Objective To investigate whether microRNA(miR)-199a-5p regulates blood-brain barrier(BBB)integrity through PI3K/Akt pathway after cerebral ischemia.Methods A permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion(MCAO)model was established in SPF adult male SD rats.Totally 48 rats were randomly divided into sham group(n=12),model group(n=12),MCAO+miR-199a-5p group(n=12),and MCAO+miR-199a-5p negative control group(n=12).The Ludmila Bellayev 12 point score was used to evaluate the neurobehavioral performance of rats;The integrity of the BBB after ischemia stroke was detected through Evans blue staining;Immunofluorescent staining was used to determine apoptosis after cerebral ischemia;Western blotting technology was used to detect the protein expression of claudin-5,phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase regulatory subunit 2(PIK3R2),p-Akt,Akt,and vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)-A;Real-time PCR was used to investigate the expression levels of miR-199a-5p,claudin-5,and VEGF-A in the ischemic penumbra and infarcted area of the brain.Results The result showed that miR-199a-5p mimic intervention improved proprioception and motor ability in MCAO rats.MiR-199a-5p mimic reduced the expression of PIK3R2 following ischemia stroke,activated the Akt signaling pathway,and increased the expression of claudin-5 and VEGF-A in the ischemic penumbra.In addition,miR-199a-5p alleviated inflammation after cerebral ischemia.MiR-199a-5p mimic reduced BBB permeability and reduced neuronal apoptosis after cerebral ischemia.Conclusion MiR-199a-5p can reduce the expression of PIK3R2 following ischemic stroke,activate the Akt signaling pathway,reduce the expression of inflammatory cytokines,and alleviate the damage to the blood-brain barrier.

Aneurysm, Dissecting ; surgery ; Aorta, Thoracic ; surgery ; Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic ; surgery ; Endovascular Procedures ; methods ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged

BACKGROUNDThe efficacy and safety of telmisartan combined with clopidogrel, leflunomide, or both drugs for immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN) are unclear. This study was designed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of telmisartan combined with clopidogrel, leflunomide, or both drugs for IgAN.

METHODSIt is a multicenter, prospective, double-dummy randomized controlled trial. Primary IgAN patients were recruited in 13 renal units across Beijing, China, from July 2010 to June 2012. After a 4-week telmisartan (80 mg/d) wash-in, 400 patients continuing on 80 mg/d telmisartan were randomly assigned to additionally receive placebo (Group A), 50 mg/d clopidogrel (Group B), 20 mg/d leflunomide (Group C), or 50 mg/d clopidogrel and 20 mg/d leflunomide (Group D). The 24-week intervention was completed by 360 patients. The primary endpoint was change in 24-h proteinuria at 24 weeks. A linear mixed-effect model was used to analyze the changes at 4, 12, and 24 weeks. Generalized estimating equations were used to evaluate changes in hematuria grade. This trial was registered at the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry.

RESULTSThe effects of telmisartan combined with leflunomide on changes in proteinuria (0.36 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.18-0.55] g/d, P < 0.001), in serum uric acid (76.96 [95% CI 57.44-96.49] μmol/L, P < 0.001), in serum creatinine (9.49 [95% CI 6.54-12.44] μmol/L, P < 0.001), and in estimated glomerular filtration rate (-6.72 [95% CI-9.46 to -3.98] ml·min-1·1.73 m-2, P < 0.001) were statistically significant, whereas they were not statistically significant on changes in systolic and diastolic blood pressure and weight (P > 0.05). Telmisartan combined with clopidogrel had no statistical effect on any outcome, and there was no interaction between the interventions. No obvious adverse reactions were observed.

CONCLUSIONSTelmisartan combined with leflunomide, not clopidogrel, is safe and effective for decreasing proteinuria in certain IgAN patients.

TRIAL REGISTRATIONchictr.org.cn, ChiCTR-TRC-10000776; http://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.aspx?proj=8760.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Benzimidazoles ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Benzoates ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Blood Pressure ; drug effects ; China ; Creatinine ; blood ; Female ; Glomerular Filtration Rate ; drug effects ; Glomerulonephritis, IGA ; blood ; drug therapy ; Humans ; Isoxazoles ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Kidney Function Tests ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prospective Studies ; Ticlopidine ; adverse effects ; analogs & derivatives ; therapeutic use ; Treatment Outcome ; Uric Acid ; blood ; Young Adult

Objective To investigate the correlation between activation of toll-like receptors 3 (TLR3) signaling pathway and tumor-associated macrophage and its effect on the tumor growth. Methods The mice Lewis lung cancer cell lines 3LL and melanoma B16H10 were used to construct the subcutaneous transplantation tumor models and then they were treated with Poly-ICLC. The curative effect was observed and then the T cell and macrophage phenotypes infiltrated in local tumor were detected by flow cytometry. After the in vitro culture of mouse bone marrow-derived macrophage, the real-time PCR and western blot were applied to detect the expression of macrophage activation markers and the activation of intracellular signaling pathways. Results The survival time of mice with brown tumor treated with Poly-ICLC significantly increased and the tumor growth was inhibited. The ratio of local tumor-infiltrated Treg decreased, while the ratio of CD8

Pericellular matrix (PCM) is a narrow tissue region surrounding chondrocytes, which "chondron" with its enclosed cells. A number of studies suggested that PCM is rich in proteoglycans, collagen and fibronectin, and plays an important role in regulating microenvironment of chondrocytes. Direct measures of PCM properties through micropipette aspiration technique showed that PCM was different from mechanical property of chondrocytes and nature extracellular matrix. However, the function of PCM is not clear, and need further study.
Animals ; Biomechanical Phenomena ; Chondrocytes ; chemistry ; cytology ; metabolism ; Extracellular Matrix ; chemistry ; metabolism ; Humans

The aim of the study is to evaluate the effects of the single and mixed decoction of Thallus laminariae (kelp) and Glycyrrhiza glabra (licorice) on the metabolism and their difference. The mixed decoction of kelp and licorice and the single decoction were made and intragastrically administered to the SD rats. The effect on system metabolism, the toxicity of liver and kidney were assessed by GC-MS profiling of the endogenous molecules in serum, routine biochemical assays and histographic inspection of tissues from SD rats, separately. The mixed decoction of kelp and licorice induced more obvious pathological abnormalities in SD rats than a single decoction of kelp, while the extracts of licorice did not show any pathological change. Neither the mixed, nor the single decoction showed abnormal histopathology. After intragastric administration of extracts for 5 days, the mixed decoction induced a decrease of ALT (no significant change in the groups of single decoction) and an increase of BUN (so did the single decoction of kelp). Metabolomic profile of the molecules in serum revealed that the metabolic patterns were all obviously affected for the three groups, i.e., the mixed and single decoction of kelp and licorice. The rats given with the single decoction of kelp showed a similar pattern to that of the mixed decoction, indicating that the kelp primarily contributed the perturbation of metabolism for the mixed decoction. All three groups induced a decrease of branched chain amino acids, TCA cycle intermediates and glycolysis intermediates (e.g., pyruvic acid and lactic acid) and an increase of 3-hydroxybutyric acid. Kelp decoction showed stronger potential in reducing TCA cycle intermediates and glycolysis intermediates than the other two groups, while the levels of branched chain amino acids were the lowest after licorice extracts were given. These results suggested that the effect of the mixed decoction on metabolism was closely associated with both kelp and licorice. The continuous administration of single decoction of kelp and the mixed decoction of licorice and kelp resulted in pathological abnormalities in kidney of SD rats. The mixed decoction of kelp and licorice distinctly perturbed sera molecules and hence system metabolism, which showed associated with those of kelp and licorice. Although the metabolic effect was associated with both kelp and licorice, the results suggested kelp contributed to it primarily.
Animals ; Glycyrrhiza ; chemistry ; Kelp ; chemistry ; Kidney ; drug effects ; Liver ; drug effects ; Metabolomics ; Plant Preparations ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

OBJECTIVETo develop the national neglect norms for urban primary school students in China.

METHODSAccording to multi-stage stratified cluster sampling principle, 24 cities of 13 provinces (municipalities) in China were selected during December 1 to 31, 2008. A total of 1491 students in grade 1 - 3 and 2236 students in grade 4 - 6 were selected. Questionnaire was designed by authors and the final norms were determined through several statistical analysis methods, such as item analysis method, factor analysis method, reliability analysis method. The reliability analysis and validity analysis were used to test the stability and reliability of the norms. The evaluation criteria of the scale was determined by the percentile method, then the initial development of the norm was completed.

RESULTSThe two questionnaires of grade 1 - 3 and grade 4 - 6 students consisted of 55 and 57 items, respectively, whose item loadings were ranged from 0.301 to 0.687 and 0.321 to 0.730, which met the statistical requirements. For grade 1 - 3 students, the scale's total Cronbach α coefficients was 0.914, the total split-half reliability coefficients was 0.896, the Cronbach α coefficients of four level was above 0.737 except medical and social neglect, split-half reliability was ranged from 0.461 to 0.757; for grade 4-6 students, the scale's total Cronbach α coefficients was 0.916, split-half reliability was 0.883, except social neglect, the Cronbach α coefficients of other level was ranged 0.457 to 0.856, split-half reliability was ranged from 0.500 to 0.798. The total neglect cut-off score of the two scales grade 1-3 and 4-6 were 125 and 155, respectively.

CONCLUSIONThe structure of two norms was reasonable. The scales have good stability and reliability.

Child ; Child Abuse ; prevention & control ; statistics & numerical data ; China ; epidemiology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Reproducibility of Results ; Schools ; Students ; Surveys and Questionnaires

Objective To compare the features of contrast enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) and contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT) of hepatic angiomyolipoma (HAML), and to explore their relationship with pathologic findings. Methods Thirty patients with 31 resected or punctured and pathologically proved hepatic angiomyolipomas in Southwest Hospital of Third Military Medical University from January 2006 to December 2012 were selected in this retrospective study. CEUS and CECT features were evaluated and analyzed with pathology findings in 30 patients with HAML preoperatively. The proportion of typical performance by CEUS compared with CECT in this group was analyzed with Fisher exact propability. Results Seventeen lesions were inhomogeneous hyperechoic under conventional ultrasound observation. Twenty lesions demonstrated typical imaging characteristics by CEUS, eleven lesions showed atypia CEUS imaging characteristics. There were seventeen lesions on CT indicates the presence of fat. Seven lesions demonstrated typical imaging characteristics by CECT, twenty-four lesions presented atypical CECT imaging characteristics. The proportion of showing typical imaging characteristics by CEUS was higher than by CECT (64.5%vs 22.6%, P=0.002). Among the eleven mixed type HAML lesions, seven lesions showed typical CEUS imaging characteristics and two lesions demonstrated typical CECT imaging characteristics. In the ten myomatous type HAML lesions, six lesions displayed typical CEUS imaging characteristics and two lesions revealed typical CECT imaging characteristics. Among the eight lipomatous type HAML lesions, six lesions showed typical CEUS imaging characteristics and three lesions displayed typical CECT imaging characteristics. Conclusions Conventional ultrasound combining with CEUS can demonstrate the echoic and blood perfusion characteristics of HAML in most cases. The features of CEUS and CECT were varied in different histological types.

OBJECTIVETo study the virus spectrum of severe community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) and risk factors for the disease in children.

METHODSRespiratory secretion specimens were collected from 1096 children hospitalized with CAP from June 2007 to November 2008, including 100 cases of severe CAP. Respiratory viruses were detected by PCR, nest-PCR or RT-PCR. Clinical data on the children were analyzed by univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis for examining risk factors for severe CAP.

RESULTSViral pathogens were isolated from 82 (82%) of the 100 cases with severe CAP. RSV was the most common (37%), followed by HBoV (25%) and HRV (18%). Mixed infection was noted in 32 cases (32%). The presence of underlying diseases (OR=6.623, P<0.01) and RSV infection (OR=1.672, P<0.05) were risk factors for severe CAP in children, while age was a protective factor (OR=0.475, P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONSRSV is the most frequent viral pathogen in children with severe CAP. The presence of underlying diseases and RSV infection may be risk factors for severe CAP, while age is a protective factor.

Child, Preschool ; Community-Acquired Infections ; virology ; Female ; Human bocavirus ; isolation & purification ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Pneumonia, Viral ; virology ; Respiratory Syncytial Viruses ; isolation & purification ; Risk Factors