Trimethylamine N-oxide(TMAO), a metabolite of gut microbiota, is closely associated with chronic kidney disease(CKD). It can aggravate the kidney injury and promote the occurrence of complications of CKD mainly by inducing renal fibroblast activation, vascular endothelial inflammation, macrophage foaming, platelet hyperreactivity, and inhibition of reverse cholesterol transport. Thus it is of great significance for clinical treatment of CKD to regulate circulating TMAO and alleviate its induced body damage. Currently, therapeutic strategies for TMAO regulation include dietary structure adjustment, lifestyle intervention, intestinal microflora regulation, and inhibition of intestinal trimethylamine synthesis and liver trimethylamine oxidation. Chinese medicinal herbs have the clinical advantage of multi-component and multi-target effects, and application of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) to synergistically regulating TMAO and improving CKD via multiple pathways has broad prospects. This study systematically reviewed the clinical relevance and mechanism of TMAO in aggravating CKD renal function deterioration and complication progression. In addition, the effect and mechanism of TCM in improving TMAO-induced kidney injury, cardiovascular disease, hyperlipidemia, thrombosis and osteoporosis were summarized. The results provided a theoretical basis for TCM in attenuating gut microbiota-derived metabolite TMAO and improving CKD, as well as a basis and direction for in-depth clinical development and mechanism research in the future.
Humans ; Gastrointestinal Microbiome ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Renal Insufficiency, Chronic/drug therapy*

On December 14, 2017, a faculty member of a university in Hunan Province reported that an anthrax vaccine strain might have recovered virulence during an undergraduate experiment and potential exposure could not be ruled out for the students involved. Upon receiving the case report, the CDC, health bureaus, and local governments at the county, prefectural, and provincial levels promptly organized experts in different fields (including epidemiologists, biosafety experts, and laboratory testing experts) for case investigation, evaluation, and response. As the investigation results showed, no virulence recovery was identified in the involved anthrax vaccine strain; and no contamination of Bacillus anthracis was detected at the involved areas. Thus, the university returned to normal functioning.
Anthrax Vaccines ; analysis ; Bacillus anthracis ; pathogenicity ; China ; Containment of Biohazards ; Humans ; Laboratories ; statistics & numerical data ; Virulence

Objective To introduce the clinical manifestations and compare the different radiological methods of detecting the malformation of cervical segment of internal carotid artery.Methods A retrospective analysis of 7 cases with malformation of cervical segment of internal carotid artery between May,2004 and April,2011 was conducted.CT angiography (CTA) and magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) were used to detect the morphology of cervical segment of internal carotid artery.Results This disease entity provided no obvious symptoms in five cases,and only such complaints as pharyngeal foreign body sensation in one and odynophagia in another were described.Physical examination showed a bulge with pulsation on pharyngeal wall in four cases,and apparent normal pharynges in other three patients,all of which were covered with intact pharyngeal mucosa.Twelve carotid arteries in seven cases were observed,five of which showed tortuosities and seven kinkings.All of the five patients with recorded radiological examination had identified malformations of internal carotid artery,two of which were tortuosities bilaterally and two kinkinks bilaterally and one tortuosity and kinking respectively.CTA and MRA revealed tortuosities of cervical segment of internal carotid arteries.Conclusions No typical clinical symptoms were found in the malformation of cervical segment of internal carotid artery.Pharyngeal bulge with pulsation could be encountered.CTA and MRA showed excellent ability to depict the malformation of cervical segment of internal carotid artery and its relationship with surrounding structures,which could protect carotid artery from unintended damage.

The objective of this study was to investigate the function of vimentin in PRRSV infection. Vimentin gene from Marc-145 cells was amplified by RT-PCR, cloned into pET-28a vector and expressed in Escherichia coli BL21(DE3). The expressed vimentin was confirmed by Western blot and purified which was used to immunize BALB/c mice for the production of antibodies. Vimentin and antibodies were tested for blocking PRRSV infection of Marc-145 cells. The binding of vimentin to PRRSV N and GP5 proteins were tested by the ELISA. The results showed that vimentin gene was amplified successfully and expressed as identified by SDS-PAGE and Western blot. Mouse anti-vimentin antibodies were produced with the titer of 10(5). PRRSV infection of Marc-145 cells was blocked partially by vimentin while blocked completely by the antibobies. In addition, vimentin was bound N protein, but not GP5. These results provide additional information on PRRSV entry into Marc-145 cells.
Animals ; Antibodies ; immunology ; metabolism ; Cell Line ; Escherichia coli ; genetics ; metabolism ; Female ; Genetic Vectors ; genetics ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome ; genetics ; metabolism ; virology ; Porcine respiratory and reproductive syndrome virus ; physiology ; Protein Binding ; physiology ; Recombinant Proteins ; genetics ; immunology ; isolation & purification ; metabolism ; Swine ; Vimentin ; genetics ; immunology ; isolation & purification ; metabolism ; Viral Proteins ; metabolism

Objective To compare the complications in transoral CO2 and Nd: YAG laser surgery for the treatment of laryngeal carcinoma. Methods Retrospective analysis of 83 cases of glottic laryngeal carcinoma treated with laser surgery from January 1,1999 to December 31,2008 was carried out. Thirty-two cases were treated with the CO2 laser, including Tis(2 cases), T1N0M0 (21 cases), T2N0M0 (8 cases),and T3N0M0 (1 case). Fifty-one cases were treated with the Nd:YAG laser, including Tis (3 cases),T1N0M0 (36 cases), T1N2M0 (3 cases), and T2N0M0 (9 cases). Results Four complications ( 12.5% )occurred in the CO2 laser group. There was 1 local infection ( 3.1% ), 1 numbness of the tongue ( 3.1% ),1 odontoseisis (3. 1 % ), and 1 subcutaneous emphysema (3.1% ). Twenty-seven complications (52.9%)occurred in 19 patients in the Nd: YAG laser group. There were postoperative bleeding 2(3.9% ), dyspnea 5 ( 9. 8% ), local infection 7 ( 13.7% ), aspiration pneumonia 4 ( 7. 8% ), numbness of the tongue 2(3. 9% ), pharyngeal cutaneous fistula 1 (2.0%), vocal cord fixation 4 (7.8%), and laryngostenosis 2(3.9% ). Conclusion More complications were observed in the patients with Nd: YAG laser surgery when compared to the patients with CO2 laser surgery.

Objective In this study, human bronchial epithelial cell were inoculated with positive sputum specimens of HBoV. Methods After four days infection, cytopathic effect (CPE) were observed by inverted microscopy. These viruses all cause typical cell damages such as rounded and shrivelled, fusion and fallout.Results These damages got quick following increased future degenerations. The other assay result of CPE within the infected cells were observed by inverted microscopy, have typical "owl's eye" plaque and above 90 percent hemadsorption within the infected cells by erthrocytes for hemadsorption technique. The typical fluorescence lump of nucleus within the infected cells was found by indirect immunofluorescence technique. Conclusion Isolation and identification of HBoV could be done in the human bronchial epithelial cell, and we found some characterizing CPE in the human bronchial epithelial cell after HBoV infection. The above studies pave a way for studying pathogenicty of human bocavirus.

Objective To explore the relation between hepatitis B virus DNA load and genotype with the level of large envelope protein. Methods Serum HBV DNA was quantitively detected by using real time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The LHBs were detected by using enzyme linked immuno sorbent assay (ELISA) and HBV markers were detected by time differentiate immunofiuorescence assay in 140 serum samples collected from chronic hepatitis B patients. The genotypes of HBV were identified by DNA sequencing; and analyze their relationship. Results There was no significant difference between positive rate of LHBs and that of HBV DNA in HBeAg negative and positive group(P＞0.05); The HBV LHBs absorbency was markedly correlated with the HBV DNA load(R2=0.9267). The difference of HBV LHBs absorbency between HBV genotype B and C was not significant. Conclusions The close correlation between HBV LHBs absorbence and HBV DNA load illustrated that he level of serum LHBs can be used to estimate the state of HBV replication; and there is no relationship between HBV LHBs absorbency and genotypes. So HBV LHBs may be used as a new serological marker to detect HBV replication.

Objective To evaluate the safety and effcacy of intracomnary autologous bone marrow mononuclear cells(BM-MNCs)transplantation in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy(DCM).Methods On top of standard therapy,DCM patients received BM-MNCs transplantation(n=71)or saline injection (n=187).The baseline clinical characteristics of two groups were comparable.Data on echocardiography,Holter,six-minute-walk test,cardiac SPECT and annual hospital days were obrained in all patients at baseline,1,3,6,12 and 24 months after transplantation.Results Six-minute-walk distance was significantly longer at one month[(345±76)m vs. (286±104)m,P<0.05]and thereafter(all P<0.05)in BM-MNCs group compared with saline group.Left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF)at one month in BM-MNCs group was significantly higher compared with saline group[(41.5±9.4)%vs.(37.3± 6.6)%,P<0.05]and with pre-transplantation value[(41.5±9.4)%vs.(32.4±8.5)%,P<0.05] while LVEF was similar at 24 months after transplantation between the two groups[(43.6±6.3)%vs.(43.2±6.0)%.P>0.05 ].Three months after transplantation,the number of ischemic segments of BM-MNCs group wag significantly reduced compared with that of saline group(2.0±1.0 vs.3.1 ±1.4,P<0.05)and with baseline(2.0±1.0 vs.3.1±1.2,P<0.05)while the number of necrotic segments were similar in both groups during the follow-up.There were no significant difference in survival between two groups during 2 years follow·up(95.4%vs.94.9%,P>0.05)but the aflnual hospitalization days of BM-MNCs group was significantly lower than that of saline group[(23.6±13.4)d vs.(33.0±14.0)d,P>0.05].Conclusions Intracoronary transplantation of autologous BM.MNCs was safe and could increase LVEF and the six-minute-walk distance and reduce hospitalization days for patients witIl dilated cardiomyopathy.

Objective To compare the clinical benefits of rapid Rhino Stammberger sinus dressing (RR), a new nasal packing material for functional endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS), with traditional packing materials sorbalgon plus Vaseline gauze (SV) prospectively. Methods Twenty-four patients with chronic sinusitis of the similar grade were enrolled in the study. After ESS, the nasal cavities of each patient were packed with RR in the right side as observing group and SV in the left side as control group. SV in the left nasal cavity was removed in the first day after operation and RR remained in the right nasal cavity until the first endoscopic follow-up 1 week postoperatively. The same perioperative treatments such as irrigation and local steroid were given in both sides of nasal cavities. The grade of rhinalgia, nasal obstruction, discharge, bleeding and epiphora in each side of nasal cavities were assessed on a visual analogue scale (VAS) by the patients at the operation day (packing period), the first day and the second day after operation respectively. Postoperative endoscopic assessment of nasal cavities including crest, discharge, pseudomembrane, edema of mucosa, bubble and ostium obstruction were carried out by a rhinologist on VAS at 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8 weeks postoperatively. The follow-up continued until the complete mucosal healing. Results Three patients were dropped from statistical analysis. One of them with severe hypertension bleeding when he awoke from anesthesia, the RR was run out from the nasal cavity. The other two were lost in the follow-up. Twenty-one patients completed the follow -up ranging between 2 - 20 months. The scores of rhinalgia, epiphora at the operation day and the rhinalgia at the first day after operation in RR side were lower than SV side ( P < 0. 05). The scores of the amount of crust at the first week after operation in RR side were lower than SV side (P < 0. 05). Statistically, no significant deference was found between RR and SV in the length of mucosal healing period. Conclusious Patients felt more comfortable with the package of RR than traditional material No pain and secondary bleeding happened. The efficacy of RR on mucosal healing was similar with SV. RR showed some advantages and could be used as packing material following ESS.

Objective To investigate the value of radiofrequency catheter ablation(RFCA) on idiopathic ventricular tachycardia(IVT) in children.Methods The treatment efficiency of 35 patients accepting RFCA from March 2000 to February 2006 was analyzed,which was divided into control group and study group,randomly.The target site of IVT was localized by routine mapping in control group,and study group was localized by routine mapping combining doppler tissue imaging(DTI) on the basic treatment.Results Numbers of discharge,X-ray exposure time in study group were shorter than that in control group.There were no significance of radiofrequency energy,achievement rates and relapse rates between two groups.Conclusions RFCA is a safe and effective method on IVT.Children are localized combined with DTI shall decrease numbers of discharge and X-ray exposure time.