Mechanochemical Synthesis of Cuprous Complexes for X-ray Scintillation and Imaging.

Cuprous complex scintillators show promise for X-ray detection with abundant raw materials, diverse luminescent mechanisms, and adjustable structures. However, their synthesis typically requires a significant amount of organic solvents, which conflict with green chemistry principles. Herein, we present the synthesis of two high-performance cuprous complex scintillators using a simple mechanochemical method for the first time, namely [CuI(PPh3)2R] (R = 4-phenylpyridine hydroiodide (PH, Cu-1) and 4-(4-bromophenyl)pyridine hydroiodide (PH-Br, Cu-2). Both materials demonstrated remarkable scintillation performances, exhibiting radioluminescence (RL) intensities 1.52 times (Cu-1) and 2.52 times (Cu-2) greater than those of Bi4Ge3O12 (BGO), respectively. Compared to Cu-1, the enhanced RL performance of Cu-2 can be ascribed to its elevated quantum yield of 51.54%, significantly surpassing that of Cu-1 at 37.75%. This excellent luminescent performance is derived from the introduction of PH-Br, providing a more diverse array of intermolecular interactions that effectively constrain molecular vibration and rotation, further suppressing the nonradiative transition process. Furthermore, Cu-2 powder can be prepared into scintillator film with excellent X-ray imaging capabilities. This work establishes a pathway for the rapid, eco-friendly, and cost-effective synthesis of high-performance cuprous complex scintillators.

A library of polytypic copper-based quaternary sulfide nanocrystals enables efficient solar-to-hydrogen conversion.

Designing polytypic homojunction is an efficient way to regulate photogenerated electrons and holes, thereafter bringing desired physical and chemical properties and being attractive photocatalysts for solar-to-hydrogen conversion. However, the high-yield and controllable synthesis of well-defined polytypes especially for multinary chalcogenide - the fundamental factor favoring highly efficient solar-to-hydrogen conversion - has yet to be achieved. Here, we report a general colloidal method to construct a library of polytypic copper-based quaternary sulfide nanocrystals, including Cu2ZnSnS4, Cu2CdSnS4, Cu2CoSnS4, Cu2MnSnS4, Cu2FeSnS4, Cu3InSnS5 and Cu3GaSnS5, which can be synthesized by selective epitaxial growth of kesterite phase on wurtzite structure. Besides, this colloidal method allows the precise controlling of the homojunction number corresponding to the photocatalytic performance. The single-homojunction and double-homojunction polytypic Cu2ZnSnS4 nanocrystal photocatalysts show 2.8-fold and 3.9-fold improvement in photocatalytic hydrogen evolution rates relative to the kesterite nanocrystals, respectively. This homojunction existed in the polytypic structure opens another way to engineer photocatalysts.

Resection of bilateral occipital lobe lesions during a single operation as a treatment for bilateral occipital lobe epilepsy.

BACKGROUND: Neurosurgical treatment of severe bilateral occipital lobe epilepsy usually involves two operations several mos apart. AIM: To evaluate surgical resection of bilateral occipital lobe lesions during a single operation as a treatment for bilateral occipital lobe epilepsy. METHODS: This retrospective case series included patients with drug-refractory bilateral occipital lobe epilepsy treated surgically between March 2006 and November 2015. RESULTS: Preoperative evaluation included scalp video-electroencephalography (EEG), magnetic resonance imaging, and PET-CT. During surgery (bilateral occipital craniotomy), epileptic foci and important functional areas were identified by EEG (intracranial cortical electrodes) and cortical functional mapping, respectively. Patients were followed up for at least 5 years to evaluate treatment outcome (Engel grade) and visual function. The 20 patients (12 males) were aged 4-30 years (median age, 12 years). Time since onset was 3-20 years (median, 8 years), and episode frequency was 4-270/mo (median, 15/mo). Common manifestations were elementary visual hallucinations (65.0%), flashing lights (30.0%), blurred vision (20.0%) and visual field defects (20.0%). Most patients were free of disabling seizures (Engel grade I) postoperatively (18/20, 90.0%) and at 1 year (18/20, 90.0%), 3 years (17/20, 85.0%) and ≥ 5 years (17/20, 85.0%). No patients were classified Engel grade IV (no worthwhile improvement). After surgery, there was no change in visual function in 13/20 (65.0%), development of a new visual field defect in 3/20 (15.0%), and worsening of a preexisting defect in 4/20 (20.0%). CONCLUSION: Resection of bilateral occipital lobe lesions during a single operation may be applicable in bilateral occipital lobe epilepsy.

Dietary patterns and their associations with the metabolic syndrome and predicted 10-year risk of CVD in northwest Chinese adults.

The impact of diet on the metabolic syndrome (MetS) and CVD has been investigated widely, but few studies have investigated the association between dietary patterns (DP) and the predicted CVD, derived from reduced rank regression (RRR). The objectives of this study were to derive DP using RRR and principal component analysis (PCA) and investigate their associations with the MetS and estimated 10-year atherosclerotic CVD (ASCVD). We used the baseline dataset from the Xinjiang multi-ethnic cohort study in China, collected from June 2018 to May 2019. A total of 14 982 subjects aged 35-74 years from Urumqi, Huo Cheng and Mo Yu were included in the analysis. The 10-year ASCVD risk was estimated using the Chinese ASCVD risk equations. The associations of DP with the MetS and 10-year ASCVD were determined using multivariable logistic regression models. In Urumqi and Mo Yu, the increased RRR DP score was associated with a higher OR of having the MetS and with a higher OR of elevated 10-year ASCVD risk. However, only the first DP determined by PCA in Urumqi was inversely associated with the MetS and elevated 10-year ASCVD risk. The prevalence of the MetS and elevated ASCVD risk in urban population is higher than that in rural areas. Our results may help nutritionists develop more targeted dietary strategies to prevent the MetS and ASCVD in different regions in China.

[Keyhole Approach Endoscopic Surgery versus Stereotactic Aspiration plus Urokinase in Treating Basal Ganglia Hypertensive Intracerebral Hemorrhage].

Objective To compare the short-and long-term effect of two minimal invasive surgical therapies including keyhole approach endoscopic surgery(KAES)and stereotactic aspiration plus urokinase(SAU)in treating basal ganglia hypertensive intracerebral hemorrhage(hICH). Methods The clinical data of 117 hICH patients(63 received KAES and 54 received SAU)were retrospectively analyzed.The operation time,blood loss during surgery,and drainage time were compared between two groups.The residual hematoma volume,hematoma clearance rate(HCR),Glasgow coma scale(GCS)score,and National Institute of Health Stroke Scale(NIHSS)score were recorded at baseline and in the ultra-early stage,early stage,and sub-early stage after surgery.The 30-day mortality and serious adverse events were assessed and the 6-month modified Rankin scale(mRS)score was rated.Results Baseline data showed no significant difference between these two groups.Compared with the SAU group,the KAES group had significantly longer operation time,more intraoperative blood loss,and shorter drainage time(all P<0.001).In the ultra-early stage after surgery,HCR was significantly higher in the KAES group(P<0.001),whereas in the early and sub-early stage,HCR showed no significant differences(all P>0.05).In the ultra-early and early stage,the GCS and NIHSS scores showed no significant differences between two groups(all P>0.05),whereas in the sub-early stage,the NIHSS score was better in the SAU group(P=0.034).The 30-day mortality and incidences of serious adverse events showed no significant difference(all P>0.05).The good recovery(mRS≤3)at 6-months follow-up showed no significant difference between the two groups(P=0.413).Conclusions Both KAES and SAU are safe and effective in treating basal ganglia hICH.In the ultra-early stage after surgery,KAES achieves better residual hematoma volume and HCR,and patients undergoing SAU quickly catch up.The short-and long-term effectiveness of SAU is comparable or even superior to KAES.

Microcatheter infusion of bolus-dose tirofiban for acute ischemic stroke due to distal intracranial artery occlusion.

The utility of endovascular thrombectomy for acute occlusion of the distal intracranial artery (A2/A3/M2/M3/P2/P3) is unclear, and aspiration and stent thrombectomy are associated with risk of bleeding. We analyzed patients with acute occlusion of the distal intracranial artery to assess the safety and efficacy of microcatheter-based tirofiban infusion.We retrospectively reviewed data of the endovascular thrombectomy registry of our center between January 2018 and June 2019. Patients with distal intracranial artery occlusion who underwent endovascular thrombectomy with microcatheter-based infusion of tirofiban were recruited.Of 13 patients included, 1 presented with anterior cerebral artery occlusion, 2 with posterior cerebral artery occlusion, 2 with posterior inferior cerebellar artery occlusion, and 7 with middle cerebral artery M2 occlusion. The mean National Institute of Health Stroke scale score was 10.1 (3-19). Three patients (23.1%) underwent bridging treatment of intravenous thrombolysis with recombinant plasminogen activator and endovascular thrombectomy. The arithmetic mean onset-to-recanalization time was 696.3 minutes (140-1440) and average operating time was 47.1 minutes (30-80). After treatment, 10 patients (76.9%) underwent revascularization. No operative complications were observed in any case. All patients underwent angiography and were reviewed 7 to 14 days after surgery. Imaging revealed significant improvements in recanalization compared with the immediate postoperative period, with no reoccurrence of occlusion. The mean modified Rankin scale score at the 3-month follow-up was 0.54 (0-2).Microcatheter-based infusion of bolus-dose tirofiban can result in safe and effective recanalization of acute occlusion of the distal artery in the case of a relatively light thrombotic load.

Botrytis polyphyllae: A New Botrytis Species Causing Gray Mold on Paris polyphylla.

Paris polyphylla is an important perennial medicinal plant in China. A disease similar to gray mold on P. polyphylla occurred at the seedling stage in March 2016 and 2017 in Tengchong city, Yunnan Province of China. The disease resulted in up to 50% mortality in serious cases. Isolates from diseased plants grew 10.6 mm/day at 20°C on PDA. After 21 days, sclerotia were spherical to elliptical (0.4-2.5 × 0.3-1.8 mm). Conidia from diseased tissues were hyaline to pale brown, long, ovoid, unicellular, and measured 15.1-24.5 × 8.8-13.4 µm; conidiophores were 526-1,064 ×12-15 µm. Isolates did not form conidiophores or conidia on PDA or MYA. A phylogenetic analysis based on G3PDH, RPB2, and HSP60 sequence data supported assignment of three representative isolates as a new species of Botrytis. Based on morphological, phylogenetic characteristics and Koch's Postulates, the causal agent of gray mold on P. polyphylla was identified as a novel species, Botrytis polyphyllae.

[Key Bacteria for the Microbial Degradation of Pollutants in Cellar Water].

The study aimed to identify the key bacteria and the potential interactions among these bacteria during the degradation of pollutants in cellar water, The main pollution characteristics were nitrogen, phosphorus and organic pollution. The structure and function of the bacterial community and its correlation with water quality variables were analyzed. A network of seven associations of microbial co-occurrence was set up, based on 16S rRNA and the model for inferring co-occurrence or interspecific interactions of microbial species. This showed that there were a large number of microorganisms with relatively specific ecological functions in the cellar water, and that many metabolic activities were involved. The ecological relationships of most bacteria in the association network were a form of mutualism. The most prominent genera included Lacibacter, Arthrobacter, Candidatus Protochlamydia, Methylocaldum, Sulfuritalea, Mycobacterium, Aquirestis, Rhodobacter, and, Methylotenera. The strong associations were observed between following bacteria:Sulfuritalea-Rhodobacter, Azospirillum-Rhodobacter, Methylocaldum-Rhodobacter, Arthrobacter-Rhodobacter, Rhodoplanes-Rhodobacter, Candidatus Protochlamydia-Rhodobacter, Methylotenera-Rhodobacter, Rhodobacter-Aquirestis, Mycobacterium-Rhodobacter, Planctomyces-Candidatus Solibacter, Planctomyces-Legionella, Hymenobacter-Adhaeribacter, and Luteolibacter-Crenothrix. It was considered that Rhodobacter, Methylocaldum, Methylotenera, Acinetobacter, Novosphingobium, Planctomyces, Hymenobacter, and Luteolibacter were the key bacteria involved in microbial degradation of cellar water pollutants, and Rhodobacter was the representative genus of the key bacteria. The authors concluded that the research results improved understanding of the microbial degradation mechanism of pollutants in cellar water.

[Microbial Community Structure and Diversity in Cellar Water by 16S rRNA High-throughput Sequencing].

This study was aimed to explore the bacterial diversity of cellar water as well as to study the relationship between the bacterial diversity and environmental factors. The MiSeq high-throughput sequencing was used to analyze and compare the bacterial diversity and community composition of samples from different cellar water samples. Overall 1605 optimized reads were obtained from four samples based on high-throughput sequencing of the V4 region of the 16S rRNA gene. Bacterial species detected in these samples covered 22 phyla,42 classes,71 orders,115 families, 146 genera. Analysis showed that the bacterial diversity was very high in these samples, and there were differences among different samples. The distribution characteristics of the dominant bacteria showed patterns of a large number of rare species and a few common types. Taxonomic assignment analysis indicated that Bacteroidetes,Proteobacteria,Actinobacteria,Verrucomicrobia,OD1 dominated in the Cellar water, and accounted for 87.1% to 94.8% at phylum level. The predominant groups were Actinobacteria,Acidimicrobiia,Cytophagia, Flavobacteriia, Sphingobacteriia,α-Proteobacteria,ß-Proteobacteria,γ-Proteobacteria,Opitutae, Verrucomicrobiae,Pedosphaerae and ZB2 at class level. At genus level Rhodobacter,Dechloromonas,Flavobacterium,Acinetobacter,Comamonas,Pseudomonas,Hydrogenophaga,et al were the abundant taxa, which were mainly denitrifying bacteria and heterotrophic nitrification-aerobic denitrification bacteria. The result of RDA suggested that the influences of different environmental factors on different microbes were different. Bacterial community Ⅱ had significant positive correlation with UV254,permanganate index,BOD5,and Bacterial community Ⅲ had significant positive correlation with TN,NO2--N,NO3--N,TP,NH4+-N. This research should deepen the understanding on microbial community in Cellar water, and provide references for the association of bacterial composition and diversity with environmental factors.

[Microbial Community Diversity and Differences in Cellar water of Typical Rainwater Harvesting Area].

In order to explore the natural change mechanisms for cellar water quality for typical rainwater harvesting and drinking water surfaces in China, the MiSeq high-throughput sequencing method was used to study the differences between characteristics of microbial communities and functional diversity regarding collecting and making use of rainwater. This is achieved through constructing combined modes of different types of catchment areas and water-storing cellars. The results of this study show that there is significant differences in microbial community structure and function. The main factors causing this difference are heterogeneity of internal and external environmental factors regarding cellar water. The diversity of microbial community structures in cellar water show patterns of a large number of rare species and few common species. There are different significant microbial communities at different water points. The differences in the functional diversity of microbial communities shows that gene sequences that encode metabolic functions have significant advantages over other functional gene sequences, and amino acid, carbohydrate, lipid, energy, vitamin, terpenoid and polyketide, nucleotide, and glycan metabolism, as well as the biosynthesis of other secondary metabolites, are the main functional groups that compose metabolic function. This shows that there are a large number of microorganisms with relatively specific ecological functions in cellar water and many active metabolic activities are involved. Cellar water quality can be improved through combined modes of concrete collecting surfaces and water-storing cellars for collection and storage of rainwater. The results of the study aim to deepen the understanding of cellar water microbial community structures and diversity to be used as a reference for improving water quality and selecting the water surfaces for rainwater harvesting.

Safety and Efficacy Analyses of Angioplasty and Stenting for Severe Intracranial Arterial Stenosis: A Single-Center Retrospective Study in China.

BACKGROUND: The value of percutaneous transluminal angioplasty and stenting (PTAS) in the context of aggressive medical treatment for severe intracranial artery stenosis (ICAS) is under debate. This study compared the effects of PTAS and aggressive medical treatment in patients with severe ICAS and transient ischemic attack or stroke. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was performed. Patients with severe ICAS were assigned to a PTAS group or aggressive medical treatment group, according to the angiographic features of the stenotic lesions. The primary outcome was defined as stroke or death within 30 days or cerebral ischemia occurring ipsilaterally to the qualifying artery beyond 30 days. RESULTS: We included 220 patients: 48 in the PTAS group and 172 in the medical group. The median follow-up was 32 months. PTAS was not associated with an increased incidence of the primary outcomes (10/42 vs. 39/172, p=0.96) or increased risks of the secondary outcomes of stroke, cardiovascular events, major bleeding, or mortality. The results of log-rank tests did not support a significant difference in event-free survival as a primary outcome between the 2 groups (chi-square=0.07, p=0.79). Moreover, although not significantly greater, the mean survival of patients in the PTAS group appeared to be better than that among patients in the medical group, as indicated by the curve for cumulative survival. CONCLUSIONS: A suitable PTAS procedure is safe for patients with severe ICAS, and no significant differences in incidence of recurrent stroke or death were found between PTAS and aggressive medication treatment.

Genetic diversity and population structure of beet necrotic yellow vein virus in China.

Beet necrotic yellow vein virus (BNYVV) is a serious threat to the sugar beet industry worldwide. However, little information is available regarding the genetic diversity and population structure of BNYVV in China. Here, we analyzed multiple sequences from four genomic regions (CP, RNA3, RNA4 and RNA5) of a set of Chinese isolates. Sequence analyses revealed that several isolates were mixed infections of variants with different genotypes and/or different p25 tetrad motifs. In total, 12 distinct p25 tetrads were found in the Chinese BNYVV population, of which four tetrads were newly identified. Phylogenetic analyses based on four genes (CP, RNA3-p25, RNA4-p31 and RNA5-p26) in isolates from around the world revealed the existence of two to four groups, which mostly corresponded to previously reported phylogenetic groups. Two new subgroups and a new group were identified from the Chinese isolates in p25 and p26 trees, respectively. Selection pressure analysis indicated that there was a positive selection pressure on the p25 from the Chinese isolates, but the other three proteins were under a negative selection pressure. There was frequent gene flow between geographically distant populations, which meant that BNYVV populations from different provinces were not geographically differentiated.

Plasma levels of tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase-1 correlate with diagnosis and prognosis of glioma patients.

BACKGROUND: There is no validated blood biomarker available for glioma management. Invasive growth is the key feature of glioma. We assessed the clinical usefulness of plasma tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 1 (TIMP-1), which has less molecular weight than metalloproteinases, as a potential blood biomarker for glioma. METHODS: A total of 285 patients and 59 normal subjects were studied. Plasma concentration of TIMP-1 was measured with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Plasma TIMP-1 was compared between normal and glioma patients, between patients with different pathological grades, and between patients with different prognoses. Longitudinal changes in plasma TIMP-1 during treatment were also evaluated. Plasma matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 level was also assayed and its clinical usefulness was compared with that of TIMP-1. RESULTS: Plasma TIMP-1 and MMP-9 were both increased in glioma patients compared with normal controls (TIMP-1: P < 0.001; MMP-9: P = 0.007). Plasma TIMP-1 increases with increased tumor grade. In Grade IV gliomas, plasma TIMP-1 significantly increased after "successful removal" of the tumor (paired samples t-test, before operation vs. during chemotherapy without recurrence, t = -2.131, P = 0.038), but did not change significantly at the time of tumor recurrence (during chemotherapy without recurrence vs. after tumor recurrence, t = -0.652, P = 0.632). High plasma TIMP-1 level correlated with better survival in Grade IV glioma patients (hazard ratio: 0.550, 95% CI: 0.101-1.000, P = 0.036). In Grade IV gliomas, patients with higher plasma TIMP-1 had significantly longer survival time than those with lower plasma TIMP-1 level (25.23 vs. 18.95 months, log-rank P = 0.045). Plasma MMP-9 did not show significant association with either the pathological grade or the prognosis of glioma patients. CONCLUSIONS: Plasma TIMP-1 is associated with the diagnosis and prognosis of glioma patients. It appears to have better usefulness for guiding clinical decision making than plasma MMP-9. Further studies in an expanded patient population are needed to better define its clinical usefulness.

Increase of plasma IgE during treatment correlates with better outcome of patients with glioblastoma.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have shown that glioma patients have lower blood IgE levels than controls. To evaluate its potential as a surrogate biomarker for glioma, we measured plasma IgE levels in glioma patients and healthy controls, and correlated them with clinicopathological factors and the patients' outcome. METHODS: We used enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay (ELISA) to determine the plasma IgE levels of 25 normal subjects and 252 glioma patients (85 patients with grade II glioma, 46 patients with grade III glioma, and 121 patients with glioblastoma). We also collected longitudinal plasma samples from glioblastoma patients and compared the plasma IgE levels before operation, one week after operation, in the middle of radiotherapy, after two cycles of chemotherapy, and after recurrence. The correlations between plasma IgE levels and the outcomes of the patients were determined. RESULTS: Plasma IgE levels were significantly lower in glioma patients (P = 0.004); patients with low-grade glioma have lower IgE levels than patients with high-grade glioma do (P = 0.029). In 24 patients with both preoperative plasma and two-cycle chemotherapy plasma samples, IgE levels increased after successful removal of the tumor (P = 0.021), and the increase correlated with the patients' survival (increase > 100 ng/ml vs. ≤ 100 ng/ml, 127.5 weeks vs. 62.3 weeks. P = 0.012, log-rank). Plasma IgE level increase of > 100 ng/ml has a specificity of 80% and a sensitivity of 78% to predict the patients' long survival (> 18 months). CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that plasma IgE level correlates with clinical and pathological factors in glioma patients. It has the potential to be a biomarker for glioma patients.

[Assessment of skeletal age in Chinese male adolescents].

OBJECTIVE: To develop medicolegal expertise standard to assess skeletal age of Chinese male adolescents by joint X-ray. METHODS: Radiographs of male adolescent aged 11 to 20 years were obtained in Southern, Central, and Eastern China. The bone development process were graded according to morphology characteristics in radiograph based on the appearance of secondary ossification centers and the arrest of epiphysises. All statistical analysis was carried out with SPSS and SAS. RESULTS: Most indexes were correlated to age. Optimization multiple regression equation was created to estimate age of adolescent. Discriminatory equations were established to distinguish the age of 14, 16 or 18 years. CONCLUSION: More anatomical site evaluation and more index application can improve the accuracy rate. The methods can be used in age determination by skeleton in Chinese male adolescents.

[Mathematical models of forensic bone age assessment of living subjects in Chinese Han female teenagers].

OBJECTIVE: To establish mathematical models which are used to assess bone age of living subjects in Chinese Han female teenagers. METHODS: Radiographs were taken from 838 normal Chinese female subjects aged from 11 to 20 years old including sternal end of clavical and the left side of shoulder, elbow, carpal, hip, knee and ankle joints,which were from Middle China, South China and East China. Then read and grade the 24 osteal loci in accordance with the grading criteria of skeletal growth of teenagers. Meanwhile, the influencing factors such as: height, body mass and location are all taken into account. To explore the associativity between each index and chronological age, all the statistic procedures were finished by SAS 8.1 and SPSS 11.0. RESULTS: To construct several combining multiple regression mathematical models that use the arrested extent of epiphysis of sternal end of clavical and six joints to assess the chronological age of living subjects in Chinese Han female teenagers, and establish some Fisher's discriminatory analysis equations which are used to determine whether the chronological age of Chinese Han female teenagers has been to 14, 16 and 18 years old or not. CONCLUSION: These mathematical models which used to assess the age of living subjects has profused the methods of forensic bone age identification of living subjects. It also made the methods and conclusions much more scientific and accurate.

[Staging methods of skeletal growth by X-ray in teenagers].

OBJECTIVE: To establish staging criteria for teenager's skeletal growth by examining osteoarticular X-rays. METHODS: Review publications on skeletal growth staging systems by domestic and overseas authorities. Abided by the staging principles on theory of cartilage epiphyseal growth and X-ray images of skeletal growth, X-ray imaging characteristics were studied through three hundred male and female teenagers epiphyseal growth of both sternal ends of clavicle and the left side of shoulder, elbow, carpal, hip, knee and ankle joints transversally and longitudinally. The subjects were from 11 to 20 years old, selected from Henan, Hainan and Zhejiang province in China. Twenty-four skeletal growth indexes were selected closely related to age. RESULTS: Based on regular changing characteristics of epiphyseal growth at different joints, 24 skeletal development indexes were divided into 2 to 8 stages. The stage number of different indexes of the single joint were similar. It was shown that the time of different epiphyseal growth in identical joints had isochromism. CONCLUSION: These staging criteria have merits of extensive skeletal growth indexes, and are applicable to wide age range with a strong maneuverability. It provides a favorable fundamental platform for forensic evaluating skeletal age in living subjects in China.

[Effects of astragalus on renal tubulointerestitial lesions and expression of NF-kappaB and MCP-1 in renal tissues in rat experimental IgA nephropathy].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of astragalus on tubulointerstitial lesions in rats with IgA nephropathy (IgAN) and to explore the possible mechanism. METHODS: Twenty-eight Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to three groups. The rat model of IgA nephropathy was induced by intragastric administration of bovine serum albumin and injections of LPS and CC14. Six weeks later, the rats with IgAN were randomly treated with oral astragalus (3 g/kg/d, for 6 weeks) or normal saline. Normal control rats which were not subjected to IgAN were treated with normal saline. The number of urinary erythrocytes and urinary protein and B-D-N-Acetyl glucosaminidase (NAG) contents were determined by Pan-automatic biochemistry analyzing meter. Expression of monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1) and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kappaB) in tubulointerstitial tissues were analyzed by immunohistochemistry. A semiquantitative score was used to evaluate the degree of renal pathologic lesions. RESULTS: The number of urinary erythrocytes (74.02+/-16.58 / microL vs 383.23+/-4.94 /microL) and urinary protein (13.88+/-4.94 vs 59.82+/-14.73 mg/L) and NAG contents (2.84+/-0.31 vs 5.24+/-0.80 U/L) in the astragalus-treated IgAN rats decreased remarkably compared with those in the IgAN rats without astragalus treatment (P<0.01). Expression of the NF-kappaB and MCP-1 in the renal tissues in the IgAN rats without astragalus treatment was significantly higher than that in the astragalus-treated IgAN rats and normal control rats (P<0.01). There were significant differences in the scores of renal pathologic lesions between the IgAN rats with or without astragalus treatment (6.03+/-0.46 vs 10.57+/-1.23; P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Astragalus can decrease the number of urinary erythrocytes and urinary protein and NAG contents, and relieves tubulointerstitial lesions, possibly through the down-regulation of NF-kappaB and MCP-1 expression in rats with IgAN.

[Regulatory effect of Astragalus membranaceus on the immune disorder in rats with IgA nephropathy].

OBJECTIVE: To study the regulattory effect of Astragalus membranaceus on immune disturbance of the rats with IgA nephropathy. METHODS: Rats IgA nephropathy (IgAN) model was duplicated by oral feeding of bovine serum albumin (BSA), subcutaneous injection of carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) and injection of lipopolysaccharide (LSP) into vena caudalis. The rats were divided into three groups randomly for the normal, IgAN model group and the group treated with Astragalus membranaceus (treatment group). The treatment group was given the Astragalus membranaceus granules via intragastric administratsion, the normal group and the IgAN model group were given the equal amount of aqua destillata by gastric perfusion. The rats were examined for albuminuria, hematuria and pathological changes of renal tissue and the distribution of TGF-beta and interleukin-5 in renal tissue was determined by immunohistochemistry and the IFN-gamma and IL-4 of cytokine of Th1 and Th2 types were detected in rats IgA nephropathy model by sandwich enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). RESULTS: (1) The hematuria in rats with IgA nephropathy significantly increased compared with normal control group and Astragalus treatment group (P < 0.05). There was significant increase in albuminuria in rats with IgA nephropathy, compared with normal control group and astragalus treatment group (P < 0.01). (2) The pathological change of glomerular mesangium, renal tubules and renal interstitia became serious in rats IgA nephropathy model when compared with normal control group and astragalus treatment group. Immumofluorescence showed renal IgA density in rats IgA nephropathy model was significantly higher than that in the normal control group (P < 0.001) and astragalus treatment group (P < 0.001). (3) The result of immuno histochemistry showed that there was only weak expression of TGF-beta and interleukin 5 in normal renal tissue. The expression of TGF-beta and interleukin 5 in IgA nephropathy model was significantly stronger than those in normal control group (P < 0.05) and astragalus treatment group (P < 0.05). (4) The serum IL-4 levels were (33.74 +/- 7.52) pg/ml in rats IgA nephropathy model, significantly higher than that in normal control group (2.36 +/- 0.85) pg/ml and astragalus treatment group (3.24 +/- 1.13) pg/ml. The IFN-gamma level in serum of rats IgA nephropathy model was (18.79 +/- 3.80) pg/ml, which was significantly higher than that in normal control group (46.53 +/- 5.56) pg/ml and astragalus treatment group (41.28 +/- 2.95) pg/ml. CONCLUSIONS: The astragalus could lower the level of hematuria and 24 hours-albuminuria of the IgAN model, and amelioratse the change of the renal pathology and reduce the deposit of IgA in glomerular mesangium. The possible mechanism of the effect is that astragalus could regulate the derangement of Th1, Th2, accordingly could improve the level of IL-4 and IFN-gamma in the serum and diminish the expression of cytokine Th2 TGF-beta1 and IL-5 of the renal tissue, and thereby could postpone the development of IgAN.