AIM:To investigate the protective effect of losartan(Los) on apoptosis of H9c2 cells induced by isoprenaline(ISO),and to discover its related mechanism.METHODS:H9c2 cells cultured on plastic plates were divided into control,ISO,ISO+Los,ISO+Los+LY294002 and DMSO groups.Cell apoptosis was evaluated by flow cytometery and agarose gel electrophoresis.The mRNA levels of bax,bcl-2 and caspase-9 were detected by RT-PCR and the expressions of phosphorylated and total Akt(p-Akt and t-Akt) were assessed by Western blotting.The cAMP was measured by radioimmunoassay.RESULTS:ISO at concentration of 10 ?mol/L induced apoptosis of H9c2 with an increase in bax/bcl-2,caspase-9 and cAMP.Addition of 10 ?mol/L losartan inhibited apoptosis obviously with a decrease in bax/bcl-2,caspase-9 and cAMP.A significant increase in p-Akt was observed,and its protein level was elevated.LY294002 at concentration of 1 ?mol/L abolished the protective effects of losartan on ISO-induced apoptosis in H9c2 cells.CONCLUSION:ISO might induce H9c2 cell apoptosis through stimulation of ?-adrenergic receptor(?-AR).Los inhibits downstream signaling of ?-AR,and promotes the activation of Akt.Subsequently it might attenuate the apoptosis induced by ?-adrenergic stimulation of ISO.

AIM: To investigate the feasibility and clinical effect of punctoplasty by using trabeculectomy punch combined with a novel RS tube for the treatment of punctal stenosis.METHODS: Totally 39 patients (39 eyes) with punctual stenosis were selected from October 2013 to October 2015 in the Second People`s Hospital of Foshan.All patients underwent punctoplasty by using trabeculectomy punch combined with a novel RS tube.These tubes were removed at 3mo after operation.A follow-up of 6mo was taken for final analysis.The fluorescein dye disappearance test score was recorded before the operation and at 1,3 and 6mo after the extubation.The curative effect of the operation at 6mo after the extubation was assess.RESULTS: Fluorescein dye disappearance test: the scores at 1,3 and 6mo after the extubation all decreased compared with the preoperative ones.The difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).At the last following up, 35 eyes (90%) were cured completely, 4 eyes (10%) were improved significantly, no patients recurred.Effective rate was 100%.No serious intraoperative and postoperative complications happened.CONCLUSION: Punctoplasty by using trabeculectomy punch combined with novel RS tubes is a safe and effective method for the punctul stenosis, which is easy to perform, with high success rate.

Objective: To discuss the effect and safety of continuous pumping for home enteral nutrition after esophagectomy. Methods: The current study retrospectively analyzed the esophageal cancer patients who underwent transthoracic esophagectomy between January 2017 and November 2017 at First Department of Thoracic Surgery, Peking University Cancer Hospital and Institute. There were totally 108 cases, including 88 males and 20 females, with an average age of 62 years. The patients were divided into pump feeding group (n=56) and traditional tube feeding group (n=52). The postoperative short-term safety, weight maintenance, enteral nutrition tolerance and nutritional support complete rate of the 2 groups were compared by χ² test, Fisher exact test and t test, respectively. Results: Compared with traditional tube feeding group, the patient safety in pumping feeding group was significantly better, with complications within 2 months after discharge were 11/52 and 4/56 respectively (χ²=2.393, P=0.035); the weight maintenance was significantly better, the weight loss within 4 weeks after discharge were 3.90 kg and 0.13 kg, respectively (t=7.720, P=0.000); the general enteral complications were significantly lower (26/52 vs. 5/56, χ²=22.225, P=0.000), the nutritional support complete rate was significantly higher (23/52 vs. 55/56, χ²=39.167, P=0.000). Conclusions Continuous pump feeding enteral nutrition support after discharge postoperatively could help improve patient safety after discharge, which is better for weight maintenance of the patients. Pump feeding could also enhance tolerability of tube feeding and ensure the effective accomplishment of nutritional support.

It has been a long time since ultrasound hyperthermia began to be used in the clinical management of cancers and benign diseases. Numerous biological and clinical investigations have demonstrated that: hyperthermia in the range of 41-45 degrees C can significantly enhance clinical response to radiation therapy and chemotherapy, and high-temperature hyperthermia (greater than 65 degrees C) alone is now being used as an alternative to conventional invasive surgery for selective tissue destruction, causing tumor coagulation and necrosis. As a promising noninvasive and effective local therapy, HIFU has attracted great attention. China is advanced in the clinical applications of HIFU. This article gives an introduction of the development and applications of ultrasound hyperthermia technology, and also provides a general review of a selection of ultrasound hyperthermia systems both in clinical use and under development.
Equipment Design ; Humans ; Hyperthermia, Induced ; instrumentation ; methods ; Neoplasms ; therapy ; Ultrasonics ; Ultrasound, High-Intensity Focused, Transrectal

OBJECTIVETo investigate the expressions of cadherin molecules CDH18 and PCDH17 in normal and azoospermic human testes and their significance.

METHODSWe studied the routine pathological slices of normal and non-obstructive azoospermic human testis tissues for changes in the tight junction of Sertoli-germ cells, and identified the differential gene expression profiles of the normal and azoospermic testis tissues using cDNA microarrays containing multiple cadherin molecules. The results were confirmed by Western blot.

RESULTSAbnormal tight junction of the Sertoli-germ cells was observed in 37.5% of the azoospermic testis samples, and obvious changes were seen in the expressions of some cadherin molecules, with down-regulation of CDH18 and PCDH17.

CONCLUSIONCadherin molecules such as CDH18 and PCDH17 may play a certain role in the development and progression of azoospermia, which might be related with the abnormal tight junction of the Sertoli-germ cells.

Adult ; Azoospermia ; metabolism ; Cadherins ; metabolism ; Cells, Cultured ; Down-Regulation ; Gene Expression Profiling ; Humans ; Male ; Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis ; Sertoli Cells ; metabolism ; Testis ; cytology ; metabolism ; Tight Junctions ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the expression of COX10 mRNA in the testes of non-obstructive azoospermia patients and normal men.

METHODSA cDNA microarray containing COX10 and some other genes as RBM and EIF1AY was used to identify the differential gene expression profiles in the normal and azoospermic testes. The cDNA probes were prepared by labeling mRNA from azoospermic and normal testis tissues with Cy5-dUTP and Cy3-dUTP respectively through reverse transcription. The mixed cDNA probes were then hybridized with cDNA microarray. Later the fluorescent signals were scanned and the values of Cy5-dUTP and Cy3-dUTP on each spot were calculated and analyzed. After that an ISH was employed to detect the expression of COX10 mRNA in 10 fertile and 39 non-obstructive azoospermic testes, and the expression levels were compared to evaluate the significance.

RESULTSWe obtained 128 differentially expressed genes that might be related with azoospermia, among which 56 were up-regulated and 72 down-regulated, with the expression of COX10 significantly decreased. In situ hybridization confirmed that the mRNA expression of COX10 was stronger in the spermatogenic cells of the normal fertile than the azoospermic testes.

CONCLUSIONCOX10 may play a certain role in the development and progression of azoospermia. The technique of cDNA microarray can be applied to further studies of screening non-obstructive azoospermia associated genes.

Alkyl and Aryl Transferases ; genetics ; metabolism ; Azoospermia ; genetics ; metabolism ; Electron Transport Complex IV ; Gene Expression Profiling ; Humans ; In Situ Hybridization ; Male ; Membrane Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis ; Testis ; metabolism

BACKGROUNDTuberculum sellae meningiomas (TSMs) present a special symptom because of the adherence and compression to the optic nerve, optic artery, and the chiasm. A significant number of patients with TSMs appear visual deficits. This study aimed to investigate the surgical indications of exploring the optic canal and visual prognostic factors in the neurosurgical treatment of TSMs.

METHODSTotally 21 patients with TSM, who were operated from September 2007 to August 2011 in the Department of Neurosurgery, Tongren Hospital were enrolled in this study. Results of orbital computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), visual acuity, Goldmann visual field test, orbital color Doppler flow imaging (CDI) test in these patients were retrospectively analyzed.

RESULTSVisual deficit and optic canal involvement (OCI) were detected in all the 21 patients. Fourteen patients had bone proliferation within the area of the optic canal. After the operation, visual outcomes were improved in 13 patients, unchanged in 7 patients, and deteriorated in 1 patient. All the 21 patients performed orbital CDI test preoperatively, the results showed that if the peak systolic velocity (PSV) of central retinal artery (CRA) value was ≤ 8 cm/s, the visual outcome would be better.

CONCLUSIONSThe surgical indications of exploring optic canal in TSM cases included: (1) The neuroimaging evidences of OCI (CT and/or MRI); (2) PSV of CRA in orbital CDI test was ≤ 8 cm/s; (3) visual acuity was below 0.1; (4) visual field deficit. The PSV of CRA in CDI test could be a prognostic factor for visual outcomes of TSMs.

Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Meningeal Neoplasms ; pathology ; surgery ; Meningioma ; pathology ; surgery ; Middle Aged ; Neurosurgical Procedures ; methods ; Retrospective Studies ; Sella Turcica ; pathology ; surgery ; Skull Base Neoplasms ; pathology ; surgery ; Visual Acuity

BACKGROUNDFenvalerate (FEN) has been demonstrated to be a reproductive toxicant in humans and rodents. However, little is known about whether short-term exposure to low-dose FEN produces reproductive toxicity.

METHODSWe administered FEN (0.009 375, 0.1875, 3.750, or 45.00 mg×kg(-1)×d(-1) by gavage for 30 days) to male ICR mice and compared reproductive toxicity parameters between groups receiving different concentrations of FEN. Reproductive toxicity was evaluated by computer-assisted semen quality analysis (CASA), chlortetracycline (CTC) assay, and histopathology.

RESULTSThe sperm morphology and testis histology of FEN-exposed mice (all doses) were similar to that in controlling mice. Exposure to FEN at a concentration of 0.1875 mg×kg(-1)×d(-1) decreased sperm path straightness (STR) and linearity (LIN) (both P < 0.05), but had no significant impact on average path velocity (VAP), straight line velocity (VSL), curvilinear velocity (VCL), lateral amplitude (ALH), beat cross frequency (BCF), or progressive motility (MOT). FEN reduced the rate of mouse sperm capacitation in a dose-dependent manner.

CONCLUSIONThe present results demonstrate that exposure to low-dose FEN for 30 days reduces semen quality and sperm capacitation in adult mice.

Animals ; Body Weight ; drug effects ; Humans ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred ICR ; Nitriles ; pharmacology ; Organ Size ; drug effects ; Pyrethrins ; pharmacology ; Semen ; drug effects ; Semen Analysis ; Sperm Motility ; drug effects ; Testis ; drug effects

BACKGROUNDIlexonin A (IA), purified from the Chinese herbal medicine Maodongqing (Ilex pubescens Hook, et Arn) has been commonly used in south China to treat thrombotic disorders. In this study, we aimed to study the inhibiting effects and mechanism of IA on von Willebrand factor (vWF)-dependent high shear-induced platelet aggregation.

METHODSvWF-dependent high shear (10,800 s(-1)) induced aggregation of platelets obtained from normal donors in the presence or absence of IA was measured by a modified cone-plate viscometer and shear-induced vWF binding was measured by quantitative flow cytometry with monoclonal antibody known to bind exclusively to the C-terminal domain of vWF (LJ-C3) directly labeled with fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC). P-selectin surface expression was also measured by a similar method with FITC conjugated anti-P-selectin monoclonal antibody (WGA1).

RESULTSShear-induced platelet aggregation was inhibited by IA in a dose-dependent manner. The extent of aggregation decreased from (78.6 +/- 4.6)% in the absence of IA to (36.5 +/- 2.1)% in the presence of IA (3.3 mmol/L) (P < 0.0001, n = 9) with a high shear rate of 10800 s(-1). vWF binding and P-selectin expression were also inhibited by IA in a dose dependent manner. The number of binding FITC-LJ-C3 molecules increased after exposure of platelet-rich plasma to a high shear rate of 10800 s(-1) for 6 minutes, but this shear-induced increased binding platelet surface vWF molecules and P-selectin expression can be decreased in the presence of IA.

CONCLUSIONvWF binding and vWF mediated platelet activation, aggregation occurring under high shear rate were inhibited by IA. IA may be a unique antithrombotic drug inhibiting the vWF-GP Ibalpha interaction, and may thus facilitate drug design targeting arterial thrombosis.

Fibrinolytic Agents ; pharmacology ; Flow Cytometry ; Humans ; In Vitro Techniques ; Organic Chemicals ; Platelet Activation ; drug effects ; Platelet Aggregation ; drug effects ; Shear Strength ; von Willebrand Factor ; physiology

OBJECTIVEBotanical characters of germplasm resources of Dioscorea were observed and compared, which could to offer reference for its genetic improvement, germplasm resource identification and classification.

METHODBased on field cultivation, twenty-four morphological traits of ninety-four Dioscorea germplasm resources were observed or determined. And the morphological differences among germplasm resources were compared by principal component analysis and cluster analysis.

RESULTThere were ample morphological diversity in the twenty-four traits, in especially in leaf size and tuber characters of the ninety-four Dioscorea germplasm resources. The first seven principal components which accounted for 80. 957% of total variance were extracted from the principal component analysis. The ninety-four germplasm resources could be divided into four clusters, which belonging to Dioscorea opposite, D. persimili, D. fordii and D. alata respectively.

CONCLUSIONThere were large morphological variation among germplasm resources on Dioscorea. Identification of germplasm resources of Dioscorea should focus on leaf size and tuber characters.

China ; Cluster Analysis ; Dioscorea ; classification ; genetics ; growth & development ; Geography ; Phylogeny ; Plant Leaves ; anatomy & histology ; genetics ; growth & development ; Plant Roots ; anatomy & histology ; genetics ; growth & development ; Plant Stems ; anatomy & histology ; genetics ; growth & development ; Principal Component Analysis