Objective To evaluate the clinical significance of judgement about rheumatoid arthritis(RA)carpal subsidence by carpal height ratio(CHR).Methods The materials which have been maken definite diagnosis,including pair of carpal films of 40 cases,were devided into 6 groups to measure carpal height ratio by X-ray stage and deviation of metacarpal and phalanx toward ulna side.Results Early stage ? 36 =0.512,Middle stage ? 26 =0.514,Later stage? 18 =0.455.The group without deviation toward ulna side ? 69 =0.502,the group which deviation was smaller than 15?:? 10 =0.484,the group which deviation was larger than 15 ?:? 1 =0.450.Conclusion Carpal height ratio(CHR)has very importmant clinical significance to study the development and evolution of rheumatoid arthritis(RA)carpal subsidence.

Aim To investigate the effects of angiotensin Ⅱ(AngⅡ),AT1 receptor antagonist losartan and AT2 receptor antagonist PD123177 on protein synthesis rate and AT1 receptor mRNA expression in cultured neonatal rat cardi ac myocytes. 　Methods The protein synthesis rate in cultured cardiac myocytes w as determined by the3H-leucine incorporation,AT1 receptor mRNA expressi on of cardiac myocytes was assessed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR). 　Results AngⅡ increased the 　3H-leucine incorporation in cultured cardiac myocytes in a dose dependent manner,losartan but not PD12317 7 could significantly inhibit AngⅡ induced protein synthesis,;AT1 receptor mRNA expression was upregulated after AngⅡ,and inhibited by losartan,but not PD123177. 　Conclusion AngⅡ can induce cardiac myocytes hypertrophy via upregulating AT1 receptor,and AT1 receptor antagonist can decrease AT1 rec eptor expression,reduce cardiac myocytes hypertrophy.

OBJECTIVETo detect protein expression of ERK(1), ERK(2), JNK(1), p38 and MEK(1), MEK(2) in human hepatocellular carcinoma and adjacent non-neoplastic liver.

METHODSIn 16 surgically resected hepatocellular carcinoma and para-carcinoma tissues, Western blotting was used to detect expression of ERK(1), ERK(2), JNK(1), p38 and MEK(1), MEK(2).

RESULTSIn all cases, ERK(1), ERK(2), p38 expression in hepatocellular carcinoma was significantly higher than that in para-carcinoma: integral optic density (IOD) of ERK(1) was 300 +/- 98 in carcinoma and 98 +/- 48 in para-carcinoma tissues (t = 2.519, P < 0.01); IOD of ERK(2) was 587 +/- 83 in carcinoma and 232 +/- 96 in para-carcinoma tissues (t = 2.745, P < 0.01); IOD of p38 was 270 +/- 85 in carcinoma and 107 +/- 88 in para-carcinoma tissues (t = 2.491, P < 0.01). JNK(1) expression in hepatocellular carcinoma was significantly lower than that in para-carcinoma; IOD of JNK(1) was 111 +/- 93 in carcinoma and 292 +/- 109 in para-carcinoma tissues (t = 2.473, P < 0.01). Protein levels of MEK(1) and MEK(2) in carcinoma were significantly higher than in para-carcinoma. IOD of MEK(1) was 1 418 +/- 244 in carcinoma and 806 +/- 90 in para-carcinoma tissues (t = 2.546, P < 0.01). IOD of MEK(2) was 1 041 +/- 122 in carcinoma and 468 +/- 40 in para-carcinoma tissues (t = 2.861, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSERK(1), ERK(2), MEK(1) and MEK(2) in the signal transduction pathway for cell proliferation are significantly overexpressed and the expression of JNK(1) is lower in hepatocellular carcinoma. Their unbalance is one of the important reasons for the over growth and infinite proliferation of the hepatocellular carcinoma cell. The p38 and JNK(1) may be activated by different pathway.

Adult ; Aged ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; enzymology ; Enzyme Activation ; Female ; Humans ; JNK Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases ; Liver Neoplasms ; enzymology ; MAP Kinase Kinase 1 ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Kinases ; analysis ; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases ; metabolism ; Protein-Serine-Threonine Kinases ; analysis

Objective:To seek specific response points on the body surface of patients with primary dysmenorrhea(PD)by observing blood perfusion unit(PU)at different points of the three Yin meridians of foot using laser speckle contrast imaging(LSCI). Methods:Eighty PD patients were recruited as a PD group,and 80 healthy female undergraduates were taken as a normal group.During one menstrual cycle(before menstruation,during menstruation,and 3 d after menstruation),each participant was examined using the LSCI system to determine PU at bilateral Taixi(KI3),Taibai(SP3),Taichong(LR3),Shuiquan(KI5),Diji(SP8),Zhongdu(LR6),Sanyinjiao(SP6),and Xuehai(SP10)and non-acupuncture points.The researchers in charge of point location,operation,and statistical analysis were not aware of grouping.PU at the detection spots was taken as the outcome measure. Results:Compared with the normal group,the PD group showed increases in PU at right Taixi(KI3)before menstruation(P<0.05)and at bilateral Zhongdu(LR6)and right Diji(SP8)during menstruation(P<0.05).At the other time points,significance was not found between the two groups in comparing PU at the detected spots. Conclusion:Compared with healthy participants,PD patients present specific changes in PU at Taixi(KI3),Diji(SP8),and Zhongdu(LR6)at specific time points during the menstrual cycle,which provides a reference for acupuncture-moxibustion treatment of PD in clinical settings.

Objective:To study the hypoglycemic effect of Quercus mongolica leaves total flavonoids on alloxan-induced hyperglycemia mice; To discuss its underlying mechanism and pharmacodynamic material basis.Methods:The healthy ICR mice were divided into control group and diabetic mice group according to random number table method. The diabetic mouse model was established by intravenously injected with streptozotocin solution (45 mg/kg) via the tail vein. The model diabetic mice were divided into model group, positive drug group (150 mg/kg metformin hydrochloride), total flavonoids low (100 mg/kg), medium (200 mg/kg) and high (400 mg/kg) dose groups, and monomer flavonoids low (25 mg/kg), medium (50 mg/kg) and high (100 mg/kg) dose groups. Each group of mice received 0.2 ml/10 g body weight for gavage, once a day for 14 consecutive days. The control and model group were given an equal volume of physiological saline. On the 7th and 14th day of administration, the body weight, fasting blood glucose, area under the curve (AUC) of blood glucose, serum insulin and insulin receptor beta concentrations, and insulin sensitivity index were measured. The main chemical components of total flavonoids from Quercus mongolica leaves were analyzed using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) technology.Results:Compared with the model group, after 14 days of administration, the total flavonoids of Quercus mongolica leaves at different doses and quercetin-3-O-β-D-glucopyranoside and astragalin at different doses all significantly reduced blood glucose levels ( P<0.01 or P<0.05), decreased AUC ( P<0.01 or P<0.05), and increased insulin sensitivity index ( P<0.01 or P<0.05). The 12 flavone glycosides and aglycone components were identified by UPLC-MS/MS. Conclusions:Flavonoids are speculated to be the material basis for the hypoglycemic effect of Quercus mongolica leaves. Among them, total flavonoids of Quercus mongolica leaves and monomeric flavonoids such as quercetin 3-O-β-D-glucopyranoside and astragalin have certain hypoglycemic activity, which can lower blood glucose levels by improving insulin resistance.

Objective To investigate the role of catecholamines in the pathogenesis of portal hypertension.Methods Serum epinephrine (E) and norepinephrine (NE) concentrations in the peripheral vein, portal vein and superior vena cava (SVC) were measured by high pressure liquid chromatography in 38 portal hypertensive patients, 28 idiopathic hypertensive patients and 34 controls, respectively.Results Peripheral venous E concentrations in portal hypertensive patients and controls were 57.5±37.4 ng/L and 23.5±11.2 ng/L, respectively (P<0.01), and peripheral venous NE concentrations were 451.1±381.2 ng/L and 183.0±83.3 ng/L, respectively (P<0.01). Compared with controls, peripheral venous E (54.9±39.9 ng/L vs 23.5±11.2 ng/L, P<0.01) and NE (524.3±219.9 ng/L vs 183.0±83.3 ng/L, P<0.01) in idiopathic hypertensive patients were also significantly increased. E and NE in SVC, portal vein and peripheral artery in portal hypertensive patients were also increased, but only the elevation of E in SVC was statistically significant (207.2±55.4 ng/L vs 83.7±46.7 ng/L, P<0.05).Conclusion Our results reveal significant metabolic disorders of E and NE in portal hypertensive patients, which may play an important role in the pathogenesis of portal hypertension.

Objective To investigate the changes of alpha-1 adrenergic receptors in cirrhotic liver and the relationship between the changes and the pathogenesis of portal hypertension.Methods The concentration and affinity of alpha-1 adrenergic receptors in the liver plasma membranes of posthepatitic cirrhotic patients with portal hypertension were quantitatively measured using radioligand binding analysis. Results Compared with 8 controls without hepatic pathological changes, the maximal binding capacity (Bmax) of 9 posthepatitic cirrhotic patients decreased (129.1±12.0 vs 142.1±14.1 fmol/mg protein, P>0.05), dissociation constant (Kd) values increased (0.3945±0.0974 vs 0.2382±0.0548 nmol/L, P<0.01), and the receptor maximal content (RMC) decreased (417.4±76.8 vs 739.9±167.6 fmol/g liver, P<0.01). Conclusions The decreased concentration and affinity of alpha-1 adrenergic receptors may play an important role in the metabolic disturbances of catecholamines often seen in some cirrhotic patients, and have implications in the pathogenesis of portal hypertension.

Objective Using bioinformatics methods to study the immune infiltration mechanism of Primary Sj?gren's syndrome(pSS)and to explore potential target Chinese medicines,which can provide new directions for the clinical treatment of pSS.Methods Gene expression profile microarray dataset of pSS was downloaded from the GEO database,differential genes were screened using R software,and gene ontology(GO)and gene pathway enrichment(KEGG)enrichment analysis was performed on these differential genes.Protein interaction network analysis of differential genes was performed by applying the STRING database,key genes were screened by using Cytoscape,and ELISA for the verification of key genes expression.Immune infiltration and correlation of immune cells in pSS were calculated by CIBERSORT inverse convolution method in 22.Finally,the herbal prediction of key target genes was performed by using the Coremine Medical database.Results A total of 232 differential genes were obtained,of which 207 were up-regulated and 25 were down-regulated.GO was mainly enriched in:leukocyte mediated immunity,lymphocyte mediated immunity,leukocyte cell-cell adhesion,etc;KEGG was mainly enriched in Hematopoietic cell lineage,Primary immunodeficiency,Intestinal immune network for IgA production,Phagosome,Leishmaniasis.Ten key genes were screened:PTPRC,CD19,LCP2,CCR5 and CD69 etc.The hub genes expression in the pSS is the same as that of GSE40611.Immune infiltration showed that memory B cells,T cells CD4 memory activated,and T cells CD4 na?ve were highly expressed in the pSS.Immune cell correlation analysis showed a positive correlation between initial Monocytes and T cells regulatory(Tregs),a positive correlation between Macrophages M1 and B cell na?ve,and a negative correlation between Plasma cells and T cells CD4 memory activated.COREMINE Medical predicted that Ginseng,Panax notoginseng,Tripterygium wilfordii,Burnet,Magnolia,and Strychni may treat pSS.Conclusion The development and progression of pSS are the results of the combined involvement of multiple genes and pathways.Memory B cells,T cells CD4 memory activated,and T cells CD4 na?ve may promote the development of pSS.The predicted Ginseng,Panax notoginseng,Tripterygium wilfordii,Burnet,Magnolia,Strychni may be used as target herbs for the potential treatment of pSS.

Abstract:Objective To detect the mutation frequency of the bcl 10 gene in the early and advanced stages of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).Methods Genome DNA samples were extracted from 46 cases of fresh HCC tumor tissues and their non-tumor adjacent tissues. Polymerase chain reaction-single strand conformation polymorphism method was used to detect point mutations of the three exons of the bcl 10 gene. For each individual exon, six random samples from those showing abnormal DNA bands were sequenced to verify those mutations. The relationship between serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) level and bcl 10 mutation, between the tumor size and bcl 10 mutation was also analyzed.Results Among the 46 samples, 26 cases (56.5%) were found to have mutations in exon 1, 5 out of the 6 cases were shown to have 5744 C→G mutation by sequencing; 25 cases (54.3%) were found to have mutations in exon 2, 4 out of the 6 cases were shown to have 11?311 T deletion mutation by sequencing. Twenty-one cases (45.7%) were found to have mutations in exon 3, all of the 6 cases selected for sequencing were shown to have 14?116 C→T mutation. Statistical analysis showed that neither serum alpha-fetoprotein level nor the size of hepatocellular carcinoma has a significant relationship with bcl 10 mutation.Conclusion The bcl 10 gene has a high mutation frequency in liver cancer.

Objective:Using bioinformatics methods to study the immune infiltration mechanism of lupus nephritis(LN)and to explore potential target Chinese medicines,which can provide new directions for clinical treatment of LN.Methods:Gene expres-sion profile microarray dataset of LN was downloaded from GEO database,differential expressed genes(DEGs)were screened using R software,and GO and KEGG enrichment analysis were performed on these DEGs.Protein interaction network analysis of DEGs was performed by applying STRING database,key genes were screened by using Cytoscape,core gene expression was validated by Nephro-seq database,and the infiltration and correlation of 22 kinds of immune cells in LN were calculated by CIBERSORT deconvolution algorithm.Finally,herbal prediction of significantly enriched immune-related biological processes and key target genes were performed by Coremine Medical database.Results:A total of 367 LN-related DEGs were obtained,of which 253 were up-regulated and 114 were down-regulated.GO was mainly enriched in response to viruses,defense response to viruses,regulation of viral life cycle,regulation of viral processes,etc;KEGG was mainly enriched in S.aureus infection,COVID-19,influenza A,complement and coagulation cascade,pertussis,etc.Ten key genes were screened:IFIT3,OAS2,MX1,OAS1,RSAD2,XAF1,ISG15,IFIT1,ITGAM and PTPRC.Immune infiltration by CIBERSORT deconvolution algorithm showed that monocytes and initial B cells were highly expressed in LN,while memory B cells,naive CD4+T cells,follicular helper T cells and resting natural killer cells were lowly expressed in LN.Immune cell correlation analysis showed a positive correlation between initial B cells and plasma cells,a positive correlation between resting natural killer cells and resting dendritic cells,a negative correlation between monocytes and regulatory T cells,and a negative correlation between resting CD4+memory T cells and monocytes.Coremine Medical predicted that Salvia miltiorrhiza,Panax notogin-seng,Scutellaria baicalensis,ginseng,honey,monkey mushroom and peony were found to be most closely related to immunity in LN.Conclusion:The development and progression of LN are results of the combined involvement of multiple genes and pathways.Mono-cytes,memory B cells,initial CD4+T cells and initial B cells are most closely associated with LN.The predicted Salvia miltiorrhiza,Panax notoginseng,Scutellaria baicalensis,ginseng,honey,monkey mushroom and peony may be used as target herbs for the poten-tial treatment of LN.