Objective To investigate the lesion of podocyte and the expression of renal integrin-hnked kinase (ILK) in a diet-induced hyperlipidemic model of rats. Methods Thirty-six 6-8 week-old female Wistar rats were randomly assigned into three groups, high-fat diet group, rats in each group were sacrificed at the 4th and 10th week respectively. The levels of serum cholesterol and triglyceride were determined by enzymic method. The morphology of podocyte was observed and photographed with electron microscope. The expression of ILK mRNA was determined by RT-PCR. The expressions of ILK and desmin protein were determined by Western blot analysis. The distribution of ILK in renal tissue was examined by immunohistochemieal staining. Results Levels of serum cholesterol and triglyceride, the expression of desmin, renal ILK mRNA and protein, as well as the foot process effacement were significantly up-regulated in both high-fat diet group and simvastatin group as compared with control group. However, all of the above parameters were ameliorated in simvastatin group as compared with high-fat diet group (P<0.01). ILK was mainly expressed in glomendar podocytes and renal tubular cells by immunohistochemical staining, and its change was similar to the results detected by Western blot analysis in each group. A positive correlation was found between ILK protein expression and desmin expression in renal tissue(r=0.93107, R2=0.8669, P<0.01). Conclusions Podocyte lesion can be induced by high-fat diet, which is correlated with over-expression of renal ILK. Simvastatin may play an important role in protecting against podocyte injury induced by hyperlipoidemia, properly through down-regulating ILK expression in renal tissue.

Objective To study the reliability and validity of the Chinese version of the dynamic occupational therapy cognitive assessment for children (DOTCA-Ch).Methods The English version of the DOTCA-Ch was translated into Chinese. One hundred and nine students from the city of Jiamusi were assessed with the Chinese Binet intelligence test and the DOTCA-Ch. Intra-class correlation coefficients (ICCs) were used in inter-rater and intra-rater reliability assessments. Cronbach's alpha coefficient was used to assess internal consistency. Factor analysis was used to assess construct validity. Pearson correlation coefficients were used in assessing criterion-related validity. Results The total ICC of the DOTCA-Ch was 0. 892. Cronbach's alpha coefficients for the subtests were orientation 0. 713 ; spatial perception 0. 793 ; praxis 0. 850 ; visuomotor construction 0. 844 and thinking operations 0. 630. The ICC for intra-rater reliability was 0. 991 and for inter-rater reliability it was 0. 989. Using the Binet intelligence test as a benchmark, the Pearson correlation coefficient between the IQ values and the total DOTCA-Ch scores was 0. 872 for 6 year-olds, but 0. 870 for 11 and 12 yearolds. Factor analysis revealed an acceptable set of 5 common factors. Their cumulative contribution was 67％.Conclusions The Chinese version of the DOTCA-Ch is reliable and valid. It can be used as an effective measuring tool to evaluate children's cognitive functioning.

Objective To prospectively observe the changes of amplitude-integrated electroencephalogram(aEEG) in neonates with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE).Methods Thirty-five HIE neonates with gestational age of 37 ～ 41 weeks were chosen as HIE group,and all of them were hospitalized in neonatal intensive care unit of Bethune International Peace Hospital from Aug 2011 to Jan 2012.At the same time,40 healthy term neonates were chosen as control group.aEEG monitoring was done within 24 ～ 48 hours after birth with cerebral function monitor (CF3000) and each recording last at least 8 hours.The continuity,sleep-wake cycle,voltage of every aEEG tracing were analyzed.Results (1) The maximal voltage of aEEG tracing in control group was 30 μV,while that in HIE group was 16 μV.The minimal voltage of aEEG tracing in control group was 13 μV,while that in HIE group was 7 μV.The aEEG tracing amplitude both in highest and lowest in HIE group were significantly lower than those in the control group.There were significant differences between them (P ＜ 0.05).(2) There was significant difference of sleep-wake cycling between HIE group and control group[20％ (7/35) vs 100％ (40/40),x2 =51.064,P ＜ 0.05].While there was also significant difference of the continuity of the amplitude between HIE group and control group[31％ (11/35)vs 100％ (40/40),x2 =40.336,P ＜0.05].Conclusion aEEG has some specific changes in neonates with HIE,possiblility it can be used for earlier predicting the occurrence of brain damage after asphyxia and provides good evidence for the early diagnosis and treatment of HIE.

Objective To study the clinic value of brain edema detected by ultrasound examination in high risk term infants. Meth-ods The study group included 140 term infants who were found having brain edema in cranial ultrasound examinations. 152 term infants with normal ultrasound scan were selected as a control group. The risk factors of brain edema were collected, and univariate analysis and multivariate logistic regression analysis were performed. Results (1) There was no difference of incidence of brain edema between the infants with or without maternal ill historys, fetal distress or hypoalbuminemia, with P > 0.05. (2) In the univariate regression model, as-phyxia,hypoxic -ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) ,ventilation and metabolic acidosis were associated with an increased risk of brain ede-ma. In the multivariate logistic regression model, HIE was associated with a greater risk of brain edema and ventilation was possibly asso-ciated with brain edema. Conclusion Brain edema detected by ultrasound examination in high risk term infants has close relationship with HIE. It suggest that there is a consistency between ultrasound results and clinic situation. The detection of brain edema by ultrasound can assist doctor in clinic practice.

Objective To explore the clinical significance of the serum brain?derived neurotrophic factor( BDNF) level in severe neonatal hyperbilirubinemia. Methods One hundred and twenty term and birth weight>2500 g infants admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of Bethune nternational Peace Hospital of People Liberation Army were divided into severe hyperbilirubinemia group and control group according to their total bilirubin concentration. Total bilirubin( TBIL) concentration,BDNF and albumin in serum were determined in two groups. In addition, craniocerebral MRI was performed in severe neonatal hyperbilirubinemia before discharge. The correlation of the BDNF, TBIL, B/A, MRI results between severe hyperbilirubinemia group and control group were compared. Results The serum BDNF levels in severe hyperbilirubinemia group was ( 8. 84 ±3. 26) μg/L,significantly higher than that in control group((6. 24±1. 71) μg/L,t=3. 88,P<0. 05). In severe hyperbilirubinemia group,BDNF level was positively correlated with B/A level(r=0. 429,P<0. 05),but there was no correlation between BDNF and total bilirubin level(r=0. 278,P>0. 05). The serum BDNF level with craniocerebral MRI abnormal was ( 9. 53 ± 2. 77 ) μg/L, higher than that with craniocerebral MRI abnormal ((7. 81±3. 76) μg/L),but there was no statistical difference between them(t=1. 439,P>0. 05). Conclusion In severe neonatal hyperbilirubinemia, the body can secrete BDNF increasely. BDNF level is positivelycorrelated with B/ A level. As a marker of brain damage,BDNF is sensitive than craniocerebral MRI.

Objectives To investigate the clinical characteristics of hypoglycemic brain damage, and to assess the ifndings of amplitude-integrated electroencephalography (aEEG) and its predictive value in hypoglycemic brain damage. Methods Twenty-four neonates diagnosed with hypoglycaemia were selected. 12-hour continuous aEEG recordings were performed on the day when hypoglycaemia was diagnosed and second aEEG tracings was performed on the same day or the day after. The variability of aEEG background, appearance of sleep-wake cycling, bandwidth span and amplitude of lower border were analysed and compared with the results of brain MRI. Results Different degrees of epileptic seizures were found in neonates with severe hypoglycemic brain damage and were persisted after the blood sugar was corrected. aEEG in hypoglycemic brain damage was characterized by calyptriform or jagged epileptiform activity, disappearance of the sleep-wake cycle, but little impact on amplitude of lower border and bandwidth span. The recovery of sleep-wake cycle was a sign of brain function recovery. The aEEG and MRI had a good consistency in monitoring the hypoglycemic brain damage. Conclusions aEEG have signiifcant changes in hypoglycemic brain damage and can be used to monitor dynamically hypo-glycemic brain damage.

AIM: In this research, the apoptosis mechanism in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) exposed to increasingly high Hcy concentrations was investigated by examining the intracellular signaling pathways. METHODS: HUVEC were cultured and pretreated with Hcy. Twenty-four h after Hcy treatment, cell apoptosis was detected by Annexin V and DNA ladder analysis. Caspase3 and c-IAP1/2 mRNA expression were examined using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and protein expression detected by Western blotting. The activation of caspase 3 was measured with the specific substrate DEVD-AMC. RESULTS: Hcy (0.3 mmol/L) induced apoptosis of HUVEC. Caspase 3 mRNA and protein expressions increased and activation enhanced with the concentration of increasing Hcy, but c-IAP2 mRNA and protein expression decreased. CONCLUSION: Hcy induces apoptosis of HUVEC in vivo by activating caspase 3 and inhibiting protein c-IAP-2 mRNA and protein expression.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the allergens in patients with allergic rhinitis in Yichang, so that to find common allergens of Yichang and to provide statistic basis for a reasonable prevention and treatment to allergic rhinitis. METHOD: 1,979 patients with allergic rhinitis in Yichang were detected for allergens by skin prick test and the distribution of positive rates to inhaled allergens was compared between different genders and ages. RESULT: 1,545 (78.1%) of 1,979 suspected allergic rhinitis patients presented positive reaction. The positive rate in male was significantly higher than in female, and that in juvenile group was significantly higher than in adults. Among positive cases in inhalation group, the most common allergen was flour mite (80.4%), followed by house dust mite (64.9%), cockroach (13.3%) and artemisia pollen (8.2%). CONCLUSION The study shows that the flour mite and house dust mite are the most common inhaled allergens causing allergic rhinitis in Yichang. We should pay more attention to the prevention and treatment for the juvenile patients.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Allergens ; immunology ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; China ; epidemiology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Rhinitis, Allergic ; diagnosis ; epidemiology ; immunology ; Skin Tests ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the epidemiological features in patients with allergic rhinitis (AR) in Yichang city, and put forward effective prevention and control measures. METHOD: Collecting the data of allergic rhinitis in city proper from 2010 to 2013, input the data into the database and used statistical analysis. RESULT: In recent years, the AR patients in this area increased year by year. The spring and the winter were the peak season of onset. The patients was constituted by young men. There was statistically significant difference between the age, the area,and the gender (P < 0.01). The history of allergy and the diseases related to the gender composition had statistical significance difference (P < 0.05). The allergens and the positive degree in gender, age structure had statistically significant difference (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION Need to conduct the healthy propaganda and education, optimizing the environment, change the bad habits, timely medical treatment, standard treatment.
Allergens ; China ; epidemiology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Rhinitis, Allergic ; epidemiology ; Seasons