Clinical manifestations and prognosis of SLE patients with positive anti-cardiolipin antibodies / 医学研究生学报

Objectives Anticardiolipin antibody (aCL) is an important component of antiphospholipid antibody (aPL) and a marker antibody of antiphospholipid syndrome (aPS). APL is positive in 20% to 40% of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus(SLE). This article investigated the clinical features and prognosis of SLE patients with aCL. Methods From January 1999 to December 2009, 495 cases of SLE patients detected aCL who were hospitalized for the first time in 26 hospitals in Jiangsu Province including Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital were divided into aCL-positive group and aCL-negative group according to the test results. The patients were followed up in survival status, and the demographic characteristics, affected organs, laboratory tests, treatment drugs, and prognosis were compared between two groups. Results 146 of the SLE patients in this group were positive for aCL. The proportion of women in aCL- positive group (96.6%) was significantly higher than that in aCL-negative group (90.8%), and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). The proportion of anemia (74.7% vs 61.3%), decreased C3(81.5% vs 71.1%), positive antinuclear antibody(97.2% vs 92.4%), and positive anti-dsDNA antibody (61.9% vs 49.6%) in aCL-positive group were significantly higher than those of aCL-negative group, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). The aCL-positive group received a higher proportion of cyclophosphamide immunosuppressive therapy (39.5% vs 50.7%, P<0.05). At the end of follow-up, the mortality rate of aCL-positive group was 13.7%, and the mortality rate of aCL-negative group was 14.9% and there was no significant difference in mortality (P>0.05). Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that the 1-year, 5-year, and 10-year survival rates of aCL-positive group were 94.5%, 89.0%, and 82.9%, respectively, and there was no significant difference compared with aCL-negative group(P=0.776). The main causes of death in aCL-positive group were lupus encephalopathy (6 cases, 30.0%), renal failure (5 cases, 25.0%), heart failure (4 cases, 20.0%) and infection (3 cases, 15%). The main causes of death in aCL-negative group were infection (21 cases, 40.4%), lupus encephalopathy (11 cases, 21.2%) and heart failure (5 cases, 9.6%) and renal failure (4 cases, 7.7%). Conclusion SLE patients with aCL represent a high propotion in anemia, decreased C3, positive antinuclear antibody, positive anti-dsDNA antibody. There was no significant difference in disease activity and significant organ involvement between two groups. More SLE patients with aCL were treated with cyclophosphamide, and there was no significant difference in survival status between SLE patients with and without aCL during long-term follow-up.

Duplex effect of CCK8 and PGE2 in CVB-attacked human peripheral blood pDC / 中国免疫学杂志

Objective:To investigate the immunomodulation of CCK8 on the Coxsackievirus B ( CVB )-attacked human peripheral blood plasmacytoid dendritic cells(pDC). Methods:Peripheral blood mononuclear cells of healthy volunteers were separated by Ficoll-Hypaque gradient density centrifugation. The pDC was separated and divided into five groups,which were the control group, CVB attacked group,the group of CCK8 treated after CVB attack,the group of PGE2 treated after CVB attack and the group of CCK8+PGE2 treated after CVB attack. 100-time TCID50 of CVB was applied for the attack on pDC. Real-time PCR and Immunofluorescence technique were employed to detect the expression of CCK1R/CCK2R mRNA and protein. Then,the expression levels of costimulatory molecules such as CD80,CD86,HLA-DR ligand,and the chemokine receptor CCR7 were evaluated by Flow Cytometry Analysis. The supernatants of pDCs were collected, and the content of IFN-α was determined by Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay. Results:CCK1R and CCK2R were co-expressed in human peripheral blood pDC,and both were significantly upregulated after CVB attack in vitro. Expression of CD80,CD86,HLA-DR and IFN-α were decreased in the CVB+CCK8 group compared with the CVB group,which suggested that CCK8 may reduce the CVB activation of pDC. Whereas expression of CD80,CD86,HLA-DR,CCR7 and IFN-α were increased in the CVB+PGE2 group compared with the CVB group,which suggested that PGE2 may increase the CVB activation of pDC in vitro. Conclusion:CCK8 repressed the CVB-attacked pDC,while PGE2 activated the CVB-attacked pDC.

Clinical characteristics and anti-infective treatment in Listeria monocytogenes meningitis / 中国感染控制杂志

Objective To describe clinical characteristics and anti-infective treatment of Listeria monocytogenes(L.monocytogenes)meningitis.Methods Clinical manifestations and cerebrospinal fluid(CSF)examination results of 6 patients with L.monocytogenes meningitis in a hospital were analyzed retrospectively.Evaluation methods were developed according to relevant guidelines and literatures,anti-infective treatment and prognosis of patients with L.monocytogenes meningitis were evaluated.Results Two of 4 adults with L.monocytogenes meningitis had triad of fever,stiff neck,and altered mental status,the mean white blood cell count(WBC)of the initial CSF detection was 997×106/L,CSF/blood glucose ratio was 0.32,CSF protein was 1.43g/L;the other 2 neonates had fever,epilepsy,and hyponatremia,WBC were both>1 000×106/L,CSF protein were both>1 g/L,CSF/blood glucose ratio was<0.5.Of 6 patients,none were treated with appropriate initial empiric anti-infection therapy,confirmed by CSF or blood culture,5 cases were treated with ampicillin anti-infective therapy,1 used compound sulfamethoxazole due to penicillin allergy;1 neonate died,1 elderly patient was with moderate disability,the remaining 4 cases were all recovered and discharged from hospital.Conclusion Clinical manifestations and CSF findings of L.monocytogenes meningitis are not different from other purulent meningitis,commonly used antimicrobial agents for the treatment of purulent meningitis are not sensitive to L.monocytogenes,which should be paid attention in clinic.

Interaction of DNAJB13 with HK1 in mouse / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the presence of interactions between DNAJB13 and HK1.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The open reading frame of Dnajb13 gene was amplified from mouse testis cDNA by PCR. The PCR products were then inserted into pGEX-4T-1 vector after double digestion and identified by sequencing. The recombinant plasmids were transformated into competent DH5a cells, and the fusion protein was expressed with IPTG induction. SDS-PAGE Coomassie brilliant blue staining and Western blot analysis were used to detect the fusion protein expression. The protein precipitated by GST-DNAJB13 in GST pull down assay was detected by Western blotting.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The recombinant plasmid pGEX-4T-1-Dnajb13 was successfully constructed and verified. E.coli transformed with the recombinant plasmid expressed abundant fusion protein. GST pull down assay showed interactions between DNAJB13 and HK1.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>DNAJB13 interacts with HK1 in mouse testis and probably participates in spermatogenesis and the regulation of sperm motility.</p>

Expression of chemokine receptor CXCR7 in gastric cancer tissues and cell lines / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the expression status of CXCR7 in gastric cancer tissues and cell lines.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The expression status of CXCR7 was detected in 35 primary gastric cancer tissues and matched adjacent tissues by immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR. The correlation of CXCR7 expression with the clinicopathological parameters and risk factors of gastric cancer was analyzed. The expression of CXCR7 in gastric cell lines (HGC-27, MGC-803, BGC-823, SGC-7901 and MKN-28) was also detected by immunofluorescence assay.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The expression of CXCR7 was significantly higher in gastric cancer tissues than in adjacent tissues (P<0.01). CXCR7 expression was not correlated with age, gender, smoking history, Helicobacter pylori infection, tumor location or the pathological type, but showed a higher expression level in patients with a alcohol-drinking history than in those without (P<0.05). CXCR7 was expressed with variable intensities in the 5 gastric cancer cell lines without correlation with the degrees of cell differentiation; its expression was the highest in SGC-7901 cells, a moderately differentiated human gastric adenocarcinoma cell line.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>CXCR7 is highly expressed in gastric cancer tissues with variable intensities in 5 gastric cancer cell lines, suggesting its important role in gastric cancer progression.</p>

Effect of high glucose on toll-like receptor 4 expression and LPS-induced proinflammatory cytokine production in hepatic stellate cells in vitro / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effect of high glucose on the expressions of toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) and proinflammatory cytokine production induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in hepatic stellate cells in vitro.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Hepatic stellate cell line T6 was cultured in vitro and stimulated by high glucose. The mRNA and protein expression of TLR4 were detected by RT-PCR and Western blotting, respectively. After a 24-h pretreatment with high or low glucose, the cells were stimulated with LPS for 2 h, and Western blotting was used to detect the nuclear translocation of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB); at 24 h of LPS exposure, the cells were examined for MCP-1 and IL-6 mRNA and protein expression levels with RT-PCR and ELISA, respectively.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>High glucose significantly increased the mRNA and protein expressions of TLR4 (P<0.01) in a time- and dose-dependent manner. High glucose promoted NF-κB nuclear translocation and significantly enhanced the expression and secretion of both MCP-1 and IL-6 (P<0.01). Pretreatment with high glucose significantly promoted LPS-induced NF-κB nuclear translocation (P<0.01) and the mRNA expression and secretion of MCP-1 and IL-6.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>High glucose can increase TLR4 mRNA and protein expressions in hepatic stellate cells and promote LPS-induced NF-κB activation and production of proinflammatory cytokines.</p>

Effect of neferine on hepatic stellate cells in collagen-I, TIMP-1 and MMP-2 / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the effect of neferine on Collagen-I, TIMP-1 and MMP-2 expressions and protein secretion of hepatic stellate cells.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>The hepatic stellate cell line HSC-T6 was cultured in vitro, and then randomly divided into 5 groups: the control group, the platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) group and PDGF + neferine (2, 6, 10 micromol x L(-1)) groups. All of the groups were cultured for 48 h, and their cells were collected to extract mRNA and detect Collagen-I, TIMP-1 and MMP-2 expressions with RT-PCR. Their cell supernatants were also collected to determine the protein content of three factors with ELISA.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>Compared with the control group, PDGF could remarkably increase the Collagen-I, TIMP-1 and MMP-2 expressions and protein secretion of hepatic stellate cells. Compared with the PDGF group, PDGF + neferine (6, 10 micromol x L(-1)) groups showed a notable decrease in the Collagen-I and mRNA expression and protein secretion along with the increase in the concentration, whereas the PDGF + neferine (2 micromol x L(-1)) group showed no significant change in the Collagen-I and mRNA expression and protein secretion. Compared with the PDGF group, three PDGF + neferine groups showed no notable change in MMP-2 expression and protein secretion.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Neferine can inhibit the Collagen-I, TIMP-1 and mRNA protein expression and protein secretion of PDGF-induced HSCs along with the increase in the concentration, but with not remarkable effect on the MMP-2 expression and secretion.</p>

Clinical features and correlation research of fever in systemic lupus erythematosus patients / 中华风湿病学杂志

ObjectiveTo investigate the clinical features of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients with fever and find out the related factors.MethodsData was collected by the same methods in the past ten years in fifteen hospitals in Jiangsu province and then the data wereretrospectively analyzed.The potentially possible risk factors of fever in SLE were selected and then analyzed by chi-square test,Wilcoxon rank sum test and Logistic regression analysis.ResultsAll 1762 patients were investigated.Seven hundred and twenty-nine had active fever.Age at hospitalization,initially treated patients,photosensitivity,serositis,nervous system involvement,generalized lymphadenopathy/hepatosplenomegaly,white blood cell count (WBC),haemoglobin (HB),erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR),C-reaction protein (CRP),alanine aminotransferase(ALT),albumin(ALB),serum creatinine (Scr),complement C3,anti-dsDNA antibodies positive rate,anti-Sm antibodies positive rate,SLEDAI score and past therapies were factors associatedwith SLE fever.Logistic regression analysis showed that abnormal WBC count (OR=1.396,95％CI 1.114-1.711,P=0.004),CRP(OR=1.005,95％CI 1.002-1.009,P=0.002),ALT(OR=1.003,95％CI 1.001-1.005,P=0.005),Scr (OR=0.997,95％CI0.995-0.999,P=0.007),HB (OR=0.986,95％CI 0.981-0.992,P=0.000),age (OR =0.984,95％ CI 0.974-0.993,P=0.001 ) and past usage of cyclophosphamide (CTX) (OR =0.557,95％CI 0.382-0.813,P=0.002) were correlated with SLE fever.ConclusionFever is one of the most common clinical manifestations of SLE patients.Leucopenia,elevated CRP levels,liver function abnormalities,anemia,younger age are risk factors for SLE fever,while renal impairment and past usage of CTX are protective factors.