Epidemiological characteristics of tick-borne infectious diseases in Hubei Province, 2016-2021 / 中华流行病学杂志

Objective: To understand the epidemiological characteristics of tick-borne infectious diseases (TBID) and the risk factors of severe illness and death in Hubei Province from 2016 to 2021. Methods: Based on the incidence data of fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS), tsutsugamushi disease, typhus and other TBID reported during 2016-2021, the epidemiological analysis was conducted. Field investigation results of TBID in areas with high incidence in 2021, logistic regression analysis of population characteristics, epidemiological history and other factors were used to explore the risk factors of severe and fatal cases. In the field vector investigation, free ticks and surface ticks of the host animals in the cases' home and surrounding grassland were monitored and detected. Results: A total of 3 826 TBID cases were reported in Hubei from 2016 to 2021, of which 71.30% (2 728/3 826) were SFTS, 13.04% (499/3 826) were tsutsugamushi disease and 15.66% (599/3 826) were typhus. A total of 44 cases died in 6 years; the fatality rate was 1.15% (44/3 826). In the peak seasons of incidence from May to July, the cases in people engaged in agriculture related work accounted for 84.61% (3 237/3 826). The incidence rate in women was higher than that in men, and the cases aged ≥50 years accounted for 81.02% of the total (3 100/3 826), and the incidence rate increased with age (P<0.001). The TBID cases were distributed in 86 counties and districts in 16 prefectures (municipality). The incidence rates of different areas had significant differences (P<0.05), and there was a certain spatial-temporal clustering and expasion. Bovis microplus and Haemaphysalis longicornis were captured in the field, and the positive rates in host animals and grassland ticks were 10.94% (7/64) and 40.00% (2/5), respectively. Univariate logistic regression analysis results showed that age ≥50 years and leukocyte <2.0×109/L were risk factors for severe illness and death. Conclusions: The TBID reported in Hubei were mainly SFTS, tsutsugamushi disease and typhus. In order to reduce the incidence of TBID, it is necessary to strengthen the prevention and control in women aged ≥50 years and reduce field exposure and tick bites during the epidemic period.

Exploring the teaching mode about clinical laboratory diagnostic pathway for chronic hepatitis B / 中华预防医学杂志

Exploring a new teaching mode of CHB laboratory diagnostics to improve the teaching quality through establishment a teaching model covered the whole process of CHB disease diagnosis and differential diagnosis, treatment, drug selection, the toxicity and side effects prediction, effect monitoring, and prognosis evaluation. According to the CHB clinical diagnosis and treatment guidelines, formulated the laboratory examination and detection strategies related to different stages of CHB, and established CHB clinical laboratory diagnostic pathway. Compared the classroom teaching effect by the questionnaire between the 2016 and 2017 eight-year undergraduates from the First Clinical College of Wuhan University. In this study,the CHB clinical laboratory diagnostic pathway was established and approved by clinicians, which covered the whole process of CHB disease diagnosis and differential diagnosis, treatment, drug selection, the toxicity and side effects prediction, effect monitoring, and prognosis evaluation. The teaching quality evaluation indicators and the scores on the class test had been greatly improved with the clinical diagnostic pathway teaching mode in the classroom teaching of 2017 clinical medicine undergraduates compared with the traditional teaching mode in the 2016 clinical medicine undergraduates. In summary, the medical students not only could realize the organic integration of laboratory diagnostics and clinical medicine, but also improves overall understanding of various laboratory tests in CHB diagnosis and treatment from the teaching model of laboratory diagnostics based on the CHB clinical laboratory diagnostic pathway,and the quality of teaching for CHB has been significantly improved.

Effect and Mechanism of Cxcr4 Gene-Modified BMSC-Derived Exosomes on Aplastic Anemia / 中国实验血液学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To explore the improvement effect of CXC chemokine receptor 4 (Cxcr4) gene-modified bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell (BMSC)-derived exosomes on aplastic anemia (AA), and make a preliminary exploration of the mechanism.@*METHODS@#Mouse BMSCs were isolated and cultured, then infected by recombinant lentivirus carrying Cxcr4 gene. The expression of green fluorescence was observed through fluorescence microscope, the expression of Cxcr4 mRNA was detected by real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR, and the BMSC-derived exosomes modified with Cxcr4 gene were extracted. Mouse models of AA were constructed, and control group, model group (AA), AA+BMSC group, AA+NC-BMSC group, AA+Cxcr4-BMSC group were set up. Except control group and model group, the other three groups of mice were injected 400 μl exosomes from different sources via the tail vein, after 2 weeks, the routine blood indices and the number of bone marrow nucleated cells were detected, the pathological changes of bone marrow were observed by HE staining, and the expression level of Treg cells was detected by flow cytometry.@*RESULTS@#Mouse BMSCs were successfully isolated, and BMSCs with high expression of Cxcr4 and their exosomes were obtained. Compared with the control group, the number of red blood cell (RBC), white blood cell (WBC), and platelet (PLT), the hemoglobin (Hb) content and proportion of Treg cells in the peripheral blood of mice in the model group significantly decreased (P<0.01), as well as the number of bone marrow nucleated cells (P<0.01). The proliferation level of nucleated cells was low, and the medullary cavity was filled with a large number of fat cells. Compared with the model group, the number of RBC, WBC, PLT, the Hb content and proportion of Treg cells in the peripheral blood of mice in the AA+BMSC group, AA+NC-BMSC group, and AA+Cxcr4-BMSC group significantly increased (P<0.01), as well as the number of bone marrow nucleated cells (P<0.01), and pathological changes of bone marrow were improved. In addition, the number of RBC, WBC, PLT, the Hb content and proportion of Treg cells in the peripheral blood of mice in the AA+Cxcr4-BMSC group were significantly higher than those in the AA+BMSC group (P<0.01), as well as the number of bone marrow nucleated cells (P<0.01).@*CONCLUSION@#Injection of Cxcr4 gene-modified BMSC-derived exosomes has a certain improvement effect on AA mice, and the mechanism may be related to an increase of the proportion of Treg cells.

Role of miRNA-324-5p-Modified Adipose-Derived Stem Cells in Post-Myocardial Infarction Repair

Background and Objectives@#To seek out the role of mircoRNA (miR)-324-5p-modified adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) in post-myocardial infarction (MI) myocardial repair. @*Methods@#and Results: Rat ADSCs were cultivated and then identified by morphologic observation, osteogenesis and adipogenesis induction assays and flow cytometry. Afterwards, ADSCs were modified by miR-324-5p lentiviral vector, with ADSC proliferation and migration measured. Then, rat MI model was established, which was treated by ADSCs or miR-324-5p-modified ADSCs. Subsequently, the function of miR-324-5p-modified ADSCs in myocardial repair of MI rats was assessed through functional assays. Next, the binding relation of miR-324-5p and Toll-interacting protein (TOLLIP) was validated. Eventually, functional rescue assay of TOLLIP was performed to verify the role of TOLLIP in MI. First, rat ADSCs were harvested. Overexpressed miR-324-5p improved ADSC viability. ADSC transplantation moderately enhanced cardiac function of MI rats, reduced enzyme levels and decreased infarct size and apoptosis;while miR-324-5p-modified ADSCs could better promote post-MI repair. Mechanically, miR-324-5p targeted TOLLIP in myocardial tissues. Moreover, TOLLIP overexpression debilitated the promotive role of miR-324-5p-modified ADSCs in post-MI repair in rats. @*Conclusions@#miR-324-5p-modified ADSCs evidently strengthened post-MI myocardial repair by targeting TOLLIP in myocardial tissues.

Clinical Study on Calcitriol Combined with Sirolimus in the Treatment of Chronic Primary Immune Thrombocytopenia Patients / 中国实验血液学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the clinical efficacy of calcitriol combined with sirolimus in the treatment of chronic primary immune thrombocytopenia (cITP) patients.@*METHODS@#A total of 146 adult cITP patients reated in the First Affiliated Hospital of Hebei North University from March 2017 to March 2020 were randomly divided into observation group (73 cases) and control group (73 cases) according to random number table. The control group was treated with oral sirolimus capsule, the observation group was treated with oral calcitriol capsule combined with sirolimus capsule, and the curative effect of the 2 groups was evaluated after continuous treatment for 6 weeks. The changes of World Health Organization (WHO) bleeding grade, laboratory related index, including peripheral blood regulatory T cell (Treg), serum 1,25-dihydroxy-vitamin D@*RESULTS@#The total effective rate of the observation group was 79.5% (58/73), which was significantly higher than 64.4% (47/73) of the control group (P<0.05). The revised WHO bleeding grades after treatment were significantly better than those before treatment in the 2 groups (P<0.05), but the observation group was improved more significantly than the control group (P<0.05). After treatment, platelet count (PLT), peripheral blood Treg cell ratio, and serum 1,25(OH)@*CONCLUSION@#The overall efficacy of calcitriol combined with sirolimus in the treatment of cITP in adults is satisfactory, which can effectively alleviate patient's condition, improve the quality of life, further increase the platelet level and decrease the expression of VDR in peripheral blood lymphocyte, the mechanism may be related to increasing the level of serum 1,25(OH)

Role of miRNA-324-5p-Modified Adipose-Derived Stem Cells in Post-Myocardial Infarction Repair

Background and Objectives@#To seek out the role of mircoRNA (miR)-324-5p-modified adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) in post-myocardial infarction (MI) myocardial repair. @*Methods@#and Results: Rat ADSCs were cultivated and then identified by morphologic observation, osteogenesis and adipogenesis induction assays and flow cytometry. Afterwards, ADSCs were modified by miR-324-5p lentiviral vector, with ADSC proliferation and migration measured. Then, rat MI model was established, which was treated by ADSCs or miR-324-5p-modified ADSCs. Subsequently, the function of miR-324-5p-modified ADSCs in myocardial repair of MI rats was assessed through functional assays. Next, the binding relation of miR-324-5p and Toll-interacting protein (TOLLIP) was validated. Eventually, functional rescue assay of TOLLIP was performed to verify the role of TOLLIP in MI. First, rat ADSCs were harvested. Overexpressed miR-324-5p improved ADSC viability. ADSC transplantation moderately enhanced cardiac function of MI rats, reduced enzyme levels and decreased infarct size and apoptosis;while miR-324-5p-modified ADSCs could better promote post-MI repair. Mechanically, miR-324-5p targeted TOLLIP in myocardial tissues. Moreover, TOLLIP overexpression debilitated the promotive role of miR-324-5p-modified ADSCs in post-MI repair in rats. @*Conclusions@#miR-324-5p-modified ADSCs evidently strengthened post-MI myocardial repair by targeting TOLLIP in myocardial tissues.

High-throughput sequencing analysis of intestinal flora diversity of two freshwater snails (Radix auricularia and Planorbella trivolvis) / 生物工程学报

Freshwater snail is an important biological group in aquatic ecosystem and an intermediate host of many parasites. Intestinal flora plays an important role in animal energy metabolism and resistance to pathogens. We analyzed the intestinal microbiota diversity of Radix auricularia (RA) and Planorbella trivolvis (PL) by 16S rRNA high-throughput sequencing. At the phylum level, RA had 23 phyla, including Proteobacteria (33.63%), Cyanobacteria (15.33%), Chloroflexi (13.95%), and Actinomycetes (12.99%). PL had 13 phyla, including Proteobacteria (54.88%), Bacteroidetes (28.49%), and Actinomycetes (7.65%). At the genus level, there were 445 genera in RA, including Pleurocapsa, Thiodictyon, Leptotrichia, and Nocardioides. There were 238 genera in PL, including Cloacibacterium, OM60NOR5_clade, Pseudomonas, and Rhodobacter. Ninety-three genera were the common core flora of the two snail species (all the samples were present), and 27 genera had an abundance greater than 0.5%. The structure of intestinal microbiota was significantly different between the two groups (P=0.027). We performed the functional prediction of intestinal microbiota using Phylogenetic Investigation of Communities by Reconstruction of Unobserved States (PICRUSt), and the results show that the KEGG functional composition of the intestinal flora of the two snails was similar, and the abundance of the amino acid metabolism, carbohydrate metabolism and membrane transport were large. In summary, the intestinal microbiota of the two snails was high in diversity and significantly different, but there were a large number of common core flora.

Lead sulfide quantum dots for the near-infrared IIb window fluorescence imaging of colon cancer / 药学学报

The near-infrared-IIb (NIR-IIb, 1 500-1 700 nm) window fluorescence with long emission wavelength has reduced light scattering and tissue auto-fluorescent background, achieving deep tissue imaging with high spatial resolution. Herein, we prepared an NIR-IIb fluorescent quantum dots (QDs) composed of lead sulfide (PbS). The fluorescence spectrum of PbS QDs were adjusted by controlling the size of the PbS core. Cadmium sulfide (CdS) shell was synthesized by the cation exchange method to form the core/shelled lead sulfide/cadmium sulfide quantum dots (CSQDs). The surface of CSQDs was modified with polyethylene glycol (PEG) to increase their stability in aqueous solution. The resulting PEG-modified CSQDs (PEG-CSQDs) had the emission peak at ~1 550 nm with quantum yield of 7.2%. The animal procedures were approved by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) of Fudan University School of Pharmacy. At 2 h postinjection, PEG-CSQDs clearly delineated the tumor region of mice bearing orthotopic CT26-Luc colon cancer model in the NIR-IIb fluorescence imaging. The fluorescent intensity ratio of primary tumor and adjacent normal tissue was 42.3, and that of metastatic tumor and adjacent normal tissue was 22.3, which allowed to detect the primary tumor of 3.4 mm×2.5 mm in dimension and the metastatic tumor of 1.2 mm×0.9 mm in dimension, and accurately guided the excision of tumors. The PEG-CSQDs prepared in this study provided a new approach for the early diagnosis and guidance of surgical resection of colon cancer.

Predictors related to condom use behaviors based on the theory of planned behavior among female sex workers / 中华疾病控制杂志

Objective To identify predictors related to condom use in different tiered female sex workers (FSWs) in Hubei Province. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted in Hubei Province in 2015 to investigate 816 eligible FSWs by using a multistage sampling method. All data were collected by using a structured questionnaire with scales on condom use, which was designed based on the theory of planned behavior (TPB). A structural equation model (SEM) was used to identify predictors of condom use in the different tiered FSWs. Results It showed that low-tier FSWs used less condom than higher-tier FSWs in commercial sexual behaviors of the last time and during the last month(P<0.001). The TPB scores were significantly different in different tiered FSWs. The scores of PBC in low-tier FSWs were lower than those in higher-tier FSWs (11.43±2.86 vs 12.06±2.87, respectively, P=0.002); But the scores of behavioral intentions were higher than those in higher-tier FSWs (5.47±1.11 vs 5.20±1.15, respectively, P=0.001). The PBC was the major factor related to condom use in low-tier FSWs (effect coefficient=0.55, P<0.001), while the behavioral intention was the major factor related to condom use in higher-tier FSWs (effect coefficient=0.33, P<0.001). Behavioral attitude was the major factor of intention to use condoms for both low-tier (effect coefficient=0.49, P<0.001) and higher-tier FSWs (effect coefficient=0.42, P<0.001). Conclusions Changing the attitude to condom use in FSWs is an important measure to promote the behavior intention. Condom promotion interventions should focus on the perceived behavioral control in low-tier FSWs, and promote the behavior intention in higher-tier FSWs.

Elevated Arsenic Exposure Is Associated with an Increased Risk of Chronic Hepatitis B Virus Infection: NHANES (2003-2014) in U.S.Adults / 华中科技大学学报（医学）（英德文版）

Studies concerning the association between arsenic exposure and hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection have been lacking.The present study aimed to examine the association between total urinary arsenic (TUA) and infection of HBV.A total of 5186 participants from National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2003-2014 were included in the analysis.We used logistic regression to evaluate the association.We defined two measures of TUA.TUA1 was the sum of arsenous acid,arsenicacid,monomethylarsonic acid and dimethylarsenic acid.TUA2 was defined as TUA minus arsenobetaine and arsenocholine.The results showed that the weighted overall prevalence of HBV infection was 6.08％.For NHANES 2003-2014,the medians (interquartile range) of TUA1 and TUA2 were 5.60 μg/L (3.97-8.09 μg/L) and 4.91 μg/L (2.36-9.11 μg/L),respectively.Comparing the highest quartile to the lowest quartile after multivariable adjustment showed that the odds ratios (ORs) and 95％ confidence intervals (CIs) for TUA1 and TUA2 were 2.44 (1.40-4.27) and 2.84 (1.60-5.05),respectively.In conclusion,elevated urinary arsenic was associated with the risk of HBV infection.Further studies,especially prospective studies,are needed to confirm the causal relationship between arsenic exposure and HBV infection.

Experience and insights of schistosomiasis elimination in Yujiang County of Jiangxi Province—Commemoration of the 60th anniversary of publishing Chairman Mao Zedong’s two poems“Farewell to the God of Plague” / 中国血吸虫病防治杂志

Schistosomiasis is one of the major infectious diseases that seriously endanger the health of people, and social and economic development. Before the year of 1949, Yujiang County of Jiangxi Province was one of hyper-endemic regions for schistosomiasis. After the founding of the People’s Republic of China, under the leadership and high attention of the Chinese Communist Party and the government, after the arduous struggle with schistosomiasis, Yujiang County became the first county that reached the standard of eradication of schistosomiasis in 1958. Moreover, Chairman Mao Zedong gladly wrote the famous poem of "Farewell to the God of Plague". Since then, the work of schistosomiasis control has been greatly inspired by the poem. In 2016, Yujiang County became the first county of schistosomiasis elimination in Jiangxi Province. In this paper, the experience and process of eradication and elimination of schistosomiasis in Yujiang County are systematically reviewed and summarized by analyzing the endemic situation of schistosomiasis before and after the eradication and elimination in Yujiang County, to expound the significance and enlightenment of the schistosomiasis control in Yujiang County. This paper commemorates the 60th anniversary of the publication of Mao Zedong’s poem.

Experience and insights of schistosomiasis elimination in Yujiang County of Jiangxi Province—Commemoration of the 60th anniversary of publishing Chairman Mao Zedong’s two poems“Farewell to the God of Plague” / 中国血吸虫病防治杂志

Schistosomiasis is one of the major infectious diseases that seriously endanger the health of people, and social and economic development. Before the year of 1949, Yujiang County of Jiangxi Province was one of hyper-endemic regions for schistosomiasis. After the founding of the People’s Republic of China, under the leadership and high attention of the Chinese Communist Party and the government, after the arduous struggle with schistosomiasis, Yujiang County became the first county that reached the standard of eradication of schistosomiasis in 1958. Moreover, Chairman Mao Zedong gladly wrote the famous poem of "Farewell to the God of Plague". Since then, the work of schistosomiasis control has been greatly inspired by the poem. In 2016, Yujiang County became the first county of schistosomiasis elimination in Jiangxi Province. In this paper, the experience and process of eradication and elimination of schistosomiasis in Yujiang County are systematically reviewed and summarized by analyzing the endemic situation of schistosomiasis before and after the eradication and elimination in Yujiang County, to expound the significance and enlightenment of the schistosomiasis control in Yujiang County. This paper commemorates the 60th anniversary of the publication of Mao Zedong’s poem.

Elevated Arsenic Exposure Is Associated with an Increased Risk of Chronic Hepatitis B Virus Infection: NHANES (2003-2014) in U.S.Adults / 华中科技大学学报（医学）（英德文版）

Studies concerning the association between arsenic exposure and hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection have been lacking.The present study aimed to examine the association between total urinary arsenic (TUA) and infection of HBV.A total of 5186 participants from National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2003-2014 were included in the analysis.We used logistic regression to evaluate the association.We defined two measures of TUA.TUA1 was the sum of arsenous acid,arsenicacid,monomethylarsonic acid and dimethylarsenic acid.TUA2 was defined as TUA minus arsenobetaine and arsenocholine.The results showed that the weighted overall prevalence of HBV infection was 6.08％.For NHANES 2003-2014,the medians (interquartile range) of TUA1 and TUA2 were 5.60 μg/L (3.97-8.09 μg/L) and 4.91 μg/L (2.36-9.11 μg/L),respectively.Comparing the highest quartile to the lowest quartile after multivariable adjustment showed that the odds ratios (ORs) and 95％ confidence intervals (CIs) for TUA1 and TUA2 were 2.44 (1.40-4.27) and 2.84 (1.60-5.05),respectively.In conclusion,elevated urinary arsenic was associated with the risk of HBV infection.Further studies,especially prospective studies,are needed to confirm the causal relationship between arsenic exposure and HBV infection.

Research progress of macrophage autophagy in atherosclerosis / 基础医学与临床

Autophagy is a self-protecting cell catabolic pathway. That macrophages involved in lipid metabolism dis-orders are the basis of atherosclerotic lesions. Autophagy plays an important role in the inhibition of inflammation and apoptosis and the promotion of cholesterol efflux. The macrophage autophagy can promote lipid metabolism, re-duce the formation of foam cells and inflammation signal, thereby inhibit atherosclerosis. Induction of macrophage autophagy may have potential significance in the treatment of atherosclerosis.

Changes of QT Dispersion in Hemodialysis Patients after Administrating Zhigancao Decoction () / 中国结合医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the alteration of QT dispersion (QTd) and QTc dispersion (QTcd) in hemodialysis patients after oral administration of Zhigancao Decoction (, Roasted Licorice Decoction, RLD).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>To investigate the alteration of QTd and QTcd in 68 routine hemodialysis patients before and after hemodialysis with 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) after orally administrated RLD for 4 weeks. Blood was also taken for measurement of plasma electrolytes, liver function, renal function, hemoglobin (Hgb) and hematocrit (HCT).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>After hemodialysis, QTd and QTcd were prolonged evidently; the difference was significant between before and after hemodialysis (P<0.05). After RLD orally administrated for 4 weeks, QTd and QTcd only slightly increased after dialysis compared with pre-dialysis (P>0.05). The QTd and QTcd of the post-therapy-post-dialysis decreased significantly compared with the pre-therapy-post-dialysis (P<0.05). There were no other significant changes in other variables (post-therapy-pre-dialysis vs. pre-therapy-pre-dialysis, or post-therapy-post-dialysis vs. pre-therapy-post-dialysis;P>0.05). After therapy, the number of patients with supraventricular arrhythmia, occasional ventricular premature beat and multiple ventricular premature beat were decreased from 15 to 4, 10 to 2 and 7 to 1, respectively.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>RLD therapy not only lowered the increased QTd and QTcd after hemodialysis, but also displayed a safety profile.</p>

Inhibitory Effect of miR-125b Down-Regulation on Proliferation of Leukemia Cell K562 / 中国实验血液学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore inhibitory effect of miR-125b down-regulation on proliferation of leukemia cell K562.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>miR-125b inhibitor and miR-125b NC were transfected into K562 cells by liposome Lipofectamine2000, the cell viability was measured by MTT assay, cell cloning ability was detected by agarose cloning assay, cell cycle was measured by flow cytometry. The expression of BCL-2, BCL-2 homology antagonist/liller 1(BAK1), p53 and p53 up-regulated modulator of apoptosis (Puma) was measured by Western blot.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with miR-125b NC, the expression of miR-125b was down-regulated (P<0.01), the cell viability and cell cloning ability were reduced (P<0.01), the cell cycle was arrested in the G phase (P<0.01), the expression of BCL-2 were down-regulated (P<0.01), the expression of BAK1, p53 and Puma were up-regulated in miR-125b inhibitor group (P<0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Down-regulation of miR-125b can inhibit K562 cell proliferation via down-regulating the expressions of BCL-2 and up-regulating the expression of BAK1, p53 and Puma.</p>

Application of high-content cell imaging system in cell proliferation detection / 中国药理学通报

Aim To compare high-content cell imaging system and other methods in detecting cell proliferation, including the traditional thymidine ( 3H-TdR) incorporation method, methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium ( MTT ) method and cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) method. Methods The fibroblast-like synovial cells (FLS) were used as the study object to observe the sensitivity and stability of FLS proliferation in different methods by using the usual proliferative stimulant tumor necrosis factor-α ( TNF-α) and the known proliferation inhibitor methotrexate at different concentrations. Results The 3H-TdR method and high-content cell imaging could detect a significant inhibitory effect of 1 nmol ·L-1 MTX on FLS cell proliferation, MTT assay and CCK-8 method could detect the significant inhibitory effect of 10 nmol· L-1 MTX on FLS cell proliferation. 3H-TdR method was found to have a large degree of discretization in the data set, with a standard deviation of 32.61% ~61.36% , and the MTT method was 11.9% ~ 17.8% , the CCK-8 method was 17.15% ~32.88% , and the high-content cell imaging system method was 12.66% ~26.54%. Conclusion The method of high-content cell imaging system is more accurate and stable for detecting cell proliferation.

The Role of miR-106a/b Expression Levels in the Diagnosis and Prognosis of Hepatocellular Carcinoma / 中国医科大学学报

Objective To investigate the role of microRNA-106a and microRNA-106b (miR-106a/b) in diagnosis and prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).Methods In this study,108 HCC patients and 54 age-and sex-matched healthy controls were enrolled.Blood samples were collected from each participant,and total RNA was extracted from the plasma.We determined miR-106a/b expression levels using quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR).Results The miR-106a/b expression levels in HCC patients were elevated compared with the healthy controls (P＜ 0.001).The ROC curve analysis showed that miR-106a/b expression levels could be used to predict the risk of HCC,with AUC values of 0.670 (95％ CI:0.573-0.768) and 0.684 (95％ CI:0.593-0.776),respectively.The miR-106a expression level in HCC patients correlated positively with hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) presence (P =0.028),differentiation (P =0.025),tumor size (P =0.002),lymph node metastasis (P =0.028),and TNM stage (P =0.037).The miR-106b expression level correlated positively with HBsAg presence (P =0.003),alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) level (P =0.031),and tumor size (P =0.005).To further investigate the correlation of miR-106a/b expression levels with overall survival (OS),Kaplan-Meier curves were plotted.The results showed that HCC patients with high miR-106a expression displayed shorter OS (P =0.013).In addition,univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression showed that miR-106a was an independent risk factor for HCC prognosis.Conclusion Circulating miR-106a/b expression levels could be used as diagnostic biomarkers for HCC,and a high circulating miR-106a expression level is an independent risk factor for poor prognosis of HCC patients.

A novel anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory drug CP-25 alleviated collagen induced arthritis by down-regulating BAFF-NF-κB signaling pathway / 中国药理学与毒理学杂志

OBJECTIVE To investigated the regulatory effect of paeoniflorin-6'-O-benzene sulfonate (CP-25) on B cell activating factor (BAFF)/BAFF receptor-nuclear factor of kappa B (NF-κB) signaling in B cell of collagen induced-arthritis (CIA) mice. METHODS Mice CIA was induced by injection of typeⅡcollagen (CⅡ). The arthritis index (AI) and swollen joint count (SJC) were assessed, and histopathology of spleen and joints were observed. The percentage of B cells subsets, BAFF receptor expressions were analyzed by flow cytometry. BAFF and immunoglobulin (Ig) levels were measured by protein antibody array. The expressions of TRAF2, MKK3, MKK6, p-P38, and p-NF-κB65 in NF-κB signaling mediated by BAFF were analyzed by western blot. RESULTS CP-25 decreased AI and SJC, restored abnormal weights, reduced thymus index and spleen index, inhibited T/B cells proliferation, alleviated the histopathology of spleen and joints in CIA mice. CP-25 also reduced high levels of serum BAFF and immunoglobulin, decreased CD19+B cells, CD19+CD27+B cells, and CD19-CD27+CD138+ plasma cells, inhibited BAFFR and TACI expressions, decreased the expressions of TRAF2, MKK3, MKK6, p-P38, and p-NF-κB65. Compared with biological agents etanercept and rituximab, CP-25 restored high T cells proliferation and percentages of B subsets to normal level, and recovered the high levels of IgA, IgD, IgG1, IgG2a and high expressions molecules in NF- κB signaling to normal levels. The action intensity of rituximab and etanercept was more strong than CP- 25. The inhibitor effects of rituximab and etanercept on AI and SJC, thymus index, proliferation of T cells and B cells subsets were strong, and down-regulated the indexes to under normal levels. CONCLUSION CP-25 might be a promising anti- inflammatory immune and regulation drug, which alleviated CIA and regulated the functions of B cells through BAFF/BAFF receptor-NF-κB signaling.

Ginsenoside metabolite compound K alleviate collegen-induced arthritis through impairing dendritic cells function / 中国药理学与毒理学杂志

OBJECTIVE Ginsenoside metabolite compound K (CK) is a degradation product of ginsenoside in the intestine by bacteria. The anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory activities of CK have been reported. This study investigated whether CK exerted its immunoregulatory effect through modulation of dendritic cells (DCs) function. METHODS In vivo, severity of collegen-induced arthritis (CIA), T cells and DCs subsets, phenotype of DC were assayed by flow cytometry, CCL19 and CCL21 level in lymph nodes assayed by ELISA. In vitro, bone marrow-derived DCs from normal mice were matured with lipopolysaccharide and treated with CK for 48 h. In vivo, bone marrow-derived DCs were generated from CIA mice before and 2 weeks into CK treatment. DCs were analyzed for migration, phenotype and T- cell stimulatory capacity. RESULTS CK alleviated the severity of CIA, decreased pDCs and mo-DCs, increased na?ve T cells in CIA mice lymph nodes, and suppressed CCL21 expression in lymph nodes. CK suppressed DCs migration induced by CCL21 and T cells-stimulatory capability of DC, down-regulated LPS-induced expression of CD80, CD86, MHCII and CCR7 on DCs. CONCLUSION This study elucidated the novel immunomodulatory property of CK via impairing function of DCs in priming T cells activation. These results provide an interesting novel insight into the potential mechanism by which CK contribute to the restoration of immunoregulation in autoimmune conditions.