Increased serum visfatin level is associated with fat deposition of the lumbar spine in ankylosing spondylitis patients.

Objectives: To assess the serum visfatin levels in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS), as well as its correlation with fat deposition of the lumbar spine.

Methods: Serum visfatin levels were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in 50 AS patients and 75 sex-and age-matched healthy controls. The clinical and laboratory indexes of AS patients were recorded, and the lumbar spine magnetic resonance scan was performed to evaluate the lumbar spine fat deposition in AS patients.

Impact of short-term exposure to ambient air pollution on osteoarthritis: a multi-city time-series analysis in Central-Eastern China.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a threat to public health issue with high morbidity and disability worldwide. However, unequivocal evidence on the link between air pollution and OA remains little, especially in multi-study sites. This study aimed to explore the relationship between short-term exposure to main air pollutants and the risk of OA outpatient visits in multi-study sites.

Massive Open Online Courses Combined with Flipped Classroom: An Approach to Promote Training of Resident Physicians in Rheumatology.

Background: This study aims to evaluate the feasibility, acceptability, and effectiveness of massive open online courses (MOOCs) in combination with flipped classroom teaching in the standard training of resident physicians (resident physician trainees).

Methods: A total of 110 resident physician trainees enrolled in 2018, with a major in Internal Medicine, were selected and divided into a control group (n = 55) who experienced traditional teaching methods and an experimental group (n = 55) who experienced MOOCs plus flipped classroom teaching. Their post-class test scores and satisfaction questionnaires were compared.

Using internet search data to explore the global public concerns in ankylosing spondylitis.

Objective: This study explored the changes of global public interest in internet search of ankylosing spondylitis (AS) based on Google Trends (GT) data, in order to reflect the characteristics of AS itself.

Methods: GT was used to obtain the search popularity scores of the term 'AS' on a global scale, between January 2004 and December 2018, under the 'health' classification. Based on the global search data of AS provided by GT, the cosinor analysis was used to test whether there was seasonality in AS.

Research Progress on Regulatory B Cells in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic, systemic, autoimmune inflammatory disease characterized by the production of numerous autoantibodies and cytokines, as well as multiple organ damage. Specific B cell subsets negatively regulate immune responses and have been termed regulatory B cells (Bregs). Bregs are characterized by the production of the immunoregulatory cytokines interleukin (IL)-10, IL-35, and transforming growth factor (TGF)-.

Cryogenic viscoelastic surfactant fluids: Fabrication and application in a subzero environment.

Hypothesis: Current viscoelastic surfactant (VES) aqueous solutions quickly freeze and thus, lose their viscoelasticity and flowability at subzero temperatures, limiting their practical use in cold environments. Therefore, it is highly desirable to develop cryo-VES fluids with freezing point far below 0 °C. Since addition of alcohol antifreeze greatly reduces the freezing point of water, cryo-VES fluids might be generated in the presence of alcohols.

Correction: Cryogenic wormlike micelles.

Correction for 'Cryogenic wormlike micelles' by Hongyao Yin et al., Soft Matter, 2019, 15, 2511-2516.

Cryogenic wormlike micelles.

Cryogenic wormlike micellar solutions which possess a freezing point far below 0 °C while retaining rheological properties similar to those of ordinary wormlike micellar solutions are fabricated from the self-assembly of a C22-tailed monounsaturated zwitterionic surfactant, erucyl dimethyl amidopropyl betaine, in an ethylene glycol/water co-solvent at subzero temperature. Such fluids may find potential applications in fields where viscoelasticity is highly desired at subfreezing temperatures.

Clinical and serological associations of anti-ribosomal P0 protein antibodies in systemic lupus erythematosus.

The purpose of this study is to investigate the clinical and serological associations of anti-ribosomal P0 protein antibodies (anti-Rib-P0) in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The sera of 470 patients with SLE and 124 patients with primary Sjogren's Syndrome (pSS) were collected. Line immunoassay (LIA) was used to detect anti-Rib-P0 and other related antibodies.

Dissecting Genetic Network of Fruit Branch Traits in Upland Cotton by Association Mapping Using SSR Markers.

Genetic architecture of branch traits has large influences on the morphological structure, photosynthetic capacity, planting density, and yield of Upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.). This research aims to reveal the genetic effects of six branch traits, including bottom fruit branch node number (BFBNN), bottom fruit branch length (BFBL), middle fruit branch node number (MFBNN), middle fruit branch length (MFBL), upper fruit branch node number (UFBNN), and upper fruit branch length (UFBL).

Plasma/Serum Leptin Levels in Patients with Ankylosing Spondylitis: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Background And Aims: Leptin is an adipokine that has several effects on metabolism and immune system in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS). The present investigations of the relationship between plasma/serum leptin levels and AS are contradictory. To derive a more precise estimation on the plasma/serum leptin levels in AS patients and related factors, a meta-analysis was performed.

[The expression and clinical significance of IL-17AR on peripheral blood B cells of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus].

Aim: To investigate the expressions of Interleukin-17A receptor (IL-17AR) on the peripheral blood B lymphocytes of SLE patients and to analyze the correlations between IL-17AR and clinical parameters.

Methods: Expression of IL-17AR on peripheral blood CD19(+);B lymphocytes were analyzed in 60 SLE patients and 33 healthy controls by flow cytometry. The difference of IL-17AR expression levels in two groups were compared.

Genetic analysis for F1 yield traits with conditional approach in island cotton (Gossypium barbadense L.).

A genetic model with additive, dominance and genotype x environment interaction effect was employed to analyze the 3-year data of F(1) hybrids from 5 x 4 diallel cross, whose parents were Island cotton and had different fruit branch types. Unconditional and conditional genetic variances were conducted for analyze genetic impacts of yield components on yield. Results of unconditional genetic variances showed that there were no additive variance of total lint yield.