Based on the species-specific peptides of Pheretima and its common counterfeit (Metaphire magna), an identification method was established using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography tandem triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS) for quality evaluation of Pheretima and its preparations. Separation was performed on a CORTECS T3 C18 column with 0.1% formic acid and acetonitrile as the mobile phases. Mass spectrometry with multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) using ESI⁺ mode was used to simultaneously monitor three ion pairs. The results indicated that the method was specific and could distinguish Guang Dilong, Hu Dilong, and M. magna, which were consistent with those of DNA barcode identification. The adulteration test showed that the LOD of peptide M was 1 μg·g^-1. Peptide M could be detected when 1% M. magna was added to Guang Dilong, indicating the high sensitivity of the method. Fifty-four batches of commercially available samples contained 35% Guang Dilong, 35% Hu Dilong, and 15% M. magna. No ions were detected in 15% of the samples, and DNA barcode identification revealed that they were mainly from Amynthas, with similar appearance to Hu Dilong. The analysis results of the formulation showed that no peptide ions were detected in 3 batches of Xiaohuoluo pills (3/6) and M. magna were detected in 2 batches of Shenjindan capsules (2/4). The developed method in the study has good specificity, sensitivity, and feasibility, and could be used for quality control of Pheretima and its related preparations. It is of great significance for improving quality standards and regulating the medicinal market of Pheretima.

The chemical constituents from the fruits of Morinda citrifolia were systematically explored by chromatographic fractionation methods including silica gel, octadecylsilyl(ODS) gel, Sephadex LH-20 gel, and preparative high performance liquid chromatography(pre-HPLC). The chemical structures of all isolated compounds were identified on the basis of their physicochemical properties, spectroscopic analyses, as well as the comparisons of their physicochemical and spectroscopic data with the reported data in literature. As a result, 22 isolated compounds from the 90% ethanol extract of the fruits of M. citrifolia were identified, which were moricitritone(1), 2'-deoxythymidine(2), cyclo-(L-Pro-L-Tyr)(3), methyl-5-hydroxy-2-pyridinecarboxylate(4), methyl pyroglutamate(5), bisbenzopyran(6), epipinoresinol(7), 3, 3'-bisdemethyl pinoresinol(8), 3, 3'-bisdemethyltanegool(9), trimesic acid(10), crypticin B(11), kojic acid(12), vanillic acid(13), protocatechoic acid(14), 5-hydroxymethyl furfural(15), blumenol A(16), 1-O-(9Z, 12Z-octadecadienoyl) glycerol(17), mucic acid dimethylester(18), methyl 2-O-β-D-glucopyranosylbenzoate(19), 2-phenylethyl-O-β-D-glucoside(20), scopoletin(21), and quercetin(22). Among them, compound 1 was a new pyrone derivative, compounds 2, 4-7, 10-12, and 17 were isolated from the plants belonging to Morinda genus for the first time, and compound 18 was obtained from M. citrifolia for the first time. Moreover, on the basis of testing the activities of all isolated compounds on inhibiting the proliferation of synovial fibroblasts in vitro by MTS assay, the anti-rheumatoid arthritis activities of all isolated compounds were initially evaluated. The results showed that compounds 1-6, 9, 19, and 20 exhibited remarkable anti-rheumatoid arthritis activities, which displayed the inhibitory effects on the proliferation of MH7A synovial fibroblast cells with the IC_(50) values in the range of(3.69±0.08) to(168.96±0.98) μmol·L~(-1).
Fruit/chemistry* ; Morinda/chemistry* ; Synoviocytes ; Cell Proliferation ; Arthritis

Background/Aims: The incidence and prevalence of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is rising in Asia recently. The study aimed to obtain a comprehensive understanding of the current status of drug therapy and monitoring for IBD in Asia. Methods: A questionnaire investigation on drug therapy and monitoring for IBD was conducted right before the 6th Annual Meeting of Asian Organization for Crohn’s & Colitis. Questionnaires were provided to Asian physicians to fill out via emails between March and May 2018. Results: In total, responses of 166 physicians from 129 medical centers were included for analysis. Among the surveyed regions, the most average number of IBD specialist gastroenterologists and nurses was 4.8 per center in Taiwan and 2.5 per center in Mainland China, respectively. 5-Aminosalicylic acid/sulfasalazine (99.4%) was the most preferred first-line choice for mild-moderate ulcerative colitis (UC), meanwhile corticosteroid (83.7%) was widely applied for severe UC. The first-line medication for Crohn’s disease (CD) markedly varied as corticosteroid (68.1%) was the most favored in Mainland China, Japan, and South Korea, followed by infliximab (52.4%) and azathioprine (47.0%). Step-up strategy was preferred in mild-moderate UC (96.4%), while 51.8% of the physicians selected top-down treatment for CD. Only 25.9% and 17.5% of the physicians could test blood concentration of infliximab and antibody to infliximab in their hospitals, respectively. Conclusions The current status of drug therapy and monitoring for IBD in Asia possesses commonalities as well as differences. Asian recommendations, IBD specialist teams and practice of therapeutic drug monitoring are required to improve IBD management in Asia.

Objective To evaluate the role of infliximab trough levels(IFX-TL)and C reactive protein(CRP)concentration in prediction secondary loss of response(LOR)to infliximab(IFX)in patients with Crohn′s disease(CD)during IFX maintenance therapy since 14 weeks after induced treatment.Methods From November 2015 to October 2016,43 CD patients received IFX treatment were enrolled.IFX was initially given at zero,two,and six weeks at 5 mg/kg as induced therapy,and then the same dose was given every eight weeks as long-term maintenance treatment.Serum IFX-TL and CRP concentration were measured at 14thweek after the first IFX injection.The disease activity of CD was assessed by the Harvey-Braddshaw index.According to the follow-up results,the enrolled patients were divided into LOR group and continuous response group,and then the differences in IFX-TL and CRP concentrations at the 14thweek after induced therapy were compared between two groups.Mann-Whitney U test and receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve were performed for statistical analysis.Results After a median 54 weeks of follow-up,18(41.9%)of 43 CD patients achieved a sustained response to IFX therapy,while 11 patients(25.6%)were LOR to IFX therapy.At the 14thweek after induced therapy,serum IFX-TL of LOR group was 2.30 μg/mL(0.52 μg/mL,2.92 μg/mL),which was lower than that of continuous response group(5.10 μg/mL(3.54 μg/mL,9.34 μg/mL)),and the difference was statistically significant(Z= -3.236,P=0.001).The CRP concentration of LOR group was 3.10 mg/L (0.38 mg/L,21.70 mg/L),which was higher than that of continuous response group(0.51 mg/L(0.27 mg/L, 1.50 mg/L)),and the difference was statistically significant(Z= -1.732,P=0.015).The results of ROC curve analysis indicated that at 14thweek after induced therapy the area under curve(AUC)value of predictive role of serum IFX-TL and CRP level in LOR to IFX was 0.864(95% confidence interval(CI)0.728 to 0.999),sensitivities were 83.3% and 81.8%,specificities were 94.4% and 54.5%,cut-off values of accuracies were 3.115 μg/mL and 5.93 mg/L.Conclusion IFX-TL<3.115 μg/mL and CRP concentration>5.93 mg/L at 14thweek since IFX induced therapy might be used as effective predictors of LOR in CD patients during maintenance therapy.

Objective To analyze related factors affecting the prognosis of patients with Acinetobacter baumannii (A.baumannii)bloodstream infection(BSI),guide clinical prevention and treatment.Methods A case-control study was conducted to retrospectively analyze patients with A.baumannii BSI in Peking University Third Hospital from January 2012 to December 2016.According to prognosis,patients were dividedinto poor prognosis group and good prognosis group. Univariate analysis and logistic regression analysis were used to analyze the risk factors of poor prognosis in patients with A.baumannii BSI.Results There were 58 confirmed cases of A.baumannii BSI,including 31 patients with poor prognosis and 27 with good prognosis. Univariate analysis revealed that risk factors for poor prognosis of A.baumannii BSI were antimicrobial use and at least two kinds of antimicrobial agent use three months before admission,at least two kinds of antimicrobial use,and carbapenems use before infection after admission,increase of white blood cell(WBC)count after infection(P<0.05). After 3-day anti-infective treat-ment,examination results of WBC count and X-ray chest film in good prognosis group were all better than poor prognosis group(P<0.05). Logistic multivariate regression analysis showed that independent risk factors for poor prognosis of A.bau m annii BSI were antimicrobial use three months before admission,at least three kinds of antimicrobial use and carbapenem use before infection after admission,increase of WBC count and WBC count>12×109/L after infec-tion,as well as increase of WBC count and WBC count>15×109/L after 3-day anti-infective treatment(P<0.05). Conclusion The probability of poor prognosis is high in patients with A.baumannii infection. For patients receiv-ing≥2 kinds of antimicrobial agents three months before admission,patients receiving≥3 kinds of antimicrobial agents as well as patients receiving carbapenems before infection after admission,the likelihood of A.baumannii BSI should be paid attention.For patients with WBC count>12×109/L after infection and WBC count>15×109/L after 3-day treatment,poor prognosis should be alerted,treatment plan needs to be adjusted in time to reduce the mortality.

BACKGROUNDAt present, a diagnostic tool with high specificity for impaired endometrial receptivity, which may lead to implantation failure, remains to be developed. We aimed to assess the different endometrial microRNA (miRNA) signatures for impaired endometrial receptivity by microarray analysis.

METHODSA total of 12 repeated implantation failure (RIF) patients and 10 infertile patients, who conceived and delivered after one embryo transfer attempt, were recruited as RIF and control groups, respectively. Endometrial specimens from the window of implantation (WOI) were collected from these two groups. MiRNA microarray was conducted on seven and five samples from the RIF and control groups, respectively. Comparative, functional, and network analyses were performed for the microarray results. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was performed on other samples to validate the expression of specific miRNAs.

RESULTSCompared with those in the control group, the expression levels of 105 miRNAs in the RIF group were found to be significantly up- or down-regulated (at least 2-fold) by microarray analysis. The most relevant miRNA functional sets of these dysregulated miRNAs were miR-30 family, human embryonic stem cell regulation, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, and miRNA tumor suppressors by tool for annotations of microRNA analysis. Network regulatory analysis found 176 miRNA-mRNA interactions, and the top 3 core miRNAs were has-miR-4668-5p, has-miR-429, and has-miR-5088. Expression levels of the 18 selected miRNAs in new samples by real-time PCR were found to be regulated with the same trend, as the result of microarray analysis.

CONCLUSIONSThere is a significant different expression of certain miRNAs in the WOI endometrium for RIF patients. These miRNAs may contribute to impaired endometrial receptivity.

Adult ; Embryo Implantation ; genetics ; physiology ; Endometrium ; metabolism ; Female ; Humans ; Infertility, Female ; genetics ; MicroRNAs ; genetics ; Microarray Analysis ; Pregnancy ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction

Background:With the extensive use of infliximab (IFX)in treatment of patients with Crohn's disease (CD),some of the patients had losing of response to IFX treatment. The specific mechanism is not clear yet,and may be related to the formation of antibodies to infliximab (ATI). However,there is no report on the positivity rate of ATI in China so far. Aims:To investigate the clinical effects of serum IFX trough levels (IFX-TLs)and ATI in CD patients treated with IFX. Methods:A total of 76 CD patients receiving IFX treatment from Jan. 2016 to Mar. 2017 at Shanghai Renji Hospital were enrolled. Serum IFX-TLs and ATI were detected. CD patients were divided into active stage group and remission group according to CDAI score,and serum IFX-TLs,ATI,C-reactive protein (CRP)and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) levels were analyzed. Results:Of the 76 patients with CD,positive ATI was found in 2 patients (2. 6%). Forty-five (59. 2%)patients were in remission,while 31 (40. 8%)in active stage. No significant differences in IFX-TLs [2. 84 (1. 30,4. 96)μg/ mL vs. 4. 08 (1. 29,6. 72)μg/ mL,P =0. 484],ATI [8. 00 (5. 27,14. 89)ng/ mL vs. 7. 00 (4. 40, 25. 00)ng/ mL,P = 0. 454]were found between active CD and remission CD. Serum CRP,ESR levels were significantly increased in active CD than in remission CD (P = 0. 038,P = 0. 009). Logistic regression analysis showed that activity of CD was related to CRP (OR = 6. 082,95% CI:1. 348-27. 436,P = 0. 019),but not related to IFX-TLs,ATI and ESR (P > 0. 05). Conclusions:The activity of CD may be correlated with CRP,but not with IFX-TLs,ATI and ESR.

Assessment mode is a bottleneck in medical education reform nowadays.Although traditional assessment tools,such as written examination,are still widely used in medical education assessments,they have obvious limitations.With the enhancement of requirements in physicians' abilities,assessments on some basic abilities of physicians are still insufficient.The United States and Europe not only focus on the curriculum reform but also the development of appropriate assessment tools,therefore,some new assessment tools are invented.These assessment tools are applicable to the formative assessment and are student-centered,being able to promote the development of education and provide new options for medical education assessments.

: This paper introduced the experience of choice of materials, contents and teachings as well as the teachers construction in Neurorehabilitation.

Objective To investigate the expression of CD40-CD154 co-stimulatory pathway in peripheral circulation and intestinal mucosa in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD),the difference between the expression of CD40-CD154 in patients with IBD and that in healthy controls,and the correlation between CD40-CD154 levels and disease activity. Methods A total of 62 patients with Crohn's disease (CD),64 patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) and 56 healthy controls were enrolled. Enzyme-Linked Immuno Sorbent Assay (ELISA),SYBR-green real time PCR and immunohistochemical assay were respectively applied to evaluate expression of CD40-CD154 in plasma,mononuclear cells of peripheral blood and intestinal mucosa. Results Levels of CD40 (P=0. 000) and CD154 (P=0. 001) in plasma,mononuclear cells of peripheral blood and intestinal mucosa were significantly higher in patients with CD and UC than in healthy controls. However,no correlation between disease activity and CD40-CD154 expression in peripheral circulation or intestinal mucosa was detected (P ＞ 0. 05 ). Conclusion CD40-CD154 pathway activation is found in plasma,peripheral blood mononuclear cells and intestinal mucosa in patients with IBD,but is not correlated with disease activity.