Objective To observe the clinic features and serology of systemic lupus erythematosus(SLE) in elderly patients. Methods The clinic features and serology of 27 patients with late-onset SLE in our hospital from 1994 to 2003 were analyzed and compared with non-lateonset SLE. Results The average duration from disease onset to diagnosis in late-onset SLE was 56.1 months, which was significently longer than in non-lateonset SLE (mean 10.5 months, P

Objective To investigate the correlation of disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs (ADAMTS)-5 gene single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) and osteoarthritis (OA) in Beijing.Methods In this case-control study 166 OA patients and 204 normal controls were collected from Beijing.Sorted gene type by SNaPshot technique,and analyzed the difference of allele and genotype frequencies between OA and the controls.The correlation of linkage disequilibrium and haplotype of SNPs with OA was analyzed through Haploview softeware.Results Rs2132824 was the positive site with Bonferroni method after multiple testing correction (x2=0.1 1,P＜0.05),of which allele frequencies had no significant difference between OA and the control (P＞0.05).But in codominant genetic model,rs2132824 CT genotype with OA was inversely proportional to the risk of OA [OR (95％CI) was 0.52 (0.32,0.86),P＜0.05],and TT genotype was directly proportional to the risk of OA [OR(95％CI) was 3.16 (1.55,6.47),P＜0.05],while in recessive genetic model,TT genotype was in direct proportion to the risk of OA [OR (95％CI) was 3.99 (1.99,8.01),P＜0.05].Linkage disequilibrium in SNPs of rs151065,rs229077,rs56153501,rs2830580 and rs58215296 did exist,which made haplotype of rs 151065-rs229077-rs56153501-rs2830580-rs58215296 (G-T-A-C-A) directly proportional to the risk of OA [OR(95％CI) was 1.874(1.019,3.446),P＜0.05].Conclusion ADAMTS-5 gene SNP is associated with OA susceptibility risk in Beijing.Genotype CT of rs2132824 is a low risk factor for OA while TT is a hygh risk factor.Haplotype of G-T-A-C-A is connected with high risk of OA.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of exendin-4 on the expression of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) and fibronectin (FN) in rat glomerular mesangial cells in vitro.

METHODSRat glomerular mesangial cells were divided into 5 groups, namely control group, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) group (10 ng/ml), TNF-α (10 ng/ml)+E1 (1 nmol/L exendin-4) group, TNF-α (10 ng/ml)+E5 (5 nmol/L exendin-4) group, and TNF-α (10 ng/ml)+E10 (10 nmol/L exendin-4) group. After cultured 24 h or 48 h, RNA were extracted to determine the expression of MCP-1 with real-time PCR, the supernatant were collected to determine the expression of MCP-1 and FN with ELISA.

RESULTSCompared with control group, the cells treated with TNF-α for 24 h showed significantly increase the expression of MCP-1 and FN (P<0.01), exendin-4 significantly reduced the expression of MCP-1 and FN in TNF-α+E5 group and TNF-α+E10 group (P<0.05). After 48h incubation, the expression of MCP-1 and FN increased significantly in TNF-α group (P<0.01), which was lowered by exendin-4 in TNF-α+E1,TNF-α+E5 and TNF-α+E10 groups (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONExendin-4 has an intrinsic capability to concentration- and time-dependently inhibit TNF-α-induced expression of MCP-1 and FN in rat mesangial cells, suggesting the beneficial effect of exendin-4 in preventing and treating diabetic nephropathy.

Animals ; Cells, Cultured ; Chemokine CCL2 ; metabolism ; Diabetic Nephropathies ; metabolism ; Glomerular Mesangium ; cytology ; Mesangial Cells ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Peptides ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; pharmacology ; Venoms ; pharmacology

The bursa of Fabricius (BF), which is unique to birds, serves as the central humoral immune organ and plays a significant role in B lymphocyte differentiation. In this study, a new bursal peptide (BP-IV) was isolated from BF, which promoted colony-forming unit pre-B formation and regulated B cell differentiation. BP-IV also exerted immunomodulatory effects on antigen-specific immune responses via both humoral and cellular immunity in chicken and mice that had been immunized with inactivated avian influenza virus (AIV; H9N2 subtype), including enhancing AIV-specific antibody and cytokine production. The results of this study provided novel insights into the use of a potential candidate reagent for B cell development and future immuno-pharmacological use.
Animals ; Birds ; Bursa of Fabricius* ; Cell Differentiation ; Chickens* ; Immunity, Cellular ; Influenza in Birds ; Lymphocytes ; Mice ; Stem Cells

OBJECTIVETo explore effects of beraprost sodium (BPS) on the metabolism of extracellular matrix (ECM) in rat mesangial cells cultured in the presence of high glucose and the possible mechanism.

METHODSRat mesangial cells were cultured in the presence of high glucose with or without BPS for 24 or 48 h. The levels of transforming growth factor β1 (TGFβ1), fibronectin (FN) and matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) protein in the culture supernatants were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and photoshop-Smad3 was detected by Western blotting.

RESULTSCompared with the cells in normal glucose, the cells cultured in the presence of high glucose for 24 and 48 h showed significantly increased TGFβ 1 and FN protein expression and lowered MMP-2 protein expression (P<0.01). Compared with the cells cultured in high glucose, BPS exposure at the concentration of 1, 2, and 5 µmol/L for 24 and 48 h significantly lowered TGFβ 1 protein expression (P<0.01), and at 2 and 5 µmol/L, BPS significantly decreased FN protein expression and increased MMP-2 protein expression in high glucose-induced cells (P<0.05). High glucose exposure also significantly increased the expression phosphorylated Smad3 (P<0.01), which was lowered by BPS treatment at 2 and 5 µmol/L (P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONBPS can regulate ECM metabolism in rat mesangial cells cultured in high glucose by inhibiting TGFβ 1/Smad3 pathway, suggesting the beneficial effects of BPS in preventing and treating diabetic nephropathy.

Animals ; Cell Line ; Cells, Cultured ; Diabetic Nephropathies ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Epoprostenol ; analogs & derivatives ; pharmacology ; Extracellular Matrix ; metabolism ; Fibronectins ; metabolism ; Glomerular Mesangium ; cytology ; Glucose ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 ; metabolism ; Mesangial Cells ; drug effects ; Rats ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; metabolism

Objective To explore effects of beraprost sodium (BPS) on the metabolism of extracellular matrix (ECM) in rat mesangial cells cultured in the presence of high glucose and the possible mechanism. Methods Rat mesangial cells were cultured in the presence of high glucose with or without BPS for 24 or 48 h. The levels of transforming growth factorβ1 (TGFβ1), fibronectin (FN) and matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) protein in the culture supernatants were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and photoshop-Smad3 was detected by Western blotting. Results Compared with the cells in normal glucose, the cells cultured in the presence of high glucose for 24 and 48 h showed significantly increased TGFβ1 and FN protein expression and lowered MMP-2 protein expression (P<0.01). Compared with the cells cultured in high glucose, BPS exposure at the concentration of 1, 2, and 5 μmol/L for 24 and 48 h significantly lowered TGFβ1 protein expression (P<0.01), and at 2 and 5 μmol/L, BPS significantly decreased FN protein expression and increased MMP-2 protein expression in high glucose-induced cells (P<0.05). High glucose exposure also significantly increased the expression phosphorylated Smad3 (P<0.01), which was lowered by BPS treatment at 2 and 5μmol/L (P<0.01). Conclusion BPS can regulate ECM metabolism in rat mesangial cells cultured in high glucose by inhibiting TGFβ1/Smad3 pathway, suggesting the beneficial effects of BPS in preventing and treating diabetic nephropathy.

Objective To explore effects of beraprost sodium (BPS) on the metabolism of extracellular matrix (ECM) in rat mesangial cells cultured in the presence of high glucose and the possible mechanism. Methods Rat mesangial cells were cultured in the presence of high glucose with or without BPS for 24 or 48 h. The levels of transforming growth factorβ1 (TGFβ1), fibronectin (FN) and matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) protein in the culture supernatants were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and photoshop-Smad3 was detected by Western blotting. Results Compared with the cells in normal glucose, the cells cultured in the presence of high glucose for 24 and 48 h showed significantly increased TGFβ1 and FN protein expression and lowered MMP-2 protein expression (P<0.01). Compared with the cells cultured in high glucose, BPS exposure at the concentration of 1, 2, and 5 μmol/L for 24 and 48 h significantly lowered TGFβ1 protein expression (P<0.01), and at 2 and 5 μmol/L, BPS significantly decreased FN protein expression and increased MMP-2 protein expression in high glucose-induced cells (P<0.05). High glucose exposure also significantly increased the expression phosphorylated Smad3 (P<0.01), which was lowered by BPS treatment at 2 and 5μmol/L (P<0.01). Conclusion BPS can regulate ECM metabolism in rat mesangial cells cultured in high glucose by inhibiting TGFβ1/Smad3 pathway, suggesting the beneficial effects of BPS in preventing and treating diabetic nephropathy.

Objective:To explore the effect of auricular point pressing pill combined with rhubarb acupoint application on intestinal preparation and prevention of adverse events in colonoscopy.Methods:A total of 220 patients who met the inclusion criteria from May 2019 to February 2020 were randomly divided into 4 groups, 55 in each group. The control group was only given compound polyethylene glycol electrolyte powder. The auricular plaster group was combined with auricular point pressing pill on the basis of the control group. The acupoint sticking group was combined with rhubarb acupoint application on the basis of the control group. The combination group was combined with auricular point pressing pill and rhubarb acupoint application on the basis of the control group. The quality of bowel preparation was evaluated by Boston Bowel Preparation Scale(BBPS), and the adverse events such as perianal discomfort, defecation discomfort, abdominal pain and abdominal distension were observed.Results:After treatment, there was significant difference in BBPS score among the four groups ( F=3.038, P=0.030). The BBPS score in the acupoint sticking group (7.45 ± 1.20 vs. 6.78 ± 1.32) and combination group (7.26 ± 1.11 vs. 6.78 ± 1.32) were significantly higher than those in the control group( P<0.05). After treatment, there were significant differences in abdominal pain and abdominal distension scores among the four groups ( F=2.947, 5.879, P=0.034, 0.001). The scores of perianal discomfort (0.07 ± 0.38 vs. 0.44 ± 1.07), defecation discomfort (0.40 ± 0.81 vs. 0.87 ± 1.32) and abdominal pain (0.93 ± 1.32 vs. 1.69 ± 1.61) in the combination group were significantly lower than those in the control group ( P<0.05), and the abdominal distension score (1.05 ± 1.00 vs. 1.64 ± 0.95) in the acupoint sticking was significantly lower than that of the control group ( P<0.05). Conclusion:Auricular combined with rhubarb powder acupoint application can improve the quality of bowel preparation and reduce intestinal adverse reactions. It can be used with polyethylene glycol electrolyte powder for the intestinal preparation process.

Objective:To study the clinical characteristics and compliance of early-onset gout patients by case-control analysis.Methods:A total of 111 early-onset patients (onset age ≤35 years old) were included as Group A, and 111 non-early-onset patients (onset age >35 years old) with matched disease durationwere included as Group B. The differences ofclinical characteristics, causes of acute gout attack, dairy diet habits, compliance, and misunderstanding of the disease were compared.Results:Compared with the non-early-onsetgoutpatients, the early-onset patients had a higher proportion of obesity (63 cases vs 28 cases), family history (36 cases vs 20 cases) and tophus (39 cases vs 23 cases) and higher level of VAS scores (8.5±1.3 vs 7.6±1.7; χ2=22.988, P<0.01; χ2=5.749, P=0.016; χ2=5.729, P=0.017; t=4.639, P<0.01), lowerproportionof the first metatarsophalangeal joint involvement as the initial joint involvement (45.9%, 51 cases vs 59.4%, 66 cases; χ2=4.066, P=0.044), higher proportion of the ankle involvement as the initial joint involvement (34.2%, 38 cases vs 21.6%, 24 cases; χ2=4.386, P=0.036), higher proportion of alcohol drinkers and high fructose drinkers, which was more likely to relate to alcohol intake, strenuous exercise and high fructose intakeas trigger of the flare ( χ2=6.513, P=0.011; χ2=7.126, P=0.008; χ2=1.978, P=0.160), while the proportion of regular exercisers and on diet in the family was lower ( χ2=22.887, P<0.01; t=-4.917, P<0.01). The proportion of poor diet and medication compliance in Group A was higher than that in Group B(57.7%, 64 cases vs 38.7%, 43 cases; χ2=5.207, P=0.022; χ2=5.867, P=0.015). As for the reason for poor treatment compliance, early-onset gout patients were more worry about the side-effects of drugs than non-early onset patients ( χ2=4.190, P=0.041). There was no significant difference between the two groups in the main misunderstanding of gout. Conclusion:Although early onset gout patients are young, their condition is more serious, and compliance is poorer, this group of patients should be highly valued in clinical diagnosis and treatment.

Objective:To investigate the risk factors for preoperative hypoxemia in geriatric patients with hip fracture.Methods:A case-control study was used to analyze the clinical data of 99 geriatric patients with hip fracture admitted to Zhongda Hospital affiliated to Southeast University between November 2020 and August 2021. There were 29 males and 70 females, aged 67-96 years [(82.6±6.2)years]. The patients were divided into hypoxemia group ( n=51) and non-hypoxemia group ( n=48) using partial arterial partial pressure of oxygen (PaO 2)<80 mmHg while breathing room air at emergency as the reference standard. The two groups were compared in terms of sex, age, fracture types, body mass index (BMI), American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) classification, pulmonary diseases diagnosed by preoperative chest CT [atelectasis, pleural effusion, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)], time from injury to visit, New York Heart Association (NYHA) classification, Barthel index, KATZ index, modified Medicine Research Council (mMRC) dyspnea scale, numeric rating scale (NRS), smoking, drinking, comorbidities (hypertension, diabetes mellitus, Parkinson′s disease, Alzheimer′s disease, cerebral infarction, coronary atherosclerotic heart disease), body temperature, blood routine test at first examination (erythrocyte count, leukocyte count, C-reactive protein, hemoglobin), biochemistry (serum albumin, blood glucose, blood creatinine, blood urea nitrogen), electrolyte (serum potassium, serum sodium), and other related examinations [D-dimer, brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), lactic acid]. Univariate analysis was performed to the correlation of those indicators with preoperative hypoxemia. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis was used to identify the independent risk factors for preoperative hypoxemia in geriatric patients with hip fracture. Results:Differences in sex, age, fracture types, BMI, pulmonary diseases diagnosed by preoperative chest CT, time from injury to visit, Barthel index, KATZ index, NRS, smoking, drinking, comorbidities, body temperature, first laboratory results of erythrocyte count, biochemistry, electrolyte and other related examinations were not statistically significant between the two groups (all P>0.05). The two groups showed statistical differences in ASA classification, NYHA classification, mMRC dyspnea scale, leukocyte count at first examination, C-reaction protein and hemoglobin (all P<0.05). Univariate analysis indicated that ASA classification, NYHA classification, mMRC dyspnea scale, leukocyte count at first examination and C-reaction protein were correlated with the occurrence of preoperative hypoxemia in geriatric patients with hip fracture (all P<0.05). Multivariate Logistic regressions analysis indicated that higher mMRC dyspnea scale ( OR=2.30, 95% CI 1.10-4.81, P<0.05), higher leukocyte count at first examination ( OR=1.24, 95% CI 1.05-1.45, P<0.05), higher level of C-reaction protein ( OR=1.02, 95% CI 1.01-1.03, P<0.05) and higher level of hemoglobin ( OR=1.04, 95% CI 1.01-1.07, P<0.05) were significantly correlated with the occurrence of preoperative hypoxemia in geriatric patients with hip fracture. Conclusion:Higher mMRC dyspnea scale, higher leukocyte count, higher level of C-reaction protein and higher level of hemoglobin are independent risk factors for preoperative hypoxemia in geriatric patients with hip fracture.