Objective To investigate the influence and mechanism of erythropoietin (EPO) in renal blood flow after limb ischemia reperfusion (LIR). Methods Thirty male SD rats were randomly divided into control group, LIR group and EPO+LIR group with ten in each group. The values of renal blood flow, plasma creatinine (Cr), urea nitrogen (BUN) content in plasma, kidney tissue wet to dry ratio (W/D), nitric oxide (NO), nitric oxide synthase (NOS) and endothelin-1 (ET-1) in re-nal tissue were detected in three groups. The immunohistochemistry assay was used to detect the expression of intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM-1) and vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM-1) in renal tissue. The morphological changes of renal tissue were observed with light microscope. Results The renal blood flow was significantly decreased, while the val-ues of Cr, BUN, W/D, NO, ET-1, NOS, expressions of ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 was significantly increased in LIR group than those of control group (P<0.05). Broaden interstitial and infiltration of inflammatory cells were observed in the renal tissue under light microscope. In the EPO+LIR group, the renal blood flow increased, the values of Cr, BUN, W/D, NO, ET-1 and NOS, expressions of ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 decreased significantly compared with those of LIR group (P<0.05). The patho-logical changes were alleviated in EPO+LIR group. Conclusion EPO can improve renal function, increase renal blood flow in rats after LIR. The mechanism may be related to the decreased edema, changed renal vasomotor function and decreased in-flammation.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the prevalence and influencing factors of dental erosion among college students in Guangzhou and to provide necessary information for the prevention.

METHODSA total of 1704 16-24-year-old students from six colleges or universities were assessed for dental erosion. Data on the social economical status, eating habits, oral hygiene habits, and other related factors were obtained through questionnaire. The influencing factors were analyzed by chi(2)-test and logistic regression analysis.

RESULTSFive hundreds and one of the 1704 subjects suffered from dental erosion (29.4%). The teeth most frequently affected were the upper and lower incisors and first mandibular molar. For tooth surfaces were incisal/occlusal surfaces [66.1% (5491/8311)] and labial/buccal surfaces [31.0% (2574/8311)]. Logistic regression analysis showed that female, those who were not the only child in the family, and students who consumed carbonated drinks more than once per week or drank 500 ml or more of acidic beverages per week were more likely to have dental erosion.

CONCLUSIONSControl of the consuming of acidic beverages is an important measure for the prevention of dental erosion.

Adult ; China ; epidemiology ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Prevalence ; Tooth Erosion ; epidemiology

BACKGROUNDThe difference between renal oncocytomas (RO) and renal clear cell carcinomas (RCCs) presents the greatest diagnostic challenge. The aim of this study was to retrospectively determine if RO and RCCs could be differentiated on computed tomography (CT) images on the basis of their enhancement patterns with a new enhancement correcting method.

METHODSForty-six patients with a solitary renal mass who underwent total or partial nephrectomy were included in this study. Fourteen of those were RO and 32 were RCCs. All patients were examined with contrast-enhanced CT. The pattern and degree of enhancement were evaluated. We selected the area that demonstrated the greatest degree of enhancement of the renal lesion in the corticomedullary nephrographic and excretory phase images. Regions of interest (ROI) were also placed in adjacent normal renal cortex for normalization. We used the values of the normal renal cortex that were measured at the same time as divisors. The ratios of lesion-to-renal cortex enhancement were calculated for all three phases. The Student's t-test and Pearson's Chi-square test were used for statistical analyses.

RESULTSAll RCCs masses showed contrast that appeared to be better enhanced than RO on all contrast-enhanced phases of CT imaging, but there was no significant difference in absolute attenuation values between these two diseases (P > 0.05). The ratio of lesion-to-cortex attenuation in the corticomedullary phase showed significantly different values between RO and RCCs. The degree of contrast enhancement in RCCs was equal to or greater than that of the normal renal cortex, but it was less than that of the normal cortex in RO in the corticomedullary phase. The ratio of lesion-to-cortex attenuation in the corticomedullary phase was higher than the cut off value of 1.0 in most RCCs (84%, 27/32) and lower than 1.0 in most RO (93%, 13/14) (P < 0.05). In the nephrographic phase, the ratio of lesion-to-cortex attenuation was higher than that in the corticomedullary phase in most RO (71%, 10/14), showing a prolonged enhancement pattern; and was lower than that in most RCCs (97%, 31/32), showing an early washout pattern (P < 0.05). In the differentiation of RO from RCCs, the sensitivity was 93%, specificity 84%, positive predictive value 72%, negative predictive value 84%, and accuracy for RO was 87, if the ratio of lesion-to-cortex attenuation in a cortex phase was lower than the cutoff value of 1.0. The sensitivity was 71%, specificity was 97%, positive predictive value was 91%, negative predictive value was 91%, and accuracy for RO was 89%, if the ratio of lesion-to-cortex attenuation in nephrographic phase was higher than that in the corticomedullary phase.

CONCLUSIONSThe ratios of renal lesion-to-cortex attenuation ratios may be helpful in differentiating RO from RCCs.

Adenoma, Oxyphilic ; diagnosis ; diagnostic imaging ; Adult ; Aged ; Carcinoma, Renal Cell ; diagnosis ; diagnostic imaging ; Female ; Humans ; Kidney Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; diagnostic imaging ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Effects of dietary supplementation with fructooligosaccharides on the excretion of nitrogen and phosphorus in Miichthys miiuy fries were investigated. Nine hundred Miichthys miiuy fries were divided into 3 groups, each with triplicates. The basal diet and the basal diet supplemented with carnitine groups were considered as the negative and positive controls respectively. Results showed that the nitrogen concentration in excreted feces decreased significantly in fries fed the diet supplementation with 1000 x 10(-6) fructooligosaccharides and 200 x 10(-6) carnitine (P<0.05). The ammonic-nitrogen concentration decreased significantly in the carnitine group only (P<0.05), indicating the decreasing tendency caused by the supplementation with fructooligosaccharides. Supplementation with both did not have significant effects on the concentration of phosphorus in feces of Miichthys miiuy fries.
Administration, Oral ; Animals ; Dietary Supplements ; Feces ; Fishes ; metabolism ; Nitrogen ; metabolism ; Oligosaccharides ; administration & dosage ; Phosphorus ; metabolism

This study was purposed to directly induce murine embryonic stem cells (ESC) into hematopoietic stem cells (HSC) by simulating the spatial and temporal hematopoietic microenvironment changes in embryonic development, and to investigate the function of in vivo hematopoietic reconstitution of these HSC. E14 ESC were induced into embryoid body (EB) firstly. Then the cells from EB were further co-cultured with human aorta-gonad-mesonephros (AGM) region, fetal liver (FL) and bone marrow (BM) stromal cells in Transwell non-contact system in sequential orders. After 6 days of each co-cultured stage, the induced cells derived from EB were collected to analyze the Sca-1(+)c-Kit(+) cells by flow cytometry, check teratoma formation and transplant to BALB/C female mice exposed to lethal dose (60)Co γ-ray. The recipient mice were divided randomly into 5 groups: AGM, AGM + FL, AGM + FL + BM, irradiation control and normal control groups. The survival rates, hematopoietic reconstitution and engraftment of donor cells in the different groups were monitored. The results showed that Sca-1(+)c-Kit(+) cell level in EB cells co-cultured with human AGM region and FL stromal cells reached to peak value (21.96 ± 2.54)%. Teratomas could be found in NOD-SCID mice after subcutaneous injection of EB cells co-cultured with human AGM region stromal cells, while there was no teratoma in the mice after subcutaneous injection of EB cells induced by human AGM region and FL stromal cells. The recipients in AGM group and irradiation control group all died. The survival rate was 77.8% in AGM+FL group, and 66.7% in AGM+FL+BM group. The peripheral blood cell count was near normal at day 21 after transplantation, and Sry gene copies from donor could be detected in recipient mice of these two groups. It is concluded that sequentially inductive system with feeder cells from human AGM region, fetal liver and bone marrow simulating embryonic defined hematopoiesis procedures can enhance the directed differentiation of ESC into HSC which can safely reconstitute hematopoiesis in vivo.
Animals ; Aorta ; Cell Differentiation ; Cells, Cultured ; Coculture Techniques ; Embryonic Stem Cells ; cytology ; Female ; Hematopoiesis ; Hematopoietic Stem Cells ; cytology ; Humans ; Mesonephros ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Mice, SCID

This study was aimed to investigate the effect of human aorta-gonad-mesonephros (AGM) region stromal cells on differentiation of murine embryonic stem cells (ESC) into hematopoietic stem cells (HSC) in vitro and to clarify their effect mechanism. E14 murine ESC were induced into embryo body (EB) firstly. Then the EB cells were further co-cultured with the stromal cells from human AGM region, fetal liver (FL) or bone marrow (BM) in Transwell non-contact system. According to the different culture methods, the EB cells were divided into 6 groups including EB control group, AGM group, FL group, BM group, AGM + FL group and AGM + BM group. The induced cells derived from EB were collected for Sca-1(+)/c-Kit(+) cells analysis by flow cytometry and colony forming unit (CFU) assay. The results showed that Sca-1(+)/c-Kit(+) cell proportion of EB cells significantly increased after being induced by different stromal cells (p < 0.01). The AGM + FL group had most Sca-1(+)/c-Kit(+) cells for the positive cell proportion reached (21.96 ± 2.54) % (p < 0.01). The Sca-1(+)/c-Kit(+) cell proportion of AGM + BM group was much high than that of BM group too (p < 0.01). The EB control group showed CFU amount less than any other groups, while the CFU amount of AGM + FL, AGM + BM groups were higher, especially in the AGM + FL group (p < 0.01). It is concluded that the human AGM region stromal cells may help to maintain certain number of primitive HSC with high proliferation potential. Human AGM region, FL or BM stromal cells, applied in sequential orders, can significantly expand in vitro the primitive hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells derived from ESC.
Animals ; Cell Differentiation ; Cell Line ; Coculture Techniques ; Embryonic Stem Cells ; cytology ; Hematopoietic Stem Cells ; cytology ; Humans ; Mesonephros ; cytology ; Mice ; Stromal Cells ; cytology

OBJECTIVETo screen potential mutations of PHEX gene in a family featuring hypophosphatemic rickets in order to confirm the molecular diagnosis and pathogenetic mechanism.

METHODSGenomic DNA was extracted from peripheral venous blood samples. DNA sequence of PHEX gene was derived from UCSC database, and primers for its coding region were designed with Primer premier 5.0. Potential mutations were detected with PCR amplification and DNA sequence analysis.

RESUTLSA mutation was identified in intron 6 of the PHEX gene in the proband and his mother.

CONCLUSIONThe c.732+1G>T mutation underlies the hypophosphatemic rickets in this family.

Adult ; Base Sequence ; Child ; Female ; Humans ; Hypophosphatasia ; enzymology ; genetics ; Introns ; Male ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Mutation ; PHEX Phosphate Regulating Neutral Endopeptidase ; genetics ; Pedigree

OBJECTIVETo determine the prevalence of mutations in the non-structural protein 5B (NS5B) of the hepatitis C virus (HCV),which are associated with natural resistance to non-nucleoside and nucleoside polymerase inhibitors (PIs),in treatment-naive hepatitis C patients in south China.

METHODSA nested PCR protocol that amplified three different regions of NS5B was used to detect the naturally occurring drag-resistant substitutions.Direct PCR sequencing was performed to analyze the sequences.

RESULTSNS5B mutations known to confer resistance to nucleoside PIs,such as A15G,S96T and S282T,were mainly detected in HCV genotype 6a (20/88,22.73%).Of the NS5B mutations known to confer resistance to non-nucleoside PIs,C316N and S365A were detected in HCV genotype lb (60/60,100% and 2/60,3.33%, respectively) and I482L and V499A were mainly detected in HCV genotype 2a (9/9,100% and 4/4,100%, respectively) and HCV genotype 6a (9/9,100% and 4/4,100%, respectively).Other NS5B mutations found in the study population included A1 5S,S365F,S365P,S368A and S368L;although none of these has been previously shown to confer resistance to PIs.

CONCLUSIONNaturally occurring dominant PI resistance mutations in NS5B exist in treatment-na(i)ve hepatitis C patients in south China and may be related to the virus genotype.

Antiviral Agents ; pharmacology ; China ; Drug Resistance, Viral ; Genotype ; Hepacivirus ; drug effects ; genetics ; Hepatitis C ; drug therapy ; virology ; Humans ; Mutation ; Viral Nonstructural Proteins ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo observe the cell binding characteristics of SonoVue microbubbles targeting choriocarcinoma cells and provide evidence for clinical ultrasonic localization of the tumor utilizing the microbubbles.

METHODSThe targeted microbubbles were prepared by conjugating anti-HCG antibody with the SonoVue microbubbles and added in choriocarcinoma cells or endometrial stromal cells to compare the cell binding rate of the agents under optical microscope and with flow cytometry.

RESULTSFlow cytometry demonstrated a binding rate of 77.6% between the SonoVue microbubbles and anti-HCG antibody. Light microscopy showed that the total rosette formation rate of the choriocarcinoma cells exposed to the targeted microbubble bearing anti-HCG antibody reached (87.8-/+6.3)%, significantly higher than that of the endometrial stromal cells [(9.4-/+1.7)%, P<0.05]. The binding rate of the targeted microbubbles with the choriocarcinoma cells before and after PBS washing were (85.4-/+4.7)% and (83.1-/+3.8)% (P>0.05), respectively, suggesting strong stability of the binding. The binding rate was 81.0% according to the results of flow cytometry.

CONCLUSIONThe targeted microbubbles as a contrast agent can efficiently bind to the choriocarcinoma cells in vitro with a stability sufficient to resist the blood flow.

Choriocarcinoma ; pathology ; Contrast Media ; metabolism ; Female ; Humans ; Microbubbles ; Phospholipids ; metabolism ; Pregnancy ; Sulfur Hexafluoride ; metabolism ; Uterine Neoplasms ; metabolism

BACKGROUNDEstrogen might play an important role in type 2 diabetes mellitus pathogenesis. A number of polymorphisms have been reported in the estrogen receptor alpha (ERalpha) gene (also named ESR1), including the XbaI and PvuII restriction enzyme polymorphisms of ESR1, which may be involved in disease pathogenesis. The aim of this study was to determine whether ERX gene polymorphisms are associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus and serum lipid level.

METHODSTwo hundred and ninety-nine patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus were compared with three hundred and forty-one health controls of Guangzhou in China, both were male and postmenopausal female residents at 51 - 70 years. ESR1 genotyping was performed using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and PvuII and XbaI restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) analysis.

RESULTSESR1 allelic frequencies of P, p and X, x alleles were 0.408, 0.592; 0.360, 0.640 in the type 2 diabetes mellitus group and 0.318, 0.682; 0.328, 0.672 in the control group, respectively. In case-control study, there was significant difference in PvuII, but not XbaI, allele frequency between the type 2 diabetes mellitus and control groups (P = 0.001 and P = 0.122). When the group was separated into men and women, the difference was significant in women (P < 0.001) but not in men (P = 0.854) with the PvuII genotype, and the effect of PvuII variant on the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus was improved with aging. In addition, PvuII genotype was associated with blood glucose [fasting blood glucose (FBG), postprandial blood glucose (PBG)] and serum lipid [total cholesterol (TC) and low density lipoprotein (LDL)-c] concentration in healthy women.

CONCLUSIONSPvuII polymorphism of ESR1 increases susceptibility to type 2 diabetes mellitus in Chinese Guangzhou women. ESR1 variants may also impact serum lipid metabolism, which might provide a mechanism connecting ESR1 to type 2 diabetes.

Aged ; Blood Glucose ; analysis ; Cholesterol, LDL ; blood ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; blood ; genetics ; Estrogen Receptor alpha ; genetics ; Female ; Genotype ; Humans ; Lipids ; blood ; Logistic Models ; Middle Aged ; Polymorphism, Genetic