Objective To investigate the effects of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) on the expression of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) in renal cortex of diabetic nephropathy rats.Methods A rat model of DN was established.The rats were randomly divided into control group,DN group and NAC group.After 8 weeks treatment,urinary albumin excretion rate (UAER) was determined.The expression of TGF-β1 in renal cortex was detected by immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR analysis.Pathomorphological changes of renal cortex were observed.Results (1)The levels of UA ER were significantly higher in DN group and NAC group [(1268.3±297.5) μg/24 h and (315.9-±86.8) μg/24 h] than in control group [(31.2±8.9) μg/24 h,q-29.85,16.76,both P＜0.01].The groups of DN and NAC versus group of control showed the increased levels of activity of TGF-β1 in renal cortex [immune-histochemistry index of glomerular mesangial area:7.35±1.17 and 3.87 ± 0.71 vs.1.95±0.34,q= 10.75,5.82,both P＜0.01];immune-histochemistry index of renal tubulointerstitium [21.21± 3.78 and 10.67±1.86 vs.3.62±0.79,q=15.20,11.36,both P＜0.01];the expression of mRNA in renal cortex[0.72±0.06 and 0.45±0.05 vs.0.23±0.04,q=9.13,7.45,both P＜0.01].The pathomorphological changes were significant in DN group and NAC group.(2)The NAC group versus DN group showed a decreased levels of UAER (q=8.17,P＜0.01),activity of TGF-β1 in renal cortex [immune-histochemistry index of glomerular mesangial area:q= 4.97,P＜0.01]immune-histochemistry index of renal tubulointerstitium (q = 6.86,P ＜ 0.01 );the expression of mRNA in renal cortex (q= 3.69,P＜0.05) and showed improvement of pathomorphology in renal cortex.(3) There was a significantly positive correlation between expression quantity of TGF-β1 mRNA in renal cortex and UAER level in NAC group(r= 0.749,P＜0.05).Conclusions The protective effects of NAC on the kidney of DN rats may be partly related with inhibition on the expression of TGF-β1.

Objective To evaluate the ability of 3-AB to sensitize the human esophageal carcinoma cell strain (CaEs-17) to radiation in v/tro and its mechanisms. Methods CaEs-17 cells were treated with 3-AB at 0, 2.5, 7.5 mmol/L and given irradiation O, 3, 6, 9, 12 Gy. 3-AB concentration in each group was made dose-survival curve using multi-target single-hit maiths model by clonogenie assay. MTT assay was performed to observe the survival of irradiated cells.comet assay and metaphase chromosome analysis were used to measure the DNA damage degree and chromosome aberration of CaEs-17 cell after 3-AB treatment and irradiation. Results Cell survival experiments showed SER of 1.21, 1.52 for 2.5 mmol/L, 7.5 mmol/L 3-AB respectively using multi-target single-hit maths model. The survival fraction of irradiated CaEs-17 cell was decreased after 3-AB treatment. DNA damage and the chromatid breakage number of irradiated CaEs-17 cells were increased after 3-AB treatment. Conclusions 3-AB, a PARP inhibitor, can enhance the radiosensitivity of human esophageal carcinoma cell strain (CaEs-17). DNA damage repair inhibition by 3-AB might be one of the mechanisms.

Objective:To compare the clinical efficacy of drug coated balloon (DCB) vs. plain old balloon (POB) on in-stent restenosis (ISR) of femoropopliteal artery occlusive disease of the lower limb. Methods:The clinical data of 91 ISR patients admitted at Shanxi Bethune Hospital from Jul 2016 to Dec 2017 were retrospectively analyzed. The primary patency rates were compared.Results:There were 43 patients treated with drug coated balloons and 48 patients treated with plain old balloons. The surgical procedure was successful in all cases, and the symptoms of lower limb ischemia were significantly improved after surgical procedure. The primary patency rate of patients who were treated by drug coated balloons was significantly higher than by plain old balloons at 12 months after surgery (83.7% vs. 62.5%, P<0.05). Conclusion:The use of drug coated balloons could acquire more satisfactory short-term clinical efficacy for ISR patients of femoropopliteal artery occlusive disease.

Background There is a lack of research evidence on the association between sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) consumption and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) in China. Objective To explore the association between frequency of SSB consumption before pregnancy and risk of GDM in pregnant women in Shaanxi Province, and to provide a scientific basis for targeted interventions to control maternal blood glucose. Methods The recruitment to the China Birth Cohort study started in October 2020. Pregnant women at 6-16 weeks who had their first prenatal examination at five hospitals in Shaanxi Province were recruited. A maternal health questionnaire was used to collect basic information about pregnant women. A semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire was used to collect the consumption of carbonated beverages, fruit and vegetable juice beverages, coffee beverages, and milk tea beverages in one year before pregnancy, which were summed to obtain the SSB consumption. Pregnant women were divided into three groups according to SSB consumption, namely <1 serving·week⁻¹, 1-4 servings·week⁻¹, and ≥5 servings·week⁻¹. GDM was confirmed by oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) between 24-28 weeks of gestation. A binary logistic regression model was applied to explore the association between SSB consumption and risk of GDM. Multiple linear regression was applied to investigate the associations between SSB consumption (per 1-serving·d⁻¹ increase) and OGTT fasting plasma glucose, 1-hour glucose, and 2-hour glucose. Results A total of 3811 pregnant women were finally enrolled in this study, of which 752 developed GDM, with an incidence rate of 19.7%. The incidence rates of GDM in pregnant women with SSB consumption frequency of <1 serving·week⁻¹, 1-4 servings·week⁻¹, and ≥5 servings·week⁻¹ were 18.0%, 21.1%, and 26.8%, respectively. After adjusting for maternal age, pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI), education, number of children born, family history of diabetes, smoking, alcohol consumption, physical activity level, and total energy intake, the risk of GDM increased by 26% (OR=1.26, 95%CI: 1.05, 1.50) in the 1-4 servings·week⁻¹ group and by 76% (OR=1.76, 95%CI: 1.31, 2.38) in the ≥5 servings·week⁻¹ group compared to the <1 serving·week⁻¹ SSB consumption group, respectively. Further stratified analysis revealed no interaction effect (P_interaction>0.05) between SSB consumption and maternal age, pre-pregnancy BMI, or first labor or not. For each additional SSB consumption per day, the risk of GDM increased by 94% (OR=1.94, 95%CI: 1.37, 2.75); and the maternal OGTT 1-hour glucose and 2-hour glucose increased by 0.33 mmol·L⁻¹ and 0.18 mmol·L⁻¹, respectively (P<0.05), and no significant increase in fasting plasma glucose was found (P>0.05). Conclusion Higher SSB consumption before pregnancy increases the risk of GDM in pregnant women.