Schistosoma japonicum infection associated with membranous nephropathy: a case report.

Background: Schistosomiasis is one of the most contagious parasitic diseases affecting humans; however, glomerular injury is a rare complication mainly described with Schistosoma mansoni infection. We report a case of membranous nephropathy associated with Schistosoma japonicum infection in a Chinese man.

Case Presentation: A 51-year-old Chinese male with a long history of S.

Krüppel-like factor 3 inhibition by mutated lncRNA results in human high bone mass syndrome.

High bone mass (HBM) is usually caused by gene mutations, and its mechanism remains unclear. In the present study, we identified a novel mutation in the long noncoding RNA that is associated with HBM. Subsequent analysis in 1,465 Chinese subjects revealed that heterozygous individuals had higher bone density compared with subjects with WT Mutant increased the formation of the CD31Emcn endothelium in the bone marrow, which stimulated angiogenesis during osteogenesis.

MiR-497∼195 cluster regulates angiogenesis during coupling with osteogenesis by maintaining endothelial Notch and HIF-1α activity.

A specific bone vessel subtype, strongly positive for CD31 and endomucin (CD31Emcn), is identified as coupling angiogenesis and osteogenesis. The abundance of type CD31Emcn vessels decrease during ageing. Here we show that expression of the miR-497∼195 cluster is high in CD31Emcn endothelium but gradually decreases during ageing.

[The design and baseline characteristics of a phase III study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of alogliptin versus placebo in type 2 diabetes mellitus in Mainland China].

Objective: To assess the design and the Mainland China subgroup baseline characteristics of the study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of alogliptin versus placebo in subjects with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) as monotherapy, add-on to metformin or add-on to pioglitazone.

Methods: This was a multi-center, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, 16-week study comparing alogliptin (ALO, 25 mg, 1/d) versus placebo (PLA) as monotherapy (A), add-on to metformin (B) or add-on to pioglitazone ± metformin (C). The T2DM subjects with glycosylated hemoglobin A1c(HbA1c) between 7% and 10% and aged between 18 years and 75 years were enrolled and randomized to the alogliptin group and the placebo group in 1: 1 ratio with 16 weeks treatment.

KCNQ1 gene polymorphisms are associated with the therapeutic efficacy of repaglinide in Chinese type 2 diabetic patients.

The present study evaluated the effects of KCNQ1 rs2237892 and rs2237895 polymorphisms on repaglinide efficacy in Chinese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). In all, 367 T2DM patients and 214 controls were genotyped. Forty of the T2DM patients were randomly selected to undergo 8 weeks repaglinide treatment.

[Association of adiponectin gene polymorphism with obesity in children].

Objective: To study the distribution characteristics of adiponectin gene +45 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) in Chinese children, and to determine the role of adiponectin gene +45 polymorphisms in the pathogenesis of childhood obesity.

Methods: A total of 147 Chinese obese and 118 healthy children were randomly selected and enrolled to identify adiponectin gene SNP+45 polymorphism by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) assay. Plasma adiponectin levels were determined using ELISA.

Effect of repaglinide and gliclazide on glycaemic control, early-phase insulin secretion and lipid profiles in.

Background: Both repaglinide and gliclazide are insulin secretagogues widely used in the treatment of type 2 diabetes. They stimulate insulin secretion through distinct mechanisms and may benefit patients from different aspects. The present study was to evaluate the effects of repaglinide or gliclazide on glycaemic control, insulin secretion, and lipid profiles in type 2 diabetes patients.

[Expression of imprinted genes during the course of differentiation from mouse embryonic stem cells to islet-like cells in vitro].

Objective: To study the effects of in vitro inducement on the expression of SF1-G imprinted genes, Kcnq1 and Cdkn1c during the course of differentiation from mouse embryonic stem (ES) cells to islet-like cells.

Methods: Mouse ES cells were induced to differentiate into islet-like cells in vitro. The expression of islet specific markers was tested by RT-PCR or immunofluorescence.

Rosiglitazone inhibits high glucose-induced apoptosis in human umbilical vein endothelial cells through the PI3K/Akt/eNOS pathway.

Previous studies have shown that the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase / Akt / endothelial nitric oxide synthase / NO (PI3K/Akt/eNOS/NO) pathway is involved in high glucose-induced endothelial cell apoptosis and rosiglitazone has a protective effect on endothelium. In the present study, we investigated the antiapoptotic effect of rosiglitazone on human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) exposed to high glucose and explored its possible mechanism. Treatment of high glucose (33 mmol/L) for 48 h significantly induced the apoptosis of HUVECs, concomitantly with increased caspase-3 activity.

[Serum leptin level and its association with bone mineral density in obese children].

Objective: To investigate serum leptin level and its relationship with bone mineral density in obese children from Changsha City.

Methods: One hundred and nineteen obese children and 103 normal children aged 7 to 12 years from five primary schools of Changsha City were enrolled. Obesity was assessed based on the body mass index (BMI).

Ceramide mediates inhibition of the AKT/eNOS signaling pathway by palmitate in human vascular endothelial cells.

Background: In metabolic syndrome, down-regulation of the insulin signaling leads to insulin-regulated metabolism and cardiovascular dyfunctions. Free fatty acids (FFAs) in the circulation are increased in this disorder and inhibit insulin signaling. Lipid oversupply contributes to the development of insulin resistance, likely by promoting the accumulation of lipid metabolites capable of inhibiting signal transduction.

[Hyperlipidemia induced by high fat diet ingestion activates TGF-beta/Smad signaling pathway in the kidney of diabetic rats].

Objective: To investigate the effect of diet-induced hyperlipidemia on TGF-beta/Smad signaling pathway in the kidney of diabetic rats, and to explore the mechanism by which hyperlipidemia leads to renal injury in diabetes.

Methods: Diabetic rats and non-diabetic rats were fed with normal fat diet and high fat diet for 16 weeks, respectively. The expressions of TGF-beta1, TbetaRII, and Col-IV mRNA in the renal cortex were examined by reverse transcriptase-PCR,TbetaRII and p-Smad staining in glomerular cells were detected by immunohistochemical staining, and the expression of TGF-beta1 and Col-IV protein was determined by Western blot.

[Effect of rosiglitazone on NO and eNOS via PI3K/PKB signal pathways in cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells].

Objective: To observe the effect of rosiglitazone on the production of nitric oxide (NO) and the expression of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (PKB) /the endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) in cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells(HUVECs), and to investigate the mechanism of signal transduction of rosiglitazone in improving the endothelial function.

Methods: HUVECs were treated with various concentrations of rosiglitazone. The NO level was measured using Griess Reaction in cell culture supernatants; the expressions of PI3K-, PKB- and eNOS mRNA were measured using RT-PCR; and the expressions of PKB, eNOS, and phosphorylation of PKB-Ser473, eNOS-Ser1177 were measured using Western Blot.

[Changes of endothelium-dependent vasodilation in patients with impaired glucose tolerance and type 2 diabetes].

Objective: To investigate the changes of endothelium-dependent flow-mediated dilation (FMD) in patients with impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) and Type 2 diabetes (T2DM) and its influencing factors.

Methods: The patients with IGT and T2DM were divided into IGT group (n=36), T2DM without vascular complication group (DM1;n=57), and T2DM with vascular complication group (DM2;n=31). And 25 normal subjects served as controls (NC group).

[Aortic endothelium-dependent vasodilation function and PI3K-, PKB-, eNOS mRNA expressions in insulin-resistant and type 2 diabetic rats].

Objective: To observe the changes of aortic endothelium-dependent vasodilation function (EDVR) and expressions of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K), and protein kinase B (PKB) in insulin-resistance (IR) and type 2 diabetic rats.

Methods: IR rat model was established by feeding 4-6 week-old male SD rats with high glucose and cholesterol diet for 6 weeks and type 2 diabetes (DM) were induced by intraperitoneal injection with low dose streptozotocin (STZ) to IR rats. Glucose infusion rate (GIR) was determined by euglycemic hyperinsulinemic clamp technique, EDVR by acetylcholine (Ach)-induced vasodilation response in isolated aortic rings, aortic NO concentration by Griess Reaction, activation of eNOS detected by immunohistochemical SP method, mRNA expressions of eNOS-, PI3K- and PKB of aorta were assayed by RT-PCR, aorta ultrastructure observed by electron microscopy.

[Effect of plasma glucose on the vascular endothelial function and analysis of relevant factors].

Objective: To compare the flow-mediated dilatation (FMD) among the newly diagnosed impaired glucose tolerance (IGT), type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), and the normal controls (NC) and to analyze relevant factors under different glucose levels.

Methods: The study included IGT (n=34), DM1 (n=52), DM2 (n=33) and NC (n=25). Levels of fasting plasma glucose (FPG), 2-hour postprandial plasma glucose (PPG), fasting insulin (FINS), 2-hour postprandial insulin (PINS), triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), and hemoglobin A1C (HbA1C) were determined in all participants.

[Effects of rosiglitazone on endothelium-dependent vasodilation in patients with Type 2 diabetes].

Objective: To investigate the effects of rosiglitazone on endothelium-dependent vasodilation in patients with Type 2 diabetes.

Methods: Eighty-three newly diagnosed patients with Type 2 diabetes were divided into metformin group (metformin 750 mg/d), therapeutic alliance group (rosiglitazone 4 mg/d and metformin 750 mg/d), and rosiglitazone group (rosiglitazone 4 mg/d), and 25 normal subjects were as the control group. All patients were treated for 12 weeks.

[Effects of rosiglitazone on the IMTc and serum MMP-9 levels in newly diagnosed type 2 diabetic patients].

Objective: To investigate the change of carotid intima-media thickness (IMTc) and serum matrix metalloproteinases-9 (MMP-9) levels in newly diagnosed Type 2 diabetic patients, and to analyze the relationship between MMP-9 and IMTc; at the same time, to assess the effect of rosiglitazone on IMTc and MMP-9 levels.

Methods: Fifty-eight patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus were selected in our study, and 25 healthy adults served as normal controls. Diabetic patients were divided into 2 groups: Group A (31 subjects) were treated with rosiglitazone (4 mg/d), and Group B (27 subjects) were treated with metformin alone (500 approximately 1,500 mg/d).

[Effects of simvastatin on TGF-beta system of diabetic rat kidneys].

Objective: To investigate the effects and mechanism of renal benefit of simvastatin on diabetic rat kidneys.

Methods: Twenty STZ-induced SD rats and 10 normal rats were assigned to diabetic rat (DM) group, simvastatin [ 4 mg/( kg x d) ] treatment (S) group and normal control (C) group. Immunohistochemistry, RT-PCR and western-blot were employed to examine the changes of the mRNA and protein expression of TGF-beta1 and Tbeta II R in the kidneys of the rats.

[Isolation, induction and differentiation of human blood-derived endothelia progenitor cells].

Objective: To determine the biological traits and optimal condition for the induction and differentiation of endothelial progenitor cells from peripheral blood in healthy adults.

Methods: Mononuclear cells isolated from peripheral blood of healthy adults were cultured in M199 medium supplemented with VEGF, bFGF, IGF-1, and EGF. The appearing time of cell clusters or spindle-shaped cells was recorded respectively.

[Angiotensin converting enzyme gene polymorphism and type 2 diabetic retinopathy].

Objective: To prospectively clarify the relationship between angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) gene insertion/deletion (I/D) polymorphism and diabetic retinopathy (DR) in Type 2 diabetic patients.

Methods: A 6-year prospectively study was designed to investigate the change of retina of 72 Type 2 diabetic patients without retinopathy . All patients suffered from diabetes mellitus for more than 5 years and matched well in age, body mass index (BMI), mean arterial pressure (MAP), and fasting blood glucose (FBG).

[High-sensitive C-reactive protein and Type 2 diabetic nephropathy].

Objective: To prospectively investigate the relationship between high-sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and Type 2 diabetic nephropathy.

Methods: We assayed serum hs-CRP concentration in 55 normal controls, 66 Type 2 diabetic patients without diabetic nephropathy (DN) and 68 Type 2 diabetic patients with DN by ELISA. A 5-year prospective study was designed to investigate the changes of urinary albumin excretion (UAE), serum hs-CRP concentration, and kidney funciton in targeted intervention including blood glucose and blood pressure in 58 diabetic patients without DN at the baseline.