Objective To investigate correlation between cystatin C (Cys C) and target organ damage (TOD) in elderly hypertension and its clinical significance.Methods One hundred patients with TOD in elderly hypertension were selected as an observation group.One hundred patients without TOD in elderly hypertension were recruited as the controll group.And sixty healthy aged persons were recruited as healthy group.Serum concentration of Cys C in all cases was measured by the particle enhanced nephelometric immunoassay.At the same time,serum creatinine (Scr),urine albumin (mALB) and left ventricle mass index (LVMI) via ultrasonography were also detected.Correlation of Cys C with the above measurements were analyzed.Results The Cys C concentration was significantly higher in observation group [(1.84±0.32) mg/L] than in contrast [(0.92±0.36) mg/L] and healtbygroups [(0.85±0.34) mg/L],F=88.43,P=0.000.However,the difference in level of Cys C was not statistically significantly different between controll group and healthy group (P ＞0.05).In observation group,serum concentration of Cys C was positively correlated with Scr,mALBand LVMI (r=0.420,0.526,0.470,P=0.021,0.019,0.034) after adjusting age.Conclusions Serum level of Cys C is markedly elevated and is positively correlated with Scr,mALB and LVMI in patients with TOD in elderly hypertension.It can be considered as one of the useful factors for evaluating TOD in elderly hypertension.

Objective To investigate the effect and underlying mechanisms of ghrelin in a rat model of renal fibrosis. Methods Male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 4 groups , including sham operation +saline or brain gut peptide treatment group , model + saline or brain gut peptide treatment group. Unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) was established by left ureteral ligation. 7 days and 14 days after operation, the rats were sacrificed , while the kidney tissue of obstruction side was harvested for pathlogical changes through Masson coloration. Expression of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), transforming growth factor beta1 (TGF-β1) and phosphorylated Smad3 (p-Smad3) in renal tissues were analyzed through immunohistochemistry. Expression of α-SMA and TGF-β1 mRNA was detected by real-time-PCR. Apoptosis kidneys cells were marked with TUNEL. Results Ghrelin inhibited renal fibrosis by reducing the production of collagen , restraining extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition and decreasing the expression of α-SMA. Meanwhile, ghrelin inhibited the accumulation of myofibroblasts by blocking the transforming growth factor-β1/Smad3 (TGF-β1/Smad3) signaling pathway. Moreover, ghrelin could attenuate renal tubular cell apoptosis induced by UUO injury. Conclusion Ghrelin can reduce renal fibrosis and renal cell apoptosis induced by UUO , demonstrating that ghrelin is a potent antifibrotic agent that may have therapeutic potential for patients with obstructive nephropathy.

Objective: To investigate the action of low level soybean isoflavones (genistin, genistein and daidzein) on the oxidative modification of lipoproteins in serum. Methods: After a system of lipoprotein oxidation mediated by Cu 2+ was established in a dilute serum, the effects of soybean isoflavones on the course and the end of lipoprotein oxidation could be reflected by monitoring the production of conjugated dienes and thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) respectively when isoflavones were added. Results: After 0.5-10 ?mol/L genistein, daidzein, genistin or ?-tocopherol was added into the lipoprotein system respectively before the oxidation initiated by Cu 2+ , the production of conjugated dienes or TBARS in the system was significantly reduced with a dose-dependent relationship. When the lipoprotein oxidation was initiated by Cu 2+ at 37 ℃ for 1 h or 1.5 h, soybean isoflavones also revealed strong inhibition on the oxidation in a weakening way. In comparison with soy isoflavones, ?-tocopherol had smaller inhibition on the production of conjugated dienes, but had promotion on the increase of TBARS. Conclusion: Lipoprotein oxidative modification in serum was weakened by low level soybean isoflavones, and its action after the oxidation initiated was more effective than that of ?-tocopherol.

ObjectiveTo compare the clinical effectiveness and adverse effects following low doses versus traditional doses of amphotericin B liposome (L-AmB) in the treatment of patients with invasive pulmonary fungal infections (IPFI) after renal transplantation.MethodsA total of 26 postrenal transplantation patients with IPFI between Jan. 2005 and Mar. 2011in Zhujiang hospital received L-AmB treatment identified low doses group (0.2-0.5 mg·kg-1·d-1,n =19) or traditional doses group (1-5 mg· kg-1,d-1,n =7) were reviewed.ResultsThe treatment duration in low doses group and traditional doses group was 20.3 +12.7 and19.3 ±13.2 days respectively (P＞0.05).The effective rate in low doses group and traditional doses group was 84.2％ and 57.1％ respectively (P＞0.05).The overall dosage was significantly less in the low doses group (414.7 ± 241.7 mg) than in the traditional doses group (1158.8 ± 928.0 mg) (P＜0.05).The incidence of adverse effect was significantly lower in the low doses group than in the traditional doses group (21.1％ vs.85.7％,P＜0.05).ConclusionThe effectiveness of low doses of L-AmB protocol in the treatment of IPFI postrenal transplantation patients was similar to that of traditional doses of L-AmB protocol,but the incidence of adverse effects in low doses of L-AmB protocol was significantly lower.

Objective To investigate the protective effect of Ganyu capsule on the experimental hepatic injury in mice and rats.Methods Acute hepatic injury was induced by intraperitoneal injection of 0.1 %CCl4 10mL/kg and D-galactosamine 500 mg/kg in mice;Cirrhosis was induced by 40 %CCl4 adding with variousagents in rats.The biochemical parameters such as serum ALT were examined and the histopathological changes of hepatic tissue was measured.Results Ganyu capsule could obviously inhibit the increase of serum ALT and AST activity and reduce the content of collagen in liver and the deseverity of hepatic fibrosis.Conclusion Ganyu capsule has protective effects on the acute and chronic hepatic injury in mice and rats.

Objective To analyze the clinical,radiological and pathdogical characteristics of idiopathic lymphoid interstitial pneumonia (idiopathic LIP) and to discuss its diagnosis,treatment and prognosis.Methods Respiratory physicians,pathologists and radiologists together retrospectively analyzed the clinical,chest roentgenogram,computerized tomography,pathologicM,diagnostic and therapeutic data of 3 patients with idiopathic LIP confirmed by lung biopsy.and reviewed the relevant literatures.Results The major symptoms of the 3 cases of idiopathic LIP were prgressive dyspnea and dry cough.Higher levels of γ-globulins in serum were found in all the cases.The characteristic radiographic manifestations were bilateral diffuse nodules and cysts.The pathologic feature was diffuse interstitial inflammation with polyclonal lymphocytes infiltration,especially with plasma lymphocytes.Corticosteroids and cytotoxic agents were used and good response to therapy was observed in the cases.Conclusions Idiopathic LIP has some characteristics on the clinical,radiological and pathological features,but the best diagnostic method depends on a clinical-radiological-pathological approach.The disease usually shows good response to combinative therapy of corticosteroids and cytotoxic agents.

Objective Ventriculoperitoneal shunt (VPS)is preferable in treatment for normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH). In this study, the factors related to the motor recovery after VPS were analysed.Method Twenty-six patients were treated with VPS, and four factors, that are duration of symptoms, open lumbar puncture(LP) pressure, improvement after LP ,and motor recovery of twelve months after operation,were assessed. Results Twelve months after VPS, the better motor recovery after VPS was related to shorter duration of symptoms, higher open LP pressure, and symptom improvement after LP. Conclusion The patients with shorter duration of symptoms, higher open LP pressure, and symptom improvement after LP are often responsive to VPS.

Objective To study the effect of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) with sublethal temperature on the production of liver cancer stem cells (LCSCs) and on the expression of LCSCs-related transcriptional factors.Methods Mouse hepl-6 hepatoma cell line and clinical samples of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) were used to test the expressions of LCSCs-related markers and transcriptional factors.Results Different temperatures were used to stimulate Hep1-6 cells,and it was proved that the temperature of 45℃ was a sublethal temperature that could not induce cell death.Flow cytometry testing showed that treatment with 45℃ could obviously increase CD13+,CD44+,CD90 and CD133+ Hep1-6 cells,suggesting that treatment with 45℃ could increase the production of above mentioned types of LCSCs in hep1-6 cells.Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) assay indicated that the temperature of 45℃could cause significant increase in CD13,CD90 and CD133 mRNA.In all 5 HCC patients,CD13 mRNA in the recurrent HCC lesions was remarkably increased,CD133 mRNA was increased in 4 patients with recurrent HCC,and CD90 mRNA was increased in only one patient with recurrent HCC.Flow cytometry testing revealed that CD13+ LCSCs were strikingly increased in 4 recurrent HCC patients,while CD133+LCSC was increased in only one patient,suggesting that more close correlation existed between the increase of CD13+ LCSCs and the temperature of 45℃.RT-qPCR assay showed that in 4 recurrent HCC patients with increased CD13+ LCSC,the Sox2 and Stat2 among 13 LCSCs-related transcriptional factors were obviously increased.Flow cytometry testing showed that 45℃ treatment also increased the expression of Sox2 and Stat1 mRNA in Hep1-6 cells.Finally,Sox2 and Stat1 could be knockdown by siRNAs,indicating that both Sox2 and Stat1 transcriptional factors were involved in 45℃-induced production of CD13+ LCSCs in Hep1-6 cells.Conclusion In RFA therapy,the use of sublethal temperature of 45℃ can increase CD13+LCSCs,which is related to the promotion of Sox2 and Stat1 expression.The results of this study can be used for reference in the research of liver cancer recurrence.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the clinical value of serum 1,3-beta-D-glucan (BG) and galactomannan (GM) detection for early diagnosis of invasive aspergillosis (IA) in patients after renal transplantation.

METHODSBlood samples collected from 69 renal transplant recipients were divided into diagnosis group, clinical diagnosis group, suspected diagnosis group, and non-infected group for detection of serum BG and GM.

RESULTSThe mean serum levels of BG in the diagnosis group, clinical diagnosis group, and suspected diagnosis group were significantly higher than that in non-infected group (P<0.05). The sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of BG was 69.49%, 70%, 93.18% and 35.71% for IA diagnosis, respectively. The serum levels of GM in the 3 diagnosis groups were also significantly higher than that in the non-infected group (P<0.05) with the sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of 84.75%, 90%, 96.15% and 52.63% for IA diagnosis, respectively.

CONCLUSIONIncreased serum BG and GM levels can serve as the evidence for early diagnosis of IA with a high diagnostic sensitivity and specificity in renal transplant recipients.

Aspergillosis ; diagnosis ; Early Diagnosis ; Humans ; Kidney Transplantation ; Mannans ; blood ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; beta-Glucans ; blood

OBJECTIVETo investigate the protective mechanism of endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) inhibition against inflammation-induced acute liver injury using a mouse model.

METHODSMarrow-derived stem cells were isolated from mouse femur and used to derive macrophages for analysis in experimental inflammation conditions, established by exposure to LPS and consequent activation of TLR4. Tunicamycin, an ERS chemical inducer, was applied to interfere the inflammation model condition.Affect on the inflammation-related factor MAPK was detected by western blot, and affects on gene expression of inflammatory factors were measured by real-time quantitative PCR. Affect on TNFa was also measured by ELISA.

RESULTSExpression of TNFa, IL-6 and IL-1b was induced upon exposure to LPS, with the peak levels being reached at 4 hours of exposure (TNFa, 0.82+/-0.24; IL-1 b, 2.20+/-0.69; IL-6, 0.330+/-0.150). Tunicamycin significantly enhanced the LPS-induced up-regulation of TNFa, IL-6 and IL-1b expression (TNFa, 1.44+/-0.38, t=2.8, P<0.05; IL-1b, 16.063.40, t =7.93, P<0.05; IL-6, 31.1610.60, t=5.08, P<0.05). The tuniamycin treatment also enhanced the LPS-induced up-regulation of the protein expression of phospo-p38, phospho-JNK and phoshpo-ERK.

CONCLUSIONERS collaborates with LPS to promote the TLR4-mediated inflammatory response of macrophages, and this collaboration may be a pathogenic mechanism underlying progressive development of acute liver injury.

Animals ; Disease Models, Animal ; Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress ; Inflammation ; Interleukin-6 ; Lipopolysaccharides ; Liver ; Macrophages ; Mice ; Toll-Like Receptor 4 ; Up-Regulation