The pathogenesis of the osteoarthritis (OA) is complex. Abnormal subchondral bone metabolism is an important cause of this disease. Further understanding on the pathology of the subchondral bone in OA may provide a new therapy. This research is about to investigate the role of SDF-1 in the subchondral bone during the pathological process of OA. In vitro, Transwell was used to test the migratory ability of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Western blot presented the protein level after SDF-1 treatment in BMSCs and HUVESs. Alizarin red was used to assess the ability of osteogenic differentiation. To inhibit SDF-1 signaling pathway in vivo, AMD3100 (SDF-1 receptor blocker) was continuously delivered via miniosmotic pump for 4 weeks in mice after performing anterior cruciate ligament transaction surgery. Micro-CT, histology staining, immunofluorescence, immunohistochemistry, and TRAP staining were used to assess the role of SDF-1 on osteogenesis and angiogenesis in the subchondral bone. Our results showed that SDF-1 could recruit BMSCs, activate the p-ERK pathway, and enhance osteogenic differentiation. SDF-1 promoted the ability of proliferation, migration and tube formation of HUVECs by activating the ERK and AKT signaling pathways. In an animal study, inhibition of SDF-1/CXCR4 axis could significantly reduce subchondral osteogenesis differentiation and H-type vessel formation. Furthermore, the AMD3100-treated group showed less cartilage destruction and bone resorption. Our research shows that SDF-1 alters the microenvironment of the subchondral bone by promoting osteoid islet formation and abnormal H-type angiogenesis in the subchondral bone, resulting in articular cartilage degeneration.

Emerging threat of drug resistance among pathogens causing ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) has resulted in higher hospital costs, longer hospital stays, and increased hospital mortality. Biofilms in the endotracheal tube of ventilated patients act as protective shield from host immunity. They induce chronic and recurrent infections that defy common antibiotics. This study intended to determine the biofilm produced by pathogens causing VAP and their relation with drug resistance.

Bronchoalveolar lavage and deep tracheal aspirates (

= 70) were obtained from the patients mechanically ventilated for more than 48 hours in the intensive care units of Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital, Kathmandu, and processed according to the protocol of the American Society for Microbiology (ASM). Antibiotic susceptibility testing was done following Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) 2017 guidelines. Biofilm formation was determined using the microtiter plate method described by Christensen and modng novel interventions to combat multidrug resistance.

Gram-negative nonfermenter bacteria account for the bulk of nosocomial pneumonia. MDR, ESBL, and MBL production was preponderant among the biofilm producers. The rampant spread of drug resistance among biofilm producers is summoning novel interventions to combat multidrug resistance.After the announcement of a new coronavirus in China in December 2019, which was then called SARS-CoV-2, this virus changed to a global concern and it was then declared as a pandemic by WHO. Human leukocyte antigen (HLA) alleles, which are one of the most polymorphic genes, play a pivotal role in both resistance and vulnerability of the body against viruses and other infections as well as chronic diseases. The association between HLA alleles and preexisting medical conditions such as cardiovascular diseases and diabetes mellitus is reported in various studies. In this review, we focused on the bioinformatic HLA studies to summarize the HLA alleles which responded to SARS-CoV-2 peptides and have been used to design vaccines. We also reviewed HLA alleles that are associated with comorbidities and might be related to the high mortality rate among COVID-19 patients. Since both genes and patients’ medical conditions play a key role in both severity of the disease and the mortality rate in COVID-19 patients, a better understanding of the connection between HLA alleles and SARS-CoV-2 can provide a wider perspective on the behavior of the virus. Such understanding can help scientists, especially in terms of protecting healthcare workers and designing effective vaccines.Aging affects the brain function in elderly individuals, and Dushen Tang (DST) is widely used for the treatment of senile diseases. ABT-199 In this study, the protective effect of DST against memory impairment was evaluated through the Morris water maze (MWM) test and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). A joint analysis was also performed using LC-MS metabolomics and the microbiome. The MWM test showed that DST could significantly improve the spatial memory and learning abilities of rats with memory impairment, and the TEM analysis showed that DST could reduce neuronal damage in the hippocampus of rats with memory impairment. Ten potential biomarkers involving pyruvate metabolism, the synthesis and degradation of ketone bodies, and other metabolic pathways were identified by the metabolomic analysis, and it was found that 3-hydroxybutyric acid and lactic acid were involved in the activation of cAMP signaling pathways. The 16S rDNA sequencing results showed that DST could regulate the structure of the gut microbiota in rats with memory impairment, and these effects were manifested as changes in energy metabolism. These findings suggest that DST exerts a good therapeutic effect on rats with memory impairment and that this effect might be mainly achieved by improving energy metabolism. These findings might lead to the potential development of DST as a drug for the treatment of rats with memory impairment.

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of an endoscopic bag during laparoscopic morcellation of leiomyoma or myomatous uterus.

A total of 48 patients with symptomatic leiomyoma were randomized for laparoscopic morcellation in two groups group A with a specific endoscopic bag or group B without any bag. The primary outcome measure was the detection of smooth muscle cells from washing after power morcellation determined by peritoneal cytology and immunohistochemistry (IHC).

Cytology and IHC from group A did not revealed any smooth muscle cells, while 29% of cases (7/24) from group B were positive (

= .009). The duration of the surgical procedure was the same in both groups. The duration of positioning the bag did not change significantly during the study. Only in one case the use of the bag was difficult due to a low pneumoperitoneum.

The use of a morcellation bag is efficient to prevent the spread of smooth muscle cells during the morcellation of leiomyoma or myomatous uterus. This study confirms the feasibility and the safety of the laparoscopic inbag morcellation versus open morcellation.