In order to explore the effects of testicular infection of murine cytomegalovirus (MCMV) on mature sperm viability at different periods following MCMV inoculation in mice, 91 BALB/c mice without MCMV infection were randomly divided into two groups: an experimental group (n = 56) and a control group (n = 35). The mice in the experimental group were treated by inoculating MCMV intratesticularly, while those in the controlled group were directly inoculated with DMEM without MCMV. The mice in both groups were sacrificed separately on the day 1, 1. 5, 2, 4, 6, 9 and 14 post-inoculation (D1) 1. 5, 2, 4, 6, 9 and 14 PI). The MCMV M83 mRNA gene was detected in the testis by in situ hybridization (ISH) with MCMV late-mRNA probe labeled with digoxin. Sperm viability of mature sperm in the epididymis cauda was measured. The results demonstrated the positive signal of ISH of MCMV was found mainly in the cytoplasm of the testicular interstitial cells and spermatogenic cells in the experimental group. Compared with that in the controlled group, the sperm viability in the experimental group was decreased significantly on D1 PI and D1.5 PI (P < 0.05). No statistically significant difference in the sperm viability was found after D2 PI between two groups (P > 0.05). This suggested that sperm viability in mice might be descended significantly shortly after MCMV infection and might return to normal with time, indicating that MCMV acute infection might temporarily degrade sperm quality and influence procreation transiently.
Cytomegalovirus Infections/*physiopathology ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Orchitis/*virology ; Random Allocation ; Sperm Motility/*physiology ; Spermatozoa/cytology ; Spermatozoa/*physiology

Objective To evaluate the effects of different concentrations of remifentanil on the expression and distribution of gap junction protein connexin 43 (Cx43) in the cardiomyocytes of rabbits.Methods Healthy adult rabbits of both sexes,weighing 2.0-2.5 kg,were anesthetized with pentobarbital sodium.Their hearts were rapidly excised and retrogradely perfused in a Langendorff apparatus with K-H solution saturated with 95％ O2-5％ CO2 at 37 ℃.After 15 min of stabilization with K-H solution,the 24 isolated hearts were randomly divided into 4 groups (n =6 each) using a random number table:control group (group C),and low,medium and high concentrations of remifentanil groups (R1-3 groups).The hearts were continuously perfused with K-H solution at 37 ℃ in group C.The hearts were perfused for 60 min with K-H solution containing remifentanil 12,25 and 50 ng/ml in R1-3 groups,respectively.The myocardial specimens were then obtained from the anterior wall of the left ventricle for detection of the expression and distribution of Cx43 by Western blot and immunohistochemistry,respectively.Results The expression of Cx43 was gradually down-regulated in C and R1-3 groups in turn (P＜0.05).Compared with group C,there was a tendency for the proteins localized at end-to-end contact sites of ventricular cardiomyocytes to localize at side-to-side contact sites in R1-3 groups,and the distribution was messy in R1-3 groups.Conclusion Remifentanil dose-dependently down-regulates the expression of Cx43 and changes the distribution of Cx43,which may be one of the mechanisms of remifentanil-induced arrhythmia in rabbits.

Objective:To evaluate the role of autophagy in reduction of high glucose and hypoxia-reoxygenation (HG+ H/R) injury to isolated cardiomyocytes by dexmedetomidine in rats.Methods:The normally cultured rat H9c2 cardiomyocytes at the logarithmic growth phase were seeded in 6-well plates at a density of 1×10 6 cells/ml and divided into 4 groups ( n=15 each) using a random number table method: control group (group C), group HG+ H/R, dexmedetomidine group (group DEX) and dexmedetomidine+ autophagy inhibitor 3-methylpurine group (group 3-MA). The cells were incubated in culture medium with 1% fetal bovine serum + 1% double antibody for 24 h when the cell density reached 50%.To establish HG+ H/R injury model, the cardiomyocytes were cultured in high-glucose culture medium (glucose concentration of 33 mmol/L) for 24 h, and then incubated in a 37 ℃ incubator (95% N 2+ 5%CO 2) for 4 h followed by reoxygenation (90%O 2+ 10%CO 2) for 2 h. Dexmedetomidine was added until the final concentration reached 5 μmol/L at 1 h before hypoxia in DEX and 3-MA groups, and 3-MA was added until the final concentration reached 5 μmol/L at 1 h of incubation with dexmedetomidine.At 2 h after reoxygenation, the cell viability was recorded by the cell counting kit-8 assay, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity was detected by LDH kit, the expression of autophagy-related protein LC3, P62 and Beclin-1 was detected by Western Blot, the ratio of LC3Ⅱ/LC3Ⅰwas calculated, and the expression of P62 and Beclin-1 mRNA was detected by real-time polymerase chain reaction. Results:Compared with group C, the cell viability was significantly decreased in HG+ H/R, DEX and 3-MA groups, LDH activity in the supernatant was increased and expression of P62 was decreased in HG+ H/R and 3-MA groups, ratio of LC3Ⅱ/LC3Ⅰwas decreased in group 3-MA, and the expression of Beclin-1 was down-regulated in group HG+ H/R ( P<0.05). Compared with HG+ H/R group, LDH activity in the supernatant was significantly decreased, expression of Beclin-1, P62 and its mRNA was up-regulated, and ratio of LC3Ⅱ/LC3Ⅰwas increased in DEX group, and LDH activity in the supernatant was increased in group 3-MA ( P<0.05). Compared with DEX group, cell viability were decreased, LDH activity in the supernatant was increased, Beclin-1, P62 and its mRNA was down-regulated, and ratio of LC3Ⅱ/ LC3Ⅰwas decreased in group 3-MA ( P<0.05). Conclusion:Autophagy is involved in the reduction of HG+ H/R injury to isolated cardiomyocytes by dexmedetomidine in rats.

AIM: To purify and refold the inclusion body of a human anti-HBsAg scFv with a 6?His tag, and to determine the affinity constant of the purified recombinant product.METHODS: Solubilizing in buffers containing urea or guanidine hydrochloride (GuHCl), the inclusion body was purified by IMAC, and then refolded by dialysis against urea or GuHCl, at the same time, Ni 2+ charged chelate column was utilized for in situ refolding. The affinity constant of the refolded scFv, polished by immune-affinity chromatography, was determined by non-competitive ELISA. RESULTS: The refolded scFv with highest specific bioactivity was produced by dialysis against GuHCl. Under this condition, the recovery of target protein reached (61.08?1 45)%. The affinity constant of the polished scFv was confirmed to be(2.30?0.32) ?10 7 L/mol. CONCLUSION: The inclusion body studied in this paper can be refolded efficiently under optimal dialysis condition in vitro . The antigen-binding property of this recombinant scFv is not affected by the purification tag fused to the N terminal of the protein.

Objective To evaluate the effects of different concentrations of remifentanil on myocardial monophasic action potential (MAP) in isolated rabbit hearts.Methods Adult rabbits of both sexes,weighing 2.0-2.5 kg,were used in the study.Their hearts were excised,and retrogradely perfused with oxygenated K-H solution saturated with 95％O2-5％CO2 at 37 ℃ in a Langendorff apparatus.Twenty-four isolated hearts were randomly divided into 4 groups (n =6 each) using a random number table:control group (group C) and 3 different concentrations of remifentanil groups (group R1-3).After 15 min of stabilization,K-H solution was continuously perfused for 60 min in group C,and K-H solution containing 12,25 and 50 ng/ml remifentanil was continuously perfused for 60 min in R1,R2 and R3 groups,respectively.At 15 min of stabilization,and 15,30 and 60 min of perfusion with K-H solution,the heart rate,and the maximal velocity and amplitude of the MAP in the three layers of the left ventricular anterior wall were recorded,and the action potential duration at 90％ repolarization and transmural dispersion of repolarization (TDR) were calculated.Results Compared with group C,the heart rate was significantly decreased,and the action potential duration at 90％ repolarization and TDR were significantly prolonged at 15,30 and 60 min of perfusion in R1-3 groups (P＜0.05).Compared with C and R1 groups,the maximal velocity and amplitude of MAP were significantly decreased at 15,30 and 60 min of perfusion in R2 and R3 groups (P＜0.05).Conclusion Low-concentration remifentanil induces heart block through increasing TDR,however,high-concentration remifentanil induces heart block through inhibiting myocardial MAP depolarization and increasing TDR in the isolated rabbit hearts.

Objective To evaluate the accuracy of contrast enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) in determining the depth of myometrial invasion in endometrial carcinoma in stage Ⅰ.Methods Seventy-six patients previously diagnosed of endometrial carcinoma by curettage of uterine underwent transabdominal sonography (TAS) and CEUS to assess myometrial invasion,among which 48 patients proved to endometrial carcinoma in stage Ⅰ after total abdominal hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy were studied.The findings of TAS and CEUS to determine endometrial carcinoma IA (no myometrial involvement or invasion of the inner half of the myometrium) and IB( invasion of the outer half of the myometrium) were compared with pathology after abdominal hysterectomy.Results Twenty one tumours (43.75%,21/48) were enhanced earlier than or simultaneously as myometrium and cervix,among which 12 cases were IA stages,while 9 cases were IB stages (P<0.05);and 27 tumors (56.25%,27/48)were enhanced late than myometrium and cervix.There was no statistical difference between TAS and CEUS in detecting endometrial carcinoma in IA and IB(P>0.05).The sensitivity,specificity,positive predictive value,negative predictive value and accuracy of TAS and CEUS in diagnosing endometrial carcinoma in IB were 61.25% vs 69.23%,77.14% vs 85.71%,50.00% vs 64.28%,72.92% vs 88.23%,72.92% vs 81.25% respectively.Conclusions CEUS is not superior to TAS in detecting deep invasion of endometrial carcinoma in stage Ⅰ.

Objectlve To investigate the value of basic and contrast-enhanced ultrasound in the diagnosis of superficial cervical lymph nodes.Methods Five hundred and forty-five cases of superficial cervical lymph nodes were sacned by basic ultrasound,in which 52 cases were also scaned by contrast-enhanced ultrasound.All cases were performed ultrasound-guided biopsy.Lymph nodes were divided into benign group and malignant group according to pathology reports.The differences of the two groups were analysed,and statistical analysis was performed.Results Two hundred and thirty cases were benign,315 cases were malignant.S/L(P＜0.01),RI(P＜0.01),vascular pattern(P＜0.01)and contrast enhancement pattern(P＜0.01)between benign and malignant group showed statistical significant differences,while no statistical difference in coefficient correlation of the time-intensity curve between the two groups was found.Conclusions A combination of basic and contrastenhanced ultrasound can significantly enhance the ability to identify malignant lymph nodes from benign lymph nodes.

Object: To investigate the effects of Huaiqihuang Granule, a compound Chinese herbal medicine, on expressions of nephrin and podocin of slit diaphragm of glomerular podocytes in rats with adriamycin-induced nephrosis and to explore the mechanism in reducing the proteinuria. Methods: Twenty SD rats were randomly divided into five groups: control group, model group, glucocorticoid group, Huaiqihuang Granule group and Huaiqihuang Granule plus glucocorticoid group. The 24-hour urine was collected 7, 14, 21 and 28 days after adriamycin injection respectively to measure 24-hour urinary protein, and all rats were sacrificed after 28-day treatment. Pathological changes in renal tissues were observed under a light microscope and an electron microscope. Expressions of nephrin and podocin mRNAs in renal cortex were determined by real-time polymerase chain reaction, and protein levels of nephrin and podocin were detected by Western blotting. Results: (1) In the model group and the treatment groups, the level of urinary protein increased significantly from the 14th day. (2) Under the light microscope, inflammatory cells and slight fibroplasia were found in renal interstitium of the model group, but there were less inflammatory cells in renal interstitium in the intervention groups than in the model group. Under the electron microscope, 29 days after adriamycin injection, extensive fusion of foot processes was observed. (3) The expressions of nephrin and podocin were higher in treatment groups than in the model group. (4) Proteinuria level was negatively correlated with the expressions of nephrin mRNA and nephrin and podocin proteins. Conclusion: The above results indicate that Huaiqihuang Granule can maintain the integrity of the slid diaphragram in podocyte, alleviate the lesion of glomerular filtration membrane, and decrease the proteinuria by up-regulating the expressions of nephrin and podocin. Huaiqihuang Granule plus glucocorticoid maybe has better effects than glucocorticoid alone.

Objective:To evaluate the role of phosphoglycerate mutase 5 (phosphoglycerate mutase family member 5, PGAM5) in myocardial ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury in diabetic rats and the relationship with mitochondrial quality.Methods:SPF healthy male Sprague-Dawley rats, aged 6-8 weeks, weighing 200-220 g, were used in this study.Type 1 diabetes mellitus was induced by 1% streptozotocin diluted in citrate buffer solution 60 mg/kg.The rats were continuously fed for 8 weeks after successful establishment of the model.Seventy-two rats with type 1 diabetes mellitus were divided into 4 groups ( n=18 each) by a random number table method: diabetic sham operation group (DS group), diabetic myocardial I/R group (DIR group), diabetic myocardial I/R plus AAV9-PGAM5 shRNA group (DIR+ PGAM5 shRNA group), and diabetic myocardial I/R plus AAV9-GFP group (DIR+ GFP group). The myocardial I/R model was established by ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery for 30 min followed by reperfusion for 2 h starting from 8 weeks after establishment of type 1 diabetes mellitus model.AAV9-PGAM5 shRNA and AAV9-GFP 2×10 12 μg/kg were slowly injected via tail vein 3 weeks before ischemia.In group AAV9-PGAM5 shRNA, left ventricular systolic pressure (LVSP) and the maximum rate of increase or decrease in left ventricular systolic pressure (±dp/dt max) were monitored and recorded at the end of reperfusion, and then blood samples from the the right carotid artery were collected for determination of serum troponin Ⅰ(cTnI), creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels (by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay). The animals were sacrificed and hearts were obtained for determination of myocardial infarct size (by Evans Blue plus TTC double staining method) and expression of PGAM5, autophagy-related proteins (LC3B, p62), dynamin-related protein 1 (Drp1), and mitochondrial autophagy receptor protein (FUNDC1) (by Western blot) and for microscopic examination of pathological changes of myocardial tissues (by HE staining). Results:Compared with group DS, the LVSP and ±dp/dt max were significantly decreased, the serum levels of cTnI, CK-MB and LDH were increased, myocardial infarct size was increased, the expression of PGAM5, LC3B, Drp1 and FUNDC1 was up-regulated, and the expression of p62 was down-regulated in group DIR and group DIR+ GFP ( P<0.05). Compared with group DIR, LVSP and ±dp/dt max were significantly increased, the serum levels of cTnI, CK-MB and LDH were decreased, myocardial infarct size was decreased, the expression of PGAM5, LC3B, Drp1 and FUNDC1 was down-regulated, and the expression of p62 was up-regulated in group DIR+ PGAM5 shRNA ( P<0.05), and no significant change was found in the parameters mentioned above in group DIR+ GFP ( P>0.05). Conclusion:PGAM5 is involved in the myocardial I/R injury in diabetic rats, which is related to the reduction of mitochondrial quality.

In order to explore the effects of testicular infection of murine cytomegalovirus (MCMV) on mature sperm viability at different periods following MCMV inoculation in mice, 91 BALB/c mice without MCMV infection were randomly divided into two groups: an experimental group (n=56) and a control group (n= 35). The mice in the experimental group were treated by inoculating MCMV intratesticularly, while those in the controlled group were directly inoculated with DMEM without MCMV. The mice in both groups were sacrificed separately on the day 1,1.5, 2, 4, 6, 9 and 14 post-inoculation (D1, 1.5,2, 4, 6, 9 and 14 PI). The MCMV M83 mRNA gene was detected in the testis by in situ hybridization (ISH) with MCMV late-mRNA probe labeled with digoxin.Sperm viability of mature sperm in the epididymis cauda was measured. The results demonstrated the positive signal of ISH of MCMV was found mainly in the cytoplasm of the testicular interstitial cells and spermatogenic cells in the experimental group. Compared with that in the controlled group, the sperm viability in the experimental group was decreased significantly on D1 PI and D1.5PI (P＜ 0.05). No statistically significant difference in the sperm viability was found after D2 PI between two groups (P＞0.05). This suggested that sperm viability in mice might be descended significantly shortly after MCMV infection and might return to normal with time, indicating that MCMV acute infection might temporarily degrade sperm quality and influence procreation transiently.