Objectives By Oxford pathological classification and analysis of circulating complement complement 3 (C3),renal C3 deposition,and clinical laboratory tests,we discussed the correlation between complement C3 and immunoglobin A nephropathy (IgAN) in pathogenesis.Methods A retrospective study of 558 IgAN cases at Xinhua Hospital from January of 2000 through December of 2013 was performed.All 558 IgAN diagnoses were made and confirmed by renal needle biopsy.Results Compared to patients who had circulating C3 ＜ 0.9,patients with circulating C3 level ＞ 0.9 showed statistically significant decreases in serum creatinine [(100.92 ± 105.31) μmol/L vs (157.58 ± 208.39) μmol/L,t =-2.283,P =0.025],blood urea nitrogen [(5.69 ± 2.88) mmol/L vs (7.69 ± 5.90) mmoL/L,t =-2.81,P =0.006];besides,other parameters like IgA,body weight,body mass index (BMI),cholesterol,triglyceride,serum IgA/C3 ratio,albumin,and estimated glomeruli filtrate rate (eGFR) also presented statistically significant differences between two patient groups;no statistically significant differences were observed between two groups in glomerular mesangial cell proliferation,capillary endothelial proliferation,segmental glomerular sclerosis or adhesions,renal tubule atrophy,tubulointerstitial fibrosis,and formation of glomerular crescent;meanwhile,no statistically significant differences were observed between two groups in mesangial depositions of IgA,IgG,IgM,and complement C3;meanwhile the blood level of C3 between C3 deposition negative group,deposition 2 + and 3 + subgroup showed statistically significant differences (2.493 and 2.782;0.013 and 0.006),nevertheless,prognostic indices in Oxford classification,such as mesangial cell proliferation,capillary endothelial proliferation,segmental glomerular sclerosis or adhesions,renal tubule atrophy and tubulointerstitial fibrosis,were also statistically different between two patient groups (Pearson Square test result was 50.782,35.141,21.105,30.182,respectively;P ＜0.01).Conclusions Renal deposition of complement C3 or decrease in circulating C3 level may be associated with a poor prognosis of IgA nephropathy,and alteration in C3 dynamics may be implicated in the pathogenesis of IgAN through its involvement in humoral immunity.

Objective To reveal the dissolution rule of volatile oil in the extraction processfrom Foeniculum vulgare by GC-MS analysis. Methods The volatile oil of F. vulgare was extracted by steam distillation; The volatile oil/perfume system was collected at fixed time interval (30 min); The volatile oil part and perfume part were separated. Using N-docosane and methyl myrisate as double internal standard, GC-MS was selected for analysis and quantification. The main components were extracted by thermography, and the distribution regularity of components was definited. The principal components with the impact on the composition distribution were investigated according to the physical and chemical properties of the molecular weight, melting point, boiling point, and density of the compounds. Results The GC-MS analysis results concluded 123 volatile components. The main components were estragole, anethole, and (R)-(+)-limonene. There were 60 and 27 endemic components in aromatic aqueous solution and volatile oil, respectively, in which 27were common composition. The content of anethole in water was positively related to the endemic components in aromatic water, and even had a positive correlation with anethole artemisia content and (R)-(+)-limonene content. The specific components in the oil were positively related to the content of the main components (R)-(+)-limonene in the volatile oil. The principal component analysis showed that the physical and chemical properties of the compounds were important factors affecting the distribution of components; PC1 (molecular weight and positive correlation of melting point), PC2 (refractive index positive correlation), and PC3 (water-soluble negative correlation) were the principal components that lead to differences in component distribution. Conclusion In the process of extracting volatile oil from F. vulgare, steam distillation is affected by the physical and chemical properties of volatile components. Some components are specifically distributed in aromatic perfume and volatile oil system. The endemic components of aromatic water increase the content of the main components in the water system, which may lead to theproduction of "emulsification" during the extraction process of volatile oil and reduce the yield and quality of volatile oil.

Objective To assess the efficacy and safety of premedicaton with pronase before upper gastrointestinal endoscopy (UGI).Methods A total of 440 outpatients from 5 centers were randomly assigned to receive endoscopy with one of three premedications as follows:dimethylpolysiloxane (DMPS) and pronase (group A,n =170) ; DMPS and sodium bicarbonate (group B,n =170) ; DMPS,pronase and sodium bicarbonate (group C,n =100).Six endoscopists,who were unaware of the premedication types,calculated the visibility scores (range,1 to 4) of the antrum,gastric body,and fundus.The sum of the scores from the three locations was defined as the total visibility score.Results With regards to routine white light endoscopy,the total visibility score of group C was significantly higher than that of group A (P =0.0001),and the score of group A was significantly higher than that of group B (P =0.0019).Concerning chromoendoscopy,the total visibility score of group C was significantly higher than that of group A (P =0.0054),and the score of group A was also significantly higher than that of group B (P ＜ 0.0001).Conclusion Combined application of pronase,dimethylpolysiloxane,and sodium bicarbonate before UGI endoscopy significantly improves endoscopic visualization.

A simple and rapid assay for the detection of Classical swine fever virus(CSFV)was established using reverse transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification(RT-LAMP).This study describes the amplification of the genomic RNA of CSFV under isothermal conditions(63℃)within one hour,using a set of six primers(two outer primers,two inner primers and two loop primers).This RT-LAMP assay showed 100-fold higher sensitivity than the standard RT-PCR method and identified eighteen additional positive cases that were negative when tested by RT-PCR.This RT-LAMP was able to detect all the 13 strains of CSFV but not the BVDV.PRRSV.SIV.PRV-PCV,thus showed a good specificity.Products amplified by RT-LAMP can be visualized by agarose gel electrophoresis and in addition,either as a white precipitate at the bottom of the tube after a pulse spin or as a color change when dyed with SYBR Green I which are visible to the naked eye.Because RT-LAMP is low-cost and produces rapid results,it has the potential to be an excellent tool for CSFV surveillance in the field,especially in developing countries.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the key process parameters that affect the extraction of essential oil from Ligusticum chuanxiong by steam distillation. METHODS: Volatile oil and emulsified aromatic water are the products of the extraction process of volatile oil. The nature of volatile oil will directly affect the formation of emulsified aromatic water. The influence of extraction temperature, the ratio of liquid to medicine, medicinal material granularity process parameters on the stability of the emulsified fragrance water and the yield of volatile oil were analyzed, furtherly the corresponding extraction process control model of volatile oil was established to reveal the key technology and parameter during the process of volatile oil extraction and separation. RESULTS: The relative viscosity, relative density, surface tension and contact angle of Ligusticum chuanxiong oil decreased gradually with the increase of temperature, while the interfacial tension increased with the increase of temperature. The liner model of aromatic water TSI and process parameters was TSI = 0. 877 + 0. 230 × extraction temperature - 0. 024 × comminution particle size + 0. 010 × liquid ratio + 0. 292 × condensation temperature + 0. 776 × collection temperature. The liner model of the physicochemical properties of TSI and volatile oil was TSI = 0. 877 - 0. 170 × density + 0. 098 × viscosity - 0. 301 × surface tension + 0. 695 × interfacial tension - 0. 060 × contact angle. The liner model of volatile oil yield and process parameters was that yield = 5. 065 + 0. 258 × extraction temperature + 0. 127 × particle size + 0. 016 × liquid ratio + 0. 264 × condensation temperature + 0. 264 × collection temperature + 0. 502 × TSI. The liner model with the physicochemical properties of volatile oil was the yield = 5. 065 - 0. 196 × density - 0. 167 × viscosity - 0. 201 × surface tension + 0. 153 × interfacial tension - 0. 065 × contact angle. CONCLUSION: TSI and yield of aromatic water of Ligusti-cum chuanxiong are directly proportional to the extraction temperature and comminution particle size of medicinal materials. The yield of volatile oil shows a significant positive correlation with the TSI value, which can reflect the yield of volatile oil and is a specific index that can evaluate the process parameters objectively.

Objective To detect the feasibility of magnetically labeled swine bone marrow mesenehymal stem cells(MSCs)with SHU 555A combined with poly-L-arginine(PLL),under MR imaging in vitro and in vivo.Methods Swine mesenehymal stem cells were isolated and culture-expanded 3 passages in vitro,then magnetically labeled by incubation with SHU 555A(25?g Fe/ml,Resovist,Schering)for 24 hours with 750 ng/mL poly-L-lysine(PLL;average MW_275 kDa)added 1 hour before incubation.Cellular iron incorporation and detention at 0 d,4 d,8 d,12 d,16 d,20 d after labeling was qualitatively assessed using Prussian blue and quantified at atomic absorption spectrometry.Cell viability was assessed by trypan-blue exclusion test.Cell suspensions underwent MR imaging with T_1-and T_2-weighted spin-echo and fast field-echo sequences on a clinical 1.5 T MR system.At last,1?10~6 SHU 555A labeled and unlabeled MSCs were transextracardially implanted into the infracted and normal myocardium approximately 2 week following the ligation of left anterior descending coronary artery in 1 swine respectively,and finally performed 1.5-T MRI within 1 week after infarction.Results①Intracytoplasmic particles stained with Prussian blue stain were detected for all cells with mean cellular iron content of(13.13?2.30)pg per cell.With division of stem cells, the stained particles decreased gradually with iron content(0.68?0.20)pg per cell.at 16 days after labeling, approximately to the prelabeled baseline values.(0.21?0.06)pg per cell(P＞0.05).The viability of the labeled cells at various time points were not significantly different with that of nonlabeled cells(P＞0.05).②MR images showed signal intensity changed most obviouly in T2*WI in vitro.The percentage change of signal intensity increased with increasing cell numbers,and decreased with the time.As few as 5?10~4-1?10~5 cells could be detected by using this approach.③Two injected sites containing MR-MSCs were detected in vivo,presentingas low signal intensity areas with the T_2*WI scanning sequence.Conclusion Swine bone marrow MSCs can be labeled with SHU555A-PLL and depicted with a standard 1.5-T MR imager in vitro and in vivo.(J lntervent Radiol,2007,16:115-121)

Objective We aimed to perform a meta-analysis of clinical trials on the efficacy of autologous bone marrow-derived cells ( BMCs ) transfer for patients with chronic ischemic heart disease. Methods We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane database through September 2009. Eligible studies were randomized controlled trials of autologous BMCs infusion in patients with chronic ischemic heart disease. We gathered information about left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), left ventricular end-diastolic volume (LVEDV) , left ventricular end-systolic volume ( LVESV) and death, and did a randomeffect meta-analysis to obtain summary effect estimates for outcomes. The pooled analyses were performed and forest plots were generated with RevMan 5. 0 software. Heterogeneity was assessed by meta-regression with STATA 10. 0 software. Additionally, subgroup analysis was performed to compare the effect of intracoronary BMCs transfer with intramyocardial cell injection on LVEF. Results Eleven trials with 490 participants were identified. There were 268 patients in BMCs group, and 222 in control group. In control group, the patients received saline injection or autologous plasma injection or no injection. BMCs transfer was performed via intracoronary transfer or intramyocardiac injection. Compared with controls, BMCs transfer significantly improved LVEF by 4. 63% (95% CI 2. 42 to 6. 84; P < 0.01 ) . BMCs transfer was also associated with significant reductions in LVEDV (standardized mean difference -0. 55,95% CI -0.94 to -0. 17,P = 0. 005 ) and LVESV ( standardized mean difference -0. 45,95% CI - 0. 73 to - 0. 17, P = 0. 002). In addition, BMCs treatment was associated with a significant effect on death ( OR 0.42,95% CI 0. 18 to 1.01 ,P =0. 05). Subgroup analysis indicated that intramyocardial cell injection was preferred due to its more significant improvement of LVEF than intracoronary cell therapy. Meta-regression suggested the existence of a negative association between baseline LVEF and LVEF change. Conclusion BMCs infusion is associated with a significant improvement in LVEF, and an attenuation of left ventricular remodeling.

Adult ; Circumcision, Male ; HIV Infections ; transmission ; Humans ; Male ; Prospective Studies ; Risk Assessment

OBJECTIVETo study the apoptosis inducing effects of bufalin on various human osteosarcoma cells and the concerning molecular mechanisms.

METHODMTT assay was used to detect the growth inhibition rates of osteosarcoma cells U-20S, U-20S/MTX300, SaOS-2, IOR/OS9 treated with bufalin in different concentrations and times. The apoptosis of cells was observed flow cytometry 48 h following bufalin treatment. The proteomic techniques were used to separate and compare the treated and control groups 48 h after bufalin-incubation. Then, the proteomic results were validated by western blot.

RESULTBufalin inhibited the growth of human osteosarcoma cells U20S, U20S/MTX300 (methotrexate resistant cells), SAOS2, IOR/OS9 in a dose- and time-dependent manner. The 72 h IC50 were (37.43 +/- 4.1), (32.24 +/- 5.3) nmol x L(-1) in U20S,U20S/MTX300 cells,respectivly. Flow cytometry showed that the apoptosis cells were increased following bufalin treatment. The protein expression profile showed 24 differentiated expression proteins. Among these proteins, the level of an anti-apoptotic protein, heat shock protein 27 (Hsp27) decreased significantly and the result was then validated by western blot. Ectopic expression of Hsp27 could reduce the bufalin-induced apoptosis remarkably in U20S and U20S/MTX300 cells.

CONCLUSIONBufalin could inhibit the cell growth and induce apoptosis on human osteosarcoma cells. The effect of bufalin may be related to the joint intervention with multiple protein targets. Among them, downregulation of Hsp27 plays a critical role in the bufalin-induced apoptosis in human osteosarcoma cells.

Antineoplastic Agents ; pharmacology ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Bufanolides ; pharmacology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Drug Screening Assays, Antitumor ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; drug effects ; Humans ; Osteosarcoma ; pathology ; Proteomics

OBJECTIVETo investigate the expression of Oct4, Sox2, Nanog, SMO, beta-Catenin and Wnt5b mRNA in four hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines of SMMC-7721, Bel-7402, HepG2, MHCC-97 and normal hepatocellular cell line of L02, and to compare the response of these cell lines to all-trans retinoic acid.

METHODSRT-PCR was used to detect expression of Oct4, Sox2, Nanog, SMO, beta-Catenin and Wnt5b mRNA in four hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines and normal hepatocellular cell line. Real time-PCR was used to quantify the expression of the genes.

RESULTSThere are different levels of expression of the stem cell-related gene in hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines and control cell line (P less than 0.05). There are significant differences in HepG2 and L-02 for the response to all-trans retinoic acid (P less than 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe stem cell-related genes are differentially expressed in different hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines.

Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; metabolism ; pathology ; DNA Methylation ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Hep G2 Cells ; Homeodomain Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Nanog Homeobox Protein ; Octamer Transcription Factor-3 ; genetics ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; metabolism ; Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled ; genetics ; metabolism ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; methods ; SOXB1 Transcription Factors ; genetics ; metabolism ; Signal Transduction ; Smoothened Receptor ; Stem Cells ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Tretinoin ; pharmacology ; Wnt Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; beta Catenin ; genetics ; metabolism