Objective:To study the expression and clinical significance of serum neutrophil elatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL), monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) and tumor necrosis factor-like weak inducer of apoptosis (TWEAK) in patients with lupus nephritis (LN).Methods:97 LN patients who received treatment in Hanzhong 3201 Hospital from January 2016 to December 2019 were selected as study objects. Among them, 38 cases were in the active group and 59 cases were in the inactive group, and 51 cases for physical examination were selected as the control group. The levels of serum NGAL, MCP-1, TWEAK and LN renal function was examined and compared in each group. The diagnostic value of serum NGAL, MCP-1 and TWEAK expression on LN disease activity was evaluated by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve.Results:The levels of serum NGAL, MCP-1 , TWEAK, serum creatine (Scr), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), 24 h urinary protein and dsDNA in the active and inactive groups were higher than those in the control group, and the above indexes in the active group were higher than those in the inactive group ( P<0.05). Pearson correlation analysis showed that serum NGAL, MCP-1 and TWEAK levels in LN patients were positively correlated with systemic lupus erythematosus disease activity index (SLEDAI) score, Scr, BUN, 24 h urine protein and dsDNA levels ( P<0.05). ROC curve analysis showed that the area under curve (AUC) of combined serum NGAL, MCP-1 and TWEAK in predicting disease activity of LN patients was 0.865, and the specificity, sensitivity, AUC and Youden index were higher than single index. Conclusions:The expression of NGAL, MCP-1 and TWEAK in LN patients during the active period is increased and closely related to the activity of disease. It is of high application value for predicting LN activity, and can be used as biomarkers for clinical prediction of LN activity.

AIM: To investigate the effects of Src family kinases (SFKs) on adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP)-induced long-term potentiation (LTP) in the spinal dorsal horn. METHODS: Male Sprague-Dawley rats (250-280 g) were used in the experiments. Western blotting, electrophysiological recording in spinal dorsal horn in vivo and immunohistochemistry were used in the study. The C-fiber-evoked field potentials were recorded at the superficial layers of spinal dorsal horn at the lumbar enlargement and the phosphorylation level and location of SFKs in spinal dorsal horn were examined by Western blotting and immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: Thirty min and 60 min after ATP application, the levels of phosphorylated SFKs (p-SFKs) were significantly increased.The p-SFKs were expressed in microglia, but not in astrocytes or neurons. Spinal application of SFK inhibitors prevented ATP-induced LTP. CONCLUSION: Microglial SFKs may play an important role in ATP-induced LTP of C-fiber evoked field potentials in the spinal dorsal horn.

Hepatoid adenocarcinoma of the stomach ( HAS) belongs to one of the rare cases in gastric cancer types ,which has extremely high malignant degree and poor prognosis .Lymph node metastasis and liver me-tastasis are common in HAS.In this article,we reported alpha-fetoprotein-high-producing hepatoid adenocar-cinoma of the stomach(HAS),and reviewed the related literature at home and abroad in order to improve clinical physicians understanding of these diseases and treatment experience .

Objective:To improve the TLC identification method in the quality standard for Yangyin Qingfei granules by identifying paeoniflorin and radix scrophulariae on the same condition plate. Methods:The preparation method for paeoniflorin sample solution in the original standard of TLC identification was improved, the extraction method was water-saturated n-butanol extraction, and the reference crude herb solution of radix scrophulariae was prepared. Simultaneous TLC identification of paeoniflorin and radix scrophular-iae was carried out according to the method described in the original standard. Results:The improved TLC method could be used in the simultaneous identification of paeoniflorin and radix scrophulariae, the spots were clear, and the separation and reproducibility were promising without interference. Conclusion:The improved method is more useful in the quality control of the product with simplified operation.

Objective To evaluate the applied value of multislice CT (MSCT) in the selection of living donor kidneys and excision methods.Methods Ninety living renal donors underwent MSCT assessment.The nonenhanced,arterial,venous and excretory phase examinations were performed.Using maximum intensity projection and volume rendering techniques for vascular imaging,two blinded radiologists independently analyzed and evaluated all MSCT images.According to the CT reconstructive images,radiologists and physicians selected the left renal or the right renal donors,and chose laparoscopic or open live donor nephrectomy.Results On the 90 cases of donors,78 donors underwent nephrectomy in the left kidney.Seventy-one left kidney donors having no significant variation received the routine laparoscopic live donor nephrectomy.Seven left kidney donors on both sides had relatively obvious anatomical variations such as accessory renal artery,multi-branch renal vein and renal vein in the back of the abdominal aorta,and they were subjected to the left kidney open donor nephre.ctomy.Other 12 donors having significant variation in the left kidney were given nephrectomy in the right kidney,and all of them received hand-assisted laparoscopic live donor nephrectomy.All intraoperative records of urine collection system and renal vascular anatomy were consistent with the preoperative evaluation of MSCT,and the accuracy was 100 ％.Two imaging experts in the evaluation of renal artery,renal vein and urine collection system showed good consistency.Nephrectomy was successfully performed on 90 cases of donors,and.postoperative recipients had no renal vein thrombosis and other vascular complications.Conclusion MSCT can provide accurate and valuable information for the selection of living donor kidneys and excision methods as a “one-stop” technique for the preoperative evaluation of living renal donors.

Objective To assess the value of CT or PET-CT with fluorine-18-labeled fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) for the diagnosis of pulmonary mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) type lymphoma. Methods The CT or FDG PET-CT findings in 14 patients with pathologically proved pulmonary MALT lymphoma were retrospectively analyzed. Results Lung lesions were unilateral in 7 patients and bilateral in 7 patients. Lesions presented as a single mass in 3 patients, as a single consolidation in 3 patients, as a nodule in 1 patient, as multiple nodules in 1 patient, as multiple patchy consolidations in 4 patients, as a mass with multiple nodules and patchy consolidations in 1 patients, as diffuse interstitial change in 1 patients. Air bronchogram was found in 9 patients and CT angiogram sign in 5 patients. On PET-CT, lesions showed heterogeneous FDG uptake in 2 patients, maximum standard uptake value was higher than 2. 5. Conclusion Imaging characteristics of pulmonary MALT lymphoma are single or multiple nodules or consolidations with air bronchogram on CT, and heterogeneous high FDG uptake on PET-CT.

Objective To explore the roles of spinal microglial Src-family kinases (SFKs) in diabetic neuropathic pain. Methods Male Sprague-Dawley rats, weighing 200 ~ 220 g, were used in the experiments. The level of p-SFKs in spinal dorsal horn was detected by single immunofluorescence staining on day 7th , 14th and 28th after intraperitoneally injection of Streptozotocin (STZ) and its location was detected by double immunofluorescence staining. The changes of 50% paw-withdrawal thresholds of rat were detected by behavioral tests when PP2 , a specific inhibitor of SFKs , was intrathecally administered before intraperitoneally injection of STZ. Results Compared with vehicle group, the blood glucose level increased on day 1 (P < 0.001) and the hyperglycemia persisted at least for 28 days (P < 0.001) after intraperitoneally administered of STZ (50 mg/kg). Paw-withdrawal threshold (PWT) decreased gradually from day 1 (P < 0.05) and reached the minimum on day 28 (P < 0.001) after STZ administration. Meanwhile, the expression of p-SFKs in spinal dorsal horn markedly increased on day 7 (P < 0.01), day 14 (P < 0.01) and day 28 (P < 0.01). The p-SFKs was mainly co-localized only with microglia , but not with neurons or with astrocytes. Intrathecally administered of PP2 before STZ reversed STZ-induced mechanical hyperalgesia. Conclusion Microglial SFKs in spinal dorsal horn maybe play a pivotal role in diabetic neuropathic pain.

AIM:To investigate the effects of P2X4 receptor on peri-sciatic administration of recombinant rat TNF-α(rrTNF)-induced mechanical allodynia.METHODS:Male Sprague-Dawley rats (180~200 g) were used in the experiments.The levels of P2X4 receptor on day 3, day 7 and day 14 after peri-sciatic administration of rrTNF were exam-ined by Western blot, and the location of P2X4 receptor in the spinal dorsal horn was observed by double immunofluores-cence staining.The changes of 50%paw-withdrawal thresholds of the rat were detected by behavioral test, and the level of TNF-αin the spinal dorsal horn was also examined by Western blot when TNP-ATP was intrathecally injected before the ad-ministration of rrTNF.RESULTS:Compared with control group, the expression of P2X4 receptor in the spinal dorsal horn on the ipsilateral side significantly increased on day 3, day 7 and day 14 (P<0.01) after rrTNF (100 ng/L) administra-tion.P2X4 receptor was co-localized only with microglia, but not with neurons or astrocytes.Intrathecal injection of TNP-ATP before rrTNF administration prevented mechanical allodynia induced by rrTNF and inhibited the upregulation of TNF-αin the spinal dorsal horn.CONCLUSION:P2X4 receptors in microglia may be involved in rrTNF-induced mechanical allodynia by the upregulation of TNF-αin the spinal dorsal horn.

BACKGROUND: Cells in contact with nanomaterials can induce oxidative stress, allergic reactions, and then produce cytotoxicity and genotoxicity. Therefore, studies on nano toxicology have attracted more and more attention.OBJECTIVE: To comparatively evaluate the cytocompatibility of Pluronic (P85, F127, F87) tri-block copolymer nanoparticles modified with folic acid (FA) and polylactic acid (PLA).METHODS: Pluronic (P85, F127, F87) tri-block copolymer nanoparticles were modified with FA and PLA to synthesize a variety of amphiphilic block copolymers, including PLA-P85-PLA, FA-P85-PLA, PLA-F127-PLA, FA-F127-PLA,PLA-F87-PLA and FA-F87-PLA. The cytotoxicity of these synthesized nanoparticles was analyzed by cell morphology,cell metabolic activity and cell membrane effects in HepG-2 cells.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The relative growth rate of HepG-2 cells had no significant differences under 24-hour induction of various concentrations (5, 10, 20, 50, 100 mg/L) of unmodified P85, F127, and F87 nanoparticles (P > 0.05).The growth and proliferation of cells under the low concentrations (5, 10, 20, 50 mg/L) were enhanced. P85 NPs and F87 NPs could significantly inhibit cell viability at dose of 400 mg/L. In contrast, there were no significant differences towards P85, F127 and F87 nanoparticles (5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, 400 mg/L) modified with FA and PLA when compared with the control group (P > 0.05). These findings indicate that the modification of FA and PLA can improve the cytocompatibility of Pluronic (P85, F127, F87) tri-block copolymers, and therefore, PLA-Pluronic-PLA and FA-Pluronic-PLA nanoparticles are both good candidates for drug vectors.

Objective:To investigate the effects of TLR/STAT pathway in the proliferation of mesangial cell induced by HMGB1.Methods:Human mesangial cells were inoculated in the dose of 1?104 ml-1.After 24 h,cells were cultured with standard medium as control group or with medium supplement with 10 ?g/L human recombinant protein HMGB1 as trial group in vitro.Then the cells were collected in 6,12 and 24 h respectively,as well as control group cells.Immunocytochemical staining was adopted to examine the expressions of PCNA proteins on mesangial cells in different groups.Immunocytochemical staining and FCM were performed to detect the changes of TLR2 protein expression.STAT1 and STAT3 mRNA were examined by RT-PCR technique.Results:Immunocytochemical staining indicated that the mesangial cells could multiply after they were induced by human recombinant protein HMGB1.Immunocytochemical staining showed that the level of TLR2 protein in trial groups were higher than those in control groups.FCM indicated that HMGB1 could significantly up-regulate the expression of TLR2 protein time-dependently.The STAT1 and STAT3 mRNA in HMGB1 groups were higher than those in control groups.The expression of TLR2 protein was positively correlated with those of STAT1 and STAT mRNA respectively.The positive rate of PCNA was remarkably correlated with the expression of STAT1 and STAT3 mRNA.Conclusion:HMGB1 could activate STAT1/STAT3 through combining with its cell-surface receptor TLR2,which may play an important role in promoting the proliferation of mesangial cells and then damaging the renal of lupus nephritis.