Curcumin suppresses epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition of peritoneal mesothelial cells (HMrSV5) through regulation of transforming growth factor-activated kinase 1 (TAK1).

OBJECTIVE: Peritoneal fibrosis remains a serious complication of long-term peritoneal dialysis (PD) leading to peritoneal membrane ultrafiltration failure. Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of peritoneal mesothelial cells (PMCs) is a key process of peritoneal fibrosis. Curcumin has been previously shown to inhibit EMT of renal tubular epithelial cells and prevent renal fibrosis. There are only limited reports on inhibition of PMCs-EMT by curcumin. This study aimed to investigate the effect of curcumin on the regulation of EMT and related pathway in PMCs treated with glucose-based PD. METHODS: EMT of human peritoneal mesothelial cells (HMrSV5) was induced with glucose-based peritoneal dialysis solutions (PDS). Cells were divided into a control group, PDS group, and PDS group receiving varied concentrations of curcumin. Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay was used to measure cell viability, and a transwell migration assay was used to verify the capacity of curcumin to inhibit EMT in HMrSV5 cells. Real-time quantitative PCR and western blot were used to detect the expression of genes and proteins associated with the EMT. RESULTS: High glucose PDS decreased cell viability and increased migratory capacity. Curcumin reversed growth inhibition and migration capability of human peritoneal mesothelial cells (HPMCs). In HMrSV5 cells, high glucose PDS also decreased expression of epithelial markers, and increased expression of mesenchymal markers, a characteristic of EMT. Real-time RT-PCR and western blot revealed that, compared to the 4.25% Dianeal treated cells, curcumin treatment resulted in increased expression of E-cadherin (epithelial marker), and decreased expression of α-SMA (mesenchymal markers) (P < 0.05). Furthermore, curcumin reduced mRNA expression of two extracellular matrix protein, collagen I and fibronectin. Curcumin also reduced TGF-ß1 mRNA and supernatant TGF-ß1 protein content in the PDS-treated HMrSV5 cells (P < 0.05). Furthermore, it significantly reduced protein expression of p-TAK1, p-JNK and p-p38 in PDS-treated HMrSV5 cells. CONCLUSIONS: Our results demonstrate that curcumin showed an obvious protective effect on PDS-induced EMT of HMrSV5 cells and suggest implication of the TAK1, p38 and JNK pathway in mediating the effects of curcumin in EMT of MCs.

Curcumin ameliorates peritoneal fibrosis via inhibition of transforming growth factor-activated kinase 1 (TAK1) pathway in a rat model of peritoneal dialysis.

BACKGROUND: Peritoneal fibrosis (PF) remains a serious complication of long-term peritoneal dialysis (PD). The goal of this study was to investigate the anti-fibrotic effects of curcumin on the PF response to PD and its' mechanism. METHODS: Male Sprague-Dawley rats were infused with 20 mL of 4.25% glucose-based standard PD fluid for 8 consecutive weeks to establish PF model and then divided into five groups: Control, received sham operation and 0.9% physiological saline; PD, received 4.25% standard PD fluid; Curcumin, PD rats injected intraperitoeally with curcumin for 8 weeks at doses of 10, 20 or 40 mg/kg. Masson's staining was performed to evaluate the extent of PF. Peritoneal Equilibration Test (PET) was conducted to assess ultrafiltration volume (UFV) and mass transfer of glucose (MTG), quantitative RT-PCR, and immunohistochemistry or western blotting were performed to measure the expression levels of inflammation and fibrosis-associated factors. We also detected the TGF-ß1 in peritoneal fluid by ELISA. RESULTS: Compared with the control group, the PD rats showed decreased UFV (2.54 ± 0.48 to 9.87 ± 0.78 mL, p < 0.05] and increased MTG (18.99 ± 0.86 to 10.85 ± 0.65 mmol/kg, p < 0.05) as well as obvious fibroproliferative response, with markedly increased peritoneal thickness (178.33 ± 4.42 to 25.26 ± 0.32um, p < 0.05) and higher expression of a-SMA, collagen I and TGF-ß1. Treatment with curcumin significantly increased UFV, reduced MTG and peritoneal thickness of PD rats. The elevated TGF-ß1 in peritoneal fluid of PD rats was significantly decreased by curcumin. It attenuated the increase in protein and mRNA of TGF-ß1, α-SMA and collagen I in peritoneum of PD rats. The mRNA expressions of TAK1, JNK and p38, as well as the protein expressions of p-TAK1, p-JNK and p-p38 in peritoneum of PD rats were reduced by curcumin. CONCLUSIONS: Present results demonstrate that curcumin showed a protective effect on PD-related PF and suggest an implication of TAK1, p38 and JNK pathway in mediating the benefical effects of curcumin.

[Rev-erbß Knock-out Affectsthe Proliferation, Migration and Invasion Ability of Hepatocellular Carcinoma HepG2 Cell Line in vitro].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of nuclear receptor Rev-erbß knockout on proliferation and migration ability of human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line HepG2. METHODS: -The Rev-erbß gene knockout HepG2 cell line was abtained by CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing technique with specific DNA modification of the target gene. The Rev-erbß gene targeting vectors were co-transfected into HepG2 cells. Through cloning and screening, the Rev-erbß gene knockout HepG2 cell line was constructed, PCR, sequencing and Western blot methods were carried out for the identification of the Rev-erbß gene knockout HepG2 cell line. The expression level of tumor migration and invasion-associated gene in Rev-erbß gene knockout cell was determined by real-time quantitative PCR (qRT-PCR) and was compared with normal cell as control.MTT, cell scratch and Transwell experiments were conducted in order to explore the effect of Rev-erbß gene on HepG2 cell's ability of proliferation, migration and invasion. RESULTS: A Rev-erbß gene knockout monoclonal cell line, which was identified by PCR, sequencing and Western blot, was successfully constructed and named HepG2 C5 (Rev-erbß -/-). qRT-PCR results showed that Rev-erbß knockout resulted in up-regulation of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP2), matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP9) and extracellular matrix protein-1 (ECM1) gene expression (P < 0.05) and down-regulation of E-cadherin (CDH1) gene expression (P=0.05).Results of MTT, cell scratch and transwell experiments showed that HepG2 C5 had stronger proliferation, migration and invasion ability than control cells (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Rev-erbß gene knockout could change the expression of migration and adhesion-associated genes in HepG2 cell, and then affect the proliferation, migration and invasion ability of HepG2 cells.

[Correlation of the second to fourth digit ratio with the body mass index of infertile men].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between the second to the fourth digit ratio (2D:4D) and body mass index (BMI) in infertile men of the Han ethnic group in Ningxia. METHODS: Using anthropometry, we calculated the mean ratio of 2D:4D and BMI of 197 infertile men and 148 normal healthy male controls, followed by analysis of their relationship. RESULTS: The BMI was correlated positively with the 2D:4D ratio of the left hand in the infertile men (P < 0.05) and in the patients with a higher 2D:4D ratio of the left hand (P < 0.05), but negatively with the 2D:4D ratio of the righ/left (Dr-1) (left: P < 0.01; Dr-l: P < 0.05). The mean 2D: 4D ratio and BMI were both lower in the normal control than in the infertile men, with statistically significant differences in BMI (P < 0.05) and the 2D:4D ratio of the left hand (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: There is a correlation between the 2D:4D ratio and BMI in infertile men.

BMSC-derived Exosomes Ameliorate Peritoneal Dialysis-associated Peritoneal Fibrosis via the Mir-27a-3p/TP53 Pathway.

OBJECTIVE: Peritoneal fibrosis (PF) is the main cause of declining efficiency and ultrafiltration failure of the peritoneum, which restricts the long-term application of peritoneal dialysis (PD). This study aimed to investigate the therapeutic effects and mechanisms of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells-derived exosomes (BMSC-Exos) on PF in response to PD. METHODS: Small RNA sequencing analysis of BMSC-Exos was performed by second-generation sequencing. C57BL/6J mice were infused with 4.25% glucose-based peritoneal dialysis fluid (PDF) for 6 consecutive weeks to establish a PF model. A total of 36 mice were randomly divided into 6 groups: control group, 1.5% PDF group, 2.5% PDF group, 4.25% PDF group, BMSC-Exos treatment group, and BMSC-Exos+TP53 treatment group. Reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) was performed to measure the expression level of miR-27a-3p in BMSC-Exos and peritoneum of mice treated with different concentrations of PDF. HE and Masson staining were performed to evaluate the extent of PF. The therapeutic potential of BMSC-Exos for PF was examined through pathological examination, RT-qPCR, Western blotting, and peritoneal function analyses. Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of HMrSV5 was induced with 4.25% PDF. Cells were divided into control group, 4.25% PDF group, BMSC-Exos treatment group, and BMSC-Exos+TP53 treatment group. Cell Counting Kit-8 assay was used to measure cell viability, and transwell migration assay was used to verify the capacity of BMSC-Exos to inhibit EMT in HMrSV5 cells. RESULTS: Small RNA sequencing analysis showed that miR-27a-3p was highly expressed in BMSC-derived exosomes compared to BMSCs. The RT-qPCR results showed that the expression of miR-27a-3p was upregulated in BMSC-Exos, but decreased in PD mice. We found that PF was glucose concentration-dependently enhanced in the peritoneum of the PD mice. Compared with the control mice, the PD mice showed high solute transport and decreased ultrafiltration volume as well as an obvious fibroproliferative response, with markedly increased peritoneal thickness and higher expression of α-SMA, collagen-I, fibronectin, and ECM1. The mice with PD showed decreased miR-27a-3p. Peritoneal structural and functional damage was significantly attenuated after BMSC-Exos treatment, while PF and mesothelial damage were significantly ameliorated. Additionally, markers of fibrosis (α-SMA, collagen-I, fibronectin, ECM1) and profibrotic cytokines (TGF-ß1, PDGF) were downregulated at the mRNA and protein levels after BMSC-Exos treatment. In HMrSV5 cells, BMSC-Exos reversed the decrease in cell viability and the increase in cell migratory capacity caused by high-glucose PDF. Western blotting and RT-qPCR analysis revealed that BMSC-Exos treatment resulted in increased expression of E-cadherin (epithelial marker) and decreased expression of α-SMA, Snail, and vimentin (mesenchymal markers) compared to those of the 4.25% PDF-treated cells. Importantly, a dual-luciferase reporter assay showed that TP53 was a target gene of miR-27a-3p. TP53 overexpression significantly reversed the decreases in PF and EMT progression induced by BMSC-Exos. CONCLUSION: The present results demonstrate that BMSC-Exos showed an obvious protective effect on PD-related PF and suggest that BMSC-derived exosomal miR-27a-3p may exert its inhibitory effect on PF and EMT progression by targeting TP53.

[Digit length ratio and male fertility among infertile patients in Ningxia].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association between the digit length ratio (DLR) and male fertility in Ningxia. METHODS: Using an electronic sliding caliper, we measured the lengths of the index finger (D2), middle finger (D3), ring finger (D4) and little finger (D5) of both the right and left hand of 136 infertile males in Ningxia, 45 of them with normal and the other 91 with abnormal semen, including 28 cases of oligozoospermia, 10 cases of obstructive azoospermia (OA) and 53 cases of nonobstructive azoospermia (NOA). We calculated the DLRs of D2:D3, D2:D4, D2:D5, D3:D4, D3:D5 and D4:D5 and compared them among different groups. RESULTS: The mean values of FLR presented a pattern of D2:D3 < D2:D4 < D3:D4 < D2:D5 < D4:D5 in the infertile males. DLRs of D2:D3, D2:D4, D2:D5, D3:D5 and D4:D5 of the right hand were significantly higher in the abnormal than in the normal semen group (t = 2.56, 2.48, 3.57, 2.85, 2.53; P < 0.05); those of D2:D3, D2:D4, D2:D5 and D4:D5 of the right hand presented a pattern of NOA > oligozoospermia > OA > normal semen group, while that of D3:D5 presented a pattern of NOA > OA > oligozoospermia > normal semen group. The NOA group showed a significantly higher DLR of the right hand than the normal semen group in D2:D3, D2:D4, D3:D5 and D4:D5, the oligozoospermia group in D2:D4, D3:D5 and D4:D5, and the OA group in D2:D3 (P < 0.05). The D4:D5 DLR of the right hand was remarkably higher in the Han than in the Hui ethnic group (t = 2.01, P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Higher DLRs of D2:D3, D2:D4, D2:D5, D3:D5 and D4:D5 of the right hand were associated with lower fertility in infertile males in Ningxia. And the D4:D5 FLRs of the right hand may be different between Hui and Han infertile men in Ningxia.

Clinical characteristics and short-term mortality of 102 hospitalized hemodialysis patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 omicron BA.2.2.1 variant in Shanghai, China.

Background: The aim of this study was to analyze clinical features and short-term mortality in hemodialysis (HD) patients infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) omicron BA.2.2.1 variant. Methods: In a retrospective single-center case series, 102 consecutive hospitalized HD patients infected with the coronavirus omicron variant were assessed at Pudong Hospital in Shanghai, China, from April 6 to April 18, 2022; the final date of follow-up was May 16, 2022. Clinical, laboratory, chest CT, and treatment data were collected and analyzed. The association between these factors and all-cause mortality was studied using univariate and multivariate analyses. The relationship between lymphocyte count and short-term mortality was based on receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. Kaplan-Meier analysis was used to assess overall survival. Results: In total, 102 patients were included in this study. The patients were divided into two groups: HD patients with pneumonia (N = 46) and without pneumonia (N = 56). Of the 102 patients, 12 (11.8%) died. Multivariate regression analysis revealed that all-cause mortality was correlated with lymphocyte counts and type B natriuretic peptide (BNP), C-reactive protein (CRP), and D-dimer levels (P < 0.05). The cut-off value of lymphocyte counts was 0.61 × 109/L for all-cause mortality. The overall survival rate was significantly different between HD patients with and without pneumonia (P < 0.05). Conclusions: Lymphocyte counts are important for the prediction of short-term mortality in HD patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection. HD patients with lung involvement have poorer survival rates than those without lung involvement.

Differences in natural killer cell quantification and receptor profile expression in HIV-1 infected Chinese children.

Natural killer (NK) cells are believed to play a role in the progression of human immunodeficiency virus 1 (HIV-1) disease, and NK cell levels are reduced in individuals with chronic HIV-1 infection. To assess the effects on quantity of NK cells and the changes of NK cell receptors in HIV-1 infected children via mother-to-child transmission, the percentage of NK cells is quantified and the changes in the NK cell receptor profiles in 20 HIV-1 infected children who are not progressing into AIDS were examined. The results showed that NK cell percentage was decreased in the HIV-1 infected children. The expression of NKp30 on NK cells was increased, while the expressions of CD16, NKp44, NKp46, NKp80, NTB-A, CD244, KIR2D, KIR3DL1 and NKG2D on NK cells were decreased in the HIV-1 infected children. NK cell cytolytic activity was elevated in HIV-1 infected children. These results indicate that the acute changes in NK cell percentage and NK cell receptors in HIV-1 infected children are different from the HIV-1 infected adult individuals. Moreover, serum concentrations of IL-18 were elevated in HIV-infected children compared to HIV-uninfected controls. These differences probably play a role in protecting against transmission of maternal HIV-1 virus and guiding the therapeutic strategies for HIV-1 infected children.

[Characteristics of glucose metabolism in non-obese and obese women with polycystic ovarian syndrome].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate characteristics of glucose metabolism of non-obese and obese women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). METHODS: From May 2006 to April 2009, 1928 PCOS patients treated in Reproductive Medicine Center of Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University were enrolled in this study, which were divided into 901 cases [body mass index (BMI) ≥ 25 kg/m²] in obese group and 1027 cases in non-obese (BMI < 25 kg/m(2)) group. The prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), oral glucose tolerance test, impaired fasting glucose (IFG), impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: (1) Blood glucose levels: at the time of fasting, 30, 60, 120 and 180 minutes, the levels of glucose were (5.3 ± 1.1), (9.0 ± 2.4), (9.3 ± 4.4), (7.5 ± 2.8), (5.3 ± 1.8) mmol/L in obese group and (5.0 ± 0.8), (8.4 ± 3.5), (8.0 ± 4.2), (6.5 ± 3.2), (4.9 ± 1.6) mmol/L in non-obese group, which all showed statistical difference at every time point (P < 0.01). (2)The level of insulin: at the time of fasting, 30, 60, 120 min, the level of insulin were (13 ± 7), (81 ± 51), (102 ± 65), (83 ± 63) mU/L in obese group and (8 ± 5), (57 ± 35), (62 ± 44), (46 ± 39) mU/L in non-obese group, which all showed statistical difference at every time point (P < 0.01). However, at time point of 180 minutes, the level of insulin did not exhibit significantly difference between obese and non-obese group (P > 0.05). (3) The prevalence of abnormal glucose metabolism: the rate of IFG was 4.98% (96/1928). The rate of abnormal glucose tolerance was 23.08% (445/1928). The rate of IGT were 13.05% (134/1027) in non-obese group and 24.20% (218/901) in obese group, which also showed remarkable difference (P < 0.01). The rate of T2DM were 2.53% (26/1027) in non-obese group and 7.44% (67/901) in obese group, which reached significant difference (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Abnormal glucose metabolism was observed more frequently in overweight or obese PCOS women.

[Effects of control-releasing arsenic trioxide-eluting stent on intimal smooth muscle cells and type III collagen in canine coronary artery post-stent model].

OBJECTIVE: To study the safety and efficacy of control-releasing arsenic trioxide (As2O3)-eluting stent on intimal smooth muscle cells (SMC) and type III collagen (CIII) in canine coronary artery post-stent model. METHODS: Twenty-four experimental canines were equally divided into 4 groups, the three tested groups were deployed by stents with different dosage of As2O3 (1.6 microg/mm2, 2.4 microg/mm2 and 3.2 microg/mm2 in low, median and high dose groups, respectively) and coated with polybutyl methacrylate/nano silica and poly-lactide-coglycolide in mild oversizing (stent/vessel ratio of 1.3:1) in left anterior descending (LAD) or circumflex coronary arteries (LCX), while the control group only by simple coated stent without As2O3. The effect was assessed 4 weeks after stent implantation in terms of vascular histomorphology, and changes of SMC and C III expressions were detected using immunohistochemical analysis. RESULTS: Subintimal hemorrhage, medial/adventitial necrosis, thrombosis and inflammatory cell infiltration were not found and integral endothelium could be seen under screening electron microscopy in all groups. Positive expression of SMC and CIII in the tested groups, especial in the high dose As2O3 group, was more weaker than that in control group. Histo-morphological analysis showed that the neo-genetic intimal area and vascular stenosis were lower, but the mean luminal diameter was larger in the three tested groups than that in the control group (P < 0.01). Comparisons of various indices between tested groups treated by different doses of As2O3 showed that the difference between high/median dose vs. low dose was significant (P < 0.01), but that between high dose vs. median dose was insignificant (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Control-releasing As2O3-eluting stent shows a reliable and safe effect in preventing and treating post-stent restenosis by its dose-dependent inhibition on expressions of SMC and CIII to suppress the neo-genesis of intimal hyperplasia.

[Epidemiological features and changing patterns of intestinal parasitic diseases in Jiangxi Province].

OBJECTIVE: To understand the epidemiological features and changing patterns of intestinal parasitic diseases in Jiangxi Province from 1989 to 2014, so as to provide scientific evidence for formulating the preventive and control strategy for intestinal parasitic diseases. METHODS: The data regarding the status of intestinal parasitic diseases in Jiangxi Province were captured from the 1989 national survey on the distribution of human parasites in China and the 2014 national survey on major human parasitic diseases in China, and the status of human intestinal parasite infections was compared between the two surveys in Jiangxi Province. RESULTS: The prevalence rate of human intestinal parasite infections was 79.59% and 9.64% in Jiangxi Province in 1989 and 2014, with a decline rate of 87.89% during the 25-year period (χ2 = 30 870.5, P < 0.01). There were 24 and 20 species of human intestinal parasites detected in Jiangxi Province in 1989 and 2014, respectively, with totally 26 species detected during the two surveys. In Jiangxi Province, the 3 most highly prevalent human intestinal parasites included Ascaris lumbricoides (71.06%), hookworm (17.61%) and Enterobius vermicularis (17.59%) in 1989, and E. vermicularis (13.73%), hookworm (4.66%), whipworm (0.95%) in 2014. A higher rate of human intestinal parasite infections was found in females than in males in both surveys in Jiangxi Province (P < 0.01), and the prevalence of human intestinal parasite infections reduced by 82.50% to 95.31% in different age groups in Jiangsu Province during the 25-year period. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of human intestinal parasite infections shows a remarkable decline tendency in Jiangxi Province, and soil-transmitted nematodes remain the main species of human intestinal parasites in Jiangxi Province.

[Effect of zedoary turmeric oil-eluting stents for post-stenting restenosis prevention and treatment].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect and safety of Zedoary Turmeric Oil (ZTO)-eluting stents for post-coronary stenting restenosis prevention and treatment in the experimental dogs. METHODS: Bare stents, stents coated with polybutyl methacrylate/Nano silica, and stents eluted with 100 microg ZTO were randomly deployed in canine anterior descending or circumflex coronary artery. Four weeks after stent implantation, the dogs were sacrificed and the vascular histomorphologic changes in the stenting segment analyzed. RESULTS: Thickened intima could be seen under light microscope in the bare or coated stents, but thinner in ZTO-duting stent, with no sub-intimal hemorrhage, medial or adventitial necrosis, wall adhesive thrombus, or infiltration of inflammatory cells. Scanning electric microscopy showed the intima was intact. Histomorphologic analysis showed that the thickness and area of neo-intima, and the lumen stenosis percent in artery stented with ZTO eluting stents were significantly lower than those stented with bare or coated stents (P <0.01), and thus the lumen cavity was expanded (P < 0.01), while no statistic significant difference between polymer and bare stents was found (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: ZTO-eluting stent is available and safe, and it could significantly inhibit the growth of neo-intimal in canine coronary mode after stenting, showing a restenosis preventive and treatment effect.

[Study on distribution status of Oncomelania hupensis, the intermediate host of Schistosoma japonicum in Jiangxi Province â ¡ Spatial-temporal distribution of snail-infested environments].

OBJECTIVE: To grasp the status of Oncomelania hupensis snail-infested environments in schistosomiasis endemic areas of Jiangxi Province, and establish the spatial database of snail-infested environments with the administrative village as the unit. METHODS: The spatial and temporal distributions of the historical snail environments, existing snail environments, and suspicious snail-infested environments were analyzed by the historical data review and field investigations. RESULTS: The distribution of snail-infested environments in Jiangxi Province included two popular types of lakeshore and hills. The O. hupensis snail-infested environments were mainly concentrated in the Poyang Lake area, which accounting for 66.97% of the total snail-infested areas. The potential snail-infested environment area was 204 745.48 hm2, among which the potential snail-infested environment areas in the lakeshore and hills were 146 548.58 hm2 and 58 196.90 hm2, accounting for 71.58% and 28.42%, respectively. The real existing snail area was 83 234.50 hm2, among which the real existing snail areas in the lakeshore and hills were 80 890.81 hm2 and 2 343.69 hm2, accounting for 97.18% and 2.82%, respectively. The compressed snail area was 114 253.30 hm2 with a compression rate of 57.85%, of which the compression rates in the lakeshore and hills were 46.51% and 94.97%, respectively. In the four types of snail-infested environments, the areas of Type I, Type II, Type III and Type IV accounted for 55.77%, 25.75%, 13.91% and 4.57% of the total area, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The spatial database of O. hupensis snail-infested environments is established comprehensively and systematically, that will be conducive to tracking and performing the dynamic updates of the data of snails, so as to provide an important technical support for investigation and monitoring in the future.

[Effects of controlled-release arsenic-trioxide-eluting stents on in-stent neointimal hyperplasia in coronary artery: experiment with dog model].

OBJECTIVE: To study the safety and efficacy of controlled-release arsenic-trioxide (As(2)O(3))-eluting stents to reduce in-stent neointimal hyperplasia in coronary artery. METHODS: As(2)O(3) was sprayed onto the stainless steel coated with polybutyl methacrylate/nano-silica and poly-lactide-co-glycolide so as to make the controlled-release As(2)O(3)-eluting stents with the As(2)O(3) concentrations of 0, 1.6, 2.4, and 3.2 microg/mm(2). Thirty adult dogs were randomly divided into 5 equal groups to undergo deployment of bare stent, coated stent, and As(2)O(3)-eluting stent of low dose (1.6 microg/mm(2)), medium dose (2.4, microg/mm(2)), and high dose (3.2 microg/mm(2)) into the left anterior descending artery or circumflex coronary artery respectively, and aspirin 250 mg/day was given 3 days before operation until 4 weeks after operation. Four weeks after the operation the dogs underwent angiography and then killed. The coronary artery, heart, liver, spleen, lung, kidney, and brain were taken out for pathological examination. RESULTS: The mean injury scores were similar in all groups. The values of mean neointimal thickness of the high-, medium-, and low-dose groups were (0.14 +/- 0.05) mm, (0.15 +/- 0.04) mm, and (0.27 +/- 0.03 mm) respectively, all significantly lower than those of the coated stent and bare stent groups [(0.39 +/- 0.06) mm and (0.33 +/- 0.02) mm respectively, all P < 0.01], with significant differences between the high and medium groups and low dose group (both P < 0.01). The neointimal areas of the high, medium, and low dose groups were (1.09 +/- 0.11) mm(2), (1.33 +/- 0.10) mm(2), and (1.93 +/- 0.29) mm(2) respectively, all significantly smaller than those of the coated stent and bare stent groups [(2.44 +/- 0.15) mm(2) and (2.40 +/- 0.32) mm(2), all P < 0.01] with significant differences between the high and medium groups and low dose group (both P < 0.01). The stenosis rates of the high, medium, and low dose groups were (19.54 +/- 3.59)%, (22.18 +/- 3.3)%, and (36.22 +/- 5.17)% respectively, all significantly lower than those of the coated stent and bare stent groups [(50.39 +/- 3.03)%, and (46.88 +/- 5.85)% respectively, all P < 0.01] with significant differences between the high and medium groups and low dose group (both P < 0.01). The luminal areas of the high, medium, and low dose groups were (5.14 +/- 0.55) mm(2), (4.97 +/- 0.38) mm(2), and (3.75 +/- 0.39) mm(2) respectively, all significantly larger than those of the coated stent and bare stent groups [(2.62 +/- 0.22) mm(2) and (3.10 +/- 0.66) mm(2) respectively, both P < 0.01] with significant differences between the high and medium groups and low dose group (both P < 0.01). Pathological examination did not find intraintimal hemorrhage, medial and adventitial necrosis, aneurysm, thrombosis, and inflammatory cell infiltration in all groups. CONCLUSION: Capable of inhibiting neointimal hyperplasia in the coronary arteries dose-dependently after implantation, controlled-release As(2)O(3)-eluting stents is safe and applicable in treating coronary diseases.

[Investigation of body hair assessment of Chinese women in Shandong region and its preliminary application in polycystic ovary syndrome patients].

OBJECTIVE: To determine a suitable standard of hirsutism for Chinese polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) patients living in Shandong region. METHODS: A total of 623 unbiased women from the general population in Jinan city, 131 PCOS patients and 84 controls from outpatients in Shandong region were studied with questionnaires, physical and pelvic ultrasound examination, body hair on 11 sites were evaluated, and 9 (lip, chin, arm, thigh, chest, upperbelly, lowerbelly, upperback, lowback) of them which were called hormone Ferriman-Gallwey (F-G) score and 2 (forearm, leg) sites of indifferent hormone score were calculated according to the score system described by Ferriman and Gallwey. RESULTS: (1) Both body hair F-G score and indifferent hormone score distribution mode in the or= 2 (chi(2) = 47.68, P < 0.01), but no statistic difference by F-G score >or= 6 criterion (chi(2) = 0.64, P = 0.42). (3) F-G scores were declined with age increase. The hair score on the lip, chest, lowerbelly in general population were positively correlated with F-G score (r = 0.712, 0.594, 0.522; P < 0.01) and in PCOS patients (r = 0.879, 0.682, 0.710; P < 0.01), and on the lip in controls (r = 0.950, P < 0.01). (4) The correlation contingency coefficient between hirsutism (F-G score >or= 2) and lip, chest, lowerbelly site in general population was 0.461, 0.420, 0.489 and was 0.560, 0.532, 0.503 in PCOS group respectively. CONCLUSIONS: (1) Both body hair F-G score and indifferent hormone score distribution mode are significantly different from Ferriman-Gallwey's report; according to our investigation the suitable criterion of hirsutism for Chinese women in Shandong region should be >or= 2 scores. (2) By F-G score >or= 2 standard, hirsutism is more common in PCOS than in control. (3) Lip, chest, and lowerbelly are the main sites to determine the hirsutism status of women, and the later two sites are more specific for PCOS hirsutism. Forearm and leg score can indicate hirsutism status in some degree but are not specific and sensitive for PCOS hirsutism.

[Effect of early and non-early controlled-release of arsenic-trioxide eluting stents on restenosis inhibition in a canine model].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the safety and efficacy of early or non-early controlled-release arsenic-trioxide (As(2)O(3))-eluting stents on reducing in-stent neointimal hyperplasia. METHODS: Bare stents, stents coated with polybutyl methacrylate/Nano silica (containing 200 microg of As(2)O(3) per stent or not), stents coated with polybutyl methacrylate/Nano silica inside (containing 200 microg of As(2)O(3) per stent or not) and poly-lactide-co-glycolide (PLGA) outside were deployed with mild oversizing in left anterior descending (LAD) and circumflex coronary arteries (LCX)of 30 canines (n = 6, 12 stents for each group). RESULTS: The mean injury scores were similar in all groups at 4 weeks post stents implantation while the mean neointimal thickness, neointimal area and degree of stenosis were significantly reduced and the lumen area significantly increased in canines receiving single coating stents containing As(2)O(3) compared with single or double coating stents and bare stents groups (all P < 0.01). These effects were further enhanced in canines implanted with double coating stents containing As(2)O(3) (all P < 0.01 vs. single coating stents containing As(2)O(3)). No intraintimal hemorrhage, medial and adventitial necrosis, aneurysm, thrombosis, inflammatory cells infiltration were observed in all stenting groups. CONCLUSIONS: Controlled-release As(2)O(3)-eluting stents resulted in a significant inhibition of neointimal hyperplasia in the canine coronary arteries 4 weeks after stents implantation and the effects is more significant with controlled-release of As(2)O(3) at non-early stage than that at early stage.

[Study on distribution status of Oncomelania hupensis - intermediate host of Schistosoma japonicum in Jiangxi Province I Analysis of distribution of O. hupensis in Poyang Lake area].

OBJECTIVE: To grasp the distribution status of Oncomelania hupensis snails in Poyang Lake area, so as to provide the evidence for formulating and adjusting the schistosomiasis prevention and control strategy in lake areas. METHODS: The vector grid was created and sampled randomly by 200 m × 200 m in the spatial database of grassland, and the distribution of snails was investigated in the selected grid by using the method of mechanical sampling by 50 m × 50 m. At the same time, the elevation of investigation points was extracted based on the topographic map of Poyang Lake. RESULTS: Totally 949 and 210 investigation points were collected from the south and north of Poyang Lake areas, accounting for 3.04% and 3.21% of all the investigation points in the respective region. The number of investigation points, the appearance rate of snail frame, and the average density of alive snails were 15 231, 8.15%, and 0.463/0.1 m2, respectively. The elevation of snail distribution area of the south and north Poyang Lake areas were 11-16 m and 9-16 m respectively. The elevation of concentrated snail belts of the south Poyang Lake area were 12-13 m and 15-16 m, and the elevation of concentrated snail belts of the north Poyang Lake area was 12-14 m. CONCLUSIONS: The distribution of snails is in the range of 9-16 m. The suitable habitats of snail breeding are moving from the south Poyang Lake area to the north Poyang Lake area, and from high elevation to low elevation. In the future, the schistosomiasis prevention and control measures could be formulated based on the geographical characteristics of current snail distribution in order to consolidate the achievements of schistosomiasis control.

[Trends of soil-transmitted nematode infections in Jiangxi Province].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the status and trends of soil-transmitted nematode infections in Jiangxi Province from 1989 to 2014, so as to provide the evidence for generating the strategy of soil-transmitted nematode prevention and control. METHODS: The data of three epidemiological surveys on human parasitic diseases (in 1989, 2002 and 2014) were classified and analyzed. The stool examination by Kato-Katz's thick smear method was adopted for the investigation of soil-transmitted nematode infections. RESULTS: The total infection rate of soil-transmitted nematodes decreased by 91.89% from 77.67% in 1989 to 6.30% in 2014, in which the infection rate of Ascaris lumbricoides decreased by 98.78% from 71.11% to 0.87%, the infection rate of Trichuris trichiura decreased by 96.80% from 29.67% to 0.95%, and the infection rate of hookworm declined by 73.57% from 17.63% to 4.66%. The infection rates of soil-transmitted nematodes in the female were higher than those in the male in three surveys. In different ecological districts, the infection rates of soil-transmitted nematodes in the female were also higher than those in the male, except in Zhe-Min Ecological District in 2002 and 2014. A declined trend of the infection was showed in all age-groups in the three surveys, but it slowed down by the growth of age, i.e., the reduction rate was 97.03% in the age group of < 10 years while 80.62% in the age group of >70 years. In 2014, the number of persons infected with soil-transmitted nematodes occupied 65.4% of the whole number of persons infected with intestinal parasites. CONCLUSIONS: The mean infection rates of soil-transmitted nematodes decrease obviously in human population in different ecological districts, but the soil-transmitted nematodes are still the main species in intestinal parasite infections. The sequence of dominant species changes from A. lumbricoides, hookworm and T. trichiura in 1989 to hookworm, T. trichiura and A. lumbricoides in 2014. The rural female and elder people are the key population, while hookworm is the key species for the prevention and control of soil-transmitted nematodes.

[Epidemiological study of clinical characteristics of Chinese Han ethnic women with polycystic ovary syndrome].

OBJECTIVE: To carry out an epidemiological study of clinical characteristics of Chinese Han ethnic women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). METHODS: According to Revised 2003 European Society for Human Reproduction and Embryology/American Society for Reproductive Medicine criteria, PCOS can be diagnosed with 2 manifestations out of oligo-or anovulation, clinical and/or biochemical signs of hyperandrogenism exclusion of other etiologies and polycystic ovaries. One thousand and twenty-seven women in reproductive age from one area in Jinan city were investigated and the clinical, metabolic characteristics of the PCOS patients were analyzed. RESULTS: (1) A total of 828 questionnaires were collected from 1027 women; the response rate was 80.62%. Eighty-five PCOS patients were diagnosed; PCOS accounted for 97.65% (83/85) in