OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of prolactin on CD40 and CD154 expressions on the surface of peripheral blood mononuclear cells in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and explore the role of prolactin in the pathogenesis of SLE.

METHODSThe serum prolectin level was detected in 30 SLE patients and 20 healthy volunteers, from whom peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were also isolated to examine the expressions of CD40 and CD154 using flow cytometry.

RESULTSCD154 significantly increased on the PBMCs in SLE patients with high serum prolectin level in comparison with that in patients with normal prolactin level or the normal controls (P<0.05). When the PBMCs were incubated with recombinant human prolactin, CD154 expression was significantly increased in SLE patients with normal serum prolactin level (P<0.05), but not in the normal control group (P>0.05). Incubation of the PBMCs in the presence of bromocriptine did not result in significantly decreased CD154 expression in SLE patients irrespective of the prolactin level, nor was significant difference found in CD40 expression on the surface of PBMCs between SLE patients and the normal controls(P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONProlactin plays an important role in the pathogenesis of SLE by increasing CD154 expression on the PBMCs, and bromocriptine produces no significant inhibitory effect on either endogenous or exogenous prolectin.

Adult ; CD40 Antigens ; metabolism ; CD40 Ligand ; metabolism ; Case-Control Studies ; Female ; Gene Expression Regulation ; drug effects ; Humans ; Leukocytes, Mononuclear ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic ; blood ; metabolism ; pathology ; Male ; Prolactin ; blood ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the association between 1858C/T single nucleotide polymorphism on exon 14 of the protein tyrosine phosphatase nonreceptor-22 (PTPN22) gene and systemic lupus erythematosus in Chinese Han patients.

METHODSForty Chinese Han patients with SLE and 20 normal control subjects were enrolled in the study, and PTPN22 gene 1858 C/T polymorphisms were analyzed by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP).

RESULTSNo significant difference was found in the CC, CT, and TT genotype frequencies or in the C and T allele frequencies between the SLE patients and the normal controls.

CONCLUSION1858C/T on PTPN22 gene might not be associated with the susceptibility of SLE in Chinese Han population.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; genetics ; Case-Control Studies ; Child ; Exons ; Female ; Gene Frequency ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; Genotype ; Humans ; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic ; genetics ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase, Non-Receptor Type 22 ; genetics ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate the role of transcription factors T-bet and GATA-3 in the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

METHODSThe expression of T-bet and GATA-3 mRNA in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of 60 patients with SLE and 20 normal control subjects were detected by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).

RESULTSCompared with the normal controls, T-bet mRNA expression decreased whereas GATA-3 mRNA expression increased significantly in patients with SLE, active SLE and inactive SLE.

CONCLUSIONSThe high expression of GATA-3 promotes the immature T cells to differentiate into Th2 cells, induces Th2 cells to secrete the cytokines IL-6 and IL-10, which, along with the low expression of Th1 as a result of T-bet expression inhibition, causes B cell activation to produce a large quantity of autoantibodies, leading finally to multiple organ injuries. Effective regulation of GATA-3 expression may provide a new clue for the treatment of SLE.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Case-Control Studies ; Child ; Female ; GATA3 Transcription Factor ; genetics ; metabolism ; Humans ; Leukocytes, Mononuclear ; metabolism ; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic ; blood ; Male ; Middle Aged ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; metabolism ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; T-Box Domain Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo detect serum prolactin (PRL) level in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and its correlations to SLE activity and interleukin-6 (IL-6) by peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs).

METHODSAn electrochemiluminescence assay was employed to examine the serum content of PRL in 40 SLE patients and 20 healthy subjects, and the levels of IL-6 secretion by the PBMCs were detected using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

RESULTSSLE patients showed a significantly higher serum level of PRL than healthy subjects, which was especially obvious in the active stage of the disease (P=0.000. Serum PRL in SLE patients was found to positively correlate to SLE Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI) (r=0.568, P=0.000). SLE patients with hyperprolactinemia showed a significantly higher level of IL-6 secretion by the PBMCs than those with normal serum PRL level (P=0.000). IL-6 secretion by the PBMCs isolated from SLE patients with normal PRL level and from healthy controls, especially the latter, increased significantly after stimulation of the cells with recombinant human PRL in vitro (P=0.000).

CONCLUSIONSerum PRL may play a role in the pathogenesis of SLE. An elevated PRL level is closely related to SLE activity and can be used to assess SLE activity. Increased serum PRL level can up-regulate the secretion of IL-6 by the PBMCs.

Case-Control Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Interleukin-6 ; blood ; Leukocytes, Mononuclear ; secretion ; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic ; blood ; Male ; Prolactin ; blood

Objective To investigate the influence of acute hypervolemic hemodilution(HHD)on pharmacokinetics of propofol.Methods Sixteen ASA Ⅰ or Ⅱ patients aged 20-55 yrs undergoing elective surgery under general anesthesia combined with epidural analgesia were randomly allocated into 2 groups(n=8 each);Ⅰ control group and Ⅱ HHD group.The patients were premedicated with intramuscular phenobarbital 0.1 g and scopolamine 0.3 mg.Right internal jugular vein was cannulated for CVP monitoring and blood sampling.Radial artery was cannulated for BP monitoring.All patients in both groups received lactated Ringer's solution(0.7 ml?kg~(-1)? number of hours of fasting before operation)before induction of general anesthesia.In HHD group 4% gelofusine 20 ml?kg~(-1) was infused at the rate of 20 ml?kg~(-1)?h~(-1).Anesthesia was induced with midazolam 0.04 mg?kg~(-1),fentanyl 4 ?g?kg~(-1) and propofol 1.5 mg?kg~(-1).Tracheal intubation was facilitated by succinylcholine 2 mg?kg~(-1).Anesthesia was maintained with isoflurane,fentanyl,vecuronium and epidural analgesia.ECG,BP, SpO_2,P_(ET)CO_2 and CVP were continuously monitored.Blood samples were taken at 1,2,4,6,10,15,30,45, 60,75,90,120,150,180,240,300 and 360 min after propofol was given Ⅳ for determination of plasma concentration of propofol(HPLC).Pharmacokinetic data were analyzed by 3P97 pharmacokinetic software.Results The two groups were comparable with respect to demographic data.Blood propofol concentrations were significantly lower in HHD group than in control group at 1,2,4,6,10 min after propofol injection(P＜0.01), thereafter there was no significant difference in plasma propofol concentration between the two groups(P＞0.05). The pharmacokinetic profile of propofol was well described by a standard three-compartment model.In HHD group V_C was significantly increased,K_(10) and Cl were significantly decreased and T_(1/2?) was significantly prolonged as compared with control group.Conclusion Acute HHD increases V_C,prolongs the T_(1/2?) and decreases K_(10) and Cl, suggesting that the effect of propofol may be potentiated by acute HHD.

To investigate the practicability of establishing zebrafish lipid-lowering drug screening model and the effect of berberine (BBR) on hyperlipidemic zebrafish. Three-month-old zebrafishes were fed with 4% cholesterol for 0, 2, 4, 8, 14, 20, 25, 30 days, and the level of total cholesterol in serum was measured. Zebrafish were randomly divided into four groups: the control group, the high cholesterol diet group, the 0.01% simvastatin-treated group, the 0.1% berberine-treated group and the 0.2% berberine-treated group. The levels of total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TC), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c) in serum were measured; the expression of hepatic HMGCR, LDLR and CYP7A1a mRNA expressions were detected by real time PCR. Oil red O staining was performed to observe the changes in fat content in the liver. According to the result, the level of serum TC in the 4% cholesterol diet group significantly was higher than that of the normal control group in a time-dependent manner and reached a stable level at the 20th day. The BBR group showed significant decreases in the levels of TC, TG and LDL-c, HMGCR mRNA expression and fat content and increases in LDLR and CYP7A1a mRNA. The hyperlipidemia zebrafish model was successfully established by feeding with 4% cholesterol for 20 days. The findings lay a foundation for further screenings on lipid-lowering drugs.
Animals ; Berberine ; administration & dosage ; Cholesterol ; metabolism ; Disease Models, Animal ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; Female ; Humans ; Hyperlipidemias ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Hypolipidemic Agents ; administration & dosage ; Liver ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Male ; Triglycerides ; metabolism ; Zebrafish ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo study the impacts of HIV/HCV co-infection to NK cells by investigating the changes of frequencies and functions of NK cells in HIV/HCV co-infected patients.

METHODSFrequencies and counts of NK cells were measured in patients with HIV mono-infection, HCV monoinfection, HIV/HCV co-infection and health control (HC) group by flow cytometer (FCM). After stimulated with PMA and K562 cells, PBMCs were examined the proportion of IFN-gamma+ NK cells by FCM. Proportion of killed K562 cells were detected to analyze the killing functions of NK cells.

RESULTSThe frequencies of NK cells, the percentages of IFN-gamma+ NK cells as well as the functions of NK cells killing the K562 cells in HIV/HCV co-infection, HIV mono-infection and HCV mono-infection groups were all lower than those of HC group significantly, the absolute counts and killing functions of NK cells in co-infection group were significantly lower than those of HIV or HCV mono-infection group.

CONCLUSIONSThe counts and functions of NK cells were affected more in HIV/HCV co-infections than those in HIV or HCV mono-infection.

Case-Control Studies ; Cell Count ; Coinfection ; immunology ; Flow Cytometry ; HIV Infections ; immunology ; Hepatitis C ; immunology ; Humans ; K562 Cells ; Killer Cells, Natural ; cytology ; immunology

Objective To explore the efficacy and safety of autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (APBSCT) in the treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus.Methods Nine patients with systemic lupus erythematosus were enrolled in this study.Patients were given cyclophosphamide and granu- locyte colony-stimulating factor(G-CSF)as the mobilization regimen.Urine was alkalinized and hydrolyzed to protect the function of the heart,liver and kidney of the patients.A CS3000 Plus blood cell separator was used to collect peripheral blood stem cells,which were preserved in liquid nitrogen.Two to five days before the administration of the stem cells,the patients were pretreated with intravenous injection of cyclophos- phamide (50 mg?kg~(-1)?day~1) for 4 consecutive days and antithymocyte globulin (ATG,2.5 mg?kg~(-1)?day~1) for 3 consecutive days.Granulocytes were recoverd by G-CSF stimulation.Then,the peripheral blood stem cells were reinfused.Therapeutic effect was evaluated by assessment of alteration of clinical manifestation (skin erythema),levels of proteinuria and antoantibodies,hematopoietic reconstitution and occurrence of transplantation related complications.Results After transplantation,all patients had been successfully en- grafted.The time for peripheral leucocyte count to reach 1.0?10~9/L was 7～15d;the time for platelets to reach 20?10~9/L was 0～21 d.The skin erythema resolved in all patients;proteinuria decreased to normal level and the autoantibodies became negative in most of the patients.Serum sickness-like response occurred in all patients,renal and heart failure in 1 patient,hemorrhagic cystitis in 3 patients,psychiatric disorders in 1 patient,candidal infection in 1 patient.Conclusion One-year follow up suggests that autologous stem cell transplantation is markedly effective and relatively safe for systemic lupus erythematosus.However,the duration of remission remains to be investigated in a long-term follow up study.

OBJECTIVETo study the prevalence of occupational musculoskeletal disorders (OMSDs) in a shipyard and explore the relationship between type of work, age, length of service and OMSDs by cross sectional epidemiological survey.

METHODS1570 workers from a shipyard were selected as survey objects, and a revised Northern Europe Standardized Questionnaire was used to investigate OMSDs. 253 technicians and clerks in the shipyard were selected as controls.

RESULTSOMSDs in these workers primarily located in waist, neck and shoulder, prevalence were 58.0%, 54.6% and 44.3% respectively; There were significant differences among workers of different types of work (P < 0.05) in prevalence and the cumulative parts number of OMSDs. The control group in this study also showed a higher prevalence of neck, shoulder and waist OMSDs. Female workers had higher prevalence of OMSDs in neck and shoulder compared with male workers (P < 0.05). As well there was significant correlation between age and OMSDs prevalence except the wrist and ankle disorders (P < 0.05), OMSDs prevalence increased with years. In addition, there was correlation between length of service and OMSDs prevalence, the group of ≤ 5 years had the lowest prevalence and the prevalence of low-back, neck and shoulder increased with service years.

CONCLUSIONThe OMSDs in workers engaged in shipyard are serious, the length of service, age, gender and type of work seem to be the risk factors, and it seems reasonable that the ergonomics intervention in the above aspects should be necessary for the prevention of OMSDs.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Industry ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Musculoskeletal Diseases ; epidemiology ; Occupational Diseases ; epidemiology ; Prevalence ; Ships ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Young Adult

Objective To evaluate the value of miniprobe endoscopic ultrasound(EUS)in guiding endoscopic treatment of small-diameter(maximum diameter less than 1 cm)and low-grade(G1 grade)rectum neuroendocrine neoplasm(R-NEN),and to provide evidence and clues for its clinical application and further research.Methods The clinical data of 85 cases of low-grade(G1 grade)R-NEN with a maximum diameter of less than 1 cm who underwent endoscopic treatment in our center from January 2014 to December 2020 were retrospectively analyzed.The patients were divided into the EUS group(37 cases)and control group(48 cases)according to whether EUS was performed before endoscopic treatment.The positive rate of incision margin,the incidence of complications,the recurrence rate,the hospital stay,the cost of hospitalization and endoscopic therapy were compared between the two groups.Results The positive rate of incision margin in the EUS group was significantly lower than that in control group(P<0.05).There was no significant difference in the incidence of complications,tumor recurrence rate,hospital stay or hospital costs between the two groups(P>0.05).There was statistically significant difference in the endoscopic therapy between the two groups(P<0.05).Conclusion Evaluating the lesion depth of small-diameter and low-grade(G1 grade)R-NEN before surgery by miniprobe EUS and selecting endoscopic surgery according to its results of can significantly reduce the residual risk of resection margin tumors.