Chronic kidney disease(CKD)is increasingly recognized as a global public health problem.Uncontrolled complications of CKD,especially cardiovascular diseases,contribute greatly to the premature death and unfavorable prognosis.Recent evidence shows that CKD complications may occur earlier than previously thought.CKD complications deserve early detection and active treatment.Periodical follow-up and regular check should be done to adjust the therapeutic condition.Clinical practice guideline or recommendation based on evidence-based medicine is essential for management of CKD complications.Personalized treatment should be considered to improve survival and quality of life,and to make patient return to society.

Objective To investigate the effects of the expression of integerin-linked kinase (ILK) on connexin 43 (Cx 43) in rat mesangial cells (RMCs). Methods RMCs were divided into three different groups (6 for each group): RMC group, ILK-con siRNA group and ILK-siRNA group. ILK siRNA was synthesized, and then transfected into RMCs by LipofectAMIN 2000. RMCs were transiently transfected with ILK-con siRNA, ILK-siRNA and lysed 24h later, and mRNA was then extracted and detected by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis using ILK and Cx43-specific primers, and an aliquot of protein from each sample was subjected to western blot analysis using ILK and Cx43 antibodies. Cells were seeded into 96-well plates (2?103 cells/well) and then transfected with ILK-con siRNA and ILK-siRNA. After incubation for 24, 48 and 72 hours, respectively, 20?l of 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) (5mg/ml) was added into each well and incubated for 4 hours. Subsequently, 150?l of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) was added to each well to dissolve the formazan crystals, and the absorption at 492nm was measured. Results ILK mRNA and protein levels decreased by 30%-50% after being transiently transfected with ILK-siRNA, while Cx 43 mRNA and protein levels increased by 30%-40% and 60%-70%, respectively. The viabilities in ILK-siRNA infected RMCs at 24, 48 and 72 hours were significantly higher than that in ILK-con siRNA infected RMCs. Conclusion Inhibition of ILK pathway will up-regulate the expression of Cx 43 and the viability of RMCs, implying that the regulation of connexin 43 might possibly be achieved via ILK pathway.

Objective To determine the changes in expressions of thrombin receptor and fibrin deposit in glomeruli during the process of senility. Method Rats were divided into 3 groups (8 rats in each group): 3-month-old group (3m), 12-month-old group (12m) and 24-month-old group (24m). Fibrin deposition was detected by Martius-Scarlet-Blue staining and direct immunofluorecence method. Immunohistochemical studies were performed to detect the expression of thrombin receptor (PAR-1) and transforming growth factor-? (TGF-?). Semi-quantitative PCR was performed to detect the changes in PAR-1 mRNA expression. A quantitative analysis of the expressions was performed by image analysis system. Result Significant pathological changes were found in glomeruli during the process of senility. Fibrin deposition was not observed in glomeruli in different groups. Significant expression of PAR-1 was found in glomerular endothelial cells, mesangial cells and epithelial cells in 3m rats. On the contrary, in 24m rats, PAR-1 expression in glomeruli was significantly decreased. Expression of TGF-? was increased with senility in glomeruli. PAR-1 gene expression, barely detectable in control tissue, was strikingly increased in 24m rats. Conclusion Thrombin receptor activation could be found in glomeruli of senile rat, and it is independent of fibrin deposition. Activation of PAR-1 may play an important role in the process of renal senility.

To determine whether increased expressions of gelatinase A(MMP-2) and gelatinase B(MMP-9) occur in vivo in autoimmune MRL/lpr mice model and to investigate the modulation effects of "shenle." Shenle (4g?kg -1 ?d -1 ,orally) or methylprednisolone(MPS,25mg?kg -1 ?d -1 ,ip)was administered daily to MRL/lpr mice at the age of 8 weeks. The activities of MMP-2/9 by gelatin zymography were compared in kidney protein extracts and urine. After treatment for 20 weeks, a progressive reduction in positive proteinuria number/total mice (40% vs.33 3% vs.80%, proteinuria over 300 mg/dl as positive) and an elevated survival rate (70% vs.80% vs. 50%) were found in "shenle" and MPS groups compared with the control group. Histological analysis of kidney tissues indicated that both "shenle" and MPS could inhibit the mesangial proliferation and renal sclerosis. Using SDS-PAGE gelatin zymography, we have identified increased expressions of both latent and activated form enzymes of MMP-2/9 in urine and kidney extraction. Immunohistochemical staining showed both MMP-2 and MMP-9 were obviously up-regulated within glomerulus in control group. "Shenle" as well as MPS suppressed the expression of both latent and activated form of MMP-2/9. These in vivo results suggested that MMP-2/9 expressions might play an important role in murine lupus nephritis. "Shenle" delayed the development of glomerulonephritis and improved survival in MRL/lpr mice probably by suppressing the expressions and activities of MMP-2/9.

To determine thrombin activation and fibrin deposition in the development of lupus nephritis in MRL lpr/lpr mice and the inhibitory effects of "shenle". "Shenle" (4g/(kg?d) orally) was administered daily to MRL lpr/lpr mice at the age of 8 weeks. After treatment for 20 weeks, we compared thrombin receptor (Protease Activated Receptor-1, PAR-1) expression with immunohistochemistry and fibrin deposition with MSB(Martius-Scarlet-Blue)staining in renal sections. PAR-1 mRNA expression was analyzed with RT-PCR method in the two groups. With the development of murine lupus nephritis, we observed an increase in thrombin receptor mRNA and severe fibrin deposition in renal tissue in the control group, while thrombin receptor protein expression was strikingly downregulated, suggesting its continuous activation and degradation. "Shenle" inhibited PAR-1 activation significantly and it was correlated with reduced fibrin deposition. These results suggested that thrombin activation may play an important role in the development of glomerulonephritis in MRL-lpr mice. "Shenle" ameliorated the murine renal lesions probably by inhibiting thrombin receptor activation and fibrin deposition.

Objective:To investigate the possibility of predicting facial nerve involvement in the pa-tients with parotid tumors using facial electroneurography (ENoG).Methods:In the study, 53 patients with primary parotid tumors were included in the study , 28 were benign tumors and 25 were malignant . There was no significant difference of tumor locations and sizes between the two groups . House-Brackmann facial nerve function evaluation was gradeⅠin all the patients who received examination of fa-cial electroneurography , including stimulation strength , amplitude , and latent time bilaterally .The facial electroneurography results in the affected side were compared with the results of contralateral normal side , intraoperative appearance and postoperative histopathological diagnosis .The facial electroneurography results were analyzed by Wilcoxon signed rank test and receiver operator characteristic ( ROC) curve. Results:During the facial electroneurography examination , the mean stimulation strength in the patients with benign parotid tumor was 20.0 mA.There was significant decrease in the amplitude at the affected side compared with the normal side upon posterior auricular stimulation ( P<0 .05 ) .But there was no significant difference in the latent time between the bilateral sides (P>0.05).However, in the patients with malignant parotid tumor , the mean stimulation strength was higher at 24.5 mA.There was signifi-cant decrease in the amplitude or even no response at the affected side compared to the normal side upon posterior auricular stimulation ( P<0 .05 ) .No response was detected in the multiple branches of facial nerve of affected sides in 36 .0%patients upon posterior auricular stimulation .The amplitude of branchesⅢand Ⅳwas significantly lower at the affected side than that at the normal side upon anterior auricular stimulation (P<0.05).The area under the ROC curve for ENoG was 0.884.Conclusion: When the facial nerve was involved by the parotid tumors , the stimulation strength in the electroneurography was larger .There was significant difference in the amplitude and the latent time of the facial nerve between the affected side and the normal side upon the posterior auricular stimulation .The rate of absence of reac-tion wave was higher in the patients with malignant tumors .It was feasible to predict the facial nerve in-volvement by ENoG for the parotid gland tumor patients without clinical appearances of facial paralysis .

Objective: To investigate the clinicopathological features of oral melanotic neuroectodermal tumor of infancy (MNTI). Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the clinical and pathological data of 13 cases of oral MNTI treated in Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology from 1980 to 2007. Results: The age of patients ranged from 2 to 7 months old. Nine lesions occurred in the maxilla, 3 in the mandible and 1 in the cheek. The most common symptom of the disease was swelling. Five tumors were found purple-reddish or blue-blackish. The neoplasm grew rapidly. Only 1 case was diagnosed as MNTI and 3 cases were diagnosed as malignant tumor before biopsy. Two of 9 cases with follow-up information recurred in one month after surgery and 1 case dead of the tumor. One case with remnants of tumor did not recur after 19 years postoperatively. Conclusion: Oral MNTIs appear to occur in certain locations and people of certain age. Special attention should be paid to the color of the tumor during intra-oral examination. This tumor grew rapidly and invasively and the patients require close follow-up within the first 6 months postoperatively. The pathologic differential diagnosis of MNTI should include other pe-diatric "small round cell" neoplasms. Conservative excision is the preferred treatment choice.

Objective:To lay background for studying rejection mechanisms in xenotransplantation, class II DQA genes of swine leukocyte antigens (SLA) of three Chinese pig strains GXP, GZP and YNP were cloned and sequenced.Methods:RT-PCR was performed to proliferate SLA-DQA genes (GXPDQA, GZPDQA and YNPDQA),which were cloned into pGEM-T Easy vector for sequencing and analysis.Results:All three allelic sequences examined, are not identical to those reported, which allows the sequences receiving their accession numbers from GenBank as AY102473, AY102474 and AY102475, which encompass an open reading frame of 765, 768 and 768 nucleotides respectively.Conclusion:Three new alleles of SLA-DQA genes were obtained. Analysis of the amino acid sequences of swine, human and mouse DQA (or equivalent) also indicated that GXPDQA, GZPDQA and YNPDQA were more similar to human DQA than mouse H-2-A?, which might provide an understanding of how the immune system evolved.

Objective To evaluate the effect of acute hypoxia on the contractile function of isolated small pulmonary arteries in patients with moderate chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).Methods Seven patients with lung cancer,of both sexes,scheduled for elective pulmonary lobectomy,with no pulmonary hypertension and with normal pulmonary function after examination,were included in the study.Six cases were diagnosed as having moderate COPD.Lung tissues 5 cm away from the tumor tissues were taken during operation and the small pulmonary arteries were isolated and divided into 2 groups:control group (n =7) and COPD group (n =6).The contractile amplitude of small pulmonary arteries was detected using vasomotor tone meter under the state of acute hypoxia.Results Contractile amplitude of small pulmonary arteries in response to hypoxic stimulus was significantly decreased in COPD group compared with control group (P ＜ 0.01).Conclusion Acute hypoxia can further reduce the contractile function of isolated small pulmonary arteries in patients with moderate COPD.

Objective To explore the clinicopathological features of IgA nephrolpathy associated with malignant hypertension (IgAN-MHT) and to analyze their correlation with renal vascular lesions. Methods Twenty-nine patients of IgAN-MHT were screened from 2000 biopsy-proven eases with primary IgA nephropathy (IgAN) in our department from April 1997 to May 2007. Data of clinicopathology and follow-up of these 29 patients were collected. Semi- quantitative analysis was performed to evaluate the pathological changes. Inner lumen, outer lumen, intimal thickness, tunica media-to-internal lumen ratio of 436 arterioles, 124 interlobular arteries and 5 arcuate arteries were measured. The primary endpeint was the composite of a doubling of serum creatinine level and ESRD. Correlations of renal vascular lesions with clinical manifestation, pathological change and prognosis were examined by Spearman and Cox methods. Results 1.5% of all the IgAN patients presented malignant hypertension. The common clinical features were renal failure (100%), hyperurieacidemia (62.7%) and hypertriglyceridemia (51.7%). The average amount of urine protein excretion was 2.8 g/d. The common pathological changes were moderate mesangial proliferation, severe global sclerosis, severe interstitial inflammation and severe interstitial- tubular fibrosis. The small arteries (arcuate arteries and interlobular arteries) and arterioles (afferent arterioles) were both involved in IgAN-MHT. The characteristic lesions of intrarenal arteries included vascular occlusion, media thickening, proliferative endarteritis (onionskin lesion, musculomucoid intimal hyperplasia), hyaline arteriosclerosis, but mainly vascular occlusion (86.2%). The arteriole lesion was negatively correlated with age and total protein level; vascular occlusion was positively correlated with uric acid level. The average foUow-up period was 21.1 months. Forteen patients reached the endpoint. The arteriole lesion was the main independent risk factor for the progression of IgAN-MHT (RR=10.21, 95%CI=1.16～89.67). Conclusions The main clinical feature of IgAN-MHT is renal failure. The main histological feature of intrarenal vascular lesions is occludes arterioles. Arteriole lesion is the main independent risk factor for the progression of IgAN-MHT.