Adult ; Ejaculatory Ducts ; surgery ; Genital Diseases, Male ; surgery ; Humans ; Hyperthermia, Induced ; adverse effects ; Iatrogenic Disease ; Infertility, Male ; etiology ; Male ; Prostatitis ; therapy ; Urethra

OBJECTIVETo discuss the changes in Wnt pathway inhibiting factors in esophageal precancerosis lesions induced by methyl benzyl nitrosamine (MBNA) and the effect of Gexia Zhuyu decoction.

METHODWistar rats were subcutaneously injected with MBNA (3.5 mg x kg(-1) for twice per week to establish the model. Since the 1st day after the model establishment, they were orally administered with Gexia Zhuyu decoction (16, 8 mg x kg(-1)). At the 10th week, esophageal tissues were collected to observe the pathological changes of esophageal mucosa, detect SFRP1, sFRP4, Axin1, Axin2 and GSK-3β mRNA levels.by fluorescent quantitation PCR analysis and β-catenin protein level by Western blotting.

RESULTBeing induced by MBNA, rats in the model group showed slight atypical hyperplasia in the histopathological examination. Compared with the normal group, Gexia Zhuyu decoction dose high and low groups showed no significant pathomorphological and histological changes. The model group showed lower gene transcription levels of esophageal tissues sFRP1, sFRP4, Axin1 and Axin2 (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01) and higher β-catenin protein expression level (P < 0.01) than the normal control group. The Gexia Zhuyu decoction low dose group showed higher gene transcription levels of esophageal tissues sFRP1, sFRP4, Axin1 and Axin2 (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01) and lower β-catenin protein expression level (P < 0.01) than the normal control group.

CONCLUSIONUp-regulated β-catenin protein level and down-regulated Wnt pathway could enhance Wnt pathway activity of MBNA-induced esophageal precancerous lesions. Gexia Zhuyu decoction could down-regulate the β-catenin protein level and up-regulate the transcription level of Wnt pathway inhibiting factors, but could not block MBNA-induced esophageal precancerosis lesions.

Animals ; Axin Protein ; genetics ; metabolism ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; Esophageal Diseases ; drug therapy ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 beta ; Humans ; Male ; Necrosis ; Nitrosamines ; adverse effects ; Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Wnt Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Wnt Signaling Pathway ; drug effects

A phytochemical investigation on the aerial parts of a Tibetan medicine Meconopsis horridula, by solvent extraction, repeated chromatographies on silica gel, Sephadex LH-20, and preparative TLC techniques, led to the isolation of 9 compounds. By spectroscopic analysis and comparison of its 1H and 13C-NMR data with those in literatures, their structures were identified as oleracein E(1), N-( trans-p-coumaroyl) tyramine (2), chrysoeriol (3), apigenin (4), hydnocarpin (5), p-coumaric acid glucosyl ester (6), stigmast-5-ene-3beta-ylformate (7), 3beta-hydroxy-7alpha-ethoxy-24beta-ethylcholest-5-ene (8), and beta-sitosterol (9), respectively, among which compounds 6-8 were isolated from the genus for the first time,and 1,3 were isolated from the species for the first time. A MTT method was applied to evaluate the cytotoxic activity of compounds 14 against the human hepatocellular liver carcinoma cell line (HepG2), and compound 1 showed significant cytotoxicity against HepG2,with its inhibitory rate of 52.2% at 10 micromol x L(-1).
Medicine, Tibetan Traditional ; Molecular Structure ; Papaveraceae ; chemistry ; Plant Extracts ; chemistry ; Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Delivery of Health Care ; Family Characteristics ; Female ; Home Care Services ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Rural Population ; Surveys and Questionnaires

OBJECTIVEThis study aimed to explore the scene-trait coping style of military rescuers in Wenchuan earthquake in an effort to provide scientific evidences for mental intervention program for Chinese military personnel.

METHODSBy cluster sampling, a total of 151 military rescuers and 331 control servicemen were administered the military personnel scene-trait coping style scale (MPSTCSS).

RESULTSAll active coping factor scores, and passive coping factor scores of affection, health and economy in the rescuer group were significantly higher than those in control group (P < 0.05). The 21-above age subgroup, the 3-year plus service subgroup, and the officer subgroup had significantly higher active coping factor scores on military tasks, military experience and personal development than those of the 21-below age subgroup, 3-year minus service subgroup and the soldier subgroup, respectively (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONThe earthquake relief servicemen can cope with stressful situations better than control group by taking active coping style. The officers, servicemen older than 21 years, and servicemen with more service duration than 3 years could usually take active coping style.

Adaptation, Psychological ; Disasters ; Earthquakes ; Humans ; Military Personnel ; psychology ; Stress, Psychological

OBJECTIVETo study the related proteins of apoptosis initiation induced by homoharringtonine (HHT) in HL-60 cells.

METHODSAfter establishment of an apoptosis initiation model induced by HHT in HL-60 cells, proteins of untreated and HHT treated HL-60 cells were extracted, and the two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (2-DE) maps of the extracted proteins were established by using the immobilized pH gradient (IPG) two-dimensional electrophoresis respectively. The alteration protein spots were identified with assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS) and database searching.

RESULTSProteomics analysis showed that proteins including MHC class I antigen, calbindin D-28K, chloride channel protein 6, oncoprotein 18, zinc finger protein Helios and apoptosis inhibitor like protein 2 were involved in apoptosis initiation induced by HHT.

CONCLUSIONThe present study might conduce to the researches of HL-60 cells carcinogenesis and pave the way to exploit drug precursor related to HHT and initiation of apoptosis in HL-60 cells.

Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic ; pharmacology ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Calbindins ; Chloride Channels ; analysis ; DNA-Binding Proteins ; analysis ; Electrophoresis, Gel, Two-Dimensional ; methods ; HL-60 Cells ; Harringtonines ; pharmacology ; Histocompatibility Antigens Class I ; analysis ; Humans ; Ikaros Transcription Factor ; Inhibitor of Apoptosis Proteins ; Microtubule Proteins ; Phosphoproteins ; analysis ; Proteins ; analysis ; Proteome ; analysis ; S100 Calcium Binding Protein G ; analysis ; Spectrometry, Mass, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization ; Stathmin ; Transcription Factors ; analysis

Classical swine fever virus (CSFV), an enveloped positive-stranded RNA virus in the genus Pestivirus of the Flaviviridae family, is the causative agent of a highly contagious swine disease characterized by symptoms of hemorrhagic fever and immune depression, usually leading to substantial economic losses. The serological methods for detection of CSFV antibody such as ELISA are important means for the diagnosis of CSFV and immune surveillance. It is difficult to obtain CSFV antigen with high quality using traditional method because its titration titer is low in cell culture. CSFV has four structural protein named C, E0, El and E2. The E2 protein contains major antigenic determinants that are conserved between different CSFV strains and involved in neutralization by antibodies. So recombinant E2 protein can be developed as an alternative to the intact viral antigen. So far, CSFV E2 have not been expressed in E. coli with high level. Many factors, such as the secondary structure, the stability of 5' and 3' terminus of gene, the location of SD sequence and the bias of codes, are involved in the expressing level of foreign gene in E. coli . In this study, two sites of the E2 gene sequence were confirmed to be detrimental to its expression efficiency in E. coli through the computer-aided analysis. So they were mutated using recombinant PCR without changing the amino acids sequence of CSFV E2 gene. A plasmid was constructed by inserting the mutated E2 gene into the prokaryotic expression vector pET-28a(+) and named pETE2. The E. coli competent host BL21 (DE3)lysS transformed with pETE2 could express the E2 gene at high level, amounting to 28% of the total protein of the induced recombinant bacteria at the presence of IPTG. Except the hydrophobic transmembrane domain at C terminus, the recombinant E2 protein includes the total aa sequence. So it contains all the potential linear antigen epitopes of E2 protein because hydrophobic aa region can not form epitope. The recombinant E2 protein was CSFV-specific as proved by Western blotting and indirect ELISA. The rabbits immunized with the recombinant E2 can be protect from the challenge of hog cholera lapinized virus. This is the first report that E2 gene is expressed with high level expression in E. coli. In conclusion, it is an effective measure that mutate the CSFV E2 gene to increase its expression level in E. coli. The recombinant CSFV E2 protein possess fine immunonicity and can be used the antigen for the detection of CSFV antibody.
Antigens, Viral ; genetics ; immunology ; metabolism ; Blotting, Western ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Escherichia coli ; genetics ; metabolism ; Mutagenesis, Site-Directed ; methods ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Recombinant Proteins ; genetics ; immunology ; metabolism ; Viral Envelope Proteins ; genetics ; immunology ; metabolism

A patient referred to our hospital, diagnosed with left idiopathic chronic orchialgia, was evaluated with a thorough medical and psychiatric history, physical examination, scrotal ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging. Conservative management failed. The patient had temporary pain relief after undergoing outpatient cord block three times. Microsurgical denervation of the left spermatic cord was operated in March, 2011. A pain questionnaire was used to determine efficacy before and after operation, and complete pain relief was noted at one week after operation. The follow up period was 12 months, at the end of which the pain score was still zero. No complications, including testicular atrophy and hydrocele, occurred. Microsurgical denervation of the spermatic cord can be a minimally invasive, safe and effective management option for treatment of idiopathic chronic orchialgia.
Denervation ; methods ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Spermatic Cord ; surgery ; Testicular Diseases ; surgery

OBJECTIVETo investigate the characteristics of diagnosis and treatment of iatrogenic ejaculatory duct obstruction following prostatic hyperthermia.

METHODSRetrospective analyses were made of the clinical data of 3 cases of ejaculatory duct obstruction following prostatic hyperthermia.

RESULTSThe 3 cases were diagnosed as urethrostenosis and deformity of the posterior urethra by transurethral ultrasound and semen analysis. And all the 3 patients had undergone prostatic hyperthermia for prostatitis. Transurethral resection of the ejaculatory duct (TURED) was performed to remove the obstruction and the postoperative semen analysis showed both semen volume and sperm count to be normal.

CONCLUSIONUrethra microwave thermotherapy, urethra radiofrequency, or per urethra rheophore ablation can be adopted in the treatment of protatitis, but should be strictly indicated and cautiously selected lest secondary iatrogenic ejaculatory duct obstruction should result. For the treatment of this obstruction, TURED is the first choice.

Adult ; Constriction, Pathologic ; etiology ; surgery ; Ejaculatory Ducts ; surgery ; Humans ; Hyperthermia, Induced ; adverse effects ; Iatrogenic Disease ; Male ; Prostatitis ; therapy ; Retrospective Studies

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the diagnosis and surgical treatment of obstructive azoospermia.

METHODSWe analyzed the clinical data of 56 cases of obstructive azoospermia, 43 of them with ejaculatory duct obstruction (EDO), and the other 13 suspected of epididymal obstruction. The diagnostic methods included semen analyses, measurement of fructose and neutral alpha-glucosidase in the seminal plasma, transrectal ultrasonography (TRUS), and vasography when necessary. The 43 patients with EDO were treated by transurethral resection of the ejaculatory duct (TURED), and 11 of the 13 cases of suspected epididymal obstruction were confirmed by scrotal exploration and underwent either bilateral or unilateral vasoepididymostomy. The patients were followed up for 3 -51 months for postoperative semen quality and impregnation.

RESULTSOf the 43 azoospermia patients with EDO treated by TURED, 36 (83.7%) showed improved semen parameters and 11 (25.6%) achieved pregnancies. Among the 11 cases of azoospermia with confirmed epididymal obstruction treated by vasoepididymostomy, 6 (54.5%) had sperm in the semen assay and 3 (27.3%) achieved pregnancies.

CONCLUSIONSemen analyses, measurement of fructose and neutral alpha-glucosidase in the seminal plasma, TRUS and vasography are important diagnostic methods for obstructive azoospermia. TURED is effective for azoospermia with EDO, while vasoepididymostomy is preferable for the treatment of azoospermia with epididymal obstruction.

Adult ; Azoospermia ; etiology ; surgery ; Epididymis ; pathology ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Radiography ; Rectum ; diagnostic imaging ; Treatment Outcome ; Ultrasonography ; Vas Deferens ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery