Objective To study the regulatory effect of interleukin-17 on the production of inflammation and bone erosion related factors of fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLSs) from rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients and to investigate whether signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) is implicated in this regulatory effect.Methods FLSs were acquired through primary culture from RA patients.Receptor activator for nuclear factor-κB ligand (RANKL) and osteoprotegerin (OPG) expression in FLSs were determined using western blot analysis.The level of IL-6,granulocyte-mac rop hage colony stimulating fac tor (GM-CSF)and IL-8 were determined by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) assay.Statistical product and service solutions (SPSS) 17.0 statistical software was used for single factor analysis of variance and LSD-t comparison between each two groups.Results IL-17 stimulated FLSs and promoted the release of IL-6,GM-CSF and IL-8 (t=2.135,P＜0.01) and increased the production of RANKL (t=2.105,P＜0.01) and reduced the production of OPG (t=2.502,P＜0.01).However,targeted silencing of STAT3 could inhibit the effect of IL-17 on FLSs [control group:IL-6 (512±18) pg/ml;GM-CSF (591±25) pg/ml;IL-8 (473±10) pg/ml;RANKL (2.310±0.096);OPG (0.614±0.311);IL-17 group:IL-6 (1 630±39) pg/ml;GM-CSF (1 825±18) pg/ml;IL-8 (2 804±41) pg/ml;RANKL (4.010±0.256);OPG (0.131±0.101);STAT3 silent group:IL-6 (405±21) pg/ml;GM-CSF (451±12) pg/ml;IL-8 (370±9) pg/ml;RANKL (0.850±0.298);OPG (1.120±0.342)].Conclusion STAT3 pathway is critical to IL-17-induced regulatory effect on the release of inflammation and bone erosion related factors of FLSs.IL-17 can induce the inflammation and bone erosion of RA via STAT3.

Objective To study the effects of acute cadmium exposure on the immune function of white blood cells (WBC), plasma interleukin-2 (IL-2) and cortisol levels in rats. Methods Thirty-six male rats were randomly divided into three groups averagely. The control group (group C) and two experimental groups(groupⅠand group Ⅱ) were respectively exposed to 0, 0.5, 1.0 mg / kg body weight (BW) cadmium for 7 days by intraperitoneal injection. Blood samples of the rats were collected on the 4th and 7th day after administration of cadmium respectively and the related parameters were analyzed. Results The BW of rats in groupⅠand group Ⅱ were significantly lower than that of the group C. The WBC counts of two experimental groups were higher than that of the control group. Higher percentage of neutrophiles and lower percentage of lymphocytes were observed in rats of group Ⅰ and Ⅱ on the 7th day after cadmium exposure, while no obvious variations in monocytes(%), eosinophiles(%) and basophiles(%)were observed among the three groups. Blood T-lymphocyte(%) and IL-2 levels in rats of groupⅠandⅡdecreased on the 4th and 7th day after cadmium exposure respectively, while B-lymphocyte(%) increased on the contrary. Plasma cortisol levels in rats of groupⅠ and groupⅡ were higher than that of the group C on the 7th day after cadmium exposure. Conclusion The results showed that acute cadmium exposure could affect the WBC immune function and result in the defect of cellular immune function as well as significant change of adrenal cortex endocrine activities.

The famous veteran doctors of traditional Chinese medicine ( TCM ) are models to combine TCM the-ories , previous practitioners' clinical experiences with current medical practice for the difficult to solve clinical problems . The selection of appropriate inheritance study method is especially important in the learning of fa-mous veteran doctors of TCM . This article discussed the inheritance method of academic experiences of famous veteran doctor of TCM professor Huang Yongsheng from four aspects, which were the reading of classic books, clinical practice, following medical masters, and summarization of clinical cases. It was hoped that during the inheritance process , efforts can be made to academic characteristics of TCM itself in accordance with its own law in order to create more and better clinical experience inheritance method.

The overall concept is the core theory of traditional Chinese medicine ( TCM ) diagnosis and treat-ment system. During the process of building TCM effect evaluation on coronary heart disease (CHD), with the defined connotation and extension of heart diseases , except the consideration on its clinical symptoms , TCM four diagnosis and various current modern cardiovascular disease diagnostic methods should be organically com-bined according to the original macro basis . The micro quantitative evaluation is given on therapeutic effect of disease treatment in order to construct the complete TCM effect evaluation system.

Objective:Optimising the technological parameters for the extraction of Maxingshigan Decoction (Herba Ephedrae, Semen Pruni Armeniacae, Gypsum Fibrosum, Radix Glycyrrhizae). Methods:Using the even design and TCL, ephedrine, glycyrrhetinic acid, hydrocyanic acid, calciumion and extract weight were taken as the indexes. Results:Optimal parameters: the pH values of the water for the 1st, 2nd and 3rd decoctions are 2.0 ,6.5 and 9.0,respectively; and the time of 3 decoctions are 2.0,1.0and 0.5h, respectively. Conclusion:Optimal parameters for Maximpshipan Decoction are feasible in extraction.

Task-driven teaching method is a kind of exploration.The prospective research on the application of task-driven teaching method in social medical insurance course is helpful to setting up a teaching situation,constructing a relaxed study environment,stiring up students’interest in the study and improving students’initiatives and creativity.

Objective To explore the effect of rehabilitation training on learning and memorial ability and long-term potentiation (LTP) in hippocampal region CA3 in rats with cerebral infarction. Methods 30 male rats were randomly divide into model group, rehabilitation training group and normal group with 10 cases in each group. Photochemical method was used to induce hippocampal infarction. The performance of Y-maze test and moving-back with current stimulation experiment were recorded. The increase rate of population spike (PS) in hippocampal region CA3 and PS latent period were compared. Results The frequency of training of Y-maze test was less after rehabilitation training, the latent period of moving-back with current stimulation experiment prolonged, and the PS latent period was shortened. Conclusion Rehabilitation training may strengthen the LTP effect in hippocampal region CA3, and improve the learning efficiency

PurposeTo investigate the correlation between iodine concentration and clinical severity of acute pancreatitis (AP) through the quantitative evaluation with dual-energy spectral computed tomography (DESCT), so as to find out an effective imaging technology in the evaluation of clinical severity of AP.Materials and Methods Sixty patients with AP confirmed clinically (AP group) and 30 patients with normal pancreas (control group) were retrospectively analyzed. All the patients underwent enhanced CT scan in the spectral imaging mode. Iodine concentration and normalized iodine concentration (NIC) were respectively measured during arterial phase and portal phase in the material-decomposition images by using a spectral imaging viewer (GSI Viewer). Results Iodine concentration and NIC were significantly higher in the control group than in the AP group (P<0.05,P<0.001). In the AP group, according to Ranson grading, 24 patients were in the mild grade, 20 patients were moderate, and 16 patients were severe. Iodine concentration and NIC decreased along with the increase of their Ranson grade. There were significant difference in iodine concentration and NIC among the three subgroups (iodine concentration on arterial phase:F=8.776,P<0.01; iodine concentration on portal phase:F=4.019,P<0.05; NIC on arterial phase:F=12.700,P<0.001; NIC on portal phase:F=8.732,P<0.01). Iodine concentration and NIC on arterial and portal phases in the mild grade group were both significantly higher than those in the moderate grade group (P<0.05); however, iodine concentration on arterial and portal phases, and NIC on arterial phase in the severe grade group were significantly lower than those in the moderate grade group (P<0.05).Conclusion DESCT can analyze hemodynamic changes in AP quantitatively, which is of great value in evaluating changes in AP of each grade.

Objective To investigate the efficacy of transverse insertion of thick needles into the Du meridian in treating rat ischemic facial paralysis and preliminarily explore the possible mechanism by which it produces a therapeutic effect. Methods Sixty Wistar rats were randomly allocated to groups A (transverse insertion of thick needles), B (basic Western drugs), C (blank control) and D (sham operation), 15 rats each. A rat model of ischemic facial paralysis was made using a modified vascular occlusion method in all the rats. Facial nerve deficits were scored in every group of rats during treatment. At 1 day after model making, group A was treated by transverse insertion into point Shendao and 4-hour retention of needle, once daily, for a total of 14 days; group B was treated by an oral gavage of prednisone and intraperitoneal injection of vitamine B12, once daily, for a total of 14 days. Groups C and D were not treated. In 4 rats randomly chosen at 3, 7 or 14 days after model making, facial nerve concomitant intrinsic vascular tissue HIF-1αprotein was measured by an immunohistochemical method; serum NO, by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay; serum ET content, by radioimmunoassay.Results After 7 days of treatment, the neurological deficit score increased gradually in groups A and B and there was a statistically significant difference compared with after model making in the two groups (P<0.01). After 7 days of treatment, there was a statistically significant difference in the neurological deficit score in groups A and B compared with groups C and D (P<0.05) and between groups C and D (P<0.05). After 14 days of treatment, there was a statistically significant difference in the neurological deficit score between group A or B and group C (P<0.05) and between group B or C and group D (P<0.05). In group A, there was a statistically significant difference in the neurological deficit score after 14 days of treatment compared with after 7 days of treatment (P<0.05). After 3, 7 and 14 days of treatment, there was a statistically significant difference in HIF-1αMOD value in groups A , B and C compared with group D (P<0.01). After 3 and 7 days of treatment, there was a statistically significant difference in HIF-1αMOD value between group A or B and group C (P<0.05). In groups A and B, there was a statistically significant difference in HIF-1αMOD value after 3 and 14 days of treatment compared with after 7 days of treatment (P<0.05). After 3 and 7 days of treatment, there was a statistically significant difference in serum NO content between group A or B and group D (P<0.01). In groups A and B, there was a statistically significant difference in serum NO content after 7 days of treatment compared with after 3 days of treatment (P<0.05). After 3 and 7 days of treatment, there was a statistically significant difference in serum ET content in groups A , B and C compared with group D (P<0.05). In groups A and B, there was a statistically significant difference in serum ET content after 7 days of treatment compared with after 3 days of treatment (P<0.05).Conclusions Transverse insertion of thick needles into the Du meridian can effectively promote rat’s recovery from ischemic facial paralysis. The mechanism by which it produces a therapeutic effect may be regulating the expression of tissue HIF-1α and the NO and ET contents of serum.

Objective To investigate factors associated with prevalence, awareness, treatment and control of hypertension in Dagang Oil Field, and to provide the scientific evidence for the intervention measurements. Methods A cross-sectional, population-based survey was conducted in Dagang Oil Field from 2008 to 2010. Totally, 16 553 adults, 8 174 men (49.38%) and 8 379 women (50.62%), completed all of the questionnaires, measurement examination and blood specimen collection. Results The prevalence of hypertension was 27.30%. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that male, old age, overweight or obesity, family history of hypertension, marriage, education attainment, snoring, high heart rate, fasting blood glucose, serum total protein, and hyperuricemia were associated with hypertension. The awareness, treatment, control rates among all hypertensive subjects, and control rate among treated hypertensive participants were 52.65%, 40.07%, 15.51%, and 38.78%, respectively. Awareness was more common in those who were 45-64 years old , high medical costs, family history of hypertension, and smoking currently. Odds ratio (OR) (95% CI) of awareness was 5.24 (2.78 to 9.88), 24.11 (11.91 to 48.84) and 27.46(13.92 to 54.18) for medical costs 1-59.9 yuan/month, 60-199.9 yuan/month, and≥200 yuan/month, respectively. In contrast, exercising 2-4 times/week and longer sleep duration were associated with lower awareness. Medication treatment was more common in those who had old age, high medical costs, hypertension family history, coronary heart disease, prefer vegetable, while less common in those who exercise occasionally, sleep longer and drink alcohol currently. OR (95%CI) of treatment was 10.89 (3.76 to 31.56), 54.07 (19.20-152.24), and 87.31 (31.54 to 241.75) for medical costs 1-59.9 yuan/month, 60-199.9 yuan/month, and ≥200 yuan/month, respectively. Controlled hypertension was more common in those who had old age, high medical costs, exercise 2-4 times/week, coronary heart disease, prefer crude fibre diet, but less common in those who drink alcohol currently, have higher heart rate, and higher education attainment. OR (95%CI) of controlled hypertension was 13.59 (6.50-28.44), 14.67 (7.01-30.68), and 17.43 (8.34-36.39) for medical costs 1-59.9 yuan/m, 60-199.9 yuan/m, and≥200 yuan/m, respectively. Conclusion Despite high rate of awareness, treatment and control of hypertension still need to be strengthened.