ObjectiveTo investigate the therapeutic effect of antidiabetic drug canagliflozin （CGLZ） on adriamycin-induced nephrotic syndrome （NS） in rats， and the evaluation of contrast-enhanced ultrasound （CEUS） combined with color Doppler flow imaging （CDFI） during the treatment. MethodsA total of 56 male SD rats were randomly divided into normal group （NG）， model group （MG）， prednisone （PAT） group （PG）， low-dose single CGLZ group （LSCG）， high-dose single CGLZ group （HSCG）， low-dose CGLZ + PAT group （LUCG） and high-dose CGLZ + PAT group （HUCG）， with 8 rats in each group. The NS model in rats was induced by injecting adriamycin twice into the tail vein， and then the NS rats were treated by intragastric administration daily for 6 weeks with reference of PAT. Twenty-four hour urine total protein （24 h-UTP） was assessed one day before the start of oral administration and at the end of 2， 4 and 6 weeks after oral administration， respectively. CDFI and CEUS were performed on the right renal artery at the end of 6 weeks after oral administration， and the blood of abdominal aorta was taken for serological test the next day. ResultsCompared with those detection index of NG rats， the 24-hour UTP of MG rats increased （P＜0.01）， the serum ALB decreased and TG， TC， LDL increased （P＜0.01）， and CDFI shows that RRCT was thinner （P＜0.01） and the renal artery blood flow indicators RA-PI， RA-RI， RA-S/D all increased （P＜0.05）， and CEUS image shows that the TIC curve parameters TTP， AT， AUC all increased and DPI decrease in MG rats （P＜0.01）. After drug treatment， compared with those detection index of MG rats， 24 h-UTP decrease in LSCG after 2 weeks （P＜0.01）， and decrease significantly in all drug groups after 6 weeks （P＜0.01）； the serological test results show that the serum ALB in all CGLZ groups increased （P＜0.05）， TG decrease in LSCG （P＜0.01）， TC and LDL also decrease in LUCG after 6 weeks （P＜0.05）； CDFI shows that the RRCT thinning degree in all CGLZ is reduced （P＜0.01）， and the RA-PI in LSCG， RA-RI in PG， and RA-S/D in PG， LSCG， HSCG and LUCG rats all decreased （P＜0.05）； CEUS shows that the TTP， AT and AUC of renal TIC curve in drug treatment groups all decreased （P＜0.01）， and the DPI in PG， HSCG， LUCG and HUCG rats increased （P＜0.01）. ConclusionsCGLZ has the effect of treating NS， and the small dose is the best. CEUS combined with CDFI can be used to evaluate the renal morphology and hemodynamic changes of NS model rats before and after drug treatment， which is helpful to guide clinical application.

ObjectiveTo investigate the clinical effects of circumcision by surgical plane positioning with a disposable circumcision suture device in the treatment of phimosis and redundant prepuce.

METHODSFrom September 2016 to June 2017, we treated 250 patients with phimosis or redundant prepuce, 127 by conventional circumcision (the control group) and the other 123 by surgical plane positioning with a disposable circumcision suture device (the observation group). We compared the operation time, intra-operative bleeding, preputial frenulum alignment, postoperative ecchymosis, and postoperative penile appearance between the two groups of patients.

RESULTSCompared with the controls, the patients in the observation group showed significantly longer operation time (［4.48 ± 1.18］ vs ［7.17 ± 1.42］ min, P<0.05), lower rates of intra-operative frenulum bleeding (15.0% ［19/127］ vs 4.1% ［5/123］, P<0.05) and frenulum misalignment (26.8% ［34/127］ vs 0.8% ［1/123］, P<0.05), higher incidence of postoperative ecchymosis (41.7% ［53/127］ vs 21.1% ［26/123］, P<0.05), and higher satisfaction of the patients with the postoperative penile appearance (92.9% ［18/127］ vs 98.4% ［121/123］, P<0.05). However, no statistically significant difference was found between the control and observation groups in intra-operative non-frenulum bleeding (4.7% ［6/127］ vs 1.6% ［2/123］, P = 0.164).

CONCLUSIONSCircumcision by surgical plane positioning with a disposable circumcision suture device can effectively avoid preputial frenulum misalignment, reduce intra-operative bleeding, and improve postoperative penile appearance.

Circumcision, Male ; instrumentation ; Disposable Equipment ; Ecchymosis ; etiology ; Foreskin ; Humans ; Incidence ; Male ; Operative Time ; Penis ; abnormalities ; surgery ; Personal Satisfaction ; Phimosis ; surgery ; Postoperative Complications ; etiology ; Postoperative Period ; Suture Techniques ; instrumentation

BackgroundLipoxin A4 (LXA4) can alleviate lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced acute lung injury (ALI) and acute respiratory distress syndrome through promoting epithelial sodium channel (ENaC) expression in lung epithelial cells. However, how LXA4 promote ENaC expression is still largely elusive. The present study aimed to explore genes and signaling pathway involved in regulating ENaC expression induced by LXA4.

MethodsA549 cells were incubated with LPS and LXA4, or in combination, and analyzed by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) of ENaC-α/γ. Candidate genes affected by LXA4 were explored by transcriptome sequencing of A549 cells. The critical candidate gene was validated by qRT-PCR and Western blot analysis of A549 cells treated with LPS and LXA4 at different concentrations and time intervals. LXA4 receptor (ALX) inhibitor BOC-2 was used to test induction of candidate gene by LXA4. Candidate gene siRNA was adopted to analyze its influence on A549 viability and ENaC-α expression. Phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) inhibitor LY294002 was utilized to probe whether the PI3K signaling pathway was involved in LXA4 induction of candidate gene expression.

ResultsThe A549 cell models of ALI were constructed and subjected to transcriptome sequencing. Among candidate genes, N-myc downstream-regulated gene-1 (NDRG1) was validated by real-time-PCR and Western blot. NDRG1 mRNA was elevated in a dose-dependent manner of LXA4, whereas BOC-2 antagonized NDRG1 expression induced by LXA4. NDRG1 siRNA suppressed viability of LPS-treated A549 cells (treatment vs. control, 0.605 ± 0.063 vs. 0.878 ± 0.083, P = 0.040) and ENaC-α expression (treatment vs. control, 0.458 ± 0.038 vs. 0.711 ± 0.035, P = 0.008). LY294002 inhibited NDRG1 (treatment vs. control, 0.459 ± 0.023 vs. 0.726 ± 0.020, P = 0.001) and ENaC-α (treatment vs. control, 0.236 ± 0.021 vs. 0.814 ± 0.025, P < 0.001) expressions and serum- and glucocorticoid-inducible kinase 1 phosphorylation (treatment vs. control, 0.442 ± 0.024 vs. 1.046 ± 0.082, P = 0.002), indicating the PI3K signaling pathway was involved in regulating NDRG1 expression induced by LXA4.

ConclusionOur research uncovered a critical role of NDRG1 in LXA4 alleviation of LPS-induced A549 cell injury through mediating PI3K signaling to restore ENaC expression.

A549 Cells ; Acute Lung Injury ; metabolism ; Cell Cycle Proteins ; metabolism ; Cell Line ; Epithelial Sodium Channels ; metabolism ; Humans ; Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins ; metabolism ; Lipopolysaccharides ; pharmacology ; Lipoxins ; pharmacology ; Signal Transduction ; drug effects

OBJECTIVETo study the toxicity features of high glucose on the endothelial cell cycle and the influence of Dan Gua-Fang, a Chinese herbal compound prescription, on the reproductive cycle of vascular endothelial cells cultivated under a high glucose condition; to reveal the partial mechanisms of Dan Gua-Fang in the prevention and treatment of endothelial injury caused by hyperglycemia in diabetes mellitus (DM); and offer a reference for dealing with the vascular complications of DM patients with long-term high blood glucose.

METHODSBased on the previous 3-(4,5)-dimethylthiahiazo (z-y1)-3-5-diphenytetrazoliumromide (MTT) experiment, under different medium concentrations of glucose and Dangua liquor, the endothelial cells of vein-304 (ECV-304) were divided into 6 groups as follows: standard culture group (Group A, 5.56 mmol/L glucose); 1/300 herb-standard group (Group B); high glucose culture group (Group C, 16.67 mmol/L glucose); 1/150 herb-high glucose group (Group D); 1/300 herb-high glucose group (Group E); and 1/600 herb-high glucose group (Group F). The cell cycle was assayed using flow cytometry after cells were cultivated for 36, 72 and 108 h, respectively.

RESULTS(1) The percentage of cells in the G0/G1 phase was significantly increased in Group C compared with that in Group A (P<0.05), while the percentage of S-phase (S%) cells in Group C was significantly reduced compared with Group A (P<0.05); the latter difference was dynamically related to the length of growing time of the endothelial cells in a high glucose environment. (2) The S% cells in Group A was decreased by 30.25% (from 40.23% to 28.06%) from 36 h to 72 h, and 12.33% (from 28.06% to 24.60%) from 72 h to 108 h; while in Group C, the corresponding decreases were 23.05% and 21.87%, respectively. The difference of S% cells between the two groups reached statistical significance at 108 h (P<0.05). (3) The percentage difference of cells in the G2/M phase between Group C and Group A was statistically significant at 72 h (P<0.01). (4) 1/300 Dan Gua-Fang completely reversed the harmful effect caused by 16.67 mmol/L high glucose on the cell cycle; moreover it did not disturb the cell cycle when the cell was cultivated in a glucose concentration of 5.56 mmol/L.

CONCLUSIONSHigh glucose produces an independent impact on the cell cycle. Persistent blocking of the cell cycle and its arrest at the G0/G1 phase are toxic effects of high glucose on the endothelial cell cycle. The corresponding variation of the arrest appears in the S phase. 1/300 Dan Gua-Fang completely eliminates the blockage of high glucose on the endothelial cell cycle.

Cell Cycle ; drug effects ; physiology ; Cells, Cultured ; Culture Media ; pharmacology ; Cytoprotection ; drug effects ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Drug Evaluation, Preclinical ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Endothelial Cells ; drug effects ; physiology ; Flow Cytometry ; Glucose ; adverse effects ; Humans

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

OBJECTIVETo analyze the cytogenetic characteristics of different age subgroups in patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML), and to explore the relationship between age and cytogenetics.

METHODSBetween January 2004 and December 2011, Bone marrow (BM) samples from 640 patients with de novo AML were analyzed retrospectively. The analyses were performed according to standard culturing and banding techniques, and clonal abnormalities were defined and described according to the International System for Human Cytogenetic Nomenclature (ISCN 2009). The cytogenetic subtypes were performed as normal, balanced, and unbalanced karyotypes. In the last group, the age distribution of complex and monosome karyotypes were further analyzed. The patients were divided into 8 age groups: 0 - 9, 10 - 19, 20 - 29, 30 - 39, 40 - 49, 50 - 59, 60 - 69, and ≥ 70 year old groups.

RESULTSThe distribution of normal, balanced, and unbalanced karyotypes showed age specific characteristics. The incidence of normal karyotype increased from 6.67% (0 ∼ 9 year old) to 58.33% (≥ 70) (χ(2) = 20.68, P = 0.001) and balanced karyotype decreased from 73.33% (0 ∼ 9) to 11.11% (≥ 70) (χ(2) = 48.22, P < 0.01). The frequency of unbalanced karyotypes increased from 20.0% (0 ∼ 9) to 30.56% (≥ 70) (χ(2) = 18.963, P = 0.008). The frequency of complex karyotype was 6.67% in 0 - 9 year old group, followed by 0% in 10 - 19 and 20 - 29 year old group, and from 1.72% to 11.11% from 30 - 39 to ≥ 70 year old group (χ(2) = 8.341, P = 0.08). Monosome karyotype was only detected in patients in 30 year old or older groups. Although an increased tendency was observed with ages, there was no significant difference (χ(2) = 4.778, P = 0.311).

CONCLUSIONThe different age profiles of the cytogenetic subtypes may indicate the different mechanisms of the pathogenesis of AML, which may also offer beneficial information for etiological research of AML.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Age Factors ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Karyotype ; Karyotyping ; Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute ; genetics ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Young Adult

BACKGROUNDSirolimus-eluting stents (SES) are reported to be associated with reduced late lumen loss (LLL), resulting in less frequent restenosis when compared to bare-metal stent. The current study aimed to assess the difference in LLL between SES with biodegradable and with permanent polymer.

METHODSFrom March 2010 to June 2011, 300 consecutive patients having only biodegradable polymers or permanent polymer SES for all diseased vessels were included. Serial quantitative coronary analysis was performed on both the "in-stent" and "segment" area, including the stented segment, as well as both five mm margins proximal and distal to the stent. The primary endpoint was the LLL defined as the minimal lumen diameter (MLD) post-stenting minus the MLD at nine-month after the indexed procedure.

RESULTSLLL was comparable between the two stents. Importantly, LLL for the distal segment (median 0.05 mm, interquartile 0 to 0.09 mm) was less severe compared with in-stent (median 0.13 mm, interquartile 0.08 to 0.18 mm) and proximal segment LLL (median 0.12 mm, interquartile 0.06 to 0.14 mm, all P < 0.001). In general, the LLL was associated with the post-procedure MLD (b = 0.28, P = 0.002), hyperlipidemia (b = 0.14, P = 0.021), and calcified lesions (b = 0.58, P = 0.001). The R(2) and Radj of the multiple regression model were 0.651 and 0.625, respectively.

CONCLUSIONSSES with either biodegradable or permanent polymer had lower value of LLL. The small amount of LLL at the distal segment possibly contributed to the less distal edge stenosis.

Aged ; Aspirin ; therapeutic use ; Coronary Restenosis ; prevention & control ; Drug-Eluting Stents ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Polymers ; chemistry ; Regression Analysis ; Sirolimus ; therapeutic use ; Ticlopidine ; analogs & derivatives ; therapeutic use

OBJECTIVETo analyze the sectional anatomical features of auricular and middle ear malformation in patients with microtia so as to improve the clinical classification and the instruction of surgery.

METHODSFrom Jun. to Dec. 2009, 36 cases with microtia were selected in the center of auricular reconstruction in Plastic Surgery Hospital, including 22 cases of unilateral microtia and 14 cases of bilateral microtia. 22 patients with unilateral microtia were studied with the contralateral healthy ears as controls. Spiral CT was performed for high-resolution scan of the temporal bone. The coronal, sagittal and 3D reconstruction images were created with Mimic software. Several distances and degrees were measured.

RESULTSThe patients were classified by Max classification. The anteroposterior diameter and the vertical diameter of tympanic cavity were (7.75 +/- 1.92) mm and (14.66 +/- 4.75) mm for type I; (6.17 +/- 2.56) mm and(14.35 +/- 5.12) mm for type II; (6.31 +/- 3.40) mm and (9.97 +/- 4.36) mm for type III (P = 0.001). The mastoid pneumatization degree for type I, II, III were 13.33%, 13.64%, 30.77% in sclerotic type, 13.33%, 18.18%, 7.69% in diploe type, 0, 9.09%, 38.46% in composite type, 73.33%, 59.09%, 23.08% in pneumatic type (chi2 = 24.11, P = 0.002). The cover of fenestra vestibuli by facial nerve was 21.43%, 47.62%, 54.55% (chi2 = 23.44, P = 0.002) for type I, II, III. There was a statistical difference between the microtia group and the control group.

CONCLUSIONSAccording to the Max classification, the middle ear malformation changed along the auricular malformation. The anatomical variations was complicated in type II microtia, which should be sub-classified.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Anatomy, Cross-Sectional ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Ear ; abnormalities ; diagnostic imaging ; Ear, External ; abnormalities ; diagnostic imaging ; Ear, Middle ; abnormalities ; diagnostic imaging ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Tomography, Spiral Computed ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo study the mechanism of action of Tougu Xiaotong Capsule (透骨消痛胶囊, TGXTC) ex vivo in suppressing chondrocyte (CD) apoptosis induced by sodium nitroprussiate (SNP).

METHODSThirty New Zealand rabbits, 2 months old, were randomized by lottery into five groups, six in each: the blank group treated with saline, the positive control group treated with Zhuanggu Guanjie Pill (壮骨关节丸, 70 mg/kg), and the three experimental groups, EGA, EGB, and EGC, treated with low dose (35 mg/kg), moderate dose (70 mg/kg), and high dose (140 mg/kg) of TGXTC, respectively. All treatments were administered via gastrogavage twice a day for 3 days. Arterial blood was collected from the abdominal aorta and drug or drug metabolites-containing serum was prepared. CDs obtained from knee joints of 16 four-week-old New Zealand rabbits were cultured to the third passage and confirmed by toluidine blue staining. SNP of various final concentrations (0, 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 mmol/L) was used to induce CD apoptosis, and the dosage-effect relationship of SNP in inducing CD apoptosis was determined. Serum samples from the blank, control, and three dosages of TGXTC-treated rabbits were tested in the CD culture in the presence of SNP. Cell apoptosis was determined by Hoechst 33342 staining, viability of CDs was quantified by MTT, CD apoptosis rate was determined by annexin V-FITC/PI staining, levels of p53 and Bcl-2 mRNA expression in CDs were determined with RT-PCR, and contents of caspase-3 and caspase-9 proteins were determined by colorimetry.

RESULTSCD apoptosis was induced by SNP at all concentrations tested and in a dose-dependent manner. The SNP concentration of 1 mmol/L and treatment duration of 24 h appeared to be optimal and were selected for the study. Serum samples from the positive control rabbits and from the two higher doses of TGXTC-treated rabbits showed reduction of SNP-induced CD apoptosis, decrease in p53 mRNA expression, inhibition of catalytic activities of caspase-3 and caspase-9, and increase in Bcl-2 mRNA expression when compared with the serum from the blank group (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONTGXTC-containing sera antagonized SNP-induced CD apoptosis and the molecular basis for the action was associated with up-regulation of Bcl-2, down-regulation of p53 expression, and inhibition of caspase-3 and caspase-9 catalytic activities.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Biocatalysis ; drug effects ; Capsules ; Caspase 3 ; metabolism ; Caspase 9 ; metabolism ; Cell Survival ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Chondrocytes ; drug effects ; enzymology ; pathology ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Gene Expression Regulation ; drug effects ; Male ; Models, Biological ; Nitroprusside ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Rabbits ; Reproducibility of Results ; Serum ; chemistry ; Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 ; genetics ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the change of early serum TNF-alpha and IL-6 levels in acute cerebral infarction and its significances.

METHODSSerum TNF-alpha and IL-6 levels in 30 health subjects and 35 patients with acute cerebral infarction (ACI) within 6 hours of onset were measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA); neurological deficits scores (NDS) in all cases were determined, and Spearman test was used for correlation.

RESULTSThe serum levels of TNF-alpha and IL-6 in ACI group were markedly higher than those in health subjects and there was a positive correlation of TNF-alpha and IL-6 levels with 6 h NDS (rs=0.89 and 0.93, P<0.001) and with NDS progression (rs=0.90 and 0.91, P<0.001). Early serum TNF-alpha and IL-6 levels in progressive cerebral infarction (PCI) group were evidently higher than those in stable cerebral infarction (SCI)[(49.56+/-12.12) pg/L compared with (24.30+/-7.4) ng/L and (39.76+/-7.88) ng/L compared with (20.78+/-6.28) ng/L, respectively, P<0.01)].

CONCLUSIONThe early serum levels of TNF-alpha and IL-6 in ACI markedly increase and are closely correlated with disease severity; which may be of value in PCI risk evaluation.

Acute Disease ; Adult ; Aged ; Biomarkers ; blood ; Cerebral Infarction ; blood ; Early Diagnosis ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Female ; Humans ; Interleukin-6 ; blood ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Time Factors ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; blood