As constructive cells of the glomerular filtration barrier, podocytes plays an essential role in the maintenance of the glomerular blood filtration, and also in the prevention of protein loose from blood. Many factors cause podocyte injury, and consequently contribute to the onset and progression of glomerular lesions. This review focuses on relationship between podocyte injury and glomerular disease.

Objective: To establish a method for the content determination of tannin in Nodus Nelumbinis Rhizomatis. Methods: The content of tannin in Nodus Nelumbinis Rhizomatis was detected by molybdophosphate colorimetric method. Results: The content of tannin in Nodus Nelumbinis Rhizomatis from different drugstores varied from 0.2537% to 1.637%. Conclusion: This method was simple, accurate and can be used for the quality control of Nodus Nelumbinis Rhizomatis.

Objective To explore the constitution characteristics of patients with uterine fibroids.MethodsA total of 413 patients with uterine fibroids (patient group) and 413 healthy women (control group) were enrolled in this case-control study. All the participants were required to fill in a questionnaire on Chinese Medicine constitution.The frequency and percentage of indicators were calculated,and analysis of variance and Chi-square test were used to find difference between the two groups.Results The incidence of Qi-stagnation constitution in the patient group was higher than that in the control group (x2 =8.209,P ＜ 0.05 ). The incidence of menstrual abnormalities was increased in patients with constitution of Phlegm-dampness and Dampness-heat,Qi-stagnation and Blood-stasis.The detection rate of hypertension of the patient group was also significantly increased.ConclusionThe most common constitution of patients with uterine fibroid is Oi-stagnation.

ObjectiveTo identify the presence of side population (SP) cells in human ovarian cancer cell line OVCAR-3 and to investigate whether SP cells have the characteristics of cancer stem cells.MethodsSP and non-SP (NSP) cells from OVCAR-3 were isolated by fluorescence-activated cell sorting after being stained by DNA-binding dye Hoechst 33342.Limiting dilution transplantation assay,realtime PCR,and drug sensitivity assay were performed to compare the tumorigenic ability,differentiation ability in vivo,the mRNA expressiou of stemness marker (Oct-4,Klf4,and Nanog) and ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporter (ABCG2,ABCB1,and ABCC2),and response to multiple drugs (cisplatin,paclitaxel,doxorubicin,and mitoxantrone )between SP and NSP cells.ResultsA few of SP cells [ ( 1.13 ±0.39) ％ ] which were sensitive to reserpine were identified in OVCAR-3 cells.The injection of as few as 102 SP cells initiated tumors in two of five mice.Tumor latency was 52 -61 days.However,the NSP cells did not generate any tumors in mice until 104 NSP cells were injected (two of five mice).Tumor latency was 64 - 98 days.Tumorigenicity of SP cells was enhanced by at least 100-fold than that of NSP cells.The SP cells regenerated both SP [ ( 2.09 ± 0.73 ) ％ ] and NSP populations in vivo with a fraction size that was comparable to the original population.The mRNA expression ofstemness genes Oct-4,Klf4 and ABC transporters ABCG2,ABCC2 genes were elevated in SP cells compared to NSP cells,the fold changes were 1.95±0.41 (P＜0.05),4.26 ±0.63 (P＜0.01),3.22±0.36 (P＜0.01),and 1.76±0.26 (P＜0.01 ),respectively.The relative activity of SP and NSP cells were 0.757 ± 0.105 versus 0.474 ± 0.035 (P＜0.01),0.521 ±0.092 versus 0.384 ±0.073 (P＜0.05),0.742 ±0.051 versus 0.526 ±0.088 (P ＜0.01 ),and 0.690 ± 0.096 versus 0.466 ± 0.112 ( P ＜ 0.01 ) when they exposed to 0.25 μg/ml cisplatin, 0.01μmol/Lpaclitaxel, 0.25μmol/Ldoxorubicin, and0.05μg/mlmitoxantrone,respectively.ConclusionsSP cells from OVCAR-3 have enhanced self-renewal,differentiation,and tumorinitiating capacity compared to NSP cells.The mRNA expression of stemness genes and ABC transporters are markedly elevated in SP cells,which showed resistance to multiple chemotherapeutic drugs and have characteristics of cancer stem-like cells.Therefore,SP phenotype could be used as a marker to isolate the cancer stem-like cells in ovarian cancer.

Objective To explore the effect of self-made venous compressor on hemostasis after withdrawing femoral vein catheter in patients with liver failure.Methods 200 patients with liver failure undergoing femoral venous intubation were divided randomly into observation group and control group in equal number.Hemostasis was performed after withdrawing the catheter using the self-made venous compressor and bandage combined with pressure dressing in the former and latter group respectively.The two groups were compared in terms of the complication rate,time for hemostasis manipulation and time limb immobilization.Results The rate of complications in the observation group was significantly lower than that of the control group.The time for hemostasis manipulation and time for limb immobilization in the observation group were both significantly shorter than those of the control group(P<0.01). Conclusion Performance of hemostasis using self-made venous compressor may lower the rate of complication from withdrawing femoral vein catheter and shorten the time for hemostasis manipulation and the time for limb immobilization.

Objective:To explore the effect of ulinastatin on prevention of acute respiratory distress syn-drome (ARDS).Methods:A prospective multicentral cohort study was conducted.The patients from three intensive care units (ICUs)of grade A tertiary hospitals in Beijing and a ICU of grade A tertiary hospitals in Cangzhou from January 2012 to December 2014,included 77 ARDS at-risk patients with uli-nastatin treatment and 108 ARDS at-risk patients without ulinastatin treatment (control)were eligible. Both groups received normal treatment;additionally,the intervention group received 600 000 units of uli-nastatin via intravenous infusion for 5 days.The control group received the same amount of saline via in-travenous infusion for 5 days.Venous blood human neutrophil elastase (HNE)and peptidase inhibitor 3 (PI3)levels were measured on days 1,3,and 7,respectively.Other outcomes included acute physiolo-gy and chronic health evaluation scoring Ⅱ (APACHE Ⅱ),body temperature,respiratory rate,heart rate,mean arterial pressure,white blood cell counts,PaO2 /FiO2 ,ARDS incident,mechanical ventila-tion time,ICU treatment and hospitalization duration,28 days mortality.Results:The PI3 levels showed no statistical difference on day 1,but significant differences on day 3 and day 7 between the two groups (P <0.01).HNE /PI3 ratio showed no statistical difference on day 1,but significant differences on day 3 and day 7 (P <0.05).PaO2 /FiO2 was significantly higher in ulinastatin group on day 3 and day 7 (P <0.05).The incident rate for ulinastatin group was 15.58%,lower than that for the control group (33.33%),and the difference was statistically significant (P <0.05).The mechanical ventilation time and ICU treatment time in ulinastatin group was shorter than that in the control group,and the difference was statistically significant (P <0.05).There were no significant effects in other factors.Conclusion:Increased dose of ulinastatin can recover the balance of HNE and its antagonist,lower the HNE’s damage to lungs,and further reduce the ARDS incident rate.

Air Pollution ; adverse effects ; Humans ; Rhinitis, Allergic ; etiology

Objective This study aimed to investigate the role of pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ) in repairing oxidative nerve cells,and to study the antioxidant capacity of PQQ on the oxidative damage of rats caused by apolexis,as well as the effects on learning and memory abilities of apolexis rats.Methods Oxidative damage of PC12 was induced by H2O2,and the repairing rate of PQQ on oxidative PC12 cells was tested by methylthiazolyldiphenyl-tetrazolium bromide assay kit.The 18-month-old male SD rats were administered PQQ (0,10,20,40 mg/kg).After 4 weeks,Morris water maze test was used to test the learning and memory ability.After 6 weeks,serum and brain tissue related indicators and antioxidant capacity were recorded.Results The survival rate of PC12 cells increased from 59.1％ to 90.5％ with 200 nmol/L PQQ.Compared with the apolexis model group,the latency of the PQQ group (20,40 mg/kg) was shortened in the Morris water maze experiment,the swimming distance was reduced,pass-through counts were increased,and the first secure platform pass-through was reduced.Meanwhile,the levels of malondialdehyde and lipofuscin in serum and brain tissue of PQQ group decreased,the levels of superoxide dismutase,glutathione peroxidase vitality,antioxidant capacity of PQQ group (20,40 mg/kg) were enhanced.Conclusion PQQ could repair the oxidative damage of nerve cells,and it was confirmed that PQQ could play the same antioxidant effect in body and brain,and increase the learning and memory ability of apolexis rats.

OBJECTIVETo study the feasibility of supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) for extraction of ergosterols from the fruits of Ganoderma lucidum.

METHODOptimum extraction conditions were studied by orthogonal tests, the ergosterol were analyzed by RP-HPLC.

RESULTThe optimal extraction conditions were pressure as 20 MPa, temperature at 45 degrees C, using ethanol as modifier carrier at the volume of 1 mL x g(-1), and 1.5 hour of extraction time.

CONCLUSIONSFE has the superiority of adjustable polarity, and has the ability of extracting ergosterol from fruits of Ganoderma lucidum.

Chromatography, Supercritical Fluid ; methods ; Ergosterol ; analysis ; isolation & purification ; Fruit ; chemistry ; Plant Extracts ; analysis ; isolation & purification ; Reishi ; chemistry

Objective To compare the rigidity at upper thoracic spine among the anterior transpedicular screw-plate system (ATPSPS),posterior transpedicle screw-rod system (PTPSRS) and anterior vertebral body screw-plate system (AVBSPS).Methods Twelve embalmed cadaver specimens were divided into three groups.The specimens in each group were randomly allocated to use the above 3 different internal fixation devices for conducting fixation.The stiffness of each specimen on the directions of axial compression,flexion and extension,and left and right lateral bending was detected under original status.All specimens conducted the simulated corpectomy of T2 (damage status).Then the rigidity on various directions was re-detected on the damage status.The corresponding internal fixation system was selected for conducting the install and fixation according to the grouping results.The intra-group and inter-group rigiditieson different directions were compared amongoriginal status,damage status and after internal fixation.Results The rigidities on different directions under original and damage statushad no statistical difference among various groups (P＜0.05).After conducting fixation in each group,the rigidity after fixation on different directions had statistically significant difference among groups(P＜0.05).The stiffness of anterior flexion in the ATPSPS group was greater than that in the other two groups (P＜0.05).The rigidity of axial compression and extension in the PTPSRS group was greater than that in the other two groups,the difference among groups was statistically significant (P＜0.05).The stiffness of lateral bending in the AVBSPS group was smaller than that in the other two groups,the difference was significant (P＜0.05),but the difference between the other two groups had no statistical significance (P＞0.05).Conclusion The rigidity of ATPSPS in all directions is higher than that of AVBSPS.The anterior flexion rigidity is greater than PTPSRS,and the axial compression and extension rigidity are less than PTPSRS,but the lateral bending rigidity is equivalent to PTPSRS.