Correlation between Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index Score and body mass index in the patients suffering with ankylosing spondylitis

Background: Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a chronic inflammatory disease of the axial spine that can manifest with various clinical signs and symptoms. Chronic back pain and progressive spinal stiffness are the most common features of this disease. It is an autoimmune disease which also leads to the involvement of skeletal, cardiac, nervous tissues, and other systemic organs. Aim and Objectives: This study was conducted to assess the correlation between the Bath AS Disease Activity Index (BASDAI) score/visual analog scale (VAS) and various age groups in the patients suffering with AS using standard questionnaire. Materials and Methods: Forty-eight AS patients having BASDAI scores of ?4 were included in this study. The height and weight were taken and responses to the standard questionnaire were recorded. BASDAI Score, body mass index (BMI), and VAS were computed. The patients with history of chronic diseases such as hyper/hypothyroidism, diabetes mellitus, and hypertension or the use of any medication such as ?/? blockers, calcium channel blockers, and antiepileptics were excluded from the study. Results: The patients were divided into six different age groups, i.e., 15–20 years, 21–25 years, 26–30 years, 31–35 years, 36–40 years, and 41–45 years. The mean ± SEM values of the BASDAI score in various age groups were 6.8 ± 0.34, 6.3 ± 0.33, 6.2 ± 0.26, 7.1 ± 0.41, 6.5 ± 0.30, and 5.8 ± 0.48, respectively. The mean ± SEM values of VAS are shown in relation to the various age groups, i.e., 15–20 years, 21–25 years, 26–30 years, 31–35 years, 36–40 years, and 41–45 years and the values were 6.88 ± 0.312, 6.58 ± 0.22, 6.55 ± 0.66, 6.00 ± 0.23, 6.72 ± 0.25, and 6.0 ± 0.50, respectively. Conclusion: This study indicates that in the young age group, patients BASDAI score is higher and BMI is lower, and in the older age group, patients BASDAI score is lower and BMI is higher than each other indicating higher disease activity in the younger patients than older patients. An inverse correlation between VAS and age further substantiates our previous finding.

Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant potential of Artemisia dracunculus L. aqueousextract against acetic acid induced ulcerative colitis in male Wistar rats

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is one of the two types of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) which is increasing worldover due to modern life style. Patients with UC are prone to develop colorectal cancer. While the disease severity decides the treatment option, researchers look towards herbal medicines with anti-inflammatory properties for minimal or nil side effects. Artemisia dracunculus L., commonly called Tarragon, is a medicinal herb used in traditional Asian medicine mainly in Iran, India, Pakistan and Azerbaijan due to its special compounds. In this study, we tried to elucidate the effects of aqueous extract of tarragon on acetic acid induced ulcerative colitis (UC) in rats. Male Wistar rats were grouped into four groups of eight each viz., control; experimental control (UC was induced via luminal instillation of 4% acetic acid); and UC induced + aqueous tarragon extract (100 mg/kg) or prednisolone (2 mg/kg) orally for ten consecutive days. Tissue specimens were collected after the experimental period for evaluation of caspase-3 and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression by immunohistochemistry. Real-time PCR was used to monitor the levels of IL-1, IL-6 and TNF-? in colonic homogenates. Moreover, the levels of myeloperoxidase, nitric oxide and total antioxidant capacity were measured in colonic homogenates. The results showed that both treatment regimens could similarly reduce the severity of disease symptoms. Treatment with aqueous extract of tarragon caused a better improvement (P <0.05) in the levels of myeloperoxidase enzyme, and total antioxidant capacity of colonic homogenates compared to prednisolone. Nevertheless, the levels of the expression of caspase-3, and COX-2 and TNF-? were reduced in UC rats received prednisolone more than UC rats received aqueous extract of tarragon. The was no statistical difference in the levels of nitric oxide, IL-1 and IL-6 between UC rats received tarragon extract or prednisolone. Overall, these findings suggest that the aqueous extract of tarragon is a promising strategy to control ulcerative colitis. Aqueous extract can also be used as an anti-inflammatory and immune system stimulant in conditions where the immune system is damaged.

Clinical value of SLE-DAS in evaluating disease activity of systemic lupus erythematosus / 中华风湿病学杂志

Objective:To evaluate the diagnostic performance and clinical significance of SLE-DAS in the disease activity of SLE patients in China.Methods:The clinical data of 134 patients with SLE were collected. The disease activity was evaluated by SLE-DAS, SLEDAI-2000, BILAG-2004 and PGA scoring tools. Pearson test and Spearman test were used to analyze the correlation. The receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC curve) was used to evaluate SLE-DAS, and Kappa consistency test was adapted to assess the consistency of the two scoring methods.Results:One hundred and thirty-four patients with SLE, including 7 males and 127 females, aged 13-77 years, with an average of (35±13) years were included. Among them, renal involvement was 38.1%, skin mucosal involvement was 11.2%, musculoskeletal involvement was 8.2%, blood system involvement was 13.4%, heart and lung involvement was 2.2%, neuropsychiatric involvement was 1.5%, and multisystem involvement was 3.0%. SLE-DAS was positively correlated with CRP, ESR, anti-dsDNA antibody, urinary protein (24 h) level, SLEDAI-2000, BILAG-2004 and PGA ( r=0.25, 0.34, 0.47, 0.77, 0.93, 0.94, 0.95, P<0.01); SLE-DAS was negatively correlated with PLT, Hb, C3 and C4 ( r=-0.29, -0.43, -0.41, -0.32, P<0.01). When SLEDAI-2000>5 was used as a cut point for analyzing SLE-DAS, the results showed that the area under the curve (AUC) 95% CI of SLE-DAS was 0.961 (0.927,0.995), the Yoden index was 0.845. When the cut-off value was set up to 4.65( P<0.001), the sensitivity was 98.11%, the specificity was 86.42%, and the accuracy was 91.04%. Kappa consistency test showed that kappa value was 0.819( P<0.001). Conclusions:SLE-DAS can be used to evaluate the disease activity of SLE patients and can be used as the evidence to guide treatment plan in clinical practice.

Expression of peptide/histidine transporter solute carrier family 15 member 4 in peripheral blood mononuclear cells and its clinical significance in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus / 中华风湿病学杂志

Objective:To investigate the expression and clinical significance of peptide/histidine transporter solute carrier family 15 member 4 (SLC15A4) in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).Methods:Fifty-five patients with SLE were divided into active SLE group and stable SLE group according to SLE disease activity index (SLEDAI) score, and 13 healthy volunteers were used as controls. The expression of SLC15A4 in PBMCs were detected by Western blot method. Moreover, the correlation between the expression of SLC15A4 and clinical and laboratory parameters of SLE patients were analyzed. The expression of SLC15a4 in the three groups was compared based on one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), and the correlation between SLC15A4 expression level and clinical indicators was analyzed by Pearson correlation.Results:The expression levels of SLC15A4 in active SLE group, stable SLE group and healthy control group were (0.96±0.19), (0.88±0.14), (0.78±0.24), respectively. The expression level of SLC15A4 in SLE with active disease was higher than that in healthy controls ( F=4.47, P=0.015). In addition, the expression of SLC15A4 in PBMCs of SLE patients was positively correlated with the quantity of anti-double stranded DNA (anti-dsDNA) antibody, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and systemic lupus erythematosus disease activity index (SLEDAI) ( r=0.29, P=0.031; r=0.36, P=0.007; r=0.32, P=0.017, respectively). However, the expression of SLC15A4 in PBMCs had no significant correlation with 24-h urinary protein ( r=0.45, P=0.127) and C3 ( r=0.20, P=0.133). Conclusion:SLC15A4 is involved in the pathogenesis of SLE and its expression in PBMCs of SLE patients can be used as an index to evaluate disease activity.

Correlation between serum NLR, TSP-1, miR-210 and systemic lupus erythematosus disease activity index and their combined prognostic value / 中国医师杂志

Objective:To investigate the correlation between serum neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR), thrombospondin 1 (TSP-1), miR-210 and systemic lupus erythematosus disease activity index (SLEDAI) and the prognostic value of their combination.Methods:The medical records of 126 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in Haikou People′s Hospital (Haikou Hospital Affiliated to Xiangya Medical College of Central South University) from February 2018 to February 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. According to the recurrence of prognosis 6 months after treatment, they were divided into recurrence group ( n=23) and non recurrence group ( n=103). The general data, serum NLR, TSP-1, miR-210 levels and SLEDAI score before and after treatment of the two groups were compared. The relationship between the levels of serum indicators before and after treatment, SLEDAI score, prognosis and recurrence of SLE patients were analyzed, and the efficacy of single and combined serum indicators in predicting prognosis was explored. Results:The levels of serum NLR, TSP-1, miR-210 and SLEDAI score in the recurrence group were higher than those in the non recurrence group before and after treatment (all P<0.05); After treatment, the levels of serum NLR, TSP-1, miR-210 and SLEDAI score in the two groups were lower than those before treatment (all P<0.05). Pearson correlation analysis showed that the levels of serum NLR, TSP-1 and miR-210 in SLE patients were positively correlated with SLEDAI scores (all P<0.05); Cox regression analysis showed that after adjusting other factors such as complement C3, complement C4 levels and SLEDAI scores before and after treatment, serum NLR, TSP-1 and miR-210 before and after treatment were still significantly correlated with the risk of recurrence in SLE patients (all P<0.05); The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve showed that the area under curve (AUC) of serum NLR, TSP-1 and miR-210 combined to predict recurrence was 0.907 (95% CI: 0.842-0.951), the sensitivity was 86.96%, and the specificity was 83.50%, which was significantly higher than that of each index alone. Conclusions:Serum NLR, TSP-1, miR-210 levels in SLE patients are positively correlated with SLEDAI scores, and the combined detection of these indicators has a high predictive value for prognosis and recurrence, which can provide references for the diagnosis and treatment of SLE.

Optimal management of acute severe ulcerative colitis in children / 中华实用儿科临床杂志

Acute severe ulcerative colitis (ASUC) is one emergency in pediatric gastroenterology.The disease is serious, which may even endanger the life of patients.Close monitoring and timely pharmacological and surgical interventions are key measures to improve outcomes.Treatment methods for ASUC include necessary nutritional support, water and electrolyte disturbance correction, and possible concurrent bacterial or viral infection elimination.Patients at high risk require subcutaneous injections of low molecular weight heparin to prevent thrombosis.Intravenous cortico-steroids are the first-line treatment of ASUC.For patients showing insufficient response to corticosteroids after 3-5 days, rescue treatment with immunosuppressants or biological agents is needed.Meanwhile, the clinical symptoms, serum inflammatory indicators and albumin levels of the patients should be closely monitored.Patients who failed medical treatment should undergo timely colectomy to prevent serious complications.In this paper, a systematic review of literature and expert consensus was conducted to summarize the clinical evaluation and treatment methods of ASUC children at different stages, in order to standardize the clinical treatment of pediatric ASUC.

Role of tenascin-C in acute rejection early after liver transplantation / 器官移植

Objective To investigate the relationship between tenascin-C (TNC) and acute rejection (AR) early after liver transplantation. Methods Six Brown Norway (BN) rats and 16 Lewis rats were divided into the AR group (Lewis→BN, 6 donors and 6 recipients) and control group (Lewis→Lewis, 5 donors and 5 recipients). The transplant liver tissues from rats in two groups were subjected to pathological examination. The rejection activity index (RAI) was evaluated by Banff schema. The expression of TNC proteins in the transplant liver tissues were determined by immunohistochemical staining and Western blot. The expression level of serum TNC was detected by enzyme-linked immune absorbent assay (ELISA), and the correlation between TNC and RAI score was analyzed. Results Pathological examination of the transplant liver at 7 d after liver transplantation showed that the RAI score in the AR group was higher than that in the control group. Immunohistochemical staining results found that the distribution of TNC positive cells of the transplant liver in the AR group was more than that in control group at postoperative 7 d. Western blot showed that the relative expression level of TNC protein in the AR group was significantly higher than that in the control group at 7 d after liver transplantation (t=5.112, P=0.007). ELISA results revealed that the serum TNC expression level in the AR group was significantly higher than that in the control group at 7 d after liver transplantation (t=3.152, P=0.012). The serum TNC expression level was positively correlated with the RAI score (r=0.790 9, P=0.004). Conclusions The expression level of TNC is associated with AR after liver transplantation. TNC may become a novel target for diagnosis and treatment of AR early after liver transplantation.

Expressions and effects of serum miR-23a-3p and miR-27a-3p in mice with ulcerative colitis / 上海交通大学学报（医学版）

Objective: To explore the expression levels of miR-23a-3p and miR-27a-3p in the sera of mice with ulcerative colitis (UC) and their potential action mechanisms. Methods: Twenty C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into the control group and the model group with 10 mice in each group. The model group mice were induced orally by water with 5% dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) for 7 d. During the induction period, the general condition, fecal morphology and occult blood status of the mice were observed. After 7 d, the whole blood and colon tissues of mice were collected, and the colon lengths and wet weights were measured. The expressions of miR-23a-3p and miR-27a-3p in the sera were detected by qRT-PCR. The expressions of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ, coactivator-1α (PPARGC1A), PH domain leucine-rich repeat protein phosphatase 2 (PHLPP2), B-cell lymphoma-2 (BCL-2), BCL-2 associated X protein (BAX), cytochrome c (CYT-C) and cleaved cysteine-containing aspartate-specific protease (cleaved-caspase-3) were detected by Western blotting. Results: After DSS induction, the model group mice showed mental depression, weight loss, diarrhea, and bloody stool, whose colon lengths were shortened and colon wet weights decreased. The UC model was constructed successfully. In the model group, the expressions of miR-23a-3p and miR-27a-3p in the sera decreased significantly (P<0.05), and the expressions of PPARGC1A, PHLPP2, BAX, CYT-C and cleavedcaspase- 3 in the colon tissues increased significantly (P<0.05), but BCL-2 decreased (P<0.05). Conclusion: The expressions of miR-23a-3p and miR- 27a-3p are low in the sera of UC mice, which may be involved in the occurrence and development of UC by up regulating the expressions of PPARGC1A and PHLPP2 in the colons and triggering mitochondrial pathway to induce apoptosis.

Effect of medicated thread moxibustion of Chinese Zhuang Minority medicine on colonic inflammatory impairment and Th17/IL-17F signaling in rats with ulcerative colitis / 针刺研究

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of medicated thread moxibustion of Zhuang Minority medicine on helper T cell 17 (Th17)/ Interleukin-17F(IL-17F) signaling pathway in ulcerative colitis (UC) rats, so as to explore its mechanisms underlying improvement of UC. METHODS: Forty male SD rats were randomly divided into normal control, model, medication and medicated thread moxibustion (MTM) groups, with 10 rats in each group. The UC model was induced by free drinking of 4% dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) for 10 d. After successful modeling, rats of the medication group were treated by gavage of salazosulfapyridine (SASP). Medicated thread moxibustion was applied to unilateral "Tianshu" (ST25) and "Qihai" (CV6) alternatively for rats of the MTM group, once daily for 14 d. The body mass, stool shape, and fecal occult test were recorded and conducted daily to perform disease activity index (DAI) score. H．E. staining was used to display pathological changes of the colon tissue. The Th17 cells and IL-17F and retinoic acid related orphan receptor γ t (ROR-γt) in the colon tissue were detected by flow cytometry, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), respectively, and the expression levels of RORγt and IL-17F mRNA in colon tissue were detected by quantitive real-time PCR. RESULTS: After modeling, the DAI score, colonic Th17 percentage, RORγt and IL-17F contents, and RORγt and IL-17F mRNA expression were significantly increased in the model group in contrast to the normal control group (P0.05, except RORγt and IL-17F mRNA expression). H．E. staining showed disappearance of goblet cells, infiltration of a large number of inflammatory cells, exfoliation of the epithelial tissue and edema of colonic mucosal in rats of the model group, which was relatively milder in both medication and MTM groups. CONCLUSION: Medicated thread moxibustion of Zhuang Minority medicine can reduce the inflammatory damage of colon tissue in UC rats, which is associated with its effects in suppressing the expression of RORγt, production of Th17 cells, and secretion of pro-inflammatory factor IL-17F in colon tissue.

Moxibustion combined with acupoint catgut embedding promotes recovery of injured colonic mucosa by suppressing inflammation in ulcerative colitis rats / 针刺研究

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of moxibustion and acupoint catgut embedding (ACE) at "Tianshu"(ST25) "Dachangshu"(BL25) and "Shangjuxu"(ST37) on changes of body mass, stool property, histopathological conditions and expression levels of interleukin 6 (IL-6) in colonic mucosa of ulcerative colitis (UC) rats, so as to reveal its anti-inflammatory mechanisms underlying improvement of UC. METHODS: SD rats were randomized into normal, model, moxibustion, ACE and moxibustion＋ACE groups (n＝6 in each group). The UC model was established by enema of trinitro-benzene-sulfonic acid and ethanol. Moxibustion was applied to bilateral ST25, BL25 and ST37 for 10 min, once daily for 14 days, and ACE applied to the same 3 acupoints, once a week for two weeks. After the treatment, the rats' general conditions were observed, and the severity of UC was assessed by using disease activity index (DAI) score. Colonic mucosal pathological changes were observed under microscope after hematoxylin eosin (H.E.) stain, and the expression levels of IL-6 in the colonic mucosa tissue detected by using immunohistochemical stain and Western blot, respectively. RESULTS: After modeling, the DAI score, and expression level of colonic IL-6 protein detected by immunohistochemistry and Western blot were obviously increased in the model group relevant to the normal group (P<0.01). Following the intervention, the increase of DAI score and IL-6 expression were reversed in moxibustion, ACE and moxibustion＋ACE groups (P<0.01, P<0.05). The therapeutic effects of moxibustion＋ACE were considerably superior to those of simple ACE and simple moxibustion in down-regulating the levels of DAI score and IL-6 expression (P<0.01). H．E. staining showed severe defect of the colonic mucosal epithelium with infiltration of a large number of inflammatory cells in the model group, which was milder in moxibustion, ACE and moxibustion＋ACE groups. CONCLUSION: Moxibustion combined with ACE is able to improve the inflammatory injury of colonic mucosa in UC rats, which may be related with its effect in suppressing the expression of colonic IL-6; and the efficacy of moxibustion＋ACE is apparently superior to that of moxibustion and ACE alone.

Comparison of diagnostic validity between mitotic activity index and Ki-67 expression as predictor for breast cancer in distant metastasis

Background: One particular cause of death from breast cancer is distant metastasis. In this study, we calculate and compare  diagnostic value of Mitotic Activity Index (MAI) and Ki-67 expression in predicting distant metastasis.Methods: Study was conducted in Sanglah Hospital from January 2017 to February 2019. All histopathology results from open biopsy are examined, thus MAI and Ki-67 values were obtained. We divided this into 2 groups: MAI high (≥20/HPF), low (<20/HPF) and Ki-67 high (≥20%) and low (<20%). We compared with distant metastasis event as gold standard, obtained from radiology examination. We count all diagnostic characteristics (sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive value, accuracy, and likelihood ratio). We compared these diagnostic validities from data area under curve (AUC) with p value <0.005 considered to be statistically significant.Results: A total of 173 breast cancer patients were participated in this study, 92 of them had distant metastasis (53.2%) and 81 patients didn’t have any distant metastasis (46.8%). MAI had relative high specificity (82.7%) and Ki-67 had fair sensitivity values (69.6%). There are 0.08 point AUC differences between these two variables. With p value higher than 0.05 (0.06), it can be summarized that these two variables are not different significantly and statistically.Conclusions: There is not any statistically significant difference between these two markers in predicting distant metastasis in breast cancer. We hope other researcher interest into exploring more about these markers and their function.

Rapid discovery and identification of the anti-inflammatory constituents in Zhi-Shi-Zhi-Zi-Chi-Tang / 中国天然药物

The anti-inflammatory active ingredients of Zhi-Shi-Zhi-Zi-Chi-Tang (ZSZZCT), a traditional Chinese medicine formula, were predicted and identified using an approach based on activity index, LC-MS, semi-preparative LC and NMR. Firstly, the whole extract of ZSZZCT was analyzed using liquid chromatography-quadrupole time of flight-mass spectrometry (LC-Q-TOF-MS) and liquid chromatography - ion trap mass spectrometry (LC-IT-MS), 79 constituents were detected and 39 constituents were identified unambiguously or tentatively. Subsequently, the whole extract of the formula was separated into multiple components and the activity index method was used to calculate index values of the 79 constituents by integrating the chemical and pharmacological information of multiple components. Four polymethoxyl flavones were predicted as the major active constituents according to the activity index values. Furthermore, three polymethoxyl flavones were prepared using the strategy with semi-preparative LC guided by LC-MS, and their anti-inflammatory activities were validated. The results show that three polymethoxyl flavones with higher positive index values, i.e., 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 3', 4'-heptamethoxyflavone, 3-hydroxynobiletein and tangeretin had significant anti-inflammatory effects. In conclusion, the predicted results indicated that the activity index method is feasible for the accurate prediction of active constituents in TCM formulae.

Expression of PD-1hiCXCR5-CD4+T cells in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus / 中华风湿病学杂志

Objective To investigate the expression of peripheral programmed death (PD)-1hiCXCR5-CD4+T cells and its clinical significance in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Methods Peripheral blood PD-1hiCXCR5-CD4+ T cells from 21 SLE patients and 16 healthy controls were examined by flow cytometry. The levels of serum anti-double-stranded deoxyribonucleic acid (dsDNA) antibodies were determined using immunoradiometric as-say. Data were analyzed with t test and Pearson's correlation test. Results The per-centages of PD-1hiCXCR5- cells within CD4+ T cell were significantly higher in SLE patients [(2.1 ±2.0)％] compared to normal controls [(0.3±0.3)％] (t=2.959, P<0.01). The percentages of PD-1hiCXCR5-cells within CD4+T cells in moderate to severe active SLE patients (3.0 ±2.0)％ was significantly increased compared to patients with mild or inactive (1.0±1.4)％(t=2.574, P<0.05) and normal controls (0.3±0.3)％ (t=5.149, P<0.01). The percentages of PD-1hiCXCR5- cells within CD4+ T cells from SLE patients were positively related with systemic lupus erythematosus disease activity index (SLEDAI) (r=0.475, P=0.0297). SLE patients in serum anti-dsDNA antibodies positive group (2.7±2.1)％displayed a higher percentage of PD-1hiCXCR5-cells within CD4+T cells than patients in serum anti-dsDNA antibodies negative group (0.6 ±0.5)％ (t=2.303, P<0.05). The percentages of PD-1hiCXCR5-cells within CD4+T cells from SLE patients were positively correlated with anti-dsDNA antibody titers. Conclusion The percentages of PD-1hiCXCR5- cells within CD4+ T cells from SLE patients are increased and are positively correlated with SLEDAI and anti-dsDNA antibody levels. Increased percentage of PD-1hiCXCR5-cells within CD4+T cells might play an important role in the pathogenesis of SLE.

Dose-effect relationship between L-glutamic acid and duodenal movement in the vagus pathway / 解剖学报

Objective: To establish a mathematical model of the injection by dorsal motor nucleus of vagus (DMV), the dose of L-glutamic acid (L-Glu) and the duodenal myoelectric activity index of female rabbits was established to provide a theoretical basis for studying the mechanism of action of hormones, cytokines and other vagal activity. Methods: In this experiment, we used microinjection technique to inject L-Glu to DMV by doses of 0 mol/L, 0.05 mol/L, 0.10 mol/L, 0.15 mol/L and 0.20 mol/L, monitoring the duodenal myoelectric activity of ovarian abducted rabbits, the number of samples per dose group was 5, and construct a mathematical model between the dose of L-Glu and the index of duodenal myoelectric activity. Results: After t-test analysis, the amplitude of myoelectric activity increased gradually between adjacent dose groups, and the difference was extremely significant (P < 0.01). The frequency was gradually strengthened, and the difference between 0 mol/L and 0.05 mol/L, 0.10 mol/L and 0.15 mol/L was significant (P < 0.05). The index of myoelectric activity increased gradually, and the difference between groups was extremely significant (P<0.01). With L-Glu concentration as the independent variable x, the duodenal myoelectric activity index was the dependent variable y, the constructor relationship was y= 13.71/1 + exp [-22.35 x (x-0.082)], function fitting accuracy was R =0.9948, P<0.01.belonging to growth type S logic function. Function analysis showed that the L-Glu dose of 0.082 mol/L was the inflection point of the logic function. As the dose range of L-Glu was 0 mol/L-0.082 mol/L, duodenal myoelectric activity index showed an exponential growth pattern, as the L-Glu dose was greater than 0.082 mol/L, the duodenal myoelectric activity index showed a logarithmic growth pattern with a theoretical limit of 13.71. Conclusion: L-Glu has a significant dose-effect relationship on the promotion of duodenal myoelectric activity in rabbits by DMV, and have the effect of interval, the mathematical model laid the theoretical foundation for further research on the role of hormones and cytokines on this basis.

Clinical Observation of SHAO's Five-needle Therapy for Active Ulcerative Colitis / 上海针灸杂志

Objective To observe the clinical efficacy of SHAO's five-needle therapy in treating active ulcerative colitis. Method By following a randomized controlled design, 57 patients with active ulcerative colitis were divided into a lung-intestine simultaneous treatment group of 28 cases and an intestine treatment group of 29 cases. The lung-intestine simultaneous treatment group was intervened by SHAO's five-needle therapy plus medications including oral administration of mesalazine, sulfasalazine suppositories via rectal insertion and Ge Gen Qin Lian decoction via enema; the intestine treatment group was intervened by medications. The two groups were both treated successively for4 weeks. The Sutherland Disease Activity Index (Sutherland DAI) was observed in the two groups and the release rate was also assessed; the main clinical symptom and sign scores of the two groups were recorded before and after treatment. Result The Sutherland DAI score dropped after treatment in both groups (P<0.05), and the between-group difference was statistically significant (P<0.05); the scores of abdominal pain, diarrhea and stool mixed with pus and blood declined after treatment in both groups (P<0.05), and the between-group differences were statistically significant (P<0.05); the lung-intestine simultaneous treatment group was superior to the intestine treatment group comparing plus medications the therapeutic efficacy regarding the symptoms and signs (P<0.05). Conclusion SHAO's five-needle therapy can rapidly release the clinical symptoms and body signs of active ulcerative colitis and enhance the clinical efficacy.

Iodine Quantification on Spectral Detector-Based Dual-Energy CT Enterography: Correlation with Crohn's Disease Activity Index and External Validation

OBJECTIVE: To correlate CT parameters on detector-based dual-energy CT enterography (DECTE) with Crohn's disease activity index (CDAI) and externally validate quantitative CT parameters. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-nine patients with CD were retrospectively enrolled. Two radiologists reviewed DECTE images by consensus for qualitative and quantitative CT features. CT attenuation and iodine concentration for the diseased bowel were also measured. Univariate statistical tests were used to evaluate whether there was a significant difference in CTE features between remission and active groups, on the basis of the CDAI score. Pearson's correlation test and multiple linear regression analyses were used to assess the correlation between quantitative CT parameters and CDAI. For external validation, an additional 33 consecutive patients were recruited. The correlation and concordance rate were calculated between real and estimated CDAI. RESULTS: There were significant differences between remission and active groups in the bowel enhancement pattern, subjective degree of enhancement, mesenteric fat infiltration, comb sign, and obstruction (p < 0.05). Significant correlations were found between CDAI and quantitative CT parameters, including number of lesions (correlation coefficient, r = 0.573), bowel wall thickness (r = 0.477), iodine concentration (r = 0.744), and relative degree of enhancement (r = 0.541; p < 0.05). Iodine concentration remained the sole independent variable associated with CDAI in multivariate analysis (p = 0.001). The linear regression equation for CDAI (y) and iodine concentration (x) was y = 53.549x + 55.111. For validation patients, a significant correlation (r = 0.925; p < 0.001) and high concordance rate (87.9%, 29/33) were observed between real and estimated CDAIs. CONCLUSION: Iodine concentration, measured on detector-based DECTE, represents a convenient and reproducible biomarker to monitor disease activity in CD.

Characteristics of Crohn's disease under double balloon enteroscopy / 中南大学学报(医学版)

Objective:To observe ulcer characteristics of Crohn's disease under double balloon enteroscopy,and to evaluate the correlation between endoscopic severity and clinical manifestations.Methods:A prospective,observational study from July 2015 to December 2016 in the Third Xiangya Hospital,Central South University,we selected 45 patients with positive double-balloon enteroscopy (DBE) and confirmed Crohn's disease.Two digestive internal physician observed the ulcer characteristics of Crohn's disease under double balloon enteroscopy,and gave a simple endoscopic score for CD (SES-CD).We analyzed the correlation between SES-CD and Crohn's disease activity index (CDAI).Results:DBE indicated 24 patient ulcers (53.33％) locating at the end of the ileum,5 (11.11％)locating at ileocolon,16 (35.56％) locating at upper gatrointestinal tract and they did not affect the end of the ileum.Among them,8 cases (17.78％) affected only jejunum.Thirty-two patients with longitudinal ulcers in Crohn's disease,accounting for 71.11％.There was no correlation between SES-CD score and CDAI score (r=0.237,P=0.136).Conclusion:The ulcerative appearance in Crohn's disease were diverse under double balloon enteroscopy.Crohn's disease could only affect the upper gastrointestinal tract or jejunum.The unwounded ileum and ileocecal valve couldn't be a sign to exclude Crohn's disease.CDAI score couldn't fully assess the prognosis of Crohn's disease.

Clinical application of MDCTE score in evaluating Crohn's disease Activity / 安徽医科大学学报

Fifty activity small intestinal Crohn's disease patients were enrolled in this study.Every patient was confirmed multidetector CT enterography (MDCTE) scanning.The CT imaging and scored accoeding to the CT findings were retrospectively analyzed.Patients were divided into mild,moderate,severe activities according to patients'Crohn's disease activity index(CDAI).The correlation between CT score and the CDAI was compared.Results showed that CT score and CDAI had significant correlation (r =0.825,P ＜ 0.825).The MDCTE score can be used for clinical evaluation of Crohn's disease activity.

Study on the Resistance Effect of LaCl3 on Different Varieties of Mint under Saline-alkali Stress with Dif-ferent Concentrations / 中国药房

OBJECTIVE:To study the resistance effect of LaCl3 on different varieties of mint under saline-alkali stress with dif-ferent concentrations,and provide theoretical and experimental basis for its planting. METHODS:NaCl saline stress and NaHCO3 alkali stress with low,medium,high concentrations(25,50,100 mmol/L)were conducted for 4 kinds of mint [Mentha haploca-lyx Briq.,Mentha spicata Linn.,Monarda didyma L.,Mentha rotundifolia (Linn.)huds]. Growth indexes (survival rate,plant height,fresh weight and dry weight)were determined,and mint species with good resistance were screened. The effect mechanism of La3+ on growth indexes in saline-alkali stress with different concentrations,osmotic regulation indexes [soluble sugar(SS),solu-ble protein (SP), proline (Pro)], antioxidant activity indexes [superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), catalase (CAT)],the yield of volatile oil,and resistance were determined. RESULTS:After saline-alkali stress,M. didyma and M. rotundi-folia had low survival rate,which were not suitable for growth under given climatic conditions. For M. haplocalyx and M. spicata, saline-alkali stress with low concentration can significantly increase the growth indexes under no artificial intervention. La3+ can sig-nificantly increase the yield and CAT activity under no stress. Compared with non-spraying La3+group,the SOD,CAT,POD activi-ties of mint added La3+ under saline stress with low,medium,high concentrations,plant height and fresh weight under alkali stress with high concentration,SOD activity and SS content under alkali stress with medium,high concentrations,and POD activity un-der alkali stress with medium concentration were significantly increased. CONCLUSIONS:Spraying La3+ can significantly improve the growth of M. haplocalyx and M. spicata under alkalized soil with medium,high concentrations. Mentha haplocalyx Briq. is se-lected as the mint specy with the best saline-alkali resistance.

Meta-analysis of Shenling Baizhu Powder Combined with Western Medicine in Treating Ulcerative Colitis / 广州中医药大学学报

Objective To make a Meta-analysis of the effectiveness and safety of Shenling Baizhu Powder (SBP) for the treatment of ulcerative colitis(UC),thus to provide evidence for the clinical treatment of ulcerative colitis.Methods Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of SBP combined with western medicine vs western medicine in treating ulcerative colitis were included.The quality of RCTs was assessed by the Cochrane scale.A Meta-analysis was performed for the clinical efficacy,improvement of disease activity index (DAI) levels of the included trials.Results A total of 19 RCTs were included,involving 1498 cases.The results of Metaanalysis showed that compared with the western medicine group,the combined risk ratio(RR) of clinical efficacy in the SBP combined group was 1.55,95％ confidence interval (CI) being (1.39,1.72).The subgroup analysis based on control medicine showed that the combined RR of combined use of sulfasalazine or mesalazine/Olsalazine was 1.46,1.59 [95％CI (1.19,1.77) vs 95％CI (1.40,1.80)].The subgroup analysis based on different treatment courses showed that the combined RR of 1-30 days,31-60 days,61-90 days was 1.42,1.69,1.47 [95％CI (1.18,1.70) vs 95％CI (1.44,1.97) vs 95％CI (1.15,1.88)] respectively.The differences were significant (P ＜ 0.05).(2) The differences of the two groups on the improvement of DAI and inflammatory factors levels of interlekin-17(IL-17),IL-23,tumor necrosis factor alpha(TNF-α),C-reactive protein(CRP) were statistically significant(P ＜ 0.05).(3)The sensitivity analysis of the primary outcomes showed a higher homogeneity in the literatures and the funnel plot analysis showed no evidence of publication bias.Conclusion Compared with western medicine,SBP combined with western medicine has better clinical efficacy for the treatment of UC,and the combined use of mesalazine/Olsalazine medicated for 30-60 days is more effective on improving DAI and inflammatory factors levels.However,for the low quality of the included literatures and insufficient experimental design,the conclusion needs more evidence from large sample-size randomized double-blind controlled trials.