Objective:To study the change of microRNA during the early stage of high phosphorus in-duced vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC)calcification and its related mechanism.Methods:The in vitro calcification model was created through stimulating VSMC cell line A7r5 with high Pi (2.6 mmol /L)for 7 d.The calcification was validated through ocresolphthalein complexone colorimetry to detect the cellular calcium content,real-time PCR to measure the calcification-related gene expression and alizarin red staining to observe the formation of calcium nodules.Based on the cell calcification model,micro-RNA microarray array was applied to screen the profiles of microRNA expression in VSMC following high Pi stimulation for different periods (0,3 and 12 h).The array data were analyzed by TAMtool to explore the activated signaling pathway.Results:The calcium content of A7r5 cells induced by high Pi was in-creased 9.6 times high as cells without Pi treatment (P <0.05 ).VSMC contractile phenotype genes (SM-αactin,SM22)were down-regulated (P <0.05 ),while calcification-related genes (BMP2, MSX2,Runx2)were up-regulated (P <0.05)in VSMC stimulated by high Pi.The calcium nodules were obviously formed in cells after 7 d high Pi treatment.In microarray experiment,680 individual mi-croRNAs were detected in high Pi-treated VSMCs at different time points (0,3 and 12 h).Among these genes,miR-183,miR-664 and miR-9 * were increased whereas miR-542-5P,let-7f and miR-29a were decreased in time-dependent manners.Twenty-six kinds of signaling pathways,including cell apoptosis, differentiation and proliferation,were significantly activated.All these activated pathways were associated with calcification.Conclusion:This study implies that microRNA changed in high Pi-induced VSMCs may involve in the process of calcification.

AIM: To investigate the effect of 4.25%peritoneal dialysis solution (PDS) on CD40 expression in rat peritoneal mesothelial cells so as to reveal the potential mechanisms by which CD40-CD40 ligand (CD40L) interaction may be involved in the inflammation of peritoneal membrane. METHODS: Rat peritoneal mesothelial cells (MC) were harvested from the peritoneal cavity and maintained under defined in vitro conditions. Expression of CD40 on MC under normal culture or stimulation with 4.25%PDS or 4.25%PDS+IFN-? was detected by RT-PCR and FACS analyses. After activation of CD40 on MC with CD40 mAb, the expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) on MC was analyzed by FCAS. RESULTS: MC cultured in vitro expressed CD40 constitutively. 4.25%PDS markedly up-regulated the expression of CD40 mRNA and its protein. The expression of CD40 mRNA and its protein following stimulation with 4.25%PDS+IFN-? was significantly higher than 4.25%PDS alone. The expression of ICAM-1 on MC was significantly increased after activation of CD40 with CD40mAb.CONCLUSIONS: MC functionally express CD40. The up-regulated CD40 expression on MC following stimulation with 4.25%PDS may play an important role in local peritoneal defense mechanisms and may be involved in the chronic inflammatory process of the peritoneum.

AIM:To determine whether human peritoneal mesothelial cells express CD40. METHODS:Human peritoneal mesothelial cells (HPMC) were harvested from spent peritoneal dialysis effluent and maintained under defined in vitro conditions. Expression of CD40, CD40L and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) on HPMC under normal culture or stimulation with interferon-γ (IFN-γ), tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α), interleukin(IL)-1 and LPS were detected by FACS analysis. The relationship between CD40 expression and ICAM-1 expression on HPMC was analyzed.RESULTS:HPMC cultured in vitro expressed CD40 constitutively. The surface expression of CD40 was markedly up-regulated following stimulation with IFN-γ, but not with TNF-α, IL-1 and LPS. CD40L expression on HPMC was not detected. The expression of ICAM-1 on HPMC was significantly increased by stimulation with IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-1, LPS, respectively; the most effective inducer on ICAM-1 expression was IFN-γ. The CD40 expression co-localizes with the expression of ICAM-1 and there was positive correlation between CD40 and ICAM-1 expression on HPMC. CONCLUSION:HPMC functionally expressed CD40.

This study examined the dynamic characteristics of upper airway collapse at soft palate level in patients with obstructive sleep apnea/hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) by using dynamic 3-Dimensional (3-D) CT imaging. A total of 41 male patients who presented with 2 of the following symptoms, i.e., daytime sleepiness and fatigue, frequent snoring, and apnea with witness, were diagnosed as having OSAHS. They underwent full-night polysomnography and then dynamic 3-D CT imaging of the upper airway during quiet breathing and in Muller's maneuver. The soft palate length (SPL), the minimal cross-sectional area of the retropalatal region (mXSA-RP), and the vertical distance from the hard palate to the upper posterior part of the hyoid (hhL) were compared between the two breathing states. These parameters, together with hard palate length (HPL), were also compared between mild/moderate and severe OSAHS groups. Association of these parameters with the severity of OSAHS [as reflected by apnea hypopnea index (AHI) and the lowest saturation of blood oxygen (LSaO(2))] was examined. The results showed that 31 patients had severe OSAHS, and 10 mild/moderate OSAHS. All the patients had airway obstruction at soft palate level. mXSA-RP was significantly decreased and SPL remarkably increased during Muller's maneuver as compared with the quiet breathing state. There were no significant differences in these airway parameters (except the position of the hyoid bone) between severe and mild/moderate OSAHS groups. And no significant correlation between these airway parameters and the severity of OSAHS was found. The position of hyoid was lower in the severe OSAHS group than in the mild/moderate OSAHS group. The patients in group with body mass index (BMI)≥26 had higher collapse ratio of mXSA-RP, greater neck circumference and smaller mXSA-RP in the Muller's maneuver than those in group with BMI<26 (P<0.05 for all). It was concluded that dynamic 3-D CT imaging could dynamically show the upper airway changes at soft palate level in OSAHS patients. All the OSAHS patients had airway obstruction of various degrees at soft palate level. But no correlation was observed between the airway change at soft palate level and the severity of OSAHS. The patients in group with BMI≥26 were more likely to develop airway obstruction at soft palate level than those with BMI<26.

The present paper outlined pesticide registration status for traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs) and summarized the characteristics of pesticide contamination in different regions of some widely used TCMs by retrieving last 10 years' literatures. At present, the problems of pesticide residues for TCM include less pesticide registrations, widespread high-residue organochlorine pesticides contamination, pesticide abuse, irregular GAP bases and imperfect pesticide limit standards, etc. According to the current situation, we should adopt some control measures to strengthen the quality control of TCMs so as to ensure the safety of TCMs and related products.
Animals ; China ; Drug Contamination ; prevention & control ; statistics & numerical data ; Humans ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; methods ; Pesticide Residues ; analysis ; Registries

AIM: To investigate the effect of IL-4, CD40L on RANTES production in murine renal tubular epithelial cells (TEC). METHODS: TEC were obtained from mouse, expression of RANTES and CD40 on TEC were measured. RESULTS: (1) Activation of TEC with IL-4 resulted in significant increase in CD40 expression (P

Objective To investigate factors with pelvic adhesions and the effect of different degrees pelvic adhesions on fallopian tube recanalization in infertile patients.Methods Total of 527 infertile patients undergoing hysteroscopy and laparoscopic surgery in Affiliated Hospital of Chinese People's Armed Police Forccs Logistics College were studied retrospectively.According to the extent of pelvic adhesions,tubal umbrella adhesions and atresia,377 cases were classified into adhesion groups,including 73 cases in grade Ⅰ,221 cases in grade Ⅱ,75 cases in grade Ⅲ and 8 cases in grade Ⅳ based on adhesion score.The 150 cases with no obvious pelvic adhesion were matched as control group.Among 8 cases with grade Ⅳ ahesion were exluded from ahesion group the relationship between pelvic adhesions and related history,abdominal lesions,tubal patency and the prognosis were studied.Results(1)Related factors:the frequency of pelvic adhesion and more than 7 years of infertility of 23.9％(88/369)in adhesion group were significantly higher than 12.0％(18/150)in control groups.(2)History:compared with the control group(12.7 ％,19/150;28.7％,43/150;11.3％,17/150;12.0％,18/150;17.3％,26/150),patients with pelvic adhesions present more incidence abortion(23.6％,87/369),uterine cavity operation(38.2％,141/369),ectopic pregnancy(20.9％,77/369),pelvic inflammatory disease(25.5％,94/369)and abdominopelvic surgery (31.4％,116/369).(3)Endoscopy exploration:the incidence of hydrosalpinx(24.7％,91/369),tube distorted(15.7％,58/369)and salpingostomy(72.9％,269/369)in adhesion group were higher than those in control group(2.0％,3/150;4.0％,6/150;12.0％,18/150),but relatively lower incidence of pelvic endometriosis lesions(5.7％,21/369)and mesosalpinx cysts(16.3％,60/369)than those in control group(16.0％,24/150;30.0％,45/150).The rate of proximal tubal recanalization(59.5％,91/153)in adhesion group was lower than 75.4％(52/69)in control group.However,the rate of distant tubal recanalization of 84.4％,(281/333)in adhesion group and;13/15 in control group didn't show statistical difference.(4)Prognosis:the rate of ectopic pregnancy of 9.7％(29/299)in adhesion group was significantly higher than 3.1％(4/128)in control group.Among cases with grade Ⅲ adhesion exhibited the highest rate of ectopic pregnancy(13.0％,7/54;OR =4.62,95％ CI:1.29-16.50).(5)Multivariate analysis:it was found that more than two drug abortions(OR =3.29,95％ CI:1.34-8.07),pelvic and (or)abdominal surgery history(OR =2.20,95％ CI:1.35-3.57)and pelvic inflammatory disease history (OR =1.54,95％ CI:1.21-1.97)were risk factors with pelvic adhesions.Conclusion More than or equal to two drug abortion history,pelvic inflammatory disease and pelvic and abdominal surgery damage were important factors for pelvic adhesions of infertility patients,which may decrease the possibility of proximal tubal recanalization and increase ectopic pregnancy risk.

In the present study, the specifically knockdown models of P-gp or MRP2 were constructed by using a series of chemically synthesized small interfering RNA (siRNA) in vitro. The expression of P-gp and MRP2 was measured by real-time PCR and Western blot, and the function was evaluated by applying P-gp and MRP2 substrate, rhodamine and methotrexate. The results showed that MRP2 siRNA-3 or P-gp siRNA-2 significantly decreased the mRNA expression of MRP2 or P-gp, the inhibition ratio was 68% or 84%; MRP2 siRNA-3 or P-gp siRNA-2 at a dose of 80 nmol x L(-1) significantly reduced the protein expression of MRP2 or P-gp at 48 h after treatment, the inhibition ratio was 62% or 70%. Meanwhile, other transporters were not influenced by siRNA. When pretreatment with MRP2 siRNA-3 or P-gp siRNA-2, the efflux of methotrexate or rhodamine decreased significantly and the intra-cellular concentration increased. The results suggested that chemically synthesized siRNA could significantly inhibit the expression and function of MRP2 and P-gp, and the model of RNAi in vitro could be used to evaluate the role of efflux transporters in transportation of drugs.
ATP-Binding Cassette, Sub-Family B, Member 1 ; genetics ; Gene Knockdown Techniques ; Multidrug Resistance-Associated Proteins ; genetics ; RNA Interference ; RNA, Small Interfering ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction

Cytometric bead array (CBA) is a new analytical technique, which can achieve real-time and rapid detection of targeted components in a small amount of sample. With many advantages of high throughput screening, high specificity and sensitivity, low cost, easy operation and good repeatability, this CBA technique has been widely used for the detection of various components in foods, agricultural products and environmental samples. Recently, it has got significant development in rapid detection of small molecules. This review briefly introduced the theory of CBA technique, summarized the application in the analysis of small molecules, such as mycotoxins, pesticide residues, shellfish toxins, and then prospected the application of trace small molecules detection in the complex matrices of traditional Chinese medicine and the development trend of it.
Drug Contamination ; High-Throughput Screening Assays ; instrumentation ; methods ; Immunoassay ; instrumentation ; methods ; Microspheres ; Pesticides ; analysis ; Toxins, Biological ; analysis

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effectiveness of manual therapy and traction for lumbar disc herniation and analyze the current status of this kind of randomized clinical trial (RCT).

METHODSDatabase of CNKI, VIP, WANFANG, PubMed and OVID were searched. Some relevant journals were manually retrieved. A total of 2 874 literatures on manual therapy and traction for lumbar disc herniation were collected, of which 17 articles met the inclusion criteria. The Jadad score scale was used to evaluate the quality,and RevMan5.0 was used for meta-analysis of literatures.

RESULTSThe results of the meta-analysis of all trials involved were as followed:the combined effect of the effective rate was RR = 1.10, 95% CI [1.06, 1.14], the combined effect of the cure rate was RR = 1.36, 95% CI [1.21,1.52], the combined effect of the VAS was RR = 1.37, 95% CI [1.28, 1.45], the combined effect of the JOA was RR = 4.75, 95% CI [4.40, 5.09].

CONCLUSIONThe overall quality of the current RCT researches about manual therapy for lumbar disc herniation was lower,and did not support the conclusion that manual therapy was more effective than traction for lumbar disc herniation.

Humans ; Intervertebral Disc Displacement ; surgery ; therapy ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; surgery ; Musculoskeletal Manipulations ; methods ; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic ; Traction ; methods