Jiulong Song

The interpeak latency is a crucial characteristic of upper limb somatosensory evoked potentials (USEPs). However, the existing research on the correlation between interpeak latency and consciousness disorders is currently limited. We aimed to investigate how USEPs can contribute to the diagnosis of consciousness disorders. A retrospective analysis was conducted on 10 patients who underwent repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) for consciousness disorders. The interpeak latency N13-N20, Glasgow coma scale (GCS), and Chinese Nanjing persistent vegetative state scale (CNPVSS) were evaluated before and after rTMS treatment, and the linear correlation between N13-N20, GCS, and CNPVSS was analysed. The scores of CNPVSS and GCS significantly increased in the first, second, and third months after rTMS. The N13-N20 was shorter in the second and third months after rTMS compared to before treatment. rTMS was found to shorten the N13-N20 latency, and there was a negative correlation between N13-N20 and the score of consciousness disorders. N13-N20 can serve as an objective index for evaluating consciousness disorders. This research provides potential insights for doctors in diagnosing patients with consciousness disorders.

Background: Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is the leading cause of pain and stiffness, affecting older adults’ physical function and quality of life. As a form of mind-body exercise, Tai Chi has been recommended as an exercise prescription for KOA patients. This study examined the effects and continuation of modified Tai Chi exercises on physical function and quality of life in elderly women with KOA.Methods: We conducted a single-blind, randomized controlled trial (RCT) on 40 older women with KOA. The participants were randomized to a 12 weeks Tai Chi or control group. The Tai Chi group attended a kind of modified Tai Chi training sessions three times per week; the control group attended wellness education sessions once a week. The primary outcome was the Western Ontario and McMaster University Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC). Secondary outcomes were the Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Timed Up and Go (TUG), Short-Form 36 (SF-36), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality of Index (PSQI), Self-rating Anxiety Scale (SAS), and Self-rating Depression Scale (SDS).Results: After the 12-weeks the Tai Chi group showed significan improvement in the WOMAC pain (mean difference, −5.09 points, p = 0.001), WOMAC stiffness (mean difference, −3.60 points, p = 0.002), WOMAC physical function (mean difference, −11.21 points, p = 0.001) compared to the control group. In addition, the Tai Chi group had also significant improvement in the BBS (mean difference, 1.70 points, p = 0.008), TUG (mean difference, −0.52s, p = 0.001), SF-36PCS (mean difference, 7.60 points, p = 0.001), MCS (mean difference, 7.30 points, p = 0.001), PSQI (mean difference, −3.71 points, p = 0.001), SDS (mean difference, −5.37 points, p = 0.025) and SAS (mean difference, −5.06 points, p = 0.002).Conclusion: The modified Tai Chi exercises are an effective treatment for improved physical function and quality of life in elderly women with KOA.Clinical Trial Registration: The trial was registered in Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR2000040721), http://www.chictr.org.cn/edit.aspx?pid=65419&htm=4.

Objective: The present study explored whether low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) enhances the therapeutic efficacy of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in osteoarthritis (OA) cartilage repair by regulating autophagy-mediated exosome release. Design: MSCs were isolated from the rat bone marrow and treated with rapamycin, 3-methyladenine, or LIPUS. The mechanism of the LIPUS-stimulated exosome release by MSCs was analyzed by inhibiting autophagy. In addition, the MSCs were co-cultured with OA chondrocytes and stimulated by LIPUS, with or without exosome release inhibitor intervention. The exosome release was detected through transmission electron microscopy (TEM), nanoparticle tracking analysis, and biomarker expression analysis. Autophagy was analyzed through TEM, autophagy-related gene expression analysis, and immunofluorescence analysis in vitro. Furthermore, a rat knee OA model was constructed and treated with MSCs, GW4869, and LIPUS. The cartilage repair was assessed through histopathological analysis and extracellular matrix protein expression analysis. Results: The in vitro results indicated that LIPUS promoted MSC exosome release by activating autophagy. The in vivo results demonstrated that LIPUS significantly enhanced the positive effects of MSCs on OA cartilage. These effects were significantly blocked by GW4869, an inhibitor of exosome release. Conclusions: LIPUS can enhance the therapeutic efficacy of MSCs in OA cartilage repair, and the underlying mechanism is related to the increase in autophagy-mediated exosome release.

Aims: To evaluate the effect of ultrasound-targeted simvastatin-loaded microbubble destruction (UTMD_SV) for alleviation of the progression of osteoarthritis (OA) in rabbits through modulation of the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPARγ).Methods: In vitro, OA chondrocytes were treated with ultrasound (US), US-targeted microbubble destruction (UTMD), simvastatin (SV), and UTMD_SVon alternate days for four weeks. Chondrocytes were also treated with PPARγ inhibitor, PPARγ inhibitor+ UTMD_SV, and UTMD_SV. The cholesterol efflux rate and triglyceride levels were measured using an assay kit and oil red O staining, respectively. In vivo, the OA rabbits were treated with a single intra-articular injection of UTMD, SV, and UTMD_SVevery seven days for four weeks. Cartilage histopathology was assessed by safranin-O staining and the Mankin score. Total cholesterol (TC) and high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) in rabbit knee synovial fluid were detected by enzyme-marker assay. Aggrecan, collagen II, and PPARγ expression levels were analyzed by Western blotting (WB).Results: In vitro, UTMD_SVsignificantly increased the cholesterol efflux rate and aggrecan, collagen II, and PPARγ levels in OA chondrocytes; these effects were blocked by the PPARγ inhibitor. In vivo, UTMD_SVsignificantly increased aggrecan, collagen II, PPARγ, and HDL-C levels, while TC levels and Mankin scores were decreased compared with the UTMD, SV, OA, and control groups.Conclusion: UTMD_SVpromotes cartilage extracellular matrix synthesis by modulating the PPARγ-mediated cholesterol efflux pathway in OA rabbits. Cite this article: Bone Joint Res 2021;10(10):693–703.