[Association of Semaphorin 3A with thrombocytopenia in systemic lupus erythematosus].

OBJECTIVE: To measure the level of serum Semaphorin 3A (Sema3A) and to analyze the relationship between serum Sema3A and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) with thrombocytopenia. METHODS: The concentration of serum Sema3A was detected by enzyme-linked immuno sorbent assay (ELISA) in 170 SLE patients, 50 Sjögren's syndrome (SS) patients, 19 hypersplenism (HS) patients and 150 healthy controls (HC). Based on the presence of thrombocytopenia and whether the thrombocytopenia was in remission, the SLE patients were divided into three groups: SLE with thrombocytopenia (41 cases), SLE with thrombocytopenia remission (28 cases), and SLE without thrombocytopenia (101 cases). According to whether there was thrombocytopenia, the SS patients were divided into SS with thrombocytopenia (18 cases) and SS without thrombocytopenia (32 cases). The 28 SLE patients who underwent bone marrow aspiration biopsy were divided into two groups from the aspect of whether the bone marrow hyperplasia was normal (19 cases) or low (9 cases), as well as from the aspect of whether the maturity disturbance of megakaryocyte was positive (8 cases) or negative (20 cases). The serum Sema3A levels in SLE, SS, HS with HC were compared, meanwhile, the correlation between serum Sema3A level and platelet (PLT) in the patients with different diseases analyzed. RESULTS: (1) Serum Sema3A levels in SLE were significantly lower than in HC [(3.84±2.76) µg/L vs. (6.96±2.62) µg/L, P < 0.001], serum Sema3A levels in SS were also obviously lower than in HC [(4.35±3.57) µg/L vs. (6.96±2.62) µg/L, P < 0.001], and in HS it was lower than HC at a certain extant [(5.67±2.26) µg/L vs. (6.96±2.62) µg/L, P=0.041]. (2) Serum Sema3A levels in SLE were slightly lower than in SS, but there was no significant difference [(3.84±2.76) µg/L vs. (4.35±3.57) µg/L, P=0.282]. However, when compared with HS, serum Sema3A levels in SLE were significantly lower [(3.84±2.76) µg/L vs. (5.67±2.26) µg/L, P=0.006]. (3) Serum Sema3A concentration in SLE with thrombocytopenia was significantly lower than in SLE with thrombocytopenia remission [(1.28±1.06) µg/L vs. (3.83±2.65) µg/L, P < 0.001], and in SLE patients without thrombocytopenia [(1.28±1.06) µg/L vs. (4.87±2.60) µg/L, P < 0.001]. There was no significant difference between SLE with thrombocytopenia remission and SLE without thrombocytopenia [(3.83±2.65) µg/L vs. (4.87±2.600 µg/L, P=0.123]. Serum Sema3A concentration in SLE with thrombocytopenia was slightly lower than in SS with thrombocytopenia, but there was no significant difference [(1.28±1.06) µg/L vs. (1.68±1.11) µg/L, P=0.189]. (4) Strong positive correlations were found between serum Sema3A and PLT in SLE (r=0.600, P < 0.001). Positive correlations were also found between serum Sema3A and PLT in SS (r=0.573, P < 0.001). However, there was no such correlation showed in HS patients (P=0.393). (5) There was no significant difference of serum Sema3A concentration in SLE whether the bone marrow hyperplasia was normal or low. And the same situation appeared in the patients whether the maturity disturbance of megakaryocyte was positive or negative (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: Serum Sema3A was significantly reduced in SLE patients, and it was highly correlated with the blood damage. Similar conclusions could be drawn in patients with SS. The serum level of Sema3A was generally decreasing in desmosis which merged thrombocytopenia, and was obviously positive correlated with platelet counts.

[Correlation analysis of Sema4D with rheumatoid arthritis disease activity, bone destruction and rheumatoid arthritis-related interstitial lung disease].

Objective: To explore the correlation between Semaphorin 4D (Sema4D) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) clinical manifestations, laboratory indexes, bone destruction and rheumatoid arthritis related interstitial lung disease(RA-ILD), and to analyze its significance in evaluating the severity of patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Methods: A total of 108 RA patients and 50 healthy controls from September 2018 to October 2019 were collected from the Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Peking University People's Hospital and Beijing Haidian Hospital. According to the DAS 28 score, RA patients were divided into active disease group (DAS28>2.6) and stable disease group (DAS28 ≤ 2.6). Fifty healthy controls. The levels of Sema4D in serum were detected by enzyme-linked immunoassay method (ELISA), and their correlation with clinical manifestations of RA, laboratory indicators, degree of bone damage and RA-ILD were analyzed. Results: The level of serum Sema4D in RA active group was significantly higher than that in stable group and healthy control group (P<0.05). The concentration serum Sema4D was positively correlated with C-reactive protein(CRP) (r=0.28, P<0.05), rheumatoid factor(RF) (r=0.25, P<0.05) and the 28-joint disease activity score (DAS28) (r=0.45, P<0.01). The concentration serum Sema4D was positively correlated with ß-Crosslaps(r=0.20, P<0.05) and Sharp-van der Heijde score (SHS)(r=0.13, P<0.05). The concentration serum Sema4D was positively correlated with Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)(r=0.25, P<0.05) and Warrick score of chest CT in RA patients(r=0.27, P<0.05). The anti-cyclic citrullinated peptid(CCP) antibody, DAS28, VEGF and the incidence of RA-ILD were significantly higher than that in Sema4D negative group (P<0.05). Conclusions: Serum Sema4D level in RA patients is closely related to the disease activity, bone destruction and RA-ILD. Serum Sema4D can be used as an indicator of disease monitoring and prognosis evaluation in RA patients.

[Comparison of bone destruction markers in patients with gouty arthritis under different musculoskeletal ultrasonic manifestations].

Objectives: To observe the correlation between the different ultrasonic manifestations of gouty arthritis and the indexes of bone destruction (Dickkopf-1, RANKL), in order to further explore the role of musculoskeletal ultrasonography in the diagnosis and monitoring of gouty arthritis. Methods: 160 cases of gouty arthritis from clinic of the Department of Rheumatology of Peking University People's Hospital between July 2016 and June 2017 were recruited in this study. These patients were examined by musculoskeletal ultrasonography (bilateral first metatarsophalangeal joints, bilateral ankle joints and bilateral knee joints). Grouping was based on ultrasound features of joints. Group A showed no aggregate .Group B showed aggregate and double contour signs. Group C showed tophus and bone erosion. Serum concentrations of Dickkopf-1 and RANKL were measured. The correlations of Dickkopf-1 or RANKL and clinical/laboratory parameters were analyzed. Results: (1)There was a significant difference in Dickkopf-1 concentration between the three groups(P<0.001). And the group C[(1 722.2±482.7)ng/L]was higher than the group B[(1 309.3±496.4)ng/L](t=4.418, P<0.001), and the group B was higher than group A[(807.9±373.8)ng/L](t=6.137, P<0.001). (2)There was a significant difference in RANKL concentration between the three groups (P<0.001). And the group C[(0.78±0.47)ng/L]was higher than the group B[(0.35±0.29)ng/L](t=5.456, P<0.001), and the group B was higher than group A[(0.10±0.09)ng/L](t=6.923, P<0.001). (3)The level of Dickkopf-1 was associated with the disease duration(r=0.430, P<0.001), and the level of RANKL was associated with the disease duration(r=0.359, P<0.001). Conclusion: Aggregates, double contour signs, tophus and bone erosion can be observed in the ultrasonic examination of gouty arthritis. And the longer the duration of the disease, the more likely the extent of bone destruction is. Joint ultrasound can be the first imaging examination for the extent of joint involvement in gouty arthritis. And the longer the duration of the disease, the more likely the extent of bone destruction is. Musculoskeletal ultrasonography can be the preferred imaging method for detecting the extent of joint involvement in gouty arthritis.

[Investigation on the prevalence of hyperuricemia among young students].

Objective: To investigate the prevalence of hyperuricemia and the distribution of serum uric acid in young students. Methods: Determination of 14 214 cases of freshmen, 3 072 cases of the graduate and 6 804 cases of school staff in 2015-2016 from one University of Beijing with uric acid (UA) enzymatic method, hyperuricemia criteria for male UA >420 µmol/L, female UA >357 µmol/L, were grouped according to age. From freshmen in 2016 randomly selected 1 782 cases men and 1 175 cases women through the questionnaire to investigate the prevalence of gout. Results: The prevalence of hyperuricemia in male and female freshmen were 34.47% (1 958/5 681) and 11.64% (993/8 533) respectively. The prevalence of hyperuricemia in male and female graduates were 32.73% (381/1 164) and 10.06% (192/1 908) respectively. In the same period, the prevalence of hyperuricemia was 14.42% (480/2 844) among male workers and 9.92% (393/3 960) among female workers. The blood uric acid level was analyzed among the freshmen in 2015-2016 and the graduates in 2015, most freshmen were 420-480 µmol/L in males and 357-480 µmol/L in females. The prevalence of gout was 0.34% (6/1 782) in males and 0.26% (3/1 175) in females respectively (which had at least one attack of the first metatarsophalangeal joint and non-traumatic articular pain and swelling of the knee). In addition, there was no significant difference in the prevalence of hyperuricemia in coastal and inland areas (P>0.05). There was significant difference in the proportion of BMI in male and female newborns with hyperuricemia (P<0.05). Conclusion: The young men of high uric acid hematic disease prevalence showed a trend of increased significantly, male and female serum UA value most in mild-to-moderate elevated levels, and a lower incidence of gout. Compared with the general population, BMI of the freshmen with hyperuricemia increased significantly.

[Expression and Clinical Significance of Semaphorin 3A in serum and mononuclear cells in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus].

Objective: To determine the expression of Sema3A in serum and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), to analysis the correlation of Sema3A expression and SLE clinical manifestations and laboratory indexes, and to evaluate the diagnostic value of Sema3A in patients with SLE. Methods: The concentration of serum Sema3A was detected by enzyme-linked immuno sorbent assay (ELISA) in patients with SLE, healthy controls (HC) and diseases controls. In addition, the mRNA expression level of Sema3A was examined in PBMC by real-time polymerase chain reaction. The correlation of serum Sema3A level and clinical and laboratory features of SLE patients were analyzed. Unpaired t test, Kruskal-Wallis test, Mann-Whitney U test, χ(2) test, Pearson and Spearman correlation analysis were used to statistical analysis by using SPSS 13.0. Results: (1) Serum Sema3A concentration in patients with SLE was significantly lower than that in HC groups (P<0.01). (2) Consistent with the serum level, the Sema3A mRNA level in SLE was lower than that in HC (P=0.001). And the mRNA expression of Nrp-1 in SLE was also lower than that in HC (P<0.01). (3) The serum Sema3A level in patients with SLE was positively correlated with haemoglobin (HGB) (r=0.271, P<0.013), platelet (PLT) (r=0.600, P<0.011), complement 3 (C3) (r=0.234, P=0.0027) and complement 4 (C4) (r=0.159, P=0.434) levels. Whereas, the expression of Sema3A was negatively correlated with SLE disease activity index (SLEDAI) (r=-0.286, P=0.036). (4) Area under curve illustrated by ROC curve was 0.876 (95% CI: 0.846-0.906). The best cut-off value for the diagnosis of SLE was 6.31 µg/L, with the sensitivity of 80.6% and the specificity of 77.5%. The Youden index was 0.581. Above results indicated good validity of Sema3A as a diagnostic marker for SLE. (5) The HGB, PLT, C3 and C4 levels in the group of Sema3A- positiveSLE patients (≤6.31 µg/L) were lower than that in negative group (>6.31 µg/L), while CRP level and SLEDAI of positive group was higher than that in negative group(P<0.05). In addition, the positive rate of antinuclear antibodies (P=0.046) and anticardiolipin antibody (P=0.018) in the Sema3A-negative group were also significantly higher than that of negative group. Conclusions: Sema3A and Nrp-1 was both decreased in serum and PBMC of SLE patients, suggesting that the circulating expression of Sema3A and Nrp-1 was seriously defected in SLE. Circulating Sema3A was significantly correlated with disease activity and blood damage in patients with SLE. The result of ROC curve showed that Sema3A had the potential to be a new diagnostic biomarker in SLE.

Caesarean scar pregnancy: treatment with bilateral uterine artery chemoembolization combined with dilation and curettage.

OBJECTIVE: This study investigated bilateral uterine artery chemoembolization (BUACE) combined with dilation and curettage (D&C) in caesarean scar pregnancy (CSP). METHODS: Nineteen women with CSP were referred for interventional radiology. In 13 patients, BUACE was performed before D&C, following a diagnosis of CSP. A further six patients received BUACE for massive vaginal bleeding after D&C for inevitable miscarriage; the diagnosis of CSP was subsequently confirmed ultrasonographically. BUACE of the uterine arteries was performed using gelfoam particles following intra-arterial infusion of 100 mg/m(2) methotrexate. RESULTS: BUACE was technically successful and immediate haemostasis was achieved in all patients. Blood loss was significantly greater during D&C undertaken before BUACE compared with D&C after BUACE, but this bleeding was controlled by BUACE. No patient required further surgical intervention and there were no severe complications. The gestational sac and placenta could no longer be detected ultrasonographically and the menstrual cycle returned to normal 2-3 months after treatment in all patients. CONCLUSIONS: BUACE followed by D&C seems to be a safe and effective treatment for CSP and should be considered as a treatment of choice.

Formation principles of two-dimensional compound photonic lattices by one-step holographic lithography.

From the view of crystallography, a systematic theoretical study on one-step formation of two-dimensional compound photonic lattices by four noncoplanar elliptical waves is presented. A general formula for the interference intensity of N elliptically polarized waves, and relevant phase shifts that compensate for the initial phases and control the relative position and size of the motifs, have been deduced. Using appropriate polarization configurations, four kinds of beam geometries can be used to form various compound lattices. This provides an ideal new experimental platform for fabricating large-area compound photonic lattices.

Effects of polarization on laser holography for microstructure fabrication.

We perform a kind of computer stimulation on the multi-laser-beam interference. Using this method, we picture the interference patterns and describe the influence of the polarization of lights upon the clarity of the pattern. We find out the relations between the polarization states of the lights for the case of the best pattern and provide an optimal solution of the polarization on holographic lithography technology, and experiential formulas. This kind of analysis will improve the fabrication of submicrometer periodic structure efficiently.

[Stimulatory effect of chemokine-like factor 1 (CKLF1) on the growth of bone marrow cells].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the activity of CKLF1 on the proliferation and differentiation of bone marrow cells. METHODS: Human low density bone marrow cells and mouse bone marrow cells were plated in 96-well microplate and supernatants from transfected COS-7 cell culture were added. The cell proliferation was assayed by MTT method after 5 days incubation. The enhancing effect of CKLF1 on the colony formation of human hematopoietic progenitor cells was identified in semi-solid culture. RESULTS: CKLF1 has obvious enhancing effect on both human and mouse bone marrow cells, it can stimulate the colony formation of human hematopoietic stem cells and has synergistic action with GM-CSF. CONCLUSION: CKLF1 can promote the proliferation and differentiation of bone marrow cells.

[Expression in E. coli and chemotactic activity analyzing of recombinant CC-chemokine RANTES].

OBJECTIVE: To further understand the structure and function of RANTES and provide basis for research for application. METHODS: PCR product corresponding to region encoding mature RANTES protein was cloned into E. coli expression vector; purified recombinant protein was obtained by heparin affinity chromatography and its chemotactic activity was determined by Boyden chamber. RESULTS: The recombinant RANTES was expressed in E. coli with high efficiency. Purified protein showed chemotactic activity to peripheral blood lymphocytes, U937 cells, and CCR4 stable-transfected HEK293 cells. CONCLUSION: The purified recombinant protein exerted chemotactic activity on PBL and cultured cell lines, and we have established a experimental system for further study of structure and function of RANTES.

[Phylogenetic study of Artemia from China using RAPD and AFLP markers].

We have applied the techniques of RAPD (random amplified polymorphic DNA) and AFLP (amplified fragment length polymorphism) to the analysis of the relationships among Artemia species and strains. RAPD markers were successfully employed to detect diversity and genetic differentiation among four species of brine shrimp: A. franciscana, A. urmiana, A. sinica, and A. parthenogenetica. Seventy, ten-base synthetic oligonucleotides were used to amplify a total of 458 distinct fragments. DNA polymorphisms were found in all the species examined; The highest percentage of polymorphic bands found in A. parthenogenetica, was 28.8 per cent. There are significant differences between bisexual sibling species and parthenogenetic populations. A. parthenogenetica provided 94 specific molecular markers, while bisexual sibling species gave 27 specific molecular markers. A. sinica is a species distinct from the other Old World bisexual species. AFLP were used to analyze 15 Artemia species and strains for genetic diversity. They are extremely sensitive to even a small sequence variation and more polymorphism than RAPD. Using only 10 pairs of primer combinations, we detected 580 AFLP bands of which were polymerphic. The RAPD and AFLP techniques are powerful DNA fingerprinting methods for classification of Artemia species and strains.

Radiation induced EPR centers in foodstuffs and inorganic materials.

EPR investigations of a variety of irradiated materials have provided the potential for useful dosimetry applications. Herbs and spices imported into Australia have been investigated to establish whether or not they have been irradiated. Post-irradiation studies have shown that there is more than one free radical species in most cases which decay rapidly with time. Changes to transition metal ion signals, e.g., Cu2+ or Fe3+, appear to be permanent against further irradiation. Thus if these signals change upon irradiation, the material almost certainly has not previously been irradiated. Power saturation studies of alanine, a favored dosimetry material, suggest two distinguishable types of behavior consistent with the presence of spin-flip transitions. Irradiation of vanadium doped beryl yields stable VO2+ ions which may provide a useful dosimetry material. Dosimetry applications would appear to demand low cost, user friendly, automated EPR spectrometers. A patented option based on a 2.5 GHz microstrip microwave bridge will be described briefly.

The amino-terminal peptide of HIV-1 glycoprotein 41 interacts with human erythrocyte membranes: peptide conformation, orientation and aggregation.

Structural studies assessed interactions between the amino-terminal peptide (FP-I; 23 residues 519-541) of the glycoprotein 41,000 (gp41) of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type-1 (HIV-1) and human erythrocyte membranes and simulated membrane environments. Peptide binding was examined at sub-hemolytic (approx. less than 5 microM) and hemolytic (greater than or equal to 5 microM) doses (Mobley et al. (1992) Biochem. Biophys. Acta 1139, 251-256), using circular dichroism (CD) and Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) measurements with FP-I, and electron spin resonance (ESR) studies employing FP-I spin-labeled at either the amino-terminal alanine (FP-II; residue 519) or methionine (FP-III; position 537). In the sub-lytic regime, FP-I binds to both erythrocyte lipids and dispersions of SDS with high alpha-helicity. Further, ESR spectra of FP-II labeled erythrocyte ghosts indicated peptide binding to both lipid and protein. In ghost lipids, FP-II was monomeric and exhibited low polarity and rapid, anisotropic motion about its long molecular axis (i.e., alpha-helical axis), with restricted motion away from this axis. The spin-label at the amino-terminal residue (Ala-519) is insensitive to the aqueous broadening agent chromium oxalate and buried within the hydrophobic core of the membrane; the angle that the alpha-helix (residues 519-536) makes to the normal of the bilayer plane is either 0 degree or 40 degrees. Contrarily, ESR spectra of ghost lipids labeled with sub-lytic doses of FP-III indicated high mobility and polarity for the reporter group (Met-537) at the aqueous-membrane interface, as well as extreme sensitivity to chromium oxalate. At lytic FP-I doses, CD and FTIR showed both alpha-helix and beta-structure for peptide in ghost lipids or detergent, while ESR spectra of high-loaded FP-II in ghost membranes indicated peptide aggregates. Membrane aggregates of FP-I may be involved in hemolysis, and models are suggested for N-terminal gp41 peptide participation in HIV-induced fusion and cytolysis.