OBJECTIVETo observe the effects of Shensu II Recipe on the renal function, mesangial extracellular matrix (ECM) accumulation, the expressions of transforming growth factor-beta1, (TGF-beta1), and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) in the focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) rats.

METHODSFSGS SD rat model was induced by injecting adriamycin. They were randomly divided into the model group, the Western medicine group, and the Chinese medicine group according to body weight. Besides, another 12 rats was taken as the blank control group. Of them, benazepril (0.33 mg/100 g) was given to rats in the Western medicine group by gastrogavage, while Shensu II Recipe (3.5 g/100 g) was given to rats in the Chinese medicine group by gastrogavage. Normal saline was given to rats in the control group and the model group by gastrogavage. Six rats died during the experiment process, among which, one in the control group, two in the model group, one in the Western medicine group, and two in the Chinese medicine group. The changes of 24 h urinary protein (24 hU, pyrogallol red method), blood urea nitrogen (BUN, urease method), serum creatinine (SCr, enzymatic assay of creatinine), serum total protein (TP, biuret colorimetry), serum albumin (ALB, bromocresol green colormetry) were detected. The pathomorphological changes of the glomerulus were observed. Fibronection (FN), collagen IV (Col IV), glomerulus sclerosis index (GSI), ECM/glomerulus area (GA), expressions of TGF-beta1, and PAI-1 were determined by semi-quantitative analysis.

RESULTSAt the end of the 12th week, improvement was shown in the Chinese medicine group (24 hU: 38.55 +/- 2.49 mg; BUN:10.87 +/- 1.78 mmol/L; SCr: 51.70 +/- 1.50 micromol/L; TP: 68.28 +/- 2.31 g/L; and ALB: 42.43 +/- 1.95 g/L). The pathomorphological observation showed that the development of glomerulosclerosis (GS) was significantly slowed down. Semi-quantitative analysis showed significant difference when compared with the model group (GSI: 1.68 +/- 0.33 grade; ECM/GA: 7.11% +/- 2.46%; FN: 4.15% +/- 1.55%; Col IV:1.47% +/- 0.48%; TGF-beta1:19.70% +/- 5.05%; PAI-1: 22.57% +/- 10.65%) ( P < 0.05, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONShensu II Recipe could postpone the development of GS in FSGS rats possibly through inhibiting the expressions of TGF-beta1 and PAI-1, hindering the over-accumulation of mesangial matrix.

Animals ; Disease Models, Animal ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Extracellular Matrix ; drug effects ; Glomerular Mesangium ; drug effects ; Glomerulosclerosis, Focal Segmental ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Male ; Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor 1 ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; metabolism

Objective To retrospectively evaluate the relevant factors for hepatitis B virus-associated glomerulonephritis (HBV-GN).Methods A total of 86 patients with pathologyproven HBV-GN and 135 HBV carriers with non-HBV-GN were included in this retrospective casecontrol study.Logistic regression analysis was used to detect the relevant factors for HBV-GN.Results On univariate analysis,the factors associated with HBV-GN were as follows: male (OR 2.79,95%CI 1.48-5.25,P=0.001),HBeAg positivity (OR 2.60,95%CI 1.49-4.53,P=0.001),HBV replication (OR 3.63,95%CI 1.80-7.33,P＜0.01),liver cirrhosis (OR 4.58,95%CI 1.41-14.91,P=0.011),and elevated alanine aminotransferase (ALT) (OR 2.53,95%CI 1.42-4.51,P=0.002).On multivariate analysis,the associations remained significant for male (OR 2.21,95%CI 1.12-4.33,P=0.022),HBV replication (OR 2.77,95%CI 1.28-5.97,P=0.01),liver cirrhosis (0R 4.55,95%CI 1.29-16.10,P=0.019) and elevated ALT (OR 1.96,95%CI 1.04-3.69,P=0.037).Compared with HBV-associated IgA nephritis (HBV-IgAN) in multivariate model,HBV-associated membranous nephropathy (HBV-MN) or membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis (HBV-MPGN) was significantly associated with male (OR 6.51,95%CI 1.76-24.11,P=0.005) and HBV replication (OR 7.22,95%CI 1.68-30.97,P=0.008).Conclusions Male,HBV replication,liver cirrhosis and elevated ALT may be predictive factors for HBV-GN.Compared with HBV-IgAN,HBV-MN or HBV-MPGN is significantly associated with male and HBV replication.

Objective To investigate the protective roles of Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) on liver ischemia reperfusion injury (IRI) in rats.Methods 30 healthy male SD rats were selected and equally and randomly divided into 3 groups.Sham group,IRI group and IRI-EGCG group were established to construct 70％ liver IRI rat model.Drinking water with 0.4 mg/ml EGCG was administered for 2 weeks before the experiment in IRI-EGCG group.HE staining was performed to evaluate the injury.Transaminases in serum were investigated to assess liver injury.p-p85 and p-AKT was detected by Western-blot assay.qPCR was carried out to study the mRNA expression of TNF-α,IL-6 and IL-1β in liver tissue.The secretion of TNF-α,IL-6 and IL-1 β in serum was examined with ELISA assay.Results EGCG pretreatment reduced ASTand ALT in serum [AST:(550.0 ±66.5) IU/L vs.(220.0 ±63.5) IU/L;ALT:(376.0 ± 25.7) IU/L vs.(158.0 ± 33.1) IU/L,all P ＜ 0.05] and mitigated liver tissue damage.p-p85 and p-AKT increased due to liver IRI,and IRI-EGCG group showed higher expression of p85 and AKT.The proinflammatory cytokines of TNF-α,IL-6 and IL-1 β exhibited a relatively lower mRNA expression in IRI-EGCG group comparing with IRI group.IRI-EGCG group also revealed a decreased secretion of TNF-α,IL-6 and IL-1β in serum [TNF-α:(398.0±33.4) ng/Lvs.(211.0±23.6) ng/L;IL-6:(341.0±27.3) ng/L vs.(187.0±19.6) ng/L;IL-1β:(486.0±43.7) ng/L vs.(352.0±31.5) ng/L;allP＜0.05].Conclusion EGCG pretreatment can enhance IRI-induced activation of PI3K/AKT signaling and reduce the release of proinflammatory cytokines to exert liver protective effects.

Animals ; Gene Expression Profiling ; Hepatocytes ; MicroRNAs ; Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis ; Rats

Abstract: Objective　To analyze the characteristics of bloodstream infection of Listeria monocytogenes and provide basis for the diagnosis and treatment of the disease. Methods　We retrospectively analyzed the cases of Listeria monomyrhosi bloodstream infection in Peking Union Medical College Hospital (PUMCH) from April 2012 to April 2022. The age, sex, onset time, underlying disease, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of the patients were analyzed, as well as the changes of white blood cells (WBC), neutrophils, lymphocytes, and C-reactive protein (CRP) before and after anti-infection treatment. Results　Fifty cases of Listeria monocytogenes bloodstream infection confirmed by blood culture were involved. The age of patients ranged from 0 to 82 (43.7±20.0) years old, among whom 20.0% were over 60 years old. The onset time of patients was the highest in spring (44.0%), followed by winter (24.0%), and relatively fewer in summer and autumn (14.0%-18.0%). The median diagnosis time was 3 days (1-60 days). After the etiological diagnosis, 45 patients (90.0%) had underlying diseases or pregnancy status, and 45 patients were adjusted to the target antibacterial treatment mainly with carbapenems (48.9%) and penicillins (44.4%). The level of WBC, neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, and CRP after treatment were significantly lower than those pre-treatments (P<0.05). Among all patients, 36 cases (72.0%) were treated according to the Antimicrobial Treatment Guidelines for Fever Sanford, of which 26 cases (72.2%) were discharged from the hospital, two cases died, one case was transferred to other hospitals, and 7 cases had a poor prognosis. Conclusions　Autoimmune diseases, tumor diseases, pregnant patients are susceptible to Listeria monocytogenes infection. Penicillins are the first choice for effective empiric therapy. For the patients allergic to penicillins, trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole or meropenem could be used.

OBJECTIVEDiscussing the natural history and the influencing factors of HIV infection among former commercial blood and plasma donors engaged in unsafe blood donation practices in China.

METHODSUsing ambispective cohort study, with data obtained from ten counties (districts) from six provinces in the National AIDS Control Demonstration Area. HIV/AIDS cases were found and confirmed prior to July 24, 2006 being former commercial blood. Plasma donors were selected and data regarding infection, incidence, death, and influencing factors was collected. Analysis was performed using SPSS 12.0 statistical analysis software.

RESULTS(1) In 7551 cases of HIV infection, there were 6533 typical progressors (86.52%, 4757 cases of AIDS), 108 rapid progressors (1.43%), 910 long-term non-progressors (12.05%) with 4865 cases progressed to AIDS (64.43%). The median incubation period for HIV progression to AIDS was nine years (95% CI:8.96-9.04). (2) According to data, from a total of 1157 AIDS cases without ARV therapy (23.78% of total AIDS cases), there were 283 confirmed AIDS-related deaths, of which the median survival time was 6 months (95% CI:4-7) and the two and three year fatality rates were 95% and 99%, respectively. (3) The duration of HIV incubation period was irrespective to gender and age at the time of HIV infection (P > 0.05). Length of survival for untreated AIDS showed correlation to gender (P < 0.05) but no correlation with culture, marital status or age at the time of diagnosis of AIDS (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONCompared with the UNAIDS theory regarding slow disease progressors among adults, our study showed a longer AIDS incubation period and shorter outlook for untreated survival, but a similar incubation period for other routes of HIV infection.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome ; epidemiology ; mortality ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Blood Donors ; statistics & numerical data ; China ; Female ; HIV Infections ; epidemiology ; mortality ; Humans ; Infectious Disease Incubation Period ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate the epidemiology of pediatric human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection in six provinces of China.

METHODSA cross-sectional study was conducted in six provinces with the highest HIV prevalence. Surveys on demographics and HIV-related questions (transmission modes, time of diagnosis, clinical stage, laboratory test) were distributed to clinicians in these provinces. Descriptive and bivariate analyses were performed on the completed surveys.

RESULTSSurvey results of 650 children [405 males and 245 females; average age: (7.9 +/- 3.2) years] were eligible for analysis. The interval between possible transmission and diagnosis was (7.1 +/- 3.2) years. The location distribution was as follows: 570 cases (87.7%) in Henan Province, 23 cases (3.5%) in Guangxi Province, 21 cases (3.2%) in Yunnan Province, 19 cases (2.9%) in Hubei Province, 10 cases (1.5%) in Anhui Province, and 7 cases (1.1%) in Shanxi Province. Transmission routes included mother-to-child transmission (75.1%), blood transfusion/ plasma donation (15.7 %), and injecting drug use (IDU, 0.5%). Former plasma donation (FPD) was the main transmission route in some provinces (Henan, Shanxi, Hubei, and Anhui), while IDU was the main transmission route in other provinces (Guangxi and Yunnan). The average age in the FPD provinces was significantly higher than that in IDU provinces [(8.1 +/- 3.2) vs. (5.4 +/- 2.2) years, P <0.001]. Among 178 patients in all six provinces who required treatment (on the basis of CD4 count or WHO staging), 133 (74.7%) did not receive treatment and 45 (25.3%) received antiretroviral therapy.

CONCLUSIONMother-to-child transmission is the main transmission mode in pediatric patients. Efforts should be made to strengthen the diagnosis and treatment of pediatric HIV/AIDS patients.

Child ; Child, Preschool ; China ; epidemiology ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Female ; HIV Infections ; diagnosis ; epidemiology ; therapy ; transmission ; Humans ; Infant ; Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical ; Male ; Needle Sharing ; adverse effects ; Transfusion Reaction

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of Shenshuning Recipe (SR) on the peritoneal function, accumulation of extracellular matrix (ECM), and the expression of transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) in the peritoneal fibrosis rats.

METHODSThe peritoneal fibrosis correlating peritoneal dialysis SD rat model was induced by injecting erythromycin and peritoneal dialysate. They were randomly divided into 4 groups according to body weight, i.e., the 1.50% peritoneal dialysate group (Group B), the 1.50% peritoneal dialysate + SR group (Group C), the 4.25% peritoneal dialysate group (Group D), and the 4.25% peritoneal dialysate +SR group (Group E), 15 in each group. Besides, another 15 rats was taken as the blank control group (n = 15, Group A). SR at the daily dose of 43.93 g/kg was given to rats in Group C and E by gastrogavage, while equal volume of normal saline was given to rats in other groups by gastrogavage. The changes of glucose in the peritoneal fluid were detected. The ultra filtration volume (UF)and mass transfer of glucose (MTG) were calculated. The pathomorphological changes of the peritoneum were observed. The distribution of collagen fiber, fibroblast count, collagen I (Col I), expressions of TIMP-1 and TGF-beta1 were determined.

RESULTSAt the end of the 6th week, statistical difference was shown in UF [(-3.3 +/- 14.2) mL] and [(-2.0 +/- 10.7) mL], MTG [(18.1 +/- 0.8) mmol/kg] and [(16.1 +/- 1.2) mmol/kg], collagen fiber [(4 721.3 +/- 541.0)%] and [(6502.7 +/- 877.4)%], fibroblast [(0.087 +/- 0.010)/mm2] and [(0.131 +/- 0.042)/mm2], Col I [(187.5 +/- 36.9)%] and [(289.7 +/- 95.6)%], TIMP-1 [(2.57 +/- 0.94)%] and [(3.63 +/- 0.29)%], and TGF-beta1 [(104.0 +/- 20.7) ng/L] and [(108.2 +/- 17.5) ng/L] between Group C and Group E, when compared with the peritoneal dialysate group at the same concentration (P < 0.05, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSR could postpone the development of peritoneal fibrosis in peritoneal dialysis SD rats possibly through inhibiting expressions of TGF-beta1 and TIMP-1, and hindering the over-accumulation of ECM.

Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Extracellular Matrix ; drug effects ; Male ; Peritoneal Dialysis ; Peritoneal Fibrosis ; metabolism ; pathology ; Peritoneum ; drug effects ; metabolism ; pathology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-1 ; metabolism ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; metabolism

The effect of high concentrations of testosterone on ovarian follicle development was investigated. Primary follicles and granulosa cells were cultured in vitro in media supplemented with a testosterone concentration gradient. The combined effects of testosterone and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) on follicular growth and granulosa cell gonadotropin receptor mRNA expression were also investigated. Follicle growth in the presence of high testosterone concentrations was promoted at early stages (days 1-7), but inhibited at later stage (days 7-14) of in vitro culture. Interestingly, testosterone-induced follicle development arrest was rescued by treatment with high concentrations of FSH (400 mIU/mL). In addition, in cultured granulosa cells, high testosterone concentrations induced cell proliferation, and increased the mRNA expression level of FSH receptor (FSHR), and luteinized hormone/choriogonadotropin receptor. It was concluded that high concentrations of testosterone inhibited follicle development, most likely through regulation of the FSH signaling pathway, although independently from FSHR downregulation. These findings are an important step in further understanding the pathogenesis of polycystic ovary syndrome.
Androgens ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Female ; Follicle Stimulating Hormone ; genetics ; metabolism ; pharmacology ; Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental ; Granulosa Cells ; cytology ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Mice ; Ovarian Follicle ; cytology ; drug effects ; growth & development ; metabolism ; Primary Cell Culture ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; metabolism ; Receptors, FSH ; genetics ; metabolism ; Receptors, Gonadotropin ; genetics ; metabolism ; Receptors, LH ; genetics ; metabolism ; Signal Transduction ; drug effects ; genetics ; Testosterone ; antagonists & inhibitors ; pharmacology

Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip ; Female ; Hip Joint/surgery* ; Hip Prosthesis ; Humans ; Male ; Sex Characteristics ; Spondylitis, Ankylosing/surgery* ; Treatment Outcome