High glucose induces renal tubular epithelial cell senescence by inhibiting autophagic flux.

Autophagy, a cellular degradation process involving the formation and clearance of autophagosomes, is mediated by autophagic proteins, such as microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 (LC3) and sequestosome 1 (p62), and modulated by 3-methyladenine (3-MA) as well as chloroquine (CQ). Senescence, characterised by permanent cell cycle arrest, is marked by proteins such as cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 1 (p21) and tumour protein 53 (p53). This study aims to investigate the relationship between cell senescence and renal function in diabetic kidney disease (DKD) and the effect of autophagy on high-glucose-induced cell senescence.

[Effects of acupuncture pre-conditioning on apoptosis in hippocampal neurons following ischemia-reperfusion injury in aged rats].

Objective: To investigate the effects of acupuncture pre-conditioning on apoptosis in hippocampal neurons following ischemia-reperfusion injury in aged rats.

Methods: A total of 120 senile male Wistar rats aged 19 - 21 months (corresponding to 60-year-old human being) weighting 550 - 710 g were randomly divided into 4 groups (n = 30 each). Cerebral ischemic group: 4-vessel-block was conducted for 4 minutes to establish cerebral ischemic models; Acupuncture pre-conditioning group: electroacupuncture was applied at acupoint Baihui (GV20) with a frequency of 15 Hz and 2 mA for 30 minutes once daily for 5 days.

[Efficacy and delivery outcomes of women underwent double-catheter epidural block during labor].

Objective: To investigate the efficacy and pregnancy outcomes of women receiving double-catheter epidural block in labor analgesia, and compare the results with single-catheter epidural block.

Methods: A double-blind clinical trial was conducted on 206 full-term singleton primiparas, aged 25 - 35 and at the 37 - 42 weeks of gestation who delivered at the Department of Obstetrics, Qingdao Municipal Hospital from August 2006 to December 2008, which were randomly divided into two groups: double-catheter epidural block (group D, n = 103) and single-catheter epidural-block (group S, n = 103). Women in group D were given mixture of 0.