Expression of caveolin family proteins in serum of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.

Objectives: Caveolin family proteins, including caveolin-1 (Cav-1), caveolin-2 (Cav-2), and caveolin-3 (Cav-3), are identified as the principal protein components of caveolae in mammalian cells. Circulating form of caveolin family proteins can be used as a good potential biomarker for predicting disease.

Methods: To investigate the clinical significance of the serological levels of caveolin family proteins in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), we evaluated the soluble serum levels of caveolin family proteins in patients with SLE by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and assessed their associations with various known clinical variables.

Gene testing for osteonecrosis of the femoral head in systemic lupus erythematosus using targeted next-generation sequencing: A pilot study.

Background: Previous publications indicated that genetic predisposition might play important roles in the onset of osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH) in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Some gene loci such as complement C3d receptor 2 (), nitric oxide synthase 3 (), collagen type II alpha 1 chain (), protein tyrosine phosphatase non-receptor type 22 (), and transient receptor potential cation channel subfamily V member 4 () were reported to be involved in this process.

Aim: To investigate whether the risk of ONFH in SLE is associated with single nucleotide variations (SNVs) in these five genes.

No association between low-dose reserpine use and depression in older hypertensive patient: result of a multicenter, cross-sectional study.

Background: Reserpine is currently used by millions of Chinese hypertensive patients, in spite of the continued concern of its depressogenic effect, even when used in low dose. This study aimed to investigate the association between low-dose reserpine use and depression in older Chinese hypertensive patient.

Methods: In this cross-sectional, case-control study, we recruited patient aged 60 years or over who had regularly taken one or two tables of "compound reserpine and triamterene tablets (CRTTs)" for more than one year (reserpine user) from 26 community health centers located in 10 provinces in China.

Disease-association of different killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIR) and HLA-C gene combinations in reactive arthritis.

Background: Reactive arthritis (ReA) is sterile arthritis triggered by bacterial gastrointestinal or urogenital infections. Although the pathogenesis of ReA remains unclear, genetic factors seem to play an important role. Different killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIRs) and their corresponding specific histocompatibility leukocyte antigen-C (HLA-C) ligand genotypes have been implicated in susceptibility and resistance to infections and autoimmune diseases but have, thus far, not been investigated in ReA.

Determination of trace mercury by solid substrate-room temperature phosphorimetry quenching method based on catalytic effect of Hg2+ on formation of the ion association complex [Sn(XO)6]4+.[(Fin)4].

A new method for the determination of trace mercury by solid substrate-room temperature phosphorimetry (SS-RTP) quenching method has been established. In glycine-HCl buffer solution, xylenol orange (XO) can react with Sn4+ to form the complex [Sn(XO)6]4+. [Sn(XO)6]4+ can interact with Fin- (fluorescein anion) to form the ion associate [Sn(XO)6]4+.

[The changes and impact factors of carotid-femoral and carotid-radial pulse wave velocity in patients with essential hypertension].

Objective: To analyze the changes of carotid-femoral and carotid-radial pulse wave velocity in patients with essential hypertension, and effects of age and levels blood pressure levels on these changes.

Methods: Automatic pulse wave velocity (PWV) measuring system was applied to examine carotid-femoral PWV (CFPWV) and carotid-radial PWV (CRPWV) as the parameters reflecting central elastic large arterial and peripheral muscular medium-sized arterial elasticity respectively. 517 hypertensive patients aged 17-82 years (272 males and 245 females, mean age 52.