Objective To investigate characteristic skin lesions and typical histopathological changes of adult-onset Still's disease(AOSD) for its early diagnosis and treatment.Methods Clinical data were collected from 8 patients with AOSD,and analyzed retrospectively.Results All the patients had transient rashes and persistent papules/plaques during the course of disease.Of the 8 patients,1 had urticaria-like rashes,3 had dermatomyositis-like rashes,and 1 had prurigo pigmentosa-like rashes.Biopsies were carried out at the sites where transient rashes or persistent papules/plaques occurred.Histopathological findings showed necrotic keratinocytes in the upper prickle cell layer,and perivascular infiltration of neutrophils and lymphocytes in the upper dermis.Conclusion The skin lesions and histopathological changes of AOSD are characteristic,which can provide clues to the early diagnosis of AOSD.

Dental education in United Kingdom has been amongst the best in the world with years of experience.General Dental Council (GDC) is the sole competent authority for dentistry in the UK.GDC produces guidance on dental education and lead the inspections and monitoring for dental schools.Postgraduate Dental Deans are responsible for the provision and quality management of the education and training of dental graduates during 2 years' foundation training and 3-5 years' specialty training.There are similarities between UK dental education system and Chinese system in school education and continuing education.It is worthy of reference for the dental education in China in terms of the training system of dental residents and specialists in the United kingdom.

Objective:To study the effects of silencing protein arginine methyltransferase 6 (PRMT6) gene on cell proliferation and migration of gastric cancer cell line MGC-803, and explore its related molecular mechanism.Methods:The expression levels of PRMT6 mRNA and protein in human normal gastric mucosa epithelial cell line GES-1 and human gastric cancer cell lines (AGS, SGC-7901, MGC-803) were detected by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and Western blotting. The gastric cancer cell line MGC-803 was divided into silencing control group (NC group), PRMT6 silencing group (si-PRMT6 group), nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB/p65) overexpression group (pcDNA-p65 group), si-PRMT6+ pcDNA-p65 group and PRMT6 silencing and matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP9) overexpression group (si-PRMT6+ pcDNA-MMP9 group). Western blotting was used to detect the protein expression levels of PRMT6, NF-κB/p65 and MMP9. CCK-8 kit and Transwell assay were used to measure cell proliferation and migration rates.Results:The results of qRT-PCR showed that the relative expression levels of PRMT6 mRNA in GSE-1, AGS, SGC-7901 and MGC-803 cells were 1.041±0.114, 2.141±0.132, 2.716±0.231, 2.825±0.300, and the difference among the four groups was statistically significant ( F=46.082, P<0.001). Compared with GSE-1 cells, PRMT6 mRNA expression levels were significantly increased in AGS, SGC-7901 and MGC-803 cells (all P<0.001). Western blotting results showed that the relative expression levels of PRMT6 protein in GSE-1, AGS, SGC-7901 and MGC-803 cells were 1.090±0.101, 2.847±0.331, 2.925±0.419 and 3.278±0.463, with a statistically significant difference ( F=22.683, P<0.001). Compared with GSE-1 cells, PRMT6 protein expression levels were significantly increased in AGS, SGC-7901 and MGC-803 cells, with statistically significant differences ( P=0.008; P=0.002; P=0.003). After 48 hours of silencing PRMT6 in MGC-803 cells, in NC group and si-PRMT6 group, the PRMT6 mRNA expression levels were 0.921±0.110 and 0.303±0.045, the PRMT6 protein expression levels were 1.032±0.105 and 0.289±0.043, the cell proliferation activities were 0.917±0.089 and 0.660±0.069, the cell migration rates were (89.122±5.109)% and (30.831±4.463)%, and the p-p65/p65 protein relative expression ratios were 0.947±0.143 and 0.285±0.023. The relative expression levels of PRMT6 mRNA and protein, cell proliferation activity, cell migration rate, protein relative expression ratio of p-p65/p65 in si-PRMT6 group were significantly lower than those in NC group, with statistically significant differences ( t=9.006, P<0.001; t=11.338, P<0.001; t=3.954, P=0.017; t=14.881, P<0.001; t=7.919, P<0.001). Western blotting results showed that the MMP9 protein relative expression levels in NC group, si-PRMT6 group, pcDNA-p65 group and si-PRMT6+ pcDNA-p65 group were 1.202±0.138, 0.318±0.018, 2.849±0.217 and 1.595±0.194, with a statistically significant difference ( F=127.410, P<0.001). Further pairwise comparison showed that the protein relative expression level of MMP9 in si-PRMT6 group was significantly lower than that in NC group ( P<0.001), while that in si-PRMT6+ pcDNA-p65 group was significantly lower than that in pcDNA-p65 group ( P=0.002). Then, MGC-803 cells were co-transfected with si-PRMT6 and pcDNA-p65 or pcDNA-MMP9 for 48 h. The cell proliferation activities in NC group, si-PRMT6 group, si-PRMT6+ pcDNA-p65 group and si-PRMT6+ pcDNA-MMP9 group were 0.923±0.054, 0.608±0.024, 0.818±0.035 and 0.807±0.029, with a statistically significant difference ( F=37.343, P<0.001). Further pairwise comparison showed that the cell proliferation activity of si-PRMT6+ pcDNA-p65 group or si-PRMT6+ pcDNA-MMP9 group was significantly higher than that of si-PRMT6 group (both P<0.001). The cell migration rates of above four groups were (85.195±3.176)%, (28.419±1.845)%, (60.490±7.231)% and (53.653±6.761)%, with a statistically significant difference ( F=59.672, P<0.001). Further pairwise comparison showed that the cell migration rate of si-PRMT6+ pcDNA-p65 group or si-PRMT6+ pcDNA-MMP9 group was significantly higher than that of si-PRMT6 group ( P=0.002; P=0.003). Conclusion:PRMT6 silencing can inhibit the proliferation and migration of gastric cancer cells MGC-803 via deactivation of NF-κB/MMP9 signaling pathway.

Objective:To observe the effect of arsenic trioxide (ATO) on the expression of NKG2D ligand UL16 binding protein 1(ULBP1) in acute myeloid leukemia KG1a cells, and explore the molecular mechanism for its regulation of ULBP1 expression.Methods:KG1a cells were cultured in vitro.Then, the inhibition of KG1a cell proli-feration by different concentrations of ATO was detected by cell counting kit-8(CCK8) assay, and the expression of ULBP1 mRNA and surface protein in KG1a cells were examined by real-time RT-PCR and flow cytometry, respectively.After that, the blocking effects of ataxia telangiectasia mutated and RAD3-related kinase (ATM/ATR) inhibitor caffeine on ATO-upregulated expression of ULBP1 mRNA and surface protein expressions were investigated, and the effects of ATO on the expression of CHK1 and CHK2 proteins and their phosphorylation in KG1a cells were observed by Western blot method. Results:Different concentrations (1, 2, 3, 4, 5 μmol/L) of ATO could inhibit the proliferation of KG1a cells, which was concentration dependent, and the half inhibitory (IC 50) concentration to KG1a cells was 2.7 μmol/L.The expression of ULBP1 mRNA on KG1a cells were increased when incubated with ATO at concentration 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 μmol/L, compared without ATO group, ULBP1 mRNA expression level relatively increased respectively to (1.86±0.30) times, (3.02±0.71) times, (3.16±0.75) times, (4.80±0.70) times and (3.70±0.89) times, and the differences were statistically significant (all P<0.05). Furthermore, ATO (1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 μmol/L) upregulated ULBP1 protein expression on KG1a cells compared with that in the group without caffeine, and the differences were statistically significant (all P<0.05). After caffeine pretreat KG1a cell 2 h and ATO incubate KG1a cell 24 h, ULBP1 mRNA and protein expression levels were significantly reduced.When caffeine concentration was 8 mmol/L, ULBP1 mRNA expression level relatively reduces from (9.55±0.38) times to (6.36±0.93) times compared with that in the group without caffeine, and the difference was statistically significant ( P<0.05). When caffeine concentration was 2, 4 and 8 mmol/L respectively, the expression of ULBP1 protein was reduced from that in the group without caffein treatment (3.50±0.08) times to (2.17±0.07) times, (2.02±0.06) times and (1.75±0.06) times, respectively, and the differences were statistically significant (all P<0.05). The expression of CHK1 and CHK2 proteins decreased with the increase of ATO concentration, while p-CHK1 and p-CHK2 are increased as ATO. Conclusions:ATO upregulate the expression of ULBP1 mRNA and protein in KG1a cells, and the ATM/ATR-CHK1/CHK2 pathway may be involved in it.

Objective:To construct a mutant strain of hypervirulent Klebsiella pneumoniae NTHU-K2044 with hfq gene deletion and to analyze its biological characteristics. Methods:The hfq gene of NTUH-K2044 was knocked out by homologous recombination technology to construct △ hfq mutant strain. Its biological characteristics including growth rate, environmental stress tolerance, biofilm formation, capsular polysaccharide synthesis, resistance to neutrophil phagocytosis and lethality to Galleria mellonella larvae were analyzed by comparing with the wild-type strain using phenotypic experiments. Results:The △ hfq mutant strain of hypervirulent Klebsiella pneumoniae NTHU-K2044 was successfully constructed. Phenotypic experiments showed that the △ hfq mutant strain had significantly slower growth rate, smaller colonies and decreased hypermucoviscosity. Its growth was significantly inhibited under different environmental stress conditions such as pH9, pH5.5, 0.7 mmol/L SDS, 5% NaCl, 0.1% H 2O 2 and high temperature of 50℃. In terms of virulence and pathogenicity, the △ hfq mutant strain showed decreased ability to form biofilm and capsule, significantly down-regulated expression of magA and rmpA genes required for capsule synthesis, lower survival rate in the neutrophil bactericidal test and obviously reduced lethality to Galleria mellonella larvae. Conclusions:As a RNA chaperone, Hfq protein could participate in post-transcriptional regulation and play an important role in regulating the physiology, environmental adaptability and virulence of hypervirulent Klebsiella pneumoniae. This study provided reference for further study on hypervirulent Klebsiella pneumoniae.

ObjectTo observe the clinical efficacy of Huangqin Beimutang on chronic rhinosinusitis in children. MethodA randomized controlled trial （RCT） was conducted on 70 children who met the criteria for chronic rhinosinusitis， with 35 cases in the Chinese medicine group and 35 cases in the western medicine group. In the western medicine group，children received mometasone furoate nasal spray，one spray per nostril，once a day for two weeks， and also received a small dose of azithromycin suspension at 4 mg·kg^-1·d^-1，once a day，3 days a week for 2 weeks. The children in the Chinese medicine group were treated with oral Huangqin Beimutang，one dose per day for 2 weeks. Before and after treatment，the scores of primary symptoms and signs of traditional Chinese medicine （TCM），visual analogue scale （VAS） symptom scores，sinus computed tomography （CT） efficacy scores，and clinical efficacy of TCM syndromes in the two groups were evaluated，and the occurrence of adverse events was recorded. ResultThe total effective rate of clinical efficacy of TCM syndrome in the Chinese medicine group was 88.57% （31/35）， which was higher than 71.43% （25/35） in the western medicine group（χ²=8.458，P<0.05）. The VAS scores， scores of TCM primary symptoms of nasal obstruction and runny nose， and physical sign scores in both groups were lower than those after treatment （P<0.01）. The above indicators in the Chinese medicine group were superior to those in the western medicine group after treatment （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Compared with the conditions before treatment， there was no significant improvement in headache in the western medicine group， while the headache score in the Chinese medicine group decreased after treatment （P<0.01）. The CT scores of the two groups showed a downward trend， but the difference was not statistically significant. There were no adverse reactions during treatment in both groups. ConclusionHuangqin Beimutang can effectively improve the clinical symptoms of patients with chronic rhinosinusitis， and it is safe and effective.

Objective:To evaluate the value of integrated PET/MR in assessing myocardial viability in ischemic heart disease.Methods:A total of 39 patients (28 males, 11 females; age (60.1±12.0) years) diagnosed with ischemic heart disease in Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University were retrospectively enrolled from September 2020 to December 2021. All patients underwent cardiac 13N-NH 3·H 2O and 18F-FDG PET/MR examinations. Late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) sequence was included in MRI scan. PET and MRI images were analyzed and myocardial viability of each myocardial segment was evaluated according to the American Heart Association (AHA) 17 segment method. The extent of left ventricular infarcted myocardium was measured based on PET and MRI images. Weighted Kappa test was used to evaluate the agreement of PET and MRI in assessing myocardial viability. The extent of infarcted myocardium measured by PET and MRI was compared by paired- t test, and Pearson correlation analysis was used to assess the correlation between them. Results:There was a moderate agreement between PET and MRI in assessing myocardial viability ( Kappa=0.532, P<0.001), with the agreement rate of 69.83%(463/663). There was no significant difference but strong correlation between the extents of infarcted myocardium measured by PET and MRI ((23.89±14.23)% vs (23.55±11.90)%; t=-0.24, P=0.809; r=0.79, P<0.001). In segments with normal perfusion and metabolism on PET, 22.52% (100/444) showed abnormal enhancement on MRI. On the other hand, 39.89% (73/183) of the segments classified as non-viable on MRI showed normal or viable on PET. Conclusion:Integrated PET/MR is able to take full advantage of the complementary nature of PET and MRI, achieving the comprehensive and accurate evaluation of myocardial viability.

Objective: To investigate the therapeutic effect of dendritic cell-induced killer cells (DC-CIK) combined with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and loaded with CD133+ HT-29 cell lysate or RNA on mice bearing colon cancer HT-29 cell transplanted tumor, and to explore the underlying mechanism. Methods: Colon cancer xenograft model was established in BALB /c nude mice by using human colon cancer HT-29 cells at logarithmic growth phase; Antigen-free DC-CIK, 5-FU+DC-CIK, R+DC-CIK (loaded with total RNA of CD133+ cells), L+DC-CIK (loaded with CD133+ cell lysate), 5-FU and normal saline were respectively injected into transplanted mice, and the treatment efficacies on the growth of transplanted tumor in each group after three treatment cycles were observed, and the tumor growth curve was drawn. The nude mice were sacrificed by cervical dislocation and the tumor volume and body weight were measured. qPCR was used to detect the expression of AKT mRNA in transplanted tumor tissue, and WB was used to detect the expression of phosphorylated AKT protein. Results: After treatment, the body mass of nude mice in R+DC-CIK group, L+DC-CIK group and 5-FU+DC-CIK group increased steadily, while the body mass of nude mice in DC-CIK group and 5-FU group decreased gradually; the tumor growth speed of nude mice in R+DC-CIK group, 5-FU+DC-CIK group and L+DC-CIK group was significantly slower than that of the control group (P<0.05). Compared with 5-FU and DC-CIK alone, the combined treatment with loaded lysate/RNA had more sig nificant effect on mRNA and protein expressions of AKT(P<0.05). Conclusion: The effect of DC-CIKwithdifferentloadingoritscombinationwith5-FUisbetterthanthatofchemotherapy alone. One of the mechanisms is related to the down-regulation ofAKT level.

Objective: To compare the in vitro biocompatibility of bone marrow mesenchymal cells on polyetheretherketone (PEEK) and titanium (Ti) surfaces. Methods : PEEK and Ti foils with thicknesses of 1 mm and diameters of 10 mm were prepared. First, bone marrow mesenchymal cells were separated and purified by the whole bone marrow adherent culture method in vitro. Then, osteogenesis-induced bone marrow mesenchymal cells were cultivated on the surfaces of the PEEK and Ti foils. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), the Alamar Blue test, an alkaline phosphatase (ALP) kit and Alizarin Red staining were used to analyze calcium nodules and compare the adhesion, proliferation and osteogenic differentiation ability of bone marrow mesenchymal cells on the surfaces of the PEEK and Ti foils. Results : ① The morphology of the bone marrow mesenchymal cells cultured on the PEEK and Ti foils at 1 h, 4 h and 24 h showed no significant differences. ② In the 1 h, 3 h, 1 d and 3 d cultures of the bone marrow mesenchymal cells inoculated on the surfaces of the foils, the number of living cells in the PEEK group was greater than that in the Ti group (P < 0.05). ③ In the 7 d and 14 d osteogenesis-induced cultures of the inoculated bone marrow mesenchymal cells, the ALP activity of the PEEK group cells was significantly greater than that of the Ti group cells (P < 0.05). ④ Semiquantitative analysis after Alizarin Red staining showed that the mineralization degree of the bone marrow mesenchymal cells induced by osteoblasts was greater in the PEEK group than in the Ti group (P < 0.05). Conclusion PEEK has better in vitro biocompatibility than Ti and can better promote cell adhesion, proliferation and osteogenic differentiation compared with Ti, and so it is expected to become a new dental implant material.

Objective To investigate the correlation between left ventricular dysfunction and cogni-tive impairment in patients with ischemic heart disease(IHD),and explore the potential patho-genesis of cognitive impairment in IHD patients.Methods Fifty IHD patients who underwent hybrid cardiac PET/MR in our hospital from September 2020 to December 2022 were retrospec-tively enrolled in this study.According to their Montreal cognitive assessment(MoCA)scores,they were categorized into a cognitively normal group(21 cases,MoCA score ≥26)and a cogni-tively declining group(29 cases,MoCA score＜26).All patients received 13N-NH3·H2O myocar-dial perfusion imaging and 18F-FDG cardiac PET/MR to evaluate cardiac function and obtain car-diac imaging parameters.Spearman correlation analysis was applied to analyze the correlation between cardiac PET/MR parameters and MoCA scores.General linear model analysis was applied to analyze the correlation between MoCA scores and cardiac PET/MR parameters after adjusting for co variates.Results Compared with the cognitively normal group,the patients in the cognitively declining group had significantly lower stroke volume[56.95(47.51,77.64)ml vs 82.66(73.88,92.92)ml,P=0.001],stroke volume index[34.07(28.93,43.20)ml/m2 vs 44.28(38.06,49.49)ml/m2,P=0.008],cardiac output[3.92(3.18,5.34)L/min vs 5.13(4.58,5.67)L/min,P=0.007],and cardiac index[(2.42±0.68)L/(min·m2)vs(2.78±0.39)L/(min·m2),P=0.021].Spearman correlation analysis revealed that MoCA score was positively correlated with stroke volume(r=0.497,P=0.001),stroke volume index(r=0.365,P=0.009)and cardiac output(r=0.361,P=0.010).After adjusting for sex,age,education level and vascular risk factors,MoCA score re-mained positively correlated with stroke volume(r=0.497,P=0.003).Conclusion Systemic hy-poperfusion in IHD patients may be one of the mechanisms leading to cognitive impairment.