Acupuncture Therapy ; instrumentation ; Adult ; Aged ; Arthralgia ; therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Needles

Objective To study the activation of Janus protein tyrosine kinase (JAK)/signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 (STAT1) signaling pathway and its inhibitor-signal transducer and activator of transcription-1(SOCS-1) in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus. Methods A total of 45 patients with active systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and 30 healthy controls were randomly selected. Western blot was performed to measure the expression of Stat1 protein and phospho-Stat1 protein (an activated form of Stat1 protein) in the monocytes after stimulation with recombinant high mobility group box1 (rHMGB1) at various time points. Expression of Stat1 protein in the skin or lesional skin was also detected. Phasic expressions of SOCS-1 mRNA in the monocytes after rHMGB1 stimulation were detected by real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. SOCS-1 gene expression in the skin or lesional skin was also detected. Results The expression level of Stat1 proteins in the monocytes from patients with SLE was higher than that from healthy controls (t=9.16,P＜0.01) and positively correlated with SLE disease activity index (SLEDAI) (r=0.59,P＜0.01). Expression of phospho-Stat1 in the monocytes from SLE patients was time-dependently upregulated after stimulation with rHMGB1 at various time points, while expression of SOCS-1 mRNA remained unchanged(all P＞0.05). Expressions of phospho-Stat1 protein and SOCS-1 mRNA in the monocytes from healthy controls were increased transiently after stimulation with rHMGB1(all P＜0.05). Both expressions of phospho-Stat1 protein and SOCS-1 gene in the lesional skin from patients with SLE were upregulated compared with those in normal skin from healthy controls (all P＜0.01). Conclusion There are hyperactivation of JAK-STAT1 signaling pathway and negative feedback down-regulation of SOCS-1 in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus. HMGB-1 may be partly involved in the pathogenesis of SLE by the abnormal mediating function of JAK-STAT1 signal transduction pathway.

AIM: To study the effects of ultraviolet (UV) on mitochondrial functions and apoptosis in HaCaT cells.METHODS: After irradiation by UV at low dose(UVA 2 J/cm~2,UVB 10 mJ/cm~2) and high dose(UVA 6 J/cm~2,UVB(30 mJ/cm~2),) HaCaT cells were cultured for 15 hours.Flow cytometry was used to measure mitochondrial membrane potential,mitochondrial mass and apoptotic rate.Annexin V-FITC/PI staining of apoptotic cells was analyzed by laser confocal microscopy.RESULTS: After UV irradiation,cell proportion with low mitochondrial membrane potential increased with irradiation doses.The proportion of control group,low dose group and high dose group were 7.94%?1.02%,25.87%?4.55% and 39.27%?5.32%,respectively.Cells proportion with low mitochondrial mass increased with irradiation doses.The proportion of control group,low dose group and high dose group were 15.19%?1.58%,40.36%?4.41% and 68.79%?5.46%,respectively.The hypodiploid peaks of DNA content analysis represented the apoptotic rate of HaCaT cells.The apoptotic rate of control group,low dose group and high dose group were 1.82%?0.51%,30.16%?5.47% and 58.49%?5.98%,respectively.To analyze the cells apoptosis by staining with annexin V-FITC and PI,the results were consistent with those of DNA content analysis.Cells in control group showed almost no positive staining cells.Single annexin V-FITC positive cells in low dose group and double positive cells in high dose group were predominant,respectively.CONCLUSION: UV irradiation induces HaCaT cell mitochondrial depolarization,as well as mitochondrial mass loss.These changes are related to cell apoptosis.

Objective: To observe the clinical efficacy of DZWJY-1 type electronic moxibustion apparatus and traditional moxibustion in treating knee osteoarthritis (KOA). Methods: A total of 76 eligible patients were randomized into an electronic moxibustion apparatus group and a traditional moxibustion group, with 38 cases in each group. The electronic moxibustion apparatus group was intervened by DZWJY-1 type electronic moxibustion apparatus, and the traditional moxibustion group received moxa stick moxibustion for treatment. Neixiyan (EX-LE 4), Dubi (ST 35), Xuehai (SP 10) and Liangqiu (ST 34) were selected for both groups and the treatment was conducted 3 times a week for a total of 12 times. The visual analog scale (VAS) and the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities osteoarthritis index (WOMAC) scores were observed before treatment and after 6 and 12 sessions of treatment, respectively. Results: There were 4 dropout cases in the traditional moxibustion group. Therefore, this trial had 72 valid cases, including 38 cases in the electronic moxibustion apparatus group and 34 cases in the traditional moxibustion group, the differences in the baseline data between the two groups were statistically insignificant (P>0.05). After 6 and 12 sessions of treatment, the VAS scores decreased significantly with the increase of treatment sessions in both groups (all P<0.01), and the betweengroup differences were statistically insignificant at the same time points (both P>0.05). The pain intensity was evaluated using the weighted value of VAS score. The markedly effective rate was 47.4％ and the total effective rate was 89.5％ in the electronic moxibustion apparatus group, versus 50.0％ and 94.1％ in the traditional moxibustion group, and the betweengroup differences were statistically insignificant (both P>0.05). After 6 and 12 sessions of treatment, the total score and the component scores including pain, stiffness and difficulty moving in the WOMAC decreased significantly with the increase of treatment sessions in both groups (all P<0.01), and the between-group differences were statistically insignificant (all P>0.05). Conclusion: Electronic moxibustion apparatus and traditional moxibustion both are effective in reducing joint pain and improving joint function in KOA patients, and they are equivalent comparing the clinical efficacy.

Abstract: Schistosomiasis, an important zoonotic parasitic disease, is one of the six major tropical diseases identified by WHO, and also one of the most important parasitic diseases for prevention and control in China. After more than 70 years of efforts, the prevention and control of schistosomiasis in China has made great achievements, and the current epidemic of schistosomiasis in China has entered an extremely low epidemic state, but the distribution base of the only intermediate host of schistosomiasis, Oncomelania hupensis, is still large. For now, the techniques used to monitor schistosomiasis have shortcomings such as time-consuming, laborious and low sensitivity, which cannot meet the current needs of China. Environmental DNA (eDNA) refers to DNA that can be extracted from environmental samples (such as soil, water or air) without isolating any target organisms, which is a complex mixture of genomic DNA and its degradation products from different organisms in the same environment. eDNA technology can reflect the community or species composition information in the ecosystem through DNA extraction and detection of environmental samples. Compared with traditional biological monitoring methods, eDNA technology has the advantages of high efficiency, high sensitivity and environmental friendliness. eDNA has been successfully used for the specific detection of Schistosoma mansoni, Schistosoma haematobium and Schistosoma japonicum. This paper reviews the current detection methods of eDNA, the application and technical limitations of eDNA technology in schistosomiasis monitoring, aiming to provide scientific reference for research in the field of schistosomiasis surveillance.

Objective To explore MRI manifestations of incomplete healing of the uterine incision after abdominal delivery.Methods Nine patients with clinical suspected incomplete healing of the uterine incision after abdominal delivery underwent cavitas pelvis MRI scans with 3.0T MRI.Results According to the characteristics of the MRI images,healing conditions of the uterine incisions were divides into 2 groups.GroupⅠwas showed that the uterine incision healed well,the uterine junctional zone and myometrium were continuous,and the incision scar was linear low signal intensity on T2 WI (2 cases,22%).GroupⅡwas showed that the uterine incisions healed incompletely,the uterine junctional zone and myometrium were discontinuous,and the myometrium edema was in some cases with high signal intensity on T2 WI (7 cases,78%).Conclusion MRI could directly displays incomplete healing of the uterine incision after cesarean section,provide the basis for clinical diagnosis and treatment.

Objective To systematically evaluate the association between protein C and Legg -Calve -Perthes disease.Methods A literature research was performed through PubMed,Embase,Cochrane library,Web of Science,Chinese Biomedical Literature Database(CBM),China National Knowledge Infrastructure(CNKI)and Wan-fang Database from inception to February 201 6 on the association between protein C and Legg -Calve -Perthes disease.According to the Newcastle -Ottawa Scale(NOS)criteria,the quality of studies was evaluated and data were extracted.Meta -analysis was performed with Stata 1 1 .0 software.Results A total of 1 4 articles were included.Twelve articles on protein C and Legg -Calve -Perthes disease in the study group and the control group were compared.The results of Meta -analysis showed that there was no significant difference in protein C levels between the study group and the control group[odds radio(OR)=1 .41 ,95% confidence interval(CI)(0.87,2.28),P =0.1 47];five articles on protein C and the white race of Legg -Calve -Perthes disease between the study group and the control group were com-pared,The results of Meta -analysis showed that there was no significant difference in protein C levels between the whiteskin patients′group and the control group[OR =0.61 2,95%CI(1 .83,7.29),P =0.61 2];three articles on pro-tein C and the yellow race of Legg -Calve -Perthes disease between the study group and the control group were com-pared,and the results of Meta -analysis showed that there was no significant difference in protein C levels between the yellow skin patients group and the control group[OR =0.59,95%CI(0.05,6.72),P =0.080].Conclusion There is no significant correlation between protein C and Legg -Calve -Perthes disease.

Objective To investigate the expression in the VEGF,TGF-?1 of cervical squamous car- cinoma infected by HPV16,18.Methods Cells exfoliated from cervix(collected by clinician)of 99 women with cervical cancer and 54 women as a control group were analyzed blindly by human papillomavirus type 16 and 18 Fluorescent Polymerase Reaction Diagnositic kit.The expression of VEGF,TGF-?1 of the positive HPV16,18 of 38 women with cervical squamous cancer were studied by immunohistochemical stain.Results The positive expression of HPV16,18 was observed in 53 in the case of cervical cancer with positive rates of 54 %,but the positive rates was 7 % in the control group(P

Objective To discuss methods of decoration reconstruction for finger defect in emergency and to observe the elinical effects.Methods Of the 41 cases of finger injuries of different degrees,15 were repaired with part of the skin flaps of the big toenails or skin flaps of the second toenalis,8 were repaired with part of the skin flaps of the big toenails,7 were reeonstructed with the second tiptoes,11 were repaired with the abdominal skin flaps of the big toes or lateral flaps of the second toes.Results All the 41 fingers sur- vived.One skin flap of the big toe was somewhat swelling and a decorating operation was performed.The 4～18 months of follow-up visitation of the rest cases revealed good function and shapes.No obvious functional ab- norality was found in the donating feet.Conclusion Various kinds of decoration reeonstruetion for finger defects are available to recover the hand shape and function as much as possible.

OBJECTIVETo observe MET-associated alteration during the trans-differentiation from MSCs to neuron-like cells, and to explore the possible molecular mechanism.

METHODSBone marrow MSCs were isolated from rat femur and purified in continuous cell culture. After induced differentiation to neuron-like cells by the combination of butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), cells were tested by comparative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for the relative expression of MET biomarkers and transcription factors, and for cell cycle by flow cytometry. Meanwhile, target genes of Wnt/β-catenin pathway were also analyzed by comparative PCR to determine the possible involvement.

RESULTSIn MSC-induced neuron-like cells, MET-associated transcription factors such as Snail, Slug, ZEB1, ZEB2, and Twist were significantly attenuated in expression level. The Mesenchymal marker Vimentin expression level was increased. Membrane protein E-cad was slightly down-regulated, while N-cad level was marginally elevated. Percentage of proliferating cells (S phase in cell cycle) markedly shrank from 40.42% for MSCs to 6.76% for MSC-derived neuron. Additionally, Wnt/β-catenin target genes β-catenin and c-myc were decreasingly expressed.

CONCLUSIONChemically induced trans-differentiation from MSC to neuron caused similar MET-featured alteration in gene expression and proliferation to known MET, which might be underlied by deactivation of Wnt/β-catenin pathway.

Animals ; Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; cytology ; Neurons ; cytology ; metabolism ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myc ; metabolism ; Rats ; Wnt Signaling Pathway ; beta Catenin ; metabolism