Effects of roxadustat versus recombination human erythropoietin on coronary artery calcification in maintenance hemodialysis patients / 中国药房

OBJECTIVE To compare the effects of roxadustat and recombination human erythropoietin （rHuEPO） on coronary artery calcification in maintenance hemodialysis （MHD） patients. METHODS In retrospective analysis， MHD patients prescribed roxadustat in the Blood Purification Center of the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University from April 2019 to June 2021 were selected as the ROX group （56 patients）， and MHD patients prescribed rHuEPO during the same period were selected as the EPO group （60 patients）， and follow-up observation was conducted for 12 months. The differences in laboratory index， coronary artery calcification score （CACS）， and cardiac ultrasound parameters before and after treatment as well as the occurrence of cardiac and cerebrovascular adverse events during follow-up period were compared between the two groups. RESULTS There was no statistical difference in CACS between the two groups before and after treatment （P＞0.05）； but the difference of CACS in the ROX group was significantly lower than the EPO group （P＜0.05）. There was no statistically significant difference in cardiac ultrasound parameters and laboratory indexes between the two groups before and after treatment （P＜0.05）. The incidence of apoplexy and myocardial infarction in the ROX group was lower than that in the EPO group （P＜0.05）， and there was no statistically significant difference in the incidence of hospitalization due to heart failure between the two groups （P＞0.05）. CONCLUSIONS Compared with rHuEPO， roxadustat may have a positive effect on delaying coronary artery calcification in MHD patients and may be beneficial in reducing the incidence of myocardial infarction and apoplexy in MHD patients.

Promoting cardioprotection with fenugreek: Insights from CoCl2-induced hypoxia in neonatal rat cardiomyocytes.

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the protective effects of fenugreek on CoCl2-induced hypoxia in neonatal rat cardiomyocytes. Materials and Methods: Primary cardiomyocytes were isolated from Sprague Dawley rats aged 0-2 days and incubated with various concentrations of fenugreek (10-320 µg/ml) and CoCl2-induced hypoxia for different durations (24, 48, and 72 hr). Cell viability, calcium signaling, beating rate, and gene expression were evaluated. Results: Fenugreek treatments did not cause any toxicity in cardiomyocytes. At a concentration of 160 µg/ml for 24 hr, fenugreek protected the heart against CoCl2-induced hypoxia, as evidenced by reduced expression of caspases (-3, -6, -8, and -9) and other functional genes markers, such as HIF-1α, Bcl-2, IP3R, ERK5, and GLP-1r. Calcium signaling and beating rate were also improved in fenugreek-treated cardiomyocytes. In contrast, CoCl2 treatment resulted in up-regulation of the hypoxia gene HIF-1α and apoptotic caspases gene (-3, -9, -8, -12), and down-regulation of Bcl-2 activity. Conclusion: Fenugreek treatment at a concentration of 160 µg/ml was not toxic to neonatal rat cardiomyocytes and protected against CoCl2-induced hypoxia. Furthermore, fenugreek improved calcium signaling and beating rate and altered gene expression. Fenugreek may be a potential therapeutic agent for promoting cardioprotection against hypoxia-induced injuries.

Polyphenols Profile and Enzyme Inhibitory Properties of Blumea lacera (Burm. f.) DC.: A Potential Candidate against Obesity, Aging, and Skin Disorder.

Blumea lacera (Burm. f.) DC. is attracting scientific interest due to the diverse biological activities of its various parts and its use in folk medicine. The present study was undertaken to investigate the tissue-specific differential expression pattern of its total bioactive compounds. The study was further extended to whole plant phenolics profiling, in vitro enzyme inhibition activities, followed by in silico enzyme inhibition analysis to assess its potential as herbal medicine. The amount of total phenolics in different tissues was followed in decreasing order as old leaf, flower bud, root, young leaf, flower, old stem, and young stem, while that for the flavonoids was old leaf, root, young leaf, flower bud, flower, young stem, and old stem. This study identified rosmarinic acid, quercetin, and kaempferol in this plant for the first time. The solvent extracts demonstrated strong inhibition of lipase and tyrosinase activity, along with varying degrees of inhibition of acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase activity. Among the detected compounds, ten displayed strong in silico binding affinities with the tested enzymes. The findings provide a new insight into further investigation of the medicinal potential of this species against obesity, neurological disorders, and aberrant skin color.

Phytochemical analysis and protective effects of Vaccinium macrocarpon (cranberry) in rats (Rattus norvegicus) following ethylene oxide-induced oxidative insult.

The Vaccinium genus comprises more than 126 genera of perennial flowering plants that are commonly adapted to poor and acidic soils or epiphytic environments. Their molecular and genomic characterization is a result of the recent advent in next-generation sequencing technology. In the current research, extracts were prepared in different media, such as petroleum ether, methanol and ethanol. An extract of Vaccinium macrocarpon (cranberry) was used at a dose of 200-400 mg/kg by weight (B.wt). Levels of oxidative stress markers, i.e., superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione (GSH), advanced oxidation protein products (AOPPs) and malondialdehyde (MDA), were measured. A histopathological study of six vital organs in rats was also conducted. The results indicated that the antioxidant levels were lower in the group given only ethylene oxide (EtO) but higher in the groups receiving cranberry extract as a treatment. Major improvements were also observed in stress markers such as advanced oxidation protein products (AOPPs) and MDA following cranberry treatment. Histopathological changes induced by EtO were observed in the heart, kidney, liver, lung, stomach and testis and were reversed following cranberry treatment. The major toxic effects of EtO were oxidative stress and organ degeneration, as observed from various stress markers and histopathological changes. Our study showed that this extract contains strong antioxidant properties, which may contribute to the amelioration of the observed toxic effects.

Burden of stroke in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: A soaring epidemic.

Stroke is a key cerebrovascular disease that is related to high morbidity and mortality in the globe. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) is not an exception where stroke is fast developing into a serious challenge due to the high mortality rate. Additionally, stroke presents a tremendous economic burden and has a devastating effect on the quality of lives of individuals. The number of stroke cases are increasing yearly, thus posing a major challenge to the health care system. Therefore, it is crucial to implement primary and secondary prevention strategies in the KSA. Nevertheless, as compared with developed countries, information on the prevalence, socio-demographic properties and prevention of stroke remains scarce that could be attributed to the shortage of research conducted in this specified region. The review is written to address the various aspects of stroke in the KSA, based on current literatures search using PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science and Google Scholar databases, to identify studies published since inception to Dec 2020.

Normalisation of human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) levels in a patient with partial molar pregnancy with a uterine mass without chemotherapy: impact of using herbal remedies.

OBJECTIVES: Level of ßhCG and the presence of any uterine mass of hydatidiform mole need a careful review or monitoring in order to prevent metastasis, provide an early treatment and avoid unnecessary chemotherapy. CASE PRESENTATION: A 36-year old fifth gravida patient who had a missed abortion was diagnosed as having a molar pregnancy with beta human chorionic gonadotrophin (ßhCG) level of 509,921 IU/L. Her lung field was clear and she underwent suction and curettage (S & C) procedure. However, after six weeks, AA presented to the emergency department with a massive bleeding, although her ßhCG level had decreased to 65,770 IU/L. A trans-abdominal ultrasound indicated the presence of an intra-uterine mass (3.0 × 4.4 cm). Nevertheless, her ßhCG continued to show a declining trend (8,426 IU/L). AA was advised to undergo a chemotherapy but she refused, citing preference for alternative medicine like herbs instead. She opted for an "at own risk" (AOR) discharge with scheduled follow up. Subsequently, her condition improved with her ßhCG showing a downward trend. Surprisingly, at six months post S & C, her ßhCG ameliorated to 0 IU/L with no mass detected by ultrasound. CONCLUSIONS: Brucea javanica fruits, Pereskia bleo and Annona muricata leaves can potentially be useful alternatives to chemotherapy and need further studies.

Effects of HDAC4 on IL-1β-induced matrix metalloproteinase expression regulated partially through the WNT3A/β-catenin pathway / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

BACKGROUND@#Histone deacetylase 4 (HDAC4) regulates chondrocyte hypertrophy and bone formation. The aim of the present study was to explore the effects of HDAC4 on Interleukin 1 beta (IL-1β)-induced chondrocyte extracellular matrix degradation and whether it is regulated through the WNT family member 3A (WNT3A)/β-catenin signaling pathway.@*METHODS@#Primary chondrocytes (CC) and human chondrosarcoma cells (SW1353 cells) were treated with IL-1β and the level of HDAC4 was assayed using Western blotting. Then, HDAC4 expression in the SW1353 cells was silenced using small interfering RNA to detect the effect of HDAC4 knockdown on the levels of matrix metalloproteinase 3 (MMP3) and MMP13 induced by IL-1β. After transfection with HDAC4 plasmids, the overexpression efficiency was examined using Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and the levels of MMP3 and MMP13 were assayed using Western blotting. After incubation with IL-1β, the translocation of β-catenin into the nucleus was observed using immunofluorescence staining in SW1353 cells to investigate the activation of the WNT3A/β-catenin signaling pathway. Finally, treatment with WNT3A and transfection with glycogen synthase kinase 3 beta (GSK3β) plasmids were assessed for their effects on HDAC4 levels using Western blotting.@*RESULTS@#IL-1β downregulated HDAC4 levels in chondrocytes and SW1353 cells. Furthermore, HDAC4 knockdown increased the levels of MMP3 and MMP13, which contributed to the degradation of the extracellular matrix. Overexpression of HDAC4 inhibited IL-1β-induced increases in MMP3 and MMP13. IL-1β upregulated the levels of WNT3A, and WNT3A reduced HDAC4 levels in SW1353 cells. GSK-3β rescued IL-1β-induced downregulation of HDAC4 in SW1353 cells.@*CONCLUSION@#HDAC4 exerted an inhibitory effect on IL-1β-induced extracellular matrix degradation and was regulated partially by the WNT3A/β-catenin signaling pathway.

Prevalence, risk factors and clinical characteristics of respiratory syncytial virus-associated lower respiratory tract infections in Kelantan, Malaysia.

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a common pathogen affecting the respiratory tract in infants. To date, there is limited data on RSV occurrence in Malaysia especially in the northeast of Peninsular Malaysia which is significantly affected by the rainy (monsoon) season. This study aimed to determine the prevalence, risk factors (the presence of a male sibling and older school-age siblings, parental education level, monthly income, chronic lung disease, immunocompromised, being a passive smoker, multipara, breastfeeding, prematurity, congenital heart disease, nursery attendance, and rainy season) as well as clinical manifestations of RSV in hospitalized infants and children with lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI). Patients' nasopharyngeal aspirates were tested for RSV antigen, questionnaires, and seasonal variations were used to assess RSV infection. Approximately 22.6% of children were infected with RSV; mean age 7.68 ± 5.45 months. The peak incidence of RSV as a causative agent for LRTI in infants was less than or equal to 1-year old (83%) with approximately 50.5% of the affected children in the younger age group (6 months amd below). RSV infection was significantly but independently associated with the rainy season (odds ratio, 3.307; 95% confidence interval, 1.443-3.688; P < 0.001). The infection was also associated ( P < 0.05) with a higher number of severe clinical courses, poor feeding, vomiting, increased need for medical care and a shorter mean duration of symptoms before hospital admission. Our study suggested administration of the passive prophylaxis for RSV to high-risk infants during the rainy season in the months of October to January.

Therapeutic effect and mechanism of three kinds of Dendrobium on constipation in rats with spleen Yin deficiency / 中国中药杂志

Books on Chinese herbal medicines have shown that Dendrobium has the effect of nourishing Yin and reinforcing Yin,usually used for constipation induced by spleen Yin deficiency in clinical application. D. huoshanense,as an independent species among many species of Dendrobium,has no experimental studies about its effects on spleen Yin deficiency-type constipation. The purpose of this experiment was to illustrate the therapeutic effect of D. huoshanense on the constipation of spleen Yin deficiency type in rats,investigate its preliminary mechanism,and compare it with the D. officinale and D. nobile contained in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia to clarify its characteristics. The spleen Yin deficiency model was replicated in 70 rats by the composite factor method,and then the model rats were randomly divided into 7 groups: model group,Liuwei Dihuang Pills group( LWDHP),D. huoshanense high( DHS-H),medium( DHS-M),low( DHS-L) dose groups,D. nobile group( DNS),and D. officinale group( DOS),and another 10 rats were used as normal group( Normal). After 7 continuous days of administration,the fecal water content and intestine propulsion rate of each group were detected. HE staining was used to observe the pathological damage of ileum and colon in each group. Immunohistochemistry and Western blot were used to detect aquaporin 3( AQP3) expressions,while the expression levels of the somatostatin( SS) and motilin( MTL) in the ileum of each group were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The results showed that as compared with the model group,the rats in each drug-administered group had increased number of fecal pellets,increased fecal water content,and the increased intestinal propulsion rate( P<0. 01),while the pathological damage of the ileum and colon was significantly reduced; the expression of AQP3 protein was significantly decreased( P<0. 01); the level of MTL was significantly increased and the level of SS was decreased( P<0. 01). All DHS groups showed a good dose-effect relationship,and the same dose treatment effect was equivalent to that of DOS,but it was superior to DNS. Therefore,DHS has a significant therapeutic effect on constipation of spleen Yin deficiency type,and its mechanism may be related to intestinal motility and water-liquid metabolism,with a good therapeutic effect.

Comparison of in-vitro anti-fibrotic effects of pirfenidone and nintedanib / 中国药理学通报

Aim To compare the mechanism of action of currently marketed pulmonary fibrosis drugs at the cellular level by evaluating the inhibitory effects of pirfenidone and nintedanib on the proliferation, migration and activation of human embryonic lung fibroblast HFL1. Methods The inhibitory effects of pirfenidone and nintedanib on TGF-β1/PDGF-induced HFL1 proliferation, migration and activation were evaluation of by MTT, scratch test,Q-PCR and Western blot. Results MTT, scratch test results showed that both pirfenidone and nintedanib could inhibit TGF-β1-induced fibroblast proliferation and migration, in which nintedanib had a higher titer than pirfenidone. In anti-activation experiments, both pirfenidone and nintedanib inhibited the expression of fibroblast activation markers mRNA and protein, and both inhibited the phosphorylation of Smad3 and inhibited the activation of TGF-β/ Smad3 signaling pathway. Nintedanib had a stronger inhibitory effect on TGF-β/Smad3 signaling pathway, which exerted 51 % inhibitory rate on Smad3 phosphorylation compared with 13% inhibitory rate of pirfenidone. Conclusions Both pirfenidone and nintedanib can inhibit the proliferation, migration and activation of myofibroblasts, where nintedanib has a higher inhibitory potency than pirfenidone does, and the inhibition of TGF-β/Smad3 signaling pathway is stronger.

Chronic inflammation deteriorates structure and function of collagen fibril in rat temporomandibular joint disc / 国际口腔科学杂志·英文版

Collagen is the building component of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) discs and is often affected by inflammation in temporomandibular disorders. The macromechanical properties of collagen are deteriorated by chronic inflammation. However, the mechanism by which inflammation influences disc function remains unknown. The relationship between the ultrastructure and nanomechanical properties of collagen in inflamed discs should be clarified. Seven-week-old female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into two groups. Chronic TMJ inflammation was induced by intra-articular injection of complete Freund's adjuvant, and samples were harvested after 5 weeks. Picrosirius staining revealed multiple colours under polarized light, which represented alternative collagen bundles in inflamed discs. Using atomic force microscopy scanning, the magnitude of Young's modulus was reduced significantly accompanied with disordered collagen fibril arrangement with porous architecture of inflamed discs. Transmission electron microscopy scanning revealed a non-uniform distribution of collagen fibres, and oversized collagen fibrils were observed in inflamed discs. Fourier transform infrared microspectroscopy revealed a decrease in 1 338 cm/amide II area ratio of collagen in different regions. The peak positions of amide I and amide II bands were altered in inflamed discs, indicating collagen unfolding. Our results suggest that sustained inflammation deteriorates collagen structures, resulting in the deterioration of the ultrastructure and nanomechanical properties of rat TMJ discs.

Anti-inflammatory Effect of Dendrobii Huoshanense Herba / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective:To observe the anti-inflammatory effect of Dendrobii Huoshanense Herba. Method:Totally 60 Kunming mice were randomly divided into normal group, model group, high, middle and low-dose Dendrobii Huoshanense Herba groups (DHS-H, DHS-M, DHS-L, 4, 2, 1 g·kg-1) and dexamethasone acetate group (DXMS, 0.01 g·kg-1). The rats were intragastrically administered for 14 days. After the last administration for 1 h, a total of 20 μL of xylene was added to both sides of the right ear center of the mice to establish the ear swelling model. All of the mice were decapitated 1 h later, and the ear swelling inhibition rate of each group were calculated. Totally 36 healthy SD rats were divided into normal model, model group, DHS-H,DHS-M,DHS-L groups (2.8, 1.4, 0.7 g·kg-1) and DXMS acetate group. The rats were intragastrically administered for 7 days. One hour after the last intragastric administration, a foot swelling model was established through subcutaneous injection of 10%fresh egg white in the right hind limb toe of each group. The right hind paw circumference of each rat was measured at 0, 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 h, and the paw swelling of the rats was calculated. Totally 60 SD rats were implanted subcutaneously with sterile dry cotton balls in the bilateral groin and grouped as above. All of the rats were intragastrically administered for 14 days since the next day. After the last administration, cotton balls were taken out, and the inhibition rate of granuloma was calculated. And the contents of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-2 (IL-2), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interferon-γ (IFN-γ) in the serum of each group were detected. Result:Compared with the normal group, the ear swelling rate, the foot swelling degree were significantly increased in the model group(PPPPPα, IL-1β, IL-2, IL-6, and IFN-γ in the model group were higher than those in the normal group (Pα, IL-1β, IL-2, IL-6, and IFN-γ in Dendrobii Huoshanense Herba group and positive drug group were decreased significantly (PPConclusion:Dendrobii Huoshanense Herba could effectively inhibit acute and chronic inflammatory reactions.

Single-nucleotide polymorphisms and mRNA expression of CYP1B1 influence treatment response in triple negative breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.

Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) is typically associated with poor and interindividual variability in treatment response. Cytochrome P450 family 1 subfamily B1 (CYP1B1) is a metabolizing enzyme, involved in the biotransformation of xenobiotics and anticancer drugs. We hypothesized that, single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), CYP1B1 142 C>G, 4326 C>G and 4360 A>G, and CYP1B1 mRNA expression might be potential biomarkers for prediction of treatment response in TNBC patients. CYP1B1 SNPs genotyping (76 TNBC patients) was performed using allele-specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism methods and mRNA expression of CYP1B1 (41 formalin-fixed paraffin embeddedblocks) was quantified using quantitative reverse transcription PCR. Homozygous variant genotype (GG) and variant allele (G) of CYP1B1 4326C>G polymorphism showed significantly higher risk for development of resistance to chemotherapy with adjusted odds ratio (OR): 6.802 and 3.010, respectively. Whereas, CYP1B1 142 CG heterozygous genotype showed significant association with goodtreatment response with adjusted OR: 0.199. CYP1B1 142C-4326G haplotype was associated with higher risk for chemoresistance with OR: 2.579. Expression analysis revealed that the relative expression of CYP1B1 was downregulated (0.592) in cancerous tissue compared with normal adjacent tissues. When analysed for association with chemotherapy response, CYP1B1 expression was found to be significantly upregulated (3.256) in cancerous tissues of patients who did not respond as opposed to those of patients who showed response to chemotherapy. Our findings suggest that SNPs together with mRNA expression of CYP1B1 may be useful biomarkers to predict chemotherapy response in TNBC patients.

Effect of body composition on dialysis quality(Kt/V): a single center study / 中华肾脏病杂志

Objective To investigate the relationship between body composition and adequacy of dialysis,and analyze the related risk factors for inadequate delivery of hemodialysis.Methods In a prospective clinical trial,two different methods determining dialysis dose were simultaneously applied:Kt/Vdau (conventional method with Daugirdas' formula) and Kt/Vbem [online clearance monitoring (OCM) measurement with Ⅴ measured by body composition monitor (BCM)].Using the value of 1.27 as the boundary,the patients were divided into two groups:Kt/Vbcm ＜ 1.27 group and Kt/Vbcm≥ 1.27 group.Clinical indices were compared between the two groups.Multiple linear regression was applied to analyze the potential impact factors of the difference between Kt/V values calculated by the two methods.Receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve was applied to analyze meaningful factors.Results A total of 138 maintenance hemodialysis patients with age of (54.9±12.7) years old were enrolled,and 55.1％ of them were males.There was no significant difference between Kt/Vdau and Kt/Vbcm [1.432(1.235,1.718) vs 1.434 (1.244,1.642),P=0.823].Kt/Vdau was incidentally prone to falsely high values due to operative errors,whereas in these cases OCM-based measurement Kt/Vbcm delivered realistic values.An excellent correlation was observed between Kt/Vdau and Kt/Vbcm;the mean difference was 0.07,95％CI (-0.66-0.79);the correlation coefficient was 0.842(0.821-0.862).The patients in Kt/Vbcm≥ 1.27 group had older age,lower body mass index (BMI),lower height and weight,lower total body water (TBW),lower extracellular water,lower intracellular water,and lower lean tissue index (LTI) compared to those in Kt/Vbcm ＜ 1.27 group.Excellent correlations were observed between Kt/Vbcm and TBW or LTI (r=-0.834,P ＜ 0.001;r=-0.721,P ＜ 0.001).ROC curve analysis showed that the sensitivity and specificity of predicting inadequate delivery of hemodialysis were 87.1％ and 86.5％,with a threshold of 30 L for TBW.It also showed that the sensitivity and specificity of predicting inadequate delivery of hemodialysis were 60.4％ and 94.6％,with a threshold of 11.05 kg/m2 for LTI.Conclusions BCM can give more accurate parameters of urea distribution volume,thus modifying the result of Kt/V.TBW and LTI are important risk influencing factors for inadequately dialysis,and special attention should be paid to patients with TBW ＞ 30 L or LTI ＞ 11.05 kg/m2.

Effect of RBP4 on neurocognitive function in diabetic nephropathy with silent cerebral infarction / 重庆医学

Objective To observe the impairment effect of retinol binding protein 4(RBP4) on neurocognitive function in diabetic nephropathy(DN) patients with silent cerebral infarction(SCI) and to explore its mechanism.Methods Sixty patients with newly diagnosed DN and 30 healthy volunteers were selected as the study subjects and the DN cases were divided into the complicating SCI group(SCI,n=30) and non-complicating SCI group(NSCI,n=30) according to the imaging results.The degrees of neurological function deficit and Montreal cognitive assessment(MoCA) were evaluated.Serum RBP4 level was determined by ELISA and expressions of Lp-PLA2 and C-X-C chemokine receptor type 4(CXCR4) were determined by Western blot.Results Compared with the NSCI group,the neurocognitive function in the SCI group was subsided,the expression levels of RBP4,Lp-PLA2 and CXCR4 were increased(P＜0.05).The RBP4 level was positively correlated with the neurocognitive function impairment in SCI patients,moreover,there existed a regression correlation between them.Conclusion Serum RBP4 may serve as the predictive factor of DN complicating SCI and is positively correlated with neurocognitive dysfunction.Lp-PLA2/CXCR4 pathway activation may be one of its pathogenesis.

Association between ADAMTS14 gene polymorphism and the temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis in Chinese Han females / 北京大学学报(医学版)

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the association between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) of ADAMTS14 gene rs4747096 and osteoarthritis of the temporomandibular joint in Chinese Han females.@*METHODS@#As a case-control study, a total of 213 Chinese Han females were involved in the present study, which contained 103 temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis patients and 110 healthy people who had no symptoms or signs of temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis as control. Peripheral blood samples were collected from each participant. Genomic DNAs of temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis patients and healthy control were extracted from peripheral venous blood, which were stored in -80 °C refrigerator by using DNA extraction kits. The designed primers were used for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of specific DNA fragments. Genotype was determined by sequencing the PCR products. The software Chromas 2.22 was used to analyze the genotype. The genotype distributions, allele frequencies and genetic models between the patients and controls were compared. The age distribution was checked by t-test. Genotype and allele frequency were detected by Chi-square test.@*RESULTS@#In the present study, there were no significant differences between the osteoarthritis patients and healthy controls in terms of age. The genotype distribution was in accordance with Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium in the two groups. The genotype frequency of the ADAMTS14 (rs4747096) in the experimental group was 38.8% (AA), 55.4% (AG), and 5.8% (GG), respectively. The genotype frequency in the control group was 40.9% (AA), 43.6% (AG), and 15.5% (GG), respectively. The difference of genotype frequency of the ADAMTS14 (rs4747096) was significant between the experimental group and the control group (P=0.047). There was no significant difference in allele frequency between the two groups (P=0.415). AA and AG genotypes significantly increased the risk of the disease compared with GG in dominant model (OR=1.114, 95% CI: 1.015-1.223, P=0.028).@*CONCLUSION@#A significant correlationship was found between the ADAMTS14 (rs4747096) SNP and the temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis in Chinese Han females. The distribution of rs4747096 may be different between temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis and healthy population.

Clinical characteristics and etiologic analysis of scabies-associated glomerulonephritis / 重庆医学

Objective To understand the incidence and clinical characteristics of scabies-associated glomerulonephritis and to investigate its pathogenesis.Methods The patients with scabies from Qijiang District People's Hospital.were collected from the outpatient department and divided into the simple scabies group (A) and glomerulonephritis group (B) according to whether complicating glomerulonephritis.The general clinical indicators and serum C-reactive protein(CRP),complement components C3 and C4,immunoglobulin,TNF-α,IL-6,IL-1β and IL-18 in the early stage of the disease were determined and compared between the two groups.The differences of above indicators were collected and compared between before and after clinical cure in the patients with scabies-associated glomerulonephritis.Results Among 376 cases of scabies,16 cases developed glomerulonephritis.The clinical manifestations included glomerular hematuria and/or mild-moderate proteinuria.The kidney injury manifestations in 12 cases were completely disappeared at 2-6 months after scabies cure.The levels of serum CRP,IgG,TNF-α,IL-6,and IL-18 in the group B were significantly increased and the serum C3 level was significantly decreased compared with the group A,the differences were statistically significant(P＜0.05).The levels of serum IgG,hs-CRP,TNF-α,IL-6 and IL-18 after cure in 12 cases of clinically cured scabies-associated glomerulonephritis were significantly decreased and the serum C3 level was significantly increased,and the difference was statistically significant compared with the early onset stage(P＜0.05).Conclusion The majority of prognosis in scabies-associated glomerulonephritis is good.Its occurrence is closely correlated with immune and inflammatory reactions induced by sarcoptes mites irffection.

Effects of heterozygous blood purification on clearance of beta 2-microglobulin and microinflammatory state in patients on maintenance hemodialysis / 重庆医学

Objective To explore the effects of heterozygous blood purification on clearance of β2-microglohulin (β2-MG) and alleviation of microinflammatory state in patients on maintenance hemodialysis.Methods A total of 128 patients on maintenance hemodialysis for more than 6 months in the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University and the First Branch of the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University were enrolled and divided into the routine hemodialysis group and heterozygous blood purification group,64,cases in each group.The serum levels of β2-MG,high-sensitive C reactive protein (hs-CRP) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) of patients in the two groups were measured before and 6 months after the initiation of hemodialysis.Results After 6 months of treatment,the serum levels of β2-MG,hs-CRP and IL-6 were decreased in heterozygous blood purification group,compared with those before treatment,the differences were statistically significant (P＜0.05).In routine hemodialysis group,the serum level of β2-MG was decreased,and serum levels of hs-CRP and IL-6 were increased,,compared with those before treatment,no statistically significant difference was found (P＞0.05).Moreover,after 6 months of treatment,the serum levels of β2-MG,hsCRP and IL-6 in heterozygous blood purification group were significantly lower than those in the routine hemodialysis group (P＜ 0.05).Conclusion Heterozygous blood purification couldefficiently remove middle molecule toxins from blood,and alleviate microinflammatory status in patients on maintenance hemodialysis.

Clinical characteristic and correlative factors of maintenance hemodialysis patients with restless legs syndrome / 中华肾脏病杂志

Objective To explore the prevalence and the correlative factors of restless legs syndrome (RLS) in maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) patients.Methods The basic information and clinical laboratory results of 307 MHD patients were collected.The international RLS study group (IRLSSG) diagnostic criteria were applied to assess the presence and the severity of RLS.Binary logistic analysis was used for exploring correlative factors of RLS.Results The prevalence of RLS was 12.1％ in the MHD patients,with 73.0％ patients having mild-to-moderate symptoms and 83.8％ having chronic RLS.There was no significant difference between MHD patients with and without RLS in age,gender,dialysis age,daily urine,Kt/V,history of smoking,drinking,hemoglobin,serum creatinine,urea nitrogen,uric acid,calcium,phosphorus,magnesium,potassium,intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH),prealbumin,albumin and alkaline phosphatase.But the frequency of daily exercise in RLS group is significantly lower than that in non-RLS group (Z=-4.114,P ＜ 0.001).Logistic regression analysis showed that daily exercise was a correlative factor of RLS (B=-2.203,OR=0.111,95％CI 0.033-0.371,P ＜ 0.001).Conclusions RLS is a common complication in MHD patients,with chronic state and mild-to-moderate symptoms.RLS is correlated with daily exercise,which may be a scientific approach to treat or prevent this disease.

A 15-year single centre retrospective study of antiphospholipid syndrome patients from Northern Malaysia

Background: Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is an autoimmune disorder characterised by thrombosis and/or pregnancy morbidity in the presence of antiphospholipid antibodies (aPLs) based on the Sydney criteria. We aimed to explore the clinico-laboratory features and treatment strategies of APS patients retrospectively. Methodology: The medical records of APS patients registered under Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia (Kelantan state) between 2000 and 2015 were reviewed. Results: A total of 17 APS subjects (age 40.7 ± 12.8 years) including 11 primary (64.7%) and six secondary APS (35.3%) patients were identified. The follow-up period was 9.5 ± 6.7 years with male:female ratio of 1.0:4.7. Pregnancy morbidity was the most common clinical manifestation (11/14; 78.6%) followed by recurrent venous thrombosis (10/17; 58.8%). For other clinical features, menorrhagia was the most frequently observed manifestation (4/14; 28.6%) followed by aPLs-associated thrombocytopenia (4/17; 23.5%) and ovarian cyst (3/14; 21.4%). LA and aCL were positive in 94.1% (16/17) and 81.8% (9/11) of the patients, respectively. APTT value (76.7 ± 17.0 sec) was significantly high (p < 0.05). Low intensity warfarin alone was successful to maintain target INR (2.0 - 3.0) and prevent recurrence of thrombosis. Conclusion: The tendency of pregnancy morbidity in this cohort of Malaysian Kelantanese APS patients was high compared to other previously reported APS cohorts. Low intensity warfarin was successful in preventing recurrence of thrombosis, however, APS women receiving long-term anticoagulants should be monitored for possible occurrence of menorrhagia and ovarian cysts.