OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of the peroxisome proliferator activated receptor-gamma (PPAR-gamma) agonist troglitazone on TGF-beta(1) and fibronectin (Fn) expression in human peritoneal mesothelial cells (HPMCs). METHODS: HPMCs were cultured from human omentum by an enzyme digestion method, growing in medium containing 30 mmol/L D-glucose. TGF-beta(1) and Fn expression were measured in HPMCs in the presence and absence of 15 micromol/L troglitazone. The mRNA expressions of PPAR-gamma,TGF-beta(1) and Fn were determined by semi-quantification reverse transcriptive PCR (RT-PCR). The protein of TGF-beta(1) was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and proteins of PPAR-gamma and Fn were determined by Western blot. RESULTS: The mRNA and protein expression of TGF-beta(1) and Fn were significantly increased in HPMCs stimulated with 30 mmol/L D-glucose compared with the control group with F12 media (P<0.01). Obvious decrease of TGF-beta(1) was found in troglitazone(15 micromol/L) treated group compared with group stimulated with 30 mmol/L D-glucose (P<0.05). Exposure of HPMCs to troglitazone reduced the Fn secretion (P<0.05). CONCLUSION Troglitazone reduced the expression of TGF-beta(1) in HPMCs stimulated by 30mmol/L D-glucose, and reduced Fn production. PPAR-gamma agonists may have a specific role in ameliorating the course of progressive peritoneal fibrosis under long-term peritoneal dialysis states.
Blotting, Western ; Cells, Cultured ; Chromans ; pharmacology ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Epithelial Cells ; cytology ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Fibronectins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Glucose ; pharmacology ; Humans ; PPAR gamma ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Peritoneum ; cytology ; RNA, Messenger ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Thiazolidinediones ; pharmacology ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Troglitazone

OBJECTIVETo investigate the renoprotective effect of adiponectin in streptozotocin (STz)-induced diabetic rats and explore its association with oxidation stress.

METHODSType 2 diabetes mellitus was induced in rats by high-lipids and high-sucrose feeding and intraperitoneal STZ injection. The recombinant plasmid pIRES2-EGFP-gAd expressing globular adiponectin was intraperitoneally injected in the rats mediated by liposome. Thirty-two Wistar rats were randomized into 4 groups, namely the normal control group (NC), diabetic group without any therapy (DM), diabetic group treated with pIRES2-EGFP-gAd (DA) and diabetic group treated with pIRES2-EGFP (DP). After the corresponding treatments for 8 weeks, the blood glucose, HbA1c and urine albumin excretion rate (UAER) were measured, and the kidneys were collected to determine the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and assess renal pathologies. Immunohistochemistry and Western blot were employed to determine the protein levels of endothelial nitric oxide synthesis (eNOS) and phosphorylated AMP-activated protein kinase (pAMPK).

RESULTSUAER and ROS production increased significantly in DM group as compared with that in the control group (P<0.05), while no significant differences were found in UARE among the DM, DA, and DP groups (P>0.05). Blood glucose level, HbA1c and ROS were significantly decreased in DA group in comparison with those in DM group (P<0.05). Glomerular hypetrophy, mesangial expansion, basal membrane thickening, tubular epithelial cells cavitation and exfoliation, and mononuclear lymphocyte infiltration occurred in DM group, while these changes were ameliorated in gAd transfection group. The renal expression levels of eNOS and p-AMPK proteins in DM group were significantly lower than those in the control group (P<0.05) and gAd transfection group (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe renoprotective effect of adiponectin may be at least partially mediated by the activation of the AMPK signaling passway, ROS production inhibition, relief of the oxidative stress, and up-regulation of eNOS expression in the renal tissue of diabetic rats.

Adiponectin ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Antioxidants ; pharmacology ; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental ; metabolism ; pathology ; Diabetic Nephropathies ; metabolism ; prevention & control ; Male ; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III ; metabolism ; Oxidative Stress ; drug effects ; Protective Agents ; metabolism ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Reactive Oxygen Species ; metabolism ; Transfection

Objective To study the effect of lipopolysaccharide(LPS)on the endo-pulmonary natrium channel(ENaC)expression in the lung of rats with acute lung injured.Method Sixteen rats were randomly divided into normal control group and LPS-group.Rats of normal control group and LPS-group were killed at 6 hours after intravenous injection of normal saline(8 ml/kg)or LPS(8 mg/kg).The extent of lung injury was assessed by arterial blood gas analysis and histological examination.At the same time,?-ENaC protein and???- ENaC mRNA expression in the lung tissue were analyzed by immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR.Results PaO_2 in LPS-group was noticeably lower than in normal control group(P

Objective To analyze the effects of Leptospira interrogans ( L. interrogans) infection on the activation of NLRP3 in THP-1 and J774A. 1 cells and to further understand the mechanism of inflam-mation caused by L. interrogans in different hosts. Methods Human mononuclear macrophage cell line (THP-1) and murine mononuclear macrophage cell line (J774A. 1) were infected with L. interrogans strain 56601. The expression of NLRP3 at mRNA and protein levels were measured by using real-time RT-PCR and flow cytometry analysis, respectively. The NLRP3-mediated secretion of IL-1β, IL-18 and IL-33 was detec-ted by ELISA combined with the NLRP3 inhibitory test. Results Compared with the normal cells, the ex-pression of NLRP3 at mRNA level in L. interrogans-infected THP-1 cells was respectively increased by 4. 05, 0. 34, 0. 33, 0. 06 and 1. 66 times at the time points of 1 h, 2 h, 4 h, 12 h and 24 h after infection ( P<0. 05), while that in L. interrogans-infected J774A. 1 cells was respectively increased by 12. 98, 16. 19, 10. 68, 5. 8 and 0. 57 times (P<0. 05). The expression rates of NLRP3 protein in THP-1 and J774A. 1 cells respectively increased from 9. 26% to 94. 01%, 89. 24%, 31. 80%, 19. 74%, 11. 28% and from 18. 71%to 58. 78%, 43. 64%, 36. 42%, 76. 46%, 85. 21% at the time points of 1 h, 2 h, 4 h, 12 h and 24 h af-ter L. interrogans infection (P<0. 05). The level of IL-1β in L. interrogans-infected THP-1 cells was 73. 07 pg/ml, 939. 24 pg/ml, 939. 24 pg/ml, 843. 22 pg/ml and 851. 06 pg/ml at the time points of 1 h, 2 h, 4 h, 12 h and 24 h, respectively (P<0. 05), while the level of IL-1β in L. interrogans-infected J774A. 1 cells began to rise at the time point of 12 h from 191. 17 pg/ml to 254. 4 pg/mL at the time point of 24 h (P<0. 05). The level of IL-18 in L. interrogans-infected THP-1 cells was 913. 89 pg/ml, 808. 19 pg/ml, 483. 54 pg/ml, 204. 19 pg/ml and 189. 09 pg/ml at the time points of 1 h, 2 h, 4 h, 12 h and 24 h, re-spectively (P<0. 05), while the level of IL-18 in L. interrogans-infected J774A. 1 cells increased at the time point of 24 h, which was 113. 37 pg/ml (P<0. 05). A slight increase in the level of IL-33 was detected in L. interrogans-infected J774A. 1 cells at the time points of 12 h and 24 h to 201. 14 pg/ml and 155. 68 pg/ml, respectively (P<0. 05), but no significant change was detected in L. interrogans-infected THP-1 cells (P>0. 05). Results of the inhibitory test showed that the up-regulation of IL-1β , IL-18 and IL-33 in THP-1 and J774A. 1 cells were effectively inhibited by the specific inhibitor of NLRP3. Conclusion NL-RP3 inflammasome was activated and involved in the production of specific inflammatory cytokines IL-1βand IL-18 in both THP-1 and J774A. 1 cells after L. interrogans infection, but the inflammatory cytokines induced by L. interrogans infection varied in different cells. L. interrogans induced earlier and higher level of IL-1βand IL-18 production in human macrophages than in murine macrophages.

Objective To probe the value of multi-slice spiral CT angiography (MSCTA) in decreasing surgical trauma of the cranial base meningioma. Methods Thirty-two patients with cranial base meningioma were examined preoperatively with MSCTA to observe the shape and the relationship with the adjacent vessels and the skull base. Three-dimensional images were reconstructed to imitate the approach of operation and compared with surgical findings. Meanwhile, 22 patients withnot MSCTA were selected randomly as control group. The amount of blood transfusion and the occurrence rate of complications were compared between the two groups. Results MSCTA depiceted clear three dimensional images of the meningioma and the relationship with the adjacent vessels and the skull base, corresponded very well to the surgery. By imitating the operation, all patients were designed the incision size of bone appropriately, the vessels of peritumoral were kept off effectively and the risk of the embedded vascular were assessed accurately. The conventional surgical approach and method were changed in 9 patients, 4 formulated the planning of the sub-total resection and radiotherapy preoperatively. Compared with control group, the amount of blood transfusion reduced significantly (P<0.05) and postoperative complications decreased. Conclusion MSCTA can imitate the surgical operations in multi-angle and supply the vital information for choosing the proper surgical approach, thereby reducing surgical trauma and postoperative complications.

Objective To explore the expression of silencer of death domains(SODD) and its clinical significance and relationship with phospho-NF-?B-p65 proteins in bone marrow cells of acute lymphoblastic leukemia(ALL)in children,and the expression of SODD and phospho-NF-?B-p65 in Jurkat cells treated with chemotherapeutic drugs in order to find a new chemotherapeutic target.Methods The expressions of SODD and phospho-NF-?B-p65 proteins in bone marrow cells were detected by immunohistochemistry in 25 children with ALL.The apoptosis incidence was measured by Annexin-V-Fluorescence/PI double-labeling flow cytometry and the expression of SODD and phospho-NF-?B-p65 proteins were determined by Western blotting in Jurkat cells.Results It was found that the expression of SODD and active p65 expression in ALL were significantly higher than those in healthy control group.The expression of SODD and phospho-NF-?B-p65 proteins in the high-risk(HR) group was significantly higher than those in standard-risk(SR) group(Pa

Objective To evaluate the efficacy and adverse effects of gefitinib in the treatment of fe- male patients with advanced adenocarcinoma of lung who had failed to previous chemotherapy.Methods These patients received 250mg of gefitinib orally,once daily until disease progression or development of intol- erable toxic reaction.They were evaluated one month after treatment and every other month thereafter.Results Among the 27 evaluable patients,there were 1 CR(3.7%),11 PR(40.8%),10 SD(37.0%)and 5 PD(18.5%). The overall response rate was 44.5%(95% CI 29%～68%);and 22 patients(81.5%)gained profit(CR+PR+ SD)from the clinical therapy(95% CI 62%～94%);the mean TTP was 7.2 months.Symptomatic improvement rate was 80.0%.The main adverse effects were mild rash and diarrhea.Conclusion gefitinib has significant efficacy in the treatment of female patients with advanced tung cancer who had failed to previous chemother- apy.Adverse effects are mild.gefitinib is a suitable therapy for these patients.

The aim of this research is to refine the protocol of purification of SA and identify the character of SA. By utilizing the cold-denaturing method, most of other kinds of protein were screened out and SA was purified from the fermentation broth of L-183 by using the refined affinity chromatography method. The rate of recollection was checked to be 75%～85%. By identification, it is indicated that the molecular weight of self-made SA was 74.5kD, the biotin-combining number 3.2, the activity 11.2u/mg, the pI around 7.4. So, the essential characters of SA are same as described by documents.

OBJECTIVE: To study nomal valuels of PI, RI and S/D in healthy male penile dorsum artery (DA) and cavernosal artery (CA). METHODS: 257 healthy mature men were divided into 5 groups by age. Group 1: <30, n=65; Group 2: 30-39, n=83; Group 3: 40-49, n=61; Group 4: 50-59, n=38; Group 5: > or = 60, n=10. Hibateral PI, RI and S/D values of penile dorsum artery and cavernosal artery were examined by Logidop(r)2 Type Digital Doppler Ultrasonography. RESULTS: There were no significant difference for PI, RI and S/D of penile dorsum artery and cavernosal artery not only in personal left and right artery but also in different age groups. Normal values advised: (1)LDA:PI 1.43-3.43, RI 0.72-0.92, S/D 2.68-10.56. (2)RDA PI 1.47-3.47, RI 0.73-0.93, S/D 3.27-10.09. (3)LCA:PI 1.49-3.21, RI 0.74-0.90, S/D 3.17-9.55. (4)RCA:PI 1.93-3.27, RI 0.72-0.90, S/D 3.22-9.42. CONCLUSION Doppler ultrasonography is a favorable method in filtering penile arterial function.
Adult ; Age Factors ; Arteries/diagnostic imaging* ; Blood Flow Velocity ; Blood Pressure ; Humans ; Impotence, Vasculogenic/diagnosis* ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Penis/diagnostic imaging* ; Ultrasonography, Doppler

OBJECTIVETo introduce a technique pertaining to S2 iliosacral screw insertion.

METHODSThe screw pathway was first measured on the preoperative pelvic CT scan or the standard sacral lateral radiograph to make sure the existence of the "safe zone" in the S2 segment for screw insertion. Under general anesthesia, patients were positioned supine or prone, depending on the injury pattern of pelvic ring or associated injuries requiring concomitant operation. The operation field was routinely sterilized using iodine and subsequent alcohol solution and draped. The tip of a guide wire was inserted through a stab wound to the posterior outer iliac table, manipulated in the "safe zone" being enclosed by the anterior aspect of the S2 nerve root tunnel, the anterior aspect of the sacral vertebrae, and the inferior aspect of the S1 foramen under the guidance of the standard sacral lateral fluoroscopy, and then the tip was hammered one to two millimeters into the iliac cortex. The guide wire progressed along the trajectory between the inferior aspect of the S1 foramen and the superior aspect of the S2 foramen on the pelvic outlet fluoroscopic view, and then along the posterior to the anterior aspect of the S2 sacral vertebrae and alae on the pelvic inlet fluoroscopic view with a predetermined length. At that moment, in order to ensure the safety, another standard sacral lateral view was imaged to detect the guide wire's tip which should locate posterior to the anterior aspect of the sacral vertebrae and anterior to the anterior aspect of the S2 nerve root tunnel. Subsequently, the depth was measured, the trajectory was drilled and tapped, and the screw was inserted. Following the removal of the guide wire, the wound was irrigated and sutured.

RESULTSUtilizing this insertion technique, there were 30 S2 iliosacral screws in total being placed to stabilize the injured and unstable posterior pelvic ring in 27 patients. Each S2 screw was accompanied by an ipsilateral S1 screw. The S2 screw location was completely intraosseous in all patients, which was verified by postoperative pelvic outlet and inlet radiographs and CT scans. The insertion accuracy was 100 percent in the present series.

CONCLUSIONThe S2 iliosacral screw insertion technique is safe and reproducible to guide the placement of the S2 screw, enhancing the stability for the compromised posterior pelvic ring.

Adult ; Bone Screws ; Female ; Fractures, Bone ; surgery ; Humans ; Ilium ; injuries ; surgery ; Male ; Sacrum ; injuries ; surgery