Platelet-to-lymphocyte ratios as a haematological marker of synovitis in rheumatoid arthritis with normal acute phase reactant level.

Background: Although normal acute phase reactants (APRs) play an important role in assessing disease activity of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), some studies pointed out the discordance between disease activity and APR level. Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratios (NLRs), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratios (PLRs) and lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratios (LMRs) have been reported to be sensitive measures of inflammatory reaction. This study aims to explore the value of these haematological makers in assessment of APR-negative RA patients.

Raddeanin A Protects the BRB Through Inhibiting Inflammation and Apoptosis in the Retina of Alzheimer's Disease.

Neuroinflammation and endothelial cell apoptosis are prominent features of blood-brain barrier (BBB) disruption, which have been described in Alzheimer's disease (AD) and can predict cognitive decline. Recent reports revealed vascular β-amyloid (Aβ) deposits, Muller cell degeneration and microglial dysfunction in the retina of AD patients. However, there has been no in-depth research on the roles of inflammation, retinal endothelial cell apoptosis, and blood-retinal barrier (BRB) damage in AD retinopathy.

[Anti-endothelial cell antibodies in predicting early miscarriage].

Objective: To explore the clinical significance of anti-endothelial cell antibodies (AECA) in predicting early miscarriage.

Methods: A total of 122 pregnant women with no history of autoimmune diseases who underwent prenatal examination at Peking University People's Hospital from January 2020 to December 2022 were selected, and they were tested for AECA. Based on the history of early miscarriage (gestational age at miscarriage < 12 weeks), the participants were divided into an early miscarriage group and a control group.

Lychee seed polyphenol ameliorates DR via inhibiting inflammasome/apoptosis and angiogenesis in hRECs and db/db mice.

Blood retinal barrier (BRB) damage is an important pathogenesis of diabetic retinopathy, and alleviating BRB damage has become a key target for DR treatment. We previously found that Lycopene seed polyphenols (LSP) maintained BRB integrity by inhibiting NLRP3 inflammasome-mediated inflammation. However, it is still unknown whether LSP inhibits retinal neovascularization with abnormal capillaries and its mechanism of action.

Mycobacterium tuberculosis Rv1043c regulates the inflammatory response by inhibiting the phosphorylation of TAK1.

Mycobacterium tuberculosis can manipulate the host immunity through its effectors to ensure intracellular survival and colonization. Rv1043c has been identified as an effector potentially involved in M. tuberculosis pathogenicity.

Seven-senescence-associated gene signature predicts overall survival for Asian patients with hepatocellular carcinoma.

Background: Cellular senescence is a recognized barrier for progression of chronic liver diseases to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The expression of a cluster of genes is altered in response to environmental factors during senescence. However, it is questionable whether these genes could serve as biomarkers for HCC patients.

Six-long non-coding RNA signature predicts recurrence-free survival in hepatocellular carcinoma.

Background: Recent evidence shows that long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are closely related to hepatogenesis and a few aggressive features of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Increasing studies demonstrate that lncRNAs are potential prognostic factors for HCC. Moreover, several studies reported the combination of lncRNAs for predicting the overall survival (OS) of HCC, but the results varied.

Evaluation of traumatic retinopathy with ultra-wide field imaging under corneal scar or fixed small pupil.

Aim: To evaluate the value of ultra-wide field (UWF) imaging in the management of traumatic retinopathy under the condition of corneal scar or fixed small pupil after complicated ocular trauma.

Methods: Twenty-eight patients (28 eyes) with complicated ocular trauma were enrolled in the study from June 2016 to May 2017, including 19 males and 9 females with age ranged from 11 to 64 (43.42±12.

The Mycobacterium tuberculosis protein Rv2387 is involved in cell wall remodeling and susceptibility to acidic conditions.

The distinctive cell walls of mycobacteria are characteristic features of these bacteria. Individual cell wall components influence diverse mycobacterial phenotypes, such as colony morphology, virulence and stress resistance. To investigate the role of the hypothetical protein Rv2387, we constructed a Mycobacterium smegmatis strain that heterologously expressed this ORF, and we observed that the M.

[Lithium chloride arrests HK-2 cell cycle in G2 phase through AKT/GSK-3β signal pathway].

Objective: To investigate the effect of lithium chloride (LiCl) on cell cycle of HK-2 cells and explore the possible pathways involved.

Methods: HK-2 cells were treated with LiCl at different concentrations (5, 12.5, 20, and 25 mmol/L) for 12, 24, 48, or 72 h, and the changes in cell cycle and viability were detected using flow cytometry and CCK-8 assay, respectively.

[P38 MAPK signaling pathway mediates advanced oxidation protein product-induced epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition in tubular cells].

Objective: To investigate whether the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway mediates advanced oxidation protein products (AOPPs)-induced epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in tubular cells.

Methods: Human proximal tubular cells (HK-2 cells) exposed to AOPP-bovine serum albumin (BSA) were examined for expressions of p38 MAPK and phosphorylated p38 MAPK using Western blotting. Western blotting and quantitative RT-PCR were used to examine the protein and mRNA expressions of EMT markers E-cadherin and vimentin and endoplasmic reticulum stress marker glucose-regulated protein (GRP) 78 in cells treated with SB203580 (an inhibitor of the p38 MAPK signaling pathway) prior to AOPP exposure.

[Arctiin ameliorates advanced oxidation protein product-induced epithelial-to- mesenchymal transition in HK-2 cells by inhibiting endoplasmic reticulum stress].

Objective: To investigate the effect of arctiin on advanced oxidation protein product (AOPP)-induced epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in tubular cells and explore the mechanisms underlying this effect.

Methods: Human proximal tubular cells (HK-2 cells) were treated with bovine serum albumin (BSA) or AOPPs in the presence or absence of arctiin. The expressions of E-cadherin, vimentin, and GRP78 at the protein and mRNA levels in the cells were examined using Western blotting and quantitative real-time PCR.

[Clinical characteristics of rheumatoid arthritis with interstitial pulmonary fibrosis].

Objective: To analyze the clinical characteristics of interstitial pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) in patients with Rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 198 RA patients with or without IPF. Characteristics of RA-IPF in clinical and lab data were analyzed.

Association of c3 gene polymorphisms with neovascular age-related macular degeneration in a chinese population.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine whether the genetic polymorphisms of complement factor 3 (C3) are associated with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in the Chinese population.

Methods: A total of 123 unrelated Chinese Han patients with neovascular AMD and 130 control subjects were recruited. Their six single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the C3 gene, one in the complement factor H (CFH) gene and two in the complement factor B (CFB) gene were characterized.

Photodynamic therapy for acute central serous chorioretinopathy: the safe effective lowest dose of verteporfin.

Purpose: To find the lowest effective dose of verteporfin in the treatment of acute central serous chorioretinopathy with photodynamic therapy (PDT).

Methods: Patients with acute central serous chorioretinopathy were chosen and treated with PDT with verteporfin. Decreasing doses of verteporfin were applied to the first 7 patients at 70%, 60%, 50%, 40%, 30%, 20%, and 10% of the full dose (6 mg/m).