Objective To investigate the levels and clinical significance of serum 25 -hydroxy vitamin D[25 (OH)D]in patients with chronic liver disease.Methods A total of 153 hospitalized patients with chronic liver disease in the First Affiliated Hospital of Jilin Univer-sity from June 2012 to September 2013 were enrolled in the study group.The levels of serum 25(OH)D were measured by liquid chromatog-raphy tandem mass spectrometry.The serum samples from 300 healthy volunteers who underwent physical examination in our hospital were used as controls.The study group was divided into three subgroups:non -cirrhosis,liver cirrhosis [Child -Pugh (CP)grades A,B,and C],and primary biliary cirrhosis.Comparison of continuous data between groups was made by t test and analysis of variance,and compari-son of categorical data was made by chi -square test.Correlation between different variables was investigated by Pearson linear regression a-nalysis.Results Of the 153 patients with chronic liver disease,the percentages of those who had vitamin D adequacy (≥30 ng/ml),in-sufficiency (20 -30 ng/ml),deficiency (10 -20 ng/ml),and severe deficiency (<10 ng/ml)were 20.3%,22.9%,35.9%,and 20.9%,respectively.The percentages of patients with vitamin D deficiency and severe deficiency were significantly higher in the cirrhosis subgroup than in the non -cirrhosis and primary biliary cirrhosis subgroups (41.7%,25.0% vs 27.5%,12.5% and 23.5%,17.6%,re-spectively;χ2 =6.261 -18.474,P =0.001 -0.012).The serum 25(OH)D levels in patients with cirrhosis were significantly lower com-pared with those in patients without cirrhosis and in controls (18.58 ±12.48 vs 23.78 ±11.81 and 25.69 ±12.39 ng/ml,P =0.029 and 0.001).CP class C cirrhotic patients had significantly lower serum levels of 25(OH)D compared with CP class A patients (P =0.009). Conclusion Serum 25(OH)D deficiency is common in patients with chronic liver disease.25(OH)D levels in cirrhotic patients,especial-ly in CP class C patients,are markedly lower than those in non -cirrhotic patients.

Objective To explore the correlation between the level of serum uric acid (UA) and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein(hs-CRP) with sudden cardiac death of coronary artery disease.Methods Clinical data of 80 patients with coronary artery disease were collected,and according to whether occurred coronary heart sudden cardiac death,the patients were divided into the observation group(coronary heart disease with sudden cardiac death group) and the control group(coronary heart disease with non-sudden death group),each group had 40 cases.The levels of serum UA,low-density hpoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C),blood sugar,hs-CRP of the two groups were detected and compared.Results The UA and hs-CRP levels of male and female in the observation group were (444.06 ±36.44.) μmol/L,(7.29 ± 0.57) mg/L,(399.25 ± 9.91) μmol/L,(6.56 ± 0.38) mg/L,respectively,which were significantly higher than those in the control group [(289.40 ± 25.78) μmol/L,(1.04 ± 0.11) mg/L,(209.90 ±29.87) μmol/L,(1.22 ± 0.31) mg/L] (t =-15.49,-47.71,-26.90,-47.92,all P ＜ 0.01).There were no statistically significant differences in the levels of LDL-C and blood glucose between the same sex of the two groups(t =-1.34,-1.54,-1.06,-1.33,all P ＞ 0.05).Conclusion The increased levels of serum UA and hs-CRP may be associate with sudden cardiac death of coronary artery disease.

Purpose To compare pharmacokineics of puerarin and crude extract in rats.Methods Rats received 500 mg/kg puerarin and puerarin crude extract by oral administration respectively.Hydroxybenzoic acid was selected as internal standard and the plasma concentration of the puerarin and crude extract was analyzed by HPLC.The pharmacokinetics parameters were calculated with DAS2.0.Results The pharmacokinetics of puerarin and puerarin crude extract was both best fitted with two-compartment models in rats after oral administration,and the pharmacokinetics main parameters of the two formulations were different:the AUC_(0-t) and C_(max) of puerarin were much greater than those of puerarin crude extract,but T_(max),t_(1/(2z)),CL/F and V_z/F were much lesser than those of puerarin crude extract.Conclusion The complex components in pueraria crude extract can affect the pharmacokinetics of puerarin in rat in vivo.

Objective To study the effects of repeated hypoxic exposures (HEs) on glycolysis, mitochondrial oxi-dative phosphorylation and energy charge in mouse brain. Methods Adult BALB/c mice were repeatedly exposed to hypoxia for 5 times and the standard tolerant time and body temperature were recorded. The activities of PFK, PK and mitochondrial complex Ⅰ in the brain were assayed. Phosphoadenosines and energy charge were measured. Results Repeated HEs prolonged the hypoxic tolerance and reduced the body temperature. The activities of PFK and PK experienced regular changes, with an increase in 1st and 3rd HEs and a decline to control levels in 5th HE. The complex Ⅰ activity continued to decrease during HEs. The energy charge was stable. Conclusion HEs lead to a regular change of glycolysis, a continued inhibition of mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation, and a main-tained energy charge in the brains of mouse.

The objective of the study was to clone avian beta-defensin (AvBD) 5 gene from pigeon bone marrow tissues and liver tissues, to express the recombinant AvBD5 protein in E. coli, and to determine its antimicrobial activity. The mRNA of duck AvBD5 was cloned from pigeon bone marrow tissues and liver tissues by RT-PCR. In addition, phylogenetic relationships between amino acid sequence of the pigeon AvBD5, AvBDs from other avian species, and some mammalian beta-defensin-5 were analyzed. The cDNA of pigeon AvBD5 was sub-cloned into pGEX-6p-1 vector to construct recombinant plasmid pGEX-pigeon AvBD5. The recombinant protein was expressed into E. coli and purified. Antimicrobial activity and physical-chemical stability of the recombinant fusion protein were measured in vitro. The complete nucleotide sequence of both cDNAs contained 201 bp nucleotides, encoding a polypeptide of 66 amino acids. Both beta-defensins have six conserved cysteines. Phylogenetic relationships were analyzed. Both pigeon AvBDs shared the highest amino acid homology (87.9% and 78.8%) with duck AvBD5. So it was named as pigeon AvBD5alpha (bone marrow) and AvBD5beta (liver). Both recombinant plasmids were transformed into E. coli BL21 and the bacteria were induced with Isopropyl beta-D-1-Thiogalactopyranoside (IPTG). After purification, antibacterial activity of the purified was investigated. In addition, effect of ionic strength on the antibacterial activity, and hemolytic recombinant protein activity of the purified recombinant protein were investigated. A 32 kDa protein was highly expressed. Both purified recombinant pigeon AvBD5alpha and AvBD5beta exhibited extensive antimicrobial activities against 12 bacteria, including Gram-positive and Gram-negative. In high salt ions concentrations, antibacterial activity of both recombinant proteins was decreased. In addition, the hemolysis activity of recombinant protein was extremely low.
Amino Acid Sequence ; Animals ; Anti-Infective Agents ; metabolism ; pharmacology ; Avian Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; pharmacology ; Cloning, Molecular ; Columbidae ; genetics ; Escherichia coli ; genetics ; metabolism ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Recombinant Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; pharmacology ; beta-Defensins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; pharmacology

Objective To investigate the effect of berberine on proliferation of neural stem cells(NSCs)induced by hydrogen peroxide(H2O2). Methods NSCs from Sprague-Dawley rats were isolated and purified by suspension culture. Cells were divided into a control group,H2O2group(NSCs exposed to H2O2injury),berberine group(NSCs were incubated with berberine concentrations ranging from 0.5 to 20 μmol/L and exposed to H2O2), and DAPT(a blocker of the Notch signaling pathway)group. Cell viability was evaluated using the Cell Counting Kit-8 assay. Proliferation of NSCs was evaluated by a neurosphere formation assay and Ki67 protein expression. Expression of key proteins in the Notch signaling pathway(including notch1 and hes1)in response to berberine treatment or DAPT(a Notch inhibitor)was determined by Western blotting. Results Cell viability of NSCs was significantly increased by berberine compared with the H2O2group. The neurosphere growth assay showed that 5 or 10 μmol/L berberine increased NSC proliferation. The ratio of Ki67 +/DAPI cells and notch1 and hes1 protein expression increased significantly compared with the H2O2group. Conclusions Berberine treatment upregulates Notch signaling in NSCs,whereas DAPT attenuates these effects. Berberine is a drug that promotes NSC proliferation and exerts a protective effect on NSCs via the Notch signaling pathway.

Objective To explore the relationship between benign prostatic hyperplasia and renal function in men aged 80 years and over.Methods Eighty-three clinical BPH patients (mean age of 85.8±4.7 years,range of 80-98 years) admitted to Geriatric Department of the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University were recruited to this cross-sectional study from January 2017 to June 2017.They were grouped into treatment group (Gt,n=43) and non-treatment group (Gn,n=40) based on their choices for a therapy or observation.The prostate volume (PV) and post-void residual urine volume (PVR) were measured by abdominal ultrasound.A self-reported lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) was evaluated by International Prostate Symptoms Score (IPSS).An estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was calculated based on the serum level of creatinine and other indexes.Spearman and multiple linear regression analysis were applied to analyze correlations between BPH and renal function.Results The systolic and diastolic blood pressures were lower in Gt group than in Gn group (all P＜0.05).The PVR and IPSS were significantly lower in Gt group than in Gngroup[(28.9±16.6) ml vs.(67.3±32.8) ml;(18.2±9.1)vs.(24.7±10.3),all P＜0.05].The serum level of creatinine was lower in Gt group [(73.7±16.3) μmol/L] than in Gn group [(85.4±19.8) μmol/L] (P＜0.05).The eGFR was higher in Gt group[(77.2±11.4) ml · min 1 ·1.73 m-2] than in Gn group[(69.8±13.9) ml · min 1 · 1.73 m-2] (P＜0.05).No statistical differences were observed in PV between Gt group[(24.6 ± 11.4) ml] and Gn group[(27.0 ± 20.8) ml] (P＞0.05).Spearman relation analysis showed that creatinine level was negatively correlated with treatment for BPH (r=-0.337,P＜0.05).Multiple linear regression analysis showed that non-receiving of treatments for BPH was an independent risk factor for an increased creatinine level(r=-0.349,t=-2.802,P＜0.01).Conclusions For men aged 80 years and over,BPH is associated with decreased eGFR,and the treatment for BPH may improve renal function.

Objective To investigate the mechanism of cellular senescence in ischemia reperfusion injury (IRI)-induced acute kidney injury (AKI) that leads to chronic kidney disease (CKD) in elderly mice.Methods An acute kidney injury model was established in C57B1/6 male mice at ages 8-10 weeks (young group) or 20-24 months (old group) by bilateral IRI.The animals were randomly divided into 4 groups as follows:Young-Sham (n=8),Old-Sham (n=8),Young-IRI (n=8),and Old-IRI groups (n=8).All mice were weighted,and their blood was collected from the tail vein at days 1,3,and 7 after surgery.The mice were killed on day 14 after surgery,and their kidneys were harvested for further analysis.Serum was used for the creatinine test.The changes of the renal tissue morphology and pathology were assessed using hematoxylin-eosin staining and sirius red staining.Immunofluorescence staining of collagen Ⅰ,F4/80,phosphor-histone H3 (p-HH3),and Ki67 were performed to determine the stage of the collagen deposit,macrophage filtration,and cell cycle G2/M arrest.The collagen Ⅰ expression was analyzed using western blot.The expression levels of TNF-α,IL-6,TGF-β,and collagen Ⅰ were determined using real-time PCR.Results Compared with that in the sham group,the serum creatinine levels in both Young-IRI and Old-IR1 groups were obviously increased.The Young-IRI group recovered completely on day 7.The Old-IRI group had higher creatinine levels than the Young-IRI group at each time point.Morphology and pathology analyses revealed that acute injury was repaired in the Young-IRI group,but slight inflammatory cell filtration and collagen deposition were observed in the Old-Sham and Old-IRI groups,respectively.Immunofluorescence staining revealed some F4/80-positive macrophage filtration,collagen Ⅰ deposition,and p-HH3 and Ki67 double-positive nuclear tubular epithelial cells in the Old-Sham group,but considerably more positive results were found in the Old-IRI group.Western blot analysis revealed that collagen Ⅰ expression level was higher in the Old-IRI group than in the Young-IRI group (P ＜ 0.01) and in the Old-Sham group than in the Young-Sham group (P ＜ 0.05).Real-time PCR demonstrated that the mRNA expression levels of cytokines and fibrosis markers,including of TNF-α,IL-6,TGF-β,and collagen Ⅰ,in the Old-Sham and Old-IRI groups were increased as compared with those in the Young-Sham and Young-IRI groups (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions The levels of kidney inflammation,fibrosis,and cell-cycle arrest are lower in the old mice.After IRI injury,a sustained and ongoing inflammatory reaction is involved and more cells are arrested in the cell cycle G2/M,which inhibit renal repair and promote fibrosis progression.

Antipyretic-analgesics are currently one of the most prescribed drugs in children.The clinical application of antipyretic-analgesics for children in our country still have irrational phenomenon, which affects the therapeutic effect and even poses hidden dangers to the safety of children.In this paper, suggestions were put forward from the indications, dosage form/route, dosage suitability, pathophysiological characteristics of children with individual differences and drug interactions in the symptomatic treatment of febrile children, so as to provide reference for the general pharmacists when conducting prescription review.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the ameliorative effects and mechanism of Sanwei ganlu on hepatic fibrosis in rats. METHODS The rats were randomly divided into normal group， model group， silibinin group （positive control， 50 mg/kg）， and Sanwei ganlu low-dose， medium-dose， and high-dose groups （80， 250， 800 mg/kg）. Except for normal group， hepatic fibrosis rat models were established by intraperitoneal injection of CCl4 in the other groups of rats. Starting from the 6th week of modeling administration， they were given normal saline or corresponding drugs intragastrically at the same time. At the end of the ninth-week experiment， liver and spleen indexes of rats were calculated； the pathological structure and fibrosis changes of liver tissue were observed by HE， Masson and Sirus Red staining. The contents of alanine transaminase （ALT）， aspartate transaminase （AST）， procollagen type Ⅲ （PC Ⅲ）， collagen type Ⅳ （COL-Ⅳ）， interleukin-6 （IL-6）， tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α） and IL-1β in serum， and hyaluronic acid （HA） and laminin （LN） in liver tissue were all detected. RESULTS Compared with the model group， the liver injury and collagen fiber deposition of rats were improved to different extents in Sanwei ganlu groups and silibinin group； the contents of ALT， AST， PC Ⅲ， COL-Ⅳ， IL-6， TNF-α and IL-1β in serum as well as the contents of HA and LN in liver tissue significantly decreased （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. CONCLUSIONS Sanwei ganlu can alleviate the progression of hepatic fibrosis in rats， possibly by inhibiting the synthesis of collagen fiber， reducing transaminase content， down-regulating the levels of HA， LN， PC Ⅲ and COL-Ⅳ， and reducing the inflammatory response.