The effect of retinoic acid (RA) on renal interstitial fibrosis (RIF) is important. Notch signaling is known to play an important role in the pathological injury of RIF. This study summarized recent research progress of the effect of RA on RIF and Notch signaling. Interruption of Notch signaling by RA might be a potential anti-fibrotic strategy in RIF.

Objective To explore the effects of andrographolide(AD) on proliferation inhibition ,cells cycle distribution and the expression of Bax and Bcl‐2 mRNA in human tongue squamous cell carcinoma Tca8113 cells .Methods MTT was used to measure the levels of the proliferation of Tca8113 cells cultured with different concentraions of AD .Cell cycles were analyzed by flow cytom‐etry .RT‐polymerase chain reaction(RT‐PCR)technique was used to evaluate Bcl‐2 mRNA and Bax mRNA expression .Results An‐drographolide inhibited Tca8113 cells growth in a time and dose‐dependent manner ,the IC50 was 74 .66 μg/mL .A feature of apop‐tosis was observed under microscope .With a increase in concentration and increase in time ,the cells in G0/G1 phase increased from (39 .45 ± 0 .65)% to (63 .70 ± 0 .65)% ,the cells in S phase decreased from (56 .55 ± 0 .64)% to (32 .28 ± 0 .54)% .Statistics showed tha the cells arrested in G0/G1 phase .It was statistially significant in comparison with the control group (P< 0 .01) .AD could up‐regulate the experssion of Bax mRNA ,and AD could down‐regulate the experssion of Bcl‐2 mRNA .Conclusion An‐drographolide inhibited the growth of Tca8113 cells and increased the cell apoptosis .It may be promising as a new drug for treat‐ment of tongue squamous cell carcinoma .

In recent years , active vitamin D is a hot research drugs because of its renal protective effect of independent regu -lation of anti-inflammatory effects outside calcium and phosphorus metabolism , regulation of apoptosis , mediated immunity and reduc-tion of proteinuria .Podocyte is the main target of active vitamin D based on the result of clinical and animal studies .In this article, we review the current literature on mechanism of active vitamin D and its analogues on the protection of podocytes about and give the clini -cal perspectives of activity vitamin D .

Objective The core mechanism of renal insterstitial fibrosis (RIF) is epithelial-mesenchymal transition.This study aimed to investigate the effect of erythropoietin on high glucose-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition ( EMT) of normal hu-man kidney proximal tubular epithelial cells (HK-2) and its possible mechanism. Mothods HK-2 cells cultured in vitro were ran-domly divided into a blank control group , a high glucose induction group , a mannitol induction group , an EPO induction group , an EPO (5, 10, and 20U/mL) inhibition group, and an Rho kinase inhibitor group.After 24 hours of intervention, the mRNA levels of RhoA and ROCK were determined by RT-PCR, those of E-cadherin and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) proteins detected by immu-nofluorescence staining , and the expression of FN proteins in the supernatant measured by ELISA . Results Compared with the blank control group , the expressions of RhoA and ROCK 1 mRNA were significantly increased in the high glucose induction group (0.945 ±0.132 vs 1.400 ±0.022, 1.007 ±0.002 vs 1.913 ±0.011, P<0.05), but markedly decreased in the 5, 10, and 20U/mL EPO inhibition groups (1.400 ±0.022 vs 1.278 ±0.006, 1.400 ±0.022 vs 0.770 ±0.005, 1.400 ±0.022 vs 0.334 ±0.009, P<0.006) in comparison with the high glucose induction group , and the effects were related to the concentration of EPO .Compared with the blank control, the expression of E-cadherin protein was increased in the high glucose induction group (0.644 ±0.006 vs 0.107 ± 0.004, P<0.05), but remarkably decreased in the 5, 10, and 20 U/mL EPO inhibition groups (0.236 ±0.006, 0.433 ±0.010, 0.521 ±0.010) in comparison with the high glucose induction group (P<0.05), and the effects were also related to the concentration of EPO.Pearson correlation analysis showed a positive correlation between the mRNA expressions of RhoA and ROCK 1 in the high glu-cose induction and EPO inhibition groups . Conclusion EPO can inhibit high glucose-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition of normal human kidney HK-2 cells and thus delay renal fibrosis , which mignt be related to the RhoA/ROCK signaling pathway .

Objective To explore the possible association of single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs3738435 of muscarinic acetylcholine receptor subtype M3 gene (cholinergic receptor, muscarinic 3, CHRM3) with risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) and metabolic disturbance. Methods The genotypes of T-149C variant of CHRM3 gene were determined by PCR-RFLP in 573 Chinese individuals in Shanghai, including 220 newly-diagnosed type 2 DM patients without taking any drug and 353 subjects with normal glucose tolerance (NGT). In the subjects, height and weight were measured for body mass index(BMI), waist, hip and femoral circumstances for waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) and waist-to-femur ratio (WFR), and serum lipid level including total cholesterol, triglyceride, high-density and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, blood pressure, plasma glucose levels both at 0 and 120 minute during oral 75 g glucose tolerance test (OGTT) were also determined. Results (1) There was no statistical difference in the gene frequency between groups of type 2 DM and NGT. (2) In the group of type 2 DM, significant differences were observed between TT genotype carriers and TC+CC genotypes carriers for BMI, with an obvious increase in TY genotype carriers [(26.99±3.59vs25.34±3.48)kg/m2, P=0.001]. (3) In the subgroup of type 2 DM with BMI≥25 kg/m2, total cholesterol was higher in TT genotypes than in TC+CC genotypes[(5.75±1.26vs5.27±1.14)mmol/L, P=0.030], so was the low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Conclusion The genetic variation T-149C in the CHRM3 gene seems to attribute to weight regulation and lipid metabolism of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus in Chinese population.

Objective Clinical treatment can delay the development of renal interstitial fibrosis , but it can not reverse renal dysfuntion.The article was to discuss the influence of recombinant human erythropoietin ( rHuEPO ) on inflammatory factors in the process of renal interstitial fibrosis and its possible mechanism . Methods The vitro cultured HK-2 cells were randomized into 7 groups:the blank control group , rHuEPO control group ( addition of 20U/mL rHuEPO), albumin stimulation group (addition of 5mg/mL albumin), 5mg/mL rHuEPO intervention group (5mg/mL albumin +5U/mL rHuEPO), 10 U/mL rHuEPO intervention group (5mg/mL albumin +10 U/mL rHuEPO), 20U/mL rHuEPO intervention group (5mg/mL albumin +20U/mL rHuEPO), and Rho inhibi-taion group (addition of 5mg/mL albumin 30min after 10μmol/L Y27632), 24 h acting time for each group.We observed the changes of cell morphology in each group .Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction ( RT-PCR) was used to evaluate the mRNA levels of RhoA, ROCK1 and IL-6 , and ELISA was applied to measure the levels of supernatant TNF-αand IL-6 protein. Results The form of pebbles or paving stone was observed in blank control group and rHuEPO intervention groups , a long and thin spindle change with the appearance of fibre cells in albumin stimulation group , the transformation to pebbles in 5, 10, 20 mg/mL rHuEPO intervention groups , the form of oval and slightly increased intercellular space in Rho inhibitaion group .Compared with the blank control group , the expressions of RhoA mRNA, ROCK1 mRNA and IL-6 mRNA significantly increased in the albumin stimulation group (P<0.05), while significantly reduced in 5, 10, 20 mg/mL rHuEPO intervention groups (P<0.05), which was in negative relation with the rHuEPO concentrations .Compared with the albumin stimulation group , the expressions of ROCK 1 mRNA and IL-6 mRNA reduced in Rho inhibtation group (P<0.05), while there was no significant difference as to the expression of RhoA mRNA .ELISA results showed:compared with blank control group , the expressions of supernatant TNF-α([452.32 ±33.23] ng/L vs [1347.54 ±41.52] ng/L), IL-6 protein([884.62 ±0.73] pg/L vs [95.12 ±0.32]pg/LP<0.05) increased significantly.Compared with albumin stim-ulation group, the expressions of TNF-αin 5, 10, 20 mg/mL rHuEPO intervention groups and Rho inhibitation group reduced signifi-cantly([1003.32 ±3.42] ng/L, [821.32 ±21.32] ng/L, [590.15 ±7.68] ng/L, [488.13 ±65.03] ng/L vs [1 347.54 ± 41.52]ng/L,P<0.05), while the expressions of IL-6 mRNA reduced accordingly in 5, 10, 20 mg/mL rHuEPO intervention groups and Rho inhibitation group reduced significantly ([656.68 ±0.55] pg/L, [422.35 ±0.22] pg/L, [217.32 ±0.35] pg/L, [309.49 ±0.21] pg/L vs [884.62 ±0.73]pg/L,P<0.05).Moreover, there was significant statistical difference among 5, 10, 20 mg/mL rHuEPO intervention groups(P<0.05). Conclusion RHuEPO can inhibit the transdifferentiation process of HK-2 cells in-duced by albumin by suppressing inflammation factors , and the mechanism may be involved in RhoA/ROCK signaling pathway .

Objective To study the effects of erythropoietin (rhEPO) in high glucose induced proliferation and apopto?sis of human kidney proximal tubular epithelial (HK-2) cells, and the possible mechanism thereof. Methods HK-2 cells cultured in vitro were divided into several groups randomly:blank control group, high glucose group, mannitol group, rhEPO control group, different concentrations of rhEPO treatment groups (5, 10, 20 U/mL) and Rho kinase group. The reverse tran?scription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to evaluate the mRNA levels of RhoA and ROCK after 24 hours. Tetrazolium salt method (MTT) was used to determine the cell proliferation. Cell apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry. Results Compared with blank control group the expression levels of RhoA and ROCK1 mRNA were significantly in?creased in high glucose group (P < 0.05). RhoA, ROCK1 mRNA expressions significantly decreased in rhEPO group than those of high glucose group (P<0.05). There was a positive correlation between the expression levels of RhoA mRNA and ROCK1 mRNA in high glucose group and rhEPO group. MTT method showed that rhEPO significantly promoted the prolifer?ation of HK-2 cells (P<0.05). Flow cytometry analysis showed that high glucose induced apoptosis in HK-2 cells, which was significantly inhibited in rhEPO group and Rho kinase group as compared to that of high glucose group in a concentra?tion dependent manner (P<0.05). Conclusion rhEPO can promote HK-2 cell proliferation and inhibit apoptosis, which may be related to RhoA/ROCK signaling pathway.

Objective To study the correlation between the diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) measurements and glomerular filtration rate (GFR), Katafuchi scores in IgA nephropathy. Methods Thirty-five patients with IgA nephropathy (IgAN group) and twenty healthy volunteers (control group) were enrolled in this study. All of the subjects underwent bilateral renal DWI measurements with 3.0T MRI scanner. The values of apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) of renal cortex and medulla were measured. GFR of IgAN group was detected with 99Tcm-DTPA scintigraphy. Based on the Lee classification and the Katafuchi score system, the pathological grading was carried out in patients of IgAN group. The ADC values were compared between control group and different grades of IgAN group. The correlations between ADC and GFR values were analysed in defferent groups. The correlations between ADC values and Katafuchi scores were analysed in IgAN group. Results The renal cortical ADC values were significantly higher than medulla ADC values in both control group and IgAN group (P < 0.05). There were statistically significant differences in renal cortical ADC values and medulla ADC values between control group and IgAN subgroups (P<0.05). But there was no significant difference in renal cortical ADC value between IgANⅠgroup and control group (P>0.05). There was a positive correlation between the renal cortical and medulla ADC values and the GFR values in IgAN group (P<0.01). Negative correlation was found between the renal cortical and
medulla ADC values and the Katafuchi scores in IgAN group (P<0.05). Conclusion The diffusion-weighted imaging can reflect the physiological functions of kidney. It was feasible for application DWI in IgA nephropathy, which can be used for assessing the renal filtration function and the pathological damage. However, DWI measurement is not sensitive to early renal disease.

Objective:To study the clinical features, therapeutic effects, survival time, and prognosis of patents with mantle cell lymphoma (MCL). Methods:Clinical data of 98 MCL patients admitted from January 2005 to December 2013 were retrospectively an-alyzed. Results:The median age was 61 years old, and the male-to-female ratio was 2.9∶1. Among these cases, 85 (86.8%) were in Ann Arbor stageⅢ-Ⅳ, 46 (46.9%) had bone marrow involvement, 25 (25.5%) had digestive tract involvement, and 53 chose R-CHOP as first-line treatment. The expected 3-year overall survival (OS) of these patients was only 61.4%. A total of 14 cases were treated with R-CHOP followed by ASCT. The expected 5-year OS was 92.3%, and the OS of the ASCT group was significantly higher than that of the R-CHOP group (75.5 months vs. 43.6 months, P=0.039). Elevated ESR,>60 years old, increased LDH level, B symptoms, and Ki-67≥25% were poor prognostic factors. Conclusion: Most patients with MCL were elder adults with bone marrow involvement. R-CHOP followed by ASCT had better clinical efficacy than conventional chemotherapy in the treatment of MCL.

Objective:To investigate the feasibility of universal newborn hearing screening in countryside in order to provide reliable evidence in launching this program all over the countryside of China. Method:Subjects were 12 638 infants who were born in 9 counties from Jan 2004 to Dec 2005. TEOAE was used for the fast hearing screening. Infants were screened on the 2-7 days after the birth. The re-screening was conducted in 4-6 weeks if failed in the initial screening,and follow-up were provided continually if they also failed in the re-screening. Result; Ten thouand eight hundred and forty-five of 12 638(85. 8%) were screened including 9 963(91. 9%) normal newborns and 882(8. 1%) newborns with high-risk. Seven thouand four hundred and fifty (68. 7%) newborns passed the initial screening, and 3 395 (31. 3%) people failed. One thouand seven hundred and ninty-three (14. 2%) infants were refused to be screened.Only 2 536 (74. 7%) were re-screened on time, and 859(25. 3%) did not receive re-screening. One hundred and twenty were failed in the re-screening or first screening, and 79 (65. 8%)of them received diagnostic assessment. Among the infants received diagnostic assessment, 6(7.6%)ca-ses were found to have profound hearing loss in both ears, 9(11. 4%)cases were found to be severe hearing loss(7 in both ears and 2 in single ear) , 11(13. 9%)cases were found to be moderate hearing loss (5 in both ear and 6 in single ear), 26 (32. 9%) were found to have slight hearing loss (11 in both ear and 15 in single ears), and 27 (34.2%) were normal. Fifty-two infants were diagnosed as hearing loss with a prevalence of congenital hearing loss(in binaural and monaural) of 0. 5%(52/10845)and a prevalence of bilateral hearing loss of 0. 3%(29/10845). A prevalence of congenital hearing loss was 0. 2% (22/9 963) in well infants and 3. 4% (30/882) in high risk infants. Among the 13 cases of children with severe and profound hearing loss in both ears children, 8(61. 5%)cases were fitted with hearing aids and 1 (7. 7%) case was implanted with cochlear implants. Conclusion:It is necessary and feasible to conduct hearing screening program in the rural area. However, the suitable model to perform the program in the countryside needs to be set up as soon as possible in order to get more poor infants to participate into the hearing screening program for free and increase the screening rate.