Objective To find the different plasma-associated proteins of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) by using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis for understanding the pathogenesis of RA. Methods The total protein from either RA patients or normal ones was prepared by means of immobilized pH gradient based on two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. After silver staining, gel-image analysis was performed by using PDQuest. The differentially expressed proteins were identified by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS). Results 2-DE patterns of plasma from controls and RA patients were presented. The results showed that average number of protein spots was 592 and 563 respectively, and the corresponding average matching rate was 89% and 87% respectively. Gel-image analysis revealed that there were 24 differential protein spots. A total of 15 differential protein spots were successfully identified by MALDI-TOF-MS, of which 6 proteins were up-regulated as compared with control. Conclusion The differentially expressed proteins can be observed in plasma from RA and controls, which can be used to elucidate the pathogenesis of RA for further study.

Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) is a surgery which was commonly used in portal hypertension therapy.It can control and prevent the complication caused by portal hypertension,such as esophageal gastric-fundus variceal bleeding.However,there is a fundamental flaw in the TIPS due to its lack of maintaining a long-lasting and effective shunt,and most of the stenosis or occlusion are in the draining vein:the hepatic vein.Accompanied by direct intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (DIPS),which has shown its advantage compared with traditional TIPS operation,such as the block of hepatic vein can be avoided,the radiation dose as well as the operation time is lesser,DIPS is safer and so on.Here we reviewed to present a brief introduction of DIPS development history and core concerns of the major medical centers at present.