Crotalaria ferruginea extract attenuates lipopolysaccharide-induced acute lung injury in mice by inhibiting MAPK/NF-κB signaling pathways

Objective: To evaluate the anti-inflammatory activity of Crotalaria ferruginea extract (CFE) and its mechanism. Methods: An intratracheal lipopolysaccharide (LPS) instillation-induced acute lung injury (ALI) model was used to study the anti-inflammatory activity of CFE in vivo. The LPS-induced shock model was used to analyze the effect of CFE on survival. LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cell model was used to investigate the anti-inflammatory activity of CFE in vitro and the effects on mitogen-Activated protein kinase (MAPK) or nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) signaling pathways. Results: CFE administration decreased the number of inflammatory cells, reduced the levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-A), monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and interferon-γ, and diminished protein content in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of mice. CFE also reduced lung wet-To-dry weight ratio, myeloperoxidase, and lung tissue pathological injury. CFE pre-Administration improved the survival rate of mice challenged with a lethal dose of LPS. CFE reduced LPS-Activated RAW264.7 cells to produce nitric oxide, TNF-α, MCP-1, and IL-6. Furthermore, CFE inhibited nuclear translocation and phosphorylation of NF-κB P65, extracellular signal-regulated kinase, c-Jun N-Terminal kinases, and P38 MAPKs. Conclusions: CFE exhibits potent anti-inflammatory activity in LPS-induced ALI mice, LPS-shock mice, and RAW264.7 cells, and its mechanism may be associated with the inhibition of NF-κB and MAPK signaling pathways. Crotalaria ferruginea may be a useful therapeutic drug for the treatment of ALI and other respiratory inflammations.

Crotalaria ferruginea extract attenuates lipopolysaccharide-induced acute lung injury in mice by inhibiting MAPK/NF-κB signaling pathways

Objective: To evaluate the anti-inflammatory activity of Crotalaria ferruginea extract (CFE) and its mechanism. Methods: An intratracheal lipopolysaccharide (LPS) instillation-induced acute lung injury (ALI) model was used to study the anti-inflammatory activity of CFE in vivo. The LPS-induced shock model was used to analyze the effect of CFE on survival. LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cell model was used to investigate the anti-inflammatory activity of CFE in vitro and the effects on mitogen-Activated protein kinase (MAPK) or nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) signaling pathways. Results: CFE administration decreased the number of inflammatory cells, reduced the levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-A), monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and interferon-γ, and diminished protein content in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of mice. CFE also reduced lung wet-To-dry weight ratio, myeloperoxidase, and lung tissue pathological injury. CFE pre-Administration improved the survival rate of mice challenged with a lethal dose of LPS. CFE reduced LPS-Activated RAW264.7 cells to produce nitric oxide, TNF-α, MCP-1, and IL-6. Furthermore, CFE inhibited nuclear translocation and phosphorylation of NF-κB P65, extracellular signal-regulated kinase, c-Jun N-Terminal kinases, and P38 MAPKs. Conclusions: CFE exhibits potent anti-inflammatory activity in LPS-induced ALI mice, LPS-shock mice, and RAW264.7 cells, and its mechanism may be associated with the inhibition of NF-κB and MAPK signaling pathways. Crotalaria ferruginea may be a useful therapeutic drug for the treatment of ALI and other respiratory inflammations.

Effect of small ubiquitin-like modifier 1 pseudogene 3 on the proliferation and apoptosis of non-small cell lung cancer cell line H1299 through protein kinase B signaling pathway / 解剖学报

Objective To investigate the effect of long noncoding RNA (IncRNA) small ubiquitin-like modifier 1 pseudogene 3(SUM01P3) on the proliferation and apoptosis of non-small cell lung cancer cell line 1299. Methods Determination of SUM01P3 expression in non-small cell lung cancer cells by Real-time PCR. SUM01P3 small interfering RNA(siRNA) was transfected into H1299 cells, the down regulation effect was determined by Real-time PCR. Cell proliferation was measured by MTT, 5-ethynyl-2′-deoxyuridine(EdU) method, the cell cycle was determined by PI single staining, apoptosis was detected by annexin V -FITC/PI, detection of apoptosis by TUNEL, Western blotting was used to detect the expression of cleaved Caspase-3 (c-Caspase-3), cyclin Dl, P27, phosphorylated phospoinositide 3-kinase (p-PI3K) and phosphorylated protein kinase B (p-Akt). Akt signal activator treated H1299 cells transfected with SUM01P3 siRNA, cell proliferation, apoptosis and cycle change were also measured by the above methods. The number of samples was 9. Results SUM01P3 was up-regulated in non-small cell lung cancer cells. The expression of SUM01P3 in H1299 cells decreased after transfection with SUM01P3 siRNA, cell proliferation decreased, the ratio of G0/Gj phase increased, apoptosis rate increased, c-Caspase-3 and P27 protein in the cells increased, the protein levels of cyclin D1, p-PI3K and p-Akt decreased. Akt signal activator could reverse the inhibition of proliferation, cycle arrest and apoptosis of H1299 cells by SUM01P3 siRNA. Conclusion Down-regulation of SUM01P3 inhibits the proliferation of non-small cell lung cancer H1299 cells and induces apoptosis, the mechanism of action is related to the reduction of the activation level of the Akt signaling pathway.

Surgical treatment for adult ankle fracture with Tillaux-Chaput fracture block / 中国骨伤

OBJECTIVE@#To explore clinical effect of adult ankle fracture with Tillaux-Chaput fracture block.@*METHODS@#From January 2014 to December 2018, 15 patients with adult ankle fracture with Tillaux-Chaput fracture block were performed opertaion, including 9 males and 6 females, aged from 27 to 67 years old with an average of (45.6±14.3) years old, 8 patients on the left side and 7 patients on the right side. Fracture healing and complications were observed, American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society(AOFAS) was used to evaluate recovery of ankle joint function.@*RESULTS@#All patients were followed up for 18 to 70 months with an average of (38.1±9.9) months. The incisions healed well at stageⅠ. X-ray reexamination showed all fractures healed well without loosening or breakage of internalfixation. Two patients had symptoms of superficial peroneal nerve injury and recovered gradually after nerve nourishing therapy. Three patients mainfested slightly limits of flexion and extension of ankle joint. AOFAS score of ankle and hind foot at the latest follow up was (85.6±7.9), 9 patients got excellent results, 4 good and 2 fair.@*CONCLUSION@#Fix Tillaux-Chaput fracture block with dentate steel plate has advantages of easy operation, stable fixation, and is beneficial to recovery of ankle function. It is not necessary to fix tibiofibular syndesmosis with screws.

Identification of chemical constituents in Guizhi Fuling Capsules by UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS / 中国中药杂志

To qualitatively characterize the chemical composition of Guizhi Fuling Capsules using UPLC-ESI-Q-TOF-MS/MS. The analysis was performed on Agilent ZORBAX RRHD Eclipes Plus C_(18)(2.1 mm×100 mm, 1.8 μm) column,that was eluted with mobile phase consisting of acetonitrile and 0.1% formic acid in a gradient mode. The flow rate was 0.4 mL·min~(-1), and column temperature was 30 ℃. Tandem mass spectrometry was acquired in both negative and positive ESI modes. These components were further analyzed based on high-resolution mass-to-charge ratios, fragment ion species, reference substances and literature data. In conclusion, a total of 200 compounds were identified, in which 40 were verified with reference substances. The current study laid a foundation for in-depth studies of its mass balance and pharmacodynamics.

Identification and antibiotics sensitivity analysis of Herbaspirillum huttiense in catheter-related bloodstream infection / 中华检验医学杂志

Objective:To analyze the identification and antibiotics susceptibility of Herbaspirillum in catheter-related bloodstream infection, and improve the awareness and attention of the rare pathogenic microorganisms for clinicians and microbiologists. Methods:The bacterium was isolated from a positive blood culture of a hemodialysis patient with chronic renal failure. The smear of isolate was prepared, stained and observed by microscope. The single colonies were identified by mass spectrometry and VITEK 2 Compact identification and antibiotics sensitivity analysis system, respectively. Then, 16S ribosomal DNA (rDNA) was amplified and sequenced, and bacterial genome was sequenced.Results:The gram-negative bacilli was found in the positive blood culture bottle. After incubated on blood agar for 16 hours, milky white, bulging and non-haemolytic colonies were observed. The identification result was Burkholderia cepacian by VITEK 2_Compact and antimicrobial susceptibility testing showed resistance to aztreonam and polymyxin but sensitive to other drugs in N335 card. The isolate could not be identified by VITEK MS with clinical database. However, it was identified as Herbaspirillum huttiense/Herbaspirillum aquaticum with research database. The 16S rDNA of the strain was consistent with Herbaspirillum huttiense and Herbaspirillum aquaticum (more than 99%). High-throughput bacterial genome sequencing revealed that the isolate in this case shared 100% homology with Herbaspirillum huttiense subsp putei IAM 15032 in Genbank database, which confirmed that the isolate was Herbaspirillum huttiense. Conclusions:There are more and more environmental microorganisms evolved into human pathogenic bacteria. Herbaspirillum species are easy to be misidentified because its biochemical characteristics are similar to other strains.

Clinical significance of serum high mobility group box-1 protein in patients with acute cholangitis / 中华普通外科杂志

Objective@#To analyze perioperative serum high mobility group box-1 protein (HMGB1) levels in patients with acute cholangitis and its clinical significance.@*Methods@#118 cases of choledocholithiasis with acute cholangitis were retrospectively analyzed, admittd in Minhang Hospital from Jan 2017 to Dec 2017. Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect serum HMGB1 levels before and after ERCP. The relationship between serum HMGB1 levels and severity of the disease was analyzed.@*Results@#The serum HMGB1 levels in the healthy controls, mild cholangitis group, moderate cholangitis group and severe cholangitis group were(1.74±0.79) μg/L, (9.19±4.86) μg/L, (12.62±4.13) μg/L, (18.02±3.84) μg/L, respectively. The serum HMGB1 levels were significantly different in these four groups (F=63.348, P<0.05). The serum HMGB1 levels in the three groups after ERCP were significantly lower than those before ERCP(t=10.978, t=35.682, t=42.649; P<0.05). The serum HMGB1 levels were positively correlated with WBC, CRP, total bilirubin, direct bilirubin and alanine aminotransferase.@*Conclusion@#Serum HMGB1 levels were significantly higher in patients with acute cholangitis, and the more serious the disease, the higher the HMGB1 levels. After ERCP, serum HMGB1 levels were significantly lower than before. HMGB1 is an effective parameter for evaluating the severity of acute cholangitis.

Clinical significance of serum high mobility group box-1 protein in patients with acute cholangitis / 中华普通外科杂志

Objective To analyze perioperative serum high mobility group box-1 protein (HMGB1) levels in patients with acute cholangitis and its clinical significance.Methods 118 cases of choledocholithiasis with acute cholangitis were retrospectively analyzed,admittd in Minhang Hospital from Jan 2017 to Dec 2017.Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect serum HMGB1 levels before and after ERCP.The relationship between serum HMGB1 levels and severity of the disease was analyzed.Results The serum HMGB1 levels in the healthy controls,mild cholangitis group,moderate cholangitis group and severe cholangitis group were(1.74 ±0.79) μg/L,(9.19 ±4.86) μg/L,(12.62 ± 4.13) μg/L,(18.02 ±3.84) μg/L,respectively.The serum HMGB1 levels were significantly different in these four groups (F =63.348,P ＜ 0.05).The serum HMGB1 levels in the three groups after ERCP were significantly lower than those before ERCP (t =10.978,t =35.682,t =42.649;P ＜ 0.05).The serum HMGB1 levels were positively correlated with WBC,CRP,total bilirubin,direct bilirubin and alanine aminotransferase.Conclusion Serum HMGB1 levels were significantly higher in patients with acute cholangitis,and the more serious the disease,the higher the HMGB1 levels.After ERCP,serum HMGB1 levels were significantly lower than before.HMGB1 is an effective parameter for evaluating the severity of acute cholangitis.

Rapid identification of chemical components in Xingbei Zhike Keli by UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS / 中国中药杂志

To analyze and identify the chemical components in Xingbei Zhike Keli by using ultra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-time of flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS). The analysis was performed on Agilent Zorbax SB-C₁₈(4.6 mm×250 mm, 5 μm) column, with methanol-0.08% formic acid solution (including 0.1% ammonium formate) as the mobile phase for gradient elution. The flow rate was 1 mL·min⁻¹ and column temperature was 30 °C. The MS spectrum was acquired in both negative and positive ion modes by using electron spray ionization (ESI). These components were further analyzed based on accurate m/z, secondary fragmentation and other information combined with reference substance and literature data. As a result, 87 compounds were successfully identified and predicted, including alkaloids, flavonoids, coumarins and saponins, of which 23 compounds were verified by comparing with reference substances. These results provide reference for the quality control of Xingbei Zhike Keli, and lay the foundation for elucidating their effective components and mechanism of action.

Double support technique in malar reduction surgery / 中华整形外科杂志

Objective@#To present a new method for correction of prominent malar complex via intraoral approach by double support technique osteotomy which can provide a stable support.@*Methods@#According to the anatomical characteristics of malar complex and relevant masseter muscle, we designed a malar reduction technique including anterior and posterior support. The reduction procedure entailed an L-shaped osteotomy ofthemalarbody and oblique osteotomy of malar arch. On the basis of prominence degree, bone fragment was moved inward and upward to form double support, which could reduce malar and zygomatic arch effectively.@*Results@#A total of 76 patients subjected to double support technique for malar reduction between January 2015 and January 2017 were retrospectively reviewed.The follow-up period ranged from 10 to 12 months. All patients were satisfied with aesthetic outcomes without major complications, such as facial nerve damage or bone ununion.@*Conclusions@#Double support technique is an effective method to correct malar prominence andreduce the zygomatic complex which can prevent saggy cheek and bony malunion.

Expression and significance of IGF-1 and GFAP in serum of glioma patients / 国际检验医学杂志

Objective To explore the expression and significance of insulin grow th factor 1(IGF-1) and gli-al fibriuary acidic protein(GFAP) in patients with glioma .Methods The serum levels of IGF-1 and GFAP in 40 glioma patients ,30 healthy subjects and 35 patients with other benign intracranial tumors were measured by double antibody sandwich method .Results There was no significant difference in serum IGF-1 and GFAP lev-els between healthy subjects and other benign intracranial tumor patients (P>0 .05) ,and the levels of IGF-1 and GFAP in the serum of glioma patients were significantly higher than those of healthy and other benign in-tracranial tumor patients (P<0 .05) .The serum levels of IGF-1 and GFAP in glioma patients after operation were significantly lower than those before operation (P< 0 .05) .Conclusion The expression of IGF-1 and GFAP in the serum of glioma patients is significantly higher than those of healthy subjects and other benign intracranial tumor patients .It has good sensitivity and specificity .It can be used as a serum marker of glioma patients and has certain clinical value .

Revision surgery for malar reduction: causes and treatment strategies / 中华医学美学美容杂志

Objective To discuss the correlation between initial malar reduction procedures and the method of revision procedures and the personalized treatment strategies for the second deformity of postoperative prominent malar complex.Methods From January 2003 to December 2017,27 patients underwent personalized revision surgery of malar reduction according to the different second deformity of malar complex.The surgical technique included the double support malar reduction technique,orthotopic malar osteotomy technique,malar bone grinding surgery,and autogenous bone transplantation.Results A total of 27 patients subjected to revision surgery for malar reduction between November 2006 and December 2017 were retrospectively reviewed.22 patients were satisfied with aesthetic outcomes after the first revision procedure,while 5 patients were satisfied after 2 or 3 procedures follow-up for 10 to 12 months.Conclusions The incidence of complications after malar reduction is related to the first surgical method.According to the unsatisfactory results,it can be repaired individually to obtain a better clinical repair effect.

Mutation analysis of the ADAR1 gene in a pedigree with dyschromatosis symmetrica hereditaria / 中华皮肤科杂志

Objective To detect mutations in the ARAD1 gene in a pedigree with dyschromatosis symmetrica hereditaria (DSH).Methods Genomic DNA was extracted from the peripheral blood of 8 family members (including 5 patients with DSH and 3 unaffected members) in the pedigree with DSH,as well as 100 unrelated healthy controls.All the 15 exon sequences of the ADAR1 gene were amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR)followed by direct sequencing.Then,mutations were detected in comparison with the standard sequence of the ADAR1 gene in Genebank.Results A nonsense mutation C.1420C ＞ T (p.Arg474X) was identified at position 1 420 in exon 2 of the ADAR1 gene in the 5 patients with DSH,but not in the 3 unaffected members or 100 unrelated healthy controls.Conclusion The nonsense mutation C.1420C ＞ T in the ADAR1 gene is the causative mutation in the pedigree with DSH.

A new aurone with anti-inflammatory activity from Cleistocalyx operculatus flower buds / 中国中药杂志

A new compound(Z)-6-hydroxy-4-methoxy-5,7-dimethylaurone was isolated from Cleistocalyx operculatus flower buds. Its structure was identified by spectroscopic data including MS, ¹H-NMR, ¹³C-NMR HSQC and HMBC. A known compound, 2',4'-dihydroxy-6'-methoxy-3'5'-dimethylchalcone (DMC), was also isolated and identified,and used as material to synthesize (Z)-6-hydroxy-4-methoxy-5,7-dimethylaurone.Anti-inflammatory activities of the two compounds were tested . The results showed that (Z)-6-hydroxy-4-methoxy-5,7-dimethylaurone possesses much stronger PGE₂ inhibitory activity (IC₅₀ 6.12 nmol·L⁻¹) than the positive control ibuprofen （68.66 nmol·L⁻¹）.

Simultaneous determination of eleven components in Ginkgo biloba leaves by high performance liquid chromatography method / 中国中药杂志

To study Ginkgo biloba leaves in different producing area, we establish an HPLC method for the simultaneously determination of seven flavonoids glycosides and four biflavonoids in G. biloba leaves. The analysis was performed on an Agilent ZORBAX SB-C₁₈ column(4.6 mm×250 mm, 5 μm) wich acetonitrile, and 0.4% phosphoric acid as mobile phase at flow rate of 1 mL•min⁻¹ in a gradient edution, and the detection was carried out at 254 nm.The calibration curves of the seven flavonoids glycosides and four biflavonoids had a good linearitiy with good recoveries. The established HPLC method is simple, rapid, accurate, reliable, and sensitive, and can be applied to the identification and quality control of G. biloba leaves.

PM2.5 Induces Apoptosis in A549 Cells by Stimulating Apoptosis-related Gene Expression / 中国医科大学学报

Objective To observe the effects of PM2.5 exposure on A549 cells,and explore the mechanism of toxicity. Method The concentra?tions of PM2.5 exposure were determined utilizing cell viability assay. The morphological characteristics of exposed cell were observed with trans?mission electron microscope. Using big date from RNA?Seq and qRT?PCR,the mechanism was explored. Results The final concentration of PM2.5 exposure was 50μg/cm2;morphological detection showed that chromatin condensation after exposure which was also found on the boundary of nuclear membrane. KEGG pathway analysis and interaction network were finished ,and 8 kinds of apoptosis?related genes were found to be in?volved in the process of damage. Conclusion PM2.5 induces apoptosis in A549 cells by stimulating the changes of apoptosis?related genes ex?pressions.

Influence of dexmedetomidine on postoperative cognitive function in elder patients after hip replacement surgery under spinal anesthesia / 局解手术学杂志

Objective To investigate influence of dexmedetomidine on postoperative cognitive function in elder patients after hip re-placement surgery under spinal anesthesia. Methods Forty elderly patients with ASAⅠ~Ⅲ,undergoing hip replacement with spinal anesth-sia,were randomly divided into dexmedetomidine group( group A) and normal saline group( group B) ,with 20 patients in each group. Dexme-detomidine was given with 1 μg/kg after anesthesia and followed with 0. 5 μg·kg-1 ·h-1 in group A. The equal volume of normal saline was infused in group B. Cognitive function was evaluated before anesthesia,3 and 7 days after surgery by mini-mental state examination( MMSE) . The intraoperative concentration of TNF-α,IL-6,MDA were detected at the time of before surgery(T0),end of surgery(T1),3 days after sur-gery(T2),7 days after suegery. Results There was no significant difference in MMSE score before anesthesia between the two groups (P>0. 05). The difference of MMSE score at postoperative 3 days between two groups was statistical significance (P0. 05). Compared with T0,the concentration of TNF-α,IL-6,MDA at T1,T2 in group B increased,the difference was significant. And the concentration of IL-6 at T1 in group A decreased,compared with that at T0,the difference was significant(P<0. 05). The concentra-tion of TNF-α,IL-6 at T1,T2 and MDA at T2 in group A were lower than those in group B,the difference was significant. (P<0. 05). Con-clusion Dexmedetomidine can decreased the concentration of TNF-α,IL-6,MDA,and improve the postoperative cognitive dysfunction of eld-erly patients who finished the hip replacement surgery under spinal anesthesia.

Platelet-rich plasma combined with closed reduction and hollow screw internal fixation for femoral neck fracture / 局解手术学杂志

Objective To explore the clinical effect of autologous platelet-rich plasma ( PRP) combined with closed reduction and hol-low screw internal fixation for femoral neck fracture .Methods Totally 200 cases of femoral neck fracture were collected from May 2010 to August 2014 in our hospital .Randomly divided them into two groups , namely the PRP group and the control group , with 100 patients in each group.The PRP group were given autologous platelet-rich plasma ( PRP) combined with closed reduction and hollow screw internal fixation , while the control group were given closed reduction and hollow screw internal fixation merely .The length of stay , time of fracture healing , wound healing state , postoperative complications rate , Harris score and functional recovery of the two group were recorded and evaluated .Re-sults The average hospitalization time and fracture healing time in the PRP group were shorter than the control group .The A-grade recovery rate of the PRP group was higher than the control group , and the postoperative femoral head necrosis and nonunion rate of the PRP group were lower than that in the control group (P<0.05).The Harris score of PRP group were 87.35 and 90.82 respectively, and the excellent rate of hip function 6 months and 12 months after operation were 86%and 90%respectively .They were both higher than the control group with statistical significance (P<0.05).Conclusion PRP combined with closed reduction and hollow screw internal fixation can significant -ly shorten the healing time , reduce postoperative complications , improve hip function and postoperative quality of life in treating femoral neck fracture, and it is of high safety and efficacy.

Effect of rat intestinal flora in vitro on metabolites of acteoside / 中国中药杂志

Acteoside was used for anaerobic incubation with rat intestinal flora in vitro. HPLC was used to detect the changes of acteoside at different incubation time points and HPLC-Q-TOF-MS was used to identify the metabolites of acteoside. The results showed that acteoside could be metabolized by rat intestinal flora in vitro and the metabolites were 3,4-dihydroxyphenyl acid, caffeic acid and 3-(3'-hydroxyphenyl) propionic acid.

Expressions of phosphorylated c-Jun N-terminal kinase and P38 mitogen-activated protein kinase in psoriasis vulgaris lesions / 中华皮肤科杂志

Objective To investigate expressions of phosphorylated c-Jun N-terminal kinase (p-JNK)and P38 mitogen-activated protein kinase(p-P38MAPK)in psoriasis vulgaris lesions. Methods Tissue specimens were obtained from lesions of 30 patients with psoriasis vulgaris and normal skin of 30 healthy human controls. An immunohistochemical study and Western-blot analysis were performed to measure protein expressions of p-JNK and p-P38MAPK in these skin specimens. Results As the immunohistochemical study showed, the expressions of p-JNK and p-P38MAPK(expressed as the average optical density [AOD]value for targeted proteins)were significantly higher in psoriasis vulgaris lesions than in normal skin tissues (p-JNK: 0.663 ± 0.016 vs. 0.333 ± 0.009, t = 44.869, P < 0.001; p-P38MAPK: 0.436 ± 0.011 vs. 0.306 ± 0.010, t = 21.913, P < 0.001). Western-blot analysis also showed increased protein expressions of p-JNK and p-P38MAPK in psoriasis vulgaris lesions compared with normal skin tissues (t = 20.477, 165.084, respectively, both P <0.05). Conclusion The activation of JNK and P38MAPK may be involved in the overproliferation of epidermal cells in psoriasis vulgaris lesions.