Objective To observe the changes in OLETF kideys at different stage and the beneficial influences by modulating serum lipids. Methods OLETF rats aged 8 wks were randomly divided into treated group and untreated group,and LETO rats served as normal control.Fenofibrate 20 mg/kg was given daily to the treated group.OGTT was performed at the age of 8,16 and 24 wks.Blood glucose,serum lipids and 24 h urine albumin excretion(UA) were investigated.The rats were killed at 16 and 24 wks of age,and the kidney sections were stained with PAS.Transforming growth factor-?_1(TGF?_1),vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF) and fibronectin(FN) were investigated by immunohistochemistry assay.The electron microscope(EM) sections were made to measure GBM width and to observe the mesangial matrix.Results(1) Blood glucose had no significant difference between untreated and treated groups at 16 and 24 wks of age;(2) Fenofibrate decreased serum TG, increased HDL-C markedly but had no influence on LDL-C;(3) As aging,24hrs UA increased in untreated group,and reduced significantly in fenofibrate group at 24 wks of age;(4) TGF-?_1,VEGF and FN expressions were all higher in untreated group than in treated group at 24 wks of age.(5) EM revealed GBM obviously thickened and mesangial matrix widened in untreated group.Fenofibrate attenuated the kidney lesion greatly in EM picture.Conclusions (1) Dyslipidemia occurs prior to glucose metabolism abnormity in OLETF rats;(2) As aging,dyslipidemia progresses accompanying markedly the increased UA,enlarged glomeruli,thickened GBM and widened masangial matrix;(3) Modulating lipids early couldn′t improve glucose metabolism,but corrects dyslipidemia and reveals beneficial influence on kidneys;(4) The possible mechanism is that modulating lipids decreases TGF-?_1 and VEGF expressions.

ADP-ribosyl Cyclase 1 ; immunology ; Biopsy ; Bone Marrow ; immunology ; pathology ; Epoxy Resins ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Ki-67 Antigen ; immunology ; Plastic Embedding ; Staining and Labeling ; methods

Pregnant women with subacute thyroiditis (SAT) are rare.One case was reported and the clinical features and management principles of SAT during pregnancy were reviewed.In pregnant women with SAT,the illness is usually not serious.If subclinical or clinical hypothyroidism develops,L-T4 must be given and thyroid function be monitored routinely,and the medication be adjusted carefully to ensure the maternal-fetal safety.

Objective To investigate the safety of different intensity anticoagulation therapy of warfarin in preventing thromboembolism in octogenarian patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF). Methods The 130 patients with persistent or permanent NVAF were randomly divided into three groups: low-intensity warfarin group (35 cases, international normalized ratio, INR (1.5-2.0), moderate-intensity warfarin group (32 cases, INR 2.1-2.5) and aspirin control group (63 cases). The rate of hemorrhagic events and the effect on renal function were observed. Results The incidence of hemorrhage was the lowest in low-intensity warfarin group compared to the other groups with slight bleeding in one case. life-threatening bleeding in one case, severe bleeding in one case and slight bleeding in four cases occurred in moderate-intensity warfarin group. Life-threatening bleeding in three cases, severe bleeding in two cases and slight bleeding in six cases occurred in aspirin control group. There were significant differences in bleeding incidence among the three groups (χ2=5.13,P＜0.05). The low-intensity warfarin group and moderate-intensity warfarin group were superior to the aspirin control group in the effect on renal function (P＜0.05). Conclusions It is safe that the dose of warfarin is maintained at low anticoagulation intensity between INR 1.5 and 2.0 in octogenarians with NVAF.

Cytomegalovirus Infections ; complications ; Female ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; Skin Diseases ; etiology

Objective To assess the cognitive function of subjects with brain injury with Loewenstein occupational therapy cognitive assessment (LOTCA) and mini-mental status examination (MMSE). Methods Two groups of subjects participated in this study. One group consisted of 36 subjects with brain injury (patient group). They were 28 males and 8 females,aged 61.0?16.7 years old. The other group was made of 44 healthy subjects (control group),with 25 males and 19 females,aged 55.4?23.7 years old. All subjects were assessed using LOTCA and MMSE and the results of them were analyzed. Results There was high correlation between the total scores of LOTCA and those of MMSE ( r =0.892,P

Objective To observe the therapeutic effects of electrical stimulation of pelvic floor muscles on urinary incontinence (UI) in patients with incomplete spinal cord injury (ISCI). Methods Seven patients (5 males and 2 females; average age: 32.5 years; average duration after injury: 7.5 months) with ISCI were treated with ESPFM applied on rectum (for male) or vagina (for female) for 30～45 min,once a day, 5 days a week for (2～3) months. The rate of success on stopping using catheters and the frequency and amount of urination were observed during treatment. Results Catheters were taken out successfully from all patients 2～3 weeks after treatment. Five out of the 7 patients had more self-control of urination than incontinence after 8 weeks of treatment though there was no significant difference in the amount of the urination. Conclusion ESPFM might improve the function of urinary bladder in patients with incomplete spinal cord injury.

Objective To investigate the effect of fusidic acid cream on inflammatory reaction caused by skin barrier damage.Methods Eight male SKH-1 hairless mice were included in this study.The back of each of these mice were equally divided into six regions measuring 1 cm × 2 cm in size,which were then assigned into six groups:blank control group remaining untreated,barrier-impaired group,barrier-impaired and fusidic acid-treated group,barrier-impaired and vehicle-treated group,barrier-unimpaired and fusidic acid-treated group,barrierunimpaired and vehicle-treated group.Stratum corneum was removed by adhesive tape stripping to establish an animal model of acute skin barrier damage in the corresponding skin regions of these mice,and fusidic acid cream or vehicle was topically applied to the corresponding regions once.Twelve hours later,skin surface swab samples were collected from the back of these mice followed by bacterial culture and colony counting.Mice were then sacrificed,and skin tissue specimens were resected from these mice,and subjected to real-time fluorescence-based quantitative PCR for the measurement of the mRNA expressions of myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88),interleukin-1α (IL-1α),IL-6,epidermal antibacterial peptides S100a8 and S100a9.Statistical analysis was carried out by repeated-measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) and least significant difference (LSD) test.Results The mRNA expressions of MyD88,IL-1α,IL-6,S100a8 and S100a9 were all significantly higher in the barrier-impaired group than in the blank control group (all P ＜ 0.05).Specifically,the mRNA expression level of MyD88 in the barrier-impaired group was 8 times that in the blank control group (8.3 ± 3.0 vs.0.8 ± 0.4).Compared with the barrier-impaired group,the barrier-impaired and fusidic acid-treated group showed a significant decrease in the mRNA expressions of IL-1α (2.8 ± 0.3 vs.20.1 ± 10.0,F =47.11,P ＜ 0.01),IL-6 (1.6 ± 2.3 vs.9.4 ± 4.0,F =16.18,P＜ 0.01),S100a8 (1.5 ± 1.4 vs.5.0 ± 1.6,F=59.71,P＜ 0.05) and S100a9 (1.2 ± 0.7 vs.3.4 ± 1.6,F=21.94,P ＜ 0.05).Conlusions Fusidic acid cream could attenuate the inflammatory reaction caused by acute skin barrier damage,which might partly explain its action mechanism in the treatment of inflammatory skin diseases.

Objective To evaluate the inhibitory effect of butyl flufenamate (BT) on ultraviolet (UV)-induced acute skin phototoxic reaction,and to investigate its possible mechanisms.Methods Eight SKH-1 hairless mice were included in this study.The back of each SKH-1 hairless mouse was divided into six regions,which were then randomly classified into six groups:blank group receiving no treatment,UV group receiving UV radiation only,BT + UV group and vehicle + UV group topically treated with BT ointment and vehicle respectively followed by UV radiation,UV + BT group and UV + vehicle group topically treated with BT ointment and vehicle respectively after UV radiation.Skin samples were obtained from these mice at 24 hours after treatment.Subsequently,hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was performed,real-time PCR was carried out to detect mRNA expressions of caspase-3,p53,COX-2,PGER1,interleukin (IL)-1β,IL-6,and an immunofluorescence assay was conducted to observe the expression of caspase-3.Statistical analysis was carried out by repeated-measures analysis of variance (ANOVA).Results Compared with the UV group,both BT + UV group and UV + BT group showed a decrease in the degree of skin edema and number of apoptotic cells at 24 hours after UV radiation.Real-time PCR showed that the mRNA expressions of caspase-3,p53,COX-2,PGER1,IL-l β and IL-6 were significantly higher in the UV group than in the blank group (all P ＜ 0.05),but significantly lower in the BT + UV group than in the UV group (all P ＜ 0.05),and only the expressions of caspase-3 and p53 mRNAs were significantly decreased in the UV + BT group compared with the UV group (both P ＜ 0.05).The immunofluorescence assay revealed that the expression of caspase-3 increased in the UV group compared with the blank group,but decreased in both BT + UV group and UV + BT group compared with the UV group.Conclusion BT could partially inhibit UV-induced acute skin phototoxicity in SKH-1 hairless mice.

Objective To evaluate the effects of dexmedetomidine on the oxidative stress responses during global cerebral ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) in rats.Methods Thirty-six male Sprague-Dawley rats,weighing 250-300 g,were randomly divided into 3 groups (n =12 each) using a random number table:sham operation group (group S),global cerebral I/R group (group I/R) and dexmedetomidine group (group D).Global cerebral ischemia was induced by occlusion of bilateral common carotid arteries combined with hypotension (MAP maintained at 35-45 mmHg).In group D,dexmedetomidine was infused at a rate of 3 μg · kg-1 · h-1until 2 h of reperfusion after a loading dose of dexmedetomidine 3 μg/kg was intravenously injected immediately after onset of reperfusion.The neurological deficit score (NDS) was assessed at 24 h of reperfusion,the rats were then sacrificed,and their brains were immediately removed for determination of cell apoptosis and levels of malondialdehyde (MDA),superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT).Apoptotic rate was calculated.Results Compared with group S,NDS,apoptotic rate and MDA level were significantly increased,and SOD and CAT levels were decreased in I/R and D groups.Compared with group I/R,NDS,apoptotic rate and MDA level were significantly decreased,and SOD and CAT levels were increased in group D.Conclusion Dexmedetomidine attenuates global cerebral I/R injury through inhibiting the oxidative stress responses.