objective The roles of TLRs and their signal pathway in gouty arthritis(GA)were explored.Methods TLR2 and TLR4 mRNA was measured using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR)in PBMCs,IL-1β level was detected using ELISA in plasma,and NF-κB p65 protein level in PBMCs was measured using Western blot.Level of TLR2 mRNA,ILR4 mRNA,IL-1β,NF-κB p65protein was compared among acute GA,non-acute GA and healthy controls.Correlation between TLR2mRNA,TLR4 mRNA and serum uric acid,IL-1β level in GA patients was analyzed.One-way ANOVA was used to analyze data between multiple groups and q-test was used for two-two comparison.Spearman's analysis was applied for correlation analysis.Resuits The expression of TLR4 mRNA,NF-KB p65 protein,IL-1β arid serum uric acid level in patients with acute GA [(5.0±1.2), (7.11±0.18), (283±83)pg/ml,[585±123)μmol/L] was significantly increased compared to non-acute GA[(2.3±0.4),(0.63±0.06),(134±29)pg/ml,(493±107)μmol/Lj and healthy controls(1.1±0.6),(0.52±0.12),(97±17)pg/ml,(326±65)μmol/L](P<0.01,respectively).Significant diffefence was also observed between non-acute GA patients and healthy controls(P<0.05,respectively).The level of TLRR4 mRNA was positively correlated with uric acid and IL-1β level in GA patients(rs=0.876,0.779;P<0.05,respectively).Conclusion Innate immunity are activated by membrane-type pattern recognition receptors in primary GA.TLR4-NFκB p65-IL-1β signat transduction may participate in the inflammatory mechanisms of gout.Urate crystals in patients with gout may:be involved in the activation of TLR4 and its signal pathway.

Objective To investigate the expression levels of telomeric protein TPP1 and POT1mRNA in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and the relations between these gene expression levels and disease activity are explored. Methods TPP1 and POT1 genes were measured using real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in PBMCs. The expression levels of TPP1 and POT1 genes in PBMCs were compared between 48 SLE patients and 30 healthy indivi-duals. Results The expression levels of TPP1 and POT1 in the PBMCs of SLE patients significantly decreased compared to healthy individuals (P<0.01). The expression levels of TPP1 and POT1 were much lower in SLE patients with lupus nephritis than those in patients without lupus nephritis (P<0.01), and in LN patients, the levels of TPP1 and POT1 were negatively correlated with proteinuria. The expression levels of POT1 in active SLE patients was lower than that in inactive SLE patients (P<0.05). The expression levels of POT1 was negatively correlated with serum IgG and SLEDAI scores, but positively correlated with complement C3, but no correlation between ESR, CRP, C4,ANA and the expression levels of TPP1, POT1, SLEDAI scores. Conclusion TPP1 and POT1 genes play a key role in the etiology of SLE, and they are involved in the pathogenesis of lupus nephritis. POT1 is helpful in evaluating SLE disease activity and severity.

Objective To evaluate the prevalence and risk factors of progressive liver fibrosis in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).Methods A total of 2 054 subjects who underwent health check up and were diagnosed as NAFLD in 9 institutions were included in the study.Blood routine and biochemical findings were collected to calculate aspartate aminotransferase-to-platelet ratio index (APRI).Subjects were divided into three groups according to diagnostic threshold of liver fibrosis:APRI ＜0.43 group,APRI 0.43-0.53 group and APRI ≥ 0.54 group.The correlation between APRI and biochemical variables was analyzed,and the risk factors of progressive fibrosis were also analyzed.Results Among 2 054 subjects (male/female 1 598/456) there were 61 cases with APRI ≥ 0.98 (2.97％,progressive fibrosis),318 with APRI ≥0.54 (15.48％),1 475 with APRI ＜ 0.43 (71.81％),261 with APRI 0.43-0.53 (12.71％).Logistic stepwise regression analysis showed that TG (P =0.002,OR =1.095,95％CI:1.033-1.161),2 hPG(P =0.000,OR =1.103,95％ CI:1.058-1.151,BUN(P =0.034,OR =1.215,95 ％ CI:1.014-1.454) were risk factors,and H DL-C (P =0.034,OR =0.353,95 ％ CI:O.135-0.924) was a protective factor for the progression of fibrosis.Conclusion The progressive fibrosis in patients with NAFLD is closely associated to blood glucose and lipid metabolism disorder.

OBJECTIVETo introduce a new spinal internal fixation system, Texas Scottish Rite Hospital (TSRH), and to investigate its early clinical outcomes.

METHODSThe preliminary clinical outcomes of 15 patients with thoracolumbar or lumbar scoliosis treated by anterior spinal fusion with TSRH instrumentation were studied retrospectively. Fourteen patients were diagnosed as idiopathic scoliosis and 1 as neuromuscular scoliosis.

RESULTSPreoperatively, the Cobb's angle on the coronal plane was 55.8 degrees (range 35 degrees to approximately 78 degrees), and 14 degrees postoperatively, with an average correction of 74.8%. The average unfused thoracical curve was 35.9 degrees preoperatively (range 26 degrees to approximately 51 degrees) and 21.8 degrees (10 degrees to approximately 42 degrees) postoperatively, with 40% correction. The sagittal curve of lumbar was kept physiologically, preoperative 27.9 degrees and postoperative 25.7 degrees respectively. The trunk shift was 13.4 mm (5 to approximately 28 mm) preoperatively and 3.5 mm (0 to approximately 7 mm) postoperatively. The averaged apic vertebra derivation was 47.8 mm (21 to approximately 69 mm) before operation and 10.8 mm (3 to approximately 20 mm) after operation. The distance of C7 to center sacrum vertical line (CSVL) was 19.5 mm (16 to approximately 42) preoperatively and 11.3 mm (0 to approximately 32 mm) postoperatively. The apical vertebra rotation was 3 degree in 15 patients preoperatively, and were improved to normal in 10 patients, 1 degree in 4 patients, and 2 degree in 1 patients postoperatively. None had neurological injury and infection. Only 1 patient complained a cool feeling in the low extremity of concave side, and the symptom vanished at 3-month followed up.

CONCLUSIONIf used appropriately, TSRH anterior spinal system is a good teatment for low thoracic or thoracic lumbar scoliosis.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Bone Screws ; Child ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Internal Fixators ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Male ; Radiography ; Retrospective Studies ; Scoliosis ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Spinal Fusion ; instrumentation ; Thoracic Vertebrae ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo investigate the treatment of infected total knee arthroplasty (TKA).

METHODSBetween 1983 and 2000, 6 patients with infection after TKAs were treated, including 2 men and 4 women, aged on average 63 years (44 - 75 years). Initial knee arthroplasty was performed for osteoarthritis in 4 patients and for rheumatoid arthritis in 2 knees. The timing of diagnosis of infection after knee arthroplasty averaged 50 months (range, 1 month-11 years). Simple debridement and antibiotic treatment were prescribed for 3 patients, debridement and one-stage reimplantation for 1, debridement and two-stage reimplantation for 1, and athrodesis for 1.

RESULTSOf the 3 patients with simple debridement, one was cured, one failed but underwent athrodesis later, and one lost to follow up. Two patients with reimplantation were cured and had good function recovery. All of the 6 patients were followed up on average for 4 years. No infection recurred except one who lost to follow-up.

CONCLUSIONSManagement of infection after total knee arthroplasty includes antibiotic suppression and debridement with prosthesis retention, insertion of another prosthesis as a one-stage or two-stage exchange technique, knee arthrodesis and amputation. These treatments have specific indications. To treat infection after total knee arthroplasty, suitable method should be taken according to patient's condition. Arthrodesis is the best salvage operation, though it may handicap patients' daily life. Reimplantation of another prosthesis could maintain a functional joint.

Adult ; Aged ; Arthrodesis ; Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee ; adverse effects ; Debridement ; Female ; Humans ; Infection ; therapy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Postoperative Complications ; therapy ; Reoperation

With the development of high-throughput sequencing technology, circular RNAs (circRNAs) have gradually become a hotspot in the research on non-coding RNA. CircRNAs are produced by the covalent circularization of a downstream 3' splice donor and an upstream 5' splice acceptor through backsplicing, and they are pervasive in eukaryotic cells. CircRNAs used to be considered byproducts of false splicing, whereas an explosion of related studies in recent years has disproved this misconception. Compared with the rich studies of circRNAs in animals, the study of circRNAs in plants is still in its infancy. In this review, we introduced the discovery of plant circRNAs, the discovery of plant circRNAs, the circularization feature, expression specificity, conservation, and stability of plant circRNAs and expounded the identification tools, main types, and biogenesis mechanisms of circRNAs. Furthermore, we summarized the potential roles of plant circRNAs as microRNA (miRNA) sponges and translation templates and in response to biotic/abiotic stress, and briefed the degradation and localization of plant circRNAs. Finally, we discussed the challenges and proposed the future directions in the research on plant circRNAs.
Animals ; MicroRNAs/metabolism* ; Organelle Biogenesis ; Plants/metabolism* ; Protein Biosynthesis/physiology* ; RNA, Circular/metabolism* ; RNA, Plant/metabolism* ; Research/trends* ; Stress, Physiological/genetics*

Apomixis has been widely concerned because of its great potential in heterosis fixation. Artificial apomixis is an important direction of current apomixis research. Mitosis instead of Meiosis (MIME) produces diploid gametes that is identical with the maternal genetic composition and is a key step in the artificial creation of apomixes. This paper reviews the occurrence of MIME and its application in crop apomixis and the problems encountered, in an aim to provide reference for expanding the application of MIME in crop apomixis.
Apomixis ; Crops, Agricultural ; genetics ; Diploidy ; Germ Cells ; Meiosis ; Mitosis

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the most common pathological type of lung cancer, most NSCLC patients are at advanced stage at the time of diagnosis. For patients without sensitive driven-oncogene mutations, chemotherapy is still the main treatment at present, the overall prognosis is poor. Improving outcomes and obtaining long-term survival are the most urgent needs of patients with advanced NSCLC. In recent years, immunotherapy has developed rapidly. Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), especially targeting programmed death-1 (PD-1)/programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1), have made a breakthrough in the treatment of NSCLC, beneficial to patients' survival and changed the treatment pattern for NSCLC. It shows more and more important role in the treatment of NSCLC. Led by NSCLC expert committee of Chinese society of clinical oncology (CSCO), relevant experts in this field were organized. On the basis of referring to domestic and foreign literature, systematically evaluating the results of Chinese and foreign clinical trials, and combining the experiences of the experts, the experts group reached an agreement to develop this consensus. It will guide domestic counterparts for better application of ICIs to treat NSCLC.