Identification of Hedyotis diffusa Willd-specific mRNA-miRNA-lncRNA network in rheumatoid arthritis based on network pharmacology, bioinformatics analysis, and experimental verification.

Hedyotis diffusa Willd (HDW) possesses heat-clearing, detoxification, anti-cancer, and anti-inflammatory properties. However, its effects on rheumatoid arthritis (RA) remain under-researched. In this study, we identified potential targets of HDW and collected differentially expressed genes of RA from the GEO dataset GSE77298, leading to the construction of a drug-component-target-disease regulatory network.

Salt-blocking three-dimensional Janus evaporator with superwettability gradient for efficient and stable solar desalination.

Solar interfacial steam power generation is a prospective method for seawater desalination. In this work, a salt-blocking three-dimensional (3D) Janus evaporator with a superhydrophobic to superhydrophilic gradient was fabricated by spraying a composite dispersion of multi-walled carbon nanotubes/polydimethylsiloxane (CNTs/PDMS) onto the top side of a polyurethane (PU) foam and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) solution onto the bottom side. The CNTs/PDMS composite dispersion with nanostructured CNTs and low surface energy PDMS combined with the porous structure of the PU foam rendered the top side superhydrophobic.

Reliability of the measurement of glenoid bone defect in anterior shoulder instability.

Background: The size of the glenoid bone defect is an important index in selecting the appropriate treatment for anterior shoulder instability. However, the reliability of glenoid bone defect measurement is controversial. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the reliabilities of measurements of the glenoid bone defect on computed tomography and to explore the predisposing factors leading to inconsistency of these measurements.

Involvement of endothelial nitric oxide synthase pathway in IGF‑1 protects endothelial progenitor cells against injury from oxidized LDLs.

A high level of oxidized low‑density lipoproteins (oxLDLs) is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether insulin‑like growth factor‑1 (IGF‑1) protected endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) from injury caused by ox‑LDLs, and whether the endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS)/nitric oxide (NO) pathway was involved in this process. EPCs were isolated from human peripheral blood and characterized.

Retrospective analysis of 52 patients with prolactinomas following endoscopic endonasal transsphenoidal surgery.

Background: Prolactinomas affect patients' quality of life and even endanger lives. The study aimed to investigate the effect of the endoscopic endonasal transsphenoidal approach (EETA) on 52 patients with prolactinomas.

Methods: A total of 52 patients with prolactinomas who had previously undergone EETA in the People's Hospital of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region between January 2013 and December 2017 were retrospectively analyzed.

Accuracy of pedicle screw insertion in posterior scoliosis surgery: a comparison between intraoperative navigation and preoperative navigation techniques.

Purpose: This study was conducted to compare the efficacy and accuracy of intraoperative navigation (O-arm or Arcadis navigation) and preoperative CT-based navigation in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) surgery.

Methods: Sixty-seven patients with scoliosis were grouped according to the method of navigation used in their fixation surgeries. A total of 492 pedicle screws were implanted in 27 patients using intraoperative navigation, and 626 screws were implanted in 40 patients using preoperative navigation.

[In vitro anti-tumor effect of human dendritic cells vaccine induced by astragalus polysacharin: an experimental study].

Objective: To explore the in vitro anti-tumor effect and mechanism of dendritic cell (DC) tumor vaccine induced by astragalus polysacharin (APS).

Methods: Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) isolated from human peripheral blood. DCs obtained from human peripheral blood were cultivated and added with culture solution for in vitro inducing them to immature DCs.

Research advances in treatment of cerebral ischemic injury by acupuncture of conception and governor vessels to promote nerve regeneration.

Cerebral ischemia is one of the most common diseases treated by acupuncture therapeutics. Recent studies indicated that acupuncture treatment by needling the conception and governor vessels had positive effects in promoting neural regeneration in patients after cerebral ischemia injury. Acupuncture intervention could continuously promote the proliferation and differentiation of the neural stem cells in the brain, obviously up-regulate expression of growth factors, accelerate angiogenesis and inhibit apoptosis.

[Performance of an innovative polyethylene carrier biotrickling filter treating hydrogen sulphide gas].

Characteristics of double-layer biotrickling filter using high density polythene rasching rings carrier treating waste gas containing hydrogen sulphide was studied. Results showed that biotrickling filter had significant advantages of low pressure drop and even load distribution along the reactor height. When removal efficiency was greater than 90%, gas retention time was 12 s, maximum inlet load was 110 g/(m3 x h), elimination capacity was 84 g/(m3 x h).

[Changes of vessel in steroid-induced osteonecrosis of femoral head: experimental study of rabbits].

Objective: To investigate the changes of vessel function, vessel injury, blood viscosity and vessel regeneration in steroid-induced osteonecrosis of femoral head.

Methods: Forty Chinese white rabbits were randomly divided into 2 equal groups to be injected with: horse serum intravenously twice with an interval of 3 weeks and than prednisone intraperitoneally once a day for 5 days (Group A), or injected with prednisone once a day for 5 days (Group B). Whole blood samples were collected by intracordal puncture before intravenous injection in group A and B, 24 hr after injection of horse serum in group A, and 3, 7, and 21 days after prednisone administration.

[Effect of 99Tc-MDP on cytokine production by peripheral blood mononuclear cells of patients with rheumatoid arthritis].

Objective: To study the immune mechanism of 99Tc-MDP in the treatment of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Methods: In vitro, 99Tc-MDP was added to the cultures of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) derived from healthy subjects and RA patients. The levels of IL-1 and sIL-2R from PBMC affected by 99Tc-MDP were determined with enzyme linked immunosorbert assays (ELISA).