Digital polymerase chain reaction(dPCR)is a PCR technology that realizes accurate quantification of single-copy nucleic acid molecules by dividing the reaction system into tens of thousands of independent PCR reaction units for single-molecule-level amplification and integrating Poisson distribution.Due to its single-copy sensitivity and accurate quantification without the need of standard curves,dPCR has been widely used in disease diagnosis.By introducing technologies such as stepped emulsification and three-dimensional imaging,dPCR has been greatly improved in terms of accuracy,multiplexability and turnaround time,significantly enhancing its performance in clinical disease diagnosis.Based on this,this paper traced the technological development history of dPCR,gave an overview of its application in detection of tumors,infections and other diseases,and further discussed the challenges and opportunities of the development of dPCR,with the aim of providing a reference for the development and utilization of dPCR in the future,and promoting the high-quality development of molecular technology in clinical testing.

Objective:To explore the effect of high glucose-based peritoneal dialysis fluids on NLRP3-IL-1β in human peritoneal mesothelial cells.Methods:HMrSV5 cells (SV40 immortalized human peritoneal mesothelial cell line) were grown in type Ⅰ collagen-coated dishes in DMEM/F12 containing 10％ fetal calf serum (FCS).All experiments on HMrSV5 cells were performed between passages 5 and 10.The cells were divided into 7 groups:control,1.5％ dextrose,2.5％ dextrose,4.25％ dextrose,rotenone,thenoyltrifluoroacetone (TTFA),and antimycin A.Immunoblotting was used to evaluate the expression of IL-1 β.Small interfering RNA (siRNA) targeting NLRP3 was used to downregulate the expression of NLRP3 and Western blot was used to evaluate the expression of IL-1 β in human peritoneal mesothelial cells exposed to 4.25％ dextrose.In the meanwhile,resveratrol (RSV) was used to induce autophagy,3-methyladenine (3-MA) and siRNA against Beclin 1 or ATG5 were used to block autophagy,flow cytometric was used to analyze the respiring (mitotracker deep red),total (mitotracker green) and reactive oxygen species (ROS)-generating mitochondria (mitoSOX);Western blot was used to evaluate the expression of IL-1β.Results:The IL-1β relative expressions were 0,0.175 ±0.082,0.418 ± 0.163,2.357 ±0.288,2.642 ±0.358,3.271 ±0.462,and 0.123 ±0.091,indicating that the cells exposed to high glucose-based peritoneal dialysis fluids and cells treated with mitochondria respiratory chain key enzyme complex Ⅰ,and complex Ⅲ inhibitors increased the IL-1β expression.And we found that NLRP3 knock-down significantly blocked the upregulation of IL-1 β.In addition,the fluorescence intensity of total mitochondria and ROS-generating mitochondria in the following groups:control,negative control,RSV,3-MA,ATG5 siRNA,Beclin1 siRNA were 1.76 ± 0.42,1.83 ± 0.55,1.85 ± 0.62,7.36 ± 0.92,5.35 ± 0.77,5.06 ± 0.62 and 821.68 ± 95.12,868.15 ± 102.82,723.39 ± 92.56,1 660.08 ± 113.65,1 433.01 ± 107.24,1 562.36 ± 112.88 respectively.The increased concentrations of mitochondrial ROS and IL-1β upregulation were confirmed in the inhibition but not the induction of autophagy.We also found that downregulation of ATG5 and Beclin1 sensitized cells for the release of IL-1β induced by MSU (monosodium urate) or nigericin which was the NLRP3 inflammasome activator.RSV treatment attentuated this effect.Conclusion:Long-term application of high glucose-based peritoneal dialysis fluids can trigger the consistent activation of NLRP3-IL-1ββ in peritoneal mesothelial cells.Timely initiation of autophagy may block the NLRP3-IL-1ββ activation and provide a basis for the further development of a potential therapeutic strategy for delay of chronic inflammation and peritoneal fibrosis associated with peritoneal dialysis.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the expression profile of interleuki-1β (IL-1β) in rat myocardium at different time points during hypoxia/reoxygenation(H/R)transition.

METHODSThe isolated Langendorff perfused rat heart model was established.Forty SD rats were randomly divided into sham group (A group) and hypoxia/reoxygenation group (H/R group). The H/R group rats were subdivided into H/R 0.5 h group(B group), H/R 1 h group(C group), H/R 2 h group(D group)according to reoxygenation time. The left ventricular development pressure(LVDP), maximal rates of increase/decrease of the left ventricular pressure(±dp/dtmax) were continuously recorded. The concentration of interleukin-1β(IL-lβ) and creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB) in myocardium was measured by ELISA. The mRNA expression of IL-lβ in myocardium was determined by RT-PCR. Microstructure of myocardium was observed under light microscopy.

RESULTSThe value of LVDP and ±dp/dtmax in hypoxia/reoxygenation group rat were significantly lower than that in sham group(P < 0.05). The expression of IL-lβ and CK-MB at protein level and the expression of IL-1β at mRNA level in hypoxia /reoxygenation group were higher than that in sham group(P < 0. 05). There were significant differences of the above parameters among H/R 0.5 h, 1 h, 2 h group(P <0.05). The concentration of IL-1β and CK-MB, the mRNA expression of IL-1β were higher in H/R 2 h group than that of other groups(P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe high expression of IL-Iβ in myocardium after myocardial hypoxia /reoxygenation in rats might lead to. ischemia/reperfusion injury.

Animals ; Creatine Kinase, MB Form ; metabolism ; Disease Models, Animal ; Hypoxia ; metabolism ; pathology ; Interleukin-1beta ; metabolism ; Myocardial Ischemia ; metabolism ; Myocardium ; metabolism ; pathology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

Objective To explore the effect of manidipine hydrochloride on kidney function in patients with hypertension. Methods One hundred and thirty -three hypertensive patients with renal dysfunction were randomly divided into treatment group ( n=73 ) and control group (n=60).Treatment group was treated with manidipine 10 mg? d-1,qd, and control group was treatment with amlodipine 5 mg? d-1 for 2 weeks. If the diastolic pressure≥90 mmHg after treatment, the manidipine in-creased to 20 mg? d-1 and amlodipine increased to 10 mg? d-1 .The trial lasts 13 weeks totally.The blood puressure, heart rate, blood creatinine and 24 h urinary protein of the two groups were observed. Results The blood pressure was significantly decreased in both groups (P<0.05).Heart rate was significantly reduced in treatment group ( P<0.05) , the average blood creatinine levels dropped to normal range, 24 h urinary protein didn′t decrease to normal, but significantly declined( P<0.05) , and the creatinine clearance rate had no significant difference.The creatinine and creatinine clearance rate were significantly difference compared with those before treatment in control group ( P<0.05) , the average of 24 h urinary protein excretion significantly increased compared with before treatment. Conclusion Manidipine hydrochloride presents a useful antihypertensive and renoprotective effect on mild -to -moderate essential hypertension with kidney dysfunction patients, with no heart inhibition.

In clinic, some urinary protein makers can dynamically and noninvasively reflect the degree of renal tubular injury in patients with diabetic nephropathy (DN). These urinary biomarkers of tubular damage are broadly divided into two categories. One is newfound, including kidney injury molecule-1 (Kim-1), neutrophil getatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL), liver-type fatty acid-binding protein (L-FABP) and cystatin C (CysC); the other one is classical, including beta2 microglobulin (beta2-MG), retinal binding protein (RBP) and N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase (NAG). It is reported that, the increases in urinary protein markers are not only closely related to the damage of tubular epithelial cells in DN patients, but also can be ameliorated by the treatment with Chinese herbal compound preparations or Chinese herbal medicine. Recently, although urinary proteomics are used in the protein separation and identification, the traditional associated detection of urinary protein markers is more practical in clinic. At present, it is possible that the associated detection of urinary biomarkers of glomerular and tubular damages may be a feasible measure to reveal the clinical significance of urinary protein markers in DN patients and the interventional effects of Chinese herbal medicine.
Biomarkers ; urine ; Diabetic Nephropathies ; complications ; drug therapy ; urine ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; methods ; Proteinuria ; complications

Objective To study on the relationship between the levels of homocysteine(HCY) ,folic acid and vitamin B12 and pregnancy-induced hypertension(PIH) in different pregnancies .Methods 539 pregnant women who registered for prenatal exami-nation of pregnant in the hospital were selected as research subjects .And there were 87 cases of PIH(PIH group) and 452 cases of normal pregnancy(normal pregnancy group) among them .The fasting blood samples were collected respectively in early pregnancy (8-10 weeks and 12-14 weeks of pregnancy) ,mid pregnancy(18 pregnancy weeks and 24 pregnancy weeks) ,and late pregnancy (30 pregnancy weeks and 36 pregnancy weeks) ,and the levels of HCY ,folic acid and vitamin B12 were measured .At the same time ,the supplements of folic acid and vitamin B12 and the incidence of PIH and birth defects were asked ,registered and checked . Results Compared with normal pregnancy group ,the serum HCY level of PIH group significantly increased in medium and late pregnancy periods (P<0 .05) ,and had no statistical significance in early pregnancy(P>0 .05) .In mid and late pregnancy periods , the serum HCY levels of PIH group and normal pregnant group negatively correlated with serum folic acid levels (r<0 ,P<0 .05) , and did not correlate with vitamin B12 levels (P>0 .05) .Conclusion In middle and late pregnancy periods ,if the serum HCY level of pregnant women increased ,the risk of PIH increased significantly .

Objective To assess and optimize the dosage regimens of nor-vancomycin in patients with different renal functions.Methods The minimum inhibitory concentration ( MIC ) distribution was determined by agar dilution method with the target value of AUC 0-24/MIC≥638.Ten thousand cases in virtue of Monte Carlo simulation were performed in dif-ferent doses to obtain probabilities of target attainment ( PTA) and cumu-lative fractions of response ( CFR ) in patients with different renal func-tions.Results For the patients with normal renal function , when En-terococcus faecium and Enterococcus faecalis were treated with recommen-ded dose , from 0.8 to 1.6 g· d-1 , the CFR were lower than 59.77%.The CFR could reach to 83.95%and 73.10%when the dose was adjus-ted to 2.5 g· d -1.For the patients with moderate renal function insuffi-ciency , the CFR could reach to 82.81% at the dose of 0.8 g · d -1 against Enterococcus faecalis.The CFR could reach from 73.10% to 86.84%at the dose from 0.8 to 2.5 g · d-1 in the process of treating Enterococcus faecium.For the patients with severe renal function insuffi-ciency , the CFR could reach to 97.77% and 85.90% respectively a-gainst Enterococcus faecalis and Enterococcus faecium.Conclusion Monte Carlo simulation provides dosage regimens and the norvancomycin regimen is complemented and optimized.

A total of 16 Taenia multiceps isolates collected from naturally infected sheep or goats in Gansu Province, China were characterized by sequences of mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (cox1) gene. The complete cox1 gene was amplified for individual T. multiceps isolates by PCR, ligated to pMD18T vector, and sequenced. Sequence analysis indicated that out of 16 T. multiceps isolates 10 unique cox1 gene sequences of 1,623 bp were obtained with sequence variation of 0.12-0.68%. The results showed that the cox1 gene sequences were highly conserved among the examined T. multiceps isolates. However, they were quite different from those of the other Taenia species. Phylogenetic analysis based on complete cox1 gene sequences revealed that T. multiceps isolates were composed of 3 genotypes and distinguished from the other Taenia species.
Animals ; China ; Cluster Analysis ; Cysticercosis/parasitology/veterinary ; DNA, Helminth/chemistry/genetics/isolation & purification ; DNA, Mitochondrial/chemistry/genetics/isolation & purification ; Electron Transport Complex IV/*genetics ; *Genetic Variation ; Goat Diseases/parasitology ; Goats ; Phylogeny ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Protein Subunits/genetics ; Sequence Analysis, DNA ; Sheep ; Sheep Diseases/parasitology ; Taenia/*classification/genetics/*isolation & purification

BACKGROUNDData on the epidemiology of hypertension in Chinese non-dialysis chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients are limited. The aim of the present study was to investigate the prevalence, awareness, treatment, and control of hypertension in the non-dialysis CKD patients through a nationwide, multicenter study in China.

METHODSThe survey was performed in 61 tertiary hospitals in 31 provinces, municipalities, and autonomous regions in China (except Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan). Trained physicians collected demographic and clinical data and measured blood pressure (BP) using a standardized protocol. Hypertension was defined as systolic BP ≥ 140 mmHg and/or diastolic BP ≥ 90 mmHg, and/or use of antihypertensive medications. BP < 140/90 mmHg and < 130/80 mmHg were used as the 2 thresholds of hypertension control. In multivariate logistic regression with adjustment for sex and age, we analyzed the association between CKD stages and uncontrolled hypertension in non-dialysis CKD patients.

RESULTSThe analysis included 8927 non-dialysis CKD patients. The prevalence, awareness, and treatment of hypertension in non-dialysis CKD patients were 67.3%, 85.8%, and 81.0%, respectively. Of hypertensive CKD patients, 33.1% and 14.1% had controlled BP to < 140/90 mmHg and < 130/80 mmHg, respectively. With successive CKD stages, the prevalence of hypertension in non-dialysis CKD patients increased, but the control of hypertension decreased (P < 0.001). When the threshold of BP < 130/80 mmHg was considered, the risk of uncontrolled hypertension in CKD 2, 3a, 3b, 4, and 5 stages increased 1.3, 1.4, 1.4, 2.5, and 4.0 times compared with CKD 1 stage, respectively (P < 0.05). Using the threshold of < 140/90 mmHg, the risk of uncontrolled hypertension increased in advanced stages (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe prevalence of hypertension Chinese non-dialysis CKD patients was high, and the hypertension control was suboptimal. With successive CKD stages, the risk of uncontrolled hypertension increased.

Adult ; Aged ; Awareness ; Female ; Humans ; Hypertension ; complications ; epidemiology ; therapy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prevalence ; Renal Insufficiency, Chronic ; complications