OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of high glucose on the expression of c-met in human kidney fibroblasts in vitro, and to explore the regulation of Radix Astragali. METHODS: A cell culture system of human kidney fibroblasts was developed in vitro. The human kidney fibroblasts were divided into normal control group, high glucose group and mannitol group. Expressions of c-met and transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) mRNAs were detected by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and the expressions of c-met protein were analyzed by Western blot method after 6-, 12-, 24-, 48- and 96-hour culture. The human kidney fibroblasts were also cultured with 10% Radix Astragali containing serum; the expressions of c-met mRNA and protein were detected after 24- and 48-hour culture. RESULTS: Compared with the normal control group, expression of c-met mRNA in the high glucose group was significantly increased after 12-hour culture (P<0.05), arriving at the peak after 24-hour culture (P<0.01). The level of TGF-beta1 mRNA was higher in the high glucose group than that in the normal control group after 24-hour culture (P<0.05), arriving at the peak after 96-hour culture (P<0.01). Forty-eight hours after treating with 10% Radix Astragali containing serum, the levels of c-met mRNA and protein in fibroblasts were increased, and were higher than those in the high glucose group (P<0.01, P<0.05). CONCLUSION: High glucose can induce the expressions of c-met mRNA and protein in earlier period, and then inhibit the expressions. Radix Astragali can up-regulate the expressions of c-met mRNA and protein of human kidney fibroblasts, which may be one of its action mechanisms in delaying the progression of diabetic nephropathy.

Objective To examine the expression of hepatocyte growth factor(HGF) receptor (c-met) and investigate the changes in activity of the HGF/c-met system in human kidney fibroblast by high glucose. Methods HGF and c-met mRNA levels in fibroblast induced by high glucose were detected by RT-PCR. C-met protein was examined by Western blotting. At the same time, the expression of TGF-? and c-met in the exogenous HGF and treating with anti-c-met antibody in vitro were measured. Results Extremely rapid induction of HGF and c-met mRNA was observed at the first six hours by high glucose. On the other hand, both c-met mRNA and c-met protein were markedly increased. HGF (50 ng/ml) induced the expression of c-met ( P

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the possible effects of meteorological and environmental factors on the subjective symptoms of allergic rhinitis (AR) in children. METHOD: According to the daily subjective symptom records in AR children, the relationship between the subjective symptoms of AR in children and the meteorological environmental factors was analyzed. Mixed model was used to analyze the data. RESULT: The temperature and humidity had a negative correlation with symptoms score. Every 1 degrees C of temperature decrease was linked to 0.04 points increase in subjective symptoms scores (P < 0.01). Every 10% e in humidity decrease was linked to 0.04 points increase in subjective symptoms scores (P < 0.05). There was positive relationship between PM2.5, PM10 and symptom scores. Every 10 μg/m3 increase of PM2.5 or PM10 was linked to 0.02 (P = 0.0246) or 0.03 (P = 0.0293) points increase in subjective symptoms scores, indicating that air pollution could aggravate the symptoms of children in AR. CONCLUSION It suggested that higher temperature and higher humidity may induce lower sympotem while PM2. 5 and PM10 may induce higher sympotem in AR children.
Air Pollution ; Child ; Humans ; Humidity ; Rhinitis, Allergic ; physiopathology ; Temperature

Objective To observe high glucose induced expression of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and c met in human kidney fibroblast. Methods The effects of glucose concentrations on expression of HGF, c met and plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI) 1 in cultured human kidney fibroblasts were observed by RT PCR. In the same system, the effect of exogenous HGF on the expression of PAI 1 was investigated. Results Human kidney fibroblasts cultured in high glucose concentration (25 mmol/L) showed higher HGF and c met expressions in the early stage and then manifested a gradient decrease of HGF and c met expressions, but PAI 1 expression was gradiently increased. Exogenous HGF resulted in inhibiting PAI 1 expression. Conclusion HGF is a potential anti fibrogenic factor and activates matrix degradation pathways in diabetic kidney by reducing PAI 1 expression.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the impact of environment and message information for the treatment efficacy of children with allergic rhinitis (AR). METHOD: To choose 100 cases of children diagnosed with AR. The parents of children record daily symptom scores of AR of children everyday. While the doctors send the short message to the parents by using meteorological environment warning forecast technology to tell the parents the risk of AR attacks. We observe the morbidity of AR of the children and the treatment efficacy of children for 1 year. The 100 cases control group children diagnosed AR, their parents do not record daily symptom scores of AR and the doctors do not give the short message. We also observe the morbidity of AR of the control group children and the treatment efficacy of the children for 1 year. RESULT: The 100 cases intervention group children with AR, there are 11 cases refused to participate the group. We included a total 89 cases, 74 cases of children did a full year of intervention, 15 cases of children gave up. The control group 100 cases, nine cases refused to participate, 91 cases were included. The average episodes in the intervention group was 4. 67 times, the control group was 8. 12 times,--there were significant differences between the groups statistically. The execution rate on the prescribed clinic date in the intervention group visits was 91. 5%, while in the control. group, was only 67%. The compliance of parents of children to complete course of medication in the intervention group was 95. 6%, while the control group was 74.1%. Both sets of data are statistically significant differences. The children with sinusitis in intervention group was 26.97%, significantly lower than the 64.04% in the control group. The incidence in the intervention group and the control group of secretory otitis media was 8.99% and 6.60%, there was no statistically significant differences. CONCLUSION It can significantly increase the degree of attention of parents of children with AR that the parents of children record daily symptom scores of AR of children everyday, while the doctors send the short message to the parents by using meteorological environment warning forecast technology to tell the parents the risk of AR attacks. It can also improve the execution rate on the prescribed clinic date and improve compliance of parents of children to complete course of medication. It can significantly reduce seizure frequency and severity of episodes of AR, thereby improving the quality of life of children with AR, reduce the economic burden on families and society.
Child ; Humans ; Parents ; Quality of Life ; Rhinitis, Allergic ; prevention & control ; therapy ; Sinusitis ; Text Messaging ; Treatment Outcome

Objective To elucidate the prevalence and risk factors of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients on peritoneal dialysis (PD), and to investigate the associated problems in treatment. Methods A total of 254 PD patients in our division were enrolled in this study. CVD history, laboratory measurements, examinations of carotid atherosclerosis and left ventricular hypertrophy by ultrasonography were collected and associated factors were analyzed. The median follow-up time was 49 months. Results The overall prevalence of CVD was 37% (93/254). Diabetes, longer dialysis duration, hypertfiglyceridemia, hypoalbuminemia, hypoprealbuminemia were commonly found in the patients with new CVD event. The patients without pre-existing CVD had the higher Ccr, Kt/V, D/Pr, nPCR, serum albumin level. In those with pre-existing CVD, the hypertriglyceridemia and the duration of dialysis were independent predictors of progression of CVD. Differences of LAD, LVST, LVMI and IMT were significant between with and without pre-existing CVD groups. Kaplan-Meier curves showed that the presence of CVD was the independent risk factor of survival. Alb<330 g/L, LAD>39.6 mm and peritonitis were risk factors of CVD. Conclusion The prevalence of CVD in PD patients is quite high. CVD history should be realized, dialysis adequacy should be maintained, and peritonitis should be prevented.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the diagnostic value of CT peritoneography for peritoneal complications of continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD). METHODS: CT peritoneography in 11 CAPD patients with clinically suspected dialysis-related complications was prospectively studied. The CAPD patients were all treated in Renji Hospital from 2005 to 2007. CT images were reviewed according to the evidence of peritoneal leaks, hernias, loculate pleural fluid collections, and adhesions. RESULTS: Abnormal findings were found in 9 of 11 CAPD cases including inguinal hernias (3 cases), umbilical hernia (1 case), hydrocele (1 case), leaks in catheter tunnel (2 cases), and peritoneal adhesions (2 cases). Parts of them were confirmed by surgical operation. CONCLUSION: CT peritoneography is useful for the evaluation of complications related to CAPD, and it offers excellent tissue contrast and multiplanar imaging for assessment of the complications.

Objective To evaluate the values of urinary liver-fatty acid binding protein (uL-FABP) and urinary neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (uNGAL) in diagnosis of acute kidney injury (AKI) caused by obstructive nephropathy and in the prediction of renal prognosis.Methods Clinical data of 30 patients with obstructive nephropathy were collected prospectively.uL-FABP and uNGAL were measured by ELISA at various time points.Risk factors of the renal outcome were evaluated.The patients were followed up for at least one year.Results Patients with AK1 had higher levels of uL-FABP and uNGAL compared to those without AKI [700.00(154.62-1216.14) μg/g· Cr vs 26.90 (16.77-41.38) μg/g·Cr; 1266.69 (671.57-3396.07) μg/g·Cr vs 179.12 (90.98-215.16) μg/g·Cr,all P ＜ 0.01].Positive correlations of uL-FABP and uNGAL with serum creatinine were found (r =0.552,0.553,all P ＜ 0.01).The AUCs of uL-FABP and uNGAL to detect AKI were 0.925 and 0.900.Patients with non complete renal recovery had higher levels of uL-FABP before operation and 72-hour after operation compared to those with complete renal recovery (all P ＜ 0.01).Before operation,the AUC of uL-FABP to detect renal prognosis was 0.948,sensitivity was 85.7％ and specificity was 90.9％.72-hour after operation,the AUC of uL-FABP to detect renal prognosis was 0.935,sensitivity was 85.7％ and specificity was 90.9％.Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed that uL-FABP before operation over 366.57 μg/g · Cr or uL-FABP 72-hour after operation over 223.60 μg/g · Cr were closely related to the poor progression of renal function.Conclusions uL-FABP and uL-NGAL have good accuracy in detecting AKI.The level of uL-FABP before operation and 72-hour after operation is helpful to predict the renal outcome of obstructive nephropathy.

Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of short-term restriction of dietary protein intake (DPI) supplemented with α-keto acids on chronic hepatitis B patients complicated with chronic kidney diseases (CKD). Methods A prospective randomized controlled trial was carried out.Seventeen chronic hepatitis B patients with CKD were randomized to either low DPI with α-keto acid-supplemented (sLP) or low DPI (LP) group for 3 months.Low-protein diet (LPD) was individualized with total energy intake 125.52-146.44 kJ·kg-1 ·d-1,and protein intake of 0.6-0.8 g·kg-1·d-1.α-keto acid was supplied in a dosage of 0.1 g·kg-1·d-1.Nutritional indexes were recorded and other clinical indexes were measured to evaluate the efficacy and safety respectively. Results The urine protein excretion level and microalbuminuria were significantly decreased at the end of the observation period in the sLP group compared to the basal value and the LP group [24 h urine protein:baseline (4.52±1.74) g,the 1st month (3.19±1.52) g,the 2nd month (2.19±1.1) g,the 3rd month (1.64±0.77) g,P＜0.05; microalbuminyria:baseline (2855.43±248.03) mg/L,the 1st month (2157.14±218.15) mg/L,the 2nd month (1681.57±146.18) mg/L,the 3rd month (924.29±83.33) mg/L,P＜0.05].No significant difference was found in Scr and eGFR.Nutritional indexes (SGA,serume albumin) were significantly higher at the end of 3 months in the sLP group (P＜0.05).No obvious side-effect occurred. Conclusions Short-term restriction of DPI is safe,and when combined with α-keto acids,can increase serum protein and decrease urine protein excretion in chronic hepatitis B patients complicated with CKD without significant sideeffect.

Objective To evaluate the value of urinary liver-type fatty acid binding protein (L-FABP)as a biomarker in prediction of renal function progression in patients with chronic glomerulonephritis (CGN). Methods A total of 123 patients with newly diagnosed CGN by renal biopsy in Shanghai Renji Hospital between 2004 January and 2005 December were enrolled in the study,Twenty-eight healthy subjects were used as control group.Urine samples were collected before biopsy and treatment,and urinary L-FABP was measured by ELISA.The patients with follow-up every three months for 5 years were divided into progressive group and nonprogressive group.The progression of kidney function impairment was defined as a reduction of GFR ≥ 5 ml·min-1·(1.73 m2)-1·year-1 during follow-up.The risk factors of progressive renal function were evaluated and the Spearman correlation analysis was performed to find out the prognostic indicator of renal function deterioration. Results Urinary L-FABP level of CGN patients was significantly higher than that of healthy control group (P＜0.01).Urinary L-FABP in CGN patients was negatively correlated with eGFR (r=-0.565,P＜0.01) and positively correhted with proteinuria (r=0.501,P＜0.01) and Scr (r=0.601,P＜0.01).Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that urinary L-FABP excretion＞76.58 μg/g·cr predicted progression of renal function.The AUC of urinary L-FABP for prognosis of CGN progression was 0.95,with 87.5％ of sensitivity and 90.5％of specificity at the cutoff value of 119.8 μg/g·cr,which revealed its great value of predicting the prognosis of CGN patients. Conclusion Urinary L-FABP can be a novel biomarker of evaluation for renal injury and early progressive renal function deterioration in patients with CGN.