Mechanism of autophagy on the formation of kidney stones caused by calcified nanoparticles / 医学研究生学报

Objective　The relationship between calcified nanoparticles (CNPs) and the formation of urinary stones is drawing increasing attention and the specific mechanisms involved. This study aims to investigate the mechanisms of the formation of kidney stone caused by CNPs.　Methods　A total of 48 rats were randomly and equally divided into a CNPs group (each rat was injected with 2 mL CNPs through the tail vein to establish a rat kidney stone model of CNPs), and a control group (injected the same amount of sterile isotonic saline instead of CNPs). We compared the expression levels of autophagy-related proteins, such as Beclin-1 and LC-3, the formation of autophagosomes and calcium salt crystals in renal tissues at time points of 3h, 6h, 12h, 24h, 1w, 2w, 4w and 8w in two groups.　Results　The relative expression levels and positive cells of Beclin-1 and LC-3 in CNPs group at 3h,6h,12h,24h, 1w, 2w, 4w, 8w were significantly higher than those in the control group (P< 0.05), and reached the highest value at 24 (P< 0.05). The number of autophagosomes at 24h, 1w, 2w, 4w, and 8w in the CNPs group ((2.83±0.32), (3.00±0.26), (3.70±0.44), (3.90±0.98), (4.70±0.51)/HP, respectively) were significantly higher than those in the control group (0.73±0.15)/HP (P <0.05). The scores of calcium salt crystals in the CNPs group at 2w, 4w, and 8w significantly increased compared to the control group (P <0.05). The calcium salt crystal formation score ((0.92 ± 0.98) points) was positively correlated with the expression intensities of Beclin-1 and LC-3 ((6.78 ± 4.25), (2.61 ± 2.57), respectively) (r = 0.843, 0.628, P <0.05), which was positively correlated with the number of autophagosomes (2.53 ± 1.41) (r = 0.923, P <0.001).　Conclusion　CNPs may damage renal tubular epithelial cells, and induce immediate autophagic activity, also increase expression of autophagy-related proteins and autophagosome formation, which will promote the formation and aggregation of calcium salt crystals in renal tubules to some extent.

A non-surgical rat model of foreign body-associated urinary tract infection with ESBLs-producing E.coli injection / 医学研究生学报

Objective At present, the traditional model of urinary tract infection is not only complex in operation process but also easy to be infected, and the model with simple transurethral bacterial injection is not stable enough. This study established a rat model of foreign body-associated urinary tract infection. A spiral polyethylene tube (PT) was placed transurethrally into the bladder by transurethral inoculation with extended-spectrum β-lactamases-producing Escherichia coli (ESBLs E.coli).Methods SD female rats were randomly divided into blank control group, no foreign body groups at 7d and 14d, foreign body groups at 7d and 14d. ESBLs E.coli was injected transurethrally by foreign body into the bladder in foreign body groups. The same volumes of ESBLs E.coli and sterile saline were injected respectively in no foreign body and blank groups. Examination was made on bilateral renal gravity index, the numbers of white blood cells and neutrophils, the bacteriological and pathological changes in urine and kidney.Results The bilateral renal gravity index, the percentage of neutrophils and and the positive rates of renal and urine bacteria culture in foreign body groups at 7d and 14d were significantly higher than those in blank control group and no foreign body groups(P＜0.05). The number of white blood cells in foreign body group at 7d was significantly higher than those of blank control and no foreign body group(P＜0.05). The positive rates of renal and urine bacteria culture were 100% in the foreign body groups at 7d and 14d. The positive rate of urine bacteria culture in no foreign body at 7d was 33.3%. Under the light microscope, there were inflammatory changes in the kidney and bladder tissues of the rats in foreign body groups, and a few fibrous tissues were formed around glomeruli in foreign body group at 14d.Conclusion The establishment of a highly successful and stable rat model of urinary tract infection can be successfully achieved by injection of ESBLS E.coli through transurethral foreign body placed in bladder.

Flexible ureterorenoscopy vs extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy for inferior calyceal calculi of 10 ~ 20 mm / 中国内镜杂志

Objective To compare the subjective and objective outcomes of flexible ureterorenoscopy (F-URS) and extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) for the treatment of inferior calyceal calculi between 10 to 20 mm. Method A retrospective analysis was performed for inferior calyceal calculi between 10 to 20 mm at our institution on a total of 112 patients treated with holmium laser lithotripsy or ESWL from September 2013 to September 2016. Retreatment rate, complications, stone clearance rate and subjective patient-reported outcomes were compared. Result Stone clearance rate was significantly higher in F-URS group compared with ESWL group (86.1% vs 61.8%, P < 0.05). Retreatment rate (44.7% vs 8.3%, P < 0.05) was higher in ESWL. There was no significant difference in complication (11.1% vs 7.9%, P > 0.05). Overall satisfaction score [(2.92 ± 1.24) vs (2.07 ± 1.35), P < 0.05] and voiding symptom score [(3.87 ± 0.64) vs (2.23 ± 0.73), P < 0.05)] were significantly higher in F-URS than ESWL. More patients in F-URS were willing to undergo the procedure again (83.3% vs 55.3%, P<0.05). Conclusion For the treatment of intermediate size inferior calyceal calculi,F-URS is superior to ESWL in terms of stone clearance rate, retreatment rate and subjective satisfaction.

Expressions of aquaporins decrease in the prostate and seminal vesicles of castrated rats / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the levels of secretions from the prostate and seminal vesicles and their association with the expressions of aquaporins (AQP) in the prostatic tissue and seminal vesicles of castrated rats.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>We randomly divided 18 eight-week-old male SD rats into a control, a castration, and a testosterone (T) replacement group. Four weeks after surgical castration, we detected the plasma T level and measured the volumes of the secretions and the expressions of AQPs 3, 7, and 10 - 12 in the prostate and seminal vesicles of the rats.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The plasma T level was significantly lower in the castrated models ([30. 98 ± 28. 84] ng/dl) than in the rats of the control ([700.78 ± 123.8] ng/dl) and T replacement groups ([688.08 ± 132. 47] ng/dl) (P <0. 05). The castration group, in comparison with the control and T replacement groups, showed remarkably reduced ratios of prostatic secretion volume / prostate weight ([11.1 ± 0.30] vs [2.32 ± 0.61] and [2.13 ± 0.56] %, P <0. 05) and seminal vesicle secretion volume / seminal vesicle weight ( [4. 78 ± 1. 97 ] vs [57. 36 ± 11. 86] and [55. 74 ± 7. 21] %, P < 0. 05). Immunohistochemistry revealed the expressions of AQPs 3 and 7 in the epithelial envelop and cytoplasm and that of AQP 11 the in endothelial envelop and cytoplasm of the prostate and seminal vesicles. Western blot exhibited significantly lower expressions of AQPs 3, 7, and 10 - 12 in the prostate and seminal vesicles of the castrated rats than in the animals of the control and T replacement groups (P <0. 05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Significant decreases of the secretions from the prostate and seminal vesicles may be related to the reduced expressions of AQPs 3, 7, and 10 - 12 in the prostatic tissue and seminal vesicles in castrated rats.</p>

Association of the polymorphisms in the promoter region of tumor necrosis factor alpha and interleukin 6 genes with schizophrenia / 中华医学遗传学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the relationship between the -308G/A, -857C/T and -1031T/C of tumor necrosis factor alpha gene (TNF- alpha), -174G/C and -572C/G of interleukin-6 gene (IL-6) polymorphisms and schizophrenia.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Genomic DNA was isolated from the venous blood leukocytes of 346 unrelated patients with schizophrenia and 323 healthy unrelated individuals (control group). All of the polymorphisms were genotyped by PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphisms (PCR-RFLP). Genotype and allele frequencies were analyzed by SPSS13.0 software.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>There were significant differences in both allele and genotype frequencies of -857C/T of TNF-alpha gene between the schizophrenia and control groups (P< 0.05). The allele T of -857C/T in schizophrenia group was significantly higher than that in control group (chi-square was 9.414, P=0.002, OR=1.511, 95%CI:1.160-1.969). In addition, there were significant differences in the positive and negative syndrome scale (PANSS) total score and negative symptoms between the patients with different -857C/T genotypes, and the negative symptom score of TT genotype was significantly higher than that of CC genotype (P<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>There is an association between -857C/T of TNF-alpha gene and schizophrenia, individuals with T allele of -857C/T are susceptible to schizophrenia, and there is an association between -857C/T and negative symptom score.</p>

Prognostic value of ventricular longitudinal systolic velocities and maximal oxygen consumption in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy / 中华心血管病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To compare the prognostic value of regional longitudinal ventricular systolic velocities with that of maximal oxygen consumption (VO(2max)) in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>VO(2max) derived from cardiopulmonary exercise tests and regional longitudinal ventricular systolic velocities obtained from tissue Doppler imaging were compared in 18 DCM patients with cardiac events (death, cardiac transplantation, hospitalization, group A) and 24 patients without cardiac events (group B). Peak velocities during isovolumic contraction (is) and ejection (ez) were interrogated at the mitral or tricuspid annulus (site 1), at the mid parts of the walls (site 3, at the level of papillary muscle), and at the midpoints (site 2) between sites 1 and 3 of interventricular septum (S), lateral wall of LV (L) and of RV (R) in apical 4 chambers view.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>R1is, R2is, R2ez, R3is, S1is, S1ez, S2ez, L1is, L1ez and L2ez of group A were significantly lower than those in group B (all P < 0.05). Independent of VO(2max), high sensitivity and specificity were shown for R3ez, S1ez, L1ez, L1is, L2is and L3is in predicting cardiac events of DCM patients.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>LV and RV systolic velocities could independently predict cardiac events in DCM patients.</p>

Genetic polymorphism of twelve Y chromosomal short tandem repeat loci in Chinese Hui ethnic group / 中华医学遗传学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To obtain the genetic polymorphism of Y chromosomal short tandem repeat (Y-STR) loci in Ningxia Hui population.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Blood samples were collected from 150 unrelated healthy male individuals of Ningxia Hui ethnic group. Twelve Y-STR loci were amplified in one tube by using the PowerPlex System STR Amplification Kit, and the genotypes were determined using Genescan and Genotype software of ABI377 DNA sequencer and the frequency of alleles and haplotypes of Ningxia Hui ethnic was obtained.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Seventy-five alleles were observed at 12 Y-STR loci. The frequency ranged from 0.0067-0.7067 and the gene diversity ranged from 0.4446-0.8877. Totally 148 different haplotypes were found, which were unique in 150 males. Two haplotypes were shared by 2 males respectively. The haplotype diversity was 0.9864.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The 12 Y-STR loci are highly polymorphic in Ningxia Hui population and are suitable for genetics and forensic research.</p>

Induction of apoptosis and inhibition of HL-60 cell proliferation by survivin antisense oligonucleotide / 中国当代儿科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effects of survivin antisense oligonucleotide (ODN) on cell proliferation and apoptosis of HL-60 cells.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Synthetic ODN was completely phosphorothioate-modified. Cationic lipid-mediated antisense ODN was transferred into HL-60 cells. The expression of survivin mRNA and protein was detected by RT-PCR and Western Blot. The incorporation of MTT was used as the measurement of HL-60 proliferation. The cell-cycle and apoptosis were analyzed by flow cytometry.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>HL-60 cells spontaneously expressed survivin mRNA and protein. Both mRNA and protein expression of survivin decreased significantly in the antisense ODN transfected cells in comparison to that in the original cells and cells transfected with sense ODN. Survivin antisense ODN significantly inhibited cell proliferation and induced apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner. The cell-cycle in the antisense ODN-transfected cells stopped at the G2/M phase.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Antisense ODN targeting at survivin mRNA can inhibit HL-60 cell proliferation and induce G2/M stop and apoptosis.</p>

Expression of Adiponectin Receptor 2 in Diet-Induced Obese Rat′s Liver / 实用儿科临床杂志

Objective To investigate the different expressions of adiponectin receptor 2(AdipoR2) mRNA in liver between diet-induced obese rats and controls.Methods The level of AdipoR2 mRNA expression was detected by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR).Insulin sensitivity was evaluated by insulin sensitivity index(ISI).Results Diet-induced obese rats showed higher expression of AdipoR2 mRNA compare to controls.The ISI of diet-induced obese rats was lower than that of controls.Conclusion High energy diet induceds AdipoR2 expression in liver.

Noninvasive assessment of left anterior descending and right coronary artery flow reserve by transthoracic Doppler echocardiography in patients with coronary artery disease / 中华心血管病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To assess the feasibility of evaluation of CFR for LAD and right coronary artery (RCA) as well as diagnostic accuracy for patency of each vessel by transthoracic Doppler echocardiography (TTDE).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>65 consecutive patients (age 58 +/- 14, ejection fraction 49% +/- 8%, 48 men and 17 women) were studied for CFR by TTDE with adenosine infusion (140 microg.kg(-1).min(-1)). LAD flow was interrogated nearby the apex in modified 2-ch apical view. RCA flow was interrogated at mid posterior wall on distal part of the posterior descending branch (PDA) in modified 2-ch apical view for PDA.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Flow for LAD was detected in all patients (4 with use of contrast agent) and for RCA in 55 patients (5 with contrast agent). Two patients had an occluded RCA. Feasibility of RCA flow detection was 55/63 (87%). In all patients maximal flow of each branch was detected in less than 2 min of adenosine infusion (140 mg.kg(-1).min(-1)). Total time for both CFR estimation was 7.3 +/- 1.6 min. Selecting 2.0 or 1.8 as CFR cut-off value for diagnosis of coronary stenosis (> or = 50% in diameter) or severe stenosis (> or = 70%) was found fitted for both LAD and RCA with similar diagnostic performance (sensitivity 89%/93%, specificity 86%/84%, area under curve 0.89/0.92 respectively, in stenosis diagnosis and sensitivity 88%/89%, specificity 90%/83%, area under curve 0.94/0.95 respectively in severe stenosis diagnosis).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>CFR evaluation of both distal LAD and PDA is of high feasibility and can provide high diagnostic yield for relevant vessel patency.</p>