Overproduction of Mitochondrial Fission Proteins in Membranous Nephropathy in Children.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The molecules involved in nephrotic syndrome (NS) have not been fully clarified. Mitochondrial fission proteins are found to be involved in podocyte injury in vitro. Increased glomerular expression of mitochondrial fission proteins was found in adriamycin nephropathy in our previous study. Whether or not mitochondrial fission proteins are involved in podocyte injury in NS is not clear. This study explored the glomerular expression and possible pathological significance of mitochondrial fission-associated proteins, including dynamin-related protein 1 (Drp1) and mitochondrial fission protein 1 (Fis1), in children with NS. METHODS: Eighteen children with primary NS, including 6 with minimal change disease, 6 with focal segmental glomerulosclerosis, 6 with membranous nephropathy, 6 children with isolated haematuria and 3 normal controls were included. The glomerular expression of Drp1, phospho-Drp1 (Ser616) and Fis1, urinary protein measurements, and podocyte mitochondrial density under electron microscopy were investigated and compared. RESULTS: Glomerular expression of Drp1, phospho-Drp1 (Ser616) and Fis1 was mainly increased in children with NS with membranous nephropathy. No relationship was found between glomerular expression of Drp1, phospho-Drp1 (Ser616) and Fis1 and podocyte mitochondrial density or urinary protein measurements. CONCLUSION: Glomerular overproduction of Drp1, phospho-Drp1 (Ser 616) and Fis1 occurred mainly in children with membranous nephropathy. The pathological significance deserves further investigation.

[Effects of different culture conditions on main chemical compositions of Anoectochilus roxburghii].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of different culture conditions on the main chemical compositions of Anoectochilus roxburghii, so as to determine the optimum culture conditions and provide theoretical support for large-scale production of Anoectochilus roxburghii. METHODS: The light qualities, photoperiods and induction periods were changed to regulate the main chemical compositions of Anoectochilus roxburghii. RESULTS: The contents of total flavonoids, quercetin, isorhamnetin and kaempferol in blue light were higher than that in yellow light, the worst was under red light. There was the highest total flavonoids, kaempferol and isorhamnetin content in photoperiod of 14 h/d. After one month inoculation, the total flavonoids, quercetin, isorhamnetin and kaempferol contents were the highest. CONCLUSION: The results show that the optimum culture condition is: inducted 15 days with blue light inoculated one month later at the photoperiod of 14 h/d.

[Guiding values of facial nerve 3D-TOF-MRA and 3D-FIESTA scan for primary hemifacial spasm operation].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the operative guiding values of facial nerve three-dimensional time-of-flight magnetic resonance angiography (3D-TOF-MRA) and three-dimensional fast imaging employing steady state acquisition three-dimensional fast imaging employing steady state acquisition (3D-FIESTA) scan. METHODS: A total of 125 cases of primary hemifacial spasm was treated at our hospital from 2004 to 2012. Among them, 80 cases received preoperative facial nerve MRA scan. The imaging and intraoperative findings were compared to determine the responsible blood vessels. RESULTS: Responsible blood vessels were found in all 80 cases. Sixty patients (75%) had the involvement of single vessel of anterior inferior cerebellar artery (AICA, n = 57), posterior inferior cerebellar artery (PICA, n = 1), superior cerebellar artery (SCA, n = 1) and vertebral artery (VA, n = 1). Two or more vessels were implicated in 9 patients (11.25%). The culprits were AICA+ internal auditory artery (n = 8) and PICA+ internal auditory artery (n = 1). The source of responsible vessels of 11 cases could not be determined before surgery. Through intraoperative anatomy, 59 patients had single vessel lesions, including AICA (n = 53), PICA (n = 4), SCA (n = 1) and VA (n = 1). Among 14 cases of multiple vessels, there were AICA + internal auditory artery (n = 7), internal auditory artery + PICA (n = 2), AICA + brain stem perforating artery (n = 3) and AICA + vein (n = 2). Seven cases were uncertain. No significant statistical difference existed between two groups. CONCLUSION: Facial nerve 3D-TOF-MRA and 3D-FIESTA scan can identify the status of responsible blood vessels to guide operations.

[Study on a collagenase protocol to extract DNA from remnant feathers in edible bird's nest].

OBJECTIVE: To establish a method for extracting genomic DNA from rudimental bird feather from the precious edible bird's nest (EBN) harvested from the swiftlet cave. METHODS: Observed the EBN using endoscopic and studied the influence of adding collagenase on the extracting yield of DNA. PCR amplification and sequencing for the extraction was also conducted. RESULTS: Collagenase was used in addition to protease K which could substantively increase the DNA yield. The DNA extracted by this method could be used for PCR and other molecular biology analyses. CONCLUSION: This method can be applied to identify the species types in biological products, especially for animal tissue materials that rich in collagen.

[Recognition and management of hidden related vessel during the operation of microvascular decompression for hemifacial spasm].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the recognition and approach of the hidden related vascular in hemifacial spasm patients during the operation of microvascular decompression. METHODS: The clinical records of 85 patients of hemifacial spasm were analyzed at our hospital. The hidden related vessel was found in 7 patients. REZ (root entry zone) was surrounded by Teflon cotton slice to separate the vessel from REZ. RESULTS: There were 7 patients of hidden related vessel in 85 patients. And the related vessels were anteroinferior cerebellar artery and its branches. The symptoms became totally relieved after operation and there was no recurrence. CONCLUSION: The microvascular decompression is an effectively treatment for hemifacial spasm patients. Searching for the related vessel (particularly hidden related vessel) is the most important part of the operation. An effective decompression of REZ is the key point of operation.

Antigen retrieval with protease digestion applied in immunohistochemical diagnosis of Alport syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Immunofluorescence (IF) staining of type IV collagen alpha chains on fresh frozen renal tissue is a convenient and accurate diagnosis technique for Alport syndrome (AS), which is restricted in the application with a non-frozen section. An alternative method for a paraffin-embedded section is needed in order to extend the application in various specimens. In this study, immunohistochemical staining of type IV collagen alpha chains on paraffin-embedded renal sections was investigated. METHODS: Three antigen retrieval methods including autoclave heating, pepsin digestion and protease digestion were tried on paraffin-embedded renal sections from two X-linked male AS patients, two X-linked female AS patients and two autosomal recessive AS patients. Two patients with isolated haematuria were also involved. Normal portions of nephrectomized kidneys from two patients with renal tumours were used as controls. The immunohistochemical staining pattern of type IV collagen was compared with that of IF staining. RESULTS: The results showed that both the autoclave heating method and protease digestion can be used for antigen retrieval for type IV collagen alpha chains. Compared to autoclave heating, protease digestion had the advantage of being less time consuming, with less renal sections being lost from the slides; it was the most optimal antigen retrieval method in this study. After protease digestion for 40 min, type IV collagen alpha3 and alpha5 chains showed a clear and proper distribution pattern in AS patients, haematuria patients and controls, which is the same as that of IF staining. CONCLUSIONS: Compared to the autoclave heating method, protease antigen retrieval is more convenient and effective and can be used to restore type IV collagen alpha chains on paraffin-embedded renal sections for the diagnosis of AS.

Effect of Straw Checkerboards on Wind Proofing, Sand Fixation, and Ecological Restoration in Shifting Sandy Land.

Due to their simple layout and adaptability to various environments, straw checkerboards are widely used to control windblown sand in China. To fully understand the wind proofing and sand-fixing benefits of different board specifications, and to determine the restorative effects of straw checkerboard, we tested different sizes of checkerboard, determined their performance as a windbreak and in trapping shifting sand, and constructed models based on wind tunnel tests, enabling the wind speed flow field to be analysed. We also sampled the soil in areas where straw checkerboards had been established for several years and analysed the trends in soil physical and chemical properties over time. We found that all sizes of straw checkerboard effectively reduced the wind speed near the surface and formed a protected area, with the best protective effect achieved for a one-meter board. All sizes of straw checkerboard effectively intercepted windblown sand to form surface accumulation, with the one-meter board again showing the best performance. The use of a straw checkerboard also effectively improved the physical and chemical properties of soil and promoted ecological restoration. These results indicate that straw checkerboards are a low-cost engineering measure that could play an important role in desertification control and the ecological restoration of sandy land ecosystems.