Objective To investigate the relationship between high-glucose-induced fibronectin(FN) expression and up-regulation of integrin-linked kinase(ILK) in human kidney tubular epithelial cells (HKC) and kidney of CD-1 mice. Methods Cultured human kidney tubular epithelial cells and streptozotocin (STZ)-indueed diabetic model of CD-1 mice were enrolled in this study.Western blot was used to detect the expression of FN and ILK.The kinase dead ILK plasmid (pCMV-kdlLK) were transferred to HKC. Results Four weeks after injection of STZ,CD-1 mice had higher blood glucose level as compared to the control [(20.3±2.7) mmol/L vs (6.1±1.4) mmol/L,P＜0.01].Meanwhile,expression of FN and ILK was significantly increased in diabetic mice as compared to the control (P＜0.01).There was positive correlation between the expression of FN and ILK (r=0.899,P＜0.01).High-glucose could up-regulate FN and ILK expression in cultured HKC in a time- and dose-dependent manner.Blockage of ILK activation by pCMV-kdILK abrogated high-glucose-incuced FN expression in HKC. Conclusions Highglucose can induce FN expression through up-regulating ILK expression.Blockage of ILK activation abrogates this effect.

Objective To investigate the effect of high glucose on renal tubular epithelial-mesenchymal transition,and to analyze the relationship between high glucose and transforming growth factor β1(TGF-β1)and the mechanism of renal interstitial fibrosis. Methods HKC and Smad7-overexpression HKC cells were grown in DMEM/F12 medium containing 5%～10%newborn calf serum.They were cultured for 16 h in free serum medium after 80%cells were adhered onto the surface of the flask.Afterwards,they were stimulated by high glucose(glucose concentration:25 mmol/L and 50 mmol/L).The expression of α-SMA,E-cadherin and fibronectin was detected by Western blot while the supernatant level of TGF-β1 was detected by ELISA.Cell motility and migration was evaluated using Boyden chamber motogenicity assay. Results In HKC induced by high glucose,the expression of α-SMA and fibronectin protein was highly upregulated while the expression of E-cadhefin protein was down-regulated.The expression of TGF-β1was up-regulated in a dose-dependent manner.These above-mentioned effects could be obviously inhibited by anti-TGF-β1 antibody.The protein expression of α-SMA,fibronectin and E-cadherin had no obvious change in Smad7-overexpression HKC induced by high glucose.HKC exhibited enhanced motility and invasive capacity in high glucose groups,compared to that in control group.Migrated cell counting was(12.4±3.7)and(18.6±4.4)cell/HP in 25 and 50 mmol/L glucose groups respectively. Conclusion High glucose may induce renal tubular epithelialmesenchymal transition through TGF-β1 pathway,which can be inhibited by blocking the Smad signal pathway.

Liver transplantation is a standard life-saving procedure for end-stage liver diseases.The therapeutic potential of this procedure may be limited by post-operative infectious complications.A better understanding on the common important infectious complications may improve the life quality and survival rate after liver transplantation.In this article,we review the progress on infectious complications after liver transplantation,with particular emphasis on risk factors,clinical manifestations,diagnostic methods,prevention measures and specific treatments for bacterial,fungal,cytomegalovirus infections.

Objective To observe the steps of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) calcification induced by high phosphate enviroment in vitro. Methods VSMCs were incubated with high phosphate (2.5 mmol/L or 3.5 mmool/L) medium for different times. Expression of core binding factor α1(Cbfα1), osteopontin(OP), collagen type Ⅰ(Col Ⅰ), osteocalcin(OC) and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) was investigated by Western blot, immunofluorcscencc staining and real time PCR. Mineral deposition was assessed by von Kossa aad Alizarin red staining. Ultrastructure of VSMCs calcification was observed by electron microscopy (EM). Results Up-regulated expression of osteoblast-specific transcription factor Cbfα1 in the nuclei oceured at as early as 12 hours. The protein of Col Ⅰ and OP was up-regalated when VSMCs were incubated in high phosphate medium for 3 days, and content of OC increased at the time of 6 days. When cultured in 2.5 mmol/L phosphate medium for 15 days, VSMCs lost their lineage marker α-SMA, developed granular calcium deposits. Moreover, the results of real time PCR indicated mRNA level of OP and Col Ⅰ increased at day 1, OC increased at day 5 and α-SMA level decreased at day 10, respectively. Ultrastructural analysis also confirmed the presence of collagen and matrix vesicles in the cells. Conclusion VSMCs phenotype transformation induced by high phosphate enviroment is an orchestrated, highly regulated process.

OBJECTIVETo correlate sperm nucleoprotein transition (SNT) with sperm morphology, DNA damage and embryo development, and assess its value for assisted reproductive technology (ART).

METHODSThe SNT of 437 infertile men underwent ART were assayed, and its correlation with sperm morphology, DNA damage, fertilization rate, normal fertilization rate, cleavage rate, available embryo rate, D3 high quality embryo rate, blastocyst formation rate and high quality blastocyst rate were analyzed.

RESULTSThe normal morphology rate of sperms, DNA damage, fertilization rate, normal fertilization rate, cleavage rate, embryo transfer rate (ETR), D3 high quality embryo rate, blastocyst formation rate (BFR) and high quality blastocyst in normal males (Group A, abnormal rate≤30%, 135 subjects) did not significantly differ from those with an abnormal rate between 30% and 60% (Group B, 170 subjects) (P>0.05). For those with an abnormal rate of above 60% (Group C, 132 subjects), the sperm normal morphology rate, DNA damage, normal fertilization rate, ETR, D3 high quality embryo rate, high quality blastocyst rate were significantly lower compared with Group A (P<0.01), while no significant difference was found in fertilization rate, cleavage rate and BFR between groups A and C (P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONSNT is related with sperm morphology rate, DNA damage and embryo development, and should be assessed before ART.

Adult ; Blastocyst ; metabolism ; DNA Damage ; Embryo Transfer ; Embryonic Development ; Female ; Fertilization in Vitro ; Humans ; Infertility, Male ; genetics ; metabolism ; Male ; Nucleoproteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Spermatozoa ; metabolism

Objective To analyze the incidence and risk factors of hypocalcemia after total parathyroidectomy without autotransplantation. Methods A total of 783 maintenance hemodialysis patients who underwent TPTX in the Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University from September 2008 to September 2017 were included in the study. The preoperative blood biochemical examination, preoperative iPTH, total mass of parathyroid gland (M) and postoperative iPTH and electrolyte results were collected. The incidence of severe hypocalcemia after TPTX were analyzed retrospectively. Binary logistic regression model was used to analyze the risk factors of severe hypocalcemia after TPTX. Results The age of 783 patients with TPTX was (46.90±10.78) years old, and the average dialysis age was (91.36±41.75) months. Postoperative severe hypocalcemia occurred in 235 cases (30.01％). Binary logistic regression analysis showed that higher preoperative blood iPTH (OR=7.56, 95％CI: 1.55-36.79, P=0.01), higher blood alkaline phosphatase (OR=36.71, 95％CI:14.75-91.36, P<0.01), blood phosphorus (OR=1.74, 95％CI: 1.11-2.71, P=0.02) and greater mass of resected glands (OR=1.18, 95％ CI: 1.06-1.31, P<0.01) were the risk factors for post-hypocalcemia. The higher preoperative serum calcium can reduce the risk of postoperative hypocalcemia (OR=0.02,95％CI: 0.01-0.07, P<0.01). Conclusions The incidence of hypocalcemia after TPTX treatment for SHPT is very high. Blood iPTH, alkaline phosphatase, phosphorus, and total mass of intraoperative parathyroid gland excision are the independent risk factors for severe hypocalcemia after surgery.

Objective: To investigate the incidence and pathogen distribution of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) among preterm infants admitted to level Ⅲ neonatal intensive care units (NICU) in China. Method: A prospective study was conducted in 25 level Ⅲ NICU, enrolling all preterm infants <34 weeks gestational age admitted to the participating NICU within the first 7 days of life from May 2015 to April 2016. Chi-square test, t test and Mann-Whitney U test were used for statistical analysis. Result: A total of 7 918 patients were enrolled, within whom 4 623(58.4%) were males. The birth weight was (1 639±415) g and the gestational age was (31.4±2.0) weeks; 4 654(58.8%) infants required non-invasive mechanical ventilation and 2 154(27.2%) required intubation. Of all the mechanically ventilated patients, VAP occurred in 95 patients. The overall VAP rate was 7.0 episodes per 1 000 ventilator days, varying from 0 to 34.4 episodes per 1 000 ventilator days in different centers. The incidence of VAP was 9.6 and 6.0 per 1 000 ventilator days in children′s hospitals and maternity-infant hospitals respectively, without significant differences (t=1.002, P=0.327). Gram-negative bacilli (76 strains, 91.6%) were the primary VAP microorganisms, mainly Acinetobacter baumannii (24 strains, 28.9%), Klebsiella pneumonia (23 strains, 27.7%), and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (10 strains, 12.0%). Conclusion The incidence of VAP in China is similar to that in developed counties, with substantial variability in different NICU settings. More efforts are needed to monitor and evaluate the preventable factors associated with VAP and conduct interventions that could effectively reduce the occurrence of VAP.

BACKGROUNDInsulin injection therapy is one of the most effective treatments for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Many people with T2DM in western countries resist starting insulin therapy; whether the same is true in China is unknown. This survey-based study assessed acceptance and rejection of insulin therapy among individuals with T2DM in China and self-reported reasons for these therapy choices. It also examined what methods may be useful for increasing the rate of insulin acceptance.

METHODSA multi-center, cross-sectional survey was conducted between April and July 2010 to a convenience sample of inpatients and outpatients at 50 medical centers across 29 administrative divisions in China. Data were collected on sociodemographic and T2DM characteristics, therapy regime, and attitudes toward insulin therapy.

RESULTSA total of 6 043 patients were surveyed, and 5 961 complete questionnaires (98.6%) were used in the analysis. Just over half the respondents (3 460, 58.0%) reported negative attitudes to insulin therapy, including 2 508 of the 4 469 patients (56.1%) whose physicians had recommended it to them. Of the patients counseled to use insulin, 800 (17.9%) were unwilling to start therapy and cited the following reasons: inconvenience (64.3%); concerns over addiction (24.6%); pain (14.3%); side effects (14.1%); and high cost (13.6%). Logistic regression suggested that respondents would be more willing to undertake insulin therapy if they had received diabetes education, had positive attitudes to the treatment, had higher glycosylated hemoglobin level, or had suffered diabetes for a longer period or with more complications.

CONCLUSIONSPatients with T2DM in China are often resistant to insulin therapy if they have been diagnosed with the disease for a relatively short time or if the disease has been relatively mild. Educating patients on the benefits of insulin therapy, not only at the initial diagnosis with T2DM but also when insulin therapy becomes necessary, will likely increase their willingness to undertake it.

China ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; drug therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Insulin ; therapeutic use ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Patient Acceptance of Health Care ; statistics & numerical data ; Surveys and Questionnaires

Malignancies are diseases resulting from an imbalance of cell growth and proliferation， endangering human health and life. Currently， there is no clinically effective treatment for tumors. Tumor cells may alter cell adhesion and tumor cell migration and movement by degrading the extracellular matrix， generating vascular factors， affecting epithelial-mesenchymal transformation， or altering the tumor microenvironment. The mechanisms which lead to multidrug resistance （MDR） are the regulation of membrane proteins， apoptosis-regulated gene expression， enzyme-mediated multidrug resistance， DNA damage repair， and epithelial-stromal transformation， resulting in ineffective treatment of tumors. Therefore， the search for natural， safe， and effective chemosensitizers has become a critical part in tumor research. Due to the increasing use of Chinese medicine in cancer treatment， researchers have conducted more extensive studies on its monomers and compounds. In addition， the mechanisms of Chinese medicine in inhibiting tumor invasion and metastasis and reversing drug resistance are gradually unraveled. The monomers and compounds of Chinese medicine may inhibit tumor invasion， metastasis， and drug resistance by enhancing the sensitivity of chemotherapy drugs and adjuvant properties. Furthermore， they can also improve the tolerance of patients to chemotherapy drugs， relieve side effects of chemotherapy， reduce the chance of recurrence， and prolong the life of patients. The development of traditional Chinese medicine plays an important role in reducing tumor recurrence and metastasis， reversing drug resistance， prolonging the prognosis of cancer patients， improving their quality of life， and prolonging their survival time. Currently， various types of Chinese medicines have been proven to be capable of reducing tumor invasion and metastasis， and reversing drug resistance. The present article reviewed development and findings of Chinese medicine as an anti-tumor invasion， anti-metastasis， and anti-tumor resistance therapy in recent years， in order to provide ideas for future research on anti-tumor effect of active components in Chinese medicine.

Humans ; Aortic Valve/surgery* ; Retrospective Studies ; Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement ; Sex Factors ; Heart Valve Prosthesis Implantation ; Treatment Outcome ; China ; Aortic Valve Stenosis/surgery* ; Risk Factors ; Risk Assessment