The expression of Attractin mRNA and protein in testis and semen of human and male mice was investigated. Human testis and semen samples were all collected from Reproductive Center of Renmin Hospital, Wuhan University in December, 2012. Testis samples were collected from 7 cases of obstructive azoospermias when they were subjected to diagnosed testis biopsy, and 30 normal human semen samples were obtained from those cases of semen analysis. Adult mice testis tissues were obtained from 10 2-month-old male BALB/c mice, and 60 male mice at different ages were classified into 10 groups (day 1, 5, 10, 15, 21, 28, 35, 42, 56, and 120 respectively, n=6 each). The expression of Attractin mRNA and protein in testis was detected by RT-PCR and Western blotting respectively. Human semen samples were centrifuged into sperm plasma (SP) and sperm extract (SE), and mice sperm samples were collected from the epididymis of 10 adult male BALB/c mice. Western blotting was used to determine the Attractin protein expression level. Attractin mRNA and protein were expressed in the testis of both patients with obstructive azoospermias and adult Bcl/B mice. Quantitative RT-PCR revealed that no Attractin mRNA was detectable in day 1 male BALB/c mice group. The Attractin mRNA and protein levels were low on the day 10, and increased with age until day 56. On the day 120, the expression levels of Attractin were decreased. As for human semen samples, Attractin protein was expressed in both SP and SE, but didn't exist in samples from the epididymis of male BALB/c mice. It was suggested that Attractin acted as a novel active substance and was involved in male reproduction in both human and BALB/c mice, but it exerted a different expression profile in different mammal species.

OBJECTIVETo discuss the diagnosis and treatment of condylar resorption of unknown reason.

METHODSThe clinical data including the records of history, physical examination, radiography and laboratory of ten patients were studied. Ten patients consisted of 8 females and 2 males (mean age 24.1 years, range 19-31 years) had common clinical features including anterior open bite, posterior occlusal prematurities and Class II malocclusion. Images demonstrated a small and short condyle with abnormal shape, usually accompanied by the developmental insufficiency of the ramus and condyle. The condylar, even the ramus, showed the black marrow signal on MRI images. Four patients were treated by condylar reconstruction with costochondral graft after condylectomy under the supervision of endoscope. Two patients were treated by reduction and repair of disk. Four patients didn't accept any treatment.

RESULTSFour patients treated by condylar reconstruction with costochondral graft showed structures with the size and shape morphologically similar to normal joint and achieved a stable occlusion after follow-up of 6-18 months. Two patients treated by reduction and repair of disk didn't show significant change of open bite and remodeling of condyle after follow-up of 4-6 months.

CONCLUSIONThe diagnosis of condylar resorption of unknown reason can be achieved based on the physical examination and radiographical images. The condylar reconstruction with costochondral graft after condylectomy is feasible.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Dental Occlusion ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Mandibular Condyle ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo observe the clinical effect of indwelling the anterior urethral stent in the treatment of anterior urethral stricture.

METHODSWe included 38 patients with anterior urethral stricture in the treatment group, and another 38 in the control, the former treated by indwelling the anterior urethral stent, and the latter by urethral dilatation. Then we analyzed the clinical results by comparing the Qmax, urinary hesitancy and numbers of urethral dilations between the two groups.

RESULTSCompared with the controls, the patients of the treatment group showed an obvious increase in Qmax, a significant decrease in the number of urethral dilatations, and a marked improvement of the quality of life. Six months after the stent removal, there were significantly more patients with Qmax > 15 ml/s in the treatment group than in the control (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONIndwelling the anterior urethral stent is a desirable option for the treatment of anterior urethral stricture, which is simple, safe, effective and reliable, and can be applied to general clinical practice.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Stents ; Treatment Outcome ; Urethra ; surgery ; Urethral Stricture ; surgery

OBJECTIVETo identify the relationship between genetic polymorphisms of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPARalpha) intron 1A/C and metabolic syndrome (MS) in a Chinese population.

METHODSA population-based case-control study was conducted in Suzhou city, Changshu County and Ganyu County in Jiangsu Province China, on the basis of an ongoing cohort study and 2348 cases were investigated. After the exclusion of the known MS cases, 1847 eligible subjects were successfully followed-up and their waist circumference (WC), body mass index, blood pressure, total cholesterol (TC), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), triglycerides (TG) and fasting plasma glucose were measured. Newly diagnosed MS patients were recruited as cases, controls were individual matched with each case. TaqMan fluorescence probe method was used to detect the genetic polymorphism of PPARalpha intron 1A/C.

RESULTSThe current analysis consisted of 389 MS patients and 389 matched controls. The C allele gene frequency of PPARalpha intron 1A/C in the case group was 22.24% (173/778), lower than that in the control group, which was 24.68% (192/778); whereas the difference was not statistically significant (chi(2) = 1.29, P > 0.05). In the genotypes AA + AC and CC, MS patients were accounted for 50.70% (363/716) and 41.94% (26/62) and hyperglycemia accounted for 21.37% (153/716) and 11.29% (7/62). Compared to the genotypes AA + AC, genotype CC was observed to be inversely associated with hyperglycemia (the adjusted OR = 0.39; 95%CI: 0.17 - 0.90) but not related to the occurrence of MS (OR = 0.75; 95%CI: 0.44 - 1.28) and other components of MS e.g., abdominal obesity (the adjusted OR = 0.67; 95%CI: 0.38 - 1.17), hypertriglyceridemia (the adjusted OR = 0.97; 95%CI: 0.53 - 1.76), low HDL-C (the adjusted OR = 0.72; 95%CI: 0.41 - 1.25) and hypertension (the adjusted OR = 0.72; 95%CI: 0.42 - 1.25) all P values > 0.05.

CONCLUSIONC allele of PPARalpha intron 1A/C is not found to be associated with MS in the Chinese population. But comparing with the genotypes AA + AC, there is an inverse association between CC genotype and hyperglycemia.

Adult ; Aged ; Alleles ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; genetics ; Case-Control Studies ; Cohort Studies ; Female ; Gene Frequency ; Genotype ; Humans ; Hyperglycemia ; etiology ; genetics ; Introns ; Male ; Metabolic Syndrome ; etiology ; genetics ; Middle Aged ; PPAR alpha ; genetics ; Polymorphism, Genetic

OBJECTIVETo observe the differentiation and distribution of epidermal stem cell (ESC) after skin soft tissue expansion, and to initially probe into the growth mechanism of expanded skin tissue.

METHODSSamples of normal skin and expanded skin (mean effusion period 45 days) were harvested from head and cervical region in 15 patients who underwent II stage surgery after skin expansion. Samples were divided into scalp adjacent to the center of expander group (expanded scalp, 3 cm from the vertical axis of the expander), scalp from lateral part of the expander group (expanded scalp, 5 - 7 cm lateral to the vertical axis of the expander), cervical skin expansion group, un-expanded scalp control group, and un-expanded cervical skin control group, according to the position of skin harvested. The tissue structure of skin in each group was observed with HE staining, and the differentiation and distribution characteristics of cytokeratin 19 (CK19) positive cells were observed with immunohistochemical staining.

RESULTSCompared with those in the un-expanded control groups, uneven, relatively thickened and obviously folded epidermis with more cell layers and cells with obvious aggregation close to the basal layer were observed in the expanded groups, but those cells were not well-arranged and the transition of polarity was not obvious. The continuity of CK19 positive cells in the basal layer of skin was observed in each of the expanded group with immunohistochemical staining, and positive cells increased obviously and arranged in multilayer in certain parts of basal layer. Clustered or dispersed CK19 positive cells were also observed outside the basal layer. No above-mentioned phenomenon was observed in the un-expanded control group.

CONCLUSIONSThe proliferation and differentiation of ESC with ectopic distribution may enhance the repair process after skin soft tissue expansion.

Cell Proliferation ; Dermis ; cytology ; Epidermis ; cytology ; Humans ; Stem Cells ; cytology ; Tissue Expansion ; Wound Healing

OBJECTIVETo investigate the apoptosis effect of isothiocyanates (ITCS) on human liver cancer cells HepG-2, and its mechanism.

METHODHepG-2 cells were treated with different concentrations of ITCS. MTT assay was used to evaluate the influence of ITCS on cell proliferation. Flow cytometry was used to test ROS levels, intracellular mitochondrial transmembrane potential (deltapsim) , and hypodiploid apoptosis peak in HepG-2 cells.

RESULTITCS obviously inhibited proliferation of HepG-2 cells. When treated with 15, 30, 60, 120, 240 microg x mL(-1) of ITCS for 24 h, ROS levels were (23.1+/-1. 8)%, (53.3+/-3.3)%, (57.9+/-2.0)%, (79.9+/-3.4)%, (93.4+/-2. 6)% respectively; and deltapsim were (94.8+/-5.5)%, (91.8+/-5.4)%, (66.0+/-5.6)%, (65. 5+/-6.6)% and (44.3+/-2.7)% respectively; when treated with 60, 120, 240 microg x mL(-1) of ITCS for 48 h, cell apoptotic rates were (16.6+/-2.8)%, (21.9+/-4.4) % and (70.2+/-5.3) % respectively.

CONCLUSIONITCS generates ROS in gastric cancer HepG-2 cells, which causes mitochondrial membrane permeabilization and deltapsim decrease, therefore, leads to apoptosis of HepG-2 cells.

Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Brassica ; chemistry ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Humans ; Isothiocyanates ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Liver Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Membrane Potential, Mitochondrial ; drug effects ; Mitochondria, Liver ; drug effects ; physiology ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Reactive Oxygen Species ; metabolism

OBJECTIVEThis is a preliminary study of the endoscopic technique on open surgery. The purpose of this study is to introduce the use of endoscopic technique for the reconstruction of the condyle with costochondral graft through a preauricular incision.

METHODS33 patients of temporomandibular joint diseases (n=49) underwent reconstruction of mandibular condyle with costochondral graft. After preparation of the recipient site through a preauricular incision, maxillo-mandibular fixation, and preparation of the costochondral graft, the graft was fixed to the lateral side of the mandible ramus under the supervision of arthroscope.

RESULTSAll the patients had successful reconstruction of the condyle with costochondral graft without any severe bleeding or craniocerebral injury.

CONCLUSIONThis case series demonstrates the feasibility of endoscopic technique for the reconstruction of the condyle through a preauricular incision. It has the advantage of high efficiency, minimal postoperative morbidity, great patient comfort, and little appearance impairment. The endoscopic technique has a promising future.

Adult ; Arthroscopes ; Endoscopy ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Mandible ; Mandibular Condyle ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures ; Temporomandibular Joint Disorders

Adult ; Aged ; Cataract Extraction ; methods ; Endothelial Cells ; pathology ; Female ; Fuchs' Endothelial Dystrophy ; pathology ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Phacoemulsification

AIM:To investigate the effect of Hedgehog(Hh) signaling pathway on the viability and apoptosis of cervical carcinoma cells by shRNA technique to knock down Smoothened (Smo) gene. METHODS:Smo shRNA was used to transfect the cervical carcinoma HeLa cells. The expression of Smo and Gli1 at mRNA and protein levels in the He-La cells was determined by RT-PCR and Western blot,respectively. The effect of Smo gene silencing on the growth of the cells was measured by MTT assay. The apoptosis and cell cycle were determined by flow cytometry. RESULTS:Compared with control group,the mRNA and protein expression of Smo and Gli1 were evenly reduced obviously after transfected with Smo shRNA for 72 h(P<0.05). The viability of HeLa cells transfected with Smo shRNA was significantly inhibited. The percentages of the cells in G0/G1phase and early apoptosis rate were obviously higher in Smo shRNA transfection group than those in control group. CONCLUSION:Smo gene silencing effectively inhibits the cell growth and induces the apop-tosis of human cervical carcinoma cells.

Objective To assess the interference by calcium dobesilatein 7 peroxidase-baseduric acid assays and to determine its clinical significance.Methods In the in vitro experiments, uric acid in pooled serum with final concentrations of calcium dobesilate additions (0, 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, and 64μg/ml) were measured by 7 peroxidase-based assays.Percent Bias (%) was calculated relative to the drug-free specimen.In the in vivo experiments, changes in serum uric acid and calcium dobesilate concentrations were observed before and after calcium dobesilate administration ( baseline, 0 h, 1 h, 2 h, 3 h, 4 h, 6 h ) involunteers.The interference in different assays was assessed compared with LC-IDMS/MS method. Calcium dobesilate levels in 40 specimens from those taking calcium dobesilate were measured by HPLC method.Of the 40 specimens, 10 were selected to analyse the levels of uric acid by both peroxidase and UV measurement method to assess the impact in clinical status.Results In the in vitro study, concentrations of uric acid measured by 7 peroxidase-based assays were reduced by -6.3%to -21.2%compared with drug-free serum, when theconcentration of calcium dobesilate was16μg/ml.In the in vivo study, comparedto UA levels at 0 h, the biasesof serum uric acid determined by peroxidase method after calcium dobesilate administration(1 h, 2 h, 3 h, 4 h, 6 h) were of -3.33%, -6.79%, -7.49%, -6.07%, -4.09%, respectively.The observed uric acid concentrations for 8 participants measured by enzymatic assays were inhibited by -3.75% to -6.89% at 0 hour and by -16.9% to-22.22% at 2 hours relative to the concentrations measured by the LC-IDMS/MS method. Conclusions Calcium dobesilate produced a clinically significant negative interference with uric acid in all peroxidase-based uric acid assays,which may result in false evaluation of uric acid level in clinical status.Significant differences in the degree of interference were observed among the assays.