Objective To investigate the effects of high flow hemodialysis (HFHD) on cardiac function in uremia patients. Methods A prospective randomized controlled study was conducted. Sixty patients who were diagnosed with uremia, taken maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) and 30 healthy controls admitted to the Second People's Hospital of Guiyang from December 2014 to June 2015 were enrolled. They were randomly divided into two groups:HFHD group (HFHD three times a week) and the routine hemodialysis group (HD group, HD three times a week), with 30 in each group. Patients in each group were received hemoperfusion and hemofiltration once a month. Before the treatment and 6 months after the treatment, venous blood from all the patients were collected for testing the brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), cardiac troponin T (cTnT) and the ultrasound cardiograph were done at the same period by a special person, the left ventricular end diastolic diameter (LVEDD), left ventricular end systolic diameter (LVESD), the left ventricular end diastolic volume (LVEDV), left ventricular end systolic volume (LVESV), left ventricular posterior wall thickness (LVPWT), interventricular septum thickness (IVST), early and late diastolic blood flow to the largest ratio (E/A), left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), left ventricular mass index (LVMI) were recorded. Results Compared with the health control group, BNP, cTnT, LVEDD, LVESD, LVESV, LVPWT, IVST were significantly increased, LVEDV were significantly lowered before treatment in the HD group and HFHD group. But no significant differences in the above indexes and E/A, LVEF, LVMI between two groups were found. Compared with the data before treatment, the BNP, LVPWT were significantly lowered after treatment in HD group [BNP (ng/L): 641.50±60.09 vs. 2676.20±454.30, LVPWT (mm): 10.57±1.16 vs. 12.57±1.41, both P < 0.05]. The BNP, LVPWT were significantly lowered in HFHD group as compared with HD group [BNP (ng/L): 253.10±48.77 vs. 641.50±60.09, LVPWT (mm): 9.29±1.08 vs. 10.57±1.16, both P < 0.05]; in addition, the cTnT, IVST, LVMI were significantly lowered after the treatment in HFHD group compared with those before treatment [cTnT (μg/L): 0.014±0.005 vs. 0.028±0.011, IVST (mm): 7.81±1.69 vs. 11.04±2.23, LVMI (g/m2): 149.10±15.77 vs. 158.70±17.25, all P < 0.05], and the LVEF were significantly increased in HFHD group as compared with those before treatment (0.574±0.068 vs. 0.528±0.082, P < 0.05). Conclusion HFHD has obvious advantages than the routine HD in improving cardiac function of uremia patients.

Objective To discuss the effects of multimodal combination dialysis on Klotho protein, fibroblast growth factor-23 (FGF-23) and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) in patients with maintenance hemodialysis (MHD). Methods A randomized controlled trial (RCT) was conducted. 120 patients who was diagnosed with chronic renal failure (CRF) uremia receiving MHD over 3 months admitted to Blood Purification Centre of Department of Nephrology of the Second People's Hospital of Guiyang from December 2015 to December 2016 were enrolled, who were randomly divided into hemodialysis (HD) group (HD for 8 times a month), HD + hemofiltration (HF) group (HD for 8 times a month + HF once a month), and HD + HF + hemoperfusion (HP) group (HD for 8 times a month + HF for 4 times a month + HP once a month), with 40 patients in each group. Before and after treatment for 6 months and 12 months, blood was taken from venous circuit tube, the serum Klotho protein and FGF-23 levels were determined by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and the serum BNP level was determined by electrochemiluminescence. Results 120 patients with MHD were enrolled in the final analysis without withdrawal. There were no significant differences in the levels of Klotho protein, FGF-23, or BNP before enrollment among the three groups (all P > 0.05). Compared with those before enrollment, the levels of serum Klotho protein after enrollment in three groups showed a sustained upward tendency, which were higher in HD + HF + HP group than in HD + HF group and HD group (μg/L: 2.59±0.61, 1.63±0.35, 1.13±0.26 at 6 months, F = 119.374, P = 0.000; 6.98±1.21, 3.57±1.03, 2.12±0.43 at 12 months, F = 275.675, P = 0.000); the levels of FGF-23 showed a sustained downward tendency, which were lower in HD + HF + HP group than in HD + HF group and HD group (ng/L: 69.22±38.26, 132.28±61.18, 178.50±74.64 at 6 months, F = 33.509, P = 0.000; 32.81±17.32, 87.93±43.27, 146.33±69.28 at 12 months, F = 55.466, P = 0.000);the BNP showed a similar tendency as FGF-23 (ng/L: 4083.39±2864.53, 7245.69±4643.81, 7969.12±5360.85 at 6 months, F = 8.758, P = 0.000; 1521.86±894.63, 4554.32±1969.84, 5013.89±2033.64 at 12 months, F = 49.003, P = 0.000). Conclusion Multimodal combination dialysis can increase the Klotho protein level, and decrease the levels of FGF-23 and BNP in MHD patients with CRF uremia.

Abstract: Objective　To understand the distribution and drug resistance of common pathogens of fungal bloodstream infection in Sichuan, and to provide reference for clinicians to empirically treat fungal bloodstream infection. Methods　From November 1, 2019 to December 31, 2020, fungal strains isolated from blood culture of patients diagnosed with bloodstream infection in 19 tertiary first-class general hospitals in Sichuan Province were collected for mass spectrometry identification and drug susceptibility, and the results were statistically analyzed, along with a retrospective analysis of clinical data. Results　A total of 255 fungal strains were received and identified by mass spectrometry, 215 strains of Candida spp (84.3%), 28 strains of Cryptococcus neoformans (11.0%), 4 strains of Talaromyces marneffei (1.6%) and 8 strains of others (3.1%). Among the Candida spp 90 strains of Candida albicans, 39 strains of Candida parapsilosis complex, 36 strains of Candida glabrata, 33 strains of Candida tropicalis, 8 strains of Candida guilliermondii, and 9 strains of other Candida. In the department, the ICU was predominant, accounting for 35.7%. The top four Candida (Candida albicans, Candida parapsilosis complex, Candida glabrata, Candida tropicalis) were analyzed for drug sensitivity, Candida albicans and Candida parapsilosis complex group were more sensitive to antifungal drugs, the sensitivity rates of Candida albicans to fluconazole, voriconazole, anidulafungin, caspofungin, micarafungin were 89.2%, 92.8%, 97.6%, 97.6%, 96.4%, respectively. The sensitivity rates of Candida parapsilosis to fluconazole and voriconazole were 89.7% and 94.9%, and to anidulafungin, caspofungin and micafungin were all 100%. Echinocandins had stronger antibacterial activity against Candida spp., Candida parapsilosis complex and Candida tropicalis had 100% sensitivity to echinocandins, Candida albicans had more than 95% sensitivity to echinocandins, and Candida glabrata had about 90% sensitivity to echinocandins. Candida tropicalis was less sensitive to fluconazole and voriconazole with 66.7% and 54.5%, and the sensitivity of Candida glabrata to fluconazole was mainly concentrated in susceptible dose dependent (SDD), accounting for 91.4%. The four Candida species did not show resistance to amphotericin B, all of them showed wild-type strains, Candida tropicalis showed the highest non-wild-type rate to posaconazole and itraconazole with 21.2% and 36.4%, and the drug sensitivity results of Cryptococcus neoformans showed that 4 out of 23 strains showed resistance to amphotericin B (non-wild-type) and 3 strains showed resistance to fluconazole (non-wild-type). Conclusions　The fungus of bloodstream infection is mainly Candida spp.. Among of them, Candida albicans accounts for the highest percentage, echinocandins have good antibacterial effect on Candida, Candida is sensitive to amphotericin B as wild type, but Candida tropicalis has slightly higher resistance rate to fluconazole and voriconazole, and the non-wild type rate of Cryptococcus neoformans to amphotericin B is increasing, and clinicians should pay high attention to the rational use of antifungal drugs.

OBJECTIVETo determine whether testosterone-induced intra-testicular testosterone withdrawal and therefore spermatogenic impairment is associated with looser arrangement of spermatogenic cells in rats.

METHODSAdult male SD rats received intramuscular injection of testosterone undecanoate at 19 mg/(kg x 15 d) for 130 days, and then testicular tissue blocks were obtained for the preparation of methacrylate resin-embedded sections and observation of the changes in testicular histology.

RESULTSApart from such changes as impaired spermiogenesis and spermiation, apparently looser arrangement of spermatogenic cells was seen in 11.5% of the seminiferous tubule profiles, with radial cracks (empty spaces) running towards the tubule lumen being formed between lines, bundles or groups of spermatogenic cells (mainly spermatids and spermatocytes).

CONCLUSIONLooser arrangement of spermatogenic cells is one of the key histological changes resulting from intra-testicular testosterone withdrawal in rats.

Animals ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Seminiferous Tubules ; cytology ; drug effects ; Spermatogenesis ; drug effects ; Testis ; cytology ; drug effects ; pathology ; Testosterone ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects

Cells, Cultured ; Chemokine CCL4 ; Chemotaxis, Leukocyte ; drug effects ; Endothelial Cells ; cytology ; metabolism ; Homocysteine ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Macrophage Inflammatory Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Monocytes ; physiology ; RNA, Messenger ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Umbilical Veins ; cytology

BACKGROUNDVascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is well known as a hypoxia-induced protein. That it markedly increased expression of VEGF and improvement of rat motor function after spinal cord injury suggested that VEGF could play a neuroprotective role in ischaemic tolerance. This study investigated whether vascular endothelial growth factor has direct neuroprotective effects on rat spinal cord neurons.

METHODSWe employed primary cultures of embryonic rat spinal cord neurons, then administrated different concentrations of VEGF164 in the culture medium before hypoxia when the number of neurons was counted and the cell viability was detected by MTT. The neuronal apoptosis and expression of VEGF and its receptor genes were evaluated by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase mediated dUTP nick-end labelling (TUNEL) and immunohistochemistry. The VEGFR2/FLK-1 inhibitor, SU1498, was used to confirm whether the neuroprotective effect of VEGF was mediated through VEGFR2/Flk-1 receptors.

RESULTIn hypoxic conditions, the number and viability of neurons decreased progressively, while the number of TUNEL-positive cells increased along with the prolongation of hypoxic exposure. When the concentration of VEGF in cell culture medium reached 25 ng/ml, the cell viability increased 11% and neuronal apoptosis reduced to half, this effect was dose dependent and led to an approximately 25% increase in cell viability and about threefold decrease in TUNEL-positive cells at a maximally effective concentration of 100 ng/ml. In normal conditions, VEGF/Flk-1 but not VEGF/Flt-1 gene expressed at a low level: after hypoxia, the expression of VEGF/Flk-1, but not VEGF/Flt-1 was significantly increased. The protective effect of VEGF was blocked by the VEGFR2/Flk-1 receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor, SU1498.

CONCLUSIONSVEGF has direct neuroprotective effects on rat spinal cord neurons, which may be mediated in vitro through VEGFR2/Flk-1 receptors.

Animals ; Cell Hypoxia ; Cells, Cultured ; Cinnamates ; pharmacology ; Female ; Neuroprotective Agents ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Spinal Cord ; drug effects ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; pharmacology ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2 ; physiology

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of calorie restriction on the high fat diet rats mRNA expressions of liver forkhead box O1(FoxO1), phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK), glucose-6-phosphatase (G-6-P) and to explore the possible mechanisms.

METHODS24 normal 6-week-old male Wistar rats were randomly divided into three groups: normal chow group (NC, n = 7), high fat diet group (HF, n = 9) and calorie restriction group (CR, n = 8). They were fed for 12 weeks. At the end of the experiment, the rats were sacrificed and their fasting blood glucose (FBG), insulin (INS), triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC) were measured. Their visceral fat (VF) and body weight (BW) were also measured and VF/BW was calculated. Gene expression was investigated by using semi-quantitative RT-PCR methods. Liver histology was studied with HE stained slides.

RESULTSCompared with the NC group, HF group rats developed visceral obesity which was accompanied by higher FBG, plasma INS, TG, and TC. The levels of FoxO1, PEPCK, and G-6-P increased by 18.9%, 33.8%, and 24.6%, respectively (P less than 0.01). Liver steatosis was observed with microscopy. The BW, VF FBG, INS, TG and TC of the CR group rats were lower in comparison to those of the HF group. The levels of FoxO1, PEPCK and G-6-P were lower by 26.6%, 35.0%, 34.3% (P less than 0.01). Meanwhile, liver steatosis was also milder.

CONCLUSIONCalorie restriction can inhibit the expressions of FoxO1, PEPCK and G-6-P, strengthen insulin signal conduction, suppress gluconeogenesis and thus regulate glycometabolism.

Animals ; Caloric Restriction ; Dietary Fats ; Forkhead Transcription Factors ; genetics ; Gene Expression Regulation ; Gluconeogenesis ; genetics ; Glucose-6-Phosphatase ; genetics ; Liver ; metabolism ; Male ; Nerve Tissue Proteins ; genetics ; Phosphoenolpyruvate Carboxykinase (ATP) ; genetics ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar

From the perspective of standardization development of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) information,the paper puts forward the categorizing and coding scheme of clinical TCM information,builds a frame of basic clinical TCM information classification,which consists of 6 Grade 1 categories,30 subcategories and a few detailed categories,to provide standardized support for informatization and standardization study in the area of TCM.

OBJECTIVETo study the effects of phytoestrogen alpha-zearalanol (alpha-ZAL) on normal human breast.

METHODSTen specimens of normal human breast tissues were subcutaneously implanted into 30 athymic nude mice aged 9-10 weeks, one for 3 mice. These mice were then randomly divided into three groups: control group (without hormone treatment, n = 10), 1 mg/kg alpha-ZAL group (n = 10), and 5 mg/kg alpha-ZAL group (n = 10). All breast tissues were taken out 6 weeks later. Immunohistochemistry was used to determine the protein expressions of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), inhibiting apoptosis gene Bcl-2, estrogen receptor (ER), and progesterone receptor (PR). Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to measure the expression levels of estrogen sulfotransferase (EST) mRNA and bridging integrator protein-1 (BIN1) mRNA. Morphological features of grafts before and after treatment were also observed.

RESULTSAlpha-ZAL had no significant effects on Bcl-2, PCNA, ER, and PR expression of mammary epithelial cells in graft specimens. Alpha-ZAL upregulated BIN1 mRNA expression in grafts, but had no significant effect on ESTmRNA expression.

CONCLUSIONSAlpha-ZAL does not affect the morphology, proliferating, and apoptosis of epithelial cells in normal human breast tissues implanted into nude mice, but it may increase the gene expression of tumor-inhibiting BIN1, suggesting that alpha-ZAL may have potential proteotive effect on normal human breast.

Adult ; Animals ; Breast ; chemistry ; drug effects ; Estrogens, Non-Steroidal ; pharmacology ; Female ; Humans ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Mice, Nude ; Phytoestrogens ; pharmacology ; Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen ; analysis ; Random Allocation ; Receptors, Estrogen ; analysis ; Receptors, Progesterone ; analysis ; Zeranol ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo investigate changes in serum insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) and insulin-like growth factor-binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3) and their significance in children with left-to-right shunt congenital heart disease (CHD) associated with heart failure (HF).

METHODSTwenty healthy children (control group), 20 children with HF, without basic heart disease (HF group), 20 children with left-to-right shunt CHD, without HF (CHD group), and 30 children with left-to-right shunt CHD associated with HF (CHD+HF group) were included in the study. These groups were compared in terms of serum IGF-1 and IGFBP-3 levels. According to the New York Heart Association (NYHA) Functional Classification, the CHD+HF group was further divided into NYHA-II, NYHA-III and NYHA-IV subgroups and the subgroups were compared in terms of serum IGF-1, IGFBP-3, and cardiac troponin I (cTnI) levels. The correlation of serum IGF-1 and IGFBP-3 levels with serum cTnI level in the CHD+HF group was analyzed.

RESULTSThe CHD group showed decreased serum IGF-1 and IGFBP-3 levels compared with the control group (P<0.01). The CHD+HF group showed a significantly decreased serum IGF-1 level compared with the control group (P<0.01) and CHD group (P<0.05). The HF group had significantly increased serum IGF-1 and IGFBP-3 levels compared with other groups (P<0.01). The NYHA-II subgroup had the highest serum IGF-1 level and the NYHA-IV subgroup had the lowest serum IGF-1 level (P<0.01). In the CHD+HF group, serum IGF-1 and IGFBP-3 levels were negatively correlated with serum cTnI level (r=-0.692, P<0.05; r=-0.530, P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSSerum IGF-1 level can be used as an objective condition evaluation indicator for CHD, and low serum IGF-1 level is a risk factor for HF. This also provides a clinical basis for treatment of HF using exogenous IGF-1.

Child, Preschool ; Female ; Heart Defects, Congenital ; blood ; Heart Failure ; blood ; Humans ; Infant ; Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 3 ; blood ; Insulin-Like Growth Factor I ; analysis ; Male ; Troponin I ; blood