OBJECTIVETo investigate the dynamic changes of the epididymal size 1 year after vasectomy.

METHODSFifty male volunteers received vasoligation. Before and at 1, 2, 3, 6, and 12 months after operation, we measured the size and detected the internal echoes of the epididymis using color Doppler ultrasonography.

RESULTSThe bilateral epididymides were both thickened post-operatively in all the 50 cases, with statistically significant differences between the baseline and the 1st month, the 1st and the 2nd month, the 2nd and the 3rd month, or the 3rd and the 6th month after surgery (all P < 0.01), but not between the 6th and the 12th month (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONWithin 6 months after vasectomy, the bilateral epididymides manifested a progressive thickening, but basically restored their balance of secretion-absorption after 6 months.

Epididymis ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; physiology ; Humans ; Male ; Organ Size ; Postoperative Period ; Time Factors ; Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color ; Vasectomy

AIM: To analysis of cataract prevalence and operation status in people aged 65 years old in the eastern Fengxian of Shanghai.?METHODS:In the period of January to December 2015, random stratified sampling in the whole group was taken in 3050 people over 65 years, in Situan and Fengcheng, two towns at the Eastern District of Fengxian Town. Ophthalmologic examination and questionnaire survey were given to those people, including slit lamp microscopy and visual acuity ( LogMAR ) and the conditions on cataract surgery.?RESULTS: Totally 1244 cases of cataract were found in 3050 subjects, the prevalence rate was 40. 79％. The prevalence rates in the subjects of different ages were different, as the age increases, the prevalence rate was rising. The difference of prevalence rate in different age groups was statistically significant (x2=558. 6, P<0. 001);the prevalence rate of male and female were 31. 06％ and 49. 94％, the difference was statistically significant ( x2 =112. 4, P<0. 001 ); the rate of illiterate and literate was 52. 04％ and 38. 76％ respectively with significantly difference (x2 = 28. 78, P<0. 001). Cataract surgery was taken in 765 cases, surgical coverage rate was 61. 25％;difference on age, gender was not statistically significant;the degree of education: the rate in literate was significantly far higher than in the illiterate, the difference was statistically significant ( x2 = 39. 72, P < 0. 001 ). Postoperative corrected visual acuity ≥ 0. 3 was considered as removing from disable and postoperative corrected visual acuity≥0. 05 as removing from the blind. The rate removing from disable was 71. 50％, the rate removing from the blind was 95. 29％. In 765 eyes receiving surgery, postoperative complications occurred in 29 eyes, 3. 79％ of the total eye receiving surgery.?CONCLUSION: Cataract is the common blind causing disease in the elderly, and the prevalence rate of cataract in eastern Fengxian of Shanghai is high. Although in recent years, the Restoring Vision Project has been developed, the surgical coverage has been improved, and the prevention and control of cataract is still the primary task of blind prevention.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of mTOR siRNA on mTOR-p70S6K signaling pathway in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) cells in vitro,and growth and apoptosis in transplanted tumor in nude mice.

METHODSmTOR siRNA was transfected into ESCC cell line EC9706 cells. The expressions of factors of the mTOR/p70S6K signaling pathway were detected by RT-PCR and Western blot. DNA contents and cell apoptosis were determined by flow cytometry, and cell proliferation was measured by CCK-8 assay. The effects of mTOR siRNA on the transplanted tumor growth were assessed in nude mice.

RESULTSThe levels of mTOR and p-p70S6K were significantly decreased (P < 0.05) while the level of p70S6K was increased (P < 0.05) in the cells transfected with mTOR siRNA, compared with that in untransfected cells and cells transfected with control siRNA. After being interfered by mTOR siRNA, the number of apoptotic cells was increased, cell proliferation became slower and cell cycle was arrested in G(1) phase compared with that in control cells. Also, mTOR siRNA inhibited the growth of transplanted tumor in vivo.

CONCLUSIONSmTOR siRNA can effectively interfere in mTOR-p70S6K signaling pathway, induce cell apoptosis and inhibit cell proliferation and tumor growth, suggesting that mTOR-p70S6K signaling pathway plays an important role in the carcinogenesis and development of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; enzymology ; pathology ; Cell Cycle ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; Esophageal Neoplasms ; enzymology ; pathology ; Humans ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Mice, Nude ; Neoplasm Transplantation ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism ; RNA, Small Interfering ; genetics ; pharmacology ; Ribosomal Protein S6 Kinases, 70-kDa ; metabolism ; Signal Transduction ; TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases ; genetics ; metabolism ; Transfection ; Tumor Burden

OBJECTIVETo explore the mutation of tyrosine hydroxylase(TH) gene in Chinese patients with autosomal recessive(AR) dopa-responsive dystonia(DRD) and to lay a solid basis for gene diagnosis of AR-DRD in China.

METHODSMutation analysis of TH gene was performed in 5 probands with AR-DRD and 2 sporadic patients with DRD by use of polymerase chain reaction-single strand conformation polymorphism (PCR-SSCP) combining DNA direct sequencing.

RESULTSThe PCR-SSCP analysis and DNA direct sequencing following PCR revealed no mutation in all the 14 exons of TH gene.

CONCLUSIONThe mutation rate of TH gene in Chinese patients with AR-DRD is low, hence suggesting the genetic heterogeneity and a new locus for AR-DRD.

Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; genetics ; China ; Dystonia ; ethnology ; genetics ; Female ; Genes, Recessive ; genetics ; Humans ; Male ; Mutation ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Polymorphism, Single-Stranded Conformational ; Sequence Analysis, DNA ; Tyrosine 3-Monooxygenase ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo summarize our experiences with the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with cetuximab and compare the therapeutic effects of cetuximab applied in the first line and non-first line settings.

METHODSFrom October 1, 2006 to December 31, 2009, 16 NSCLC patients were treated with cetuximab combined with standard chemotherapy in Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center. The short-term efficacy of the therapeutic protocols were analyzed.

RESULTSA total of 115 cycles of cetuximab treatment were administered in these patients with a median of 6 cycles (7.5 in the first line setting and 2 in non-first line setting). In the 10 patients with cetuximab treatment in the first line setting, the ORR was 40.0% (4/10), DCR was 80.0% (8/10), median TTP was 6.5 months (2-19), and median OS was 8.5 months (2-48); in the non-first line setting, these indices were 33.3% (2/6), 33.3% (2/6), 3.5 months (3-4) and 18 months (4-28), respectively. Both ORR and DCR were similar between the first and non-first line settings (P=0.790, P=0.062). Ten of the patients (62.5%) developed acne-like rash within 3 weeks, who had an ORR of 60% (6/10) and DCR of 90% (9/10); the ORR and DCR in patients without acne-like rash were both 10.4% (1/6), showing no significant difference in ORR (P=0.080) but a significant difference in DCR between the two groups (P=0.003). No treatment-associated death or cetuximab-associated discontinuation occurred. Altogether 11 patients (68.8%) developed acne-like rash, which occurred within 3 weeks in 10 cases. Seven patients showed side effects associated with the chemotherapy.

CONCLUSIONCetuximab combined with standard chemotherapy is a good option for Chinese patients with NSCLC and the current data support the application of cetuximab in the first line setting.

Adult ; Aged ; Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized ; administration & dosage ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; therapeutic use ; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung ; drug therapy ; Cetuximab ; Female ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Treatment Outcome

Since 1959 the investigations on prevalence of hypertension and studies on the prevention and treatment of this disease have been carried out. The vascular mechanism of hypertension and the depressor effect of Chinese traditional herbs were also studied in Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences. The results revealed that: (1) The prevalence of hypertension in Chinese adults increased from 7.73% in 1979 to 11.26% in 1991, both much higher than that in 1959 (5.11%). The rate of awareness, treatment and control was only 26.3%, 12.1%, and 2.8% respectively. The risk factors of hypertension included overweight and alcohol drinking. High sodium, low potassium, low calcium, and low animal protein diet were also very important risk for elevation of blood pressure. Hypertension was the most important causal risk factor of coronary heart disease and stroke. (2) Hypertension diagnosis and staging criteria were established in 1959. Secondary hypertension was found to constitute 1.1% among community hypertensive patients. The new concept of aortitis was formed and found to be the most common cause of renal vascular hypertension. Patient education together with low dose compounds of antihypertensive drugs was implicated widely. Randomized clinical trials Syst-China, Post-stroke Antihypertensive Treatment Study, Chinese Acute Stroke Trial, and Chinese Cardiac Study 1 demonstrated benefits of treatment for hypertensive, stroke or acute myocardial infarction affordable by Chinese population at large. (3) A series of functional changes and abnormalities with evident hereditary characteristics were found in the processes of cellular Ca2+ transportation, utilization, metabolism and their modulation of the vascular smooth muscle in SHR, and SHRsp, which seem to be the principal cause of the increase in peripheral vascular resistance in hypertension. (4) Alkaloid of Rauwolfia verticilata and Ligustrazine had marked depressor effect. Flavones of Radix Pueraricae could reduce the cardiac and cerebral ischemic damage and symptoms in hypertensive patients.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Animals ; Antihypertensive Agents ; therapeutic use ; China ; epidemiology ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Hypertension ; drug therapy ; epidemiology ; Male ; Mass Screening ; Middle Aged ; Phytotherapy ; Prevalence

Evoked Potentials, Auditory, Brain Stem ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; Reflex, Acoustic ; Syphilis, Congenital ; physiopathology

Objective To evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of piperazine ferulate combined with irbesartan in the treatment of diabetic nephropathy.Methods A total of 74 patients with diabetic nephropathy were randomly divided into treatment group ( n=37 ) and control group (n=37).Control group was received irbesartan 150 mg, once a day.Treatment group was given piperazine ferulate 150 mg, once a day on the basis of control group.The treatment course of two groups was 12 weeks.The clinical efficacy , serum creatinine , blood glucose , blood urea nitrogen, urinary albumin excretion rate , hemodynamic level and adverse drug reactions were compared between two groups.Results After treat-ment, total effective rate in treatment group was significantly higher than that in control group (94.59%vs 75.68%, P<0.05).After treatment, serum creatinine , urinary albumin excretion rate , hemodynamic level in treatment group were significantly better than those of control group ( P<0.05).The blood glucose and blood urea nitrogen in two group were no obvious change ( P>0.05 ).Patients in two groups showed dif-ferent degrees of nausea , vomiting, abdominal pain , dizziness and other symptoms , but after symptomatic treatment turn , they were got better.There were no statistical significance of the incidence of adverse drug reactions between two groups ( P>0.05 ).Conclusion Piperazine ferulate combined with irbesartan in the treatment of diabetic nephropathy patients was effective , which can improve the renal hemodynamics , protect the renal function , and reduce the proteinuria.

OBJECTIVE To investigate TCM syndromes on maternal separation in C5 7/BL6 mice.METHODS Neonatal mice were intervened through maternal separation.The effects of maternal separation on spontaneous activities of mice were e-valuated by field test and the effects on immobility times of mice were evaluated by forced swimming test and tail suspension test.Four diagnostic quantitative indicators measurement and quantitative dialectical method were employed to explore the state of Qi,Blood,Yin and Yang in mice.Hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal(HPA) cortical axis function was observed through adre-nocorticotropic hormone(ACTH)and corticosterone(CORT)determination.The level of energy metabolism was investigated through the measurement of cyclic adenosine monophosphate/cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cAMP/cGMP),ATPase and superoxide dismutase(SOD).RESULTS No statistical significance(P>0.05)was observed in the total path of animal activi-ties between each group in field test.Compared with the control group and MS1 5 group,in the forced swimming test and tail suspension test,the immobility time of mice of MS18 group was significantly increased(P<0.01).The levels of Yang heat, cAMP/cGMP,Na+-K+-ATPase and SOD significantly decreased(P<0.01),while ACTH and CORT significantly increased (P<0.01)of MS18 group,compared to the control group and MS15 group.CONCLUSION Maternal separation shows sig-nificant effects on behavior in mice.The mice exhibit depression-like behavior,upset HPA axis balance and reduce body energy metabolism,which characterized as Yang deficiency symptoms in TCM.

BACKGROUNDIt is not clear if there is a difference in prognosis between male breast cancer (MBC) and female breast cancer (FBC) patients. The aim of this study was to compare the prognosis of MBC and FBC patients in China and the prognosis of MBC and their corresponding postmenopausal FBC patients.

METHODSThirty-five MBC patients who were treated at the Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center between 1969 and 2004 were enrolled in the study. Seventy FBC patients who were matched with the MBC patients for TNM stage, year of diagnosis, and age at diagnosis were simultaneously enrolled in the study. A second group comprising 18 MBC patients and their corresponding 36 matched postmenopausal FBC patients were also enrolled. The whole group and the postmenopausal groups were compared for five- and ten-year survivals.

RESULTSAll the factors that could potentially affect prognosis were comparable among the groups except more FBC than MBC patients underwent endocrine therapy and a modified radical mastectomy. The 5- and 10-year survivals in the whole group were 81.6% and 60.3% for men and 90.7% and 73.5% for women (P = 0.02). The 5- and 10-year survival in the postmenopausal group was 82.5% and 100% for men and 66.0% and 85.9% for women (P = 0.159).

CONCLUSIONSChinese FBC patients had a better prognosis than Chinese MBC patients. However, MBC patients and their corresponding postmenopausal FBC patients had a similar prognosis.

Adult ; Aged ; Breast Neoplasms ; mortality ; pathology ; therapy ; Breast Neoplasms, Male ; mortality ; pathology ; therapy ; China ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Staging ; Receptor, ErbB-2 ; analysis ; Receptors, Estrogen ; analysis ; Receptors, Progesterone ; analysis ; Sex Characteristics ; Survival Rate