Objective To study the effect of astragaloside IV on renal fibrosis mice with unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) and discuss the mechanism. Methods Male C57BL/6 50 mice were divided into five groups randomly, such as Sham-operated group, model group and high-, medium-, and low-dose astragaloside IV groups. From the day of surgery, the mice in astragaloside IV groups (high-, medium- and low-dose) were treated by gavage of astragaloside IV for 2 weeks in doses of 50, 30, and 10 mg/(kg∙d) separately. The mice in Sham-operated group and model group were treated with saline instead of astragaloside IV. Serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen were detected by chemical methods. Histopathological changes and collagen deposition of affected kidney were observed under optical microscope with HE and MASSON staining. The expression levels of Toll/MyD88 dependent signaling pathway related molecules (TLR4, TLR2, MyD88, TRAF6, NF-Kappa B, TNF-α, and IL-6) in affected kidney were measured by immunohistochemistry and Western blotting methods and observed from protein levels in each group. Results The degree of fibrosis and histopathological damage of affected kidney of mice in model group is the most obvious. And the expression levels of Toll/MyD88 dependent signaling pathway related molecules in affected kidney of mice in model group were the highest. With drug concentration increased in groups of astragaloside IV, in these groups, the injury of affected kidney had been obviously reduced, and the protein expression levels of Toll/MyD88 dependent signaling pathway related molecules (TLR4, TLR2, MyD88, TRAF6, and NF-Kappa B) were also in corresponding reduced, at the same time the expression of terminal inflammatory cytokines (TNF-alpha and IL-6) has been suppressed. Conclusion Astragaloside IV may improve renal interstitial fibrosis in mice after UUO by inhibiting the expression of Toll/MyD88 dependent signaling pathway and release of inflammatory cytokines (TNF-alpha and IL-6).

Objective:To explore the expression of N-cadherin and its correlations with the clinicopathological features of human ovarian carcinoma.Methods:The expression of N-cadherin in 281 cases of ovarian carcinoma tissues were determined by immunohistochemical method.The correlations of N-cadherin expression with the clinicopathological features of human ovarian carcinoma were analyzed.Results:There was higher expression of N-cadherin in the metastatic lesions than its paired primary lesions (P =0.018).The expression level of N-cadherin in ovarian carcinoma was correlated with the FIGO stage (P =0.034),histological type (P ＜0.001) and tumor grade (P =0.004).Conclusions:High expression of N-cadherin might positively correlate with the invasion and migration ability of ovarian carcinoma cells,which was more common in the the advanced (FIGO Ⅱ-Ⅳ) ovarian carcinoma,high-grade serous carcinoma,and high grade ovarian carcinoma.N-cadherin might be useful in estimating the biological behavior of human ovarian carcinoma.

Objective:To investigate association of the new polymorphism G352A in the dopaminetransporter gene(DAT1)exon 15 with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder(ADHD)in Han Chinesechildren.Methods:The new mutant polymorphism G352A in the dopamine transporter gene(DAT1)ex-on 15 was found by the fluorescently-labeled dye-terminators assay.The study samples were comprised of337 ADHD children,207 unrelated controls and 201 integrated ADHD trios(included proband and bio-logical parents).Associations of polymorphisms with ADHD and its subtypes were examined by:(i)comparing cases and controls;and(ii)using family-based association study in transmission-disequilibri-um test(TDT).Results:The allele frequencies at the DAT1 G352A locus in the control samples were79.5% for 352G and 20.5% for 352A respectively.Association studies revealed no association betweenG352A in exon 15 of DAT1 and ADHD.But after a stratification by gender,there was possible associationbetween G352A and ADHD girls:the 352G allele had a tendency to be preferentially transmitted toADHD girls.Conclusion:There is no association between G352A,the new polymorphism,in exon 15 ofDAT1 and ADHD.The 352G allele has a tendency to be preferentially transmitted to ADHD girls,but thefindings require replication before drawing a definitive conclusion.

Objective:To compare the expression of carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA19-9) and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) between type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and non-diabetic patients, and investigate the role of interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and high sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) in the regulation of CA19-9 and CEA.Methods:From January to December 2016, a total of 146 patients with T2DM (T2DM group) were selected in Qinhuangdao Military Hospital of Hebei Province. According to age, gender, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference and hip circumference, propensity score was matched. A total of 146 healthy control group matches were completed according to the nearest neighbor matching method of 1∶1. According to the glycated hemoglobin (HbA 1c), the patients with T2DM were divided into 4 groups: HbA 1c<7% 16 cases (A subgroup), 7% ≤ HbA 1c<9% 38 cases (B subgroup), 9% ≤ HbA 1c<11% 44 cases (C subgroup), HbA 1c ≥ 11% 48 cases (D subgroup). The mediating effects of IL-6, TNF-α and hs-CRP in CA19-9 and CEA levels in patients with T2DM were determined by stepwise linear regression. Results:The fasting plasma glucose (FBG), HbA 1c, IL-6, TNF-α, hs-CRP, CA19-9 and CEA in T2DM group were significantly higher than those in control group: (9.95 ± 2.98) mmol/L vs. (4.89 ± 0.77) mmol/L, (9.85 ± 2.18)% vs. (5.71 ± 1.91)%, (46.51 ± 13.17) ng/L vs. (32.41 ± 13.74) ng/L, (45.41 ± 17.25) ng/L vs. (21.54 ± 15.01) ng/L, (4.99 ± 3.51) mg/L vs. (3.19 ± 3.15) mg/L, (13.35 ± 5.34) U/L vs. (8.58 ± 1.08) U/L and (2.51 ± 1.04) μg/L vs. (2.14 ± 1.01) μg/L, and there were statistical differences ( P<0.01). There were no statistical differences in gender composition, waist circumference, hip circumference, disease course and FBG among A subgroup, B subgroup, C subgroup and D subgroup ( P>0.05). There were statistical differences in the age, BMI, IL-6, TNF-α, hs-CRP, CA19-9 and CEA among 4 subgroups ( P<0.01 or <0.05). In patients with T2DM, the HbA 1c was positively correlated with IL-6, TNF-α, hs-CRP, CA19-9 and CEA ( r=0.863, 0.802, 0.495, 0.883 and 0.766; P<0.01). The IL-6, TNF-α and hs-CRP had some mediating effects in HbA 1c regulation of CA19-9: 20.5% (0.181/0.883), 17.8% (0.157/0.883) and 8.2% (0.072/0.883), respectively; the TNF-α had some mediating effect in HbA 1c regulation of CEA: 24.0% (0.184/0.766). Conclusions:There is a correlation between the levels of tumor markers and blood glucose in patients with T2DM, and inflammatory response is a potential regulatory variable.

OBJECTIVETo study the expression changes of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-(alpha), interleukin-6 (IL-6), C-reactive protein (CRP), monocyte chemotactic protein 1 (MCP-1), and their correlation with obesity in 20 -50 years old population of phlegm-damp constitution (PDC) and of normal constitution (NC) using Luminex technique.

METHODSTotally 101 population were recruited from Health Examination Center of Puren Hospital from April to December 2011. Based on body mass index (BMI), the subjects were assigned to four groups, i.e., the obesity of PDC group (Group OBT, BMI > or = 24 kg/m2, 30 cases), the non-obesity of PDC group (Group NOBT, BMI < 24 kg/m2, 25 cases), the obesity of non-PDC group (Group OBNT, BMI > or = 24 kg/m2, 28 cases), the NC group (Group P, BMI < 24 kg/m2, 18 cases). The BMI and body fat percent (FAT%) were compared among the 4 groups. Serum levels of TNF-alpha, IL-6, CRP, and MCP-1 were measured with Luminex technique.

RESULTSBMI was significantly higher in Group OBT and Group OBNT than in Group NOBT and Group P (all P < 0.05). The FAT% was significantly higher in Group OBT and Group OBNT than in Group P (P < 0.01). The serum TNF-alpha level in Group OBT was higher than in Group P (P < 0.01). The serum CRP and MCP-1 levels were significantly higher in Group OBT, NOBT, and OBNT than in Group P (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). The score for PDC was positively correlated with TNF-alpha, IL-6, and MCP-1 levels (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSAbnormal higher levels of inflammatory factors exist in 20 -50 years old population of PDC. Chronic inflammation exists in population of PDC and obesity people.

Adult ; Body Mass Index ; C-Reactive Protein ; metabolism ; Case-Control Studies ; Chemokine CCL2 ; blood ; Female ; Humans ; Inflammation ; Interleukin-6 ; blood ; Male ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Microchip Analytical Procedures ; Middle Aged ; Obesity ; blood ; diagnosis ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; blood ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo study and establish the GC fingerprint of essential oils of 10 batches the flower of Lonicera japonica.

METHODThe essential oils were extracted by steam distillation from ten batches of the flowers, then separated by capillary gas chromatography.

RESULTThe similarity of 10 batches of the flower of L. japonica was high.

CONCLUSIONThe method was reliable, and can be used to evaluate the quality of the flower of L. japonica.

Chromatography, Gas ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Flowers ; chemistry ; Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry ; Lonicera ; chemistry ; classification ; Oils, Volatile ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Phylogeny ; Reproducibility of Results

OBJECTIVEThe nose is composed of several delicate subunits, some of which are difficult to reconstruct if they have been injured. The paper presents the microsurgical technique to repair the nasal subunit defects with the free combined preauricular and auricular flap which well match the nasal tissues in texture, contour and color.

METHODSThe nasal subunit defects were repaired with the combined preauricular and auricular flap which were vascularized by the superficial temporal vascular system. The flap was harvested from the contralateral preauricular and the region of helix crus. The superficial temporal vessels were anastomosed to facial vessels via the vascular grafts harvested from the lateral circumfluent femoral vessels, which were about 10 to 14 cm in length. The helix crus of donor ear was reconstructed with the post-auricular flap.

RESULTS28 cases were treated, including 3 cases of nasal tip defects, 9 cases of combined nasal alar and sidewall defects, and 16 cases of nasal alar defects. In these cases, the size of the subunit defects varied from 2.5 cm x 1.5 cm to 4 cm x 2.5 cm. 27 cases were successfully repaired with satisfactory results. The contour of reconstructed helix crus in donor site was acceptable. No walking dysfunction of the donor thigh was complained. There is one failed case, and the possible reason is the insufficient blood perfusion to the flaps, which may due to the patient's longtime-smoking status and the hypertension.

CONCLUSIONSThe technique of free combined preauricular and auricular flap is ideal for the reconstruction of nasal subunit defects.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Ear Auricle ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Microsurgery ; Middle Aged ; Nose ; abnormalities ; Nose Deformities, Acquired ; surgery ; Rhinoplasty ; methods ; Skin Transplantation ; Surgical Flaps ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo explore a treatment program for increasing therapeutic effect on rheumatoid arthritis at active stage.

METHODSOne hundred and forty-six cases were randomly divided into treatment group (n = 74) and medicine control group (n = 72). The treatment group were treated by electroacupuncture at Quchi (LI 11), Hegu (LI 4), Yanglingquan (GB 34), etc. , combined with meloxicam, sulfasalazine and MTX. The control group treated by simple the Western medicines. Their therapeutic effects were compared.

RESULTSThe effective rate was 79.73% in the treatment group and 51.39% in the control group with a significant difference between the two groups (P< 0. 05).

CONCLUSIONElectroacupuncture combined with medicine has a better therapeutic effect than the simple medicine on rheumatoid arthritis at active stage.

Arthritis, Rheumatoid ; therapy ; Electroacupuncture ; Humans ; Medicine

OBJECTIVETo explore whether Val279Phe single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the 9th exon of platelet-activating factor acetylhydrolase (PAF-AH) are associated with intracranial hemorrhage in preterm infants.

METHODSA case-control study was performed. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to test genotype and allele frequencies of the 9th exon Val279Phe SNPs of PAF-AH in 58 preterm infants with intracranial hemorrhage (hemorrhage group) and 65 preterm infants without intracranial hemorrhage (control group).

RESULTSThere were significant differences in genotype frequency of Val279Phe SNPs in the 9th exon of PAF-AH between the hemorrhage and control groups (P<0.05). Frequency of normal genotype in the hemorrhage group (63.8%) was significantly lower than in the control group (81.5%). In contrast, frequency of heterozygous genotype (34.5%) in the hemorrhage group was significantly higher than in control group (16.9%). There were also significant differences in allele frequency of Val279Phe SNPs in the 9th exon of PAF-AH between the two groups (P<0.05). T allele frequency in the hemorrhage group (19.0%) was significantly higher than in the control group (10.0%).

CONCLUSIONSVal279Phe SNPs in the 9th exon of PAF-AH may be associated with intracranial hemorrhage in preterm infants.

1-Alkyl-2-acetylglycerophosphocholine Esterase ; genetics ; Female ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Infant, Premature ; Intracranial Hemorrhages ; etiology ; genetics ; Male ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide

Volatile components of Fuzhou Yulu, a Chinese fish sauce, were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), and two pretreatment methods, i.e., purge and trap (P&T) GC-MS and ethyl acetate extraction followed by GC-MS, were compared. P&T-GC-MS method determined 12 components, including sulfur-containing constituents (such as dimethyl disulfide), nitrogen-containing constituents (such as pyrazine derivatives), aldehydes and ketones. Ethyl acetate extraction followed by GC-MS method detected 10 components, which were mainly volatile organic acids (such as benzenepropanoic acid) and esters. Neither of the two methods detected alcohols or trimethylamine. This study offers an important reference to determine volatile flavor components of traditional fish sauce through modern analysis methods.
Fermentation ; Fish Products ; analysis ; Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry ; methods ; Volatilization