Objective To study the association of the expression of bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) antagonist gremlin and vascular calcification in radial arteries of patients with stage 5 of chronic kidney disease (CKD).Methods Radial arteries of 40 patients with stage 5 of CKD were collected as specimens of the study group,which were trimmed off during arterial venous fistula operations.Splenic trabecular arteries were collected as specimens of the control group,which were removed from 38 patients with simple traumatic splenic rupture.All the arteries were examined histologically for calcification with yon Kossa stain.Expressions of gremlin and BMP-2,-7were detected by immunohistochemistry and their serum concentrations were detected by ELISA.Images of histological sections were semi-quantitatively analyzed by Image-Pro Plus 6.0.SPSS 19.0software was used to perform statistical analysis.Results Significantly positive von Kossa stain was found in radial arteries from 12 of 40 patients (30％) in study group,which located in the layer of medial smooth muscle cells.However,there was no obvious positive stain in control group.Additionally,in study group,significant expressions of gremlin and BMP-2 were detected in those radial arteries of positive yon Kossa stain,which also located in the layer of medial smooth muscle cells.Positive correlations were found among gremlin expression level,BMP-2 expression level and yon Kossa stain intensity.However,the BMP-7 expression intensity in arteries of study group was much weaker as compared to control group.Conclusions Both gremlin and BMP-2 may be involved in the process that the smooth muscle cells of radial arteries in patients with stage 5 of CKD phenotypically transform into osteoblast-like cells.However,BMP-7 possibly prevents this process.

OBJECTIVETo explore the silencing effects of RNA interference on the expression of 3-phosphoinositide-dependent protein kinase 1 (PDK1) gene, and the effects on malignant phenotypes of esophageal carcinoma EC9706 cells.

METHODSPDK1 siRNAs was transfected into the EC9706 cells. The expression of PDK1 mRNA was detected by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). At the same time, expressions of PDK1, Akt and phosphorylated Akt proteins were detected by Western blot. Methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium assay (MTT) was used to examine the cell proliferation after transfection. Flow cytometry was used to determine the percentage of apoptosis cells, and Transwell chambers were used to detect the invasion ability of the cells. Tumor formation in nude mice was used to assess the tumorigenic characteristics in vivo.

RESULTSCompared with the non-transfected group, PDK1 siRNA effectively inhibited the expression of PDK1 mRNA in EC9706 cells, with an inhibition rate of (28.5 ± 4.2)% at 24 h, (51.1 ± 5.7)% at 48 h and (60.6 ± 4.1)% at 72 h after transfection. The expressions of PDK1 and phosphorylated Akt protein were also knocked down by PDK1 siRNA (P < 0.05). PDK1 siRNA significantly inhibited the cell proliferation and invasion, promoted the cell apoptosis, and inhibited the EC9706 cells proliferation in vivo and the expression of PDK1 protein in the transplanted tumors (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONPDK1 may play an important role in esophageal cancer cell proliferation, invasion and apoptosis, and may serve as an effective target for cancer gene therapy.

3-Phosphoinositide-Dependent Protein Kinases ; Animals ; Apoptosis ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; Esophageal Neoplasms ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Humans ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Mice, Nude ; Neoplasm Invasiveness ; Neoplasm Transplantation ; Phosphorylation ; Protein-Serine-Threonine Kinases ; genetics ; metabolism ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt ; genetics ; metabolism ; RNA Interference ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism ; RNA, Small Interfering ; genetics ; Transfection ; Tumor Burden

OBJECTIVEMost of the therapeutic strategies for systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) is not effective. This study was to investigate the effect of continuous veno-venous hemodiafiltration (CVVHDF) on SIRS induced by cecum perforate peritonitis in piglets.

METHODSTwelve piglets (weighing 7-9 kg) were randomly divided into two groups: control and CVVHDF (n=6). The piglets of both groups were subjected to a cecum puncture to induce peritonitis which caused SIRS. After SIRS occurred the piglets of the CVVHDF group immediately received the CVVHDF therapy for 6 hrs, with a blood flow rate of 20 mL/min, a replacement rate of 300 mL/h, and a dialysis rate of 600 mL/h. The heart rate (HR), mean artery blood pressure (MABP), respiratory rate (RR), arterial blood gas analysis and blood cells count were measured and recorded at baseline and onset of SIRS, and 2, 4 and 6 hrs after SIRS occurred.

RESULTSWhen SIRS occurred, the HR and RR increased and the MABP, artery oxygen pressure (PaO2) and the count of white cells decreased in both groups. The HR of the CVVHDF group decreased significantly at 2 hrs (P < 0.05) and remained lower until 6 hrs after CVVHDF therapy (P < 0.01) compared with that of the control group. The RR of the CVVHDF group was significantly lower than that of the control group 6 hrs after CVVHDF therapy (P < 0.05). The MABP of the CVVHDF group increased significantly 4 and 6 hrs after therapy compared with that of the control group (P < 0.01, P < 0.05 respectively). There were no significant differences in temperature, PaO2 and blood cells count between the two groups during the experiment.

CONCLUSIONSCVVHDF has a positive effect on hemodynamics in piglets with SIRS induced by cecum perforate peritonitis.

Animals ; Blood Pressure ; Body Temperature ; Carbon Dioxide ; blood ; Cecum ; injuries ; Central Venous Pressure ; Female ; Heart Rate ; Hemodiafiltration ; Intestinal Perforation ; complications ; Male ; Oxygen ; blood ; Peritonitis ; complications ; Swine ; Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome ; therapy

OBJECTIVETo study the effects of miR-124-1 on neuronal differentiation of rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs).

METHODSMSCs cells were assigned into three groups: control (uninfected and untransfected), miR-124-1+ (infected with miR-124-1), and miR-124-1- (transfected with Anti-rno-miR-124* Inhibitor). MSCs were induced by β-mercaptoethanol (β-ME) to differentiate into neurons. The fluorescence expressed by infected MSCs was observed under an inverted fluorescence microscope. MTT method was used to measure cell survival rate after transfection or infection. Immunocytochemistry, RT-PCR and Western blot methods were used to detect the expression of β3 tubulin, MAP-2 and GFAP 6 days after β-ME induction.

RESULTSThe expression of miR-124-1 in the miR-124-1+ group was significantly higher 2 days after infection of lentivirus vector compared with the control group (P<0.01). In the miR-124-1- group, the cell survival rate and the miR-124-1 expression level decreased significantly 24 hrs after transfection of anti-rno-miR-124* inhibitor (P<0.01). After 6 days of β-ME induction, the protein and mRNA expression levels of β3 tubulin and MAP-2 in the miR-124-1+ group were much higher than the other two groups (P<0.01); while the expression levels of β3 tubulin and MAP-2 in the miR-124-1-group were lower than the control group (P<0.01). The expression of GFAP in the three groups was weak (<1%).

CONCLUSIONSmiR-124 might promote neuronal differentiation of rat MSCs.

Animals ; Bone Marrow Cells ; cytology ; Cell Differentiation ; Female ; Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein ; analysis ; Male ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; cytology ; MicroRNAs ; physiology ; Microtubule-Associated Proteins ; analysis ; Neurons ; cytology ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Tubulin ; analysis

OBJECTIVETo analyze the clinical characteristics of plastic bronchitis associated with 2009 influenza A virus (H1N1) infection.

METHODA retrospective investigation of the clinical manifestation, bronchoscopy, and the histology of the cast, clinical course and outcome of 8 children with plastic bronchitis associated with influenza A virus (H1N1) infection during winter of 2009 and 2010 was performed.

RESULTAll 8 cases were boys, the range of age was 3 to 6 years. Five cases occurred in 2009 winter, accounting for 3.3% (5/150) of hospitalized children with influenza A (H1N1) infection; 3 cases occurred in 2010 winter, accounting for 15.8% (3/19) of hospitalized children with influenza A (H1N1) infection. Two patients had an underlying chronic disease, 1 had asthma, and the other had allergic rhinitis and atopic dermatitis. All the 8 cases had fever, cough and sputum; 2 had wheezing; 5 had respiratory distress. All 8 cases were diagnosed as influenza A virus (H1N1) infection complicated with pneumonia, of whom 5 patients had atelectasis, 2 had pneumothorax, 1 had pneumomediastinum, 1 had parapneumonic effusion, 2 patients were suspected of foreign body aspiration. Seven cases were admitted to an ICU, 5 patients developed respiratory failure, and 3 patients required mechanical ventilation. Flexible bronchoscopy and bronchial lavage was performed in all cases and showed bronchial cast. Histological examination of the bronchial cast revealed a fibrinous material containing large quantity of eosinophils, neutrophils, and lymphocytes in 7 patients, fibrinous material and necrotic material without inflammatory cells in 1 patient. After the bronchial cast was removed, all patients were improved greatly, no patients died.

CONCLUSIONPlastic bronchitis is a life-threatening complication associated with 2009 influenza A (H1N1) virus infection in children. In children with rapid and progressive respiratory distress with lung atelectasis or consolidation on chest radiograph, plastic bronchitis should be considered. Bronchoscopic extraction of casts should be carried out early.

Antiviral Agents ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Bronchitis ; complications ; diagnosis ; therapy ; virology ; Bronchoscopy ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Foreign Bodies ; complications ; Glucocorticoids ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype ; Influenza, Human ; complications ; virology ; Intensive Care Units ; Male ; Pulmonary Atelectasis ; diagnosis ; therapy ; virology ; Rare Diseases ; Respiratory Insufficiency ; diagnosis ; therapy ; virology ; Retrospective Studies ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Treatment Outcome

Objective To summarize the characteristics of acupoints selection in acupuncture-moxibustion treatment of primary dysmenorrhea (PD) based on data mining. Method Clinical literatures published in the recent 10 years related to acupuncture-moxibustion treatment of PD were collected to establish a prescription database by using Excel. The descriptive analysis, association rules analysis and clustering analysis were conducted by Python and Clementine12.0. Result A total of 74 acupoints were involved with a total frequency of 1072. The leading three meridians were Spleen Meridian (325 times), Conception Vessel (260 times) and Bladder Meridian (158 times); the leading acupoints were Sanyinjiao (SP6, 174 times), Guanyuan (CV4, 111 times), Diji (SP8, 79 times), Ciliao (BL32, 73 times) and Qihai (CV6, 67 times). The utilization of the specific acupoints accounted for 66.22% (49/74). The crossing acupoints were predominant (393 times), especially Sanyinjiao, Guanyuan and Zhongji (CV3), followed by the five-Shu points (195 times), Front-Mu points (195 times) and Yuan-Primary points (99 times). The association rules analysis showed that Guanyuan and Sanyinjiao had the most significant correlation. The clustering analysis figured out 8 core clustering groups. Conclusion The characteristics of acupoints selection revealed in this study provide ideas and references for acupuncture-moxibustion treatment of PD in clinic.

Objective To investigate the clinical characteristics of plastic bronchitis (PB) so as to improve the awareness of the disease.Methods Twenty-four children with PB were collected from Jul.2009 to Mar.2012 in Shenzhen Children's Hospital.The clinical manifestation,bronchoscopy,histology of the cast,clinical course and outcome were reviewed retrospectively.Results Of the 24 children with PB,18 cases were male,6 cases were female,and the range of age was 1 year and 2 months to 10 years and 3 months,with the median age of 3 years and 4 months.Three patients had an underlying chronic disease,1 case had asthma,1 case had hydronephrosis,and 1 case had ventricular septal defect repair before 1 year and 8 months.All the cases had fever,cough and sputum,while 10 cases had wheeze,and 5 cases had respiratory distress.All cases were diagnosed as pneumonia or severe pneumonia,of which 14 case had atelectasis,10 cases had parapneumonic effusion,5 cases suspected of foreign body inhalation,3 cases had pneumothorax,and 3 cases had mediastinal hernia.Fourteen cases were admitted to PICU,6 patients developed respiratory failure,and 9 patients required mechanical ventilation.Flexible bronchoscopy and bronchial lavage were performed in all cases and showed bronchial cast.Histological examination of the bronchial cast revealed that fibrinous material containing large quantity of eosinophils,neutrophils,and lymphocytes in 23 patients,and no inflammatory cells in 1 patient.After a bronchial cast was removed,all patients were improved greatly,and no patient dead.Conclusions Plastic bronchitis is a rare pediatric critical disease,which has high mortality.In children with rapid and progressive respiratory distress with lung atelectasis,pleural effusion or consolidation on chest radiograph,PB should be considered.Bronchial endoscopy is the most effective method for treatment of PB.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Child ; Endotoxins ; blood ; Female ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; blood ; Humans ; Interleukin-18 ; blood ; Interleukin-4 ; blood ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Predictive Value of Tests

Objective To more effectively prevent hypertension and provide better health care for college and university teachers and staff by keeping abreast with the epidemiology of hypertension. Methods The data were extracted from the selected Chinese and English papers on epidemiology of hypertension, which was followed by a meta-analysis of the prevalence, awareness rate, cure rate, and control rate of hypertension in college and university teachers and staff of China. Results A total of 73 papers were included in this study. The total prevalence of hypertension was 23. 3% (95%CI=21. 1%-25. 6%), the prevalence of hypertension was 27. 2% (95%CI=24. 4%-30. 0%) in male hypertensive teachers and staff and was 18. 6% (95%CI=16. 6%-20. 6%) in female hypertensive teachers and staff. The prevalence of hypertension increased with the increasing age and tended to increase with the year of investigation in college and university teachers and staff of China, and was the lowest in East China followed by Central China and West China. The awareness rate, cure rate and control rate of hypertension were 68. 3% (95%CI=59 . 7%-76 . 8%) , 63 . 7% ( 95%CI=55 . 5%-71 . 9%) , and 37 . 7% ( 95%CI=28 . 0%-47 . 5%) respec-tively in college and university teachers and staff of China. Conclusion The prevalence of hypertension is different in college and university teachers and staff of China due to different sexes, ages and areas.

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of tetrandrine on activity of collagenase derived from human hypertrophic scar for the sake of clarifying the mechanism as tetrandrine acting on scar.

METHODSThe experimental concentration was controlled below that of cell proliferation inhibited, SDS-PAGE electrophoresis was adopted to separate collagenase from extracellular matrix, and then activated by trypsin analyzed the activity of collagenase with density scanning apparatus. At the same time quantity of extracellular collagen was measured using improved chloraseptine T oxidizing assay, moreover analyzed correlation between activity of collagenase and quantity of extracellular collagen.

RESULTSIn the concentration below the lever of inhibiting fibroblast proliferation, the total activity of collagenase could be significantly increased by tetrandrine with dosage-dependence associated with quantity of extracellular collagen reduced, which was much greater than that of triamcinolone.

CONCLUSIONIncreasing activity of collagenase on degradation of collagen even in a lower concentration was one of the mechanisms of tetrandrine treating hypertrophic scar.

Benzylisoquinolines ; pharmacology ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Cicatrix, Hypertrophic ; metabolism ; pathology ; Collagenases ; metabolism ; Fibroblasts ; cytology ; Humans