Study of adenosine deaminase activity in various arthritic conditions

Aim of present study was to compare the adenosine deaminase (ADA) activity in various types of arthritis conditions with synovial effusion. No. significant difference was observed in ADA activity in serum of control and study groups but results have shown a definite pattern of ADA activity in synovial fluid in various arthritic conditions. The highest value of ADA activity was observed in synovial fluid of patients with tubercular arthritis followed by rheumatoid, septic, osteo and post traumatic arthritis. Thus measurement of ADA activity in synovial fluid can be used as a parameter of differential diagnosis of arthritis specially tubercular in initial stages.     

自身免疫性疾病研究的新进展——骨桥蛋白在类风湿性关节炎中的病理机制研究

这项研究对类风湿性关节炎的发病机理和免疫调控做了深入探索,在国际上首次阐明了骨桥蛋白在类风湿性关节炎发病中的作用,发现"骨桥蛋白"是引发类风湿性关节炎的顽凶,为治疗类风湿性关节炎找到了新的临床手段和药物靶点.本文介绍了该项成果的研究背景、意义、主要创新点及方法.     

Altered pattern of lipids in plasma and erythrocyte membranes of rheumatoid arthritis patients

The present study has investigated the levels of lipids, lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL and LDL cholesterol), thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and vitamin E in plasma and erythrocyte membranes of twenty two clinically diagnosed adult rheumatoid arthritis patients and an equal number of age matched healthy subjects. The levels of lipids and lipoprotein cholesterol were markedly reduced in patients with rheumatoid arthritis as compared to healthy subjects. The altered lipid pattern may be related to decreased lipoprotein cholesterol, fatty acids and impairment in antioxidant defence mechanism.     

A clinical study on cortisol and certain metabolites in some chronic psychosomatic disorders

Present clinical study involved two groups of psychosomatic disorders, bronchial asthma and rheumatoid arthritis. In the study, the levels of plasma cortisol, blood glucose, total cholesterol and triglycerides were estimated in 125 clinical subjects, (50 normal controls, and 40 having bronchial asthma and 35 suffering from rheumatoid arthritis. The results showed a significant change in the levels of plasma cortisol and blood glucose in both the stressed clinical groups' vis-à-vis normal controls. The levels of atherogenic lipids (total cholesterol and triglycerides) were found quite elevated in both the diseased groups. However, in rheumatoid arthritis, the physiological changes were relatively more pronounced. The findings of this study indicate that rheumatoid arthritis is a relatively more chronic and late onset disorder as the functional performance of hypothalamopituitary-adrenocortical axis gradually declines with passage of time and the ability of the adrenocortical response to return to normalcy becomes impaired.     

Lipid peroxidation and antioxidant status in blood of rheumatoid arthritis patients

The main objective of the study was to assess the oxidative stress in plasma and erythrocytes of rheumatoid arthritis patients by measuring the levels of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), non-enzymatic antioxidants (vitamin E, C and reduced glutathione) and enzymatic antioxidants [superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GSHPx)]. This study has been conducted on twenty-two adult female rheumatoid arthritis patients and an equal number of healthy subjects. Elevated lipid peroxidation and multidirectional changes in the antioxidant defence system were noticed in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. The enhanced lipid peroxidation accompanied by disturbance in antioxidant status indicates that rheumatoid arthritis patients are more prone to free radical mediated oxidative damage.     

Oxidative stress and calcium-phosphorus levels in Rheumatoid arthritis

Generation of reactive oxygen species is an important factor in the development and maintenance of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in humans. This study was undertaken to investigate interplay among oxidants, antioxidants and pathogenesis of Rheumatoid arthritis. Serum levels of lipid peroxides, nitric oxide, vitamin E and ratio of calcium/phosphorus in RA patients were determined and compared with normal healthy controls. Significant increases in lipid peroxides (p<0.001) and nitric oxide (p<0.001) levels were found in patients presenting with RA as compared to controls. Whereas significant decrease in vitamin E (P<0.001) and calcium/phosphorus ratio (p<0.001) were found in Rheumatoid arthritis patients as compared to controls. Positive correlation was found between lipid peroxides and nitric oxide as well as between vitamin E and calcium. While lipid peroxides and nitric oxide were correlated negatively with vitamin E. whereas negative correlation was observed between MDA and Calcium/Phosphorus ratio in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Our findings suggest that there is a close association between bone loss and oxidative threat in patients presenting with Rheumatoid arthritis.     

Multiple matrix metalloproteinases in type II collagen induced arthritis

To study the relative contribution of various matrix degrading enzymes in the pathogenesis of arthritis, changes in the levels of various matrix metalloprtoteinases (MMPs) during the progression of collagen induced arthritis was studied in experimental animals. Arthritis was induced in male wistar rats by injecting an emulsion containing collagen type II and Freund’s complete adjuvant. The duration of the experiment was 35 days. Synovial effusate was collected at regular intervals after induction. At the end of the experiment serum and cartilage were collected and analysed. Synovial fluid of osteoarthritic patients was also analyzed. Levels of MMP-2, MMP-3, MMP-9 and MT1-MMP were found to be high in synovial effusate and cartilage of experimental animals. In synovial effusate of arthritic animals the expression of MMP-3 was found to be high during the early stages while increase in MMP-2 and MMP-9 occurred at later stages. Synovial fluid of osteoarthritic patients also showed elevated levels of MMP-2, MMP-3 and MMP-9. Our results indicated that sequential action of MMPs such as MMP-3, MMP-2 and MMP-9 can cause degradation of articular cartilage extracellular matrix.     

Lipid peroxidation and antioxidant status in patients with rheumatoid arthritis

The changes in the erythrocyte lipid peroxidation products (MDA), levels of glutathione (GSH), ascorbic acid and plasma vitamin E (non enzymatic antioxidant parameters) and activities of antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GP_X), catalase in erythrocytes and plasma glutathione - S - transferase (GST) activity were estimated in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. This work was undertaken to assess oxidative stress and anti oxidant status in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. It was observed that there was a significant increase in erythrocyte MDA levels, activities of SOD, GP_X, plasma GST and a significant decrease in erythrocyte GSH, ascorbic acid, plasma vitamin E levels and catalse activity in patients with rheumatoid arthritis when compared to controls. The results of our study suggests higher oxygen free radical production, evidenced by increased MDA and decreased GSH, ascorbic acid, vitamin E and Catalase activity, support to the oxidative stress in rheumatoid arthritis. The increased activities of antioxidant enzymes may be a compensatory regulation in response to increased oxidative stress.     

Uric acid a better scavenger of free radicals than vitamin C in rheumatoid arthritis

Uric acid an endogenous aqueous antioxidant in normal humans is present in much higher concentrations than vitamin C and has been known to cover 2/3^rd of the free radical scavenging capacity in plasma. In the present study average uric acid levels of patients of rheumatoid arthritis were found to be close to the normal individuals. A unique feature was observed after classifying the patients on the basis of the duration of suffering, the patients having longer duration of disease had least uric acid levels as compared to those suffering from relatively lesser period, similar trend was observed in the ascorbic acid estimations. The decline in uric acid values with progression of the disease was much more than what was observed in case of ascorbic acid suggesting the significant role of uric acid in scavenging of free radicals. Too much lowering of Uric Acid should be checked and vitamin C should be supplemented in diet for maintaining the balance between pro oxidant and antioxidant forces to check pro oxidant insult in rheumatoid arthritis.     

A study of cortisol and certain metabolites in some chronic stress-disorders

Present study, involved two groups of chronic stress disorders, e.g. bronchial asthma and rheumatoid arthritis. Clinical investigations were launched on the blood samples of human subjects in which the levels of plasma cortisol, blood glucose, total plasma protein and serum cholesterol were assayed in diseased and normal control subjects. Observations in-vitro exhibited a notable change in the levels of all the biochemical parameters in patients of chronic disorders with respect to those of normal controls. The biochemical changes in asthmatics were comparatively more pronounced than those of rheumatoid arthritis patients. It reveals that bronchial asthma is an acute and early onset disorder because with chronicity of stressful events, there is a decline in stress response since hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis is not so competent to undergo major remodelling of its circuitry necessary for homeostatic maintanence.     

欧盟环境影响评价法律体系初探——兼论我国环境影响评价法律体系的完善

欧盟环境影响评价法律体系以《关于环境影响评价的指令》及其修正案和《关于特定规划和计划的环境影响评价指令》为核心,其制定和实施极大地促进了其成员国环境影响评价制度的建立和完善,是世界环境影响评价立法领域的重要成就。本文首先从立法框架、适用范围、运行方式、公众参与以及法律实施效果回顾等方面简要介绍了欧盟环境影响评价法律体系．分析了该法律体系的特点。随后,基于对我国环境影响评价立法实践的回顾与特点总结．借鉴欧盟环境影响评价法律体系的经验做法,提出完善我国环境影响评价法律体系的若干建议。     

Extensional flow of hyaluronic acid solutions in an optimized microfluidic cross-slot device

We utilize a recently developed microfluidic device, the Optimized Shape Cross-slot Extensional Rheometer (OSCER), to study the elongational flow behavior and rheological properties of hyaluronic acid (HA) solutions representative of the synovial fluid (SF) found in the knee joint. The OSCER geometry is a stagnation point device that imposes a planar extensional flow with a homogenous extension rate over a significant length of the inlet and outlet channel axes. Due to the compressive nature of the flow generated along the inlet channels, and the planar elongational flow along the outlet channels, the flow field in the OSCER device can also be considered as representative of the flow field that arises between compressing articular cartilage layers of the knee joints during running or jumping movements. Full-field birefringence microscopy measurements demonstrate a high degree of localized macromolecular orientation along streamlines passing close to the stagnation point of the OSCER device, while micro-particle image velocimetry is used to quantify the flow kinematics. The stress-optical rule is used to assess the local extensional viscosity in the elongating fluid elements as a function of the measured deformation rate. The large limiting values of the dimensionless Trouton ratio, Tr ∼ O(50), demonstrate that these fluids are highly extensional-thickening, providing a clear mechanism for the load-dampening properties of SF. The results also indicate the potential for utilizing the OSCER in screening of physiological SF samples, which will lead to improved understanding of, and therapies for, disease progression in arthritis sufferers.     

Antioxidant Status and Oxidative Stress in the Circulation of Younger and Elderly Human Subjects

Extensive research has demonstrated the protective properties of antioxidants, which scavenge reactive oxygen species and their precursors, as well as up-regulate enzymes involved in the repair of cellular damage. Several case–control studies have showed higher blood levels of antioxidants and decreased oxidative stress in younger individuals when compared with older ones. Cell damage caused by free radicals appears to be a major contributor in aging and degenerative diseases of aging such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, cataracts, compromised immune system, rheumatoid arthritis and brain dysfunction. The objective of this study was to determine the variation of Circulating levels of selected antioxidants (enzymic and non enzymic) and oxidative stress marker in younger and older humans. The results showed that a majority of the younger age group participants showed a significant increase in enzymic and nonenzymic antioxidant status and a decrease in oxidative stress when compared with the older age group.     

吉林省中小企业信息技术吸纳能力影响因素实证研究

文章基于余翠玲提出的信息技术吸纳能力三维结构及其影响因素模型,结合中小企业的特性及原有模型的不足,提出新的影响因素模型;同时,结合吉林省中小企业,进行了实证研究。一方面,揭示了地区、行业作为控制变量对中小企业信息技术吸纳能力的影响;另一方面,揭示了信息技术咨询对中小企业信息技术吸纳能力的特殊影响。     

独活寄生汤联合来氟米特治疗类风湿关节炎临床研究

目的:对独活寄生汤联合来氟米特片治疗类风湿关节炎的临床疗效进行观察。方法:对独活寄生汤联合来氟米特片治疗类风湿关节炎(肝肾亏虚型)的临床疗效进行回顾性分析;应用随机数字表把纳入的120例患者随机分为治疗组和对照组,两组各60例,对照组给予来氟米特片治疗;治疗组予以独活寄生汤联合来氟米特片治疗,1疗程为6个月,分别于治疗前、治疗1个月、2个月、3个月对患者进行DAS-28评分并采用HAQ健康评估问卷进行生存质量评估。结果:治疗组总有效率、显效率分别为88.33%和80%;对照组总有效率、显效率分别为73.33%和61.61%。总有效率、显效率治疗组均显著优于对照组。两组患者HAQ评分、DAS-28评分在治疗1个月均有所改善,病情得到控制;两组患者HAQ评分、DAS-28评分在2个月后仍继续减少,病情初步缓解,较本组治疗前有显著性差异(P0.05),组间相比仍无显著性差异(P0.05);两组患者在治疗结束时HAQ评分、DAS-28评分明显减少,病情完全控制,较本组治疗前及治疗1个月有显著性差异(P0.05),组间相比均有显著性差异(P0.05)。结论:独活寄生汤联合来氟米特片可有效改善肝肾亏虚型型类风湿关节炎患者的临床症状及实验室指标,且无明显不良反应,提高生存质量,取得了满意效果。     

高技术企业国际化程度对创新绩效的影响研究——以研发投入为调节变量

通过对49家高技术企业即294个观测值的实证分析,得到以研发投入作为调节变量,高技术企业的国际化程度对于创新绩效的影响。其中,国际化程度对于创新绩效的影响不仅存在正向的线性关系,还存在非线性的倒"U"型关系;而研发投入对于两者之间的关系是存在调节效应的。也就是说,基于经济全球化的浪潮,企业应该发展国际化战略。但因为国际化程度并不是一直正向影响高技术企业的创新绩效,所以需要借助研发投入的调节效应。根据结论,研发投入可以降低国际化程度对于创新绩效的负面影响,所以在发展国际化战略的同时需要增加研发投入,从而直接或间接的提高高技术企业的创新绩效。     

MLTC 上清对同种肿瘤细胞的杀伤作用

为探讨淋巴细胞与肿瘤细胞混合培养中淋巴细胞分泌的细胞毒因子,采用＾３Ｈ－ＴｄＲ掺入试验,测定淋巴细胞和肿瘤细胞混合培养（ＭＬＴＣ）的上清液对艾氏腹水癌细胞（ＥＡＣ）的细胞毒作用以及胸腺素对它的影响。结果表明：混合培养时间不同的ＭＬＴＣ上清对不同瘤龄的ＥＡＣ均具有明显的杀伤作用（Ｐ〈０．０１）;胸腺素能够显著增强ＭＬＴＣ上清对ＥＡＣ的细胞毒效应（Ｐ〈０．０１）。说明在ＭＬＴＣ中,肿瘤细胞能剌激淋巴细     

Effect of green tea extract and vitamin C on oxidant or antioxidant status of rheumatoid arthritis rat model

Elevated free radical generation in inflamed joints and impaired antioxidant system has been implicated in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Green tea extracts (GTE) have been shown to reduce inflammation in inflammatory arthritis murine model. This study investigates possible mechanisms by which vitamin C and GTE protect joints in RA rat model. This study included forty adult male rats that were divided into four groups (10 rats each); control group, collagen II induced RA group (CII), CII treated with vitamin C (CII + Vit C) and CII treated with GTE (CII + GTE) in physiology laboratory, Assiut University, Egypt. After 45 days of treatment, plasma levels of lipid peroxides (LPO), nitric oxide (NO), ceruloplasmin (CP), superoxide dismutase (SOD), uric acid (UA) and glutathione (GSH) were detected using colorimetric methods, PGE₂ using ELISA and copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) using spectrometer. In CII group, levels of LPO, NO, PGE₂, UA, CP, Cu were higher while SOD, GSH, Zn were lower than controls. In groups treated with vitamin C and GTE, levels of SOD, GSH were increased while levels of LPO, NO, PGE₂, Cu, CP were decreased compared with CII group. Levels of UA were decreased and Zn increased in GTE treated group compared with CII group. GTE treated group showed higher Zn and low Cu levels compared with vitamin C treated group. This study suggests proper GTE and vitamin C intake may effectively normalize the impaired oxidant/antioxidant system and delaying complication of RA.     

研发对企业盈利决定机制的研究——基于异质性生产率角度的分析

 追求既定约束条件下利润最大化是企业的首要目的,而研发是企业提高其生产率的重要途径。首先提出数理模型,从异质性生产率角度研究研发对企业利润的决定机制,再通过2007年中国制造业企业样本检验研发支出对企业生产率以及其盈利状况的决定作用。对于企业盈利状况,我们分别验证了研发对企业利润规模以及利润率的影响。结论认为：研发通过提高企业生产率而带来企业利润的提高,进行研发的企业的生产率、利润规模与利润率要显著高于未进行研发的企业,企业研发支出规模与其生产率、利润规模与利润率都呈现显著的正相关。