Objective To investigate the changs of serum and urine vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF) in children with steroid-sensitive nephrotic syndrome(SSNS) at their active and remission stage.Methods Serum and morning urine levels of VEGF were assayed by Liquichip in 30 patients with SSNS at the active and remission stage and 30 normal age-and sex-matched controls.Results Serum levels of VEGF in patients at the active stage [(186.62?106.21) ng/L] were significantly higher those that at the remission stage [(118.75?73.08) ng/L] and than those in control group [(108.64?54.75) ng/L](P0.05).Morning urine levels of VEGF in patients at the active stage [(201.66?100.46) ng/L] were significantly higher than those at the remission stage [(116.35?55.99) ng/L] and than those in control group [(99.94?42.07) ng/L](P0.05).Conclusions Serum and morning urine levels of VEGF are significantly elevated in patients with SSNS,however they are significantly lower after the treatment of steroid.There is no obvious difference between the patients at the remission stage and healthy controls.VEGF involves pathogenetically and physiologically in SSNS during its onset and growth.

Neurotransmitter release is controlled by groups of proteins associated with the membranes of synaptic vesicles and the presynaptic membranes.It is a highly dynamic process which is spatially and temporally regulated via a cascade of protein-protein interactions.These proteins participate in each step of the synaptic vesicle circulation at nerve terminals including the formation of soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor-attachment protein receptors complex,the targeted trafficking of synaptic vesicles,the vesicle docking,the neurotransmitter release and finally the reuse of the proteins.This article focuses on the physiological function and the interactions of these regulating proteins.

dialysis.

Objective To investigate.the survival rates in a follow-up group of patient with primary liver cancer.Methods The follow-up data of new primary liver cancer cases between year 2001-2004 in Xuhui district was investigated.The age distribution of patients was described.Survival rate was analyzed with single and multiple Cox proportional hazards regression model,respectively.Results The age proportion distribution of patients showed double apexes with one in age 45～50 and another in age 70～75.The arithmetic mean of survival month was 16.4 with 95%CI 14.8～18.1 and median month was 6.9.It was no significance between male and female.Patients who had liver operation owned longer survival time,RR=0.315 5(95%CI 0.243 2～ 0.4093).The sutdy showed 5-year survival rate was 40.90%and 3.95%for patients with or without operation,respectively.It had no significant effect on survival time by gender,age and family history.Conclusion The screening test and intervention in high-risk people shall be done preferentially before peak age,so as to find primary liver cancer earlier,and the more patients can accept a suitable surgery care,the more they can obtain longer survival time.

AIM: To evaluate cell proliferation, apoptosis and migration of human retinal pigment epithelial cells ( RPE) when co - cultured with human marrow mesenchymal stem cells ( hMSCs ) in condition of hypoxia and hyperglycemia so as to explore possible mechanisms of diabetes aggravating choroidal neovascularization ( CNV) preliminarily.
METHODS:Both hMSCs and RPE cells were co-cultured in a transwell system. The experiment was divided into four groups: 21% O2 with 5. 56mmol/L glucose ( control group, A ), 21% O2 with 30mmol/L glucose ( hyperglycemia and normoxia group, B ) , 5% O2 with 5.56mmol/L glucose ( normoglycemia and hypoxia group, C ) and 5% O2 with 30mmol/L glucose ( hyperglycemia and hypoxia group, D) . Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) was used to detect the proliferation of RPE cells in each group at 12, 24 and 48h respectively. Flow cytometry was performed to observe apoptosis of RPE cells at 24h. Additionally, we assessed migration
capabilities of RPE via transwell assay under the condition of hyperglycemia and hypoxia by co-culturing of hMSCs.RESULTS:In this co-culturing system, at 12, 24 and 48h, group B (1. 61±0. 41, 1. 80±0. 34;1. 91±0. 35), C (1.34±0. 46, 1. 94±0. 40, 2. 14±0. 41) and D (1. 98±0. 47, 2.26±0.42, 2. 55±0. 40) showed significantly higher proliferation rate than group A (0. 92±0. 45, 1. 27±0. 32, 1.59±0. 41, P<0. 05). The migration capabilities of RPE in group B (149. 5±9. 19), C (140±9. 90) and D (170. 5±7. 78) increased dramatically compared with group A ( 114. 5±7.78, P<0.05) at 24h, whereas there was no significant difference of apoptosis ratio among four groups (P>0. 05).
CONCLUSION:By coexistence with hMSCs, the synergy of hyperglycemia and hypoxia can improve migration and proliferation of RPE cells, and have no effect on apoptosis of RPE cells within short period.

The seeds of Rabdosia rubescens were as the materials to research the impacts of different lead (Pb2+) concentrations(0, 135, 270, 540, 1 080 mg x L(-1)) on seed germination and seedling growth. The results show that: Low concentration of lead had no obvious effect on early germination of the seed, the germination vigor and germination speed were lightly higher but not significantly differed at the level of Pb concentration 135 mg x L(-1) with control group; Mid-high concentration of Pb solution (270-1 080 mg x L(-1)) significantly inhibited the seed germination and seedling growth, which reduced the seed germination rate, germination vigor, germination index, embryo root length and shoot length, growth index with increasing of Pb concentrations. There was a inhibitory effect on embryo shoot length and root length at mid-high lead concentrations stress, and stronger inhibitory effect on root , which was more sensitive than shoot to Pb stress(P < 0.05). Pb bioaccumulation coefficient (BC) was 0.76-2.59, increased with concentration of Pb; Pb enrichment in seedling mainly caused the growth inhibition. The fitting model predictive analyses show, the critical concentration of Pb, which causes the germination rate and biomass fresh weight reducing 10%, is 195.18, 101.65 mg x L(-1).
Germination ; drug effects ; Isodon ; drug effects ; growth & development ; Lead ; toxicity ; Seedlings ; growth & development ; Seeds ; growth & development ; Stress, Physiological

Puerariae Lobatae Radix, also known as Gegen, is a root derived from Pueraria lobata. Based on field investigation and the developmental anatomy of root tuber, we have elucidated the relationship between the growth of root tuber and the anomalous structure. The results of analysis showed that the root system of P. lobata was developed from seed and adventitious root and there existed root tuber, adventitious root and conductive root according to morphology and function. The root tuber was developed from adventitious root, its secondary structure conformed to the secondary structure of dicotyledon's root. With the development of root, the secondary phloem of root tuber appeared abnormal vascular tissue, which was distributed like ring in the outside of secondary vascular tissue. The root tuber might have 4-6 concentric circular permutation abnormal vascular tissuelobate, and was formed by the internal development of abnormal vascular tissue. The xylem and phloem of abnormal vascular tissue were the main body of the root tuber. The results reveal the abnormal anatomical structure development of P. lobata, also provides the theoretical basis for reasonable harvest medicinal parts and promoting sustainable utilization of resources of P. lobata.
Plant Roots ; anatomy & histology ; growth & development ; Plant Tubers ; anatomy & histology ; growth & development ; Pueraria ; anatomy & histology ; growth & development

Fuzi is a medicine used for rescuing from collapse by restoring yang as well as a famous toxic traditional Chinese medicine. In order to ensure the efficacy and safe medication, Fuzi has mostly been applied after being processed. There have been different Fuzi processing methods recorded by doctors of previous generations. Besides, there have also been differences in Fuzi processing methods recorded in modern pharmacopeia and ancient medical books. In this study, the authors traced back to medical books between the Han Dynasty and the period of Republic of China, and summarized Fuzi processing methods collected in ancient and modern literatures. According to the results, Fuzi processing methods and using methods have changed along with the evolution of dynasties, with differences in ancient and modern processing methods. Before the Tang Dynasty, Fuzi had been mostly processed and soaked. From Tang to Ming Dynasties, Fuzi had been mostly processed, soaked and stir-fried. During the Qing Dynasty, Fuzi had been mostly soaked and boiled. In the modem times, Fuzi is mostly processed by being boiled and soaked. Before the Tang Dynasty, a whole piece of Fuzi herbs or their fragments had been applied in medicines; Whereas their fragments are primarily used in the modern times. Because different processing methods have great impacts on the toxicity of Fuzi, it is suggested to study Fuzi processing methods.
Chemistry, Pharmaceutical ; history ; methods ; China ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; History, 15th Century ; History, 16th Century ; History, 17th Century ; History, 18th Century ; History, 19th Century ; History, Ancient ; History, Medieval ; Humans ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; history ; methods ; Plant Extracts ; chemistry

BACKGROUND:Hyperglycemia has been detected in many critically ill patients in the department of emergency medicine. But its mechanism and prognosis have not been well elucidated. In this study, we measured the serum level of glycated hemoglobin A1C (HbA1c) in critically ill patients to evaluate the effects of hyperglycemia on the prognosis of the patients.METHODS:A total of 826 critically ill patients, who had been treated at the Department of Emergency Medicine of Chaoyang Hospital during October 2006 and November 2007, were divided into a diabetes mellitus group (n=184) and a non-diabetes mellitus group (642) according to whether they had diabetes mellitus. Fasting glucose and HbA1c were measured in all patients. Those in the diabetes mellitus group were further assigned to a drug therapy subgroup and a non-drug therapy subgroup; the serum level of HbA1c and its relationship with short-term outcome were evaluated.RESULTS:Fasting glucose increased in 78.8％ of the patients (88.6％ in the diabetes mellitus group, and 75.9％ in the non-diabetes mellitus group,P<0.05), and HbA1c was elevated in 45.5％ of the patients (78.3％ in the diabetes mellitus group, and 36.1％ in the non-diabetes mellitus group, P<0.01). Fasting glucose, HbA1c and 28-day mortality were improved more significantly (P<0.01) in the drug therapy subgroup than in the non-drug therapy subgroup. The 28-day mortality was more significantly different in patients with fasting blood glucose >8.33 mmol/L than in those with fasting blood glucose <8.33 mmol/L.CONCLUSIONS:Hyperglycemia of critically ill patients could not totally attribute to stress response, especially in those who have no history of diabetes mellitus. Prognosis of hyperglycemia may vary among critically ill patients.

Objective To observe the changes of Th1 / Th2 inflammatory factors in the aqueous humor of tree shrews with fusarium solani keratitis,as well as to explore the relationship between Thl / Th2 inflammatory factors and inflammatory response in fusarium solani keratitis.Methods Forty healthy tree shrews were randomly divided into experimental group(n =30) and control group (n =10).Fusarium solani was inoculated into sabina culture medium and cultured at 26 ℃ for 7 days,and then the fungal suspension was collected and the density of spores was adjusted to 10 × 109 CFU · mL-1.In the experimental group,50 μL fungal spore suspension was injected into the center of the cornea stroma,while the control group received the same amount of saline.Next the levels of cytokines including interleukin (IL)-1 β,IL-6,IL-4 and IL-10 were analyzed by flow cytometry on day 3,day 7,day 14 after successful modeling,and the changes in types of infiltrating cells were observed by histopathological examination.Results The expression level of IL-1 β and IL-6 (Th1 type cytokines) was the highest on day 7,and the difference was statistically significant at each time point when compared with the control group (all P ＜ 0.05).The expression level of IL-10 (Th2 type cytokines) was the highest on day 14,and the difference was statistically significant at each time point when compared with the control group (all P ＜ 0.05).The difference in IL-4 expression was statistically significant on day 7 (P ＜ 0.05).In addition,histopathological examination showed that the number of infiltration cell reached its peak on day 7,mainly neutrophils,and fungal hyphae were observed to be parallel to the matrix fibers at each time point.Conclusion The proinflammatory cytokines IL-1β and IL-6 and the anti-inflammatory cytokines IL-10 may play an important role in the molecular mechanism of inflammatory response of fusarium solani keratitis in tree shrews.