AIM: To observe the effect ofacacia honey (AH) on serum uric acid level and renal function in potassium oxonate modelrats after drinking AH aqueous solution. METHODS: Sixty male SD rats were selected and randomly divided into control group (CON group), potassium oxonate model group (OA model group), 10% fructose group (10% F group) and different concentration honey groups (25%, 12.5% and 6.25% AH groups). All rats were fed with normal diet.The rats in CON group were subcutaneously injected with 5% sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC-Na) solution and drunk sterile water every day, while rats in other groups were injected with 100 mg / kg OA solution suspended with 5% CMC-Na subcutaneouslyand drunksterile water orfructose solution or AH solution of different concentrations every day. Before and during the 4-week test, rats were weighed and blood was taken once a week. At the end of test, urine and feces specimens or kidney tissues were collected and blood was taken from the abdominal aorta. The uric acid content in blood, urine, and feces and the levels of serum creatinine (Cre) and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) or inflammatory factors in kidney tissues were measured. Renal function and histology were evaluated. RESULTS: Compared with CON group, AH could significantly reduce the body weight of rats (P<0.05), increase the kidney organ coefficient, the levels of serum uric acid, and uric acid in urine or feces, and reduce the level of fecal uric acid (FUA) in rats. AH can down regulate the level of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-a) (P< 0.05) and up regulate the expression of monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1) and transforming growth factor β - 1 (TGF - β1) in rats kidneys; AH can cause slight to mild dilatation of renal tubules and mild to moderate basophilic lesions of renal rubules in rat kidney in a dose dependent manner. CONCLUSION: In the doses rang of present study, AH can cause hyperuricemia, renal tubular dilatation and basophilic lesions, and lead to renal function damage in rats.

OBJECTIVETo find a way to view ECG from different manufacturers in electrocardiogram information system.

METHODSDifferent format ECG data were transmitted to ECG center by different ways. Corresponding analysis software was used to make the diagnosis reports in the center. Then we use PDF convert to change all ECG reports into PDF format. The electrocardiogram information system manage these PDF format ECG data for clinic user.

RESULTSThe ECG reports form several major ECG manufacturers were transformed to PDF format successfully. In the electrocardiogram information system it is freely to view the ECG figure.

CONCLUSIONSPDF format ECG report is a practicable way to solve the compatibility problem in electrocardiogram information system.

Electrocardiography ; standards ; Hospital Information Systems ; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted ; methods ; Software

Androgens and chronic inflammation, which play essential roles in the development of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), are considered to be important factors in disorders of prostate homeostasis. These two factors may lead to pathological hyperplasia in the prostate transition zone of patients with BPH. However, few studies have examined the mechanism of how dihydrotestosterone (DHT) affects chronic inflammation in prostate tissue during the progression of BPH. This study examined the performance of DHT in lipopolysaccharide-treated M1 macrophages and the subsequent effects on the proliferation of prostate stromal and epithelial cells. We found that DHT increased secretion of the pro-inflammatory factor tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α from M1 macrophages differentiated from THP-1 cells. The supernatant of M1 macrophages promoted the proliferation of WPMY-1 prostate stromal cells by upregulating B-cell lymphoma-extra large (Bcl-xL) and cellular Myc (c-Myc) levels by activating TNF-α-mediated nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways. Moreover, this supernatant increased the expression of androgen receptor in WPMY-1 cells, which was TNF-α-independent. Additionally, TNF-α protein expression was significantly higher in patients with BPH and a large prostate volume than that in those with a small prostate volume. Further analysis showed that higher serum testosterone combined with prostate-specific androgen concentrations was related to TNF-α expression. This study suggests that DHT modulates the inflammatory environment of BPH by increasing TNF-α expression from lipopolysaccharide-treated M1 macrophages and promotes the proliferation of prostate stromal cells. Targeting TNF-α, but not DHT, may be a promising strategy for patients with BPH.
Androgens ; Cell Proliferation ; Dihydrotestosterone ; Homeostasis ; Humans ; Inflammation ; Lipopolysaccharides ; Macrophages ; Male ; Prostate ; Prostatic Hyperplasia ; Stromal Cells ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha

Objective To discuss the microanatomy features of microvascular decompression for trigeminal nerve through minimally invasive approach based on virtual reality image models.Methods CT and MRI scans were performed to five adult cadaver heads, and then, image data were inputted into vitrea virtual reality system to establish three-dimensional anatomy models of cerebellopontine angle.Suboccipito-retrosigrmoidal approach was simulated by selecting asterion as osseous landmark points of craniotomy and cistern segment of trigeminal nerve as exposed target.Anatomic exposures in surgical trajectory were observed and measured before and after minimally invasive design, respectively.Results Routes simulating microvascular decompression for trigeminal nerve through suboccipito-retrosigmoidal approach passed under the inferior edge of transverse sinus.Spacial relationship among route and surrounding nerves and vessels were displayed clearly.Measurement and comparative analysis among different routes indicated the volumes of routes: route b＞ route c ＞ route a, and involved cerebellar volumes: route a ＞route c ＞ route b.Conclusion Minimally invasive routes of suboccipito-retrosigmoidal approach can reduce surgical injure without sacrifice of anatomic exposure in microvascular decompression for trigeminal nerve.

Objective To establish three-dimensional anatomic models of nucleus surrounding the lateral ventricle by utilizing MRI data of Flair sequence and virtual reality system,and then,observe the spacial form and relationships of above anatomic structures.Methods MRI scan of T2 Flair sequence was performed to adult cadaver heads,of which Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine data was inputted into the Vitrea virtual reality workstation to build interactive three-dimensional anatomic models of lateral ventrical,caudate nucleus,putamen,external segment of globus pallidus,internal segment of globus pallidus,hippocampus,amygdala,mamillary body,thalamus,subthalamus nucleus,red nucleus,and substantia nigra.Anatomic observation was performed for above structures.Results High resolution was achieved to distinguish lateral ventrical and surrounding nucleus from remaining tissues.In the image of Flair sequence,cerebral cortex and other nucleus,except red nucleus and subthalamus nucleus,demonstrated high signal; red nucleus and subthalamus nucleus showed slight low signal oval and len form,respectively; white matter,ventricle and brain sulcus demonstrated low signal.Procedures of image segmentation were convenient.Three-dimensional visualization effect of virtual reality models were well,of which spacial form and relationships displayed clearly.Lateral ventrical and surrounding nucleus were observed with multiple visual angles,multiple levels and non-invasive way by rotating model and modulating transparency.Conclusion Three-dimensional anatomic models of nucleus surrounding lateral ventricle simulated by Flair image combined with virtual reality technique is helpful in observing and understanding the global spacial relationship of nucleus non-invasively and objectively; the procedure is time-and specimen-saving and provides reliable information for relative surgery.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the antiviral activity and safety of entecavir in patients with chronic HBV infection as a preliminarily step in selecting 0.1 mg or 0.5 mg as a better dosage for a further large scale clinical trial.

METHODSThis was a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled and dose-ranging trial of entecavir usage in 212 patients with chronic HBV infection. The patients were randomly assigned to 3 groups: 0.1 mg entecavir (69), 0.5 mg entecavir (72) and, placebo (71) groups and treated for 28 days. The patients were then followed for 56 days without treatment.

RESULTSThe proportion of subjects who achieved the primary endpoint at day 28, with their HBV DNA level decreased >2 log or undetectable, was significantly greater in the entecavir 0.1 mg and 0.5 mg dose groups compared with the placebo group (P < 0.01 for both comparisons). The mean change from baseline in HBV DNA levels at day 28 was greater for entecavir 0.1mg and 0.5 mg groups compared with the placebo group (both P < 0.01). The mean change from baseline in HBV DNA levels at day 28 for entecavir 0.5 mg group was greater than that of the entecavir 0.1 mg group (P < 0.01). During the 56-day post-dosing follow-up phase, the entecavir 0.5 mg group was associated with greater and more sustained suppression of viral replication than the entecavir 0.1 mg group (P < 0.01). There were no clinically meaningful differences in the incidence of any adverse events between the entecavir dosing and the placebo groups.

CONCLUSIONEntecavir at both 0.1 mg and 0.5 mg doses demonstrated superior antiviral activity compared with a placebo. Since the entecavir 0.5 mg dose appears to have greater antiviral activity than the 0.1 mg dose and with a comparable safety and tolerability profile, the 0.5 mg entecavir dose could be used in further trials.

Adult ; Antiviral Agents ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; DNA, Viral ; blood ; Double-Blind Method ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Guanine ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; analogs & derivatives ; therapeutic use ; Hepatitis B virus ; drug effects ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; drug therapy ; Humans ; Male ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVE: To explore the genetic basis for pedigree affected with hereditary nephrogenic diabetes insipidus (HNDI). METHODS: Next generation sequencing (NGS) with an osteology system gene panel was carried out for the proband. Suspected mutation was validated by Sanger sequencing of two relatives with similar symptoms and two unaffected relatives from the pedigree. RESULTS: The proband was found to carry a c.856C>T mutation of the AVPR2 gene. The same mutation was detected in the two relatives with similar symptoms and one unaffected healthy relative. CONCLUSION The HNDI in this pedigree may be attributed to the c.856C>T mutation of the AVPR2 gene.
Diabetes Insipidus, Nephrogenic ; High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing ; Humans ; Mutation ; Pedigree ; Receptors, Vasopressin

Objective To discuss the microanatomy features of jugular foramen region in transpetrosal-presigmoidal minimally invasive approach based on virtual reality image models.Methods CT and MRI scans were performed to fifteen adult cadaver heads,and then,imaging data were inputted into Vitrea virtual reality system to establish three-dimensional anatomy models of jugular foramen region.Different minimally invasive transpetrosal-presigrnoidal approaches exposing superior edge of internal acoustic meatus (route A),anterior edge of jugular foramen (route B),and posterior edge of jugular foramen (route C) were simulated by selecting osseous landmark points.Anatomic exposures in surgical trajectory following alternation of minimally invasive approach were observed,measured and compared.Results Spacial sequence of nerves and vessels in the route simulating transpetrosal-presigmoidal approach for exposure of jugular foramen region was displayed clearly;route A had the highest location and route C was the lowest.Volumes of route and petrosal osseous structure involved in route A was the largest,and then,volumes of route and osseous structure involved in route B was larger than those in route C,with significant differences (P＜0.05).Volumes of involved venous sinus were as follow:route B＞route A＞route C,with significant differences (P＜0.05).Volumes of facial-acoustic nerve complex and anterior inferior cerebellar artery involved in route A were (53.32± 5.54) mm3 and (30.55±3.51) mm3,respectively.Volumes of lower cranial nerves involved in route B were (84.59±9.23) mm3.Conclusion There are different impacts on the osseous structures and venous sinus for the minimally invasive routes of transpetrosal-presigmoidal approach exposing different targets,of which combinations are helpful to utilize respective advantages.

Cortical interneurons can be categorized into distinct populations based on multiple modalities, including molecular signatures and morpho-electrical (M/E) properties. Recently, many transcriptomic signatures based on single-cell RNA-seq have been identified in cortical interneurons. However, whether different interneuron populations defined by transcriptomic signature expressions correspond to distinct M/E subtypes is still unknown. Here, we applied the Patch-PCR approach to simultaneously obtain the M/E properties and messenger RNA (mRNA) expression of >600 interneurons in layer V of the mouse somatosensory cortex (S1). Subsequently, we identified 11 M/E subtypes, 9 neurochemical cell populations (NCs), and 20 transcriptomic cell populations (TCs) in this cortical lamina. Further analysis revealed that cells in many NCs and TCs comprised several M/E types and were difficult to clearly distinguish morpho-electrically. A similar analysis of layer V interneurons of mouse primary visual cortex (V1) and motor cortex (M1) gave results largely comparable to S1. Comparison between S1, V1, and M1 suggested that, compared to V1, S1 interneurons were morpho-electrically more similar to M1. Our study reveals the presence of substantial M/E variations in cortical interneuron populations defined by molecular expression.
Mice ; Animals ; Neocortex/physiology* ; Mice, Transgenic ; Interneurons/physiology*