Spermatogenesis is a complex process. Current knowledge about human spermatogenesis is mainly based on the mouse model while little is known about the initial stage of this fundamental process in humans. The establishment of the model of spermatogenesis in vitro may contribute to an overall understanding of male germ cell development, an insight into the mechanisms of infertility, and clinical management of male infertility. This review summarizes current knowledge about the generation of germ cell-like cells from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) in vitro and discusses the potential application of iPSCs in the treatment of male infertility.
Animals ; Cell Differentiation ; Germ Cells ; Humans ; Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells ; Infertility, Male ; therapy ; Male ; Mice ; Spermatogenesis

The Wnt pathway plays a crucial role in skeletal development and is indispensable for determination of OS cell lines. In recent years, experimental evidences on Wnt signaling pathway in OS cell lines and OS animal models, and that of Wnt signaling pathway as a diagnosis and prognosis marker of OS suggested that Wnt signaling pathway plays an important role in the progression, invasion and metastasis of OS. In addition, the strategy and safety evaluation to target Wnt to treat OS are underway. Exploring the significant role of Wnt signaling pathway in OS may aid in personalizing therapeutics to increase patient survival.

Objective To investigate the methods and therapeutic effects of anterolateral thigh perforator free flaps for reconstruction of soft tissue defects around the ankle.Methods A retrospective case series study was made on 30 patients treated with anterolateral thigh perforator free flaps for traumatic soft tissue defects around the tibia between January 2010 and June 2016.There were 22 males and eight females,with the age range of 16-58 years [(41.5 ± 1.2) years].Dimension of the soft tissue defect ranged from 9 cm ×4 cm to 23 cm × 12 cm.Flap stabilization time,flap survival rate,postoperative complications,second plastic surgery rate,and ankle joint function by Baird-Jackson score were recorded.Results All patients were followed up for (13.0 ± 5.4) months (range,6-24 months).Time for flap stabilization was (6.5 ± 1.1) days.All flaps survived except in one patients with flap loss due to postoperative arterial thrombosis.Postoperatively,one patient had arterial crisis,one had venous thrombosis,and one presented sinus formation due to infection.No second plastic surgery was carried out.According to the Baird-Jackson score,the results were excellent in 25 patients and good in five.Conclusion Anterolateral thigh perforator free flaps for reconstruction of traumatic soft tissue defects around the tibia has advantages of easy harvesting and survival,less postoperative complications,less second surgery,and good function recovery.

Objective To review 2006-2007 AIDS response in China by applying the indicators of "Monitoring & Evaluation Plan of AIDS Response". Method Data from the national AIDS routine reporting system and special survey in line with the definitions of the indicators and standardized methods were summarized,classified and analyzed; mid-term targets or indicator value of 2005 were employed as comparison. Results The 2007 result of the national HIV sentinel surveillance showed that the HIV prevalence among female sex workers,injecting drug users,men who have sex with men and pregnant women was 0.0%,1.9%,3.1% and 0.0% respectively;the data from the national HIV comprehensive response information system showed that by the end of 2007,72.8% of the adults and children with advanced HIV infection had received antiretroviral therapy (ART) ,and 83.6% of the ART receivers survived after 12 month treatment. Conclusion Indicators of the "Monitoring & Evaluation Plan" are able to reflect the outcomes and achievements of 2006-2007 HIV/AIDS response in China,which has made good progress and has fulfilled the mid-term targets as defined by the Plan.

BACKGROUND: It has reported that nicotinamide is capable of protecting intervertebral disc (IVD) against interleukin-1β (IL-1β) or tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) induced degeneration. However, the protective mechanism of nicotinamide on IVD cells apoptosis and proliferation remains unclear.OBJECTIVE: To investigate regulatory effects of nicotinamide on rabbit nucleus pulposus cell apoptosis and proliferation in vitro.DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING: Randomized control grouping design, which was carried out in the Laboratory of Orthopaedics and Stem Cell Center, Union Hospital Affiliated to Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology from April to October 2007.MATERIALS: Ten Japanese white rabbits (aged 2-3 months weighing 1.5-2.0 kg) were used in this study. Furthermore, nucleus pulposus cells obtained from L1-6 lumbar spine were harvested and cultured for further experiments.METHODS: The NP cells were divided into 6 groups, including control group (without any drug as control), nicotinamide group (0.5 g/L nicotinamide), IL-1β group (10 μg/L IL-1β), IL-1β + caspase group (10 μg/L IL-1β and non-specific caspase inhibitor Z-VAD-FMK), IL-1β + small-dose nicotinamide group (10 μg/L IL-1β and 0.05 g/L nicotinamide), and IL-1β + large-dose nicotinamide group (10 μg/L IL-1β and 0.5 g/L nicotinamide). After 3 days of culture, the cells were examined with Annexin V-PI staining, caspase-3, 8 and 9 activity staining and MTT assay.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The apoptotic rates, the positive rates of caspase-3, 8 and 9 activity staining and the absorbance of MTT assay of each group.RESULTS: ① As compared to IL-1β group, the apoptotic rates were decreased in the IL-1β + caspase group and IL-1β + large-dose nicotinamide group (P < 0.01). ②As compared to IL-1β group, the positive rates of caspase-3, 8 and 9 activity staining were decreased in the IL-1β + caspase group, IL-1β + large-dose and small-dose nicotinamide groups (P < 0.01 or P < 0.01). ③As compared to IL-1β group, the absorbance was increased in the IL-1β + caspase group and IL-1β + large-dose nicotinamide group (P < 0.01).CONCLUSION: Nicotinamide is capable of promoting cell proliferation and inhibiting IL-1β induced apoptosis of nucleus pulposus cells in vitro. The inhibition of apoptosis mainly acts via inhibition of the mitochondrial pathway.

Objective To evaluate a modified liver hanging maneuver(retrohepatic tunnel of the IVC) in patients undergoing hemihepatectomy.Methods Twenty-four patients undergoing hemihepatectomy were divided into two groups:modified liver hanging maneuver group(n=12)and Pringle's maneuver group(n=12).The amount of intraoperative bleeding,operation time,postoperative liver function,liver function recovery and complications were compared between the two groups.Reset All operation were performed successfully and there were no difference in the time of operation etween the two groups.There was a difierence in the amount of mean intraoperative blood loss between the two groups.It was(160±40)ml in liver hanging group and(560±120)ml in Pringle's group(P＜0.01).Liver function recovery measured on postoperative day 3 and day 7 was better in liver hanging groupthan that in Pringle's group(P＜0.01).The volume of postoperative peritoneal serous fluid dranage was significantly less in liver hanging group(P＜0.01).Conclusion The modified liver hanging maneuver is useful for hemihepatectomy.

Objective To review the clinical data of reduction mammoplasty by central pedicle technique,and to summarize all kinds of the complications to modify the technique for improvement of long term aesthetic effects.Methods The postoperative complications were analyzd and then an approach was used to investigate the pattern of the blood supply and the nerve distribution of breast.Based on the anatomical study,a modified double-circle reduction mammoplasty technique was designed to treat patients with hypertrophical breasts. Results With a follow-up for 3 months to 3 years,the patients who underwent this modified central pedicle technique,had an invisible scar,good projection,the better shape of breast and preserved their sensation of nipple-areola complex.Conclusions Modified central pedicle technique is a safe and reliable technique,especially ideal for Chinese women.The blood supply is rich and the sensation of nipple-areola complex is preserved.The fixation of the gland tissue is more important than the dermal-bra.

Objective To evaluate the impact of pancreatic duct hanging and continuous suturing maneuver in end-to-side pancreaticojejunostomy on the incidence of pancreatic fistula after pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD),and to study the feasibility,safety and efficacy.Method 165 patients who underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy were randomly selected and the incidences of pancreatic fistula for the different types of pancreaticojejunostomy were analyzed.Results The overall rate of pancreatic fistula was 13.9％ (23/165).The incidences of pancreatic fistula after pancreatic duct hanging and continuous suturing maneuver in end-to-side anastomosis (3.1％,2/65,group C) was significantly lower than the traditional intussusception anastomosis (23.1％,12/52,group A,P＜0.05) and the mucosa mucosa anastomosis (18.8％,9/48,group B).There was no significant difference between the traditional intussusception anastomosis and the mucosa mucosa anastomosis (P＞0.05).In group C,the average operative time,intraoperative blood loss,and postoperative drainage was obviously superior to the A and B group (P＜0.05).There was no significant difference between the A and B group (P＞0.05).The other complications showed no significant differences among the three groups (P＞0.05).Conclusion Pancreatic-duct hanging and continuous suturing maneuver in end-to-side anastomosis significantly reduced the rate of pancreatic fistula after pancreaticoduedenectomy.It was feasible,safe,convenient to use and should be popularized.

Objective To evaluate the effectiveness of three neurological assessments in experimental autoim?mune encephalomyelitis. Methods Thirty-two female C57BL/6 mice (18-20g) were randomly divided into normal group (n=15) and immune group (n=17). Immune group were induced subcutaneously in the flank by emulsion consisted of MOG33-35 and complete Freund’s adjuvant. Mice were assessed by two investigators for 35 days after immunization in a blinded manner using Kono’s 5-point criterion, Weaver’s 15-point criterion and improved 15-point criterion. Based on H&E staining, we analyzed the accuracy, sensibility and dependency of three assessments. Results 35-day clini?cal-score plots revealed that the fluctuation of symptoms was more obvious in improved 15-point criterion compared with the other two criteria. 15-point criterion and improved 15-point criterion are more accurate than 5-point criterion in atypical-onset EAE. 15-point criterion and improved 15-point criterion could detect the neurological deficits much earli?er than 5-point criterion (P<0.001). Neurological scores assessed by improved 15-point were well correlated with the pathological findings during the peak and remission stage. Conclusion Improved 15-point criterion is better neurological score system than Kono’s 5-point criterion and Weaver’s 15-point criterion because of its accurate assessment of the neurological deficits in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis.

Objective To study the possible relationships between expression of matrix metalloproteinase(MMP)2,9 and the pathogenesis of preeclampsia in which trophoblast invasion is impaired. Methods MMP-2,9 expression were detected by immunohistochemistry streptavidin-biotin complex (SABC)method in 20 normal term placentae and 20 preeclampsia placentae,respectively.In addition, mRNAs for MMP-2,9 were analyzed by real time PCR in both groups.Results The intensities of both MMP-2 and MMP-9 immunostaining in preeclampsia placentae were significantly declined compared to those of normal term placentae(P