Objective To investigate the levels of peripheral blood plasma M-ficolin/L-ficolin and their correlation with clinical indexes in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).Methods M-ficolin/L-ficolin was detected in the plasma of 61 RA patients who were grouped according to the disease activity and 18 healthy controls by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).The relationships between the levels of M-ficolin/L-ficolin and laboratory parameters,disease activity were investigated in RA patients.Statistical analysis were performed by t-test,one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA),rank-sum test,correlation analysis was carried out with Pearson/ Spearman rank correlation test.Results ① M-ficolin levels in 61 RA patients were [M (QR) 39 (24) ng/ml] significantly higher than healthy controls (14±4) ng/ml (Z=-5.72,P＜0.05).L-ficolin levels in 61 RA patients were (1.7±0.6) μg/ml obviously higher than healthy controls (1.3±0.5) μg/ml (t=2.55,P=0.013).② The M-ficolin levels of 61 RA patients in low,mediate,high disease activity group were (21±5) ng/ml,[M(QR) 35(13) ng/ml),[M(QR) 50(25) ng/ml].There was significant difference among the three groups (P＜0.01).The L-ficolin levels of 61 RA patients in low、mediate,high disease activity group were (1.2±0.5) μg/ml,(1.7±0.4) μg/ml and (2.2±0.6) μg/ml.There was significant difference among the three groups (P＜0.05).(M-ficolin levels were positively correlated with disease activity score (DAS)28,erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR),C reactive protein (CRP),rheumatoid factor (RF),white blood cell (WBC),Note Express User Tool (NEUT),MONO,blood platelet (PLT) (r=0.830,0.692,0.725,0.667,0.388,0.397,0.338,0.476,P＜0.05),L-ficolin levels were positively correlated with DAS28,ESR,CRP,RF,WBC,NEUT,MONO,PLT (r=0.653,0.593,0.630,0.468,0.254,0.302,0.312,0.340,P＜0.05).Conclusion M-ficolin/L-ficolin levels increase in RA patients and correlate with disease activity,which suggests that the complement system may play an important role in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis.

AIM: To investigate the influence of Fructus Arctii and its extracts to the renal pathological changes of diabetic rat and its protective mechansim METHODS: The rat model induced by 55mg/kg STZ once intraperitoneally was adoped as the diabetic nephropathy of early stage, the extract and the powder of Fructus Arctii were given to the diabetic rat for six weeks. We observed the changes of general condition, and examined the expressions of TGF-? 1 (transforming growth factor-? 1) mRNA and MCP-1mRNA (monocyte chemoattractant protein-1) by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). CONCLUSION: The ethanol extract of Fructus Arctii relieved renal pathological changes of diabetic rat. The mechanism perhaps was related to the reduction in the expression of MCP-1mRNA and TGF-? 1mRNA in kidney; The study proved that the ethanol extract of Fructus Arctii was more effective than its water extract and coarse powder.

Objective To explore the clinical value of application research in business process reengineering in transferring of inpatients for check-up. Methods We reorganized transferring of inpatients for check-up and service tache by introducing the Systematic Redesign method from the therory of Business Process Reengineering. The reengineered process was adopted and applied in the transferring processes. We randomly selected patients for check-up(126 cases for electrocardiogram,130 cases for Xrayand 128 cases for CT examination)and investigated the time cost for check-up and patients satisfaction rate. The above results were compared with those patients(112 cases for electrocardiogram,112 cases for Xrayand 120 cases for CT examination)before use of reengineered process. Results The time cost for the above mentioned check-up was shorter and patients satisfaction rate were alleviated compared with those before use of reengineered process(U=14.55,12.26,13.57;x2=17.37,14.65,10.75,P＜0.01).Conclusion Application of business process reengineering in the transferring process of inpatients for check-up proved pivotal important in that it could shorten time cost for transferring process and improve patients satisfaction rate.It possessed realistic significance for increasing benefit and competitions for hospitals.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have shown that bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) may be a promising candidate for cell-replacement therapies for neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer's disease (AD). But, it is still unclear whether BMSCs have therapeutic effects on AD.OBJECTIVE: To investigate the influence of BMSC transplantation on ethology of rats with AD, and to find a potential strategy for the development of effective therapies for the treatment of AD.DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING: The randomized controlled study was performed at the Laboratory of the Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, Medical College of Chinese People's Armed Police Force in March 2009.MATERIALS: A total of 40 healthy male Wistar rats aged 24 months were used in this study, weighing approximately 450 g.METHODS: The natural senile AD rat model was chosen by maze test. The AD rats were randomly divided into four groups with ten animals in each group. In the control group, rats were injected bilaterally with physiological saline into the hippocampus. In the BMSC transplantation group, rats received BMSCs. In the normoxic differentiation and transplantation group, rats received injection of BMSCs induced from neuron-like cells under normoxic condition. In the hypoxic differentiation and transplantation group, rats received injection of BMSCs induced from neuron-like cells under hypoxic condition.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The learning and memory ability of the AD rats were detected by Y type maze test 8 weeks later.Memory ability was tested 48 hours after learning test.RESULTS: The learning and memory scores decreased in control group and increased in BMSC transplantation group, there were all not statistics significance compared with that before transplant treatment (P > 0.05). The learning and memory scores were all higher than before in normoxic differentiation and transplantation group and hypoxic differentiation and transplantation group. There was significant difference between control group and the other groups (P < 0.01).CONCLUSION: BMSC transplantation may improve the learning and memory ability of AD rats. Our results demonstrate that BMSCs not only play an important role in improving cognitive disturbance of AD rats. Oriented differentiated BMSC transplantation was superior to non-differentiated BMSCs. Transplantation of hypoxic differentiated BMSCs has obtained optimal outcomes.

Biliary Tract Diseases ; Humans ; MicroRNAs

Objective To study the relationship between the T helper cells (Th22)/interleukin (IL)-22 and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) with interstitial lung disease (ILD), and to define the clinical significance of Th22 cells for RA. Methods The quantity of Th22 cells in the peripheral blood from 40 patients with RA (20 RA with ILD, 20 RA without ILD) were examined by flow cytometry, the level of IL-22 in the sera was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Comparisons between groups were analyzed by t-test, rank sum test, and the correlation of parameters were tested by linear correlation analysis. Results The quantities of CD4+IL-22+ cells (Th22) in RA patients [(0.15 ±0.07)%] were significantly higher than normal controls [(0.09 ±0.05)%] (t=4.097, P<0.01), and IL-22 levels in RA patients [(83 ±7) ng/L] were significantly higher than normal controls [(61±5) ng/L] (t=13.057, P<0.01). The quantities of Th22 cells in RA-ILD patients [(0.18±0.07)%] were significantly higher than RA-NILD patients [(0.13±0.05)%] (t=2.919, P=0.008), and IL-22 levels in RA-ILD patients [(87±6) ng/L] were significantly higher than RA-NILD patients [(80±6)ng/L] (t=3.624, P=0.001). The quantities of Th22 cells were positively correlated with erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), rheumatoid factor(RF) and 1.4 disease activity score (DAS)28 (r=0.336, 0.377, 0.577, P<0.05),and the level of IL-22 were also positively correlated with ESR and DAS28 (r=0.406, 0.576, P<0.05). Conclusion The quantities of Th22 cells and IL-22 level are increased in RA patients, especially in RA-ILD patients. The quantities of Th22 cells and IL-22 level are positively correlated with ESR and DAS28. It may play a certain role in RA especially in RA with ILD.

Objective:To investigate the expression of P33~(ING1) protein in oral squamous cell carcinoma(OSCC) and its clinical significance. Methods:All samples of normal and cancer tissues from 30 patients with OSCC were examined for protein expression of P33~(ING1) by SP immunohistochemical staining.Results:The positive rate of P33ING1 in OSCC was 40%, that in normal oral mucosa tissue 100% (P

Objective:To investigate the inhibitory effects of Sedum Sarmentosum total flavonoids ( SSTF) on hepatic fibrosis in-duced by CCl4 ,and examine the effects on the expression of TGF-β1 and Smad7. Methods:Sixty male SD rats were randomly divided into the normal control group, the model group, 100, 200 and 400 mg·kg-1 SSTF groups and colchicine positive control group. The experimental model of hepatic fibrosis in rats was established by the injection of CCL4 . The liver histopathology was examined by Mas-son stain, and the protein expression and mRNA of TGF-β 1 and Smad7 were assessed by RT-PCR and Western blotting. Results:Compared with the model group, every SSTF group could significantly reduce the degree of liver fibrosis induced by CCL4(P<0. 05). The middle and high dose SSTF gouprs could significantly reduce the protein expression and mRNA of TGF-β1 (P<0. 05), and sig-nificantly increase the protein expression and mRNA of Smad 7 (P<0. 05). Conclusion:SSTF exhibits anti-hepatic fibrosis effects in rats through down-regulating the expression of TGF-β1 and up-regulating the expression of Smad7 in fibrotic liver tissue.

Objective To investigate the effect of fluvastatin on the expressions of caspase-12,CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein homologous protein(CHOP), and c-Jun N-terminal kinases (JNK) in ischemia-reperfusion brain injury in rats.Methods Forty two rats were randomly divided into sham operation group (6 rats), ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) group (18 rats), and fluvastatin (Flu) group (18 rats).The rats of I/R and Flu groups were molded by modified Longa intraluminal thread, then put to death at 2 h occlusion and 24 h reperfusion point.Expressions of caspase-12, CHOP, and JNK were detected with immunohistochemistry and Western blot.Results Immunohistochemistry and Western blot showed that the expressions of caspase-12, CHOP, and JNK were increased at 24 h reperfusion.Compared to I/R group, the expressions of caspase-12 and CHOP in Flu group were decreased significantly (all P ＜0.01);and the expression of JNK had no difference between I/R and Flu groups(P ＞ 0.05).Conclusions The increased expression of caspase-12, CHOP, and JNK showed that endoplasmic reticulum stress was involved in the pathological process of ischemia-reperfusion brain injury.Fluvastatin could inhibit the expression of caspase12 and CHOP, and could delete endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) in ischemia-reperfusion brain injury.

0 05) After one year,plasma cortisol of the patients in either inhaled FP 500 ?g group or 750 ?g group was within normal rang Conclusions Long term inhaled FP with 500 ?g to 750 ?g per day is effective in moderate to severe asthma patients and has no significant suppression on adrenal cortex function