objective To assess the effect of aldosterone on the production of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2), matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9)and collagen Ⅳ in culture supematants of podocytes and the possible molecular mechanisms involved in the influence of aldosterone on the synthesis and degradation of extracellular matrix produced by podocytes. Methods Podecytes were treated with aldosterone at the concentration of 10-11, 10-9, 10-7 mol/L respectively. Cultured podocytes were examined at 24, 48 and 72 hours respectively. Spironolactone, a receptor antagonist of aldosterone, was added to observe the blocking effect on aldosterone. An inhibitor of TGF-β1 receptor was used to determine whether the effect of aldosterone on podocytes were mediated through TGF-β1 system. The enzymatic activities of MMP-2 and MMP-9 were assayed by gehtin zymography. Collagen Ⅳ 0.5 chain and TGF-β1 proteins released into culture supematants were assessed by Western blot and ELISA analysis. The adhesion rate of podocytes was monitored by flow cytometry. Results Aldosterone increased the activities of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in a dose- and time-dependent manner (P<0.05). Aldosterone decreased the level of collagen Ⅳ or5 chain protein in culture supernatants (P<0.05). Meanwhile, the expression of TGF-β1 was also increased (P<0.05). Spironolactone completely abolished the above-mentioned changes(P< 0.05). Blockage of TGF-β1 signaling with SB431542 prevented the aldosterone-induced upregulation of MMP-2 and MMP-9 as well as the downregulation of the collagen Ⅳ α5 chain protein and the adhesion rate of podocytes (P<0.05). Conclusions Aldosterone increases the activities of MMP-2 and MMP-9 but decreases the expression of collagen Ⅳ α5 chain and the adhension rate of podocytes possibly via TGF-β1 signaling pathway. Such alterations may contribute to glomerular podocyte injury associated with the GBM abnormality caused by the imbalance between matrix synthesis and degradation.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the therapeutic effects of red peony root decoction, a compound traditional Chinese herbal medicine, and rhubarb in treating severe acute pancreatitis (SAP). METHODS: A total of 96 consecutive patients with objectively-graded SAP were randomly divided into treatment and control groups. There were 48 cases in each group. The patients in the treatment and control groups were assigned to receive red peony root decoction and rhubarb treatment 1-2 times a day via a gastric tube respectively. Comparisons in the time needed for the disappearance of abdominal tenderness, fever and abdominal distension were made between the two groups. The total days of using antibiotics, enzyme inhibitor, protease inhibitor, and nasojejunal feeding start, nasojejunal feeding, gastrointestinal decompression, fasting diet were also compared. And comparison also included hospital stays and hospitalization costs. RESULTS: The durations of abdominal tenderness, fever and abdominal distension in the treatment group were less than those in the control group (P<0.05). Compared with the control group, the time length for antibiotics (including anti-bacteria drug and antifungal agent) use, nasojejunal feeding start, nasojejunal feeding, gastrointestinal decompression, fasting diet, hospital stays and hospitalization costs were decreased in the treatment group (P<0.05). There were no significant differences between the two groups in enzyme inhibitor and protease inhibitor requirement, mortality and adverse reactions. CONCLUSION: Red peony root decoction is more effective than rhubarb alone for SAP patients.

AIM: To investigate the expression of MAT1 protein in pancreatic cancers and the relationship between MAT1 and clinicopathological features of pancreatic cancers. METHODS: 94 surgical specimens, including 70 pancreatic cancers, 10 pancreatic benign tumors, 14 chronic pancreatitis and 10 autopsy normal pancreas tissues, were analyzed immunohistochemically, and then MAT1 expression and clinicopathological features were compared. RESULTS: MAT1 was expressed mainly in the cancer cells,and also in the fibroblasts, where it was localized within the cytoplasm and nuclear envelope. MAT1 expression was found in 75.7% (53/70) of the cancers, but not detected or weakly expressed in control tissues. There was a significant difference in expression of MAT1 among the above four tissues (P

Objective To investigate the relationship between the apparent diffusion coefficient(ADC) value,portal hypertension and hypersplenism.Methods 52 cases underwent MR imaging (including DWI) examination,among them,included normal group(18 cases) hepatic cirrhosis without portal hypertension group(24 cases) and hepatic cirrhosis with portal hypertension group(10 cases).The ADC values of spleen were calculated and compared between groups.The relationship between target of hypersplenism——cells in peripheral blood(RBC/WBC/PLT) and spleen’s ADC values was also analyzed.Results With the appearance of portal hypertension,spleen’s ADC values decreased.The significant difference was found among these 3 groups(P

Circular RNAs are a group of novel non-coding RNA molecules, which form covalently closed continuous loop structures, lacking the terminal 5′ and 3′ ends. They are abundant in eukaryotes and have recently become an increasing area of research in the field of RNA. Circular RNAs have many functions, such as abundant expression, cell- or tissue-specific expression, and high resistance to RNase-induced degradation. They are closely related to tissue development and the occurrence and development of diseases, play an important role in the pathogenesis and development of a variety of diseases, and can be used as a novel molecular marker of some diseases. Therefore, this review summarizes the latest research progress of circular RNAs in the regulation of endocrine diseases to better understand the biological mechanisms underlying endocrine diseases.

OBJECTIVETo compare the changes of nucleus pulposus after in vitro culture of rabbit whole intervertebral disc and spinal motion segment.

METHODSTwenty-one New Zealand white rabbits which were randomly divided into organ group with 8 rabbits and segment group with 13 rabbits. Fifty intervertebral discs and 50 spinal motion segments were harvested respectively under aseptic conditions from two groups. These specimens were maintained in organ culture with hyperosmotic media (410 mOsm/kg), then 10 discs of the two groups were observed respectively by HE staining, immunohistochemistry of collagen type III, proteoglycan content and cells viability of nucleus pulposus before culture and at 3, 7, 14, 21 days after culture.

RESULTSHE staining showed the intervertebral disc tissue structure remained intact after culture of 21 days organ group and 14 days segment group,but there was severely degenerated of 21 days segment group. The intensity value of type II collagen immunohistochemical staining in the nucleus pulposus were not changed significantly between 21 days organ group and 14 days segment group (P > 0.05), but the staining of segment group at 21 days became shallower, there was significant difference compared with before each time points and organ group at 21 days (P < 0.05). PAS/AB staining of proteoglycan of nucleus pulposus showed that there were not decrease of tinting strength of two groups within 7 days, but the strength weakened slightly of two groups at 14 days, and the tinting strength became weaker at 21 days segment group, the change is more obvious than the organ group. The intensity value of fluorescence staining of nucleus pulposus cells was not changed significantly within 7 days of two groups (P > 0.05), the intensity value decreased slightly at 21 days organ group and 14 days segment group, but there were no significant difference compared with before time points (P > 0.05) however at 21 days segment group the intensity decreased as cells viability of nucleus pulposus decreased,and there was a significant difference compared with before each time points and organ group at 21 days (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONIt is not obviously degenerated of the discs of organ group cultured within 21 days and segment group cultured within 14 days, but there was significant degeneration of the intervertebral disc of segment group after cultured 21 days, so the rabbit spinal motion segment can be used on research about the biomechanics of intervertebral disc as a vitro experimental model within 14 days.

Animals ; Collagen Type II ; analysis ; Female ; Immunohistochemistry ; Intervertebral Disc ; chemistry ; pathology ; Male ; Organ Culture Techniques ; Rabbits

Objective To study the sonographic features of mammary sclerosing adenosis (SA) and evaluate the diagnositic value of ultrasound. Methods Thirty-ifve patients with pathologically conifrmed SA in Ruijin Hospital from May 2009 to August 2013 were retrospectively analyzed. The Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS) lexicon was introduced to describe the lesions. The diagnostic sensitivity was analyzed. Results The main sonographic ifndings of SA could be characterized into three types:(1) malignancy-looking nodule type (typeⅠ) (34%, 12/35). (2) benignity-looking nodule type (typeⅡ) (43%, 5/35). (3) architectural disorder type (typeⅢ) (23%, 8/35). Lack of blood supply has the greatest value in differential diagnosis among all sonographic features. The diagnositic sensitivity in typeⅠ, typeⅡ, typeⅢwere 0 (0/12), 93%(14/15), and 75%(6/8) respectively. The general sensitivity was only 57%(20/35). Conclusions There are no typical sonographic features in mammary sclerosing adenosis. Ultrasound doctors should improve their knowledge about this disease.

Objective To observe CT features of ovarian thecofibroma and the clinical significance.Methods CT manifestations, clinical data and pathological diagnosis of 12 cases of ovarian thecofibroma proved by pathology were retrospectively analysed.Results The CT manifestation of ovarian thecofibroma was typical,which was showed as following:on one side of the attachment area tumor,single,ovoid or class circular shape,most boundary clear,equal or slightly low density solid masses,internal or boundary ar-ea accompanied by a small amount low density area,mild delay enhancement in solid ingredients or no obvious enhancement.Conclu-sion CT examination is important for qualitative diagnosis of ovarian thecofibroma and finding complications.

BACKGROUND:Posterior maleolar fracture is an important factor affecting the prognosis of ankle fractures. Posterior maleolar fracture often caused by high energy trauma. Using what kind of fixation and fixation materials biomechanics, and how to embed has become a current research hotspot. OBJECTIVE:To compare the clinical outcomes of different fixation materials on posterior maleolar fracture, and analyze the effect of different fixation methods on biomechanical outcome of posterior maleolar fracture fixation, so as to provide a basis and reference of selecting the best fixation for the clinical treatment of ankle fracture. METHODS: The relevant literature included by PubMed database and the China National Knowledge database from the year of 1976 to 2015 were retrieved by the first author through computer. English key words are “Ankle fracture; internal fixation; biomechanics; biocompatibility”, Chinese language search terms are “posterior maleolar fracture; internal fixation; biomechanics; biocompatibility”. Summarize the most commonly used metal fixation materials and absorbable content materials. The clinical commonly used metal fixation materials including bone plate and screws, absorbable fixation materials such as biodegradable material polylactic acid, polyethylene plastic ester, polylactide gum ester, etc. The biomechanical properties were analyzed. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The new locking screw can withstand more buckling and shear force. Lag screw has a tapping action, and the puling was stronger after tapping, but for patients with osteoporosis, the pressure effect of screw on fracture fragments was limited, the strength was not enough, at this time, locking plate should be used. Locking plate has a greater stability and higher confrontational feature to bending stress, less likely to pul out. Steel coupling screw provides better stability. To avoid secondary removing of the fixation, stress protection after fixation and other shortcomings after the metal material fixation fracture healing, the strength of the absorbable fixation material made by biodegradable material polylactic acid, polyvinyl acetate glue and polypropylene plastic ester after high temperature and pressure processing was increased. Absorbable fixation material may overcome the adverse effects associated with metal fixation, such as imageological examination, secondary implant removal. These results show that the mechanical properties of the absorbable screws are more closer to human bone, no surrounding bone vulnerability due to stress shields, no osteoporosis occurs, and can degrade in the body, but its fixation strength is stil less than the traditional fixed screw and bone plate. We should choose a suitable fixation material according to the forces of fracture site and the size of the fracture fragments.

Objective To determine the relationship between serum soluble Klotho (sKL) level and adverse outcome in maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) patients.Methods One hundred and twenty nine cases of MHD patients were collected prospectively.Serum sKL was detected by ELISA.Abdomen lateral plain was used as a criterion to determine the abdominal aortic calcification.The abdominal aortic calcification score (AAC) was calculated.Cox regression analysis was used to determine the risk factor of cardiovascular death (CVD) in MHD patients.Kaplan-Meier showed the relationship between sKL and CVD in MHD patients.Results There were 27 cases (20.9％) of allcause death and 19 cases (14.7％) of cardiovascular death.The median sKL was 612.6(379.2-816.6) nig/L,and log[iPTH] was an independent factor of sKL concentration.Low sKL had high AAC and CVD death rate.Kaplan-Meier method showed that the all-cause death rate was similar between two groups,and CVD death rate increased significantly in low sKL patients (P=0.036).Cox regression indicated that lower sKL level was associated with high CVD death rate [OR=0.352,95％CI(0.127-0.977),P=0.045].After adjustment for the general condition,biochemical indicators,the relationship still existed [OR=0.331,95％ CI (0.117-0.933),P=0.037].In no or mild vascular calcification patients (AAC ≤4),compared with high sKL patients,low sKL patients had no significant difference rate in all-cause mortality.The CVD mortality was significantly higher in high sKL (P=0.035) compared with low sKL.In severe calcification group (AAC ＞ 4),all-cause death and CVD death rates were similar between different sKL groups (P=0.991 and 0.522,respectively).Conclusions Lower sKL has the high CVD death rate and sKL level decreasing is an independent risk factor for CVD death in MHD patients.The lower sKL concentration in MHD patients with no or mild calcification may predict CVD mortality.This study suggests that sKL levels may be helpful in predicting the outcome of patients with MHD.