ObjectiveTo investigate the therapeutic effect of Qingmei compound on acute gouty arthritis （AGA） in rats and preliminarily clarify its mechanism. MethodForty male SD rats were randomly divided into a blank group， a model group， a colchicine group （0.3 mg·kg^-1）， and low- and high-dose Qingmei compound groups （200 and 400 mg·kg^-1）， with eight rats in each group. The AGA model was induced by injecting 50 g·L^-1 monosodium urate （MSU） into the ankle joint of the rats except those in the blank group. The ankle swelling index was measured before and 6， 24， and 48 h after modeling. The pathological changes in the joint tissues of AGA rats were observed by hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining. The expression of tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α） and interleukin-1β （IL-1β） in the joint tissues of rats was detected by immunohistochemistry. The protein expression of NOD-like receptor protein 3 （NLRP3） pathway and key proteins in the joint tissues of rats was detected by Western blot. ResultCompared with the blank group， the model group showed increased ankle swelling index， synovial hyperplasia， and inflammatory infiltration， and up-regulated expression of IL-1β， TNF-α， and NLRP3 proteins in the ankle joint and the ratio of Caspase-1 shear body to Caspase-1 precursor protein （Caspase-1 p20/Caspase-1） （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the Qingmei compound groups showed reduced ankle swelling index of AGA rats， especially the low-dose Qingmei compound group （P<0.01）. Meanwhile， Qingmei compound inhibited synovial hyperplasia and inflammatory infiltration （P<0.01） and reduced the levels of IL-1β， TNF-α， and NLRP3 proteins and Caspase-1 p20/Caspase-1 in joint tissues （P<0.01）. ConclusionQingmei Compound can significantly alleviate the joint swelling and inflammatory infiltration of AGA， and its mechanism may be related to the inhibition of the NLRP3 signaling pathway.

BACKGROUND: Zinc, an inorganic antibacterial material, has a suitable degradation rate and good antibacterial property. Adding alloying elements can improve the mechanical properties and biocompatibility of the material, which is the development direction of novel medical biodegradable metal materials. There is still lack a comparable research on the antibacterial properties among zinc-based materials. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the antibacterial properties of pure zine and zinc-based alloys in vivo. METHODS: Eighty Sprague-Dawley rats, SPF grade, were randomized into two groups (n=40/group) , and all rats were injected with Staphylococcus aureus or Escherichia coli solution to prepare infection models. Different materials (Zn, ZnAl, ZnSr, Zn3 Mg, Zn3 Ag, Zn3 Ca and Zn4 Cu; five rats for each material) were implanted into the medullary cavity of femur. The control group without any material was set. At 1, 4, 7 and 14 days after implantation, the changes of body temperature, white blood cell count, serum tumor necrosis factor α and serum zinc content in rats were detected. The secretions and tissues of the surgical site were collected to identify the bacterial species. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) The body temperature in all the rats was increased to different extents after bacterial infection, but the temperature of the rats implanted with zinc and zinc alloys was always lower than that in the control group at 7 and 14 days (P < 0.05) . The temperature in the Zn3 Ag group was significantly lower than that in the other groups at 7 and 14 days (P < 0.05) . (2) The white blood cell count and tumor necrosis factor α level in the zinc and zinc alloys groups were significantly lower than those in the control group at 7 and 14 days after implantation (P < 0.05) . The white blood cell count and tumor necrosis factor α level in the Zn3 Ag group were significantly lower than those in the other groups (P < 0.05) . (3) The serum zinc content in all groups has no significant difference (P> 0.05) . (4) The bacterial culture results showed S.aureus (+) in the Staphylococcus aureus infection group and E.coli (+) in the Escherichia coli infection group. (5) To conclude, degradable zinc-based alloys exert marked antibacterial effects, and Zn3 Ag alloys have the best antibacterial activity.

Objective To explore the effect of preventing skin tears with prevention protocol based on guideline. Methods According to International Guideline of Prevention Skin Tears to discuss and make prevention protocol, including prediction risk people, prevention fall and fall from bed with auxiliary means, wearing long sleeves clothes, using emollient on skin twice a day, providing nutrients and water, prevention friction and shear force with movement skills, totally six comprehensive measures. Wound care team trained backbone nurses the measures and backbone nurses trained clinical nurses. Before and after intervention 5 month and 17 month, every patient with age more than 18 years and hospitalized more than 24 hours was checked skin from head to toes in order to observe and compare skin tears incidence and practicable rate of prevention measures by cross-sectional survey.Results Before intervention, skin tears incidence was 0.77%(12/1 558), and skin tears incidence after intervention 5 month and 17 month was 0.16%(3/1 777) and 0.22%(4/1 825) ( P<0.05) . Practicable rate of 6 measures in patients with risk and with skin tears after intervention 5 month and 17 month was increased than that before intervention which was unsatisfactory (P>0.05).Conclusions Preven-tion skin tears protocol can reduce skin tears incidence, but practicable rate need be improved. In future nurses training, guidance and management bedside should be strengthened in order to enhance practicable rate of prevention measures.

BACKGROUND:As the high proliferation and low apoptosis of the bone marrow in polycythemia vera patients, hematopoietic stem cels transplanted into NOD/SCID mice can differentiate into erythroid cels, but whether hematopoietic stem cels transplantation could improve the hematopoietic function of aplastic anemia mice is not yet reported. OBJECTIVE:To investigate whether transplantation of bone marrow mononuclear cels with JAK2V617F mutation from polycythemia vera patients can influence hematopoietic reconstruction in aplastic anemia mice. METHODS:Severe aplastic anemia mouse models were established by using recombinant human interferon-γplus busulfan, and then, these mouse models were randomly divided into experimental group (n=10) and control group (n=10). Bone marrow mononuclear cels isolated from polycythemia vera patients with positive JAK2V617F mutation were transplanted into the mice in the experimental group via tail vein at 5 days after drug withdrawal.The same volume of normal saline was administered to the control group. Routine peripheral blood test, morphology of bone marrow cels, bone marrow biopsy, and percentage of CD45+ cels in the peripheral blood and marrow were determined at 14 days after transplantation. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: At 14 days after transplantation, pancytopenia occurred in the experimental group, bone marrow smears showed scattered lymphocytes and hematopoietic progenitors, and bone marrow biopsy presented that hematopoietic tissues were reduced and a smal amount of granulocyte cels and erythroblasts could be seen, but megakaryocytes were rare. In contrast to the control group, there was no improvement in the hematopoietic function of mice in the experimental group. CD45+ cels were detectable in the peripheral blood and bone marrow in the experimental group, but not in the control group; and a higher percentage of CD45+ cels was measured in the bone marrow than in the peripheral blood of experimental group mice. Experimental findings indicate that bone marrow mononuclear cels from polycythemia vera patients with positive JAK2V617F mutation can be engrafted into aplastic anemia mice, but cannot improve the hematopoietic function of mice.

BACKGROUND:It is important to establish an ideal mouse model of severe aplastic anemia for investigating the mechanism and finding new therapies for aplastic anemia. OBJECTIVE:To establish a severe aplastic anemia mouse model by using recombinant human interferon-γand busulfan. METHODS:Sixty healthy Kunming female mice were randomly divided into two groups:model group (n=50) and control group (n=10). The model group was given recombinant human interferon-γat a dose of 1×104 U/d by intraperitoneal injection and busulfan at a dose of 18 mg/(kg·d) through stomach feeding for 7 days. The same volume of physiological saline was given to control group. Multi-parameters, including general condition, body weight, blood cellcount, morphology and biopsy of bone marrow were analyzed in two groups. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:At day 7 after treatment, the weight, white blood cellcount, hemoglobin, blood platelet, reticulocyte count in model group were significantly lower than control group (P<0.05). Bone marrow smears and biopsy of model group showed marked reduction of bone marrow proliferation and increases of percentages of non-hematopoietic cellclusters and adipose tissue. The oil drop and fat vacuole were apparently seen in the model group. Severe aplastic anemia mouse model can be established by using recombinant human interferon-γand busulfan successful y, which is economic, stable and easy to operate.

Objective To study the ages at natural menopause of the women in Jilin Province, and to illustrate its influencing factors among the women in Jilin Province.Methods Through multistage stratified cluster random sampling method,23 050 people aged from 18 to 79 years were drew from nine states(a total of 32 areas)of Jilin province.The data of these residents were collected with the questionnaire and physical examinations by face-to-face interview.The number of selected female sample was 11 098. Finally, 4 881 postmenopausal women were selected.Complex weighted computation was used to estimate the ages at natural menopause.One-way ANOVA was used to compare the ages at natural menopause of the women with different birth years. Multiple linear regression analysis were used to examine the influencing factors of the ages at natural menopause. Results The mean and median ages at natural menopause were (49.11±4.19)years and 50.00 years,respectively.There were 4 881 cases of postmenopausal women,among them the women with age at natural menopause<40 years,40 year≤age at natural menopause≤45 years,46 years≤ age at natural menopause≤53 years,age at natural menopause≥54 years and age at natural menopause missing accounted for 2.27%(111 cases),13.17%(643 cases),71.97%(3 513 cases),11.74% (573 cases),and 0.85%(41 cases),respectively.Converted to birth years by age,70-79 years old was 1933-1942 birth years,60-69 years old was 1943-1952 birth years and 57-59 years old was 1953-1955 birth years.The age at natural menopause in Jilin province was statistically significant among the women with different birth years(F=21.178,P<0.001).By SNK-q test among three different birth year groups, the age at natural menopause was different between any two groups among three different birth year groups and the ages at natural menopause of 1953-1955 birth year group,1943-1952 birth year group and 1943-1952 birth year group were 50.38 years,49.51 years and 48.81 years.The age at natural menopause in urban of Jilin province was statistically significant among the women with different birth years(F=16.633,P<0.001).By SNK-q test among three different birth year groups,the age at natural menopause was different between any two groups among three different birth year groups and the ages at natural menopause of 1953-1955 birth year group,1943-1952 birth year group and 1943-1952 birth year group were 50.77 years,49.73 years,and 48.85 years,respectively.The age at natural menopause in rural of Jilin province was statistically significant among the women with different birth years(F=7.400,P=0.001 ). By SNK-q test among three different birth year groups, the age at natural menopause was different between 1953-1955 birth year group and the other two groups and the ages at natural menopause of 1953-1955 birth year group,1943-1952 birth year group and 1943-1952 birth year group were 50.09 years,49.33 years,and 48.74 years,respectively.The multiple linear regression results indicated that BMI and exercise were positively correlated with the age at natural menopause,but smoking and mental health evaluation were negatively.Consumption frequency of vegetables,fruits,bean products,and meat was no correlated with the age at natural menopause.Conclusion The differences of the ages at natural menopause between the women with different birth years are statistically significant in Jilin Province;BMI, smoking, exercise,and mental health are the influencing factors of the age at natural menopause.

Objective To evaluate the significance of platelet activation and the expression of inter-leukin (IL)-1β in patients with RA. Methods The activation of platelets and the expression of IL-1β in pla-telets in 50 RA patients(22 high-active, 28 mediate/low active ) and 30 normal controls were determined us-ing flow cytometry. Meanwhile, inflammatory indicators such as erythrocyte sedimentation(ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP) and DAS28 were also recorded. T test and correlation analysis were performed. Results The platelet activation in RA group(19.2±4.8) was higher than the control group(9.0±2.9)(t=10.5, P=0.001). The expression of IL-1β in platelets in RA group(41±11) was higher than control group(21±8)(t=9.01, P =0.000) .The platelet activation in high-active RA group(22 ±4) was higher than mediate/low active RA group(17 ±4)(t =3.96,P =0.001). The expression of IL-1β in platelets in high-active RA group(45 ±10) was higher than mediate/low active RA group (38 ±10)(t =2.329,P =0.024). The expression of IL-1β in platelets in RA group was positively correlated with the level of ESR、CRP and DAS28 (r value and P value were 0.576, 0.578, 0.618 and 0.000, 0.000, 0.000 respectively). Conclusion The platelets of patients with RA are activated and may suggest that IL-1β, which may associate with disease activity. Our research suggest that platelet may play a role in the inflammatory process of RA by secreting IL-1β.

Objective To investigate the effect of miR-146a on the proliferation and interleukin (IL)-2 production of T helper cells from primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) patients.Methods MiR-146a in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC),monocytes,T helper cells,cytotoxic T cells and B cells from 20 confirmede PBC patients and age/sex matched healthy controls were detected by quantitative PCR.By gainand-loss of function,the miR-146a's effect on anti-CD3/anti-CD28 activated T helper's proliferation and IL-2 production ability were measured by CCK-8 approach and enzyme linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA),respectively.Statistical analysis were carried out by t-test.Results PBMCs (0.46±0.20 vs 1.00±0.26; t=7.47,P＜0.01),T helpers (0.33±0.13 vs 1.00±0.14; t=6.15,P＜0.01) and monocytes (0.56±0.11 vs 1.00±0.11; t=4.97,P＜0.05),but not B cells (0.91±0.06 vs 1.00±0.14; t=0.97,P＞0.05) and cytotoxic T cells (0.98±0.15vs 1.00±0.12; t=0.22; P＞0.05) from PBC patients had lower miR-146a expression level than that of healthy controls.Inducible up expression of miR-146a was observed in PBC patients'T helpers stimulated with antiCD3/anti-CD28 (1.00±0.18 vs 9.12±2.05; t=8.81; P＜0.01).The activated T helpers from PBC patients had higher proliferative ability [PBC:0.35±0.06 (A); healthy controls:0.26±0.04 (A); t=2.83; P＜0.05] and increased IL-2 production [PBC: (685.60±109.19 pg/ml)]; Healthy controls: [(512.20±72.26) pg/ml; t=2.96; P＜0.05 ] than those of healthy controls.For activated T helpers,the proliferation ability,as well as IL-2 production,was enhanced by miR-146a.Conclusion MiR-146a can down regulate the proliferation and IL-2 releasing of activated T helpers.The reduced miR-146a expression enhances IL-2 production and promotes proliferation of T helper of PBC patients,thus,may be involved in the pathogenesis of PBC.

Objective To compare the clinical efficacy and safety of two different conditioning regimens in nonmyeloablative autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (NAST) for the treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).Methods Different conditioning regimens were used in two groups:cytarabin combined cyclophosphamide in group 1 and ATG combined cyclophosphamide in group 2.Different recovery time of leucocytes,neutrophils and platelets in the two groups were compared.Statistical analysis were carried out by paired t-test.Results The mean time for peripheral leucocytes reaching 1.0×109/L,neutrophils getting up to 0.5×109/L,platelet raising to 100×l09/L and hemoglobin rising to 120 g/L in group 1 were [(7.2±1.3),(8.0±1.5),(10.5±1.4),(22.1±2.3)days] and [(10.4±2.1),(12.0±1.9),(19.3±2.1),(28.1± 2.4)] days in group 2.The difference was statistically significant (P＜0.01).CD4+ cell count and the ratio of CD4+/CD8+ of pre- and pro-NAST was changed.No significant differences were observed in the two groups.Conclusion For the sake of safety and hematopoietic reconstitution,we recommend cytarabin combined cyclophosphamide as the preferred conditioning regimen.

Objective To investigate the long-term efficacy of nonmyeloablative autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation(NAST) to cure refractory autoimmune disease(AD).MethodLong-term follow up of four cases of AD patients with NAST were summarized.The pretreatment regimen was intravenous injection of cytarabin (200 mg· kg-1· d-1 ) and cyclophosphamide (40 mg· kg-1· d-1).The therapeutic effect was evaluated by the change of symptoms and signs and long term complications.Changes of immune function were detected by flow-cytometry.ResultsFive cases of patients had been successfully engrafted.The average time for peripheral leucocytes count to reach 4.0×109/L was 12 days.It needed 10 days for platelets to return to 100×109/L and 22 days for hemoglobin to 120 g/L.Apparent remission of symptoms and signs was observed after transplantation.Lymphocyte subtypes analysis pre- and post- NAST showed that count of CD4+ and the ratio of CD4 +/CD8 + was returned to normal.One patient gave birth to a healthy baby four years after transplantation.Three female patients returned tonormal life. Conclusions Compared with classical myeloablative stem cell transplantation,NAST has a rapid hematopoietic recovery and good long-term therapeutic effect in AD.The quality of life in AD patients treated with NAST is higher than those treated with myeloablative hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.