Objective:To determine the plasma level of apelin in patients of maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) and to explore the relationship between apelin level and carotid atherosclerosis (AS) in MHD patients.Methods:A total of 92 MHD patients and 36 sex-and age-matched healthy subjects were enrolled in this study.The plasma level of apelin was evaluated by radiation immunoassay;serum endothelial injury markers including thrombomodulin,von Willebrand factor (vWF),and CD 146,and inflammatory factors including high sensitive C-reactive protein (hsCRP),IL-6 and TNF-α were determined by ELISA.Common Carotid arteries intima media thickness (CCA-IMT),cross-sectional calculated intima-media area (cIM area) area and atherosclerotic plaque were measured by non-invasive high-resolution B-mode ultrasonography.Results:The plasma levels of apelin was significantly decreased in MHD patients compared with healthy subjects (P＜0.01),accompanied with elevated plasma levels of thrombomodulin,vWF,CD 146,hsCRP,IL-6 and TNF-α (all P＜0.01).The plasma levels of apelinin in MHD patients with carotid artery plaques were obviously lower than those without plaques [(43.16± 10.12) pg/mL vs (61.43±16.25) pg/mL,P＜0.01].Plasma level of apelin was inversely related with CCA-IMT and cIM area (r=-0.355 and r=-0.297 respectively,all P＜0.01).Multiple stepwise regression analysis showed that plasma level of apelin was an independent risk factor for CCA-IMT and cIM area.Conclusion:The plasma apelin in MHD patients might take part in vascular endothelial injury and the progress of atherosclerosis.It plays an important role in the initiation and development of uremia associated atherosclerosis through elevating inflammatory factors including hsCRP,IL-6 and TNF-α levels.

Objective To investigate the specific expression of endoplasmic reticulum stress-related GRP78 and CHOP in podocyte of MKR mice with diabetic nephropathy (DN);To discuss the intervention effect of Zuogui Jiangtang Yishen Decoction (ZGJTYS). Methods 8-week old MKR mice were randomly divided into five groups:blank group, model group, ZGJTYS group, 4-Phenylbutyric acid group, gliquidone+benazepril group, and normal control group consisting of wild type C57BC/6 mice, 10 mice per group. All mice from model group and each treatment group received high-fat diet feed and unilateral nephrectomy to make the DN model. Mice from treatment groups received medicine intervention for four weeks. The levels of FBG were detected by electrochemical detection method, and the UmAlb was detected by ELISA. The expressions of GRP78, CHOP mRNA, and protein were detected by RT-PCR and Western blot. The morphological structure changes of the podocytes were observed by transmission electron microscopes. Results Compared with blank group, FBG and UmAlb in the model group increased significantly (P<0.01);the expressions of GRP78 mRNA and protein markedly decreased (P<0.01);the expressions of CHOP mRNA and protein increased (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, FBG and UmAlb in each treatment group significantly decreased (P<0.01);the expressions of GRP78 mRNA and protein in the ZGJTYS group and 4-Phenylbutyric acid group increased (P<0.01), the expressions of CHOP mRNA and protein decreased (P<0.01). The renal pathological lesions of each treatment group were significantly improved compared with model group. Conclusion ZGJTYS Decoction can effectively improve the damaged podocyte induced by endoplasmic reticulum stress, delay DN progress.

AIMIn order to explore the mechanism of central motilin-induced feeding behavior, the effects of erythromycin, a motilin receptor agonist, on glucose responsive neurons in hypothalamus were observed.

METHODSExtracellular recordings were made from single neurons in region of lateral hypothalamic area (LHA) and ventromedial hypothalamic nucleus (VMH) in anesthetized rats. On the basis of their responsiveness to intracarotid injection of 0.58 mol/L glucose solution 0.2 ml, glucose-sensitive neurons (GSNs) in LHA and glucoreceptor neurons (GRNs) in VMH were recognized. Effects of intracerebroventricularly (i. c. v.) administration of 4 microg erythromycin on neural activities of glucose responsive neurons and non-glucose responsive neurons were examined. The mixture of EM and GM-109 1 microl were used to GSNs and GRNs which were sensitive to i. c. v. administration of EM.

RESULTSIn LHA, EM increased activity of GSNs significantly (P < 0.05 vs non-glucose-sensitive neurons group). Whereas in VMH, EM significantly decreased the activities of GRNs (P < 0.01 vs non-glucoreceptor neurons group). The mixture of EM and GM-109 had no effect on GSNs and GRNs.

CONCLUSIONEM, a motilin receptor agonist, can stimulate GSNs in LHA and suppress GRNs in VMH and this may contribute to central motilin's effect on feeding behavior.

Animals ; Erythromycin ; pharmacology ; Hypothalamus ; cytology ; Neurons ; cytology ; drug effects ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Receptors, Cell Surface ; metabolism ; Receptors, Gastrointestinal Hormone ; antagonists & inhibitors ; Receptors, Neuropeptide ; antagonists & inhibitors

Objective To prepare a peptide monoclonal antibody (McAb)against human papillomavirus 18E6 separately,and identify its specificity and pathogenicity.Metheds The advantage epitope peptide was designed and synthesized by ABCpred and Bcepred,and then used to immunize BALB/c mice after coupling with bovine serum albumin (BSA).And the McAb was prepared by hybridoma technique.HPV18E6 gene was amplified from cervical swab specimen containing HPV18 and insert-ed into expression vector pET-28a.The constructed recombinant plasmid was transformed to E.coli BL21(DE3)for expres-sion under induction of isopropyl thio-β-D-galactoside.The expressed protein was used to identified the McAb had been pre-pared.Results The hybridoma cell lines could constantly produce MAbs against HPV18E6 peptides.Sequencing proved that recombinant plasmid pET-28a-HPV18E6 was constructed correctly.Western blotting showed that the anti-HPV18E6 pep-tides antibody could specifically recognize HPV18E6.Conclusion A monoclonal antibody against the advantage epitope pep-tide of human papillomavirus 18E6 prepared could specifically recognize HPV18E6 specifically.

Objective To evaluate the using of either 225 or 150 microgrammes of mifepristone combined with misoprostol for termination of second-trimester gestation(16～24 weeks).Methods 180 women requesting voluntary induced abortion during gestation 16～24 weeks were randomised to three groups,group 1:oral mifepris- tone 225rag,group 2:oral mifepristone 150mg,and group 3:injected 100rag rivanot by amniocentestis.The total suc- cess rate,once success rate,the interval of having-medicine to uterine-constraction,the volume of bleeding within 2 hours after labour and cervical laceration rate were observed.Results The once success rate of induced labour in group 1 was higher than that in group 2 and group 3(P

OBJECTIVETo observe the clinical significance of nitric oxide (NO) and 8-isoprostane (8-isoPG) changes in exhaled breath condensate ( EBC) of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) patients after treated by Qingfei Decoction (QD).

METHODSTotally 48 ARDS patients receiving mechanical ventilation were equally assigned to the QD treatment group and the control group by random digit table. EBC specimens were collected by modified Ecoscreen breath condensate collector (German JAEGER Company) on the first day and the fifth day after confirmed diagnosis of ARDS. Concentrations of NO and 8-isoPG in EBC were measured by ELISA. The oxygenation index and APACHE II scores were recorded at the same time.

RESULTS(1) The fatality rate in the QD treatment group was lower than that in the control group (8.3% vs 37.5%, P < 0.05). (2) After treatment NO and 8-isoPG concentrations in EBC were lower in the QD treatment group (34.49 ± 5.67 µmol/L, 30.09 ± 7.89 ng/L) than in the control group (39.78 ± 9.27 µmol/L, 35.65 ± 8.90 ng/L; P < 0.05). (3) After treatment improved oxygenation index value was higher in the QD treatment group than in the control group (120.88 ± 35.16 vs 101.50 ± 37.70, P < 0.05). After treatment APACHEII scores was lower in the QD treatment group than in the control group (6.21 ± 3.51 vs 10. 26 ± 4.33, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONTreatment of ARDS patients by QD was favorable in controlling inflammation, alleviating lung injury, and improving clinical efficacy.

Breath Tests ; Dinoprost ; analogs & derivatives ; analysis ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Inflammation ; Nitric Oxide ; analysis ; Respiration, Artificial ; Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Adult ; drug therapy

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of purple sweet potato flavonoids (PSPF) on blood glucose and lipids levels in diabetic rats.

METHODSDiabetes was induced by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (STZ, 65 mg.kg(-1)) in rats. The changes of fasting blood glucose and lipids levels in serum and body weight, food and fluid intake of diabetic rats treated with PSPF were examined.

RESULTSDiabetic symptoms were ameliorated after rats were fed with PSPF. The fasting blood glucose (FBG), GSP, TC, TG, LDL-C were decreased and serum HDL-C levels were increased (P<0.01) in high, medium dose PSPF groups; while FBG, serum GSP, TG, LDL-C were also improved in low dose group (P<0.05 or P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONPurple sweet potato flavonoids can decrease the blood glucose and lipids levels in diabetic rats.

Animals ; Blood Glucose ; metabolism ; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental ; blood ; drug therapy ; Flavonoids ; pharmacology ; Ipomoea batatas ; chemistry ; Lipids ; blood ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

Objective To determine a suitable standard of hirsutism for Chinese polycystic ovary syndrome(PCOS)patients living in Shandong region.Methods A total of 623 unbiased women from the general population in Jinan city,131 PCOS patients and 84 controls from outpatients in Shandong region were studied with questionnaires,physical and pelvic ultrasound examination,body hair on 11 sites were evaluated,and 9(lip,chin,arm,thigh,chest,upperbelly,lowerbelly,upperback,lowback)of them which were called hormone Ferriman-Gallwey(F-G)score and 2(forearm,leg)sites of indifferent hormone score were calculated according to the score system described by Ferriman and Gallwey.Results(1)Both body hair F-G score and indifferent hormone score distribution mode in the≤40 years old population were un-normal and both the 95th percentages of score were 2.(2)The hirsutism was significantly higher in PCOS patients[48.1%(63/131)]than in controls[4.8%(4/84)]by F-G score≥2(X~2=47.68,P

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the pathogens and their resistance in continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) related peritonitis. METHODS: A total of 78 cases with CAPD related peritonitis from Xiangya Hospital between January 2007 and January 2011 were reviewed. Pathogens, resistance and outcomes of the 78 cases CAPD related peritonitis were analyzed retrospectively. RESULTS: Among them, 53 cases cultured positive (66.67%), 3 of which were combined infection and 2 strains were cultured. A total of 55 strains were cultured, including 32 gram-positive strains (58.18%), 18 gram-negative strains (32.72%) and 5 fungi (9.09%). The most common pathogens were coagulase negative staphylococcus, staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. Drug sensitivity test of the gram-positive strains showed that the three with lowest antibiotic resistance were linezolid (0), teicoplanin (3.13%) and vancomycin (4.0%). Drug sensitivity test of the gram-negative bacteria showed that antibiotics with the lowest resistance were amikacin and imipenem, followed by piperacillin/tazobactam and cepoperazon/sulbactam. Cephazolin had the highest resistance rate of 83.33%. Clinical outcomes: 63 cases cured (80.77%); 11 cases transferred to hemodialysis (14.1%); 4 cases died (5.13%), including 2 cases fungus infections, 1 gram-negative bacteria infection and 1 combined infection. CONCLUSION The most common pathogens causing peritoneal dialysis associated peritonitis is gram positive bacteria. In the empirical treatment, in addition to traditional treatment of Cefazolin combined with aminoglycosides, cefazolin combined with piperacillin/tazobactam or cepoperazon/sulbactam is preferable for CAPD associated peritonitis.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Bacteria ; drug effects ; isolation & purification ; Child ; Drug Resistance, Bacterial ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Microbial Sensitivity Tests ; Peritoneal Dialysis, Continuous Ambulatory ; adverse effects ; Peritonitis ; etiology ; microbiology ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the diagnostic significance of basophil activation test (BAT) in anaphylaxis to non-ionic contrast media through testing the content of CD63, mast cell-carboxypeptidase A3 (MC-CPA3), and terminal complement complex SC5b-9 of the individuals by testing their levels in the normal immune group and the anaphylaxis groups to β-lactam drugs and non -ionic contrast media. METHODS: The CD63 expression of basophilic granulocyte in blood was detected by flow cytometry. The levels of MC-CPA3 in blood serum and SC5b-9 in blood plasma were detected by ELISA. RESULTS: The CD63 expression of basophilic granulocyte in blood, the levels of MC-CPA3 and SC5b-9 of anaphylaxis to non-ionic contrast media and β-lactam drugs were significantly higher than that in normal immune group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION There is activation of basophilic granulocytes, mast cells and complement system in anaphylaxis to non-ionic contrast media. BAT can be used to diagnose the anaphylaxis to non-ionic contrast media.
Anaphylaxis/diagnosis* ; Basophils/cytology* ; Carboxypeptidases A/metabolism* ; Complement Membrane Attack Complex/metabolism* ; Contrast Media ; Flow Cytometry ; Granulocytes/cytology* ; Humans ; Mast Cells/cytology* ; Tetraspanin 30/metabolism*