ObjectiveTo study the distribution, developmental patterns, and hormonal control of androgen re- ceptors(AR) in the developing and ethane dimethane sulfonate(EDS) treated male SD rat epididymis. MethodsThe ABC technique of immunohistochemistry and image analysis were used to assess optodensity means (OPTDM) of AR, providing a measure of relative nuclear AR concentration. ResultsThe specific AR immunostaining was observed in the nuclei of epididymal epithelium, peritubular smooth muscle cells and intertubular connective tissue cells. The rela- tive AR concentrations varied with the different segments of the epididymis in the adult rat(P<0. 05 or P<0.01). AR protein was highest in the caput (0. 763--0. 026),lowest in the corpus (0. 712±0. 025) and intermediate in the cauda (0. 736±0. 008). Levels of epididymal AR changed with development. In the cauda, AR level was highest on day 21 (0. 773±0. 028),intermediate on day 35(0. 762±0. 022),and lowest on day 90～120(0. 736±0. 008). The 90～120d group was significantly different from the 21d group (P＜0. 01)and 35d group (P＜0. 05). After the adult rats were treated with EDS to eradicate Leydig cells and endogenous testosterone, it was observed that the OPTDM of AR in the epididymal cauda epithelium was significantly reduced (P＜0. 001), and was restored to the control level by using ex- ogenous testosterone replacement (P＜0. 001). Conclusion These results suggest that the epididymal corpus depends least on androgens and the AR expression in the epididymis decreases with age and is dependent on circulating andro- gens.

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) were induced into a nucleus pulposus-like phenotype utilizing simulated microgravity in vitro in order to establish a new cell-based tissue engineering treatment for intervertebral disc degeneration. For induction of a nucleus pulposus-like phenotype, MSCs were cultured in simulated microgravity in a chemically defined medium supplemented with 0 (experimental group) and 10 ng/mL (positive control group) of transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1). MSCs cultured under conventional condition without TGF-β1 served as blank control group. On the day 3 of culture, cellular proliferation was determined by WST-8 assay. Differentiation markers were evaluated by histology and reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). TGF-β1 slightly promoted the proliferation of MSCs. The collagen and proteoglycans were detected in both groups after culture for 7 days. The accumulation of proteoglycans was markedly increased. The RT-PCR revealed that the gene expression of Sox-9, aggrecan and type II collagen, which were chondrocyte specific, was increased in MSCs cultured under simulated microgravity for 3 days. The ratio of proteoglycans/collagen in blank control group was 3.4-fold higher than positive control group, which denoted a nucleus pulposus-like phenotype differentiation. Independent, spontaneous differentiation of MSCs towards a nucleus pulposus-like phenotype in simulated microgravity occurred without addition of any external bioactive stimulators, namely factors from TGF-β family, which were previously considered necessary.

Objective To investigate the effect of decoction of Fructus Gardeniae in decreasing blood sugar level in normal mice and diabetes mellitus mice (DM). Methods DM mice models were induced by glucose, adrenalin, desamethasone and alloxan respectively. After treatment, the influence of Fructus Gardeniae on blood sugar level in normal mice and DM mice was observed. Results Fructus Gardeniae decreased the blood sugar level significantly in DM mice and slightly in normal mice. Conclusion Fructus Gardeniae is effective in decreasing blood sugar level in both normal mice and several DM mice.

Objective To evaluate the clinical value of emergency bedside-echocardiography in neonatal intensive care unit.Methods Six hundred and sixty-eight infants with cardiac pathological murmurs,cyanosis and shortness of breath were detected by emergency bedside echocardiography (Sonosite Micromax 1 portable ultrasound or Philips iE33 ultrasonic systems) during January 2007 to July 2011.The accuracy of emergency bedside-echocardiography in the diagnosis of neonatal heart diseases was evaluated according to the results of surgical exploration.Results Among 668 enrolled neonates with the mean age of (7.2±1.3) d,there were 347 males and 321 females,and 309 term infants [mean gestational age (39.1±0.6) weeks (37.0～42.1 weeks)] and 359 premature infants [mean gestational age (33.7±0.91) weeks (28.9～36.9 weeks)].Totally,507 cases were found cardiac abnormality by emergency bedside-echocardiography,including 268 cases of patent ductus arteriosus (232 premature and 36 term infants),115 congenital heart disease,99 persistent fetal circulation and 25 arrythmia.Surgeries were performed on 54 infants and invasive therapy was performed on one infant,and none of them received CT,magnetic resonance imaging or invasive examinations before operation; among which,51 surgeries successed and 4 infants died.Other 452 infants were treated with medications,392 infants recovered and discharged,26 infants did not recover,14 cases died and 20 cases left the hospital before recovery.The accuracy rate of Micromax 1 portable ultrasound in diagnosing congenital heart diseases was 94.5％ (52/55),while 96.4 ％ (53/55) for philips iE33 ultrasonic systems.Conclusions Emergency bedside-echocardiography could provide instant and valuable information of cardiovascular system,which would be helpful in making quick clinical decisions.

Mesenchymal stern cells (MSCs) were induced into a nucleus pulposus-like phenotype utilizing simulated microgravity in vitro in order to establish a new cell-based tissue engineering treatment for intervertebral disc degeneration.For induction of a nucleus pulposus-like phenotype,MSCs were cultured in simulated microgravity in a chemically defined medium supplemented with 0 (experimental group) and 10 ng/mL (positive control group) of transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1).MSCs cultured under conventional condition without TGF-β1 served as blank control group.On the day 3 of culture,cellular proliferation was determined by WST-8 assay.Differentiation markers were evaluated by histology and reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).TGF-β1 slightly promoted the proliferation of MSCs.The collagen and proteoglycans were detected in both groups after culture for 7 days.The accumulation of proteoglycans was markedly increased.The RT-PCR revealed that the gene expression of Sox-9,aggrecan and type Ⅱ collagen,which were chondrocyte specific,was increased in MSCs cultured under simulated microgravity for 3 days.The ratio of proteoglycans/collagen in blank control group was 3.4-fold higher than positive control group,which denoted a nucleus pulposus-like phenotype differentiation.Independent,spontaneous differentiation of MSCs towards a nucleus pulposus-like phenotype in simulated microgravity occurred without addition of any external bioactive stimulators,namely factors from TGF-β family,which were previously considered necessary.

Objective:To investigate the feasibility of single breath-hold TFE-EPI in non-contrast coronary MRA on 3.0 T MRI.Methods:Both single breath-hold TFE-EPI and free breathing TFE were conducted in 23 healthy volunteers. Acquisition time between the two sequences were compared by paired- t-test analysis. Signal-noise-ratio (SNR), contrast-noise-ratio (CNR),image artifacts and distortion,vessel acuity were evaluated on the aorta(Ao), right coronary artery proximal(RCA-pro), right coronary artery middle (RCA-mid), left anterior descending proximal(LAD-pro) and left circumflex proximal(LCX-pro). Nonparametric analyses were conducted for the comparison. Results:The acquisition time decreased 96.51% in TFE-EPI compared with TFE [(16.3±2.2)s vs.(466.9±101.3)s, t=21.49, P<0.01]. There was no statistical significance in SNR comparison in all the vessel evaluation (all the P>0.05). TFE-EPI showed better CNR in RCA-mid than TFE ( Z=2.65, P=0.008). TFE-EPI showed less image artifacts and distortion in RCA-mid than TFE ( Z=2.00, P=0.046). TFE-EPI also showed better vessel acuity in both RCA-pro and RCA-mid than TFE ( Z=3.88, P<0.001; Z=3.42, P=0.001). Conclusion:Single breath-hold TFE-EPI could greatly shorten scan time while ensuring image quality in coronal artery imaging and has a broad application in future.

Objective:To establish the ultra-high performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) fingerprint and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) content determination method of Curcumae Radix standard decoction; To predict the quality markers of Curcumae Radix standard decoction combined with network pharmacology.Methods:UPLC method was used to establish the fingerprint of Curcumae Radix standard decoction, and the common peaks were determined. Combined with chemical pattern recognition techniques such as similarity analysis and clustering analysis, Curcumae Radix standard decoction from different producing areas was studied, and curcumol was used as an index to determine the content of 24 batches of Curcumae Radix standard decoction. At the same time, network pharmacology was used to predict potential of curcumol and (1S, 6β)-1β-Methyl-4-(1-methylethylidene)-7β-(3-oxobutyl) bicyclo [4.1.0] heptan-3-one.Results:A total of 24 batches of Curcumae Radix standard decoction from different habitats were compared and analyzed, and 10 common peaks were calibrated. The similarity of 24 batches of samples ranged from 0.982 to 0.999. Clustering analysis and principal component analysis divided them into three categories. Heat map analysis showed that peak 8 (curcumol) and peak 9 ((1S, 6β)-1β-Methyl-4-(1-methylethylidene)-7β-(3-oxobutyl) bicyclo [4.1.0] heptan-3-one) were the main components. The content of curcumol in 24 batches of Curcumae Radix standard decoction was 0.69-1.87 mg/g; curcumol and (1S, 6β)-1β-Methyl-4-(1-methylethylidene)-7β- (3-oxobutyl) bicyclo [4.1.0] heptan-3-one may regulate the neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction signaling pathway, calcium signaling, and excitation by regulating neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction signaling pathway, calcium signaling, and excitation. It was preliminarily predicted that curcumol and (1S, 6β)-1β-Methyl-4-(1-methylethylidene)-7β-(3-oxobutyl) bicyclo [4.1.0] heptan-3-one were potential quality markers of Curcumae Radix.Conclusion:Curcumol and (1S, 6β)-1β-Methyl-4-(1-methylethylidene)-7β-(3-oxobutyl) bicyclo [4.1.0] heptan-3-one are potential quality markers of Curcumae Radix standard decoction, and the established fingerprint can be used for the quality control of Curcumae Radix standard decoction.

Objective:To further improve the understanding of paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH), we retrospectively analyzed and summarized the clinical characteristics, treatment status, and survival status of patients with PNH in Zhejiang Province.Methods:This study included 289 patients with PNH who visited 20 hospitals in Zhejiang Province. Their clinical characteristics, comorbidity, laboratory test results, and medications were analyzed and summarized.Results:Among the 289 patients with PNH, 148 males and 141 females, with a median onset age of 45 (16-87) years and a peak onset age of 20-49 years (57.8% ). The median lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) level was 1 142 (604-1 925) U/L. Classified by type, 70.9% (166/234) were classical, 24.4% (57/234) were PNH/bone marrow failure (BMF), and 4.7% (11/234) were subclinical. The main clinical manifestations included fatigue or weakness (80.8%, 235/289), dizziness (73.4%, 212/289), darkened urine color (66.2%, 179/272), and jaundice (46.2%, 126/270). Common comorbidities were hemoglobinuria (58.7% ), renal dysfunction (17.6% ), and thrombosis (15.0% ). Moreover, 82.3% of the patients received glucocorticoid therapy, 70.9% required blood transfusion, 30.7% used immunosuppressive agents, 13.8% received anticoagulant therapy, and 6.3% received allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. The 10-year overall survival (OS) rate was 84.4% (95% CI 78.0% -91.3% ) . Conclusion:Patients with PNH are more common in young and middle-aged people, with a similar incidence rate between men and women. Common clinical manifestations include fatigue, hemoglobinuria, jaundice, renal dysfunction, and recurrent thrombosis. The 10-year OS of this group is similar to reports from other centers in China.