Expressions of 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) and NF-κB in frozen sections of kidney.

<p>Localization of 8-OHdG and NF-κB in frozen sections was determined by immunofluorescence (IF) (×200) with 8-OHdG antibody (green) and NF-κB antibody (red).</p

Pathological findings in the sham operation group and the 5/6 nephrectomized rats treated with or without rhubarb enema (hematoxylin and eosin stain, ×100).

<p>Pathological findings in the sham operation group and the 5/6 nephrectomized rats treated with or without rhubarb enema (hematoxylin and eosin stain, ×100).</p

Superoxide dismutase activity assays.

<p>Sham operation group rats showed higher SOD values, but SOD activity in 5/6 nephrectomized rats (5/6Nx) was significantly decreased. <i>*P</i> < 0.05 vs sham group. The value of SOD activity in the group treated with rhubarb enema was significantly higher than that in the 5/6Nx group. ^<i>#</i><i>P</i> < 0.05 vs 5/6Nx group.</p

Pathological findings in sham and 5/6Nx rats treated with and without rhubarb enema (Masson’s stain, ×100).

<p>Pathological findings in sham and 5/6Nx rats treated with and without rhubarb enema (Masson’s stain, ×100).</p

Expression of NF-κB in kidney tissues.

<p>(A) Western-blot analysis of NF-κB in kidney tissues. Lane 1 is the sham operation group, lane 2 is the 5/6 nephrectomized group, and lane 3 is the 5/6 nephrectomized with rhubarb enema treatment group. (B) NF-κB protein levels. Data are expressed vs. β-actin and were compared by analysis of variance. *<i>P</i> < 0.05 vs. sham operation group. ^#<i>P</i> < 0.05 vs. 5/6 nephrectomized group.</p

Effects of BM-MSC-derived conditioned medium samples on paracrine cell proliferation and migration.

<p>Equal numbers of keratinocytes, fibroblasts and HUVECs were incubated with vehicle control medium, norCM or hypoCM. Cell proliferation was evaluated at indicated time points (A, C and E). Data are given as the means±the SEM; *<i>p</i>< 0.05 compared with the vehicle control or the norCM group. #<i>p</i>< 0.05 the vehicle control compared with the norCM group. Equal numbers of keratinocytes, fibroblasts, HUVECs and CD14+ monocytes were added to the upper chambers of 24-well transwell plates, with the indicated medium added to the lower chambers (n = 4 wells per treatment). Cells that migrated to the bottom of the filter were stained and evaluated (B, D, F and G). Data are given as the means± the SEM;*<i>p</i>< 0.05 compared with the vehicle control or the norCM group. #<i>p</i>< 0.05 the vehicle control compared with the norCM group.</p

IHC evaluation of wounded mouse skin.

<p>Wound sections were evaluated on day 11 by staining with anti-Ki67 and anti-F4/80 antibodies. The numbers of Ki67+ proliferating cells (A, C) and recruited F4/80+ macrophages (B, D) in each of 4 randomly chosen high-power fields in the dermis were counted. Scale bar, 100 µm (400×). Data are expressed as the mean±the SEM;^*<i>p</i><0.05 compared with the vehicle control or the norCM group.</p

Sequence of RT-PCR primers.

<p>Sequence of RT-PCR primers.</p

Proliferation of BM-MSCs in serum-containing complete culture medium (A) and serum-free α-MEM (B).

<p>Cell proliferation were examined under conditions of hypoxia or normoxia. Data are given as the means± the SEM; *<i>p</i>< 0.05 compared with the norCM group at indicated time points. #<i>p</i>< 0.05 compared with indicated earlier time points.</p

Auricular Acupressure on Specific Points for Hemodialysis Patients with Insomnia: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial

<div><p>Objectives</p><p>To assess the feasibility and acceptability of a randomized controlled trial compared auricular acupressure (AA) on specific acupoints with AA on non-specific acupoints for treating maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) patients with insomnia.</p><p>Methods</p><p>Sixty three (63) eligible subjects were randomly assigned into either AA group received AA on specific acupoints (n=32), or sham AA (SAA) group received AA on points irrelevant to insomnia treatment (n=31) for eight weeks. All participants were followed up for 12 weeks after treatments. The primary outcome was clinical response at eight weeks after randomization, defined as a reduction of Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) global score by 3 points and more.</p><p>Results</p><p>Fifty-eight (58) participants completed the trial and five dropped out. Twenty participants in AA group (62.5%) and ten in SAA group (32.3%) responded to the eight-week interventions (χ² = 5.77, <i>P</i> = 0.02). PSQI global score declined 3.75 ± 4.36 (95%CI -5.32, -2.18) and 2.26 ± 3.89 (95%CI -3.68, -0.83) in AA group and SAA group respectively. Three participants died during the follow-up period. No evidence supported their deaths were related to the AA intervention. No other adverse event was observed.</p><p>Conclusion</p><p>Feasibility and logistics of patient recruitment, randomization procedure, blinding approach, interventions application and outcome assessment had been tested in this pilot trial. The preliminary data appeared to show a favorable result on AA treatment. A full-scale trial is warranted.</p><p>Trial Registration</p><p>Chinese Clinical Trial Registry <a href="http://www.chictr.org/cn/proj/show.aspx?proj=2863" target="_blank">ChiCTR-TRC-12002272</a>.</p></div