Objective To investigate the effect of constant speed pump infusion of esmketamine on emergence agitation(EA)after target-controlled infusion of etomidate.Methods A total of 120 patients scheduled for middle ear tympanoplasty under target-controlled infusion of etomidate,61 males and 59 fe-males,aged 18-64 years,BMI 18-30 kg/m2,ASA physical status Ⅰ or Ⅱ,were randomly divided into two groups:the esmketamine group(group E)and the control group(group C),60 patients in each group.From the beginning of anesthesia induction to 30 minutes before the end of operation,esmketamine 0.2 ml·kg-1·h-1 in group E and saline injection 0.2 ml·kg-1·h-1 in group C were injected,respectively.The operation time,anesthesia time,awakening time,extubation time,and the duration in PACU were re-corded.The incidence of EA,the VAS pain scores when leaving PACU and 1 day after operation,the inci-dence and VAS score of nausea and vomiting 1 day after operation were evaluated.The anxiety and depres-sion scores of the two groups were evaluated before operation,1 day and 2 days after operation.Results The incidence of EA,VAS pain score when leaving PACU and 1 day after operation in group E were signifi-cantly lower than those in group C(P＜0.05).There was no significant difference in operation time,anes-thesia time,awakening time,extubation time,the duration in PACU,incidence and VAS score of nausea and vomiting 1 day after operation,and the indexes of anxiety and depression at different time points be-tween the two groups.Conclusion Esmketamine pump infusion combined with etomidate target-controlled infusion can reduce emergence agitation and promote postoperative recovery.

Objective:To investigate the evaluation efficacy and predictive prognostic value of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) response in tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) in combination with PD-1 inhibitors (α-PD-1) for intermediate-to-advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).Methods:The retrospective cohort study was conducted. The clinicopathological data of 205 patients with intermediate-to-advanced HCC who were admitted to 9 medical centers, including Mengchao Hepatobiliary Hospital of Fujian Medical University et al, from March 2020 to July 2022 were collected. There were 178 males and 27 females, aged (52±12)years. Based on AFP response at 6-8 weeks after treatment, patients were divided into the AFP response group (AFP level decreased by ≥50% compared to baseline) and the AFP no response group (AFP level decreased by <50% compared to baseline). Observation indicators: (1) AFP response evaluation of anti-tumor efficacy; (2) comparison of patient prognosis; (3) analysis of factors affecting patient prognosis. Measurement data with normal distrubution were represented as Mean± SD, and measurement data with skewed distribution were represented as M(range) and M( Q1, Q3). Count data were described as absolute numbers, and comparison between groups was conducted using the chi-square test. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to draw survival curve and calculate survival rate, and the Log-Rank test was used for survival analysis. The COX proportional risk model was used for univariate analysis and the COX stepwise regression model was used for multivariate analysis. Results:(1) AFP response evaluation of anti-tumor efficacy. Before treatment, all 205 patients were positive of AFP, with a baseline AFP level of 1 560(219,3 400)μg/L. All 205 patients were treated with TKIs in combination with α-PD-1, and the AFP level was 776(66,2 000)μg/L after 6 to 8 weeks of treatment. Of the 205 patients, 88 cases were classified as AFP response and 117 cases were classified as AFP no response. According to the response evaluation criteria in solid tumors version 1.1, the objective response rate (ORR) and disease control rate (DCR) were 42.05%(37/88) and 94.32%(83/88) in patients of the AFP response group and 16.24% (19/117) and 64.10% (75/117) in patients of the AFP no response group, showing significant differences between them ( χ2=16.846, 25.950, P<0.05). According to the modified response evaluation criteria in solid tumors, the ORR and DCR were 69.32% (61/88) and 94.32% (83/88) in patients of the AFP response group and 33.33% (39/117) and 64.10% (75/117) in patients of the AFP no response group, showing significant differences between them ( χ2=26.030, 25.950, P<0.05). (2) Comparison of patient prognosis. All 205 patients were followed up for 12.4(range, 2.4-34.0)months after treatment. The median progression free survival time and total survival time were 5.5 months and 17.8 months, respectively. The 1-year, 2-year progression free survival rates were 20.8% and 7.2%, and the 1-year, 2-year overall survival rates were 68.7% and 31.5%, respectively. The median progression free survival time, 1-year and 2-year progression free survival rates were 9.7 months, 39.6% and 14.2% in patients of the AFP response group and 3.7 months, 7.8% and 2.0% in patients of the AFP no response group, showing a significant difference in progression free survival between them ( χ2=43.154, P<0.05). The median overall survival time, 1-year and 2-year overall survival rates were not reached, 85.2% and 56.3% in patients of the AFP response group and 14.6 months, 56.3% and 14.5% in patients of the AFP no response group, showing a significant difference in overall survival between them ( χ2=33.899, P<0.05). (3) Analysis of factors affecting patient prognosis. Results of multivariate analysis showed that invasion of large blood vessels, extrahepatic metastasis, combined hepatic artery intervention therapy, and AFP response were independent factors influencing progression free survival in patients with intermediate-to-advanced HCC who were treated with TKIs in combination with α-PD-1 ( hazard ratio=1.474, 1.584, 0.631, 0.367, 95% confidence interval as 1.069-2.033, 1.159-2.167, 0.446-0.893, 0.261-0.516, P<0.05), and Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group score, invasion of large blood vessels, extrahepatic metastasis, and AFP response were independent factors influencing overall survival in patients with intermediate-to-advanced HCC who were treated with TKIs in combination with α-PD-1 ( hazard ratio= 1.347, 1.914, 1.673, 0.312, 95% confidence interval as 1.041-1.742, 1.293-2.833, 1.141-2.454, 0.197-0.492, P<0.05). Conclusions:AFP response at 6-8 weeks after treatment can effectively evaluate anti-tumor efficacy of TKIs in combination with α-PD-1 for intermediate-to-advanced HCC. AFP response is the independent factor influencing progression free survival and overall survival in patients with intermediate-to-advanced HCC who were treated with TKIs in combination with α-PD-1.

Objective To investigate the distribution of the thalassemia genotypes and the characteristics of blood cell parameters in Changshou District,Chongqing.Methods Totally 4126 samples sent to our hospital were studied from June 2018 to March 2023.All samples were detected for thalassemia genotype and blood cells.The parameters of blood cells:redblood cell(RBC),hemoglobin(Hb),mean corpuscular volume(MCV),mean corpuscular hemoglobin(MCH),mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration(MCHC),red blood cell distribution width CV(RDW-CV),red blood cell distribution width SD(RDW-SD)were detected.Gap polymerase chain reaction(Gap-PCR)combined with reverse dot blot hybridization were used to detect alpha and beta thalassemia genotype.The rate and distribution characteristics of thalassemia gene in Changshou district were analyzed.Results Among 4126 samples,408 cases of α and β thalassemia were detected,accounting for 9.89%.Among these,there were 255 α-thalassemia cases.-α3.7/αα was the most common genotype.Two cases of--αSEA/-α3.7 and one cases of--SEA/HKαα were also detected.There were 153 cases of β-thalassemia and CD17 accounted for the highest proportion.The date of MCV,MCH,MCHC in-α3.7/αα,--SEA/αα,-α4.2/αα and ααCS/αα groups was significantly difference compared with control group(P<0.05).Parameters of MCV and MCH in CD17,CD41-42 and Ivs-2-654 groups were lower than those in control group(P<0.05),while RBC,RDW-CV and RDW-SD were higher than those in control group,the difference was statistically significant.Conclusion The most common genotype in thalassemia were-α3.7/αα,--SEA/αα,-α4.2/αα,CD17,CD41-42 and Ivs-2-654 in Changshou District,Chongqing.The parameters of MCV,MCHC,MCH,Hb,RBC,RDW-CV and RDW-SD have important clinical significance for the screening of thalassemia.

Periodontitis is a common chronic inflammatory disease that causes the periodontal bone destruction and may ultimately result in tooth loss.With the progression of periodontitis,the osteoimmunology microenvironment in periodontitis is damaged and leads to the formation of pathological alveolar bone resorption.CD301b+macrophages are specific to the osteoimmunology microenvironment,and are emerging as vital booster for conducting bone regeneration.However,the key upstream targets of CD301b+macrophages and their potential mechanism in periodontitis remain elusive.In this study,we concentrated on the role of Tim4,a latent upstream regulator of CD301b+macrophages.We first demonstrated that the transcription level of Timd4(gene name of Tim4)in CD301b+macrophages was significantly upregulated compared to CD301b-macrophages via high-throughput RNA sequencing.Moreover,several Tim4-related functions such as apoptotic cell clearance,phagocytosis and engulfment were positively regulated by CD301b+macrophages.The single-cell RNA sequencing analysis subsequently discovered that Cd301b and Timd4 were specifically co-expressed in macrophages.The following flow cytometric analysis indicated that Tim4 positive expression rates in total macrophages shared highly synchronized dynamic changes with the proportions of CD301b+macrophages as periodontitis progressed.Furthermore,the deficiency of Tim4 in mice decreased CD301b+macrophages and eventually magnified alveolar bone resorption in periodontitis.Additionally,Tim4 controlled the p38 MAPK signaling pathway to ultimately mediate CD301b+macrophages phenotype.In a word,Tim4 might regulate CD301b+macrophages through p38 MAPK signaling pathway in periodontitis,which provided new insights into periodontitis immunoregulation as well as help to develop innovative therapeutic targets and treatment strategies for periodontitis.

Objective:To explore the expression and clinical significance of long non-coding RNA colorectal neoplasia differentially expressed (lncRNA CRNDE), microRNA-181a-5p (miR-181a-5p) and autophagy related 5 (ATG5) in the peripheral blood of patients with gouty arthritis (GA) patients.Methods:The clinical data, laboratory parameters and peripheral blood samples were collected from 40 patients with acute gout (AG), 40 patients with intermittent gout (IG) and 50 healthy subjects (HC). The expression levels of lncRNA CRNDE, miR-181a-5p and ATG5 mRNA were detected by real-time fluorescence quantification (RT-qPCR) and the expression level of ATG5 protein was detected by Western-blot. The expression levels of lncRNA CRNDE, miR-181a-5p, ATG5 mRNA were compared among the three groups and correlated with clinical indices, and a subject operating characteristic curve (ROC) was constructed to assess the value of lncRNA CRNDE, miR-181a-5p, ATG5 mRNA in the diagnosis of gout. Measurements conforming to normal distribution were analyzed using t test or ANOVA, data with non-normal distribution was analyzed using Mann-Whitney U test or Kruskal-Wallis H test, correlation analysis between variables was analyzed using Spearman's analysis, and the diagnostic value of each indicator was analyzed using ROC curve. Results:① The differences in the expression of lncRNA CRNDE, miR-181a-5p, and ATG5 mRNA between the three groups were statistically significant ( H=32.12, 57.73, 68.32, all P<0.001). Among them, lncRNA CRNDE expression level in the AG group was significantly higher than that in the IG group and healthy control group [61.95(11.39, 108.30)×10 -3, 25.71(15.40, 38.40)×10 -3, 13.80(3.97, 23.99)×10 -3; Z=-3.24, P=0.001; Z=-5.03, P<0.001], and the expression level of IG group was higher than that of healthy control group( Z=-3.56, P<0.001); miR-181a-5p and ATG5 mRNA expression levels in AG group were significantly lower than those in IG group and healthy control group [miR-181a-5p: 39.81(31.22, 69.38)×10 -3, 60.74(44.19, 90.35)×10 -3, 121.30(101.50, 316.90)×10 -3; Z=-3.01, P=0.030; Z=-6.93, P<0.001. ATG5 mRNA: 4.52(2.31, 26.63)×10 -3, 43.63(13.72, 102.70)×10 -3, 153.90(66.62, 365.80)×10 -3; Z=-5.47, -7.36, all P<0.001)], which were expressed at lower levels in the IG group than in the healthy controls ( Z=-5.25, -4.47, all P<0.001). The difference of ATG5 protein expression level among the three groups expressed was statistically significant ( F=6.24, P=0.030), and the AG group was higher than the healthy control group, and the difference was statistically significant [(0.96±0.13) vs.(0.61±0.04), t=4.25, P=0.013], but the difference between the IG group (0.78±0.15) and the AG group and the HC group was not statistically significant ( t=1.51, P=0.206; t=1.85, P=0138). ② Spearman correlation analysis showed that lncRNA CRNDE was negatively correlated with the expression levels of miR-181a-5p and ATG5 mRNA in gout patients ( r=-0.49, P<0.001; r=-0.35, P=0.002); miR-181a-5p was positively correlated with ATG5 mRNA expression levels ( r=0.64, P<0.001); lncRNA CRNDE expression level was positively correlated with ESR and WBC ( r=0.49, P<0.001; r=0.43, P=0.001); miR-181a-5p expression level was negatively correlated with ESR and WBC ( r=-0.29, P=0.009; r=-0.35, P=0.002), and ATG5 mRNA expression levels were negatively correlated with ESR, WBC, and GR ( r=-0.26, P=0.021; r=-0.26, P=0.024; r=-0.27, P=0.021). In the AG group lncRNA CRNDE was positively correlated with ESR and WBC ( r=0.36, P=0.022; r=0.36, P=0.026) and miR-181a-5p was negatively correlated with WBC ( r=-0.34, P=0.038) ③ ROC curve showed that the areas under ROC curve of lncRNA CRNDE, miR-181a-5p and ATG5 mRNA expression levels to predict gout were 0.764, 0.875 and 0.864, respectively. The area under ROC curve of gout predicted by the three combined was 0.928. Conclusion:lncRNA CRNDE, miR-181a-5p, and ATG5 may be involved in the pathoge-nesis of primary gouty arthritis, and are potential biological parameters for studying the pathogenesis of gout.

Objective:To investigate the expression of N6-methyladenosine(m6A) modification-related genes and their possible roles in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of patients with primary gouty arthritis (GA).Methods:Forty-five patients each with acute gout (AG), intermittent gout (IG), and age-and gender-matched healthy controls (HC) were collected from the outpatient clinic of the Department of Rheumatology and Immunology of the Affiliated Hospital of Chuanbei Medical College between October and December of 2023. The expression levels of m6A modification-related genes (METTL3、METTL14、WTAP、FTO、ALKBH5、IGF2BP2、IGF2BP3、YTHDF1、YTHDC2) in PBMCs among the 3 groups were detected by RT-qPCR and correlation analysis with clinical indicators was performed. Measurements conforming to normal distribution were analyzed using ANOVA or t-tests, and data were analyzed using the Kruskal-Wallis H-test and Mann-Whitney U-test for data that is not-normaly distributed. The value of m6A modification-related genes for the diagnosis of GA was evaluated using subject characterization curve ROC. Results:①There were statistically significant differences in the expression of IGF2BP2 ( Z=-3.59, P<0.001)、WTAP ( Z=-5.25, P<0.001)、METTL14 ( Z=-3.62, P<0.001)、YTHDF1 ( Z=-2.12, P=0.034)and YTHDC2 ( Z=-2.00, P=0.045) in the disease group and the normal control group. Among them, the expression of IGF2BP2 in the GA group [28.08 (17.99, 47.06)×10 -4] was significantly higher than that in the HC group [19.23 (12.90, 25.78)×10 -4], and the expressions of WTAP、METTL14、YTHDF1 and YTHDC2 in the GA group [298.61 (213.61, 377.80)×10 -4, 9.94 (6.43, 13.46)×10 -4, 52.63 (28.22, 72.77)×10 -4, 40.24 (20.74, 73.32)×10 -4] were significantly lower than those in the HC group [398.45(339.88, 454.89)×10 -4, 13.27(11.07, 15.85)×10 -4, 64.43(43.61, 87.10)×10 -4, 53.11(36.37, 79.28)×10 -4]. Further subgroup analysis revealed statistically significant differences in the expression of IGF2BP2、WTAP、METTL14、YTHDF1 and YTHDC2 among the 3 groups ( H=19.62、31.73、13.14、16.64、28.90, all P≤0.001). The expressions of WTAP and METTL14 in the AG group [311.13(234.96, 426.67)×10 -4, Z=-3.27, P=0.001; 9.64 (5.21, 15.21)×10 -4, Z=-2.71, P=0.008] and IG group [272.27 (203.29, 347.95)×10 -4, Z=-5.78, P<0.001; 10.40(6.88, 12.88)×10 -4, Z=-3.54, P=0.003] were lower than those in the HC group [398.45 (339.88, 454.89)×10 -4, 13.27(11.07, 15.85)×10 -4]. However, there was no significant difference between AG and IG group ( P>0.05). Both YTHDF1 and YTHDC2 were significantly lower in the AG group [38.10(16.19, 56.78)×10 -4, 24.31 (14.35, 42.77)×10 -4] than those in the IG group [64.13 (48.28, 74.40)×10 -4(Z=-3.54, P<0.001, 65.49 (39.89, 91.23)×10 -4(Z=-4.96, P<0.001)] and HC group [64.43 (43.61, 86.92)×10 -4(Z=-3.51, P<0.001), 53.11 (36.37, 79.28)×10 -4(Z=-4.25, P<0.001)]. But there was no statistically significant difference between IG and HC groups ( P>0.05); IGF2BP2 was significantly lower in the AG group [25.32(16.40, 40.43)×10 -4, Z=-2.46, P=0.014] and HC group [19.23 (12.90, 25.78)×10 -4, Z=-4.54, P<0.001] than in the IG group [31.10(22.60, 49.58)×10 -4], but the comparison between AG and HC showed no statistically significant difference( P>0.05). ②Spearman correlation analysis showed that in GA patients, the expression of IGF2BP2、METTL14 and YTHDF1 was positively correlated with plasma glucose、blood uric acid(sUA) and total cholesterol level respectively ( r=0.22, P=0.037; r=0.38, P=0.003; r=0.23, P=0.034), and WTAP was negatively correlated with GLU ( r=-0.25, P=0.020). ③The ROC curve for the joint prediction of the five differential genes showed that the 95% CI for area under the curve in GA was 0.90 (0.84, 0.95). Conclusion:The m6A modification-related genes are abnormally expressed in GA and are correlated with clinical indicators such as GLU and UA, which are hypothesized to be involved in the pathogenesis of GA and have a certain reference value for the evaluation of metabolism in GA patients.

Objective:To investigate and explore the clinical significance of the expression levels and differences of autophagy related genes ATG3, ATG5, ATG12, ATG16, LC3 and Beclin-1 in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of patients with refractory moderate-to-severe rheumatoid arthritis (RA), who were treated with abatacept.Methods:Peripheral blood samples of 30 patients admitted to the affiliated hospital of North Sichuan Medical College from June 2020 to June 2022 were collected before and after abatacept treatment. Autophagy associated genes were detected by RT-qPCR and, autophagy associated proteins were detected by Western Blot. Correlation analysis with clinical parameters was performed. SPSS26.0 and GraphPad Prism 9.0 were used for statistical analysis, Independent sample t-test was used for comparison between groups, and non-normal distribution data were expressed as M ( Q1, Q3), Spearman correlation analysis was used to analyze the correlation between variables, and P<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results:①Compared with the mRNA expression levels of ATG12(0.007 6±0.005 9), ATG16(0.003 1±0.002 2) and LC3(0.038 2±0.017 1) before treatment, after 24 weeks treatment with abatacept, the mRNA expression levels of ATG12 (0.011 4±0.003 1) and ATG16 (0.004 2±0.000 7) increased ( t=-2.49, P=0.042; t=-2.15, P=0.038), and the mRNA expression level of LC3 (0.022 6±0.008 3) was decreased ( t=3.28, P=0.003) after 24 weeks of abatacept treatment.②After 24 weeks, the expression level of ATG16 mRNA in the remission group (0.004 8±0.000 8) was higher than that in the non-remission group (0.003 8±0.000 3) ( t=-3.41, P=0.003). The expression level of LC3 mRNA in remission group (0.027 3±0.007 3) was lower than that in non-remission group (0.017 9±0.006 5) ( t=3.69, P=0.017). ③ATG5 mRNA expression level was positively correlated with TJC, ESR and anti-CCP antibody ( r=0.75, P=0.049; r=0.43, P=0.044; r=0.97, P=0.011). The expression level of ATG12 mRNA was negatively correlated with DAS28, ESR and hsCRP ( r=-0.46, P=0.025; r=-0.51, P=0.026; r=-0.41, P=0.031). The expression level of ATG16 mRNA was positively correlated with ESR and hsCRP ( r=0.50, P=0.030; r=0.40, P=0.024). The expression level of Beclin-1 mRNA was significantly higher than TJC, RF-IgG and anti-CCP antibody were negatively correlated ( r=-0.51, P=0.025; r=-0.42, P=0.035; r=-0.81, P=0.043). The expression level of LC-3 mRNA was positively correlated with ESR and hsCRP ( r=0.55, P=0.028; r=0.56, P=0.024). ④Compared with the protein expression level before the treatment, of ATG12 (0.675 3±0.036 3), which (1.547 7±0.080 5) increased after 24 weeks of treatment ( t=-7.80, P=0.001). Compared with the protein expression levels of ATG16 (0.817 1±0.089 0), LC3Ⅱ (0.807 1±0.072 1) and IL-1β (1.129 7±0.118 9) before treatment, 24 weeks after, the protein expression levels of ATG16 (0.424 6±0.103 5), LC3Ⅱ (0.353 7±0.056 9) and IL-1β (0.346 7±0.050 8) decreased ( t=2.62, P=0.042; t=2.88, P=0.045; t=2.25, P=0.038) 24 weeks after treatment. Conclusion:Autophagy related genes is associated with several clinical presentations and disease activity. The results of this study suggest that autophageius are involved in the pathogenesis of RA. Abatacept may be a potential autophage modulator by regulating autophagy related genes including ATG12、ATG16 and LC3.

Objective:To investigate the expression and clinical significance of decoy receptor 3 (DcR3) and its signal pathway-related molecules in PBMCs of patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS).Methods:Peripheral blood samples, clinical data and laboratory test results were collected from 100 patients with ankylosing spondylitis [50 patients with AS activity (ASA), 50 patients with AS stability (ASS)], 30 patients with osteoarthritis and 30 patients with gouty arthritis (as disease control group), and 60 healthy controls (HC). The mRNA expression levels of DcR3 and its signal pathway related genes (DR3, TL1A, Fas, FasL, LIGHT, LIGHTR, LTβR) were measured by real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Measurement data among the three groups in normal distribution were analyzed by t test or one-way analysis of variance, pairwise comparisons using LSD- t test, non-normal distribution data were analyzed by Mann-Whitney test or Kruskal-Wallis H test, χ2 test was used for correlation analysis of categorical variables. Correlation analysis between variables were analyzed using Spearman correlation analysis. Results:① By comparing the AS group, disease control group and HC group, the expression levels of DcR3 mRNA and DR3 mRNA in the AS group were lower than those in disease control group and HC group, and DcR3 mRNA and DR3 mRNA in disease control group were lower than those in the HC group {DcR3mRNA: [6.21 (3.89, 10.70)]×10 -4vs [9.51 (5.89, 16.65)]×10 -4vs [17.81 (11.27, 24.20)]×10 -4, H=55.28, P<0.001; DR3 mRNA: [41.05 (24.09, 66.95)]×10 -4vs [58.28 (28.41, 94.38)]×10 -4vs [94.79 (54.07, 144.51)]×10 -4, H=37.10, P<0.001}. The expression level of TL1A mRNA in the AS group was higher than that in disease control group {[14.71(4.91, 42.22)]×10 -4vs [4.00(1.07, 16.60)]×10 -4vs [7.70 (3.52, 27.83)]×10 -4, H=17.71, P<0.001}; The expression level of Fas mRNA in AS group and disease control group was lower than that in HC group {[20.99(4.63, 62.89)]×10 -4vs [23.97(15.82, 38.99)]×10 -4vs [78.45 (27.32, 146.46)]×10 -4, H=31.17, P<0.001}. The expression level of FasL mRNA in AS group was higher than that in disease control group and HC group {[42.87(6.57, 91.21)]×10 -4vs [5.45(2.83, 10.32)]×10 -4vs [6.88 (4.57, 23.79)]×10 -4, H=46.42, P<0.001}. The expression level of LIGHTR mRNA in AS group was lower than that in disease control group {[52.66 (7.20, 143.21)]×10 -4vs [98.80 (53.11, 166.24)]×10 -4vs [63.47(40.85, 138.07)]×10 -4, H=11.96, P<0.001}. There were no significant differences in LIGHT mRNA and LTβR mRNA among all groups ( H=0.86, P>0.05; H=3.18, P>0.05). ②The expression levels of DcR3 mRNA, DR3 mRNA and Fas mRNA in ASA group and ASS group were lower than those in HC group. DcR3 mRNA in ASA group was higher than that in ASS group, and DR3 mRNA in ASA group was lower than that in ASS group {DcR3 mRNA: [7.28 (4.92, 16.56)]×10 -4vs [4.59 (2.49, 7.03)]×10 -4vs [17.81 (11.27, 24.20)]×10 -4, H=62.63, P<0.001; DR3 mRNA: [30.93(16.18, 66.66)]×10 -4vs [47.17(29.91, 67.40)]×10 -4vs [94.79(54.07, 144.51)]×10 -4, H=41.48, P<0.001; Fas mRNA: [20.04(3.29, 62.30)]×10 -4vs [22.49(5.63, 64.79)]×10 -4vs [78.45(27.32, 146.46)]×10 -4, H=23.54, P<0.001}. The expression levels of TL1A mRNA and LTβR mRNA in the ASA group were higher than those in the ASS group and the HC group {TL1A mRNA: [32.36(10.09, 97.84)]×10 -4vs [9.98(1.29, 21.63)]×10 -4vs [7.70(3.52,27.83)]×10 -4, H=21.14, P<0.001; LTβR mRNA: [6.13(2.16,20.06)×10 -4vs [2.13(0.53,8.04)]×10 -4vs [2.72 (1.24,5.73)]×10 -4, H=12.86, P<0.001}. The expression level of FasL mRNA in the ASA group and the ASS group was higher than that in the HC group {[60.70 (8.16, 106.16)]×10 -4vs [30.14 (5.37, 78.40)]×10 -4vs [6.88 (4.57, 23.79)]×10 -4, H=18.99, P<0.001}. The expression level of LIGHTR mRNA in ASS group was lower than that in HC group {[49.79(10.75, 168.48)]×10 -4vs [15.92(3.27, 105.91)]×10 -4vs [63.47(40.85, 138.07)]×10 -4, H=11.80, P<0.001]. There was no significant difference in LIGHT mRNA among all groups ( H=4.15, P>0.05). ③Spearman correlation analysis showed that DcR3 level was positively correlated with BASDAI score and hsCRP in AS patients ( r=0.52, P<0.001; r=0.35, P<0.01), and DR3 level was negatively correlated with BASDAI score, ESR and hsCRP level ( r=-0.28, P<0.001; r=-0.25, P<0.001; r=-0.31, P<0.001). TL1A was positively correlated with BASDAI score, ESR and hsCRP level ( r=0.23, P=0.046; r=0.26, P=0.015; r=0.25, P=0.017). Conclusion:DcR3 and its signal pathway-related molecules are differentially expressed in PBMCs of patients with AS, suggesting that they may participate in the occurrence and development of AS.

Objective:To observe the efficacy and safety of Tofacitinib in treating elderly rheumatoid arthritis(RA), in order to provide clinical evidence.Methods:In the randomized control trial, a total of 90 elderly RA patients admitted to the Department of Rheumatology of the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University from January 2019 to January 2021 were selected and divided into Methotrexate group(MTX group, MTX 10mg, qw, n=45)and Tofacitinib group(TOF group, oral 5mg, bid, n=45). The efficacy and safety of the two groups were evaluated at week 12.The primary endpoint was the proportion of patients meeting the American College of Rheumatology 50%(ACR50)improvement response criteria at week 12.Secondary endpoints included ACR20/70 improvement response, proportion of patients who met treat-to-target(T2T)criteria, including Disease Activity Score in 28 joints using erythrocyte sedimentation rate(DAS28-ESR), Disease Activity Score in 28 joints using C-reactive protein level(DAS28-CRP), clinical disease activity index(CDAI), and simplified disease activity index(SDAI), and patient-reported outcomes(PROs)which included changes compared to baseline in pain visual analog scale(VAS)and Health Assessment Questionnaire Disability Index(HAQ-DI)score, at week 12.Safety outcomes including drug-related adverse events, serious adverse events, dropping out due to adverse events, and deaths were assessed throughout.Results:Five patients in each group withdrew from the trial due to adverse events, and the number of patients who finally completed the observation was 40 in each group.At week 12, the ACR50 response rate was higher in TOF group than in MTX group[35%(14/40) vs.12.5%(5/40), χ2=5.591, P=0.018)], achieving the primary endpoint.When comparing TOF vs.MTX group, the ACR20 response rate[55%(22/40) vs.25%(10/40), χ2=7.500, P=0.006]and ACR70 response rate[25%(10/40) vs.7.5%(3/40), χ2=4.501, P=0.034], and proportions of indexes of disease remission including DAS28-ESR<2.6[25%(11/40) vs.7.5%(3/40), χ2=4.501, P=0.034], or DAS28-CRP<2.6[27.5%(11/40) vs.7.5%(3/40), χ2=5.541, P=0.019], or CDAI≤2.8[30%(12/40) vs.10%(4/40), χ2=5.000, P=0.025], or SDAI≤3.3[27.5%(11/40) vs.7.5%(3/40), χ2=5.541, P=0.019], and the proportions of patients with low disease activity including DAS28-ESR≤3.2[32.5%(14/40) vs.12.5%(5/40), χ2=5.591, P=0.018], or DAS28-CRP≤3.2[32.5%(14/40) vs.12.5%(5/40), χ2=5.591, P=0.018], or CDAI≤10[37.5%(15/40) vs.17.5%(7/40), χ2=4.013, P=0.045], or SDAI≤11[37.5%(15/40) vs.15%(6/40), χ2=5.230, P=0.022], as well as changes compared to baseline data in pain VAS[(26.51±8.32)scores vs.(14.16±4.39)scores, t=8.371, P<0.001]and in HAQ-DI score(0.65±0.24 vs.0.32±0.06, t=9.387, P<0.001)were all better in the TOF group than in the MTX group at week 12.During the 12-week observation period, the number of patients with infection and hyperlipidemia was higher in TOF group than in MTX group, while the number of patients with abnormal blood cell count and liver function was lower than that in MTX group, but the differences were not statistically significant(all P<0.05). Conclusions:Tofacitinib has good efficacy and safety in the elderly RA.In patients over 70 years of age who are at high risk of infection, tofacitinib should be used with caution.

Periodontal bone regeneration is a major challenge in the treatment of periodontitis. Currently the main obstacle is the difficulty of restoring the regenerative vitality of periodontal osteoblast lineages suppressed by inflammation, via conventional treatment. CD301b⁺ macrophages were recently identified as a subpopulation that is characteristic of a regenerative environment, but their role in periodontal bone repair has not been reported. The current study indicates that CD301b⁺ macrophages may be a constituent component of periodontal bone repair, and that they are devoted to bone formation in the resolving phase of periodontitis. Transcriptome sequencing suggested that CD301b⁺ macrophages could positively regulate osteogenesis-related processes. In vitro, CD301b⁺ macrophages could be induced by interleukin 4 (IL-4) unless proinflammatory cytokines such as interleukin 1β (IL-1β) and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) were present. Mechanistically, CD301b⁺ macrophages promoted osteoblast differentiation via insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1)/thymoma viral proto-oncogene 1 (Akt)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling. An osteogenic inducible nano-capsule (OINC) consisting of a gold nanocage loaded with IL-4 as the "core" and mouse neutrophil membrane as the "shell" was designed. When injected into periodontal tissue, OINCs first absorbed proinflammatory cytokines in inflamed periodontal tissue, then released IL-4 controlled by far-red irradiation. These events collectively promoted CD301b⁺ macrophage enrichment, which further boosted periodontal bone regeneration. The current study highlights the osteoinductive role of CD301b⁺ macrophages, and suggests a CD301b⁺ macrophage-targeted induction strategy based on biomimetic nano-capsules for improved therapeutic efficacy, which may also provide a potential therapeutic target and strategy for other inflammatory bone diseases.
Animals ; Mice ; Bone Regeneration ; Cytokines/metabolism* ; Interleukin-4/therapeutic use* ; Macrophages/physiology* ; Mammals ; Osteogenesis ; Periodontitis/drug therapy*