Objective To investigate the variance levels of plasma soluble leukocyte differentiation antigens CD40 (sCD40) and soluble CD40 ligand (sCD40L) in preeclamptic patients with renal damage and its relationship. Methods A total of 63 pregnant women attended the Department of Obstetrics, Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University Medical College between August 2008 and June 2010. In the present study included 28 pregnant women with mild preeclampsia and 35 patients with severe preeclampsia. Thirty matched normotensive pregnant women were enrolled in the study as the control group. Expression of sCD40 and sCD40L were determined by ELISA. At the same time, the blood routine, C reaction protein ( CRP),urine routine, 24 hours urine protein excretion, and serum uric acid (UA), creatinine (Cr), blood urea nitrogen (BUN) were measured. The correlation analysis was performed between the sCD40/sCD40L and the blood biochemical indexes in 3 groups. Results ( 1 ) The median levels of CRP in severe preeclampsia (10. 8 mg/L)and mild preeclampsia group(7. I mg/L)are significantly higher than that of control group (3. 3 mg/L,P ＜ 0. 05 ); The level of CRP in severe preeclampsia group was also higher than that of mild preeclampsia group ( P ＜ 0. 05 ). The median gestational age at delivery in severe preeclampsia ( 32. 5 weeks)was significantly less than that of mild preeclampsia group ( 37. 2 weeks) and normal group ( 38. 6 weeks,P ＜ 0. 05). However no significant differences were observed between mild preeclampsia group and normal group ( P ＞0. 05 ). The platelet count in severe preeclampsia ( 132 × 109/L) was significantly less than those of mild preeclampsia group (212 × 109/L) and normal group ( 216 × 109/L, P ＜ 0. 01 ), but no significant differences were observed in blood platelet amount between mild preeclampsia group and normal group ( P ＞0. 05 ). There was no significant difference in hemoglobin level and white blood cell in three groups ( P ＞0. 05). (2) The sCD40 plasma concentration in severe, mild preeclampsia and normal group was 133.6,126. 5 and 90. 7 ng/L, respectively. The sCD40 L plasma concentrations were 12. 5, 10. 4 and 4. 4 ng/L respectively in the 3 groups. 24 hours urinary protein quantitative was 4. 5 g/d,0. 8 g/d and 0 in the 3 groups respectively. And the UA level was 486 μ mol/L,289 μmol/L and 162 μmol/L. In the above three groups,the monitoring indicators were significantly higher in women with severe preeclampsia group compared with mild preeclampsia and control groups (P ＜ 0. 01 ), and there were also higher in mild preeclampsia group than that in control groups ( P ＜ 0. 01 ). The level of plasma Cr ( 89 μmol/L) and BUN ( 5. 32 mmol/L) in severe preeclampsia group were higher than those of mild preeclampsia group (66 μmol/L and 4. 49mmol/L) and control group ( 57 μmol/L and 3.32 mmol/L, P ＜ 0. 05 ). There was no significant difference between mild preeclampsia group and normal group (P ＞ 0. 05 ). (3) The correlation analysis indicated that the level of sCD40 has a positive correlation with 24 hours urinary protein quantitative( r = 0. 434, P ＜ 0. 05 ),also significant positive correlation( r =0. 536,0. 528 ,P ＜ 0. 01 ) between the level of sCD40 and UA or CRP in women with preeclampsia. There was no significant correlation between the level of sCD40 and systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, delivery gestational age, Cr, BUN, and platelet count(r =0. 135,0. 183, -0. 133,0. 190,0. 167, -0. 221 ,all P ＞0. 05 ). There were positive correlation between the level of sCD40L and 24 hours urine protein excretion, either UA or CRP( r =0. 591,0. 445,0. 539 ,all P ＜0. 01 ). No significant correlation was found between sCD40 L and systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure,delivery gestational age, Cr, BUN, and platelet count( r =0. 178,0. 212, -0. 292,0. 144,0. 135, -0. 273,all P ＞0. 05). There was significant positive correlation between plasma sCD40 and sCD40L ( r =0. 707 ,P ＜0. 01 ). There was no relationship between the level of sCD40, sCD40L and the blood biochemical indexes in normotensive pregnant women ( P ＞ 0. 05 ). Conclusions The plasma concentrations of sCD40 and sCD40 L are significantly higher in pregnant women with preeclampsia compared with the control, which may be involved in the development of preeclampsia and contribute to the kidney damage. The variance levels of sCD40 and sCD40L may be also related to the severity of preeclampsia.

To study the level of macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) in serum and the expression of MIF mRNA in abdominal subcutaneous adipose tissue,and to investigate its impact on insulin resistance and islet β-cell dysfunction in gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM).120 pregnancy women from the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University Medical College and Taian Central Hospital were enrolled,including 60 GDM women and 60 women with normal glucose tolerance (NGT).The serum MIF in GDM group was higher than that of NGT group [(3.58±1.02 vs 1.23±0.62) ng/ml,P<0.01].Multiple stepwise regression analysis showed that body mass index was an independent affective factor of the serum levels of MIF (r2 =0.516).The serum levels of MIF and the expressions of MIF mRNA in abdominal subcutaneous adipose tissue were significantly higher in GDM group than NGT group.MIF may contribute to insulin resistance and β-cell dysfunction in GDM.Body mass index seems to be an independent factor in affecting the serum levels of MIF.

Objective To investigate the expression of macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) and CD_(74), the receptor of MIF, in preeclamptic placenta and its correlation with the pathogenesis of preeclampsia.Methods From March 2008 to November 2008,69 preeclamptic women who delivered in the Department of Obstetrics, Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University Medical College,were recruited,including 33 women with mild preeclampsia (MPE group) and 36 women with severe preeclampsia (SPE group).Another 43 healthy pregnant women were taken as control group.Immunoturbidimetry was applied to measure the concentrations of C-reactive protein (CRP) in maternal blood.The expressions of MIF and CD_(74) in placenta were tested with immunohistochemistry and the expressions of MIF mRNA and CD_(74) mRNA were detected by semiquantitative RT-PCR.The relationship between maternal blood level of CRP and MIF mRNA and CD_(74) mRNA in placenta was analyzed in the MPE and SPE group.Results (1) MIF and CD_(74) were expressed in the placenta of all pregnant women in the 3 groups, as shown in brown-yellow color, and significantly higher expression was found in the MPE and SPE group.(2) The expression of MIF mRNA and CD_(74) mRNA in the MPE group (0.70±0.13 and 0.96±0.16), SPE group (0.88 ± 0.12 and 1.08 ± 0.15) were significantly higher than in the control group (0.67 ± 0.11 and 0.83 ± 0.14) (P < 0.01), and statistical significance was also found between the MPE and SPE group (P <0.01).(3)The maternal blood concentrations of CRP in the MPE and SPE group were significantly higher than in the control group [(15.3±7.0) mg/L and (21.6±9.1)mg/L vs (4.8 ± 1.8) mg/L, P <0.01] , and significant difference was also found between the MPE and SPE group (P <0.01).(4) In the two preeclamptic groups, the blood concentrations of CRP were positively correlated with the expression of both MIF mRNA(r =0.67 ,P <0.01)and CD_(74) mRNA(r =0.83 ,P <0.01) in placenta.Positive correlation was also found between the levels of MIF mRNA and CD_(74) mRNA in placenta (r =0.93 ,P < 0.01).Conclusions Overexpression of MIF and CD_(74) in the placenta may up-regulate the CRP level in maternal blood, resulting in systemic inflammatory reaction and vascular endothelium damage which may be involved in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia.

Objective To investigate the expression and significance of Rho-associated protein kinaseⅡ(Rock Ⅱ)in preeclamptic placenta and umbilical artery.Methods Semiquanfitative RT-PCR and Western blot were used to investigate the expression of RockⅡmRNA and RockⅡprotein in placenta and umbilical artery from 35 women with moderate preeclampsia(MPE group)、38 women with severepreeclampsia(SPE group)and 45 normal third trimester pregnant women(control group),the S/D value of umbilical artery was examined by ultrasound.Results (1)The expression of Rock Ⅱ mRNA of Dlacenta in MPE group(0.82±0.14)and SPE group(0.93±0.13)were signifieantly higher than that in control group (0.70 ±0.12,P＜0.01).The expression of Rock Ⅱ protein of placenta in MPE group(0.79±0.15)and SPE group(0.92±0.12)were significantly higher compared with control group(0.68±0.11,P<0.01).The expression of Rock Ⅱ mRNA and protein of placenta in SPE group were higher compared with MPE group(P＜0.01).(2)The expression of Rock Ⅱ mRNA of umbilical artery in MPE group(0.69±0.13)and SPE group(0.55±0.12)were significantly lower than that in control gmup(0.76±0.10,P＜0.01).The expression of RockⅡ protein of umbilical artery in MPE group(0.68±0.10)and SPE group(0.51±0.12)were lower compared with control group(0.75±0.13,P＜0.01).The expression of RockⅡ mRNA and protein of umbilical artery in SPE group were significantly lower compared with MPE group(P＜0.01).(3)There were no correlations between the expression of RockⅡ mRNA and protein in placenta and umbilical artery and the S/D value and birth weight(P＞0.05).Conclusion The upregulated expression of Hock Ⅱ in placentas and downregulated expression in umbilical artery may be a compensation in preeclampsia.

Objective To explore the predictive value of serum soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 (sFlt-1) and vascular endothelia growth factor (VEGF) levels in preeclampsia at second trimester. Methods Serum sFlt-1,VEGF concentrations were determined in 172 initial normal pregnant women at 26-28 gestation week.The outcomes of pregnancies were followed.In a cohort of 172 pregnant women, 16 cases of preeclampsia were developed (preeclampsia group),and 156 cases were with no complication (control group).Results The serum levels of sFlt-1 in preeclampsia group (11.4?6.2)?g/L were significantly higher than that in control group(4.5?2.1)?g/L(P＜0.01).The serum levels of sFlt-1 in precelampsia women with the onset before 32 gestation week and fetal growth retardation,(14.0?6.8)?g/L,(14.4?6.7)?g/L were significantly higher than that in women with the onset after 32 gestation week and with no fetal growth retardation (9.0?4.1)?g/L,(8.9?4.0)?g/L,respectively (P＜0.05).There was no significant difference in the serum levels of VEGF between preeclampsia group and control group.A sFlt-1 cutoff value of 8.75?g/L at 26-28 gestation week yielded a sensitivity of 87.5%,specificity of 97.4%,positive predictive value of 80.0%,negative predictive value of 88.5%,respectively,for subsequent onset of preeclampsia.Conclusion Maternal serum sFlt-1 concentration at second trimester can be used as an early predictive marker of preeclampsia.

Objective To study the relationship between tyrosine phosphorylation(TP)and protein expression of insulin receptor substrate-1(IRS-1)and insulin resistance in patients with gestational diabetes mellitus(GDM).Methods IRS-1 expression and TP in skeleton muscle tissue were determined by Western blot and immunoprecipitation in women with GDM(GDM group,n=22),normal pregnant women(normal pregnancy group,n=22)and normal nonpregnant women(normal nonpregnant group,n=13).Fasting plasma glucose(FPG)and fasting insulin(FINS)were measured by oxidase assay and immunoradioassay. Results(1)The levels of FPG,FINS,and insulin resistance index were calculated according to homeostasis model assessment [ HOMA-IR;(5.6?0.8)mmol/L,(15.4?5.1)mU/L,and 1.2?0.5 ] in GDM group were significantly higher than those in normal pregnancy group [(4.4+0.5)mmol/L,(10.6 ?3.1)mU/L,and 0.8?0.3;P

Objective To investigate the expression and significance of serum soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase 1 ( sFlt-1 ) in preeclampsia placenta. Methods Immunohistochemistry and semi-quantitative RT-PCR were used to investigate the expression of sFlt-1 and sFlt-1 mRNA in placenta of 30 women with preeclampsia (including mild and moderate preeclampsia 11 cases, severe preeclampsia 19 cases) and 45 normal pregnant women (including first trimester pregnancy 18 cases, 2nd trimester pregnancy 12 cases, and 3rd trimester pregnancy 15 cases). The levels of vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF) and sFlt-1 in serum were detected by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. Results (1) The expression of sFlt-1 mRNA was significantly higher in preeclampsia group (0. 90?0. 11) compared with the third trimester group (0. 80?0. 06; P

Six DNA extraction methods and four DNA purification methods were compared and analyzed in this study to get higher quality DNA from the rhizospheric soil of Fritillaria thunbergii Miq.Results showed that higher purity DNA were harvested by pretreating the soil with 20 mmol/L EDTA(pH 7.5),then isolating soil DNA with CTAB-SDS-frozen-thawing,and further purified by agarose method.The recovery rate of this soil DNA was about 44.00 ?g/g ? 2.65 ?g/g soil,and they were qualified for the microbial diversity analysis in the rhizospheric soil of F.thunbergii Miq based on the 16S rDNA sequence.

Objective To evaluate the effect of parathyroid hormone (PTH) on the expression of connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) in human renal tubular epithelial cells, and to explore the role of MAPK signaling pathway. Methods Real time RT-PCR, Western blot, and reporter gene assay were employed to detect PTH-induced CTGF expression in HK-2 cells. Inhibitors (PD98059 and U0126) of MAPK signaling pathway were used to confirm involved signal pathway. Results HK-2 cells had basic expression level of CTGF mRNA and protein, which were increased significantly after treatment with PTH. The luciferase activity was up-regulated to a higher level as compared with control group after treatment with 10-10 mol/L PTH for 12 h [(1.8884±0.0780) vs (0.9891±0.0300) A, P<0.01]. Moreover, a small amount of p-ERK1/2 was detected in normal HK-2 cells, but it was increased significantly in response to PTH activation, most remarkably when treated with 10-10 mol/L PTH for 30 min. Inhibitors of MAPK signaling pathway, PD98059 and U0126, noticeably inhibited the expression of CTGF mRNA and protein as well as gene promoters in HK-2 cells. Conclusion PTH can induce higher expression of CTGF in HK-2 cells probably via MAPK signaling pathway.

Objective To evaluate the application and the good qualities of high-resolution ultrasound and CDFI-guided mammotome minimally invasive biopsy device in the diagnosis and treatment of breast lesions.Methods The common clinical operations and the lesions which were guided mammotome minimally invasive biopsy device by high-resolution ultrasound and CDFI were contrasted.The effects of treatment were evaluated.Results 307 le- sions of 102 patients were removed by this method,and the operational process was successful.Patients' skin lacera- tions were tiny.Only one lesion was clinically diagnosed as mild blood clot under skin,but without other complica- tions.Conclusion Contrasted with the common clinily operations.the high-resolution ultrasound and CDFI-guided mammotome minimally invasive biopsy device in the diagnosis and treatment of breast lesion is effective,and the scar is tiny.It releases patients' pain.