ABSTRACT Purpose: To investigate the effect of genistein on inflammation and mitochondrial function of diabetic nephropathy. Methods: Diabetic nephropathy model was established in Sprague-Dawley rats. Automatic biochemical analyzer was employed to detect the kidney function index, serum creatinine, serum urea nitrogen, and 24 h-urine protein and blood glucose. Hematoxylin and eosin staining and periodic acid Schiff staining were used to observe renal morphology. Mitochondrial changes and podocyte integrity were monitored by transmission electron microscope. The expression levels of mfn2, NOX4, P53, MAPK, and NF-κB were detected by Western blotting. The changes of mitochondrial membrane potential were measured by JC-1. The level of mfn2 was assessed by immunofluorescence assay. Results: Genistein ameliorated the kidney function with reduced Scr and blood glucose. The expressions of NOX4, MAPK, p65 and p53 were downregulated, while the expression of mnf2 was the opposite in genistein-treated kidneys. Further investigations revealed that genistein reduced expansion of mesangial matrix and oxidative stress, protected podocyte integrity and increased mitochondrial membrane potential. Conclusions: Genistein could alleviate diabetic nephropathy through inhibiting MAPK/NF-κB pathway, improving mitochondrial function and anti-inflammatory.

High specific surface area activated carbon prepared by Perilla frutescens (PFHSAAC) was modified on the surface of the glassy carbon electrode (GCE) by drop-coating method to construct a PFHSAAC/GCE. The electrochemical properties of the modified electrode were investigated in detail by some electrochemical methods such as cyclic voltammetry (CV), differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). Experiment results show that the modified electrode has excellent redox activity and distinction capability toward the two isomers of catechol (CC) and hydroquinone (HQ). The separation of oxidation peak potential for HQ and CC of DPV is 112.8 mV. Under the optimal conditions, the oxidation peak currents of HQ and CC show good linear relationships with their concentrations in the ranges of 1.0 × 10-6-2.0 × 10-4 and 1.0 × 10-6-1.5 × 10-4 mol L-1, respectively. The limits of detection for HQ and CC are 3.57 × 10-7 and 4.23 × 10-7 mol L-1, respectively. The PFHSAAC/GCE exhibits good stability, repeatability and sensitivity. The developed method was used to determine HQ and CC in water samples with best results.

Background: Acute ischemic stroke in adults was given an Explicit Guarantee of diagnosis and treatment (GES) with Clinical Guidelines in 2007 as part of the on-going Chilean National Health Reform. Aim: To evaluate the adherence to official guidelines with regard to the use of diagnostic methods for patients with acute ischemic stroke during their stay in a public hospital. Patients and Methods: The study included a review of the medical records of 101 patients aged 70 ±13 years (49 males and 52 females) diagnosed with acute ischemic stroke and discharged within August and September of 2008 and 2009 from a public hospital. Three trained ob-servers independently determined the degree of dependency of patients at discharge using the Modified Rankin score. The completion of recommended diagnostic tests (electrocardiogram, carotid Doppler ultrasound and echocardiogram) as well as their overuse was evaluated. Results: Ten patients died before discharge, 38% were discharged with and 52% were discharged without disabilities. Nineteen percent of patients with a Modified Rankin score of two or less (corresponding to a slight disability) had a complete diagnostic workup, compared with 87% of patients with a score of 3 to 5 (moderate to severe disability). In 27% of the patients, there was an overuse of diagnostic tests. No association between the diagnostic test use adequacy and year of discharge was observed. Conclusions: There exists a disparity between the recommended diagnostic testing and the actual tests completed among patients with acute ischemic stroke.