Objective To investigate whether unfolded protein response (UPR) plays a role in the pathogenesis of spondyloarthritis (SpA),and to assess UPR-related gene expression in SpA and other arthritis patients.Methods Eighteen patients with SpA,12 with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and 6 with osteoarthritis (OA) were recruited.Macrophages were isolated from synovial fluid samples by immunomagnetic separation.The expression of UPR-regulated genes,including binding immunoglobulin protein (BiP),glucose-regulated protein 94 (GRP94),C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP),growth arrested and DNA damage-inducible 34 (GADD34),X-box binding protein 1 (XBP-1) and endoplasmic reticulum DnaJ homolog 4 (ERdj4),was tested by real time polymerase chain reaction (PCR).Results Compared with macrophages in OA patients,the expression of BiP and GRP94 mRNA [(6.06 ± 2.08) × 10-2 vs (1.11 ±0.72) × 10-2 for BiP mRNA,11.80(7.30-38.40) × 10-3 vs 1.27(1.02-4.18) × 10-3 for GRP94 mRNA,both P values ＜0.01] was significantly increased in macrophages in SpA patients.XBP1 mRNA was up-regulated [(12.70 ± 5.20) × 10-3 vs (4.14 ± 2.56) × 10-3,p ＜ 0.01] in SpA group as well.UPR-regulated gene expression in SpA patients with HLA-B27 positive or HLA-B27 negative was similar.However,none of UPR-regulated genes showed different expression between the SpA group and RA group except for GADD34 mRNA [7.30 (5.56-15.40) × 10-3 vs 21.30 (12.20-27.60) × 10-3,P =0.009].Conclusions Our data suggest that UPR possibly participates in the pathogenesis of SpA,although the relationship between HLA-B27 and UPR still needs further investigation.

AIM:To report a case of a chronic glaucoma patient whose reduced eyesight is related to ocular ischemia.METHODS:A case report.RESULTS:A 71 year-old man presented with a decreased left eye vision for over 3 years.During the last two months,he had deteriorated blurred vision when he woke up in the morning.The loss of his lower-half peripheral vision was especially serious.The patient suffered from an episode of transient amaurosis fugax three months ago.According to transcranial Doppler ultrasound scan and cerebral computerized tomographic angiography,the patient was found that he had severe stenosis of the bilateral intracranial internal carotid artery and decreased blood flow velocity within the left ophthalmic artery.His symptoms alleviated after an internal carotid artery endarterectomy.CONCLUSION:When vision loss glaucoma cases are presented,more attention should be paid to the presence of ischemia within the ophthalmic artery except glaucoma.

Air ; analysis ; Chromatography ; methods ; Iodine ; analysis ; Workplace

Arsenic Poisoning ; diagnosis ; Humans ; Occupational Diseases ; diagnosis ; Occupational Exposure ; adverse effects

Objective:To explore the clinical regularities in acupuncture-moxibustion treatment of cancer pain by reviewing the relevant studies published between 1985 and 2017.Methods:Based on the Chinese Medicine Acupuncture-moxibustion Information Database,quantitative analysis,correlation analysis and Chi-square test were applied to analyze the commonly used acupoints,meridian affiliations and body region distributions,commonly used methods and acupoint correlations,treatment method correlations,the efficacy of acupuncture-moxibustion plus the three-step analgesic ladder for cancer pain,and indicators.Results:Zusanli (ST 36),Ashi point and Sanyinjiao (SP 6) ranked the top on the list of frequency;points from Bladder Meridian of Foot Taiyang and Stomach Meridian of Foot Yangming were often used;points from the lower limbs and back had high frequencies.The most commonly used treatment method was acupuncture-moxibustion plus medication.Acupuncture-moxibustion plus the three-step analgesic ladder showed certain advantage compared with the two methods used separately,and among the integrated methods,acupoint application plus the three-step analgesic ladder produced the most significant efficacy.It took (44.77±55.54) min for the analgesic effect to act and the effect lasted for (12.81±14.59) h.Numerical rating scale (NRS),visual analog scale (VAS) and Karnofsky performance status (KPS) scores all showed significant changes after interventions (all P＜0.01);there was no significant change in the score of quality of life (QOL) after interventions (P＞0.05).Conclusion:Zusanli (ST 36),Ashi point and Sanyinjiao (SP 6) are commonly selected in acupuncture-moxibustion treatment of cancer pain;acupuncture and acupoint application are often used;acupuncture-moxibustion plus the three-step analgesic ladder can boost the treatment efficacy.

Objective:To investigate the protective effects and possible mechanisms of cortex phellodendri water extract and etha -nol extract on the myocardial injury induced by pituitrin and isoproterenol hydrochloride in rats .Methods:SD rats as the experimental animals were randomly divided into the normal control group , model group , compound Danshen tablets group , phellodendron water ex-tract group and phellodendron ethanol extract group .Pituitrin and isopropyl adrenaline hydrochloride were used to establish the myocar-dial injury model in rats.The serum CK, LDH activity, myocardial tissue SOD activity and MDA content were detected and compared . Results:Compared with those in the normal control group , the serum LDH activity , CK activity and MDA content were significantly in-creased , and the SOD activity in cardiac muscle and myocardial tissue was significantly decreased in the pituitrin -established myocardi-al injury model group (P<0.01).In the isopropyl adrenaline hydrochloride-established myocardial injury model group , the MDA con-tent in myocardial tissue was obviously increased , and the SOD activity in myocardial tissue was decreased obviously (P<0.01).The serum LDH activity, CK activity and MDA content were significantly decreased , and the SOD activity in cardiac muscle and myocardial tissue was increased significantly in all drug-taken groups when compared with those in the pituitrin-established myocardial injury model group, and the differences were statistically significant (P<0.05 or P<0.01).The MDA content in myocardial tissue was significant-ly reduced , and the SOD activity was increased significantly in all drug-taken groups when compared with those in the isopropyl adrena-line hydrochloride-established myocardial injury model group , and the differences were statistically significant (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Conclusion:Cortex phellodendri extract has certain protective effect on myocardial injury induced by pituitrin and isopropyl adrenaline hydrochloride in rats .

Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic ; enzymology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Peroxidase ; blood

OBJECTIVETo observe improved effects of Jingjin acupuncture on fine activity of hemiplegic hand in recovery period of stroke.

METHODSFifty cases were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group, 25 cases in each one. Regular western medicine treatment, rehabilitation training and regular acupuncture (in which Shuigou (GV 26), Baihui (GV 20), Neiguan (PC 6), etc. were selected) were applied in both groups. Additionally, muscles in palm side of affected hand, dorsal metacarpophalangeal joints and proximal interphalangeal joints were treated with acupuncture in the observation group, once every other day and electroacupuncture was applied when arrival of qi was acquired. Baxie (EX-UE 9) in the affected hand were needled in the control group, and electroacupuncture was added when arrival of qi was acquired. Ten days of treatment was considered a treatment course, and after two courses Lindmark score, Brunnstrom movement function grade, joint range of hand and Barthel index (BI) were observed in two groups.

RESULTSCompared before the treatment, the Lindmark score in two groups were both improved after the treatment (both P < 0.01). Compared with the control group, the motor coordination ability, sensory function and total score of Lindmark in observation group were obviously improved (differences before and after treatment: 8.24 +/- 3.07 vs 6.84 +/- 2.43, 3.52 +/- 2.33 vs 2.16 +/- 2.12, 11.76 +/- 3.55 vs 9.00 +/- 3.62, all P < 0.05). The Brunnstrom movement function grade was significantly improved in both groups after treatment (both P < 0.01), which was more obvious in the observation group (P < 0.05). The joint range of hemiplegic hand was improved in both groups after treatment (both P < 0.01), which was more obvious in the observation group [differences before and after treatment: (25.35 +/- 10.91) degrees vs (18.65 +/- 7.86) degrees, p < 0.05]. The score of BI was also significantly improved after treatment in two groups (both P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONThe Jingjin acupuncture could effectively improve fine activity of hemiplegic hand in recovery period of stroke prove daily life ability.

Acupuncture Therapy ; Aged ; Female ; Hand ; physiopathology ; Hemiplegia ; etiology ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Movement ; Recovery of Function ; Stroke ; complications ; physiopathology

Objective To evaluate the stability and biodistribution of a novel SPECT-MRI bi-functional agem 99Tcm-Gd-DTPA-DG in tumor-bearing nude mice. Methods DTPA-DG was synthesized and then conjugated with Gd2O3 to generate Gd-DTPA-DG. The tumor-bearing nude mice were scanned by MRI to evaluate the tumor targeting ability of Gd-DTPA-DG. The orthogonal experiment was applied to optimize pH value of reaction medium and reaction temperature. The radiolabeling efficiency was measured by thin layer chromatography. The distribution of 99Tcm-Gd-DTPA-DG in nude mice was evaluated by scintigrapy in vivo. The % ID/g was measured at different time after intravenous injection of 99Tcm-Gd-DTPA-DG. Results The tumor was significantly enhanced by Gd-DTPA-DG with MRI. The radiochemical purity of 99Tcm-Gd-DTPADG was about 98.5% and remained 96.2% at room temperature for 6 h. The tumor was well visualized by 99TcmGd-DTPA-DG SPECT at 2 h after injection. The tumor uptake was (1.48 ±0.12) %ID/g, and the rumor to muscle radioactivity ratio was 2.91. Conclusions MRI contrast of Gd-DTPA-DG may enhance tumor detection. 99Tcm-labeled Gd-DTPA-DG may be useful for tumor imaging and might have a potential role as a SPECT-MRI bi-functional agent.

AIMTo investigate the effect of magnesium ion (Mg2+) on neuronic damage induced by 0.1 mmol/L glutamic acid.

METHODSThe neurons isolated from hippocampus in rats were cultured for 6-9 days, and then randomly divided into three groups: A. medium alone. B. medium + glutamic acid. C. medium+ Mg2+, and + glutamic acid (30 min late).

RESULTS(1) DAs compared with A group, the survival rate of hippocampal neurons in B group was remarkably decreased in dose dependent mauner. (2) In contrast to B group, when the concentration of Mg2+ was lower, the survival rates of hippocampal neurons in C group was significantly increased.

CONCLUSIONMg2+ in lower concentration could protect hippocampal neurons from damage induced by glutamic acid.

Animals ; Animals, Newborn ; Cell Survival ; Cells, Cultured ; Glutamic Acid ; toxicity ; Hippocampus ; cytology ; Magnesium ; pharmacology ; Neurons ; drug effects ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley