Effect of Accessory Renal Arteries on Essential Hypertension and Related Mechanisms.

BACKGROUND: This case-control study aimed to determine whether there were differences between patients with essential hypertension with accessory renal arteries (ARAs) and those without ARAs. METHODS AND RESULTS: The enrolled patients with essential hypertension were divided into the ARA group (n=200) and control group without ARAs (n=238). After propensity matching, 394 patients (197 in each of the 2 groups), were included. The 24-hour BP (4.33/2.43 mm Hg) and daytime BP (4.48/2.61 mm Hg) of patients in the ARA group were significantly higher than those of the control group (P<0.05). The flow-mediated dilation was lower in the ARA group (5.98±2.70 versus 5.18±2.66; P<0.05). In correlation analysis, the horizontal plasma aldosterone concentration had the highest correlation with 24-hour, daytime, and nighttime systolic BP (r=0.263, 0.247, and 0.243, respectively; P<0.05) and diastolic BP (r=0.325, 0.298, and 0.317, respectively; P<0.05). As for multivariate regression analysis, plasma aldosterone concentration was a significant risk factor for elevated 24-hour, daytime, and nighttime systolic BP (ß=0.249 [95% CI, 0.150-0.349], 0.228 [95% CI, 0.128-0.329], and 0.282 [95% CI, 0.187-0.377], respectively; P<0.05) and elevated diastolic BP (ß=0.289 [95% CI, 0.192-0.385], 0.256 [95% CI, 0.158-0.353], and 0.335 [95% CI, 0.243-0.427], respectively; P<0.05). Direct renin concentration was also a risk factor for 24-hour and daytime BPs, whereas heart rate was a risk factor correlated with 24-hour, daytime, and nighttime diastolic BP (all P<0.05). For the mixed-effects model for repeated measures, the results were similar to results of the multivariate regression analysis (all P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: ARAs could contribute a higher BP of patients with essential hypertension and might promote the development of essential hypertension. The mechanism might be related to overactivation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system and sympathetic nervous system.

The bHLH-zip transcription factor SREBP regulates triterpenoid and lipid metabolisms in the medicinal fungus Ganoderma lingzhi.

Ganoderic acids (GAs) are well recognized as important pharmacological components of the medicinal species belonging to the basidiomycete genus Ganoderma. However, transcription factors directly regulating the expression of GA biosynthesis genes remain poorly understood. Here, the genome of Ganoderma lingzhi is de novo sequenced. Using DNA affinity purification sequencing, we identify putative targets of the transcription factor sterol regulatory element-binding protein (SREBP), including the genes of triterpenoid synthesis and lipid metabolism. Interactions between SREBP and the targets are verified by electrophoretic mobility gel shift assay. RNA-seq shows that SREBP targets, mevalonate kinase and 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A synthetase in mevalonate pathway, sterol isomerase and lanosterol 14-demethylase in ergosterol biosynthesis, are significantly upregulated in the SREBP overexpression (OE::SREBP) strain. In addition, 3 targets involved in glycerophospholipid/glycerolipid metabolism are upregulated. Then, the contents of mevalonic acid, lanosterol, ergosterol and 13 different GAs as well as a variety of lipids are significantly increased in this strain. Furthermore, the effects of SREBP overexpression on triterpenoid and lipid metabolisms are recovered when OE::SREBP strain are treated with exogenous fatostatin, a specific inhibitor of SREBP. Taken together, our genome-wide study clarify the role of SREBP in triterpenoid and lipid metabolisms of G. lingzhi.

Hypertension in a patient with medullary sponge kidney: A case report.

RATIONALE: Medullary sponge kidney (MSK) is a congenital renal disorder characterized by recurrent nephrolithiasis or nephrocalcinosis. Recently, it has been found that MSK can be also combined with other diseases, such as primary aldosteronism and Beckwith-Wiedemann, but whether it is associated with secondary hypertension remains unknown. PATIENT CONCERNS: A 22-year-old hypertensive female presented to our hospital characterized by hypokalemia and hypertension. DIAGNOSIS: The laboratory examination showed secondary aldosteronism. And the common causes for secondary aldosteronism include renal artery stenosis, glomerulonephritis, lupus nephropathy, and diabetic nephropathy, all of which were excluded except MSK. INTERVENTIONS: She was treated with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors. OUTCOMES: Her blood pressure, serum potassium, and plasma renin levels were reversed after treatment with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors. LESSONS: We presumed that MSK may be associated with secondary hypertension, and the mechanism may be the activation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system.

Effect of Freeze-Thaw Cycles on Triaxial Strength Property Damage to Cement Improved Aeolian Sand (CIAS).

Natural aeolian sand has the characteristics of low cohesion and poor water stability. In order to improve its crack resistance properties in the process of freeze-thaw cycles, P.O 42.5 ordinary Portland cement was added to form a mixture called cement improved aeolian sand (CIAS). SEM was used to analyze the microscopic micro-structure of CIAS at different times (7 days and 28 days). The mechanical properties of CIAS samples affected by freeze-thaw cycles were tested in a triaxial instrument, and gray-scale images of the three-phase distribution in the CIAS after freeze-thaw cycling were obtained by computed tomography (CT) scanning technology. The pore characteristic parameters (pore area, fractal dimension, and crack length) were studied by digital image process technique. Based on classical Griffith fracture theory, the development of the crack length and crack width with increasing freeze-thaw cycles is determined. Assuming that the pore area subordinates to the Weibull distribution, the parameters of the Weibull distribution, the damage evolution defined by the elastic modulus attenuation, and the pore area development of CIAS were determined. Research shows the cohesion decreases and internal friction angle increases with increasing cycle numbers. Three development patterns are observed: crack growth, crack closure, and crack merging, and the three patterns interact during freeze-thaw cycling. Furthermore, the fractal dimension of the pore edge fluctuates with the increasing number of freeze-thaw cycles. This work provides a theoretical basis for the application of aeolian sand and develops a method for disaster prevention in applications of freeze-thaw cycling.

Numerical Simulation of Dry Granular Flow Impacting a Rigid Wall Using the Discrete Element Method.

This paper presents a clump model based on Discrete Element Method. The clump model was more close to the real particle than a spherical particle. Numerical simulations of several tests of dry granular flow impacting a rigid wall flowing in an inclined chute have been achieved. Five clump models with different sphericity have been used in the simulations. By comparing the simulation results with the experimental results of normal force on the rigid wall, a clump model with better sphericity was selected to complete the following numerical simulation analysis and discussion. The calculation results of normal force showed good agreement with the experimental results, which verify the effectiveness of the clump model. Then, total normal force and bending moment of the rigid wall and motion process of the granular flow were further analyzed. Finally, comparison analysis of the numerical simulations using the clump model with different grain composition was obtained. By observing normal force on the rigid wall and distribution of particle size at the front of the rigid wall at the final state, the effect of grain composition on the force of the rigid wall has been revealed. It mainly showed that, with the increase of the particle size, the peak force at the retaining wall also increase. The result can provide a basis for the research of relevant disaster and the design of protective structures.