Biomedical subjects

Fu-lin Tang

Publications and source records attributed to Fu-lin Tang.

21 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

PubMed2003

[Abnormal interferon-inducible protein-10 expression in the labial glands of patients with Sjogren's syndrome].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether interferon-inducible protein 10 (IP-10) is involved in the inflammatory process of the labial gland of patients with Sjogren's Syndrome (SS). METHODS: Forty-nine patients performed labial gland biopsy, the number of lymphocytes in the biopsy tissues was calculated and the IP-10 was detected by the methods as following: 39 biopsied labial tissues were examined by RT-PCR, among them, 21 were from primary SS, 5 from secondary SS and 13 from other diseases. With RT-PCR, the IP-10 and beta-actin were co-amplified with specific primers. The gel-fractioned and ethidium bromide amplification products were then analyzed by densitometry. The expression of IP-10 was semi-quantificated by IP-10/beta-actin ratio. Twenty-one samples were examined by immunohistochemistry with specific goat anti-IP-10 antibody, 10 of them from primary SS, 3 from secondary SS, 8 from other diseases. 11 out of 21 samples were examined by both RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: The expression of IP-10 mRNA was significantly up-regulated in labial glands of patients with SS compared with other diseases (IP-10/beta-actin ratio was 0.329 +/- 0.157 vs 0.099 +/- 0.059, P < 0.01). The number of lymphocyte infiltration foci in labial glands of patients with SS correlated to the IP-10/beta-actin ratio (r = 0.657, P < 0.05). Ductal epithelial cells and some of the infiltrating lymphocytes were stained by anti-IP-10 antibody by immunohistochemistry in 8 of the primary SS (8/10), all of the secondary SS (3/3) and one with primary biliary sclerosis (1/8). The expression of IP-10 protein detected by immunohistochemistry was consistent with that of mRNA detected by RT-PCR. CONCLUSIONS: IP-10 is abnormally highly expressed in the labial glands of patients with SS and positively relates to the lymphocyte infiltration. It thus suggests chemokine IP-10 may be one of the important molecules attracting the lymphocytes to the minor salivary glands to form the lymphocytic foci of Sjogren's Syndrome.

Adult↗

PubMed2002

[Pulmonary thromboembolism in systemic lupus erythematosus: clinical analysis of 11 cases].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the diagnosis and therapy of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients with pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE). METHODS: 11 hospitalized cases were reviewed retrospectively in PUMC Hospital during January 1984-July 2001. RESULTS: All 11 cases were suffered from severe active lupus with PTE. The SLE-DAI (SLE-disease active index) was 21.9 +/- 4.9. 7 cases had first onset of progressive Raynaud phenomenon. Anti-RNP antibody was positive in 73% of the cases. Echocardiogram revealed medium-severe pulmonary hypertension. When PTE was found, while 6 cases had started with smaller to medium dose of prednisone treatment, which was 20-30 mg/d, and other 4 cases received no prednisone. Only 1 received large dose of prednisone and immunosuppressor. Large dosage of prednisone, immunosuppressor with or without anticoagulant were given to those 6 and 4 patients after final diagnosis, respectively. 6 of 7 cases showed relieved Raynaud phenomenon while 4 cases hemoptysis were disappeared, echocardiogram had confirmed that pulmonary artery pressure decreased in 4 cases. [(31.7 +/- 12.4) mmHg]. 5 cases survived, 3 were dead and 3 failed to be followed up. CONCLUSIONS: Patients of SLE with PTE are liable to be misdiagnosed or missed-diagnosed, The risk factors are active-SLE, progressive Raynaud phenomenon, and symptoms of thromboembolism, positive anti-RNP antibody and mild-medium pulmonary artery hypertension. Combined therapy of present available measures like large dose of prednisone, immunosuppressors and anticoagulant are highly recommended.

Adult↗

PubMed2002

[Follow-up studies in polymyalgia rheumatica and temporal arteritis].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the clinical course and duration of therapy in 28 patients with polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) and/or temporal arteritis (TA) for identifying factors that influence prolonged steroid use and relapses. METHODS: 28 cases of PMR and/or TA diagnosed from 1992 to 2001 were retrospectively studied in PUMC hospital. Patients were grouped according to the absence or presence of corticosteroid resistant and relapses. RESULTS: Of 28 patients, 22 had pure PMR, 3 had both PMR and TA and 3 had pure TA. 15 patients received corticosteroid therapy and 13 had both corticosteroid and immunosuppressor therapy. The median duration was (25.5 +/- 24.0) months. Increase of white blood cell level and higher baseline erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) were significant risk factors associated with corticosteroid resistant (P < 0.01). Quicker reduction of corticosteroid dose was associated with relapse (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with increase of white blood cell level and higher baseline erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) are more likely to be resistant to corticosteroid therapy. Quicker reduction in corticosteroid is more likely to relapse. Immunosuppressor therapy should be added to patients who has corticosteroid resistant, and relapse or PMR associated with TA.

Aged↗