Objective To analyze children Henoch-Schonlein purpura of nephral involvement factors.Methods 212 cases of children hospitalized with HSP from Jan 1,2007 to Dec 31,2007,were divided into purpura nephritis(HSPN) and non-nephritis groups.Such factors as gender,age,clinical and laboratory tests were dealt with by single-and multi-variable analysis.Results ①96 cases(45.28%) in HSP were with kidney damage,92.71% HSPN children with abnormal urine test within 3 months.②Symptoms of severe rash,skin rash repeated in three months ≥3 times,persistent severe abdominal pain and severe joint involvement were closely related to the occurrence of HSPN.Logistic regression analysis had statistical significance(P

ObjectiveTo analyze the clinicopathologic features of hereditary cutaneomucosal venous malformation (VMCM) in a Chinese family.MethodsFamily history was investigated in a family with VMCM,and tissue specimens were obtained from the lesions of the proband and subjected to histopathological analysis.ResultsAmong 65 members from 5 generations of the family,19 were affected by VMCM,hinting an autosomal dominant inheritance.None of the family members experienced gastrointestinal bleeding,central nervous system disorders,or cardiac defects.Affected individuals usually presented with multiple irregularly sized,blue-violet,elevated and slightly indurated masses located in the oral mucosa and subcutaneous tissue of the extremities.Pathological analysis showed malformed veins with abnormally dilated cavities and irregularly thickened walls.Although small veins were abnormally proliferating and clustered,there was no endothelial discontinuity.The smooth muscle layer was thickned in a varying degree or absent.ConclusionA diagnosis of VMCM is made according to the inheritance manner,clinical manifestation and pathological findings.

Objective To construct the small interfering RNA (siRNA) targeting heparanase gene and its expressing vector,and to observe its interference effect on the expression of heparanase gene and inhibitory effect on the invasive potential of human malignant melanoma A375 cells.Methods Three siRNAs were designed.The recombinant plasmid pRNATU6.1/heparanase-siRNA was designed and constructed. A375 cells were cultured,and transfected with pRNATU6.1/heparanase-siRNA.The cells treated with lipo- fectamine or Opti-MEM served as the controls.Real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR and Western blot were performed to evaluate the expression of heparanase RNA and protein in these treated A375 cells.The in vitro invasive potential of treated A375 cells was assessed by Matrigel gel assay.Results The siRNA targeting heparanase gene was successfully cloned to the eukaryotic expressing vector pRNATU6.1.The expression levels of both heparanase RNA and protein decreased significantly in siRNA-transfected A375 cells than those in the control cells.The in vitro invasive potential of siRNA-transfected cells was also signifi- cantly inhibited as compared with that of the control cells (P

OBJECTIVETo investigate the association of MK2 gene with low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-Α) between different gender in Xinjiang Uygur population.

METHODSA total of 350 Uygur males and 595 females were recruited randomly from Hetian area. Two single nucleotide polymorphisms (44890c/t, rs 45514798) in MK2 gene were selected and genotyped by Taqman-PCR in these subjects. All subjects underwent questionnaire-based survey, physical examination, measurement of lipid profiles and plasma TNF-Α determination.

RESULTSAmong the male subjects, the concentration of total cholesterol (TC) [TT vs. CT vs. CC: (4.35±1.20) mmol/L vs. (4.69±1.34) mmol/L vs. (4.83±1.44) mmol/L, P=0.033]and TNF-Α [TT vs.CT vs.CC: (106.63±62.39) ng/dL vs. (128.44±86.15) ng/dL vs. (153.06±82.99) ng/dL, P=0.001]were significantly different in 3 genotypes of 44890c/t. However, the LDL-C levels in TT, CT, and CC genotypes of 44890c/t were not different neither in males nor in females [males: (2.64±1.16) mmol/L vs. (2.81±1.28) mmol/L vs. (3.04±1.32) mmol/L, P>0.05; females: (2.42±1.11) mmol/L vs. (2.36±0.99) mmol/L vs. (2.43±1.05) mmol/L, P>0.05]. None of the allele and genotype frequencies of 44890c/tand rs 45514798 were different between high LDL-C group and control group. Linear regression analysis indicated that body mass index (BMI) (beta=0.089) and TNF-Α (beta=0.092) were significantly associated with LDL-C levels in males (P<0.05), while the age, BMI, and waist/hip ratio with LDL-C levels in females (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe nucleotide polymorphisms (44890c/t and rs 45514798) in MK2 gene may not be associated with LDL-C in both males and females in the Uygur population in Hetian, Xinjiang.

Adult ; Aged ; China ; Cholesterol, LDL ; blood ; Female ; Humans ; Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins ; genetics ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Minority Groups ; statistics & numerical data ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Protein-Serine-Threonine Kinases ; genetics ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; blood

Objective To observe the effects of genistein and 17?-estradiol on microstructure of cancellous bone in ovariectomized (OVX) rats.Methods Ninty 7-month-old SD rats were randomly divided into baseline group,ovariectomized (OVX),sham-operated (SHAM),17?-estradiol treated (10?g?kg~(-1).day~(-1),EST) and genistein treated (5 mg?kg~(-1)?day~(-1),GEN) groups,and were killed at the beginning of the experiment,the 3rd and 15th week after operation.MicroCT scanning was performed on the left tibia in vitro.The regions involving 0.5 mm slice thickness and 1.6 mm distal to the tibial growth plate were selected as the regions of interest.Results At the 3rd week after operation,the tissue bone mineral density (tBMD) and trabecular thickness (sTh.Th) in group GEN were significantly higher than those in OVX and EST groups (all P

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is characterized by myofibroblast foci in lung parenchyma.Myofibroblasts are thought to originate from epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT).Wnt1 and lithium chloride (LiCl) induce EMT in alveolar epithelial cells (AECs),but the mechanisms are unclear.AECs were treated with Wnt1 and LiCl,respectively;morphological change and molecular changes of EMT,including E-cadherin,fibronectin,and vimentin,were observed.SB203580 was administrated to test the role of p38 MAPK signaling in EMT.Then AECs were treated with siRNAs targeting p38 MAPK to further test the effects of p38 MAPK,and the role was further confirmed by re-expression of p38 MAPK.At last β-catenin siRNA was used to test the role of β-catenin in the EMT process and relationship of β-catenin and p38 MAPK was concluded.Exposure of AECs to Wnt1 and LiCl resulted in upregulation of vimentin and fibronectin with subsequent downregulation of E-cadherin.Wnt1 and LiCl stimulated the p38 MAPK signaling pathways.Perturbing the p38 MAPK pathway either by SB203580 or through p38 MAPK siRNA blocked EMT and inhibited fibronetin synthesis,which were reversed by transfection of p38 MAPK expression plasmid.β-catenin siRNA attenuated the EMT process and decreased p38 MAPK phosphorylation,indicating that β-catenin is involved in the EMT-related changes through regulation of p38 MAPK phosphorylation.These findings suggest that p38 MAPK participates in the pathogenesis of EMT through Wnt pathway and that p38 MAPK may be a novel target for IPF therapy.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the clinical effect of combination of acupuncture, cupping and medicine for treatment of fibromyalgia syndrome.

METHODSBy using multi-central randomized controlled method, 186 cases were randomly divided into an acupuncture combined with cupping and western medicine group (group A), an acupuncture combined with cupping group (group B) and a western medicine group (group C) and treated continuously for 4 weeks. The treatment of acupuncture combined with cupping was produced by acupuncture at five mental points and moving cupping on the Hechelu of the back, once evrey other day, thrice each week, and the western medicine therapy by oral administration of Amitriptyline, once each day. The scores of McGill Pain Questionnaire (MPQ), the amount of tenderness point and the time of producing effect were compared and the therapeutic effects were assessed with the Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD).

RESULTSThe cured and markedly effective rate was 65.0% (39/60) in the group A, which was superior to 15.9% (10/63) in the group B and 16.1% (9/56) in the group C (both P < 0.001). After treatment, the scores of MPQ and HAMD and the amount of tenderness point all decreased in the three groups, group A being significantly better than group B and group C, and the time of producing effect in the group A was more earlier than those in the group B and the group C.

CONCLUSIONThe therapeutic effect of combination of acupuncture, cupping and medicine on fibromyalgia syndrome is superior to that of the simple acupuncture combined with cupping or the simple medicine.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Adult ; Amitriptyline ; therapeutic use ; Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic ; therapeutic use ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Female ; Fibromyalgia ; drug therapy ; therapy ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo compare the bidirectional effect of rhubarb total anthraquinone (TA) and total tannins (TT) on rats' liver.

METHODSOne hundred rats were randomly divided into 10 groups, i.e., the blank group, the model group, the blank + high dose TA group, the blank +low dose TA group, the blank + high dose TT group, the blank + low dose TT group, the model + high dose TA group, the model + low dose TA group, the model +high dose TT group, and the model + low dose TT group, 10 in each group. The carbon tetrachloride (CCI4) was used to prepare the acute liver injury rat model. TA and TT of rhubarb (at 5.40 g crude drugs/kg and 14.69 g crude drugs/kg) were intragastrically administrated to rats in all groups except the blank group and the model group, once daily for 6 successive days.The general state of rats, biochemical indices such as alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), laminin (LN), hyaluronic acid (HA), transforming growth factor beta1 (TGF-beta1), as well pathological results of rat liver tissues. Finally the protection laws of TA and TT for rats' liver were analyzed using factor analysis.

RESULTSCompared with the blank control group, all biochemical indices increased in the blank group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). HA also increased in the blank + high dose TA group; AST, ALT, and HA also increased in the blank +high dose TT group (P < 0.05). Compared with the model group, AST, ALT, ALP, HA, and TGF-beta1 significantly decreased in the model + low dose TA group, the model + high dose TA group, the model + low dose TT group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). Serum AST, ALT, and ALP also decreased in the model + high dose TT group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). Pathological results showed that mild swollen liver cells in the model + high dose TA group. Fatty degeneration and fragmental necrosis around the central veins occurred in the blank + high dose TA group. The pathological injury was inproved in the model +low dose TA group. Two common factors, liver fibrosis and liver cell injury, were extracted by using factor analysis. TA showed stronger improvement of the two common factors than TT.

CONCLUSIONSRhubarb TA and TT showed protective and harmful effects on rats' liver. At an equivalent dosage, TA had better liver protection than TT. High dose TT played a role in liver injury to some extent.

Animals ; Anthraquinones ; adverse effects ; pharmacology ; Carbon Tetrachloride ; toxicity ; Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Female ; Liver ; drug effects ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Rheum ; chemistry ; Tannins ; adverse effects ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the risk factors of post-renal biopsy bleeding (PBB).

METHODSWe retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 1 262 patients who received ultrasound-guided biopsy of native kidney at our hospital from January 2005 to December 2006.

RESULTSThe overall incidence of PBB was 30.3% (383/1,262), among which the incidence of hematoma was 29.4% (371/1,262) (the percentages of less and more than 5cm were 73.9% and 26.1%, respectively) while that of gross hematuria was only 1.3% (17/1,262). The incidences of minor, intermediate, and major bleeding complications were 21.4% (270/1,262), 8.4% (106/1,262), and 0.6% (7/1,262), respectively. In seven patients with major bleeding complications, six had renal disease secondary to rheumatic disease (lupus nephritis, n = 5; scleroderma crisis, n = 1), while the other one had IgA nephropathy (Lee's classification V). The risk of PBB was relatively higher in women and younger patients.

CONCLUSIONSPatients with chronic connective tissue diseases are vulnerable to severe PBB complications. A close monitoring of these patients is necessary.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Biopsy ; adverse effects ; Female ; Humans ; Kidney ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Postoperative Hemorrhage ; etiology ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Ultrasonography ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo identify the parental origin of methyl-CpG-binding protein 2 (MECP2) gene mutations in Chinese patients with Rett syndrome.

METHODSSingle nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in intron 3 of the MECP2 gene were analyzed by PCR and sequencing in 115 patients with Rett syndrome. Then sequencing of the SNP region was performed for the fathers of the patients who had at least one SNP, to determine which allele was from the father. Then allele-specific PCR was performed and the products were sequenced to see whether the allele from father or mother harbored the mutation.

RESULTSSeventy-six of the 115 patients had at least one SNP. Three hot SNPs were found in these patients. They were: IVS3+22C >G, IVS3+266C >T and IVS3+683C>T. Among the 76 cases, 73 had a paternal origin of MECP2 mutations, and the other 3 had a maternal origin. There were multiple types of MECP2 mutation of the paternal origin, including 4 frame shift, 2 deletion and 67 point (56C >T, 6C >G, 2A >G, 2G >T and 1A >T) mutations. The mutation types of the 3 patients with maternal origin included 2 frame shift and 1 point (C >T) mutation.

CONCLUSIONIn Chinese RTT patients, the MECP2 mutations are mostly of paternal origin.

Base Sequence ; Child, Preschool ; DNA Mutational Analysis ; Fathers ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Methyl-CpG-Binding Protein 2 ; genetics ; Mothers ; Mutation ; genetics ; Parents ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Rett Syndrome ; genetics