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Background: Safflor yellow (SY) is a water-capacitive component of dried flowers, mainly from safflor in the safflower family, which contains a large amount of bruthin A, or Safflor yellow A (SYA) for short. Studies have reported the protective effects of SYA against oxidative stress injury in nerve cells. Materials and Methods: In this study, H2O2-treated PC12 cells were used as experimental materials to explore how SYA plays a protective role against nerve cells after oxidative stress and to analyze the molecular mechanism of SYA. PC12 cells were treated with H2O2 and SYA solution. Cell proliferation is then detected with Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8). The detection method is 5-(and 6)-chloromethyl-2′,7′-dichloro-dihydrofluorescein diacetate (CM-H2DCF-DA) staining reactive oxygen species (ROS). Levels of apoptosis-related proteins, including Bcl2-associated X protein (Bax), B-cell lymphoma (Bcl-2), caspase-3, and cleaved caspase-3, and oxidative stress regulators, namely, nuclear factor erythroid-2-related actor 2 (Nrf2) and heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1), were detected by western blotting. Results: The CCK-8 assay results showed that the survival rate of H2O2-induced PC12 cells was significantly increased after SYA treatment. Fluorescence microscopy (CM-H2DCF-DA staining) indicated that SYA decreased H2O2-induced apoptosis in PC12 cells by reducing intracellular ROS. Western blotting analysis showed that SYA upregulated the expression of Nrf2, HO-1, and Bcl-2 and downregulated the expression of Bax, caspase 3, and cleaved caspase-3 in H2O2-induced PC12 cells. Conclusion: SYA does protect the nerve cells from oxidative stress damage. Its mechanism of action is mainly related to whether the Nrf2/HO-1 pathway is activated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cellular bioactivity and tissue regeneration can be affected by coatings on tissue-engineered scaffolds. Using mussel-inspired polydopamine (PDA) is a convenient and effective approach to surface modification. Therefore, 3D-printed β-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) scaffolds were coated with PDA in this study. The effects of the scaffolds on the adhesion and osteogenic differentiation of seeded bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) in vitro and on new-bone formation in vivo were investigated. The potential mechanisms and related differential genes were assessed using mRNA sequencing. It was seen that PDA coating increased the surface roughness of the 3D-printed β-TCP scaffolds. Furthermore, it prompted the adhesion and osteogenic differentiation of seeded BMSCs. mRNA sequencing analysis revealed that PDA coating might affect the osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs through the calcium signaling pathway, Wnt signaling pathway, TGF-beta signaling pathway, etc. Moreover, the expression of osteogenesis-related genes, such as R-spondin 1 and chemokine c-c-motif ligand 2, was increased. Finally, both the 3D-printed β-TCP scaffolds and PDA-coated scaffolds could significantly accelerate the formation of new bone in critical-size calvarial defects in rats compared with the control group; and the new bone formation was obviously higher in the PDA-coated scaffolds than in β-TCP scaffolds. In summary, 3D-printed β-TCP scaffolds with a PDA coating can improve the physicochemical characteristics and cellular bioactivity of the scaffold surface for bone regeneration. Potential differential genes were identified, which can be used as a foundation for further research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Although acupuncture has been shown to be effective at treating overactive bladder (OAB) following stroke, to our knowledge, no randomized controlled trial (RCT) examining the effects of acupuncture on patients with post-stroke OAB has been conducted. The aim of this preliminary study was to explore the effects of electroacupuncture (EA) in the treatment of post-stroke OAB. Methods: This study was a multi-site randomized, assessor-blind, controlled pilot trial of patients with post-stroke OAB. In all, 34 post-stroke subjects (mean age: 71.0 years; 32.4% female) with OAB symptoms were randomly assigned to the treatment group or control group in a 1:1 ratio. The subjects in the treatment group were treated with six sessions of EA for 4 weeks, while the subjects in the control group received usual care. The primary outcome measure was the overactive bladder symptom scale (OABSS). Secondary outcome measures included a three day bladder diary and the stroke-specific quality-of-life scale (SSQoL). Results: EA showed a moderate effect size (ES) on the perceived severity of OAB symptoms as measured by the OABSS at week 5 (one week post-treatment, ES 0.57; p = 0.034) and week 8 (three weeks post-treatment, ES 0.60; p = 0.021), although the results did not remain statistically significant after Bonferroni correction for multiple testing. No significant differences in bladder diary parameters or SSQoL score were found. The EA treatment was well tolerated by the post-stroke subjects. Conclusion: A six-session EA treatment was feasible and appeared to reduce OAB symptoms in post-stroke patients. Further fully powered trials are warranted to confirm the efficacy of EA for those with post-stroke OAB. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Local injection of a multimodal cocktail including corticosteroid is commonly used for postoperative pain following total knee arthroplasty (TKA). However, it is inconclusive whether additional corticosteroid is beneficial. This meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) aimed to evaluate the efficacy of an additional, local injection of corticosteroid in terms of pain relief and knee function recovery after TKA. Methods: RCTs in electronic literature databases including PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and Cochrane Library were systematically searched. Of 1,628 records identified, 9 RCTs involving 727 knees were eligible for data extraction and meta‐analysis. Results: Local injection of a multimodal cocktail including corticosteroid did not contribute to pain relief within 12 hours postoperatively (P > 0.05). However, from 24 hours to 72 hours, it significantly decreased pain scores (P < 0.05, all) at rest and reduced total rescue opioid consumption postoperatively (P < 0.05). Knee range of motion (ROM) was improved at postoperative day 1 (POD1) and POD2 (P < 0.05), and hospital stay (P < 0.05) was shortened after local injection of corticosteroid. However, the other outcomes, including knee ROM after POD2, C‐reactive protein level, Knee Society score, postoperative nausea and vomiting, and wound complication occurrences, were not significantly different (P > 0.05, all). Conclusions: Additional corticosteroid added to a multimodal cocktail improved postoperative pain, enhanced knee functional recovery, and shortened hospital stays following TKA, but local injection of corticosteroids had no effect on reducing nausea and vomiting based on our outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The objective of this study was to assess whether intravenous acetaminophen for patients undergoing knee or hip arthroplasty could reduce the opioid consumption and improve pain management.Method: Eligible studies were searched from electronic databases including PubMed, Web of Science, Embase (Ovid interface) and Cochrane Library (Ovid interface). The quality assessments were performed according to the Cochrane systematic review method. The assessed outcomes were including opioid consumption, pain scores, length of hospital stays and total occurrence of adverse events.Results: Among 832 records identified, six randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and five non-RCTs were eligible for data extraction and meta-analysis. According to the outcomes, the patients receive intravenous acetaminophen had less total opioid consumption after knee or hip artroplasty (SMD = -0.66; 95%CI, -1.13 to -0.20), but they did not obtain statistical improvement of postoperative pain control at postoperative day 0 (POD0, SMD = -0,15; 95%CI, -0.36 to 0.07), POD1(SMD = 0,12; 95%CI, -0.13 to 0.36), POD2 (SMD = -0,29; 95%CI, -0.70 to 0.12) and POD3 (SMD = -0,04; 95%CI, -0.49 to 0.41). Meanwhile, there were similar outcomes about the length of hospital stays in patients whether or not receiving intravenous acetaminophen (SMD = -0,05; 95%CI, -0.26 to 0.15). And, the total adverse effects occurrence also didn't show any significant difference between the acetaminophen group and control group (OR = 0.87; 95%CI, 0.57 to 1.33).Conclusions: Perioperative intravenous acetaminophen use in multimodal analgesia could significantly reduce of total opioid consumption, but it did not contribute to decrease the average pain scores and shorten the length of hospital stays in total hip or knee arthroplasty. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to explore the surface modification of deproteinized bovine bone using lithium-ion and evaluate its efficacy on osteogenesis improvement and critical-sized bone defect repair. Hydrothermal treatment was performed to produce lithium-incorporated deproteinized bovine bone. In vitro study, human osteosarcoma cell MG63 (MG63) was cultured with the bone substitute to evaluate the cell viability and then calcium deposition was measured to analyze the osteogenesis. In vivo studies, male adult goats were chosen to build critical-sized bone defect model and randomly divided into three groups. The goats were treated with autogenous cancellous bone, lithium-incorporated deproteinized bovine bone, and deproteinized bovine bone. Animals were evaluated using radiological analysis including X-ray, computed tomography, and Micro-CT; histological methods involving hematoxylin -- eosin dyeing, Masson dyeing, and immunofluorescence detection at 4 and 12 weeks after surgery were carried out. According to the results, lithium-incorporated deproteinized bovine bone produced nano-structured surface layer. The lithium-incorporated deproteinized bovine bone could promote the osteoblast proliferation and increase the calcium deposition. In vivo studies, radiographic results revealed that lithium-incorporated deproteinized bovine bone scaffolds provided better performance in terms of mean gray values of X films, mean pixel values of computed tomography films, and bone volume and trabecular thickness of micro-computed tomography pictures when compared with the deproteinized bovine bone group. In addition, histological analysis showed that the lithium-incorporated deproteinized bovine bone group also significantly achieved larger new bone formation area. At the same time, when the expression of osteogenic factors in vivo was evaluated, runt-related transcription factor 2 (Runx2) and collagen type one (Col-1) were expressed more in lithium-incorporated deproteinized bovine bone group than those in deproteinized bovine bone group. However, the bone defect repair effect using autograft is still a little better than that of lithium-incorporated deproteinized bovine bone substitute based on our results. In conclusion, surface lithium-incorporated deproteinized bovine bone achieved improvement of osteogenesis effect and could enhance the new bone formation in critical-sized bone defects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Background: Corticosteroids are frequently used for the treatment of postoperative nausea and vomiting, and have also been reported to have an effect on postoperative analgesia. This study was conducted to assess the pain management effect of perioperative intravenous corticosteroids in patients undergoing total knee or hip arthroplasty and evaluate their early rehabilitation. Method: Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were searched from electronic databases, including PubMed, Web of Science, Embase (Ovid interface), and the Cochrane Library (Ovid interface). Among 932 records identified, 14 RCTs involving 1,023 patients were eligible for data extraction and meta‐analysis. Results: The use of intravenous steroids was associated with reduced pain at rest and with activity during the first 24 hours after operation (P < 0.05). Patient steroid groups had less opioid consumption (P < 0.05). Additionally, patients using intravenous corticosteroids had better outcomes, in terms of nausea and vomiting (both P < 0.05). Moreover, corticosteroids were effective in decreasing the inflammatory marker interleukin‐6 (P < 0.05). Complications such as deep infection and pruritus showed similar occurrence in both the corticosteroid groups and control groups (P > 0.05), while the occurrence of venous thromboembolism was lower in the corticosteroid groups, with a marginally significant difference. In addition, no significant difference in length of hospital stay was observed, irrespective of whether patients received intravenous corticosteroids (P > 0.05). Conclusion: Our results show that intravenous corticosteroids have good efficacy and safety when used perioperatively in total knee or hip arthroplasty. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Tranexamic acid can be effective at decreasing blood loss and transfusion requirements associated with total hip arthroplasty (THA), but few studies have compared the efficacy of different intravenous dosing regimes. This double-blind, randomized controlled trial compared the ability of two doses of intravenous TXA (IV-TXA, 10 or 15 mg/kg) to reduce bleeding and transfusions associated with THA. Materials and methods A total of 124 patients scheduled for THA were consecutively randomized 1:1:1 into three parallel arms: control (placebo), 10 mg/kg IV-TXA and 15 mg/kg IV-TXA. Results The proportion of patients who experienced bleeding and required transfusions was significantly lower in the 15 mg/kg IV-TXA group (1 of 42, 2.4%) than in the 10 mg/kg IV-TXA group (8 of 39, 20.5%; P = 0.012) and in the control group (10 of 38, 26.3%; P = 0.002). In fact, this proportion was similar between the 10 mg/kg IV-TXA and control groups ( P = 0.547). Ultrasound examination on postoperative day 3 revealed only one case of asymptomatic deep vein thrombosis (in the femoral vein) in the 10 mg/kg IV-TXA group, which was managed by administering low-molecular-weight heparin. No cases of deep-vein thrombosis were observed in the other two groups. No cases of symptomatic pulmonary embolism were observed. Conclusion IV-TXA at 10 mg/kg significantly reduced blood loss and mitigated the decrease in hemoglobin and hematocrit after THA, but it did not significantly reduce the need for transfusions. In contrast, a dose of 15 mg/kg reduced both bleeding and transfusion requirements. Our results argue for a dose of 15 mg/kg when using single-dose IV-TXA. Level of evidence Therapeutic Level I [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

According to the hydraulic conditions and differences between rivers and long-distance canal systems, a juxtaposition floating ice cover model has been developed to ensure the safety of long-distance canal system operations in winter based on a flow regulation plan for canal systems and predictions of cold waves. The model can describe the ice cover formation process in the pools of each canal and the accompanying hydraulic responses and changes to the gate opening process. The model has been used to simulate the operation processes of the Jingshi canal portion of the middle route of the South-to-North Water Diversion Project in winter. The simulation results show the importance of obtaining accurate data on the ice cover roughness changing process and initial thickness, critical value of the area ice concentration upon formation, and maximization of flow velocity to ensure the juxtaposition of ice cover formation. The model can be used to determine the flow target and predict the gate operations of the canal system when a period of frigid weather is forecast. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical results, survivorship and quick rehabilitation effects of modified surgery of percutaneously drilling and decompression through femoral head and neck fenestration combined with compacted autograft for early femoral head necrosis.Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study with 83 hips performed percutaneous decompression through femoral head and neck fenestration (Modified group) combined with autogenous bone grafting for early ONFH. For comparison, another 90 hips treated with conventional core decompression with bone grafting (Control group).Results: Median follow-up was 36 months (32-44 months). The length of incision, blood loss in operation, incision drainage, operation time and hospital stays in Modified group had better results than those in control group (P < 0.001). There were four cases in Modified group and five cases in control group had complications (P = 0.9). The VAS score and range of hip motion were better in Modified group during hospital stays summarily (P < 0.05). The average Harris score in modified group was higher than the control group at the first month (P = 0.005), while at other time of follow-up the two groups were with similar Harris scores (P > 0.05). There were 22 hips progressed to stage III in Modified group, while 23 hips progressed to stage III in control group (P = 0.89). The clinical success rate in Modified group were 86.7%, compared with that in control group (87.8%) ( P= 0.84).Conclusion: Percutaneous drilling and decompression through femoral head and neck fenestration combined with compacted autograft we reported showed an good surgical effect with a quick rehabilitation and had similar short-term effects compared with the conventional core decompression in treatment of early ONFH. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Competing Interests: The authors report no conflicts of interest in this communication.

Competing Interests: The authors report no conflicts of interest in this communication.

Background: Myasthenia gravis (MG) is a common autoimmune disease that often involves the skeletal muscle of the whole body and seriously affects patients' quality of life. Acupuncture and moxibustion treatment of MG has unique advantages, the aim is to evaluate the clinical effect of acupuncture and moxibustion on MG., Methods: The literature on acupuncture and moxibustion treating MG in PubMed, CochraneLibrary, EMBASE, SCI, China Academic Journals full-text database, China Biology Medicine disc, VIP and Wanfang database were searched through computers from the establishment of the database to December 2022., Results: A total of 11 studies were included, involving 658 patients, where 330 in the treatment group and 328 in the control group. The results of the meta-analysis showed that the treatment group performed better than the control group in improving the total clinical response rate (OR = 3.26, 95%[2.04,5.21], P < .01). Additionally, the treatment group outperformed the control group in raising the absolute clinical score (MD = -3.48, 95%CI[-5.17, -1.78], P < .01). However, there was no significant difference between the treatment group and the control group in improving the level of serum interleukin-6 receptor (MD = -1.45,95%CI[-6.85,3.95], P > .05) and OMG quantitative score (MD = -2.16,95%CI[-4.85,0.52], P > .05). The total clinical effective rate was tested for publication bias, which showed that the 2 sides of the funnel plot were asymmetrical, suggesting the possible existence of publication bias., Conclusion: Acupuncture and moxibustion has a good effect on MG, which is better than conventional Western medicine in improving the total clinical effective rate and absolute clinical score., Competing Interests: The authors have no conflicts of interest to disclose., (Copyright © 2024 the Author(s). Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.)

The aim of this study was to prepare a promising biomaterial for bone tissue repair and regeneration. The Strontium - calcium sulfate hemihydrate (Sr-α-CaS) scaffold incorporating gelatin microspheres (GMs) encapsulated with Ginsenoside Rg1 (Rg1) was designed. The scaffolds of Rg1/GMs/Sr-α-CaS showed sustained release of Rg1, good biocompatibility and ability of promoting osteogenic differentiation and angiogenesis in vitro . The scaffolds were implanted into animal model of cranial bone defect to characterize bone tissue repair and regeneration in vivo . From the images of Micro-CT, it was obvious that the most bone tissue was formed in Rg1/GMs/Sr-α-CaS group in 12 weeks. New bone structure, collagen and mineralization were analyzed with staining of HE, Masson and Safranin O-Fast green and showed good distribution. The expression of osteocalcin of Rg1/GMs/Sr-α-CaS indicated new bone formation in defect site. The results revealed that synergy of Rg1 and Sr showed the best effect of bone repair and regeneration, which provided a new candidate for bone defect repair in clinic., (Copyright © 2020 Luo, Yu, Lin, Wang, Yang and Tang.)