The landscape of RNA Pol II binding reveals a stepwise transition during ZGA.

Zygotic genome activation (ZGA) is the first transcription event in life1. However, it is unclear how RNA polymerase is engaged in initiating ZGA in mammals. Here, by developing small-scale Tn5-assisted chromatin cleavage with sequencing (Stacc-seq), we investigated the landscapes of RNA polymerase II (Pol II) binding in mouse embryos. We found that Pol II undergoes 'loading', 'pre-configuration', and 'production' during the transition from minor ZGA to major ZGA. After fertilization, Pol II is preferentially loaded to CG-rich promoters and accessible distal regions in one-cell embryos (loading), in part shaped by the inherited parental epigenome. Pol II then initiates relocation to future gene targets before genome activation (pre-configuration), where it later engages in full transcription elongation upon major ZGA (production). Pol II also maintains low poising at inactive promoters after major ZGA until the blastocyst stage, coinciding with the loss of promoter epigenetic silencing factors. Notably, inhibition of minor ZGA impairs the Pol II pre-configuration and embryonic development, accompanied by aberrant retention of Pol II and ectopic expression of one-cell targets upon major ZGA. Hence, stepwise transition of Pol II occurs when mammalian life begins, and minor ZGA has a key role in the pre-configuration of transcription machinery and chromatin for genome activation.

Impact of different processing methods of Ligustrum lucidum Ait. on kidney-yin deficiency: a study based on pharmacodynamics and metabolomics research.

This study aimed to explore the pharmacodynamics and mechanisms of different processing methods of Ligustrum lucidum Ait. (LLA) in addressing kidney-yin deficiency (KYD). Forty-eight Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into eight groups based on their weight. The KYD model was established by intragastric administration of levothyroxine sodium. Each group was administered the corresponding treatment for 15 consecutive days. The general condition of the rats during the treatment period was observed. In addition, the levels of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP), cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP), and the ratio of cAMP to cGMP in the serum of rats from different groups were measured. Serum samples were analyzed using the ultra-performance liquid chromatography (UPLC)-Orbitrap Fusion MS technique for metabolomics analysis. Compared with the model group, the general condition of the rats in the wine-steamed L. lucidum group (WL) and salt-steamed L. lucidum group (SSL) groups showed significant improvement. The serum levels of cAMP, cGMP, and the cAMP-to-cGMP ratio tended to return to normal. Metabolic analysis identified 38 relevant biomarkers and revealed 3 major metabolic pathways: phenylalanine, tyrosine, and tryptophan biosynthesis; phenylalanine metabolism; and sphingolipid metabolism. The different processing methods of LLA demonstrated therapeutic effects on KYD in rats, likely related to the restoration of disturbed metabolism by adjusting the levels of endogenous metabolites in the kidney. The SSL demonstrated significantly superior effects compared with the other four types of LLA processed products.

The Association of Immune and Liver Functions in Mycoplasma Pneumoniae Pneumonia Children with Andrographolide Sulfonate's Therapy.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to explore the association of immune and liver functions' alteration in mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia (MPP) children with the therapeutic effect of andrographolide sulfonate's curative outcome. METHODS: From January 2019 to April 2021, a group of 102 MPP child patients was divided into severe and mild cases in the light of the disease's severity, and involvement of 57 healthy child patients during the identical period was as the control. Comparison of immune function among three groups [immunoglobulin G (IgG), immunoglobulin A (IgA), immunoglobulin M (IgM)] and liver function indexes [Alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), γ-glutamyl transferase (GGT)] was to analyze its association and assessment value for the illness's severity. RESULTS: IgA and IgM in MPP child patients were declined with the illness's severity, while ALT, AST and GGT were elevated with it (p < 0.05). AUC of combined detection of immune and liver function indexes in assessing MPP's severity in children was augmented vs. each index's alone examination (p < 0.05). IgA was negatively associated with MPP's severity in children, while ALT, AST, and GGT were positively associated with it (p < 0.05). IgA in the effective was augmented vs. the noneffective, while ALT, AST, and GGT were declined vs. the noneffective (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The immune and liver functions of MPP child patients are associated with the illness's severity and provide an assessment value for the disease's severity and Andro-S's curative outcome.

Clinical Efficacy and Immune Function of Andrographolide Sulfonate in Children with Mycoplasma Pneumoniae Pneumonia.

BACKGROUND: To figure out the effect of andrographolide sulfonate on the clinical efficacy and immune function of children with mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia (MPP). METHODS: From January 2019 to April 2021, a total of 102 children with MPP were selected as the research group. They were assigned into the control and the observation groups by random number table method, with 51 cases/group. The control group was given routine treatment, and the observation was given andrographolide sulfonate treatment. The therapeutic efficacy and improvement of clinical symptoms were compared between the two. The changes of immune function, pulmonary function, myocardial enzymology indexes, MCP-4, IL-1ß, IFN-γ, and TNF-α were noticed in the groups before and after treatment. The presence of drug-related adverse reactions of patients was recorded during treatment. RESULTS: The total effective rate of treatment in the observation group was higher, and the time of fever reduction, pulmonary rales disappearance and cough disappearance time were all shorter vs. the control group (p < 0.05). Immunoglobulin G (IgG), immunoglobulin A (IgA), and immunoglobulin M (IgM) in the observation group after treatment were higher, and monocyte chemoattractant protein 4 (MCP-4), interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß), interferon-γ (IFN- γ), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) were reduced vs. the control group. The forced expiratory volume in the 1st second (FEV1) and the percentage of forced vital capacity occupied by the forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1/FVC) and peak expiratory flow (PEF) values were higher (p < 0.05), but aspartate aminotransferase (AST), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and creatine kinase (CK) and isoenzyme (CK-MB) were reduced in the observation group after treatment vs. the control group (p < 0.05); No serious adverse reactions took place in the two during treatment. CONCLUSIONS: The treatment of andrographolide sulfonate in children with MPP can enhance the therapeutic effect, ameliorate the immune function and lung function of children, and reduce inflammation and myocardial enzymes.

Delivery of WeChat-Based HIV Result e-Reports in Social Networks for Recruitment of High-Risk Population: Baseline Data From a Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: Disclosure of infectious disease status to social network peers can facilitate reaching and early detection among high-risk populations. In this era of social media, globally, HIV/AIDS represents a high burden of infectious disease. Thus, delivery of an HIV result e-report via social media presents a new approach that has the potential to improve contact with and enrollment of the high-risk population in research studies and routine practice. OBJECTIVE: This study explores the effectiveness and associated factors of a recruitment strategy (ie, WeChat-based HIV e-report delivery in social networks) on the enrollment of men who have sex with men (MSM) for an HIV testing intervention study. METHODS: This was an enrollment result analysis of an ongoing cluster randomized controlled trial (RCT) aiming to promote HIV testing among MSM. Recruitment of potential participants was based on the unit of an egocentric social network, which includes 1 core member (an offline tested ego as the recruiter) and several network members (online alters as network associates). Alters' enrollment and alters' transformation to ego-recruiters (alter-ego) were measured as outcomes. Recruitment outcomes were compared between the exchangeable and regular e-report groups of the RCT. Associated factors of both outcomes were also investigated, including sociodemographic characteristics, health behaviors, social network characteristics, e-report types, and online delivery information. Binary outcomes were modeled using logistic models, with Firth correction for rare events. Qualitative interviews were conducted to understand facilitators and barriers in detail for alter-ego as the subsequent wave's recruiter. RESULTS: The e-report of 1157 egos who tested offline were delivered to 5165 alters in 3 recruitment waves; eventually, 1162 eligible alters enrolled in this RCT (response rate: 22.5%). In the exchangeable e-report group, 544 egos recruited 467 alters, of which 35 alters transformed to alter-egos (7.5%), whereas in the regular e-report group, 613 egos recruited 695 alters, of which 40 alters transformed to alter-egos (5.8%). Alters' enrollment at first wave was associated with a higher number of e-reports being forwarded by the egos. Alters' transformation to alter-egos for the subsequent wave was associated with the exchangeable e-report, higher income, being a Guangzhou resident, unprotected anal intercourse, preferring self-testing, and viewing senders' e-reports frequently. Qualitative interviews revealed that the lack of awareness of e-reports' function and inadequate access to e-reports at offline testing facilities were major barriers to alters' transformation to offline ego-recruiters. CONCLUSIONS: The delivery of e-report was feasible in MSM social network, and the success and sustainability of online recruitment depended on high levels of familiarity among MSM with the digital tool. The HIV e-report exchange mechanism might promote MSM to test HIV offline to get their own e-report for exchange in the community. The e-report provides an innovative recruitment method with great potential to trace direct contacts for infectious diseases studies.

Effects of secondary release of chromium and vanadium on soil properties, nutrient cycling and bacterial communities in contaminated acidic paddy soil.

Although the contamination situation of chromium (Cr) and vanadium (V) have been revealed, the effects of their re-release on ecological risk in contaminated acidic paddy soil are unclear. To evaluate the effects, we assigned soil microcosms across three different concentration (100, 200, 300 mg/L) and introduced Cr and V alone or combination into an already slightly contaminated acidic soil. We found that Cr and V alone or interacted to increased soil bioavailable-metals, changed soil properties and nutrients to varying degrees. Meanwhile, soil ammoniacal nitrogen (NH4+-N) and nitrate nitrogen (NO3--N) contents, nitrogen (N) -cycling enzyme activities, microbial mass N were significantly influenced by Cr addition. Which demonstrated that Cr re-release may disturb soil N cycle. However, V alone significantly improved soil NO3--N contents, cellulase and dehydrogenase activities, soil respiration intensity and microbial mass carbon: nitrogen. Meanwhile, V addition also decreased bacterial diversity while Cr addition increased bacterial diversity and shaped new bacterial community, some V(V) and Cr (VI) reducing bacteria were identified. Heatmap of Pearson correlation and Redundancy analysis showed that NH4+-N, NO3--N, Potassium, Phosphorus, and Cr played an important role in bacterial community structure. These findings suggested that re-release of Cr and V disturbed soil function and raised ecological risks, and the power to destroy the ecosystem stability originated from Cr was much stronger than V. This study was contributed to understand the effects of Cr and V re-release on microecology in contaminated acidic agricultural soil.

Photoexcited sulfenylation of C(sp3)-H bonds in amides using thiosulfonates.

A photoexcited sulfenylation of C(sp3)-H bonds in amides is developed for the synthesis of sulfenyl amides using thiosulfonates as a sulfur source. In the presence of easily available and inexpensive Na2-eosin Y, TBHP and K2CO3, various sulfenyl amides can be obtained under the irradiation of blue light at room temperature.

Visible-light-promoted synthesis of secondary and tertiary thiocarbamates from thiosulfonates and N-substituted formamides.

A general visible-light-promoted metal-free synthesis of secondary and tertiary thiocarbamates starting from thiosulfonates and N-substituted formamides is developed. By employing rhodamine B as a photocatalyst and tert-butyl hydroperoxide (TBHP) as an oxidant, a wide scope of thiocarbamates can be obtained through direct thiolation of acyl C-H bonds under irradiation of blue light at room temperature for 12 h.

Pharmacokinetics, tissue distribution and excretion of five rhubarb anthraquinones in rats after oral administration of effective fraction of anthraquinones from rheum officinale.

Rhubarb, a famous traditional Chinese medicine, shows a wide range of physiological activities and pharmacological benefits. Rhubarb anthraquinones are perceived as the pharmacologically active compounds of Rhubarb, and understanding metabolism of them is crucial to assure safety and effectiveness of clinical application. In this study, the pharmacokinetics, tissue distribution and excretion of five rhubarb anthraquinones (aloe-emodin, rhein, emodin, chrysophanol, physcion) were systematically investigated after oral administration of rhubarb extract to rats.An HPLC method was developed and validated for quantitation of five rhubarb anthraquinones in rat plasma, tissues, urine and faeces to investigate the Pharmacokinetic characteristics. The results showed that the proposed method was suitable for the quantification of five anthraquinones in plasma, tissue and excreta samples with satisfactory linear (r > 0.99), precision (<10%) and recovery (85.12-104.20%). The plasma concentration profiles showed a quick absorption with the mean Tmax of 0.42-0.75 h and t1/2 of 6.60-15.11 h for five anthraquinones. The analytes were widely distributed in most of the tissues. Approximately 0.13-10.59% and 28.47-81.14% of five anthraquinones were recovered in urine and faeces within 132 h post-dosing, which indicated the major elimination route was faeces excretion.In summary, this study lays a foundation for elucidating the pharmacokinetic rule of rhubarb anthraquinone and the important data can provide reliable scientific resource for further research.

[Comparative study on HPLC fingerprints between crude and processed Ligustri Lucidi Fructus].

To establish high performance liquid chromatography(HPLC) fingerprints for crude and processed Ligustri Lucidi Fructus,and to evaluate their quality through the similarity calculation and chemical pattern recognition. The separation was performed with Syncronis C_(18) column(4.6 mm × 250 mm, 5 µm), with acetonitrile(A) and 0.1% phosphoric acid solution(B) as the mobile phase for gradient elution, and a detection wavelength of 280 nm. HPLC was used to detect 22 batches of crude and processed Ligustri Lucidi Fructus,and the Similarity Evaluation System for Chromatographic Fingerprint of Traditional Chinese Medicine(2012 Edition) was used to evaluate the similarity among 22 batches. The research on pattern recognition was conducted with cluster analysis(CA), principal component analysis(PCA), and partial least squares discriminate analysis(PLS-DA). HPLC fingerprints of crude and processed Ligustri Lucidi Fructus were established, with similarity ranging from 0.9 to 1.0. The crude and processed Ligustri Lucidi Fructus can be obviously distinguished by using CA, PCA and PLS-DA. According to the results of PLS-DA,11 constituents including hydroxytyrosol, tyrosol, specnuezhenide and oleuropein were the main marker components leading to the difference. The established fingerprint method is stable and reliable, and can provide method basis for quality control of crude and processed Ligustri Lucidi Fructus. Chemical pattern recognition is proved to be helpful in comprehensive quality control and evaluation of Ligustri Lucidi Fructus before and after the process.

Optimization of cadmium biosorption by Shewanella putrefaciens using a Box-Behnken design.

Microbial adsorption of heavy metals has been attracted more interest in the recent years. However, there are very few studies in investigating the biosorption of heavy metals by Shewanella putrefaciens, which is a metal reducing bacterium. Firstly, the effects of contact time, pH value, temperature, biomass dosage and initial cadmium concentration on the cadmium adsorption by Shewanella putrefaciens were studied by single factor experiments. Then, the response surface methodology (RSM) based on Box-Behnken design was used to optimize the cadmium adsorption by Shewanella putrefaciens. The results showed that the empirical model was suitable for experimental data, and the maximum cadmium removal efficiency by Shewanella putrefaciens was 86.54% under the optimum conditions of contact time 4.0 days, pH value 5, initial cadmium concentration of 20 mg/L, which was further verified by experiments. In addition, scanning electron microscope - Energy Dispersive Spectrometer (SEM-EDS) analysis showed that the bacteria were seriously deformed, and a "bamboo" shape was observed on the surface which consisted of cadmium according to the EDS analysis. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) analysis was used to evaluate the possible functional groups involving in interaction between cells and metal ions. The results showed that the distribution of cadmium on the cell surface was related to the carboxyl, amide, hydroxyl and phosphoric acid groups of Shewanella putrefaciens. These studies can provide a comprehensive understanding of the process and mechanism of microbial removal of heavy metals, and theoretical support for the follow-up practice of using biological adsorbents to remediate heavy metal contaminated soil.

Pharmacodynamics of Five Anthraquinones (Aloe-emodin, Emodin, Rhein, Chysophanol, and Physcion) and Reciprocal Pharmacokinetic Interaction in Rats with Cerebral Ischemia.

(1) Background: Rhubarb anthraquinones-a class of components with neuroprotective function-can be used to alleviate cerebral ischemia reperfusion injury. (2) Methods: The three pharmacodynamic indicators are neurological function score, brain water content, and cerebral infarction area; UPLC-MS/MS was used in pharmacokinetic studies to detect plasma concentrations at different time points, and DAS software was used to calculate pharmacokinetic parameters in a noncompartmental model. (3) Results: The results showed that the pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics of one of the five anthraquinone aglycones could be modified by the other four anthraquinones, and the degree of interaction between different anthraquinones was different. The chrysophanol group showed the greatest reduction in pharmacodynamic indicators comparing with other four groups where the rats were administered one of the five anthraquinones, and there was no significant difference between the nimodipine group. While the Aloe-emodin + Physcion group showed the most obvious anti-ischemic effect among the groups where the subjects were administered two of the five anthraquinones simultaneously. Emodin, rhein, chrysophanol, and physcion all increase plasma exposure levels of aloe-emodin, while aloe-emodin lower their plasma exposure levels. (4) Conclusions: This experiment provides a certain preclinical basis for the study of anthraquinone aglycones against cerebral ischemia and a theoretical basis for the study of the mechanism of interaction between anthraquinones.

Investigation of antenna-coupled Nb5N6 microbolometer THz detector with substrate resonant cavity.

Fabricating resonant cavities with conventional methods to improve the coupling efficiency of a detector in the terahertz (THz) region is difficult for the wavelength is too long. Here, we propose a solution by using the substrate cavity effect given that the substrate wavelength and thickness of the preparation device are in the same order. The planar dipole antenna-coupled Nb5N6 microbolometers with different substrate thicknesses were fabricated. The interference effect of the substrate cavity on the optical voltage response of the detector is analyzed experimentally and theoretically. The experimental results show that the optical response of the detector is determined by the length of the substrate cavity. Thus, the THz devices with different detection frequencies can be designed by changing the substrate cavity length. Furthermore, on the basis of this substrate cavity effect, an asymmetric coupled Fabry-Pérot (FP) cavity is constituted by simply placing a movable metallic planar mirror at the backside of the Si substrate. The incident THz radiation on the Nb5N6 microbolometer can be effectively manipulated by changing the substrate-mirror distance to modulate the phase relation between the reflect wave and the incident wave. The distinct radiation control can be observed, and the experiments can be well explained by numerically analyzing the responsivity dynamics that highlights the role of the FP cavity effect during radiation. All of the results discussed here can be extended to a broad range of frequency and other type of THz detectors.

Study on the effect of integrin ανß6 on the proliferation and apoptosis of thyroid carcinoma cells.

PURPOSE: To study the effect of integrin αvß6 on the proliferation and apoptosis of thyroid carcinoma cells. METHODS: The experiment was conducted on 3 groups : the control group, the positive observation group (in which the ανß6 on the surface of the thyroid carcinoma cell line SW579 was blocked by monoclonal antibody 10D5) and the negative observation group (in which the ανß6 was dealt with the negative placebo of 10D5-the IgG2a). Cell proliferation was detected by MTT assay, apoptosis by flow cytometry and the protein levels in Caspase-3, CyclinB1 and Bcl-xl as well as the protein levels in ERK, p-ERK, JNK, p-JNK, p38 and p-p38 were detected by Western blot. RESULTS: The cell survival rates of the control group and the negative observation group were prominently higher than those of the positive observation group, following decrease in the apoptosis rates, and the differences were statistically significant (p<0.05). The protein levels in CyclinB1 and Bcl-x1 of the control group and the negative observation group were prominently higher than those of the positive observation group, whereas the levels in Caspase-3 were decreased; the differences were statistically significant (p<0.05). The protein levels in p-ERK, p-JNK and p-p38 of the control group and the negative observation group were prominently higher than those of the positive observation group, while the protein levels of ERK, JNK and p38 showed no difference. CONCLUSION: Integrin ανß6 can mediate the MAPK signal pathway of the cells and regulate the expression of CyclinB1 and the apoptosis-related proteins like Bcl-x1 and Caspase-2, thus affecting the process of the proliferation and apoptosis of thyroid carcinoma cells.

Feasibility research of treating advanced gastric carcinoma with laparoscopy.

PURPOSE: To determine the feasibility and safety of treating patients with advanced gastric cancer with laparoscopy. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 180 patients with advanced gastric carcinoma and divided them into either the laparoscopy group (96 cases) or the laparotomy group (84 cases). RESULTS: The number of lymph nodes dissected during surgery and the surgical time were similar in both groups. The incision length, total amount of bleeding during the operation, postoperative exhaust recovery time, and the length of hospital stay were significantly improved in the laparoscopy group when compared to the laparotomy group. The rate of postoperative complications was also significantly lower in the laparoscopy group. The levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) at 1, 7, and 10 days after surgery were significantly lower in the laparoscopy group. CONCLUSION: Overall, the laparoscopic radical operation for advanced gastric carcinoma demonstrated higher safety, shorter incision less bleeding, faster postoperative recovery, and lower rate of postoperative complications compared to the laparotomy group. Thus, this study has shown clear advantages for shifting to laparoscopy for the treatment of advanced gastric carcinoma.

Lower Hydrogen Sulfide Is Associated with Cardiovascular Mortality, Which Involves cPKCßII/Akt Pathway in Chronic Hemodialysis Patients.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: To evaluate the relationship between plasma hydrogen sulfide (H2S) and cardiovascular risk markers, including pulse pressure (PP), left ventricular mass index (LVMI) and intima-media thickness (IMT), and mortality in chronic hemodialysis (CHD) patients and further investigate the underlying cardiovascular protection mechanism of H2S. METHODS: CHD patients, 113 of them, were studied. Plasma H2S was measured through zinc acetate reaction. cPKCßII membrane translocation and phosphorylation of Akt were detected by western blot. RESULTS: Lower plasma H2S level in CHD patients was predictor of an increased PP, LVMI and IMT. Patients with lower H2S had a lower survival at the end of the study. H2S was an independent predictor of all-cause and cardiovascular mortality when adjusted for other risk factors. CHD patients with lower H2S showed an increase of cPKCßII activation, but phosphorylation of Akt decreased. The level of VCAM-1 and ICAM-1 increased significantly. CONCLUSIONS: Lower plasma H2S in CHD patients is associated with cardiovascular risk factors and mortality, which may be mediated by the cPKCßII/Akt pathway and further VCAM-1/ICAM-1 upregulation.

Application of the triage assessment system for psychological assessment for pregnant women with a deadly fetal abnormality.

To explore suitable scales to assess psychological status of pregnant women whose fetuses have grave deformities, a face-to-face interview guided by the Triage Assessment System (TAS) was conducted. Also, a questionnaire of the Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R) was obtained in 44 pregnant women diagnosed with a fetal deformity. Percentages and non-parametric Spearman correlations were used to analyse the scores of the two scales. The total score of TAS ranged from 3 to 26, with a mean of 9.93; and the total score of IES-R ranged from 5 to 63, with a mean of 40.36. The total score and the two subscales of each scale were significantly correlated (P < 0.05). The TAS subscale of emotion and IES-R subscale of intrusion were not significantly correlated, with r = 0.24 (P = 0.11). Combined use of TAS and IES-R can make up for each other's deficiencies and guide the clinician to make individual interventions during screening and treatment.

[Study on Chemical Constituents of Fermented Antrodia camphorata Powder].

OBJECTIVE: To study the chemical constituents of fermented Antrodia camphorata powder. METHODS: 15 compounds were isolated from Antrodia camphorata by Silica gel column chromatography, ODS column chromatography, gel column chromatography, preparative liquid phase chromatography separation technique, as well as recrystallization. RESULTS: On the basis of their physical and chemical properties and spectral data,their structures were identified as Ferulic acid (1), Inositol (2), ß-Sitosterol (3),Vanillin (4),Vanillic acid (5), Butyric acid (6), Daucosterol (7), p-Hydroxycinnamic acid (8), Lauric acid (9), Inosine (10), Uridine (11), Adenine (12), D(+)-Sucrose (13), Arachidic acid (14) and Guanosine (15). CONCLUSION: Compounds 1, 5, 6 and 8-15 are isolated from fermented powder for the first time.

Correlation of lower concentrations of hydrogen sulfide with atherosclerosis in chronic hemodialysis patients with diabetic nephropathy.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: To explore the relationship between hydrogen sulfide (H2S) and uremic accelerated atherosclerosis (UAAS) in chronic hemodialysis patients with diabetic nephropathy (CHD/DN). METHODS: A total of 36 CHD/DN and 32 chronic hemodialyzed non-diabetic patients with chronic glomerulonephritis (CHD/non-DN) were studied. Plasma H2S was measured with a sulfide sensitive electrode. RESULTS: Plasma H2S in CHD/DN was significantly lower than that in CHD/non-DN patients. Plasma H2S was positively correlated with plasma TGF-ß1, and negatively correlated with MMP-12 in CHD/DN patients. CHD/DN patients exhibited higher CCA-IMT, hsCRP, and lower H2S levels than in CHD/non-DN patients. Moreover, in CHD/DN patients, CCA-IMT was negatively correlated with plasma H2S, and positively correlated with hsCRP and LDL. On multiple regression analysis, H2S levels exhibited independent association with IMT in CHD/DN patients. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest possible linkage between H2S metabolism and TGF-ß/Smad signaling pathway modulation abnormalities that may contribute to the development of UAAS in CHD/DN patients.