OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of different concentrations of glucose on the permeability of human umbilical vein endothelial cell monolayer and the protective effect of protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitor Ro-31-8425 against high-glucose exposure.

METHODSCultured human umbilical vein endothelial cell line EA.hy926 cells were exposed to 5.5 mmol/L glucose (control) and high-concentration glucose (10, 15, 20, 25.5, and 30 mmol/L), and the endothelial monolayer permeability was assessed by measuring the flux of FITC-labeled dextran (FITC-DΧ) across the endothelial cells. The cultured EA.hy926 cells were treated with 5.5 mmol/L glucose +saline, high glucose (25.5 mmol/L) +saline, or high glucose (25.5 mmol/L) +Ro-31-8425(10 µmol/L), and the level of PKC phosphorylation and endothelial monolayer permeability were evaluated.

RESULTSHigh glucose dose-dependently increased the permeability of the endothelial cell monolayer (P<0.01), and glucose at 25.5 mmol/L significantly increased the phosphorylation level of PKCα and PKCβ II in the cells (P<0.01). Treatment with 10 µmol/L Ro-31-8425 obviously attenuated high-glucose-induced PKCα and PKCβ II phosphorylation (P<0.01) as well as the increase of the cell monolayer permeability (P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONSHigh glucose increases the hyperpermeability of human umbilical vein endothelial cell monolayer mediated by the phosphorylation of PKC, and the PKC inhibitor Ro-31-8425 can reverse such effects.

Capillary Permeability ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Endothelium, Vascular ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Glucose ; adverse effects ; Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells ; drug effects ; Humans ; Indoles ; pharmacology ; Maleimides ; pharmacology ; Protein Kinase C ; antagonists & inhibitors

Objective To analyze radiation induced alterations of vitronectin and collagen expressions in fibroblasts at different times post-irradiation,so as to evaluate the potential to apply vitronectin as a biomarker of radiation-induced lung fibrosis.Methods The human fibroblast cells WI-38 and IMR-90 were irradiated with 137Cs γ-rays at doses of 0 (control),4,6,8,10 and 12 Gy,respectively.The cells and its supernatant were collected at 6,12,24,36,48 and 60 h post-irradiation.The expressions of vitronectin and collagen Ⅰ and Ⅲ were analyzed by Western blot,PCR and ELISA.Results After irradiation,the expressions of vitronectin and collagen Ⅰ and Ⅲ were positively correlated (r=0.40-0.79,P＜0.05) and were all significantly higher than that in control group (t =3.04-25.45,P ＜0.05) and reached the highest expression levels at 48 h after 8-10 Gy of irradiation (t =2.92-18.86,P ＜ 0.05).Analyses of Real-time PCR and ELISA assay showed that expressions of vitronectin mRNA and its protein level in the cell lysis were significantly increased by radiation (F =27.09-42.62,P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions The expressions of vitronectin in cellular supernatant and its mRNA may be a potential biomarker of radiation-induced fibrosis,and 48 h after 8 Gy irradiation may be an optimum condition of measurement.

OBJECTIVETo explore the distribution and antibiotic resistance of pathogens in lesions of diabetic foot osteomyelitis (DFO) and analyze the risk factors causing osteomyelitis.

METHODSA total of 372 patients with diabetic foot infections hospitalized between January 2011 and December 2014, including 203 with osteomyelitis (OM group) and 169 without osteomyelitis (non-OM group), were examined for the distribution and antibiotic resistance profile of the pathogens in the wounds. Logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the risk factors causing osteomyelitis.

RESULTSGram-negative bacteria were the predominant pathogens (53.7%) in the infected wounds in OM group, whereas Gram-positive bacteria were the most frequently found (56.7%) in non-OM group (P=0.001). Among the Gram-positive bacteria, Staphylococcus was the dominating flora (35.1%). The resistance rate to oxacillin and cefoxitin of the isolated bacteria in OM group (64.9% and 68.5%, respectively) was significantly higher than that in non-OM group (29.2% and 32.6%, respectively; P<0.05). Among the gram-negative bacteria, Enterobacteriaceae was the dominating flora (62.4%), with a higher resistance rate to Cefepime and Aztreonam in OM group (30.1% and 38.6%, respectively) than in non-OM group (15.1% and 22.2%, respectively; P<0.05). Logistic regression analysis indicated that the infection by multi-drug resistant bacteria and an wounds area >4 cm(2) were the risk factors for osteomyelitis in patients with diabetic foot infections (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONIn addition to an empirical anti-infection therapy, clinicians should choose specific antibiotics against Gram-negative bacteria according to the microbial spectrum and antibiotic resistance of pathogens in patients with DFO; patients with diabetic foot infections by multi-drug resistant bacteria and those with a wound area exceeding 4 cm(2) are exposed to an increased risk of osteomyelitis.

Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Cephalosporins ; Diabetic Foot ; microbiology ; Drug Resistance, Multiple, Bacterial ; Gram-Negative Bacteria ; classification ; isolation & purification ; Gram-Positive Bacteria ; classification ; isolation & purification ; Humans ; Osteomyelitis ; microbiology ; Risk Factors ; Wound Infection ; microbiology

Objective:To investigate the clinical characteristics and offer diagnostic and therapeutic approaches for adult-onset idiopathic hypogonadotropic hypogonadism(AIHH).Methods:Clinical, laboratory, and imaging data, as well as follow-up information, of three male patients diagnosed with AIHH at the Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism of Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, were systematically reviewed and analyzed.Results:All three patients were male, with a median age of 39 years(range, 22 to 40). Two patients reported symptoms of enlarged breasts and reduced sexual function, while one case solely reported a decline in sexual function. Physical examination showed that the median length of the penis was 6 cm(range, 5 to 6 cm), and the bilateral testicular volume was 7.96 mL(4.70-8.82 mL). Basal hormone levels at the time of initial visit to our hospital as follows: the median testosterone level was 0.32 ng/mL(0.24-2.96 ng/mL), median follicle stimulating hormone(FSH) level was 0.56 mIU/mL(0.1-0.75 mIU/mL), and the median luteinizing hormone(LH) level was 0.69 mIU/mL(0.1-1.03 mIU/mL). The levels of other hormones secreted by the anterior pituitary gland were normal. Hypothalamic-pituitary magnetic resonance imaging(MRI) showed that 1 patient had a pituitary microadenoma. Three patients were treated with pulsatile GnRH or gonadotropins, one of which had hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal(HPG) axis function reversal after GnRH pulse pump therapy and lasted for 1 year, but then still had irreversible reduction.Conclusion:AIHH is marked by adult-onset disease and idiopathic hypogonadism. Enhancing fertility remains a critical requirement for these patients. Pulsatile GnRH treatment or gonadotropin therapy, as viable treatments, exhibit therapeutic effects, albeit with occasional fluctuations. Therefore, the emphasis lies in the timely consideration of fertility preservation.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the abnormalities in regional homogeneity of brain activity in patients with diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) using resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) and explore the association between brain activity changes and DPN. METHODS: A regional homogeneity (ReHo) approach was used to compare the local synchronization of rs-fMRI signals among 20 patients with painful DPN, 16 patients with painless DPN, and 16 type 2 diabetic patients without DPN (non-DPN group). RESULTS: Compared with the those without DPN, the patients with painful DPN showed high ReHo in the left inferior temporal gyrus and the right central posterior gyrus, and low ReHo in the posterior cingulate gyrus, right inferior parietal gyrus, and the left superior parietal gyrus ( < 0.05);the patients with painless DPN group showed high ReHo in the left inferior temporal gyrus, the right middle temporal gyrus, and the right superior frontal gyrus, and low ReHo in the left thalamus ( < 0.05).No significant differences in ReHo were found between the patients with painful DPN and painless DPN (>0.05). CONCLUSIONS The patients with DPN have altered ReHo in multiple brain regions and impairment of a default mode network, for which the left temporal gyrus may serve as a functional compensatory brain area. ReHo disturbance in the central right posterior gyrus may play a central role in the pain symptoms associated with painful DPN.
Brain ; diagnostic imaging ; physiopathology ; Brain Mapping ; methods ; Diabetic Neuropathies ; physiopathology ; Gyrus Cinguli ; diagnostic imaging ; physiopathology ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; methods ; Neuralgia ; physiopathology ; Temporal Lobe ; diagnostic imaging ; physiopathology