Female ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; Metabolism, Inborn Errors ; diagnosis ; Neonatal Screening

OBJECTIVETo observe the anti-renal fibrosis effect of Paidu Baoshen Pill (PBP) on 5/6 nephrectomized rats and to explore its mechanism.

METHODSTotally 50 SD male healthy rats were randomly divided into the normal control group (n = 10), the sham-operation group (n = 10), and the nephrectomy model group (n = 30) according to the proportion of 1:1:3. Rats in the sham-operation group had their renal capsule isolated without nephrectomy. Rats in the nephrectomy model group had their kidneys 5/6 nephrectomized. Then 24 h urine was collected and 24 h urinary protein (24 h UP) detected. Serum blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and serum creatitine (SCr) were also tested. According to the SCr level 30 rats of the model group were further randomly divided into the model group, the PBP group, and the Niaoduqing Granule (NG) group, 10 in each group. Rats in the PBP group and the NG group were respectively administered with PBP (at the daily dose of 1.0 g/kg) and NG (at the daily dose of 3.33 g/kg) by gastrogavage (they were dissolved in distilled water). At the same time, 2 mL distilled water was administered by gastrogavage to rats in the normal control group, the sham-operation group, and the nephrectomy model group, once daily for 4 successive weeks. Mental conditions, activities, hair color, shape of stool, and the body weight were observed during administration. After 4 weeks, urine was collected to detect 24 h UP. Blood was sampled to detect SCr, BUN, transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1), type III procollagen (PC III), collagen type IV (Col IV), laminin (LN), and fibronectin (FN). After rats were killed, their left remnant renal tissues were collected for pathological examinations. The protein expression quantity of TGF-β1 and FN was detected by immunohistochemical method. mRNA expression levels of TGF-β1 and FN were detected using real time fluorescent quantitative PCR.

RESULTSThere was no statistical difference in the above indices between the normal control group and the sham-operation group (P > 0.05). Compared with the sham-operation group, rats' general condition was poorer in the model group, their body weight grew slower, and 24 h UP increased; serum levels of BUN, SCr, TGF-β1, PC III, Col IV, LN, and FN increased; the residual renal pathological lesion was serious; expression levels of TGF-β1, TGF-β1, mRNA, FN, and FN mRNA increased in the renal tissue (all P < 0.01). Compared with the model group, rats' general condition was better, their body weight grew faster, 24 h UP reduced (P < 0.05), blood levels of BUN and SCr decreased significantly (P < 0.01), serum levels of TGF-β1, PC III, CoL IV, LN, and FN decreased (P < 0.05, P < 0.01); the residual renal pathological lesion was attenuated in the PBP group and the NG group; expression levels of TGF-β1, TGF-β1, mRNA, FN, and FN mRNA decreased (P < 0.01). Compared with the NG group, blood levels of SCr and FN, and expression levels of FN and FN mRNA decreased more in the PBP group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSPBP had the effect of anti-renal fibro- sis in 5/6 nephrectomized rats. Down-regulating expression levels of TGF-β1, and FN from gene transcription and protein translation levels might be one of its mechanisms.

Animals ; Blood Urea Nitrogen ; Collagen Type IV ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Fibronectins ; Kidney ; Kidney Diseases ; drug therapy ; Laminin ; Male ; Nephrectomy ; Rats ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1

OBJECTIVETo compare morphological differences of three drug-resistant hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cell subclones (Huh-7/ADM, Huh-7/CBP, Huh-7/MMC) and their parental Huh-7 cell line, to analyze differential microRNA (miRNA) expression profiles in these cells and, finally to screen for the abnormal expressed miRNAs in drug-resistant HCC cells.

METHODSCellular morphology was observed by histology and transmission electron microscopy. MiRNA microarray was used to analyze the differential miRNA expression profiles in these cells (Huh-7, Huh-7/ADM, Huh-7/CBP, Huh-7/MMC) followed by real time quantitative PCR validation.

RESULTSThe drug-resistant cells had more intracytoplasmic organelles and were larger in size along with increased cytological pleomorphism than the parental Huh-7 cells. Compared with the parental Huh-7 cells, 32 simultaneously up-regulated and 22 down-regulated miRNAs were found in three drug-resistant cells. Up-regulation of miR-15a, miR-16, miR-27b, miR-30b, miR-146a, miR-146b-5p, miR-181a, miR-181d and miR-194 was verified by RT-qPCR.

CONCLUSIONDrug-resistant HCC cells have abnormal expressed miRNAs, which may be explored to further investigate the association of miRNA expressions with multidrugs resistance in HCC.

Antineoplastic Agents ; pharmacology ; Carboplatin ; pharmacology ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; genetics ; pathology ; ultrastructure ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Doxorubicin ; pharmacology ; Drug Resistance, Multiple ; Drug Resistance, Neoplasm ; Gene Expression Profiling ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; genetics ; pathology ; ultrastructure ; MicroRNAs ; genetics ; metabolism ; Mitomycin ; pharmacology ; Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis

BACKGROUNDPandemic influenza A (H1N1) emerged rapidly in China in May 2009. Preliminary comparisons with seasonal influenza suggest that pandemic 2009 influenza A (H1N1) disproportionately affects younger ages and causes generally mild disease. To characterize disease progress, comorbidities, and treatment outcomes among consecutive severe and critically ill patients in a hospital served as a reference center for the care of patients with H1N1 in Shanghai, China.

METHODSA retrospective study on 62 severe and critically ill patients with 2009 influenza A (H1N1) was conducted in Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center. Demographic data, symptoms, comorbidities, disease progression, treatments, and clinical outcomes were collected for analysis.

RESULTSSixty-two severe or critically ill patients were admitted to the hospital with confirmed 2009 influenza A (H1N1) infection. The median age of the study cohort was 40 years old with a range from 18 years to 75 years, and 67.7% were males. All patients presented with fever and respiratory symptoms. At presentation, 34 patients (54.8%) had comorbidities such as smoking (29.0%), hypertension (29.0%) and hepatitis B virus infection (9.7%). The median time from symptom onset to hospital admission was 6 days (interquartile-range 3 - 14 days) and 23 critically ill patients were admitted to Intensive Care Unit after admission. All the patients received neuraminidase inhibitors (oseltaminir), while 60 patients (96.7%) were treated with antibiotics, and 39 (62.9%) with corticosteroids. Twenty-three critical cases received noninvasive mechanical ventilation on the first day of admission, and 3 of them ultimately required invasive ventilation. Four death reports (6.5%) were filed within the first 14 days from the onset of critical illness with the primary causes of severe acute respiratory distress syndrome, hypoxemia, or complications, secondary infection and sepsis, pyopneumothorax and stroke.

CONCLUSIONSSevere illness from 2009 influenza A (H1N1) infection in Shanghai occurred among young individuals. Critical cases were associated with severe hypoxemia, multisystem organ failure, and a requirement for mechanical ventilation. Most patients had a good prognosis.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; China ; epidemiology ; Critical Illness ; Female ; Humans ; Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype ; pathogenicity ; Influenza, Human ; complications ; epidemiology ; metabolism ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pneumonia ; etiology ; virology ; Retrospective Studies ; Young Adult

Objective In order to compare the iodine deficiency disorders(IDD)prevalent slatus in Chun'an County between 2006 and 2007,and to provide the science information for iodine supplementation in different regions.Methods Three schools of Wangzhai,Pingmen and Wenchang which the goiter prevalenee was the most severe were selected in Chun'an County;and from each school,90 pupils aged 8-10 years were randomly selected.B-ultrasound examination of thyroids,urine iodine and salt iodine were measured.Results The goiter rate in B-ultrasound were 7.5%(20/267),median of urine iodine was 247.5 μg/L,mean of salt iodine was 32.7 ms/ks in 2006;and the goiter rate in B-uhrasound were 3.7%(10/271),median of urine iodine was 383.4 μg/L,mean of salt iodine was 33.5 mg/kg in 2007.The goiter prevalence in Wangzhai,Pingrnen and Wenehang township were 15.2%(14/92),6.0%(5/83)and 2.2%(2/92),respectively,and median of urine iodine were 360.1.211.3,189.3μg/L,respectively,in 2006;The goiter prevalence were 6.6%(6/91),3.3%(3/90)and 1.1%(1/90),respectively.and median of urine iodine were 388.6,41 1.5,327.8μg/L,respectively,in 2007.Family ineome of Wangzhai,Pingmen and Wenchang township were 1000,2000,3000 yuan,respectively.Conclusions Goiter prevalence was correlated with urinary iodine,nutritional state and economic condition,high urinary iodine contents and poor nutritional status lcad to a high goiter rate.

Objective: To investigate the protective effect of Danggui Buxue Tang(DGBX)with Angelicae Sinensis Radix(AS) and Astragali Radix(AR)at different radios on impaired functional activity of endothelial cells(ECs)exposed to low-fluid shear stress (FSS). Method: Low FSS was loaded by a parallel plate flow chamber,and ECs were divided into normal FSS group,low FSS group(each preincubated with M199 medium for 2 h),simvastatin group(preincubated with 0.1 μmol·L^-1 simvastatin for 2 h),and 3 DGBX groups(preincubated with 3 g·L^-1 AS and AR at 1:1,1:3,1:5 for 2 h,respectively). Then,the normal group was exposed to 1.2 Pa FSS,while the rest groups were all exposed to low FSS. At time points of 30,60, 360 min,the proliferation was detected by methyl thiazoly tetrazolium(MTT),the secretion of nitric oxide(NO) was detected by nitrase reduction test,and the mRNA and protein expressions of endothelial nitric oxide synthase(eNOS) were detected by Real-time fluorescence guantitative polymerase chain reaction(Real-time PCR) and Western blot,respectively. Result: Compared with the normal group, the secretion of NO and the expression of eNOS in ECs were both increased significantly at 60 min (P<0.01),then decreased at 360 min. Compared with the model group,there was no significant change in proliferation in DGBX groups,but DGBX could promote the NO secretion and the expression of eNOS in ECs exposed to low FSS at 360 min respectively, whereas the function of DGBX(AS and AR at 1:3,1:5) was obviously observed. Conclusion: DGBX could protect the functional activity of ECs exposed to low FSS.

AIM:To investigate the mechanism of action of Wenweiyang decoction(WWYD)in treating func-tional dyspepsia in rats based on mast cell activation and stem cell factor(SCF)/receptor tyrosine kinase c-Kit signaling pathway.METHODS:Sixty SD rats were randomly divided into control group,model group,ranitidine hydrochloride capsule group,and low-,medium-and high-dose WWYD groups,with 10 rats in each group.The rat model of functional dyspepsia was established by tail clamping and irregular feeding compound senna method.After modeling,the rats in con-trol group and model group were given normal saline,while those in low-,medium-and high-dose(0.743 g/mL,1.485 g/mL and 2.970 g/mL)WWYD groups and ranitidine hydrochloride capsule(3 g/L)group were treated with corresponding drugs by intragastric administration.After treatment,the propulsion rate of the small intestine was measured by the carbon ink propulsion method.Rat duodenal mast cells were observed and counted by toluidine blue staining.ELISA was used for determination of mast cell tryptase(MCT)and histamine(HA)content in rat duodenum.The mRNA levels of SCF and c-Kit in duodenum were detected by RT-qPCR.Western blot and immunohistochemistry were employed to determine the ex-pression levels of SCF and c-Kit in the duodenum.RESULTS:Compared with model group,WWYD treatment signifi-cantly increased the propulsion rate of the small intestine in rats(P<0.05).ELISA results showed that WWYD reduced the number of mast cells and the content of MCT and HA in the duodenal mucosa tissue of rats(P<0.05).Western blot and immunohistochemistry results suggested that WWYD up-regulated the protein expression levels of c-Kit and SCF in the duodenal tissue of rats(P<0.05),and increased the numbers of SCF and c-Kit positive cells.RT-qPCR results indicated that WWYD up-regulated the mRNA expression of c-Kit and SCF in the duodenum of rats(P<0.05).Moreover,the small intestinal propulsion rate was negatively correlated with MCT and HA content,and positively correlated with the expres-sion of SCF and c-Kit.CONCLUSION:Wenweiyang decoction promotes rat duodenal motility,and its mechanism may be related to the inhibition of rat duodenal MCT and HA production and activation of SCF/c-Kit signaling pathway.

Objective To compare the macular structure and microcirculation in both eyes of the patients with myopic anisometropia.Methods Optical coherence tomography angiography(OCTA)was employed to scan the macular areas in both eyes of 44 patients with myopic anisometropia.The patients were assigned into high and low groups based on the refractive diopter,and the parameters such as retinal thickness,choroidal thickness,vascular density,and perfusion density in the macular areas of both eyes were compared between the two groups.Results Other macular areas except the central and external nasal areas and the choroid of the fovea in the high group were thinner than those in the low group(all P<0.05).There was no statistically significant difference in retinal vascular density or perfusion density in different areas between the two groups(all P>0.05).Conclusion In the patients with myopic anisometropia,most areas of the retina in the case of high myopia is thinner than that in the case of low myopia,while there is no difference in retinal vascular density or perfusion density in both eyes.
Humans ; Anisometropia ; Choroid/blood supply* ; Microcirculation ; Myopia ; Retina ; Tomography, Optical Coherence/methods*

OBJECTIVETo identify the novel species 'Mycobacterium fukienense' sp. nov of Mycobacterium chelonae/abscessus complex from tuberculosis patients in Fujian Province, China.

METHODSFive of 27 clinical Mycobacterium isolates (Cls) were previously identified as M. chelonae/abscessus complex by sequencing the hsp65, rpoB, 16S-23S rRNA internal transcribed spacer region (its), recA and sodA house-keeping genes commonly used to describe the molecular characteristics of Mycobacterium. Clinical Mycobacterium isolates were classified according to the gene sequence using a clustering analysis program. Sequence similarity within clusters and diversity between clusters were analyzed.

RESULTSThe 5 isolates were identified with distinct sequences exhibiting 99.8% homology in the hsp65 gene. However, a complete lack of homology was observed among the sequences of the rpoB, 16S-23S rRNA internal transcribed spacer region (its), sodA, and recA genes as compared with the M. abscessus. Furthermore, no match for rpoB, sodA, and recA genes was identified among the published sequences.

CONCLUSIONThe novel species, Mycobacterium fukienense, is identified from tuberculosis patients in Fujian Province, China, which does not belong to any existing subspecies of M. chelonea/abscessus complex.

Bacterial Proteins ; genetics ; Base Sequence ; China ; epidemiology ; Cluster Analysis ; DNA, Bacterial ; genetics ; Humans ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Mycobacterium ; classification ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Mycobacterium Infections, Nontuberculous ; epidemiology ; microbiology ; Mycobacterium chelonae ; classification ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Phylogeny ; Sequence Alignment ; Tuberculosis ; epidemiology ; microbiology

Chronic post-hypoxic myoclonus, also known as Lance-Adams syndrome (LAS), is a rare complication of successful cardiopulmanry resuscitation often accompanied by action myoclonus and cerebellar ataxia. It is seen in patients who have undergone a cardiorespiratory arrest, regained consciousness afterwards, and then developed myoclonus days or weeks after the event. Worldwide, 122 cases have been reported in the literature so far, including 1 case of Chinese. Here we report 2 Chinese LAS patients with detailed neuroimagings. Cranial single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) of patient 1, a 52-year-old woman, showed a mild hypoperfusion in her left temporal lobe, whereas patient 2, a 54-year-old woman, manifested a mild bilateral decrease of glucose metabolism in the frontal lobes and a mild to moderate decrease of the N-acetyl aspartate (NAA) peak in the bilateral hippocampi by cranial [(18)F]-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomographic (PET) scan and cranial magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS), respectively. We also review the literature on the neuroimaging, pathogenesis, and treatment of LAS.
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation ; adverse effects ; Cerebellar Ataxia ; diagnosis ; etiology ; Female ; Humans ; Hypoxia-Ischemia, Brain ; diagnosis ; etiology ; Middle Aged ; Myoclonus ; diagnosis ; etiology ; Syndrome