In order to explore the effects of Panax notoginoside (PNS) on the expression of transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1) and Smad-7 in renal tissues of diabetes, a rat model of diabetic nephropathy was set up by intravenous injection of streptozotocin (STZ). Wistar rats were randomly divided into normal group, diabetic control group, group treated by PNS at low-dosage (PL), group treated by PNS at high-dosage (PH) and group treated by catopril (C), respectively. Fasting blood glucose (FBG), renal index, endogenous creatinine clearance rate (C(Cr)) and urinary albumin (UAlb) in 24 h were examined after 6 weeks. Meanwhile, the expressions of TGF-β1 and Smad7 in renal tissues were immunohistochemically dectected. At the end of the sixth week, FBG, renal index, C(cr), UAlb were all elevated significantly in control group (P<0.01). The expression of TGF-β1 protein was increased while Smad7 protein decreased in renal tissue (P<0.01). However, the treatment with PNS reversed the aforementioned changes in renal tissues of diabetic rats. These results indicate that PNS possess a protective effect on the kidney of diabetic rats and it might protect kidney by inhibiting the expression of TGF-β1 protein and enhancing the expression of Smad7 protein.

In order to explore the effects of Panax notoginoside (PNS) on the expression of transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1) and Smad-7 in renal tissues of diabetes,a rat model of diabetic nephropathy was set up by intravenous injection of streptozotocin (STZ).Wistar rats were randomly divided into normal group,diabetic control group,group treated by PNS at low-dosage (PL),group treated by PNS at high-dosage (PH) and group treated by catopril (C),respectively.Fasting blood glucose (FBG),renal index,endogenous creatinine clearance rate (Ccr) and urinary albumin (UAlb) in 24 h were examined after 6 weeks.Meanwhile,the expressions of TGF-β1 and Smad7 in renal tissues were immunohistochemically dectected.At the end of the sixth week,FBG,renal index,Ccr,UAlb were all elevated significantly in control group (P＜0.01).The expression of TGF-β1 protein was increased while Smad7 protein decreased in renal tissue (P＜0.01).However,the treatment with PNS reversed the aforementioned changes in renal tissues of diabetic rats.These results indicate that PNS possess a protective effect on the kidney of diabetic rats and it might protect kidney by inhibiting the expression of TGF-β1 protein and enhancing the expression of Smad7 protein.

To establish single- and double-transfected transgenic cells stably expressing hMATE1, hMATE1 cDNA was cloned by RT-PCR from human cryopreserved kidney tissue, and subcloned into pcDNA3.1(+) plasmid by virtue of both HindIII and Kpn I restriction enzyme sites. Subsequently, the recombined pcDNA3.1(+)- hMATE1 plasmid was transfected into MDCK, MDCK-hOCT1 or MDCK-hOCT2 cells using Lipofectamine 2000 Reagent. After a 14-day-cultivation with hygromycin B at the concentration of 400 µg · mL(-1), all clones were screened with DAPI and MPP+ as substrates to identify the best candidate. The mRNA content of hMATE1, the cellular accumulation of metformin with or without cimetidine as inhibitor, or transportation of cimetidine was further valuated. The results showed that all of the three cell models over expressed hMATE1 mRNA. The cellular accumulation of metformin in MDCK-hMATE1 was 17.6 folds of the control cell, which was significantly inhibited by 100 µmol · L(-1) cimetidine. The transcellular transport parameter net efflux ratios of cimetidine across MDCK-hOCT1/hMATE1 and MDCK-hOCT2/hMATE1 monolayer were 17.5 and 3.65, respectively. In conclusion, cell models with good hMATE1 function have been established successfully, which can be applied to study the drug transport or drug-drug interaction involving hMATE1 alone or together with hOCT1/2 in vitro.
Animals ; Biological Transport ; Cimetidine ; pharmacology ; DNA, Complementary ; Dogs ; Drug Interactions ; Humans ; Madin Darby Canine Kidney Cells ; Metformin ; pharmacology ; Organic Cation Transport Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Transfection

AIM: To investigate therapeutic efficiency of amniotic extraction on dry eye in rabbit model induced by topical benzalkonium chloride (BAC).
METHODS: Totally 26 rabbits (26 right eyes) with dry eye model were studied and divided into two groups:group A (control group with PBS eye drops, n = 13) and group B ( amniotic extraction group, n = 13). Another two rabbits were chosen as normal control. The SchirmerⅠ tests ( S Ⅰ t) and corneal fluorescein staining ( FL) were made, and the tear total protein content, amylase activity, lactoferrin, lysozyme contents, goblet cell density were performed in two groups before treatment and 1, 2, 4 and 8 wk after treatment.
RESULTS: There were significant differences in SIT, FL scores, lysozyme activity and goblet cell density among different groups at different time points (P<0. 05). But, there was no significant differences in SⅠt, FL scores, lysozyme activity and goblet cell density between two groups before treatment (P>0. 05). After 8wks' treatment with PBS, the mean differences of the group A showed great changes in SⅠt, lysozyme and goblet cell density compared with those before treatment ( P < 0. 05); but there was no significant differences in FL scores compared with those before treatment (P>0. 05). As for group B, 8wks after treatment, there were statistical changes in SⅠt, FL, lysozyme (P<0. 05); but there was no significant differences in goblet cell density compared with those before treatment ( P > 0. 05). It was evident that statistical differences were observed in S Ⅰ t, FL scores, lysozyme activity and goblet cell density between two groups at each time point (P<0. 05). However, there were no significant differences in total protein, lactoferrin, amylase activity at different time points (P>0. 05). Meanwhile there was no significant differences in total protein, lactoferrin, amylase activity between two groups before treatment ( P > 0. 05 ). But there were significant differences in total protein, lactoferrin, amylase activity between two groups after 4 and 8 wks'treatment (P<0. 05).
CONCLUSION: Amniotic extraction has significant therapeutic effect on the dry eye in rabbit model.

OBJECTIVEThis prospective study was to observe the correlation between the mesial papilla's height of single implant-supported maxillary central incisor and the distance from the base of the contact point to the alveolar bone crest.

METHODS56 patients involved in single implant-supported maxillary central incisor were included in this study. The distances from the base of the contact point to the alveolar bone crest in the digital periapical film of maxillary central incisor were measured using the software Planmeca Dimaxis Version 3.3.2. The time of measurements were as follows: The pre-surgical and post-surgical periods, before and after the crown installation, the follow-up examination of more than 0.5 year. To analyze the factor of influencing distance, and the correlation between the distance and the height of gingival papilla during the whole restored period. Correlation analysis between the distance and the height of gingival papilla during the whole restoration was done by the statistical software SPSS 12.0.

RESULTSThe results demonstrated that the ratio of esthetic papilla can achieve 54.5% at the crown installation and 95.5% at the follow-up examination when the distance was between 3 mm and 5 mm. When the distance was between 5 mm and 6 mm, they dropped to 30.0% and 75.0%, respectively. However, when the distance increased to above 7 mm, the papilla could hardly be in an esthetic outcome. There was a significant change of the distance was found during the periods from the post-surgery to pre-restoration, and the scope of the changes was between -0.13 mm and 0.46 mm. A negative correlation was found between the distance and the index of papilla. The correlation coefficient r was -0.715 (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONIt is proposed that the pre-surgery distance of maxillary central incisor from the base of the contact point to the alveolar bone crest can be used as one of the important reference indexes to assess and predict the height conditions of gingival papilla.

Alveolar Process ; Anodontia ; Crowns ; Esthetics, Dental ; Gingiva ; Humans ; Incisor ; abnormalities ; Maxilla ; Prospective Studies

AIMTo study the chemical constituents of Sargentodoxa cuneata.

METHODSTo isolate compounds with chromatography technology and to elucidate their structures by spectral analysis.

RESULTSTen phenolics were isolated from Sargentodxa cuneata and their structures were determined as 1-O-(vanillic acid )-6-O-( 3", 5"-dimethoxy-galloyl)-beta-D-glycoside (I), (-)-epicatechin (II), phydroxyphenylethanol ferulate (III), chlorogenic acid (IV), methyl chlorogenate (V), apocynin (VI), vanillic acid (VII), protocatechuic acid (VIII), 3,4-dihydroxy-phenylethanol (IX), tyrosol (X).

CONCLUSIONCompound I is new compound, compound III-VI and VIII-X were isolated from Sargentodoxa cuneata for the first time.

Acetophenones ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Chlorogenic Acid ; analogs & derivatives ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Glycosides ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Hydroxybenzoates ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Magnoliopsida ; chemistry ; Molecular Conformation ; Plant Stems ; chemistry ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Vanillic Acid ; analogs & derivatives ; chemistry ; isolation & purification

OBJECTIVETo carry out prenatal diagnosis on two fetuses of different pedigrees with X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD).

METHODSThe amniotic fluid was obtained with the help of a clinical doctor and the genomic DNA was isolated from it. Maternal DNA contamination was excluded by fluorescent STR profiling, The R617G mutation found in the first pedigree was searched in genomic DNA of amniotic fluid cells (AFC) from fetus 1 by amplification refractory mutation system (ARMS) and dot DNA hybridization while the P534R mutation found in pedigree 2 was analyzed in the AFC genomic DNA of fetus 2 by restrictive digestion with Hae II and DNA direct sequencing.

RESULTSA specific band (185 bp) was detected from the genomic DNA of the first fetus and his mother by using mutation primer in ARMS but not from that of the first fetus's father and unrelated controls. DNA dots were visualized only in the fetus 1 and carrier when using the mutation probe in DNA hybridization. In the other ALD family, the PCR product (506 bp) of the second fetus which spanned the site of P534R mutation could not be digested with Hae II and no mutation was detected in the ABCD1 gene from the genomic DNA of the fetus 2 by using DNA direct sequencing.

CONCLUSIONFetus 1 had R617G mutation on his ABCD1 gene and he was an adrenoleukodystrophy hemizygote. Fetus 2 had no P534R mutation on his ABCD1 gene and he was a normal hemizygote.

ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Sub-Family D, Member 1 ; ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters ; genetics ; Adrenoleukodystrophy ; diagnosis ; genetics ; DNA Mutational Analysis ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Nucleic Acid Hybridization ; methods ; Pedigree ; Point Mutation ; Pregnancy ; Prenatal Diagnosis ; methods

The rs10954213 polymorphism and the haplotype diversity in interferon regulatory factor 5 (IRF5) play a special role in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) but with inconclusive results. We conducted a meta-analysis integrating case-control and haplotype variant studies in multiple ethnic populations to clearly discern the effect of these two variants on SLE. Eleven studies on the relation between rs10954213 polymorpisms in IRF5 and SLE were included and we selected a random effect model to calculate the pooled odds ratios (ORs) and the corresponding 95% confidence interval (95% CI). A total of 6982 cases and 8077 controls were involved in the meta-analysis. The pooled results indicated that A allele was significantly associated with increased risk of SLE as compared with the IRF5 rs10954213 G allele (A vs. G, P<0.00001) in all subjects. The same pattern of the results was also obtained in the European, African American, and Latin American. Asian population had a much lower prevalence of the A allele (49.1%) than any other population studied, and Europeans had the highest frequency of the IRF5 rs10954213 A allele (62.1%). The significant association of increased SLE risk and TCA haplotype was indicated in the contrast of TCA vs. TTA as the pooled OR was 2.14 (P=0.002). The same result was also found in the contrast of TCA vs. TTG as the pooled OR was 1.45 (P=0.004). This meta-analysis suggests that the A allele of rs10954213 and TCA haplotype (rs2004640-rs2070197-rs10954213) in IRF5 is associated with the increased risk of SLE in different ethnic groups, and its prevalence is ethnicity dependent.
Female ; Genetic Association Studies ; Genetic Markers ; genetics ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; epidemiology ; genetics ; Genetic Variation ; genetics ; Haplotypes ; genetics ; Humans ; Interferon Regulatory Factors ; genetics ; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic ; epidemiology ; genetics ; Male ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; genetics ; Prevalence

OBJECTIVETo explore the association between the erythrocyte sedimentation rate, serum C-reactive protein (CRP) and the risk of lung cancer.

METHODSOne hundred and three patients with newly diagnosed lung cancer and 85 homochronous hospitalized patients with chronic respiratory diseases (including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, bronchiectasis and pulmonary fibrosis) were included in this study. ESR, serum levels of CRP, CEA, CA19-9 and CA125 were analyzed in the two groups before the initiation of any therapy after hospitalization. The association with clinicopathological characteristics of lung cancer and the risk of lung cancer were estimated by logistic regression.

RESULTSBoth the ESR and CRP levels were significantly higher in the lung cancer group, as compared with that in the chronic respiratory diseases group (P < 0.001). There was no significant association of ESR and CRP with lung cancer stage and type. Spearman correlation analysis showed a positive correlation between ESR and CRP (r = 0.56, P < 0.001), ESR and CA125 (r = 0.33, P < 0.001), and CRP and CA125 (r = 0.32, P < 0.001). The results of multivariate logistic analysis showed that the level of CRP was associated with an increased risk of lung cancer. Adjusting the confounding factors such as age, gender and smoking condition, the risk increased along with the elevation of CRP. Compared with the first quantile patients, the risk of the second quantile patients increased twice (OR: 2.46, 95%CI: 1.16 - 5.20), the risk of the third quantile patients increased ten-fold (OR: 10.52, 95%CI: 4.40 - 25.18).

CONCLUSIONThe level of CRP is associated with an increased risk of lung cancer. The results of this study suggest that early detection of CRP may have a potential predicting value for high risk group of lung cancer.

Adenocarcinoma ; blood ; metabolism ; Adult ; Aged ; Blood Sedimentation ; C-Reactive Protein ; metabolism ; CA-125 Antigen ; metabolism ; Carcinoembryonic Antigen ; metabolism ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; blood ; metabolism ; Chronic Disease ; Female ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Lung Diseases ; blood ; metabolism ; Lung Neoplasms ; blood ; metabolism ; Male ; Membrane Proteins ; metabolism ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Staging ; Risk Factors ; Small Cell Lung Carcinoma ; blood ; metabolism

BACKGROUNDPhosphorous magnetic resonance spectroscopy ((31)P-MRS) has been successfully applied to study intracellular membrane compounds and high-energy phosphate metabolism. This study aimed to evaluate the capability of dynamic (31)P-MRS for assessing energy metabolism and mitochondrial function in skeletal muscle from type 2 diabetic patients.

METHODSDynamic (31)P-MRS was performed on 22 patients with type 2 diabetes and 26 healthy volunteers. Spectra were acquired from quadriceps muscle while subjects were in a state of rest, at exercise and during recovery. The peak areas of inorganic phosphate (Pi), phosphocreatine (PCr), and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) were measured. The concentration of adenosine diphosphate (ADP) and the intracellular pH value were calculated from the biochemistry reaction equilibrium. The time constant and recovery rates of Pi, PCr, and ADP were analyzed using exponential curve fitting.

RESULTSAs compared to healthy controls, type 2 diabetes patients had significantly lower skeletal muscle concentrations of Pi, PCr and β-ATP, and higher levels of ADP and Pi/PCr. During exercise, diabetics experienced a significant Pi peak increase and PCr peak decrease, and once the exercise was completed both Pi and PCr peaks returned to resting levels. Quantitatively, the mean recovery rates of Pi and PCr in diabetes patients were (10.74 ± 1.26) mmol/s and (4.74 ± 2.36) mmol/s, respectively, which was significantly higher than in controls.

CONCLUSIONSNon-invasive quantitative (31)P-MRS is able to detect energy metabolism inefficiency and mitochondrial function impairment in skeletal muscle of type 2 diabetics.

Adenosine Diphosphate ; analysis ; Adenosine Triphosphate ; analysis ; Adult ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; metabolism ; Female ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy ; methods ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mitochondria, Muscle ; metabolism ; Muscle, Skeletal ; metabolism ; Phosphates ; analysis ; Phosphocreatine ; analysis ; Phosphorus ; chemistry