Objective To investigate the effects and adverse reactions of high-dose glucocorticoid on early active rheumatoid arthritis patients.Methods The early active rheumatoid arthritis patients were randomly divided into three groups:high dose group (16 patients,with large doses of glucocorticoid therapy),low dose group (17 patients,with small doses of glucocorticoid therapy),and control group (41 patients,with no glucocorticoid therapy).Compared the differences among the three groups.Results The changes in the three groups were different in joint pain,joint swelling,morning stiffness,erythrocyte sedimentation rate,rheumatoid factor and C-reactive protein (P ＜ 0.05).The high dose group was significantly better than the other two groups in the above variables alleviating,in the 1 week after the treatment.The changes in the three groups had no significant difference of bone mineral density,Larsen hip score (P＞ 0.05).The NSAIDs days in the control group was significantly longer than the high dose group,low dose group [(51.17 ± 2.56) d vs.(14.16 ± 0.71) d,(26.50 ± 1.59) d],the difference was statistically significant (P ＜ 0.05).Rate of weight gain in the high dose group,low dose group was significantly higher than the control group [5/16,4/17 vs.4.9％ (2/41)],the difference was statistically significant (P ＜ 0.05).Body weight increased in the high dose group and low dose group occurred mainly in the following 1.5 months of therapy,with the discontinuation of cortices-teroids,weight gradually fell to normal.Gastrointestinal discomfort incidence in the control group was significandy higher than that in the high dose group,low dose group [51.2％ (21/41) vs.2/16,3/17],the difference was statistically significant (P＜ 0.05).Conclusions High-dose glucocorticoid can rapidly relieve clinical symptoms and inflammation in early active rheumatoid arthritis patients.High-dose corticosteroids do not bring too many side effects to patients but weight gain,and it reduces the patients' gastrointestinal discomfort greatly,because of the decrease use of NSAIDs.

Objective To explore the genetic diversity and relationship of different cultivars of the fruits of Trichosantheis kirilowii, and determine them in molecular level. Methods Different fram cultivars and fruits in wild plant of T. kirilowii from Shandong Province and T. hupehensis were detected by randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers with 25 randomized primers. The Jaccard coefficient was worked out by using NTSYS-pc software, and a cluster dendrogram of different samples was established based on unweighed pair-group method with arithmetic mean (UPGMA). Results The 25 selected primers produced 266 bands among which 232 bands (87.2%) were polymorphic. In the cluster dendrogram, T. hupehensis was far from the different cultivars and fruits in wild plant of T. kirilowii, but there was closer genetic relationship between Niuxin Gualou and Ren Gualou, Da Gualou, and Baleng Gualou, as well as Xiao Guang-dan Gualou and wild sample. Conclusion RAPD Markers can be used to standardize, arrange, and determine farm cultivars of fruits of T. kirilowii in molecular level, and indicate the genetic relationship and background, then provide important information for seed breeding and resourse protection of T. kirilowii.

Objective To investigate the effect of propofol on expression of cyclinD1 and apoptosis in spinal cord neurons induced by ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) .Methods Sixty male Wistar rats weighing 200-250 g were randomly divided into 2 groups ( n = 30 each): group A I/R and group B propofol + I/R. The animals were anesthetized with 7% chloral hydrate 6 ml?kg-1. The abdomen was opened and the abdominal aorta was clamped distal to the left renal artery for 20 min. The aortic cross clamp was then released to allow reperfusion. In propofol group propofol 100 mg?kg-1 was administered intraperitoneally (IP) during the operation. Neurologic function was assessed using Taylor scale (0 = unable to move hind limbs, 4 = normal function) at 6 h after operation and on postoperative day 1, 2, 3, 7 (n = 6 at each time point) . The animals were killed after neurologic function evaluation and the spinal cord was removed for microscopic examination, detection of apoptosis in the spinal cord neurons ( TUNEL) and determination of cyclinD1 expression (immuno-histochemistry) . Results The histo-pathological damage to the neurons was significantly lighter, the neurological function better and the apoptotic index and the cyclinD1 expression were significantly lower in propofol group than in I/R group. Conclusion Propofol protects spinal cord against I/R injury by reducing neuronal apoptosis through down-regulation of cyclinD1 expression.

Objective Carboxypeptidase E ( CPE) is one of the most important carboxypeptidases in-volved in the biosynthesis of numerous peptide hormones and neurotransmitters and plays an important role in en -docrine regulation .A splice variant of CPE ( CPE-ΔN) has been detected and the mechanism of CPE -ΔN action in tumorigenesis has been studied in many different cancers .The aim of this study is to examine CPE -ΔN ex-pression in human colorectal cancer ( CRC) and to evaluate its possible application as a potential prognostic mark-er.Methods In the present study ,we have analyzed isoform expression of CPE -ΔN by qRT-PCR and West-ern blot in 219 CRC patients .Results Our results showed that CPE -ΔN was overexpressed in colorectal tumor tissue and that high CPE -ΔN mRNA expression was closely correlated with tumor differentiation ,pT classifica-tion,pN classification,tumor recurrence and lymph node metastasis .High CPE-ΔN expression was also identi-fied as an independent prognostic factor using a multivariate analysis (P=0.011).Conclusion Based on these results,we can conclude that CPE -ΔN expression might be a potential prognostic marker for CRC patients .

Objective To detect the TNFSF13 expression and to evaluate its possible use as a potential prognostic marker in breast cancer .Methods We analyzed TNFSF13 expression by Western blot and qRT -PCR in 93 breast cancer patients .Results Our results showed that TNFSF 13 was overexpressed in breast cancer tis-sue.High TNFSF13 mRNA expression was closely correlated with tumor differentiation , pN classification ( P=0.003,0.022).In addition,patients with high TNFSF13 expression had a significantly shorter survival analyzed by Kaplan-Meier(P=0.04,log-rank test).Cox proportional hazards regression multivariable analysis revealed that high expression of TNFSF13 was identified as an independent prognostic factor (P=0.03).Conclusion TNFSF13 expression might be a novel target for prognosis and intensive therapy in breast cancer patients .

The morphology and anatomy of two genera, five species and one variety ofEquisetaceae produced in Shandong Province were studied under light and scanning electron microscope.There are remarkble differences between Equisetum L. and Hippochatete Milde in the type of stomas, at-tachments on the surface of stoma guard cells and the number of epithelial layers; and the presence of lat-eral xylem in all vasular bundle of Equisetaceae from Shandong. The results showed that they can be identi-fied taxonomically according to their inner structual and epidermal characteristics of stem between differentgenera, but with little difference among species of same genus.

Objective:To investigate the effect of ANF, PRA, AT-? and ALD on the occurrence of Heart failure patients and Congestive heart failure(CHF) .Methods:The plasma were measured by radioimmunoassay(RIA) in 163 patients(112 on heart failure patients,51 congestive heart failure)before and after taking Angiotensiin converting enzyme. The results were as foron: ll. Results:The concentrations of ANF, PRA,AT-? and ALD in acute myocardid infarction, Rheumatic valvuar disease, cor pulmonale and Hypertension patients were higher significantly than the contorl group(heart failure)( P 0.05) .After taking ACE inhibitor,AT an extent, the values were decreased-ANF 32.5%, AT-? 25.3 % and ALD 27.1 % , A positive correlation was shown between ANF system and RSSA system. Conclusion: The results suggested that monitoring of ANF,PRA,AT-? and AID with RIA technique showed a beneficial to heart's disease and heart's dysfunction.

Objective To study the effects of planting soil on active ingredients in different organs of Lonicera japonica Thunb.. Methods The contents of active ingredients in Lonicera japonica Thunb. from different origins, different varieties and different organs, such as chlorogenic acid, luteoloside, total flavonoids, total phenolic acid, and soil nutrient and inorganic elements, were detected. The data were analyzed by using SPSS 19.0 software. Results Lonicera japonica Thunb. from Pinyi area in Shandong Province had the highest content of active ingredients. In terms of content of active ingredients, PY-HBRD-1 was the most suitable variety in the Pingyi area. Analysis on the correlation between planting soil and active ingredients showed that the contents of K, Mn and other elements could be used as the index for quality control of Lonicera japonica Thunb.. Conclusion This study could provide guidance for selection of varieties of Lonicera japonica Thunb. in different planting areas, and enrich the materials about researches on producing area of Lonicera japonica.

Objective To evaluate the right ventricular global and regional strain and strain rate in patients with metabolic syndrome(MS) by two‐dimensional speckle tracking imaging(2D‐STI) ,and explore the correlation between different MS criteria and global strain and strain rate of right ventricle . Methods Forty‐four MS subjects ,35 pre‐MS subjects and 40 healthy subjects were enrolled . The basal ,middle and apical systolic longitudinal peak strain( Ss) and strain rate( SRs) ,early diastolic and late diastolic peak strain rate(SRe ,SRa) of right ventricular free wall were measured using 2D‐STI and global strain and strain rate ( GSs ,GSRs ) ,early diastolic and late diastolic peak strain rate ( GSRe ,GSRa ) of right ventricle were calculated . The correlation between different MS criteria and GS ,GSR of right ventricle were analyzed . Results Compared with control group ,Ss ,SRs ,SRe and SRa in basal and middle segments in MS group and Ss ,SRs in basal segment in Pre‐MS group decreased( all P < 0 .05) . Ss and SRs in basal segment in MS group were significantly lower than those in Pre‐MS group(all P <0 .05) . Compared with control group , GSs ,GSRs ,GSRe and GSRa in MS group and GSs ,GSRs in Pre‐MS group decreased ( all P <0 .05) . GS and GRS in MS group and Pre‐MS group had no statistical significance( all P > 0 .05) . There were good correlation of waist circumference(WC) ,systolic blood pressure(SBP) ,fasting blood‐glucose with GSs( r =-0 .73 ,-0 .69 ,-0 .46 , P < 0 .01) and GSRs( r = -0 .63 ,-0 .78 ,-0 .48 , P < 0 .01) . The multiple regression analysis of MS criteria showed that waist circumference and systolic blood pressure were independently associated with GSs and GSRs of right ventricle(β= -0 .44 ,-0 .77 , P <0 .01) . Conclusions 2D‐STI could accurately assess right ventricular global and regional function in MS patients .Among all MS risk factors ,waist circumference and systolic blood pressure are the most responsible for right ventricular function .

BACKGROUND: It has been reported that the ischemia preconditioning (IPC) had credible protective efficiency on ischemic injury of the spinal cord during aorta operation, but the mechanism of the protective efficiency of IPC had not been clarified.OBJECTIVE: To study the protective effects of repetitive IPC on ischemic injury of spinal cord and its mechanism in rabbits.DESIGN: A completely randomized controlled study based on the experimental animals.SETTING: Department of anesthesiology in a university hospital.MATERIALS: The experiment was completed in the Department of Anesthesiology, Renmin Hospital, Wuhan University during September and December 2002. Twenty-four Japanese rabbits were randomly and double-blindly divided into sham-operation group, ischemia-reperfusion group and IPC group with 8 rabbits in each group.INTERVENTIONS: In sham-operation group, abdominal aorta was not clamped. Spinal cord ischemia was induced by infra-renal aortic cross-clamp for 45 minutes in ischemia-reperfusion group. Before the 45 minutes ischemia, the rabbits in the IPC group underwent four cycles of ischemia preconditioning, i.e. clamping abdominal aorta for 5 minutes then reperfusion for 5 minutes.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The concentrations of calcium, magnesium, copper and zincum in spinal cord were measured in the 7th day after operation. Postoperative neurological function, EMG of rear limb, and spinal cord histopathological changes were assessed in all groups after operation.RESULTS: The concentrations of calcium and copper in spinal cord in ischemia-reperfusion group were significantly higher than those in sham-operation group( P ＜ 0. 05 or 0. 01 ), but magnesium and zincum significantly lower( P ＜ 0. 05). Compared with IPC group, calcium in ischemia-reperfusion group was significantly higher( P ＜ 0.01 ), but zincum significantly lower( P ＜ 0.01 ) . The neurological function and histopatholohical changes in ischemia-reperfusion group were much lower than those in sham-operation group and IPC group ( P ＜ 0.05 or P ＜ 0.01) . And there was significantly worse change of EMG in ischemia-repeffusion group than that in IPC group(P ＜ 0.01).CONCLUSION: Repetitive ischemic preconditioning can protect rabbit spinal cord from ischemia reperfusion injury quickly, and one possible reason for its protective effect is to maintain the balance of calcium, magnesium,copper and zincum in ischemic region.