ABSTRACT
Objective:To explore the mediating effect of self-control between smartphone addiction and academic procrastination in medical undergraduates.Methods:A total of 640 medical college undergraduates were selected by convenient sampling method. The self-designed general information questionnaire, smartphone addiction proneness scale (SAPS), brief self-control scale (BSCS) and procrastination assessment scale-students (PASS) were conducted among the students. SPSS 25.0 was used for descriptive statistical analysis, independent sample t test, one-way ANOVA and Pearson correlation analysis. Results:Correlation analysis showed that PASS scores were positively correlated with SAPS scores ( r=0.29, P<0.01), and negatively corrected with BSCS scores ( r=-0.26, P<0.01); the SAPS scores were negatively corrected with BSCS scores ( r=-0.33, P<0.01). Mediating effect analysis showed that the mediating role of self-control between smartphone addiction and academic procrastination were significant (effect size=0.13, 95%CI=0.03-0.26), and the mediating effect accounted for 38.24%. Conclusion:Self-control played partial mediating effect between smartphone addiction and academic procrastination in medical undergraduates. In order to improve the current situation of medical undergraduate's academic procrastination, medical college educators can intervene from the perspective of smartphone addiction and self-control.
ABSTRACT
Objective To investigate long non-coding RNA (lncRNA)-microRNA (miRNA)-messenger RNA (mRNA) interactions and identify the critical gene regulatory network during Schistosoma japonicum infections and praziquantel treatment using whole transcriptome sequencing. Methods A total of 110 male C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into the control group, the infection group and the treatment group. Mice in the infection treatment and the control group were infected with S. japonicum cercariae via the abdomen, and liver specimens were sampled from 10 mice 3, 6, 8 weeks post-infection. Praziquantel treatment was given to mice in the treatment group 8 weeks post-infection, and liver specimens were sampled from 10 mice 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 weeks post-treatment. Total RNA was isolated from mouse liver specimens, and the transcriptome library was constructed for highthroughput whole transcriptome sequencing. The significant differentially expressed genes were subjected to functional annotations, Gene Ontology (GO) terms enrichment analysis and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis. Correlation analysis of liver specimens was performed using R Corrplot and Himsc functions, and the lncRNAmiRNA-mRNA interaction network analysis was performed using R MixOmics and Himsc functions. Results There were 1 176 differentially expressed miRNAs, 5 270 differentially expressed mRNAs, and 2 682 differentially expressed lncRNAs between the infection group and the control group, 1 289 differentially expressed miRNAs, 7 differentially expressed mRNAs, and 69 differentially expressed lncRNAs between the treatment group and the infection group, and 1 210 differentially expressed miRNAs, 4 456 differentially expressed mRNAs, and 2 016 differentially expressed lncRNAs between the treatment group and the control group. Correlation analysis showed a higher correlation of gene expression between the treatment group and the control group. Principal component analysis showed obvious separate clustering between the infection group and the treatment group. The differentially expressed genes with significant relevance were significantly enriched in 24 GO terms, including arachidonic acid metabolic process, xenobiotic catabolic process, unsaturated fatty acid metabolic process, xenobiotic metabolic process, long-chain fatty acid metabolic process, and 8 KEGG metabolic pathways, including cholesterol metabolism, tyrosine metabolism, linoleic acid metabolism, retinol metabolism, and steroid hormone biometabolism. Conclusions There were 23 mRNAs including Cyp2b9 and 14 lncRNAs including Rmrpr in the core position of the gene regulatory network, which may play a critical role in S. japonicum infections and praziquantel treatment, and 9 miRNAs including miR-8105 may serve as potential molecular markers for diagnosis of S. japonicum infections.
ABSTRACT
Cashmere, also known as soft gold, is produced from the secondary hair follicles (SHFs) of cashmere goats. The number of SHFs determines the yield and quality of cashmere; therefore, it is of interest to investigate the transcriptional profiles present during cashmere goat hair follicle development. However, mechanisms underlying this development process remain largely unexplored, and studies regarding hair follicle development mostly use a murine research model. In this study, to provide a comprehensive understanding of cellular heterogeneity and cell fate decisions, single-cell RNA sequencing was performed on 19,705 single cells of the dorsal skin from cashmere goat fetuses at induction (embryonic day 60; E60), organogenesis (E90), and cytodifferentiation (E120) stages. For the first time, unsupervised clustering analysis identified 16 cell clusters, and their corresponding cell types were also characterized. Based on lineage inference, a detailed molecular landscape was revealed along the dermal and epidermal cell lineage developmental pathways. Notably, our current data also confirmed the heterogeneity of dermal papillae from different hair follicle types, which was further validated by immunofluorescence analysis. The current study identifies different biomarkers during cashmere goat hair follicle development and has implications for cashmere goat breeding in the future.
ABSTRACT
Objective : To explore the obesity rate and related metabolic status of vegetarians in Shanghai and to compare with omnivores. Methods ¡¤ A total of 270 vegetarians were recruited in Shanghai, and 270 omnivores were matched with 1:1 as a control group. General infor-mation and food intakes were collected by questionnaires and food frequency questionnaires, respectively. Height, weight, waist circumference (WC), blood lipid, blood pressure, blood sugar and serum uric acid were collected and compared between vegetarians and omnivores. After con-trolling confounding factors such as age, gender, exercise time, and total energy, generalized estimation equation was used to analyze the associa-tion between vegetarian diet and various indicators. Results ¡¤ Compared with omnivores, the body mass index (BMI) and WC of vegetarian were significantly lower (both P=0.000). Compared with omnivores, the overweight or obesity diagnosed by BMI and the central obesity diag-nosed by WC were significantly lower in vegetarians (10.0% vs 24.4%, P=0.000; 2.2% vs 12.6%, P=0.000), so were the total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein cholesterol, high density lipoprotein cholesterol, systolic blood pressure, fasting blood glucose, fasting insulin and female se-rum uric acid in vegetarians (all P=0.000). After adjusting for age, gender, exercise time, sedentary time, total energy and other confounding fac-tors, multivariate binary Logistic analysis of generalized estimating equation showed that vegetarians had significantly lower risk of overweight or obesity (OR=0.355, 95% CI 0.211-0.598, P=0.000) and of central obesity (OR=0.131, 95% CI 0.046-0.376, P=0.000). Multivariate linear re-gression analysis of generalized estimating equation showed that vegetarians had lower levels of total cholesterol (β=-0.430 mmol/L, 95% CI -0.573 - -0.288, P=0.000), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (β=-0.151 mmol/L, 95% CI -0.201 - -0.101, P=0.000), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (β=-0.278 mmol/L, 95% CI -0.385 - -0.171, P=0.000), fasting blood glucose (β=-0.144 μmol/L, 95% CI -0.204 - -0.083, P=0.000), and female serum uric acid (β=-14.387 μmol/L, 95% CI -23.339 - -5.434, P=0.000). Conclusion ¡¤ Overweight or obesity in vege-tarians, especially central obesity, is significantly lower than that in omnivores. Vegetarians have lower blood lipids, blood sugar and serum uric acid levels than omnivores. Vegetarian diet is an independently protective factor for obesity.
ABSTRACT
Objective To analyze the molecular epidemiological characteristics of mycoplasma infection in female reproductive tract in Xi'an. Methods Women suspected to be infected with mycoplasma who were admitted to the gynecological outpatient department of Northwest Women's and Children's Hospital and underwent genital mycoplasma detection in the testing center from January 2018 to January 2019 were enrolled. General demographic characteristics and 16S rDNA results were collected. Results Among 174 women, 58 cases were positive for mycoplasma, with a detection rate of 33.33% (58/174). A total of 36 cases were positive for Ureaplasma urealyticum (Uu), with a detection rate of 20.69%. A total of 39 cases were positive for Mycoplasma hominis (Mh), with a detection rate of 20.09%. A total of 12 cases were positive for Mycoplasma gentiformis (Mg), with a detection rate of 6.90%. The positive rates in all groups included single or mixed infection cases. The positive rates of mycoplasma and Uu in patients with genital tract inflammation, pregnancy and menopause were higher than those in patients without reproductive tract inflammation, pregnancy or menopause (P0.05). None of these factors affected the positive rates of mycoplasma, Uu, Mn or Mg. Conclusion Women with reproductive tract mycoplasma infection were mainly caused by mycoplasma, Uu and Mh, which are symbiotic bacteria of female genital tract, and do not show the specificity of age, fertility, menopause and various inflammation of genital tract.
ABSTRACT
Exosomes and long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are emerging as important elements contributing to a more comprehensive understanding of cancer development and progression. The discovery of lncRNAs in exosomes further indicates their bona fide biological functional roles in cancer development and drug resistance. In this review, we describe the biogenesis of exosomes and summarize the function of exosomal lncRNAs in the field of cancer research. These findings strikingly advance current knowledge of exosomal lncRNAs and suggest that they may be promising diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets for cancer.
Subject(s)
Humans , Exosomes , Physiology , Neoplasms , Diagnosis , Genetics , Therapeutics , RNA, Long Noncoding , PhysiologyABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: If high-intensity resistance training is used as a rehabilitation measure after musculoskeletal injury, it may be aggravated by factors such as pain. The blood flow restriction training can achieve high-intensity resistance training through low-intensity resistance training, which can accelerate the recovery of patients. OBJECTIVE: To elaborate the current situation of blood flow restriction training as a new way to accelerate musculoskeletal rehabilitation at home and abroad. METHODS: The first author searched the related studies on the musculoskeletal rehabilitation of blood flow restriction training included in PubMed, Cochrane Library and CNKI from January 2002 to October 2018. The keywords were "blood flow restriction training; Kaatsu training; low intensity resistance training; safety; musculoskeletal rehabilitation; knee osteoarthritis; patellofemoral pain; knee joint injury; ankle joint injury; quantitative difference" in English and Chinese. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Blood flow restriction training, as a new treatment method, can reduce the training load and achieve the effect similar to the high-intensity resistance training by designing an individualized and precise rehabilitation scheme. Additionally, it can make the resistance training happen in advance due to its unique advantage, thus contribute to rapid rehabilitation. However, this method is mostly applied to lower limb injuries, and its feasibility for other parts still needs a further investigation.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE@#This paper used plantar pressure analysis equipment to discuss the plantar pressure distribution pattern and balance ability of patients with the knee joint injury under static standing.@*METHODS@#Zebris FDM-S plantar pressure analysis equipment was used to collect plantar pressure data from subjects with the knee joint injury and healthy control subjects. We compared the pressure values in each region of pelma, and then assessing the balance ability of the subjects based on the trajectory of the overall pressure center movement.@*RESULTS@#Compared with the healthy control group, patients with knee joint injury have a significantly lower pressure in the heel areas and a significantly higher pressure in the middle foot area. And the total pressure of the injured limb foot in the patient group is lower than that in the contralateral foot. In addition, there is a significant increase in the parameters of the balance ability index in the patient group.@*CONCLUSIONS@#The plantar pressure distribution pattern of patients with knee joint injury is different from that of normal people in static standing, and the balance ability is poor. Therefore, this method has a positive guiding significance in the evaluation and application of knee joint injury.
Subject(s)
Humans , Biomechanical Phenomena , Equipment Design , Foot , Gait , Knee Joint , PressureABSTRACT
Objective To explore the role of D-dimer (D-D) level in patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive disease (AECOPD) in predicting the prognosis of patients.Methods 99 patients with AECOPD in our hospital from July 2008 to December 2010 were selected as the subjects,and were divided into observation group (n=50) and control group (n=49) according to the expression of D-D in patients with positive (D-D level cutoff value of 500 g/L).The basic information and survival of the two groups of patients were investigated,and the level of serum D-D was detected by scatter turbidimetry.The receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) was used to evaluate the predictive value of D-D on the survival of the patients.The survival time of the two groups was compared by Kaplan-Meier.Results There was no statistically significant difference in gender,age and GOLD score between the two groups (P＞0.05).The level of D-D,the time of first hospitalization,the number of re hospitalization,the first hospital mortality and re hospitalization mortality in the observation group were significantly higher than those in the control group (P＜0.05).The ROC curve showed that the truncated value of D-D was 1 171.34 g/L and 893 g/L,respectively.The average survival time of patients in the observation group was 30.37 months and the control group was 46.37 months,respectively;Kaplan-Meier study showed that the survival time of patients in the observation group was significantly lower than that in the control group (x2 =6.371,P＜0.05).Conclusion The level of D-D in patients with AECOPD is of great value in predicting the prognosis of patients,which can be used as an independent indicator of disease progression.
ABSTRACT
Objective To study the effects of exchange transfusion on renal function, inflammatory factors and blood internal environment in children with hyperbilirubinemia. Methods Neonates with hyperbilirubinemia treated in neonatal intensive care unit of the hospital between February 2015 and March 2017 were selected as the research subjects and divided into two groups by random number table method. Combined group received exchange transfusion combined with blue ray irradiation, and control group received blue ray irradiation. The serum levels of bilirubin, renal function indexes, inflammatory response indexes and oxidative stress response indexes were measured 24 hours after the treatment. Results 24 hours after the treatment,serum TBIL,BUN,Cr,β2-MG, CysC, TRF, CRP, IL-6, TNF-α, MDA and AOPP levels of combined group were greatly lower than those of control group whereas SOD, CAT and GSH-Px contents were greatly higher than those of control group. Conclusion Exchange transfusion can improve the renal function and inhibit the inflammatory and oxidative stress response in children with hyperbilirubinemia.
ABSTRACT
The copy numbers of exogenous gene in transgenic animals is always regarded as an important information of transgenic animals.Thus,simple and sensitive methods are required for the detection of the copy numbers of exogenous gene.Three kinds of transgenic Shanbei white cashmere goats,containing Tβ4-GFP,FGF5s-GFP and VEGF164-GFP,has been obtained by using PiggyBac(PB) transposon system.Fluorescence quantitative PCR was carried out to detect the copy numbers of copGFP.Using Gluc as reference gene,the double standard curves of exogenous gene and reference gene were mapped and the genomic DNA of transgenic goats were analysized by real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR.Moreover,the copGFP/Gluc ratio in the samples was calculated as the copy numbers of copGFP.In addition,Tβ4-GFP transgenic cashmere goats were selected to detect the integration sites by using the genomic walking kit.The results showed that the standard curve equation of copGFP was y=-3.230 6x+39.216 (R2 =0.998 8) and the standard curve equation of Gluc was y=-3.564 8x+38.440 (R2 =0.996 0).The copy numbers of exogenous gene in the transgenic cashmere goats were obtained and the numbers of integration sites in the selected Tβ4-GFP transgenic goats were consistent with the copy numbers of copGFP.As a conclusion,the high throughput,fast and sensitive real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR is an efficient and convenient method for the copy number of exogenous gene in transgenic cashmere goats.
ABSTRACT
Objective To explore the effect of Lycium barbarum polysaccharide (LBP) on adiponectin (APN) expression and the mechanism of lowering blood-lipid and anti-inflammation in atherosclerotic (AS) mice.Methods C57BL/6J mice with normal feed were chosen as control group.Thirty-two ApoE-/-mice with high cholesterol diet were successfully established as AS models,and then the mice were randomly divided into model group and three LBP groups,which were feed with high,medium,and low dose of LBP.After feeding for four weeks,aortic blood and tissues were collected.Blood-lipid,inflammatory factors,endothelin-1 (ET-1),APN,AdipoR1,and AMPK pathway related protein expression were detected.Differentiated 3T3-L1 cells were divided into control group,LBP group,and LBP + BML-275 group.Triglyceride (TG),inflammatory factors,APN,AdipoR1,and AMPK pathway related protein expression was investigated.Results In mice,compared with the control group,typical AS pathomorphologic changes were found in aorta and the levels of TG,total cholesterol (TC),nitric oxide (NO),ET-1,interleukin-6 (IL-6),and tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α) in the model group were significantly increased,while the protein expression of HDL-C,APN,AdipoR1,PPARα,AMPKα,and p-AMPK-α and Acyl-CoA oxidase (ACO) mRNA expression was reduced.Compared with the model group,AS pathomorphologic state was obviously improved in aorta and the amount of TG,TC,NO,ET-1,IL-6,and TNF-α in LBP groups were markedly decreased,while the protein expression of HDL-C,APN,AdipoR1,PPARα,AMPKα,p-AMPKα,and ACO mRNA expression was up-regulated.These changes were all in a dose-dependent manner.In differentiated 3T3-L1 fat cells,compared with control group,LBP enhanced the expression of APN,AdipoR1,PPARα,AMPKα,p-AMPKα,and ACO,but decreased the amount of TG,IL-6,and TNF-α.Compared with LBP group,the levels of TG,IL-6 and TNF-α was notably increased in BML-275 group.Conclusion LBP up-regulates the expression of APN and AdipoR1,activates APN/AMPK pathway,plays a role in lowering blood-lipid and anti-inflammation,and thus relieves AS in mice.
ABSTRACT
Objective Using infrared spectroscopy to analyze three kinds of lignum Chinese medicine to provide a theoretical basis for the establishment of medicinal overall quality evaluation system. Methods Functional groups identification, Fourier Transform-infrared spectroscopy(FT-IR) and the second derivative infrared spectroscopy (SD-IR) could be applicable to analyze and identify the overall chemical composition of three kinds of lignum Chinese medicine. Results The main chemical components of Aquilariae Lignum Resinatum (ALR), Dalbergiae Odoriferae Lignum (DOL) and Sappan Lignum (SL) were cellulose, lignin and aromatics. The main chemical compositions of Sappan Lignum (SL) were cellulose, lignin and aromatics. The differences in FT-IR and SD-IR of DOL and SL indicated that they had different aromatic compounds. Conclusion Infrared spectroscopy can be used as a simple and accurate quality control method of three kinds of lignum Chinese medicine.
ABSTRACT
Objective To measure the diameter of cochlear nerve(CN) in normal hearing children with different ages,and evaluate the diameter variations with age.Methods A total of 156 normal-hearing children were assessed with 3D-FIESTA sequence scanning of the inner ear.All the subjects were divided into 13 groups according to age,witha group of ≤6 months,a group of ≤1 year,and 11 groups from one year to 12 years.Each group had 12 cases,including 6 boys and 6 girls.The diameter of CN was measured at the entrance of the cochlea,the middle of internal auditory canal(IAC) and the fundus of IAC respectively on the axial and oblique sagittal images of 3.0 T MRI by two independent observers.The average values measured by them were the final results.The intraclass correlation coefficient was used to determine the consistency between the two independent observers.The t test was used to access differencesin CN diameter by sex and sides.One-way analysis of variance(ANOVA) and two-way ANOVA were used for comparisons among different groups.Spearman correlation coefficient was applied to find a correlation between the CN diameter and age.Results The diameters of normal-hearing children's CN at the middle of the IAC,IAC fundus and the entrance of the cochlea were (1.12 ± 0.08),(1.05 ± 0.06),(0.87 ± 0.14) mm respectively,and there was significant difference among the three measuring points (F=527.57,P＜0.05).The diameters of the CN had no significant differenc (P＞0.05) in age-groups,gender and sides(P＞0.05),and there was no correlation between the diameters of normal children's CN and age.Conclusions The diameters of normal-hearing children's CN change with different points of the IAC,of which the maximum value is at the middle of the IAC,followed by the IAC fundus,and the entrance of the cochlea is at the minimum,more over the normal size doesn't change with age.
ABSTRACT
AlM:To investigate the factors and solutions of Tibetan Plateau excimer laser in situ keratomileusis ( LASlK ) for myopia overcorrection.METHODS: The relevant information, 32 cases ( 58 eyes) in 126 cases (252 eyes) had obvious overcorrection after LASlK were analyzed.RESULTS: Two months after surgery, 32 cases ( 58 eyes) overcorrection (23. 0%), uncorrected visual acuity of 0. 5 ~0. 8, overcorrection range of +1. 50 ~ +2. 25DS, subjective inserts were ≥ 1. 0; Five case ( 7 eyes ) overcorrection 6mo after surgery (2. 8%), uncorrected visual acuity 0. 8~1. 0-2 , overcorrection range is +0. 75 ~+1. 25DS, subjective inserts were≥1. 0. Corneal thickness of overcorrection was 500~563μm, preoperative refraction was -5. 00 ~ -7. 50D, astigmatism -1. 50 ~ -2. 75DC, preoperative best corrected visual acuity ≥1. 0.CONCLUSlON: Overcorrection and long recovery time after LASlK in Tibet, possibly with local factors altitude, temperature, humidity, surgical parameters and situation.
ABSTRACT
Objective To clarify whether the NADPH oxidases (NOXs) family contributed to the reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and subsequent interstitial fibrosis in unilateral ureter obstruction (UUO) rats.Methods Male Wistar rats were randomly divided into sham operation group (n =8),sham operation + apocynin treatment group (n =8),UUO operation group (n =8) and UUO operation+apocynin treatment group (n =8).Either vehicle or apocynin (100 mg/kg per day) were given by gavage for 7 days after surgery.Rats were sacrificed at 7th day.ELISA was used to detect the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT),and the level of 8-iso-prostaglandin F2alpha (8-isoPGF2α) in renal tissue.Western blotting was used to detect the protein expressions of NADPH oxidase subunit NOX2 and NOX4,α-smooth muscle actin(α-SMA),collagen Ⅰ (COL-Ⅰ) and the level of ERK1/ 2 phosphorylation (p-ERK1/2).Results UUO rats with vehicle displayed increased oxidative stress,as measured by renal tissue 8-iso-PGF2α,accompanied with increased renal expression of NADPH oxidases (NOX2,1.5-fold and NOX4,1.7-fold,respectively),compared with sham-operated rats (P ＜0.05).Furthermore,vehicle treated UUO rats showed increased renal COL-Ⅰ and α-SMA levels,compared with sham-operated rats (P ＜ 0.05).ERK1/2 was also activated as detected by p-ERK1/2 expression in UUO rats with vehicle (P ＜ 0.05).Apocynin treatment significantly decreased renal tissue 8-iso-PGF2α level and expressions of NOX2 (-28.7％) and NOX4 (-31.0％) in UUO rats,respectively,compared with vehicle treated rats (P ＜ 0.05).And significant decrease of COL-Ⅰ (-26.4％) and α-SMA expression (-80.0％) were also observed (P ＜ 0.05).The activation of ERK1/2 in UUO rats was greatly inhibited by apocynin treatment (P ＜ 0.01).Despite the pronounced dysregulation of pro-oxidative NOXs family,no compensatory increase of antioxidative enzyme activities occurred.Conclusion The NOXs family contributes largely to the production of ROS and subsequent interstitial fibrosis after ureter ligation,and inhibition of the NOXs family may be a choice for preventing interstitial fibrosis.
ABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To compare the distribution of (CAG)n and (GGN)n repeats polymorphisms of androgen receptor (AR) gene between Hui and Han ethnic Chinese from Ningxia.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Genotypes of above repeats were determined with DNA sequencing method.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The distribution of (GGN)n repeats was significantly different between the two ethnic groups (P< 0.01), though no such difference was detected with (CAG)n repeats (P> 0.05). Particularly, Han Chinese women carrying 23 GGN repeats were significantly fewer (48.4%) than Hui women (64.7%, P=0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The distribution of GGN repeat is significantly differently among Hui and Han Chinese ethnics from Ningxia.</p>
Subject(s)
Female , Humans , Male , Alleles , Asian People , Genetics , Base Sequence , China , Ethnology , Genotype , Molecular Sequence Data , Polymorphism, Genetic , Population Groups , Genetics , Receptors, Androgen , Genetics , Trinucleotide Repeat Expansion , Trinucleotide RepeatsABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>The imbalance between extracellular matrix (ECM) synthesis and degradation induces the excessive ECM deposition and thus renal fibrosis. The decoction (A&A) which is a combination of two Chinese herbs, Astragalus membranaceus var. mongholicus and Angelica sinensis, has been shown to alleviate ECM production in animal models of chronic kidney diseases. In this paper, the effect of A&A on ECM degradation was investigated with interstitial fibrosis in rats.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>Male Wistar rats were randomly divided into sham, unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) and UAA (UUO plus A&A administration) groups. After administration of A&A (14 g x kg(-1) x d(-1)) by gavage for 3, 7 and 10 days, morphological changes were evaluated by HE, PAS and Sirius red staining technique. The expression of plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) and tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA), the activity of PAI-1 and t-PA were determined by ELISA. The activity of matrix metalloproteinases (MMP-9, MMP-2), tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) were evaluated by gelatin zymography or reverse gelatin zymography, respectively.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>Morphological analysis showed severe interstitial mononuclear cells infiltration, tubular atrophy, renal fibrosis and collagen expression in kidneys of UUO group, which was reduced by A&A administration (P < 0.05, UAA vs UUO group). Compared with the sham group, the expression of PAI-1 was significantly increased in UUO group by 63%, 91% and 112% at day 3, 7 and 10 respectively; and there were a remarkable decrease in UAA group by 44%, 43% and 52% at day 3, 7 and 10. The expression of active PAI-1 was strikingly increased in UUO group at day 3 [(30.5 +/- 23.8) ng x g(-1) vs. (0.0 +/- 0.0) ng x g(-1), P < 0.05)], day 7 [(36.5 +/- 11.2) ng x g(-1) vs. (0.0 +/- 0.0) ng x g(-1), P < 0.05)], and day 10 [(54.5 +/- 14.2) ng x g(-1) vs. (0.5 +/- 0.5) ng x g(-1), P < 0.05)]. The active PAI-1 was decreased in UAA group at day 7 [(14.9 +/- 0.5) ng x g(-1) vs. (36.5 +/- 11.2) ng x g(-1), P < 0.05] and day 10 [(15.4 +/- 4.8) ng x g(-1) vs. (54.5 +/- 14.2) ng x g(-1), P < 0.05]. The expression of t-PA was increased in UUO group only at day 3 [(58.1 +/- 16.5) microg x g(-1) vs. (30.1 +/- 17.3) microg x g(-1)], P < 0.05), meanwhile decreased in UAA group [(26.3 +/- 8.7) microg x g(-1) vs. (58.1 +/- 16.5) microg x g(-1), P < 0.05)]. But the expression of active t-PA was shown no significantly difference among the three groups. For MMP-2 and MMP-9 activity, they were significantly higher compared with the sham group in UUO group, but no significantly change after A&A treatment. The TIMP-1 activity was significantly increased in UUO group by 28% and 63% at day 7 and 10 respectively, significantly decreased in UAA group by 40% and 39% at the same time point.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The anti-fibrosis effects of A&A might be associated with modulating the imbalance of PAs/PAIs system as well as MMPs/TIMPs system, thereby alleviate ECM accumulation and interstitial fibrosis.</p>
Subject(s)
Animals , Humans , Male , Rats , Angelica sinensis , Chemistry , Astragalus Plant , Chemistry , Drugs, Chinese Herbal , Extracellular Matrix , Metabolism , Fibrosis , Kidney , Metabolism , Pathology , Kidney Diseases , Drug Therapy , Metabolism , Pathology , Matrix Metalloproteinase 1 , Metabolism , Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 , Metabolism , Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor 1 , Metabolism , Rats, Wistar , Tissue Plasminogen Activator , MetabolismABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the MR findings of fetal cleft lip (CL) and evaluate the advantages and limitations of MRI in the diagnosis. Methods Twelve pregnant women suspicious of fetal CL/cleft palate(CP) on ultrasonography were enrolled in the study. The findings of ultrasonography, MRI and following-up were compared. Results MRI and ultrasonography detected 12 fetuses with CL/CP. The following-up results showed 1 case with incomplete cleft lip and the other 11 cases with complete cleft lips and cleft palates. MRI and unltrasonography were consistent with the follow-up in CL detection, showing completed or uncompleted soft tissue interruption of the fetal lips with amniotic fluid filling which is high signal on T_2WI. On MRI, CP showed discontinuous of the soft tissue which were interrupted by long T_2 signal and communicating with oral cavity and nasal cavity. MRI missed 1 case and excluded 1 case of CP. Ultrasonography predicted 5 case of CL, excluded 1 CP but missed 6 cases. The accuracy, sensitivity and specificity in detection CL/CP was 91.7% (11/12), 90.9% (10/11), 100% (1/1) for MRI and 50.0% (6/12),45.5% (5/11), 100% (1/1) for ultrasonography, respectively. Conclusion MR imaging had advantage over ultrasonography in detecting CP, MRI is an essential when CP is suspicious on ultrasonography.
ABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVES</b>To explore the effects and significance of Huanshuai Recipe Oral Liquid (, HSR), a formula with supplementing qi, nourishing blood and activating blood on restructuring glomerular microvasculature and expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in subtotal nephrectomized (SNX) rats.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 76 male Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups: 16 in the sham-operated group and fed with tap water 10 mL/kg per day; 20 in the model group were operated with 5/6 SNX and fed with tap water 10 mL/ kg per day; 20 SNX rats in the HSR group were treated with HSR 10 mL/kg per day; 20 SNX rats in the losartan group were treated with losartan 40 mg/kg per day. Serum creatinine (SCr) and urinary protein excretion (Upro) were examined at the 2nd, 4th, 8th, and 12th weeks of the treatment, and the remnant kidneys were harvested. Changes in histological microstructure were evaluated using light microscopy, and the expression of VEGF was detected by using ELISA.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Upro, microvasculature injury and glomerulosclerosis were found to be alleviated in HSR and Losartan groups, respectively. The change of VEGF expression showed positive correlation with glomerular capillary area and peritubular capillary number (r=0.448, r=0.422, P<0.01), but negative correlation with that of SCr and Upro (r=-0.592, r=-0.481, P<0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>HSR could regulate the VEGF expression, reduce the loss of microvasculature, which demonstrated similar renal protective effects to losartan in SNX rats. Examination of Chinese herbal medicine influence on VEGF signaling and restructuring renal microvasculature may elucidate the molecular mechanism of renal protection to a certain degree.</p>