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Objective We aimed to explore the correlation between the functional status of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients and damp-heat obstruction syndrome. Methods The case data of 1,008 patients with RA from 18 research centers of China were retrospectively analyzed, and the patients were divided into a damp-heat group and a non-damp-heat group. X-ray grades, a health assessment questionnaire (HAQ) disability index, disease activity score (DAS28), visual analogue pain scales(VAS) score, joint tenderness number, joint swelling number, laboratory indexes, and general data of the two groups were compared. Results The X-ray grade, HAQ, VAS score, DAS28-ESR, joint tenderness number, and joint swelling number of the patients in the damp-heat group were higher than those of the patients in the non-damp-heat group (P <0. 05). The hemoglobin, platelet, erythrocyte sedimentation, and anticyclic citrullinated peptide antibody of patients in the damp-heat group were higher than those of the patients in the non-damp-heat group (P <0. 05). There were no differences in leukocytes, rheumatoid factor, family history, fatigue history, emotional history, smoking history, drinking history, or other factors between the two groups (P>0. 05). Conclusion The functional status of RA patients was closely related to the syndrome of damp-heat obstruction. The disease activity of RA patients with damp-heat obstruction syndrome was higher and the degree of disability was more severe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sjogren's syndrome is a refractory disease for which TCM demonstrates certain advantages in its treatment. "Prevalent dryness affecting the liver" is a classical theory from Huangdi Neijing (Huangdi's Internal Classic), which has important guiding significance for the treatment of Sjogren's syndrome with TCM. In this paper, the connotation and development of the theory of "prevalent dryness affecting the liver" is comprehensively analyzed in combination with clinical practice. Sjogren's syndrome is closely related to the liver itself, its functions, and the coordination between the liver and other viscera. The liver itself pertains to yin, and it nourishes blood and moistens dryness. The liver's functions pertain to yang, and they help to move body fluids without any sign of dryness. It's also of great significance that the liver and other viscera are well coordinated. In ancient books and modern studies, many clinical manifestations of Sjogren's syndrome, including anxiety and depression, are closely related to the liver. Therefore, the treatment methods based on regulating and soothing the liver are summarized, such as soothing the liver qi, clearing the liver heat and nourishing the liver yin, taking into account all the five zang organs, and dredging the channels and collaterals. Taking the theory of "prevalent dryness affecting the liver" as the breakthrough point, this paper systematically sorts out the onset, pathogenesis, pattern differentiation, and the significance of addressing the liver in the treatment of Sjogren's syndrome to provide reference for clinical practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Porous surfaces have an important effect on bioactivity of titanium implants. In this study, two micro/nanostructural titanium surfaces were prepared by chemical and electrochemical method. The two samples had different diameters of nanotubes. Tests of biomineralization and codeposition in simulated body fluid and bovine serum albumin (BSA) were carried out in order to evaluate the bioactivity of micro/nanostructural titanium surfaces. The information of the surfaces was detected using scanning electron microscope and X-ray diffractometer. The results showed that the bioactivity of micro/nanostructural titanium increased with the diameter of nanotubes. Furthermore, the existence of BSA can accelerate biomineralization and decrease the crystallinity of hydroxyapatite coating.