Effect of TIMP1 transfection on PTEN expression in human kidney proximal tubular cells.

To explore the role of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) tissue inhibitor in the mechanisms of kidney aging, we observed the effects of sense and antisense transfection of TIMP-1 and of metalloproteinase (MMP) inhibitors on phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and Flk-1 expression in TIMP-1 transgenic human proximal tubular epithelial cells (HKCs). Transfected HKCs were co-incubated with 100 µM MMP-2 and MMP-9 inhibitor III for 24 h to affect enzyme inhibition. TIMP-1, MMP-2, MMP-9, PTEN, VEGF, and Flk-1 mRNA expression was detected by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. PTEN, VEGF, and Flk-1 protein expression in cells of each experimental group was measured by indirect immunofluorescence. We found that PTEN expression was up-regulated (P < 0.05) in the sense TIMP-1-transfected group (P < 0.05) compared with the non-transfected and empty vector groups, and that expression of VEGF and Flk-1 was down-regulated (P < 0.05). In contrast, the antisense TIMP-1 transgenic group showed the opposite results (P < 0.05). No significant differences in expression of PTEN, VEGF, or Flk-1 were observed among the MMP- 2/MMP-9 inhibitor III, non-transfected, and empty vector groups (P > 0.05). These results suggest that in the progression of renal aging, high expression of TIMP-1 up-regulates PTEN expression through an MMP-independent pathway, and subsequently down-regulates the expression of VEGF and Flk-1, indicating that PTEN and TIMP-1 are involved in the aging-associated impairment of renal angiogenesis. Our study provides a theoretical basis for further exploration of the mechanism underlying TIMP- 1 participation in renal aging progression.

The impact of the neonatal resuscitation program guidelines (NRPG) on the neonatal mortality in a hospital in Zhuhai, China.

AIM: The neonatal resuscitation program (NRPG) was first introduced in our hospital to replace the traditional resuscitation (TR) program in 1993. TR has been in existence in China for a long time. The implementation of NRPG was timely in reducing the number of infant mortality and also to disseminate to the many hospitals in China which are still practising TR. METHOD: A perspective study of 4,751 newborns with 366 asphyxiated babies in a period of 2 years was carried out. A previous sample of 1,722 live births under the TR program was compared as a controlled group statistically. RESULTS: From August 1993 to August 1995, when NRPG was exclusively implemented in our hospital, only 16 newborns died within 7 days, out of 4,751 births (3.4%) with 2 deaths in the delivery room. Seventeen newborns died within 7 days out of 1,722 births (9.9+) in the TR group, with 10 deaths in the delivery room. From the data shown, it can be clearly seen that perinatal neonatal mortality rate was reduced almost 3 times after NRPG was implemented (chi(2) = 10.54, p < 0.01). The follow-up results of 21 cases of severe asphyxia at 2 months--1 year of age were normal except for one with cerebral palsy. CONCLUSIONS: Our study showed that NRPG was indeed a very effective and feasible technique during the delivery process in the reduction of neonatal mortality. It is important to disseminate widely the knowledge and technique of NRPG in places where TR is still being widely practiced especially in developing countries.

[Effects of Epimedium sagittatum on immunopathology and extracellular matrices in rats with chronic renal insufficiency].

Chinese herb medicine, Epimedium sagittatum (EP), was used to treat animal models of chronic renal insufficiency induced in Wistar rats with 7/8 nephrectomy. The results showed: 1. EP decreased significantly the level of BUN and serum creatinine in the rats. 2. EP inhibited the hypertrophy of glomeruli in the rats. 3. EP inhibited deposition of IgG, C3, Fib and FN along the glomerular capillary walls in these rats.

[Dystocia and intracranial hemorrhage in perinatal autopsy].

A statistic analysis of 1,421 perinatal autopsies from our institute in 30 years divided into 5-year groups, matched with clinical data was reported. Dystocia rate was 2.3 times increased mainly because the number of cesarean section was increased 6.8 times. The rate of intracranial hemorrhage has not been reduced significantly in the 6-groups. However in the last 5 years intracranial hemorrhage due to trauma as result of dystocia has decreased. The development of intracranial hemorrhage depends upon the birth weight and the degree of anoxia: the lower the birth weight, the more severe the anoxia, the more intracranial hemorrhage. The location of hemorrhage is intraventricular and subarachnoid. The higher the birth weight, the more the traumatic type of intracranial hemorrhage, and the location of bleeding was subdural due to tentorial tear of the cerebellum. Trauma occurred more frequently with severe anoxia. In the neonatal intracranial hemorrhage group 2/3 died within 2 days; a few died after one week.

[Clinical significance of plasma alpha-granule membrane protein-140 in blood stasis of primary glomerular disease].

Plasma alpha-granule membrane protein 140(GMP-140) was determined in 53 patients of primary glomerular disease (PGD) with or without blood stasis. At the same time, the relationships between plasma GMP-140 and hyperlipoidemia and hypertension were investigated. Results showed that plasma GMP-140 in PGD patients was higher than that of normal control subjects, P < 0.01, platelet of patients was in a high activated status. The elevation was more significant in patient with blood stasis than in those without blood stasis, P < 0.01. Among the patients with blood stasis, plasma GMP-140 level in those with Qi-Deficiency was higher than that without Qi-Deficiency (P < 0.05). The above-mentioned results suggested that GMP-140 was an objective indicator for blood stasis of PGD patients. Deficiency of Qi could enhance platelet activation so as to aggravate the tendency of blood stasis. It was in accordance with the traditional Chinese medicine theory of "Qi-Deficiency induces blood stasis". Hyperlipoidemia and hypertension showed close relationship with abnormal increase of GMP-140, suggesting they play important roles in induction of hypercoagulability and blood stasis in PGD patients.

[Survey and analysis of the normal deciduous teeth arch in children 3 and 4 years of age].

The normal deciduous teeth arch of 200 cases of 3 and 4 years old children from 13 kindergartens in Shanghai were investigated and analysed. The result showed that the bilateral form was more than mixed form in terminal plane. In bilateral form, mesial step type was the most and vertical plane type second, the least one was distal step type. The spaced type dental arch was more than closed type previously. There were 90.63% arch with both primate space and developmental space. The spaces were more in BC and CD, and less in DE. There was no difference of the equal values of teeth arch in age, but difference in sex. The function of physiological space and the clinic significance of values of terminal plane and teeth arch were discussed. These data may provide the reference to clinical observation and calculation.

[The research and analysis on the fused primary teeth regarding to the permantent dental dentition-10 years follow up]

36 cases with unilateral mandibular fused primary teeth have been followed up and analysed for 10 years.The result showed that the fused primary teeth obviously affect the secondary permanent teeth and permanent dental dentition.In this series,there was one secondary permanent tooth lost in all of 19 cases.The secondary permanent tooth was also fused tooth in 3 cases.The length of permanent dental dentition and the width of dentition in front of the second cuspids in the cases with one secondary permanent tooth lost were extremely shorter than that in the cases with secondary permanent teeth.In addition,the mandibular dental dentitions were towards the fused teeth side.Comparing to the synonymic teeth,the mesial and distal steps and the height of secondary permanent teeth of fused primary teeth were no difference from normal side.