Objective To study the visfatin level changes in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and to study the correlation of visfatin level and atherosclerosis in RA.Methods Fifty cases of patients were divided to the plaque group (33 cases) and plaque-free group (17 cases) according to the carotid intima media thickness checked by carotid ultrasonography.In addition, their blood lipid level, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), rheumatoid factors (RFs), anti-CCP, visfatin etc.were measured.Fifty healthy people were set as the control group.The correlation between the visfatin level of RA patients and atherosclerosis was analyzed.The statistical analysis was carried out with independent t-test,analysis of variance, Spearman correlation analysis and multiple stepwise regression.Results The serum visfatin level of RA plaques group was obviously higher than that of the plaque-free group [(47±22) μg/L vs (34±19) μg/L, t=4.361, P＜0.01].The serum visfatin level of RA patients was positively correlated to HOMA-IR (r=0.567, P=0.001), RF (r=0.502, P=0.003), anti-cyclic peptide containing citrulline, (anti-CCP) (r=0.420, P=0.038) and carotid artery IMT (r=0.596, P=0.001).High-density lipoprotein-C (OR=1.009, P=0.020), HOMA-IR (OR=1.450, P=0.006), anti-CCP (OR=1.005, P=0.014) and visfatin (OR=0.971, P=0.008) were independent relevant factors affecting carotid artery IMT.Conclusion The serum visfatin level of RA patients is closely related to atherosclerosis.

Objective:To investigate the change of microalbuminuria (MA) in patients with RA and its clinical significance.Methods:From January 2018 to December 2019, data of 75 cases of RA patients were collected from outpatient and inpatient wardsof our hospital, and the data of 75 cases of physical examination wascollected as control. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP) anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (CCP) antibody, blood lipid, Homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), rheumatoid factor (RF), anti-CCP antibodyand MA levels were measured respectively. RA patients were obtained by ultrasound Carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) and brachial artery flow mediated diastolic function (FMD) were measured. The statistical analysis was carried out with independent t-test, analysis of variance, Pearson correlation analysis and multiple stepwise regression. Results:The MA level of RA patients was significantly higher than that of the healthy control group [(31±5) mg/L vs (25±4) mg/L, t=5.982, P<0.05]. In RA patients, MA level was positively correlated with course of disease ( r=0.327, P=0.015), HOMA-IR ( r=0.576, P<0.01], CRP ( r=0.212, P=0.027), RF ( r=0.585, P<0.01), disease activity score in 28 joints (DAS28) ( r=0.472, P=0.013), cIMT ( r=0.611, P<0.01) and duration of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) use ( r=0.274, P<0.01), and urineMA level( OR=1.763, P<0.01) were independent correlation factors affecting cIMT. Conclusion:The level of MA in RA patients is significantly higher than that in normal controls, and is correlated with disease activity and subclinical atherosclerosis, which could be another important predictor of disease follow-up and early screening of subclinical atherosclerosis in RA patients.

The aim of the present study was to study the effect of β-estradiol (β-E(2)) on the large-conductance Ca(2+)-activated potassium (BK(Ca)) channel in mesenteric artery smooth muscle cells (SMCs). The mesenteric arteries were obtained from post-menopause female patients with abdominal surgery, and the SMCs were isolated from the arteries using an enzymatic disassociation. According to the sources, the SMCs were divided into non-hypertension (NH) and essential hypertension (EH) groups. Single channel patch clamp technique was used to investigate the effect of β-E(2) and ICI 182780 (a specific blocker of estrogen receptor) on BK(Ca) in the SMCs. The results showed the opening of BK(Ca) in the SMCs was voltage and calcium dependent, and could be blocked by IbTX. β-E(2) (100 μmol/L) significantly increased open probability (Po) of BK(Ca) in both NH and EH groups. After β-E(2) treatment, NH group showed higher Po of BK(Ca) compared with EH group. ICI 182780 could inhibit the activating effect of β-E(2) on BK(Ca) in no matter NH or EH groups. These results suggest β-E(2) activates BK(Ca) in mesenteric artery SMCs from post-menopause women via estrogen receptor, but hypertension may decline the activating effect of β-E(2) on BK(Ca).
Aged ; Estradiol ; analogs & derivatives ; pharmacology ; Female ; Humans ; Hypertension ; physiopathology ; Large-Conductance Calcium-Activated Potassium Channels ; agonists ; metabolism ; physiology ; Mesenteric Arteries ; metabolism ; physiology ; Middle Aged ; Muscle, Smooth, Vascular ; cytology ; metabolism ; physiology ; Patch-Clamp Techniques ; Postmenopause ; physiology ; Receptors, Estrogen ; antagonists & inhibitors

Objective To investigate the level of homocysteine among healthy examination people and the possible related factors.Methods Retrospective analysis was performed to collect 1 259 results of healthy examination people from July to September in 2015,and 564 patients were confirmed to be hyperhomocysteinemia.The serum level of lipoids,glucose,uric acid and blood routine results were also collected.Results The incidence of hyperhomocysteinemia was 45.52％,and man has a higher rate than woman.The results of logistic regression showed positive results of UA (OR =1.006,95％ CI =1.005-1.008),HBG(OR =1.035,95％CI=1.026-1.045),and PLT (OR =0.996,95％ CI =0.993-0.998) in high hyperhomocysteinemia patients.Condusion High UA、HBG and low PLT levels are risk factors in hyperhomocysteinemia,and could be the important way for the early diagnoses of hyperhomocysteinemia.

Objective To investigate the expression of transforming growth factor β1,transforming growth factor beta receptor(TBR)Ⅰ,TβR Ⅱ,Smad4 and C-Jun in rats with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD)and to find out the mechanisms of liver fibrosis in patients with NAFLD.Methods A total of 18 male SD rats were randomly divided into normal control group(n=9)and model group(n=9).The rats in control group were fed with normal diet,and those in model group were fed with fat-rich diet(consisted of 10%lard oil+2%cholesterol).An rats were sacrificed at the 20th week.The levels of TGFβ1,TβR Ⅰ and TβR Ⅱ mRNA were examined by RT-PCR.The expressions of TGFβ1 and Smad4 in liver tissue were detected by immunohistochemistry.The expression of C-Jun protein was detected by Western blotting.Results The NAFLD model was successfully established.The immunohistochemistry examination revealed that TGFβ1 and Smad4 were expressed weekly in control group,but strongly expressed in model group.RT-PCR showed that A values of TGFβ1,TβR Ⅰ and TβR Ⅱ mRNA were 0.46±0.12,5.z4±2.70 and 3.35±1.95,respectively,in model group,which were higher than those in control group(0.21±0.09,1.36±0.77 and 0.52±0.19,all P values＜0.01).The Western blotting results demonstrated that the expression of C-Jun protein in model group(0.93±0.41)was higher than that in control group (0.32±0.25,P=0.001).Conclusion TGFβ1/Smad4 signal pathway might be involved in the development of hepatic fibrosis in NAFLD.Blocking TGFβ1/Smad4 signal pathway will be helpful in treatment of NAFLD.

To obtain the tervalent fusion toxin gene (named FT),three toxin gene fragments from three species of Vibrio parahaemolyticus,Vibrio vulnificus and Vibrio mimicus were connected with the flexible linker (GGGGS) using overla Pextension PCR. The three toxin gene fragments respectively encode the mature proteins of the thermostable direct hemolysin (TDH) of V. parahaemolyticus,the cytotoxin (VVC) of V. vulnificus and the heat-labile hemolysin (VMH) of V. mimicus. The identity of FT nucleic acid sequence was 99.6% with the corresponding toxin gene fragments. The open reading frame of FT was 3225 bp,encoding 1074 amino acid residues with the predicted molecular weight (MW) of 120.4 kDa. Then,FT was subcloned into the expression vector pET-22b(+). The construction of recombinant expression vector pET-22b-FT was followed by transforming into E. coli BL21(DE3) for expression. The SDS-PAGE electrophoresis results indicated that the MW of the fusion toxin protein was matched to the predicted MW. After induction by 1 mmol/L IPTG at 37℃,the fusion toxin protein was effectively expressed in E. coli BL21(DE3) with the amount of 11.49% through thin layer chromatography scanning (TLCS) analysis. Cavia cobaya was immunized using the purified cytorrhyctes to produce the anti-serum. Through the determination of the optimum working conditions,the sensitivity test,the specificity test,repeatability test and sample simulation test,the indirect ELISA method was established,which is a broad-spectrum,rapid and specific to detect various of food-poisoning Vibrio simultaneously.

OBJECTIVETo analyze clinical features and mutations of EFEMP1 gene in a Chinese pedigree with familial dominant drusen.

METHODSClinical features of the pedigree were studied with fundus photography, fundus fluorescein angiography and optical coherence tomography. Molecular genetic analysis was performed on the patients and unaffected individuals from the family. All coding exons of the EFEMP1 gene were amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and sequenced. The results were compared with wild-type sequences from NCBI. The proband who had suffered from choroidal neovascularization and preretinal hemorrhage received an intravitreal injection of an anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) preparation.

RESULTSA heterozygous mutation C>T (R345W) was identified in exon 10 of the EFEMP1 gene in two affected individuals from the family. The same mutation was not detected in unaffected family members and 100 healthy individuals. Postoperative follow-up of the patient receiving intravitreal injection of anti-VEGF drug showed that visual acuity was improved and fundus appeared to be stable.

CONCLUSIONThe R345W mutation in EFEMP1 is responsible for the dominant drusen in this family. Intravitreal injection of anti-VEGF drug is a promising treatment for the improvement in vision.

Adult ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; genetics ; Base Sequence ; Exons ; Extracellular Matrix Proteins ; genetics ; Female ; Genes, Dominant ; Humans ; Male ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Mutation, Missense ; Pedigree ; Retinal Drusen ; genetics ; metabolism ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; metabolism ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of proton pump inhibitor (PPI) therapy with esomeprazole on laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) by pepsin immunoassay in the sputum. METHOD: From June 2009 to March 2010, patients in the ENT outpatient department of Nanfang hospital with a reflux finding score (RFS) >7 and a reflux symptom index (RSI) >13 were selected. Their sputum was obtained in the morning for pepsin assay. Twenty-six patients with positive results of pepsin assay were enrolled and received esomeprazole 20 mg twice daily for two months. They paid return visits every two weeks. RSI, RFS and pepsin concentration in the sputum were assessed at baseline and after two months. Pepsin in the sputum was measured by enzyme linked immunoadsorbent assay. RESULT: After 8 weeks, 24 patients got symptom improvements except 2. All got improved results of laryngoscope exams. RSI and RFS scores before and after PPI treatment reached statistical signification by paired t-test (t= 8.152, P<0.01; t=9.704, P<0.01). 21 patients' pepsin concentrations decreased except 5. Nonparametric tests were used because the reduction of pepsin concentrations before and after PPI treatment were not normally distributed (Z=-3.213, P<0.01). Reductions of total RSI and RFS scores as well as pepsin concentrations were significantly higher after two months. CONCLUSION Twice-daily PPI treatment for two months demonstrated a significantly greater improvement in laryngeal appearance and LPR symptoms for most patients in this study, which can result in significantly decreased levels of pepsin in sputum.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Esomeprazole ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Laryngopharyngeal Reflux ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pepsin A ; metabolism ; Prospective Studies ; Proton Pump Inhibitors ; therapeutic use ; Sputum ; chemistry ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

Objective To compare the effect of the domestic infantile type video intubationscope (VIS) and stethoscope in positioning of double-lumen endobronchial tube (DLT). Methods 100 cases of patients underwent elective thoracic surgery requiring single lung ventilation were randomly divided into two groups: domestic infantile type video intubationscope group (group V) and stethoscope group (group S), with 50 cases in each. After intubating with a DLT, the positions of DLT were judged and adjusted by VIS (group V) and stethoscope (group S) respectively, and then reviewed by fiberoptic bronchoscopy (FOB), the positioning time and accuracy were recorded. Results Comparing with the group S, the positioning time of DLT was significantly shorter and the total positioning accuracy of DLT was significantly higher in group V (P < 0.05). Conclusion It is easy and quickly, high accuracy with domestic infantile type video intubationscope in positioning of DLT, which is worthy of clinical popularization and application.

Objectives To use visualization method to analyze the relevant literature about prevention and treatment of obesity type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) with TCM; To understand research hot spots and development trends of this field. Methods Computers were used to retrieve prevention and treatment of T2DM with TCM in CNKI. CiteSpaceV was used to visualize the authors, research institutes and keywords, and discussed their research hot spots, research frontiers, major research groups and trends. KNS6.6 was used to quantitatively analyzed included literature distribution characteristics, core citations, etc., and conducted visual display. Results After screening, 130 articles were included, involving 257 researchers and 6 research institutes, among which, TONG Xiao-lin, DONG Liu, ZHOU Li-bo, etc. were the main researchers. Guang'anmen Hospital of China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences is the most important research institute, followed by Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun University of Chinese Medicine and Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine. The main research directions included the diagnosis and treatment of obesity T2DM, acupuncture and moxibustion treatment, the mechanism of TCM intervention in inflammation. This study predicted exploration of the TCM pathogenesis of obesity T2DM and the construction of TCM clinical pathway may be the future research trends and hot spots. Conclusion Through visualization analysis, the main research directions in the field in recent 20 years, research hot spots, evolution veins and development trends can be understood quickly and intuitively, providing a basis for further research.