外周血miR-150-5p、SOCS1 mRNA对类风湿关节炎“病”“证”诊断意义的初步探讨＊

目的 探讨类风湿关节炎患者外周血miR-150-5p、细胞因子信号抑制因子1（suppressor of cytokine signaling 1，SOCS1）mRNA的表达及对类风湿关节炎（Rheumatoid Arthritis，RA）疾病诊断、中医证型判断的意义。方法 纳入符合诊断标准的RA患者57例及健康对照组19例，根据《22个专业95个病种中医诊疗方案》有关RA的中医证候诊断标准，判断RA的中医证型。qPCR检测RA患者及健康对照组miR-150-5p、SOCS1mRNA的相对表达水平，同时检测血常规、肝功能、肾功能等常规指标。双荧光素酶分析方法判断两者是否存在靶向关系。统计分析miR-150-5p、SOCS1 mRNA对RA疾病的诊断意义及其与中医证型的相关性。结果 RA患者外周血miR-150-5p的相对表达水平下调，低于正常人群（t = -19.019，P < 0.05）；其表达水平随疾病活动度升高，有下降趋势；患者外周血SOCS1 mRNA的相对表达水平上调，低于正常人群（t = 5.333，P < 0.05）；其表达水平随疾病活动度升高，有上升趋势。MiR-150-5p与SOCS1 mRNA有靶向结合关系（P < 0.05）。通过AUC曲线比较，miR-150-5p的相对表达水平区分RA的敏感性及特异性分别为98.1%、92.1%（AUC = 0.972，P < 0.05）；SOCS1 mRNA的相对表达水平无法区分RA（AUC = 0.472，P > 0.05）。RA患者中miR-150-5p的相对表达水平低于3.06，RA患者风湿痹阻证、寒湿痹阻证的相对风险分别为8.33、250.00（P < 0.05）。结论 miR-150-5p、SOCS1 mRNA在RA患者中有差异性表达，且有靶向结合关系。miR-150-5p可能是RA的疾病诊断及中医风湿痹阻证、寒湿痹阻证证型诊断的潜在生物标志物。     

Genotoxicity of synthetic amorphous silica nanoparticles in rats following short‐term exposure. Part 1: Oral route

Synthetic amorphous silica (SAS) in its nanosized form is now used in food applications although the potential risks for human health have not been evaluated. In this study, genotoxicity and oxidative DNA damage of two pyrogenic (NM‐202 and 203) and two precipitated (NM‐200 and ‐201) nanosized SAS were investigated in vivo in rats following oral exposure. Male Sprague Dawley rats were exposed to 5, 10, or 20 mg/kg b.w./day for three days by gavage. DNA strand breaks and oxidative DNA damage were investigated in seven tissues (blood, bone marrow from femur, liver, spleen, kidney, duodenum, and colon) with the alkaline and the (Fpg)‐modified comet assays, respectively. Concomitantly, chromosomal damage was investigated in bone marrow and in colon with the micronucleus assay. Additionally, malondialdehyde (MDA), a lipid peroxidation marker, was measured in plasma. When required, a histopathological examination was also conducted. The results showed neither obvious DNA strand breaks nor oxidative damage with the comet assay, irrespective of the dose and the organ investigated. Similarly, no increases in chromosome damage in bone marrow or lipid peroxidation in plasma were detected. However, although the response was not dose‐dependent, a weak increase in the percentage of micronucleated cells was observed in the colon of rats treated with the two pyrogenic SAS at the lowest dose (5 mg/kg b.w./day). Additional data are required to confirm this result, considering in particular, the role of agglomeration/aggregation of SAS NMs in their uptake by intestinal cells. Environ. Mol. Mutagen. 56:218–227, 2015. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Arterial stiffness in women previously with preeclampsia from a semi-rural region of South Africa

Women with pre-eclampsia have an increased risk of cardiovascular disease later in life. The aim of the study was to establish the presence and pattern of arterial stiffness in women previously with pre-eclampsia from a semi-rural region of South Africa. This was a prospective longitudinal study which involved 36 previously pre-eclamptic women and 86 non-pregnant controls (NPC) who had a past history of non-complicated pregnancy. Maternal wave reflection (augmentation index) and carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity were assessed noninvasively, using applanation tonometry with the SphygmoCor device. Endothelial function was assessed by EndoPAT 2000 device; pneumatic probes were fitted to the index fingers; induced flow-mediated reactive hyperemia; the ratio of the readings before and after occlusion was then used to calculate the score, the reactive hyperemia index (RHI) as a measure of endothelial function.

Pulse wave velocity remained significantly higher in previously pre-eclamptic women than non-pregnant controls up to three months after delivery (p < 0.05), then it reduced to nonsignificant values. All blood pressure indices (central and brachial pressures), were higher in previously pre-eclamptic women as compared to nonpregnant controls up to one year postpartum.

Regional (aortic) arterial stiffness, though it persists for some time after delivery, is transitory in previously pre-eclamptic women from the rural Africa setting. However, their increase blood pressure is an indication of compromised arterial compliance in women previously with pre-eclampsia.     

Low bone mineral density in ambulatory persons with cerebral palsy? A systematic review

Purpose: Non-ambulatory persons with cerebral palsy are prone to low bone mineral density. In ambulatory persons with cerebral palsy, bone mineral density deficits are expected to be small or absent, but a consensus conclusion is lacking. In this systematic review bone mineral density in ambulatory persons with cerebral palsy (Gross Motor Function Classification Scales I–III) was studied.

Materials and methods: Medline, Embase, and Web of Science were searched. According to international guidelines, low bone mineral density was defined as Z-score?≤??2.0. In addition, we focused on Z-score?≤??1.0 because this may indicate a tendency towards low bone mineral density.

Results: We included 16 studies, comprising 465 patients aged 1–65?years. Moderate and conflicting evidence for low bone mineral density (Z-score?≤??2.0) was found for several body parts (total proximal femur, total body, distal femur, lumbar spine) in children with Gross Motor Function Classification Scales II and III. We found no evidence for low bone mineral density in children with Gross Motor Function Classification Scale I or adults, although there was a tendency towards low bone mineral density (Z-score?≤??1.0) for several body parts.

Conclusions: Although more high-quality research is needed, results indicate that deficits in bone mineral density are not restricted to non-ambulatory people with cerebral palsy.

• Implications for Rehabilitation

• Although more high-quality research is needed, including adults and fracture risk assessment, the current study indicates that deficits in bone mineral density are not restricted to non-ambulatory people with CP.

• Health care professionals should be aware that optimal nutrition, supplements on indication, and an active lifestyle, preferably with weight-bearing activities, are important in ambulatory people with CP, also from a bone quality point-of-view.

• If indicated, medication and fall prevention training should be prescribed.