Objective To explore the role of microRNA (miR)-22 and miR-1825 in the diagnosis and differential diagnosis of juvenile systemic lupus erythematous (JSLE).Methods The cases of JSLE hospitalized in Capital Institute of Pediatrics Teaching Hospital Affiliated to Peking University from June 2013 to May 2014 were selected as study group.The cases with systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis (sJIA),nephrotic syndrome (NS),Kawasaki disease (KD),Henoch-Schonlein purpura(HSP) were selected as patients control group.The healthy children were selected as healthy control group.The expression levels of miR-22 and miR-1825 in the plasma of JSLE,sJIA,NS,KD,HSP and healthy children were detected by using real-time PCR respectively.Receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) analysis was performed to evaluate the value of miR-22 and miR-1825 miRNA as a biomarker with the sensitivity and specificity.Three data bases,included Targetscan,PicTar and miRanda,were applied to predict the target gene.The target gene was analyzed by adopting Gene Ontology (GO) in terms of molecular function,biological process and cellular component,and by adopting Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) in terms of pathway.Results Compared with healthy children,the amount of miR-22 and miR-1825 in JSLE patients were lower,and there were significant differences(t =-3.076,-9.054,P ＜0.01,0.000 1).The levels of the miR-22 and miR-1825 miRNAs in controls of sJIA,NS,KD,HSP were significantly higher than those of JSLE (t =-4.410,-4.477,-4.494,-2.971,all P ＜ 0.000 1;t =-9.043,-6.045,-10.416,-8.712,all P ＜ 0.000 1),but there was no difference compared with healthy children(all P ＞ 0.05).The area under ROC curve(AUC) of miR-22 between JSLE and healthy children was 0.777.The AUC of miR-1825 between JSLE and healthy children was 1.000.The AUCs between JSLE and controls of sJIA,NS,KD,HSP of miR-22 were 0.731-1.000.The AUCs between JSLE and controls of sJIA,NS,KD,HSP of miR-1825 were 0.939-1.000.There was positive relation between the amount of miR-22 and complement C3 in plasma(r =0.493,P =0.027).Conclusions The amount of miR-22 and miR-1825 in the plasma of JSLE embrace the potential of distinguishing JSLE from healthy children,sJIA,NS,KD,HSP.MiR-22 has the ability to predict the activity of JSLE.

AIM: To investigate a new method for identification of traditional Chinese medicine injection by FTIR. METHODS: For the steadiness of spectra, the factors of effecting spectrum's information quality were all investigated scientifically over the experiment procedures and instrumental setting, such as the preparation of samples, resolution ratio, scanning times, repeating scanning times, etc. The traditional Chinese medicine injections were used as the analytical samples such as Radix Isatidis, Rhizoma Chuanxiong, Flos Carthami, Radix Astragali and Herba Houttuyniae. RESULTS: Although all these original spectrums were similar at a certain degree, the FTIR combined with computer aided analysis, such as the cluster analysis and derivative spectrometry comparability calculation could be used to identify these injections. CONCLUSION: The method of identification by FTIR is non destructive testing, cheap, clean, fast, simple and convenient. The result indicates this method is suitable for establishing identification database of traditional Chinese medicine injections.

Objective To observe the effect of intra-articular injection of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA)on the experimental osteoarthritis in rabbits and study the mechanism.Methods Forty rabbits un derwent unilateral anterior cruciate ligament transection(ACLT)and then divided into two groups randomly. 100?mol/L DHEA resolved in the dimethylsulphoxide were injected into the knees of experimental rabbits 4 weeks after transection,once a week for five weeks.Rabbits in the control group were treated under the same schedule using dimethylsulphoxide.All rabbits were killed 9 weeks after ACLT and the knee joints were evalu- ated by gross morphology and histology.The mRNA expression of metalloproteinases-3(MMP-3),tissue in- hibitor of metalloproteinases-1(TIMP-1)and interleukin-lbeta(IL-1?)in the cartilage and synovium was analyzed using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR).Results Gross morphologic in- spection and histological evaluation showed that the extent and grade of cartilage and synovium damage in the experimental group were less severe than the control group.The mRNA expression of MMP-3 in cartilage and synovium decreased significantly in the experimental group(both P＜0.05).The mRNA expression of TIMP-1 in cartilage and synovium increased significantly in the experimental group compared with that in the control group(both P＜0.05).No significant difference of IL-1?mRNA expression in cartilage was found between the experimental and the control groups(P＞0.05).The mRNA expression of IL-1?in the synovium was signifi- cantly suppressed in the experimental group compared with that in the control group(P＜0.01).Conclusion DHEA protects against cartilage degradation,alleviates synovium inflammation and inhibits the progression of osteoarthritis in the experimental model.Down-regulation of MMP-3 and up-regulation of TIMP-1 in cartilage and synovium and IL-1?in the synovium may be the mechanism of the protective effect of DHEA on os- teoarthritis.

Objective To study the effects of russel viper venom X(RVV X)on blood coagulation protein.Methods We divide diluted protein into control and RVV-X groups,then use chromogenic substract assay to detect the activation effect of RVV-Ⅹ on coagulation factor Ⅶ,Ⅸ,Ⅹ and antithrombin,plasminogen,with or without activator.Results In RVV-Ⅹ group,the coagulation factor Ⅶ, Ⅸ and plasminogen displayed weakly enhanced chromogenesis,all P

Objective To investigate and evaluate the polymorphism distribution of arsenic(+3 oxidation state)methyhransferase(AS3MT)5'-UTR VNTR in Chinese populations.Methods Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood anti-coagulated with ACD of 1440 individuals in a standard phenol-chloroform protocol.The phenotypes of AS3MT 5'-UTR VNTR were determined by polymerase chain reaction(PCR)associated with agarose gel electrophoresis.Results Of the 1440 individuals,771(53.5%),426(29.6%),211(14.7%),16(1.1%)and 16(1.1%)were carriers of the V2/V3(AB/A2B),V3/V3(A2B/A2B),V2/V2(AB/AB),V2/V4(AB/A3B)and V3/V4(A2B/A3B)genotype,respectively.The AB(V2),A2B(V3)and A3B(V4)allele frequency was 41.9%,57.0%,1.1%respectively.The differences of AB(V2)and A2B(V3)allele frequency were all significant between the northern and southern populations respectively(χ2=23.39,χ2=33.28,P＜0.007).Conclusions In different regions the AB(V2)and A2B(V3)allele frequency is different,the AS3MT 5'-UTR VNTR polymorphism can be used to evaluate the susceptivity of arsenieosis.

Objective To investigate the pancreas size and echo characteristics of patients with glucose metabolism disorders including type 2 diabetes,and to study its related factors.Methods One hundred and fifty-seven patients from Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital with normal glucose metabolism,impaired glucose regulation,newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes and established type 2 diabetes were collected.The average gray scale intensity of the liver,kidney,pancreas region of interest was measured by using the histogram method.Then the liver and kidney echo ratio,liver attenuation coefficient was calculated,and the fat content of liver was determined by using formula.The size of pancreas head,body and tail was detected by ultrasound,and the sum of three values was used as the pancreas size indicator.Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed on the size of pancreas and intensity of echo.Results The size of pancreas ranged from 2.39 ～ 6.09 cm with a mean size of (4.43 ± 0.59) cm,and the size was ≤ 5 cm in 130patients,＞5 cmin 27 patients.The intensity of echo ranged from 41.0 ～ 190.6 with a mean number of 120.0 ±31.1,and the intensity of echo was ≤120 in 83 patients,＞ 120 in 74 patients.The content of liver fat ranged from-1.11％ ～ 62.50％ with a mean number of (15.67± 11.97)％.Univariate logistic regression analysis suggested the size of pancreas was related to age and obesity,and pancreas echo was related to obesity degree,types of participants,the level of blood glucose,and grade of fatty liver (all P ＜ 0.05).Multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated obesity degree is the most important factor for prediction of pancreas size and echo (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions Quantitative ultrasound measurement of pancreas size and echo can reflect the degree of fat infiltration of pancreas,and it has some clinical value.

Objective To examine whether tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-1 (TIMP-1) is involved in arterial calcification of chronic renal failure (CRF) rats. Methods CRF model was induced in male Wistar rats by garage daily with 2% adenine 250 mg/kg. The calcification of aorta, femoral artery, renal artery and coronary artery was evaluated histomorphometrically by van Kossa-stained sections at 2-, 4-, 6- and 8-week respectively. RT-PCR and Western blot were used to observe the expressive levels of TIMP-1 mRNA and protein. Expressions of TIMP-1, osteopentin (OPN) and core binding factor α1 (Cbfα-1) protein were analyzed by immunhistochemistry. Results Serum urea nitrogen, creatinine, inorganic phosphate, calcium-phosphorus product and intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) increased significantly in the model animals compared with control group after 2 weeks (P<0.01). Medial calcification was found in above four arteries of model groups after 6 weeks. RT-PCR and Western blot showed that TIMP-1 expression of model group was significantly higher than that of control group (P< 0.05), and obviously elevated in a time-dependent manner. The expression of TIMP-1 and OPN in calcified aortic smooth muscle cells increased obviously (P<0.05), and positive immunostaining of Cbfα-1 was found. The expression of TIMP-1 was positively correlated with OPN and Cbfα-1 (r=0.317, P=0.000; r=0.485, P=0.000). Conclusions The pathology of arterial calcification in CRF rats induced by adenine is similar to CRF patients, which may serve as a useful model of CRF with arterial calcification. The up-regulation of TIMP-1 seems to participate in the formation and development of vascular calcification in CRF.

Objective: To explore the early diaghostic value of thyroid hormone level in patients with left ventricular diastolic dysfunction. Methods: Our work included 4 groups:①Normal control group, n=40,②Impaired left ventricular diastolic function
group, n=40,③Failure of left ventricular diastolic function group, n=41 and④Impaired left ventricular systolic function group, n=40. The cardiac function was assessed by color Doppler lfow imaging and tissue Doppler imaging for the early diastolic mitral lfow velocity (E), the peak early diastolic mitral annular velocity (Em) and the ratio of E/Em. The blood levels of NT-proBNP and FT3, FT4, TSH, rT3 were examined in clinical laboratory.
Results: Blood levels of FT3 and rT3 were different in pair wise comparison among 4 groups, P<0.05, and FT4 and NT-proBNP were different in pair wise comparison among 4 groups, except for Normal control group and Impaired left ventricular diastolic function group, P<0.05. The TSH level was similar among 4 groups, P>0.05. The ratio of E/Em was negatively related to FT3 (r=-0.724, P<0.05) and FT4 (r=-0.49, P<0.05), while positively related to rT3 (r=0.87, P<0.05) and NT-proBNP (r=0.83, P<0.05).
Conclusion: The changes of thyroid hormone level may exist in patients with impaired diastolic function and it may vary with the severity of the cardiac dysfunction. Blood levels of NT-proBNP with thyroid hormone might be used as a reference index for early diagnosis of diastolic dysfunction.

Objective To analyze the correlation of interleukin(IL)-12B gene single nucleotide polymorphism(SNP)rs6887695 with clinical phenotypes(including age at onset,family history,clinical types,gender)of psoriasis vulgaris in Chinese Han population.Methods This study recruited 575 patients with psoriasis vulgaris and 1403 healthy controls.DNA samples were obtained from these subjects.PCR with Taqman fluorescent probe(ABI 7900 system)was performed to analyze the genotype of SNP rs6887695 in IL-12B gene.Statistical analysis was carried out by using the software SPSS 14.0,and Chi-square test was conducted to compare the frequency of the SNP rs6887695 genotypes and alleles between the patients and controls as well as between patients with different clinical phenotypes of psoriasis.Results The frequency of GG,GC and CC genotype of the SNP rs6887695 was 42.61％,45.39％ and 12.0％ respectively in the patients,compared to 34.42％,47.83％ and 17.75％ in the healthy controls(x2 =16.31,P ＜ 0.01);the frequency of G and C allele of the SNP rs6887695 was 65.30％ and 34.70％ respectively in the patients,compared to 58.34％ and 41.66％ respectively in the healthy controls(x2 =16.54,P＜0.01).Significant differences were observed in the distribution of genotypes and alleles of the SNP rs6887695 between patients with chronic plaque psoriasis(n =543)and those with acute guttate psoriasis(n =32,x2 =18.11,12.19,both P ＜ 0.01).Increased frequency of G allele and GG genotype of the SNP rs6887695 were noted in the patients with psoriasis vulgaris compared with the healthy controls,and in the patients with plaque psoriasis compared with those with guttate psoriasis.However,there was no statistical difference in the distribution of SNP rs6887695 genotypes or alleles between 540 patients with adult onset psoriasis and 35 patients with child onset psoriasis,between 102 patients with family history and 440 patients without family history,or between 341 male patients and 234 female patients(all P ＞ 0.05).Conclusions The IL-12B SNP rs6887695 may be associated with the susceptibility to psoriasis vulgaris in Chinese Han population,especially with the susceptibility to plaque psoriasis,but seems unassociated with the age at onset,family history or gender of patients.

BACKGROUND: Adhesion molecules are closely associated with inflammation. Inflammation due to white blood cell (WBC) infiltration and free radical injury following brain ischemia are believed to be important factors contributing to the pathogenesis of multi-infarct dementia.OBJECTIVE: To determine the level of serum adhesion molecules and free radicals in patients with multi-infarct dementia to explore the relationship between their levels and multi-infarct dementia.DESIGN: A case-control trial.SETTING: Department of Neurology, Second Affiliated Hospital of Jilin University.PARTICIPANTS: Totally 82 patients with multi-infarct dementia were hospitalized in the Department of Neurology, Second Affiliated Hospital of Jilin University between January 2000 and December 2004. These patients included 32 cases of mild dementia, 21 of moderate dementia, and 29 of severer dementia. The normal controls were 23 concomitant healthy volunteers who came for routine physical examination.METHODS: Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and electron spin resonance were used to determine the level of serum soluble intercellular adhesion molecules (ICAM) and vascular cell adhesion molecules (VCAM), as well as oxygen free radical concentration in the normal controls and patients with multi-infarct dementia, and the association between the severity of the illness and the levels of adhesion molecules and oxygen free radicals was analyzed.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Serum levels of ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 and oxygen free radical concentration in the two groups.RESULTS: Totally 82 patients with multi-infarct dementia and 23 healthy controls were included in this study and all enter the result analysis. In multi-infarct dementia patients, the serum levels of soluble ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 and oxygen free radical concentration [(469.00±76.33), (196.00± 45.91) and (1 103.30±98.96) μg/L, respectively] were significantly higher than those of the control group [(601.00±76.30), (4.018±1.656), and (1.295±0.718) μg/g, respectively, t=5.517-6.754, P ＜ 0.01], and the 3 indices were positively correlated with the severity of dementia (r=0.659 4,r=0.697 2, r=0.649 4, respectively, P ＜ 0.05); serum ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 levels were positively correlated with the concentration of oxygen free radicals (r=0.714 7, r=0.732 4, respectively, P ＜ 0.01).CONCLUSION: Serum ICAM-1, VCAM-1 and oxygen free radicals might be implicated in the pathophysiological development of multi-infarct dementia, and their levels increase in parallel with the severity of dementia.