Objective To analyze the level of Th17 and Treg cells in the peripheral blood of patients with rheumatoid arthritis(RA),and to investigate its role in the pathogenesis of RA and the clinical significance.Methods Flow cytometry(FCM)was used to analyze the ratio of interleukin(IL)-17+CD4+T (Thl7)cells and Foxp3+CD25+CD4+T(Treg)cells in CD4+T cells from the peripheral blood of 57 RA patients and 32 normal controls.T-test and Chi-square test were used for inter-group comparison and Pearson's linear analysis was used for correlation analysis.Resuits Compared with normal controls.the level of both IL-17+CD4+T cells and the ratio of Th17/Treg in RA patients increased significantly.while the level of Foxp3+CD4+CD25+T cells decreased markedly[(4.2±2.2)%vs(2.3±1.4)%,P=0.000;1.15±0.62 I)5 0.34±0.17,P=0.000;(3.9±1.6)%vs(7.0±2.2)%,P=0.000].Compared with early RA(persistent for 2 years or less)patients,the levels of Th17,Treg and the ratio of Th17/Treg in chronic RA(duration for more than 2 years)patients didn't markedly changed(P>0.05).The level of Th17 cells and the ratio of Th17/Treg was directlycorrelated with disease activity parameter (including tender ioint counts,visual analog seale of patients,disease activitv score in 28 joints,etc).Regression analysis discovered that risk factors of bone erosion were the level of Th17 cells,the ratio of Th17/Treg,disease activity score in 28 joints and disease duration.Antirheumatic drugs could decreascthe ratio of Th 17/Treg.Conclusions Treg cells is decreased in RA patients while Th7 cells is increased in patients with RA.Th17/Treg ratio goes up significantly as well.Change of T celt subsets,especially Th17 and Treg cells are important for the pathogenesis of RA.Th17 and Treg cells could aggrevate disease activity and bone destruction throughout the whole disease process.Anti-rheumatic medications is effective by regulating Th17/Treg subset balance.

Objective To determine the situation of contraceptive use and impact factors among reproductive-age women seeking abortion in Kunming which was in the southwest of China in order to provide information for improving contraceptive use. Methods A hospital-based study was conducted among 397 women of reproductive age, seeking abortion in hospitals of different levels in Kunming from June 2011 to December 2011. They were face to face interviewed by the trained investigators with the questionnaires. Results Among 397 women, 229 cases (57.7%) had experienced induced abortion. Abortion accounted for 61.7% of married women, and unmarried accounted for 39.3%. About 36.3%never used any contraceptives, and only 21.4%of respondents used contraceptives at every intercourse. The main contraceptive before this pregnancy was condom (68.9%) . The use of contraceptives was mainly decided by couple (73.4%) . Multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that respondents' age, educational level and access to contraceptives in hospital were associated with the use of contraceptive. Conclusion Premarital pregnancy and low rate of contraception are the main reason for induced abortion. Fewer reproductive-age women seeking abortion use contraceptives. It is necessary to increase their awareness of contraception and abortion related knowledge, provide feasible contraceptive to enable women to avoid unwilling pregnancy. Further more, it is important to promote male involvement in contraception.

Objective To identify long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) associated with rheumatoid arthritis-associated interstitial lung disease (RA-ILD) and investigate their mechanisms. Methods Peripheral blood samples were collected from RA-ILD patients (n＝3), RA patients without lung involvement (n＝3), and healthy controls (n＝3). Next-generation sequencing was performed to screen differentially expressed lncRNA. A human fibrotic lung cell model was established by inducing the MRC-5 cell line with transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β). Following siRNA-mediated knockdown of target genes, changes in inflammatory and oxidative stress-related genes were analyzed via real-time quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Western blotting and dual-luciferase reporter (DLR) assays were used to validate protein expression, ubiquitination levels, and nuclear translocation of oxidative stress regulators, and antioxidant response element (ARE) transcriptional activity. Rescue experiments were conducted to confirm the role of target lncRNA in oxidative stress and inflammation in fibrotic lung cells. Results High-throughput sequencing revealed significant downregulation of LINC00638 in RA-ILD patients. Knockdown of LINC00638 markedly reduced transcriptional levels of interleukin (IL)-4, nuclear factor erythroid-2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), and superoxide dismutase 2 (SOD2), while increasing IL-6, IL-1β, interferon-γ (IFN-γ), and reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels. Furthermore, LINC00638 knockdown decreased Nrf2 protein expression, increased its ubiquitination, reduced nuclear translocation, and suppressed ARE transcriptional activity. In MRC-5 cells, LINC00638 knockdown combined with N-acetylcysteine treatment restored Nrf2 and HO-1 levels while reducing IL-6 expression. Conclusions LINC00638 suppresses inflammatory responses in RA-ILD by activating the Nrf2/ARE antioxidant signaling pathway, suggesting its potential as a therapeutic target for diagnosis and treatment.