Objective To explore the association of CD40 gene single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and haplotypes with the susceptibility to systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE),as well as the association of serum levels and genotypes of CD40 with the occurrence of SLE.Methods A multiplex PCR single-base extension assay (PCR-SBE) and DNA sequencing were performed to analyze 4 SNPs of the CD40 gene,including rs1883832 C/T,rs13040307 C/T,rs752118 C/T and rs3765459 G/A,in 205 patients with SLE (SLE group) and 220 healthy human controls (control group).Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was conducted to measure serum levels of CD40 in these subjects.Results Compared with the control group,the SLE group showed significantly increased serum levels of CD40 (P ＜ 0.05).There were significant differences in genotype and allele frequencies of the SNP rs1883832 C/T in the CD40 gene between the SLE group and control group (all P＜ 0.01).Relative risk analysis showed that the risk of developing SLE in rs1883832 T allele carriers was 1.517 times that in rs1883832 C allele carriers (OR =1.517,95％ CI:1.157-1.990,P=0.003).Moreover,serum levels of CD40 were significantly higher in rs1883832 T allele carriers than in rs1883832 C allele carriers (P ＜ 0.01).The risk of developing SLE was significantly increased in TCCA haplotype carriers compared with the healthy controls (OR =2.322,95％ CI:1.181-4.564,P=0.012).Conclusion The CD40 gene rs1883832 C/T polymorphism and its TCCA haplotype were both associated with the occurrence of SLE,and the rs1883832 T allele may be a gene predisposing to SLE.

Objective:To evaluate the role of hippocampal prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2 (PTGS2) in baicalin-induced reduction of cognitive dysfunction after cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury (CIRI) in mice.Methods:Thirty healthy male C57BL/6 mice, aged 16 weeks, weighing 20-25 g, were divided into 5 groups ( n=6 each) using a random number table method: control group (C group), CIRI group, baicalin+ CIRI group (B+ CIRI group), overexpression of PTGS2+ CIRI group (PTGS2+ CIRI group), and overexpression of PTGS2+ baicalin+ CIRI group (PTGS2+ B+ CIRI). In B+ CIRI group and PTGS2+ B+ CIRI group, baicalin-liposome 0.2 ml was injected through the tail vein, and the CIRI model was established 1 week later. In PTGS2+ CIRI group and PTGS2+ B+ CIRI group, PTGS2-overexpressed adeno-associated virus 1.2 μl was injected into the hippocampus, and the CIRI model was established 4 weeks later. CIRI model was established by using the transient (50 min) bilateral common carotid artery occlusion/reperfusion. On the 12th day after developing the model, the spatial learning and memory ability was evaluated using Morris water maze test. The expression of PTGS2 in the hippocampus was detected by Western blot, and the expression of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-1beta (IL-1β), IL-6, Iba-1 and CD68 mRNA in the hippocampus was detected by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Results:Compared with C group, the escape latency was significantly prolonged, the time spent in the target quadrant was shortened, the number of crossing the original platform was reduced, and the expression of PTGS2 and expression of Iba-1, CD68, TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 mRNA in the hippocampus was up-regulated in CIRI group ( P<0.05). Compared with CIRI group, the escape latency was significantly shortened, the time spent in the target quadrant was prolonged, the number of crossing the original platform was increased, and the expression of PTGS2 and expression of Iba-1, CD68, TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 mRNA in the hippocampus was down-regulated in B+ CIRI group, and the escape latency was significantly prolonged, the time spent in the target quadrant was shortened, the number of crossing the original platform was reduced, and the expression of PTGS2 and expression of Iba-1, CD68, TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 mRNA in the hippocampus was up-regulated in PTGS2+ CIRI group ( P<0.05). Compared with B+ CIRI group, the escape latency was significantly prolonged, the time spent in the target quadrant was shortened, the number of crossing the original platform was reduced, and the expression of PTGS2 and expression of Iba-1, CD68, TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 mRNA in the hippocampus was up-regulated in PTGS2+ B+ CIRI group ( P<0.05). Conclusions:The mechanism by which baicalin attenuates cognitive dysfunction after CIRI is related to down-regulation of hippocampal PTGS2 expression and inhibition of neuroinflammation in mice.

Cancer-related depression (CRD) is a common pathological depression in the diagnosis and treatment of malignant tumors and an important factor affecting the progression and treatment of tumor diseases. Abdominal vibration therapy was developed from Professor Zang's loose vibration method. It is a set of techniques that mainly operates by vibrating the Shenque point; dredging meridians; and rubbing, pushing, and holding the abdomen. This therapy has unique advantages in the treatment of emotional diseases likely because it can stimulate the abdomen; tonify the spleen and stomach; and regulate the gut organs, the qi mechanism, and vitality. On the basis of the structure of the brain-gut axis, it regulates the inflammatory response then realizes the purpose of intervening in CRD.