Adult ; Andrology ; China ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Infertility, Male ; drug therapy ; Male ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Phytotherapy ; Sexual Dysfunctions, Psychological ; drug therapy

In subclinical diabetic nephropathy with glomerular hyperfiltration,the renal size parameters are increased significantly,and this change sets in as early as before the appearance of microalbuminuria.The average kidney length discriminator value for glomerular hyperfiltration by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis is 10.53 cm,with the best sensitivity,higher specificity and total coincidence rate,and can be a clinical indicator for screening early diabetic nephropathy with glomerular hyperfiltration.

Objective To analyze the influence of age on the diagnosis of acute heart failure (AHF) with amino terminal brain natriuretic peptide (NT‐proBNP) ,and to explore the best cut‐off value of NT‐proBNP in the diagnosis of AHF .Methods Totally 457 inpatients suspected with AHF obtained a blood NT‐proBNP measurement within 24 hours when in charged ,including 194 patients with AHF .Patients were divided into three groups according to their age :≤50 years ,>50-70 years and >70 years . The relationship between NT‐proBNPand AHF was analyzed .The diagnostic value of NT‐proBNP was evaluated for AHF in differ‐ent age groups .Results The median NT‐proBNP levels of AHF in all age groups were significantly higher than those without (P<0 .01) .AUC of NT‐proBNP for AHF in ≤50 years ,>50-70 years and >70 years groups were 0 .95 ,0 .91 ,0 .88 ,the best diagnos‐tic cut‐off points were 1 100 ,1 800 ,3 000 pg/mL ,respectively .The diagnostic specificity was 88% ,76% and 73% ,respectively .O‐verall ,the specificity of NT‐proBNP cut‐off values for age group was higher than non‐age groups .Conclusion NT‐proBNP has a good value in the diagnosis of AHF in patients with different ages .According to the age group ,the different NT‐proBNP cut‐off values can be used to improve the specificity of diagnosis .

OBJECTIVETo explore the clinical effects of Mobi-C cervical artificial disc replacement (CADR) and anterior cervical decompression and fusion (ACDF) in treating single cervical disc herniation.

METHODSFrom June 2009 to June 2012, the clinical data of 27 patients with single cervical disc herniation were retrospectively analyzed. There were 18 males and 9 females, aged from 30 to 62 years old with an average of 46.7 years. Of them, 12 patients were treated with CADR (CADR group) and 15 patients with ACDF (ACDF group). All patients had pain and numbness in neck, shoulder and upper limbs, and courses of disease was from 1 to 13 months with an average of 2.4 months. The data of clinical evaluation and questionnaire survey about quality of life were collected before operation, postoperative at 1 week and final follow-up. Odom criterion was used to evaluate postoperative effect. Visual analogue scale (VAS) was used to record pain levels. Neck disability index (NDI) and health questionnaire SF-36 were used to assess the quality of life.

RESULTSNo complications about nerve and blood vessel were found and the patients were followed up from 6 to 30 months, with an average of 16 months. One week after operation, 10 cases got excellent results and 2 good in CADR group; 5 cases got excellent results and 10 good in ACDF group; there was significant difference between two groups (P<0.05). At final follow-up, 10 cases got excellent results and 2 good in CADR group; 12 cases got excellent results and 3 good in ACDF group; there was no significant difference between two groups (P> 0.05). Pain of upper limbs had obviously relieved between two groups at 1 week after operation and final follow-up (P<0.05). VAS of neck and NDI in CADR group had decreased respectively from preoperative 3.58±0.79, 23.42±6.36 to 0.58±0.51, 5.42±1.68 at 1 week after operation (P<0.05); but the index in ACDF group was no obvious at 1 week after operation. At final follow-up, VAS of neck and NDI and SF-36 score were obviously improved than preoperation (P<0.05) between two groups.

CONCLUSIONMobi-C CADR retains the movement unit in the decompression segment and can quickly recover normal action for patients. Using CADR method has a good curative effect in the early phase, and the clinical effect is reliable, may improve the quality of life.

Adult ; Decompression, Surgical ; methods ; Female ; Humans ; Intervertebral Disc Displacement ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Spinal Fusion ; methods ; Total Disc Replacement ; methods ; Visual Analog Scale

Objective To assess whether the G870A polymorphism of cyclin D1 (CCND1)was associated with individual susceptibility to gastric cancer in China. Methods Case-control study of 214 individuals was conducted, including 108 controls (non ulcerative dyspepsia) and 106 cases of gastric cancer. The polymorphism analysis of CCND1 A/G was performed in blood samples by PCR-RFLP method. Results The frequency of GG genotype was 19.8% and 7.4% in patients with gastric cancer and controls, respectively. The risk for gastric cancer in patients homozygous (GG) for CCND1 genotypes was 3.5 times higher in comparison with patients carrying AA genotypes (P＜0.05, OR =0.281). Furthermore, the stratification analyses showed that the male, elderly (≥60 years) or H. pylori infected gastric cancer patients who carrying GG genotype were more susceptible to gastric cancer compared with those carrying AA or GA genotype. Conclusion GG genotype is associated with increased susceptibility to gastric cancer in high risk area of Xi'an.

Objective To study the effects of recombinant ciliary neurotrophic factor(CNTF) on expression of growth related proteins in related neurons after sciatic nerve repair in rats. Methods After a segment of the sciatic nerve of the rat was removed, the distal and proximal ends were sutured into a recombinant CNTF-containing silicone tube. Growth associated protein 43 ( GAP-43 ) and somatostatin (SOM) in the L4 spinal cord, L4 or L5 spinal ganglia were examined and measured by immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization using computerized image processing system. Results An increase in the GAP-43 immunoreactivity in the large, medium neurons of spinal anterolateral nucleus was more significant in the CNTF-treated group compared with those in the 0.9% saline (SAL) -treated group, while a decrease in SOM mRNA hybridization signals in those neurons were more significant in the CNTF-treated group. There were no significant differences in the aforementioned immunoreactivity and hybridization signals of spinal ganglia between the CNTF-treated group and the SAL-treated group. Conclusion The results suggest that recombinant CNTF administration up-regulate GAP-43 expression and down-regulate SOM mRNA expression in the related motor neurons, but not sensory neurons, after reconnection of transected sciatic nerve.

To prepare verapamil hydrochloride (VH) core-in-cup tablets with tri-layered tablet and four-layered tablet as core tablets, separately, which can provide biphasic release with double-pulsatile and multi-phasic release, core tablets were prepared by direct compression method, and core-in-cup tablets by dry-compression coated technology. The parameter, time-lag (T(lag)), was used to evaluate the influence of factors, such as the weight of the top cover layer, the amount of hydroxypropylmethylcellulose (HPMC), and the compression load on VH release. With the increase of the weight and HPMC amount of the top cover layer, the first lag time T(lag1) was prolonged. The second lag time T(lag2) of core-in-cup tablet with four-layered tablet as core tablet increased with the increasing amount of HPMC K100M. With the increase of compression load among the range (6 - 10 kg x cm(-2)), the two lag times were prolonged. Core-in-cup tablets with double-pulsatile and multi-phasic release released VH after the first lag time (4 -5 h), then kept sustained release for 12 h or 13 h, finally released rapidly. The drug in the core-in-cup tablet only released from the top cover layer. T(lag) is determined by the erosion rate of the inhibitor layers (the top cover layer and the sustained-release layer of the multi-layer core tablet).
Delayed-Action Preparations ; Drug Carriers ; Drug Compounding ; methods ; Drug Delivery Systems ; Excipients ; chemistry ; Hypromellose Derivatives ; Methylcellulose ; analogs & derivatives ; chemistry ; Tablets ; Verapamil ; administration & dosage

OBJECTIVETo summarize the features and treatment of male infertility induced by autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD), and compare the outcomes of intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) for infertile men with ADPKD and those with congenital bilateral absence of vas deferens (CBAVD).

METHODSWe retrospectively analyzed 21 cases of ADPKD-induced infertility, 15 treated by ICSI (group A), and another 164 cases of strictly matched CBAVD-induced infertility (group B). We compared the two groups in the couples' age, the number of ICSI oocytes, and the rates of fertilization, transferrable embryos, good embryos, embryos implanted, clinical pregnancy, biochemical pregnancy, early abortion, singleton and twins in the first cycle.

RESULTSAfter 28 cycles of ICSI, 10 of the 15 ADPKD-induced infertility patients achieved clinical pregnancy, including 7 cases of live birth, 1 case of spontaneous abortion, and 2 cases of pregnancy maintenance. No significant differences were observed between groups A and B in the couples' age, the wives' BMI, or the numbers of ICSI oocytes and embryos transplanted (P >0.05), nor in the rates of ICSI fertilization (72.64% vs 76.17%), transferrable embryos (51.28% vs 63.24%), quality embryos (38.46% vs 49.83%), embryo implantation (17.64% vs 38.50%), abortion (0 vs 9.23%), singleton (50% vs 81.54%) and twins (50% vs 18.46%). However, the rates of clinical pregnancy (13.33% vs 42.68%, P = 0.023 <0.05) and biochemical pregnancy (13.33% vs 39.63%, P = 0.032 <0.05) were significantly lower in group A than in B.

CONCLUSIONICSI is effective in the treatment of male infertility induced by either ADPKD or CBAVD, but the ADPKD cases have a lower success rate than the CBAVD cases in an individual cycle. The affected couples should be informed of the necessity of prenatal genetic diagnosis before embryo implantation and the inevitable vertical transmission of genetic problems to the offspring.

Abortion, Spontaneous ; Embryo Implantation ; Embryo Transfer ; Female ; Humans ; Infertility, Male ; therapy ; Male ; Male Urogenital Diseases ; therapy ; Oocytes ; Polycystic Kidney, Autosomal Dominant ; complications ; Pregnancy ; Retrospective Studies ; Sperm Injections, Intracytoplasmic ; Vas Deferens ; abnormalities

Objective: To study the effect of arsenic trioxide (As2O3) on human pancreatic cancer cell proliferation and apoptosis (mainly early stage) in vitro. Methods: SW1990 cells line were trea ted with As2O3 at different concentration. Cell proliferation was evaluated by MTT and apoptosis by Annexin-Ⅴ-fluostaining, electron-microscopy, flow cytometry and immunocytochemical staining of Bcl-2 and Bax. Results: As2O3 and cisplatin had the same cytotoxity on SW1990. The cytotoxic effe ct on tumor cell was produced by induction of apoptosis. Twelve hours after cult ure with 10 μg/ml As2O3, much more SW1990 cells went into apoptosis than t he control. The apoptosis rate reached 24% after 48 h with the similar concentra tion of As2O3. Immunohistochemical study revealed that the expression of Bcl -2 was decreased after treated with As2O3. Conclusion: As 2O3 can depress the proliferation of SW1990 in vitro, mainly through the i nduction of apoptosis, and it is a potential agent for pancreatic cancer chemoth erapy.

Adolescent ; Diskectomy ; Female ; Humans ; Intervertebral Disc Displacement ; physiopathology ; surgery ; therapy ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; pathology ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Male ; Postoperative Period ; Time Factors ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult