[Analysis on theses of the Chinese Journal of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases in 2009-2012].

The published articles at the Chinese Journal of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases in 2009-2012 were statistically analyzed. Among 547 papers published in the four years, original articles occupied 45.3% (248/547). The number of authors was 2712, with an average cooperation degree of 5.0, and the co-authorship accounted for 95.4% of the papers. Authors were mainly from colleges/universities (51.9%, 284/547), institutions for disease control (34.4%, 188/547) and hospitals health centers (13.7%, 75/547). The average publishing delay was 212, 141, 191 and 207 d in 2009-2012. Statistical analysis reflected the characteristics and academic level for improving the quality of the journal, and revealed the latest development and trends.

Adenosine 5'-triphosphate stimulates the increase of TGF-beta1 in rat mesangial cells under high-glucose conditions via reactive oxygen species and ERK1/2.

AIM: To investigate the role of adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP)-induced generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) in the production of transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) in cultured rat glomerular mesangial cells under high-glucose conditions. METHODS: Subconfluent glomerular mesangial cells were serum-starved for 24 h and pretreated with suramin, diphenylenechloride iodonium (DPI) or PD98059 followed by stimulation with a high concentration of glucose (30 mmol/L D-glucose) or ATP (300 micromol/L). Extracellular and total ATP and ROS production were detected using commercially available kits. Phosphorylation of ERK1/2 was evaluated by Western blot. TGF-beta1 mRNA expression was examined by real-time PCR. RESULTS: Suramin had a dose-dependent inhibitory effect on the generation of ROS induced by high glucose. Extracellular ATP production by mesangial cells increased markedly after a 2-h incubation with high glucose. ROS production was upregulated in mesangial cells after 5 min incubation with 300 micromol/L ATP and was sustained for 120 min. ERK1/2 was significantly activated after 5 min incubation of mesangial cells with ATP, this activation was partially inhibited by DPI. The effects of high glucose on TGF-beta1 mRNA were markedly inhibited by suramin, DPI or PD98059. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that a high concentration of glucose increases the extracellular levels of ATP in mesangial cells within a short time-frame. ATP, in turn, activates ERK1/2, an effect which is at least partially dependent on ROS, which results in the upregulation of TGF-beta1.