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Objective: To evaluate the value of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) for assessing disease activity in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) treated with tofacitinib., Methods: This retrospective study was conducted among 98 RA patients in active stage treated with tofacitinib in Third Xiangya Hospital and 100 healthy control subjects from the Health Management Center of the hospital from 2019 to 2021. We collected blood samples from all the participants for measurement of erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and other blood parameters 1 month before and 6 months after tofacitinib treatment. We further evaluated PLR and NLR before and after tofacitinib treatment in the RA patients, and analyzed their correlations with RA disease activity., Results: PLR and NLR increased significantly in RA patients as compared with the healthy controls. In the RA patients, PLR and NLR were positively correlated with the levels of hs- CRP, ESR, IL- 6, Disease Activity Score of 28 joints-ESR (DAS28-ESR), anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (CCP), and rheumatoid factor (RF) before and after tofacitinib treatment. Tofacitinib treatment for 6 months significantly decreased hs-CRP, ESR, IL-6, CCP, RF and DAS28-ESR levels in the RA patients., Conclusion: NLR and PLR can be useful biomarkers for assessing disease activity in RA patients treated with tofacitinib.

Demyelinating pseudotumor (DPT) is an inflammatory demyelinating disease in central nervous system, and the main pathological change is demyelination, which is rare in clinical practice. A 24-year-old female patient with systemic lupus erythematosus was admitted to our hospital with the chief complaint of bilateral lower limb numbness and fatigue. Brain MRI observed the bilateral, multiple space-occupying lesions in the brain. Thus she was diagnosed as DPT. After the treatment with prednisolone and cyclophosphamide, the above-mentioned symptoms were significantly improved. The systemic lupus erythematosus combined with the DPT is rare, which should be differentiated from other neuropsychiatric diseases (such as lupus erythematosus and intracranial tumor) and avoid unnecessary invasive procedures and treatment.

Stem cells are type of cells that have unlimited self-renewal and multi-differentiation potential under specific conditions. Stem cell-based therapeutic techniques can provide new methods for the treatment of perplexing severe liver diseases. Umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells are currently considered as ideal stem cells due to their low immunogenicity, convenient materials, abundant sources and advantage of no ethical controversy in the clinical treatment of diseases. Presently, there is a large number of basic and clinical application evidence, which suggests that mesenchymal stem cells can significantly improve the condition and outcome of end-stage liver diseases such as liver cirrhosis and liver failure, and its mechanism of action may include hepatocyte-like cells differentiation, immune function regulation, exosome secretion, etc. This paper briefly summarizes the current theories and clinical research status of mesenchymal stem cells application, as well as the therapeutic clinical trial issues and concerns that needs to be resolved during the perplexing severe liver diseases process.

Vegetables, rice, eggs and drinking water samples were collected from e-waste dismantling area of Qingyuan City, Guangdong Province. Nickel (Ni) was analyzed in each sample, and the non-carcinogenic health [the daily intake (DI) and hazard quotient (HQ)] of each sample was evaluated. In this e-waste dismantling area, the contents of Ni in rice and eggs were (0.46±0.24) and (0.16±0.13) μg/g, which were higher than those in the control area [the contents of Ni in rice and eggs were (0.17±0.03) and (0.02±0.02) μg/g, respectively] (both P values<0.05). The DI values of rice, vegetable, eggs, and drinking water were (3.61-5.86), (1.75-2.99), (0.11-0.24), and (0.08-0.12) μg·kg(-1)·day(-1), respectively. The HQ values were 0.180-0.290, 0.090-0.150, 0.005-0.010, 0.005-0.006, respectively. Although the HQ values of rice, vegetable, eggs, and drinking water were all lower than 1, which was an acceptable level. However, considering the possibility of combined exposure of heavy metals, the non-carcinogenic health risks of Ni in the e-waste dismantling area should still be concerned.

Objective: To dynamically analyze the discipline status, influence factors and key issues of Chinese Journal of Hepatology from 2010 to 2016 and explore the development rules of citation indexes. Methods: We collected information published by the China Institute of Scientific and Technological Information [China Science and Technology Journal Citation Report (Core Edition)] and Wanfang Database Periodicals statistical analysis platform from 2010 to 2016. A bibliometric analyses on article volume, citation frequency, citation rate, h-index, ratio of fund-aided papers, periodical influence, key number published period, number of relevant articles, and so on were analyzed for annual's impact factor. Results: According to the data released by the China Institute of Science and Technology Information, from 2010 to 2011, the impact factor of Chinese Journal of Hepatology was at leading level in the field of internal medicine and ranked sixth in the Journal of Internal Medicine. From 2012 to 2016, the overall comprehensive assessment score and citation frequency score of Chinese Journal of Hepatology were ranked first in the Journal of Gastroenterology. Core impact factors kept the discipline ahead. Indexes such as immediacy index, h- index, cited half-life and all other indicators were increased. Citation rate was >90% and cited issue number had greatly increased. Conclusion: Chinese Journal of Hepatology has a leading position in the Journal of Gastroenterology and credited by inland readers and authors of digestive and infectious fields. It has played a positive role in promoting the development of the discipline.

Objective: To investigate whether fusion protein SD-HA could regulate its downstream signaling molecule activity by competing with the phospho-BCR-ABL Y177 site, and its mechanisms to inhibit proliferation and induce apoptosis of K562 cells. Methods: Co-immunoprecipitation interaction technology analysis of fusion protein SD-HA functioned by potently binding to the phospho-BCR-ABL Y177 site, Ras, MAPK and Akt activities were observed in the Ad5F35-SD-HA-treated cells. Western blot analyses of SD-HA fusion protein on cell membrane receptor pathway to death cascade caspase-8, caspase-3 and PRAP were performed. Results: Exploration into the underlying mechanisms revealed that Ad5F35-SD-HA infection functioned by binding to the phospho-BCR-ABL Y177 site, which lead to a complex with Grb2. competitively disrupted the Grb2 SH2-phospho-BCR-ABL Y177 formation. The fusion protein SD-HA could reduce the activation of Ras and phosphorylation of MAPK (p-MAPK) and the expression level of p-ELK, inhibition of Ras-MAPK signaling pathway; SD-HA fusion protein could reduce p-Akt and Akt substrate p-GSK with inhibition of PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, thereby inhibiting the proliferation of K562 cells. Caspases-8-induced apoptosis signal could be activated by DED protein binding to DED domain of precursor caspases-8. Conclusions: The strategy of fusion protein SD-HA inhibiting-Y177 BCR-ABL and Grb2 binding could be used as a novel entry point for the treatment of chronic myeloid leukemia.

Secretory anti-gp96 scFv fragment was expressed in Pichia pastoris to obtain a small molecule antibody that specifically recognizes heat shock protein gp96. The gp96-scFv fragment gene was synthesized and cloned to Pichia pastoris expression plasmid pPICZa-A. Pichia pastoris X33 was electroporated with the linearized recombinant expression vector, and expression of gp96-scFv fragment was induced by methanol. The His-tagged recombinant protein was then purified by affinity chromatography and analyzed with SDS-PAGE and Western blotting assays. The biological activities of recombinant gp96-scFv fragment were determined by Western blotting, Immunofluorescence, ELISA and FACS assays. The gp96-scFv fragment was expressed successfully in Pichia pastoris. About 50 mg of recombinant protein could be purified from 1 liter of the Pichia pastoris culture supernatant. Its molecular weight was about 15 kDa. The gp96-scFv fragment could specifically bind to gp96 protein by Western blotting, immunofluorescence, ELISA and FACS analyses. Pichia pastoris-expressed gp96-scFv fragment specifically recognizes gp96 protein, which could be used for Western blotting, Immunofluorescence, ELISA and FACS analyses.

Aim: To determine the effects of glycyrrhetinic acid (GA), methotrexate(MTX) and GA+MTX on the expressions of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) in fibroblast-like synovial (FLS) cells from collagen induced arthritis (CIA) rats., Methods: CIA-FLS cells were isolated and purified from the synovium of CIA rats by tissue block culture method, and then treated with MTX, GA, GA+MTX or nothing (control group), respectively. Each group was cultured for 3 different time periods (1, 3, 5 d). Real-time qPCR was used to detect the expressions of TNF-α and IL-1β mRNA in CIA-FLS cells and ELISA to determine the levels of TNF-α and IL-1β in the supernatant., Results: Day 1: No significant down-regulation of TNF-α and IL-1β mRNA was identified in intervention groups compared with the control group (P>0.05); Day 3: Intervention groups significantly down-regulated TNF-α and IL-1β mRNA (P<0.05 vs control), but without intergroup difference(P>0.05); Day 5: the three intervention groups all suppressed the expressions of TNF-α and IL-1β mRNA(P<0.05 vs control), with GA+MTX>MTX>GA in inhibiting effect (P<0.05). All intervention groups were found to inhibit the expressions of TNF-α and IL-1β in a time-dependent manner (P<0.05). Similar outcomes were observed in the change of the levels of TNF-α and IL-1β in cell culture supernatant by ELISA., Conclusion: GA, MTX, GA+MTX suppress the expression of TNF-α and IL-1β in CIA-FLS cells in a time-dependent manner, and the suppressing effect is GA+MTX>MTX>GA.

Objective: To investigate the timing of reaching maximum improvement of the lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) in patients with advanced prostate cancer treated with maximal androgen blockade(MAB), and to provide guidelines for the treatment program., Methods: We collected the data of 45 advanced prostate cancer patients complicated with lower urinary tract symptoms who were treated by MAB. The international prostate symptom score (IPSS) and maximum urinary flow rate (Qmax) were selected as indicators reflecting the degree of lower urinary tract symptoms and were observed before the MAB, 3, 6, and 9 months after the patients received MAB. We also observed the changes of prostate volume and analyzed the role of MAB in improving LUTS in patients with prostate cancer., Results: The IPSS and Qmax had significant difference between the 3rd month after the patients received MAB and before the MAB (P<0.05). No significant difference was found between the 3rd month and the 6th month after the patients received MAB (P>0.05). The prostate volume had significant difference in the 3rd month and the 6th month (P<0.05), but no significant difference in the 6th month and the 9th month (P>0.05)., Conclusion: MAB for patients with advanced prostate cancer can improve their lower urinary tract symptoms, whose main effect is presented in the 3rd months after the androgen deprivation therapy.

Objective: To analyze the preoperative risk factors on liver transplant recipients with acute renal failure(ARF), and to evaluate renal replacement therapy (RRT) as a transitonary therapy before liver transplantation., Methods: Liver transplant recipients with acute renal failure treated with renal replacement therapy between January 1st, 2001 and January 1st, 2008 in our center were retrospected. Clinical characteristics, the kinds of RRT and prognosis were analyzed; Logistic regression was applied to analyze the parameters that can forecast the motality of the liver transplant recipients with acute renal failure., Results: Of the patients who received RRT, 30% survived to liver transplantation, 67.5% died while waiting for liver transplantation. The dead had a higher multiple organ dysfunction score (MODS), and lower mean arterial pressure than those survived to liver transplantation. There was no significant difference in the duration of RRT between continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) patients and hemodialysis patients. CRRT patients had a higher MODS, lower mean arterial pressure, lower serum creatinine than hemodialysis patients. Lower mean arterial pressure was statistically associated with higher risk of mortality., Conclusion: Though mortality was high, RRT helps part (30%) of patients survive to liver transplantation. Therefore, considering the high mortality without transplantation, RRT is acceptable for liver transplant recipients with ARF.

Five parents and their near-isogenic lines (NILs) were grown in field experiments in Kunming (elevation 1916 m, two kinds of water temperatures at booting stage were 19.5 +/- 0.7 degrees C and 17.8 +/- 1.1 degrees C) and Aziying (elevation 2150 m, water temperature at booting stage was 18.2 +/- 0.22 degrees C), Yunnan, China, in 2004. Seventeen agronomic traits and SSR molecular markers were clustered by Statistica. The results showed that: (1) The morphological traits of NILs of cold tolerance and recurrent parents (Towada) at booting stage were similar, but the traits related cold tolerance, such as spike neck length, full grains, seed setting rate, anther length, anther volume, were different obviously; (2) using 7 markers had polymorphism between Towada and NILs were chosen from 78 SSR markers, the cold tolerance of NILs proved to be different to Towada. This demonstrates that these NILs were promising population for fine mapping and cloning genes for cold tolerance.

Objective: To investigate the alteration of HBV markers in liver allograft of HBV related recipients pre and post liver transplantation under Lamivudine or combination of Lamivudine with HBIG prophylaxis and explore the mechanism of HBV de nova infection in liver allograft after orthotopic liver transplantation, as well as seek to establish a optimal prophylactic protocol., Methods: The serial liver biopsy specimens of 90 liver allograft and sera of 78 liver transplant recipients during operation and after 1 week, 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, 12 months, 24 months post transplantation have been collected and detected for HBV markers with enzyme-linked radioimmunoassay, fluorescent quantitative assay for HBV-DNA in serology and with immunohistochemistry stain, HBV-DNA in situ hybridization in histology for detection of HBV markers in liver allograft samples., Results: Whether recipients with active replicative or inactive replicative HBV preoperatively, none of positive HBV-DNA, HBsAg and HBcAg in 100% liver biopsy specimens with HBV-DNA hybridization in situ and immunohistochemistry stains in histology within 2 hours after reperfusion., Conclusion: Whatever HBV replicative status the recipients have before surgery, no evidence of HBV particles direct invasion to the liver allograft from HBV related cirrhotics during operation under current prophylactic measures. However, the further supposed mechanism and its significance in HBV de nova infection of liver allograft remained to be disclosed further.

Objective: To determine the roles of endothelin (ET) and nitrogen monoxide (NO) in the adenine-induced acute renal failure (ARF) models., Methods: ARF models were established by feeding adenine in rats. The activity of NO synthase (NOS) in kidneys of rats was tested by NADPH-diaphorase. Expression of endothelin-1 (ET-1) in kidneys of rats was studied by immunoreactivity method. The area densities for ET-1 and NOS expressions in kidneys were determined by CMM3 pathology image analysis system to calculate the mean light density., Results: Expressions of ET-1 in normal rat kidneys were wide and weak, but they were greatly enhanced in medulla renis of the ARF models while remained unchanged in the cortex. The activities of NOS were stronger in the cortex and the inner medulla than in the outer medulla. The renal functions of the ARF models were improved after they were treated with L-argine, but the expressions of ET-1 and NOS were not improved. After the withdrawal of adenine, the ARF model rats recovered gradually in their renal functions, and the same was true for the expressions of ET-1 and NOS., Conclusion: ET-1 and NO both play important roles in the occurrence, development and recovery of ARF. It is supposed that L-Arg can partly protect the renal functions of ARF rats.

Objective: To isolate and elucidate the chemical constituents in the roots of Rabdosia japonica., Method: The constituents were extracted by ether and isolated by chromatography on silica gel and ODS. The structures were determined by IR, H NMR, 13C NMR and MS spectra respectively., Result: Four compounds were elucidated as glaucocalgxin A, oleanolic acid, ursolic acid and daucosterol., Conclusion: Oleanolic acid and daucosterol were isolated from this plant for the first time.

The relationship between the chemical displacement of binding energy and the different chemical environment for tin and germanium compounds was studied by means of X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and mass spectrum.