Acute Disease ; Adult ; Aged ; Chemokines ; blood ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Paraquat ; poisoning ; Prognosis ; Young Adult

To investigate the protective effect of hirudin on kidneys of diabetic rats and its molecular mechanism.

Eighteen Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into control group (n=5) and model group (n=13). The model group was injected intraperitoneally with streptozotocin(STZ) to establish a diabetic rat model. Eight weeks after STZ injection, successfully modeled diabetic rats were randomly divided into diabetic model group (n=6, with 1 rat dead due to hyperglycemia) and hirudin treatment group (n=5). The hirudin treatment group was administered 5 U hirudin while the control group and diabetic model group were injected subcutaneously with equal volume of phosphate buffered saline once daily for six weeks. During the experiment, the rats' body weight and random blood glucose levels were monitored every two weeks. After 6 weeks of treatment, renal function parameters were measured, and the levels of tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1), interleukin 6 (IL-6), fibronectin (FN), nephrin, collagen-Ⅳ (COL-Ⅳ), and proteins related to the Janus kinase 2 (JAK2)/signal transduction and transcriptional activator 3 (STAT3) signaling pathway were assessed. Renal histopathological changes were also observed.

Compared with the control group, the diabetic model group showed significantly elevated random blood glucose and renal function parameters during the 6-week treatment (both P < 0.05), along with a significant decrease in body weight(P < 0.05) and renal pathological damage. Compared with the diabetic model group, the renal function parameters of hirudin treatment group were significantly decreased (P < 0.05), the renal pathological damage was ameliorated. Compared with the control group, the expression levels of FN, COL-Ⅳ, TNF-α, TGF-β1, IL-6, p-JAK2, and p-STAT3 in the kidneys of diabetic model group were significantly increased (all P < 0.05), while the expression of nephrin was reduced (P < 0.05). Compared with the diabetic group, the expression level of FN, COL-Ⅳ, TNF-α, TGF-β1, IL-6, p-JAK2, and p-STAT3 in hirudin treatment group were significantly reduced (all P < 0.05), while the nephrin expression increased (P < 0.05).

Hirudin improved renal pathological changes in diabetic rats, and its mechanism may be related to the decrease of fibrosis-related factors and inhibition of the activation of the JAK2/STAT3 pathway.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Anthracosis ; blood ; C-Reactive Protein ; analysis ; metabolism ; Cross Infection ; diagnosis ; therapy ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pneumonia ; blood ; Serum ; chemistry

Objective To investigate the effect of sedation on respiratory mechanic dynamics, intrapulmonary shunt fraction,oxygen metabolism in patients with mechanical ventilation.Method Sixty patients with mechanical ventilation were divided randomly into control group and sedation group.Propofal was administered to patients,whose ramsay scores were kept atⅢorⅣlevels,in sedation group while the equal amount of normal saline was given in control group.Mixed venous blood and arterial blood samples were taken for blood gas analysis in both groups before and at 2 hours after administration.Heart rate,blood pressure,breathing rate and airway resistance all were recorded at the same time.Results There were no significant differences in oxygenation index,blood pressure,blood lactic acid,total lung static compliance and intrapulmonary shunt fraction between two groups before and after administration.Heart rate,respiratory rate,oxygen uptake and airway resistance of patients in sedation group were lower than those in control group,and partial pressure of oxygen in mixed venous blood of patients in sedation group were higher than those in control group.These differences were statistically significant.Conclusions Sedation can decrease oxygen uptake and airway resistance of patients with mechanical ventilation.However,no alteration in the oxygenation index,total lung static compliance and intrapulmonic shunt ratio can be observed.

ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of speech therapy on mental health of patients with aphasia. MethodsCRRCAE and SCL-90 were used to assess the speech and mental state in 28 aphasia patients. All aphasia patients were treated by using speech therapy and the changes before and after treatment were compared. ResultsThe scores in listening comprehension, repetition, naming, reading,reading comprehension, writing and counting were distinctly higher at post-treatment than that at pre-treatment. All SCL-90 factor's levels at post-treatment were distinctly reduced than that at preat post-treatment(P<0.01).Conclusions Speech therapy can improve the language function,as well as mitigate the mental symptoms.

OBJECTIVETo observe improved effects of Jingjin acupuncture on fine activity of hemiplegic hand in recovery period of stroke.

METHODSFifty cases were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group, 25 cases in each one. Regular western medicine treatment, rehabilitation training and regular acupuncture (in which Shuigou (GV 26), Baihui (GV 20), Neiguan (PC 6), etc. were selected) were applied in both groups. Additionally, muscles in palm side of affected hand, dorsal metacarpophalangeal joints and proximal interphalangeal joints were treated with acupuncture in the observation group, once every other day and electroacupuncture was applied when arrival of qi was acquired. Baxie (EX-UE 9) in the affected hand were needled in the control group, and electroacupuncture was added when arrival of qi was acquired. Ten days of treatment was considered a treatment course, and after two courses Lindmark score, Brunnstrom movement function grade, joint range of hand and Barthel index (BI) were observed in two groups.

RESULTSCompared before the treatment, the Lindmark score in two groups were both improved after the treatment (both P < 0.01). Compared with the control group, the motor coordination ability, sensory function and total score of Lindmark in observation group were obviously improved (differences before and after treatment: 8.24 +/- 3.07 vs 6.84 +/- 2.43, 3.52 +/- 2.33 vs 2.16 +/- 2.12, 11.76 +/- 3.55 vs 9.00 +/- 3.62, all P < 0.05). The Brunnstrom movement function grade was significantly improved in both groups after treatment (both P < 0.01), which was more obvious in the observation group (P < 0.05). The joint range of hemiplegic hand was improved in both groups after treatment (both P < 0.01), which was more obvious in the observation group [differences before and after treatment: (25.35 +/- 10.91) degrees vs (18.65 +/- 7.86) degrees, p < 0.05]. The score of BI was also significantly improved after treatment in two groups (both P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONThe Jingjin acupuncture could effectively improve fine activity of hemiplegic hand in recovery period of stroke prove daily life ability.

Acupuncture Therapy ; Aged ; Female ; Hand ; physiopathology ; Hemiplegia ; etiology ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Movement ; Recovery of Function ; Stroke ; complications ; physiopathology

Objective: To explore the relationship between plasma levels of calcitonin gene related peptide (CGRP) and cardiac function in ventricular septal defect (VSD) children before and after the interventional therapy.
Methods: Our research included 2 groups:VSD group, n=90 containing 43 male and 47 female at the age of (3-12) years and treated in our hospital from 2011-09 to 2012-09, Control group, n=50 healthy children with matched age and gender. The levels CGRP were measured at before and 24 hours, 3 days, 5 days, 3 months after the therapy. The cardiac function as left ventricle end-diastolic diameter (LVEDD), left ventricle end systolic diameter (LVESD), left ventricle end diastolic volume (LVEDV), left ventricle end systolic volume (LVESV) and ejection fraction (EF) were examined by echocardiography at before and after the procedure.
Results: Before interventional procedure, the level of CGRP in VSD group was lower than Control group (35.28 ± 7.25) pg/ml vs (50.90 ± 8.60) pg/ml, t=11.42, P<0.01. In VSD group, the post-procedural levels of CGRP were increased at all time points, the highest level was at 24 hours and the descending started at 3 days after procedure;the levels of CGRP at before and 24 hours, 3 days, 5 days after the procedure were different as (35.28 ± 7.25) pg/ml vs (102.03 ± 11.73) pg/ml, (35.28 ± 7.25) pg/ml vs (93.36 ± 9.12) pg/ml, (35.28 ± 7.25) pg/ml vs (87.91 ± 8.54) pg/ml, t=27.03, 26.93, 24.51, all P<0.01. In VSD group, the LVEDD, LVESD, LVEDV and LVESV decreased gradually at 5 days, 3 months and 6 months after the procedure;the levels of CGRP were signiifcantly related to LVEDD, LVESD, LVEDV, LVESV at before and 5 days, 3 months after the procedure, all P<0.05.
Conclusion: Plasma levels of CGRP closely related to ventricular cavity diameter, which was important for evaluating the cardiac function in VSD children after the interventional therapy.

Objective To clarify the role of FLT3 signaling-dependent pulmonary conventional dendritic cells (cDCs) in the pathogenesis of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced acute lung injury (ALI),and as well as the modulation effects of cDCs in vivo on the inflammatory responses to acute lung injury.Methods Thirty C57BL/6 male mice were divided into normal control group,LPS group,FLT3L pretreatment group,lestaurtinib,(a high efficient and specific blocker in FLT3 signal pathway) pretreatment group and vehicle (DMSD) control group.FLT3L and lestaurtinib were administrated subcutaneously for 5 days.Murine model of ALI was subsequently established by intra-tracheal application of LPS and lung specimens were harvested 6 h or 24 h later.The accumulation and maturation of pulmonary cDCs were assessed by flow cytometry.IL-6 and TNF-α were quantified to evaluate lung inflammation.Lung injury was estimated by lung wet weight/body weight ratio (LWW/BW) and histopathological assessment.Lung myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity was measured to evaluate neutrophil infiltration.Transcription factors Tbet/GATA-3 mRNA ratio was determined to estimate balance of Th1/Th2 response.IFN-γ and IL-4 were quantified to evaluate Th1-specific and Th2-specific cytokine production respectively.Results The accumulation and maturation of pulmonary cDCs peaked at 6h after LPS challenge.FLT3L pretreatment significantly stimulated the accumulation and maturation of pulmonary cDCs (P ＜ 0.05),leading to markedly deterioration of LWW/BW and lung histopathological changes.Meanwhile lung MPO activity and T-bet/GATA-3 mRNA ratio were elevated (P ＜ 0.05).Furthermore,the production of IL-6,TNF-α and IFN-γwas markedly increased by FLT3L pretreatment (P ＜ 0.05).In contrast,lestaurtinib pretreatment markedly inhibited the accumulation and maturation of pulmonary cDCs (P ＜ 0.05),leading to significant improvement of LWW/BW and lung histopathological changes.Meanwhile lung MPO activity and T-bet/ GATA-3 mRNA ratio were decreased (P ＜ 0.05).Furthermore lestaurtinib efficiently suppressed the production of IL-6,TNF-α and IFN-γ (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion This study thus demonstrated that FLT3 signaling-dependent pulmonary cDCs could control the initiation of acute lung inflammation response to LPS-induced ALI through the regulation of neutrophil infiltration and balance of Thl/Th2 response.

Background Scarring of filter bleb is a main cause of failure after trabeculectomy.Administration of anti-proliferation dugs during filtering surgery can maintain the opening of filtering pathway,but some serious complications occure after the drug use.Researches showed that polylactic acid caprolactone (PLCA) drug-loaded electrospinning film can release drug slowly,but its application in glaucoma is seldom.Objective The aim of this study was to evaluate the anti-scarring effects of non-penetrating trabeculectomy combined with sclera interlayer implantation of triamcinolone acetonide (TA)/PLCA drug-loaded electrospinning film in rabbit.Methods TA/PLCA drug-loaded electospinning film was prepared by electrospinning and its surface ultrastructure was observed under the scanning electron microscope.The drug release properties were detected by high performance liquid chromatograph.Ocular hypertensive models were established in New Zealand white rabbits by injecting carbomer into the anterior chamber of the right eyes,and the 40 models were randomized into 5 groups,8 eyes for each group.TA/PLCA drugloaded electrospun membrane,PLCA electrospun membrane or amniotic membrane was implanted beneath the scleral flap during trabeculectomy respectively in the TA/PLCA group,PLCA group or amniotic group,and 40 mg/ml TA was subconjunctivally injected in the TA group.Only trabeculectomy was performed in the simple trabeculectomy group.Intraocular pressure (IOP) was measured,and the shape of filtering bleb was examined under the slit lamp 1 week,2,4,8 and 12 weeks after surgery.The section of filtering bleb was prepared 12 weeks after surgery for the histopathological examination.The use and management of experimental animals was in line with animal ethics.Results The similar three-dimensional reticular structure was seen between TA/PLCA and electrospun membrane with the fiber diameter 0.5-1.5 μm.TA was released stably for 14 days.All the filtering blebs were disappeared in the simple trabeculectomy group during 8-week duration after operation.At 12 weeks after operation,the functional bleb was found in all the 8 eyes of the TA/PLCA group,5 eyes of PLCA group,4 eyes of the amniotic group and 4 eyes of the TA group.The IOP was significantly different among the groups,with the lowest IOP in the TA/PLCA group and the highest IOP in the simple trabeculectomy group (all at P =0.000).Histopathological examination showed that the filtering pathway remained opening in all 8 eyes with the epithelization of bleb surface in the TA/PLCA group,and interspaces of the filtering pathway was explayed in the PLCA group,amniotic group and TA group,while fibrosis of filtering pathway was seen in the simple trabeculectomy group at 12 weeks after surgery.Conclusions TA/PLCA drugloading electrospun membranes presents with nanoscale microstructure and good drug-release properties in vitro.Implantaion of TA/PLCA beneath the scleral flap during trabeculectomy can inhibit the fibrosis of filtering pathway.

Aim To investigate the influence of down-regulating adenosine A1 receptor and adenosine A2 A receptor gene expression on proliferation and activation of acetaldehyde-induced hepatic stellate cell-T6 cells through siRNA. Methods Alcoholic liver fibrosis in vitro model was constructed by inducing HSC-T6 cells with acetaldehyde. siRNA targeting A1R and A2AR were designed and synthesized according to its mRNA. The siRNA was transfected into rat HSC-T6 cells by li-posome LipofectamineTM 2000. HSC cell proliferation was measured by MTT. The mRNA levels of A1R, A2AR, α-SMA, Collagen I in the supernatant of the cell culture were measured by Quantitative Real-Time PCR. The protein levels of A1R, A2AR, α-SMA, Collagen I were measured by Western blot. Results A1 R and A2 AR siRNA effectively inhibited the cell proliferation, and they also significantly decreased the levels of A1R, A2AR,α-SMA, Collagen I, suggesting that A1 R and A2 AR might be potential target genes in the alcoholic liver fibrosis. Conclusions Silencing A1 R or A2 AR by RNAi can significantly inhibit the HSC proliferation, A1R and A2AR may be potential therapeutic target genes for alcoholic liver fibrosis.