Objective To evaluate the effect of YunKe on bone metabolism of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Methods A total of 108 RA patients were divided into YunKe group (n = 72), non-YunKe group (n = 36), and 54 controls. The bone mineral densities (BMDs) of the wrists, hips and lumbar spines were measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Moreover , the expression of cross-linked N-telopeptides of type I collagen (NTX) in the serum was detected for statistically analyzing the difference between YunKe group and non-YunKe group. Results In RA group, the BMDs of wrist, hip and lumbar spine declined compared with that of control group (P < 0.001, respectively). In YunKe group, the BMDs of wrist, hip and lumbar spine after 6 months all were improved with statistically significance (P < 0.01, respectively); The differences also were statistically significant when compared with those in non-YunKe group (P < 0.01, respectively). In YunKe group, NTX level in the serum declined after 3 months of the treatment. The difference was statistically significant when compared with that in non-YunKe group (P < 0.001), but the difference disappeared 6 months later. Conclusions The BMD of wrist joints is low and declines in RA patients significantly. The treatment withYunKe improves the BMDs of the wrist , hip and lumbar spine and decreases the serum NTX. This study proposed that YunKe could inhibit the chronic loss of bone mass induced by RA.

Objective To investigate mutations of S protein gene in positive HBsAg and anti-HBs patients with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection.Methods Fifteen HBsAg(+) and anti-HBs(+) patients and 22 HBsAg(+) and anti-HBs (-) patients (control group) admitted in Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University during January and December 2011 were enrolled in the study.The S protein gene was amplified and sequenced, and the amino acid sequences were translated from the obtained DNA sequences and compared with the reference sequences.Results Compared with the control group, HBsAg (+) and anti-HBs(+) patients showed a higher variability in amino acid within major hydrophilic region (2.95 vs.0.78,x2 =18.059, P＜0.01) and the a determinant (4.44 vs.1.52, x2 =6.985, P＜0.01).The mutations in a determinant at positions P127T, G130E, G130N, M133S, F134I, T140I and G145R were detected only in HBsAg(+) and anti-HBs (+) patients.Conclusion Co-existence of HBsAg and anti-HBs in patients with chronic HBV infection might be associated with the increased amino acid mutations in and around the a determinant of protein S.

It is well known that the arterial baroreflex(ABR)plays a key role in the regulation of heart rate and stabilization of blood pressure.Currently,it appears that ABR dysfunction is involved in the pathophysiology of cardiovascular disease states.Since the mid-1990s,a number of studies have been carried out in our laboratory to explore the pathological significance of ABR function in cardiovascular damage.This minireview summarizes our research work on the topic of ABR and left ventricular hypertrophy(LVH).On the basis of discussion concerning the importance of ABR dysfunction in hypertensive LVH and sinoaortic denervation-induced LVH,we advance a new strategy for reversal of LVH,that is,restoration of impaired ABR function.We tested this hypothesis in animal models with ABR deficiency.It was found that improvement of impaird ABR function with long-term treatment of ketanserin or candesartan was accompanied by reversal of LVH.The preliminary results indicate that it is feasible to target ABR for treatment of LVH.

It is well known that the arterial baroreflex(ABR)plays a key role in the regulation of heart rate and stabilization of blood pressure.Currently,it appears that ABR dysfunction is involved in the pathophysiology of cardiovascular disease states.Since the mid-1990s,a number of studies have been carried out in our laboratory to explore the pathological significance of ABR function in cardiovascular damage.This minireview summarizes our research work on the topic of ABR and left ventricular hypertrophy(LVH).On the basis of discussion concerning the importance of ABR dysfunction in hypertensive LVH and sinoaortic denervation-induced LVH,we advance a new strategy for reversal of LVH,that is,restoration of impaired ABR function.We tested this hypothesis in animal models with ABR deficiency.It was found that improvement of impaird ABR function with long-term treatment of ketanserin or candesartan was accompanied by reversal of LVH.The preliminary results indicate that it is feasible to target ABR for treatment of LVH.

Objective To understand the schistosomiasis epidemic situation among migrant population,so as to assess the potential risk of schistosomiasis transmission in Haining City. Methods Five districts in Haining City were randomly selected to investigate the schistosomiasis endemic situation in migrant population from the schistosomiasis endemic provinces. Results Totally 1207 persons were investigated and four positives were found in serological tests,with the positive rate of 0.33%,but no patients were found in pathologic tests. The positive cases in serological tests were mainly between 31-40 years old,with the pos-itive rate of 1.68%,which was higher than that of other age groups( χ2 = 6.590,P < 0.05). Conclusion The schistosomiasis surveillance work in migrant population still should be strengthened in Haining City.

OBJECTIVE:To provide reference for the establishment of clinical skills evaluation system in students majored in clinical pharmacy and pharmacy of China. METHODS:Retrieved from pharmacy OSCE literatures and the related websites,phar-macy OSCE contents and evaluation in the United States,the United Kingdom,Canada,Japan,Malaysia and other countries were introduced to provide suggestions for clinical skills evaluation system in students majored in clinical pharmacy and pharmacy of Chi-na. RESULTS & CONCLUSIONS:OSCE had widely applied in medicine,nursing and other professional clinical skills,the United States,the United Kingdom and other countries had applied OSCE into pharmacy,and confirmed its important role in assessment of clinical competence in pharmacy students. There was no uniform standard in OSCE,and OSCE examinations were slightly different in different countries and different schools. Pharmacy OSCE usually based on school courses such as pharmacotherapy,clinical pharmacokinetics,medicine information,pharmaceutical care,doctor-patient communication,identification and solving ability of clinical drug-related issues. Numerous college of pharmacy in domestic colleges and universities has added the practice-based cours-es,but evaluation system and assessment methods are poor. Almost no OSCE is applied for the assessment of pharmacy students. OSCE has short application time in pharmacy education and relatively less study,therefore,pharmacy OSCE in foreign countries should be learnt to assess clinical skills of pharmacy students,establish and improve the pharmacy OSCE that is suitable for China by combining with the pharmacy education status.

OBJECTIVE:To observe the curative effect and safety of compound glycyrrhizin injection in the treatment of neonatal hepatitis syndrome(NHS).METHODS:68 neonates with NHS were randomly divided into treatment and control gro_up(n=34),undertaking intravenous administration of glycyrrhizin injection and shengmai injection respectively,both at a dose of 3ml/(kg?d) for 2 weeks consecutively.RESULTS:The liver function in the treatment group after treatment was significantly better than that in the control group(P

Purpose To investigate the feasibility to diagnose and evaluate the vulnerability of the atherosclerotic plaque through contrast-enhanced ultrasonography. Materials and Methods Thirty-four patients with carotid atherosclerosis were enrolled in the study to take contrast-enhanced ultrasonography and were observed on whether the plaque was enhanced and the features of its enhancement. The peak intensity (PI), time to peak (TTP), and density echo (DE) were calculated according to the time-intensity curve with QLAB software. Results The ratio of enhanced malacoplakia and the mixed plaque showed no difference (χ2=0.847, P>0.05). The percentages of enhanced plaque distributed on the base, tail and the shoulder were 70.0%, 23.3% and 6.7%, respectively with significant difference (χ2=29.100, P<0.001); the distribution ratio of enhanced plaque from high to low were as follows: the plaque on the shoulder > the plaque on the base> the plaque on the tail. It was positively correlated between enhanced plaque and its distribution (r=0.404, P<0.01). The TTP of the ROI between the malacoplakias and the mixed plaques showed no difference (t=0.479, P>0.05). The PI and DE of the ROI in the malacoplakia and the mixed plaques were analyzed by the time-intensity curve and the differences proved to be statistically significant (t=7.497 and 12.224, P<0.05). Conclusion Contrast-enhanced ultrasonography could present the neovessels in the atherosclerotic plaque, which is helpful in evaluating the vulnerability of atherosclerotic plaque.

Objective Thymoma is associated with autoimmune diseases. We retrospectively analyzed the clinical characteristics of thymoma complicated systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Methods Patients were from Qilu Hospital Shandong University between June 2004 and June 2014, and satisfied classification criteria of American College of Rheumatology (ACR) classification criteria 1997 for SLE. Thymoma was diagnosed by chest CT scan. Results Nine cases were of thymoma complicated with SLE, with the male:female ratio of 1∶8. The age of SLE onset was (48±19) years, age of thymoma discovery was (47±19) years. The follow-up period was 3 to 10 years. Three cases (33%) were benign thymoma and underwent thymectomy and verified by histopa-thology test. One case presented thymoma 9 years after SLE, 5 cases (56%) presented SLE and thymoma simultaneously, 3 cases (33%) presented SLE after thymectomy. Clinical manifestations of SLE included 4(44%) skin lesions, 8(89%) polyarthritis, 5(56%) nephritis, 3(33%) leukocytopenia, 3(33%) throm-bocytopenia, 2 (22%) of interstitial pneumonia, 4 (44%) pleural effusion, no neuropsychiatric systemic lupus erythematosus. Nine cases (100%) were ANA positive, 7 (78%) were anti-dsDNA positive. Conclusion SLE complicated thymoma usually occurs in relatively older age, tend to present with multi-systemic presentations, and high percentage of anti-dsDNA positivity.

Objective:To understand the current work situation of clinical pharmacy in medical institutions in Wuhan city .Meth-ods:A questionnaire survey was employed to investigate the stuffing situation of clinical pharmacists , quality of clinical pharmacists and clinical pharmacy development in medical institutions above class II in Wuhan city .The results were analyzed statistically .Re-sults:There was notable difference in the situation of clinical pharmacist among medical institutions above class Ⅱin Wuhan city , and so was in the development of clinical pharmacy .Conclusion:Clinical pharmacy work in medical institutions still demands much atten-tion and support from the relevant departments , and clinical pharmacists own need make great efforts constantly .