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Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common form of arthritis and joint disorder worldwide. Metabolic reprogramming of osteoarthritic chondrocytes from oxidative phosphorylation to glycolysis results in the accumulation of lactate from glycolytic metabolite pyruvate by lactate dehydrogenase A (LDHA), leading to cartilage degeneration. In the present study, we investigated the protective effects of the intra-articular administration of oxamate (LDHA inhibitor) against OA development and glycolysis-related protein expression in experimental OA rats. The animals were randomly allocated into four groups: Sham, anterior cruciate ligament transection (ACLT), ACLT + oxamate (0.25 and 2.5 mg/kg). Oxamate-treated groups received an intra-articular injection of oxamate once a week for 5 weeks. Intra-articular oxamate significantly reduced the weight-bearing defects and knee width in ACLT rats. Histopathological analyses showed that oxamate caused significantly less cartilage degeneration in the ACLT rats. Oxamate exerts hypertrophic effects in articular cartilage chondrocytes by inhibiting glucose transporter 1, glucose transporter 3, hexokinase II, pyruvate kinase M2, pyruvate dehydrogenase kinases 1 and 2, pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase 2, and LHDA. Further analysis revealed that oxamate significantly reduced chondrocyte apoptosis in articular cartilage. Oxamate attenuates nociception, inflammation, cartilage degradation, and chondrocyte apoptosis and possibly attenuates glycolysis-related protein expression in ACLT-induced OA rats. The present findings will facilitate future research on LDHA inhibitors in prevention strategies for OA progression.

Background: Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common form of joint disorder and arthritis worldwide. Joint pain and dysfunction are associated with this multifactorial disease characterized by the gradual degeneration of articular cartilage. The metabolic reprogramming of osteoarthritic chondrocytes to glycolysis instead of oxidative phosphorylation results in reduced ATP and lactate accumulation. When the glycolytic metabolite pyruvate is converted into lactate by lactate dehydrogenase A (LDHA), cartilage degeneration occurs. In the present study, we examined the chondroprotective effects of the LDHA inhibitor, oxamate on experimental OA rats. Methods: Anterior cruciate ligament transection (ACLT)-induced ACLT-rats received an intraarticular (IA) injection of oxamate once a week for 5 weeks from the 10th to 14th after surgery. Animals were divided into four groups as follows: Sham, ACLT, ACLT + oxamate (0.25mg/kg), and ACLT + oxamate (2.5mg/kg). The results showed that an IA injection of oxamate significantly reduced weight-bearing defects and knee swelling in ACLT-rats. Results: Histopathological analyses showed that oxamate caused significantly less cartilage degeneration than ACLT alone. Moreover, IA oxamate exerts hypertrophic effects in the chondrocyte of articular cartilage by inhibiting glucose-transporter 1, glucose-transporter 3, pyruvate kinase, LDHA, pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase 1, and pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase 2. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling revealed that oxamate significantly reduced chondrocyte apoptosis in articular cartilage. Conclusions: We propose that oxamate is beneficial for patients with OA and is associated with regulating glycolysis-related protein expression. In future clinical applications, our findings will provide new insights of LHDA inhibitor, oxamate into delaying strategies for OA progression.

Yu-Yan Wu,&ast; Yong Tan,&ast; Min Yan, Zhen Cheng, Xiang-Tao Pan Department of Hematology, Taicang Hospital of Soochow University, Taicang, Jiangsu, People’s Republic of China&ast;These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Xiang-Tao PanDepartment of Hematology, Taicang Hospital of Soochow University, No. 58. of South Changsheng Road, Taicang, Jiangsu, People’s Republic of ChinaTel +86 18915768003Email Panxt99xt@email.cnObjective: To investigate the characteristics of coagulation indicators, such as C-reactive protein (CRP), antithrombin (AT), and fibrinogen (FB) in patients with pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE) and their relationship with PTE.Methods: The clinical characteristics, CRP, AT, FB, plasma D-dimer (D-D) and platelet (PLT) counts, and blood coagulation indicators of 433 patients with PTE diagnosed by computed tomographic pulmonary angiography (CTPA) were comprehensively analyzed, and the relevant clinical significance was discussed.Results: The total incidence of PTE was 1.60% (433/270,983 cases), and the age group with the highest incidence was over 60 years old. D-D increased in 412 (95.2%) patients. PLT was normal in 331 (76.4%) cases, but decreased in 53 (12.3%) cases and increased in 49 (11.3%) cases. CRP increased in 76.0% (288/379 cases) and was normal in 24.0% (91/379 cases). AT decreased in 109 (25.2%) cases and FB increased in 102 (23.6%) cases. There were no significant changes in other coagulation indexes. CRP was positively correlated with PLT and FB (r = 0.1026, t = 2.0118, P < 0.05, and r = 0.5360, t = 12.2963, P < 0.01, respectively). CRP was negatively correlated with AT (r = – 0.2005, t = 4.0100, P < 0.01).Conclusion: The incidence of PTE was higher in hospitalized patients. Most patients with PTE have increased CRP and FB and decreased AT, and these levels may be related to the occurrence of PTE.Keywords: pulmonary thromboembolism, C-reactive protein, antithrombin, fibrinogen, D-dimer, platelets

The ice shedding may cause the vibration of conductors, and even threaten the safety of towers in severe cases. Based on two test models with a single span and three spans, an advanced three-dimensional motion capture system, the NDI Optotrak Certus System, is used to measure the dynamic response of the conductor following ice shedding. The influences of the ice thickness, ice-shedding ratio, ice-shedding location, and sequence are investigated. The results show that the ice-shedding velocity significantly impacts the dynamic response of conductors, and a larger ice-shedding velocity leads to a smaller jump height. The conclusions drawn from the model tests can guide the deicing and design of power lines.

This paper employs differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) to investigate the reactions of hydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene (HTPB) binder and isophorone isophorone diisocyanate (IPDI) with two different cure catalysts, namely, dibutyl tin dilaurate (DBTDL) and stannous octanoate (TECH). This study evaluates the effects of two cure catalysts (i.e. DBTDL and TECH) on rate constants of the polyurethane cure reactions. Throughput the study, the kinetic parameters and the curing reaction rate equations are obtained. The present work concludes that both catalysts had a catalytic effect on the HTPB-IPDI system, but that the catalytic effect of DBTDL was higher than that of TECH. The binder system with the TECH catalyst displayed a longer pot-life and lower toxicity compared with the DBTDL. Additionally, this study investigates the binder system’s viscosity build-up at 35°C and the viscosity build-up results were in agreement with the DSC analysis results.

Being aimed at the increasing environmental problems of Poyang Lake, and mastering the changes of Poyang Lake water information timely, the parameter model of Poyang lake water information has been formed based on ENVI/IDL programming algorithm and the high-frequency MODIS data, and the Poyang Lake water information real-time monitoring system has been established in order to obtain the water information monitoring data of the Poyang Lake quickly and timely. The platform satisfied the personalized requirements needs for all trades and professions on the internet by publishing online with web technology.

Objective To evaluate the safety and efficacy of novel artificial dural acellular biomembrane(Zhenghai biomembrane) in dural repair.Methods A multicenter,randomized control trial was carried out with 155 patients undergone dural repair from Dec.2007 to Dec.2008.The patients were randomly divided into experimental group and control group and received dural repair with novel artificial dural acellular biomembrane and autologous fascia,respectively.There were 74 patients(34 males and 40 females;aged 46.6±14.6 years;reparation area 14.28±13.29cm2) in experimental group and 81 patients(36 males and 45 females;aged 44.8±12.7 years;reparation area 13.44±7.74cm2) in control group.Vital signs,laboratory indexes,cerebral CT/MRI scanning,incision healing and occurrence of complications were observed at 10 days and 1,3,6 months after operation,respectively,and the safety and efficacy of the novel artificial dural acellular biomembrane were evaluated.Results No cerebrospinal fluid leakage,intracranial infection or epilepsy was observed in both groups.Laboratory indexes and cerebral CT/MRI scanning were normal,and no repair material-related adverse events were found.The incidence of adverse events was 2.7% in experimental group and 3.7% in control group,and no significant difference was noticed between the two groups.Conclusion The safety and efficacy of dural repair with novel artificial dural acellular biomembrane are similar to that with autologous fascia,and may protect brain tissue timely.