Objective To examine the impact of arid climates on distribution of Oncomelania hupensis snails in the Poyang Lake area, so as to provide insights into precision control of O. hupensis snails in the Poyang Lake area. Methods O. hupensis snails-infested grass islands in Hukou County, Lianxi District and Lushan City in the northern Poyang Lake area, and Jinxian County, Nanchang County and Poyang County in the southern Poyang Lake area were selected as the study areas, and the occurrence of frames with living snails and the mean density of living snails were captured from snail surveys in the study areas in spring and autumn each year from 2006 to 2023. Five years 2007, 2011, 2013, 2019 and 2022 were selected as drought years, and the mean daily water levels were collected at the Xingzi hydrological station in the drought years, normal flow year (2012) and flood year (2020). The numbers of days with water levels ranging from the lower elevation (11 m) to the upper elevation (16 m) for snail survival and the numbers of days with water levels of 11 m and below were collected in the Poyang Lake area, and the changes of snail indicators were compared in different grass islands in the Poyang Lake area before and after drought. Results The numbers of days with water levels ranging from 11 to 16 m were 110, 88, 136 d and 125 d at the Xingzi hydrological station in four drought years 2007, 2011, 2013 and 2019, which were less than in the flow year and flood year, and the days with water levels of 11 m and below were 242, 277, 220 d and 198 d in four drought years 2007, 2011, 2013 and 2019, which were longer than in the flow year and flood year. A total of 416 snails-infested marshlands were surveyed in the Poyang Lake area from 2006 to 2021, and the survey marshlands accounted for 43.12% (307/712) and 46.98% (109/232) of total marshlands in the southern and northern Poyang Lake areas, respectively. The median occurrence of frames with living snails and mean density of living snails were 0.60% (interquartile range, 4.04%) and 0.010 1 snail/0.1 m² (interquartile range, 0.076 1 snail/0.1 m²) in drought years, which were both lower than those [1.33% (5.19%) and 0.022 8 (0.098 9) snail/0.1 m²] in non-drought years (χ²= 42.170 and 44.911, both P values < 0.01). The proportion of grass islands with a continuous decline in snail indicators was higher in the southern Poyang Lake area than in the northern Poyang Lake area after the next year of drought (24.24% vs. 2.33%; χ² = 10.633, P < 0.01), and the proportion of grass islands with rebounding snail indicators was higher in the northern Poyang Lake area than in the southern Poyang Lake area (53.49% vs. 15.76%; χ² = 26.966, P < 0.01). A longitudinal analysis of snail indicators in marshlands with rebounding snail indicators after drought showed 1 to 5 years for return to pre-drought snail status, with a median of 2 (interquartile range, 1) years, and snail status was more likely to rebound if the occurrence of frames with living snails and the mean density of living snails were 2.11% and 0.025 5 snail/0.1 m² and greater in snails-infested grass islands. Conclusions Drought causes a remarkable decline in O. hupensis snail indicators in the Poyang Lake area, with a more remarkable impact in the southern Poyang Lake area, and 1 to 5 years are required for return to pre-drought snail status.

Persistent Müllerian duct syndrome(PMDS) is a rare disorder that arises from a lack of active anti-Müllerian hormone(AMH) or type Ⅱ AMH receptor(AMHR2) deficiency in males with a normal 46, XY chromosome karyotype.It presents that the external genitalia appears normally while the Müllerian duct structure(uterus, fallopian tubes, upper vagina) persists in the body.Common pathogenic factors are mutations in the AMH and AMHR2 genes, inherited in an autosomal recessive manner.This study reported two families with PMDS.The first patient was diagnosed with PMDS due to cryptorchidism in May 2019.Gene sequencing analysis revealed a new missense mutation(c.579G>T; p.W193C) and a splicing mutation(c.622-3C>A; splicing) in the AMHR2 gene.His father had the missense mutation(c.579G>T; p.W193C), and his mother had the splicing mutation(c.622-3C>A; splicing).The second patient was diagnosed with PMDS due to bilateral cryptorchidism, transverse testis ectopia in the right testicle in March 2023.Undegraded Müllerian tube derivatives were found between the two testicles, and serum AMH levels were very high(565.00 μg/L).Gene sequencing analysis reported that the AMHR2 gene had a new deletion mutation(c.835_837del; p.Leu279del).Both his father and mother had a deletion mutation(c.835_837del; p.Leu279del).This study reports two new AMHR2 gene mutations that expand the mutation sites of this rare disease.It is recommended to consider PMDS in the differential diagnosis of cryptorchidism, undergo surgery as early as possible, and treat Müllerian duct derivatives based on individual anatomical characteristics.

ObjectiveTo analyze the epidemic trends and current status in the prevalence of schistosomiasis in Jiangxi Province from 2002 to 2021， and to provide evidence for formulating and optimizing schistosomiasis control strategies in the province. MethodsEpidemiological data of schistosomiasis in Jiangxi Province from 2002 to 2021 were collected. The Joinpoint regression model was used to investigate the epidemic trends of schistosomiasis， and the annual average percent change （AAPC） was used to assess the changing trend of schistosomiasis infection in humans and bovines. SPSS 25.0 software was used to analyze the target achievement status， infection rate of schistosomiasis in humans and the areas with snails in 2021 to evaluate the differences among various districts and epidemic regions. ResultsBy 2021， 24 counties （61.50%） in the province had achieved the elimination goal， with hilly and marsh counties reaching 82.60% and 31.30%， respectively. The seropositive rate of schistosomiasis in human was 3.51% across the province. However， the seropositive rate in marshland areas （4.77%） was significantly higher than that in hilly areas （1.23 %） （χ²=3 827.51， P<0.001）. The total area with snails in the province was 84 938.32 hm²， including 82 196.86 hm² in marshland areas and 2 741.46 hm² in hilly areas. From 2002 to 2021， the infection rate of schistosomiasis in the humans and bovines exhibited a declining trend， with AAPC values of -48.70 and -39.70， respectively. The decline rate in the hilly areas was higher than that in marshland areas. However， the area with snail showed an upward trend （AAPC=0.50）， with a growth rate of 5.80% in hilly areas， which was greater than that in marshland areas （0.40%）. ConclusionFrom 2002 to 2021， the infection rate of schistosomiasis in humans and bovines in Jiangxi Province continued to decline， while the areas with snails increased. The prevention focus should still be on the marshland endemic areas， and attention should also be given to the risk of schistosomiasis in hilly endemic areas. Therefore， it is necessary to continue implementing a comprehensive prevention and control strategy that emphasizes controlling the sources of infection and adopts tailored measures based on local conditions and precise policies.

Objective:To investigate the urinary sediment findings and the clinicopathologic features of IgA nephropathy (IgAN) patients with acute kidney injury (AKI).Methods:It was a retrospective study. The patients with renal biopsy-proven primary IgAN in Peking University First Hospital from January 31, 2013 to July 31, 2015 were selected. According to whether AKI occurred at renal biopsy or not, the patients were divided into AKI group and non-AKI group. Morning urine samples were obtained on the day of renal biopsy. Urine sediments, including various cells and casts, were examined. The clinical data, urinary sediments, and renal pathological changes were compared between the two groups. Logistic regression analysis was performed to identify the association between clinical pathological changes, urinary sediment indicators and AKI, or clinical pathological changes and urinary sediment indicators.Results:There were 502 IgAN patients enrolled in this study, with age of (36.1±12.1) years old and 261 males (52.0%). The incidence of AKI was 11.4% (57/502) among the enrolled patients at the time of renal biopsy. Common causes of AKI included gross hematuria-induced AKI (10 cases), acute tubulointerstitial nephritis (10 cases), crescentic IgAN (9 cases), malignant hypertensive renal damage (6 cases), and multiple etioloqy or unknown etiology (22 cases). Compared with non-AKI group, AKI group had higher proportions of males and malignant hypertension, higher levels of proteinuria and urinary erythrocyte counts, and higher frequencies of gross hematuria, leukocyturia, renal tubular epithelial cells, and granular casts (all P<0.05). AKI group also had higher proportions of severe tubular atrophy/interstitial fibrosis (T2) and cellular/cellular fibrous crescent formation (C2) than non-AKI group (both P<0.05). Logistic regression analysis results showed that, there were statistically significant differences in the correlation between AKI and gender, 24 h urinary protein, urinary erythrocyte counts, granular casts and renal tubular atrophy/interstitial fibrosis (T) scores (all P<0.05). Hematuria, leukocyturia, red blood cell casts, white blood cell casts, granular casts, and fatty casts were correlated with endothelial hypercellularity (E) and cellular/cellular fibrous crescent formation (C) scores, respectively (all P<0.05). Hematuria was correlated with mesangial hypercellularity (M) scores ( OR=2.613, 95% CI 1.520-4.493, P=0.001). Hematuria ( OR=1.723, 95% CI 1.017-2.919, P=0.043) and fatty casts ( OR=2.646, 95% CI 1.122-6.238, P=0.026) were correlated with segmental sclerosis or adhesion (S) scores. Leukocyturia ( OR=1.645, 95% CI 1.154-2.347, P=0.006) and fatty casts ( OR=2.344, 95% CI 1.202-4.572, P=0.012) were correlated with T scores. Epithelial cell cast was correlated with C scores ( OR=1.857, 95% CI 1.174-2.939, P=0.008). Conclusions:AKI is a common complication among IgAN patients with diverse etiology and more severe clinicopathological features. Urinary sediment findings can reflect renal pathological changes to some extent, and therefore assist in the clinical diagnosis and treatment of IgAN patients with AKI.

Automated urine analysis poses the advantage of rapid turn around time and is suitable for initial screening of large number of samples.However,standardized manual microscopic examination of urine sediment remains valuable for a variety of differential diagnosis,such as screening the potential causes of hematuria,to predict proliferative and non-proliferative renal pathological injury. Urinary sediment scoring system is often used to differentiate acute tubular necrosis (ATN) from pre-renal acute kidney injury (AKI).The urinary podocytes serves as a marker of glomerular injury to determine the location of and to monitor activity of glomerular lesions,as well as to differentiate focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) and minimal change disease (MCD).These useful analyses shows the importance of urine microscopy in the clinical practice of nephrology.( Chin J Lab Med,2012,35:780-783)

Objective To study the effect of tanshinone ⅡA on the expression of P-selectin and ICAM-1 after cerebral ischemia reperfusion (I/R)injury in rats. Methods Rats were randomly divided into 4 groups: Sham operated group, I/R group, low dose Tan ⅡA treated group and high dose Tan ⅡA treated group. The focal middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) model was made by suture-occluded method. Rats were pretreated with Tan ⅡA, ig for 3d,respectively before MCAO. After 90min MCAO following 24 hours of reperfusion, the expression of P-selectin and ICAM-1 was detected with using immunohistochemistry method. Result Compared with sham operated group, the expression of P-selectin and ICAM-1 increased after reperfusion for 24 hours in the ischemic territory(all P＜0.01).Compared with I/R group, the expression of P-selectin and ICAM-1 decreased in a dose dependent manner in low and high dose Tan ⅡA treated group(P＜0.01).Compared with that of I/R group, cerebral infarction volume was decreased in a dose dependent manner in low dose Tan ⅡA treated group and high dose Tan ⅡA treated group(all P＜0.01).The change of ischemic impairment in low or high dose Tan ⅡA treated group was less than that in IR group, and the change of ischemic impairment in high dose Tan ⅡA treated group was less than that in low dose Tan ⅡA treated group. Conclusion Tan ⅡA may reduce cerebral ischemia-reperfusion inflammation injure by decreasing the expression of p-selectin and ICAM-1.Tan ⅡA plays protective effect on cerebral ischemia injury, especially when high dose of Tan ⅡA(30mg/kg)was used.

Objective:To observe the expression of connective tissue growth factor(CTGF) and its receptor-low density lipoprotein receptor-related protein (LRP), and the relevant signaling pathway for the regulation by long-term high glucose exposure in cultured podocytes. Methods:The effects of high glucose on the expression of CTGF and its receptor LRP were analyzed by western blotting. The activation of mitogen activated protein kinase ( MAPKS )signaling pathway by high glucose was also examined. Results: Basal levels of CTGF were observed in cultured mouse podocytes, the levels of CTGF protein were increased by high glucose medium groups on the 2nd day, reached the peak on the 4th day(P0.05).The levels of CTGF expression in normal glucose and mannitol glucose groups did not change markly. High glucose medium induced phosphorylation of ERK_ 1/2 at as early as minute 30, reached the peak at hour 6; maintained the activity at hours 12 and 24, and declined to the basal level at hour 48. However, phosphorylation of ERK_ 1/2 was not detected in normal glucose and mannitol glucose groups. Blockade of phosphorylation of ERK_ 1/2 with PD98059, a specific ERK_ 1/2 activation inhibitior, did decrease the high glucose-triggered expression of CTGF protein in 4 days. High glucose had no effect on the expression of LRP protein at each time point. Conclusion: Acute high glucose (2-4 days)stimulated the expression of CTGF protein via ERK_ 1/2-dependent signaling pathway in cultured podocytes, while cultured in high glucose for 6-8 days, the podocytes did not increase its CTGF level. Long-term high glucose had no effect on the expression of LRP in podocytes.

Objective: To investigate whether hypoxia can affect the expression and secretion of connective tissue growth factor(CTGF) and fibronectin(FN) in primary cultured rat renal cortical myofibroblasts . Methods: The primary cultured rat renal cortical myofibroblasts were subjected to hypoxic (1%O_2) or normoxic (21% O_2) conditions for a variety of times. The protein levels of HIF - 1?, CTGF and FN protein were analyzed by Western blotting in both the whole cell lysates and supernatant culture medium 6 h,12 h and 24 h after incubation, respectively. RT-PCR was carried out to measure the levels of FN mRNA at different time points (2 h,3 h,6 h and 12 h). The activity of gelatinase MMP-2 and MMP-9 in the supernatant from the cultured cell medium was assayed by gelatin zymography. Results: The expression of HIF - 1?was induced at h6 in cells under hypoxia incubation. The levels of cellular CTGF protein were increased in hypoxia treated myofibroblasts at h6 (175%?52%),significantly elevated at h12 (347%?67%,P

Objective:To investigate the anti-fibrotic effect of sirolimus(rapamycin)at the cell level.Methods:The primary cultured rat renal cortical myofibroblasts were divided into two groups,control group and sirolimus 40 mg/L group at each time point.The protein levels of ?-SMA,Col-Ⅰ,fibronectin(FN)were analyzed by Western blot in both the whole cell lysates and supernatant culture media 12 h,24 h and 48 h after incubation,respectively.Real-time quantitative PCR was carried out to measure the levels of procollagen-ⅠmRNA 1 h,2 h,4 h,and 6 h after cell incubation.The activities of gelatinase MMP-2 and MMP-9 in the supernatant from the cultured cell media were assayed by gelatin zymography.Results:(1)Sirolimus had no effect on the expression of ?-SMA of myofibroblasts at differnet time points.(2)The expression of Col-Ⅰin the whole cell lysates both reduced at the end of 24 h and 48 h in sirolimus group significantly [(0.58?0.05)and(0.63?0.18),P

Objective: To investigate peroxisome proliferator activated receptor ? (PPAR ?) expressions in patients with actively proliferating glomerulonephritis such as type Ⅳ lupus nephritis (LN) and cellular crescentic glomerulonephritis (RPGN). Methods: All patients were divided into 4 groups as follows: RPGN (17 cases); LN type Ⅳ (15 cases); mild mesangial proliferative IgA nephropathy (IgAN, 7 cases) and minimal change disease (MCD, 10 cases). Clinical parameters, immunohisto chemistry stain and in situ hybridization of renal biopsy specimens were performed. Results: Clinically, proteinuria and hematouria were increased and Ccr were decreased in LN and RPGN patients, and increased ESR and decreased complement C3 were found in group LN. Active index of renal specimens were significantly higher in LN and RPGN groups than in IgAN and MCD groups. Renal specimens of MCD patients showed no positive PPAR ? staining in all sections; little immunoreactivity was detected in sections of glomerular, tubular and interstitial cells from IgAN patients. Glomerular positive staining of PPAR ? in renal sections in LN and RPGN patients[(3.3?1.8) and (2.8?1.2) cells per section of glomerulus, respectively] were significantly increased compared with that in IgAN patients [(0.7?0.5) cells per section of glomerulus]. Similarly, tubular positive staining of PPAR ? in LN and RPGN patients (27.38? 12.46, 23.36?10.55) were also elevated compared with that in IgAN and MCD patients(6.51?3.49, 1.72?0.31). The relevance assay results showed positive relationship between active index and glomerular or tubular PPAR ? immunohisto chemistry staining cell numbers (0.478, P