Objective To investigate the effect of 620 nm red light on chondrogenic differentiation in rat precartilaginous stem cells (PSCs). Methods Rats' PSCs were isolated and purified using magnetically activated cell sorting and cultured in vitro.The PSCs were exposed once to 620 nm wavelength red light from a light-emitting diode (LED) with an irradiation energy of 0.5 J/cm2,1 J/cm2,2 J/cm2 or 4 J/cm2.Any effect was confirmed by Alcian blue staining,immunohistochemistry and observing histomorphological changes under a light microscope,as well as detection using a reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Results After being induced for 14 d,the PSCs exhibited polygonal and round shapes. Alcian blue and type Ⅱ collagen immunohistoehemistry staining showed positive results,but the control group had no significant change.RT-PCR showed that the mRNA expression of Sox9 and type Ⅱ collagen increased significantly compared with the control group. Conclusion Low energy 620 nm red light can enhance chondrogenic differentiation in PSCs significantly.
Key words:
Chondrocytes ; Cell differentiation ; Precartilaginous stem cells; Red light
Male infertility is a global public health issue recognized by the WHO. Recently, antioxidants are increasingly used to treat idiopathic male infertility. However, the lack of available evidence has led to the inability to rank the effects of antioxidants on the sperm quality parameters and pregnancy rate of infertile men. This network meta-analysis studied the effects of different antioxidants on the sperm quality and pregnancy rate of idiopathic male infertility.We searched PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library databases for randomized controlled trials (RCTs). The weighted mean difference (WMD) and odds ratio (OR) were applied for the comparison of continuous and dichotomous variables, respectively, with 95% CIs. The outcomes were sperm motility, sperm concentration, sperm morphology, and pregnancy rate.A total of 23 RCTs with 1,917 patients and 10 kids of antioxidants were included. l-Carnitine, l-carnitine+l-acetylcarnitine, coenzyme-Q10, ω-3 fatty acid, and selenium were more efficacious than placebo in sperm quality parameters. l-Carnitine was ranked first in sperm motility and sperm morphology (WMD 6.52% [95% CI: 2.55% to 10.05%], WMD 4.96% [0.20% to 9.73%]). ω-3 fatty acid was ranked first in sperm concentration (WMD 9.89 × 106/ml, [95% CI: 7.01 to 12.77 × 106/ml]). In terms of pregnancy rate, there was no significant effect as compared with placebo.l-Carnitine was ranked first in sperm motility and sperm morphology. ω-3 fatty acid was ranked first in sperm concentration. Coenzyme-Q10 had better effective treatment on sperm motility and concentration. Furthermore, high-quality RCTs with adequate sample sizes should be conducted to compare the outcomes of different antioxidants.
Abstract: This article focuses on a range of non-pharmacological strategies for managing sarcopenia in chronic diseases, including exercise, dietary supplements, traditional Chinese exercise, intestinal microecology, and rehabilitation therapies for individuals with limited limb movement. By analyzing multiple studies, the article aims to summarize the available evidence to manage sarcopenia in individuals with chronic diseases. The results strongly emphasize the role of resistance training in addressing chronic diseases and secondary sarcopenia. Maintaining the appropriate frequency and intensity of resistance training can help prevent muscle atrophy and effectively reduce inflammation. Although aerobic exercise has limited ability to improve skeletal muscle mass, it does have some positive effects on physical function. Building upon this, the article explores the potential benefits of combined training approaches, highlighting their helpfulness for overall quality of life. Additionally, the article also highlights the importance of dietary supplements in combating muscle atrophy in chronic diseases. It focuses on the importance of protein intake, supplements rich in essential amino acids and omega-3, as well as sufficient vitamin D to prevent muscle atrophy. Combining exercise with dietary supplements appears to be an effective strategy for preventing sarcopenia, although the optimal dosage and type of supplement remain unclear. Furthermore, the article explores the potential benefits of intestinal microecology in sarcopenia. Probiotics, prebiotics, and bacterial products are suggested as new treatment options for sarcopenia. Additionally, emerging therapies such as whole body vibration training, blood flow restriction, and electrical stimulation show promise in treating sarcopenia with limited limb movement. Overall, this article provides valuable insights into non-pharmacological strategies for managing sarcopenia in individuals with chronic diseases. It emphasizes the importance of a holistic and integrated approach that incorporates exercise, nutrition, and multidisciplinary interventions, which have the potential to promote health in the elderly population. Future research should prioritize high-quality randomized controlled trials and utilize wearable devices, smartphone applications, and other advanced surveillance methods to investigate the most effective intervention strategies for sarcopenia associated with different chronic diseases. Keywords: sarcopenia, resistance training, nutrition, chronic disease, inflammation
Homotypic interactions of viral capsid proteins are common, driving viral capsid self-formation. By taking advantage of such interactions of the norovirus shell (S) domain that naturally builds the interior shells of norovirus capsids, we have developed a technology to produce 60-valent, icosahedral S60 nanoparticles through the E. coli system. This has been achieved by several modifications to the S domain, including an R69A mutation to destruct an exposed proteinase cleavage site and triple cysteine mutations (V57C/Q58C/S136C) to establish inter-S domain disulfide bonds for enhanced inter-S domain interactions. The polyvalent S60 nanoparticle with 60 exposed S domain C-termini offers an ideal platform for antigen presentation, leading to enhanced immunogenicity to the surface-displayed antigens for vaccine development. This was proven by constructing a chimeric S60 nanoparticle displaying 60 rotavirus (RV) VP8* proteins, the major RV-neutralizing antigen. These S60-VP8* particles are easily produced and elicited high IgG response in mice toward the displayed VP8* antigens. The mouse antisera after immunization with the S60-VP8* particles exhibited high blockades against RV VP8* binding to its glycan ligands and high neutralizing activities against RV infection in culture cells. The three-dimensional structures of the S60 and S60-VP8* particles were studied. Furthermore, the S60 nanoparticle can display other antigens, supporting the notion that the S60 nanoparticle is a multifunctional vaccine platform. Finally, the intermolecular disulfide bond approach may be used to stabilize other viral-like particles to display foreign antigens for vaccine development.
Abstract Background: The loss of life ability of patients after stroke is mostly caused by the dysfunction of upper limbs, especially hands. Hand functional exercise is the premise of alleviating hand dysfunction, and the relief of hand spasm is the basis of timely and effective hand functional exercise. Previous clinical observation showed that fascial point needling could effectively alleviate hand spasm immediately after stroke, but further evidence from large sample studies is needed. The overall objective of this trial is to further evaluate the clinical efficacy of fascial point acupuncture on hand spasm after stroke. Methods/design: This multicenter randomized controlled trial will compare the efficacy of fascial point acupuncture versus sham acupuncture and routine rehabilitation therapy in stroke patients with hand spasm. Patients will be randomized to undergo either the fascial point acupuncture or the sham acupuncture or the control (routine rehabilitation therapy). We will recruit 210 stroke inpatients who meet the trial criteria and observe the remission of hand spasm and improvement of limb function after 4 weeks of intervention. The first evaluation indexes are the remission of hand spasm and the duration of spasm remission. The second evaluation indexes are the hand function of affected limbs and the ability of daily living. When the accumulative total number of cases included reaches 120, a mid-term analysis will be conducted to determine any evidence that experimental intervention does have an advantage. Discussion: Our aim is to evaluate the efficacy of fascial point acupuncture in relieving hand spasm after stroke. The results will provide more evidences for the clinical application of this therapy in the future. Trial registration: The trial has been registered at the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry（ChiCTR）on April 9, 2019. Registration number: ChiCTR1900022379 Keywords: Fascia points, Acupuncture, Spasm, Stroke
Objective
The aim of this study was to set up a large, longitudinal and prospective database to investigate epidemiology, pathogenesis,the diagnosis, and prognosis of ankylosing spondylitis (AS) in Chinese population.
Methods
Four hundreds, and forty-nine consecutive outpatients with confirmed AS were recruited and followed annually. Characteristics of registration and demography (age, gender, time of back pain onset diagnosis, presence of AS-related clinical manifestations features, family history) and the current condition (disease activity, severity, treatment, laboratory tests) were collected at the clinic by rheumatologists. Dichotomous parameters were compared between groups using the χ2 test. Continuous parameters were compared using the analysis of variance.
Results
Four hundreds and forty-nine patients [(mean age: (29±8) years, male 84.0% (377/449), human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-B27 positive in 81.5% (309/379)] were included in the analysis. In this cross-sectional analysis only data at the first visit were used (from May 2014 to December2014). Differences in symptom duration (≤5 years, >5 years to ≤10 years and >10 years) were analyzed. The 3 groups did not differ in the frequency of gender, HLA-B27 positivity, family history, arthritis, enthesitis, inflammatory bowel disease, psoriasis, and abnormal C reactive protein (CRP). More patients with a higher prevalence of anterior chest wall [16.4%(27/165), 17.4%(26/149) vs 28.1%(38/135), χ2=7.477, P=0.024] and uveitis [5.5%(9/165), 8.9% (23/149) vs 18.5% (25/135), χ2=14.244, P<0.01].
Conclusion
This large cohort may improve our knowledge on the characteristics, pathogenesis and natural in chinese patienes with AS.
Key words:
Spondylitis, ankylosing; Prospective cohort; Symptom duration; Mobile health
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