BACKGROUND:The incorporating of zeolites or porous fillers into polymer membranes can improve the pervaporation separation properties of membranes.But the effect mechanism of zeolites or porous fillers on membrane properties needs to be further studied.OBJECTIVE:The study was designed to prepare ZSM-5 zeolite incorporated chitosan membrane by solution blending method to investigate the effecIs of zeolite on membrane pervaporation properties.DESIGN:A controlled observation.SETTING:Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics,Chinese Academy of Sciences.MATERIALS:This study was performed at the Laboratory of New Type Membrane Separation Technology,Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics,Chinese Academy of Sciences in May 2006.Chitosan,with deacetylation degree of 75%-85%,was obtained from Sigma-Aldrich Chemical Company,USA;Dimethyl carbonate(DMC),with purity of 99%,was purchased from Fluka Chemical Company,USA:ZSM-5 zeolite was kindly supplied by Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics,Chinese Academy of Sciences,China;Methanol,with purity＞99.5%,were purchased from Shenyang Lianbang Chemical Company,China.METHODS:ZSM-5 zeolite incorporated chitosan membranes were prepared by solution blending method.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:①Swelling and sorption of ZSM-5 zeolite-incorporated chitosan membranes in the DMC/methanol mixture.②Effects of zeolite content in the membrane and operating temperature on pervaporation properties.RESULTS:Scanning electron mieroscope demonstrated that zeolite was uniformly distributed in the membrane matrix and the membranes were free from possible defects.The separation selectivity of dimethyl carbonate(DMC)/methanol mixtures was dominated by solubility selectivity rathcr than diffusivity selectivity.Swelling degree increased and the permeation flux of the membranes increased significantly with the zeolite content increasing.From the temperature-dependent permcation values,the Arrhenius activation parameten were estimated.CONCLUSION:The pervaporation results indicated that the membranes incorporated with the ZSM-5 zeolite exhibited better separation properties for DMC/methanol mixtures comparing with homogeneous chitosan membranes.

ObjectiveTo explore the expression and clinical significance of Ras-related C3 botulinum toxin substrate 1 (Rac-1) protein and hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α) in breast cancer and their relationship with tumor stage, node metastasis status and hormone receptor status. MethodsImmunohistochemical method was used to detect the expression of Rac-1 and HIF-1α protein in 139 specimens of breast cancer,combined with their clinical pathological characteristics and hormone receptor status for statistical analysis.Results The expression of Rac-1 and HIF-1α in breast cancer tissue were 64.75 ％ and 65.47 ％,respectively.The levels were related with the stage of TNM and histological grade (P ＜ 0.05,P ＜ 0.01).There was no significant correlation between these two proteins'expression and the age of patient,primary pathological location, histologic type and menstruation status of breast cancer patients(P ＞ 0.05). The expression of Rac-1 and HIF-1α had no statistical significance between triple negative breast cancer(TNBC)and non-triple negative breast cancer (NTNBC) patients (x2 =1.1229,x2 =0.1786,P ＞ 0.05); The expression level of Rac-1 was positively correlated with HIF-1α in these breast cancer specimens (rs =0.414,P ＜ 0.01).ConclusionThe expression of Rac-1 is positively correlated with HIF-1α level in breast cancer.The relationship between Rac-1 and HIF-1α might be as a new important marker to estimate the invasion,metastasis extent and prognosis in breast cancer.Blocking the regulation between Rac-1 and HIF-1α might be a new treatment target in breast cancer.

Objective To investigate the effect of soybean isoflavone on histology and uhrastructure of benign prostatic hyperplasia in rats.Methods Male SD rats were injected subcutaneously testosterone propionate for 28 d to induce prostatic hyperplasia,and the rats were divided into 5 groups:control group,model group,and 3 test groups with SI in a dose of 60 mg/(kg·d),120 mg/(kg·d) and 240 mg/(kg·d),respectively.The wet prostate weight,prostatic index,morphological,uhrastmetural and morphometrie changes of the prostatic shndular and interstitial tissues were observed.Results The prostate wet weight,prostatic index and prostatic volumes in all dose groups were significantly lower than those in the models.In comparison with the model group,height of prostatic epithelial cells,glandular average diameters,volumes and surface areas in unit volume,as well as glandular circumferences,glandular relative total volumes and interstitial relative total volumes were all significantly decreased.Glandular counts,density,ratio of glandular surface area to volume,and glandular average curvature were all increased.Conclusions Soybean isoflavone can inhibit prostatic hyperplasia in rats.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of noise on the antioxidant capacity in different regions of brain tissue in guinea pigs.

METHODSThirty male white red-eye guinea pigs were equally and randomly divided into five groups: 1-, 3-, 7-, and 14-day groups after noise exposure and control group. The guinea pigs of the experimental groups were exposed to steady white noise with a sound pressure level at 100 dB for 8 h per day and for 2 consecutive days. The auditory brainstem response (ABR) of guinea pigs, as well as the glutathione (GSH) level, methane dicarboxylic aldehyde (MDA) level, and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in the cerebrum, cerebellum, and hippocampus, was determined prior to and 1, 3, 7, and 14 days after noise exposure.

RESULTSAfter noise exposure, the shifts in ABR threshold of the experimental groups were significantly higher than that of the control group (P<0.05). Compared with those in the control group, the SOD activity and GSH level both significantly decreased in the cerebrum tissue of each experimental group after noise exposure (P<0.05) and MDA content significantly increased in the 1-day group (P<0.05). As for cerebellum tissue, the SOD activity and GSH level in the 7-day group were significantly lower than those in the control group (P<0.05), but there was no difference in MDA level between each experimental group and the control group (P>0.05). In comparison with those in the control group, the GSH and MDA levels in the 1-day group after noise exposure were significantly higher, and the GSH and MDA levels in the 3-day group and the MDA level in the 7-day group after noise exposure were significantly lower (all P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONNoise exposure can lead to hearing loss and affect the antioxidant capacity of brain tissue, which indicates that the improvement in antioxidant levels may alleviate noise-induced damage.

Animals ; Antioxidants ; chemistry ; Brain ; metabolism ; Brain Chemistry ; Evoked Potentials, Auditory, Brain Stem ; Glutathione ; chemistry ; Guinea Pigs ; Male ; Malondialdehyde ; chemistry ; Noise ; adverse effects ; Superoxide Dismutase ; chemistry

Objective: To assess the effect of percutaneous transluminal septal myocardial ablation (PTSMA) on mid- to long-term left ventricular diastolic function in patients with hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM) by real-time three-dimensional echocardiography (RT-3DE). Methods: A total of 46 HOCM patients who received 2DE and RT-3DE examination before and after (with the mean of 18.8 months) PTSMA were studied. The ratios of E/A and E/Ea were analyzed, RT-3DE was conducted to collect the images, to obtain 17-segmant volume-time curve and to calculate the parameters of rEDV, rESV, rSV and rPFR respectively. Results: The follow-up echocardiography in all 46 patients indicated that the ratio of E/Ea decreased after the operation (12.04 ± 3.29) vs (15.70 ± 5.68),P<0.001, the rSV of left ventricular anterior wall middle segment and anterior septal middle segment decreased after the operation,P<0.05, while the rPFR of anterior septal middle segment, rear septal middle segment and apical segment increased,P<0.05. Conclusion: PTSMA may improve local left ventricular diastolic function in HOCM patients, RT-3DE provides a new method and viewing angle for HOCM evaluation.

Objective To review the clinical manifestation,pathological characteristics,treat ment and prognosis of malignant mesothelioma of the tuniea vaginalis testis.Methods A case of ma lignant mesothelioma of the tunica vaginalis testis was reported and relative literature was reviewed.A34 year old man was admitted to hospital with a history of aggravated hydroeele for 5 years.A hardtumor was palpated above the right testis,which was smooth and slight tenderness.The level of β-hCG and AFP was normal.Ultrasonography revealed a 2.05 cm× 1.97 cm,well demarcated,mixedecho tumor.Results An operation was performed to incise the tumor and tunica vaginalis undersubarachnoid space block anesthesia.The tumor was histologically diagnosed as low potential malig nant mesothelioma of the tunica vaginalis testis.Microscopic examination showed that the tumor wasmalignant with a biphasic pattern composed of epithelial and stromal components.The former compo nent was dominant.The epithelial cells proliferated obviously with atypia and mitosis.Immunohisto chemical staining showed cytokeratin and vimentin were strongly positive.The capillary,lymph ves sel,spermatic cord and testis were not infiltrated.Right radical orchiectomy and right scrotectomywas performed one month after the first operation.There was no evidence of relapse during 38 monthfollow up after operation.Conclusions The major symptom of patients with malignant mesotheliomais hydrocele,malignant mesothelioma is diagnosed by histopathology.Due to the invasive potential ofthis disease and the risk of tumor recurrence,radical orchiectomy and close follow up are strongly rec ommended.

Objective To assess the causes of sildenafil failure and the feasibility of successfully rechallenging non-responding patients. Methods A total of 126 consecutive erectile dysfunction (ED) patients from Jan 2009 to Dec 2009 who claimed poor response to sildenafil (sildenafil 100 mg on demand, at lease 4 epiodes) were enrolled into the study. All patients received sexual reeducation and were treated with sildenafil, taken on a daily dose of 50 mg for 4 weeks. The International Index of Erectile Function-5 (IIEF-5), Rigiscan, serum testosterone or penile Doppler were used to evaluate ED and the cause of on-demand sildenafil failure. End point efficacy of rechallenging was evaluated using the IIEF-5 and the sexual encounter profile (SEP) 'Were you able to insert your penis into your partner's vagina?' and 'Did your erection last long enough to achieve successful intercourse?'. Results The recruited patients comprised of 41 cases with psychological ED, 39 cases with hypogonadism ED, 28 cases with diabetes mellitus ED and 18 cases with vascular ED. Compared with pretreatment and on-demand sildenafil baseline, daily administration of sildenafil significantly enhanced all efficacy outcome variables. The IIEF-5 was significantly improved after daily sildenafil (12.3 ± 2.9 vs18. 8±4.4, P＜0.01), 78 patients responded to daily sildenafil. The overall salvage rate was 61.9%(78/126). Conclusions Sexual reeducation and daily administration of sildenafil may be able to salvage many patients with ED who were sildenafil non-responders.

Objective To estabalish a new conception, Erectile Dysfunction-no sexual life (ED-NS), so as create an evaluating questionnaire, Self-estimation Index of erectile function-No sexual life (SIEF-NS) so as to investigate its clinical reliability. Methods The conception of ED-NS was identified and the SIEF-NS questionnaire was established. Patients who complained of ED-NS and normal controls were enrolled into the research and assessed the erectile function was assessed with SIEF-NS.The SIEF-NS includes 12 questions, such as sexual libido, general erectile function, nocturnal penile erection, erectile function during foreplay, erectile function during audio-video sexual stimulation,confidence, depression, etc and each question has 5 point scales. Results Sixty-one ED-NS patients and 57 controls were enrolled into the study and assessed erectile function with SIEF-NS. The mean score of each question and integral score of SIEF-NS in ED-NS patients were significantly different from normal controls (P＜0. 05). When the integral score was 35 points according to the ROC curve of integral score, the sensitivity of SIEF-NS was 88.5% and specificity was 96. 5%. Conclusions ED-NS is a new conception to define patients who have erectile dysfunction without sexual life. SIEFNS is suggested to be a useful method for the evaluation of ED-NS patients.

Objective To evaluate the efficacy of microvasoepididymostomy for the treatment of obstructive azoospermia. Methods Ninety-eight patients were confirmed as obstructive azoospermia by infertility investigations.The mean (range) age was 31 (20-43) years.The mean duration of obstruetion was 4 years.All patients were seen by the surgeon for a complete history and physical examination.Semen analyses proved azoopermia,serum levels of sexual hormone were normal and testicular function for production of sperms were normal certified by biopsy.All patients with suspected epididymal or vasal obstruction were offered scrotal exploration.The decision for microvasoepididymostomy was made during surgery,based on the pateney of the vas towards the abdomen documented by saline and sperm fragments containing in the epididymal fluid on intraoperative light-microscopic examination.Microvasoepididymostomy was performed in 58 patients documented epididymal obstruction The initial semen analysis was then done after usually 3 months postoperatively.Patency was arbitrarily defined as＞10 000 sperm/mL in ejaculate in at least one semen analysis after surgery.Postoperative patency rate and postoperative impregnation rate were followed. Results Fifty patients were followed up for 3-29 months,8 cases lost.Sperm was found by semen analysis in 36 patients.Sperm density was 4×104-2×108 sperms/ml and motility was 2%-70%.Semen analysis reveals azoospermia in 6 patients and the patients were counseled to undergo further testing to determine the ultimate outcome of the procedure.Natural conception occurred in 14 patients followed for more than 12 months.The overall pateney rate was 72%(36/50).Among patients with a follow-up of＞6 months,the natural paternity rate was 28%(14/50).The median time to achieve a natural pregnancy was 6.6 (4.0-10.0)months. Conclusion A more favourable patency can be achieved using microsurgical intussusception vasoepididymostomy and a part of patients with obstructive azoospermia can be cured by this means.

Objective To compare the circumferential approach and suprapubic approach for correcting the concealed penis. Methods Thirty-four patients received circumferential approach (group A,18 cases)or suprapubic approach(group B,15 cases)randomly for the concealed penis.The length of penis without erection before and after surgery treatment,patients'satisfaction and surgical complications were evaluated.All the patients were followed at least 6 months after operation.Results The penile length before and after surgery in group A were(1.78±0.41)cm vs(3.97±0.47)cm,the length of the postoperative penis was significantly longer than that of the preoperative penis(P<0.01).83%of those in group A(15 cases)were satisfied with the cosmic results.The length of preoperative and postoperative penis in group B were(2.07±0.53)cm vs(4.05±0.81)cm respectively,the length of the postoperative penis was significantly longer(P<0.01).Satisfaction was 87%(13 cases).The postoperative penile length between the 2 groups was not different(P> 0.05).Prepuce edema was reported to Occur in 56%and 13%in group A and group B and spontaneously disappeared within 3 months.Fat synchysis occurred in 2 of group B. Conclusions The cosmic effect of the 2 surgical approaches is similar,but circumferential approach is simpler.There is no serious complication in those receiving circumferential approach.