Objective:To elucidate the correlation between peripheral blood levels of pentraxin 3 (PTX3) and fibroblast growth factors 2 (FGF2) and clinical manifestations, immunological indexes and disease activity of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients.Methods:The correlation between peripheral blood levels of PTX3 and FGF2 and clinical manifestations, immunological indexes and disease activity of SLE pa-tients was determined. T test, Mann-Whitney U test and Spearman's rank correlation coefficient were analyzed statistically. Results:Plasma PTX3 levels were significantly higher in SLE patients than in healthy controls (3 191±2 423) pg/ml vs (755±432) pg/ml, t=5.595, P<0.01) . The titer of PTX3 in patients with hematologic in-volvement was higher than that in the patients without [(3 810±2 840) pg/ml vs (2 493±1 830) pg/ml, t=2.008, P=0.049). Plasma PTX3 concentration in SLE patients was positively correlated not only with the level of 24 h urine protein ( r=0.498 6, P=0.005 9), but also with ESR ( r= 0.376, P=0.007) and systemic lupus erythematosus disease activity index (SLEDAI) scores ( r=0.405, P=0.003). On the contrast, plasma PTX3 concentration in SLE patients was negatively correlated with complement 3 ( r=-0.405, P=0.005). Increased serum PTX3 levels accompanied by increased serum FGF2 levels was observed. Plasma FGF2 concentration in SLE patients was positively correlated with SLEDAI scores ( r=0.326, P=0.019), but negatively correlated with level of comple-ment 3 ( r=-0.414, P=0.004) and complement 4 ( r=-0.451, P=0.007). Levels of FGF2 were higher in patients with positive anti-NuA antibody [(138±91) pg/ml vs (59±68) pg/ml, t=2.996, P=0.004 2), anti-dsDNA antibody [(120±96) pg/ml vs (56±58) pg/ml, t=3.583, P=0.000 7] and anti-rRNP antibody (151±109) pg/ml vs (63±61) pg/ml, t=3.757, P=0.000 4) than in patients with negative of these antibodies. Conclusion:The levels of PTX3 and FGF2 in peripheral blood may play a role in determining the disease activity and clinical phenotype of SLE, and can help doctors to make diagnosis and treatment decisions.

Objective:To observe the effect of tuina manipulations on blood pressure and its variability in hypertension patients. Methods:Forty hypertension patients were randomized into an observation group and a medication group, 20 cases in each group. The observation group was intervened by tuina manipulations of kidney-tonifying blood-circulating and collaterals- unblocking in addition to regular medication, while the medication group was by the same medication. The 24-hour blood pressure monitoring was performed before intervention and after 3-month intervention. The blood pressure and its variability were observed and compared. Results:There were no significant differences in comparing the blood pressure and blood pressure variability between the two groups before intervention (P>0.05); after 3-month intervention, the blood pressure and its variability were significantly improved in both groups (P<0.05); the improvements in the observation group were more significant than those in the control group (P<0.05). Conclusion:Tuina manipulations of kidney-tonifying blood-circulating and collaterals-unblocking plus medication can produce a better effect than regular medication in promoting blood pressure and its variability, and this method is worth applying in clinic as it’s easy-to-operate and has no adverse effect.

Objective To study the mechanism of oxidative stress involved in the pathogenesis and relapse of acute monocytic leukemia (M5 ).Methods We detected reactive oxide species (ROS)levels,conducted plasma analysis obtained from 76 M5 patients at diagnosis and at relapse,and observed the ultrastructure of mitochondria of mononuclear cells in peripheral blood by transmission electron microscope.Results Compared with that in the control group,the average fluorescence intensity of intracellular ROS was significantly increased in M5 groups, especially in the relapse patients (P < 0.05 ).Low total antioxidative capacity (T-AOC)and antioxidant enzyme activity were characteristic of M5 at both diagnosis and relapse. However, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH ), malondialdehyde (MDA)and 8-hydroxy-2’-deoxyguanine (8-OHdG)increased significantly at both diagnosis and relapse (P < 0.05 ).Prominent ultrastructural abnormalities (mitochondrial swelling,outer membrane blebs,and aberrant cristae disorder)were present in patients with primary M5,and they were obviously abnormal in relapsing M5 patients.Conclusion Oxidative stress is the initiating factor of M5.Mitochondria are the main intracellular location for ROS generation.To maintain the dynamic balance between ROS and antioxidant defence may be the critical factor for preventing relapse.

ABSTRACT:Objective To detect the expressions of thioredoxin (TRX1)and c-jun-activation-domain binding protein-1 (JAB1)in patients with acute myelogenous leukemia (AML)and healthy controls,and measure the TRX1 level in AML patients at different stages for evaluating its clinical significance.Methods The expressions of TRX1 and JAB1 in leukemia samples were analyzed by RT-PCR and Western blot at mRNA and protein levels, respectively.The correlation between TRX1 and JAB1,and the relationship between the gene expression and peripheral blood leukocytes count were also analyzed.Furthermore,serum TRX1 was measured by ELISA.Results TRX1 and JAB1 expressions at both mRNA and protein levels were obviously upregulated in leukemia patients (P<0.05). TRX1 was positively related to JAB1 in both newly diagnosed and recurrent AML patients.And high levels of TRX1 and JAB1 expressions were associated with white blood cell (WBC)counts in AML patients (P<0.05).Moreover, abundance of TRX1 in serum was significantly greater in AML patients,especially in the patients with recurrent AML,than in healthy donors (P<0.05).Conclusion There is a positive correlation between the expressions of TRX1 and JAB1 ,which is closely related to the occurrence and progression of AML.