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BACKGROUND@#Clinical outcomes of undifferentiated arthritis (UA) are diverse, and only 40% of patients with UA develop rheumatoid arthritis (RA) after 3 years. Discovering predictive markers at disease onset for further intervention is critical. Therefore, our objective was to analyze the clinical outcomes of UA and ascertain the predictors for RA development.@*METHODS@#We performed a prospective, multi-center study from January 2013 to October 2016 among Chinese patients diagnosed with UA in 22 tertiary-care hospitals. Clinical and serological parameters were obtained at recruitment. Follow-up was undertaken in all patients every 12 weeks for 2 years. Predictive factors of disease progression were identified using multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression.@*RESULTS@#A total of 234 patients were recruited in this study, and 17 (7.3%) patients failed to follow up during the study. Among the 217 patients who completed the study, 83 (38.2%) patients went into remission. UA patients who developed RA had a higher rheumatoid factor (RF)-positivity (42.9% vs. 16.8%, χ = 8.228, P = 0.008), anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (CCP) antibody-positivity (66.7% vs. 10.7%, χ = 43.897, P < 0.001), and double-positivity rate of RF and anti-CCP antibody (38.1% vs. 4.1%, χ = 32.131, P < 0.001) than those who did not. Anti-CCP antibody but not RF was an independent predictor for RA development (hazard ratio 18.017, 95% confidence interval: 5.803-55.938; P < 0.001).@*CONCLUSION@#As an independent predictor of RA, anti-CCP antibody should be tested at disease onset in all patients with UA.
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Objective To evaluate the antioxidant activity of different concentrations of alcohol extracts from Paeonia Rockii pollen.Methods The antioxidant activity of different concentrations of alcohol extracts from Paeonia Rockii pollen was evaluated by cupric reducing power method, DPPH radical scavenging activity method and ABTS radical scavenging activity method.Results The amounts of antioxidant activity of gallic acid of anhydrous ethanol extract, 75％ alcohol extract, 50％ alcohol extract, 25％ alcohol extract, and water extract from Paeonia Rockii pollen were 26.00, 28.33, 28.90, 14.98, and 9.24 mg/g, respectively. The sequence of the ability of scavenging DPPH free radical and ABTS radical was Vc > 50％ alcohol extract > 75％ alcohol extract > anhydrous ethanol extract > 25％ alcohol extract > water extract.Conclusion The different concentrations of alcohol extracts from Paeonia Rockii pollen has relatively strong antioxidant activity, especially for 50％ alcohol extract and 75％ alcohol extract.
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Objective To investigate the intracavitary surgical therapy and efficacy for the patients with duplex kidney and ureter with upper urinary tract calculi. Methods The clinical data of twenty-six cases with duplex kidney and ureter with upper urinary tract calculi were retrospectively analyzed. Results Of 26 patients who underwent intracavitary surgical treatment, 5 patients were treated by ureteroscopic lithotripsy (URL), 15 by retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS), 6 by mini-percutaneous nephrolithotomy (mPCNL). All 26 cases were performed successfully. No severe complications such as septic shock, heavy blood loss, ureter injury, and pneumothorax occurred. 23 patients with nephrohydrosis were followed up for 2 to 24 months and most of them improved at different extents. Conclusion The current technique of intracavitary surgery in the management of duplex kidney and ureter concomitant with upper urinary tract calculi, has the advantages of less trauma, rapid recovery, safety and so on.
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<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Amyloid-β deposition and accumulation of autophagic vacuoles are pathologic features of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Dysregulation of the endosomal-autophagic-lysosomal (EAL) pathway, which impairs amyloid precursor protein processing, is one of the earliest changes in AD. However, the precise role of EAL pathway in neurodegeneration remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the role of EAL pathway in AD and further study the mechanism of EAL dysfunction.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>We used 3-, 7-, and 12-month-old APPswe/PSEN1dE9 (APP/PS1) mice to model different stages of AD with age- and gender-matched wild-type littermates as controls (4-7 mice per group) and detected the changes of EAL markers, endosomal organizers Rab5 and Rab7, autophagosome marker LC3B, and lysosomal proteins Lamp1/2 in cortex and hippocampus by immunohistochemistry and Western blotting analysis. To further explore the mechanism of EAL dysregulation in AD, components of the class III phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3KC3) complex, activators of Rab7 (Beclin1 and UVRAG), and the negative regulator of Rab7 (Rubicon) were also measured in this two brain regions.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>In 7-month-old APP/PS1 brain that amyloid beta initiated to accumulate intracellularly, EAL pathway, and related PI3KC3 members, UVRAG and Beclin1 were upregulated both in cortex and hippocampus (all P < 0.05). By the age of 12 months old, when abundant amyloid plaques formed, EAL markers, UVRAG, and Beclin1 were also upregulated in the cortex (all P < 0.05). However, Rab7 was decreased significantly (P = 0.0447), accompanied by a reduction of its activating PI3KC complex component Beclin1 (P = 0.0215) and enhancement of its inhibiting component Rubicon (P = 0.0055) in the hippocampus.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Our study implies that EAL pathway, represented as Rab7 and its PI3KC3 regulators' expressions, showed temporal and spatial variation in brains at different stages of AD. It provides new insights into the role of EAL pathway in pathogenesis and indicates potential therapeutic targets in neurodegenerative diseases.</p>
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Tianjin Medical University General Hospital treated 233 wounded in 8.12 Tinjin Port explosion. Here we would like to analyze the treatment process for the wounded, and share the experiences of orga- nization and management for emergency rescue operation.
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Humans , Blast Injuries , Therapeutics , China , Emergency Medical Services , Explosions , Hospitals, University , Mass Casualty Incidents , TriageABSTRACT
The AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) widely exists in skeletal muscle, liver, pancreas, adipose tissue and central nervous system. As a "cellular energy regulator", activation of AMPK can improve insulin resistance in various mechanisms. To overall understand the importance of AMPK in exercise, the article summarized the research progress on AMPK exercise activation in skeletal muscle, liver and adipose tissue as well as exercise improving cardiovascular insulin resistance by AMPK, and looked forward to the study future of AMPK exercise activation.
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Humans , AMP-Activated Protein Kinases , Physiology , Adipose Tissue , Physiology , Exercise , Physiology , Insulin Resistance , Liver , Physiology , Muscle, Skeletal , PhysiologyABSTRACT
Adult-born neurons undergo a transient period of plasticity during their integration into the neural circuit. This transient plasticity may involve NMDA receptors containing NR2B, the major subunit expressed at early developmental stages. The main objective of the present study was to investigate the effects of NR2B gene knockdown on the functional integration of the adult-born granule cells generated from the subgranule zone (SGZ) in the hippocampus. The small interfering RNA (siRNA) was used to knock down the NR2B gene in the adult-born hippocampal neurons. In the functional integration test, the mice were exposed to a novel environment (open field arena), and the expression of c-fos was immunohistochemically detected in the hippocampus. After exposure to the novel environment, siRNA-NR2B mice were significantly different from control mice in either the number of squares or the number of rears they crossed, showing decreased horizontal and vertical activity (P<0.05). Moreover, the c-fos expression was increased in both control and siRNA-NR2B mice after open field test. But, it was significantly lower in siRNA-NR2B neurons than in control neurons. It was concluded that the neural activity of newborn neurons is regulated by their own NR2B-containing NMDA glutamate receptors during a short, critical period after neuronal birth.
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Adult-born neurons undergo a transient period of plasticity during their integration into the neural circuit. This transient plasticity may involve NMDA receptors containing NR2B, the major subunit expressed at early developmental stages. The main objective of the present study was to investigate the effects of NR2B gene knockdown on the functional integration of the adult-born granule cells generated from the subgranule zone (SGZ) in the hippocampus. The small interfering RNA (siRNA) was used to knock down the NR2B gene in the adult-born hippocampal neurons. In the functional integration test, the mice were exposed to a novel environment (open field arena), and the expression of c-fos was immunohistochemically detected in the hippocampus. After exposure to the novel environment, siRNA-NR2B mice were significantly different from control mice in either the number of squares or the number of rears they crossed, showing decreased horizontal and vertical activity (P<0.05). Moreover, the c-fos expression was increased in both control and siRNA-NR2B mice after open field test. But, it was significantly lower in siRNA-NR2B neurons than in control neurons. It was concluded that the neural activity of newborn neurons is regulated by their own NR2B-containing NMDA glutamate receptors during a short, critical period after neuronal birth.
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Animals , Female , Male , Mice , Gene Knockdown Techniques , Hippocampus , Physiology , Neurons , Physiology , Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate , GeneticsABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To systematically review the safety and efficacy of Qishen Yiqi Dripping Pill (QYDP) as a complementary treatment for chronic heart failure (CHF) patients.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>CNKI, VIP, Wanfang Data, PubMed and Cochrane Library were retrieved for papers on randomized control trials of treating CHF patients by routine western medical treatment plus QYDP. The quality of inclusive literatures was assessed by methods from Cochrane Handbook. Valid data were extracted and analyzed by Meta-analysis using RevMan 5.1.0 Software.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Totally 17 trials and 1840 patients in line with standard were included. Results of Meta-analysis showed, compared with the routine Western medical treatment group, additional use of QYDP could decrease re-admission rate [RR = 0.52, 95% CI (0.33, 0.81), P = 0.004] and the mortality rate, improve the clinical efficacy [RR = 1.18, 95% CI (1.12, 1.25), P < 0.01] and cardiac function [RR = 1.18, 95% CI (1.10, 1.27),P < 0.01], increase left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) [WMD = 5.57, 95% CI (4.16, 6.97), P < 0.01] of CHF patients. Subgroup analysis of LVEF showed that additional use of QYDP could further improve LVEF [ WMD = 8.34, 95% CI (6.23, 10.45), P < 0.01] of CHF patients and increase the distance of their 6-min walk test [WMD = 94.39, 95% CI (71.89, 116.89), P < 0.01]. But there was no statistical difference in plasma brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) between the two groups. No obvious adverse reaction and liver or kidney damage was reported during the trial.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Compared with the Western medical treatment, additional use of QYDP was safe and could further improve clinical efficacy. However, larger and high-quality clinical trials are necessary for further evidence.</p>
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Humans , Chronic Disease , Drugs, Chinese Herbal , Therapeutic Uses , Heart Failure , Drug Therapy , Randomized Controlled Trials as TopicABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To assess the reliability and validity of a new Chinese version of the Addiction Severity Index (ASI-C) in drug users in the community.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Three hundred and eighty-one drug users in the community in Chengdu, Sichuan province were recruited. They were interviewed with a questionnaire consisting of the ASI-C revised on the basis of the previous Chinese version and 38 were interviewed for the second time at an interval of 7 days to evaluate test-retest reliability.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Cronbach's α coefficients for the internal consistency of the scale varied from 0.49 to 0.86. Test-retest correlation coefficients ranged from 0.50 to 0.93. Criterion validity was found acceptable, as compared with the Symptom Checklist 90 (SCL-90).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The ASI-C presented acceptable reliability and validity in a sample of drug users in the community.</p>
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Adult , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Behavior, Addictive , Psychology , China , Data Collection , Drug Users , Psychology , Reproducibility of Results , Surveys and QuestionnairesABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effect of prostaglandins E1 combined with Xuebijing injection on the expression of transforming growth factor-β₁ (TGF-β₁) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in rats with acute pulmonary interstitial fibrosis.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A rat model of pulmonary interstitial fibrosis was established by intratracheal injection of bleomycin (1 ml/kg). One hundred and eight Wistar rats were randomly divided into six groups with 18 in each group, which were normal control group, model group, hormone (methylprednisolone) treatment group, Xuebijing treatment group, prostaglandin E1 treatment group and combination treatment group (prostaglandin E1 and Xuebijing injection). Except for those in the normal control group, the rats in each group were sacrificed on the 7th, 14th and 28th day after treatment. The TGF-β₁ expression in lung tissue was measured by immunohistochemical staining. The TNF-α concentration in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) of rat model was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The combination treatment group showed significantly more macrophages with TGF-β₁ expression in lung tissue at each time point, as compared with the model group, Xuebijing treatment group, methylprednisolone treatment group and prostaglandin E1 treatment group (P < 0.05). On the 7th day, the TNF-α concentration in BALF in the combination treatment group was significantly lower than those in the model group, methylprednisolone treatment group and prostaglandin E1 treatment group (P < 0.05); on the 14th day, the TNF-α concentration in BALF in the combination treatment group was significantly lower than that in the model group (P < 0.05); on the 28th day, the levels of TNF-α in the prostaglandin E1 treatment group and combination treatment group were significantly lower than that in the model group (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Prostaglandin E1 combined with Xuebijing injection may significantly inhibit TGF-β₁ expression in the lung tissue of rats with acute pulmonary interstitial fibrosis, which reduces alveolar inflammatory response.</p>
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Animals , Female , Male , Rats , Alprostadil , Pharmacology , Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid , Chemistry , Drugs, Chinese Herbal , Pharmacology , Methylprednisolone , Pharmacology , Pulmonary Fibrosis , Metabolism , Pathology , RNA, Messenger , Genetics , Rats, Wistar , Transforming Growth Factor beta1 , Metabolism , Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha , MetabolismABSTRACT
Objective To report a self-developed cell carrier made of silicone rubber membrane, and to calculate the strain distributions on the membrane and analyze biocompatibility of the silicone rubber by three dimensional (3D) finite element method (FEM) so as to make a comprehensive evaluation on this silicon rubber membrane and provide theoretical basis for cellular research under stress stimulation. Methods The silicon rubber was made into a membrane with the thickness of 0.1 cm. Based on elastic modulus and Poisson’s ratio of the silicone rubber membrane, 3D FEM was used to simulate the deformation of the membrane induced by the stretch stress. MTT method was used to compare the growing situation of cells cultured on the silicone membranes and in standard plastic plates, respectively. Embedding experiment was also conducted to find out whether the material had biological toxicity or not. ResultsUnder the loading of 0.5%~20% strain, the area with effective strain was in the center of the membrane, accounting for 90% of the total area. There still existed some differences in biocompatibility between the silicon rubber membrane and standard plastic plate, but the material itself showed no toxicity. Conclusions Stress distributions on the surface of this self-developed silicon rubber membrane and its biocompatibility were generally acceptable for cell culture, but its surface should be further improved to fit for cell stress experiment.
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<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the effects of "XUE BI JING plus LIANQIAO" injection on gene expression levels of rats with sepsis model.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>One hundred and twenty rats were randomly divided into sham operation group, sepsis model group, Te-neng group and "XUE BI JING plus forsythia suspension" group. The sepsis model of rats was prepared by "CLP" method. Tai neng group was treated by peritoneal injection Imipenem/ Cilastatin (0.18 g/kg); "XUE BI JING plus LIANQIAO" group was treated by peritoneal injection Imipenem/ Cilastatin (0.18 g/kg) plus "xue-bi-jing" (10 ml/kg) and "liang ge san" (18 g/200 g) by intragastric administration 2 times a day; the sham operation group and model group were treated by peritoneal injection of normal saline (10 ml/kg). The survival rates at 48h and 72h were observed for all groups. The gene expression levels of livers in all groups were detected by BiostarR-40s chip. The NCBI database was used to inquest Gene function and class.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The survival rates at 48h and 72h in "XUE BI JING+ forsythia suspension" group were 83.3% and 76.7% which were significantly higher than those (30.0% and 16.7%) in sepsis model group and those (60.0% and 33.3%) in Te-neng group (P < 0.01). Model group/control group have 305 differential expression genes with 159 up-regulation genes and 146 down-regulation genes. Tai-neng group/model group have 386 differential expression genes with 206 up-regulation genes and 180 down-regulation genes. "XUE BI JING plus forsythia suspension" group/model group have 342 differential expression genes with 102 up-regulation genes and 240 downregulation genes. The genes with up-regulation in model group/ control group and with down-regulation in"XUE BI JING plus forsythia suspension" group/model group were 24. The genes with down-regulation in the model group/ sham operation group and with up-regulation in "XUE BI JING plus forsythia suspension"group/model group were 16.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>"XUE BI JING plus forsythia suspension" can reduce the mortality of rats with sepsis, which could be due to the expression of relative regulation genes.</p>
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Animals , Male , Rats , Disease Models, Animal , Drugs, Chinese Herbal , Pharmacology , Forsythia , Gene Expression , Gene Expression Regulation , Liver , Metabolism , Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis , Phytotherapy , Rats, Wistar , Sepsis , Drug Therapy , Genetics , MetabolismABSTRACT
Objective To determine the proportion of heroin use among patients who were involved in community-based methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) program and to identify the risk factors associated with heroin use. Methods This study was conducted in 9 MMT clinics within 3 provinces. Thirteen hundred and one patients who met the study criteria were selected from each of the five groups with different dosages of methadone users. An administrative questionnaire was applied to explore the demographics,drug abuse-related behaviors and MMT services received by the clients,etc. The prevalence of depression and anxiety among the clients were also collected by SAS and SDS. Urine samples were collected as a biological marker to indicate if heroin had been used. Results Of the 1301 patients,76.2% were males. The mean age was (34.6±6.5) years while 71.7% had an education level of primary school or below. The average daily dosage of methadone was (48.1±29.4) mg and self-satisfied evaluation score on treatment was 8.6. On average,27.7% urine samples showed positive opiate evidence. Marital status,employment status,treatment retention,self-satisfied evaluation score on dosage and dropout history were found to be significantly associatedwith heroin use,while gender,education level and dosage had no significant association with heroin use. It seemed that risk factors that associated with heroin use were different from areas to areas. Conclusion High quality MMT clinic services,high self-satisfied score,longer treatment retention and low dropout rate seemed to have the effects of reducing the risk of ongoing heroin abuse under the methadone maintenance treatment program.
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<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To probe into eliminating action of mild moxibustion combined with cupping therapy on athletic fatigue.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Observe changes of serum creatine kinase activity in gym-athletes with once great intensity training or periodic great intensity training, and the interfering effect of mild moxibustion combined with cupping therapy.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The mild moxibustion combined with cupping therapy has a significant promoting action on recovery of the increased serum creatine kinase activity induced by once great intensity training or periodic great intensity training in gym-athletes.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The method has a better action of eliminating athletic fatigue.</p>
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Adolescent , Child , Female , Humans , Male , Acupuncture Points , Creatine Kinase , Blood , Gymnastics , Medicine, Chinese Traditional , MoxibustionABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the therapeutic effect of integrative traditional Chinese and Western medicine in treating patients with pulmonary infection after renal transplantation.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Thirty-four inpatients were randomly divided into the treated group (n=18) and the control group (n=16). They were treated with conventional therapy, including corticosteroid, anti-viral, anti-bacterial, symptomatic and supporting therapy, to the treated group, the modified qingwen baidu decoction (MQBD) was administered additionally.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Fifty of the 18 patients in the treated group were cured, 2 improved and 1 died, the cure rate being 83.3% and the total effective rate 94.4%; while 8 of the 16 patients in the control group were cured, 2 improved and 6 died, the cure rate being 50.0% and the total effective rate 62.5%, comparison between these two groups showed significant difference (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Promising effect could be obtained for treatment of patients with pulmonary infection after renal transplantation by adding MQBD, a Chinese herbal medicine for clearing heat and detoxication, cooling blood and removing fire, on the basis of conventional western medical treatment.</p>
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Adult , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Adrenal Cortex Hormones , Therapeutic Uses , Anti-Infective Agents , Therapeutic Uses , Drug Administration Schedule , Drug Therapy, Combination , Drugs, Chinese Herbal , Therapeutic Uses , Immunosuppressive Agents , Therapeutic Uses , Kidney Transplantation , Allergy and Immunology , Phytotherapy , Pneumonia , Drug TherapyABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effects of prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) on the cytokines (IL-6, IL-8, IL-10) levels and ischemic -reperfusion injury of myocardium during cardiac surgery.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 30 patients undergoing cardiac surgery (mitral valve replacement) under extracorporeal circulation were randomized into two groups: PGE1 group (receiving 0.04 microg.kg(-1). min(-1) of Lipo-PGE1 from the beginning of surgery to the end of study, n=15) and control group (no PGE1 given, n=15). Levels of serum IL-6, IL-8 and IL-10 were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA). Isoenzyme of creatine kinase with muscle and brain subunits(CKMB) and troponin-T (cTn-T) were measured by ultraviolet absorption spectrophotometry method and enzyme immunoassay on 5 time-points during the study.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>In both groups serum IL-6, IL-8, CK-MB and cTn-T levels increased significantly after aorta declamping (especially from 2 h after aorta declamping) compared with preoperative levels (P<0.05).However,the elevations of these cytokines and enzymes were more prominent in the control group than in the PGE1 group (P<0.05). Serum IL-10 concentration increased significantly from 2 h after aorta declamping compared with preoperative value (P<0.05); but there were no differences between the two groups. IL-6 and IL-8 levels were correlated with CK-MB and cTn-T concentrations (r2=0.40, r2=0.38 P>0.05 and r2=0.56, r2=0.14; P>0.05, respectively).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>During cardiac surgery (mitral valve replacement) PGE1 may suppressed the production of IL-6, IL-8 but not IL-10, which may be related to its myocardial protection effect.</p>