Objective To study the impact of preprocedure intravenous urography (IVU) on the extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy(ESWL) for proximal ureteral stones.Methods One hundred patients with solitary radiopaque proximal ureteral stones on plain radiographs and no severe hydronephrosis on ultrasonographic examination were allocated randomly to two treatment groups.IVU group (n=50) had IVU before the start of ESWL,whereas patients in control group (n=50) underwent ESWL without IVU.Postop- erative success,the stone-free rates and complications were evaluated in both groups. Results Seven patients in IVU group were excluded from the study. The success rate [95.3%(41/43) in IVU group vs 94.0% (47/50) in control group],stone-free rate [83.7% (36/43)vs 86.0% (43/50)] and complication rate[27.9% (12/43 ) vs 26.0% (13/50)]were similar in two groups (P＞0.05).Conclusions It is not necessary to obtain an IVU for patients who have solitary radiopaque proximal ureteral calculi on plain radiographs with no severe hydronephrosis on uhrasonographie examination before scheduling them for ESWL,thus minimizing the cost,avoiding exposure to contrast medium,and reducing radiation exposure.

Objective To investigate the prevention and mechanism of Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy(ESW) induced renal Injury by pre-treating kidneys with low-energy shock waves(LESW).Methods Forty healthy female domestic rabbits were surgically managed to the mono-nephron models and random divided into 4 groups consisting of ten each: Control,LESW,ESW and ESWL plus LESW pretreated groups.LESW group received 100 LESW,ESW group received 1500 standard ESW,and same dose on ESW group except 100 LESW pretreatment in ESW plus LESW pretreated group.The rabbit kidney tissues were obtained 24 hours after ESW.Activity of superoxide dismutase(SOD) and malondialdehyde(MDA) levels in the renal tissue,and the level of N-acetyl-β-D-glucosaminidase(NAG) in urinary were measured.Renal cell apoptosis was detected by TdT-mediated dUTP Nick End Labelling(TUNEL).Results The MDA,the urinary level of NAG and rate of apoptosis in the LESW groups were reduced(P<0.01),and the activity of SOD increased significantly(P<0.05) as compared with ESW group,and these changes in LESW group had no statistics difference compared with the control group(P>0.05).Conclusions LESW pretreatment protocol substantially limits the renal injury that often caused by ESW.LESW may suppress oxidative stress and antagonize the process of renal cellular apoptosis.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Allyl Compounds ; poisoning ; Chronic Disease ; Female ; Humans ; Occupational Diseases ; diagnosis ; therapy ; Poisoning ; diagnosis ; therapy

OBJECTIVETo study the antiulcer effects and the mechanism of Veronicastrum axillare (Sieb. et Zucc) Yamazaki (VAY) on ethanol induced gastric ulcer rats.

METHODSTotally 48 healthy SD rats were randomly divided into 6 groups, i.e., the normal group, the model group, the ranitidine group, the high dose VAY group, the medium dose VAY group, and the low dose VAY group, 8 in each group. Rats in the normal group and the model group were administered with normal saline respectively. Rats in the ranitidine group were administered with 0.18% ranitidine suspension (at the daily dose of 0.027 g/kg) by gastrogavage. Those in the high dose VAY group, the medium dose VAY group, and the low dose VAY group were administered with VAY at the daily dose of 2.8 g/kg, 1.4 g/kg, and 0.7 g/kg by gastrogavage, once daily for 14 consecutive days. The gastric ulcer model was established using absolute ethanol after the last gastrogavage. The ulcer index and the ulcer inhibitory rate were compared. The concentrations of malonyldialdehyde (MDA), nitric oxide (NO), epidermal growth factor (EGF), and the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) in the serum and the homogenate of the gastric mucosa tissue were detected.

RESULTSCompared with the model group, the gastric ulcer index in the rest groups obviously decreased (P < 0.01). The ulcer index was dose-dependent with VAY (P < 0.01), with the highest gastric ulcer index shown in the high dose VAY group (P < 0.01). Compared with the normal group, the concentrations of MDA and NO significantly increased in the serum and the gastric mucosa tissue, the activity of SOD and the EGF content in the gastric mucosa tissue of rats in the model group significantly decreased (P < 0.01). Compared with the model group, the MDA concentrations in the serum and the gastric mucosa tissue decreased, the serum NO content increased, the NO content in the gastric mucosa tissue decreased, the serum SOD activity increased, the EGF content in the gastric mucosa tissue increased in the rest groups, all showing statistical difference (P < 0.05, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSThe water extract of VAY had significant effects on ethanol induced gastric ulcer. Its mechanisms might lie in reducing the generation of free radicals, promoting the oxygen free radical clearance, restraining lipid peroxidation, regulating and controlling the in vivo contents of NO and EGF.

Animals ; Anti-Ulcer Agents ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Epidermal Growth Factor ; metabolism ; Ethanol ; adverse effects ; Male ; Malondialdehyde ; metabolism ; Plant Extracts ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Plantago ; chemistry ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Stomach Ulcer ; drug therapy ; etiology ; metabolism ; Superoxide Dismutase ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of advanced glycosylation end products (AGEs) modified bovine serum albumin (AGE-BSA) on the expression of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) in human renal mesangial cells (HRMCs).

METHODSHRMCs were cultured in vitro with medium containing different doses of AGE-BSA or BSA (50,100, 200, 400 mg/L) for 48 hours, or with AGE-BSA (200 mg/L) for different times (12, 24, 48, 72 h). Immunocytochemistry assay was used to estimate the protein level of RAGE. The ROS in cells were measured by flow cytometry and the mRNA expression of MCP-1 were analyzed by semi-quantiative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) after treatment with AGE-BSA or BSA.

RESULTSThe protein level of RAGE was upregulated in the HRMCs with AGE-BSA. The expression of ROS and MCP-1 significantly enhanced by incubation of AGE-BSA in a time- and dose-dependent manner. The effects of AGE-BSA-induced up-regulation of ROS and MCP-1 level was significantly blocked by neutralizing antibodies to RAGE, while the expression of ROS and MCP-1 stood nearly unchanged after cultured with huamn IgG.

CONCLUSIONThe expression of ROS and MCP-1 in HRMCs is induced by AGE-BSA through RAGE, which may have potential effects in the pathgenic mechanism of diabetic nephropathy.

Cells, Cultured ; Chemokine CCL2 ; metabolism ; Glycation End Products, Advanced ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Mesangial Cells ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Oxidative Stress ; drug effects ; Reactive Oxygen Species ; metabolism ; Receptor for Advanced Glycation End Products ; Receptors, Immunologic ; metabolism ; Serum Albumin, Bovine ; pharmacology

The present study is to establish Caco-2/HT29-MTX co-cultured cells and investigate the transport capability of PLGA nanoparticles with different surface chemical properties across Caco-2/HT29-MTX co-cultured cells. PLGA-NPs, mPEG-PLGA-NPs and chitosan coated PLGA-NPs were prepared by nanoprecipitation method using poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) as carrier material with surface modified by methoxy poly(ethylene glycol) and chitosan. The particle size and zeta potential of nanoparticles were measured by dynamic light scattering. Coumarin 6 was used as a fluorescent marker in the transport of nanoparticles investigated by confocal laser scanning microscopy. The transport of furanodiene (FDE) loaded nanoparticles was quantitively determined by high performance liquid chromatography. Colchicine and nocodazole were used in the transport study to explore the involved endocytosis mechanisms of nanoparticles. Distribution of the tight junction proteins ZO-1 was also analyzed by immunofluorescence staining. The results showed that the nanoparticles dispersed uniformly. The zeta potential of PLGA-NPs was negative, the mPEG-PLGA-NPs was close to neutral and the CS-PLGA-NPs was positive. The entrapment efficiency of FDE in all nanoparticles was higher than 75%. The transport capability of mPEG-PLGA-NPs across Caco-2/HT29-MTX co-cultured cells was higher than that of PLGA-NPs and CS-PLGA-NPs. Colchicine and nocodazole could significantly decrease the transport amount of nanoparticles. mPEG-PLGA-NPs could obviously reduce the distribution of ZO-1 protein than PLGA-NPs and CS-PLGA-NPs. The transport mechanism of PLGA-NPs and mPEG-PLGA-NPs were indicated to be a combination of endocytosis and paracellular way, while CS-PLGA-NPs mainly relied on the endocytosis way. PEG coating could shield the surface charge and enhance the hydrophilicity of PLGA nanoparticles, which leads mPEG-PLGA-NPs to possess higher anti-adhesion activity. As a result, mPEG-PLGA-NPs could penetrate the mucus layer rapidly and transport across Caco-2/HT29-MTX co-cultured cells.
Biological Transport ; Caco-2 Cells ; Chitosan ; chemistry ; Coated Materials, Biocompatible ; chemistry ; Coculture Techniques ; Drug Carriers ; Furans ; administration & dosage ; chemistry ; metabolism ; HT29 Cells ; Heterocyclic Compounds, 2-Ring ; administration & dosage ; chemistry ; metabolism ; Humans ; Lactic Acid ; chemistry ; Nanoparticles ; Particle Size ; Polyethylene Glycols ; chemistry ; Polyglycolic Acid ; chemistry ; Zonula Occludens-1 Protein ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo verify the regulatory effects of acupuncture on exercise tolerance in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) at stable phase.

METHODSThirty cases of COPD were randomly divided into a treatment group (16 cases) and a placebo group (14 cases). Based on specified aerobic exercise, acupuncture was applied in the treatment group and placebo acupuncture was used in the placebo group. The acupoints included Danzhong (CV 17), Rugen (ST 18), Guanyuan (CV 4), Zhongwan (CV 12), Tianshu (ST 25) and so on. The needle did not penetrate into the skin for the placebo group. The treatment was required for 2 to 3 times per week for totally 5 weeks. The indices of exercise tolerance, including 6-min walking distance (6-MWD), exercise time, maximum oxygen uptake (VO2max) forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1)/forced vital capacity (FVC), maximum ventilatory volume (MVV), St. George respiratory questionnaire (SGRQ) were observed in two groups before and after treatment.

RESULTS(1) Exercise tolerance: the differences of 6-MWD and exercise time were statistically significant between groups, which were more superior in the treatment group (both P<0.01); the VO2max was significantly increased after treatment in the treatment group (P<0.05), but there was no difference between two groups (P>0.05). (2) Pulmonary ventilation function: the differences of FEV1%, FEV1/FVC and MVV% were statistically significant between groups, which were more superior in the treatment group (P<0.05, P<0.01); (3) SGRQ: the SGRQ was significantly improved after treatment in the treatment group (P<0.05), but there was no difference between two groups (P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe acupuncture could improve the exercise tolerance in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease at stable phase, and shorten the onset time of aerobic exercise. Besides, acupuncture combined with aerobic exercise could effectively improve the pulmonary function.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Aged ; Exercise Tolerance ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive ; physiopathology ; therapy

AIM: To explore the effect of Snail1 siRNA on high-glucose induced tubular epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (TEMT). METHODS: Subconfluent renal tubular epithelial cells were incubated in serum-free DMEM for 24 h to arrest and synchronize the cell growth. Then cells were treated with normal glucose (5.5 mmol/L D-glucose) or high glucose (25 mmol/L D-glucose) for 72 h. Meanwhile 19.5 mmol/L D-manntiol was used as high osmotic control. Snail1 siRNA was transfected into tubular epithelial cells. In parallel, cells were transfected with non-specific siRNA which served as the control data sets. Cells were then treated with 25 mmol/L D-glucose for 72 h. RNA and cell lysates were collected to determine the protein and mRNA levels of Snail1, TGF-β_1, α-SMA, vimentin and E-cadherin. RESULTS: Transfection caused the decreases in Snail1 at mRNA and protein levels by 62% and 68% respectively as compared to those in untransfected cells cultured in high glucose medium. Western blotting exhibited that Snail1 siRNA transfection restored E-cadherin protein expression by 61% compared to that in high-glucose-treatment cells, whereas it inhibited high-glucose-induced induction of α-SMA protein by 58%. Similarly, RT-PCR revealed that Snail1 siRNA transfection dramatically suppressed the high-glucose-induced mRNA expressions of α-SMA and vimentin by 72% and 61%, respectively, while E-cadherin mRNA increased by 53%. CONCLUSION: Our study provides direct evidence that Snail1 is able to control TEMT.

Anion Exchange Protein 1, Erythrocyte ; metabolism ; Breast ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Cadherins ; metabolism ; Female ; Fibrocystic Breast Disease ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; S100 Proteins ; metabolism

Objective To identify seven species of Gynostemma BI.,including G.pentaphyllum,G. pentagynum,G.cardiospermum,G.longipes,G.yixingense,G.laxiflorum,and G.guangxiense,by in- ter-simple sequence repeat(ISSR)markers.Methods General DNA was isolated from leaves of the seven species in Gynostemma B1.by CTAB,57 primers constituted by ISSR were tested for PCR and sepharose electrophoresis.Results Fourteen primers amplified polymorphic bands,the amplification patterns of primers UBC-873 and UBC-895 were higher in terms of polymorphic and amplified band ratio.They are used to distinguish all the examined seven species.Conclusion ISSR-PCR Method provides a quick,reli- able molecular marker technique for the identification of different species of Gynostemma B1.