OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of Wenyang Huoxue Lishui Recipe (WHLR) containing serum on the expression of cathepsin L (CatL) in puromycin aminonucleoside-induced injury of mouse glomerular podocytes.

METHODSMouse podocyte cells (MPCs) in vitro cultured were divided into the normal control group, the model group, the dexamethasone (DEX) group, 10% WHLR containing serum group, 20% WHLR containing serum group, the vehicle serum control group. MPCs in the normal control group were cultured at 37 degrees C culture solution for 24 h. 45 mg/L puromycin was acted on MPCs in the model group for 24 h. On the basis of puromycin intervention, 1 limol/L DEX was co-incubated in MPCs of the DEX group for 24 h; 10% or 20% WHLR containing serum was co-incubated in MPCs of the 10% WHLR containing serum group and 20% WHLR containing serum group for 24 h. The vehicle serum control group was also set up by incubating with WHLR containing serum alone for 24 h. The expression of CatL and its substrate Synaptopodin in podocytes were detected by cell immunofluorescence staining. FITC-conjugated phalloidin was used to stain F-actin. A cortical F-actin score index (CFS index) was designed to quantify the degree of cytoskeletal reorganization in cultured podocytes.

RESULTSCompared with the normal control group, the expression of synaptopodin significantly decreased and the expression of CatL significantly-increased in the model group. F-actin arranged in disorder, gradually forming pericellular F-actin ring. CFS index was obviously elevated (P < 0.01). Compared with the model group, the epression of synaptopodin increased, the expression of CatL decreased, and CFS index also decreased in the DEX group, 10% WHLR containing serum group, and 20% WHLR containing serum group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). Compared with the DEX group, the expression of synaptopodin decreased in 10% WHLR containing serum group, CFS index also decreased in 20% WHLR containing serum group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSWHLR could up-regulate the expression of synaptopodin, down-regulate the expression of CatL, and alleviate cytoskeletal reorganization of F-actin. It was helpful to stabilize the cytoskeleton of F-actin and improve the merging of podocytes.

Actins ; metabolism ; Animals ; Cathepsin L ; metabolism ; Cells, Cultured ; Down-Regulation ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Kidney Glomerulus ; cytology ; Mice ; Microfilament Proteins ; metabolism ; Podocytes ; drug effects ; pathology ; Puromycin Aminonucleoside ; adverse effects ; Up-Regulation

Objective To determine whether p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38MAPK) signaling pathway is involved in cerebral fractalkine-induced hyperalgesia in mice.Methods Two hundred and twenty-five male Kunming mice weighing 30-40 g were randomly divided into 4 groups:group control ( group C,n =55 ) ;group fractalkine (group F,n =60); group anti-CX3CR1 + fractalkine (group CF,n =55) and group SB203580 (p38MAPK inhibitor) + fractalkine (group SF,n =55).Fractalkine 100 ng was injected into cerebral lateral ventricle (i.c.v.) in groups F,CF and SF.Anti-CX3CR1 1 μg and SB203580 1 μg were injected i.c.v.at 1 h before fractalkine injection in groups CF and SF respectively.Paw withdrawal latency to a thermal nociceptive stimulus (PWL) was measured at 30 min before the drugs were injected into cerebral lateral ventricle and 30,60,120 and 240 min after fractalkine injection.Five animals were sacrificed after PWL measurement at each time point and their brains were removed for determination of phosphorylated p38MAPK protein expression (by Western blot analysis).Five animals were sacrificed at 30 min before the drugs were injected into cerebral lateral ventricle and 6,12 and 24 h after fractalkine injection for determination of IL-1β and TNF-α contents in the brain (by ELISA) in all the 4 groups.In group F 5 animals were sacrificed at 4 h after fractalkine injection for determination of action of fractalkine on microglia or astrocyte (by immunofluorescence).Results Fractalkine i.c.v.injection significantly reduced PWL and increased phosphorylated 38MAPK,IL-1β and TNF-α levels in group F as compared with group C.Pretreatment with anti-CX3CR1 or SB203580 significantly decreased fractalkine-induced hyperalgesia and phosphorylated-p38MAPK,IL-1β and TNF-α levels in groups CF and SF as compared with group F.Fractalkine was localized at microglia.Conclusion p38MAPK signal transduction pathway is involved in cerebral fractalkine-induced hyperalgesia in mice.

Objective To investigate the clinical states of enuresis children companied with spina bifida occulta(SBO)and study the efficient way of treatment.Methods The children with SBO were check out by X ray from a total of 121 children with bedwetting.Their parents were asked to complete the enuresis questionnaires.Urine routine test and B-ultrasound examination about kidney,bladder and ureter were also asked to be done.The clinic data of the 49 children were attained and analyzed.They were randomly divided into 2 groups,and given the controlled treatment.Group A[used 1-deamino-8-D-arginine vas-opressin(DDAVP)only] and group B(used DDAVP plus oxybutynin plus bladder training)treated for 12 weeks.Results There were totally 49 bedwetting children companied with SBO,and most of them(44 cases,89.8%)were severe type(bedwetting times≥7 times/week).Some of them coexisted with frequency,urgency,gentle urgency incontinence and microscopic hematuria(22 cases).Thirty cases were found the functional bladder capacity(FBC)decrease by B-ultrasound.The cure rates were 58.3%(group A)and 88.0%(group B)respectively.The relapse rates were 36.8%(group A)and 12.5%(group B)respectively after stopping treatment for 3 months.Conclusions SBO accounts for considerably higher rate in enuretic children.It might cause the disability of bladder function.The treatment plan with DDAVP plus oxybutynin plus bladder training can not only increase the cure rate but also lower the relapse rate.

BackgroundRetinal pigment epithelial(RPE) cells can secrete platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) and PDGF receptor(PDGFR).Studies have shown that PDGF plays a key role in the formation of proliferative vitreous retinopathy(PVR). ObjectiveThis study was to investigate the proliferation and apoptosis changes of RPE after blockage of the PDGFR-α expression by antisense oligonucleotide ( ASODN ) in vitro. Methods Human RPE cells strain was cultured in low glucose DMEM with 10％ fetal bovine serum.Logarithmic phase cells were collected and incubated in 96-well plate at the density of 5 × 105 cells/hole.PDGFR-α ASODN was transfected into RPE cells at different concentrations for 48 hours.The cells of the blank control group were regularly cultured without any transfection.The changes of PDGFR-α expression were detected by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR),and the proliferation of RPE was detected by MTT as the A490 value.Hoechst 33258 fluorescence staining was used to determine the apoptosis of RPE.Flow cytometry method (FCM) was applied to detect the change of cell cycle and apoptosis rate of RPE cells. ResultsThe A490 values of RPE cells were 1.45±0.12,1.07±0.06,0.65±0.05 in blank control group,1.0 μmol/L Lipo-ASODN group and 2.0 μmol/L Lipo-ASODN group with the significant difference(P=0.00 ),and that of 1.0 μmol/L Lipo-ASODN group and 2.0 μ mol/L Lipo-ASODN group were significantly lower than the blank control group ( P =0.00,0.00).Hoechst 33258 staining showed that the apoptosis cells were obviously more in Lipo-ASODN group compared with blank control group.PDGFR-α ASODN transfection induced an increase of percentage of RPE cells in G0/G1 phase( F =206.70,P =0.00),and the apoptosis rates in 1.0 μmol/L Lipo-ASODN group and 2.0 μmol/L Lipo-ASODN group were significantly enhanced in comparison with blank control group ( 37.8 ± 1.3 vs 10.5 ± 0.1,61.2 ± 1.9 vs 10.5 ± 0.1 ) ( F =1808.90,P =0.00 ).Expression intensity of PDGFR-α mRNA in RPE cells in Lipo-ASODN groups was lower. ConclusionsBlocking the PDGFR-α expression with ASODN technology can suppress proliferation and induce apoptosis of RPE cells.Intensity of PDGFR-α mRNA expression in RPE cells is ASODN dose-dependent.ASODN targeted to PDGFR-α offers an experimental basis of the gene therapy for PVR.

Receptor imidazoline 2 (I₂) is one of the imidazoline receptors with high affinity for [³H]-idazoxan. Receptor I₂, being classified into I(₂A) and I(₂B) subtypes, is mainly localized to the outer membrane of mitochondria in liver, kidney and brain. Receptor I₂, displaying high similarity of sequence with monoamine oxidase-B (MAO-B), is structurally related to MAO-B, but the I₂ imidazoline binding site (I₂BS) with ligand is distinct from the catalytic site of MAO-B. Agmatine is the endogenous ligand of receptor I₂. Accumulating evidence have revealed that the activation of receptors I₂ may produce neuroprotective effects by increasing expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) in astrocytes, inhibiting activity of MAO, reducing calcium overload in cells. Agmatine exerts neuroprotection against ischemia-hypoxia, injury, glutamate-induced neurotoxicity by activating imidazoline receptors, blocking N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor, inhibiting all isoforms of nitric oxide synthase (NOS), and selectively blocking the voltage-gated calcium channels (VGCC). It would be expected that agmatine is one of the potential neuroprotective agents.

In this paper, the advance of polymeric materials applied in the development of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and natural products was reviewed. Especially the research progresses in use of the polymeric membranes, polymeric flocculating agents, polymeric sorbents and polymeric drug delivery system (DDS) in the separation and preparation of herb and TCM were discussed in details. In addition, the future develorment of polymeric materials in TCM preparation was also discussed.
Administration, Cutaneous ; Biocompatible Materials ; Drug Delivery Systems ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; isolation & purification ; Polymers ; Technology, Pharmaceutical ; methods ; Ultrafiltration ; instrumentation

BACKGROUND: Because of complicated physiological environment and difficulty to control experimental conditions, it is difficult to get satisfactory results from in vivo studies of cell mechanics.OBJECTIVE: To study the action and mechanism of p38MAPK signaling pathways on myoblast apoptosis based on successful construction of in vitro mechanical stimulation models.METHODS: The C2C12 cells cultured in vitro were divided into control group and SB203580 treatment group. Cyclic tensile stress was applied on the C2C12 myoblast cells for 0, 6, 12 and 24 hours in each group. The Flexcell Strain Unit-5000T was used to expose C2C12 myoblast cell to an equiaxial cyclic of 15% magnitude and a frequency of 10 cycles/min, each cycle including the 3 s stretch and 3 s relaxation. Hoechst 33258 fluorescent staining and optical microscope were used to detect cell apoptosis. RT-PCR, flow cytometric analysis were used to observe the apoptosis of C2C12 myoblast cells and Western blotting were used to detect the activity of p38MAPK and p-p38MAPK. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The optical microscope tested the change in the morphology. Hoechst 33258 staining showed that after treatment with cyclic stress, the cell took the typical appearance of apoptosis with chromatin condensation and apoptotic bodies. RT-PCR and flow cytometry showed that with the extension of time the rate of the apoptosis of C2C12 myoblast cell increased. And cells imposed SB203580 before imposing cyclical tensile stress, the results showed that the apoptosis was markedly affected, and the p-p38MAPK expression declined apparently. These findings demonstrate that p38MAPK signaling pathways in stress mediated into C2C12 myoblast cell apoptosis plays an important role.

Objective To study the influence of human leucocyte antigen(HLA) and major his-tocompatibility complex class Ⅰ chain-related gene A (MICA) specific antibodies on renal allograft function and graft rejective reaction by monitoring their changes from preoperative to postoperative pe-riods. Methods Twenty-seven patients with renal aliografts were tested with the specificity of anti-HLA antibodies (anti-HLA class Ⅰ and anti-HLA class Ⅱ) and anti-MICA antibodies and their posi-tive value changes by flow PRATM beads. The HLA genotype was integrated to distinguish donor specific antibody(DSA) and non-donor specific antibody(NDSA). Their serum creatinine levels and clinical data were analyzed simultaneously. Results Of the 27 patients, 22 cases accepted renal transplantation from dead bodies and 5 eases accepted from live donors. Except 1 failed patient, the other 26 patients had good functional renal allografts. Twenty-four survival patients were followed up on month 1, 3, 6 and 12 after transplantation. Seven out of 27 patients had pre-exist antibody before transplantation. Among them, 2 patients had anti-HLA antibody; 3 patients had anti-MICA antibody; 2 patients had both anti-HLA and anti-MICA antibody. Three patients with no anti-HLA and anti-MICA antibodies before transplantation created antibodies after transplantation from 3 to 6 months. One patient created NDSA after transplantation and appeared chronic rejection. There were 3 patients who had anti-MICA antibodies before transplantation. The expression levels of antibodies had changed from high to low, but the specific anti-MICA antibody had not changed during the follow-up on month 1, 3, 6 and 12 after transplantation. The patient with pre-transplantation low level of anti-HLA class Ⅱ antibody appeared acute rejection with fever and his CMV was positive as well. The patient's SCr levels changed from 171 μmol/L to 236 μmol/L after I to 3 months post-transplantation. Twenty-four patients were divided into positive and negative groups according to the specific antibody. There was significant difference of SCr levels between the 2 groups 1 month and 1 year after transplantation(P= 0.03, 0.05). Conclusions It is important to detect the specificity and positive value of anti-HLA antibodies and anti-MICA antibody regularly during the post transplantation follow-up. This will make an effective therapy for decreasing the occurrenee and development of acute or chronic rejection and hy-pofunction on renal allograft.

With the utilization of diffusion tensor information of image voxels, a novel MRF (Markov Random Field) segmentation algorithm was proposed for diffusion tensor MRI (DT-MRI) images benefitted from the introduction of Frobenius norm. The comparison of the segmentation effects between the proposed algorithm and K-means segmentation algorithm for DT-MRI image was made, which showed that the new algorithm could segment the DT-MRI images more accurately than the K-means algorithm. Moreover, with the same segmentation algorithm of MRF, better outcomes were achieved in DT-MRI than in conventional MRI (T2WI) image.
Algorithms ; Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; methods ; Humans ; Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted ; methods ; Pattern Recognition, Automated

A new algorithm of adaptive super-resolution (SR) reconstruction based on the regularization parameter is proposed to reconstruct a high-resolution (HR) image from the low-resolution (LR) image sequence, which takes into full account the inaccurate estimates of motion error, point spread function (PSF) and the additive Gaussian noise in the LR image sequence. We established a novel nonlinear adaptive regularization function and analyzed experimentally its convexity to obtain the adaptive step size. This novel algorithm can effectively improve the spatial resolution of the image and the rate of convergence, which is verified by the experiment on optical images.
Algorithms ; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted ; methods ; Motion ; Time Factors