Objective To compare and analyze the different clinical features between male and female patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), by detecting the gender difference to make clinical decisions. Method The clinical features of 95 male RA patients(MRA) were analyzed and compared with those of 248 female RA patients (FRA) by retrospective analysis method. Results The mean onset age of MRA [18-79 (51.40±15.55) years old] was older than that of FRA[18-75(43.54 ±15.46) years old](P=0.0002). The morning stiffness time of MRA [(1.58 ±1.34) h] was shorter than that of FRA [(2.10 ±1.51) h](P = 0.0357). There was statistical difference in the first involved joint between MRA and FRA (P=0.0170), the prevalence of knee,metatarsonphalangeal joint,shoulder and ankle of MRA was higher than those of FRA, ' but conversely the wrist prevalence of FRA was higher than that of MRA.The prevalence of secondary Sj(o)gren syndrome of MRA(13.68%, 13/95) was rather lower than that of FRA(35.08%, 87/248)(P = 0.0007). MRA had lower positive rate of ANA (2.11% ,2/95) and lower value of IgM [(1.42 ±0.75) g/L] than FRA [(10.48% ,26/248), (1.69 ±0.86) g/L] (P < 0.05). There was no statistical difference between MRA and FRA in articular radiographic changes, most extraarticular manifestations and lab results (P >0.05). Conclusions MRA patients have older onset age and milder articular symptom than FRA patients. The disease severity of MRA is similar to that of FRA. Weighted joints are more involved in MRA. FRA is more inclined to have secondary Sj(o)gren syndrome.

Objective To investigate the relationship between sonic hedgehog(SHH)signaling pathway and chronic pancreatitis.Methods Thirty Wistar rats were randomly divided into the model group,experimental control group and blank control group,and there were 10 rats in each group.Trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid was infused into the pancreatic duct of the rats to induce pancreatitis in the model group.The pancreatic duct of the rats in the experimental control group were infused with 0.9％ sodium chloride solution.No treatment was performed on rats in the blank control group.The serum levels of bilirubin and amylase of the 3 groups were determined,and the histopathological alterations were studied.Expressions of patched-1(PTCH-1),smoothened (SMO)and SHH were detected by immunohistochemistry.All data were analyzed using the analysis of variance or Student's t test.Results The levels of total bilirubin(TBil)in the model group,experimental control group and blank control group from day 1 to day 35 were(3.17 ±0.21)μmol/L-(9.28 ±2.15)μmol/L,(3.44 ±0.54)μmol/L-(3.76 ± 0.15)μmol/L,(2.45 ± 0.32)μmol/L-(3.27 ± 1.43)μmol/L,respectively.The levels of amylase in the model group,experimental control group and blank control group were(1124 ± 143)U/L-(1522 ± 169)U/L,(1123 ± 104)U/L-(1007 ± 141)U/L,(1014 ± 115)U/L-(1013 ± 142)U/L,respectively.Compared with the experimental group and the blank control group,the serum levels of TBil and amylase in the model group were increased significantly from day 7 to day 35(F =14.81,16.27,18.13,11.49,17.91;11.54,10.24,12.64,21.11,15.38,P ＜ 0.05),and fibrotic proliferation of pancreatic tissues were found at day 35;the expressions of PTCH-1,SMO and SHH in the pancreatic tissue was increased significantly in the model group.Conclusion SHH signaling pathway is activated in the tissue of pancreatitis in rats,it might play an important role in the genesis of pancreatitis.

Echinococcosis is a zoonotic parasitic disease caused by infection of Echinococcus granulosus and Echinococcus multilocularis in the human body,which may endanger the health and life of patients.Surgical treatment is presently the main method for the treatment of echinococcosis,with drug therapy as a subsidiary measure.The paper summarizes the advances in the treatment of echinococcosis.

Objective To discuss the role of p38MAPK signal pathway in the process of TWEAK inducing rheumatoid arthritis(RA) fibroblast-like synoviocyte(FLS) to synthesize MMP-9 and look for a new target for RA treatment. Methods RA FLS were primarily cultured and stimulated with TWEAK. Western blot was used to detect the expression of p-p38MAPK and p65 in RA FLS. FLS were pretreated by SB203580 or not. ELISA was used to detect the concentration of MMP-9 in cell-cultured fluid. The mRNA expression of MMP-9 was measured by RT-PCR. Results TWEAK( 100 ng/ml) can make p38MAPK phosphorylated and increased the expression of p65 protein in the cell nucleus. SB203580 can partially inhibit the expression of MMP-9 and MMP-9 mRNA produced by RA FLS which is induced by TWEAK. Conclusion TWEAK induced RA FLS to synthesize MMP-9, in that process, the p38MAPK signal trausduction pathway was in active state, and induced the expression of NF-κB.

BACKGROUND: The existing technique takes articular process and lateral mass as a reference mark. Due to differences of subjective judgment in operation and the impact of articular hyperplasia, some errors of screw entry point selection and serious complications such as vertebral artery or cervical spinal cord injury easily occurred, which limit the clinical application of the technique. At present, it is very important to select a constant reference mark of cervical pedicle screw entry point.OBJECTIVE: Three-dimensional reconstruction CT images were made to measure the relationship between the lower cervical pedicle screw entry point and the lateral concave between articular process.METHODS: Three-dimensional reconstruction of CT scan was performed in 30 patients with cervical deformity, and the occurrence rate and morphological characteristics of the lateral concave between articular process were observed. The following parameters were determined on specific reconstructed CT image of C3-C7: (1) the distance between pedicle axis projection point in the posterior surface and the outer edge of lateral mass in transversal section through bilateral pedicle axis and (2) the distance between the point and the lateral concave between articular process in oblique sagittal section through homolateral pedicle axis. Mean value and standard deviation were counted and statistics difference was compared.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) The lateral concave between articular process in lower cervical vertebrae was a obvious and less constant proliferative anatomical landmark and its occurrence rate was 100%. (2) Using CT technology of 3D reconstruction, C3-C7 lower cervical transversal section through bilateral pedicle axis and oblique sagittal section through homolateral pedicle axis were successfully obtained. (3) In transversal section, the left and right distances between C3-C7 pedicle axis projection point in the posterior surface and the outer edge of lateral mass were (4.1±0.9)mm and (4.3±0.9) mm, and the difference was not statistically significant (P=0.609). Except for C3 and C7, C4 and C7,there was no significant difference in the measured values of the same side (P > 0.05). (4) In oblique sagittal section, the left and right distances between C3-C7 point and the lateral concave between articular process were (-0.3±1.7) mm and (-0.3±1.6) mm, and the difference was not statistically significant (P=0.916). Except for C3 and C4, there was significant difference in the measured values of the same side (P < 0.05). (5) The above results suggest that the lower cervical pedicle entry point and the lateral concave between articular process have a relatively constant orientation relationship in transversal section and a large variation in the sagittal section.

Based on the high-dimension chaos characteristics of electroencephalogram(EEG) and the analysis by the multi-variable state space reconstruction,better estimation of the correlative dimension can be obtained by dividing the brain into two parts and using eight EEG channels as the reconstruction samples.Lorenz system was firstly tested by request of the amount of data to test the feasibility of the algorithms.After Comparing the high-dimension data of the EEG of epileptic patients with the results of control subjects,it is indicated that the multi-variable state space reconstruction is applicable in short time noise-containing time sequences to obtain reliable results and can free the researchers from the hard choice of delay time and embedding dimension.

Objective To evaluate the safety of laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) for patients with hepatic cirrhosis. Methods We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 72 patients with hepatic cirrhosis (Child-Pugh’s grads A or B). The patients received LC between July 2002 and March 2007. Under general anesthesia, the operation was preformed with four trocars and an intra-abdominal pressure of 8 to 12 mm Hg. Results LC was completed in 71 of the patients (antegrade in 67 and retrograde in 4), 6 of them received subtotal cholecystectomy. One patient was converted to open procedure because of dense adhesion at the Calot triangle. The operation time was 35 to 105 minutes (mean, 51 minutes); blood loss ranged from 5 to 60 ml with a mean of 12 ml. The patients were discharged 3 to 11 days (mean, 5.6 days) after the operation and were followed up for 3 to 18 months (mean, 12 months). After the operation, 7 patients developed ascites, and 1 had hemorrhage at the puncture site. During the follow-up, all patients were free of biliary symptoms, no residual or recurrent liver stone was found. Conclusions LC is safe for patients with liver cirrhosis, and should be the first choice for Child-Pugh’s grads A or B patients. Proper preoperative preparation and intra-and postoperative treatments are critical for the surgical outcomes.

AIM: To investigate the process of human bone marrow stromal cells (hBMSCs) differentiation into neural-like cells and to determine the role of 26S proteasome in neuronal differentiation. METHODS: Purified hBMSCs were treated with β-mercaptoethanol (β-ME) for 1 day and retinoic acid (RA) for 3 days, followed by growth factor (10 μg/L bFGF or 20 μg/L NGF) for another 3 days. Immunofluorescence was performed to detect the expression of nestin (a neural precursor cells marker), Tuj1 (a premature neuronal marker), and neurofilament (NF, a mature neuronal marker) at all stages of induced differentiation. Immunostaining and RT-PCR were used to analyze the expression of 26S proteasome during neuronal differentiation of hBMSCs. To further confirm the role of 26S proteasome in hBMSCs differentiation, cells were treated with β-ME/RA and then followed by protesome inhibitor MG132 and growth factor. Immunostaining was performed to detect NF-positive cells. RESULTS: Quantification results showed that the untreated cells were almost never positive for nestin, Tuj1 and NF. After treated with β-ME/RA, the numbers of nestin-positive cells (34.41%±1.27%) and Tuj1-positive cells (27.79%±1.27%) were increased. Notably, the numbers of NF-positive cells were significantly increased to 56.72%±2.4% after induction with β-ME/RA/GF. Immunofluorescence analysis showed that undifferentiated hBMSCs cells were weakly stained by antibody against 26S proteasome, but the numbers of cells with high-intensity of 26S proteasome were increased after treated with β-ME/RA. The RT-PCR result of 26S proteasome further confirmed that the mRNA level of the cells differentiated by β-ME/RA (1.33), as well as by β-ME/RA/GF (1.77), was significantly increased compared to the undifferentiated cells. Moreover, hBMSCs incubated with protesome inhibitor MG132 significantly decreased the numbers of NF-positive cells (37.59%±1.52%). CONCLUSION: After induction with β-ME/RA/GF, hBMSCs can be differentiated into neural-like cells, which is concomitant with the increase in 26S proteasome expression. Inhibitor of 26S protesome prevents hBMSCs differentiation, suggesting that 26S proteasome may be involved in the differentiation of hBMSCs into neural-like cells.

Objective To explore the effect of the JAK/STAT signal pathway on the apoptosis-related gene in the synovial tissue of rat rheumatoid arthritis (RA).Methods Fifty rat models of collagen-induced arthritis,whose arthritis index was more than 2,were divided into the model group,the low dose of AG490 group,the medium dose of AG490 group and the high dose of AG490 group.In addition,6 rats were treated intraperitoneal injection.Then,the arthritis index and the change of apoptosis-related genes were compared.Multiple-sample average was analyzed by single-factor x2 test and LSD-t or Tamhane's T 2 test were used for two-two comparison.Results The arthritis index of the model group increased evidently,and the apoptosis inhibitor Bcl-2,Bcl-xl gene and protein expression was up-regulated,which was significantly different when compared with that of the control group(0.931±0.035 vs 0.351±0.024,0.920±0.037 vs 0.271±0.029,0.322±0.047 vs 0.230±0.031 ).The expression of apoptosis promoting factor Bax wasslightly up-regulated.The blockage of JAK/STAT pathway cotld down-regulate the expression levels of the gene and protein of survivins Bcl-2 and Bcl-xl,and up-regulate the gene and protein expressions of Bax.Conclusion In the process of RA development,apoptosis inhibitor Bcl-2,Bcl-xl gene and protein expression is up-regulated.JAK/STAT signal transduction pathway regulates the apoptosis process.

Objective To study whether p38 mitogen-activated protein kinases (p38MAPK) signal pathway were activated in the process of tumor necrosis factor-like weak inducer of apoptosis (TWEAK) which then induces rheumatoid arthritis (RA) fibroblast-like synoviocyte (FLS) to synthesize matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) and look for the relative mechanisms of how TWEAK was involved in the destruction of articular bones and cartilage. Methods RA FLS were primarily cultured and stimulated with TWEAK. FLS were pretreated with SB203580 or not. ELISA was used to detect the concentration of MMP-1 in cell-cultured supernatant. Western blotting was used to detect the expression of p-p38MAPK and P65 in RA FLS. Results TWEAK (100 ng/ml) could induce RA FIS to synthesize MMP-1. SB203580 could partially inhibite the expression of MMP-1 producted by RA FLS which was induced by TWEAK. TWEAK could make p38MAPK phosphorylated and increase the expression of P65 protein in the cell nucleus. Conclusion TWEAK induces RA FLS to synthesize MMP-1. In this process, p38MAPK signal transduction pathway is activated and then induce the expression of NF-κB.