Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a serious clinical problem with high morbidity and mortality. Renal replacement therapy (RRT) is an important tool for treating patients with AKI. The 2011 Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) Clinical Practice Guideline for AKI points out that RRT should be discontinued when renal function has recovered enough to meet the body needs or when RRT is no longer consistent with treatment goals. However, the specific reference index of weaning RRT is unclear. The guiding roles of traditional indicators such as urine output (> 400 mL/24 h), serum creatinine (SCr, decreasing trend), creatinine clearance (CCr, > 20 mL/min), and novel biomarkers such as neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL), hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), interleukins (IL-6, IL-10), kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1), kynurenic acid, etc. for discontinuation of RRT in AKI patients were reviewed. Particularly, the importance of biomarkers for this purpose was highlighted.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the effect of mono-2-ethylhexyl phthalate(MEHP) on proliferation of primary neural stem cells(NSCs)of rats and NE-4C cells of mice and on the migration of NE-4C cells and the mechanism. METHODS NE-4C or NSCs were treated with MEHP 1,10,100 and 1000 μmol · L-1 for 72 h,respectively. The cytotoxicity was estimated with the cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8). Cell proliferation was analyzed by EdU assay. The mRNA expression levels of the glucocorticoid receptor(GR),signal transducer and activator of transcription 3(Stat3)and sex determining region Y (SRY)-box 2(Sox2) were detected by qRT-PCR. The protein expression levels of total GR,GRβ, Sox2,Stat3 and p-Stat3 were measured by Western blotting. RESULTS Cell viability of NE-4C cells and NSCs at MEHP 1000μmol·L-1 was significantly decreased,which was 70.3%and 40.0%of the control group, respectively. EdU assay showed that MEHP 100 μmol · L-1 decreased NE-4C cells and NSCs by 74.8%and 12.0%(P<0.05)compared with control. The effect of MEHP on the cell migration of NE-4C was evidenced by the fact that the migration was obviously reduced to (63.4±2.0)%(P<0.05)after treatment with MEHP 100μmol · L-1 for 72 h. The mRNA expression levels associated with proliferation and migration in NE-4C of GR,Stat3 and Sox2 in MEHP 100 μmol · L-1 group were down-regulated to 49.8%,26.0% and 14.0%of control(P<0.05). At MEHP 100μmol · L-1,mRNA of GR, Stat3 and Sox2 in NSCs declined to 10.0%,14.0% and 15.3% of normal control. Western blotting results revealed that protein expressions of GR,GRβ,Sox2 and p-Stat3 were remarkably inhibited by MEHP 100 μmol · L-1 in that the relative expression of NE-4C was 0.92 ± 0.17,0.87 ± 0.35,0.81 ± 0.22 and 0.62 ± 0.24(P<0.05). The corresponding protein expression in NSCs was 0.82 ± 0.20,0.56 ± 0.12,0.84 ± 0.36 and 0.53 ± 0.20(P<0.05)when the cells were treated with MEHP 100μmol · L-1 for 72 h. CONCLUSION MEHP can inhibit the proliferation and migration of NE-4C cells and NSCs possibly by decreasing Stat3 and Sox2 that are mediated by GRβ.

Chloroplast genetic engineering, offers several advantages over nuclear transformation, including high level of gene expression, increased biosafety, remedying some limitations associated with nuclear genetic transformation, such as gene silencing and the stability of transformed genes. It is now regarded as an attractive new transgenic technique and further development of biotechnology in agriculture. In this article we reviewed the characteristics, applications of chloroplast genetic engineering and its promising prospects were discussed.
Biotechnology ; methods ; Chloroplasts ; genetics ; Genetic Engineering ; methods ; Plants, Genetically Modified ; genetics ; Transformation, Genetic

Adolescent ; Adult ; Cytokines ; blood ; Endotoxemia ; complications ; Female ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; complications ; immunology ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Th1 Cells ; immunology ; Th2 Cells ; immunology

OBJECTIVETo explore the effect of the treatment for long-term disease-free survival (DFS) of post-remission patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML).

METHODSTwenty-nine AML patients with completely remission (CR) and 17 with partial remission (PR) were treated with Chinese medicine, Longchan Cigu Decoction 1 dose per day and Lingxiong Piaoling Powder 7 doses per month, and combined with DA or HA regimen of chemotherapy one course per year. Patients peripheral blood picture, bone marrow smear, biopsy and human leukocyte antigen DR (HLA-DR) cells were examined before and after treatment, and their disease-free survival (DFS) was followed up.

RESULTSAfter treated with above mentioned treatment for 2 months, percentage of patients with normal peripheral blood count increased, including patients with WBC > or = 4.0 x 10(9)/L raised from 46% to 70%, with Hb > or = 120 g/L from 17% to 46% and with PLT > or = 100 x 10(9)/L from 63% to 85%; nucleated cell volume in bone marrow increased from 35.83 +/- 28.42% to 60.46 +/- 17.73% (P < 0.01); HLA-DR cell was also increased significantly from 10.55 +/- 4.95% to 14.84 +/- 4.94%, (P < 0.01); while the residual leukemia cells were not increased in one year, from 5.90 +/- 5.09% before and 5.82 +/- 2.42% after treatment (P > 0.05). The maximal DFS in patients was 123 months. The 3-year survival rate was 64.15 +/- 1.96% and 5-year survival rate was 51.19 +/- 16.25%.

CONCLUSIONThe integrative Chinese and western medicine treating program used in this study is beneficial for the long-term treatment of AML patients after complete remission.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; therapeutic use ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Disease-Free Survival ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute ; drug therapy ; Male ; Mercaptopurine ; administration & dosage ; Methotrexate ; administration & dosage ; Middle Aged ; Phytotherapy ; Remission Induction ; Survival Rate

China ; Genes, Bacterial ; Sequence Analysis ; Streptococcus suis ; classification ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Virulence Factors ; genetics

In order to investigate the sleep quality and influencing factors in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD),201 PD patients were enrolled and underwent extensive clinical evaluations.Subjective sleep evaluation was assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI),and the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS).It was found that poor sleep quality (77.11％) and excessive daytime sleepiness (32.34％) were commonly seen in PD patients and positively correlated with disease severity.Then 70 out of the 201 PD patients and 70 age-and sex-matched controls underwent a polysomnographic recording.The parameters were compared between PD group and control group and the influencing factors of sleep in PD patients were analyzed.The results showed that sleep efficiency (SE) was significantly decreased (P＜0.01),and sleep latency (SL) and the arousal index (AI) were increased (P＜0.05) in the PD group as compared with those in the control group.SE and total sleep time (TST) were positively correlated with the Hoehn and Yahr (H&Y) stage.There was significant difference in the extent of hypopnea and hypoxemia between the PD group and the control group (P＜0.05).Our results indicate that PD patients have an overall poor sleep quality and a high prevalence of sleep disorder,which may be correlated with the disease severity.Respiratory function and oxygen supply are also affected to a certain degree in PD patients.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the species and percentage changes of pathogens in blood cultures from the pediatric hematology ward, and to analyze the drug resistance of main pathogens and the risk factors for positive blood culture (sepsis).

METHODSA retrospective analysis was performed to analyze the species and drug sensitivity of the pathogens isolated from 2358 blood cultures from the pediatric hematology ward of the West China Second University Hospital between 2008 and 2011, as well as the related clinical data.

RESULTSA total of 110 strains of pathogens were isolated, with Escherichia coli (16 strains), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (12 strains) and Staphylococcus epidermidis (8 strains) being the most common ones. From 2008 to 2011, the percentage of Gram-positive bacteria decreased, while the percentage of Gram-negative bacteria increased. The detection rates of methicillin-resistant coagulase-negative Staphylococci and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus were 69% and 43% respectively, but both were sensitive to vancomycin. The detection rates of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Escherichia coli and ESBL-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae were 69% and 62% respectively, but both were sensitive to imipenem and meropenem. Malignant tumor was a risk factor for positive blood culture (OR=3.564, P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSA wide range of pathogens are responsible for bloodstream infection in the pediatric hematology ward and the percentages of bacteria are changing; these pathogens have a high drug resistance rate. Malignant tumor is a risk factor for positive blood culture in the pediatric hematology ward.

Adolescent ; Bacteremia ; etiology ; microbiology ; Bacteria ; drug effects ; isolation & purification ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Drug Resistance, Bacterial ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; Retrospective Studies

OBJECTIVETo provide the basis for establishing evaluation criterion, selecting good strains and carring out good agricultural practice of the crude drug.

METHODRepresentative 22 varieties of Carthamus tinctorius were selected and cultivated in different ecological localities and different years. And the content of safflor yellow A in their corollas were measured by RP-HPLC to compare the differences and their genetic stabilities among varieties.

RESULTThe range of of safflor yellow A content was 0.70%-1.85% which were varied among varieties (P < 0.01). The content of safflor yellow A in varieties Yutai Honghua, Hefei Honghua, Rucheng Honghua were higher than in others.

CONCLUSIONThe effective compound safflor yellow A in C. tinctorius was one of the main quality evaluation criterions. Varieties Yutai Honghua, Hefei Honghua and Rucheng Honghua were good resources.

Carthamus tinctorius ; chemistry ; genetics ; Chalcone ; analogs & derivatives ; analysis ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; methods ; Ecosystem ; Flowers ; chemistry ; Genetic Variation ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; genetics ; Quality Control ; Quinones ; analysis

OBJECTIVETo study the clinical characteristics and pathogens of invasive fungal infection in children.

METHODSThe clinical data of 104 children who suffered from invasive fungal infections between 2008 and 2012 was retrospectively reviewed.

RESULTSOf the 104 cases, 20 occurred in neonates, 48 in infants and 36 in preschool and school-aged children (old-aged children). Prematurity (70%), hyaline membrane disease (45%) and pneumonia (30%) were commonly comorbid in the neonate group. In addition, the percentage of cases receiving total parenteral nutrition was higher in the neonate group than in the other two age groups (P<0.01). Mechanical ventilation was more frequent in neonate and infant groups than in the old-aged children (P<0.01). Hematological malignancy was the most common underlying disease, and the percentage of children who had neutropenia and accepted chemotherapy was higher in the old-aged children than in the other two age groups (P<0.05). Lung infection was the most common (61.5%), followed by sepsis (14.4%) and intestinal tract infection (12.5%), while nervous system infections were found only in old-aged children. A total of 105 strains of fungi were isolated from the 104 patients, including Candida (n=90, 85.7%), Cryptococcus (n=6) and others (n=9). The most commonly isolated species was Candida albicans (n=52, 49.5%). Non-Candida albicans Candida accounted for 36.2% (n=38). The rate of susceptibility of Candida species to 5-fluorocytosine and amphotericin B was higher than fluconazole.

CONCLUSIONSInvasive fungal infections can occur in children at various ages. There are differences in the risk factors for invasive fungal infections between age groups. Candida species are the main pathogens of childhood invasive fungal infections, and both Candida albicans and non-Candida albicans Candida are common. Fluorocytosine and amphotericin B are sensitive antifungal agents for infections caused by Candida species.

Adolescent ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Fungi ; drug effects ; isolation & purification ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; Microbial Sensitivity Tests ; Mycoses ; drug therapy ; etiology ; microbiology ; Prognosis ; Risk Factors