Objective To identify the crucial gene implicated in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) pathogenesis by comparing microarray-based gene expression profiles of synovial fibroblast in arthritis patients and that in control.Methods The public datasets were obtained from NCBI GEO and EBI ArrayExpress.The qualified microarray-based gene expression profiles were integrated and normalized using the method implemented in GeneSpring software.Furthermore,the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified using significance analysis of microarrays (SAM) method.The online tool DAVID and STRING were applied to conduct the enrichment analysis and gene product interaction analysis respectively.Results There were two datasets that were qualified and analyzed in the present study.A total of 336 significant DEGs were identified by comparing the whole-genome gene expression profiles from synovial fibroblast of RA patients and control group.Among these DEGs,261 were significantly downregulated and 75 upregulated.About 13.6％ of the downregulated genes were associated with extracellular matrix degradation.The COL9A3 and COL4A5,indispensable component of hyaline cartilage and basement membrane respectively,were significantly downregulated,as well as genes in WNT family,including WNT2,WNT11,and WNT16.In contrast,matrix metalloproteinase 13 (MMP13) was found to be significantly upregulated in RA patients.MMP13 is a matrix metallopeptidase that degrade extracellular matrix and hyaline cartilage,and it could possibly interact with other proteins to regulate morphogenesis.Conclusion Molecular mechanisms underlying RA pathogenesis were investigated by analyzing the public datasets.A few genes that associated with extracellular matrix degradation,construction and regulation,including MMP13,WNT2,WNT11,WNT16,COL9A3 and COL4A5,could be regarded as therapeutic targets in RA treatment.

Three key ethical issues in neurotherapeutics research are discussed: the ethical challenges arising from changes in the financial incentive of researchers and their institutions,risk-benefit analysis on testing innovative interventions,and the research for informed consent.

Objective To investigate the differences of cognitive functions among ultra high-risk individuals(UHR),first-episode schizophrenia patients and healthy controls.Methods Twenty four participants meeting clinical inclusion criteria for initial prodromal states (IPS) selected from the first degree relatives of schizophrenia,23 first onset schizophrenia patients from the same family with UHR as well as 30 healthy controls were assessed with a comprehensive neuropsychological test battery including Trail Making Test (TMT),Stroop color word test and the Continuous Performance Test (CPT) to test the speed of information processing and sustained attention ability.Results ①The time of the Trail Making Test in UHR ((45.12±14.87) s) was shorter than first-episode schizophrenia patients((60.43± 19.30)s),but longer than healthy controls((27.13±7.74) s).The whole score of the Stroop color word test in UHR (28.46± 7.87) was higher than first-episode schizophrenia patients (18.78± 6.86),and lower than healthy controls (43.40±9.64).The score of the Continuous Performance Test in UHR (1.86 ± ± 1.05) was significanly higher than first-episode schizophrenia patients(1.17±0.67),but lower than healthy controls (2.63±0.67),and all these differences were significant (P＜0.01).②Taking age,years of education,occupation status,marital status and the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) scores as the covariance,the analysis of covariance showed TMT and Stroop color word test were still statistically significant.Conclusion There are cognitive function changes in individuals at ultra high-risk for psychosis,lying between first-episode schizophrenia cases and healthy controls.

Abstract: Schistosomiasis, an important zoonotic parasitic disease, is one of the six major tropical diseases identified by WHO, and also one of the most important parasitic diseases for prevention and control in China. After more than 70 years of efforts, the prevention and control of schistosomiasis in China has made great achievements, and the current epidemic of schistosomiasis in China has entered an extremely low epidemic state, but the distribution base of the only intermediate host of schistosomiasis, Oncomelania hupensis, is still large. For now, the techniques used to monitor schistosomiasis have shortcomings such as time-consuming, laborious and low sensitivity, which cannot meet the current needs of China. Environmental DNA (eDNA) refers to DNA that can be extracted from environmental samples (such as soil, water or air) without isolating any target organisms, which is a complex mixture of genomic DNA and its degradation products from different organisms in the same environment. eDNA technology can reflect the community or species composition information in the ecosystem through DNA extraction and detection of environmental samples. Compared with traditional biological monitoring methods, eDNA technology has the advantages of high efficiency, high sensitivity and environmental friendliness. eDNA has been successfully used for the specific detection of Schistosoma mansoni, Schistosoma haematobium and Schistosoma japonicum. This paper reviews the current detection methods of eDNA, the application and technical limitations of eDNA technology in schistosomiasis monitoring, aiming to provide scientific reference for research in the field of schistosomiasis surveillance.

We expatiate on an initiative management mode of medical instruments and equipments' operation and maintenace, which is different from the usual passive management. The application of this mode is helpful for keeping them in good condition and increasing the activity ratio, and thus to increase their economic and social benefits.
Equipment and Supplies ; Hospital Administration ; methods ; Humans ; Inservice Training ; methods ; Maintenance ; methods ; Medical Staff, Hospital ; education

Objedtve To summarize the experience of single-stage repair of coarctation of aorta(CoA) or interrupted aortic arch (IAA)and associated intracardiac defects through median stemotomy.Methods From Jan 2007 to Jul 2008,a total of 24 pa-tients with CoA or IAA and associated intracardisc defects were surgically repaired in single-stage through median stermotomy,inchud-ing 9 coanctation of aorta,12 coarctation with aortic arch hypoplasia,and 3 interrupted aorlic arch,.The associated intracardiac de-fects were Taussing-Bing anomaly 4,non-restricted VSD 22,subaortic stenosis 1 and pulmonary vein stenosis 1.The age ranged form 1 to 99 months (average 16 months) and the body weight ranged from 4 to 19 kg(average 9.3 kg).Aortic arch reconstruction was performed by hypothermic continuous low flow bypass using regional perfusion for all patients.Three patients with LAA and 9 patients with CoA underwent end-to-end ansetomosis.Of the 12 patients with coarctation and aortic arch hyipoplasia,8 patiellts underwent ex-tended end-to-end anastomosis,2 patients underwent end-to-side anastomosis and 2 patients underwent aortoplasfy.Results 2 cases were dead. One infant with Taussig-Bing type heart was dead of severe infection after 47 days postoperative,the other one who associ-ated with LAA and VSD dead of pulmonary hypertension crisis due to pneumonia after 15 days postoperative.No patient presented neu-rdogieal complication and renal insufficiency during the perioperation.2 cases presented recurrent respiratory problem.During the 18months follow-up,no patient presented with recoarctation except one with pressure gradient more than 20 mm Hg.Conclusion Pa-tients with coarctation of aorta or interrupted aortic arch and associsted intracardisc defects should be surgically treated as early as pos-sible when diagnosis was mode.Single-stage sortic arch reconstruction through median stemotomy using continuous regional perfusion is an effective and safe procedurd.Sufficient resection of ductus,extensive dissection of thoracic vessels and optimal tissus-tissue anas-tomosis techmique are very important for successful repair and avoiding recoarctation.

Objective To summarize the causes of patients with fever of unknown origin (FUO) and to analyze the relationship between infectious diseases and FUO,in order to provide envidence for experiential therapy.Methods Clinical data of 374 FUO inpatients at He'nan Provincial People's Hospital from June 1,2009 to May 31,2013,including gender,age,diagnosis and department were analyzed retrospectively.Results Three hundred and twenty-seven cases among the overall 374 FUO patients (87.4％) were eventually etiological diagnosed based on supplementary examinations or diagnostic treatment.As for the causes of fever,209 were infection,accounting for 55.9％,among which 78 cases (20.9％) were diagnosed with tuberculosis,23 cases (6.1％) brucellic diseases,19 cases (5.1％) rickettsia infection.Meanwhile,the noninfectious diseases,such as connective tissue diseases (47,12.6％),hematonosis (37,9.9％) as well as the solid tumors (13,3.5％) also constituted considerable shares of the causes for FUO.However,the causes of 47 cases (12.6％) were not identified before discharge.Conclusions Infectious diseases are the main cause of FUO,in which tuberculosis accounts for the majority.Brucellosis and rickettsia infection also account for a considerable proportion.The causes of most FUO cases could be identified through detailed analysis of clinical data and supplemental examinations.

This paper was aim to screen microorganisms with attenualed efficiency for Chinese medicine containing aristolochic acid A by liquid-state fermentation. Twelve Chinese medicine were detected by UPLC and aristolochic acid A was only founded in four species of Aristolochia, those were Caulis Aristolochiae Manshuriensis, Aristolochiae Radix, Aistolochia Contorta Bunge and Herba Aristolochiae Mollissima,but not in the others. With the four Chinese medicine containing aristolochic acid A as raw material, ten microorganisms were tested, and the content of aristolochic acid A was detected by UPLC. The results showed that one microorganism can decrease content of aristolochic acid A in all those four Chinese medicine.
Aristolochic Acids ; analysis ; metabolism ; Bacteria ; metabolism ; Biotransformation ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; analysis ; metabolism ; Fungi ; metabolism ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; microbiology

OBJECTIVE: To explore the applicability of integration between three-dimensional (3D) facial and dental data to evaluate the nasolabial morphology variation before and after the cross-arch fixed restoration of the maxillary implant-supported prostheses. METHODS: Twelve patients (4 women and 8 men), mean age (54.82±5.50) years (from 45 to 62 years) referred to the Department of Oral Implan-tology, Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology, were selected and diagnosed with edentulous maxilla. For all the patients, 4 to 6 implants were inserted into the maxilla. Six months later, the final cross-arch fixed prostheses were delivered. The 3D facial images were collected before and after the final restoration. The 3D data of prostheses were also captured. All the 3D data were registered and measured in the same coordinate system. Then the displacement of all the landmarks [cheilion left (CHL), cheilion right (CHR), crista philtri left (CPHL), crista philtri right (CPHR), labrale supe-rius (LS), subnasale (SN), stomion (STO), upper incisor (UI), upper flange border of the prostheses (F-point, F)], and the variation of the distances between these landmarks (SN-LS, CPHR-CPHL, CHR-CHL, LS-STO) were analyzed and compared. RESULTS: The consistency test among three measurements of the length of F-SN indicated that the integration method of the dental prostheses and soft tissue had the good repetitiveness, ICC=0.983 (95%CI: 0.957-0.995). After wearing the final cross-arch maxillary implant-supported prostheses, all the landmarks on the soft tissue moved forward. The nasal base area changed minimally, and the shift of SN in the sagittal direction was only (0.61±0.44) mm. But the sagittal shift of LS was (3.12±1.38) mm. In the vertical direction, SN, LS, CPHL, and CPHR moved upward. But STO, CHL, and CHR moved downward a little. Except for the slight decrease of the length of philtrum (SN-LS), the length of CHL-CHR, CPHL-CPHR, and the height of upper lip were increased together (P < 0.01). In the direction of Z axis, the strong correlations were found not only between the movements of SN and F (r=0.904 3) but also between the movements of LS and UI (r=0.958 4). CONCLUSION The integration method of 3D facial and dental data showed good repetitiveness. And the strong correlations between the landmarks of prostheses and nasolabial soft tissue in the sagittal direction were found by this new method.
Female ; Humans ; Incisor ; Lip ; Male ; Maxilla/surgery* ; Middle Aged ; Mouth, Edentulous ; Prostheses and Implants

DNA microarrays have been acknowledged to represent a promising approach for the detection of viral pathogens. However, the probes designed for current arrays could cover only part of the given viral variants, that could result in false-negative or ambiguous data. If all the variants are to be covered, the requirement for more probes would render much higher spot density and thus higher cost of the arrays. Here we have developed a new strategy for oligonucleotide probe design. Using type I human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) tat gene as an example, we designed the array probes and validated the optimized parameters in silico. Results show that the oligo number is significantly reduced comparing with the existing methods, while specificity and hybridization efficiency remain intact. The adoption of this method in reducing the oligo numbers could increase the detection capacity for DNA microarrays, and would significantly lower the manufacturing cost for making array chips.