AIM:To determine the effects and mechanisms of interleukin-22 (IL-22) on the fibroblast-like sy-noviocytes ( FLSs) from rheumatoid arthritis ( RA) patients.METHODS:RA-FLSs were cultured by tissue culture meth-od.RA-FLSs were incubated with different concentrations of IL-22 (0,1,10,100μg/L) for 24 h, 48 h and 72 h.The cell viability was examined by CCK-8 assay.IL-22 at concentration of 10 μg/L was used to stimulate RA-FLSs for 24 h, and the change of cell cycle distribution was identified by flow cytometry.The effects of IL-22 at concentrations of 0, 1, 10, 100μg/L and/or STA-21 (a STAT3 inhibitor at concentrations of 0, 25, 50μmol/L) on the protein levels of Bcl-2 and p-STAT3 in the RA-FLSs were determined by Western blot.RESULTS:Compared with control group, stimulation of rhIL-22 at different concentrations for 24 h, 48 h and 72 h, the cells viabilityof RA-FLSs were obviously increased ( P<0.05 ) . After co-cultured with 10 μg/L rhIL-22 for 24 h, the percentages of RA-FLSs were obviously increased in the G2/M+S phase and decreased in the G0/G1 phase.At the same time, rhIL-22 increased, but STA-21 decreased the protein levels of Bcl-2 but p-STAT3 in the RA-FLSs obviously (P<0.05).Treatment with STAT3 inhibitor STA-21 reversed the effect of IL-22-induced Bcl-2 upregulation in the RA-FLSs ( P<0.01 ) .CONCLUSION: STAT3 is critical in the process of IL-22-induced Bcl-2 upregulation in RA-FLSs, indicating that IL-22 may play a role in the apoptosis of RA-FLSs.

Objective To evaluate the clinical results from different endoscopic treatments of patients with chronic pancreatitis. Methods Thirty-seven cases of chronic pancreatitis had accepted endoscop-ie treatments were analvzed retrospectively. Results All cases were diagnosed clearly by ERCP showing different degree of pancreatic duct dilatation. Among them 21 cases had pancreatic duct stricture, 9 cases pancreatie duet ealeification. EPS in 18 cases and EST in 37 cases, basket extraction pancreatic duct stones in 6 eases, PDSD in 17 cases, NPD in 5 cases were conducted. The abdominal pain in 34 cases disappeared or markedly relieved alter treatment. Conclusion Endoseopie treatments have the advantages of safe, less-trauma and effectiveness. The combination of different endoscopic treatments improved evidently the current state of chronic pancreatitis treatment, thereby the therapeutic results.

Objective To evaluate the clinical value of MSCT in the diagnosis of unexplained aseites.Methods 113 patients with unexplained ascites were retrospectively reviewed by CT、clinical data and continous observation.Results Large ascites in 50 cases(44.3%),moderate amount aseites in 10 cases(8.8%),small ascites in 53 cases(46.9%);Parietal peritoneum changed in 51 cases(45.1%);Mesentery changed in 44 cases(38.9%);Grerter omentum changed in 20 eases(17.7%);Enlargement of lymph nodes in 67 cases(59.3%).Conclusion Malignant tumor was the most common cause of unexplained ascites.MSCT could help in identifying tumors and the tumor lesion,forecast malignant ascites,and had great value in etiology and diagnosis of ascites.

Objective To evaluate the efficacy of caudal block with dexmedetomidine mixed with ropivacaine for the management of perioperative analgesia in children.Methods Sixty pediatric patients,aged 1-5 yr,of ASA physical status Ⅰ or Ⅱ,scheduled for elective hypospadias repair,were equally and randomly assigned into 2 groups using a random number table:ropivacaine group (group R) and dexmedetomidine mixed with ropivacaine group (group DR).Each patient received a single caudal dose of 0.25％ ropivacaine 1 ml/kg in group R.Each patient received a single caudal dose of 0.25％ ropivacaine 1 ml/kg mixed with dexmedetomidine 2 μg/kg in group DR.Postoperative analgesia was assessed using FLACC scale,and the degree of motor block was assessed using modified Bromage scale within 24 h after the end of operation.The duration of analgesia (the time from onset of caudal block to first requirement for the rescue analgesic) and development of side effects were recorded.Results Compared with group R,the duration of analgesia was significantly prolonged,and the incidence of bradycardia and oversedation was increased in group DR.Hypoxemia,hypotension and postoperative motor block were not found in either group.Conclusion Addition of dexmedetomidine 2 μg/kg to caudal ropivacaine can significantly optimize the efficacy of caudal block with ropivacaine alone for the management of perioperative analgesia in children.

Objective:To evaluate diagnostic value of contrast-enhanced harmonic endoscopic ultrasonography (CEH-EUS) for pancreatic cystic lesions.Methods:Endoscopic and clinical follow-up data of patients with pancreatic cystic lesions diagnosed by EUS in Department of Gastroenterology of the First Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University with CEH-EUS video from March 2013 to April 2020 was retrospectively analyzed.Results:A total of 36 patients were included. There were 16 cases of serous cystadenomas (SCA), 10 cases of mucinous cystic neoplasm (MCN), 5 cases of intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (IPMN, 3 with complex type, 2 with main pancreatic duct type) and 5 cases of pancreatic pseudocyst (PPC). 87.5%(14/16) of SCA and 86.7%(13/15) of MCN+ IPMN had hyperenhanced cystic wall with obvious peak and similar washout as surrounding tissue, whereas only 20%(1/5) PPC had hyperenhanced cystic wall. The hyperenhancing effect of PPC was significantly lower than that of SCA and MCN+ IPMN ( P=0.0035 and P=0.0048, respectively ). Mural nodules were detected in 17 cases of pancreatic cystic lesions by EUS, of which 3 cases had hyperenhanced mural modules and 14 cases had hypoenhanced mural nodules by CEH-EUS. Patients showing hyperenhanced mural modules were all finally diagnosed as pancreatic malignancy (1 IPMN, 2 MCN), and the accuracy was 100%. Conclusions:CEH-EUS can have a obvious advantage of differentiating pseudocyst and other pancreatic cystic lesions, while not very useful for differentiating SCA and MCN. Pancreatic cystic lesions showing hyperenhanced mural nodules under CEH-EUS may imply malignancy potential.

Objective To study the role of RICTOR on rheumatoid arthritis-fibrobast-like synoviocytes (RA-FLS) activation.Methods FLS were isolated from the primary synovial tissues,which were obtained during joint replacement surgery or arthroscopy from three patients with RA.RA-FLS were stimulated with TNF-α at the dose of 10 ng/ml and 20 ng/ml for 48 h.The expression of RICTOR was detected by western blotting.Chemically synthesized RICTOR gene targeted for double-stranded siRNAs were transfected into RA-FLS by cationic liposome.After being transfected with RICTOR siRNA for 48 h,RA-FLS was treated with or without TNF-α for 48 h.The expression of RICTOR was evaluated by western blotting,and the cell viability was analyzed by methylthiazoltetrazolium (MTT) assay.The data were analyzed using analysis of variance (ANOVA) and LDL-t test.Results The expression of RICTOR protein was significantly higher in the TNF-α stimulated group (at the dose of 10 ng/ml and 20 ng/ml for 48 h) than that in the control group (bothP＜0.05),while the mean change of RICTOR/GAPDH ratios of band optical density x+s was 0.35±0.06 for the control group,0.60±0.09 for the TNF 10 ng/ml group and 1.10±0.12 for the TNF 20 ng/ml group.Moreover,the expression of RICTOR protein was obviously decreased in RICTOR siRNA transfection groupthan that in control after being trans-fected for 96 h (both P＜0.05),and ratios of control group,RICTOR (-)/TNF-α(-) group and RICTOR(-)/TNF-α(+) group was 0.498 4±0.140 1,0.012 8±0.002 0,0.042 5±0.027 3respectively.After the silence of RICTOR,the cell viability decreased in RA-FLS,no matter with or without TNF-α for 48 h later (both P＜0.05).Conclusion These results indicat that RICTOR might play an important role in the TNF-α associated activation of RA-FLS.

Objective To establish neonate rate models induced by high-fat diet so as to explore the effect of high-fat diet before and during pregnancy on growth and serum insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) level in neonate offspring.Methods Forty female SD rats were divided into high-fat group and control group that were fed with 35％ high-fat diet and standard chow,respectively.After 8 weeks,8 rats from each group were euthanatized for liver pathology and the other female rats were mated with male rats and fed continuously with 35％ high-fat diet and standard chow throughout gestation,respectively.Offspring from both groups were studied within 24 hours after birth.Their birth weight and body length (from apex nasi to end of tail) were measured.Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to detect serum IGF-1 level.Serum biochemical indexes were tested by biochemical analyzer.Liver pathologic changes were observed under the light microscope.The expression of IGF-1 in liver samples was detected by Western blot.Results 1.Rats in the high-fat group showed a significant less birth weight and shorter body length compared with those in the control group(all P ＜ 0.05).2.The level of serum IGF-1 of offspring in the high-fat group decreased by 20.1％ in comparison to offspring in the control group,but there was no significant difference between the 2 groups (P ＞ 0.05) because of the limited sample sizes.3.The aspartate transaminase(AST) of offspring in the high-fat group increased compared with those from control group(P ＜ 0.05),while other serum biochemical indexes between the 2 groups showed no significant differences(all P ＞0.05).4.Fatty degeneration could be found in livers of both dams and offspring in the high-fat group under light microscope,while the samples of both dams and offspring from the control group all showed normal.5.The IGF-1 expression in livers of offspring from high-fat group increased in comparison to that from control group(P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions A maternal high-fat diet before and during pregnancy decreases the birth weight and body length of offspring in utero,which may be associated with the decreased IGF-1.However,the pathogenesis of decreased IGF-1 in this study can not been found.Further study is needed to clarify the mechanism of intrauterine growth retardation induced by high-fat diet.

Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safty of antiviral treatment for chronic hepatitis B ( CHB ) patients in second trimester of pregnancy.Methods Seventy-nine CHB patients in second trimester of pregnancy were collected from Hangzhou First People’ s Hospital and Xixi Hospital of Hangzhou during January 2010 to December 2013.Patients were divided into antiviral treatment group ( n=47) and the control group (n=32) according to their own wishes.Patients in antiviral treatment group were given lamivudine or telbivudine treatment plus hepatoprotective medication, while those in control group were only given hepatoprotective medication.All pregnant women were observed for 12 weeks after childbirth and the neonates were followed-up for 6 months after birth.The liver function, HBV DNA loads, HBV serological markers were measured;adverse effects during pregnancy, blocking rates of mother-to-child transmission and the growth of neonates were documented.t test or Chi-square test was used for statistical analysis.Results Alanine aminotransferase ( ALT) normalization rate and HBV DNA negative rate in antiviral treatment group before childbirth were 88.6%(39/44) and 84.1%(37/44) , while those in the control group were 60.0%(18/30) and 0 (χ2 =8.27 and 50.46, P<0.05).After 12 weeks of childbirth, ALT normalization rate and HBV DNA negative rate in antiviral treatment group were both 100.0% (44/44), which were higher than those in control group (90.0%and 0) (χ2 =4.59 and 74.00, P<0.05).HBeAg seroconversion was observed in 1 (2.8%) and 4 (11.1%) patients in antiviral treatment group before and 12 weeks after childbirth, but it was not observed in the control group.The difference in HBeAg seroconversion rate bwteen two groups was not of statistical significance (P>0.05).No patient in antiviral treatment group terminated pregnancy due to abnormal liver function or adverse effect of drugs, while 2 out of 30 patients (6.7%) in the control group terminated the pregnancy, but the difference between two groups was not of statistical significance (χ2 =1.01, P >0.05).Mother-to-child transmission of HBV was successfully blocked in antiviral treatment group, while 3 cases (11.5%) in control group were failed (χ2 =5.19, P<0.05).No significant differences in gestational age, body mass, body length, Apgar score between two groups were observed (t=0.65, 0.84, 0.25 and 0.77, P>0.05).Conclusion Antiviral treatment can improve liver function, inhibit HBV replication and reduce the risk of mother-to-child transmission, and is safe for CHB patients in second trimester of pregnancy.

BACKGROUND: Rheumatoid factor (RF) is a kind of autoantibody which is routinely used as a factor in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) to evaluate disease activity and severity.But in clinical practice, it occurs frequently that RF values do not decrease according to clinical improvement in RA patients. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association between rheumatoid factor (RF) and activity or disease severity of RA.DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING: A randomized cross-sectional study was performed in the Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, the Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University during September 2006 and September 2007.PARTICIPANTS: Seventy-six patients,65 females and 11 males,mean age of (44±13) years,with RA diagnosed according to the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) criteria for RA were included in this study. METHODS: Seventy-six patients with active RA were randomly recruited and assessed for functional status,radiographic change,joint pain,morning stiffness, tender joint count (TJC), tender joint score (TJS), swollen joint count (SJC), swollen joint score (SJS), Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP),RF,and hemoglobin. The method of Pearson correlation or Spearman rank correlation was performed for assessing the association between RF and these indices separately, normally distributed data for Pearson correlation, nonnormally distributed data for Spearman rank correlation. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Correlation of RF with above mentioned factors. RESULTS: None of the correlation coefficients between RF and indices including age,disease duration, functional status,radiographic change,joint pain, morning stiffness, TJC,TJS,SJC,SJS,HAQ,ESR,CRP,hemoglobin were significant (P＞0.05). CONCLUSION: No associations between RF and activity or severity of RA are studied.

Objective To explore the curative effect of deep-brain magnetic stimulation (DMS) on learned helplessness behavior in the chronic restrained stress (CRS) rat model. Methods Twenty-nine Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into control group (n=8) and CRS group (n=21). CRS group was exerted chronic restrained stress, while the control group did not receive any stress, for three weeks. Then learned helplessness behavior was tested using Forced Swimming Test (FST) and the hopeless rats of the CRS group were divided ran-domly into sham group (n=6), DMS group (n=8) and citalopram group (n=7), that received corresponding treatment respectively. They were evaluated with FST again after one-week treatment. Results The immobile time in FST was longer in CRS group than in the control group after three-week stress (F=11.260, P=0.002). After one-week treatment, no significant improvement was found in the citalopram group (F=1.565, P=0.235), however, the immobile time in DMS group decreased (F=6.277, P=0.025), and was shorter than that in the sham group (F=5.560, P=0.036). Conclusion CRS could result in learned helplessness behavior, which could be alleviated with one-week DMS.