Genetic Polymorphisms of Stromal Interaction Molecule 1 Associated with the Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate and C-Reactive Protein in HLA-B27 Positive Ankylosing Spondylitis Patients

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a chronic inflammation of the sacroiliac joints, spine and peripheral joints. The development of ankylosing spondylitis is still unclear. Genetics factors such as human leukocyte antigen HLA-B27 and ERAP1 have been widely reported to associate to AS susceptibility. In this study, we enrolled 361 AS patients and selected four tagging single nucleotides polymorphisms (tSNPs) at STIM1 gene. The correlation between STIM1 genetic polymorphisms and AS activity index (BASDAI, BASFI, BAS-G) as well as laboratory parameters of inflammation (erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP)) were tested. Our results indicated that HLA-B27 positive AS patients who are carrying the minor allele homozygous G/G genotype of SNP rs3750996 significantly associated with a higher level of ESR in serum. Furthermore, rs3750996/rs3750994 pairwise allele analysis indicated that G-C haplotypes also significantly correlated with higher level of ESR as well as CRP. These findings provide a better understanding of STIM1 genetic contribution to the pathogenesis of AS.     

Raised Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate in Asymptomatic Hyperlipidaemia

In 101 subjectively healthy persons, who at a routine health examination were found to be markedly hyperlipidaemic, the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (E.S.R.) was significantly raised. The E.S.R. was raised above 25 mm/hr in 44, 64, and 23% respectively of subjects with type II A, II B, and IV hyperlipoproteinaemia in comparison to only 6% in sex- and age-matched normolipidaemic controls.Several explanations for this E.S.R. elevation have been studied. The levels of plasma lipoproteins do not appear themselves to influence the E.S.R., as among other things there was no difference in plasma concentrations of cholesterol and triglycerides in hyperlipidaemic persons with high and low E.S.R. The concentration of lysolecithin, which may decrease the E.S.R. was the same in the hyperlipidaemic persons with high E.S.R. as in those with low. However, the incidence of ischaemic exercise E.C.G. changes was 38% in the hyperlipidaemic subjects with E.S.R. below 24 mm/hr and 72% in those with E.S.R. above 25 mm/hr. For the time being one possible reason for the raised E.S.R. thus seems to be that the hyperlipidaemia causes silent vascular disease that in its turn produces the E.S.R. elevations.     

黄芪皂苷、多糖及黄酮在抗细胞凋亡方面的研究进展

黄芪系豆科植物蒙古黄芪Astragalus menabranaceus (Fish.)Bge.var.meongholicus (Bge.)Hsiao或膜荚黄芪Astragalus membranaceus (Fisch.) Bge.的干燥根.其味甘,性微温,具有“补气升阳、益卫固表、利尿消肿、托毒生肌”之功效.黄芪含有皂苷、多糖、黄酮、氨基酸等多种活性成分,对免疫系统、内分泌系统和心血管系统等均有明显功效,其中很多药理功效作用与抗氧化损伤、调节钙稳态、抗线粒体损伤有关.氧自由基损伤、钙超载、线粒体损伤三者是启动细胞程序性凋亡的共同通路,现从这三方面综述黄芪活性成分在抗细胞凋亡机制的研究进展.     

黄芪皂苷、多糖及黄酮在抗细胞凋亡方面的研究进展

黄芪系豆科植物蒙古黄芪Astragalus menabranaceus(Fish.)Bge.var.meongholicus(Bge.)Hsiao或膜荚黄芪Astragalus mem-branaceus(Fisch.)Bge.的干燥根。其味甘,性微温,具有"补气升阳、益卫固表、利尿消肿、托毒生肌"之功效。黄芪含有皂苷、多糖、黄酮、氨基酸等多种活性成分,对免疫系统、内分泌系统和心血管系统等均有明显功效,其中很多药理功效作用与抗氧化损伤、调节钙稳态、抗线粒体损伤有关。氧自由基损伤、钙超载、线粒体损伤三者是启动细胞程序性凋亡的共同通路,现从这三方面综述黄芪活性成分在抗细胞凋亡机制的研究进展。     

The Relationship Between the Reference Value of Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate and Geographical Factors

In order to provide a scientific basis for a unified standard of the reference value of erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) in China, the reference value of healthy people's ESR has been collected. The relationship between the reference value of ESR and geographical factors is examined in this paper. Altitude is the most important factor affecting the reference value of ESR, which decreases with increasing altitude; the relationship is quite significant. The method of stepwise regression analysis was used to deduce two regression equations: ₁=12.08-0.00222X₁+0.00114X₅ ± 2.95, ₂=18.81-0.00323X₁+0.239X₄ ± 4.70. If the geographical factor value of a particular area in China is known, the reference value of ESR of Chinese people can be calculated by means of the regression equations. Furthermore, the dependence on geographical factors in China can be classified as six districts: Qingzang, Southwest, Northwest, Southeast, North and Northeast.     

Wild-Type Puumala Hantavirus Infection Induces Cytokines, C-Reactive Protein, Creatinine, and Nitric Oxide in Cynomolgus Macaques

Hantaviruses cause two severe human diseases: hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) and hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS). Approximately 200,000 cases are reported annually, and there is to date no specific treatment available. A major obstacle in studying the medical aspects of HFRS and HPS has been the lack of an adequate animal model. Here we show that infection of cynomolgus macaques by wild-type Puumala hantavirus resulted in typical signs of HFRS including lethargy, anorexia, proteinuria, and/or hematuria, in addition to cytokine (interleukin 6 [IL-6], IL-10, and tumor necrosis factor alpha), C-reactive protein, creatinine, and nitric oxide responses. Viral RNA was detected in plasma from days 3 to 7 postinoculation until days 24 to 28 postinoculation, infectious virus was recovered, and the virus-specific immune responses (immunoglobulin M [IgM], IgG, and neutralizing antibodies) mimicked those seen in humans. The results indicated that the monkey model will provide a valuable tool for studies of pathogenesis, candidate vaccines, and antivirals for hantavirus disease.     

Lifetime Trauma,Praying for Others,and C-Reactive Protein

Research indicates that praying for others may offset the effects of stress on self-rated health and psychological well-being. The purpose of the current study is to extend this literature by seeing whether praying for others moderates the effects of exposure to lifetime trauma on a key marker of inflammation: C-reactive protein. The data come from a recent nationwide survey of adults of all ages (N = 1,589). Levels of C-reactive protein were obtained from assays of blood spots drawn from a capillary fingerstick. The findings suggest that the magnitude of the relationship between lifetime trauma and C-reactive protein is completely offset for study participants who frequently pray for others. The theoretical implications of this research are discussed.