AIM: To elucidate the significance of glucocorticoid (GC) receptor isoform ?(GR?)in children with idiopathic nephrotic syndrome (INS) , and to evaluate the effect of sera from GC-resistant INS on the expression of GR?. METHODS: The percentage of GR? positive staining peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and the quantity of nuclear protein of GR? in PBMC were detected by immunocytochemistry and Western blotting assay, respectively. The effect of sera isolated from children with GC-resistant INS on GR? expression was examined by cell culture in vitro . RESULTS: The number of GR? positive staining PBMC and the quantity of nuclear protein of GR? in children with GC-resistant INS were significantly higher than those in patients with GC-sensitive INS ( P

Objective:To analyze the podocalyxin (PCX) expression in the kidney and the number of urinary podocytes in different pathological grades of Henoch-Sch(o)nlein purpura nephritis (HSPN),and to determine whether the number of urinary podocytes reflects the renal damage in HSPN.Methods:Fifty-six children diagnosed with HSPN in our hospital were enrolled in the study and classified into 4 groups by renal pathology:grade Ⅱ (Ⅱa+Ⅱb) (n=10),grade Ⅲ (Ⅲa+Ⅲb) (n=21),grade Ⅳ (n=16),and grade Ⅴ (n=9).Four kidney autopsy specimens without histomorphologic lesions and 8 urine samples from healthy children served as controls.With immunofluorescence assay,the PCX expression in 4 normal renal tissues and in the renal tissues of the 56 HSPN children was detected and quantitatively analyzed.Positive rate and the number of urinary podocytes were detected in the 8 healthy children and 56 HSPN children.Results:In the renal tissues of the normal control group and grade Ⅱ (Ⅱa+Ⅱb) HSPN group,the PCX expression was complete.The percentage of the PCX positive area out of the total glomerular area in the renal tissues of 2 groups had no significant difference (P＞0.05).In the renal tissues of grade Ⅲ (Ⅲa+Ⅲb),Ⅳ,and Ⅴ HSPN groups,the PCX expression showed various degrees of loss,decreasing in turn from grade Ⅱ (Ⅱa+Ⅱb),Ⅲ (Ⅲa+Ⅲb),Ⅳ to Ⅴ,with significant differences between each group (P＜0.01).For HSPN with grade Ⅲ (Ⅲa+Ⅲb) or higher,positive PCX expression was found in the urine,suggesting the presence of enough podocytes in the urine.The percentage of fluorescence positive area out of the total glomerular area of PCX in the renal tissues was negatively correlated with the total number of urinary podocytes (r=-0.637,P＜0.01).Conclusion:Podocyte injury plays a certain role in the pathological progression of HSPN.The urinary detection ofpodocytes can reflect the degrees of pathological damage in HSPN.

BACKGROUND:Stem cell transplantation provides a new approach to treat chronic renal disease.Specific marking and in vivo tracing of stern cells are the basis of studies in this field.However,the marking methods appropriate for all cells remain uncertain.OBJECTIVE:To observe the in vivo location and differentiation of 4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI) and green fluorescence protein (GFP)-Iabeled cells in adriamycin nephrosis rats so as to explore an efficient labeling and tracing method for metanephric mesenchymal cells (MMCs) derived from embryonic rats.DESIGN,TIME AND SETTING:Grouping comparative observation was performed at the Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University from April to December 2007.MATERIALS:A total of 60 female SD rats,weighing 180-220 g,of dean grade,were used to establish models of adriamycin nephrosis.METHODS:DAPI and MMCs infected with GFP and DAPI were respectively injected into addamycin nephrosis via the tail vein.DAPI and GFP distribution in the frozen sections was detected at 1,3,and 5 weeks,postoperatively.In addition,GFP expression in renal tissues was detected by ABC immunoenzymatic staining method.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:DAPI and GFP-labeled Cell grafts in adriamycin nephrosis rats were compared.The changes of GFP-transfected MMCs at different time points were observed.RESULTS:DAPI positive cells were observed in tubular structures after 1 weeks of injection of DAPI-labeled cells and DAPI alone,and remained existing at 5 weeks,but the florescence was reduced with time.GFP-transfected MMCs were able to survive and integrate into tubular structures after 1 week,and remained existing at 5 weeks.Moreover,the fluorescence was not reduced.ABC immunoanzymatic staining showed that only a few GFP-positive MMCs appeared in glomerular tufts,and mainly distributed in cytoplasm.Semi-quantitative evaluation of GFP show that the positive cell rate in rats with early application was greater than that with advanced application,and the positive rate was increased with time.CONCLUSION:Liposome mediated GFP gene transfer was an efficient labeling in vitro and suitable tracing method for cell differentiation experiment in vivo,suitable for short-term tracing and observation of transplanted cells.

ObjectiveTo evaluate the nephroprotective effects of transplanting metanephric mesenchymal cells (MMCs) into the renal subcaspsule of rats with acute tubular necrosis (ATN) induced by gentamicin. MethodsMMCs were expanded in culture and immunocytochemistry was used to characterize the cells. After gentamicin-induced ATN, fluorescence-labeled cells were transplanted and traced in kidney tissues by fluorescence microscopy. Serum creatinine (Scr) and N-acetyl-b-D-glucosaminidase (NAG) were tested. Kidney pathology was studied by hematoxylin-eosin staining. Apoptosis was examined by the TUNEL assay. Ki-67 and Bcl-2 expression was examined by immunohistochemistry. ResultsMMCs were expanded in culture and the phenotype of the cells was vimentin-positive and keratin-negative. Compared with other ATN groups, in the MMCs-treated group, Scr and NAG clearly decreased[14d Scr: (101.38±20.46) μmol/L vs (248.78±23.15), (252.98±33.52), (229.08±18.18) μmol/L;NAG: (14.83±7.74) U/L vs (33.33±14.88), (29.62±10.54), (30.22±10.94) U/L, P<0.05, respectively];the histopathoiogic lesion scores were lower (P<0.05);the Ki-67 antibody and apoptosis of renal tubular epithelial cells were improved or reduced respectively;the expression of Bcl-2 protein was up-regulated (P<0.05). ConclusionThe subcapsular transplantation of MMCs can ameliorate renal function and repair kidney injury.

Objecfive To detect the functional repair of metanephric mesenchymal cells (MMCs) transplantation in adriamycin (ADR)-induced glomerulopathy rats. Methods A total of 90 Sprague-Dawley female rats were randomly divided into three groups:ADR group (n=40,rats were injected via the tail vein with O.25 mg ADR/100 g body weight on days 1 and 21),ADR- MMCs group(n=40,rats were injected via the tail vein with 5×10~6-7×10~6 MMCs 8 weeks after the second ADR administration),control(n=10).All the rats were scarified 8 weeks after MMCsinjection.Pathology and collagen IV expression in renal tissue were examined.Moreover,matrix metalloproteinases 2 (MMP-2) and matrix metallopmteinases 9 (MMP-9) expression in the renal tissue were also detected with immunohistochemistry,and quantity analysis of protein and gene was further demonstrated with Westem blot and RT-PCR analysis,respectively. Results There were no significant differences in tubulointerstitial injury score and glomerulosclerosis degree between ADR group and ADR-MMCs group(P>0.05).Compared with ADR group,collagen Ⅳ and MMP-2 expression decreased, MMP-9 expression incrased in renal tissue of ADR-MMCs group, and the difference was significant (P<0.05). Conclusion MMCs transplantation may have potentially therapeutic effect on renal tissue fibrosis of adriamyein-induced glomerulopathy in rats, and the signaling pathways of MMPs appear to be involved in these processes.

Objective To investigate the effect and possible mechanism of bone marrow stem cell mobilized by stem cell factor (SCF) with granulocyte colony-stimulating factor(G-CSF)on renal peritubular capillary, fibrosis and renal function in unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) rats. Methods One hundred and twenty eight healthy male Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups: Sham group, SCF-G group, UUO group and UUO+SCF-G group. Eight rats of each group were randomly selected and killed on the 5th, 14th, 21st and 28th day. Serum creatinine, CD34 positive cells and factor Ⅷ positive cells in renal interstitium, histopathologic lesion scores of interstitial fibrosis and interstitial pathology in kidney were measured. The mRNA expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). and thrombospondin-1 (TSP-1) in the renal cortex was detected. Results (1) The renal interstitial fibrosis anti the loss of peritubular capillary were observed in UUO group after two weeks. (2) The number of bone marrow stem cells homing to renal interstitium in UUO +SCF-G group was significantly higher than that in UUO and Sham groups (P<0.05). (3) The loss of peritubular capillary in UUO+SCF-G group appeared later than that in UUO group (P<0.05). (4) The interstitial fibrosis and tubule injury was milder in UUO+SCF-G group than that in UUO group (P<0.05). (5) The decrease of VEGF mRNA expression of renal cortex in UUO +SCF-G group was seen later than that in UUO group. VEGF mRNA expression in UUO+SCF-G group was higher than that in UUO group. (6) The increase of TSP-1 mRNA expression of renal cortex in UUO+SCF-G group was seen later than that in UUO group. TSP-1 mRNA expression in UUO+SCF-G group was lower than that in UUO group (P<0.05). (7) In UUO and UUO+SCF-G groups, peritubular capillary index was negatively correlated with serum creatinine, interstitial fibrosis and interstitial lesion scores. VEGF mRNA expression of renal cortex was positively correlated with peritubular capillary index, and TSP-1 mRNA expression of renal cortex was positively correlated with peritubular capillary index. Conclusions (1)The loss of peritubular capillary is found in UUO group, and is correlated with interstitial fibrosis and interstitial lesion. (2) Application of SCF with G-CSF can effectively motivate stem cells to injured renal tissue, contribute to decrease the loss of peritubular capillary, lessen interstitial fibrosis and interstitial lesion, and ameliorate renal function. (3) Application of SCF with G-CSF can up-regulate VEGF mRNA expression and down-regulate TSP-1 mRNA expression, which may contribute to promote the repair of endothelial cells and protect peritubular capillary.

Objective: To develop the Adolescent Mental Health Literacy Assessment Questionnaire (AMHLAQ), and to evaluate its reliability and validity among undergraduates. Methods: On the basis of the definition of mental health literacy (MHL) and the Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices (KAP) theory, this study constructed a total of 36 items consisting of four dimensions, and scores were measured according to a five point Likert type scale. Using a cluster sampling method, a questionnaire survey was conducted among 3 826 freshmen and sophomore students from two medical schools in Anhui Province. The items were screened by performing t tests, Pearson s correlation coefficient analysis and factor analysis. The reliability and validity of the questionnaire were evaluated using indicators including homogeneity reliability, the split half reliability coefficient, and construct validity. Results: Factor analysis revealed that the AMHLAQ consisted of 22 questions grouped into four domains. The variance cumulative contribution rate was 62.213%. The reliability result showed that the Cronbach s alpha coefficient of the total questionnaire was 0.897, the split half reliability was 0.800, the Cronbach s coefficient of each dimension was 0.796 to 0.885, the split half reliability of each dimension was 0.725 to 0.846, and the indicators had a high level of reliability. Confirmatory factor analysis showed that the model fit was good ( χ 2/df =19.319, P <0.01; RMSEA=0.069). Conclusion AMHLAQ is consistent with the evaluation standard of psychometrics, has good reliability and validity, and can be used to estimate the level of MHL among undergraduates.

Objective: To explore the association between middle school students health literacy and bully victimization and associated sex difference, and to provide guidance for bully prevention in adolescents. Methods: During November 2017 to January 2018, 18 900 junior and senior high school students were enrolled from Hefei of Anhui Province, Shenyang of Liaoning Province, Yangjiang of Guangdong Province and Chongqing by multistage cluster sampling. A self rated questionnaires were used to collect demographic information, health literacy, and bully victimization. Group differences by different characteristics and the association between health literacy and bully victimization were analyzed. Results: The detection rates of campus and cyber bullying victimization were 15.8% (2 992/18 900) and 9.1% (1 723/18 900). Boys, junior high school students, students with poor family financial status and few close friends had a detection rate of 28.0%, 18.8%, 23.3%, and 33.6% of school bullying, which are higher than those of the control group ( χ 2=225.64, 148.07, 141.13, 143.49, P <0.01); boys, students with poor household income and few close friends, the detection rates of cyber bullying were 10.9%, 14.4%, and 20.1%, respectively, are higher than the control group ( χ 2=62.96, 112.82, 88.49, P <0.01). Multivariate Logistic regression analysis indicated that students with low overall and dimensions scores of health literacy were more likely to suffer from campus and cyber bullying, except for the dimension of physical activity. In addition, at all levels of health literacy, males are more likely to be bullied than females ( P <0.05). Conclusion Health literacy of middle school students is related to bully victimization, which is sex specific. Intervention programs of bullying should focus on health literacy enhancement.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the change in ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) value and the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) level in children with primary nephrotic syndrome(PNS) and their relationship. METHODS: ABPM and casual blood pressure(CBP) were tested in 114 children with PNS and 12 normal children as a control group. The 24-h urine noradrenaline(NA), adrenaline(A) and dopamine(DA) content were detected through high-performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical luminescence and the correlation with ABP was analyzed. RESULTS: Among 114 children with PNS, 101 had elevated blood pressure (88.6%), 45 showed high incidence of masked hypertension (39.5%), and 80 non-dipper blood pressure (70.2%). Systolic blood pressure level and blood pressure load were greater than diastolic blood pressure. NA, A, and DA levels of the PNS group were significantly higher than those of the control group, while those of the elevated blood pressure group were significantly higher than those of the normal blood pressure group in PNS children. SNS levels were positively correlated with blood pressure levels and blood pressure load, and negatively correlated with night BP decreasing rates. CONCLUSION Children with PNS have high incidence of hypertension with large proportion of masked hypertension and non-dipper blood pressure. Severe masked hypertension classification should be set up. In PNS children, SNS activity is elevated that might evaluate the blood pressure level and decrease blood pressure circadian rhythm.
Adolescent ; Blood Pressure ; physiology ; Blood Pressure Monitoring, Ambulatory ; Case-Control Studies ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Humans ; Hypertension ; diagnosis ; etiology ; Male ; Nephrotic Syndrome ; complications ; physiopathology ; Sympathetic Nervous System ; physiopathology

Objective: To explore the association between health literacy and drinking behaviors among middle school students in six provinces of China, and to provide scientific basis for the prevention and intervention of drinking behaviors. Methods: From November 2015 to January 2016, 22 628 students were enrolled from Ulanqab, Shenyang, Xinxiang, Bengbu, Chongqing and Yangjiang by multistage stratified cluster sampling method. And a questionnaire survey was conducted among them to collect demographic information, health literacy and drinking behaviors. Rates on drinking behaviors were compared in students with specific characteristics. Multiple Logistic regression analyses were conducted to examine the association between health literacy and drinking behaviors. Results: The proportion of ever drinking, current drinking, binge drinking, drunkenness was 60.0%(13 580), 16.8%(3 799), 5.9%(1 344) and 9.9%(2 250), respectively. After adjusting for gender, grade, family address, siblings, accommodation type, parental educational level, and self reported family income, compared to the high level health literacy, the low level health literacy was significantly associated with ever drinking (OR=1.76, 95%CI=1.62-1.91), current drinking(OR=1.37, 95%CI=1.23-1.52), binge drinking (OR=1.39, 95%CI=1.18-1.63), and drunkenness(OR=1.68, 95%CI=1.47-1.92), respectively(P<0.01). Conclusion Health literacy of middle school students was related to drinking behaviors. The occurrence of health risk behaviors such as drinking can be prevented and reduced by improving students health literacy level.