Rheumatoid arthritis （RA） is a common autoimmune disease. Excessive hyperplasia of synovial tissues and osteoclastic bone absorption are two main causes of bone and joint destruction in RA. Synovial fibroblasts in RA （RA-FLS） are important cells in the synovial tissues of RA. The changes in their growth characteristics and inhibition of apoptosis lead to the proliferation of synovial tissues， stimulate inflammatory reactions， damage joint structure， and result in joint dysfunction. Therefore， regulating abnormal proliferation and promoting apoptosis of RA-FLS can interfere with the pathogenesis of RA. At present， there are many studies on the effect of Chinese medicine and its monomer components on the excessive proliferation and apoptosis of RA-FLS. The present study reviewed the effect of RA-FLS in RA and the intervention of Chinese medicinal monomers and compounds by regulating RA-FLS. The results showed that monomer components mainly included terpenoids， flavonoids， alkaloids， and anthraquinones. Despite different types， they can effectively intervene in RA through different approaches. For instance， they can prevent bone and cartilage injury by inhibiting the secretion of inflammatory cytokines and inhibiting the generation of chondrocytes and osteoclasts. They can achieve apoptosis by up-regulating the pro-apoptotic genes B-cell lymphoma 2 （Bcl-2）， Bcl-2-associated X protein （Bax）， and cysteinyl aspartate-specific protease （Caspase） in the Fas/FasL， nuclear factor-κB （NF-κB）， Janus kinase （JAK）/signal transducer and activator of transcription protein （STAT）， and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase （p38 MAPK） signaling pathways， and down-regulating the anti-apoptotic genes Bcl-xl and Bcl-2. They can also inhibit the proliferation of RA-FLS by inhibiting the protein expression of microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3Ⅱ（LC3Ⅱ）/LC3Ⅰ and Beclin-1. Although their molecular mechanisms of action and targets are different， they all exert corresponding roles. The above research results provide a scientific basis for elucidating the multi-component and multi-target characteristics of Chinese medicine in the treatment of RA.

Objective To investigate the impacts of matrine on the balance of helper T cell 17(Th17)/regulatory T cell(Treg)and the Ras homolog gene family member A(RhoA)-Rho-associated coiled-coil forming protein kinase(ROCK)signaling pathway in coronary heart disease(CHD)rats.Methods A model of coronary heart disease was established.Rats were grouped into control group,model group(CHD group),low-dose matrine(50 mg·kg-1,Matrine-L)group,high-dose matrine(200 mg·kg-1,Matrine-H)group,and Matrine-H+LPA(200 mg·kg-1 matrine+10 mg·kg-1 LPA)group.Echocardiography was applied to detect cardiac function.Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA)method was used to detect interleukin-17(IL-17)and transforming growth factor(TGF-β).The quantity of Th17,Treg and Th17/Treg ratio were detected by flow cytometry.Immunohistochemistry was applied to detect the protein expressions of endothelial nitric oxide synthase(eNOS)and endothelin 1(ET-1).Masson staining was carried out to observe the pathological changes of myocardial tissue.The myocardial infarction in each group of rats was observed by TCC staining.TUNEL staining was performed to detect cell apoptosis in myocardial tissue.Additionally,RhoA activity was detected by assay kit.Western Blot method was applied to detect the protein expressions levels of B-cell lymphoma factor 2(Bcl-2),Bcl-2 associated X protein(Bax),cysteine aspartate proteinase-3(Caspase-3),RhoA,ROCK1 and ROCK2.Results Compared with the control group,a large amount of blue collagen fiber deposition was observed in the myocardial tissue of CHD group.The expression levels of left ventricular end-diastolic volume(LVEDV),left ventricular end-systolic volume(LVESV),IL-17,Th17,Th17/Treg,ET-1,infarct size,cell apoptosis rate,TUNEL positive rate,Bax,Caspase-3,RhoA activity,RhoA,ROCK1,ROCK2 were obviously increased.The expression levels of left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF),left ventricular shortening fraction(LVFS),TGF-β,Treg,eNOS,and Bcl-2 were obviously reduced(P＜0.05).Compared with the CHD group,blue collagen fibers in myocardial tissue of Matrine-L and Matrine-H groups gradually decreased.The expression levels of LVEDV,LVESV,IL-17,Th17,Th17/Treg,ET-1,infarct size,cell apoptosis rate,TUNEL positive rate,Bax,Caspase-3,RhoA activity,RhoA,ROCK1 and ROCK2 were obviously reduced in sequence.The expression levels of LVEF,LVFS,TGF-β,Treg,eNOS,and Bcl-2 were also obviously increased in sequence(P＜0.05).Compared with the Matrine-H group,blue collagen fibers in myocardial tissue of Matrine-H+LPA group increased.The expression levels of LVEDV,LVESV,IL-17,Th17,Th17/Treg,ET-1,infarct size,cell apoptosis rate,TUNEL positive rate,Bax,Caspase-3,RhoA activity,RhoA,ROCK1,ROCK2 were obviously increased,while the expression levels of LVEF,LVFS,TGF-β,Treg,eNOS and Bcl-2 were obviously reduced(P＜0.05).Conclusion Matrine regulates Th17/Treg cell balance and improves myocardial injury in rats with CHD by inhibiting the RhoA-ROCK signaling pathway.

Objective:To describe the detail sampling design,weighting,instruments,filed procedures and quality control methods of the epidemiological survey on dementia among community residents in Tongliao City.Methods:A three-stage disproportionate probability sampling design was used to investigate the inhabitants aged 65 years and over in Tongliao City,Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region.The 10/66 Dementia Research Group(10/66 DRG)assessment instruments were used to diagnose dementia,using computer-assisted personal interview mode in the selected older people.Comprehensive quality control methods were implemented throughout the field-work.Results:A total of 166 villages or communities were sampled from nine counties or districts in Tongliao Cit-y.Totally 4 345 older people were interviewed with 96.2％response rate.By calculating sampling design weights,non-response adjustment weights and post-stratification adjustment weights,these weights were multiplied and per-formed trimming adjustment and standardization adjustment to generate final weights.The 171 interviewers were well-trained and qualified to carry out filed interview.Quality control methods included computer data check,audio record check,and telephone check in order to ensure the quality of the survey.Conclusion:This survey is imple-mented using a rigorous sampling design and timely quality control methods,and uses the 10/66 DRG assessment instruments with satisfactory international validity and reliability as survey instruments,which has international cross-cultural comparability.It provides a valid and feasible methodology of epidemiological survey on dementia for further studies in different regions in China.