Promoted hydrogenation of CO2 to methanol over single-atom Cu sites with Na+-decorated microenvironment.

Although single-atom Cu sites exhibit high efficiency in CO2 hydrogenation to methanol, they are prone to forming Cu nanoparticles due to reduction and aggregation under reaction conditions, especially at high temperatures. Herein, single-atom Cu sites stabilized by adjacent Na+ ions have been successfully constructed within a metal-organic framework (MOF)-based catalyst, namely MOF-808-NaCu. It is found that the electrostatic interaction between the Na+ and Hδ- species plays a pivotal role in upholding the atomic dispersion of Cu in MOF-808-NaCu during CO2 hydrogenation, even at temperatures of up to 275°C. This exceptional stabilization effect endows the catalyst with excellent activity (306 g·kgcat-1·h-1), high selectivity to methanol (93%) and long-term stability at elevated reaction temperatures, far surpassing the counterpart in the absence of Na+ (denoted as MOF-808-Cu). This work develops an effective strategy for the fabrication of stable single-atom sites for advanced catalysis by creating an alkali-decorated microenvironment in close proximity.

Reactivity and Recyclability of Ligand-Protected Metal Cluster Catalysts for CO2 Transformation.

It remains a significant challenge to construct an integrated catalyst that combines advantages of homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysis with clarified mechanism and high performance. Here we show atomically precise CuAg cluster catalysts for CO2 capture and utilization, where two functional units are combined into the clusters: metal and ligand. Due to atomic resolution on total and local structures of such catalysts to be achieved, which disentangles heterogeneous imprecise systems and permits tracing the reaction processes via experiments coupled with theory, site-specific catalysis induced by metal-ligand synergy can be accurately elucidated. The CuAg cluster catalysts exhibit excellent reactivity and recyclability to forge the C-N bonding from CO2 formylation with secondary amines that can make the cluster catalysts more unique compared with typically homogeneous complexes.

Ten-year Time-trend Analysis of Dyslipidemia Among Adults in Wuhan.

OBJECTIVE: Dyslipidemia is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, the major cause of death in an aging population. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of dyslipidemia for the past decade among adults in Wuhan, China. METHODS: We performed a serial cross-sectional study that recruited 705 219 adults from the Health Management Center of Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology from 2010 to 2019. The diagnosis of dyslipidemia was based on the 2016 Chinese Guidelines for the Management of Dyslipidemia in Adults. Fixed effects and random effects models were applied to adjust the confounding variables (gender and age). RESULTS: The overall prevalence of dyslipidemia was 33.1% (46.2% in men and 14.7% in women) in 2019. The prevalence of dyslipidemia was significantly increased over 10 years [from 28.6% (95% CI: 28.2%-29.1%) in 2010 to 32.8 % (95% CI:32.6%-33.1%) in 2019;. P-0.001], especially for hypo-high-density lipoprotein cholesterolemia [from 18.4% (95% CI: 18.0%-18.8%) in 2010 to 24.5% (95% CI: 24.3%-24.7%) in 2019; P-0.001]. In 2019, the prevalence of dyslipidemia was higher in participants with comorbidities, including overweight/obesity, hypertension, diabetes, hyperuricemia, or chronic kidney disease, and dyslipidemia was the most significant among participants aged 30-39 years. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated that dyslipidemia is on the rise in men, and more emphasis should be provided for the screening of dyslipidemia in young males for the primary prevention of cardiovascular and renal diseases.

Sex disparities and the risk of urolithiasis: a large cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Urolithiasis is one of the most common diseases in urology, with a lifetime prevalence of 14% and is more prevalent in males compared to females. We designed to explore sex disparities in the Chinese population to provide evidence for prevention measures and mechanisms of stone formation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 98232 Chinese individuals who had undergone a comprehensive examination in 2017 were included. Fully adjusted odds ratios for kidney stones were measured using restricted cubic splines. Multiple imputations was applied for missing values. Propensity score matching was utilised for sensitivity analysis. RESULTS: Among the 98232 included participants, 42762 participants (43.53%) were females and 55470 participants (56.47%) were males. Patients' factors might cast an influence on the development of kidney stone disease distinctly between the two genders. A risk factor for one gender might have no effect on the other gender. The risk for urolithiasis in females continuously rises as ageing, while for males the risk presents a trend to ascend until the age of around 53 and then descend. CONCLUSIONS: Patients' factors might influence the development of kidney stones distinctly between the two genders. As age grew, the risk to develop kidney stones in females continuously ascended, while the risk in males presented a trend to ascend and then descend, which was presumably related to the weakening of the androgen signals.Key messagesWe found that patients' factors might cast an influence on the development of kidney stone disease distinctly between the two sexes.The association between age and urolithiasis presents distinct trends in the two sexesThe results will provide evidence to explore the mechanisms underlying such differences can cast light on potential therapeutic targets and promote the development of tailored therapy strategies in prospect.

Sex Disparities in the Association of Serum Uric Acid With Kidney Stone: A Cross-Sectional Study in China.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Urolithiasis is characterized by high rates of prevalence and recurrence. Hyperuricemia is related to various diseases. We hope to determine the association between serum uric acid (UA) level and kidney stone (KS). METHODS: In this population-based cross-sectional study, a total of 82,017 Chinese individuals who underwent a comprehensive examination in 2017 were included. The KS was diagnosed based on ultrasonography examination outcomes. Fully adjusted odds ratio (OR) for KS, and mean difference between the two groups were applied to determine the association of UA level with KS. RESULTS: Among the 82,017 participants included in this study (aged 18~99 years), 9,435 participants (11.5%) are diagnosed with KS. A proportion of 56.3% of individuals is male. The mean UA level of overall participants is 341.77 µmol/L. The participants with KS report higher UA level than the participants without KS [mean UA level 369.91 vs. 338.11 µmol/L; mean difference (MD), 31.96 (95% CI, 29.61~34.28) µmol/L]. In men, the OR for KS significantly increases from 330 µmol/L UA level. Every 50 µmol/L elevation of UA level increases the risk of KS formation by about 10.7% above the UA level of 330 µmol/L in men. The subgroup analysis for male is consistent with the overall result except for the participants presenting underweight [adjusted OR, 1.035 (0.875~1.217); MD, -5.57 (-16.45~11.37)], low cholesterol [adjusted OR, 1.088 (0.938~1.261); MD, 8.18 (-7.93~24.68)] or high estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) [adjusted OR, 1.044 (0.983~1.108); MD, 5.61 (-1.84~13.36)]. However, no significant association is observed in women between UA and KS either in all female participants or in female subgroups. CONCLUSION: Among Chinese adults, UA level is associated with KS in a dose-response manner in men but not in women. However, the association becomes considerably weak in male participants with malnutrition status.

The role of systemic inflammation in the association between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D and type 2 diabetes mellitus.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: The association between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) remains inconclusive. Moreover, whether inflammatory biomarkers are involved in this association has not been explored. This study aims to investigate serum 25(OH)D in relation to T2DM in a Chinese population and provide clues for the inflammatory mechanism whereby serum 25(OH)D deficiency increases T2DM risk. METHODS: A cross-sectional study of 47,803 participants aged 18-96 years was performed in a health management center in 2017. Multivariate linear or logistic regression models and mediation analysis were used to examine the relationships between serum 25(OH)D, inflammatory biomarkers (white blood cell counts and mean platelet volume), and T2DM. RESULTS: Of the 47,803 participants included, 5.2% were diabetic and 51.4% were serum 25(OH)D deficient. The study revealed a significant inverse association between serum 25(OH)D and T2DM risk after adjustment for potential confounders (P for trend = 0.002); the multivariate-adjusted odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) across serum 25(OH)D levels (sufficiency, insufficiency, and deficiency) were 1.00 (reference), 1.17 (1.03-1.33), and 1.25 (1.09-1.43), respectively. This study also showed a significant indirect effect of serum 25(OH)D on T2DM risk through total white blood cell count, neutrophil count, lymphocyte count, and monocyte count (P values < 0.05); the proportions mediated were 9.89%, 7.51%, 2.94%, and 2.82%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Serum 25(OH)D deficiency was independently associated with an elevated risk of T2DM in a Chinese adult population and low-grade systemic inflammation might be one of its biological mechanisms.

Temporal trends in hyperuricaemia among adults in Wuhan city, China, from 2010 to 2019: a cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVES: Hyperuricaemia is a risk factor for gout attacks, kidney damage and cardiovascular events. Evidence on the trends in hyperuricaemia burden in Wuhan city, China, was limited. The present study aimed to estimate the prevalence of and a decade trend in hyperuricaemia in Wuhan city. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING: Health Management Center of Tongji Hospital. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 732 527 adult participants from the general population who took a physical examination in the Health Management Center between 2010 and 2019. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Prevalence of and trends in hyperuricaemia. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of hyperuricaemia was 25.8% (36.6% in men and 10.8% in women) in 2019. The hyperuricaemia prevalence and serum uric acid (SUA) levels were significantly higher in young men, old women and participants with obesity, hypertension, diabetes or dyslipidaemia (p<0.05). SUA levels among men and women gradually increased from 358.0 (313.0-407.0) umol/L and 250.0 (217.0-288.0) umol/L in 2010 to 388.0 (338.0-445.2) umol/L and 270.0 (233.0-314.0) umol/L in 2019, respectively, p<0.05. From 2010 through 2019, hyperuricaemia prevalence significantly increased in each age category and it increased most sharply among participants aged 20-39 years. The multivariate-adjusted prevalence among men was 26.1% (25.4% to 26.7%) in 2010, 30.9% (30.4% to 31.4%) in 2015 and 34.4% (34.1% to 34.8%) in 2019, while among women it was 5.8% (5.4% to 6.2%) in 2010, 7.2% (6.9% to 7.5%) in 2015 and 10.1% (9.9% to 10.3%) in 2019. CONCLUSIONS: Hyperuricaemia was highly prevalent among adults in Wuhan city. More attention should be paid to the increasing burden of hyperuricaemia, especially for those at higher risks.

Helicobacter pylori infection is associated with diabetes among Chinese adults.

AIMS/INTRODUCTION: Several epidemiological studies investigated the effect of Helicobacter pylori infection on diabetes, but the conclusions remained inconsistent. We aimed to explore the relationship between H. pylori infection and diabetes, as well as glycemic metabolism profiles. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study including 58,482 Chinese adults was carried out between January 2016 and December 2017. H. pylori infection was diagnosed by the 13 C-urea breath test. Multivariate regression analyses were carried out to evaluate the association of H. pylori infection with diabetes. RESULTS: Of the 58,482 participants, 3,449 (5.9%) had diabetes. The H. pylori-positive participants had a higher rate of diabetes (7.3% vs 5.2%, P < 0.001), and higher levels of fasting plasma glucose (5.36 ± 1.12 mmol/L vs 5.28 ± 0.95 mmol/L, P < 0.001) and glycated hemoglobin A1c (5.63 ± 0.68% vs 5.57 ± 0.60%, P < 0.001) than the H. pylori negative group. Multivariate regression analyses showed that H. pylori infection was positively related to diabetes (odds ratio 1.25, 95% confidence interval 1.15-1.35). Among the H. pylori-positive participants, the elevated levels of fasting plasma glucose and glycated hemoglobin A1c were 0.033 mmol/L (95% confidence interval 0.016-0.049 mmol/L) and 0.024% (95% confidence interval 0.008-0.041%), respectively. Additionally, H. pylori infection was significantly related to diabetes in participants aged ≥44 years, but not in participants aged <44 years. CONCLUSIONS: The present study showed that H. pylori infection is associated with diabetes among Chinese adults. More attention should be paid to adults with H. pylori infection for effective prevention of diabetes.

The presence of P2RX7 single nuclear polymorphism is associated with a gain of function in P2X7 receptor and inflammasome activation in SLE complicated with pericarditis.

OBJECTIVES: A case control study was conducted to evaluate the possible influence of P2RX7 single nuclear polymorphism and P2X7 receptor activity in the susceptibility of SLE with pericarditis in Chinese Han population. METHODS: We studied a cohort of SLE patients with (SLE+PCS) or without (SLE-PCS) history of pericarditis and demographic, therapeutic and clinical data were retrospectively collected. P2RX7 489 C>T (His155Tyr) genotype of each subject was analysed and classified as CC or C>T (CT and TT) variant. After isolation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells and macrophages from whole blood by centrifugation on Ficoll gradient, in vitro macrophage releases of IL-1ß and IL-18 primed by LPS were evaluated by cytometric bead array. NLRP3 expression were evaluated by western blot after normalisation of house-keeping gene α-Tubulin. Finally, P2X7 receptor activity was analysed after stimulation with agonist ATP, by measuring permeability changes using ethidium bromide (EB) uptake fluorescent probe. The Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium (HWE) analysis was used to detect the association of P2RX7 489C>T SNP with SLE complicated with pericarditis. Spearman linear regression analysis was performed to evaluate the association of macrophages uptake of EB and NLRP3 expression. RESULTS: In total 68 SLE+PCS patients and 72 SLE-PCS patients from the cohort were enrolled. No significant differences in demographic, disease activity and serological features were found between the two subgroups. The HWE analysis detected a significant positive association between SLE+PCS and the 489 C>T SNP (OR=0.65, 95%CI (0.46-0.92), p=0.03). No association was found in SLE-PCS patients carrying either genotype CC or C>T. It was shown that in vitro inflammasome-dependent IL-1ß/IL-18 release from macrophages was higher in SLE+PCS patients compared to SLE-PCS, especially in those bearing the C>T variant genotype, and consequently the WB analysis ofNLRP3 expression in SLE+PCS patients bearing C>T genotype was significantly higher compared to the other genotype carriers (F=13.1, p<0.01). We also detected that macrophages of SLE+PCS patients carrying SNP 489C>T showed a higher EB uptake in response to ATP than subjects carrying wild type (CC). The Spearman linear regression analysis showed a significant association of macrophages EB uptake and NLRP3 expression as well as its dependent IL-1ß and IL-18 in SLE+PCS subjects carrying SNP 489 C>T. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that 489 C>T polymorphism of the P2RX7 gene is associated with activation of inflammasome NLRP3 and an increased release of IL-1ß and IL-18. The EB uptake increase in macrophages of LE+PCS subjects carrying 489C>T displays the functional upregulation of P2RX7, which may be involved in the pathogenesis of SLE complicated with pericarditis in the presence of P2RX7 SNP 489C>T.

Tanshinone IIA ameliorates cognitive deficits by inhibiting endoplasmic reticulum stress-induced apoptosis in APP/PS1 transgenic mice.

Our previous data indicated that tanshinone IIA (tan IIA) improves learning and memory in a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease (AD) induced by streptozotocin via restoring cholinergic function, attenuating oxidative stress and blocking p38 MAPK signal pathway activation. This study aims to estimate whether tan IIA inhibits endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress-induced apoptosis to prevent cognitive decline in APP/PS1 transgenic mice. Tan IIA (10 mg/kg and 30 mg/kg) was intraperitoneally administered to the six-month-old APP/PS1 mice for 30 consecutive days. ß-amyloid (Aß) plaques were measured by immunohistochemisty and Thioflavin S staining, apoptotic cells were observed by TUNEL, ER stress markers and apoptosis signaling proteins were investigated by western blotting and RT-PCR. Our results showed that tan IIA significantly ameliorates cognitive deficits and improves spatial learning ability of APP/PS1 mice in the nest-building test, novel object recognition test and Morris water maze test. Furthermore, tan IIA significantly reduced the deposition of Aß plaques and neuronal apoptosis, and markedly prevented abnormal expression of glucose regulated protein 78 (GRP78), initiation factor 2α (eIF2α), inositol-requiring enzyme 1α (IRE1α), activating transcription factor 6 (ATF6), as well as suppressed the activation of C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP) and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) pathways in the parietal cortex and hippocampus. Moreover, tan IIA induced an up-regulation of the Bcl-2/Bax ratio and down-regulation of caspase-3 protein activity. Taken together, the above findings indicated that tan IIA improves learning and memory through attenuating Aß plaques deposition and inhibiting ER stress-induced apoptosis. These results suggested that tan IIA might become a promising therapeutic candidate drug against AD.

Fear-related emotional disorder in response to coronavirus disease 2019 in college students / 预防医学

Objective@#To understand and explore the fear-related emotional disorder and its influencing factors among college students during the prevalence of coronavirus disease 2019 （COVID-19）, in order to provide reference for the further health education and psychological intervention. @*Methods@#A self-designed questionnaire for general data and Psychological Questionnaires for Emergent Events of Public Health （PQEEPH） were typed in www.wjx.cn and sent out to the students of four univerties in Xi'an by WeChat from February 7th to 9th,2020. The status and influencing factors of fear-related emotional disorder in response to COVID-19 were analyzed. @*Results@#Totally 1 546 valid questionnaire were collected. The average age of the students was （20.24±1.60）years old. There were 761 males（49.22%）and 785（50.78%）females;499 medical students （32.27%）and 1 047 non-medical students（67.72%）. The average score of fear dimension was 0.90±0.59,which was the highest in PQEEPH. Moreover, 280 students had fear-related emotional deviance,accounting for 18.11%,and 57 students had fear-related emotional disorder,accounting for 3.69%. The rate of fear-related emotional disorder was significantly higher in non-medical students（4.58%）than in medical students（1.80%,P<0.05）. The rate of fear-related emotional disorder was significantly higher in the students who considered themselves close to COVID-19（4.22%）and at risk of COVID-19（5.45%） than in the students who did not（1.94% and 0.98%,both P<0.05）. @*Conclusions@#Totally 3.69% of the students from universities in Xi'an suffer from fear-related emotional disorder in response to COVID-19. The students who do not major in medicine are prone to developing fear-related emotional disorder.

Psychological responses and related factors of college students in Shaan’xi during COVID-19 outbreak / 中国学校卫生

Objective@#To explore the psychological responses and related factors of college students in Shaan’xi during the outbreak of COVID-19, in order to provide reference for the psychological intervention for college students.@*Methods@#A self-designed general data questionnaire and Psychological Questionnaires for Emergent Events of Public Health(PQEEPH) were sent out to students in public university aged 18 to 28 years by Wechat APP from February 7th to 9th, 2020. Univariate and Logistic analysis were used to analyze the influencing factors associated with NCP.@*Results@#The scores of the five factors on the PQEEPH scale were (0.29±0.48) for depression, (0.27±0.46) for neurasthenia, (0.92±0.60) for fear, (0.15±0.34) for obsessive-anxiety, and (0.26±0.44) for hypochondria，The score of fear factors were the highest. And 15.4% had depressive emotional deviation, accounting for the highest proportion of emotional deviation, and the proportion of compulsive anxiety emotional disorder was highest, which accounting for 6.4%. Logistic regression analysis showed that the higher grades were risk factors for depression (OR=1.61, 95%CI=1.05-2.47), obsessive anxiety (OR=1.56, 95%CI=1.05-2.31) and hypochondria (OR=2.01, 95%CI=1.16-3.47) disorders, Non-medical specialties is risk factor for fear disorders (OR=2.16, 95%CI=1.18-3.95)，not believing oneself to be in danger in the face of the epidemic was a protective factor for five types of mood disorders (OR=0.17-0.51), and residence in towns and villages was a protective factor for neurasticity disorders (OR=0.58, 95%CI=0.38-0.87), the gender of female was the protective factor of hypochondria emotional disorder (OR=0.34, 95%CI=0.19-0.62)(P<0.05).@*Conclusion@#During outbreak of COVID-19, psychological intervention counselling and health education of college students should be strengthened. Moreover, psychological problems need be screened in time for intervention, so as to reduce panic and other adverse psychological conditions of students.

Long noncoding RNA DLX6-AS1 targets miR-124-3p/CDK4 to accelerate Ewing's sarcoma.

Ewing's sarcoma is one of leading cause of malignancy occurred in the children and adolescents worldwide. Given the emerging critical role of long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) in the human cancer, as well as Ewing's sarcoma, we aim to identify the biological role of DLX6-AS1 in the tumorigenesis. Results unveil that DLX6-AS1 expression was increased in the tissue sample and cells. Functionally, the silencing of DLX6-AS1 could repress the proliferation and accelerate the apoptosis of Ewing's sarcoma cells. Mechanically, DLX6-AS1 functioned as the sponge of miR-124-3p, and then miR-124-3p targeted the 3'-UTR of CDK4 mRNA, forming the DLX6-AS1/miR-124-3p/CDK4 regulatory pathway. In conclusion, the critical role of DLX6-AS1 might unveil a potential therapeutic target for Ewing's sarcoma.

Analytical validation and investigation on reference intervals of aldosterone and renin in Chinese Han population by using fully automated chemiluminescence immunoassays.

BACKGROUND: The aldosterone/renin ratio (ARR) is recommended to screen for primary aldosteronism (PA) in hypertension. We estimated fully automated chemiluminescence immunoassays (CLIA) for plasma aldosterone concentrations (PAC) and plasma direct renin concentrations (PRC) and investigated their reference intervals in Chinese Han population. METHODS: PAC and PRC were measured on a fully automated analyzer (LIAISON XL, DiaSorin, Italy). Performance characteristics were estimated according to CLSI approved guidelines. 328 healthy individuals were selected for reference intervals investigation. Results simultaneously tested by CLIA and radioimmunoassays were reviewed from 123 patients with hypertension and/or adrenal space-occupying lesion. PAC/PRC ratio (ARRprc) was compared to PAC/plasma renin activity (PRA) ratio (ARRpra). RESULTS: Within-laboratory imprecision was 5.6%-6.7% for PAC and 3.0%-3.3% for PRC. The LoQ was 72.2 pmol/L for PAC and 1.27 mIU/L for PRC. Linearity was excellent in the range of concentrations between 94 and 2708 pmol/L for PAC and 1.3-461.8 mIU/L for PRC. Interferences of hemoglobin, unconjugated bilirubin and lipaemia could be acceptable, but not of conjugated-bilirubin when renin and aldosterone at low concentrations. The central 95% reference intervals for males: PAC: 76-722 pmol/L, PRC: 3.3-92.7 mIU/L, ARR: 2.2-46.0 pmol/mIU; for females: PAC: 85-1010 pmol/L, PRC: 3.7-99.8 mIU/L, ARR: 3.6-68.4 pmol/mIU. Upper reference limits for ARR of younger and older men were lower than women. ARRprc and ARRpra showed almost perfect agreement (kappa = 0.815) for screening PA. CONCLUSION: The DiaSorin tests are valuable analytical options for PAC and PRC measurements. We recommend sex-specific and age-specific reference intervals of these items should be estimated.

Helicobacter pylori infection and prevalence of high blood pressure among Chinese adults.

Epidemiological studies demonstrated that Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection was associated with cardiovascular disease and its risk factors. However, the association between H. pylori infection and hypertension remained unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between H. pylori infection and prevalence of hypertension among Chinese adults. We performed a cross-sectional study of 5246 adult participants who were recruited from a health manage center. All participants underwent a 13C-urea breath test and a routine health check-up. Logistic and liner regression models were used to calculate the odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for hypertension in relation to H. pylori infection. Of the 5168 study participants aged 18-70 years, 2034 (39.4%) were females and 955 (18.5%) had hypertension. After adjustment for potential confounders, H. pylori infection was associated with an increased prevalence of hypertension (OR, 1.23; 95% CI, 1.04, 1.46). In addition, compared with participants not infected with H. pylori, those with H. pylori infection had an increase of 0.735 mmHg (95% CI, 0.101, 1.369) for diastolic blood pressure and 0.723 mmHg (95% CI, 0.034, 1.413) for mean arterial pressure. There was no significant interaction between H. pylori infection and age, sex, and body mass index on the prevalence of hypertension (all P values for interaction >0.05). Findings from this study demonstrate that H. pylori infection was positively associated with prevalence of hypertension among Chinese adults. More well-designed studies are warranted to confirm our findings.

Combination Therapies of Diacerein and Febuxostat Inhibit IL-1ß Responses and Improve Clinical Symptoms in Patients With Refractory Gout.

There are several therapeutic strategies available for the treatment of an acute gout attack and the prevention of recurrent gout flares, and they include nonsteroid anti-inflammatory drugs. This prospective study was aimed at evaluating the efficiency and safety of diacerein in combination with febuxostat on urate control, global assessments of disease activity, self-monitored gouty acute flare times, inflammatory markers, and clinical symptoms associated with their life quantity in patients with refractory gout. A total of 64 patients with refractory gout were sequentially recruited and prescribed with oral febuxostat alone or febuxostat plus diacerein daily for 12 weeks. The intensity of joint pain, numbers of acute flare, disease activity and the levels of serum amyloid A, mature IL-1ß, IL-18, C-reactive protein, and urate in individual subjects were routine analyzed. In comparison with that treatment with febuxostat alone, treatment with both drugs for 12 weeks had a better therapeutic effect on reducing the values of visual analog scales, acute flares, and healthy assessment questionnaire scores in these gout patients. Furthermore, treatment with both drugs also significantly reduced the mean daily dose of etoricoxib and the levels of serum IL-1ß and serum amyloid A. There was no significant difference in the frequency of patients with adverse effect between these 2 groups of patients. In conclusion, combination of diacerein and febuxostat had better therapeutic effect on reducing acute gout flares, inflammation, and clinical symptoms in patients with refractory gout.

Increased expression of ganglioside GM1 in peripheral CD4+ T cells correlates soluble form of CD30 in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus patients.

Gangliosides GM1 is a good marker of membrane microdomains (lipid rafts) with important function in cellular activation processes. In this study we found that GM1 expression on CD4+ T cells and memory T cells (CD45RO/CD4) were dramatic increased after stimulation with phytohaemagglutinin in vitro. Next, we examined the GM1 expression on peripheral blood CD4+ T cells and CD8+ T cells from 44 patients with SLE and 28 healthy controls by flow cytometry. GM1 expression was further analyzed with serum soluble CD30 (sCD30), IL-10, TNF-alpha and clinical parameters. The mean fluorescence intensity of GM1 on CD4+ T cells from patients with SLE was significantly higher than those from healthy controls, but not on CD8+ T cells. Increased expression of GM1 was more marked on CD4+/CD45RO+ memory T cells from active SLE patients. Patients with SLE showed significantly elevated serum sCD30 and IL-10, but not TNF-alpha levels. In addition, we found that enhanced GM1 expression on CD4+ T cells from patients with SLE positively correlated with high serum levels of sCD30 and IgG as well as disease activity (SLEDAI scores). Our data suggested the potential role of aberrant lipid raft/GM1 on CD4+ T cells and sCD30 in the pathogenesis of SLE.

An integrated technique for identification of differential genes expressed in patients with cancer.

To develop a method for identification of differential gene expression between different cell populations, several convenient techniques of molecular biology, including subtractive hybridization, suppression PCR, T/A cloning and sequencing, were used to identify genes expressed differentially in CD45+ and CD45- cells isolated from U266 cell line of multiple myeloma. Our results showed that the levels of abundant genes scale down 20 times through subtractive hybridization. Plasmid DNA from CD45- cell clones was hybridized with forward or backward cDNA probes synthesized from CD45- and CD45- cells, respectively. A few of differentially expressed genes reconfirmed by RT-PCR were identified from 500 expressed clones of CD45+ cells. It is concluded that a strategy for gene expression identification developed from conventional molecular biological methods can be used in different laboratories.