Objective To establish a nested-real-time-PCR for the detection of IL-21R mRNA in peripheral blood mononuclear cells(PBMC)of patients with rheumatoid arthritis,and explore its clinical significance.Methods The outer primers of span intron and inner primers were designed for nested-real-time-PCR.To increase specific template,the concentration of primers and enzyme,cycle times were decreased in the first amplification,and the real-time fluorescent quantity assay was performed in the second amplification.The ?-actin gene was used as internal reference,and the results were presented as the ratios of IL-21R mRNA to ?-actin mRNA.Results IL-21R mRNA was detected in 60 patients with RA and 30 healthy controls.The expression of IL-21R mRNA gene in the patients with RA was increased,and the statistical analysis has significant differences(P0.05),but a significant difference was found in the patients of grade III compared with those of grade I and II(P

SOX17,a member of the SOX family of transcription factors,is conserved in many species and plays an important role in the formation of embryo endoderm.A number of studies have found that SOX17 gene expression is silenced or decreased might be due to promoter bypermethylation,which plays a vital role in tumorigenesis and tumor progression,and may contribute to aberrant activation of canonical Wnt signaling pathway in several human malignant tumors.

Lots of studies have identified the relationship between hyperuricemia and cardiovascular diseases. Many factors affect the metabolism of uric acid, such as diet, drug, internal environment of organism, etc. However, the relationship between hyperuricemia and cardiovascular diseases is not quite clear. In this review, we present recently published data about the association between hyperuricemia and selected cardiovascular diseases.

Objective We reported previously that single nucleotide polymorphisms SNP) + 11G ＞ A in intron 3 of the human urate transporter 1 (hURAT1) gene are associated with hyperuncaemia in Han Chinese.The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of the variants on hURAT1 function.Methods The wild-type,mutant-type hURAT1 and exon 5-null hURAT1 were constructed,and respectively microinjected into the zebrafish embryo yolks.The subcellular localization of different genotypes of hURAT1 was detected by confocal laser scanning microscope.Results Compared with wild type,the mutant recombinant plasmid transcribed two types of mRNA spliceosome,the wild type and the exon 5-null type.The hURAT1 wild type protein was prominent localized on cell membrane,while the mutant type and exon 5-null hURAT1 proteins were distributed uniform in the cytoplasm but not on the cell membrane.Conclusion The hURAT1 variant + 11 G ＞ A resulted in an alternative splicing of hURAT1 mRNA-exon 5-null type.Its protein product exhibited a different subcellular localization compared with that of wild type.

Objective:To investigate the associations between serum uric acid levels during the third trimester of pregnancy and risks of adverse pregnancy outcomes.Methods:In this retrospective study, a cohort of 7 995 pregnant women who were hospitalized for childbirth from January 2014 to January 2019 were collected to compare pregnancy outcomes between subjects with or without hyperuricemia (HUA). A smooth curve analysis was used to evaluate the relationship between uric acid levels and preterm delivery, low birth weight and smaller than gestational age. Logistic regression analyses were performed to identify risk factors for adverse pregnancy outcomes, and the interaction of the factors.Results:During the third trimester of pregnancy, the uric acid levels of about 10% pregnant women were over 420 μmol/L. In those with HUA, the median neonatal birth weight was 2 590 (1 790, 3 410) g, the probability of premature birth was 49.81%, and the incidence of small than gestational age was 20.41%. These were significantly different from the women without HUA (the median neonatal birth weight: 3300 (2850, 3640) g; the probability of premature birth 23.09%; the incidence of small than gestational age 6.55%, respectively) (All P<0.001). Maternal uric acid levels were negatively correlated with neonatal birth weight, and positively correlated with the risk of smaller than gestational age. It has a U-shaped association with the probability of premature birth, and the lowest probability of premature birth was at 200-400 μmol/L of the uric acid. Risks of low birth weight (adjusted β=-5.22, 95% CI-6.46—-3.99) and smaller than gestational age (adjusted OR=1.03, 95% CI 1.02-1.04) were increased in the function of uric acid levels. High uric acid, hypertension, oligoamnios and preeclampsia were important risk factors for the adverse pregnancy outcomes. The risk of preterm delivery and low birth weight enhanced when hyperuricemia combined with hypertension and preeclampsia. Conclusions:Serum uric acid level can be used as one of reliable markers for predicting adverse pregnancy outcomes, which might provide theoretical basis for clinical intervention in practice.

High mobility group box 1 (HMGB 1 ) is a family member of the high mobility group. HMGB1 binds to cell surface specific receptor-receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE) and toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2), and thus it exhibits extensive biological activities. HMGB1 participates in pathophysiological processes including inflammatory response and regulation of blood-brain barrier permeability in central nervous system, arid it is closely correlated with the diseases such as ischemia stroke, Alzheimer's disease and gliocytoma.

BACKGROUND:Previous studies have shown that composite scaffold of chitosan and poly-L-lactic acid has good biocompatibility with some cells. OBJECTIVE:To study the biocompatibility of poly-L-lactic acid reinforced by chitosan and olfactory ensheathing cells. METHODS:In experimental group, olfactory ensheathing cells from Sprague-Dawley rats aged 1-3 days were incubated onto chitosan-reinforced poly-L-lactic acid film. And in control group, olfactory ensheathing cells were co-cultured with poly-L-lysine. The proliferative ability of olfactory ensheathing cells was detected and the cells were observed with immunofluorescence histochemical staining at 1, 3, 5, 7 days after culture. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Olfactory ensheathing cells could survive on the chitosan-reinforced poly-L-lactic acid film, and the cytotoxic grade wasⅠ. Morphology of the cells in the experimental group was round or oval, with little processes and the cells aggregated into groups. One day after implantation, the periphery cells of the mass extended short projections and gradual y spread outward;3 days after implantation, the cells spread and most of the cells generated projections, most of which were bipolar or tri-polar;5 days after implantation, cel processes significantly extended, most cells were bipolar and tri-polar cells, while some were oval cells and irregular triangular cells;7 days after implantation, the cel density increased, and cel processes extended. Cel morphology of the control group had similar characteristics as the experimental group. There was no obvious difference between the control and the experimental group in number, perimeter or area of the cells (P>0.05). It showed that chitosan-reinforced poly-L-lactic acid had good biocompatibility with olfactory ensheathing cells.

Objective To explore the value of CT spinal angiography with 256 MSCT and fast dynamic contrast-enhanced 3D MR angiography (CE-MRA) at 3.0 T in the diagnosis of spinal vascular malformations by comparing with results of DSA and operation.MethodsSeventeen patients suspected of spinal vascular diseases by initial MR and clinical manifestations all underwent CT spinal angiography.Of them,10 patients underwent MRA,15 patients underwent DSA within 3-5 days,and 8 patients finally underwent surgical treatment.ResultsCTA examination clearly showed the abnormal vascular lesions in 16 of 17 cases,including 7 cases with the diagnosis of spinal dural arteriovenous fistula,7 cases of perimedullary arteriovenous fistula,and 2 cases of spinal arteriovenous malformations. The results were consistent with the diagnosis of DSA or surgery.One case was poorly diagnosed.The feeding vessels were correctly determined in 12 cases,and the level of fistulas were correctly displayed in 12 cases.The level of fistulas and feeding vessels were accurately showed in 7 of 10 cases with MRA,while the other 3 cases exhibited normal with DSA.ConclusionsSpinal angiography with 256 MSCT and CE-MRA at 3.0 T can clearly show the extent of spinal vascular malformations,feeding arteries and fistula location.They are safe,noninvasive,convinient and can shorten the time of DSA diagnosis and treatment.They play an important role in diagnosis and treatment of spinal vascular malformations and postoperative follow-up.

Objective To investigate the effects of ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (ω-3 PUFA) on acute lung injury (ALI) in a rat model of traumatic shock. Methods Thirty-six male Wistar rats aged 3 months were randomly assigned into 3 groups ( n = 12 each): control group (group C) ; traumatic shock group (group TS) and ω-3 PUFA + TS group (group to-3 PUFA) . Traumatic shock was induced by fracture of femur and hemorrhage according to the method described by Feeney in groups TS and ω-3 PUFA. In group ω-3 PUFA, ω-3 PUFA 2 ml/kg was injected via the caudal vein at 12 and 2 h before induction of traumatic shock. Arterial blood samples were taken at 120 min after traumatic shock was successfully induced for determination of serum concentrations of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-10 and 8-iso-PGF2α by ELISA. The animals were then sacrificed and lungs were removed for-determination of W/D lung weight ratio and microscopic examination. Results Traumatic shock significantly increased serum concentrations of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-10 and 8-iso-PGF2α, W/D ratio and pathologic scores of lung tissues in groups TS and ω-3 PUFA as compared with group C.ω-3 PUFA significantly attenuated traumatic shuck-induced increase in serum concentrations of TNF-α, IL-1β and 8-iso-PGF2α , W/D ratio and pathologic scores of lung tissues but further increased the serum IL-10 concentration in group ω-3 PUFA as compared with group TS. Conclusion ω-3 PUFA can significantly inhibit the svstemic inflammatory response and ameliorate traumatic shock-induced ALI.

The clinical features of 172 female and 1 067 male residents with gout in the coastal regions of Shandong province were analyzed.The results showed that as compared with male patients the onset of gout occurred at an older age in the female patients,and there were less obesity and tophi as well as less alcohol consumption and medication needed in the female patients.However,comorbidity with diabetes mellitus and coronary heart disease,as well as involvement of upper limb and other metatarsophalangeal joints were more prevalent in the female patients.