OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of 4-methylcatechol (4MC) on the migration and inflammatory response in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLS), as well as its underlying mechanisms of action. METHODS: RA-FLS was isolated from synovial tissue donated by RA patients, and the optimal concentration of 4MC was determined by cell counting kit 8 method for subsequent experiments, and the effect of 4MC on the migratory ability of RA-FLS was evaluated via a cell scratch assay. An inflammation model of RA-FLS was induced by tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α). Real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR and ELISA were employed to detect the gene and protein expression levels of interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and IL-6 in RA-FLS and their culture supernatants, respectively, thereby investigating the anti-inflammatory effects of 4MC. Western blot was used to examine the expressions of nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) signaling pathway-related proteins, including inhibitor of NF-κB-α (IKBα), phosphorylated (P)-IκBα, NF-κB-inducing kinase α (IKKα), P-IKKαβ, P-p65, and p65. Cellular immunofluorescence was utilized to detect the expression and localization of p65 in RA-FLS, exploring whether 4MC exerts its anti-inflammatory effects by regulating the NF-κB signaling pathway. Finally, a collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) mouse model was established. The anti-RA effect of 4MC in vivo was evaluated by gross observation and histological examination. RESULTS: 4MC inhibited RA-FLS migration in a concentration-dependent manner. In the TNF-α-induced RA-FLS inflammation model, 4MC significantly decreased the gene and protein expression levels of IL-1β and IL-6. Furthermore, 4MC markedly reduced the ratios of P-IΚBα/IΚBα, P-IKKαβ/IKKα, and P-p65/p65, thereby blocking the transcriptional activity of p65 by inhibiting its nuclear translocation. This mechanism effectively suppressed the activation of the TNF-α-mediated NF-κB signaling pathway. Animal studies demonstrated that 4MC [10 mg/(kg·day)] significantly lowered serum levels of IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α, and alleviated arthritis severity and bone destruction in CIA mice. CONCLUSION 4MC not only inhibits the migration of RA-FLS but also mitigates their inflammatory response by suppressing the NF-κB signaling pathway, thereby effectively exerting its anti-RA effects.
Synoviocytes/metabolism* ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid/metabolism* ; Animals ; Cell Movement/drug effects* ; Humans ; Catechols/therapeutic use* ; Fibroblasts/drug effects* ; Mice ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/pharmacology* ; Interleukin-1beta/metabolism* ; Interleukin-6/metabolism* ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; NF-kappa B/metabolism* ; Transcription Factor RelA/metabolism* ; Synovial Membrane/cytology* ; Cells, Cultured ; Male ; Arthritis, Experimental ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents/pharmacology* ; NF-KappaB Inhibitor alpha ; Inflammation

OBJECTIVE To establish H PLC fingerprint of Rheum palmatum before and after steaming with wine ，and to determine the contents of 3 differential components. METHODS HPLC method was used to establish the fingerprints of 15 batches of R. palmatum （before wine-steaming ）and prepared rhubarb （after wine-steaming ）and the similarity evaluation was conducted. The chemical pattern recognition analysis was carried out by principal component analysis ，cluster analysis ，partial least squares- discriminant analysis and orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis. The contents of gallic acid ，resveratrol-4′-O- glucoside and resveratrol- 4′-O-（6″-galloyl）-glucoside in 30 batches of samples were determined. RESULTS In the fingerprint study，48 common peaks were demarcated for R. palmatum and 47 for prepared rhubarb as well as 17 common peaks were identified by reference substance. Cluster analysis and principal component analysis showed that R. palmatum derived from Qinghai before and after steaming with wine could be distinguished from those from Sichuan and Gansu. The results of content determination showed that the contents of 3 differential components in R. palmatum derived from Qinghai before and after steaming with wine were higher than those from other two production areas ；the contents of gallic acid in prepared rhubarb derived from those production areas were higher than R. palmatum ；the contents of resveratrol- 4′-O-glucoside and resveratrol- 4′-O- （6″-galloyl）-glucoside in R. palmatum derived from those production areas were higher than prepared rhubarb. CONCLUSIONS Fingerprint and content determination method established in this study can quickly ，scientifically and accurately evaluate the quality of R. palmatum from different producing areas before and after wine steaming ，which provide a basis for the processing specification and quality control of R. palmatum .

Objective To investigate the status of leader-member exchange quality , organizational identification and job performance of nurses , to discuss the relationship among them , and to clarify the internal mechanism.Methods Three hundred sixty-nine clinical nurses were surveyed by leader-member exchange scale, organizational identity scales and job performance scale according to the cross-sectional sampling methods.Results Three hundred sixty-nine questionnaires were issued and 267 questionnaires were responsive with an effective response rate of 72.36%.The average score of nurses ’ perception of leader-member exchange was (5.22 ±1.09), and the average score of nurses ’ perception of organizational identification was (5.60 ± 1.09), and the average score of nurses ’ perception of job performance was (5.45 ±1.11), and the average scores of three variables were above average .There were significant positive correlation the nurses ’ perception of leader-member exchange quality and organizational identification (r=0.56, P<0.01), and job performance (r=0.53, P<0.01).There were also significant positive correlation the nurses ’ perception of organizational identification and job performance (r=0.63, P<0.01).The nurses’ perception of leader-member exchange quality had positive influences onorganizational identification (β=0.53, P<0.01) and job performance (β=0.26, P<0.01).The organizational identification played an intermediary role in the relationship between the leader-member exchange quality and the job performance (β=0.254, P <0.01).Conclusions Nursing administrators should strengthen the communication with nurses , form a good psychological and emotional bond , and further to promote the organizational identification and job performance of nurses .

AIM and METHODS: A study of radioimmunoimaging was carried out on Kcnming mice - uterine cervical cancer (U14) using 99mTc labeled monoclonal Au14-1 with a modified Schwartaz method. RESULTS: The bio - distribution showed that radioactivity accumulated in tumor tissue at 12h after 99mTc - Au14- 1 injection in tail vein. The uptake by tumor was 4. 12 % ID/g at 2h and 8. 79 % ID/g at 24h respectively. The tumor/non - tumor (T/NT) radiocativity ratios for organs except kidneys were ranged from 2.02 to 6.71 at 24h post - injection. The image of tumor showed at 12h and clearer at 24h after injection. CONCLUSION: The quality of tumor image was relevant to the T/NT radioactivity ratios. It was demonstrated that 99mTc- Au14-1 has a good capability of localization for tumor.