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Ligustroflavone is one major compound contained in active fraction from Fructus Ligustri Lucidi (the fruit of Ligustrum lucidum), which could regulate parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels and improve calcium balance by acting on calcium-sensing receptors (CaSR). This study aimed to explore the potency of ligustroflavone as a CaSR antagonist and its protective effects against diabetic osteoporosis in mice. LF interacted well with the allosteric site of CaSR shown by molecular docking analysis, increased PTH release of primary parathyroid gland cells and suppressed extracellular calcium influx in HEK-293 cells. The serum level of PTH attained peak value at 2 h and maintained high during the period of 1 h and 3 h than that before treatment in mice after a single dose of LF. Treatment of diabetic mice with LF inhibited the decrease in calcium level of serum and bone and the enhancement in urinary calcium excretion as well as elevated circulating PTH levels. Trabecular bone mineral density and micro-architecture were markedly improved in diabetic mice upon to LF treatment for 8 weeks. LF reduced CaSR mRNA and protein expression in the kidneys of diabetic mice. Taken together, ligustroflavone could transiently increase PTH level and regulate calcium metabolism as well as prevent osteoporosis in diabetic mice, suggesting that ligustroflavone might be an effective antagonist on CaSR.

Objective: To explore the therapeutic effect of Yishen Qufeng Shengshi Recipe (, YQSR) in patients with glomerular proteinuria METHODS: A total of 145 patients with glomerular proteinuria were selected and randomly assigned to the treatment group (108 cases) and the control group (37 cases) according to a random number table in a ratio of 3:1. All patients received conventional and symptomatic treatment. In addition, patients in the treatment and control groups were given YQSR (200 mL, twice per day, orally) and losartan (50 mg/d orally), respectively for 6 months. The 24-h urine protein quantity, blood urea nitrogen, and serum creatinine in the two groups were measured at multiple time points before and after treatment., Results: At the end of the study, 5 cases were lost to follow-up in the treatment group and 1 in the control group. Finally, the statistical data included 103 cases in the treatment group and 36 cases in the control group. The total effectiveness after 2, 4, and 6 months was 81.6% (84/103), 87.4% (90/103), and 92.2% (95/103), respectively, in the treatment group and 47.2% (17/36), 55.6% (20/36), and 61.1% (22/36), respectively, in the control group, with significant difference between the two groups (P<0.01 at all observation points). In the treatment group, the curative effect after 6 months was better than that after 2 months (P<0.05). The 24-h urine protein quantity was significantly lower in the treatment group at 3, 4, 5, and 6 months than that in the control group (P<0.05 or P<0.01, respectively) CONCLUSION: YQSR could significantly reduce the amount of glomerular proteinuria in the early stage.

Background: Caregiving burden and depression in family caregivers have been investigated, but little is known about how they affect paid caregivers. The aim of this study was to investigate caregiving burden and depression in paid caregivers of hospitalized patients., Methods: A cross-sectional survey study was conducted in a tertiary referral hospital (Chengdu, China) that enrolled 108 paid caregivers who worked in the inpatient department. The Caregiver Burden Inventory (CBI) and the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression (CES-D) scale were incorporated into a self-developed questionnaire to gather demographic information on the following four aspects: general, work, income, and family., Results: The mean total CBI score was 29.7 ± 12.5. The time-dependence burden had the highest score of 15.3 ± 4.0, which was followed by the physical burden score of 6.5 ± 4.6, developmental burden score of 3.7 ± 4.0, social burden score of 3.2 ± 4.0, and emotional burden score of 2.4 ± 3.1. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that a higher CBI was associated with a longer time as a paid caregiver [β=7.041, 95% Confidence Interval (CI):1.935 to 12.974, p = 0.009], lower income satisfaction (β= - 6.573, 95% CI: -11.248 to -3.020, p = 0.001), and higher frequency of meeting with their relatives (β=7.125, 95% CI: 2.019 to 12.456, p = 0.006). The mean CES-D score was 11.9 ± 8.7, and significant depression was found in 28 (25.9%) paid caregivers according to the CES-D score ≥ 16 cut-off. There was a moderate positive correlation between the CBI and CES-D scores (Pearson's r = 0.452, p < 0.001)., Conclusions: A high caregiving burden was commonly observed in paid caregivers of hospitalized patients in China, as was a high prevalence of depression symptoms. Several associated factors were identified that could be areas for future interventions.

Purpose: To evaluate the diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of panoramic radiography in detection of maxillary teeth roots projecting into the maxillary sinus., Methods: Paired panoramic radiographs and cone-beam CT (CBCT) images of maxilla from 110 subjects were analyzed. 42 males and 68 females (15~36 years old) with the second molars erupted completely were included. The 2 radiographic techniques were used to observe if the roots of maxillary teeth project into the sinus, including canine, the first premolar, the second premolar, the first molar and the second molar. With CBCT as a gold standard, the diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of panoramic radiography were evaluated, as well as the accuracy, prevalence, positive likehood ratio, and negtive likehood ratio., Results: The sensitivity for canine, the first premolar, the second premolar, the first molar, and the second molar was 100%, 100%, 96%, 99%, and 96%, respectively. The specificity for canine, the first premolar the second premolar, the first molar, and the second molar was 94%, 92%, 84%, 67%, and 67%, respectively., Conclusions: Panoramic radiography has a high diagnostic sensitivity in detection of the teeth roots projecting into the maxillary sinus for maxillary teeth. However, it can't afford sufficient proof for orthodontic anchorage design because of low specificity, especially for the second premolar, the first molar and the second molar.

Objective: To observe the therapeutic effect of Yishen Qingre Huashi Recipe (YQHR) in treating proteinuria of chronic glomerular disease patients with Pi-Shen deficiency complicated damp-heat syndrome (PSDCDHS)., Methods: Totally 121 stage 1 -2 primary chronic glomerular disease patients with PSDCDHS were randomly assigned to the treated group (85 cases) and the control group (36 cases) according to 2:1. All patients received conventional and symptomatic treatment. Patients in the treated group took YQHR additionally, while those in the control group took Losartan Potassium Tablet (50 mg each time, once per day) additionally. The therapeutic course for all was 6 months. Changes of 24 h urine protein, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), serum creatinine(SCr), and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) were observed at different time points. And the difference in therapeutic effects were compared between the two groups., Results: Compared with the control group after 6 months of treatment, 24 h urine protein obviously decreased in the treated group (P <0. 05). There was no statistical difference in SCr, BUN, or eGFR between the two groups after 6 months of treatment (P >0. 05). The total effective rate after 2, 4, and 6 months of treatment in the treated group was 77. 6% (66/85 cases), 82. 4% (70/85 cases), and 89. 4% (76/85 cases), respectively. They were 47. 2% (17/36 cases), 55. 6% (20/36 cases), and 61. 1% (22/36 cases) in the control group, respectively. Compared with before treatment in the treated group, the total effective effect after 6 months of treatment was higher than that after 2 months of treatment (χ2=4. 28, P <0. 01). Compared with the control group at the same time points, the total effective rate in the treated group after 2, 4, and 6 months of treatment was higher (χ2=10. 87, 9. 53, 13.16, P <0. 01)., Conclusion: YQHR could significantly lower proteinuria in chronic glomerular disease patients with PSDCDHS, improve the clinical effect, thereby providing clinical evidence for treating chronic glomerular disease proteinuria from resolving dampness and clearing heat.

Objective: To determine the effects of Syndrome Differentiated Chinese Medicine (TCM) Therapy on (CKD) 1-2 stage chronic kidney disease with proteinuria., Methods: A prospective randomized control study was undertaken in 11 centers. A total of 396 chronic nephritis patients were divided into a treatment group (n=297) and a control group (n=99). Their TCM syndrome was classified as "Qi and Yin Deficiency of spleen and kidney" or "Qi and Yang Deficiency of spleen and kidney", with accompanying syndromes showing as "water and dampness", "damp-heat", and "blood stasis". Patients in the treatment group took a dose of Chinese medicine daily in response to their syndromes, while the controls took 50 mg/d losartan. The course of treatment was 24 weeks. Changes of 24-hour urinary protein excretion and glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) before and after treatments (4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24 weeks), as well as clinical efficacy (after 4, 16, 24 weeks treatments) were measured., Results: 361 patients were included in the final program participants comply analysis (PPS). Patients in the treatment group showed gradual decreased 24-hour urinary protein excretion, whereas the controls remained unchanged. Significant differences in 24-hour urinary protein excretion appeared between the experimental and control group at week 20 and 24 (P<0.05). eGFR decreased in all of the patients after treatments (P=0.0014). At three follow-up points, patients in the treatment group had higher eGFR than the controls, but without statistical significance (P>0.05). Significant differences in clinical remission rate, marked effect rate and total effective rate were observed between the treatment and control groups at week 24 (P<0.001)., Conclusion: Syndrome differentiated TCM therapy can reduce the level of proteinuria in CKD 1-2 nephritis patients, promoting clinical effectiveness and protecting renal functions.

A chemical absorption-biological reduction integrated process has been proposed for the removal of nitrogen oxides (NO(x)) from flue gases. In this study, we report a new approach using biofilm electrode reactor (BER) to regenerate Fe(II)EDTA via simultaneously reducing Fe(II)EDTA-NO and Fe(III)EDTA in NO(x) scrubber solution. Biofilm formed on the surface of the cathode was confirmed by Environmental Scan Electro-Microscope. Experimental results demonstrated that it was effective and feasible to utilize the BER to promote the reduction of Fe(II)EDTA-NO and Fe(III)EDTA simultaneously. The reduction efficiency of Fe(II)EDTA-NO and Fe(III)EDTA was up to 85% and 78%, respectively when the BER was continuously operated with electricity current at 30 mA. The absence of electricity induced an immediate decrease in reduction efficiency, indicating that the bio-regeneration of ferrous chelate complex was electrochemically accelerated. The present approach is considered advantageous for the enhanced bio-reduction in the NO(x) scrubber solution., (Copyright © 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Objective: To investigate the effects of Artesunate on expression of MCP-1 and MCP-1 mRNA in renal tissue of the rat experimental IgA nephropathy model., Methods: 40 rats were divided randomly into 4 groups with 10 rats in normal control group while the other 30 in model control group, low dose Artesunate group and high dose Artesunate group after the establishment of IgA nephropathy model. MCP-1 and MCP-1 mRNA in renal tissue were tested by immunohistochemical and RT-PCR methods., Results: The expression of MCP-1 mRNA in model control group was significantly increased (0.4726+/-0.086 vs 0.1445+/-0.095, P<0.05, compared with normal control group), which was suppressed in low dose Artesunate group (0.2844+/-0.065) and high dose Artesunate group (0.2184+/-0.058) (both P<0.05, compared with model control group). In addition, hemouria, proteinuria and pathological changes in renal tissue were improved in the Artesunate groups., Conclusion: Artesunate shows the ability of downregulating the expression of MCP-1 in renal tissue, which may explain one of the mechanisms of Artesunate effectiveness in clinical treatment of IgA nephropathy.

A new process for the removal of NO(x) by a combined Fe(II)EDTA absorption and microbial reduction has been demonstrated, in which part of the Fe(II)EDTA will be oxidized by oxygen in the flue gas to form Fe(III)EDTA. In former studies, strain FR-2 has been found to reduce Fe(III)EDTA efficiently. Otherwise, it has been reported that bio-electro reactor could efficiently provide a chance for simultaneous denitrification and metal ion removal. Therefore, a use of bio-electro reactor is suggested to promote the reduction of Fe(III)EDTA by strain FR-2 in this paper. The results showed that the concentration of Fe(III)EDTA decreased rapidly when electric current was applied, and that as the current density rose, the Fe(III)EDTA reduction rate increased while followed by a decrease afterward. The formation of the biofilm on the electrode was observed by ESEM (Environmental Scan Electro-Microscope). In addition, the Fe(III)EDTA reduction rate obviously decreased with the existence of NaNO(2).

Biological reduction of nitric oxide (NO) from Fe(II) ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA)-NO to dinitrogen (N(2)) is a core process for the continual nitrogen oxides (NO(x)) removal in the chemical absorption-biological reduction integrated approach. To explore the biological reduction of Fe(II)EDTA-NO, the stoichiometry and mechanism of Fe(II)EDTA-NO reduction with glucose or Fe(II)EDTA as electron donor were investigated. The experimental results indicate that the main product of complexed NO reduction is N(2), as there was no accumulation of nitrous oxide, ammonia, nitrite, or nitrate after the complete depletion of Fe(II)EDTA-NO. A transient accumulation of nitrous oxide (N(2)O) suggests reduction of complexed NO proceeds with N(2)O as an intermediate. Some quantitative data on the stoichiometry of the reaction are experimental support that reduction of complexed NO to N(2) actually works. In addition, glucose is the preferred and primary electron donor for complexed NO reduction. Fe(II)EDTA served as electron donor for the reduction of Fe(II)EDTA-NO even in the glucose excessive condition. A maximum reduction capacity as measured by NO (0.818 mM h(-1)) is obtained at 4 mM of Fe(II)EDTA-NO using 5.6 mM of glucose as primary electron donor. These findings impact on the understanding of the mechanism of bacterial anaerobic Fe(II)EDTA-NO reduction and have implication for improving treatment methods of this integrated approach.

A chemical absorption-biological reduction integrated approach, which combines the advantages of both the chemical and biological technologies, is employed to achieve the removal of nitrogen monoxide (NO) from the simulated flue gas. The biological reduction of NO to nitrogen gas (N2) and regeneration of the absorbent Fe(II)EDTA (EDTA:ethylenediaminetetraacetate) take place under thermophilic conditions (50 +/- 0.5 degrees C). The performance of a laboratory-scale biofilter was investigated for treating NO(x) gas in this study. Shock loading studies were performed to ascertain the response of the biofilter to fluctuations of inlet loading rates (0.48 approximately 28.68 g NO m(-3) h(-1)). A maximum elimination capacity (18.78 g NO m(-3) h(-1)) was achieved at a loading rate of 28.68 g NO m(-3) h(-1) and maintained 5 h operation at the steady state. Additionally, the effect of certain gaseous compounds (e.g., O2 and SO2) on the NO removal was also investigated. A mathematical model was developed to describe the system performance. The model has been able to predict experimental results for different inlet NO concentrations. In summary, both theoretical prediction and experimental investigation confirm that biofilter can achieve high removal rate for NO in high inlet concentrations under both steady and transient states.

Objective: To evaluate the states of inflammation, oxidative stress and carbonyl stress in uremic patients and analyze their relationships., Methods: One hundred and twenty-eight cases were divided into 6 groups: non-dialysis uremia group (n=25), peritoneal dialysis group (n=19), hemophan(Hem) membrane dialysis group (n=25), polyamide (PS) membrane dialysis group (n=25), diabetes with normal renal function group (n= 23) and normal control group (n=11). Spectrophotometry and immune turbidimetry were used to measure the serum SOD, VitC, VitE, MDA and total carbonyl compounds (TCC) levels., Results: Compared with non-uremia groups, the uremia groups had lower serum SOD, VitE and VitC levels, but higher CRP, MDA and TCC levels (P < 0.01). The peritoneal dialysis group had higher SOD, VitC, VitE levels in comparison with the Hem group, but did not differ from PS group in those levels (P > 0.05). The MDA and TCC levels in the peritoneal dialysis group were lower than those in the two hemodialysis groups, but there were no significant differences in CRP level between the groups. Compared with Hem group, the PS group had higher VitC, VitE levels, higher TCC clearance, and the same SOD, MDA, CRP and pre-dialysis TCC levels. When the variables were analyzed with TCC, the results of multi-variate regression showed that the standardized coefficients were MDA (0.727, P < 0.01), CRP (0.370, P < 0.01), SOD (0.192, P < 0.05), VitC (-0.153, P < 0.01), VitE (0.054, P = 0.30) respectively., Conclusion: Uremic patients are in inflammatory, oxidative-stress and carbonyl-stress states. Inflammation and oxidative stress are probably the important mechanism of carbonyl stress. It is not yet clear whether dialysis methods can influence uremic inflammatory, oxidative-stress or carbonyl-stress state.

Objective: Observing the effects of Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD) peptides on the proliferation of glomerular mesangial cells (GMCs), and on the expression of focal adheshion kinase (FAK) and hyaluronic acid (HA) in GMCs., Methods: GMCs of rats were induced with RGD peptide in vitro. The proliferation of GMCs was measured by MTT; the expression of FAK, by immunohistochemistry; and the quantity of HA, by radioimmunoassay., Results: After being incubated with RGD peptides, some of the attached GMCs became round, detached, and floated. As compared with the control, the proliferation (A value) of the induced with RGD peptide GMCs was significantly lower. After the cultured GMCs had been induced with RGD (1 mmol/L) for 24 h, the expression of FAK decreased by 3.10%, and the secretion of HA decreased by 5.64%. After the cultured GMCs had been incubated with RGD (4 mmol/L) for 8 h and 24 h, the expression of FAK decreased by 6.50% and 15.95%, and the secretion of HA decreased by 6.37% and 18.43%, respectively., Conclusion: RGD peptides can inhibit the attachment of the cultured GMCs, reduce the proliferation of GMCs and decrease the secretion of the extracellular matrix.

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of the pendulum appliance in treating dental Class II patients with various vertical growth patterns., Methods: The samples (n = 30) were divided into three groups equally based on their FMA. Pretreatment and post-treatment cephalometric radiographs were taken to measure the changes., Results: The amount of upper molar distalization in the low-angle group was the fewest, and that in the high-angle group was the most. Upper molars had been intruded insignificantly. The amount of anchorage loss at the first premolars and overjet increased at incisors was different in the three groups. The biggest change happened in the low-angle group, and the smallest in the high-angle group., Conclusion: The results of this study showed that pendulum appliance could move the upper molars distally in a short period of time. The upper molars in different groups were intruded insignificantly. Pendulum appliance could be used to move the upper molars distally in high-angle cases.