OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted to investigate the regulation of endoplasmic reticulum stress on Nrf2 signaling pathway in the kidneys of rats. METHODS: Rats were divided into twelve groups of six animals each. Some groups were pre-administered with bacitracin or tauroursodeoxycholic acid (TUDCA), and all of them were treated with 5-20 μmol/kg cadmium (Cd) for 48 h. The oxidative stress levels were analyzed using kits. The mRNA and protein expression levels of endoplasmic reticulum stress-related factors and Nrf2 signaling pathway-related factors were determined using RT-PCR and western blot. RESULTS: Cd exposure resulted in oxidative stress in the kidneys of rats and upregulated the expression of endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS)-related factors and Nrf2 signaling pathway-related factors, especially at doses of 10 and 20 μmol/kg Cd, and the expression changes were particularly obvious. Moreover, after pretreatment with bacitracin, Cd upregulated the expression of ERS-related factors to a certain extent and, at higher doses, increased the mRNA expression of Nrf2. After pretreatment with TUDCA, Cd reduced the level of ERS to a certain extent; however, at these doses, there were no significant changes in the expression of Nrf2. CONCLUSION Cadmium can result in ERS and oxidative stress in the kidneys of rats, activate Nrf2, and upregulate the transcriptional expression of phase II detoxification enzymes under these experimental conditions. ERS has a positive regulation effect on Nrf2 signaling pathway but has little effect on the negative regulation of Nrf2 signaling pathway in cadmium toxicity.
Animals ; Cadmium ; toxicity ; Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress ; drug effects ; Environmental Pollutants ; toxicity ; Female ; Kidney ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Male ; NF-E2-Related Factor 2 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Oxidative Stress ; drug effects ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Signal Transduction ; drug effects ; Taurochenodeoxycholic Acid ; pharmacology

Objective: To investigate the current situation of drug supply and determinants of drug shortage in primary health institutions in Anhui province. Methods:Primary health institutions in Anhui province were selected as the main research subjects. One hundred and six (106) primary health institutions from three areas/districts in Anhui province namely northern Anhui,Central Anhui,and Southern Anhui were selected with stratified random sampling as the first sample,and 54 pharmaceutical producing enterprises and 62 pharmaceutical trading enterprises were selected with convenience sampling method as the second sample. The survey was conducted by issuing questionnaires to record views of the respondents to help understand the current situation of drug supply from the first sample and the main de-terminants and solutions of drug shortage from two samples. Results:13% of the primary health institutions still suffer from serious shortage of drug supply; the drug distribution rate varies greatly between units, and 19% of the primary health institutions have a drug distribution rate below 70%,and all primary health institution within the scope of inves-tigation experienced drug shortages. The frequency of choices of determinants of drug shortage were in sequence of or-der:drug demand instability (19.20%), drugs have a new and higher profit alternative (15.94%), etc.; The fre-quency of choices of solutions of drug shortage of primary health institution were in sequence of order:to improve the national list of essential medicines(12.78%),appropriate improvement in efficacy the low-priced varieties(with cura-tive effect) (12.03%),etc. Conclusions:Primary health institutions suffer from drug shortage issue widely,and the reasons for the shortage of drugs are more complicated;the government should continue to implement relevant policies, comprehensively improving the primary health institution drug supply mechanisms in all to prevent drug shortages.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of Notch signaling pathways on differentiation of mouse embryonic stem cells(ESC) into haematopoietic stem cells or haematopoietic progenitors cells(HSC/HPC). METHODS: Mouse embryonic stem cells were proliferated in vitro to form embryoid bodies; the differentiation of embryoid bodies should be induced in vitro, the experiments were divided into BE, control, VEGF, DAPT and VEGF-DAPT groups; HSC/HPC ohenotype: CD117D34Sca1 was detected by flow cytometry; the related gene expression was detected by RT-PCR. RESULTS: The number of VEGF-induced HSC/HPC in VEGF group was significantey higher than that in the control and EB group (P<0.05), suggesting that VEGF promotes ESC differentiation to HSC/HPC; the number of DAPT-induced HSC/HPC in DAPT group was significanty higher than that in the Control and EB groups(P<0.05), suggesting that DAPT promotes ESC differentiation to HSC/HPC; the number of VEGF+DAPT-induced HSC/HPC in VEGF-DAPT group was significantly higher than that in VEGF and DAPT groups(P<0.05), suggesting that DAPT and VEGF play a synergistic role to promote differentiation of ESC into HSC/HPC. CONCLUSION Notch signal pathway inhibits differentiation of ESC into HSC / HPC by VEGF.
Animals ; Cell Differentiation ; Hematopoietic Stem Cells ; Mice ; Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells ; Receptors, Notch ; Signal Transduction ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A

OBJECTIVETo assess the methodological quality of systematic reviews and meta-analyses regarding acupuncture intervention for stroke and the primary studies within them.

METHODSTwo researchers searched PubMed, Cumulative index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, Embase, ISI Web of Knowledge, Cochrane, Allied and Complementary Medicine, Ovid Medline, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang and Traditional Chinese Medical Database to identify systematic reviews and meta-analyses about acupuncture for stroke published from the inception to December 2016. Review characteristics and the criteria for assessing the primary studies within reviews were extracted. The methodological quality of the reviews was assessed using adapted Oxman and Guyatt Scale. The methodological quality of primary studies was also assessed.

RESULTSThirty-two eligible reviews were identified, 15 in English and 17 in Chinese. The English reviews were scored higher than the Chinese reviews (P=0.025), especially in criteria for avoiding bias and the scope of search. All reviews used the quality criteria to evaluate the methodological quality of primary studies, but some criteria were not comprehensive. The primary studies, in particular the Chinese reviews, had problems with randomization, allocation concealment, blinding, dropouts and withdrawals, intent-to-treat analysis and adverse events.

CONCLUSIONSImportant methodological flaws were found in Chinese systematic reviews and primary studies. It was necessary to improve the methodological quality and reporting quality of both the systematic reviews published in China and primary studies on acupuncture for stroke.

BACKGROUNDGestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is associated with both short- and long-term adverse health consequences for both the mother and her offspring. The aim was to study the prevalence and risk factors for GDM in Beijing.

METHODSThe study population consisted of 15,194 pregnant women attending prenatal care in 15 hospitals in Beijing, who delivered between June 20, 2013, and November 30, 2013, after 28 weeks of gestation. The participants were selected by cluster sampling from the 15 hospitals identified through random systematic sampling based on the number of deliveries in 2012. A questionnaire was designed to collect information.

RESULTSA total of 2987 (19.7%) women were diagnosed with GDM and 208 (1.4%) had diabetes in pregnancy (DIP). Age (OR: 1.053, 95% CI: 1.033-1.074, P < 0.01), family history of diabetes mellitus (OR: 1.481, 95% CI: 1.254-1.748, P < 0.01), prepregnancy body mass index (BMI) (OR: 1.481, 95% CI: 1.254-1.748, P < 0.01), BMI gain before 24 weeks (OR: 1.126, 95% CI: 1.075-1.800, P < 0.01), maternal birth weight (P < 0.01), and fasting plasma glucose at the first prenatal visit (P < 0.01) were identified as risk factors for GDM. In women with birth weight <3000 g, GDM rate was significantly higher.

CONCLUSIONSOne out of every five pregnant women in Beijing either had GDM or DIP and this constitutes a huge health burden for health services. Prepregnancy BMI and weight gain before 24th week are important modifiable risk factors for GDM. Ensuring birth weight above 3000 g may help reduce risk for future GDM among female offsprings.

Birth Weight ; physiology ; Body Mass Index ; Diabetes, Gestational ; metabolism ; Female ; Glucose Tolerance Test ; Humans ; Pregnancy ; Prevalence ; Risk Factors ; Weight Gain ; physiology

BACKGROUNDHyperglycemia is associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes. However, the relationships between them remain ambiguous. This study aimed to analyze the effect of different oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) results on adverse perinatal outcomes.

METHODSThis retrospective cohort study included data from 15 hospitals in Beijing from June 20, 2013 to November 30, 2013. Women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) were categorized according to the number and distribution of abnormal OGTT values, and the characteristics of adverse pregnancy outcomes were evaluated. Chi-square test and logistic regression analysis were used to determine the associations.

RESULTSIn total, 14,741 pregnant women were included in the study population, 2927 (19.86%) of whom had GDM. As the number of hyperglycemic values in the OGTT increased, the risk of cesarean delivery, preterm births, large-for-gestational age (LGA), macrosomia, and neonatal complications significantly increased. Fasting hyperglycemia had clear associations with macrosomia (odds ratios [OR s]:1.84, 95% confidence intervals [CI s]: 1.39-2.42,P < 0.001), LGA (OR: 1.70, 95% CI: 1.29-2.25,P < 0.001), and cesarean delivery (OR: 1.33, 95% CI: 1.15-1.55,P < 0.001). The associations were stronger as fasting glucose increased. GDM diagnosed by hyperglycemia at OGTT-2 h was more likely to lead to preterm birth (OR: 1.50, 95% CI: 1.11-2.03,P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSVarious characteristics of OGTTs are associated with different adverse outcomes. A careful reconsideration of GDM with hierarchical and individualized management according to OGTT characteristics is needed.

Birth Weight ; physiology ; Blood Glucose ; metabolism ; Body Mass Index ; Cesarean Section ; Chi-Square Distribution ; Diabetes, Gestational ; blood ; physiopathology ; Female ; Fetal Macrosomia ; blood ; physiopathology ; Glucose Tolerance Test ; methods ; Humans ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Complications ; Pregnancy Outcome ; Premature Birth ; blood ; physiopathology ; Retrospective Studies

Objective To analysis the effects on the growth of rats by repeated restraint in dermal exposure test. Methods SD rats in the restraint group was bound for 6 hours per day for 91 days according the way by dermal exposure, while SD rats in the control group didn't receive the treatment. Clinical signs, body weight and food consumption changes were observed for 91 days. When the study was terminated, hematology, clinical biochemistry, urinalyses, gross necropsy, and histopathology were carried out. Statistical methods such as the generalized estimating equation were used to compare the differences between two groups. Results The statistical results of generalized estimating equation showed that there was an interaction between the group and test time for male and female rats in body weight changes (P<0.05), and the body weight of male rats in the restraint group was lower than the control group (P<0.05) . Further analysis showed that for male rats there was significant difference between groups since the forth week (P<0.05), and the interaction was found between groups and test time (P<0.05) . For female rats, the interaction was found since the eighth week between the group and test time (P <0.05) .There was no significant differences in other parameters between two groups (P>0.05) . Conclusion Repeated restraint during dermal exposure affected the body weight gain of rats, and the sensitivity of male rats was higher than that of female rats.

OBJECTIVETo improve the understanding of patients with 8p11 myeloproliferative syndrome (EMS) harboring ins(13;8)(q12;p11p23)/ZNF198 -FGFR1.

METHODSWe reported here a 8p11 EMS case and provided more details on the clinical and molecular features of ins(13;8)(q12;p11p23)/ZNF198-FGFR1，full length ZNF198-FGFR1 was cloned by overlap extension PCR method，and the literatures on this topic were reviewed.

RESULTSClinically, the case with ins(13;8)(q12;p11p23)/ZNF198-FGFR1 had distinct hematological and clinical characteristics: hyperleukocytosis, myeloid hyperplasia，widespread adenopathy and lymphoma; Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) disclosed the positive FGFR1 gene rearrangement; Further molecular studies confirmed a mRNA in-frame fusion between exon 17 of the ZNF198 gene and exon 9 of FGFR1 gene ，the full length ZNF198-FGFR1 was composed of a NH2 terminus of ZNF198 including the ZNF and proline-rich domains, whereas the COOH terminus of FGFR1 included 2 tyrosine kinase domains.

CONCLUSIONEMS with ins(13;8)(q12;p11p23)/ZNF198 -FGFR1 was a very rare， distinct myeloproliferative neoplasm, the fusion gene and chimeric protein with constitutive activation of the FGFR1 tyrosine kinase.

Chromosomes, Human, Pair 13 ; Chromosomes, Human, Pair 8 ; DNA-Binding Proteins ; Exons ; Humans ; In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence ; Myeloproliferative Disorders ; Receptor, Fibroblast Growth Factor, Type 1 ; Receptors, Fibroblast Growth Factor ; Transcription Factors ; Translocation, Genetic

Humans ; Myeloproliferative Disorders ; genetics ; Receptor, Fibroblast Growth Factor, Type 1 ; genetics

This study was purposed to investigate the effect of Notch signaling pathway on VEGF promoting the proliferation of rat mesenchymal stem cells (MSC). Rat MSC were cultured in vitro, and the cells in logarithmic growth phase were used for experiments. The inhibitor DAPT was used to block Notch signaling pathway, and the effect of the pathway on VEGF promoting proliferation of MSC was observed. The experiment was divided into 4 groups: control, VEGF, DAPT and VEGF+DAPT. The CCK-8 was used to assay the cells proliferation of each group, while RT-PCR was used to detect the changes of related genes (Notch1, Notch2, Flk-1, Hes-1) at mRNA levels. The results indicated that the cells survival rate MSC in DAPT group and VEGF+DAPT group was low in each time point (24 h, 48 h, 72 h), the cell number decreased, and the cells became rounded. The survival rate of MSC in VEGF group was the highest; the difference of cell survival rate was statistically significant between the groups (P < 0.01); Compared with the control group, the mRNA expression level of Notch1, Notch2 and Flk-1 in VEGF group was raised, while the expression level of Notch1 and Notch2 in DAPT group and VEGF+DAPT group come down, with statistically significant differences (P < 0.05); whereas the mRNA expression level of Hes-1 in VEGF group was down-regulated, but that in DAPT group and VEGF+DAPT group was up-regulated, and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). Flk-1 mRNA level in DAPT group and VEGF+DAPT group was slightly lower, but the difference was not statistically significant (P > 0.05). It is concluded that Notch signaling pathway plays an important role in promoting the proliferation of rat MSC, treated with VEGF, however, the DAPT can weaken this effect.
Animals ; Cell Line ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; cytology ; drug effects ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; Rats ; Receptors, Notch ; metabolism ; Signal Transduction ; drug effects ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; pharmacology