Objective To explore the effect of suramin on the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and the excretion of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) in peritoneal mesothelial cells (PMCs) induced by high concentrations of glucose solution (GS).Methods Cultured PMCs were divided into three groups:(1) normal control group; (2) GS-treated group:cells were treated with 1.5％,2.5％,4.25％ GS for 12 h,24 h,48 h,respectively; (3) Suramin-treated group:PMCs cultured with 4.25％ GS were exposed to different doses of suramin (25,50,100 μmol/L) for 48 h.Expression levels of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and E-cadherin were detected by Western blotting and the concentration of TGF-β1 in the culture supernatant was determined by ELISA.Results Compared with normal control group,GS-treated PMCs exhibited a time-dependent increase in the expression of α-SMA,and decrease in the expression of E-cadherin.GS also stimulated PMCs to secrete TGF-β1.In the presence of suramin,GS-induced α-SMA expression and TGF-β1 production were reduced,E-cadherin expression was increased.Conclusions Suramin can inhibit high glucose-induced EMT of PMCs by down-regulating the expression of TGF-β1.Suramin may be a novel therapeutic agent for the treatment of peritoneal fibrosis.

Objective To develop a method for the determination of five furostanol saponins(timosaponin N,timosaponin L, timosaponin BⅡ,25R-timosaponin BⅡ,and 25S-officinalisnin-Ⅰ)in rhizome and fibrous root of Anemarrhena asphodeloides Bge. by HPLC with the charged aerosol detector(CAD). Methods The analysis was performed on TechMate C18-ST-II(250 mm×4.6 mm,5μm)with acetonitrile:water(22:78,V/V),the flow rate of 1.0 ml/min and column temperature at 30℃. The Corona parameters were as follows:sampling rate 10 Hz,filter 5 s,and the nebulizer temperature 55℃. Results The approach showed good linearity for five saponins. The correlation coefficients(r2)for calibration curves varied from 0.9992 to 0.9998. The limits of detection(LOD)were 0.28,0.92,0.92,0.92 and 0.92 ng for five steroidal saponins,respectively. The limits of quantitation(LOQ)were found to be 0.92, 2.77,2.77,2.77 and 2.76 ng,respectively. RSD calculated from peak area of precision,repeatability and stability in 48 h were all less than 3.0%. The average recoveries of timosaponin N,timosaponin L,timosaponin BⅡ,25R-timosaponinBⅡ,and 25S-officinalis-nin-Ⅰwere 98.17%,101.37%,98.53%,97.63%,and 98.17%,respectively. Conclusion The developed method is accurate,reli-able,which could be applied to the quality control of multiple components in A. asphodeloides Bge.

Adenoma ; pathology ; Colonic Neoplasms ; pathology ; Humans ; Intestinal Mucosa ; pathology

Objective To investigate the value of ratio of luteinizing hormone (LH) to folliclestimulating hormone (FSH) in diagnosis of polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) among women with ploycystic ovary (PCO) and to compare the difference of the diagnostic criteria between the Rotterdam Consensus and the Committee for Reproductive and Endocrine in Japan Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology.Methods By means of transvaginal Doppler ultrasound, 195 women with PCO were diagnosed in Nanfang Hospital of Reproductive Medicine Center and compare difference of multiple clinical indexes according to Rotterdam consensus and Japan consensus respectively. In the mean time, the ratio of LH/FSH, the level of LH, testosterone (T) and recevier operating characteristic (ROC) curve were explored to on the value of diagnosis of PCOS. Results By Rotterdam consensus, 144 women were diagnosed with PCOS and 51 women were non-PCOS, while 111 were identified as PCOS and 84 were non-PCOS according to Japan consensus. LH/FSH in PCOS and non-PCOS were 1.59 ±0. 84 and 0. 85 ±0. 47 respectively when based on Rotterdam consensus, and this ratio were 1.87 ± 0. 76 in PCOS and 0. 78 ± 0. 39 in non-PCOS based on Japan consensus. When using LH/FSH to diagnosis PCOS by Rotterdam consensus and Japan consensus,areas under ROC curve are 0. 786 and 0. 942, respectively. Conclusions The ratio of LH/FSH ≥ 1 provide the significant value in the diagnosis of PCOS. The criteria of the Committee for Reproductive and Endocrine in Japan Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology is more suitable for Chinese patients.

Membranous nephropathy (MN) is a type of glomerular disease characterized by diffuse thickening of glomerular basement membrane with subepithelial immune complex deposition, and traditional diagnosis of MN mainly relies on the pathological results of renal biopsy. In recent years, the emergence of biomarkers related to MN such as phospholipase A2 receptor and thrombospondin type-1 domain-containing 7A has changed the diagnosis and treatment mode of MN, providing a new basis for the diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of MN. MN patients with positive specific target antigens exhibit different clinical manifestations and prognoses. Specific target antigens can not only guide diagnosis, but also has predictive value for prognosis. Immunosuppressive therapy is a common treatment for idiopathic MN patients, and the emergence of novel medications such as biologics represents a advance in the treatment of MN, providing a broader array of options for managing the condition. Conversely, the treatment approach for secondary MN primarily targets the management of the primary disease. Based on multiple and new literature, we reviewed the researches progress of target antigens and immunosuppressive therapy related to MN, so as to provide references for clinical diagnosis and treatment of MN.

Objective:To investigate the effects of Apelin-13 regulatory peptide on neuronal cell pyroptosis in mice modeled with cerebral ischemia-reperfusion(I/R).Methods:We prepared a mouse cerebral I/R model using middle cerebral artery embolization and Reperfusion(MCAO/R).The HT22 cell injury model was prepared by the oxygen glu-cose deprivation/reoxygenation(OGD/R),and Apelin-13 treatment was also given.Neurological function was assessed by neurological deficit score;hematoxylin-eosin(HE)staining and Nissl staining were used to observe the morphologic changes of the infarcted area of the mice;and 2,3,5triphenyltetrazolium chloride(TTC)staining was used to observe the volume of cerebral infarcts;The expression of NOD-like receptor thermoprotein structural domain-related protein 3(NLRP3),gasdermin D(GSDMD),caspase-1,apoptosis-associated speck-like protein(ASC),interleukin 1β(IL-1β),and interleukin 18(IL-18)in brain tissues from infarcted areas or HT22 cells was detected by Western Blot,and IL-1β and IL-18 were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA)in serum of mice and culture supema-tants;The cell viability and cell damage of HT22 were detected by CCK-8 kit and lactate dehydrogenase(LDH)assay kit,respectively;caspase-1 activity was measured by caspase-1 activity kit in HT22 cells;and the expression of caspase-1 and GSDMD was observed by immunofluorescence staining in HT22 cells.Results:Apelin-13 significantly improved neurological function and cerebral infarct volume in I/R mice,and attenuated pathological damage in the in-farcted area.It also reduced the serum levels of IL-1β and IL-18.In addition,Apelin-13 reduced the expression of mol-ecules such as NLRP3,GSDMD,caspase-1,IL-1β,and IL-18 in the cerebral infarct area of mice.In vitro experiments showed that Apelin-13 significantly increased the viability of OGD/R-treated HT22 cells,decreased caspase-1 activity,and reduced the LDH content,as well as decreased the expression of molecules such as NLRP3,GSDMD,caspase-1,IL-1β,IL-18,and so on,in OGD/R-treated HT22 cells.Conclusion:Apelin-13 inhibits pyroptosis through the NL-RP3/caspase-1/GSDMD pathway in cerebral ischemia/reperfusion mice and thus exerts neuroprotective effects.

It was a single-center cross-sectional study to investigate the association of serum C3 level with blood pressure and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) in patients with idiopathic membranous nephropathy (IMN). The clinical and pathological data of 98 patients with IMN diagnosed by renal biopsy in the Department of Nephrology of East Hospital Affiliated to Tongji University from August 1, 2018 to October 31, 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. The demographic characteristics, serum complement C3 and other clinical data were compared between the non-hypertension group ( n=37) and hypertension group ( n=61). Pearson or Spearman correlation analysis method was used to analyze the correlation between serum C3 and eGFR in IMN patients and IMN patients with hypertension. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to analyze the related factors of eGFR in IMN patients with chronic kidney disease stage 1-3 in hypertension group. The results showed that compared with the non-hypertension group, the patients in hypertension group were older, and had higher levels of serum creatinine, cystatin C, urinary microalbumin to creatinine ratio, serum C3 and C4, and lower eGFR (all P<0.05). The correlation analysis showed that there was no correlation between serum C3 level and eGFR in IMN patients ( r=0.118, P=0.247). However, serum C3 level was positively correlated with eGFR in IMN patients with hypertension ( r=0.325, P=0.011). Multiple linear regression analysis showed that eGFR was negatively correlated with age ( β=-0.328, P=0.013), and positively correlated with serum C3 level ( β=0.228, P=0.048). The study shows that serum C3 level in hypertension group is higher than that in non-hypertension group in IMN patients. Moreover, serum C3 is positively correlated with eGFR.

Objective:To investigate the species and concentrations of airborne pollens in Wuhan urban area and their correlation with the number of visits of allergic rhinitis patients.Methods:Retrospective analysis of pollen dispersal characteristics and the number of patients with allergic rhinitis presenting to Tongji Hospital of Huazhong University of Science and Technology in Wuhan city from October 2017 to September 2018, as well as pollen allergen testing results of patients with allergic rhinitis presenting to the Department of Allergy during the same period. Pollen data was collected by a 1-year air sampling conducted in Wuhan City during the same period using the volumetric method. The samples were examined microscopically to identify airborne pollen species and counted, and the concentrations of various pollens were calculated. Information on patients with allergic rhinitis who came to the hospital during the same period was collected, and the correlation between pollen concentration and the number of patient visits was statistically analyzed using Pearson correlation analysis.Results:A total of 35 types of airborne pollen were collected from October 2017 to September 2018. The dominant pollens in spring were Moraceae (68.46%, 1 042/1 522), Pendula (12.22%, 186/1 522) and Cupressaceae (2.30%, 35/1 522); in summer and autumn, the dominant pollens were Artemisia (3.81%, 58/1 522), Humulus (4.01%, 61/1 522) and Ambrosia (0.59%, 9/1 522). The peak number of visits for allergic rhinitis patients occurred in March-April and July-September, both exceeding 2 200 visits and reaching a maximum of 2 545 visits. There was a very weak correlation between the number of visits and the total pollen concentration ( r=0.17, P=0.001). The average monthly pollen skin prick test positive rate of patients with allergic rhinitis was highest in March-May, exceeding 40% with a maximum of 45.73%, and there was a significant correlation between the positive pollen skin prick test positive rate and the average monthly pollen concentration ( r=0.62, P=0.031). Conclusions:Pollen species and concentrations fluctuated continuously with time in Wuhan urban area, with peak pollen dispersal in spring from March to April and in autumn from August to September. The number of visits to patients with allergic rhinitis and the positive pollen skin prick test positive rate increased accordingly during the peak pollen concentration periods.

Objective:To investigate the species and concentrations of airborne pollens in Wuhan urban area and their correlation with the number of visits of allergic rhinitis patients.Methods:Retrospective analysis of pollen dispersal characteristics and the number of patients with allergic rhinitis presenting to Tongji Hospital of Huazhong University of Science and Technology in Wuhan city from October 2017 to September 2018, as well as pollen allergen testing results of patients with allergic rhinitis presenting to the Department of Allergy during the same period. Pollen data was collected by a 1-year air sampling conducted in Wuhan City during the same period using the volumetric method. The samples were examined microscopically to identify airborne pollen species and counted, and the concentrations of various pollens were calculated. Information on patients with allergic rhinitis who came to the hospital during the same period was collected, and the correlation between pollen concentration and the number of patient visits was statistically analyzed using Pearson correlation analysis.Results:A total of 35 types of airborne pollen were collected from October 2017 to September 2018. The dominant pollens in spring were Moraceae (68.46%, 1 042/1 522), Pendula (12.22%, 186/1 522) and Cupressaceae (2.30%, 35/1 522); in summer and autumn, the dominant pollens were Artemisia (3.81%, 58/1 522), Humulus (4.01%, 61/1 522) and Ambrosia (0.59%, 9/1 522). The peak number of visits for allergic rhinitis patients occurred in March-April and July-September, both exceeding 2 200 visits and reaching a maximum of 2 545 visits. There was a very weak correlation between the number of visits and the total pollen concentration ( r=0.17, P=0.001). The average monthly pollen skin prick test positive rate of patients with allergic rhinitis was highest in March-May, exceeding 40% with a maximum of 45.73%, and there was a significant correlation between the positive pollen skin prick test positive rate and the average monthly pollen concentration ( r=0.62, P=0.031). Conclusions:Pollen species and concentrations fluctuated continuously with time in Wuhan urban area, with peak pollen dispersal in spring from March to April and in autumn from August to September. The number of visits to patients with allergic rhinitis and the positive pollen skin prick test positive rate increased accordingly during the peak pollen concentration periods.

Humans ; Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ; diagnosis ; therapy