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 investigate the risk factors for concomitant cardiac autonomic neuropathy in diabetic patients and to develop a Nomogram prediction model.Methods:One hundred and fifty-eight diabetic patients admitted to in Southern Hospital Zengcheng Branch from March 2019 to March 2021 were selected. Patients with normal heart rate variability were the diabetic group, and patients with abnormal heart rate variability were the group with diabetes mellitus complicated by cardiac autonomic neuropathy. Logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the risk factors of cardiac autonomic neuropathy. Nomogram models were developed and model performance was evaluated. Decision curve analysis (DCA) was used to assess the net clinical benefit of the Nomogram model.Results:Comparison of general data showed that fasting blood glucose, tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), glomerular filtration rate (eGER), uric acid, C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), free fatty acids (FFA), standard deviation of sinus heart beat RR interval (SDNN), and duration of diabetes compared to the diabetic group had statistically significant ( P<0.05); the results of the subject work characteristics (ROC) curve analysis showed that the best cut-off values for fasting glucose, TNF-α, eGFR, uric acid, CRP, IL-6, FFA, SDNN and duration of diabetes were >7.53 mmol/L, >98.45 ng/L, ≤94.79 ml/(min·1.73 m 2), > 87.3 μmol/L, >6.22 μmol/L, >37.84 ng/L, >839.19 μmol/L, ≤ 95.88 ms, >9 years; multi-factorial Logistic regression analysis showed that fasting glucose (>7.53 mmol/L), TNF-α (>98.45 ng/L), CRP (>6.22 μmol/L), IL-6 (>37.84 ng/L), FFA (>839.19 μmol/L), SDNN (≤95.88 ms), and duration of diabetes (>9 years) were risk factors for the development of cardiac autonomic neuropathy in diabetic patients; internal validation showed that the Nomogram model predicted a C-index of 0.706 (95% CI 0.668 - 0.751) for the risk of cardiac autonomic neuropathy. The DCA results showed that the Nomogram model predicted a risk threshold of >0.25 for the development of cardiac autonomic neuropathy and that the Nomogram model provided a net clinical benefit. Conclusions:There are many risk factors for cardiac autonomic neuropathy, and the nomogram model based on risk factors in this study has good predictive power and may provide a reference for clinical screening of high-risk patients and further improvement of treatment planning.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25VD3) on house dust mites (HDM)-induced expression of thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) in human airway epithelial cells in vitro.

METHODSHuman airway epithelial 16HBE cells were incubated with 200, 400, and 800 U/L in the absence or presence of 1,25VD3 (10(-8) mol/L) for 6 h and 24 h, and TSLP mRNA and protein expressions in the cells were assessed using quantitative PCR and ELISA.

RESULTS16HBE cells incubated with HDM at 200, 400, and 800 U/L showed significantly increased TSLP mRNA and protein expressions (P<0.05). Pretreatment of the cells with 1,25VD3 obviously lowered 400 U/L HDM-induced TSLP expressions (P<0.05), but 1,25VD3 added along with HDM in the cells did not produce significant effects on TSLP expressions (P=0.58).

CONCLUSIONBoth 1,25VD3 and HDM can induce TSLP expression and release in 16HBE cells, but pretreatment with 1,25VD3 can decrease HDM-augmented TSLP expression in the cells.

Animals ; Bronchi ; cytology ; Calcitriol ; pharmacology ; Cell Line ; Cytokines ; metabolism ; Epithelial Cells ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Humans ; Pyroglyphidae

Objective To investigate the effect of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25VD3) on house dust mites (HDM)-induced expression of thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) in human airway epithelial cells in vitro. Methods Human airway epithelial 16HBE cells were incubated with 200, 400, and 800 U/L in the absence or presence of 1,25VD3 (10-8 mol/L) for 6 h and 24 h, and TSLP mRNA and protein expressions in the cells were assessed using quantitative PCR and ELISA. Results 16HBE cells incubated with HDM at 200, 400, and 800 U/L showed significantly increased TSLP mRNA and protein expressions (P<0.05). Pretreatment of the cells with 1,25VD3 obviously lowered 400 U/L HDM-induced TSLP expressions (P<0.05), but 1,25VD3 added along with HDM in the cells did not produce significant effects on TSLP expressions (P=0.58). Conclusion Both 1,25VD3 and HDM can induce TSLP expression and release in 16HBE cells, but pretreatment with 1,25VD3 can decrease HDM-augmented TSLP expression in the cells.

Objective To investigate the effect of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25VD3) on house dust mites (HDM)-induced expression of thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) in human airway epithelial cells in vitro. Methods Human airway epithelial 16HBE cells were incubated with 200, 400, and 800 U/L in the absence or presence of 1,25VD3 (10-8 mol/L) for 6 h and 24 h, and TSLP mRNA and protein expressions in the cells were assessed using quantitative PCR and ELISA. Results 16HBE cells incubated with HDM at 200, 400, and 800 U/L showed significantly increased TSLP mRNA and protein expressions (P<0.05). Pretreatment of the cells with 1,25VD3 obviously lowered 400 U/L HDM-induced TSLP expressions (P<0.05), but 1,25VD3 added along with HDM in the cells did not produce significant effects on TSLP expressions (P=0.58). Conclusion Both 1,25VD3 and HDM can induce TSLP expression and release in 16HBE cells, but pretreatment with 1,25VD3 can decrease HDM-augmented TSLP expression in the cells.

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 explore the distribution and antibiotic resistance of pathogens in lesions of diabetic foot osteomyelitis (DFO) and analyze the risk factors causing osteomyelitis. Methods A 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. Results Gram-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 cm2 were the risk factors for osteomyelitis in patients with diabetic foot infections (P<0.05). Conclusions In 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 cm2 are exposed to an increased risk of osteomyelitis.

Objective To explore the distribution and antibiotic resistance of pathogens in lesions of diabetic foot osteomyelitis (DFO) and analyze the risk factors causing osteomyelitis. Methods A 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. Results Gram-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 cm2 were the risk factors for osteomyelitis in patients with diabetic foot infections (P<0.05). Conclusions In 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 cm2 are exposed to an increased risk of osteomyelitis.

Complete androgen insensitivity syndrome(CAIS) is characterized by lack of androgen response in target organs due to androgen receptor dysfunction, resulting in feminized external genitalia. Individuals with CAIS are typically advised to live as females. This article reports a patient diagnosed with CAIS and gender dysphoria in adulthood. Following the removal of a left pelvic mass, pathology indicated cryptorchidism with a concurrent Leydig cell tumor. Genetic testing revealed a deletion mutation in exon 3 of androgen receptor gene. During follow-up, the patient underwent gender reassignment, transitioning socially from female to male. This case provides new insights into gender allocation for CAIS patients.