Acute kidney injury is a common complication in patients with cirrhosis.It is characterized by a sudden drop in glomerular filtra-tion rate,retention of metabolic waste products,water-electrolyte imbalance,and acid-base disturbance.It markedly increases mortality in cirrhotic patients.Therefore,early diagnosis and treatment of acute kidney injury are essential to reduce mortality and improve prognosis. The development of the diagnostic criteria for acute kidney injury,the clinical application of new biomarkers of renal function such as cystatin C,kidney injury molecule-1 ,and neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin,and the management of acute kidney injury in cirrhotic pa-tients are reviewed.Although creatinine test and monitoring of urinary output have their disadvantages,they remain the main diagnostic crite-ria for acute kidney injury.Development of new biomarkers for clinical use and elucidation of the underlying mechanisms of acute kidney in-jury have become a hotspot of basic and clinical research.

Rheumatoid arthritis(RA) and systemic lupus erythematosus(SLE) are autoimmune disorders.The incidence and morbidity of coronary artery disease are much higher in patients with RA and SLE than in the general population.Traditional cardiovascular risk factors do not fully explain the excessive cardiovascular events.Some new factors,such as high cysteine,insulin resistance,metabolic syndrome and inflammation,may play an important role in the development of atherosclerosis.Inflammatory response,endothelial damage and autoantibodies may be associated with the pathogenic mechanism.This review provides an overview of atherosclerosis in RA and SLE.

BACKGROUND: Hydroxyapatite has favorable biocompatibility, can protect pulp tissue and promote the formation of osteoid dentin and the concrescence of pulp tissue. However, hydroxyapatite has no capability of anti-infection. Increasing scholars deem that antibacterials should be added with the hydroxyapatite during the treatment of vital pulp conservation to elevate curative effects.OBJECTIVE: To observe the curative effects of self-solidifying hydroxyapatite/norvancomycin composite as pulp capping material and to make a comparison with calcium hydroxide.DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING: The present randomized controlled observation experiment was performed at the General Dental Clinic, the Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Medical College between January 2004 and June 2005.PARTICIPANTS AND MATERIALS: A total of 60 patients (60 teeth) that suffered from deep caries or pulp exposure, could return visit on time, and agreed to sign informed consents were selected for this study. These patients comprised of 28 males and 32 females, aged 9-40 years. Diagnosis criteria: Teeth with food impaction pain and/or caloric stimulation pain which can relieve after stimulation removal; in addition, with no spontaneous pain, radiating pain, and hypnalgia. Self-solidifying hydroxyapatite/2.5% norvancomycin composite were prepared in the Department of Dental Material, Shanghai Second Hospital. Self-hardening calcium hydroxide was provided by Dentsply Company, USA.METHODS: All 60 patients were randomly divided into an experimental group and a control group, with 30 patients (30 teeth) per group. Self-solidifying hydroxyapatite/2.5% norvancomycin composite and self-hardening calcium hydroxide were applied as pulp capping agents in the experimental and control groups, respectively. Pulpal tissue reactions were assessed after 8 weeks. Teeth with normal response were restored permanently, and the others were given root canal treatment.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Pulpal tissue reaction of patients.RESULTS: In the experimental group, one case showed vague pain after 1-week pulp capping and received root canal therapy, with success rate of 97%. In the control group, two cases presented with vague pain after 3-day and 1-week pulp capping, respectively, and also received root canal therapy, with success rate of 93%.CONCLUSION: Self-solidifying hydroxyapatite/norvancomycin composite acquires a high success rate of pulp capping, with curative effects similar to calcium hydroxide, it is a good pulp capping agent for vital pulp preservation.

Objective To investigate possible changes of lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] and oxidized Lp (a) [ox-Lp(a) ] levels after PCI and it mechanisms. Methods Bloods were selected from 75 patients with ACS undergoing PCI, and at 24 hours, 2 and 3 days, and 6 months pre-and post-PCI treatment, and from 29 control patients pre-and post-coronary angiography without undergoing PCI. The levels of Lp(a) , ox-Lp(a) , Lp(a) immune complexes (IC) and its autoantibody were determined by ELISA. The extents of CAD were determined by coronary angiography. The differences of variants pre-and post-operations were analyzed by paired samples t test. The differences of levels of Lp(a) and ox-Lp(a) among time points after PCI were analyzed by ANOVA. Correlations between Lp(a) and ox-Lp(a) , and between angiographic variables and Lp(a), ox-Lp(a) levels were calculated. Results Compared to pre-PCI, Lp(a) [233.10 (152.86-328.79) mg/L vs 202.05 (106.15-271.42) mg/L, t=6. 81, P<0.01], ox-Lp(a) [19.05 (10.98-31.80) mg/L vs 10. 51 (4.98-17.97) μg/ml, t = 13. 22,P <0. 01] and Lp(a)-IC [2.72 (1.604.91) AU vs 2. 11 (1.04-3. 97) AU, t = 3. 34, P < 0. 01 ] levels significantly increased immediately in post-PCI, while its antoantibody levels significantly decreased (A = 0. 81 ± 0. 33 vs A = 0. 72 ± 0. 28, t = 5.58, P < 0. 01). Strong correlations were noted between levels of ox-Lp( a) and Lp( a) both in pre-PCI (r =0. 66, P <0.01) and post-PCI (r = 0. 62, P <0. 01). PCI resulted in rapidrise of Lp(a) and ox-Lp(a) levels and then decreased quickly in 24 hours, returned to baseline in 2-3 days. The changes of Lp(a) and ox-Lp(a) levels in pre-and post-PCI were positively related with severity of ACS. In contrast, in the angiography-only control group, no significant changes were noted in Lp(a) , ox-Lp(a) , Lp(a)-IC and Lp(a) autoantibodies levels between the pre-and post-angiography samples. Conclusion PCI results in acute plasma acute increases of levels of Lp(a) and ox-Lp(a) ,and the changes are related with lesion severity of the coronary artery.

Triptolide (TP) is a major active component in Tripterygium root, but its therapeutic window was very narrow due to its severe multi-organ toxicity. In this work, the effect of TP combined with glycyrrhetic acid (GA) on mRNA expression and activity of four cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes in rat liver was studied after intragastric administration of TP (0.05, 0.3 and 0.6 mg x kg(-1) x day(-1)) and TP (0.6 mg x kg(-1) x day(-1)) combined with GA (30 mg x kg(-1) x day(-1)) for 7 consecutive days. Compared with the control, the high dose of TP significantly up-regulated the mRNA expression levels of CYP2E1, 1A2, 3A1 and 2C11, the co-administration of TP and GA further up-regulated the mRNA expression levels of CYP3A1, 2C11 and 2E1 as compared with the high dose of TP. Meanwhile, TP at high dose and combined with GA significantly increased CYP3A-associated testosterone 6beta-hydroxylation activity (2.2-fold and 4.1-fold, respectively) as compared with the control. Because TP is mainly metabolized by CYP3A2 in male rats, the present work indicated that TP-induced increase of CYP3A activity might be an important reason for the rapidly metabolic clearance of TP in rat liver, and GA can reduce the hepatotoxicity of TP by promoting its hepatic metabolic clearance. Furthermore, the results also suggest that the drug interactions might be occurred when TP and GA were co-administered with other CYP3A substrate drug.

Objective To explore the radiosensitivity ofβ-elemene on Colo320 cells transplanted tumor in nude mice and its molecular mechanisms.Methods Colo320 cells transplanted tumor model was established by cell suspension inoculation in nude mice.Then the transplanted mice with 0.8-1.0 cm3 tumor were randomly divided into 4 groups:control,β-elemene (40 mg/kg),radiation (4 Gy),andβ-elemene (40 mg/kg)+ radiation (4 Gy) groups,with four to five mice in each.Tumor weight and morphology were observed in each group.In addition,the apoptosis of tumor cells was measured by TUNEL and the expression of Fas gene was detected by immunohistochemistry.Results The nude mice transplanted tumor model was successfully established.Compared with that in control and simple radiation groups,tumor weight was significantly decreased inβ-elemene combined with irradiation group (P <0.05).At the same time,the apoptosis rate and the expression of Fas gene in tumor cells were significantly increased (P <0 .0 5 )inβ-elemene combined with irradiation group compared with control and simple radiation groups. Conclusion β-elemene could enhance the radiosensitivity of Colo320 cells transplanted tumor in nude mice probably by inducing Fas-mediated apoptosis of tumor cells.

Objective:To scan the common differentially expressed genes in mice liver tissue following subacute exposure to hepatotoxicants,including alcohol,carbon tetrachloride,BCG & LPS,the alcohol extracts of Rhizoma Dioscoreae Bulbiferae and Senecio scandens Buch.-Ham.,and apply to the rapid toxic evaluation of TCM and other xenobiotics.Methods:The gene expression profiles of mice liver tissue,after respective administration of alcohol,CCl4,BCG associated with LPS,the alcohol extracts of Rhizoma Dioscoreae Bulbiferae and Senecio scandens Buch.-Ham.to healthy mice,were analyzed by use of mouse genome cDNA microarray.The correlations between the common differential expressed genes and the liver injury were analyzed based on the biological functions of those differentially expressed genes.Results:Among all of the five drug administration groups,there were 7 known function genes(BC05200,NM-019410,NM-173019,AB028272,AK088925,AK030862 and AK088816)and 1 unknown function gene(BC069871)differentially expressed.Beside AK088816,the other 7 genes were all down-regulate expressed.Conclusion:The common differentially expressed genes participate in the process of saccharometabolism,apoptosis,cell growth cycle,cytoskeleton and signal transmission,protein folding and protein ubiquitin.The abnormal expression of the common genes were closely correlated to the liver,and might be important for rapid hepatoxicity elucidation of traditional Chinese medicine and other xenobiotics.

Objective To analyze the molecular genetic basis of novel allele HLA-B * 9534 and establish the allele group specific primer PCR method. Methods Genomic DNA was extracted from whole blood by commercial DNA extraction kit. The HLA-B exons 1 to 8 coding sequences of the proband were am-plified by PCR and the amplification product was purified with double enzymes digestion and both strands of exons 2, 3 and 4 were sequenced. The exon 2-4 amplification of the HLA-B * 9534 was performed with al-lele group specific primers PCR and the PCR product was directly sequenced for exon 2 to 4. Results The proband has two HLA-B alleles. The result was assigned for HLA-B * 1518 and B * 4601 combination with a mismatch in 593A/G heterozygote by DNA sequencing of exon 2 to 4 with loci primers. After separating the two alleles of the proband with allele group specific primers polymerase chain reaction method, HLA-B * 4601 and HLA-B * 9534 alleles were identified after sequencing. The HLA-B * 9534 is identical to HLA-B * 1518 except for one nucleotide substitutions in exon 3 at position 593 A→G, this results in amino acid substitution at cedon 174 from Asn to Ser. The sequences of the novel allele have been submitted to GenBank (EU046491) and the allele has been officially nominated by the WHO Nomenclature Committee. Conclusion Identification of a novel HLA-B * 9534 allele and allele group specific primer PCR for HLA-B * 9534 was re-liable.

Objective To establish a method for very long chain fatty acids( VLCFA )with liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry( LC-MS/MS ). Methods One hundred and one healthy cases and 35 suspected ALD patients collected from April to June in 2009 were enrolled into this study. Quantitative analyzed the concentrations of VLCFA in serum was performed using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. The precision, accuracy and recovery were analyzed, and the stability of VLCFA concentration of sample under room temperature and repeated freeze-thawing were also investigated. Serum levels of VLCFA in 101 normal cases were determined and analyzed statistically. The results for the 35 randomly chosen serum samples were compared with those from MDI in Germany. Results Serum VLCFA were separated well under these gradient condition with small interference. The linear range of C22:0 was from 2 mg/L to 64 mg/L, the recovery was 99. 92% -102. 05%, and the relative standard deviation ( RSD ) of intra-day and inter-day was less than 6% and 9% respectively. For C24:0 they were 2-64 mg/L. 95. 12%-100. 44%. ≤6%, ≤7%,respectively. For C26:0, they were 0-8 mg/L, 92.21%-103.71%, ≤7%, ≤8%, respectively. The accuracy of C22: 0,C24:0 and C26:0 were among 85% to 115%. The samples could be stable within 12 h at room temperature and repeated 10 times freeze-thawing. The values of VLCFA in 101 normal cases followed a normal distribution and the measured values were C22:0 =( 19. 43 ±4.43 ) mg/L,C24:0 =( 19. 10 ±4. 58 )mg/L, C26:0 = ( 0. 21 ± 0. 11 ) mg/L, the ratio of C24: 0/C22:0 and C26:0/C22: 0 were ( 0. 99 ± 0. 13 )and ( 0. 01 ±0. 01 ) respectively. The statistical analysis showed the concentration of C26:0 in adults ( 0. 18±0. 10 ) mg/L and children ( 0. 21 ± 0. 08 ) mg/L, C24: 0/C22:0 in adults ( 1.01 ± 0. 10 ) and children ( 0. 99 ±0. 14 ) has no significant( t values were 1. 439,0. 806, respectively, all P ＞ 0. 05 ); the ratio of C24:0/C22:0 in male (1.05 ± 0. 10 ) and female (0.97 ± 0. 10 ) has significant difference ( t =3. 394,P =0. 001 ). Compared the values determined by MDI laboratory, the results of C22: 0( 16. 93 ±4. 30 ) mg/L,C24: 0( 19. 57 ± 6. 40 ) mg/L by this method and C22:0 ( 13.85 ± 3. 17 ) mg/L, C24:0( 16. 10 ±5.84 ) mg/L by MDI have significant differences( t = 8. 401 ,P =0. 000;t =9. 914,P =0. 000 ),but C26:0( 0.68 ±0.48 ) mg/L, C24:0/C22:0( 1.20 ±0.40 ), C26: 0/C22:0 ( 0.04 ±0.04 )by this method and C26: 0( 0. 65 ± 0. 67 ) mg/L, C24:0/C22: 0( 1.19 ± 0. 43 ), C26:0/C22: 0 ( 0. 05 ± 0. 05 )by MDI have no differences( t values were 0. 372,0. 317,0. 945 ,respectively ,all P ＞0. 05 ). Conclusions The quantitative analysis method for serum very long chain fatty acid using LC-MS/MS is accurate, sensitive,specific and stable. It could provide important biochemistry information for diagnosis in clinic.

Objective To compare the glucose levels and associated factors among the normal glucose tolerance subjects with different age.Methods Totally a community-based population of 2098 residences aged above 30 years Were tested with OGTT,and classified into normal glucose tolerance group(NGT),impaired glucose tolerance group(IGT),impaired fasting glucose group(IFG),both IGT and IFG group(ICT/IFC),anddiabetes group(DM) according to fasting and 2 hours glucose level(2 hPG).The subjects in NGT group were further divided into 5 groups according to different ages.The levels of blood glucose and HBCI in different groups and subgroups were measured and analyzed statistically. Results For patients in NGT,the FPG([5.17.±0.48]mmol/L vs.[5.09±0.44]mmol/L,P<0.05)and HbA1c([6.01±0.62]%vs.[5.95±0.66]%.P<0.05)in group aged 60-69 Were higher than that in group aged 50-59.The FPG in group aged 60-69 was also higher than those in group aged 40-49([5.17±0.48]mmol/L vs.[5.00±0.47]mmol/L,P<0.01),and the FPG in group aged 50-59 Was also higher than those in group aged 40-49([5.09±0.44]mmol/L vs..[5.00±0.47]mmol/L,P<0.01).There was no correlation between age and FINS,while a tendency of decreasing HBCI could be observed along with increasing of age(F=33.75,P<0.05).Conclusion In NGT subjects,the FPG and HbA1 C inereased along with age.