Osteoarthritis is a worldwide joint disease caused by abnormal chondrocytic metabolism. However, traditional therapeutic methods aimed at anti-inflammation for early-stage disease are palliative. In the present study, we demonstrated that cepharanthine (CEP), extracted from the plant Stephania cepharantha, exerted protective medicinal efficacy on osteoarthritis for the first time. In our in vitro study, CEP suppressed the elevated expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs 5 (ADAMTS5) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) stimulated by IL-1β or TNF-α by inhibiting the activation of MAPK and NF-κB signaling pathways, and upregulated the protein expression of aggrecan, collagen II, and Sox9. Also, CEP could reverse the reduced level of cellular autophagy in IL-1β or TNF-α–induced chondrocytes, indicating that the protective effect of CEP on osteoarthritis was achieved by restoring MAPK/NF-κB-mediated autophagy. Furthermore, in a murine OA model, CEP mitigated cartilage degradation and prevented osteoarthritis in the CEP-treated groups versus the OA group. Hence, our results revealed the therapeutic prospect of CEP for anti-osteoarthritic treatment.

Purpose. To characterize the needs for visual improvement of new-visit patients with low vision.Methods. This cross-sectional study collected detailed information of patients presented at low-vision center of the Eye Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University between January 2015 and January 2017. A questionnaire interview, including demographic information and needs for visual improvement, was conducted before ophthalmology examinations.Results. The main need for visual improvement was engagement in hobbies (68.9%), followed by reading (20.9%), engaging in occupation (20.1%), and watching TV or movies (17.1%). Less than 10% of patients mentioned the demand of using public transportation (5.8%), doing housework (3.7%), writing (1.9%), walking on irregular surfaces (1.5%), driving (1.1%), and others (2.4%). Women were significantly associated with a concern for performing hobbies (OR 1.45, 95% CI 1.0–2.0) but associated with lower odds of reading (OR 0.46, 95% CI 0.3–0.7). Older subjects were more willing to choose hobbies (OR 1.35 (per 10-year increase), 95% CI 1.3–1.4), reading (OR 1.11 (per 10-year increase), 95% CI 1.0–1.2), watching TV or movies (OR 1.4 (per 10-year increase), 95% CI 1.3–1.6), and housework (OR 1.21 (per 10-year increase), 95% CI 1.0–1.5) than younger individuals. In comparison with younger participants, older individuals were less likely to choose occupation (OR 0.53 (per 10-year increase), 95% CI 0.5–0.6). No significant association was found between visual acuity and needs for visual improvement.Conclusion. Hobbies, reading, engaging in occupation, and watching TV were the most common needs for visual rehabilitation in patients with visual impairment. Gender and age showed a modest influence on the choice of different needs.

Greater awareness of LV rehabilitation by nurses, ophthalmologists, patients, and the public is necessary. Additional government support for LV rehabilitation is also required.