Efficacy and safety of 125I intraluminal irradiation combined with lenvatinib in treatment of progressive extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma / 临床肝胆病杂志

ObjectiveTo investigate the efficacy and safety of 125I intraluminal irradiation combined with lenvatinib in the treatment of progressive extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. MethodsA retrospective analysis was performed for 25 patients with progressive extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma who attended Department of Interventional Radiology， The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University， from January 2018 to November 2021， and according to the treatment modality， they were divided into combination group with 13 patients （125I intraluminal irradiation combined with lenvatinib） and control group （125I intraluminal irradiation alone）. The two groups were compared in terms of technical success rates， changes in liver function， stent patency， survival time， and incidence rates of adverse events. The independent－samples t test was used for comparison of normally distributed continuous data between two groups， and the Wilcoxon rank－sum test was used for comparison of continuous data with skewed distribution between two groups； the Fisher’s exact test was used for comparison of categorical data between groups. The Kaplan－Meier method and the log－rank test were used to evaluate survival time and stent patency. ResultsAll patients had successful implantation of biliary stents and 125I particles， with a technical success rate of 100%. After 1 month of treatment， both groups had significant improvements in the serum levels of total bilirubin， direct bilirubin， alanine aminotransferase， and aspartate aminotransferase （all P<0.05）. There were significant differences between the control group and the combination group in the duration of stent patency （7.0 months vs 9.5 months， P=0.022） and median survival time （11.5 months vs 15.6 months， P=0.008）. There were no intolerable adverse events in the combination group during treatment. ConclusionCompared with 125I intraluminal irradiation alone， 125I intraluminal irradiation combined with lenvatinib has better efficacy and is a safe and effective treatment regimen for progressive extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma.

Clinical analysis of elderly patients with anti-MDA5 antibody-positive dermatomyositis / 中华老年医学杂志

Objective:To retrospectively analyze the clinical characteristics of elderly patients with anti-MDA5 antibody-positive dermatomyositis.Methods:Data of 62 patients with anti-MDA5 antibody-positive dermatomyositis admitted to Second Xiangya Hospital from May 2016 to December 2019 were collected and patients were divided into an elderly group(≥60 years old, 17 cases)and a non-elderly group(<60 years old, 45 cases). The clinical manifestations, laboratory test resuls, treatment and prognosis of the patients in both groups were statistically analyzed.Results:A total of 62 patients with anti-MDA5 antibody-positive dermatomyositis were included in this study, including 17 elderly patients(27.4%)with an average age of(65.5±5.3)years and 45 non-elderly patients(72.6%)with an average age of(46.5±8.4)years.Compared with non-elderly patients, older patients had a shorter disease duration[(1.6±1.0)months vs.(3.7±3.3)months, t=3.883, P<0.001], a higher proportion of patients with exertional dyspnea(15/17 or 88.2% vs.26/45 or 57.8%, χ2=5.11, P=0.024)and with combined positive anti-Ro-52 antibodies(15/17 or 88.2% vs.26/45 or 57.8%, χ2=5.11, P=0.024), and a higher mortality rate[(12/17 or 70.6%) vs.(8/45 or 17.8%, χ2=15.748, P<0.001)]. In contrast, fewer elderly patients than non-elderly patients had the Heliotrope's sign(9/17 or 41.2% vs.38/45 or 57.8%), χ2=5.07, P=0.024). Conclusions:Elderly patients with anti-MDA5 antibody-positive dermatomyositis have a unique clinical phenotype with an acute onset, atypical rashes, severe pulmonary lesions, making treatment difficult, and have a poor prognosis.

The short-term efficacy and safety of HA280 immunoadsorption column in patients with idiopathic inflammatory myopathies / 中华风湿病学杂志

Objective:To evaluate the short-term efficacy and safety of HA280 immunoadsorption (IA) column in idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIM).Methods:The clinical data of 72 patients with IIM admitted to the Department of Rheumatology of Xiangya No.2 Hospital of Central South University from January 2015 to March 2018 were analyzed. Of these patients, 22 patients were treated with HA280 immunoadsorption column for three times (the immunoadsorption group) and 50 patients were treated with drugs only (the control group). The changes of clinical symptoms and signs, autoimmune antibodies, myocardial enzyme spectrum, the inflammatory markers [erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP) and ferritin], immunoglobulin, complement, other biochemical indexes and pulmonary images of the patients were detected and analyzed before and after the treatment. And then the data were analyzed by Chi-square test, samples t testand Wilcoxon rank sum test. Results:Compared with the control group, the symptoms and signs were obviously improved after treatment with HA280 immunoadsorption column. In particular, the clinical improvement rate of non-specific myositis (89%, 16/18) was higher than that of the control group [(58%, 22/38), χ2=5.379, P<0.05]. And the clearance of autoantibody (control group) was grade 39.41 in average, 28.38 in average in the immunoadsorption group( Z=-2.51, P=0.01), myocardial enzyme spectrum [control 717(1 564) U/L, immunoadsorption group 126(432) U/L , Z=3.09, P<0.01], the inflammatory markers such as ESR [the control group was 24(22) mm/1 h, the immunoadsorption group was 10(7) mm/1 h, Z=-3.0, P=0.003] and immunoglobulin G [the control group was 11(5) g/L, the immunoadsorption group was 9(2) g/L, Z=-4.8, P=0.001] and immunoglobulin M [the control group was 0.9(0.4) g/L, the immunoadsorption group was 1.2(0.8) g/L, Z=-2.0, P=0.05]. Moreover, the lung CT scan showed that pulmonary lesions of the patients in the immunoadsorption group (89%, 17/19) was much more improved than the control group [(61%, 27/44), χ2=4.98, P<0.05]. No serious adverse reactions occurred. Conclusion:HA280 immunoadsorption therapy can significantly clear the autoantibodies, decrease muscle enzymes, inflammatory markers and immunoglobulin, improve lung images of some patients in a short time. It has been shown that it is safein patients with IIM. HA280 immunoadsorption therapy could be an effective treatment for IIM.

Correlations of Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase Gene Polymorphism and Genomic DNA Hypomethylation Level with Ankylosing Spondylitis / 中国医学科学院学报

To investigate the relationship of both DNA methylation level and methylenetrahydrofolate reductase(MTHFR)gene polymorphism with ankylosing spondylitis(AS). Totally 200 Chinese AS patients with HLA-B27(+)and 120 healthy controls were included from Hunan Province.All the cases were diagnosed according to the 1984 modified New York criteria for AS.The DNA methylation was examined by cytosine extension method,while the MTHFR gene C677T polymorphism was analyzed by the polymerase chain reaction(PCR)and restriction fragment length polymorphism(RFLP).The plasma homocysteine(Hcy)level was examined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA),while the red blood folate level was analyzed by the specific immunoassays. The ratio of the T/T genotype mutation in the AS group was significantly higher than in the control group(17.0% 5.0%;=9.874, =0.002).The plasma homocysteine concentration of AS group was(18.71 ± 2.42)μmol/L,which was significantly higher than that in normal control group [(10.97 ± 2.93)μmol/L](=24.402, <0.001).The plasma Hcy concentration of the T/T genotype [(21.70±1.80)μmol/L] was significantly higher than that of the C/C genotype[(18.31±1.94)μmol/L](=12.088, =0.01)and the C/T genotype [(17.80±2.18)μmol/L](=6.496, =0.01)in the AS group.The DNA methylation level of the T/T genotype in AS group was significantly lower than that in normal control group(=5.655, <0.001)and also significantly lower than those of the C/C genotype(=11.514, <0.001)and the C/T genotype in AS group(=10.287, <0.001). In the Han population in Hunan Province,the C677T polymorphism of the MTHFR gene is associated with the onset of AS.The T/T mutation at position 677 of the MTHFR gene is an important influencing factor for hyperhcyemia in the AS patients.The T/T mutation at position 677 of the MTHFR gene is associated with genomic DNA hypomethylation.Thus,hypomethylation of DNA may be one of the pathogenic mechanisms of AS.

Research progress in renal injury relevant to primary Sj(o)gren's syndrome / 中南大学学报(医学版)

Primary Sj(o)gren's syndrome (pSS) is a chronic autoimmune disease characterized by lymphoplasmacytic infiltration of the exocrine glands that results in multiple organs and systems damage.Renal injury affects 0.3％-27.0％ patients,The most frequent form of nephropathy in pSS is tubulointerstitial nephritis.The main clinical manifestation is renal tubular acidosis.The renal prognosis in patients with pSS is usually favorable,but renal failure may occur.At present,it still lacks of strict consensus or guideline for the treatment.

The clinical characteristics, diagnosis and treatment of patients with gout in China / 中华内科杂志

Objective To investigate the demographic characteristics, clinical features, diagnosis and treatment of patients with gout in China.Methods Clinical data of 6 814 patients with gout from 100 hospitals in 27 provinces, municipalities or autonomous regions in China were collected and analyzed. Results (1)The ratio of male to female in patients with gout was 14.7:1.The mean age of onset was(48.8 ± 15.1)years old.Mean serum urate level was(526.7 ± 132.3)μmol/L.Patients'education background was of U-shaped distribution; (2) Hypertension was the most common comorbidity [15.8%(1 079/6 814)], then overweight or obesity[51.9%(3 536/6 814)];(3)Alcohol and high-purine food intake were dominant triggering factors in men. The diagnosis of gout was made after onset in majority of patients with cardinal symptom arthralgia.Most patients had the disease less than 5 years,and the longer the course,the more flares in the previous year of entry;(4)Febuxostat was the mostly used urate-lowering medication.20.7%(1 412/6 814), 10.8%(739/6 814) and 3.9%(265/6 814) of patients were followed up in 4 weeks, 12 weeks and 24 weeks after registration,and 18.9%(267/1 412),29.1%(215/739)and 38.1%(101/265)of them reached the control target of serum urate levels,respectively.After treatment,patients'liver function was not affected,but serum creatinine levels decreased significantly. Conclusions The proportion of gout patients who reach target serum urate level is very low.Further steps including education and survey need to be carried on.

Ilizarov technique in combination with bone grafting and ankle traction for treatment of periarticular nonunion at the distal tibia / 中华创伤骨科杂志

Objective To evaluate the clinical efficacy of a combination of Ilizarov technique, bone grafting and ankle traction for treatment of nonunion of the distal tibia within 2 cm around the ankle joint. Methods A retrospective study was performed on the patients who had been treated at Department of Orthopaedics, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital from September 2014 to January 2018 for nonunion of the distal tibia within 2 cm around the ankle joint. They were 8 men and 4 women, aged from 32 to 56 years ( average, 41 years). Their injury was all unilateral, involving 5 left and 7 right ankles. They had all received internal fixation at other hospitals for 6 to 18 months. After we treated them simultaneously with Ilizarov technique, bone grafting and ankle traction, they could walk with crutches as soon as 3 days after surgery in some cases. Their affected limbs were then subjected to gradual weight-bearing walking until they could walk normally without any aid 3 to 6 months after surgery. Their postoperative ankle functions were evaluated according to the ankle-hindfoot scores of the American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society ( AOFAS) system. Results The 12 patients were effec-tively followed up for 12 to 24 months ( average, 19 months). All their incisions healed well with no incision or pin-tract infection. All their bone nonunions healed after circular external fixation for 12 to 36 weeks. Their AOFAS scores ranged from 75 to 96 points, showing good functional recovery of the ankle joint. Conclusion A combination of Ilizarov technique, bone grafting and ankle traction is an effective treatment for nonunion of the distal tibia within 2 cm around the ankle joint, leading to preservation of the ankle function and prevention of posttraumatic ankle osteoarthritis.

Efficacy comparison of AC TightRope plate and clavicular hook plate for acromioclavicular joint dislocation / 中华创伤杂志

Objective To compare the short-term efficacy of AC TightRope plate and clavicular hook plate in the treatment of acromioclavicular joint dislocation.Methods A retrospective case control study was conducted to analyze the clinical data of 32 patients with acromioclavicular joint dislocation admitted to Yifu Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing Medical University from April 2016 to December 2017.There were 23 males and 9 females,aged 26-61 years [(43.5 ±9.5)years].According to Rockwood classification,there were 23 patients with type Ⅲ and 9 patients with type Ⅴ.The patients were divided into AC TightRope group and clavicular hook plate group according to different treatment methods.There were 17 patients in AC TightRope group,including 12 males and 5 females,aged (42.6 ± 10.3)years.There were 15 patients in clavicular hook plate group,including 11 males and 4 females,aged (44.5 ± 8.9)years.The incision length,operation time,intraoperative blood loss,hospitalization time,postoperative visual analogue scale (VAS) of the affected shoulder,functional recovery of shoulder joint and complications were compared between the two groups.Results All patients were followed up for 6-26 months,with an average of 15 months.There was no significant difference between the two groups in hospitalization time (P ＞ 0.05).In the AC TightRope group and clavicular hook plate group,the operation time was (41.5 ±4.2)minutes and (60.1 ± 4.2) minutes,respectively (P ＜ 0.01);the incision length was (3.6 ± 0.3) cm and (10.1 ± 0.6) cm,respectively (P ＜ 0.01);the intraoperative blood loss was (45.3 ± 11.1) ml and (78.3 ± 16.0) ml,respectively (P ＜ 0.01);the postoperative VAS of the shoulder was (1.9 ± 0.5) points and (3.1 ± 0.7) points,respectively (P ＜ 0.05);the excellent and good rate of postoperative recovery of shoulder joint function was 100％ (17/17) and 67％ (10/15),respectively (P ＜0.01).There were no complications such as surgical incision infection,intraoperative neurovascular injury or condylar fracture during the perioperative period.No serious postoperative complications such as internal fixation loosening,loss of reduction or recurrence of dislocation were found in both groups.Conclusion For acromioclavicular joint dislocation,AC TightRope can obtain good clinical effect and has obvious advantages in operation time,incision length and blood loss,with lower incidence of shoulder pain and better functional recovery compared with clavicular hook plate.

Clinical effect of tocilizumab on patients with severe active rheumatoid arthritis / 中南大学学报(医学版)

Objective:To evaluate therapeutic effects and adverse reactions of tocilizumab on patients with severe active rheumatoid arthritis (RA).Methods:Twelve patients with severe refractory RA were treated with tocilizumab.The clinical and laboratory indices and the side effects were recorded after treatment.Results:The clinical and laboratory indices and the disease activity score 28 (DAS28) were observed in all patients,which were significantly improved after TCZ therapy (P＜0.05),and no obvious adverse reactions were found.Conclusion:Tocilizumab can effectively relieve the symptoms and improve the conditions of severe active RA.

Association of TNFRSF1B +676 gene polymorphism with the risk of rheumatoid arthritis in Han Chinese population in Hunan / 中南大学学报(医学版)

OBJECTIVE@#To study the association of TNFRSF1B +676 gene (rs1061622) polymorphism with the risk of rheumatoid arthritis (RA ) in Han Chinese population of Hunan.@*METHODS@#A total of 112 patients with RA from Han Chinese population in Hunan were recruited, along with 129 healthy controls. TNFRSF1B +676 (rs1061622) gene polymorphisms were examined by PCR-RFLP. Serum levels of soluble TNFR II were analyzed by ELISA.@*RESULTS@#RA patients displayed a similar TNFRSF1B +676 genotype to controls (GG/TG/TT: 5/62/45 vs 9/56/64, P=0.167), but signifi cant diff erence was found between female RA patients and female controls (GG/TG/TT: 3/49/24 vs 8/28/48, P0.05). RA patients showed a signifi cantly higher level of serum soluble tumor necrosis factor receptor II (sTNFR II) than controls [(7.83±2.61) ng/mL vs (4.32±1.67) ng/mL, P0.05). No association was found between TNFRSF1B+676 gene polymorphism and RA clinical characteristics.@*CONCLUSION@#In Han Chinese population of Hunan province, TNFRSF1B+676 gene polymorphisms are not associated with the genetic risk of RA .

Association of TNF-α gene polymorphisms with the risk of rheumatoid arthritis in Han Chinese population from Hunan / 中南大学学报(医学版)

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the association of TNF-α-308 gene polymorphism with the risk of RA in Hunan's Han Chinese population.
@*METHODS@#A total of 112 patients with RA from Han Chinese population in Hunan were recruited, along with 129 healthy controls. TNF-α-308 (rs1800629) gene polymorphisms were analyzed by PCR-RFLP. Serum levels of TNF-α were detected by ELISA.
@*RESULTS@#TNF-α-308 A allele carrier was 3.6% in RA patients and 10.5% in controls (P=0.004); male RA patients displayed noticeably lower rates of TNF-α-308 A allele than that in the male controls (2.8% vs 15.6%, OR=0.179, P=0.007). Patients containing both HLA-DRB1*04 and TNF-α-308 GG genotype showed a significant increase in risk for RA (OR=6.107), no matter they were male (OR=7.273) or female (OR=5.029). Female RA patients with both HLA-DRB1*04 and TNF-α-308 GG showed earlier disease onset and higher TNF-α level.
@*CONCLUSION@#In Han Chinese population from Hunan, susceptibility of RA was increased in patients with TNF-α-308 G allele, especially in the female carrier of genotypes; TNF-α-308 A allele may play a positive role in reduction of RA risk in males.

Expression of survivin in rheumatoid arthritis / 中南大学学报(医学版)

OBJECTIVE@#To detect the correlation between survivin and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) to determine the possible mechanism of RA and multidrug resistance in refractory rheumatoid arthritis (RRA).@*METHODS@#We collected 15 normal controls, 35 early untreated RA patients, 20 effectively treated RA patients and 25 RRA patients according to selection standard. The expression of survivin in the peripheral blood lymphocytes was detected by immunocytochemical method.@*RESULTS@#There was significant difference in the survivin expression in the peripheral blood lymphocytes between the early untreated and normal control group (χ(2)=29.59, P0.05). The survivin expression in the peripheral blood lymphocytes of the RRA group was significantly stronger than in the effectively treated RA group (χ(2)=24.35, P0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#Survivin has an influential role in the occurrence and development of rheumatism arthritis. Survivin might be involved in refractory multidrug resistance of RA and be one of the multidrug resistance mechanism of RRA.

Meta analysis of infection risks of anti-TNF-αtreatment in rheumatoid arthritis / 中南大学学报(医学版)

Objective:To systematically evaluate the risks of anti-TNF-αtreatment-associated infection, severe infection and tuberculosis in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients, and to reduce the infection incidences associated with anti-TNF-αtherapy. Methods:We used Meta analysis to systematically review randomized controlled trials on anti-TNF-αtreatment associated risks of infecion, severe infection and tuberculosis in AR patients.Results:Although no statistically significant differences were detected in TB risk between anit-TNF-αtreatment and the control group (0.5%vs 0.07%;P=0.27, OR=1.85, 95%CI:0.62-5.52), there still existed a clinically obvious elevation of TB risk in monoclonal anti-TNF-αtreatment, which was illustrated by the results that no TB case was reported in the etanercept group, but 11 TBs in 2050 infliximab-treated cases, and 3 TBs in 722 adalimumab-treated cases. The total infection and severe infection risks were also signiifcantly higher in patients receiving anti-TNF-αtreatment (P0.05), while both kinds of monoclonal antibodies of TNF-αblockers showed a signiifcantly elevated infection or severe infection risks (P<0.05). High doses of anti-TNF-αtreatment were associated with statistically increased risks of severe infection (6.0%vs 2.8%, P=0.04, OR=1.68, 95%CI:1.02-2.78). Conclusion:The TB risk of anti-TNF-αtreatment deserves close attention, especially in places with high rate of BCG vaccination and MTb infection. Monoclonal anti-TNF-αtreatment brings higher risks of infection and severe infection than soluble TNF-αreceptor.

Grey scale and power Doppler ultrasonographic assessment of bone erosion and disease activity in early rheumatoid arthritis / 中南大学学报(医学版)

objective:To evaluate the sensitivity and predictive value of grey scale and power Doppler ultrasound assessment of bone erosionin disease activity in patients with early rheumatoid arthritis (Ra). Methods:Fifty-six patients with early Ra underwent blinded sequential clinical, laboratory and ultrasound assessments, and at the same time 20 of these patients underwent X-ray and enhanced MRi. For each patient, 28-joint disease activity score (DaS28), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (eSR), C reactive protein (CRP) and health assessment questionnaire (haQ) were recorded. The presence of bone erosion and synovitis was investigated in 28 joints by gray-scale and power Doppler ultrasonography. The ultrasound joint count and index for active synovitis with power Doppler signal were calculated. Results:The number of bone erosions detected by ultrasonography was 5.7 times that of X-ray, while both MRi and ultrasonography were consistent (91.5%). The number of synovitis detected by ultrasonography was 1.6 times as much as by physical examination, and consistent MRi (95.7%). PDUS parameters demonstrated a highly significant correlation with DaS28, eSR and CRP, while a negative correlation with haQ. Conclusion:Grey scale and power Doppler ultrasonography is a sensitive and reliable method to assess bone erosion and inflammatory activity in early Ra. PDUS findings may have a predictive value in disease activity.

Correlation between serum adiponectin concentration and hyperuricemia on Han in Hunan / 中华风湿病学杂志

Objective To explore the relationship between serum adiponectin concentration and hyperuricemia in Han people in Hunan.Methods Cluster random sampling method was used to carry out the survey during October to December 2008 in Changsha Health Checkup Center of the Second Xiangya Hospital.All subjects completed the questionnaires,physical examination,biochemical measurements,and the data were analyzed by t test,Pearson's correlation analysis and multiple linear regression analysis.Results The Age,WC,TG,SBP,DBP,SUA,BMI were significantly higher in hyperuricemia group compared with the normal uric acid group.The concentration of adiponectin in hyperuricemia group was significantly lower than that in the normal uric acid group (5.0±2.7 vs 6.8±4.2 μg/ml,t=3.961,P＜0.05).In the normal serum uric acid group,the serum adiponectin concentration in female was significantly higher than that in male (t=4.99,P＜0.05).Pearson's correlation analysis showed that serum adiponectin concentration was negatively correlated with the serum uric acid level,but the adiponectin level was not significantly correlated with Age and blood pressure.Stepwise analysis showed that the main factors that could affect the adiponectin level were SUA,gender and BMI (P＜0.05).Conclusion The decreasing of serum adiponectin concentration might be one of the mechanisms of hyperuricemia,therefore,detecting serum adiponectin concentration may provide the basis for the prevention and treatment of hyperuricemia.

Epidemiological study on metabolic syndrome in elderly people in Changsha city / 中国医师杂志

Objective To assess the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MS) and explore the associated risk factors with MS among 35 ～ 80 years elderly people in Changsha.Methods The survey used by cluster random sampling method (from October to December,2008 ) was carried out by the Physical Examination Center of the Second Xiangya Hospital,Changsha.All subjects aged from 35 to 80 years old had the questionnaires,physical examination,and biochemical measurements.MS was defined by IDF 2005.Results The prevalence of MS was 24.3％ among elderly people in Changsha.The prevalence of MS in male and female was 27.9％ and 19.3％,respectively; which in male was significantly higher than in females ( P ＜0.01).According to census of 2000 in Changsha,the age-adjusted rate of MS was 24.4％ among elderly people,27.8％ in male and 21.9％ in female,respectively.The metabolic abnormalities and the prevalence rate of MS were different in gender and age.Except the essential component of the central obesity in the 194 cases of MS patients,there are 80 cases include other two kinds of metabolic abnormalities,accounting for 41.2％,most of them with elevated blood pressure + sugar metabolism disorders; the most common three kinds of metabolic abnormalities of the 78 cases,accounting for 40.2％ of the people with MS,most of them with high TG + elevated blood pressure + sugar metabolism disorders; With 4 kinds of metabolic abnormalities of 36 patients,accounting for 18.6％ of the MS patients.Increasing age,male,overweight and (or) obesity,high LDL-C hematic disease,high uric acid hematic disease,diabetes were all the risk factors of the elderly people in Changsha city.Conclusions Elderly people in Changsha have a relatively high prevalence of MS,especially for male.The prevalence of MS is considerably high in Changsha,which may continue to rising with the social economic development and population aging.There is an urgent need to take actions to reduce the burden of MS.

Clinical significance of antibody to proliferating cell nuclear antigen in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus / 中华风湿病学杂志

Objective To study the clinical significance and diagnostic value of anti-proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) antibodies.Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted for the diagnoses and clinical features of 102 patients with anti-PCNA antibodies.Line immunoassay was used to detect anti-PCNA antibody of 536 systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients.Possible relationship between anti-PCNA anti-body and clinical features and other antibodies in SLE were analyzed.Comparisons between groups were performed by t-test or x2 test.Results In the 102 patients with anti-PCNA antibodies,49 had SLE (48.0％).Other disorders associated with anti-PCNA antibodies included primary Sj(o)gren's syndrome(24.5％),systemic sclerosis (12.7％),primary biliary cirrhosis (3.9％),auto-immune thyroiditis (6.9％),polymyositis/dermatomyositis (2.0％) and hepatitis C virus infection (1.0％).9.1％ of SLE patients showed positive anti-PCNA antibody.Compared with those SLE patients with negative anti-PCNA antibody,the occurrences of rash,neuropsychiatric SLE,renal involvement was significantly higher in the anti-PCNA positive patients.In addition,the SLEDAI score was significantly higher in the latter.The positive rates of anti-Rib-P,anti-dsDNA,anti-Ro52,anti-RNP/Sm were higher in patients of SLE with positive anti-PCNA antibody.Conclusion Sera anti-PCNA antibody is not specific for SLE and it is associated with the occurrences of rash,Raynaud's phenomenon,neuropsychiatric SLE,renal involvement and positive rates of anti-Rib-P,anti-dsDNA,antiRo52,anti-RNP/Sm.In addition,anti-PCNA antibody is associa-ted with the disease activity of SLE.

Tapering of recombinant human tumor necrosis factor receptor-Fc fusion protein dosage combined with DMARDs in the treatment of peripheral joints involvement of ankylosing spondylitis / 中华风湿病学杂志

Objective To evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of tapering the dosage of recom-binant human tumor necrosis factor receptor-Fc fusion protein (rhTNFR-Fc) combined with DMARDs in the treatment of peripheral joints involvement of ankylosing spondylitis. Methods Sixty patients who met the classification criteria of ankyloding spondylitis were enrolled. Meanwhile, all patients had one or more of the following joint involvement: hip, knee, ankle, and shoulder. Their BASDAI was higher than 4, joint pain VAS≥4, ESR ≥30 mm/1 h and CRP≥8 mg/L. Tuberculosis, hepatitis B, hepatitis C infection or other microorgan-isms infections were excluded. All enrolled patients had no serious heart,liver,kidney, or other internal organ involvement. During the first stage (The first eight weeks patients were matched by age and, disease activity, then randomly divided into the rhTNFR-Fc (the control group) treatment group in which patients were treated with 25 mg rhTNFR-Fc subcutaneous injection twice per week for 4 months) and rhTNFR-Fc dosage tapering group in which 25 mg rhTNFR-Fc were subcutaneously injected once per week for 4 weeks and then followed by 12.5 mg per week for 4 weeks, then once every 10 days for 6 times. Then the dosage of rhTNFR-Fc dosage of the dosage tapering group (the experimental group) was changed to 12.5 mg subcutaneous injection once every 15 days for another 4 times combined with methotrexate 7.5 mg per week and Salfasalazine 2 g daily and thalidomide 100 mg per night. The second stage started from week 9 to 24. In addition to the 30 cases at the first stage, 42 cases were included based on the same inclusion criteria for stage one. Patients' clinical and laboratory parameters were evaluated at week 0, 4, 8, 16 and 24. Results During the first four weeks, all patients of both control group and experimental group reached ASAS20, 97% (29/30) patients reached ASAS50 in the control group, 83% (25/30) patients reached ASAS50 in the experimental group. At week 8, patients in both groups maintained at 100% ASAS20 improvement, 100% (13/13) patients in the control group reached ASAS50, and that of the experimental group was 97% (29/30), the differences between the two groups were not statistically significant (P>0.05). In the second stage, 72 cases (100%) could achieve ASAS20, 63 cases (88%) achieved ASASSO at week 16. At week 24, 72 cases (100%) remained to achieve ASAS20, 71 cases (99%) achieved ASAS50. The safety and compliance of the two groups were good. Two cases developed infection, one patient had mild elevation of serum transaminase. Conclusion Tapering the dosage combined with DMARDs is an effective and safe approach in the treatment of peripheral joints involvement of ankylosing spondylitis. The compliance of this strategy is good and only few patients have serum transaminase elevation. But attention should be paid to the increased rate of infection.

Effects of resveratrol on proliferation and apoptosis of TNF-alpha induced rheumatoid arthritis fibroblast-like synoviocytes / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the effect of resveratrol (Res) on in vitro proliferation and apoptosis of TNF-alpha induced rheumatoid arthritis fibroblast-like synoviocytes (RA FLS), and further to investigate the PI3 K/Akt/BAD signal mechanism.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>The inhibition rate of RA FLS was examined by MTT assay. Cell cycle and the amount of apoptotic cells was measured by flow cytometry. PI3K/Akt/BAD signal transduction proteins expression was measured by western blot.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>The living cells measured by MTT dose and time-dependently reduced in Res groups. In Res groups, the fraction of living cells in the S-phase and G2/M-phase decreased respectively, while that in G1-phase increased, the difference was statistically significant compared with the TNF-alpha group (P < 0.05). Flow cytometry demonstrated that the apoptosis rate increased with increased Res concentration. Res inhibited TNF-alpha induced phosphorylation of Akt and BAD in RA FLS.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Res can inhibit RA FLS proliferation and induce apoptosis through inhibition of PI3K/Akt/BAD signalling pathway. Res may provide a new therapeutic approach in treatment of RA.</p>

Study on the gene polymorphism of TNF-α-238 in Ankylosing Spondylitis(AS)patients in Hunan population / 中国免疫学杂志

Objective:To explore the correlations of TNF-α-238 site gene polymorphism and the onset of Ankylosing Spondylitis(AS)in Hunan Han population.Methods:100 AS samples (including serum and whole blood) were collected from the Department of Immunology and Rheumatology of the Second Xiangya hospital from May 2008 to Jan 2009 and 90 samples of normal people were collected as control group.We detected the TNF-α-238 gene polymorphism of these subjects by using PCR-RFLP technique.The TNF-α level in the serum samples were measured by ELISA and HLA-B27 antigen was detected by flow cytometry (FCM).Then all of the data was analyzed by SPSS13.0 software.Results:There were 95 cases with the TNF-α-238 G/G genotype in 100 AS patients,5 cases with the G/A genotype.While in the control group,TNF-α-238 G/G genotype and G/A genotype were 88 cases and 2 cases respectively.There was no TNF-α-238 A/A genotype in both groups.The allele frequencies of G in AS group was higher than in the control group(98.9% vs.97.5%),while the allele frequencies of A in AS group was lower than in the control group(1.1% vs.2.5%).However,there were no significant difference both A allele frequencies and G allele frequencies (P＞0.05).In addition,the average TNF-α level in AS group was higher than in the control group significantly (10.16±1.19 pg/ml vs.5.64±1.18 pg/ml).And the average TNF-α level in AS patients with the genotype of G/A was higher than that of with the G/G genotype (13.49±1.27 pg/ml vs.9.44±1.29 pg/ml).There was a very large difference of the positive ratio of HLA-B27 between two groups (χ~2=114.975,P=0.000).After gene analysis of HLA-B27and TNF-α-238,the odds ratio(OR)was higher in both G/G genotype and HLA-B27 positive than HLA-B27 lonely.Conclusion:There is probably no relationship between the gene polymorphism of TNF-α-238 site and the onset of AS but the G/G genotype of TNF-α-238 may increase the sicken risk of AS in Hunan population.