Objective To screen and validate the key genes involved in hypoxia-induced inflammatory reactions in mice using transcrip-tome sequencing and bioinformatics. Methods C57/BL6 mice were bred at altitudes of 4200 m and 400 m,and mouse models were con-structed for the plateau hypoxia (HKT) group and the plain normoxia (PKC) group. Kidney tissues were aseptically removed after 30 days,renal pathological changes were analyzed by HE staining,blood gas analysis and renal index changes were measured in the mice under hypoxia. The kidney tissues of mice in the HKT and PKC groups were analyzed using transcriptome sequencing,key genes were screened using bioinformatics technology,and these genes were verified using real-time quantitative reverse transcription PCR (RT-qPCR) and Western blotting. Results HE staining showed glomerular atrophy in mice in the HKT group compared with the PKC group,and a decrease in blood gas analysis and renal index occurred in mice exposed to hypoxia. Transcriptome sequencing analysis revealed 3007 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the HKT group,of which 123 were inflammation-related DEGs (IR-DEGs). GO and KEGG enrichment analyses of IR-DEGs showed significant enrichment in inflammation-related signaling pathways,such as cytokine-cytokine receptor interactions and chemokines. The results of the protein-protein interaction (PPI) network construction of IR-DEGs showed that six hub genes,STAT3,TLR7,CD68,NFKBIA,LEP,and APOE,were identified,and the mRNA expression of these six genes was upregulated according to RT-qPCR results,which was in agreement with the results of transcriptome sequencing. Western blotting showed that CD68,NFKBIA,LEP,TLR7,and APOE expression was upregulated while STAT3 expression was downregulated. Conclusion STAT3,CD68,NFKBIA,LEP,TLR7,and APOE are the key genes involved in hypoxia-induced inflammatory reactions. A hypoxic environment induced inflammatory reactions in mouse kidney tissues by upregulating the expression of TLR7,CD68,STAT3,LEP,and APOE.

Objective To screen and validate the key genes involved in hypoxia-induced inflammatory reactions in mice using transcrip-tome sequencing and bioinformatics. Methods C57/BL6 mice were bred at altitudes of 4200 m and 400 m,and mouse models were con-structed for the plateau hypoxia (HKT) group and the plain normoxia (PKC) group. Kidney tissues were aseptically removed after 30 days,renal pathological changes were analyzed by HE staining,blood gas analysis and renal index changes were measured in the mice under hypoxia. The kidney tissues of mice in the HKT and PKC groups were analyzed using transcriptome sequencing,key genes were screened using bioinformatics technology,and these genes were verified using real-time quantitative reverse transcription PCR (RT-qPCR) and Western blotting. Results HE staining showed glomerular atrophy in mice in the HKT group compared with the PKC group,and a decrease in blood gas analysis and renal index occurred in mice exposed to hypoxia. Transcriptome sequencing analysis revealed 3007 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the HKT group,of which 123 were inflammation-related DEGs (IR-DEGs). GO and KEGG enrichment analyses of IR-DEGs showed significant enrichment in inflammation-related signaling pathways,such as cytokine-cytokine receptor interactions and chemokines. The results of the protein-protein interaction (PPI) network construction of IR-DEGs showed that six hub genes,STAT3,TLR7,CD68,NFKBIA,LEP,and APOE,were identified,and the mRNA expression of these six genes was upregulated according to RT-qPCR results,which was in agreement with the results of transcriptome sequencing. Western blotting showed that CD68,NFKBIA,LEP,TLR7,and APOE expression was upregulated while STAT3 expression was downregulated. Conclusion STAT3,CD68,NFKBIA,LEP,TLR7,and APOE are the key genes involved in hypoxia-induced inflammatory reactions. A hypoxic environment induced inflammatory reactions in mouse kidney tissues by upregulating the expression of TLR7,CD68,STAT3,LEP,and APOE.

The incidence rate of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is continuously increasing in the world, and NAFLD is a major cause of chronic liver disease in developed countries such as the United States and may become the most common chronic liver disease in China in the future. NAFLD is often observed in the obese population; however, it is also commonly seen in lean individuals. This article summarizes the latest studies on lean NAFLD and elaborates on the following pathogeneses of this disease: the change in single nucleotide polymorphism is one of the predisposing factors for NAFLD in the lean population; the change of gut microbiota and sarcopenia may induce a variety of metabolic disorders including hyperlipidemia, hyperuricemia, insulin resistance, and iron metabolic disorders, and such metabolic disorders may promote the development of NAFLD; in addition, unhealthy dietary habits and lifestyle may contribute to the accumulation of fat and increase the burden of the liver. The combined effect of these factors eventually lead to the development of NAFLD, but further studies are still needed to clarify the pathogenesis of lean NAFLD.

An in vitro synthesized random ssDNA library was subjected to 12 rounds of selection against anti-screening cells and sieving cells by SELEX. Normal and inflammatory cervical exfoliation cells were selected as anti-screening cells, and the cervical exfoliation cells of low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (CIN1), high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (CIN2, CIN3) and cervical carcinoma were selected as sieving cells during the screening process. Then, the highly specific aptamer CIN-Ap4 was established by the analysis of the specificity, affinity and cell immunofluorescence, which can be used as biomarker for Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia. Prime Premier 5.0 was applied to design a random ssDNA library. According to the fixed sequence at both ends of the library, a pair of primers were designed and synthesized. At the same time, the optimal annealing temperature, cycle times and primer concentration ratio of PCR procedure were selected. The results under the optimal condition are shown as follows. In the 50 μL reaction system, the optimum reaction conditions of symmetry PCR are as follows: annealing temperature is 49.5 ℃, number of cycles is 15. The optimal reaction conditions of indirect asymmetric PCR are as follows: the primer concentration ratio is 80:1, and the number of cycles is 35. The experiment proves that the oligonucleotide library is constructed successfully, and the highly specific dsDNA and ssDNA can be obtained under optimal PCR conditions with good repeatability, which establishes the foundation for the further exploration and experimentation.

Objective To evaluate the effects of autophagy on oxidative stress induced by contrast media in podocytes.Methods The differentiated mouse podocytes were exposed to contrast media (Iopromide,50 mg/L)、rapamycin (Rap,autophagy enhancer,1 ng/L),3-methyladenine (3-MA,autophagy inhibitor,2 mmol/L) for 2 hours.The expression of autophagy protein LC3-Ⅱ and Beclin-1 as well as oxidative stress-related proteins Catalase,MnSOD were detected by Western blot.The formations of autophagy were observed by MDC staining,and the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) by CM-H2DCFDA staining.Cell activity was evaluated by CCK8 assay.Results Both the levels of oxidative stress and autophagy in podocytes increased when stimulated by contrast media,the expression of LC3-Ⅱ and Beclin-1 were enhanced,Catalase and MnSOD were inhibited (all P ＜ 0.05).Rapamycin increased the expression of Catalase,MnSOD and cell activity of podocytes,reduced the generation of ROS (all P ＜ 0.05),but in Rap group,cell activity showed no significant difference (P ＞ 0.05).3-MA decreased the expression of Catalase 、MnSOD and inhibited the cell activity of podocyte,increased the generation of ROS (all P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion Autophagy protects podocyte from contrast media by the means of reducing oxidative stress.

Objective To investigate the effects and underlying mechanism of the scavenger receptor CD36 in high glucose-induced rat glomerular mesangial cells apoptosis.Methods The mesangial cells of rats were divided into 4 groups:control group (5.6 mmol/L glucose),mannitol group (24.2 mmol/L mannitol+5.6 mmo]/L glucose),high glucose group (30 mmol/L glucose),CD36 monoantibody group (30 mmol/L glucose+CD36 mono-antibody).The intracellular ROS level was detected by confocal microscopy with fluorescent probe CM-H2DCFDA.MDA,GSH-PX,8-OHDGA in cell supernatant were detected.Apoptosis was determined by flow cytometry followed by Annexin V-FITC/PI double stains.The expression of CD36,Bax and Bcl-2 were detected by RT-PCR and Western blotting.Results The expression of CD36 was detected in glomerular mesangial cells.The highest level was found in high glucose group in 24 hours.There was no significant difference found between control group and mannitol group with respect to intracellular ROS generation,MDA,8-OHDG,GSH-PX level,apoptosis rate,expression of CD36,Bax and Bcl-2 (all P ＞ 0.05).There was no significant difference in the expression of CD36 between CD36 mono-antibody group and high glucose group (P ＞ 0.05).Compared to control group,the intracellular ROS generation,MDA and 8-OHDG levels,apoptosis rate,the expression of CD36 and Bax were significantly increased,the GSH-PX level and the expression of Bcl-2 were significantly lower in high glucose group (all P ＜ 0.05).Compared to the high glucose group,the intracellular ROS generation,MDA and 8-OHDG levels,apoptosis rate,the expression of Bax were suppressed but the GSH-PX level and the expression of Bcl-2 increased in CD36 mono-antibody group (all P ＜ 0.05).The intracellular ROS level was positively correlated with apoptosis rate,protein expression of CD36 and Bax gene,was negatively correlated with Bcl-2 protein expression.Conclusions CD36 was involved in the high glucose induced apoptosis of mesangial cells which was potentially mediated by an increased level of oxidative stress.

Objective To investigate the renoprotective effect of erythropoietin(EPO) in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats and to explore the possible mechanism.Methods The SD rats were randomly divided into there groups: normal control rats, diabetic, diabetic treated with EPO(NC, DM, DE groups).The rats were sacrificed after 8 weeks treatment.Renal morphology was observed by light microscopy.The expression of erythropoietin receptor(EPOR) in kidney was detected by immunofluorescence and Western blotting.The expression of p47phox, transforming growthfactor (TGF)β1andfibronectin (FN)proteininkidneywasdetectedby immunohistochemistry and Western blotting.The activity of antioxidants including total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and the level of malondialdehyde(MDA) in kidney were also measured.Results EPO treatment notably attenuated renal pathologic and functional changes.The expression of EPOR was found in kidney,but there was no difference among groups(P＞0.05).Compared with normal rats, diabetic rats showed an elevated expression of p47phox, TGF-β1, FN proteins and MDA levels in kidney as well as reduced activities of SOD, GSH-Px and T-AOC (all P＜0.01).Compared with diabetic rats, EPO could decrease the protein expression of p47phox,TGF-β1and FN in kidney (all P＜0.05).Meanwhile, elevated MDA level in the kidney was decreased as well as decreased SOD, GSH-Px,T-AOC activities were significantly remitted in DE group(all P＜0.01).Conclusion EPO can amelioraterenaldamagevia theinhibition of oxidativestressandTGF-β1andFNprotein expression in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.

Clinical data of 116 patients with implanted permanent dual catheters for hemodialysis,including 18 with infection and 98 non-infection, during January 2006 and July 2009 were retrospectively analyzed to study risk factors for catheter-related bacteremia (CRB). Duration of catheter implantation,primary disease, routine blood examinations and blood biochemical examination of the patients were analyzed between the two groups. COX proportional hazard regression analysis was performed for all predictor variables. Results showed that overall incidence of bacteremic episodes was 0. 314 per 1000 catheter-day.Compared to that in infection group, levels of hemoglobin, plasma albumin, peripheral lymphocyte count and ratio of CD4/CD8 in non-infection group were significantly higher ( all P ＜ 0. 05 ), and OR of CRB were 4. 011 (P =0. 0213) for diabetes mellitus and 7. 181 for hemoglobin level less than 80g/L (P = 0. 0020),respectively. It is suggested that improving nutrition status and correcting anemia for patients with hemodialysis are necessary to reduce CRB.

Objective To explore the expression and significance of nestin in renal tubular epithelial cells in hypercholesterolemic rats. Methods Dietary-induced hyperlipidemia were induced in female SD rats by given 4% cholesterol and 1% cholic acid diet for 16 weeks. Changes of serum lipid, urinary albumin, serum creatinine and renal interstitial pathological changes were assessed. The expression of nestin and a-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) were detected by immunohistochemical stain. Results The serum levels of total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein, urinary albumin and serum creatinine were significantly increased in hyperlipidemia group, accompanied with renal interstitial injury and fibrosis. As time extended, the expression of nestin and a-SMA in renal tubular epithelial cells were increased significantly. There was positive correlation among the expression of nestin and total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein, urinary albumin and serum creatinine( r =0.963,0.830,0.944,0.706, P <0.01). Nestin also had a positive correlation with tubular-interstitial index ( r = 0. 974, P < 0. 01) and α-SMA ( r = 0. 804, P < 0. 01). Conclusion The increased expression of nestin may be associated with renal tubular-interstitial fibrosis and tubular epithelial myofibroblast transdifferentiation in hypercholesterolemic rats.

Objective To determine the effects of practicing a simplified 24 movement form of Tai chi on the level of inflammatory cytokines and the quality of life of type 2 diabetes patients. Methods A group of type 2 diabetes patients practiced a simplified 24 movement Tai chi routine 60 min/d, 3 d/week for 6 months. Plasma glu-cose and insulin concentration were monitored. The plasma level of IL-6, IL-18, sCD40L, hsCRP and HBAc1 were measured. Changes in the patients' quality of life were also measured by using the SF-36. Results Serum IL-6,IL-18, hsCRP and sCD40L levels were all significantly lower compared with a control group. Significant quality of life improvements were seen in the Tai chi group compared with the controls. Significant reductions were seen in blood pressure, glycated haemoglobin, glucose, insulin resistance and urinary albumin. Conclusions These results sug-gest that regular Tai chi practice can prevent complications and improve the quality of life of diabetes sufferers through glyeaemic control and down-regulating inflammatory cytokine levels.