TET2 mediated demethylation is involved in the protective effect of triptolide on podocytes.

The epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is usually considered the central mechanism of podocyte injury that eventually leads to proteinuria. We used an TGF-β1 induced podocyte EMT model and an rat focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) model to uncover the mechanism underlying the protective effect of triptolide (TP) on podocytes. We found that TP could reverse the podocyte EMT process and upregulate the expression of TET2 in the TGF-β1-induced podocyte injury model.

Synthetic self-assembled homogeneous network hydrogels with high mechanical and recoverable properties for tissue replacement.

Development of hydrogels with high mechanical and recoverable properties under physiological conditions is of great importance for broadening and improving their potential applications in load-bearing artificial soft tissues. Inspired by the self-assembly of chemical entities, homogeneous network hydrogels, which contain over 90 wt% water, were synthesized via covalent cross-linking of poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) and poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) (PVP) triggered by microwave-assisted treatment. A structurally homogeneous network results in an evenly distributed stress that endures high strains with minimal energy dissipation, which enable the hydrogels to withstand up to 1.

Association between tongue coating thickness and clinical characteristics among idiopathic membranous nephropathy patients.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Tongue coating diagnosis is a useful tool to examine the changes of a human body in Chinese Medicine. Tongue coating varies in thickness in kidney disease. However, little information exists regarding the association between clinical characters and tongue coating thickness in CKD patients.