Adult ; Humans ; Lead Poisoning, Nervous System ; etiology ; Male

AIM: To investigate the expression of the nephrin in podocyte of the diabetic nephropathy(DN) rats and the mechanism of irbesartan-induced renal protection.METHODS: The DN model was established by a single injection of streptozotocin(STZ),and DN rats were randomly divided into 2 groups: model group and irbesartan treatment group.In addition,the normal rats served as a normal control group. All the rats were received daily gavage respectively for 8 weeks. The urinary protein quality in 24 hours,body weight(BW),kidney weight (KW),KW/BW,glucemia,urea nitrogen,creatinine,total cholesterol, triacylglycerol were detected with correlative methods and the pathological changes of kidney were also detected with optic microscope and transmission electron microscope.The expression of nephrin in podocyte were detected by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: In DN rats, irbesartan reduced the urinary protein quality in 24 hours (P

Objective To investigate the effects of different intensity of wide band noise on acoustic stapedius reflex amplitude in sound field. Methods Acoustical reflex amplitude(at ART+10 dB)were obtained at three fre-quencies (1,2, 4 kHz) from 80 normally hearing subjects with wide band noise at 30,40,50 and 60 dB SL in sound field. Results Acoustical reflex amplitude was significantly decreased in the presence of wide band noise (P 0. 01). The most significant decrease of acoustic reflex amplitude could be observed in the present of 40 dB SL wide band noise. In comparison with the 1 kHz group, significant decrease was found in 2 kHz group and 4 kHz group(P <0. 01),but there was no difference between the 2 kHz group and 4 kHz group(P>0.05). Conclusion Since the decrease of the acoustic stapedius reflex amplitude is mediated by the auditory efferent system in sound field, in clini-cal practice the function of the auditory efferents can be evaluated by testing the change of acoustic stapedius reflex amplitude with the stimulation of the wide band noise in sound field.

BACKGROUND:Until now, little has been reported on establishment of pancreatic stem cell strains and lines,and the purification of pancreatic stem cells is difficult since the cell line establish rate is low.OBJECTIVE:To explore a more rational and effective technique of in vitro separation and continuous passage of pancreatic stem cells, with the hope to establish cell strains and even cell lines and to lay the foundation for the follow-up study of pancreatic stem cells in the treatment of diabetes.METHODS:Firstly, Percoll discontinuous density gradient centrifugation method was applied to separate the mouse pancreatic endocrine portion from the exocrine portion, then to obtain cell strains with highly proliferative ability and low differentiation from pancreatic endocrine portion-the islet. We used mouse embryonic fibroblasts treated with mitomycin C as a feeder layer, for in vitro continuous culture of islet-derived pancreatic stem cells under feeder layer conditions until they were transferred to the 30th passage to establish cell lines. Then pancreatic stem cell line derived from pancreatic islet was detected and identified by a series of tests including growth characteristic test, morphological observation, related molecular marker identification and differentiation characteristic identification.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:In the continuous process of passage, pancreatic stem cells showed active proliferative ability, and maintained the typical morphological characteristics of stem cells and expression of pancreatic stem cell marker-Nestin. After induction, pancreatic stem cells showed insulin gene expression,reflecting their differentiation potential. Therefore, under the condition of feeder layer, the pancreatic stem cell line derived from Kunming mice was successfully established and the related identification was completed,which lays the foundation for the following research.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the clinical significance of umbilical activin A in preterm infants.

METHODSForty-one preterm infants (gestation 28 to 36 weeks) were enrolled. Fetal membranes, umbilical cords and blood samples from umbilical vein were obtained. Umbilical activin A level was measured using ELISA. The histological examinations of fetal membranes and umbilical cords were performed.

RESULTSThe umbilical level of activin A averaged 2069 pg/mL in the 41 preterm infants. The umbilical activin A level in the 5 infants with intrauterine infection was higher than in those without intrauterine infection (2510 pg/mL vs 1975 pg/mL; P<0.01). Umbilical activin A level at cutoff of 2490 pg/mL showed a sensitivity of 80.0% and a specificity of 90.6% as a marker of intrauterine infection. There were no significant differences in the umbilical activin A level between the infants with and without respiratory distress syndrome. Umbilical activin A level was positively correlated with the duration of postnatal oxygen therapy (r=0.326, P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSUmbilical activin A may serve a marker of intrauterine infection in preterm infants. The umbilical activin A level is correlated with the duration of postnatal oxygen therapy.

Activins ; blood ; Chorioamnionitis ; blood ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Female ; Fetal Blood ; chemistry ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Infant, Premature ; blood ; Male ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Complications, Infectious ; blood

Objective To evaluate the therapeutic efficacy and safety of endoscopic sphincterotomy (EST) combined with large balloon dilation for bile duct stones.Methods A total of 83 patients with common bile duct stones were randomly divided into 2 groups to receive standard EST (n =41,EST group) or EST plus large balloon dilation (n =42,EPLBD group),respectively.The number of endoscopic session,operation time,rates of successful complete stone retrieval,mechanical lithotripsy,and procedure related complication were compared between the two groups.Results The rate of early procedure-related complications was similar in 2 groups (9/41 vs.7/42,P ＞0.05),including perforation ( 1/41 vs.0/42,P ＞0.05),bleeding (5/41 vs.2/42,P＞0.05) and pancreatitis (3/41 vs.5/42,P＞0.05).The rate of successful complete stone removal was also similar in 2 groups (39/41 vs.41/42,P ＞ 0.05 ).However,EST group needed more procedure time (38.8 ±4.3 min vs.29.2 ±5.3 min,P ＜0.01 ) and use of mechanical lithotripsy to achieve complete stone removal (9/41 vs.2/42,P ＜ 0.05 ).Only one patient in EPLBD group ( 1/42,2.4％ ) needed a second ERCP to clear bile duct stone,while in EST group,8 patients underwent a second procedure ( 19.5％,P ＜ 0.05 ).Conclusion For endoscopic removal of common bile duct stones,EST combined with larg4e balloon dilation is as safe and effective as EST,while easier in manipulation.

Objective To investigate immunological relationship between early induction of food allergy and occurrence of later asthma in mice, and explore the pathological changes in lung tissues. Methods Thirty-seven female BALB/c mice aged 6 weeks were randomly divided into blank control group ( n = 12), food allergy group ( n = 13) and asthma group (n = 12). After being challenged by ovalbumin (OVA), the levels of serum IgE, IL-4 and INF-γ in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid ( BALF) were detected. The numbers of inflammatory cells and eosinophils ( EOS) in BALF were counted. Lung tissues were obtained for pathological sections, and thickness of bronchial wall and EOS infiltration were observed. Results The level of serum IgE and level of IL-4, ratio of IL-4/IFN-γ and number of EOS in BALF in food allergy group and asthma group were significantly higher than those in control group (P <0.05). The level of IL-4 and number of EOS in BALF in asthma group were significantly higher than those in food allergy group (P <0.05) , while there was no significant difference in serum IgE level between these two groups (P > 0.05), and levels of IFN-7 in BALF in both groups were significantly lower than that in blank control group (P<0.05). There were more EOS infiltration in lung tissues and thicker bronchial wall in food allergy group and asthma group than that in blank control group (P < 0.05), and the number of EOS in asthma group was significantly higher than that in food allergy group ( P < 0.05). Conclusion IgE-mediated immune response is involved in both food allergy and asthma mouse models. Lung immune imbalance of Thl/Th2 and inflammatory cell infiltration caused by food allergy may participate in the occurrence of later asthma.

BACKGROUND:Vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty for osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures can result in many complications, such as bone cement leakage and adjacent-level fractures.
OBJECTIVE:To verify the possibility of biodegradable mesh-like microporous polymer bal oon for the treatment of osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures.
METHODS:Biodegradable mesh-like microporous P(DLLA-CL) bal oons were fabricated by electrospinning technique. Coated bal oons with the same specification was fabricated by coating P(DLLA-CL) onto the same mould. Morphology of the bal oons was observed by scanning electron microscopy. The bal oon leakage was observed by eyes after the injection of water or cement. The initial strength and stiffness were measured by a universal testing machine. The proliferation of MC3T3-E1 cel s on the bal oons was determined by laser confocal microscope and cel counting kit-8 assays. The biodegradation of bal oons in simulated body fluid, porcine pancreatic lipase, and fresh human serum was studied by residual weighing and scanning electron microscopy observation. Burst pressure of bal oons was measured after the bal oon was placed into a hole in the vertebral bone. For the in vitro calcium release tests, the bal oons were fil ed with calcium cement, tied, placed into 6atm ultrapure water, and then the calcium concentration was regularly determined.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Mesh-like microporous bal oons presented with good fiber morphology, thickness distribution, and the presence of pores;on the coated bal oon surface, there was absence of specific morphology and porosity. Compared with the coated bal oon, the mesh-like microporous bal oon showed better mechanical properties, liquid permeability and burst pressure, to prevent leakage of bone cement and promote osteoblast adhesion and proliferation. In addition, the degradation of the mesh-like microporous bal oons was more uniform and stable than the coated bal oons, which may increase the calcium concentration in the injured vertebrae and wil be beneficial to the new bone growth and fracture healing.

Objective To investigate the diagnostic value of seven tumour-associated autoantibodies,including p53,PGP9.5,SOX2,GAGE7,GBU4-5,MAGE A1 and CAGE autoantibodies,in the newly diagnosed patients with lung cancer.Methods A total of 108 patients with newly diagnosed lung cancer,120 with benign lung diseases,227 with other cancers and 96 healthy controls were enrolled in the study.Their serum levels of seven autoantibodies were detected by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).The ROC curve was drawn and used to analyze their diagnostic efficiency for lung cancer.The diagnostic value of the combination of seven autoantibodies in different groups was also compared.Results The serum levels of seven autoantibodies in lung cancer patients were significantly higher than those in the patients with benign lung diseases or other cancers and healthy controls (P ＜ 0.05).The sensitivity,specificity and AUCROc of the combination of seven autoantibodies in the preliminary diagnosis of lung cancer were 62.00％,89.80％ and 0.769,respectively,and its sensitivity and AUCROC were higher than those of single autoantibody.The positive rate of the combination of seven autoantibodies in lung cancer patients was significantly higher than those in healthy controls (x2 =50.885,P ＜ 0.01) and the patients with benign lung diseases (x2 =56.341,P ＜ 0.01) or other cancers (x2 =46.812,P ＜ 0.01).Conclusion The combination detection of seven autoantibodies,including p53,PGP9.5,SOX2,GAGE7,GBU4-5,MAGE A1 and CAGE,may serve as potential markers for the diagnosis of lung cancer.

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of blood activating water relieving method (BAWRM) on heart functions and serum levels of NT-proBNP in patients with heart failure with normal ejection fraction (HFNEF).

METHODSSixty-four HFNEF patients were admitted to our hospital during January 2011 to June 2012. They were randomly assigned to the treatment group (32 cases) and the control group (32 cases). Patients in the control group received routine Western medical treatment, while those in the treatment group additionally took Chinese medical recipes for activating blood circulation and relieving water retention. Changes of Chinese medical syndromes, E/E', serum NT-proBNP contents were observed between the two groups.

RESULTSCompared with before treatment, their Chinese medical syndromes and E/E' were significantly improved, and serum NT-proBNP contents decreased in the two groups (P < 0.05). Compared with the control group, Chinese medical syndromes, E/E', serum NT-proBNP contents obviously decreased in the treatment group, showing statistical difference (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONBAWRM was an effective way to improve the diastolic function of HFNEF patients and lower the serum level of NT-proBNP with confirmative efficacy.

Aged ; Female ; Heart Failure ; blood ; drug therapy ; physiopathology ; Humans ; Male ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; methods ; Middle Aged ; Natriuretic Peptide, Brain ; blood ; Peptide Fragments ; blood ; Stroke Volume