【Objective】 To establish a method to determine the content of the effective ingredient PCA (p-coumaric acid) in Shuang Bailian mixture and to investigate its anti-cancer mechanism. 【Methods】 High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was used to determine the content of PCA in Shuang Bailian mixture. The CCK8 method was used to detect the antitumor activity of PCA on esophageal cancer cells and the semi-inhibitory concentration of PCA on esophageal cancer cells. Moreover, the nude mice were used to investigate the anticancer effect of PCA. Western blotting was used to detect the expressions of apoptosis-related proteins (cleaved caspase 3, cleaved PARP, Bad, Bcl-2, PI3K, AKT, p-PI3K and p-AKT) in esophageal cancer cells and tumor tissues of nude mice. 【Results】 The concentration of PCA in Shuang Bailian mixture was 16.84 μg/mL. The linear regression equation of PCA was y=204 402x +360 904 (15-40 μg/mL), the RSD of the precision experiment was 2.66%, the RSD of the stability experiment was 2.35%, 3.22%, 1.58%, and 4.08%, respectively. The RSD of the repeatability experiment was 4.01%. The mean value of the recovery rate was 97.83% and the RSD value was 6.16%. CCK8 results showed that the half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) of PCA in KYSE30 and KYSE140 cells was 36 μg/mL and 55 μg/mL, respectively. The results of nude mice tumor experiments showed that after 30 days of administration, the tumor xenograft in control mice continued to increase in size, while the cisplatin group, PCA group, and PCA combined with cisplatin administration could effectively inhibit the growth of transplanted tumors in tumor-bearing mice. In addition, Western blotting results showed that compared with the control group, the cisplatin group, PCA group, and PCA combined with cisplatin group could effectively increase the protein expressions of cleaved caspase 3, cleaved PARP, and Bad, but decrease the protein expressions of Bcl-2, p-PI3K, and p-AKT in tumor tissues and KYSE30 and KYSE140 esophageal cancer cells. 【Conclusion】 The concentration of PCA in Shuang Bailian mixture was 16.84 μg/mL, and the HPLC content determination method conditions were sensitive and stable. PCA may have an active anti-tumor effect by regulating the PI3K/AKT/Bcl-2 signaling pathway and inducing apoptosis in esophageal cancer cells.

The cultivation of research ability can promote eight-year medical students to explore the uncharted academic fields and solve complex clinical problems. One of the firts pilot universities to provide eight-year programs, Xiangya Medical College of Central South University builds on its profound experience in medical education, and establishes a curriculum structure aiming at improving the students' research ability. In the general education stage, cross-disciplinary courses are set up. In the core medical education stage, basic medical innovation experiment extracurricular research courses are set up, and a two-year overseas exchange program is set up in the postgraduate training stage. Different evaluation methods are also designed to meet the specific needs in each stage. This program has achieved preliminary effects.

Objective To compare the effectiveness and safety of ultramini percutaneous nephrolithotomy (UMP) and retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS) in treatment of moderate-sized (about 1-2 cm) renal lower caliceal calculi.Methods From March 2015 to December 2016,patients in our hospital scheduled for surgery due to renal lower caliceal calculi with the greatest diameter of 10-22 mm were prospectively analyzed.Patients were randomized into two groups according to the random number table.Group UMP's operational channel was only F14 and the nephroscope's diameter was 1 mm.200 μm holmium laser lithotripsy was used to break the stones which was rushed out by eddy cuurent.In Group RIRS,all patients needed placing a F6 double J stent preoperatively for two weeks.A flexible ureteroscope sheath required imbedding intraoperatively.The stones were smashed by 200 μm holmium laser lithotripsy through the WOLF flexible ureteroscope.The intraoperative and postoperative datas including stone-free status and the complications were compared.Results 100 patients were enrolled in the study 50 patients in Group UMP,28 were male and 22 were female,mean age was 43.4 ± 7.9 years old.Mean stone size was 14.5 ±3.0 mm(range 10-22 mm).Among them,18 cases were complicated with mild and moderate hydronephrosis.The other 50 cases were allocated to Group RIRS,including 31 males and 19 females.Their mean age was 44.5 ± 8.3 years old and mean stone size was 13.7 ± 3.1 mm (range 10-21 mm).Among them,16 cases were complicated with mild and moderate hydronephrosis.No statistically significant difference were seen between the two groups (P ＞ 0.05).After three months' follow-up,one-time stone free rate(SFR) of UMP group was 94.0％ (47/50),which was significantly more superior than the 72.0％ (36/50) of the RIRS group(P ＜ 0.05).The intraoperative decrease in hemoglobin were (7.8 ± 3.3) g/L vs.(3.1 ± 3.4) g/L,and operating time(26.5 ± 6.1) min vs.(43.3 ± 6.3) min.Significant differences were also seen between the two groups(P ＜0.05).There was more blood loss and less operating time in the group of UMP.The hospital stay,delayed hemorrhage and postoperative fever between the UMP and RIRS groups were (4.3±1.3)d vs.(3.24 ± 1.21)d,8.0％ (4/50)vs.0(0/50),16.0％ (8/50)vs.12.0％ (6/50) respectively.No significant differences were seen (P ＞ 0.05).Conclusions Both UMP and RIRS procedures are effective and safe in the treatment of moderate-sized renal lower caliceal calculi.Compared with RIRS,UMP may be more effective and has less operating time,however wtih more intraoperative blood loss.

Objective To investigate the characteristic changes of biochemical markers of mineral metabolism, vascular calcification, and renal osteodystrophy in an adenine-induced rat model of chronic kidney disease (CKD). Methods A total of 20 male Sprague Dawley rats (SD rats) were randomly divided into two groups: the normal group fed with a diet without adenine, and the CKD group fed with an adenine-containing diet (7. 5 g/kg) for the first 4 weeks and then a diet without adenine for the following 2 weeks. At the end of the 2nd week, serum biochemical markers were detected. At the end of the 6th week, the SD rats were sacrificed and serum biochemical markers were detected once again. The aortas were collected for pathological examination and detection of vascular calcium and phosphorus contents. Femurs and the fifth lumbar vertebrae were taken for bone mineral density (BMD) measurement and bone histomorphometric analysis. Results At the end of the 2nd and 6th weeks, compared with the normal control group, the levels of serum creatinine, urea nitrogen, phosphorus and parathyroid hormone (PTH) in the CKD group were significantly increased (P＜0. 05 or P＜ 0. 01), and the level of serum calcium was significantly decreased (P＜ 0. 05 or P＜ 0. 01). Medial layer vascular calcification of the aorta occurred in 50％ of the rats in the CKD group, but was not observed in the normal control group. Vascular calcium and phosphorus contents were significantly higher in the CKD group compared with the normal control group (P＜ 0. 05). The BMD of total femur, cortical and trabecular bone tissues of the femur, and the fifth lumbar vertebra was significantly decreased in the CKD group (P＜ 0. 05 or P＜ 0. 01). The histomorphometric analysis showed that both bone resorption and bone formation of the trabecular bone in the CKD group were increased, indicating a high bone turnover status. The volumes of both trabecular and cortical bones of rats in the CKD group were significantly lower than that of the normal control group (P ＜ 0. 05 or P ＜ 0. 01). However, the trabecular bone mineralization was not significantly different between the two groups. Conclusions The adenine-induced rat model of chronic kidney disease (CKD) established in this study shows reduced serum calcium and increased serum phosphorus and PTH, and medial layer vascular calcification of the aorta. With respect to renal osteodystrophy, this model shows a high trabecular bone turnover, normal trabecular bone mineralization, and low bone volume of cortical and trabecular bone, which meets the characteristics of osteitis fibrosa. This model may become a useful tool for future study of chronic kidney disease-mineral and bone disorder (CKD-MBD).

As one of the first pilot eight-year clinical medicine education institutions, Xiangya School of Medicine has already put it into practice for almost 12 years. After years exploring and reforming, its cultivating plan has already been built up. This paper will make a brief comparative analysis between 2004 version and 2012 version in cultivating objectives, model and characteristics, demonstrated the development and reform of its eight-year program education, shown its features such as strengthening the basic knowledge, emphasizing the clinical skills, cultivating the capabilities, and broadening the international perspectives, and attempt to contact the residency and research training, in order to provide the reference for the eight-year program education reform.

[ ABSTRACT] AIM:To investigate the effect of the overexpression of voltage-gated chloride channel family protein 3 ( ClC-3) gene on bones of mice .METHODS: The tail gene detection assay was used to confirm the overexpression of ClC-3.The male FVB mice of three months old were divided into two groups , the wild type ( WT) group and the ClC-3 overexpressed (ClC-3 transgene) group.The body weight, length and weight of the right tibias were measured .The upper and middle parts of the tibias were dissected , decalcified, paraffin-imbed, sectioned and stained with HE staining .The bone morphology metrology was used to analyze the changes of bone structures .The percent trabecular area (%Tb.Ar), trabecular number ( Tb.N) , trabecular width ( Tb.Wi) and trabecular separation ( Tb.Sp) of cancellous bone in the upper part of the tibia were measured.The total tissue area (T.Ar), cortical area (Ct.Ar), percent cortical area (%Ct.Ar), marrow area ( Ma.Ar) and percent marrow area (%Ma.Ar) of the cortical bone in the middle part of the tibia were detec-ted .RESULTS:The wild type mice and the ClC-3-overexpressed mice were verified by the tail gene detection assay . Compared with WT group , the body weight and the length and weight of the tibia were decreased in ClC -3 transgene mice (P<0.05).In the cancellous bones of ClC-3 transgene mice, the%Tb.Ar and Tb.Wi were decreased (P<0.05), the Tb.Sp was increased (P<0.05) and the Tb.N was not significantly changed .In the cortical bones of ClC-3 transgene mice, the T.Ar, Ct.Ar and%Ct.Ar were decreased (P<0.05), the%Ma.Ar was increased (P<0.05), and the Ma. Ar was not significantly changed .CONCLUSION:ClC-3 overexpression may lead to the reduction of the bone mass and the destructure of the cancellous and cortical bones .The results suggest that ClC-3 may be involved in the regulation of bone resorption and/or formation.

Primary nephrotic syndrome(PNS) is a common kidney disease. However,its mechanisms remain unclear,and immunity might to play an important role in PNS. This article will review the pathology from cellular immunity,humoral immunity and the immunity involved in podocytes. It is useful for further understand-ing,and it may help guide the diagnosis,prognosis and therapeutic strategies.

Aim To study the influence of Sodium fer-ulate ( SF) on bone metabolism in glucocorticoid–in-duced osteoporosis rats. Methods Thirty cases of fe-male Wistar Rats(3-month-old) were divided into con-trol group, model group and SF group ( low-dose group, middle-dose group, high-dose group ) by ran-domized block design. Double fluorochrome labeling with calcein was performed before necropsy. The left tibia was taken for bone histomorphometry. Results In static parameters, the proximal tibia cancellous bone trabecular thickness, trabecular quantity and area ratio were significantly reduced in model group compared with control group;while compared with model group, those were increased in middle and high-dose SF group. Trabecular separation degree was increased in model group compared with control group, while it was decreased in middle and high-dose SF group compared with model group. In dynamic parameters, the calcula-tion parameters of cancellous bone mark perimeter rate and the bone formation rate were increased in model group compared with control group, in middle and high-dose SF group the bone formation rate was in-creased compared with model group. In bone cells, os-teoclast number per mm, osteoblast number per mm, percent osteoblast surface perimeter and percent osteo-clast surface perimeter were increased in model group compared with control group. In growth-plate, the thickness of growth-plate was increased in model group compared with control group. In bone cells and growth-plate there was no statistical significance between treat-ment group and model group. Conclusion This study demonstrates that SF can increase bone mass and im-prove bone structure,which may be related to the im-provement of bone formation. SF is effective for GIOP in rats.

Objective To explore the role of nuclear translational factor homeobox A13(HOXA13)gene in epithelial - to - mesenchymal transition(EMT)induced by human serum albumin(HSA)overload in human renal tu-bular epithelial(HKC)cells. Methods HKC cells were treated with different concentrations of HSA(ranging from 0 - 30 g/ L)for 48 h or 20 g/ L HSA for different times(ranging from 0 - 72 h)in vitro. The protein expressions of cy-tokeratin(CK),Vimentin,and HOXA13 protein in HKC cells were detected by using Western blot respectively. Mean-while,liposome - mediated DNA transfection was used to transfect the HOXA13 gene into HKC cells before HSA treat-ment,and the expressions of CK,Vimentin and HOXA13 protein in HKC cells were also detected by using Western blot. Results (1)The protein expression of CK decreased but Vimentin increased after HKC cells were exposed to HSA,which was in a concentration - and time - dependent manner.(2)Expression of HOXA13 was down - regulated by HSA in a dose - and time - dependent manner,and the expressions of HOXA13 protein in HKC in 5 g/ L,10 g/ L, 20 g/ L,30 g/ L group were 58. 24%(P = 0. 005),44. 73%(P = 0. 003),38. 40%(P = 0. 033)and 24. 83%(P =0. 011)respectively as compared with 0 g/ L group. Likewise,the protein expressions of HOXA13 in 24 h,48 h,72 h group were 52. 00%(P = 0. 023),46. 83%(P = 0. 008)and 35. 10%(P = 0. 034)respectively as compared with 0 h group.(3)There was a positive correlation between the levels of HOXA13 protein expression and CK protein expression (r = 0. 86,P = 0. 005),while the relationship between the levels of HOXA13 protein expression and Vimentin protein expression was negative(r = - 0. 94,P = 0. 002).(4)Up - regulated expression of HOXA13 in HKC cells by lipo-fectamine transfection alleviated the degree of EMT induced by HSA significantly. The expression of Vimentin decreased by 35. 34%(P = 0. 005)while the expression of CK increased 360. 00% - fold(P = 0. 005),compared with that of untransfected HKC cells. Conclusion EMT induced by HSA in HKC cells may play a role through HOXA13.

Objective To investigate the preventive effects of emilia sonchifolia on experimental hepatic steatosis in rats and its molecular mechanism.Methods Seventy Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into five groups: normal control, model, high dose emilia sonchifolia, low dose emilia sonchifolia groups and high dose emilia sonchifolia + phosphorylated extracellular signal regulated protein kinase 1/2 (pERK1/2) inhibitor (PD98059) group (PD group). In normal control group, the rats were fed with normal diet, and in the other four groups, the rats were fed with high fat and low protein diet combined with 30% carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) peanut oil 2 mL/kg subcutaneous injection, once every 3 days for consecutive 3 weeks to establish animal models with hepatic steatosis. In emilia sonchifolia high and low dose groups, 5.0 g/kg and 2.5 g/kg doses of emilia sonchifolia were given respectively by gavage, once a day. In PD group, after administration of emilia sonchifolia high dose by gavage once a day, additionally PD98059 0.3 mg/kg was injected through a tail vein, once a week. After 3 weeks, all rats were switched to normal diet and treatment continued as before. At the end of the 5th week, liver tissues were taken for pathological analyses. The serum levels of alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), total cholesterol (TC), and triglyceride (TG) were determinated by automatic biochenical analyzer. The positive cell count and protein expressions of sterol-regulatory element binding protein 1 (SREBP-1), pERK1/2, toll like receptor 4 (TLR4) and high mobility group box-1 protein (HMGB1) were tested by immunohistochemistry, Western Blot and flow cytometry. The levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malonaldehyde (MDA) in liver cell homogenate were detected by hydroxylamine and TBA method.Results Compared with the model group, the lobular inflammation in high and low dose emilia sonchifolia groups and PD group was attenuated (1.50±0.53, 1.80±0.43, 1.20±0.42 vs. 2.30±0.48), and ALT, AST, TC, TG, SREBP-1, and MDA were significantly decreased, the decrease in high dose emilia sonchifolia group being the most significant [ALT (U/L): 51.91±6.95 vs. 66.50±12.15, AST (U/L): 125.70±5.62 vs. 147.10±10.52, TC (mmol/L): 1.79±1.04 vs. 2.81±1.08, TG (mmol/L): 0.87±0.55 vs. 1.17±0.67, SREBP-1: (30.60±5.56)% vs. (53.10±5.02)%, MDA (nmol/mg): 5.20±0.87 vs. 10.61±5.45,P < 0.05 orP < 0.01]; the relative expression levels of pERK1/2, TLR4, and HMGB1 showed no statistically significant differences between each treated group and the model group [pERK1/2: (43.77±4.93)% vs. (46.83±5.27)%, TLR4 (rmfi): 69.12±24.64 vs. 69.08±24.32, HMGB1 (rmfi): 22.93±14.88 vs. 33.17±13.29, allP > 0.05]. While the above index values in PD group were close to those in high dose emilia sonchifolia group, showing that PD98059 had no impact on emilia sonchifolia's action.Conclusions Emilia sonchifolia can alleviate hepatic injury and attenuate lobular inflammation in rat experimental hepatic steatosis. Its mechanism is possibly related to the reduction of oxidative stress reaction, and SREBP-1 may be as a mediator involved in the action.