Long-term inhibition of UCHL1 decreases hypertension and retinopathy in spontaneously hypertensive rats

ObjectiveTo investigate the role of the deubiquitinase ubiquitin C-terminal hydrolase L1 (UCHL1) in hypertension and retinopathy in the spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR).MethodsWistar–Kyoto (WKY) rats and SHRs were administered the UCHL1 inhibitor LDN57444 (20 μg/kg/day) for 4 months. Pathological changes were detected with hematoxylin and eosin, immunofluorescence, and dihydroethidium staining. The mRNA and protein expression of UCHL1 were examined by real-time PCR and immunoblotting analysis.ResultsAt 6 months of age, SHRs showed significantly increased mRNA and protein levels of UCHL1 in the retina compared with WKY rats. Moreover, SHRs exhibited significantly increased central retinal thickness, inflammation, and reactive oxygen species production compared with WKY rats, and these effects were markedly attenuated by systemic administration of the UCHL1 inhibitor LDN57444. The beneficial effects of LDN57444 were possibly associated with reduced blood pressure and the inactivation of several signaling pathways.ConclusionUCHL1 is involved in hypertension and retinopathy in SHRs, suggesting that UCHL1 may be used as a potential therapeutic target for treating hypertensive retinopathy.     

Determination of Poly(4,4′‐diphenylsulfonyl terephthalamide) Crystalline Structure Via WAXD and Molecular Simulations

The crystal structure of poly(4,4′‐diphenylsulfonyl terephthalamide) (pt‐PSA) is studied by X‐ray diffraction and molecular simulation. Although the number of observed reflections is limited to warrant a precise determination of the unit cell structure and symmetry, a reasonable monoclinic unit cell is suggested with dimensions of a = 0.645 nm, b = 0.488 nm, c = 3.010 nm, and γ = 122.5°. A twofold molecule with two monomeric units forming a large zigzag conformation satisfies the X‐ray diffraction data. A layer structure is formed in the crystal phase, which is stabilized by the hydrogen bond between ? NH and ? C?O and the parallel‐displaced π–π stacking from the distortional coplanarity of the benzene rings and amide group.

     

Down-Regulated CK8 Expression in Human Intervertebral Disc Degeneration

As an intermediate filament protein, cytokeratin 8 (CK8) exerts multiple cellular functions. Moreover, it has been identified as a marker of notochord cells, which play essential roles in human nucleus pulposus (NP). However, the distribution of CK8 positive cells in human NP and their relationship with intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD) have not been clarified until now. Here, we found the percentage of CK8 positive cells in IDD (25.7±4.14%) was significantly lower than that in normal and scoliosis NP (51.9±9.73% and 47.8±5.51%, respectively, p<0.05). Western blotting and qRT-PCR results confirmed the down-regulation of CK8 expression in IDD on both of protein and mRNA levels. Furthermore, approximately 37.4% of cell clusters were CK8 positive in IDD. Taken together, this is the first study to show a down-regulated CK8 expression and the percentage of CK8 positive cell clusters in IDD based upon multiple lines of evidence. Consequently, CK8 positive cells might be considered as a potential option in the development of cellular treatment strategies for NP repair.     

Effects of high pressure processing (HPP) on microorganisms and the quality of mango smoothies during storage

The objective of this study is to investigate the effects of high pressure processing (HPP) on the quality of mango smoothies and the inactivation of microorganisms therein, with heat treatments used as the control. Comparative analysis was conducted on the microbiological changes in the mango smoothies subjected to HPP at 400–600 MPa for 0–15 min. The total plate count (TPC) and the yeast and mold (YM) counts were found to be significantly inactivated through increases in the pressure and treatment time (p < 0.05). Conditions of 90 °C/20 min (HT), 500 MPa/8 min (HPP-500) and 600 MPa/5 min (HPP-600) were, thus, selected as the subsequent treatment for a storage study at 4 °C for 15 days, since these conditions had similar inactivation effects on TPC and YM. After 15 days of storage, the TPC was found to have increased by 3.87, 3.54 and 3.36 log₁₀ cycles in the mango smoothies treated by HT, HPP-500 and HPP-600, respectively, while the YM counts remained at less than 1 log₁₀ cycle in all samples. During storage, compared to the HT and HPP-600 samples, both the color and viscosity at 100 s⁻¹ of samples treated by HPP-500 were found to be better maintained. Carotene content was better retained in storage after the HPP process than after the HT process. However, the different treatments had no effect on the pH nor on the total soluble solids (TSS) in the samples. The study ascertained that HPP-500 is able to ensure both the microbial safety and the quality of mango smoothies more effectively than HT and HPP-600.

The objective of this study is to investigate the effects of high pressure processing (HPP) on the quality of mango smoothies and the inactivation of microorganisms therein, with heat treatments used as the control.     

Time-average albumin predicts the long-term prognosis of IgA nephropathy patients achieved remission

Objective To clarify the long-term renal prognosis and related risk factors of progression for IgA nephropathy (IgAN) patients who achieved remission under current therapy. To identify the target value of the serum albumin level for Chinese patients with IgAN. Methods The patients with biopsy-proven primary IgAN in Nephrology Department of Renji Hospital in Shanghai were studied．The survival of renal and the relationships between clinical parameters and renal outcome were assessed. Results A total of 369 patients between Jan 2005 and Dec 2010 were included with a median follow-up time of 49.0 (38.0-65.8) months. All the subjects had achieved a complete remission (CR) or partial remission (PR) following six months’ therapy after diagnosis. Progressive renal disease had occurred in 61 cases at the end of follow-up. Three variables had a significant independent effect on renal outcome in patients achieving remission under current therapy regimen for IgAN, including time-average serum creatinine (TA-Scr) [HR(95%CI): 1.03(1.01-1.04)], time-average serum albumin (TA-Alb) [HR(95%CI): 0.83 (0.69-0.99)], and eGFR ratio within one year [HR(95%CI): 0.00(0.00-0.01)]. By multivariate Cox analyses, each 1 g/L drop of TA-Alb was related with 17.2% increase in the risk of renal progression. The ROC curve indicated that combination of serum albumin at baseline and during a long-term had a more significant value in prediction of renal outcome than independent predictor alone. By Kaplan-Meier analyses, patients with TA-Alb﹤38 g/L had a 10.4 fold sincreased risk of progressive disease compared with that of TA-Alb﹥38 g/L. Conclusions IgAN patients with lower eGFR ratio, higher TA-Scr and lower TA-Alb would progress to ESRD more quickly, and serum albumin during follow-up is important for predicting IgAN progression.     

微创经皮肾镜碎石术对肾内型肾盂结石的治疗评价

目的评价微创经皮肾镜碎石术对肾内型肾盂结石的治疗效果。方法回顾性分析肇庆市第二人民医院2013年1月1日至2013年12月31日由同一术者完成的微创经皮肾镜碎石术187例,其中肾内型肾盂肾结石58例,非肾内型肾盂肾结石129例,比较二者之间的一期结石清除率、二期结石清除率、一期手术时间、手术中取石通道个数、二期体外冲击波碎石例数、输血率、胸膜损伤发生率。结果肾内型肾盂结石病例一期结石清除率低于非肾内型肾盂结石病例,而一期手术时间、双通道取石率均高于后者(P<0.05)。二期结石清除率、术后体外冲击波碎石例数、输血率、胸膜损伤发生率均无统计学差异(P>0.05)。结论微创经皮肾镜碎石术对肾内型肾盂合并结石的治疗安全有效。     

精囊镜治疗21例顽固性血精的疗效分析

目的探讨应用精囊镜治疗顽固性血精的临床疗效。方法自2011年10月至2013年2月,广东医学院第二附属医院对21例顽固性血精患者行精囊镜检查,入院前血精时间超过半年,经过中西医药物治疗和物理治疗,症状反复出现,入院后行超声及CT排除前列腺肿瘤,使用Wolf 7.5 F输尿管硬镜行精囊镜检查,术后静脉使用抗生素治疗及留置尿管。结果 21例手术均成功,其中4例需使用电切镜切开精阜暴露射精管,手术时间20~43 min,平均25 min,1例术后出现发热,无附睾炎、尿道损伤、直肠损伤、逆行性射精等严重并发症,16例在精囊镜检查后3个月内血精完全消失,3例术后使用中药及抗生素治疗后血精消失,2例仍反复血精。结论采用精囊镜对一些久治不愈的血精患者进行检查和治疗,既可以明确诊断,又可以对精囊进行冲洗,结合药物治疗,具有创伤小、效果好、并发症少等优点,是治疗顽固性血精的有效方法之一。