Urinary calprotectin,NGAL, and KIM-1 in the differentiation of primarily inflammatory vs. non-inflammatory stable chronic kidney diseases

Introduction It has been demonstrated that urinary neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) and calprotectin are helpful biomarkers in the differentiation of intrinsic and prerenal acute kidney injury.Objective The present cross-sectional study investigates, whether urinary biomarkers are able to differentiate primarily inflammatory from non-inflammatory entities in chronic kidney disease (CKD).Methods Urinary calprotectin, NGAL, and kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1) concentrations were assessed in a study population of 143 patients with stable CKD and 29 healthy controls. Stable renal function was defined as an eGFR fluctuation ≤5 ml/min/1.73 m² in the past 12 months. Pyuria, metastatic carcinoma, and renal transplantation were regarded as exclusion criteria. Diabetic nephropathy, hypertensive nephropathy, and polycystic kidney disease were categorized as ‘primarily non-inflammatory renal diseases’ (NIRD), whereas glomerulonephritis and vasculitis were regarded as ‘primarily inflammatory renal diseases’ (IRD).Results Urinary calprotectin and NGAL concentrations significantly differed between CKD and healthy controls (p < 0.05 each), whereas KIM-1 concentrations did not (p = 0.84). The three biomarkers did neither show significant differences in-between the individual entities, nor the two categories of IRD vs. NIRD (calprotectin 155.7 vs. 96.99 ng/ml; NGAL 14 896 vs. 11 977 pg/ml; KIM-1 1388 vs. 1009 pg/ml; p > 0.05 each). Albumin exceeds the diagnostic power of the investigated biomarkers by far.Conclusions The urinary biomarkers calprotectin, NGAL, and KIM-1 have no diagnostic value in the differentiation of primarily inflammatory vs. non-inflammatory etiologies of CKD.     

Interleukin-6 in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid from patients with COPD

目的　本研究通过检测支气管肺灌洗液 (BALF)中及肺泡巨噬细胞 (AM)产生的IL 6 ,揭示IL 6与慢性支气管炎(COPD)肺气肿发生的关系 ,为IL 6提供新的研究领域。方法　检测 6名正常无吸烟人及 2 1名COPD患者BALF中及AM释放的IL 6 ,根据正常人组BALF中IL 6的 95 %正常值可信区限 ,将COPD患者分为二组 ,在正常值可信区限内为第一组 ,在正常值可信区限外为第二组。结果　表明 2组中AM产生的IL 6第二组明显高于第一组 ,且 2组患者肺功能 (Dlco ,FEV1,FEV1/FVC和RV/TLC)有明显差异结论　AM产生的IL 6可能与COPD患者肺功能变化有关 ,在COPD患者肺气肿发生发展过程中发挥重要作用     

Effect of ipratropium bromide on airway and pulmonary muscarinic receptors in a rat model of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Objective　To observe the level of muscarinic receptors in airway and lung tissues, and the effect of inhaled ipratropium bromide on these receptors in a rat model of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Methods　This model was developed by exposure of rats to 250 ppm SO2 gas, 5?h/d, 5d/wk, for a period of 7 wk. The COPD rats inhaled 0.025% aerosolized iratropium bromide for 20 min, 2 times daily, in an airtight chamber. Muscarinic receptors in airway and lung tissues of normal rats, ipratropium bromide-treated COPD rats and the recovering COPD rats were measured by the radio-ligand binding assay. Results　Airway/lung pathology and pulmonary function tests showed that chronic SO2 exposure caused pathophysiologic changes similar to those observed in human COPD. The density (0.038±0.011, pmol/mg protein) and affinity (Kd, 23±11 pmol/L) of muscarinic receptors in airway and lung tissues of COPD rats were not changed compared with those of normal control rats (0.030±0.008 and 29±19, respectively, P&gt;0.05). Densities of the muscarinic receptors were not changed after inhalation of ipratropium bromide for 5 days, but increased significantly after inhalation for 30 days, as compared with those of the untreated COPD rats. The muscarinic receptors returned the normal levels at day 6 after cessation of ipratropium bromide treatment. There were no differences among different groups of rats in equilibrium dissociation constants (Kd). Conclusion　A rat model of COPD with pathophysiologic changes similar to the human counterpart was developed using chronic SO2 exposure. There was no significant change in the number and function of muscarinic receptors in airway and lung tissues of the COPD rats, but upregulation of the muscarinic receptors was observed after long-term inhalation of ipratropium bromide.     

慢性肾功能衰竭患者畸变产物耳声发射分析

测定２１例（４２耳）慢性肾功能衰竭（ＣＲＦ）患者的畸变产物耳声发射（ＤＰＯＡＥ）。结果表明：ＣＲＦ患者的耳聋 为耳蜗性聋,表现为高频听力损失,ＤＰＯＡＥ检测可客观、快速地反映耳蜗的病变。且ＤＰＯＡＥ具有频率特异性,有助于对该病患者听力障碍的早期诊断。     

Tumor Necrosis Factor Gene Polymorphism in Chronic Sinusitis

Objectives It is likely that genetic factors play a role in the etiology of chronic sinusitis, and airway inflammation is an important pathological feature in chronic sinusitis. We hypothesized that individuals with greater inflammatory responses may be more likely to acquire the disease. Polymorphisms of the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) genes have been described, and certain inflammatory diseases are reportedly associated with certain alleles of TNF genes. The purpose of this study is to examine whether there is an association between some alleles of TNF genes and chronic sinusitis. Study Design Thirty‐eight Japanese patients with intractable chronic sinusitis were selected on the basis of the following criteria: 1) persistent mucous or mucopurulent nasal discharge and/or postnasal dripping for longer than 3 years and 2) opacification in bilateral maxillary sinuses and ethmoid cells on plain radiographic films. Methods Both tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) and tumor necrosis factor‐β (TNF‐β) gene polymorphisms were analyzed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with restriction fragment length polymorphisms in these patients and 35 healthy control subjects. Results A significantly higher frequency (P < .05) of TNFB*2 allele of TNF‐β gene polymorphism was observed in patients with chronic sinusitis (74%) compared with control subjects (56%). There was no association between alleles of TNF‐α and chronic sinusitis. Conclusion We concluded that TNF‐β gene polymorphism may form a component of the genetic predisposition to chronic sinusitis in Japanese patients.     

A Phase 2 open label study of ledipasvir/sofosbuvir for 12 weeks in subjects with hepatitis B virus infection

Retrospective data showed that when we administered ledipasvir/sofosbuvir (LDV/SOF) to patients with hepatitis B and C coinfection, there was a modest reduction in hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg). Therefore, we hypothesize that similar HBsAg reduction can be seen in hepatitis B virus (HBV) monoinfected subjects. Primary and secondary efficacy endpoints are the decline in HBsAg and HBV DNA at Week 12 from baseline, respectively. We conducted an open-label Phase 2 pilot study to evaluate the safety, tolerability, and antiviral activity of LDV and/or SOF for HBV. Eligible subjects were either suppressed on antivirals (Group B) or inactive chronic HBV (Group A, C, D). Group A and B received LDV/SOF. Group C and D received SOF 400 mg and LDV 90 mg, respectively. All subjects completed the study, and all related adverse events (AEs) were mild. No discontinuations due to AEs or hepatitis flare occurred. At Week 12, HBsAg decline (log₁₀ IU/ml) was similar between Group A (0.399) and B (0.400), less in Group C (0.207), and none in Group D, and there was HBV DNA decline in the inactive chronic HBV groups. LDV and SOF are safe and well tolerated when given to chronic hepatitis B subjects and have modest antiviral activity, particularly when given in combination.     

消抗安胎口服液慢性毒性作用的实验研究

目的 观察消抗安胎口服液长期,大剂量使用对大鼠的慢性毒性作用。方法 血液生化分析法。结果 实验大鼠的整体状态,肝功能,肾功能,血糖等血液生化指标的测定及主要敏感脏器重量与对照组相比均无显著性差异。结论ＣＸＬ安全,无毒副作用,临床应用可靠。