OBJECTIVETo explore therapeutic effect and action mechanism of regulating spleen-stomach needling on diabetic nephropathy (DN).

METHODSUsing multi-centric, randomized, controlled and blind principles, 144 cases of DN were divided into an observation group and a control group according to random digital tab, 72 cases in each one. Based on regular treatment of diabetes, the regulating spleen-stomach needling was applied at Zhongwan (CV 12), Quchi (LI 11), Hegu (LI 4) and Xuehai (SP 10), etc. in the observation group while Shenshu (BL 23), Taixi (KI 3), Sanyinjiao (SP 6), Yanglingquan (GB 34), etc. were selected in the control group by reference of Acupuncture and moxibustion. The treatment was given twice a day, six days as a treatment session with interval of one day between sessions. Totally six weeks were required. Changes of clinical symptoms and signs, fast blood glucose (FBG), urinary albumin excretion rate (UAER), beta2-microglobulin (beta2-MG), monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1), lymphocyte membrane cholesterol, propanediol (MDA), PCO, 8-hydroxydeoxy guanosine (8-OHdG), superoxide dismutase (SOD), CD3+, CD4+, CD8+, and CD4+/CD8+ were observed before and after treatment in two groups.

RESULTSAs for improving clinical symptoms and signs, total effective rate was 84.29% (59/70) in the observation group and 55.56% (40/72) in the control group, which had statistical difference between two groups (P<0.01). As for regulating glycometabolism [(6.25 +/- 0.32) mmol/L vs (8.09 +/- 0.63) mmol/L], reducing UAER [(154.43 +/- 55.14) mg/24h vs (268.91 +/- 77.65) mg/24h], restraining over-expression of MCP-1 [(137.59 +/- 36.15) pg/mL vs (166.89 +/- 42.82) pg/mL], regulating level of oxidative stress, prohibiting oxidation of protein and adjusting quantity and activity of T lymphocyte subgroup, the observation group was superior to the control group (P< 0.05, P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONThe regulating spleen-stomach needling is an effective method for treatment of DN, which cold improve glycometabolism disturbance-induced progressive kidney injury, recover glomerular filtration, reduce urinary albumin excretion rate, restrain overexpression of MCP-1, adjust level of oxidative stress, prohibit oxidation of protein, increase protectiveness of membrane, adjust quantity and activity abnormity of T lymphocyte subgroup, leading to repairing lymphocyte damage and improving immune expression to delay kidney damage.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Adult ; Aged ; Diabetic Nephropathies ; immunology ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Spleen ; physiopathology ; Stomach ; physiopathology

Animals ; DNA, Complementary ; genetics ; Genome, Viral ; Humans ; Influenza Vaccines ; genetics ; immunology ; Orthomyxoviridae ; genetics ; immunology ; RNA, Viral ; genetics

Coronary Sinus ; abnormalities ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Subclavian Vein ; Vena Cava, Superior

Objective To detect the mutations of ATP2C1 gene in patients with Hailey-Hailey dis- ease (HHD).Methods PCR and direct sequencing were performed in 17 patients and 120 healthy controls to screen the mutations in the exons of ATP2C1 gene.Results Eight mutations were identified in nine probands, including three deletion mutations (nt1464-1487 del/nt1462-1485del,1523delAT,2375delTTGT),three splice site mutations (360—2A→G,1415—2A→T,2243+2T→C) and two missence mutations (C920T and G1942T).None of the above mutations was found in the controls.Conclusion Eight specific novel mutations were identified in nine probands of HHD,which could be causative factors of the disease.

p-Hydroxybenzoic acid can be oxidized by hydroxyl radicals ( · OH) to produce electroactive 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid (3,4-DHBA). Therefore, it can be used as a probe to detect ·OH. In this work, 3,4-DHBA/ PPy / TiO2 molecularly imprinted polymer film was prepared for indirect determination of ·OH based on its recognition ability for 3,4-DHBA. The sensor was constructed by using pyrrole as the functional monomer and 3, 4-DHBA as the template molecule. The sensor was characterized by scanning electron microscope and different electrochemical methods. The preparation and determination conditions, such as the electropolymerization cycle number, pH value in the electropolymerization process, and elution time, were optimized. Under the optimal conditions, a linear range of 1. 0×10-8-1. 0×10-6 mol/ L was obtained for 3,4-DHBA and the detection limit was down to 4. 2×10-9 mol/ L (S / N = 3). This new approach was of low cost and convenience, and was successfully applied to measure the concentration of ·OH in the atmosphere.

OBJECTIVETo establish a method for real-time recording the oxygen consumption of mice under normobaric hypoxia.

METHODSThe experimental apparatus was made up of animal container, filling water control system, electronic balance, hose, a computer with weight recording software, etc. The working principle was that the oxygen consumed by animal was replaced by water filling which was controlled by the pneumatic and hydraulic actuator. The water was weighted by an electronic balance and the weight signal was recorded into excel file at the same time. The accuracy and precision of the apparatus were detected by a 10 ml syringe. The oxygen consumption characteristics of 6 acute repetitive hypoxia mice and 6 normal mice were observed.

RESULTSThe P value for the paired t test was 1 and the CV value was 4%. The survival time and total oxygen consumption of acute repetitive hypoxia mice were both significantly increased compared to normal mice (P < 0.05), which were (58.8 +/- 6.8) min and (46.0 +/- 8.7) min respectively for the survival time and (85.1 +/- 8.5) ml and (73.6 +/- 5.4) ml respectively for total oxygen consumption.

CONCLUSIONThe hypoxia tolerance of the acute repetitive hypoxia mice can significantly improved by taking more oxygen in the animal cabin. The accuracy and precision of the apparatus are high and it can be used for the determination of oxygen consumption in hypoxia research.

Animals ; Hypoxia ; physiopathology ; Mice ; Monitoring, Physiologic ; instrumentation ; Oxygen Consumption ; physiology

Objective To assess the iodine nutritional status of special target population in coastal saltproducing areas and coastal non-salt-producing areas in Xiamen city,and to provide a basis for take appropriate measures for prevention of iodine deficiency disorders.Methods The Xiang-An salt-producing areas and the JiMei non-salt-producing areas were chosen as research spots in 2009.One sample of produced water and 2 samples of tap water were collected to test iodine level; 600 children aged 8 to 10 were selected and thyroid palpation was performed,besides,the urine sample and household salt sample were also collected for iodine determination.Sixty pregnant women,breasffeeding women,and 0 - 2 year old infants were recruited,respectively,and urine samples and household salt samples were collected to perform the determination of iodine level.Results The iodine levels in drinking water of Xiang-An district and Ji-Mei district were 3.23 and 6.05 mg/L,respectively.The consumption rates of edible qualified iodinated salt were 84.4％ (438/519) and 98.3％ (392/399),respectively.The goiter rates of children aged 8 - 10 were 3.03％(19/628) and 0.67％(4/600),respectively.The medians of urinary iodine were 202.80 and 238.40 μg/L,respectively.The proportions of urinary iodine level ＜ 50 μg/L were 3.5％ (14/405) and 1.0％(2/202),respectively.The medians of urinary iodine of the pregnant women were 120.55 and 153.35 μg/L,respectively,and the proportions of urinary iodine level ＜ 150 μg/L were 62.1％ (46/74) and 46.8％ (29/62),respectively.The medians of urinary iodine in three trimester were 173.10,144.75 and 101.90 μg/L,respectively,early trimester of pregnancy ＞ second trimester and third trimester (Z =6.151,3.052,all P ＜ 0.05),second trimester ＞ third trimester (Z =2.016,P ＜ 0.05 ).The medians of urinary iodine of the breastfeeding women were 131.20 and 104.35 μg/L,respectively.The proportions of urinary iodine level ＜ 100 μg/L were 35.3％ (24/68) and 46.7％(28/60),respectively.The medians of urinary iodine of the infants were 81.95 and 80.20 μg/L,respectively,the proportions of urinary iodine level ＜ 100 μg/L were 59.7％(37/62) and 61.6％(40/65),respectively,＜ 50 μg/L were 32.3％ (20/62) and 30.8％ (20/65),respectively.Conclusions The levels of iodine nutrition in pregnant women,breastfeeding women,and 0 - 2 year old infants from Xiang-An district and Ji-Mei district in Xiamen city are still below the desired level of iodine nutrition,and the infants and pregnant women in coastal salt-producing areas are poor in iodine nutrition,we should pay close attention.We should strengthen market supervision on iodized salt,carried out iodine nutrition monitoring on pregnant women,breasffeeding women,and infants,and disseminate knowledge of iodine nutrition among high-risk population should be carried out immediately.

Objective To investigate the clinical outcomes of patients undergoing microsurgery for cerebellar medulloblastoma. Methods This retrospective analysis of the clinical and follow-up data involves 57 patients who received microsurgery for pathologically confirmed cerebellar medulloblastorna, and the microsurgical techniques for medulloblastoma were discussed. Results Among the 57 patients, 42 had total tumor resection, 13 had subtotal and 2 had partial resection of the tumors. Patency of the midbrain aqueduct was achieved in all the cases after the surgery. Hydrocephalus was found in 43 patients before the operation and only in 16 patients after the operation. Tumor relapse occurred in 19 patients 2 years after the operation, including 8 with implantation metastasis compromising the central nervous system and 1 patient with frontal lobe metastasis who received reoperations. The earliest tumor relapse occurred 20 days after the surgery. The 2- and 5-year postoperative survival rates in these patients were 68.4% and 49.1%, respectively. Conclusion Good therapeutic effects can be achieved with total resection of the tumors and postoperative whole brain and spinal cord radiotherapy in patients with medulloblastomas.

Objective To assess the therapeutic effect of arterial embolization with ONYX-18 for treatment of tentorial dural arteriovenous fistula (DAVFs). Methods The clinical data (including the disease history, radiographic examination, surgical record, and follow-up data) of 4 patients with DAVF treated between March and July, 2008 were retrospectively analyzed. Of the 4 patients, one had acute subaraclmoid hemorrhage, and 3 exhibited progressive neurological deficits. The fistula orifice was located on the top of the tentorium in 2 cases, on the left tentorium in one case and in the posterior tentorium in the other. Type Ⅱ b DAVF was found in 2 cases, type Ⅲ in one case and type IV in the other ease. All the 4 patients underwent arterial embolization with ONYX-18, with ONYX-18 dose of 1.5, 3.5, 9, and 12 mL, respectively. One patient underwent ventricuioperitoneal shunt after the embolization because of obstructive hydrocephalus. Results The fistulae were embolized completely in 3 cases, and in one patient, a small quantity of blood supply to the fistula orifice was present fi'om the occipital artery, but the blood flow velocity was obviously reduced. Follow-up of the patients for 3 months revealed no occurrence of the former symptoms after the embolization. Conclusion ONYX-18 injection through one single feeding artery after placement of the micro-catheter at the appropriate position allows effective embolization of the fistula orifice, the supplying arteries and the venous ends to achieve safe and effective embolization of DAVF.

To investigate the angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory activity of beta-chain hemoglobin fragments, 17 fragments were synthesized by microwave-assisted solid-phase synthesis method. Wang resin or Trt(2-Cl) resin, Fmoc and HBTU-HOBt were used as solid carrier, N-terminal amino acid protecting groups and coupling reagents, respectively. The ACE inhibitory, alpha-glucosidase inhibitory, antibacterial and antitumor activities of the synthesized fragments were assayed. In vitro, Val-Val-Tyr-Pro-Trp-Thr showed high ACE inhibitory activity (IC50 = 7.42 micromol x L(-1)). The results indicate that there are two active sites in Val-Val-Tyr-Pro-Trp-Thr-Gln-Arg-Phe, one consists of Val-Val-, and the other -Gln-Arg-Phe. Peptides showed high ACE inhibitory activity when the N-terminal was hydrophobic amino acid such as Val and C-terminal tripeptide contained Phe, Trp or Arg. Some of the fragments showed low a-glucosidase inhibitory activity. No antibacterial activity or antitumor activity was detected in vitro. The results indicate that these peptides have a potential antihypertensive effect and possible application in the treatment of hypertension.
Amino Acid Sequence ; Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors ; pharmacology ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; pharmacology ; Antihypertensive Agents ; pharmacology ; Antineoplastic Agents ; pharmacology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Glycoside Hydrolase Inhibitors ; Humans ; Peptide Fragments ; chemical synthesis ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A ; drug effects ; Solid-Phase Synthesis Techniques ; methods ; alpha-Glucosidases ; drug effects ; beta-Globins ; chemical synthesis ; chemistry ; pharmacology