Objective To investigate the influence of epigallocatechin gallate ( EGCG)on reactive oxygen species (ROS) in mouse podocytes exposed to high glucose. Methods Mouse podocytes cultured in high glucose were exposed to different concentrations of EGCG (0.2, 10, 100 μmol/L) or α-tocopherol (0.2 μmol/L) for 6, 12, 24 hours. The viability of podocytes was detected by MTT. The intracellular formation of ROS was detected by confocal microscopy with fluorescent probe CM-H2DCFDA and was measured by fluorescence microscopy. RT-PCR was used to examine the expression of p22phox, p47phox and p67phox mRNA in cultured podocytes exposed to different concentrations of EGCG. Results Intracellular ROS generation was significantly higher in high glucose than that in control conditions (P<0.01). EGCG could significantly inhibit ROS induced by high glucose significantly (P<0.01). EGCG (100 μmol/L) led to an inhibition of the increased production of NADPH oxidase components of p22phox and p67phox mRNA in high glucose (P<0.05). The expression of p47phox mRNA in high glucose was inhibited by EGCG(0.2 μmol/L) and ot-tocopherol(0.2 μmol/L) (P<0.05). Conclusion EGCG can protect cultured mouse podocytes from injury of high glucose by inhibiting ROS formation.

Objective To study the effects of the interaction of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) and the receptor of AGEs (RAGE) on apoptosis of mice podocytes. Methods Podocytes were exposed to soluble AGEs such as bovine serum albumin (BSA), carboxymethyl-lysin (CML)-BSA, AGE-BSA and matrix-bound AGEs (AGE-modified collagen Ⅳ ), and to different concentrations of AGE, such as 10 mg/L, 50 mg/L, 100 mg/L. Apoptosis was assessed by TUNEL staining. Fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) was used for the quantification of apoptotic andnecrotic podocytes after Annexin V-fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) and propidium iodide (PI) labeling. Apoptosis was described as the ratio of apoptotic cells to the total number cells under the high-power field, siRNA was transfected into podocytes through combining Dharmacon on Targetplus SMART pool siRNA reagents and Amaxa RNAi nucleofection kit. Results The apoptosis rate was higher in podoeytes exposed to either CML-BSA or AGE-BSA than that exposed to BSA. There was a two- to three-fold increase in apoptosis when podocytes were cultured in AGE-modified collagen Ⅳ as compared with native collagen Ⅳ. The apoptotic response of podocytes to AGE-BSA exposure occurred in a dose-dependent manner. Podocyte necrosis occurred only at the highest concentration of AGE-BSA(100 mg/L). AGE-BSA failed to induce apoptosis in podocytes transfected with RAGE siRNA. RAGE-specific gene knockdown did not significantly reduce the apoptosis of podocytes cultured in AGE-modified collagen IV. Conclusions The AGE-RAGE interaction plays a major role in the apoptosis of podocytes triggered by soluble AGEs, but not by matrix-bound AGEs. Reduction of AGE burden and RAGE expression may be important therapeutic approaches to prevent the progression of kidney disease.

Objective To investigate the effect of embryotrophic factors(ETF)from human oviductal cells on gene expression of mouse early developmental embryos and discuss the role of fallopian tube in early development of embryos.Methods ETF was isolated from conditioned medium of human oviductal cell line by sequential liquid chromatographic systems.Mouse embryos were treated by ETF in vitro.Using differential display RT-PCR,the gene expression of embryos treated by ETF was compared with embryos without ETF treatment.The differentially expressed genes were separated,re-amplified,cloned and sequenced.Results Gene expression profiles of embryos with ETF treatment was different from embryos without this treatment.Eight differentially expressed genes were cloned and sequenced.These genes functioned in RNA degradation,synthesis,splicing,protein trafficking,cellular differentiation and embryo development.Conclusion Embryotrophic factors from human oviductal cells affect gene expression of early developmental embryos.The human oviductal cells play wide roles in early developmental stages of embryos.

BACKGROUND:Hereditary factor occupies a certain position in suicidal behavior of depression. The researches in the past are focused on the hereditary effect on bipolar depression suicide.How do hereditary patterns and effects work in suicidal behavior in unipolar depression?OBJECTIVE: To probe into hereditary patterns and effects on suicidal behavior in unipolar depression.DESIGN:Retrospective investigation.SETTING:A municipal psychiatric hygienic centerPARTICIPANTS:Unipolar depression group included 115 outpatients and inpatients diagnosed in Wuxi Psychiatric Hygienic Center from June 1st 1983 to May 31st 2002.The diagnosis tallied with Standards on Depression Onset in Categories and Diagnostic Standards on Psychiatric Disturbance in China of 3rd Edition and with Standards on Severe Depression Onset in Manual of Diagnosis and Statistics of Psychiatric Disturbance in America of 4th Edition.The attack frequency of all the cases ≥ 3 times or the cases had been relieved ≥8 years after a couple of attacks.METHODS:The patients who tallied with the standards on unipolar depression received the investigation in every family tree under the instruction of 2 physicians-in-charge and more than 2 physicians and filled up the self-made investigation form of psychiatric family tree,including mainly the data of social demography of patients and their first grade relatives,characters of disease onset,frequency of attack,history of treatment and suicide. After re-diagnosed by 2 physicians-incharge and more than 2 physicians and checked by one physician-incharge,the cases were collected in patient group. The interview was carried on for the patients with suicidal behavior among all of the survived patients (107 cases) and first grade relatives (14 cases).The interview (337 cases) and investigation with letter (380 cases) were carried on for the first grade relatives without suicidal behavior. The investigation forms of 13 dead cases (8 cases of patients, 5 cases of first-grade relatives) were provided and filled-up by one or two first grade relatives. Two researchers interviewed the cases in the control,inquired the first grade relatives and filled up the investigation form of family tree.Single factor analysis was used for all the data and Falconer pattern of polygenetic threshold-value theory was used to estimate hereditary rate and standard error in suicidal behavior.Separation analysis in medical hereditary mathematic method and polygenetic threshold-value theory were applied to discuss the hereditary patterns.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:Hereditary effects and patterns of suicidal behavior in unipolar depressed patients.RESULTS:Suicidal risk of unipolar depressed patients(51.30%,59/115)was higher than their first grade relatives (2.58%,19/736) (x2=283.16,P ＜ 0.01).Suicidal risk of the first grade relatives (2.58%,19/736) of unipolar depressed patients was higher than the control (0.12%,3/2469)(x2=50.36,P ＜ 0.01).Suicidal risk of the first grade relatives of the patients with suicidal behavior (3.8%,14/372) was higher than that of the first grade relatives of the patients without suicidal behavior (1.4%,5/363)(x2=4.14,P＜ 0.05).The weighted average hereditary rate and standard error was (70.16±0.79)% for suicidal behavior in unipolar depression.The predictive morbidity of suicidal behavior in the first grade relatives was 3.1% and the real morbidity was 2.6%,which did not indicate significant difference (u =0.766, P ＞ 0.05).CONCLUSION:Suicidal behavior of unipolar depression presents obvious hereditary effects and its hereditary patterns tally with polygenetic inheritance.

AIM: To study the relation of acute radiation-induced oral mucositis to fungal infection and evaluate the effect of fluconazole in the treatment of patients with fungal infection.　METHODS: Seventy-one patients (M 42, F 29; 52 a± s 41 a,11-76 a) with large area of oral mucosas irradiated were into this study. When most serious mucositis, the patients' oral mucosas were checked, 32 patients with fungal infection were treated with fluconazole (fluconazole 100 mg, po, qd×5 d or 150 mg,iv,gtt×3 d).　RESULTS: The rate of fungal infection was 45%, the most of patients were infected by candida albicans. Degrees of mucositis between the patients with fungal infection to the patients without fungal infection were significantly different (P<0.05). The patients with fungal infection were treated with fluconazole. Degree of mucositis between the pretreated patients and post-treated patients were significantly different (P<0.05).　CONCLUSION: The serious acute radiation-induced oral mucositis has significantly related with fungal infection. The patients with fungus infection treated with antifungal agents (fluconazole) can significantly relieve the reaction of acute radiation-induced oral mucositis.

Objective To discuss the diagnosis, selection of type of operation, and prevention and treatment of perioperative complications of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). Methods The clinical data of 96 (patients) who underwent open surgical treatment of AAA, at Xijing Hospital between January, 1990 and June, 2004 were retrospectively reviewed. Among those, 82 patients with infrarenal AAA underwent aneurysmectomy and graft repair. 12 cases were treated by aneurysmal wrapping with Dacron. In 2 patients with suprarenal false AAA, lateral aneurysmectomy and repair was performed. Results The distance between renal artery and the neck of the aneurysm was determined by arteriography, MRA or EBT. Ninty-three patients were cured, and three cases died, with an operative mortality of 3.1%(3/96). The operative mortality was 50.0%(2/4) in 4 cases who had urgent operation because of ruptured AAA, while the operative mortality rate of the cases undergoing elective surgical repair was 1.1%(1/92, P

Objective To discuss the diagnosis and management of tracheomalacia complicating large goiter. Methods Clinical data of 36 patients with large goiter complicated by tracheomalacia at Xijing Hospital between 1992 and 2004 were retrospectively reviewed. Preoperative Valsalva-Mueller test were performed in all patients before undergoing subtotal thyroidectomy with tracheal suspension, and two patients were treated by subtotal thyroidectomy with tracheal suspension and tracheostomy. Results Valsalva-Mueller test was positive in all patients. The compressed tracheal cartilage disappeared in 2 cases, became thin and soft in other 34 cases. Thirty-four patients who underwent subtotal thyroidectomy with tracheal suspension recovered and 2 patients were resued by tracheal suspension with tracheostomy. There was no mortality. Postoperative 34 cases were followed-up from 6 months to 13 years. Thirty-two cases had no postoperative respiratory obstruction, 2 patients died of unrelated diseases. Conclusions The diagnosis of tracheomalacia from large goiter is based on Valsalva-Mueller test and operative detection. Subtotal thyroidectomy with tracheal suspension is the treatment of choice for tracheomalacia complicating large goiter.

Objective To find out the current situation of brucellosis infection and exposure status of family members of sheep farmers in the western pastoral areas of Jilin Province,and to provide a reference for control of human brucellosis spreading among family members.Methods On November 2012,Qianguo County was randomly selected using a multi-stage sampling method,and two townships,Chaganhua and Wulantala,were randomly selected in the county; half of the villages were selected from each township; all family members of the sheep farmers in these villages were investigated about their demographic characteristics (sex,age,education),high-risk behavior and information about brucellosis infection by using a questionnaire survey.Based on the principle of informed consent,respondents venous blood samples were collected.Brucellosis was confirmed with serum agglutination test (SAT).The effects of gender,age,education and other demographic data,high-risk behavior and high-risk behavior protection on the prevalence of brucellosis were studied.Results Out of the 403 copies of qualified questionnaires collected,84 people were found infected with brucellosis,and the infection rate was 20.84％ (84/403).Men infection [24.78％ (57/230)] was higher than that of women [15.61％ (27/173),x2 =5.038,P ＜ 0.05].The rates of eight kinds of high-risk behaviors were:helping feeding 86.85％ (350/403),cleaning sheepfold 80.40％ (324/403),holding lamp 71.71％ (289/403),delivering sheep 61.54％ (248/403),vaccinating sheep 53.85％ (217/403),apoblema 47.39％ (191/403),milking 22.08％ (89/403) and slaughtering sheep 14.89％ (60/403).The highest risk behavior was vaccinating sheep[24.40％(53/217)],and the lowest was milking [16.90％ (15/89)].The highest rate of basic protection was delivering a sheep [31.85％ (79/248)],the next was apoblema[27.23％ (52/191)],and the lowest was slaughtering sheep [8.33％ (5/60)].There was no statistical significant difference between brucellosis infection and the eight kinds of high-risk behaviors as well as the basic protective behaviors.Conclusions The prevalence of brucellosis infection among sheep farmers' family members is higher than others.Brucellosis infection-related contact manner is ubiquitous and the level of basic protection is low.We should carry out targeted health education on sheep farming household members to improve their level of protection,so as to reduce the risk of brucellosis infection.

Objective To investigate the influence of uremic serum on the monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1) expression of human umbilical vascular endothelial cells (HUVECs) in vitro and the effect of up-regulation of berne oxygenase 1 (HO-1) on the synthesis of MCP-1 of HUVECs in uremic milieu. Methods HUVECs were incubated to confluence and then preineubated with heroin and/or protoporphyrin zinc IX (ZnPP)for 6 hours.The cultures were subsequently incubated with M199 cell medium containing 10% serum of healthy people or with medium containing 10% serum of maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) patients.HO-1 protein and mRNA expression was detected by immunohistochemistry and semi-quantitative RT-PCR.MCP-1 mRNA expression was measured by semi-quantitative RT-PCR,and MCP-1 protein was quantified by ELISA. Results Up-regulated expression of MCP-1 mRNA and protein was detected in HUVECs incubated with medium containing 10% serum of MHD patients.The protein synthesis was 2.95 folds of the control.Heroin induced expression of HO-1 mRNA and protein,and concurrently inhibited the up-regulated MCP-1 expression induced by uremic serum.Such effects of heroin could be blocked by ZnPP. Conclusions Uremic serum induces the expression of MCP-1 in HUVECs.Up-regulated expresson of endothelial HO-1 induced by heroin inhibits the enhancement of MCP-1 synthesis.HO-1 may be beneficial to the alleviation of endothelial cell injury in uremic milieu.

Objective To investigate the respective effects of highly concentrated amino acids, highly concentrated glucose and mixture of the above two on the proliferation and extracellular matrix synthesis of glomerular mesangial cells. Methods Mesangial cells were cultured with mannitol (13.3 mmol/L ), highly concentrated amino acids (13.3 mmol/L), highly concentrated glucose (30.5 retool/L) and the mixture of highly concentrated amino acids and highly concentrated glucose repectively. Mesangial cell proliferation was examined by MTT and flow cytometry. The mRNA expression of TGF-β1,ColⅣ and fibronectin (FN) was detected by semi- quantitative RT-PCR, and the protein expression was detected by ELISA, Western blot and radioimmunoassay. Results (1) Cellular proliferation was increased in response to amino acids and was further enhanced by increased levels of both amino acids and glucose in a time-depentent manner. And the most prominent action occured at 48 hours. (2) Among the three group, mesangial cell cycle was affected, and the number of G0/G1 mesangial cells was reduced, but the number of cycle S cells was improved. (3) In the three group, the mRNA and protein expression of TGF-β1 was improved [protein unit: ng·ml-1·(105 cells)-1, 3023±85, 3163±80, 3321+85 vs 1506±63, P< 0.05]. (4)In the three group, the mRNA and protein expression of Col Ⅳ and FN was enhanced [protein unit: ng'ml-1(105 cells)-1, Col Ⅳ:16.78±2.56, 18.65±2.56, 22.83±2.45 vs 10.22±2.54, P<0.01; FN:18.47±2.34, 13.58±3.13, 17.98±2.56 vs 8.22±2.54, P<0.05]. The expression of Col Ⅳ mRNA and protein was stronger when the cells were cultured with the mixture of highly concentrated amino acids and highly concentrated glucose. Conclusions Highly concentrated amino acid can promote cell proliferation similarly to highly concentrated glucose, which may be through increasing the activity of mesangial cells and the synthesis of extracellular matrix via TGF- β1 signaling way. Highly concentrated amino acid has the synergism with highly concentrated glucose.