IL-37b gene transfer enhances the therapeutic efficacy of MSCs in DSS-induced colitis mice by inducing Tregs and MDSCs and regulating cytokine production.     

The relationship between healthy lifestyles and bone health: A narrative review

BackgroundBone health, especially osteoporosis among ageing populations, has become an important topic for both clinical and basic researchers. The relationship between bone health and healthy lifestyles has been frequently discussed. The present study focuses on the relationship between bone health and healthy lifestyles among older adults, based on a global comparison.MethodsThis narrative review was performed by collecting clinical trials, basic research and reviews on lifestyle and bone health in PubMed database.ResultsPositive effects of physical activity and negative effects of malnutrition, alcohol abuse, and cigarette smoking on bone health were revealed. The relationship between bone health and drinking coffee and tea is still inconclusive. Moreover, the diversity of each region should be aware when considering healthy lifestyles to improve bone health.ConclusionHealthy lifestyles are highly related to bone health, and different lifestyles may have different influences on regions with a high risk of bone diseases. It is practical to acknowledge the diversity of economic, religious, environmental and geological conditions in each region when providing suitable and effective recommendations for healthy lifestyles that can improve overall bone health.     

Exposure-lag-response associations between extreme environmental conditions and primary Sjögren’s syndrome

Clinical Rheumatology - Patients with primary Sjögren’s syndrome (pSS) reportedly believe that their symptoms worsen on extreme weather days due to variations in environmental...     

Protective effects of idebenone against alterations in dynamic microstructure induced by lipid peroxidation in rat cardiac mitochondria

The antioxidative effect of idebenone was studied in isolated mitochondria from the rat heart. Variables for dynamic microstructure, membrane viscosity and wobbling angle of phospholipids, were measured by means of a nanosecond time-resolved fluorometer. Exposure of isolated cardiac mitochondria to oxidative conditions in vitro caused significant alterations in lipid peroxidation, wobbling angle of phospholipids and membrane viscosity. Exposure of mitochondria to oxidative conditions after idebenone pretreatment resulted in no significant alterations in membrane viscosity and wobbling angle of phospholipids. Alterations in these variables seemed to be related to the amount of peroxidized lipid. Protection of phospholipids against peroxidation by antioxidative substances is effective in maintaining nearly normal physical properties in the dynamic microstructure of cardiac mitochondrial membranes.     

TE-C36 carbon: a new semiconducting phase with an all-sp3 bonding network

A new carbon allotrope is investigated by first principles calculations. The allotrope consists of 36 atoms in a tetragonal cell and displays P4₂/nmc symmetry (termed TE-C36 carbon) with a mass density of 3.18 g cm⁻³. The new carbon phase has an all-sp³ network, possessing squares, rhombuses, pentagons and hexagons formed by near-by atoms. The dynamic and mechanical stabilities are demonstrated by phonon dispersion and elastic constants, respectively. Its bulk modulus is 353 GPa. The analysis of its electronic band structure shows that it is a semiconductor possessing a direct band gap of 2.25 eV. X-ray diffraction patterns and Raman spectra are also simulated for future experimental characterization. Due to the direct band gap and a comparatively large bulk modulus, this new semiconducting carbon allotrope may possess not only potential electronic and optical applications but also mechanical application.

TE-C36 carbon, possessing an all-sp³ bonding network, is a semiconductor with a direct band gap of 2.25 eV.