In the development of diabetic nephropathy (DN), reactive oxygen specie (ROS) over much in vivo leads to oxidative stress(OS)-related renal injuries, which are characterized by the structural and functional changes in glomerular and renal tubular cells in morphology. The regulative approaches of OS involve the several signaling pathways, in which, both p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway and adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) signaling pathway play the important roles as the target of anti-oxidants. The interventional actions of Chinese herbal compound prescriptions and the extracts of single Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) on OS in the kidney in DN include regulating the balance between ROS and antioxidants, reducing the production of AGEs, inhibiting the expression of growth factors and intervening the activity of signaling pathways.
Animals ; Diabetic Nephropathies ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; Humans ; Kidney ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Oxidative Stress ; drug effects ; Signal Transduction ; drug effects ; Treatment Outcome

Objective To investigate the clinical efficacy and safety of Zishen Jianpi Quyu Formula in treating patients with migraine without aura in the postmenstrual period of kidney deficiency and blood stasis type.Methods A total of 104 patients with migraine without aura of kidney deficiency and blood stasis type were randomly divided into the control group and the trial group,with 52 cases in each group.The control group was treated with Flunarizine Hydrochloride Capsules,and the trial group was treated with Zishen Jianpi Quyu Formula on the basis of treatment for the control group.One menstrual cycle constituted a course of treatment,and the treatment covered a total of two courses(eight weeks).The changes of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)syndrome score,migraine attack frequency,duration of migraine headaches,visual analogue scale(VAS)score of migraine headache intensity,Headache Impact Test-6(HIT-6)score and hemorheology indexes in the two groups before and after treatment were observed.Moreover,the efficacy for TCM syndrome and clinical safety in the two groups were evaluated.Results(1)After two courses of treatment,the total effective rate of the trial group was 90.38%(47/52),and that of the control group was 69.23%(36/52),the intergroup comparison(by chi-square test)showed that the efficacy for TCM syndrome in the trial group was significantly superior to that of the control group(P＜0.05).(2)After treatment,the TCM syndrome scores of the patients in both groups were significantly lower than those before treatment(P＜0.05),and the reduction of TCM syndrome score in the trial group was significantly superior to that in the control group(P＜0.05).(3)After treatment,the migraine attack frequency,duration of migraine headaches,VAS scores of migraine headache intensity in the two groups of patients were significantly improved compared with those before treatment(P＜0.05),and the improvement of migraine headache parameters in the trial group was significantly superior to that in the control group(P＜0.05).(4)After treatment,the HIT-6 score in the two groups was decreased significantly compared with those before treatment(P＜0.05),and the decrease of HIT-6 score in the trial group was significantly superior to that in the control group(P＜0.05).(5)After treatment,hemorheology indexes(including plasma viscosity,whole blood high-shear viscosity,whole blood low-shear viscosity,fibrinogen,and hematocrit)in the two groups were improved compared with those before treatment(P＜0.05),and the improvement of each of hemorheology indexes in the trial group was significantly superior to that in the control group(P＜0.05).(6)During treatment,no serious adverse events occurred in the two groups,which was of high safety.Conclusion Zishen Jianpi Quyu Formula exerts remarkable clinical efficacy in treating patients of migraine without aura in the postmenstrual period of kidney deficiency and blood stasis type.The formula is effective on improving the TCM syndromes and migraine attacks of the patients,achieving the efficacy of milder headache,lower attack frequency and shorter duration,more stability hemorheology indexes and higher safety.

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of budesonide aerosol inhalation on the expression of glucocorticoid receptor (GR) and nuclear factor (NF)-κB in asthmatic mice.

METHODSTwenty-four healthy male BALB/c mice aged 6 to 8 weeks were randomly divided into three groups (n=8 each): normal saline (control group), asthma model (asthma group) and budesonide-treated asthma (BUD group). Asthma was induced by intraperitoneal injection of ovalbumin (OVA) and aluminium hydroxide suspension and aerosol inhalation of OVA solution. Mice were sacrificed 24 hours after the last challenge. Eosinophil count in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) was determined. Pathological examination of the lung tissues was performed and the expression levels of GR and NF-κB were measured by immunohistochemical analysis.

RESULTSEosinophil count in the BALF was significantly higher in the asthma and BUD groups than in the control group (P<0.05). BUD treatment decreased eosinophil count in the BALF compared with the asthma group (P<0.05). The lung tissues in the BUD group showed a less severe infiltration of eosinophils and lymphocytes compared with the asthma group. The percentage of GR-positive cells in the asthma group decreased significantly compared with the control group (P<0.05), and the percentage of GR-positive cells in the BUD group increased significantly compared with the asthma group (P<0.05). Compared with the control group, the percentage of NF-κB-positive cells increased significantly in the asthma group (P<0.05), and the percentage of NF-κB positive cells in the BUD group was significantly reduced compared with the asthma group (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe action mechanism of budesonide in treating asthmatic mice may be related to the upregulation of GR expression and the inhibition of NF-κB activity.

Aerosols ; Animals ; Asthma ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Budesonide ; administration & dosage ; Eosinophils ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; NF-kappa B ; analysis ; Receptors, Glucocorticoid ; analysis

OBJECTIVETo obtain isolated human metapneumovirus (HMPV) strains from clinical specimens collected from infants and children in Beijing and to promote the investigation on this important respiratory pathogen.

METHODClinical specimens including throat swabs from outpatients and nasopharyngeal aspirates from hospitalized children were collected from infants and children visited the affiliated children's hospital for acute respiratory infections during May 2008 to April 2009. HMPV positive specimens identified by RT-PCR and/or direct immunofluorescent assay with monoclonal antibody against HMPV were inoculated to LLC-MK(2) cells and incubated at 37°C and 33°C, respectively. The replication of the virus in the cells was detected by direct immunofluorescent assay followed by RT-PCR. The genotypes of the isolated virus strains were identified by RT-PCR.

RESULTOut of 1092 clinical specimens, 81 were HMPV positive by RT-PCR, the positive rate was 7.4% (81/1092). Among these positive specimens, 33 were inoculated to LLC-MK(2) cells and the replication of HMPV was revealed by antigen detection and RT-PCR from 5 out of these 33 inoculates. These isolated viruses could be passed in LLC-MK(2) cells and were not cross-reacted with other common respiratory viruses, such as ADV, RSV and Parainfluenza viruses 1/2/3 by monoclonal antibodies against these viruses in direct immunofluorescent assay. The HMPV was more likely to be isolated from fresh specimens within 24 hours after the collection of specimens which were not frozen. Four of the 5 isolated strains were identified as genotype A and 1 as genotype B. Unlike other respiratory viruses, these isolated HMPV did not show specific CPE in cell culture and the replication of the virus was identified by antigen detection and RT-PCR.

CONCLUSIONHMPV of both genotypes were isolated from infants and children with acute respiratory infections in Beijing which will accelerate the investigation of this important virus.

Acute Disease ; Child ; China ; Genes, Viral ; genetics ; Genotype ; Humans ; Infant ; Metapneumovirus ; isolation & purification ; Respiratory Tract Infections ; virology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the clinical effect of Devine's technique with free skin grafting in the treatment of concealed penis with prepuce deficit.

METHODSThis study included 7 children with concealed penis, aged 6 - 15 (mean 8.6) years, 6 of them treated by circumcision previously. All the patients underwent Devine's operation to resect the inelasticity sarcolemma and lengthen the penis. The length of prepuce deficit ranged from 2 to 4 cm. Intermediate split thickness skin grafts of the corresponding length were taken from the femoribus internus to wrap up the tunica albuginea penis, followed by the procedures of saturation, encapsulation and fixation.

RESULTSSurgery time ranged from 70 to 120 minutes, averaging 90.5 minutes. The penis was prolonged about 2 - 4 cm after surgery. A 6-month follow-up revealed desirable penile appearance and normal penile erection.

CONCLUSIONDevine's technique with free skin grafting from the femoribus internus is an ideal treatment for concealed penis with prepuce deficit.

Adolescent ; Child ; Foreskin ; abnormalities ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Penis ; abnormalities ; surgery ; Skin Transplantation ; Surgery, Plastic ; methods ; Surgical Flaps

Objective To investigate the clinical feature,treatment,and prognosis of hospitalized patients with jaw osteoradionecrosis. Methods A total of 93 cases with jaw osteoradionecrosis treated between 2000 and 2010 was reviewed.Of the 93 cases,79 cases were with mandible lesions,13 cases with maxillary lesions,and 1 case with both mandible and maxillary lesions.Sixty-six cases received one course of radiotherapy,with the radiation doses of 34 -90 Gy (mean 64.6 Gy).Twenty-two cases experienced tooth extraction or other operative procedures before exhibition of the clinical symptoms for osteoradionecrosis.The interval time between radiotherapy and the onset of osteoradioneerosis varied from 2 weeks to 32 years (mean 54 months).Results Of 93 cases,56 patients underwent radical resection of the pathologic bone and reconstruction with free tissue flaps,in whom 7 cases received the second surgery due to microvascular thrombosis in flap vessels,and flaps were survival by new vascular anastomosis in 3 cases,the failed flaps were removed and replaced successfully by non vascularized bone grafts in 2 cases,and the failed flaps removed and the defects were repaired with adjacent skin in other 2 cases.In the 56 cases,only one case was with disease recurrence and 53 cases with significant improvement in chewing and swallowing functions.Only 2 of 93 cases underwent resection of the pathologic bone and reconstruction with titanium plates,and thereafter they encountered titanium exposure.Scaling of osteoradionecrosis lesions was applied to 20 of 93 patients and 9 cases of them were with disease recurrence.Fifteen cases had resection of the effected mandible without reconstruction.Disease relapse was encountered in 2 of them,others had poor chewing and swallowing.Conclusions The mandible is more susceptible to osteoradionecrosis than maxilla.Radical resection with reconstruction by free tissue flap is recommended for the treatment of jaw osteoradionecrosis,and scaling and reconstruction only with titanium plate should be avoided because of high risks of titanium exposure and disease relapse.

Human interleukin 4 (IL-4) cDNA was optimized and synthesized according to E. coli preferred codon. A recombinant expression plasmid pET-30a (+)/rhIL-4 was constructed with the target cDNA inserted between Nde I and EcoR I sites, which can translate the mature IL-4 protein with an extra methionine residue at N-terminal. The expression vector was transformed into E. coli BL21 (DE3). The rhIL-4 protein was expressed in the inclusion body. By using the optimized fermentation conditions, the high expression level was achieved with the expression level as high as 35% of total protein obtained. A purification strategy has been designed which includes Q-Sepharose and SP-Sepharose ion-exchange chromatography and dialysis renaturation. The rhIL-4 was purified with the purity more than 98% and the yield of 40 mg per liter fermentation culture achieved. Western blot proved that the purified protein is IL-4. Amino acid sequencing revealed that N-terminal 16 residue sequence is identical to the theoretical sequence. Biological activity assay on TF-1 cells demonstrated that the rhIL-4 is active with an activity of 2.5 x 10(6) AU/mg. This study promises large scale production of rhIL-4.
Amino Acid Sequence ; Blotting, Western ; Escherichia coli ; genetics ; metabolism ; Fermentation ; Gene Expression ; Humans ; Interleukin-4 ; biosynthesis ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; metabolism ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Recombinant Proteins ; biosynthesis ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo study the suppressive effect of LRRC4 gene on human glioma U251 cells and further investigate its biological functions.

METHODSH&E, DNA and AgNORs stainings were performed on LRRC4-transfected U251 cells, mock-transfected U251 cells and non-transfected U251 cells, respectively. Quantitative analysis including cell morphometry, DNA content, DNA ploidy, silver stained argyrophilic nucleolar organizer regions (AgNORs) were investigated by image analysis. Flow cytometry was employed to determine the difference of cell cycle distribution and MTT staining was used to elucidate the activity of the LRRC4-transfected U251 cells.

RESULTSThe morphological cell parameters such as area, perimeter and diameter, DNA content, chromosomal aneupoloidy, mean area of AgNORs particles and mean nucleus area of the LRRC4-transfected U251 cells were remarkably decreased compared to those of the mock-transfected and non-transfected U251 cells (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). Meanwhile, significant accumulation of cells in G(0)/G(1) phase but decrease of cells in S and G(2)/M phase, was observed in transfected U251 cells compared to those of the mock-transfected and non-transfected U251 cells (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). MTT staining showed that proliferation activity of both the mock- and non-trasfected U251 cells was significantly higher than that of the U251 cells transfected with LRRC4 gene (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONLRRC4 gene might be involved in tumor suppression by restraining DNA synthesis and the nucleoli organizer regions-associated proteins, keeping the cell cycles in phase G(0)/G(1) and reducing proliferation activity of the glioma cells. Morphometry combined with other techniques such as flow cytometry and MTT staining can well elucidate the biological function of novel genes.

Brain Neoplasms ; genetics ; pathology ; Chromosomes, Human, Pair 7 ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Genes, Tumor Suppressor ; physiology ; Glioblastoma ; genetics ; pathology ; Humans ; Nerve Tissue Proteins ; genetics ; physiology ; Transfection ; Tumor Cells, Cultured

BACKGROUNDHuman metapneumovirus (hMPV) was discovered by scientists in the Netherlands as a novel respiratory virus in 2001 and had been found in children with acute respiratory tract infections (ARTI) in China. The objective of this study was to determine the importance of hMPV infection in children in Beijing and the genotypes of the circulating virus by the surveillance during a four-consecutive-year period.

METHODSClinical specimens collected from children with ARTI from January 2006 to December 2009 were tested for hMPV by RT-PCR using primers targeting the matrix (M) gene, followed by genotyping of hMPV directly from positive samples by diplex PCR with primers for glycoprotein (G) genes. Sequence analysis was used for genotyping of those un-typable samples. Common respiratory viruses in these clinical specimens were tested by virus isolation and antigen detection, in addition to hMPV detection.

RESULTSOf 4730 tested specimens, 191 (4.0%) were positive for hMPV and 62.8% of 191 were identified as genotype A. The positive rate of hMPV from hospitalized patients was higher than that from outpatients each year. Most of hMPV positive children were under five years old. The peak of hMPV activity mostly occurred in late spring and overlapped with or followed that of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and followed by parainfluenza virus 3. Of hMPV infected cases, 68.6% were lower respiratory tract infection, among which 79.4% were hospitalized, and upper respiratory tract infection was diagnosed for 31.4% of hMPV infected children. The 9.4% of hMPV positive samples were found to co-exist with other respiratory viruses.

CONCLUSIONShMPV was an important pathogen for ARTI in pediatric patients, especially those under five years old. Both genotypes A and B circulated simultaneously in Beijing.

Adolescent ; China ; Female ; Genotype ; Humans ; Male ; Metapneumovirus ; genetics ; pathogenicity ; Respiratory Tract Infections ; virology ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction