ABSTRACT
Shenkang Injection (SKI) is a traditional Chinese medicine injection commonly used in the clinical treatment of chronic kidney disease. Although it has been confirmed that SKI has anti-kidney fibrosis effects, the underlying mechanism remains unclear. To investigate the effects of SKI on epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and Wnt/ß-catenin pathway and explore its potential anti-fibrosis mechanism. A unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) model was induced by ligating the left ureter of male SD rats. A total of 24 rats were randomly divided into the following four groups: sham group, model group, SKI group, and benazepril group. The rats in each group were treated for 28 days, and renal function was evaluated by blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and serum creatinine (Scr). The degree of renal fibrosis was assessed by hematoxylin and eosin (HE) and Masson staining. Extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition was evaluated by immunohistochemistry. Real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) and western blotting were used to detect the expression of genes and proteins in the Wnt/ß-catenin signaling pathway. Further studies were performed in vitro using HK-2 cells treated with TGF-ß1. At 28 days postoperation, the levels of BUN and Scr expression were significantly increased in the UUO group. SKI and benazepril reduced the levels of BUN and Scr, which displayed protective renal effects. Pathological staining showed that compared with the sham operation group, the renal parenchymal structure was severely damaged, the number of glomeruli was reduced, and a large amount of collagen was deposited in the kidney tissue of the UUO group. SKI treatment reduced morphological changes. Immunohistochemistry showed that compared with the sham operation group, the content of collagen I and FN in the kidney tissue of the UUO group were significantly increased, whereas the SKI content was decreased. In addition, compared with the UUO group, the levels of Wnt1, active ß-catenin, Snail1, and PAI-1 expression were reduced in the SKI group, suggesting that SKI may reduce renal fibrosis by mediating the Wnt/ß-catenin pathway. Further in vitro studies showed that collagen I, FN, and α-SMA levels in HK-2 cells were significantly increased following stimulation with TGF-ß1. SKI could significantly reduce the expression of collagen I, FN, and α-SMA. A scratch test showed that SKI could reduce HK-2 migration. In addition, by stimulating TGF-ß1, the levels of Wnt1, active ß-catenin, snail1, and PAI-1 were significantly upregulated. SKI treatment could inhibit the activity of the Wnt/ß-catenin signaling pathway in HK-2 cells. SKI improves kidney function by inhibiting renal fibrosis. The anti-fibrotic effects may be mediated by regulation of the Wnt/ß-catenin pathway and EMT inhibition.
ABSTRACT
Background: Camptocormia is a postural deformity that is characterized by a markedly flexed lumbar spine, with symptoms that worsen with walking and standing. Here, we report a case of camptocormia associated with Parkinson's disease. Case description: A 70-year-old man with a 7-year history of Parkinson's disease presented with a fall injury that caused lower back pain for 3 months and was aggravated for 2 months. He had been diagnosed with a compression fracture after the fall and had undergone percutaneous kyphoplasty at a local hospital. MRI showed non-union of the L1 vertebra and compression fracture of L2. The patient underwent posterior osteotomy, canal decompression, and internal fixation of the T10-L3 intervertebral plate with bone graft fusion. Postoperative examination showed that the lumbar lordosis was corrected and sensation was restored in both lower extremities. However, after 1 month, the fixation was loosened and a correction surgery was performed at our hospital. At the most recent follow-up at 1.5 years, the patient was found to be in good general health and did not complain of lower back discomfort. He was also actively exercising according to the rehabilitation regimen and had resumed social life. Conclusion: This is a rare case of camptocormia in a Parkinson's patient that highlights the need for careful evaluation of whether internal spinal fixation surgery is beneficial in such patients.
ABSTRACT
Background: Multiparametric models have shown better risk stratification in Brugada syndrome. Recently, these models have been validated in different populations. Aims: To perform a systematic review and meta-analysis of the predictive performance of three validated multiparametric models (Delise model, Sieria model, and Shanghai score). Methods: We searched PubMed, Embase, MEDLINE, Web of Science, and Ovid for studies validating the risk multiparametric model. A Sieria score > 2 and Shanghai score ≥ 4 were considered to indicate higher risk. Performance estimates were summarized using a random-effects model. Results: Seven studies were included, with sample sizes of 111-1,613. The follow-up duration was 3.3-10.18 years. The Sieria model had a pooled area under the curve (AUC), sensitivity, and specificity of 0.71 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.67-0.75], 57% (95% CI: 35-76), and 71% (95% CI: 62-79), respectively. The Shanghai score had an AUC of 0.63-0.71, 68.97-90.67% sensitivity, and 43.53-63.43% specificity. The AUC of the Delise model was 0.77-0.87; however, the optimal cut-off was not identified. Conclusions: The three models exhibited moderate discriminatory ability for Brugada syndrome. The Sieria model has poor sensitivity and moderate specificity, whereas the Shanghai score has poor specificity and moderate sensitivity.
ABSTRACT
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune disorder. Lupus nephritis (LN) is one of the severe clinical implications in SLE, and this was relates to fibrosis in the kidney. As an important marker in the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) superfamily, TNF-like weak inducer of apoptosis (TWEAK) has been given much attention with respect to its role in regulating pro-inflammatory immune response. Fibroblast growth factor-inducible 14 (Fn14), the sole receptor for TWEAK, has been found expressed in different immune and non-immune cells. TWEAK binds to Fn14, and then regulates inflammatory components production via downstream signaling pathways. To date, dysregulated expression of TWEAK, Fn14 has been reported in SLE, LN patients, and in vivo, in vitro studies have discussed the significant role of TWEAK-Fn14 axis in SLE, LN pathogenesis, partly through mediating the fibrosis process. In this review, we will discuss the association of TWEAK-Fn14 axis in lupus. Understanding the relationship will better realize the potential for making TWEAK-Fn14 as a marker for the diseases, and will help to give many clues for targeting them in treatment of lupus in the future.
Subject(s)
Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic/metabolism , TWEAK Receptor/metabolism , Animals , Apoptosis , Autoimmunity , Fibrosis , Humans , Mice , Tumor Necrosis Factors/metabolismABSTRACT
With deep rotary tillage before sowing (DRT) as control, the effects of shallow rotary tillage with simultaneous sowing (SRT) and strip tillage under no tillage conditions along with sowing (NT) on root growth, soil moisture, and soil nitrate content of wheat (Triticum aestivum) after rice (Oryza sativa) were examined from 2016 to 2018. Compared with DRT, NT and SRT resulted in higher soil water content, and lower soil nitrate content in the plow layer before booting. There was no significant difference in root weight density and root surface area density among the treatments at jointing and anthesis stages. No significant difference was found in grain yield and aboveground plant nitrogen uptake among the treatments in the growing season of 2016-2017. In the growing season of 2017-2018, NT and SRT resulted in 10.9% and 10.5% higher grain yield and 17.5% and 12.0% higher aboveground plant nitrogen uptake than DRT, respectively. Compared with DRT and SRT, NT resulted in better work efficiency and lower seedling missing rate. In conclusion, NT could effectively improve sowing quality, enhance soil water storage ability, reduce the risk of soil nitrogen leaching, and ultimately enhance wheat yield and environmental benefits in the growing stage of wheat plantation after rice.
Subject(s)
Oryza , Triticum , Agriculture , Nitrogen , Soil , WaterABSTRACT
From 2016 to 2018, a field trial on three tillage and sowing practices, deep rotary tillage before sowing (DRT), shallow rotary tillage with simultaneous sowing (SRT), and strip tillage under no tillage conditions along with sowing (NT), was conducted to evaluate shoot growth, soil nutrient uptake, and utilization of wheat (Triticum aestivum) after rice (Oryza sativa) in Guanghan, Sichuan Province, China. Compared with DRT, both SRT and NT improved tillering capacity and fertile shoot rate. In 2016-2017, grain yield did not differ among the treatments, whereas in 2017-2018, NT had significantly higher grain yield (10.9%) than DRT. Furthermore, the diffe-rence in dry matter accumulation among the treatments mainly occurred prior to wheat jointing. Total nitrogen uptake of plants was higher by 9.9% in NT than in DRT, whereas nitrogen harvest index was higher in DRT than in NT. Total phosphorus uptake was not different among the treatments. Total potassium uptake was higher in NT plants than in DRT plants. Overall, the results showed that compared with the traditional tillage practice (i.e., DRT), strip tillage practice along with sowing (i.e., NT) is an effective method for increasing grain yield and soil nutrient uptake for wheat after rice.
Subject(s)
Oryza , Triticum , Agriculture , China , Nutrients , SoilABSTRACT
AIM: Previous studies have discussed association of FcγRIIA-R/H131 polymorphism and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), lupus nephritis (LN) risk. However, conclusions were inconsistent. METHODS: A meta-analysis was performed in this study with allelic contrast (allele R vs H), additive model (genotype RR vs HH), recessive model (genotype RR vs RH + HH), and dominant model (genotype RR + RH vs HH). RESULTS: A total of 33 studies discussed the correlation between FcγRIIA-R/H131 polymorphism and SLE, involving 5652 SLE patients and 6322 controls. Allele R was significantly related to SLE in the overall population (odds ratio [OR] = 1.238, P < .001), Asian (OR = 1.237, P < .001) and European population (OR = 1.212, P = .012). Additive, recessive and dominant models were correlating with SLE in the overall population (OR = 1.448, P < .001; OR = 1.303, P < .001; OR = 1.310, P < .001), Asian population (OR = 1.640, P = .001; OR = 1.437, P < .001; OR = 1.344, P = .005), respectively. In addition, 22 studies evaluated relation of FcγRIIA-R/H131 polymorphism with LN, involving 2065 patients with LN, and 2023 patients without LN. Results showed that allele R and the other 3 models related to LN susceptibility in the overall population when discussing differences of polymorphism between patients with/without LN. We further compared differences of polymorphism between patients with LN and controls, showing that additive and recessive models related to LN risk in the overall population, Asian, European and North American populations. CONCLUSION: In summary, FcγRIIA-R/H131 polymorphism is associated with SLE and LN.
