The study adopted muscle injection of pVAX1-SP-GHRH(1-44)expression plasmid and electrostimulation to determine its effects on mouse growth and sow production performance.One hundred and fifty four-week-old C57 BL/6 female mice were randomly divided into 6 groups of 5 replicates each.Muscle single-injection followed by electrostimulation was performed.The con-trol group received an empty plasmid injection(80 μg/kg),while the treatment groups received pVAX1-SP-GHRH(1-44)plasmid injections(20,40,80,120,160 μg/kg).Twenty healthy preg-nant sows were randomly divided into 2 groups,each with 10 sows.Electrostimulation treatment was applied to the semimembranosus muscle of the pregnant sows after a single injection.The con-trol group received physiological saline injection,while the plasmid group received a 2 mg pVAX1-SP-GHRH(1-44)expression plasmid injection.Mouse weight,feed intake,and serum GHRH and IGF-1 levels were measured at days 0,7,14,21,and 28 after injection.Pregnant sows were bled via the tail vein at days 0,14,28,and 42 after injection,and their serum was separated to measure serum GHRH and IGF-1 levels.The birth weight,placental weight,number of piglets born,number of healthy piglets,number of weak piglets,number of deformed piglets,number of stillborn piglets,and number of mummified piglets were recorded at day 14.The mouse study re-sults showed that muscle injection of pVAX1-SP-GHRH(1-44)plasmid followed by electrostim-ulation could promote mouse feeding and increase weight gain(P＜0.05),significantly increase mouse serum GHRH and IGF-1 levels(P＜0.05),and maintain its effects until day 21.The results of the pregnant sow study showed that the average birth weight of the piglets in the plasmid group was significantly increased(P＜0.01),and the placenta weight was significantly increased(P＜0.05).The serum GHRH and IGF-1 concentrations in the plasmid group sows were significantly increased(P＜0.01).The study results showed that muscle injection of pVAX1-SP-GHRH(1-44)expression plasmid followed by electrostimulation could promote mouse feeding and increase weight gain,and also significantly improve the average birth weight and placental weight of the piglets in pregnant sows.

Clouston syndrome (OMIM #129500), also known as hidrotic ectodermal dysplasia type 2, is a rare autosomal dominant skin disorder. To date, four mutations in the GJB6 gene, G11R, V37E, A88V, and D50N, have been confirmed to cause this condition. In previous studies, the focus has been mainly on gene sequencing, and there has been a lack of research on clinical manifestations and pathogenesis. To confirm the diagnosis of this pedigree at the molecular level and summarize and analyse the clinical phenotype of patients and to provide a basis for further study of the pathogenesis of the disease, we performed whole-exome and Sanger sequencing on a large Chinese Clouston syndrome pedigree. Detailed clinical examination included histopathology, hair microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy. We found a novel heterozygous missense variant (c.134G>C:p.G45A) for Clouston syndrome. We identified a new clinical phenotype involving all nail needling pain in all patients and found a special honeycomb hole structure in the patients' hair under scanning electron microscopy. Our data reveal that a novel variant (c.134G>C:p.G45A) plays a likely pathogenic role in this pedigree and highlight that genetic testing is necessary for the diagnosis of Clouston syndrome.
Humans ; Connexin 30/genetics* ; Connexins/genetics* ; East Asian People ; Ectodermal Dysplasia/pathology* ; Phenotype

Objective:To investigate the relevant situation of the emergency departments (ED) of general hospitals at all levels in Zhejiang Province participating in the prevention and control of Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), and to provide a reference for further improving the capacity of emergency services.Methods:A multi-center cross-sectional investigation study was jointly initiated by the Zhejiang Provincial Emergency Medicine Quality Control Center, the Emergency Medicine Branch of Zhejiang Medical Association, and the Emergency Physicians Branch of Zhejiang Medical Doctors Association. Before investigation, experts were organized to develop a special questionnaire. Then the ED of general people's hospitals or Chinese Medicine hospitals at the county/district-level or above were included and their participations in the prevention and control of COVID-19 epidemic between March 9, 2020 and March 15, 2020 were investigated. The collected information included: basic information of the hospitals; participation of ED in fever clinics; the number of COVID-19 patients admitted to ED; the situation of ED support to the anti-epidemic front-line; and the epidemic prevention facilities of ED, and the early supply of medical protective equipments.Results:A total of 181 hospitals from 11 prefectures and cities across the province were finally included, including 52 (28.7%) Grade-A tertiary hospitals, 45 (24.9%) Grade-B tertiary hospitals, 64(35.4%) Grade-A secondary hospitals, and 20 (11.0%) Grade-B secondary or lower hospitals. Among them, 93 (51.4%) were COVID-19 designated hospitals, and 49 (27.1%) had the ability to detect COVID-19 nucleic acid; 177 (97.8%) set up independent fever clinics and 33 (18.6%) were managed by ED alone or mainly. The medical staffs of 65 (36.7%) fever clinics were all or mainly from ED. A total of 213 cases of COVID-19 were received/treated in 40.3% ED, accounting for 17.3% of the total number of cases in Zhejiang Province. A total of 3 848 doctors and nurses supported the front-line of epidemic prevention, of them, 253 supported Hubei Province (accounting for 12.5% ??of the total number). There were 68.5% and 76.8% ED having spare separate clinic and ordinary rescue single room to deal with the COVID-19. In addition, at the early days of anti-epidemic, more than 50% ED were in short supply or even had no medical protective equipment.Conclusions:The ED of Zhejiang Province plays an important role and has made a great contribution to the prevention and control of the COVID-19 epidemic. It is necessary to improve the conditions of ED to effectively respond to the prevention and control of daily infectious diseases.

OBJECTIVETo explore the value of detecting podocalyxin (PCX) level in urinary extracellular vesicles for the diagnosis of diabetic nephropathy.

METHODSThis study was conducted among 57 diabetic patients admitted during the period from March to September, 2017, including 34 with uncomplicated diabetics and 23 with diabetic nephropathy; 21 patients with other types of nephropathy and 11 healthy individuals were also included to serve as the controls. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA) were used to verify the separation of urinary extracellular vesicles. The molecular markers of extracellular vesicles (TSG101 and podocalyxin [PCX]) were detected using Western blotting. PCX levels in extracellular vesicles were also detected using ELISA.

RESULTSTEM reveal the presence of numerous extracellular vesicles in the urine with intact morphology and different sizes, and most of them were below 300 nm in diameter as shown by NTA. TSG101 expression was detected in the samples from all the 4 groups. Positive expression of PCX was detected in the samples from patients with diabetic nephropathy but not in the other groups. In patients with diabetic nephropathy, the mean PCX levels (3.27±2.30 ng/μmol)was significantly higher than those in the healthy control group (1.22±0.36 ng/μmol), uncomplicated diabetes group (2.22±1.29 ng/μmol) and nephropathy group (1.24±0.45 ng/μmol).

CONCLUSIONSPCX level in urinary extracellular vesicles is significantly increased in patients with diabetic nephropathy, suggesting the value of PCX as a potential marker for clinical diagnosis of diabetic nephropathy.

Objective:To compare expression levels of matrix Gla protein (MGP) and bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP-2) in Randall's plaque of renal papillary tissues in patients with calcium oxalate kidney stones and the underlying mechanism for stone formation.Methods:A total of 30 samples of Randall's plaque in renal papillary tissues from patients with calcium oxalate kidney stones were collected from the Department of Urology of Xiangya Hospital of Central South University from April,2015 to December,2015 and served as an experimental group.Ten samples of renal papillary tissues in patients undergone renal tumor nephrectomy were collected from the same hospital and served as a control group.The expressions of MGP and BMP-2 mRNA and protein were detected by quantitative real-time PCR and Western blot.Meanwhile,immunohistochemical technique was used to observe the expressions of MGP and BMP-2 in different parts of renal papillary tissues in the 2 groups.Results:1) The mRNA expression levels of MGP in the experimental group and the control group were 0.760±0.804 and 1.365±0.348,respectively,with significant difference between them (P＜0.05).Them RNA levels of BMP-2 in the experimental group and the control group were 2.500±0.725 and 1.485±0.870,respectively,with significant difference between them (P＜0.05).The expression levels of MGP protein in the experimental group and the control group were 0.130±0.424 and 0.202±0.704,respectively,with no significant difference between them (P＞0.05).The expression levels of BMP-2 protein in the experimental group and the control group were 0.885±0.220 and 0.682±0.272,respectively,with significant difference between them (P＜0.05).T-he immunohistochemistry showed that the protein expression of MGP in the experimental group was lower than that in the control group,while the protein expression of BMP-2 in the experimental group was higher than that in the control group (both P＜0.05).Conclusion:The BMP-2 expression is increased while MGP expression is decreased in renal papillary tissues in patients with calcium oxalate kidney stones,and the formation of calcium oxalate kidney stone might be a kind ofosteogenetic reaction or ectopic calcification.

Objective:To evaluate and compare the effciency and safety of Cyberwand dual probe lithotriptor and Swiss lithoclast master in percutaneous nephrolithotomy for renal staghorn calculi.
Methods:A total of 138 patients with renal staghorn calculi were divided randomly into a Cyberwand dual probe lithotripter group (Group A, n=71) and a Swiss lithoclast master group(Group B, n=67). hTe data for operative time, blood loss volume, one-stage calculus clearance rate, hospitalization time, cost of hospitalization and complication in the two groups were collected and compared.
Results: The renal access was established successfully and the one-stage percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) was performed in the 2 groups. There was no significant difference in the size of stones, the age of patients and the complications between the 2 groups before the operations. Intraoperative gravel time in the Group A was signiifcantly shorter than that in the Group B (77.14±21.39 vs 84.25±20.62, P=0.049). There was no significant difference in the one-staged stone clearance rate, blood loss volume in the operation between the 2 groups. hTe one-staged stone clearance rate in the 2 groups were 67.6%(48/71) and 70.1%(47/67) respectively, with no signiifcant difference (P=0.854).
Conclusion:Two lithotrities were safe and effcient for renal staghorn calculi. But comparing with Swiss lithoclast master, Cyberwand dual probe lithotriptor is more effcient and convenient.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the safety and effect of foley catheter traction for hemorrhage after postmicrochannel percutaneous nephrolithotomy (mPCNL). METHODS: Eighty-eight patients with upper urinary calculi were collected prospectively at the Department of Urology of Xiangya Hospital of Central South University from November 2010 to June 2011. The patients underwent mPCNL, and were divided into 2 groups randomly: 45 patients with 16F foley catheter but without traction served as the control group, and the other 43 patients with 16F foley catheter traction served as the experiment group. Blood loss was estimated by the mass of hemoglobin in the draining liquid and urine during postoperative duration through the HiCN. The blood loss and bleeding time were compared in the 2 groups, and analyzed by Wilcoxon rank sum test. RESULTS: There was statistical difference in the average blood loss between the control group (13.830 g) and the experiment group (7.959 g, P<0 .001). The mean bleeding time was 4 and 3 days in the control group and the experiment group respectively. CONCLUSION Foley catheter traction for mPCNL can reduce the blood loss, suggesting that Foley catheter traction is safe, effective and feasible.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Blood Loss, Surgical ; prevention & control ; Child ; Female ; Hemostatic Techniques ; Humans ; Kidney Calculi ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nephrostomy, Percutaneous ; adverse effects ; methods ; Postoperative Hemorrhage ; therapy ; Prospective Studies ; Traction ; Ureteral Calculi ; surgery ; Urinary Catheterization ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVE: To determine the screening of the expression of membrane proteins in androgen-dependent prostate cancer (ADPC) and androgen-independent prostate cancer (AIPC) and to explore the mechanism of membrane proteins in these two cancers. METHODS: Serum samples were collected from 3 patients with ADPC and another 3 patients with AIPC. The serum was incubated with ADPC cell line LNCaP and/or AIPC cell line PC-3 and detected by immunoprecipitation and Western blot. Differentially expressed proteins between ADPC and AIPC identified by mass spectrometry were compared and their expression level and location were analyzed by immunofluorescence. RESULTS: Altogether 11 membrane proteins were identifited, such as the Neural-Cadherin precursor, ER60 precursor, Claudin-4, and so on. Immunofluorescence revealed that the expression level of Claudin-4 in PC-3 cells was higher than in LNCaP cells. CONCLUSION We can use the screening method to study membrane proteins in prostate cancer. Claudin-4 may play an important role in the pathogenesis and the development of AIPC.
Aged ; Androgens ; genetics ; metabolism ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Claudin-4 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Gene Expression Profiling ; Humans ; Male ; Membrane Glycoproteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Protein Disulfide-Isomerases ; genetics ; metabolism

Objective To detect the prevalence of hyperuricemia and its relationship to chronic kidney disease(CKD) in the residents of Guangxi, and to discuss the risk factors for the hyperuricemia associated renal damage. Methods The residents aged 18-75 years old(n=6 273) in Xiangshan community,Guilin, were screened by means of cross-sectional study. Blood pressure was measured at 8:00-9:00.Fasting blood and urine samples were collected to determine blood glucose, lipid, insulin, creatinine, and urine albumin. Results The prevalence of hyperuricemia in the community residents was 23.5% in all cohort, being significantly higher in male residents than in female(28.4% vs 19.7%,P＜0.01). The prevalence of CKD was 21.6% in all cohort, and was 24.9% in males and 19.0% in females(P＜0.01). The prevalence of CKD was 30.4% and 18.9% respectively in residents with and without hyperuricemia(P＜0.01).The prevalence of CKD in males with hyperuricemia(34.3%) was significantly higher than in males without hyperuricemia(21.2%) and females with hyperuricemia(25.9%, all P＜0.01). CKD was only positively related to low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, blood glucose, and systolic blood pressure shown by logistic regression analysis. Conclusions The prevalence of hyperuricemia markedly increases in the urban residents, which contribute to the raised prevalence of CKD. Slightly elevated blood uric acid level is associated with raised prevalence of CKD.

Objective To investigate the expression and significance of glucogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK-3β) in the pathogenesis of chronic allograft nephropathy (CAN) in rats.Methods Kidneys of Fisher (F344) rats as donors were orthotopically transplanted into Lewis (LEW) rats as recipients.The renal function and histopathological changes were observed at 4,8,12,16,and 24week post-transplantation.Phosphorylated GSK-3β (p-GSK-3β) protein and mRNA expression was determined by using immunohistological assays and RT-PCR respectively.Results Our data showed that 24-h urinary protein excretion in CAN rats was increased significantly at week 16 as compared with F344/LEW controls.Allografts showed markedly increased mononuclear cells infiltration and presented with severe interstitial fibrosis and tubular atrophy at 16 and 24 week post-transplantation.p-GSK-3β expression (protein/mRNA) was down-regulated in rat kidneys with CAN,and the decrease became more significant over time after transplantation.p-GSK-3β expression was correlated significantly with 24-h urinary protein excretion,serum creatinine levels,tubulointerstitial mononuclear cells infiltration,smooth muscle cells migration in vascular wall,and interstitial fibrosis.Conclusion It was concluded that GSK-3β down-regulation was the key event that may be involved in mononuclear cells infiltration and vascular SMCs migration at early stage,and interstitial fibrosis and allograft nephroangiosclerosis at later stage of CAN pathogenesis in rats.