OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of Tangke Decoction (TD) on the expression of TGF-beta1/Smad4 of rats with early diabetes and to explore the effect and mechanism of TD against the renal injury induced by diabetes.

METHODSSD rats were randomly divided into the normal control group (n = 12), the model group (n = 10), the Chinese herbs prevented group (n =10), the Chinese herbs treated group (n = 10), and the Western medicine control group (n = 10). TD (18 mg/kg) was given by gastrogavage to rats in the Chinese herbs prevented group immediately after successful modeling for 12 weeks, once daily. At the 4th week of successful modeling, rats in the rest 4 groups were administered by gastrogavage. Equal volume of normal saline was given to rats in the model group and the normal control group. Benazepril suspension (1 mg/kg) was administered by gastrogavage to rats in the Western medicine control group for 8 weeks, once daily. TD (18 mg/kg) was given by gastrogavage to rats in the Chinese herbs treated group for 8 weeks, once daily. The body weight, kidney weight, index of kidney weight, fasting blood sugar, 24 h urinary albumin excretion rate were examined after experiment. The pathological changes of the renal tissue were observed by HE staining, Masson staining, and electron microscope. The expression of renal transforming growth factor-beta1, (TGF-beta1) and Smad4 were detected using immunohistochemical assay.

RESULTSCompared with the normal control group, the body weight of rats decreased significantly; the kidney weight, index of kidney weight, blood sugar, 24 h urinary protein excretion, the urinary albumin excretion rate,TGF-beta1 and Smad4 expression increased significantly in the model group (all P < 0.01). Compared with the model group, the aforesaid indices were improved in each treatment group with statistical difference (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). Compared with the Western medicine control group, the kidney weight, index of kidney weight, blood sugar, 24 h urinary protein excretion, and the urinary albumin excretion rate were obviously improved in the Chinese herbs prevented group (P < 0.01). The renal pathological changes were most obvious in the model group significantly, but they were improved in all treatment groups.

CONCLUSIONTD could obviously improve the symptoms of diabetes and down-regulate the expression of renal TGF-beta1 and Smad4 of early diabetic nephropathy rats, which suggested that TD had certain preventive effect on early diabetic nephropathy.

Animals ; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Kidney ; metabolism ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Smad4 Protein ; metabolism ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo perform a meta-analysis on clinical outcomes of minimally invasive percutaneous plate osteosynthesis (MIPPO) or open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) for distal tibial fractures in adults.

METHODSPubmed database (from 1968 to March 2014), Cochrane library and CNKI database (from 1998 to March 2014) were searched. Case-control study on minimally invasive percutaneous plate osteosynthesis (MIPPO) or open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) for distal tibial fractures in adults were chosen,and postoperative infection, operative time, blood loss, fracture nonunion rate, delayed union,fracture malunion rate were seen as evaluation index for meta analysis. The system review was performed using the method recommended by the Cochrane Collaboration.

RESULTSTotally 5 studies (366 patients) were enrolled. Meta-analysis showed that there were significant meaning in postoperative infection between MIPPO and ORIF [OR = 0.23,95% CI (0.06,0.92), P = 0.04]; fracture nonunion rate in MIPPO was lower than in ORIF group [OR = 0.16, 95% CI (0.03,0.76), P = 0.02]; operative time in MIPPO was shorter than in ORIF group, and had significant difference [MD = -14.42, 95% CI (-27.79, -1.05), P < 0.05]; blood loss in MIPPO was less than in ORIF group [MD= -87.17,95%CI (-99.20, -75.15), P < 0.05]; there was no obviously meaning in delayed union between two groups.

CONCLUSIONFor distal tibial fractures in adults, MIPPO has, advantages of short operative time, less blood loss, lower incidence of infection and fracture non-uniom, but with high fracture malunion rate. MIPPO for distal tibial fractures in adults is better than ORIF, and the best treatment should choose according to patient's condition.

Bone Plates ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; methods ; Fracture Healing ; Humans ; Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures ; methods ; Operative Time ; Tibial Fractures ; surgery

Objective To clone and express the alkaline protease AprA , one important virulence factor secreted by Pseudomonas aeruginosa(PAE)in Escherichia coli, to clone and express the inhibitor of AprA (AprI) and its substrate flagellin , and to detect the function of AprA and the inhibitory function of AprI .Methods The genes encoding AprA ,AprI and flagellin gene were amplified respectively by PCR using PAE PAO 1 genome DNA as the template .The expression vec-tors (pET-28a-AprA, pET-28a-AprI and pET-28a-Flagellin) were constructed and transformed into E.coli BL21(DE3) respectively.The recombinant AprA protein was expressed by IPTG induction and purified via denaturing and renaturation. The recombinant AprI and flagellin were expressed and purified by Ni 2+affinity chromatography .The cleavage activities of AprA on flagellin were detected by SDS-PAGE.Results Recombinant AprA , AprI and flagellin protein were expressed and purified .It was demonstrated that AprA cleaved flagellin , which was blocked by AprI .Conclusion Recombinant AprA could cleave its substrates as an alkaline protease , and its inhibitor AprI inhibits the activities of AprA .This study will contribute to further investigations on the role of AprA in the pathogenesis of PAE .

0.05)between the recurrent rate[2.2%(10/463)]of the CR patients with lung metastasis and the progression rate of the 152 patients.Conclusions After normalization of ?-hCG titer,patients whose lung tumors remained unchanged even after several additional courses of chemotherapy should be considered as CR patients.Follow-ups should be strictly carried out on these patients,especially at around 6 months after the completion of treatment,and particularly for high-risk and drug-resistant choriocarcinoma patients.

Background:Laparoscopic total gastrectomy (LTG) is increasingly performed in patients with gastric cancer. However, the usage of intracorporeal esophagojejunostomy (IEJ) following LTG is limited, as the safety and efficacy remain unclear. The present meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the feasibility and safety of IEJ following LTG.

Methods:Studies published from January 1994 to January 2017 comparing the outcomes of IEJ and extracorporeal esophagojejunostomy (EEJ) following LTG were reviewed and collected from the PubMed, EBSCO, Cochrane Library, Embase, and China National Knowledge Internet (CNKI). Operative results, postoperative recovery, and postoperative complications were compared and analyzed. The weighted mean difference (WMD) and odds ratio (OR) with a 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated using the Review Manager 5.3.

Results:Seven nonrandomized studies with 785 patients were included. Compared with EEJ, IEJ has less blood loss (WMD: -13.52 ml; 95% CI: -24.82--2.22; P = 0.02), earlier time to first oral intake (WMD: -0.49 day; 95% CI: -0.83--0.14; P < 0.01), and shorter length of hospitalization (WMD: -0.62 day; 95% CI: -1.08--0.16; P < 0.01). There was no significant difference between IEJ and EEJ regarding the operation time, anastomotic time, number of retrieved lymph nodes, time to first flatus, anastomosis leakage rate, anastomosis stenosis rate, and proximal resections (all P > 0.05).

ConclusionsCompared with EEJ, IEJ has better cosmesis, milder surgical trauma, and a faster postoperative recovery. IEJ can be performed as safely as EEJ. IEJ should be encouraged to surgeons with sufficient expertise.

Esophagostomy ; adverse effects ; methods ; Esophagus ; surgery ; Gastrectomy ; adverse effects ; methods ; Humans ; Jejunostomy ; adverse effects ; methods ; Laparoscopy ; adverse effects ; methods ; Stomach Neoplasms ; surgery ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo study the protective effect of Ginkgo biloba extract(EGb) on the kidney in the case of ischemia-reperfusion injury.

METHODThe model of renal ischemia-reperfusion injury in male rats was made by ligation of left renal artery for 45 min and 4 h of reperfusion. The rats with pretreament were fed with EGb prior to operation. The change of MDA, SOD, Na+-K+-ATPase, Ca2+-ATPase in kidney and BUN, Cr in plasma were determined. The renal pathologic changes were observed.

RESULTAfter ischemia-reperfusion, the content of MDA in renal cortex and the levels of BUN, Cr in plasma were increased,the activity of SOD,Na+-K+-ATPase, Ca2+-ATPase in renal cortex were decreased, and the phathological changes induced by ischemia-reperfusion in renal tissues were observed clearly. The pretreatment of rats with EGb coued significantly prevente the reduction of SOD, Na+-K+-ATPase, Ca2+-ATPase activity in renal cortex and the increase of MDA content in renal cortex, decrease the concenration of BUN, Cr in plasma. The pathological changes of proximal tubular cells in rats kidneys induced by ischemia-reperfusion were also prevented by the pretreatment with EGb.

CONCLUSIONEGb can protect rats from renal injuries caused by ischemia-reperfusion.

Animals ; Antioxidants ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Blood Urea Nitrogen ; Calcium-Transporting ATPases ; metabolism ; Creatinine ; blood ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Ginkgo biloba ; chemistry ; Kidney ; pathology ; Kidney Cortex ; metabolism ; Male ; Malondialdehyde ; metabolism ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Protective Agents ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Reperfusion Injury ; metabolism ; pathology ; Sodium-Potassium-Exchanging ATPase ; metabolism ; Superoxide Dismutase ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo analysis clinical characteristics of the multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS) caused by acute paraquat poisoning (APP).

METHODClinical data of 68 APP cases from Jan 2006 to Jun 2009, including age, gender, poisoning time and dosage, and MODS time, were compared in two groups, i.e. the death (37 cases) and survived (31cases) groups. It was less than 24 hours from poisoning to rescue in all cases.

RESULTSAmong the 68 cases, the incident rate of ARDS was 51.47% (35 cases). The rate of acute lung injure was 97.1% (66 cases). The mortality was 54.4% (37 cases). There was no significant difference in age and gender between both groups (P > 0.05). The dosages and times from poisoning to rescue were significant different between two groups (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). In the death group, proportion of amounts (> 3) of organs related with MODS was 70.29%, which was significantly higher than that (38.71%) in survived group (P < 0.01). MODS and ALI/ARDS occurred in death group earlier than those in survival group (P < 0.05). On the other hand, cardiac, hepatic and renal damage occurred earlier than the lung injure.

CONCLUSIONMODS in APP patients occurred earlier, were more sever, and caused higher mortality. The poisoning dosage and time were important prognostic factors.

Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Multiple Organ Failure ; chemically induced ; diagnosis ; Paraquat ; poisoning ; Prognosis ; Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Adult ; chemically induced ; diagnosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo explore the effect of polydatin on the growth of TGF-β₁induced humanalveolar epithelium A549 cells and the mechanism of polydatin for inhibiting the process of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT).

METHODSA549 cells in vitro cultured were randomly divided into five groups, i.e., the blank group, the control group, the low dose polydatin group, the middle dose polydatin group, the high dose polydatin group. Common culture fluid was added in A549 cells of the blank group. Five ng/mLTGF-β₁contained culture fluid was added in A549 cells of the control group. 50, 100, and 150 μmol/mL of polydatin plus 5 ng/mL TGF-β₁contained culture fluid was added in A549 cells of low, middle, and high dosepolydatin groups, respectively. Morphological changes were observed and recorded at different time points. The optimal concentration of polydatin was determined by MTT method. Protein and mRNA expressions of E-cad epithelial cell marker) and Vimentin (mesenchymal cell marker) were detected by Western blot and Real-time PCR.

RESULTSUnder inverted phase contrast microscope, A549 cells turned from previous pebble shape to fusiform shape after intervened by polydatin and TGF-β1. The intercellular space was enlargedand the intercellular connection became loose. These phenomena were more obviously seen in the control group. A549 cells were more satiated in low, middle, and high dose polydatin groups than in the control group. The EMT inhibition was most obviously seen in the middle dose polydatin group at 48 h. Protein and mRNA expressions of E-cad showed an overall descending tendency after intervened by polydatin and TGF-β1 (P < 0.05). But compared with the control group, protein and mRNA expressions of E-cad were down-regulated in a lesser amplitude in each intervened group. Besides, the tendency was more obviously seen at 48 h than at 24 h. Protein and mRNA expressions of Vimentin showed an overall up-regulating tendency. But compared with the control group, protein and mRNA expressions of Vimentin were down-regulated in a lesser amplitude in each intervened group. Besides, the tendency was more obviously seen at 48 h than at 24 h (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Polydatin could inhibit TGF-β1 induced EMT process of A549 cells time- and dose-dependently. It also played roles in inhibiting pulmonary fibrosis.

Cadherins ; metabolism ; Cell Line ; Epithelial Cells ; drug effects ; Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition ; drug effects ; Glucosides ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Stilbenes ; pharmacology ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; pharmacology ; Vimentin ; metabolism

A strain KX6,producing thermotolerant endoglucanase,was isolated from compost. The morpholo-gical identification and 16S rRNA sequence analysis showed it belongs to Streptomyces xylophagus. The production and characterization of endoglucanase from Streptomyces xylophagus KX6 was studied. Maximum endoglucanase yield of 0.538 IU/ml was achieved with medium pH8.0,containing CMC2Na 1.0% as carbon resource,soybean meal 1% as nitrogen resource,2% inoculating volume,30% 250 ml triangle flask bulk for medium volume at 40℃ 200r/min shaker for 48h. The endoglucanase exhibited optimum catalytic activity at pH7.0 and 50℃. The enzyme was stable at 50℃,and able to retain 60% of the full activity,when it was incubated at 60℃ for 1h.The enzyme was stable at pH6.0~7.0. All these findings suggest that the enzyme is a thermotolerant neutral endoglucanase.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of triptolide on the production of interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) in human peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) and interleukin-8 (IL-8) in HaCaT keratinocytes and phosphorylation of signal transducer and activator of transcription-1 (STAT1) of IFN-gamma signal transduction pathways in HaCaT cells.

METHODSHuman PBMC was induced by phytohaemagglutinin (PHA-L) and HaCaT cells were stimulated by recombinant human IFN-gamma (rhIFN-gamma). The productions of IFN-gamma and IL-8 in cells were detected by ELISA. The expression of STAT1 and its phosphorylation were analyzed by Western blot.

RESULTSTriptolide inhibited the production of IFN-gamma in human PBMC induced by PHA-L in a dose-dependent manner (P < 0.05, P < 0.01, P < 0.001) and the 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) value was 5.96 x 10(-11) mol/L. IL-8 production in HaCaT cells induced by rhIFN-gamma in vitro was also inhibited by triptolide (P < 0.001) and the IC50 value was about 1.15 x 10(-13) mol/L. The expressions of phosphorylated STAT1 in HaCaT cells stimulated by rhIFN-gamma was inhibited by triptolide (P < 0.01) and the IC50 value was about 9.45 x 10(-11) mol/L.

CONCLUSIONTriptolide can inhibit the production of IFN-gamma in human PBMC and downregulate IL-8 level in HaCaT keratinocytes induced by rhIFN-gamma. Triptolide can inhibit the phosphorylations of STAT1 of IFN-gamma signal pathway in HaCaT keratinocytes stimulated by IFN-gamma.

Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal ; pharmacology ; Diterpenes ; pharmacology ; Epoxy Compounds ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Interferon-gamma ; biosynthesis ; pharmacology ; Interleukin-8 ; biosynthesis ; Keratinocytes ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Leukocytes, Mononuclear ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Phenanthrenes ; pharmacology ; Phosphorylation ; STAT1 Transcription Factor ; metabolism