Expression of fibronectin and MMP-3 and its significance in the patients with ankylosing spondylitis

Objective: To observe the expression and significance of fibronectin and metalloproteinase-3(MMP-3) in patients with ankylosing spondylitis(AS). Methods: A total of 30 AS patients in our hospital and 30 healthy volunteers were selected in our study. Fibronectin and MMP-3 were measured and compared between these two groups. The AS group received sulfasalazine2 g daily for 3 months. Bath ankylosing spondylitis disease activity index, bath ankylosing spondylitis functional index, bath ankylosing spondylitis metrology index, erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein were compared before and after treatment.Pearson's linear-correlation analysis was used to determine relationships between parameters.Results: Totally 28 patients in the AS group completed the study. Fibronectin and MMP-3 in peripheral blood of AS patients were evidently higher than that in the normal control group(P<0.05). After treated by sulfasalazine, the level of expressing Fibronectin and MMP-3 significantly decreased compared with baseline values(P<0.05). Pearson's linear-correlation analysis showed that serum fibronectin and MMP-3 level had a positive correlation with bath ankylosing spondylitis disease activity index global assessment, spine pain, night pain, general pain, erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein(P<0.05). Conclusions: The expression of fibronectin and MMP-3 in AS patients were significantly higher than that in the normal control group, and they all decreased significantly after treatment. It indicated that both fibronectin and MMP-3 were correlated closely with the onset of AS.

Luminescence properties of Cd Te QDs embedded in Zn_5(CO_3)_2(OH)_6 matrix

CdTe@Zn5（CO3）2（OH）G composites were synthesized by a hydrothermal method. CdTe@Zn5（CO3）2（OH）6 composite nanospheres were characterized via X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, energy- dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and photoluminescence （PL）. The hydrothermal reaction time and the mole ratios of Zn/Te played important roles in the growth and fluorescence intensity of CdTe@Zn5（CO3）2（OH）6 composites. The composite powders showed peak PL at 578 nm at 1.6 times the intensity of powdered CdTe QDs. CdTe@Zn5（CO3）2（OH）6 exhibited a strong yellow fluorescence emission, and its preparation method was easy and economical. Therefore, CdTe@Zn5（CO3）2（OH）6 offers potential applications in biological markers and light-emitting diodes.