OBJECTIVETo investigate the correlations of 24 biochemical markers in the seminal plasma with routine semen parameters.

METHODSAccording to the WHO5 standards, we analyzed the routine semen parameters of 66 subfertile men, including the semen volume, sperm concentration, total sperm count, sperm motility, and the percentage of progressively motile sperm (PR). Based on the calibration and quality control measures and using an automatic biochemistry analyzer or electrolyte analyzer, we detected 24 biochemical markers in the seminal plasma of the patients, including total protein (TP), albumin (Alb), globulin (Glb), uric acid (UA), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (AKP), γ-glutamyltransferase (GGT), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), creatine kinase (CK), alpha hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase (αHBDH), adenosine deaminase (ADA), glucose (Glu), triglyeride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), urea nitrogen (UN), creatinine (Cr), high-sensitive C-reactive protein (hsCRP), K+, Na+, Cl- , Ca, Mg, and phosphorus (P). Then we analyzed the correlations of the 24 biochemical markers with routine semen parameters.

RESULTSThe levels of the TP, Alb, and Glb proteins in the seminal plasma were positively correlated with sperm concentration, so was that of Alb with the total sperm count, and the AST and LDH activities with sperm concentration and total sperm count. The AKP activity in the seminal plasma was correlated negatively with the semen volume, but positively with sperm motility. The αHBDH activity exhibited a positive correlation with both sperm concentration and total sperm count, with a coefficient of correlation (r) above 0.7. The UN level was correlated negatively with the semen volume, so was the Cr level with the semen volume, sperm concentration, and total sperm count, and the Glu level with sperm concentration and total sperm count. The TG level was correlated positively with the semen volume, but negatively with sperm motility. The levels of seminal plasma ALT, GGT, ADA, UA, TC, CK, and hsCRP showed no correlation with the above-mentioned semen parameters. None of the seminal plasma K+, Na+, Ca, Mg, and P levels was found correlated with semen parameters except the Cl- level, which was negatively correlated with the semen volume.

CONCLUSIONMany biochemical markers in the seminal plasma are closely related to routine semen parameters, indicating that these biochemical components may play roles in spermatogenesis, sperm maturation, and physiological metabolism.

Biomarkers ; chemistry ; Humans ; Male ; Semen ; chemistry ; Semen Analysis ; Sperm Count ; Sperm Motility

Child ; Humans ; Proteomics ; methods

Objective To evaluate the effect of the high frequency oscillatory ventilation(HFOV) on the treatment of premature neonates with respiratory distress syndrome(RDS).Methods Seventy premature infants with RDS were randomly grouped as HFOV group(n=33) and conventional mandatory ventilation group(CMV group,n=37),based on their fetal age,weight,age,and their clinical condition from Jan.to Sep.in 2009.The blood gas analysis was detected and compared between the 2 groups.Results In HFOV group,the inhaled oxygen concentration,pa(CO2) decreased after treatment for 6 h,which were significantly lower than those at the beginning of the therapy(Pa

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of chronic psychological stress on vascular endothelial dysfunction rats and to explore the intervention and mechanism of Tongxinluo (TXL) on it.

METHODSForty male Wistar rats were randomly divided into the normal control group (with no modeling), the endothelial dysfunction group (the HCY group), the psychological stress group (the model group), and TXL group, ten in each group. Rats in the latter three groups were fed with 3% high methionine diet to duplicate vascular endothelial dysfunction (VED) model. In addition, chronic psychological stress was applied in VED rats using repeated binding method. TXL at the dose of 1.2 g/kg body weight was given by gastrogavage. The plasma endothelin (ET) and angiotensin II (Ang II), serum cortisone (CORT) were detected by radioimmunoassay. The serum nitric oxide (NO) was detected by nitrate reductase. Ultrastructural changes of aortic endothelial cells were observed by transmission electron microscope. Serum levels of norepinephrine (NE) and epinephrine (E) were detected by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

RESULTSCompared with the plasma ET level and the serum NO level in the HCY group (161.70 +/- 13.96 pg/mL and 26.82 +/- 13.03 micromol/L), the plasma ET level obviously increased (178.25 +/- 21.85 pg/mL) (P < 0.05) and the serum NO level decreased (24.91 +/- 9.95 micromol/L, P > 0.05), levels of CORT, NE, and E obviously increased in the model group (all P < 0.05). Ultrastructural changes of aortic endothelial cells were obviously injured. Compared with the model group, the plasma ET level (154.74 +/- 13.27 pg/mL), Ang II, CORT, NE, and E obviously decreased (P < 0.05, P < 0.01), the serum NO level obviously increased (34.44 +/- 18.35 micromol/L, P < 0.05). Ultrastructural changes of aortic endothelial cells were obviously improved.

CONCLUSIONSChronic psychological stress could obviously aggravate endothelial injury in VED rats. TXL showed protection on the vascular endothelial structure and function.

Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Endothelin-1 ; blood ; Endothelium, Vascular ; drug effects ; physiopathology ; Male ; Nitric Oxide ; blood ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Stress, Psychological ; drug therapy

OBJECTIVETo investigate the changes of the mRNA expressions of myocardial cytoskeletal proteins in endotoxemic rats.

METHODSThirty-seven Wistar rats were randomized into two groups with injection of 10 mg/kg lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or normal saline through the femoral vein. The cardiac function of the rats was monitored continuously for 24 h, and the morphological changes of the cardiac myocytes were observed with HE staining and electron microscope. The mRNA levels of myocardial cytoskeletal proteins including actin, tubulin and desmin were determined by RT-PCR.

RESULTSNo significant difference was found in the number of CD3(+)T lymphocytes in the TILs between different groups. After the immunotherapy, the peLPS injection resulted in significant impairment of the cardiac function and myocardial microstructure of the rats with reduced heart rate and left ventricular systolic pressure (LVSP). The mRNA expression of actin in the cardiac myocytes measured by fluorescence optical density was reduced significantly 8 h after LPS injection, and that of tubulin was decreased significantly 24 h after LPS treatment; desmin mRNA expression showed no significant variation after LPS injection.

CONCLUSIONLPS can significantly impair the cardiac function of the rats possibly by inducing damages of the myocardial cytoarchitecture and causing changes in the mRNA expressions of such cytoskeletal proteins as actin and tubulin.

Actins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Animals ; Cytoskeletal Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Endotoxemia ; chemically induced ; metabolism ; Female ; Lipopolysaccharides ; Myocardium ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; metabolism ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Tubulin ; genetics ; metabolism

"Mistreatment by warming therapy" refers to various symptoms/syndromes caused by improper use of fire methods mentioned in Treatise on Febrile Diseases, which are similar to damaged yin induced fire-heat syndrome (injury of yin, consumption of qi, loss of yin, consumption of body fluid) manifested after radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy in modern clinics. Better efficacy was obtained in treating various symptoms/syndromes by using nourishing yin purging fire method. In this paper authors focuses on exploring guiding significance of using "Mistreatment by warming therapy" in treating non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung ; therapy ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; therapy ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Practice Guidelines as Topic ; Syndrome

Objective To evaluate the association between interleukin-I(IL-1)loci polymorphisms and increased risk of gastric carcinoma in samples from northern Chinese population.Methods Blood sam- ples from 126 patients with gastric cancer and 125 controls with chronic gastritis were collected.Genomic DNA was extracted and polymorphisms at -31(C to T),-511(C to T)and at intron 2(86-bp VNTR)of IL-I RN were genotyped by PCR-CTPP,PCR-RFLP and PCR.For detection of Hp infection fast urenase test,~(14)C breath test and serum anti-Hp IgG antibody assay were used.Results Five kinds of polymorphism of IL-IRN were found as 1/1,1/3,1/4,1/2 and 2/2,and the frequencies in patients were 76.19%、4.76%、6.35%、11.90% and 0.79%,respectively.However,the frequencies in controls were 76.00%、4.00%、4.80%、13.60% and 1.60%.No significant differences were observed between cases and controls in each genotype.The polymorphism of IL-IB-31 allele was C/C,C/T and T/T.The frequencies in patients were 12.70% ,47.62% and 39.68%,and in controls 28.00%,48.80% and 23.20% respectively.IL-1B- 31 T/T carriers were at an increase risk of gastric cancer with an odds ratio of 3.772(95% CI,1.786- 7.966).IL-IB-511 alleles were C/C,C/T and T/T.The frequencies in patients were 19.20%,56.80% and 24.00% and in controls,23.38%,49.19% and 27.42% respectively.No significant differences were observed between cases and controls in each genotype.Conclusion In Chinese population,the polymor- phism of IL-1B-31 alleles may be associated with the susceptibility of gastric cancer.However,no evidence was found to support that the polymorphisms of IL-1RN and IL-I B-511 alleles had relationship with gastric cancer.

Objective To assess longitudinal segmental myocardial strain and displacement of left ventricle (LV) in patients with dual chamber pacing (DDD) using velocity vector imaging (VVI) and to explore the clinical application value of VVI in assessing left ventricular motion.Methods A total of 23 patients before and after DDD pacemaker implantation were enrolled in this study.The peak systolic strain and displacement of ventricular segments were measured with VVI and compared before and after pacemaker implantation.Results Compared to the values at the baseline,the strain and displacement of lateral,interventricular septum,anterior and posterior wall of LV in patients with pacing were significantly decreased.The strain,displacement of basal and mid segments with pacing were decreased as well(P＜0.01).The left ventricular strain and displacement in patients with pacing were significantly decreased than those of patients at the baseline(P＜0.05).Left ventricular longitudinal displacement before and after DDD pacing was significantly decreased from basal,mid to apical segments.But no significant difference was found in longitudinal strain from basal,mid to apical segments of LV.Conclusions (1) Left ventricular strain and displacement in patients with pacing were different between those before and after DDD pacing.(2) VVI can accurately assess left ventricular strain and displacement in patients with DDD pacing,and can become a powerful mean to assess the regional myocardial function.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the expression patterns of surfactant protein B (SP-B) and its role in the development of human fatal lung epithelial cells.

METHODSHuman fetal lung tissues were obtained from 37 fetuses of 10-34 weeks at abortion with parental consent and from two newborn infants who died of non-pulmonary causes. SP-B expression in the lung tissues was examined by immunohistochemistry.

RESULTSSP-B was detected in the cytoplasm of nonciliated columnar epithelial cells of the human fetal lung in as early as the 16th week of gestation. The positive reaction of SP-B was enhanced during canalicular stages and was more intense in the distal than in the proximal airway epithelium. From the 25th week to the prenatal stage, SP-B expression underwent no significant changes in the primitive alveolar stage, but increased remarkably after birth.

CONCLUSIONThe expression and secretion of SP-B reflects the maturation of the epithelial cells in human fatal lungs, and may closely associate with the survival ability of the newborn infants.

Cell Survival ; physiology ; Cells, Cultured ; Epithelial Cells ; cytology ; metabolism ; Fetus ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Lung ; Pulmonary Alveoli ; cytology ; metabolism ; Pulmonary Surfactant-Associated Protein B ; biosynthesis ; physiology

OBJECTIVETo investigate whether myocardial bridging (MB) is independently associated with coronary atherosclerosis proximal to MB in the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) identified by computed tomographic coronary angiography (CCTA).

METHODSFrom March 2011 to December 2012, patients (n=9 862) with suspected coronary disease underwent CCTA using dual-source CT scanner. The baseline clinical characteristics (age, gender, smoking history, presence of hypertension, dyslipidemia, diabetes mellitus, family history of heart attack, and body mass index) and the results of CCTA were reviewed. Two radiologists evaluated the coronary artery for MB and coronary atherosclerosis stenosis (CAS) in LAD and made a diagnosis by consensus. Significant independent risk factors for CAS were investigated by multivariate logistic regression analysis.

RESULTSA total of 3 182 (32.3%) cases of MB and 3 359 cases of CAS of LAD were identified. No patient with CAS in the tunneled segment was found. The mean length of bridges and the mean thickness of the overlying myocardium was (17.3±5.2) mm and (1.2±0.9) mm, respectively. There were 1658 MB cases in 3 359 cases of LAD stenosis and 1 524 MB cases in 6 503 cases of no LAD stenosis (χ(2)=681.12, P<0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that MB in the LAD were significantly associated with CAS in the proximal LAD (OR=3.07, 95%CI=2.81-3.37, P<0.001), and after final adjustment for age, gender, body mass index, family history of heart attack, smoking, hypertension, dyslipidemia, diabetes mellitus, and resting heart rate (OR=2.86, 95% CI=2.60-3.16, P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONMB in the LAD is independently associated with CAS in the proximal segment to MB.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Coronary Stenosis ; complications ; diagnostic imaging ; Female ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Myocardial Bridging ; complications ; diagnostic imaging ; Risk Factors ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed