Objective:To explore whether Chinese herbs Astragalus and Angelica mixture(A&A) have renoprotective effects on chronic renal failure in rats.Methods:5/6 nephrectomized kidney in rats was used as chronic renal failure model.Rats were randomly divided into four groups which included sham,Model,A&A and enalapril(Ena) groups.The remnant kidney was harvested after 2,4,8,12 weeks,and levels of serum creatinine(scr),urea and urinary protein excretion were measured using routine biochemical methods.The pathological lesions were observed by light microscope.The expressions of fibronectin(FN) and collagen Ⅳ(Col-Ⅳ) in glomeruli and interstitium were detected by immnuohistochemistry.Results:5/6 nephrectomized rats were presented with the characteristics of increasing scr and urea,persistent proteinuria at the end of the 2nd,4th,8th,12th weeks,respectively.They had increasing size of glomeruli with progressive proliferation of mesangial cells and mesangial matrix followed by glomerulosclerosis and progressive elevated expressions of FN and Col-Ⅳ.Compared with Model group,the administration of A&A could decrease urinary protein excretion for 34%,44%,25%,45% at the end of the 2nd,4th,8th and 12th weeks,respectively(P

Objective To evaluate the value of spectral CT imaging for the differential diagnosis of squamous cell carcinoma (SQCC) and adenocarcinoma (ADC) of the esophagogastric junction. Methods Forty-five patients with a mass in the esophagogastric junction proved by pathology underwent enhanced scan with spectral CT, including 20 cases of SQCC and 25 cases of ADC. Iodine concentration (IC) , water concentration (WC) , effective atomic number (Eff-Z) and spectral curve slope (λHU) of arterial phase (AP) and venous phase (VP) in the ROI of the mass were measured with gemstone spectral imaging post-processing software. The independent samples t test was used to compare the quantitative parameters above between two groups on the premise of satisfying normal distribution. ROC curves were drawn for the parameters which showed statistical differences and area under the curve (AUC) was used to measure and compare their respective differential diagnostic performance as well as the best threshold value. Results In AP,the average IC, Eff-Z, andλHU of ADC were (1.75±0.40) mg/ml, 8.65±0.22, and 3.33±0.74, respectively. The corresponding parameters of SQCC were (1.40 ± 0.35) mg/ml, 8.50 ± 0.20, and 2.71 ± 0.66, respectively. These parameters of ADC were significantly higher than that of SQCC (t=-2.833,-2.879,-2.678;P<0.05) . In VP, the average IC, Eff-Z, and λHU of ADC were (2.17 ± 0.23) mg/ml, 8.87 ± 0.11, and 4.10 ± 0.44, respectively. The corresponding parameters of SQCC were (1.67 ± 0.20) mg/ml, 8.60 ± 0.11, and 3.19 ± 0.41, respectively. The difference between ADC and SQCC was statistically significant (t=-6.963,-7.218,-6.521;P<0.05). For the average WC, No difference between the two groups in AP and VP was found. ROC curve analysis showed that IC, Eff-Z, andλHU in VP had better differential diagnostic performances than IC, Eff-Z, and λHU in AP, especially Eff-Z in VP. The AUC for it was 0.97. Using 8.72 as a threshold value, the sensitivity and specificity for diagnosis were 88.9% and 94.7% , respectively. Conclusion Multi-parameters quantitative analysis with spectral CT could be useful in the differential diagnosis of SQCC and ADC of the esophagogastric junction.

Objective: To observe the changes of inner ear in patients with Meniere's disease with 3D-FLAIR MRI after intratympanic (IT) gadolinium injection or intravenous (IV) gadolinium injection. Methods: Totally 36 patients with Meniere's disease were randomly divided into 2 groups. Eighteen of them underwent intravenous injection of GD-BOPTA (IV group), while the rest 18 underwent bilateral IT injection of equivalent dilution of GD-DTPA (IT group). 3D-FLAIR MR examinations were performed after 4 and 24 hours, respectively. ROIs in cochlear perilymph and medulla oblongata were drawn on MRI, and signal-intensity ratio (CM ratio) was subsequently evaluated and compared with paired t test. In addition, the ratio of endolymphatic hydrops (EH) of each group were separately observed and analyzed using chi-squared test. Results: For IT group, comparable CM ratios were found between the affected and unaffected sides of perilymph regions (1.86±0.74 vs 1.68±0.77,n=18,P=0.805). For IV group, significant difference of CM ratios was observed between the affected and unaffected sides of perilymph regions (1.46±0.31 vs 1.26±0.21, n=18, P=0.001). Meanwhile, significantly higher CM ratio was shown in affected sides of perilymph in IT group than that in IV group (1.86±0.74 vs 1.46±0.31,n=18, P=0.044), and significantly higher CM ratio was found in unaffected sides of perilymph in IT group than that in IV group (1.68±0.77 vs 1.26±0.21, n=18, P=0.032). Conclusion: Trans-tympanum administration and intravenous administration inner ear MRI show the same effect, and the former has higher signal intensity, while bilateral inner ear and blood-labyrinth barrier permeability could be observed using the latter with less injury.

Objective To study hyperbaric oxygen on left ventricular ejection fraction preserved by the influence of left ventricular remodeling in patients with heart failure. Methods A total of 110 patients with heart failure and normal ejection fraction were randomly allocated into the control group (n=55) and the HBO group (n=55). The control group were given the routine therapy, the HBO group were treated with hyperbaric oxygen on the basis of conventional drug. The application of color doppler ultrasound before and after treatment for 3 months left ventricular structure indicators. Results Left ventricular structure indicators were significantly decreased (LVDd、IVSD、LVPWD、LVMI)(P<0.01). Compared with the control group the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). Follow-up of 3 months, The treatment group composite cardiovascular events was fewer than the control group and had significant difference (P<0.05). Conclusion Hyperbaric oxygen therapy can significantly improve left ventricular ejection fraction preserved by heart failure of left ventricular diastolic and systolic function and reverse left ventricular remodeling,And can reduce the happening of cardiovascular events.

Objective To study the effects of hyperbaric oxygen on the diastolic heart failure in hypertensive patients. Methods 60 hypertensive patients with diastolic heart failure were randomly divided into treatment group and control group. Conventional therapies were given to patients of both groups. In addition, hyperbaric oxygen therapy was applied to those of treatment group. After 3 months, Doppler ultrasound recordings were obtained from all patients to determine the left ventricular diastolic function. Results The indexes of left ventricular diastolic function were im-proved after treatment in both groups(P < 0.01) ,and treatment group was better than control group(P < 0. 05). Conclusion For hypertensive patients with diastolic heart failure, hyperbaric oxygen can improve heart diastolic function.

The aim of the present study is to investigate the effects of Vam3 which is one of the dihydroxystilbene compounds on expressions of ICAM-1 in the lungs of OVA-induced asthmatic mice and the mechanisms of anti-airway inflammation. Balb/c mice were challenged with OVA inhalation. Lung tissues were stained with Mayer's hematoxylin and eosin for histopathologic examination. The expression of ICAM-1 in the lungs of mice was analyzed by Western blotting and immunohistochemistry method. The NF-kappaB activities were detected by NF-kappaB-luc reporter genetic transient transfection method. The activities of MMP-9 induced by LPS, TNF-alpha and PMA in THP-1 cells were determined by gelatin zymography method. The results showed that Vam3 could inhibit the expression of ICAM-1 in the OVA-induced mouse model. In addition, Vam3 could significantly suppress the activities of NF-kappaB in A549 cells and MMP-9 in THP-1 cells induced by LPS, TNF-alpha and PMA. These results suggested that Vam3 could alleviate the asthmatic inflammation by decreasing ICAM-1 expression in asthmatic mice, down regulating NF-kappaB and MMP-9 activities. Compound Vam3 showed inhibitory effects on inflammatory signal pathways involved in asthma.

Objective: To investigate the levels of vitamin D and the correlation between DPN and vitamin D in elderly patients with diabetic peripheral neuropathy(DPN). Methods: A total of 849 patients aged 60 years and over admitted into endocrinology department from June 2016 to September 2017 were enrolled in this retrospective case-control study.According to DPN diagnostic criteria, patients were divided into the non-DPN group(n=542)and the DPN group(n=307). The 25(OH)-vitamin D[25(OH)D]level and blood biochemical parameters were determined and compared between the two groups.The risk factors for DPN were analyzed using logistic regression analysis and plotting receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curves. Results: The mean of serum 25(OH)D level in the 849 patients was 43.9±19.4 nmol/L.Serum 25(OH)D level was lower in the DPN patients than in the non-DPN patients[(40.9±20.4)nmol/L vs.(45.7±18.6)nmol/L, P<0.05]. The incidence of 25(OH)D deficiency was higher in the DPN group than in the non-DPN group(72.3% or 222/307 vs. 64.6% or 350/542, P<0.05). Binary logistic regression analysis indicated that 25(OH)D was a protective factor for DPN(OR=0.980, 95% CI: 0.964~0.995, P<0.05)and the disease duration was a risk factor for DPN(OR=1.048, 95% CI: 1.027~1.070, P<0.001). ROC analysis indicated that the diagnostic cut-off value of serum 25(OH)D for predicting DPN was 37.5nmol/L, with a Youden index of 0.17, sensitivity of 0.65 and specificity of 0.52. Conclusions The 25(OH)D level is much lower in diabetic patients, especially in DPN patients.Higher 25(OH)VD level might be a protective factor for DPN, and vitamin D might be one of potential biomarkers for DPN in diabetic patients.

Objective To investigate the expression of inflammatory factors and brain-derived neurotro-phic factor(BDNF)in the brain hippocampus of Alzheimer's disease(AD)-like mice caused by amyloid β-protein 25-35(Aβ25-35).Methods A total of 40 six-week-old male Kunming mice were taken to construct an AD-like mouse model using bilateral ventricular injection of Aβ25-35,and were divided into the 0 d,7 d,14 d,and 28 d groups for observation,with 10 mice in each group.The Y-maze and new object recognition assay were used to test the learning and memory functions of the mice.The hematoxylin-eosin(HE)staining was used to observe the neuronal damage in the hippocampal region.Immunohistochemical staining was used to detect the expression levels of phosphorylated-tau(p-tau),CD11b and BDNF in hippocampus.ELISA was used to detect the expression levels of inflammatory factors in hippocampus,including interleukin-1β(IL-1β)and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF)-α,and real-time quantitative reverse transcription PCR(RT-qPCR)and Western blot were used to detect the mRNA and protein expression levels of BDNF.Results Aβ25-35 could impair memory and cognitive function in the mice.Compared with the 0 d group,the neuron number in the hippocampal tissue of mice in the 14 d and 28 d groups was significantly reduced(P<0.05),and the optical density values of p-Tau and CD11b,and expression levels of IL-1β and TNF-α in the hippocampal region of mice in the 14 d and 28 d groups were significantly increased(P<0.05).In addition,compared with the 0 d group,the relative expression levels of BDNF mRNA and protein in the hippocampal tissue of mice were sig-nificantly increased in the 7 d group(P<0.05),while the relative expression levels of BDNF mRNA and pro-tein were significantly decreased in the 14 d and 28 d groups(P<0.05).Conclusion Aβ25-35 may increase the expression of TNF-α,IL-1β and p-tau in hippocampal tissue by activating microglia,which in turn impaired the memory and cognitive functions of mice,and the expression level of BDNF in hippocampal tissue showed a first increase and then a decrease in the injury period.

Objective:To summarize the clinical and imaging presentations of stapical footplate hernia related to inner ear malformation (SFH-Re-IEM).Methods:The clinical and imaging data of 19 patients (24 ears) with SFH-Re-IEM from Shandong Provincial ENT Hospital between June 2014 to June 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. The clinical presentations and headache and the high resolution CT (HRCT) and MRI findings including associated inner ear malformation (IEM) type, internal auditory canal (IAC) malformation, bony defect of the stapical footplate, the extent, margin, density and signal of the herniation cysts, the density and signal of ipsilateral intratympanic, cochlear osseous labyrinthitis were recorded.Results:Among 19 SFH-Re-IEM patients, including 14 males and 5 females, 3 (1, 12) years old. All of the affected ears presented sensorineural or mixed hearing loss, 1 ear for moderate, 7 ears for severe and 16 ears for extremely severe. Besides this, the vertigo in 1 case, otalgia and ear fullness in 2 cases were found, and the others were detected accidentally. Among 24 ears with SFH-Re-IEM, 9 ears (37.5%) consisting with incomplete partition type Ⅰ, 3 ears (12.5%) with common cavity, 7 ears (29.2%) with cochlear aplasia, 3 ears (12.5%) with cochlear dysplasia type Ⅱ, and 2 ears (8.3%) with Mondini deformity were found respectively. Four ears (16.7%) were associated with IAC enlargement and the bony defect of IAC fundus, 19 ears (79.2%) were accompanied with dysplasia in the IAC fundus. In all the 24 ears with SFH-Re-IEM, the focal bony defect of the affected stapical footplate and the hemispherical soft-tissue-density herniating cysts protruding into the tympanium were presented on HRCT, and the herniating cysts presenting the cerebrospinal fluid-like signal with the well-defined margin and the ipsilateral normal tympanium were shown on the MRI hydrographic sequence. Two ears underwent the perilymphaticum gadolinium based on MRI, which demonstrated the hypersignal gadolinium in the perilymphatic space entered into the herniating cysts. Two ears were accompanied with the cochlear osseous labyrinthitis.Conclusion:The ears with IEM-Re-SFH usually present the serious hearing loss. The ipsilateral severe IEM, focal bony defect of the stapical footplate and perilymph herniating are characteristic imaging appearances.

OBJECTIVE: To identify potential mutations of F11 gene in a pedigree affected with hereditary coagulation factor XI (FXI) deficiency and explore its molecular pathogenesis. METHODS: Prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), fibrinogen (FIB), coagulation factor VIII activity (FVIIIC), coagulation factor IX activity (FIXC), coagulation factor XI activity (FXIC), coagulation factor XII activity (FXIIC) and lupus anticoagulation (LA) of the proband and eight family members were determined. FXI antigen (FXIAg) was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). For the proband, potential mutations in the exons, flanking introns and 5'-, 3'-untranslated regions of the F11 gene were screened by direct DNA sequencing. The results were confirmed by reverse sequencing. Suspected mutations were detected in other family members. ClustalX-2.1-win and four online bioinformatic tools (PolyPhen-2, PROVEAN, SIFT, and Mutation Taster) were used to study the conservation and possible impact of the mutations. The structure of the mutational sites was processed with Swiss-PdbViewer. RESULTS: The propositus had prolonged APTT (69.6 s), whose FXIC and FXIAg were reduced to 6.0% and 10.7%, respectively. Her mother, elder sister, one younger sister, little brother, daughter and son showed slightly prolonged APTT and moderate FXIC and FXIAg levels. Gene sequencing revealed that the propositus carried a heterozygous nonsense mutation c.738G>A (p.Trp228stop) in exon 7 and a heterozygous mutation c.1556G>C (p.Trp501Ser) in exon 13. Her mother, elder sister and daughter were heterozygous for the p.Trp228stop mutation, while one younger sister and little brother and son were heterozygous for p.Trp501Ser. Her husband and the youngest sister were of the wild type. Phylogenetic analysis suggested that Trp501 was highly conserved among all homologous species. The p.Trp501Ser was predicted to be "probably damaging","deleterious", "affect protein function" and "disease causing" corresponding to PolyPhen-2, PROVEAN, SIFT and Mutation Taster. Model analysis demonstrated that the non-polar Trp501 has two benzene rings, forming a hydrogen bond with Gln512 in the wild type. Once substituted by Ser501, the side chain may form another hydrogen bond with the benzene of His396. This may affect the normal space conformation and stability of FXI protein. CONCLUSION The compound heterozygous mutations of the F11 gene probably accounted for the low FXI concentration in this pedigree.
Factor XI ; genetics ; Factor XI Deficiency ; genetics ; Female ; Heterozygote ; Humans ; Male ; Mutation ; Pedigree ; Phylogeny