ObjectiveTo observe the effect of Qishao capsules on renal injury in db/db mice with diabetic kidney disease （DKD），and explore its mechanism of protecting the kidney by inhibiting podocyte apoptosis. Methodsdb/m mice （7 mice） were used as the normal group，and db/db mice （35 mice） were randomly divided into a model group，a dapagliflozin group （0.001 g·kg^-1·d^-1），and low-，medium-，and high-dose groups of Qishao capsules （0.341 3，0.682 5，and 1.365 g·kg^-1·d^-1，respectively）. Drug intervention lasted for 8 consecutive weeks. After sampling，the serum renal function indicators ［creatinine（SCr），and urea nitrogen（BUN）］，fasting blood glucose （FBG），24 h urinary protein quantification （24 h-UTP）， and other indicators of the mice were measured. The pathological tissue morphology of the kidney was observed by periodic acid-silver methenamine （PASM） and Masson's trichrome （Masson） staining. Immunohistochemical detection of cysteine-dependent aspartate-specific protease （Caspase）-3 and B-cell lymphoma 2 （Bcl-2） was performed. Western blot was used to detect the protein expression of Caspase-8，Caspase-7，Caspase-3， and other molecules. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick End labeling （TUNEL） staining was used to observe apoptosis in renal tissue. Immunofluorescence staining of Wilms tumor suppressor gene-1 （WT-1） was used to observe podocyte injury. Real-time polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） was employed to detect Caspase-8 and Caspase-3 mRNA expression in the kidneys of experimental mice. Data analysis was conducted using statistical software GraphPad Prism 10. ResultsCompared with the normal group，the model group showed significantly increased 24 h-UTP，SCr，BUN，and FBG （P<0.01）. Additionally， PASM staining of renal tissue showed increased glycogen deposition，glomerular hypertrophy，and thickening of the basement membrane. Masson staining showed collagen fiber proliferation in renal tissue. Transmission electron microscopy showed thickening of the renal tissue basement membrane and fusion or loss of foot processes in the model group. The immunohistochemical results showed that Caspase-3 in the kidneys of the mice in the model group significantly increased （P<0.01），while the Bcl-2 protein expression level decreased significantly （P<0.01）. The number of TUNEL positive cells in renal tissue significantly increased （P<0.01）. The positive expression of WT-1 in podocytes was significantly reduced （P<0.01）. Western blot analysis showed significant upregulation of Caspase-8，Caspase-7，and Caspase-3 protein expression in renal tissue （P<0.01）. The mRNA expression levels of Caspase-8 and Caspase-3 in the kidneys increased significantly （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group，the Qishao capsules groups can significantly reduce the levels of 24 h-UTP，SCr，BUN，and FBG （P<0.01）. The pathological damage of renal tissue and podocyte injury were improved to some extent. Immunohistochemistry in the kidney showed a significant decrease in Caspase-3 （P<0.01） and a significant increase in Bcl-2 protein expression level （P<0.01）. Additionally， there were a significant decrease in the number of TUNEL positive cells in renal tissue （P<0.01），a significant increase in WT-1 positive expression in podocytes （P<0.01），marked downregulation of Caspase-8，Caspase-7，and Caspase-3 protein expression in renal tissue （P<0.05，P<0.01），and a significant decrease in Caspase-8 and Caspase-3 mRNA expression levels （P<0.01）. ConclusionQishao capsules can inhibit podocyte apoptosis by regulating the expression of Caspase-8，Caspase-7， and Caspase-3，thereby improving the diabetic renal injury in db/db mice.

ObjectiveTo investigate the therapeutic efficacy of Qizhi Tongluo granules on proteinuria in membranous nephropathy （MN） and its potential protective effects and underlying mechanism against endoplasmic reticulum stress. MethodsAfter 70 Sprague-Dawley （SD） rats were adaptively fed for one week， the MN rat model was established by injecting cationic bovine serum albumin （C-BSA） into the tail vein. Rats were divided into the normal group， model group， low-dose Qizhi Tongluo granules group （2.43 g·kg^-1）， medium-dose group （4.86 g·kg^-1）， high-dose group （9.72 g·kg^-1）， and benazepril group （0.01 g·kg^-1）， with 10 rats in each group. Treatment was administered for four weeks. The 24-hour urinary total protein （UTP） content， as well as the levels of reactive oxygen species （ROS）， malondialdehyde （MDA）， and glutathione peroxidase （GPX） in renal tissues， were measured. Renal pathological changes were assessed using immunoglobulin G （IgG） staining， periodic acid-silver methenamine （PASM） staining， and transmission electron microscopy （TEM）. The localization and expression levels of glucose-regulated protein 78 （GRP78）， phosphorylated inositol-requiring enzyme 1α （p-IRE1α）， phosphorylated protein kinase R-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase （p-PERK）， activating transcription factor 4 （ATF4）， nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 （Nrf2）， and 2'-5' oligoadenylate synthetase-like protein 1 （OASL1） in rat kidneys were detected by immunohistochemistry （IHC）. The mRNA and protein expression levels of Nrf2， thioredoxin 1 （Trx1）， thioredoxin-interacting protein （TXNIP）， and OASL1 in rat kidneys were measured using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） and Western blot analysis. ResultsCompared with the normal group， UTP levels were significantly increased in the model rats （P<0.05）， with obvious renal pathological damage. GPX content levels were significantly decreased in renal tissue （P<0.05）， while ROS and MDA content levels were significantly increased （P<0.05）. The expression of GRP78， p-IRE1α， p-PERK， and ATF4 proteins was significantly increased in the kidneys （P<0.05）， while the mRNA and protein expression levels of Trx1 and Nrf2 were significantly decreased （P<0.05）. The mRNA and protein expression levels of TXNIP and OASL1 were significantly increased （P<0.05）. Compared with the model group， the UTP levels of rats in the Qizhi Tongluo granules groups and the benazepril group decreased to varying degrees （P<0.05）， and renal pathological damage was significantly alleviated. The GPX content in renal tissue was significantly increased （P<0.05）， while the ROS and MDA levels were significantly decreased （P<0.05）. The expression of GRP78， p-IRE1α， p-PERK， and ATF4 proteins in the kidney was significantly decreased （P<0.05）. The mRNA and protein expression levels of Trx1 and Nrf2 were significantly increased （P<0.05）， while the mRNA and protein expression levels of TXNIP and OASL1 were significantly decreased （P<0.05）. ConclusionQizhi Tongluo granules alleviates proteinuria in MN rats by modulating the Nrf2/OASL1 signaling pathway in renal tissues to reduce endoplasmic reticulum stress， which represents its underlying mechanism.

ObjectiveTo observe the intervention effect of Dahuang Xiezhuo prescription （DHXZ） on inflammation and suppressor of cytokine signaling 3 （SOCS3）/Toll-like receptor 4 （TLR4） pathway in rats with chronic renal failure （CRF）， and to explore its molecular mechanism in alleviating renal inflammatory response. MethodThe 90 male SD rats， 15 were randomly selected as sham group， and the remaining 75 were used as modeling group to replicate CRF rat model by 5/6 nephrectomy. After successful modeling， the rats were randomly divided into model group， DHXZ low-， medium-， high-dose groups （6.825， 13.65， 27.3 g·kg^-1） and Niaoduqing Granules group （2.6 g·kg^-1）. The drug intervention groups received corresponding drugs by gavage for 8 consecutive weeks. After administration， hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining and Masson staining were used to observe the morphological changes of rat renal tissue， and blood creatinine （SCr）， blood urea nitrogen （BUN） and blood uric acid （UA） were tested. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） was performed to detect the serum contents of interleukin-6 （IL-6）， tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α） and C-reactive protein （CRP）. The mRNA expressions of SOCS3 and TLR4 in renal tissue were detected by Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR）， and the protein expressions of SOCS3， TLR4， nuclear transcription factor （NF-κB） and myeloid differentiation factor （MyD88） were detected by Western blot. Immunohistochemistry was used to determine the protein expressions of NF-κB， MyD88， NOD-like receptor protein 3 （NLRP3） and melanoma deficiency factor 2 （AIM2）. ResultCompared with the sham group， the model group had a significant inflammatory response in renal tissue， and an increase in blood SCr， BUN， UTP， IL-6， TNF-α and CRP （P<0.05）. The protein and mRNA expressions of SOCS3 in renal tissue of rats in the model group were lower while the protein expressions of TLR4， NF-κB， MyD88， NLRP3 and AIM2 and the mRNA expression of TLR4 were higher than those in the sham group （P<0.05）. Compared with the model group， DHXZ and Niaoduqing granules groups presented markedly reduced inflammatory response in renal tissue and decreased blood SCr， BUN， UTP， IL-6， TNF-α and CRP （P<0.05）. Additionally， DHXZ and Niaoduqing granules up-regulated the protein and mRNA expressions of SOCS3 in renal tissue while down-regulated the protein expressions of TLR4， NF-κB， MyD88， NLRP3 and AIM2 and the mRNA expression of TLR4 （P<0.05）. ConclusionDHXZ can reduce the release and expression of inflammatory factors， inhibit the inflammatory response and improve renal function， and the mechanism may be related to the regulation of SOCS3/TLR4 signaling pathway.

Objective:To explore the feasibility of emergency video call system in remote guidance of non-medical volunteers to implement single person cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).Methods:A scenario of sudden cardiac arrest with a bystander in a public place was created at Clinical Skill Training Center. 60 non-medical volunteers were randomly (ramdom number) divided into video group ( n = 40) and audio group ( n = 20). Volunteers in video group were remote instructed with the smart phone application software (APP) of Emergency Video Call System to implement CPR; the audio group receives remote voice guidance for CPR with a smart phone. The pressing depth, pressing frequency, volume of ventilation and the time of the first compression were compared between the two groups. The video group was divided into 5 subgroups to compare the cardiopulmonary resuscitation effect of 5 different models of smart phones. Ten CPR cycles were observed in each group. Results:the accuracy rate of pressing position in the video group was significantly higher than that in the audio group (91.5% vs 71.35%, P < 0.05); the proportion of pressing depth in the range of 5-6 cm was significantly higher than that in the audio group (62.79% vs. 44.73%, P < 0.05); the average pressing frequency was 100-120 times / min (70% vs. 52%, P < 0.05); the ventilation volume was 500-600 mL / time (18.25% vs. 10.75%, P < 0.05); The proportion of ventilation volume greater than 500ml / min was higher than that of audio group (64.88% vs. 43%, P < 0.05). The first pressing time was longer in the video group than in the audio group (131 s vs. 106 s, P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in the first ventilation time between the two groups (148 s vs. 144 s, P > 0.05). The total pressing pause time in video group was less than that in audio group (122.4 s vs. 164.2 s, P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in the above indicators among the five different models of smart phones in the video group ( P > 0.05). Conclusions:compared with audio remote guidance, video emergency system has obvious advantages in the accuracy of pressing position, pressing depth, pressing frequency, ventilation volume and pressing pause time, but the first pressing time is slightly longer than that of audio group. The popularization and application of the video system is supposed to improve the CPR quality and recovery success rate of non-medical personnel, and facilitated to encourage the first witness to implement CPR.

Objective To observe the effect oftert-Butylhydroquinone (tBHQ) on the expression of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2),heme oxygenase (HO)-1 and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) in high glucose cultured retinal Müller cells;and to investigate the anti-oxidative stress and anti-apoptotic effects oftBHQ.Methods Retinal Müller cells were divided into normal glucose group (5.5 mmol/L,N group),high glucose group (45 mmol/L,HG group) and tBHQ intervention group (HG+tBHQ group).After retinal Müller cells were cultured with high glucose for 48 hours,the pretreatment with tBHQ (20 μmol/L) induced the expressions of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and HO-1.The Müller cells were identified by immunofluorescence staining.The expressions of Nrf2,HO-1,PI3K,B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2) and Bax were detected by Western blot and real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR.Flow cytometry was used to detect the apoptosis of retinal Müller cells in rats.Results Müller cytoplasm and nucleus GS showed strong positive,large cell body,abundant cytoplasm,uniform green fluorescence;nuclear DAPI staining round or oval,clear boundary.The expression of Nrf2 protein (t=4.114,P=0.006),HO-1 protein (t=9.275,P=0.000),Nrf2 mRNA (t=7.292,P=0.000) and HO-1 mRNA (t=15.014,P=0.000) in the HG group were higher than those in the N group.The expressions of Nrf2 protein (t=7.847,P=0.000),HO-1 protein (t=7.947,P=0.000),PI3K protein (t=5.397,P=0.002),Bcl-2 protein (t=6.825,P=0.000),Nrf2 mRNA (t=18.046,P=0.000),HO-1 mRNA (t=39.458,P=0.000),PI3K mRNA (t=4.979,P=0.003) and Bcl-2 mRNA (t=9.535,P=0.000) in the HG+tBHQ group were significantly higher than those in the HG group.The protein and mRNA expressions of Bax protein in the HG+tBHQ group were significantly lower than those in the HG group (t=14.998,16.520;P=0.000,0.000).Flow cytometry showed that the apoptosis rate of Müiller cells in the HG group was significantly higher than that in the N group (t=39.905,P=0.000).The apoptosis rate of Müller cells in the HG+tBHQ group was significantly lower than that in the HG group (t=21.083,P=0.000).Conclusion tBHQ can inhibit the apoptosis of retinal Müller cells by up-regulating the expression ofNrf2,HO-1 and PI3K.

Objective To evaluate the changes in the expression of acetylated histone 3 lysine 9 (H3K9Ac) and methyl-CpG-binding protein 2 (MeCP2) in the spinal cord and dorsal root ganglion (DRG) of rats with diabetic neuropathic pain (DNP).Methods Pathogen-free male Sprague-Dawley rats,weighing 120-160 g,were fed a high-fat and high-sucrose diet for 8 weeks,then streptozocin 35 mg/kg was intraperitoneally injected,and type 2 diabetes mellitus was confirmed by blood glucose level ≥ 16.7 mmol/L 3 days later.DNP model was considered successful when the decrease in pain threshold ＜ 85％ of the baseline value on 14 days after injection,otherwise it was considered as non-DNP (NDNP).Eighteen rats with DNP and NDNP served as DNP and NDNP groups,respectively,and another 18 normal rats served as control group (group C).At 3,7 and 14 days after successful establishment of the model,the mechanical paw withdrawal threshold and thermal paw withdrawal latency were measured in group DNP and at the corresponding time points in C and NDNP groups,and then rats were sacrificed,and the lumbar segment of the spinal cord and DRGs were removed for determination of the expression of H3K9Ac and MeCP2 by Western blot.Results Compared with C and NDNP groups,mechanical paw withdrawal threshold was significantly decreased,thermal paw withdrawal latency was shortened,the expression of H3K9Ac in the spinal cord and DRGs was up-regulated,and the expression of MeCP2 in the spinal cord and DRGs was down-regulated at 3,7 and 14 days after successful establishment of the model in group DNP (P＜0.05).Conclusion The maintenance mechanism of DNP may be related to up-regulated expression of H3K9Ac and down-regulated expression of MeCP2 in rats with DNP.

Objective: To observe the correlation between Nε-carboxymethyl-Lysine (CML), the main component of advanced glycation end products and the calcification of the anterior tibial artery plaque in patients with diabetic foot post foot amputation. Methods: Sixty patients hospitalized for foot amputation operation due to diabetic foot from June 2012 to June 2016 in the Department of Orthopedics, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University were prospectively recruited.The patients were categorized into mild stenosis (0n=20), moderate stenosis (50%≤stenosis<70%, n=20) and severe stenosis (70%≤stenosis≤100%, n=20) based on the color Doppler ultrasound assessed severity of anterior tibial artery stenosis.The baseline clinical data of patients were collected and anterior tibial artery was isolated.Then, HE staining, O-Cresolphthalein Complexone method, enzymic method and ELASA analysis were then performed to detect the evolution of calcification, arterial calcium content, alkaline phosphatase activity and serum CML concentration, respectively. Results: The results from both color Doppler ultrasound scan before amputation and HE staining after amputation showed that echo intensity as well as spotty blue calcium particles of anterior tibial artery plaque increased significantly in proportion to degree of stenosis and destructed elastic plate of the arterial wall was evidenced in patients with severest stenosis.The content of calcium ((2.3±0.9), (3.9±1.3), (6.6±1.7) μmol/mg, respectively, P<0.001), ALP activity ((102.4±39.4), (202.3±73.4), (483.7±117.9) U/mg, respectively, P<0.001) and serum CML level ((28.9±4.4), (37.9±5.3), (57.3±7.1)μg/L, respectively, P<0.001) increased significantly in proportion to stenosis severity.Pearson correlation analysis showed that serum CML level was positively correlated with the content of calcium (r=0.749, P<0.001) and ALP activity (r=0.923, P<0.001), respectively. Conclusions Serum CML level is positively correlated with the calcification of anterior tibial arterial plaque in patients with diabetic foot and could be used to evaluate the calcification of anterior tibial arterial plaque and stenosis degree of anterior tibial arterial in these patients.

Objective To investigate the prevalence,subtypes and infected population of influenza (flu) viruses in Xuzhou city from 2010 to 2015,providing scientific supports for influenza prevention and control.Methods Molecular detection and virus isolation were carried out with the throat swab samples collected from influenza-like illness(ILI) cases of national sentinel hospitals and the flu outbreaks.Results The influenza has obvious epidemic characteristics seasonally,two concentrated outbreaks in every December to next March and August to September.The positive rates were different among age groups,the highest was in less than ten years old group (64.36％),then 10-19 years old group (10.69％),and the lowest was in 50-59 years old group (3.77％).A total of 15 245 swab specimens were collected in which 1 459 strains were detected and identified for influenza viruses with total positive rate of 9.57％.Among these positive samples,593 samples were H3 subtype (40.64％),627 samples were B subtype (42.97％),237 samples were H1 N1 subtype (16.24％).Four hundred and fouty strains were isolated fromMDCK cells the relatively isolate rate was 30.16 ％ (440/1 459),fifty nine strains from embryonated chicken (13.78％).Conclusions The epidemic types of influenza in Xuzhou from 2010 to 2015 were alternation between H3 and B.There were epidemic peaks of H1N1occurred occasionally and unstably.

Our study explored the dynamic changes in and the relationship between the DNA damage marker 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) and the DNA repair marker 8-hydroxyguanine DNA glycosidase 1 (hOGG1) according to the length of occupational employment in nickel smelting workers. One hundred forty nickel-exposed smelting workers and 140 age-matched unexposed office workers were selected from the Jinchang cohort. The 8-OHdG levels in smelting workers was significantly higher than in office workers (Z=-8.688, P<0.05) and the 8-OHdG levels among nickel smelting workers in the 10-14 y employment length category was significantly higher than among all peers. The hOGG1 levels among smelting workers were significantly lower than those of non-exposed workers (Z=-8.948, P<0.05). There were significant differences between employment length and hOGG1 levels, with subjects employed in nickel smelting for 10-14 y showing the highest levels of hOGG1. Correlation analysis showed positive correlations between 8-OHdG and hOGG1 levels (r=0.413; P<0.01). DNA damage was increased with employment length among nickel smelting workers and was related to the inhibition of hOGG1 repair capacity.
Biomarkers ; Case-Control Studies ; Cohort Studies ; DNA Damage ; drug effects ; DNA Glycosylases ; blood ; DNA Repair ; Deoxyadenosines ; blood ; Humans ; Male ; Metallurgy ; Nickel ; toxicity ; urine ; Occupational Exposure ; adverse effects ; Time Factors

Objectives To screen the high-risk population of stroke in China using color Doppler flow imaging (CDFI)and to establish a stroke risk prediction model in Chinese population in order to prevent and treat stroke early. Methods Forty-one base hospitals and 715 286 people in the project areas of the first 6 provinces of China conducted routine physical examinations and investigated the related risk factors for cardiocerebrovascular diseases from July 2011 to April 2012 using a cross-sectional study,among them 61 860 patients underwent carotid CDFI screening,and 49 386 of them were high-risk population (exposed to≥3 risk factors). The bilateral common carotid interma-media thickness (IMT),the number of plaques and the degree of carotid stenosis were screened and documented. And whether carotid IMT thickening or not,with or without carotid plaques,and degree of carotid artery stenotic rate 0-49% and≥50% were performed by multivariate logistic regression analysis with the risk factors for stroke,respectively. Results (1)Logistic regression analysis showed that hypertension,atrial fibrillation,smoking,and lack of physical exercise were the independent risk factors for carotid IMT thickening (hypertension:OR,1. 17;95%CI 1. 12-1. 22;atrial fibrillation:OR,1. 15;95%CI 1. 09-1. 21;smoking:OR,1. 13;95%CI 1. 08-1. 17;and lack of physical exercise:OR,1. 12;95%CI 1.08-1. 16). (2)Hypertension,atrial fibrillation, smoking,and diabetes were the independent risk factors for carotid plaque and carotid artery stenosis rate≥50%(carotid plaque,hypertension:OR,1. 55;95%CI 1. 47-1. 62;atrial fibrillation:OR,1. 13;95%CI 1.06-1. 21;smoking:OR,1. 16;95%CI 1. 11-1. 22;and diabetes:OR,1. 30;95%CI 1. 24-1. 37). Carotid stenosis rate≥50%,hypertension:OR,1. 78;95%CI 1.55-2. 03;atrial fibrillation:OR,1. 59;95%CI 1. 39-1. 81;smoking:OR,1. 33;95%CI 1. 20-1. 48;and diabetes:OR,1. 30;95%CI 1. 17-1. 45. Simple obesity did not increase the incidences of carotid atherosclerotic plaque and carotid artery stenosis ≥50%(OR,0. 78, 0.83;95%CI 0. 75-0. 82 ,0. 75-0. 92,respectively). Conclusions Neck vascular ultrasound can be used as a valuable means for screening high-risk population and detecting risk factors of stroke. It has an important clinical significance for the early diagnosis and treatment of carotid atherosclerosis disease.