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Objective To investigate the effect of cyclin D1 (with CCND1 as the gene name) on HBV replication and its potential mechanism. Methods With reference to GSE84044 dataset, the Spearman's rank correlation analysis was used to investigate the correlation between the expression levels of genes in liver tissue and serum HBV DNA load in patients with HBV-related liver fibrosis. Cyclin D1 and cyclin D1 T286A mutant were transiently expressed in the HBV cell replication model, and time-resolved immunofluorescence and quantitative real-time PCR were used to measure the levels of HBsAg/HBeAg and HBV DNA in cell culture supernatant; Western blot was used to measure the level of HBV core protein in cells; reverse-transcription quantitative real-time PCR was used to measure the level of HBV RNA in cells; dual-luciferase reporter assay was used to observe the effect of cyclin D1 on the activity of HBV basic core promoter (BCP). GSE83148 dataset was used to investigate the correlation between CCND1 and HBV-related regulatory factors. The independent samples t -test was used for comparison of normally distributed continuous data between two groups, and the Mann-Whitney U test was used for comparison of non-normally distributed continuous data between two groups. Results The analysis of GSE84044 data showed that 7 cell cycle genes were significantly negatively correlated with HBV DNA load in liver tissue of the patients with HBV-related liver fibrosis (all r < -0.3, all P < 0.05), which included the CCND1 gene ( r =-0.474, P < 0.001). Exogenous expression of cyclin D1 and cyclin D1 T286A mutant reduced the levels of HBsAg, HBeAg, and HBV DNA in culture supernatant of the HBV replication cell model, as well as the levels of HBV core protein and HBV RNA in cells. Exogenous expression of cyclin D1 significantly inhibited the transcriptional activity of HBV BCP. The expression level of CCND1 in liver tissue of chronic hepatitis B patients was significantly positively correlated with the expression of APOBEC3G ( r =0.575, P < 0.001), SMC5 ( r =0.341, P < 0.001), and FOXM1 ( r =0.333, P < 0.001) which inhibited HBV replication, while it was significantly negatively correlated with the expression of the HBV entry receptor NTCP ( r =-0.511, P < 0.001) and HNF1α as the transcription factor for positive regulation of HBV replication ( r =-0.430, P < 0.001). Overexpression of cyclin D1 in HepG2 cells reduced the transcriptional levels of HNF1α and NTCP. Conclusion Cyclin D1 inhibits HBV transcription and replication possibly by downregulating the expression of HNF1α and NTCP.
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Objective:To investigate the prognostic value of proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) and blood lipid indexes in patients with sepsis.Methods:Patients with sepsis or septic shock who were ≥ 18 years old and met the Sepsis-3.0 diagnostic criteria admitted to the department of critical care medicine of Binzhou Medical University Hospital from January to October 2021 were enrolled. Healthy adults at the same period were selected as healthy control group. Baseline characteristics, acute physiology and chronic health evaluation Ⅱ (APACHE Ⅱ) and sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) score were recorded. Venous blood samples were collected within 24 hours after diagnosis, and serum PCSK9 was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) at 1, 3 days and 5 days. Meanwhile, high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG) and lipoprotein A were detected. The differences of each index between sepsis group (28-day death group and survival group) and healthy control group were compared. Meanwhile, the indexes of patients with different severity and 28-day prognosis in sepsis group were compared. Receiver operator characteristic curve (ROC curve) was drawn to evaluate the predictive value of PCSK9 and blood lipid for the prognosis of sepsis. Multivariate Logistic regression was used to analyze the influencing factors for the prognosis of sepsis, and the Kaplan-Meier survival curve at 28th day was drawn.Results:There were 50 patients in sepsis group (including 19 patients with sepsis, 31 patients with septic shock) and 27 patients in healthy control group. In the sepsis group, 19 patients died and 31 patients survived within 28 days. The serum PCSK9 in the sepsis group was significantly higher than that in the healthy control group [μg/L: 223.09 (198.47, 250.82) vs. 188.00 (165.27, 214.90), P < 0.01], and HDL-C, LDL-C, TC and lipoprotein A were significantly lower than those in the healthy control group [HDL-C (mmol/L): 0.82±0.35 vs. 1.45±0.24, LDL-C (mmol/L): 1.53 (1.14, 2.47) vs. 2.89 (2.55, 3.19), TC (mmol/L): 2.03 (1.39, 2.84) vs. 4.24 (3.90, 4.71), lipoprotein A (g/L): 8.80 (5.66, 17.56) vs. 27.03 (14.79, 27.03), all P < 0.01]. PCSK9 in the sepsis death group was higher than that in the survival group [μg/L: 249.58 (214.90, 315.77) vs. 207.01 (181.50, 244.95), P < 0.01], and the HDL-C, LDL-C and TC were lower than those in the survival group [HDL-C (mmol/L): 0.64±0.35 vs. 0.93±0.30, LDL-C (mmol/L): 1.32±0.64 vs. 2.08±0.94, TC (mmol/L): 1.39 (1.01, 2.23) vs. 2.69 (1.72, 3.81), all P < 0.01]. With the progression of the disease, the PCSK9 in the sepsis death group and the survival group was significantly lower than that within 1 day of diagnosis (all P < 0.05). ROC curve analysis showed that PCSK9 had higher predictive value of 28-day death than HDL-C, LDL-C, TC [area under ROC curve (AUC) and 95% confidence interval (95% CI): 0.748 (0.611-0.885) vs. 0.710 (0.552-0.868), 0.721 (0.575-0.867), 0.702 (0.550-0.854)]. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that PCSK9 was an independent risk factor affecting the 28-day prognosis of sepsis (β value was 1.014, P = 0.020). Kaplan-Meier survival curve analysis showed that when PCSK9 ≥ 208.97 μg/L, with the increase of PCSK9, the 28-day survival rate of sepsis patients decreased significantly. Conclusions:PCSK9, HDL-C, LDL-C and TC can all predict the 28-day prognosis of patients with sepsis. The prognostic value of PCSK9 is the highest. PCSK9 is an independent risk factor affecting the prognosis of sepsis. In the early stage of the disease, PCSK9 may have a good predictive value for the prognosis of sepsis. When PCSK9 ≥ 208.97 μg/L, the 28-day survival rate decreased significantly.
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Sugemule-10, one of the traditional Mongolian medicine (TMM) formulae, is derived from Four Medical Classics (Vol. 4) and composed of 10 Mongolian medicines. It is used to treat kidney cold, low back pain, urinary obstruction, kidney/bladder stones, and is the main prescription for kidney cold. The current research on Sugemule-10 is mostly focused on its clinical efficacy, and few papers are available upon its historical changes. Therefore, we systematically reviewed Sugemule-10 from the aspects of prescription source, prescription interpretation, efficacy evolution, and modern clinical applications.
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Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is the main cause of viral hepatitis, liver cirrhosis, and primary liver cancer. At present, nucleos(t)ide analogues (NUC) and pegylated interferon α used in clinical practice cannot directly target covalently closed circular DNA, and it is difficult to achieve clinical cure of chronic hepatitis B patients; therefore, it is urgently needed to develop direct-acting antiviral agents targeting all stages of the HBV replication cycle. Capsid assembly modulator (CpAM) targets the assembly of viral capsids through various mechanisms, thereby exerting a direct-acting antiviral effect. Its combination with NUC should have a good synergistic antiviral effect, but the results of existing clinical trials have shown that chronic hepatitis B patients who received a limited course of antiviral therapy with CpAM and NUC all experienced off-therapy viral rebound. Based on the mechanism of action of these two types of drugs, this article provides a reasonable explanation for the above clinical trial results and points out that a longer course of antiviral therapy with CpAM and NUC may be needed in the future clinical trials with safe drug withdrawal as the end point of observation, so as to deplete or silence the pool of covalently closed circular DNA and increase the possibility of safe drug withdrawal in CHB patients. In addition, further studies are needed to explore antiviral therapeutic strategies with a combination of multiple targets.
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Objective To establish quantitative methods to assay quercetin in Honghuixiang injection by HPLC. Methods Dikma C18 column(250 mm×4.6 mm, 5 μm) was used for the assay with acetonitrile −0.1% phosphoric acid (25∶75) as the mobile phase. Flow rate was 1.0 ml/min. The column temperature was 30 ℃. The detection wavelength was at 256 nm. Results Quercetin showed good linear relationship within the range of 0.2150–3.225 μg. The correlation coefficient was 0.999 6. The average recovery was 99.39% with RSD 0.82% (n=6). The repeatability was 1.194 mg/ml with RSD 0.40%. Conclusion The average quercetin content in three batches of Honghuixiang injection was 1.191 mg/ml. This method is simple, rapid and accurate. It can be used for the determination of quercetin in Honghuixiang injection.
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The present study aims to investigate the impact of hydrogen-rich water on the lactic acid level in metformin-treated diabetic rats under hypoxia. Thirty Sprague–Dawley rats were randomly divided into five groups, including normal diet group, and diabetes model (DM) group, DM + metformin treatment (DMM) group, DMM + hypoxia treatment (DMMH) group and DMMH + hydrogenrich water (DMMHR) group. We found that the levels of lactic acid, pyruvate and lactate dehydrogenase were significantly lower in the blood of DMMHR group than DMMH group. Superoxide dismutase and glutathione levels in liver and heart were significantly higher in DMMH group after hydrogen-rich water treatment, while malondialdehyde and oxidized glutathione levels were decreased in DMMHR group when compared with DMMH group, which indicates that hydrogen-rich water could reduce oxidative stress. qPCR analysis demonstrated that that pro-apoptotic genes Bax/Caspase-3 were upregulated in DM group and metformin treatment suppressed their upregulation (DMM group). However, hypoxic condition reversed the effect of metformin on apoptotic gene expression, and hydrogen-rich water showed little effect on these genes under hypoxia. HE staining showed that hydrogen-rich water prevented myocardial fiber damages under hypoxia. In summary, we conclude that hydrogen-rich water could prevent lactate accumulation and reduce oxidant stress in diabetic rat model to prevent hypoxia-induced damages. It could be served as a potential agent for diabetes patients with metformin treatment to prevent lactic acidosis and reduce myocardial damages under hypoxic conditions.
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ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of AU-rich element RNA-binding factor 1 (AUF1) on glypican 3 (GPC3) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and its possible mechanism. MethodsTCGA-HCC gene expression data were downloaded from Broad Institute Genome Data Analysis Center, and finally 371 HCC tissue samples with different etiologies and 50 adjacent tissue samples were included; LCI-HCC gene expression data were downloaded from GSE14520, and 214 patients with hepatitis B-associated HCC who had follow-up data were enrolled. A total of 35 primary liver cancer samples and corresponding adjacent tissue samples were collected from HCC patients who underwent radical surgery in Henan Provincial Cancer Hospital from 2009 to 2013. Immunohistochemistry was used to measure the protein expression of GPC3 and AUF1 in HCC tissue; Western Blot and qRT-PCR were used to measure the expression of GPC3 after AUF1 knockdown or overexpression in hepatoma cell lines; RNA-binding protein immunoprecipitation and RNA turnover assay were used to investigate the potential mechanism of AUF1 in regulating the expression of GPC3. The t-test was used for comparison of quantitative data between two groups, and the chi-square test was used for comparison of rates between two groups; the Kaplan-Meier method was used for survival analysis after surgery, and the log-rank test was used for comparison of survival rates. ResultsIn TCGA and LCI databases, the expression of GPC3 in HCC tissue was significantly higher than that in adjacent tissue (P＜0.05), and in TCGA database, the high expression of GPC3 was associated with the poor prognosis of HCC patients (P＜0.05). Immunohistochemistry showed that both GPC3 and AUF1 proteins are highly expressed in HCC tissue, with a positive expression rate of 77.1% (27/35) and 74.3% (26/35), respectively. In vitro experiment showed that AUF1 knockdown significantly reduced the expression of GPC3 in HepG2 and Huh-7 cells (P＜0.05), while AUF1 overexpression significantly increased the expression of GPC3 (P＜0.05). AUF1 protein could bind to GPC3 mRNA, and AUF1 knockdown reduced the stability of GPC3 mRNA. ConclusionAUF1 is an important post-transcriptional regulator of the GPC3 gene, and the abnormal high expression of AUF1 and GPC3 may be involved in the development and progression of HCC.
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Objective@#To explore and analyze the possible mechanism of liver injury in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (novel coronavirus pneumonia, NCP).@*Methods@#The correlation between ALT, AST and other liver enzyme changes condition and NCP patients’ disease status reported in the literature was comprehensively analyzed. ACE2 expression in liver tissue for novel coronavirus was analyzed based on single cell sequencing (GSE115469) data. RNA-Seq method was used to analyze Ace2 expression and transcription factors related to its expression in liver tissues at various time-points after hepatectomy in mouse model of acute liver injury with partial hepatectomy. t-test or Spearman rank correlation analysis was used for statistical analysis.@*Results@#ALT and AST were abnormally elevated in some patients with novel coronavirus infection, and the rate and extent of ALT and AST elevation in severe NCP patients were higher than those in non-severe patients. Liver tissue results of single cell sequencing and immunohistochemistry showed that ACE2 was only expressed in bile duct epithelial cells of normal liver tissues, and very low in hepatocytes. In a mouse model of acute liver injury with partial hepatectomy, Ace2 expression was down-regulated on the first day, but it was elevated up to twice of the normal level on the third day, and returned to normal level on seventh day when the liver recovered and hepatocyte proliferation stopped. Whether this phenomenon suggests that the bile duct epithelial cells with positive expression of Ace2 participate in the process of liver regeneration after partial hepatectomy deserves further study. In RNA-Seq data, 77 transcription factors were positively correlated with the expression of ACE2 (r > 0.2, FDR < 0.05), which were mainly enriched in the development, differentiation, morphogenesis and cell proliferation of glandular epithelial cells.@*Conclusion@#We assumed that in addition to the over activated inflammatory response in patients with NCP, the up-regulation of ACE2 expression in liver tissue caused by compensatory proliferation of hepatocytes derived from bile duct epithelial cells may also be the possible mechanism of liver tissue injury caused by 2019 novel coronavirus infection.
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Netrin-1, an axon guidance factor, and its receptor UNC5B play important roles in axonal development and angiogenesis. This study examined netrin-1 and UNC5B expression in kidneys with diabetic kidney disease (DKD) and investigated their roles in angiogenesis. Netrin-1 and UNC5B were upregulated in streptozotocininduced DKD Wistar rats, and their expression was compared with that in healthy controls. However, exogenous netrin-1 in UNC5B-depleted human renal glomerular endothelial cells (HRGECs) inhibited cell migration and tubulogenesis. This effect was likely associated with SRC pathway deactivation. Netrin-1 treatment also eliminated the pro-angiogenic effects of exogenous VEGF-165 on UNC5B-silenced HRGECs. These results indicate that UNC5B antagonizes netrin-1 and that UNC5B upregulation contributes partly to enhancing angiogenesis in DKD. Therefore, introducing exogenous netrin-1 and depleting endogenous UNC5B are potential strategies for reducing the incidence of early angiogenesis and mitigating kidney injury in DKD.
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Objective@#To observe the histopathological features of different opportunistic infections and tumors of the intestinal mucosa in AIDS patients, and to explore the correlation between different lesions and CD4+ T lymphocyte levels.@*Methods@#Colonic mucosal biopsy specimens of 263 patients with clinically diagnosed AIDS and abdominal pain, diarrhea, blood in the stool and other gastrointestinal symptoms were collected from Beijing Ditan Hospital from 2010 to 2018. There were 232 males and 31 females, with age range 10-81 (mean 40±13) years. HE staining, histochemical special staining, immunohistochemical staining, and in-situ hybridization were used to detect the expression of different opportunistic infection pathogens, tumors and CD4+ T lymphocytes. Peripheral blood was also taken for CD4+ T lymphocytes, CD8+ T lymphocytes, HIV viral load and routine indicators.@*Results@#The cohort included 263 intestinal mucosal biopsy specimens. There were 175 cases (66.5%) of non-specific inflammation, and pathogens were detected in 41 cases (15.6%), including 20 cases(7.6%) of cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection, 12 cases (4.6%) of mycobacterial infection, eight cases (3.0%) of amoeba infestation, and one case (0.3%) of talaromycesmarneffei infection; there were also 41 (15.6%) neoplastic lesions including 25 cases (9.5%) of intraepithelial neoplasia, 10 cases (3.8%) of adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma, six cases (2.3%) of lymphoma; and six cases (2.3%) of ulcerative colitis. The peripheral blood CD4+T lymphocyte levels of patients with CMV, mycobacteria and talaromycesmarneffei were less than 200/μL; the peripheral blood CD4+ T lymphocyte level (P<0.01) and intestinal mucosa CD4+T lymphocytes (P<0.01) were all significantly lower than those in patients with non-specific inflammation. The peripheral red blood cells and hemoglobin levels of patients with CMV and mycobacterial infection (P<0.01), adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma (P<0.05) were significantly lower than those of non-specific inflammation patients.@*Conclusions@#Pathologic examination of intestinal mucosa can identify specific infections and neoplastic lesions in AIDS patients; the most common lesions are non-specific inflammation, and CMV infection is the most common opportunistic infections; CMV, mycobacteria and talaromycesmarneffei infections are associated with decreased levels of CD4+ T lymphocytes in peripheral blood and intestinal mucosa; entamoeba histolytica infestation and non-HIV-related neoplastic lesions such as intraepithelial neoplasia, adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma are not associated with changes in AIDS immune function.
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This study aimed to compare clinical features between membranous nephropathy (MN) and nonmembranous nephropathy (non-MN), to explore the clinically differential diagnosis of these two types, and to establish a diagnostic model of MN. After renal biopsy was obtained, 798 patients were divided into two groups based on their examination results: primary MN group (n = 248) and non-MN group (n = 550). Their data were statistically analyzed. Logistic regression analysis indicated that anti-PLA2R antibodies, IgG, and Cr were independently correlated with MN, and these three parameters were then used to establish the MN diagnostic model. A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve confirmed that our diagnostic model could distinguish between patients with and without MN, and their corresponding sensitivity, specificity, and AUC were 79.9%, 89.4%, and 0.917, respectively. The cutoff value for this combination in MN diagnosis was 0.34. The established diagnostic model that combined multiple factors shows a potential for broad clinical applications in differentiating primary MN from other kidney diseases and provides reliable evidence supporting the feasibility of noninvasive diagnosis of kidney diseases.
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Objective@#To investigate the prognostic value of albumin/globulin ratio on postoperative survival outcomes in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma.@*Methods@#Data of 630 patients with HCC, who underwent surgical resection from February 2009 to July 2013, were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were divided into low-value group (A/G < 1.5, defined as L group) and high-value group (A/G≥1.5, defined as H group), and their distribution characteristics were observed with the normal A/G threshold value. Independent risk factors’ affecting survival and prognosis was analyzed with univariate and multivariate Cox’s regression model. Survival trend of all patients with low-value and high-value groups in A, B and C of Barcelona stage (BCLC stage) were analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier method.@*Results@#Multivariate analysis showed that preoperative A/G ratio (P = 0.007), alpha-fetoprotein (P < 0.001), gamma-glutamyltransferase (P = 0.006), RBC (P = 0.014), international normalized ratio (P = 0.009), preoperative BCLC staging (P < 0.001) and number of tumors (P = 0.003), and intraoperative blood transfusion (P < 0.001) were independent prognostic factors affecting long-term survival in HCC patients. The median overall survival time in-group L was 15 months, significantly lower than that in group H of 42 months (P < 0.001). Stratified analysis showed that the short-term survival advantage of patients with high A / G value was limited to those with Barcelona stage A (P < 0.001), and disappeared in patients with Barcelona stage B and C (P > 0.05). The long-term survival advantage existed in patients with Barcelona stage A (P < 0.001), B (P < 0.05), and disappeared in C (P > 0.05).@*Conclusion@#Preoperative albumin/globulin ratio can predict postoperative prognosis and survival, and direct towards the treatment for early stage of HCC and thus representing as an indicator of high clinical value.
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Hepatitis B virus (HBV) covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA) in infected hepatocytes is the main cause of off-therapy viral rebound. The half-life of cccDNA is only 33-50 days, so the conversion of newly synthesized rcDNA to cccDNA in the nucleus is essential for the maintenance of cccDNA pool in infected hepatocytes. Though not directly targeting the existing cccDNA, current nucleos(t)ide analogues (NAs) may exhaust the cccDNA reservoir by blocking the rcDNA formation. Indeed, a prolonged consolidation therapy post loss of serum HBV DNA can achieve sustained remission and thus safe drug discontinuation in a small proportion of chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients. In recent studies, we and others have demonstrated that it is the serum HBV RNA that reflects the cccDNA activity in infected hepatocytes, particularly among the patients on NAs. Here we suggest that instead of measuring serum HBV DNA only, simultaneous measurement of both viral DNA and RNA would improve the accuracy to reflect the cccDNA activity; therefore, the virological response should be redefined as consistent loss (less than the lower limit of detection) of both serum HBV DNA and RNA, which indicates the safety of drug discontinuation. Accumulating evidence has suggested that for the CHB patients with lower serum HBsAg, switch-to or add-on pegylated interferon (Peg-IFN) treatment would result in loss of serum HBsAg in a relatively large proportion of CHB patients. Since serum HBV RNA is an ideal biomarker to reflect the intrahepatic cccDNA activity, for the patients with a serum HBsAg level lower than 1 500 IU/ml after long-term NAs treatment, the serum HBV RNA should be measured. If serum HBV RNA is detected, peg-IFN should be added on; if serum HBV RNA is not detected, NAs treatment should be switched to peg-IFN treatment. We believe the therapy based on serum HBV RNA would make the functional cure of CHB (serum HBsAg loss or even conversion to anti-HBs) more efficient.
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Objective: To investigate the effect of macrophage-capping protein (CapG) on migration and proliferation of human gastric cancer cell line.Methods: Real-time PCR method was used to detect the expression of CapG gene in four gastric cancer cell lines, and AGS cells with low expression and transfection were selected as the research objects.Specific primers were designed for CapG and recombinant plasmids synthesized.A lentivirus packaging system which could express CapG was constructed, and a cell line stably expressing CapG was established by infecting human gastric cancer cell line AGS cells.The effect of overexpression of CapG gene on the growth and proliferation of AGS cells was analyzed by CCK8 assay.Cells cratch and Transwell assay were used to analyze the effect of overexpression of CapG gene on AGS cell migration.Results: After the overexpression of CapG, the growth rate of AGS cells was slightly lower than that of the control group, but there was no significant difference between the two groups (t=2.424, P=0.073).Scratch test showed that the average narrowing distance of the scratches in the CapG experimental group was significantly reduced compared with the control group, the average narrowing distance of the CapG experimental group and the control group was 336.99 μm and 45.54 μm, the difference was statistically significant (t=14.97, P=0.004).The average number of cell penetra-ting membrane in the CapG experimental group and the eGFP control group was 176 and 70, the number of the cells in the CapG experimental group was significantly higher than that of the control group (t=40.00, P<0.001).Conclusion: The overexpression of CapG gene has no significant effect on the growth and proliferation of AGS cells of gastric cancer cell line.Overexpression of CapG gene can promote the migration of AGS cells of gastric cancer cell lines.
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<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the changes in red blood cell count in patients with different liver diseases and the correlation between red blood cell count and degree of liver damage.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The clinical data of 1427 patients with primary liver cancer, 172 patients with liver cirrhosis, and 185 patients with hepatitis were collected, and the Child-Pugh class was determined for all patients. The differences in red blood cell count between patients with different liver diseases were retrospectively analyzed, and the correlation between red blood cell count and liver function status was investigated. The Mann-Whitney U test, Kruskal-Wallis H test, rank sum test, Spearman rank sum correlation test, and chi-square test were performed for different types of data.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Red blood cell count showed significant differences between patients with chronic hepatitis, liver cancer, and liver cirrhosis and was highest in patients with chronic hepatitis and lowest in patients with liver cirrhosis (P < 0.05). In the patients with liver cirrhosis, red blood cell count tended to decrease in patients with a higher Child-Pugh class (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>For patients with liver cirrhosis, red blood cell count can reflect the degree of liver damage, which may contribute to an improved liver function prediction model for these patients.</p>
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Humans , Erythrocyte Count , Hepatitis , Blood , Liver , Liver Cirrhosis , Blood , Liver Neoplasms , Blood , Retrospective StudiesABSTRACT
Objective To explore the potential mechanisms of mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) therapy in ischemia/reperfusion injury (IRI)-induced acute kidney injury (AKI). Methods Forty-five C57/BL6 male mice were randomly divided into three groups: sham group, IRI group, and IRI+MSCs group, with 15 mice in each group. The IRI-induced AKI model in mice was reproduced by clamping both renal pedicles for 35 minutes. In the sham group, both kidneys were exposed, but their pedicles were not clamped. Six hours after reperfusion, mice in IRI+MSCs group received 100 μL of MSCs (1×104 /μL) isolated from the bone marrow from C57/BL6 mice via tail vein, while the mice in the IRI group received same amount of normal saline. Blood samples were harvested at 48 hours after reperfusion, and levels of serum creatinine (SCr) and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) were determined. The changes in renal pathology were observed by microscopy with PAS staining, and the tubular injury and acute tubular necrosis (ATN) scores were calculated. The number of leukocytes (CD45+) infiltrated in kidney at 24 hours and 72 hours after reperfusion was measured with flow cytometry. The number of neutrophils (Ly-6G+) and macrophages (F4/80+) infiltrated in kidneys at 24 hours and 72 hours after reperfusion was determined by immunofluorescence. Results There was significant increase in the related parameters in IRI group compared with those of sham group. The levels of SCr (μmol/L) and BUN (mmol/L) were 180.3±8.8 vs. 9.7±3.5, and 1 121.1±8.3 vs. 9.4±2.3, both P < 0.01. The score of tubular injury was 4.80±0.55 vs. 0 at 48 hours after reperfusion. The quantity of leukocyte (CD45+) infiltration in kidney at 24 hours and 72 hours after reperfusion was increased (×105 cells/g: 60.50±2.56 vs. 19.46±4.83, 42.00±1.87 vs. 14.70±3.74, both P < 0.01), and the number of neutrophils (Ly-6G+) and macrophages (F4/80+) infiltrated in kidney at 24 hours and 72 hours after reperfusion was also increase although the number of leukocytes infiltrated in kidney was significantly lower at 72 hours after reperfusion than that at 24 hours. There was significant lowering of the levels of SCr and BUN [SCr (μmol/L): 99.0±8.0 vs. 180.3±8.8, BUN (mmol/L): 84.5±7.6 vs. 112.1±8.3, both P < 0.01] in IRI+MSCs group, compared to IRI group. For the degree of tubular necrosis in two groups, the tubular injury scores were 2.60±0.55 vs. 4.80±0.55 (P < 0.05). The number of leukocytes infiltrated in kidney at 24 hours and 72 hours after reperfusion (×105 cells/g) were 24.20±4.53 vs. 60.50±2.56, 31.70±3.15 vs. 42.00±1.87 (both P < 0.01). The number of neutrophils was lowered despite (the number of macrophages was increased). However, the number of infiltrated leukocytes was significantly more in IRI+MSCs group at 72 hours than that at 24 hours (×105 cells/g: 31.70±3.15 vs. 24.20±4.53, P < 0.05). Conclusion MSCs could protect against IRI induced AKI by reducing the total number of leuckocytes, especially that of the neutrophils infiltrating into ischemic kidney and by recruiting macrophages into ischemic kidney.
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Objective To evaluate the analytical performance of a novel HBV DNA assay based on automated DNA extraction and real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR .Methods Analytic verification studies.Accuracy and lower limit of detection were assessed by determining a panel of HBV standard plasma of WHO.HBV standard plasma (genotype A, B, C and D) at 6 different concentrations were measured 18 times to evaluate precision and reproducibility .Pseudo-viral particles at high HBV DNA concentration were serially diluted to assess linear range .One hundred and forty-four clinical specimens were quantified for HBV DNA so as to evaluate the correlation between the new test and COBAS ? system. Results Quantification of HBV standard plasma showed acceptable accuracy , with each deviation between observed and expected values within ±0.35 lg IU/ml (-0.17-0.32 lg IU/ml).Intra-assay coefficients of variation ( CV) for genotype A , B, C and D were 3.87% -6.32%, 0.45% -14.68%, 0.16% -8.36% and 0.64%-13.01%respectively, and the inter-assay CV were 5.67%-9.69%, 1.28%-15.68%, 0.36%-9.05%and 1.69%-13.65%, separately.Linearity assessment exhibited an excellent dynamic range of linear quantification from 20 to 1.0 ×1010 IU/ml ( r =0.998, P <0.001 ) .And the satisfactory results obtained at 3 levels of HBV DNA concentration (10, 20, 50 IU/ml, respectively) confirmed the claimed lower limit of detection with 5/5 detectable rate at 20 IU/ml.Furthermore, good correspondence was observed between the new HBV DNA assay and the COBAS ? system with 100% ( 144/144 ) qualitative coincidence and significant correlation based on 104 positive data ( r=0.984, P<0.000 1).Conclusions The novel fully-automated real-time PCR assay displayed good analytical and clinical performance for highly sensitive detection of HBV DNA.It was well suited for monitoring antiviral responses as well as drug resistance according to current clinical practice guidelines for the management of chronic HBV infection .
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<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Anticoagulation treatments are an important aspect of hemodialysis; however, few reports have addressed these treatments. This investigation intends to increase the understanding of the current status and improvements of hemodialysis-related anticoagulation treatments in China.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>In this study, an epidemiological investigation was conducted that examined 842 patients in 2007 and 1 175 patients in 2012 who underwent hemodialysis anticoagulation treatments in seven blood purification centers in northern Chinese cities.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Heparin was the most commonly used anticoagulant, although the percentage of use of low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) increased from 26.5% in 2007 to 42.1% in 2012. In 2007, there were no significant differences in anticoagulant selection among either patients with various primary diseases or patients with hemorrhage, thrombosis, thrombocytopenia, or a low hemoglobin level. However, compared with patients with other diseases, significantly lower doses of LMWH were administered to patients with hypertension (55.5 U/kg vs. 67.3 U/kg, P < 0.05) or diabetes (58.5 U/kg vs. 67.3 U/kg, P < 0.05), and patients with hemorrhage received lower doses of heparin than the other patients (61.6 U/kg vs. 71.8 U/kg, P < 0.01). In 2012, patients with diabetic nephropathy (51.5% vs. 36.5%, P < 0.01), hemorrhage (43.4% vs. 31.7%, P < 0.01), or a hemoglobin level below 90 g/L (57.2% vs. 37.1%, P < 0.01) experienced significantly higher doses of LMWH administration; patients with hemorrhage received significantly reduced LMWH dosages (50.4 U/kg vs. 57.8 U/kg, P < 0.05), and patients with thrombosis received significantly higher doses of heparin (73.8 U/kg vs. 62.1 U/kg, P < 0.01) or LMWH (57.8 U/kg vs. 52.6 U/kg, P < 0.05). Antiplatelet drugs were administered to 20.4% of the examined patients in 2007 and 20.7% in 2012. In 2012, patients with hypertension (25.9% vs. 18.5%, P < 0.01) and thrombosis (36.6% vs. 16.1%, P < 0.01) had a higher rate of using antiplatelet drugs than patients with other primary diseases and complications. Patients receiving antiplatelet drugs also received higher doses of heparin than patients without using antiplatelet drugs (74.4 U/kg vs. 65.9 U/kg, P < 0.01). However, the use of the drugs was not correlated with thrombocytopenia. The rate at which coagulation indices were determined increased from 45.7% in 2007 to 64% in 2012.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>These findings suggested that hemodialysisrelated anticoagulation treatments in China have gradually become more standardized and individualized.</p>
Subject(s)
Adult , Aged , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Anticoagulants , Therapeutic Uses , China , Cities , Heparin, Low-Molecular-Weight , Therapeutic Uses , Renal Dialysis , MethodsABSTRACT
<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>In China, the prevalence of chronic kidney disease has increased significantly. Many studies shows that the spectrum of kidney disease had changed in recent years. We retrospectively analyzed the pathological types of renal biopsy and its spectrum change at the General Hospital of the Chinese People's Liberation Army from December 1987 to December 2012, in order to offer new supporting evidences for further specifying the distribution of renal pathological types in China.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>According to the "Revised Protocol for the Histological Typing of Glomerulopathy" (WHO, 1995), pathological diagnosis of renal biopsy was classified, detection rate of each pathological type was summarized (i.e., percentage of total renal biopsy cases), study period was divided at an interval of 5 years, and age-stratified distribution change of main pathological types was analyzed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The proportion of pathological types in 11 618 cases of renal biopsy was as follows: primary glomerulonephritis (PGN, 70.7%), secondary glomerulonephritis (SGN, 20.7%), tubular-interstitial nephropathy (4.0%), hereditary/rare nephropathy (0.3%), end-stage renal disease (0.9%), and unclassified renal disease (3.3%). Among PGN, there was IgA nephropathy (IgAN, 37.0%), membranous nephropathy (MN, 11.8%), mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis (MsPGN, 8.9%), minimal change disease (MCD, 6.6%), and focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (3.9%). Among SGN there was lupus nephritis (LN, 5.5%), Henoch-Schönlein purpura glomerulonephritis (5.3%), hepatitis B virus-associated nephritis (HBVAN, 3.03%), diabetic nephropathy (2.2%), and hypertension/malignant hypertension-associated renal damage (1.9%). Pathological data were analyzed from 1987-1992 to 2008-2012 (after age adjustment). Detection rate of IgAN tended to rise (P < 0.001). Detection rates of MN and MCD rose significantly (P < 0.001), but detection rate of MsPGN dropped significantly (P < 0.001). Among SGN, detection rate of HBVAN tended to drop (P < 0.001).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>In China, PGN was the most common glomerulopathy (mostly IgAN), LN was the most common SGN, and detection rate of MN and MCD rose significantly.</p>
Subject(s)
Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Child , Child, Preschool , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Young Adult , Biopsy , Methods , China , Glomerulonephritis, Membranous , Diagnosis , Kidney , Pathology , Kidney Diseases , DiagnosisABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate high-concentration uric acid-induced endothelial dysfunction mediated by miR-155.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were incubated with 600 µmol/L uric acid for 24 and 48 h, and eNOS expression and NO content in the cell culture were measured. The target genes of miR-155 were predicted using on-line analysis software and validated by dual-luciferase system. Real-time PCR was used to detect the expression of miR-155 in endothelial cells incubated with high-concentration uric acid. The effect of miR-155 on endothelial dysfunction was assessed by transfection of its inhibitor into HUVECs.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The expression of eNOS and NO secretion decreased obviously in HUVECs incubated with 600 µmol/L uric acid. MicroRNA on-line analysis software and dual luciferase reporter experiments suggested that the level of eNOS translation was directly regulated by miR-155. The expression of miR-155 in endothelial cells was upregulated after stimulation with high-concentration uric acid, and was inhibited by transfection of miR-155 inhibitor. Expression of eNOS and secretion of NO were elevated in endothelial cells transfected with miR-155 inhibitor after incubation with high-concentration uric acid.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>High-concentration uric acid can down-regulate eNOS expression via miR-155 to induce endothelial dysfunction.</p>