Effects of moxibustion on serum levels of β-EP, SP and expression of IL-1β and COX-2 protein in brainstem in rats with migraine / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To observe the effects of moxibustion at "Baihui" (GV 20) and "Dazhui" (GV 14) at different time points on the serum level of β-endorphin (β-EP), substance P (SP) and expression of interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) protein in brainstem in rats with migraine, and to explore the effect and mechanism of moxibustion in preventing and treating migraine.@*METHODS@#Forty male SD rats were randomly divided into a blank group, a model group, a prevention+treatment (PT) group and a treatment group, 10 rats in each group. Except the blank group, the rats in the remaining groups were injected with nitroglycerin subcutaneously to prepare migraine model. The rats in the PT group were treated with moxibustion 7 days before modeling (once a day) and 30 min after modeling, while the rats in the treatment group were treated with moxibustion 30 min after modeling. The "Baihui" (GV 20) and "Dazhui" (GV 14) were taken for 30 minutes each time. The behavioral scores in each group were observed before and after modeling. After intervention, ELISA method was used to detect the serum level of β-EP and SP; the immunohistochemistry method was used to detect the number of positive cells of IL-1β in brainstem; the Western blot method was used to detect the expression of COX-2 protein in brainstem.@*RESULTS@#Compared with the blank group, the behavioral scores in the model group were increased 0-30 min, 60-90 min and 90-120 min after modeling (P<0.01); compared with the model group, in the treatment group and the PT group, the behavioral scores were decreased 60-90 min and 90-120 min after modeling (P<0.01). Compared with the blank group, in the model group, the serum level of β-EP was decreased (P<0.01), while the serum level of SP, the number of positive cells of IL-1β in brainstem and the expression of COX-2 protein were increased (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, in the PT group and and the treatment group, the serum level of β-EP was increased (P<0.01), while the serum level of SP, the number of positive cells of IL-1β and the expression of COX-2 protein in brainstem were decreased (P<0.01, P<0.05). Compared with the treatment group, in the PT group, the serum level of β-EP was increased and COX-2 protein expression was decreased (P<0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#Moxibustion could effectively relieve migraine. The mechanism may be related to reduce the serum level of SP, IL-1β and COX-2 protein expression in brainstem, and increase the serum level of β-EP, and the optimal effect is observed in the PT group.

Efficacy and safety of Shenyankangfu Tablet, a Chinese patent medicine, for primary glomerulonephritis: A multicenter randomized controlled trial / 中西医结合学报

BACKGROUND@#Shenyankangfu Tablet (SYKFT) is a Chinese patent medicine that has been used widely to decrease proteinuria and the progression of chronic kidney disease.@*OBJECTIVE@#This trial compared the efficacy and safety of SYKFT, for the control of proteinuria in primary glomerulonephritis patients, against the standard drug, losartan potassium.@*DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS AND INTERVENTION@#This was a multicenter, double-blind, randomized, controlled clinical trial. Primary glomerulonephritis patients, aged 18-70 years, with blood pressure ≤ 140/90 mmHg, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) ≥ 45 mL/min per 1.73 m@*MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES@#The primary outcome was change in the 24-hour proteinuria level, after 48 weeks of treatment.@*RESULTS@#A total of 735 participants were enrolled. The percent decline of urine protein quantification in the SYKFT group after 48 weeks was 8.78% ± 2.56% (P = 0.006) more than that in the losartan 50 mg group, which was 0.51% ± 2.54% (P = 1.000) less than that in the losartan 100 mg group. Compared with the losartan potassium 50 mg group, the SYKFT plus losartan potassium 50 mg group had a 13.39% ± 2.49% (P < 0.001) greater reduction in urine protein level. Compared with the losartan potassium 100 mg group, the SYKFT plus losartan potassium 100 mg group had a 9.77% ± 2.52% (P = 0.001) greater reduction in urine protein. With a superiority threshold of 15%, neither was statistically significant. eGFR, serum creatinine and serum albumin from the baseline did not change statistically significant. The average change in TCM syndrome score between the patients who took SYKFT (-3.00 [-6.00, -2.00]) and who did not take SYKFT (-2.00 [-5.00, 0]) was statistically significant (P = 0.003). No obvious adverse reactions were observed in any group.@*CONCLUSION@#SYKFT decreased the proteinuria and improved the TCM syndrome scores of primary glomerulonephritis patients, with no change in the rate of decrease in the eGFR. SYKFT plus losartan potassium therapy decreased proteinuria more than losartan potassium therapy alone.@*TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER@#NCT02063100 on ClinicalTrials.gov.

The application value of a nomogram based on breast MRI and axillary ultrasonography for predicting sentinel lymph node metastasis of early-stage breast cancer / 中华放射学杂志

Objective:To explore the clinical application values of a nomogram based on preoperative breast MRI and axillary ultrasonography imaging parameters for predicting the risk of sentinel lymph node (SLN) metastasis in early-stage breast cancer patients.Methods:Three hundred and ninty-seven female patients (mean age 48.0±10.7 years old, range 25-81 years old) who admitted to Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center from May 2007 to December 2017 were enrolled in this study. All patients were diagnosed as primary unilateral invasive early-stage breast cancer confirmed by surgical pathology. Preoperative breast MRI, axillary ultrasonography and clinical pathological data of enrolled patients were retrospectively analyzed. According to the pathological results of sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB), the cases were divided into negative SLN group ( n=200) and positive SLN group ( n=197). Clinicopathologic data, MRI and axillary ultrasound features were analyzed and compared between two groups. Logistic regression analysis was used to select independent risk factors. Then a predictive model was constructed and a nomogram was made for visualizing the associations between the predictive factors and SLN metastasis. Goodness-of-fit of the model was evaluated by using the Hosmer-Lemeshow test. Predictive performance was assessed based on the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. Bootstrap resampling was performed for internal validation. Results:Significant differences were found in patient age, lymphovascular invasion status, PR status, HER2 status and molecular subtype between negative and positive SLN groups (all P<0.05); MRI features including tumor size, mass margin, long and short diameter, as well as the ratio of long to short diameter of LNs, LN margin, presence or absence of LN hilum, and axillary LNs symmetry were found significantly different between negative and positive SLN groups (all P<0.05); as for the axillary LN ultrasonography parameters, the interface between cortex and medulla, presence or absence of cortical thickening, and LN hilum were significantly different between negative and positive SLN groups (all P<0.05). Logistic regression analysis results showed that several factors could be identified as predictors of SLN metastasis, including patient age, MRI features (lymph node margin, presence or absence of lymph node hilum, and lymph node symmetry), axillary ultrasonography descriptors (presence or absence of cortical thickening) and pathological factors (lympovascular invasion, PR and HER2 status). The nomogram with patient age and the above imaging factors showed good,prediction performance with the area under the ROC as 0.778. Combining with the pathological parameters, the prediction performance of the nomogram model was significantly improved, yielding the area under the ROC of 0.866. Conclusions:The nomogram based on breast MRI and axillary ultrasonography can be applied as a noninvasive quantitative tool to predict the risk of SLN metastasis in early-stage breast cancer, which may facilitate decision-making for axillary treament strategy preoperatively.

Effects of Niaoduqing Particles () on Delaying Progression of Renal Dysfunction: A Post-trial, Open-Label, Follow-up Study / 中国结合医学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To follow up the participants of the randomized clinical trial "Efficacy and Safety of Niaoduqing Particles () for Delaying Moderate-to-Severe Renal Dysfunction", and assess the long-term effects of Niaoduqing Particles on delaying the progression of renal dysfunction.@*METHODS@#Participants, who had previously been randomly assigned to receive Niaoduqing Particles or placebo for 24 weeks (146 cases in each group), were invited to follow-up and all were administered Niaoduqing Particles 5 g thrice daily and 10 g before bedtime for 24 weeks. The primary endpoints were changes in baseline serum creatinine (Scr) and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) after completion of the open-label treatment period.@*RESULTS@#After the double-blind period, the median (interquartile range) changes in Scr were 1.1 (-13.0-24.1) and 11.7 (-2.6-42.9) μmol/L for the Niaoduqing Particle and placebo groups, respectively (P=0.008), and the median changes in eGFRs were-0.2 (-4.3-2.7) and-2.21 (-5.7-0.8) mL•min•1.73 m, respectively (P=0.016). There were significant differences in the double-blind period changes in renal function between groups. After the open-label period, the median changes in Scr were 9.0 (-10.0-41.9) and 17.5 (-6.0-50.0) μmol/L for the Niaoduqing Particle and placebo groups according to baseline grouping, respectively (P=0.214), and the median changes in eGFRs were-2.3 (-6.4-1.9) and-3.7 (-7.5-1.1) mL•min•1.73 m, respectively (P=0.134). There were no statistical differences in the open-label period changes in renal function between groups. The eGFR reduction of participants who accepted Niaoduqing Particle treatment for 48 weeks was projected to 2.5 mL•min•1.73 m per year.@*CONCLUSION@#Niaoduqing Particles appear to have long-term efficacy for patients with moderate-to-severe renal dysfunction. Although there was no statistical difference, the early use of Niaoduqing Paticles seems to ameliorate the worsening of renal function. (Trial registration No. ChiCTR-TRC-12002448).

Safety, Effectiveness, and Manipulability of Peritoneal Dialysis Machines Made in China: A Randomized, Crossover, Multicenter Clinical Study / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

Background@#Automated peritoneal dialysis (APD) can cater to individual needs, provide treatment while asleep, take into account the adequacy of dialysis, and improve the quality of life. Currently, independent research and development of APD machines made in China are more conducive to patients. A randomized, multicenter, crossover study was conducted by comparing an APD machine made in China with an imported machine. The safety, effectiveness, and manipulability of the two machines were compared.@*Methods@#Two hundred and sixty patients who underwent peritoneal dialysis (PD) on a regular basis in 18 centers between August 2015 and February 2016 were included. The inclusion criteria include age ≥18 years and PD ≥30 days. The exclusion criteria were as follows: hemodialysis; exit site or tunnel infection; and peritonitis ≤30 days. The patients were randomly divided into Group A, who were first treated with a FM machine made in China, then changed to an imported machine; and Group B, who were treated using the reverse sequence. APD treatment was performed with 10 L/10 h and 5 cycles of exchange. After 72 h, the daily peritoneal Kt/V, the accuracy of the injection rate, accuracy of the injection temperature, safety, and manipulability of the machine were assessed. Noninferiority test was conducted between the two groups.@*Results@#The daily peritoneal Kt/V in the APD machine made in China and the imported APD machine were 0.17 (0.14, 0.25) and 0.16 (0.13, 0.23), respectively. There was no significant difference between the groups (Z = 0.15, P = 0.703). The lower limit of the daily Kt/V difference between the two groups was 0.0069, which was greater than the noninferiority value of -0.07 in this study. The accuracy of the injection rate and injection temperature was 89.7% and 91.5%, respectively, in the domestic APD machine, which were both slightly better than the accuracy rates of 84.0% and 86.8% in the imported APD machine (89.7% vs. 84.0%, P = 0.2466; 91.5% vs. 86.8%, P = 0.0954). Therefore, the APD machine made in China was not inferior to the imported APD machine. The fuselage of the imported APD machine was space-saving, while the APD machine made in China was superior with respect to body mobility, man-machine dialog operation, alarm control, and patient information recognition.@*Conclusions@#The FM machine made in China was not inferior to the imported APD machine. In addition, the FM machine made in China had better operability.@*Trial Registration@#Clinicaltrials.gov, NCT02525497; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/results?cond=&term=NCT02525497&cntry=& state=&city=&dist=.

Primary culture and identification of mouse renal proximal tubular epithelial cells / 生理学报

The present study was aimed to establish a modified method for culturing mouse renal proximal tubular epithelial cells (TECs). Renal cortex was isolated from mouse kidney and scissored into pieces. TECs were separated by digesting scissored renal cortex in type II collagenase combined with strainer filtration, and then cultured in DMEM. The morphology of TECs was observed under inverted microscopy. The cell proliferative ability was assessed by flow cytometry, and cell viability was analyzed by CCK-8 assay. The purity of TECs was identified by immunofluorescence. Immunofluorescence observation showed that more than 95% cells were epithelial marker CK18 positive and more than 90% cells expressed renal proximal TECs marker proteins, Villin, AQP1, and SGLT2. The cells could be subcultured for about 5 times. The cell proliferative ability declined following the repeated passage. This study introduced a modified efficient method for culturing highly purified mouse renal proximal TECs.

Analysis of Factors Associated with Death in Maintenance Hemodialysis Patients: A Multicenter Study in China / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Patients on hemodialysis have a high-mortality risk. This study analyzed factors associated with death in patients on maintenance hemodialysis (MHD). While some studies used baseline data of MHD patients, this study used the most recent data obtained from patients just prior to either a primary endpoint or the end of the study period to find the characteristics of patients preceding death.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Participants were selected from 16 blood purification centers in China from January 2012 to December 2014. Patients' data were collected retrospectively. Based on survival status, the participants were divided into two groups: survival group and the death group. Logistic regression analysis was performed to determine factors associated with all-cause mortality.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>In total, 4104 patients (57.58% male, median age 59 years) were included. Compared with the survival group, the death group had more men and more patients with diabetic nephropathy (DN) and hypertensive nephropathy. The patients preceding death also had lower levels of diastolic blood pressure, hemoglobin, serum albumin, serum calcium, serum phosphate, Kt/V, and higher age. Multivariate analysis revealed that male sex (odd ratio [OR]: 1.437, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.094-1.886), age (OR: 1.046, 95% CI: 1.036-1.057), and presence of DN (OR: 1.837, 95% CI: 1.322-2.552) were the risk factors associated with mortality. High serum calcium (OR: 0.585, 95% CI: 0.346-0.989), hemoglobin (OR: 0.974, 95% CI: 0.967-0.981), albumin (OR: 0.939, 95% CI: 0.915-0.963) levels, and dialysis with noncuffed catheter (OR: 0.165, 95% CI: 0.070-0.386) were protective factors based on a multivariate analysis.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Hemodialysis patients preceding death had lower hemoglobin, albumin, and serum calcium levels. Multivariate analysis showed that male sex, age, DN, low hemoglobin, low albumin, and low serum calcium were associated with death in hemodialysis patients.</p>

Expressions of Tumor Necrosis Factor alpha-induced Protein 3 and Mammary Serine Protease Inhibitor in Radiotherapy of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma / 中国医学科学院学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the expressions of tumor necrosis factor alpha-induced protein 3(TNFAIP3) and mammary serine protease inhibitor (Maspin) in the radiotherapy of nasopharyngeal carcinoma and explore the differences in radiosensitivity and radioresistance,the relation with the occurrence and development of radioresistance.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The TNFAIP3 and Maspin mRNA expressions were detected by using TNFAIP3 and Maspin multi-point labeled DIG probes in situ hybridization.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>In radiosensitivity and radioresistance of nasopharyngeal carcinoma,the moderately and strongly positive TNFAIP3 mRNA expression rates were 27.50% and 48.33% (P=0.037), and the moderately and strongly positive Maspin mRNA expression rates were 67.50% and 46.67% (P=0.040). In the radioresistance of nasopharyngeal carcinoma,TNFAIP3 mRNA moderately and strongly positive expressions were positively correlated with TNM stage (P=0.005). In distant metastasis and no distant metastasis (70.00% and 37.50%, P=0.018), the expression rates had statistical significance. The Maspin mRNA moderately and strongly positive expressions were positively correlated with TNM stage (P=0.039) and T stage (P=0.021). In distant metastasis and no distant metastasis (65.00% and 37.50%, P=0.044), the expression rates had statistical significance.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>TNFAIP3 may be involved in the development of radioresistant nasopharyngeal carcinoma,and Maspin may be related with the invasion and metastasis of radioresistant nasopharyngeal carcinoma.</p>

The number of tumor-free axillary lymph nodes removed as a prognostic parameter for node-negative breast cancer / 癌症

Recently, there has been controversy about the relationship between the number of lymph nodes removed and survival of patients diagnosed with lymph node-negative breast cancer. To assess this relationship, 603 cases of lymph node-negative breast cancer with a median of 126 months of follow-up data were studied. Patients were stratified into two groups (Group A, 10 or fewer tumor-free lymph nodes removed; Group B, more than 10 tumor-free lymph nodes removed). The number of tumor-free lymph nodes in ipsilateral axillary resections as well as 5 other disease parameters were analyzed for prognostic value. Our results revealed that the risk of death from breast cancer was significantly associated with patient age, marital status, histologic grade, tumor size, and adjuvant therapy. The 5- and 10-year survival rates for patients with 10 or fewer tumor-free lymph nodes removed was 88.0% and 66.4%, respectively, compared with 69.2% and 51.1%, respectively, for patients with more than 10 tumor-free lymph nodes removed. For patients with 10 or fewer tumor-free lymph nodes removed, the adjusted hazard ratio (HR) for risk of death from breast cancer was 0.579 (95% confidence interval, 0.492-0.687, P < 0.001), independent of patient age, marital status, histologic grade, tumor size, and adjuvant therapy. Our study suggests that the number of tumor-free lymph nodes removed is an independent predictor in cases of lymph node-negative breast cancer.

Debulking treatment with CT-guided percutaneous radiofrequency ablation and hepatic artery infusion of floxuridine improves survival of patients with unresectable pulmonary and hepatic metastases of colorectal cancer / 癌症

The survival of most patients with both unresectable hepatic and pulmonary metastases of colorectal cancer is poor. In this retrospective study, we investigated the efficacy of computed tomography (CT)-guided radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and systemic chemotherapy plus hepatic artery infusion of floxuridine (HAI-FUDR). Sixty-one patients were selected from 1,136 patients with pulmonary and hepatic metastases from colorectal cancer. Patients were treated with RFA and systemic chemotherapy plus HAI-FUDR (ablation group, n = 39) or systemic chemotherapy plus HAI-FUDR (FUDR group, n = 22). Patients in the two groups were matched by sex, age, number of metastases, and calendar year of RFA or FUDR. Survival data were evaluated by using univariate and multivariate analyses. Clinical characteristics were comparable between the two groups. All patients in the ablation group underwent RFA and chemotherapy. Median follow-up was 56.8 months. The 1-, 3-, and 5-year overall survival (OS) rates were 97%, 64%, and 37%, respectively, for the ablation group, and 82%, 32%, and 19%, respectively, for the FUDR group. The 1-, 3-, and 5-year survival rates after metastasis were 97%, 49%, and 26% for the ablation group, and 72%, 24%, and 24% for the FUDR group, respectively. The median OS times were 45 and 25 months for the ablation and FUDR groups, respectively. In the multivariate analysis, treatment allocation was a favorable independent prognostic factor for OS (P = 0.001) and survival after metastasis (P = 0.009). These data suggest that the addition of RFA to systemic chemotherapy plus HAI-FUDR improves the survival of patients with both unresectable hepatic and pulmonary metastases from colorectal cancer.

Prevalence, awareness, treatment, and control of hypertension in the non-dialysis chronic kidney disease patients / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Data on the epidemiology of hypertension in Chinese non-dialysis chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients are limited. The aim of the present study was to investigate the prevalence, awareness, treatment, and control of hypertension in the non-dialysis CKD patients through a nationwide, multicenter study in China.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The survey was performed in 61 tertiary hospitals in 31 provinces, municipalities, and autonomous regions in China (except Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan). Trained physicians collected demographic and clinical data and measured blood pressure (BP) using a standardized protocol. Hypertension was defined as systolic BP ≥ 140 mmHg and/or diastolic BP ≥ 90 mmHg, and/or use of antihypertensive medications. BP < 140/90 mmHg and < 130/80 mmHg were used as the 2 thresholds of hypertension control. In multivariate logistic regression with adjustment for sex and age, we analyzed the association between CKD stages and uncontrolled hypertension in non-dialysis CKD patients.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The analysis included 8927 non-dialysis CKD patients. The prevalence, awareness, and treatment of hypertension in non-dialysis CKD patients were 67.3%, 85.8%, and 81.0%, respectively. Of hypertensive CKD patients, 33.1% and 14.1% had controlled BP to < 140/90 mmHg and < 130/80 mmHg, respectively. With successive CKD stages, the prevalence of hypertension in non-dialysis CKD patients increased, but the control of hypertension decreased (P < 0.001). When the threshold of BP < 130/80 mmHg was considered, the risk of uncontrolled hypertension in CKD 2, 3a, 3b, 4, and 5 stages increased 1.3, 1.4, 1.4, 2.5, and 4.0 times compared with CKD 1 stage, respectively (P < 0.05). Using the threshold of < 140/90 mmHg, the risk of uncontrolled hypertension increased in advanced stages (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The prevalence of hypertension Chinese non-dialysis CKD patients was high, and the hypertension control was suboptimal. With successive CKD stages, the risk of uncontrolled hypertension increased.</p>

Efficacy and safety of Changfu peritoneal dialysis solution: a multi-center prospective randomized controlled trial / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>A multi-center large scale study is needed to confirm the efficacy and safety of domestic peritoneal dialysis (PD) solutions. Some researchers believe that 6 L/d is enough for adequate dialysis, but there is no multi-center prospective study on Chinese population to confirm this. In this study, we evaluated the efficacy and safety of domestic PD solution (Changfu) and its difference between 6 L and 8 L dosage.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Adult PD patients who had taken PD therapy for at least one month were selected and divided into four groups according to two dialysis solution brands and two dialysis dosages, i.e., 6 L dose with Changfu dialysis solution, 6 L dose with Baxter dialysis solution, 8 L dose with Changfu dialysis solution, and 8 L dose with Baxter dialysis solution. After 48 weeks, the changes of primary and secondary efficacy indices were compared between different types and different dosages. We also analyzed the changes of safety indices.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Changes of Kt/V from baseline to 48 weeks between Changfu and Baxter showed no statistical differences; so did those of creatinine clearance rate (Ccr). Normalized protein catabolic rate (nPCR) from baseline to 48 weeks between Changfu and Baxter showed no statistical differences; so did those of net ultrafiltration volume (nUF) and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). Changes of nPCR from baseline to 48 weeks between 6 L and 8 L showed no statistical differences; so did those of nUF and eGFR. The decline of Kt/V from baseline to 48 weeks in 6 L group was more than that in 8 L group. Change of Ccr was similar. During the 48-week period, the mean Kt/V was above 1.7/w, and mean Ccr was above 50 L×1.73 m(-2)×w(-1). More adverse events were found in Changfu group before Changfu Corporation commenced technology optimization, and the statistical differences disappeared after that.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The domestic PD solution (Changfu) was proven to be as effective as Baxter dialysis solution. During 48-week period, a dosage of 6 L/d was enough for these patients to reach adequate PD. Clinical study promotes technological optimization, further helps to improve the safety indices of the medical products.</p>

Prokaryotic expression and purification of the capsid protein of porcine getah virus and preparation of its polyclonal antibody / 病毒学报

Based on a pair of specific primers, a 804-bp fragment was amplified from the plasmid pT-Cap containing Cap gene of Porcine Getah Virus(PGETV) and cloned into the prokaryotic expression vector pCold I which carried the His tag, this recombinant plasmid was then determined by enzyme digestion, PCR and DNA sequencing. This recombinant plasmid pCold-Cap was transformed into E. coli Rosetta 2, and PGETV Cap fusion protein was expressed through IPTG induction. The results showed that the Cap gene obtained efficient and soluble expression in Rosetta 2 induced by 0. Immol/L IPTG under 15"C for 24h, the expression quantity was 40. 2%. The product had a molecular mass about 32. 3kD as expected. The target protein was separated in gel slices and used to immunize Balb/c mice. The polyclonal antibody with high titer against Cap protein specifically analyzed by Western blot was obtained. The successful preparation of the polyclonal antibody laid the foundation for the further study on the detection and identification of PGETV.

Change of Na~+/dicarboxylate cotransporter-1 expression in rats with nephrolithiasis induced by ethylene glycoi and mechanism of potassium citrate prevention / 中华肾脏病杂志

Objective To investigate the change of Na+ /dicarboxylate cotransporter (SDCT) 1 expression in renal tissues of rats with nephrolithiasis induced by ethylene glycol (EG) and the mechanism of potassium citrate prevention. Methods Male Wistar rats were divided into control, nephrolithiasis and potassium citrate treated groups. Calcium oxalate crystal deposition and histological changes in kidney were examined by anatomical and light microscope. The plasma and urinary biochemical parameters, such as citrate, oxalate etc., were analyzed by routine biochemical method. The expression of SDCT1 mRNA in kidneys was determined by Northern blot, and the change of SDCT1 protein abundance was detected by immunohistochemistry. Results On day 3, the animals in the nephrolithiasis group had a higher level of SDCT1 mRNA and protein abundance in kidneys, as well as a lower level of citrate in the urine when compared with the control group. However none of the rats in this group had obviously calcium oxalate crystal deposition in kidneys. On day 7 and 14, the expression of SDCT1 mRNA and protein abundance were shown further increase, when the urinary citrate concentration was decreased progressively, and 87. 5% to 100% of the rats in this group displayed a large quantity of calcium crystal deposition in the kidney. In the potassium citrate treated group, both the expression of SDCT1 mRNA and protein abundance were shown almost complete inhibited during the whole experiment time, meanwhile the urinary citrate level was significantly elevated with time; furthermore, the occurrence of the renal crystal deposition decreased to 37. 5% on day 14, and the pathologic changes such as tubular dilation and inflammatory cells infiltration were shown to be alleviated. Conclusions The upregulation of SDCT1 mRNA and protein abundance in kidney has a close relationship with hypocitraturia, which may play an important role in the development of nephroliathisis. The treatment with potassium citrate has a beneficial effect on the experimental nephrolithiasis rats through inhibiting the expression of SDCT1 in the renal tissue.

Morphological and Ultrastructural Observation of Blastocystis hominis / 中国寄生虫学与寄生虫病杂志

Objective To observe the morphology and ultrastructure of Blastocystis hominis. Methods Morphological observation was made with 4-5 days cultured B.hominis by light microscopy, and similar material fixed with 4% glutaraldehyde was used for transmission electron microscopy. Results Several forms of B.hominis were observed including vacuolar, \{granular\}, amebic, multifission and cystic forms. The multiplication patterns of B.hominis included both binary fission and sporogony. Under transmission electron microscope, the nuclei, mitochondria, rough endoplasmic reticula and lysomes were observed in addition to lipid droplets in its cytoplasm, and glycogen in the central vacuole. Conclusion The central vacuole of vacuolar form may be related to the storage of the excreta. The amebic form of B.hominis might be pathogenic.