Objective To investigate the clinical characterastics of uremia pruritus and the value of treatment by bacillus coagulans. Methods The clinical data of 312 patients with maintenance hemodialysis were collected. The incidence rate, clinical manifestation and correlation factors of uremia pruritus were analyzed. Then, 40 refractory pruritus patients were divides into 2 groups by random digits table, with 20 patients in each group. The patients in experiment group were treated by bacillus coagulans, and the patients in control group were given vitamin E. The relieve of pruritus in two groups was compared. Results In 312 patients, 158 patients didn′t have pruritus, 56 patients had mild pruritus, 68 patients had moderate pruritus , and 30 patients had severe pruritus. The levels of urea nitrogen, creatinine, calcium, ferroprotein in different degree of pruritus patients had no significant differences (P>0.05), but the levels of phosphorus, calcium-phosphorus product, immunoreactive parathyroid hormone (iPTH), C reactive protein (CRP), interleukin (IL)-1 and IL-6 increased with the severity of pruritus (P<0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that the levels of CRP, IL-6, iPTH were risk factors for pruritus (P<0.01 or <0.05). The VAS scores of moderate and severe pruritus patients in experiment group after treatment were significantly decreased compared with that before treatment (P<0.05). The levels of CRP, IL-1 and IL-6 before and after treatment in control group had no significant differences (P>0.05). The levels of CRP, IL-1 and IL-6 after treatment in experiment group significantly decreased (P<0.05). The rate of pruritus was very high , and there was markedly positive correlation between pruritus and serium inorganic phosphorus、iPTH and CRP. Bacillus coagulans can alleviate pruritus. Conclusions On the basis of maintenance hemodialysis, bacillus coagulans can regulate the intestinal flora, alleviate inflammatory reaction, and help to release the symptom of pruritus.

Objective: To observe the effects of heat-sensitive moxibustion plus Chinese medication on serum inflammatory indicators, T-lymphocyte subsets, and serum microRNAs in patients with multiple myeloma after chemotherapy. Methods: Eighty-two patients with multiple myeloma who had terminated chemotherapy were divided into an observation group and a control group using the random number table method, with 41 cases in each group. The control group received symptomatic treatment of Western medicine plus oral Chinese medication Yi Shen Qiang Gu Tang (decoction for benefiting the kidney to strengthen bones), and the observation group received additional heat-sensitive moxibustion treatment. After the intervention, the following measures were observed, including clinical efficacy, symptom scores of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), and tumor patient's quality of life (QOL) scores [including Karnofsky performance status (KPS) score, performance scale (PS) score, and tumor-specific QOL questionnaire score] alongside the serum inflammatory indicators [tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), C-reactive protein (CRP), and interleukin-6 (IL-6)], and the relative expression levels of T-lymphocyte subsets (CD3+, CD4+, and CD8+) and serum microRNA-302 (miR-302), microRNA-140-5p (miR-140-5p), and microRNA-125a (miR-125a). Results: After treatment, the total effective rate was 85.4％ in the observation group, higher than 68.3％ in the control group (P<0.05). The observation group was superior to the control group in improving the serum inflammatory factor levels, TCM symptom scores, tumor patient's QOL scores, and the relative expression levels of T-lymphocyte subsets and serum miR-302, miR-140-5p, and miR-125a, and the between-group differences were statistically significant (P<0.05). Conclusion: Heat-sensitive moxibustion plus Chinese medication can lower the serum inflammatory factor levels, strengthen immune function, mitigate TCM symptoms, enhance QOL, and raise the expression levels of serum miR-125a, miR-140-5p, and miR-302 in multiple myeloma patients after chemotherapy.

OBJECTIVE:To study the vasodilatation effects of the alcohol extract from Uighur medicine Ziziphora clinopodioi-des(EEZ)on isolated rat thoracic aorta vessel rings. METHODS:Isolated rat thoracic aorta vessel rings were prepared. There was a group with intact vessel ring endothelium and a group with vessel ring endothelium removed in the test. After preshrinking the ves-sel rings with phenylephrine(PE),EEZ of 100,300,500,700,900 and 1 100 mg/L was added gradually,concentration-vasodila-tation curve was drawn and maximal vasodilatation rate (Emax) and median effective concentration (EC50) were calculated. For the group with vessel ring endothelium removed,after the vessel ring was pretreated with EEZ at EC50 in calcium-free solution or calci-um-free high-potassium solution,CaCl2 of 0.4,0.8,1.2,1.6,2.0 and 2.4 mmol/L was added gradually,and calcium concentra-tion-tension curve was drawn;following the pretreatment of the vessel ring with EEZ at EC50,1 μmol/L PE was added and shrink tension was recorded and vasoconstriction percentages was calculated. RESULTS:EEZ had vasodilatation effect on the vessel ring preshrunk with PE in a concentration and smooth muscle-dependent manner. The group with intact vessel ring endothelium and the group with vessel ring endothelium removed respectively had Emax of (58.18 ± 16.23)% and (73.54 ± 17.21)%,and EEZ EC50 of 773.27 mg/L. For calcium-free high-potassium solution,EEZ could cause the calcium ion-vasoconstriction curve to move to the right obviously;for calcium-free solution,EEZ could inhibit the vasoconstriction caused by PE. CONCLUSIONS:EEZ has vasodi-latation effects by a mechanism which may be related to inhibiting calcium influx and intracytoplasmic calcium release through the inhibition of voltage-dependent calcium channels(VDCCs),and thus interfering intracytoplasmic calcium ion balance.

Objective The immature platelet fraction (IPF) could be detected quantificationally in Sysmex XE-2100 with the software of XE-pro and IPF master.The study aimed to perform the methodological evaluation of IPF detection and investigate the clinical significance for the monitoring for bone marrow hyperplasia in cancer chemotherapy patients.Methods The high-level, middle-level and low-level whole blood samples were randomly chosen for detection repeatly 20 times to obtain interrun coefficient of variation (CV) for evaluation of the precision and reproducibility. Integrated quality controls were determined for continuous 20 days to obtain intrarun CV, and the stability and carryover was investigated.Furthermore, the correlation between results from Sysmex XE-2100 and results from flow cytometry was assessed.182 healthy subjects and 130 cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy were selected and the latter were divided into two groups according to platelet counts after therapy, one was normal PLT group, the other was decreased PLT group.The IPF of either group was measured and was compared with each other.Results The precision of IPF for high-level, middle-level and low-level were 4.71%, 4.33% and 4.95%, respectively, they were less than 5%.The interrun CV of IPF detection for middle-level and low-level were less than 5%.The interrun CV of IPF detection for high-level were less than 10%.The carryover ranged from 0.6% to 2.7%,and the average rate was 1.2%.A good correlation for IPF detection was shown between results from Sysmex XE-2100 and flow cytometry(r = 0.880 9,P ＜ 0.01).Regarding clinical utility of IPF detection in treatment monitoring for chemotherapy effect, the median of IPF levels in decreased PLT group, normal PLT group,control group were 14.45% ,7.35% and 15.68%, respectively.There was significant difference among the three groups (H =49.032,P ＜0.01 ).The IPF level was higher in decreased PLT group than normal PLT group (t = -5.681, P ＜ 0.O1 ), and was lower in normal PLT group after chemotherapy than the control group (t = -6.662 ,P ＜0.01 ).Conclusions The determination of IPF by the Sysmex XE-2100 owns high precision and good stability. IPF is an effective marker for evaluation of thrombopoietic condition in the cancer chemotherapy patients.

Objective To investigate the effect of advanced oxidation protein products (AOPPs) on human renal tubular epithelial cells(HK-2) autophagy.Methods HK-2 cells were stimulated with AOPPs.RT-qPCR and Western blot were used to determine the expression of autophagy related protein LC3-Ⅱ/LC3-Ⅰ,Beclin1 and p62;Western blot was utilized to examine the activation of p38 MAPK pathway.Then p38 MAPK inhibitor (SB203580) was added and co-processed with AOPPs.The change of autophagy was observed Also,autophagy inducer rapamycin was added and co-processed with AOPPs.RT-qPCR and Western blot were used to detect the expression of cell cycle inhibitory protein p27.The cell total protein level was detected by the bicinchoninic acid (BCA) method.The hypertrophy change was observed.Results AOPPs down-regulated the expression of LC3-Ⅱ/LC3-Ⅰ and Beclin1,up-regulated expression of p62 and activated p38 MAPK pathway;in comparison with the AOPPs alone treatment group,the expression of LC3-Ⅱ/LC3-Ⅰ and Beclin in the SB203580 co-processing group was increased,while p62 was decreased;the p27 expression and cells total protein in the sirolimus co-processing group were down-regulated.Conclusion AOPPs inhibits the autophagy of HK-2 cells by activating p38 MAPK pathway and the autophagy inhibition participates in HK-2 cell hypertrophy.

Background and purpose:Histological grade of DCIS is an important factor in the prognosis, high nuclear grade have higher inifltration trend and recurrence rate. This study aimed to evaluate the dynamic and morphological MRI charactristics of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) of the breast, then analyze its relations with nuclear grade. Methods:Of the 94 patients, 97 lesions were proved DCIS by pathology. The morphology, maximum size, time-intensity curve of lesion were recorded or measured. Statistic was performed to identify MR imaging features that optimally discriminated HNG from non-HNG DCIS. Results:There were 49 non mass-like enhancement lesions, and 48 masses enhancement lesions. Among 49 non mass-like lesions, 29 were segmental enhancement (59.18%). Dynamic enhanced performance:50 exhibited plateau curves and 27 were washout curves. BI-RADS categories:22 BI-RADS 4A, 19 BI-RADS 4B, 29 BI-RADS 4C, and 27 BI-RADS 5. HNG lesions exhibited larger mean maximum lesion size (non-mass-like enhancement: P=0.01; mass: P=0.03), time- intensity curve was variable to approach signiifcance (P=0.01), and BI-RADS can help to discriminate the nuclear grade (P=0.02). There were no differences in lesion morphology (P>0.05). Conclusion:The preliminary ifndings suggest that DCE MR imaging features may aid in identifying patients with high risk DCIS.

Objective To explore the relationship of cognitive impairment and depression in subcortical ischemic vascular disease (SIVD).Methods Neuropsychological scales were used to investigate the level of cognitive impairment and depression syndrome.According to the diagnostic criteria,the participants were divided into three groups:non-cognitive impairment group (SIVD-NCI),mild cognitive impairment group (SIVD-MCI),and dement group (SIVD-D).Depending on the clinical syndrome and the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS),the participants were divided into depression group and non-depression group.The interaction of cognitive impairment and depression was analyzed using Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA).Results The main effect of cognitive impairment was significant in all the Cambridge Cognitive Examination-Chinese version (CAMCOG-C) subscales,while the major function of depression in most of the CAMCOG-C subscales.The interaction of cognitive impairment and depression was significant only in executive function (F =6.835,P =0.001),attention (F =3.126,P =0.047),language (F =3.352,P =0.038) and comprehension of language (F =5.324,P =0.006).The interaction of cognitive impairment and depression was significant in executive function(F =14.255,P =0.000) and comprehension of language (F =3.971,P =0.049) between SIVD-NCI group and SIVD-MCI group while in attention (F =4.918,P =0.030) between SIVD-MCI group and SIVD-D group.Conclusions Patients of SIVD have varying degrees of cognitive impairment and depressive symptoms.Those with depression symptoms have more cognitive impairment than non-depressed patients.Cognitive impairment and depression show interaction in different subscales of cognitive function in different time.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of dxamethasone (DEX) on the expression of Tregs in allergic rhinitis (AR) mice, and explore the mechanism of glucocorticoid in the treatment of AR. METHOD: AR murine model was established by sensitization and challenge with OVA, besides intervention treatment with DEX was carried out in AR model. The behavior observation was used to evaluate the improvement effect of DEX on AR symptoms. The morphological characteristics of nasal tissues were observed by HE staining after fixation and decalcification. The mononuclear cells were obtained by grinding spleens, and the total RNA was extracted for reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction to investigate the level of mRNA expression of Foxp3. The changes of CD4+ Foxp3+ Tcells in spleen of mice were analyzed by flow cytometry. RESULT: BALB/c mice received OVA sensitization followed by OVA intranasal challenge, the frequencies of sneezing and nose-scratching increased significantly in AR group (44. 50 ± 5. 61 and 72. 94 ± 8. 76) compared with control group (12. 68 ± 1. 87 and 26. 76 ± .2. 89), P<0. 01; The frequencies decreased significantly in DEX group (26. 04 ± 3. 93 and 56. 79 ± 5. 64), P< 0. 05 compared with AR group. The continuity of nasal mucosa ciliated columnar epithelium in AR group was destroyed and appeared to be repaired in DEX group. Inflammatory cells infiltration was also markedly decreased by DEX treatment. The proportion of CD4+ Foxp3+ T cells in AR group (3. 89 ± 0. 39)% decreased, P<0. 01 vs control group (4. 63 ± 0. 15) %. DEX treatment induced production of Tregs (6. 89 ± 0. 49)%, P<0. 05 vs control group. DEX significantly increased the expression of Foxp3 mRNA (P<0. 05) compared with AR and control group. CONCLUSION DEX reduce upper airway allergic inflammation effectively, which may be mediated by promoting the expression of Foxp3 and inducing the amplification of Tregs in vivo.
Administration, Intranasal ; Animals ; Dexamethasone ; pharmacology ; Disease Models, Animal ; Flow Cytometry ; Forkhead Transcription Factors ; metabolism ; Inflammation ; drug therapy ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Nasal Mucosa ; drug effects ; Ovalbumin ; RNA, Messenger ; Rhinitis, Allergic ; drug therapy ; T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory ; drug effects

Objective To investigate the relaxant effects of ethanol extract fromRhodiola crenulata (Hook.f.et Thoms.) H.Ohba in isolated rat thoracic aorta and its possible mechanisms.MethodsThe thoracic aortas from male Sprague-Dawley rats were isolated and cut into 3- to 4-mm-wide transverse rings, and the tension in endothelium-intact or endothelium-denuded aortic rings was recorded. The relaxant effects of ethanol extract fromRhodiola crenulata in various concentrations (100, 300, 500, 700, 900, and 1 100 mg/L) in aortic rings precontracted with phenylephrine (1 μmol/L) were observed. The effects of pretreatment with soluble guanylyl cyclase inhibitor ODQ (10 μmol/L) on the relaxant effects of ethanol extract fromRhodiola crenulata were observed. The effects of ethanol extract fromRhodiola crenulataon calcium-induced contractions in calcium-free high-potassium medium and phenylephrine-induced contractions in calcium-free medium were also observed.ResultsEthanol extract fromRhodiola crenulatashowed a concentration-dependent relaxation in aortic rings precontracted with phenylephrine. The maximal relaxations of ethanol extract fromRhodiola crenulataln endothelium-intact or endothelium-denuded aortic rings were 57.4% ± 21.81% and 60.51% ± 0.34%, respectively, with a half-maximal effective concentration of 1 062.88 mg/L. The relaxant effects of ethanol extract fromRhodiola crenulatawere not statistically inhibited by pretreatment with ODQ (P>0.05). Contractions of aortic rings resulted from phenylephrine-induced Ca2+ release from intracellular stores in calcium-free medium or high potassium-induced influx of Ca2+ in calcium-free high-potassium medium were significantly inhibited by ethanol extract fromRhodiola crenulata(allP<0.05).ConclusionEthanol extract fromRhodiola crenulatahas a concentration-dependent vasorelaxation, its mechanisms may be involved in blocking extracellular Ca2+ influx and intracellular Ca2+ release.

A series of poly(ethylene terephthalate-Co-ethylene 2,5-furandicarboxylate) (PEFT) copolyesters were synthesized with different terephthalic acid (PTA) /2,5-furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA) molar ratios by direct esterification method. In order to investigate their chain structures, 1 H-NMR and 13 C-NMR spectra of these copolyesters were recorded. The average length ( L) , the degree of randomness ( B) and composition of copolyesters were calculated from the intensities of four kinds of signals, which corresponding to the chemical shifts of hydrogen and carbon atoms in ethylene glycol unit in PEFT copolyesters chains. It was shown that the degree of randomness B of all purified copolyesters reached to 1 by the formula of Yamadera and Murano, which indicated that they were random copolymers. Comparatively, the PEF-block-PET of B value was 0. 577, and the PEF-blend-PET of B value was 0 . It was also consistent with the previous results of differential scanning calorimeter ( DSC) that each of the PEFT copolyesters had only one glass transition temperature and the copolyesters were random copolymers. The randomness B of PEFT-50 was the greatest of all, the value was 1. 012 based on the result of 1 H-NMR, and the value was 1. 028 based on the result of 13 C-NMR. Furthermore, the results above displayed that the activity of 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid and terephthalic acid was similar in this nucleophilic substation reaction with ethylene glycol.